"How did you get here?" Uzumaki Jun frowned as he looked at the two girls and one boy in front of him. "I remember the Konoha battlefield isn't in this area?"
He had originally planned to set a trap for Konoha, but now...
Faced with three children around ten years old, he couldn't bring himself to do it. So, after secretly using the Body Flicker Technique to eliminate the two Suna jonin, he walked up to them with a helpless expression.
What a headache!!
"It's you!" A black-haired girl stared at Uzumaki Jun in surprise. "That annoying redhead!"
Hearing Uchiha Mikoto's words, Uzumaki Jun's forehead immediately sprouted a vein. Had he ever offended her?
Back then, he had only asked her for directions, right?
Was she really that resentful?
Or had she been punished by the Uchiha clan for leading a stranger around?
"Long time no see." Uzumaki Jun forced a smile.
After all, she was the future mother of another Child of Prophecy. It was better not to antagonize her, or who knew what accidents might occur. And...
Perhaps in the future, the Uchiha would become part of Uzushiogakure?
Then Itachi and Sasuke would become the successors of Uzushiogakure's red ideology...
Better to build a good relationship first.
"Hmph!" Uchiha Mikoto narrowed her eyes at Uzumaki Jun. "Back then, you ran off without saying a word."
Her two teammates looked at her in confusion. Their companion didn't usually have the typical Uchiha arrogance. She was gentle, good at cooking, and caring. What was going on today?
They examined the red-haired boy in front of them. He looked about their age—handsome, too.
And...
His strength was incredible!
Those were two jonin!
Yet he had taken them out in one move.
Was Mikoto acting like this because...?
"Thank you for your help!" A girl stepped forward and bowed. "I'm Shiraki Kaarin. These are my teammates Ueda Ren and Uchiha Mikoto."
"Uzumaki Jun." Uzumaki Jun smiled and nodded. It seemed that apart from Uchiha Mikoto, the other two were just extras. Probably Hiruzen Sarutobi still didn't trust the Uchiha clan to get too close to other clans.
"Uzumaki Jun!!" The three Konoha children stared at the red-haired boy in shock.
"The ally of Konoha, the daimyo of Uzushiogakure known for his benevolence, the youngest Kage in shinobi history?" Kaarin covered her mouth, looking at Uzumaki Jun in disbelief.
"Is it really you?"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Uzumaki Jun. No wonder her best friend was acting like this!
If it were her...
She'd have already clung to him!
Uzumaki Jun smiled and nodded modestly. "You flatter me, you flatter me."
So he was already this famous in the shinobi world?
Uchiha Mikoto was also stunned when she heard Uzumaki Jun's name. No wonder she hadn't seen him in Konoha afterward—he wasn't from the village. A hint of regret flashed in her eyes as she stepped forward and bowed. "I apologize, and..."
"Thank you."
Who would have thought the last time she'd see him would be when he saved her.
"No need." Uzumaki Jun looked at Uchiha Mikoto. This was more like the gentle housewife he remembered, even if she was still just a little girl now. He smiled. "Consider it thanks for showing me the way last time."
Uchiha Fugaku was really something...
Going after a clanmate five years his junior!
"No, I still have to thank you." Uchiha Mikoto shook her head firmly. "No matter what, you saved us."
Uzumaki Jun turned away and chuckled awkwardly. "Where's your team leader?"
He had come here to set a trap. Saving them...
That was just an accident!
Judging by their ages, they were genin, so they should have a jonin sensei.
"Uemura-sensei, he..." Uchiha Mikoto and the other two lowered their heads, saying nothing.
It seemed this extra sensei had died.
Uzumaki Jun rubbed his chin as he observed the three. They must have been on a mission with their jonin sensei, but the sensei had died. As for the mission...
A jonin leading three genin—it was probably reconnaissance or something similar.
Asking directly...
Uzumaki Jun still had some shinobi ethics. As a shinobi, asking about another village's mission was taboo.
"I'll take you back." Uzumaki Jun thought for a moment. "This place is dangerous. I've heard Suna has been acting strangely lately."
"But I'm not sure what's going on yet, so you should leave quickly."
"We..." Uchiha Mikoto and the other two exchanged glances. "Thank you!"
Especially Kaarin and Ren nodded eagerly, not saying anything else. They were even a little excited—this was a Kage!
If he escorted them back, it would be extremely safe.
As for Uchiha Mikoto...
She glanced at Uzumaki Jun, a faint smile on her lips. She remembered their first meeting...
How strange.
Konoha Camp...
"Who goes there?" As Uzumaki Jun and the three approached, a Konoha jonin leaped out and shouted.
He blocked their entry.
"We're Konoha genin." Uchiha Mikoto stepped forward and handed over their identification. "We ran into some trouble... [explanation]."
"So you were Uemura's team." The jonin sighed inwardly and looked at them. "Don't be too sad. As shinobi..."
"Casualties are inevitable." After comforting them, he glanced at the red-haired boy behind them. "Thank you for your help, but please wait here. I need to report to Lord Orochimaru."
So the commander here was Snake Uncle!
Uzumaki Jun quickly shook his head. "No need. The battlefield in Uzushiogakure still needs me, so I have to return immediately."
Without waiting for a response, he used the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Now wasn't the time to meet Snake Uncle.
Before he turned against Konoha, it was better not to meet Orochimaru. Who knew what might be discovered?
After all...
Scientific minds were sharp, especially Orochimaru's, the creator of the technology that drove the entire Boruto plot...
It was better not to meet someone like him now. Though Uzushiogakure desperately needed talent...
Snake Uncle wouldn't join them at this stage. Better to meet later.
Maybe they could collaborate in the future.
Right now, Uzumaki Jun would rather meet the toad sage than Orochimaru. After all...
Mount Myōboku had beautiful scenery, and who knew what dreams the Great Toad Sage would have—what prophecies might arise.
So...
Better to discuss cooperation after Orochimaru went rogue.
"What a Kage." The Konoha jonin sighed as he watched Uzumaki Jun disappear. "He really does know space-time ninjutsu."
Uchiha Mikoto watched Uzumaki Jun vanish, then sighed inwardly. She turned to see Kaarin staring at her curiously. "What's wrong?" She touched her face. "Is there dirt?"
"No." Kaarin blinked, then smiled and hugged Uchiha Mikoto.
Mikoto was startled but didn't resist, letting Kaarin hold her. She smiled softly. "It's okay."
"Yeah!" Kaarin hugged her tightly. "It's good to be alive."