The next day…
Nagi returned from the Land of Wind.
"Sorry for making you wait, Naruko."
Naruko shook her head.
"Hehe, it's fine. Your important work comes first. By the way, Nagi, do you have time today?"
"Mm. I'm free until evening."
"Hehe, then can you walk around with me for a while?"
"Sure."
With that, Naruko happily linked her arm with Nagi's and pulled him outside.
Shizuka and Samui watched the two leave, smiling softly.
"Cherish this time, Naruko…"
Konoha Streets
Nagi accompanied Naruko around the village.
They went shopping, ate together, and enjoyed the scenery.
Eventually—
They arrived at the top of the Hokage Rock.
The two sat side by side, overlooking Konoha.
Naruko gazed at the view and said softly,
"I didn't expect our two worlds to be so different. Also… Nagi, thank you for taking care of the me in this world."
Suddenly, Naruko seemed to remember something.
Her expression instantly turned panicked.
"Oh no! I forgot Uncle B's dance performance!"
"Dance performance?"
"Yeah! It's today! I even asked Sister Mabui to help me reserve tickets."
"Uh… is it really that good?"
"Of course! Uncle Raikage and Uncle B have incredible dance moves!"
Meanwhile — Kumogakure
Naruto and Sakura had just been brought here by Minato using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Both of them stared blankly at the stage.
On it—
The Raikage, Killer B, and a group of Kumogakure ninja were dancing.
A bunch of grown men…
Dancing.
But that wasn't the shocking part.
The real problem was—
They were all wearing flower-patterned dresses, heavy makeup, and bright red lipstick.
Just imagine it.
A group of burly men dressed like flamboyant dancers from Kamabakka Kingdom in One Piece.
Naruto and Sakura felt their eyes burning.
They both desperately wanted to throw up.
Minato smiled gently and explained:
"Actually, the shinobi of Kumogakure have always had this hobby. But during the years of frequent war, they had to suppress it."
"Now that the ninja world is mostly at peace, they no longer have that burden."
"So… they're finally free to express themselves."
"Uh… but still…"
Naruto and Sakura were struggling to process the scene.
Then—
The A–B Combo threw them a flirtatious wink.
"BLEGH—!" ×2
Naruto and Sakura immediately vomited.
And they weren't the only ones.
Across the ninja world, viewers watching the scene were suffering the same fate.
Chat Reactions
[Mei Terumi: AHH! My eyes!]
[Minato Namikaze: That's… impressive. Ugh… thankfully our Kumogakure is normal.]
[Ebisu: Urgh… I must say, Kumogakure… you're brave warriors… ugh!]
[Ōnoki: Hmph… you brat, I didn't expect you to play this wildly… ugh. Even I can't take it anymore.]
[Tsunade: PWAHAHAHAHA! Amazing! Your dance moves are even more seductive than women's! Hahaha!]
[Jiraiya: Tsunade, stop! Just imagining it again—ugh…]
[Fourth Raikage (A): AAAH! This must be fake! It has to be fake!]
[Killer B: Yo! Big bro, your moves beat mine—no wait, mine are still sexier, yeah!]
[Darui: But… that's C, right? I didn't expect you to look that good in women's clothes.]
[C: STOP TALKING!!! And that guy with the thick foundation—that's you, right?! Blegh!]
The men of Kumogakure collectively experienced total social death.
They originally thought their counterparts in that world were similar to themselves.
But instead…
It turned out to be an absolute catastrophe.
Seeing the thick makeup and those "unique" dance moves made them want to disappear on the spot.
[Third Raikage: Hmph. Luckily I died early. Otherwise I might've suffered this humiliation too.]
[Fukai: Same here.]
[Troy: Me too.]
The Screen Continues…
Evening.
Naruko leaned gently against Nagi's chest.
She had a strange feeling—
As if she would be returning soon.
"Nagi… um…"
Nagi spoke softly.
"Don't worry. I've already placed a space-time marker on you."
"Once you return, I'll be able to reach your world anytime."
"And our two worlds are gradually drawing closer anyway. Before long, Satsuki will probably be able to come here using her Rinnegan."
"Hehe, that's good."
Naruko happily nestled in his arms.
After a short while—
Her body began to glow.
"Looks like it's time to go back."
Naruko sighed slightly.
"If only we had a little more time… then I could've pushed you down directly. But…"
Naruko suddenly leaned forward and kissed him.
"This is good too."
The next moment—
Her figure disappeared.
"Sigh…"
Nagi looked at the empty space and sighed.
But he quickly pulled himself together.
"Alright. Deidara and Sasori are still waiting for me. Time to head back."
Meanwhile — Konoha Park
Naruto and Sakura suddenly appeared there.
But something was different.
Naruto was carrying a pile of clothes and food.
Sakura held a large number of rice balls.
Looking at the items in their arms, both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
"Whew… good thing we could bring things back with us."
They quickly sealed the items into sealing scrolls.
Just as they were about to say goodbye and head home—
Sakura suddenly turned around.
"Naruto… don't keep Hinata waiting."
"…."
Naruto fell silent.
In that other world, Hinata—and even Naruto's parents—had said that the Hinata of this world liked him.
But…
Did she really?
Naruto had spent his entire life desperately seeking acknowledgment.
Because of that—
He found it hard to believe anyone could truly like him.
"Sakura, I…"
Sakura smiled gently.
"Naruto, when a girl truly falls in love, she doesn't change her heart so easily. I know that very well."
"…I understand."
Her words were meant not only to encourage Naruto to approach Hinata—
But also to tell him to stop chasing after her.
After the guidance she received from her parents in that other world, Sakura had grown.
She believed she was no longer worthy of Naruto's earnest devotion.
"Well… I should head home too."
Naruto watched her leave, feeling a bit lonely.
Uzumaki Residence
"I'm home."
Naruto looked at the empty house, disappointment filling his face.
"Even though… I'm already used to being alone."
Just then—
"Welcome back."
"!"
Naruto stared in disbelief at the person standing in front of him.
Iruka Umino.
Iruka cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Cough… the cake shop was having a buy-one-get-one-free sale. So I thought I'd bring one for you."
Seeing someone who genuinely cared about him—
Naruto's eyes began to grow moist.
Iruka noticed something was off.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Something on your mind? You can talk to your teacher."
Naruto hesitated for a moment.
But eventually, he told Iruka about Hinata.
"Huh? Hinata likes you?"
Iruka blinked.
"Isn't that something everyone already knows?"
"Eh?!"
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