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Naruto felt the sensation of his body returning to him. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself buried underground.
"S-Say, Kurama. I know I'm revived and all, but how are we going to get out of here?" Naruto said with a puzzled expression.
Kurama also looked puzzled, and then they heard someone say, "Do you need any help?"
"Was he talking to me?" Naruto asked Kurama in a hushed voice.
'I think so. Also, I sense something, but I'm not entirely sure because of the seal,' Kurama replied.
'Well, it's not like I have any other option,' Naruto thought.
"Yes, please. Can you help me?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, sure," the other Naruto replied.
After helping Naruto out of the grave, the adult Naruto started wondering how things became the way they are.
"Thanks for the help," Naruto thanked him politely, then suddenly jumped backwards, putting space between the different Naruto and himself, his eyes filled with doubt as he took a fighting stance.
The adult Naruto was surprised by this and said, "Relax, I'm not here to fight you."
"Oh yeah? Well, normal people don't go around helping a dead person come out of his grave," Naruto retorted.
"That is true," the adult Naruto said, scratching his cheek under the mask. 'What is happening in this world? I don't remember myself being so distrustful and wary of people at that age. How did he die in the first place?' The adult Naruto tried to figure out the situation but couldn't think of anything. Soon, he sighed and asked, "Do you mind telling me what's going on here first? How did you die, and how are you alive again?"
"How about you start by telling me who you are before you ask me anything?" Naruto remained wary of the masked person in front of him.
"What if I tell you that I'm you, but a little different at the same time?" the adult Naruto said, undoing the hair-altering jutsu and then removing his mask.
"What are y...!" Naruto was very surprised when he saw the face of the masked individual in front of him. "Y-You're..."
"I'll tell you everything, but first, let's change our location," the adult Naruto said.
"...Fine," Naruto said, glancing at his grave and pondering his options. 'But how to deal with the grave situation.'
'I have an idea, Naruto,' Kurama said inside Naruto's head.
'What is it?' Naruto asked Kurama.
'Just do as I say,' Kurama instructed.
'Okay,' Naruto was a little reluctant but decided to follow Kurama's instructions.
'First, create a shadow clone using only the chakra I'm leaking. Then, I'll cut the supply of chakra, which will put the shadow clone in a state of suspension for a few seconds. During that time, kill the shadow clone. That way, it won't disappear and can act like your real body for the villagers,' Kurama explained, and Naruto followed his instructions.
Meanwhile, the adult Naruto watched him do everything and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Preparing some backup," Naruto replied vaguely, focusing on the task at hand.
After placing the shadow clone in his place, Naruto said, "Well, let's go talk then."
Both Narutos moved further and further away from the Leaf village and finally stopped in the middle of a large forest.
"So, who are you? Why did you help me? And what do you want from me?" Naruto asked, keeping his guard up.
"Hmm... Like I said, I'm you, Naruto, just from a different world. As for why and what I want from you, let's just say I'm here to warn you," the adult Naruto continued.
Naruto listened quietly, deep in thought.
"So, are you going to answer my questions now? How did you die, and what is going on in this world?" the adult Naruto asked, and they spent a few hours exchanging details and answering each other's questions.
"I see," the adult Naruto said after listening to Naruto's story.
"Hmm... But what do I call you?" Naruto suddenly asked.
"Huh? Oh! You can call me Menma," the adult Naruto replied.
"So, what are you going to do from now on?" Menma asked with a serious expression, but Naruto didn't give it much thought and replied.
"Since you're me, shouldn't you already know?" Naruto said in an emotionless voice.
Menma understood everything and sighed. "You're going to destroy the Hidden Leaf, aren't you?"
"Yes."