Konoha, the training room in Naruto's villa.
A flash of golden light passed, and three figures appeared out of thin air in the training room.
After steadying himself against the wall, Boruto curiously scanned his surroundings.
Stone walls, Chakra lamps, Fuinjutsu markings in the corner, and a Flying Thunder God kunai lying ahead.
"Where is this?"
"Konoha, the place where I live." Naruto replied.
He then pushed open the door and led the two up the stairs, crossing the hallway to the living room.
"Dad's Flying Thunder God Technique is amazing. In the blink of an eye, we went from the border back to Konoha."
Boruto plopped down onto a cushion in the living room, still immersed in the wonderful experience of that instantaneous space-time jump.
"If you keep training properly in the future, you can reach this level too."
Naruto sat cross-legged on the cushion opposite them.
"Urashiki has been dealt with, what are your plans now?"
Sasuke spoke, "Since Urashiki has been dealt with, our purpose for coming here is fulfilled. It is time to return to our own space-time."
"Huh? Are we leaving so soon?" Boruto's face fell upon hearing this.
He hadn't even learned Light Release yet, his Flying Thunder God Technique was just at the introductory level, and he hadn't even started learning Fuinjutsu.
"Boruto, we are not people of this space-time."
Sasuke looked serious. "Although Urashiki is dead, we do not know if the time flow of this space-time is consistent with the time flow of our original space-time."
"Perhaps we have stayed here for several days, while only a few minutes have passed over there, or perhaps the reverse. The longer we delay, the more uncontrollable it becomes."
"Moreover, there are a pile of things back in the village, and no one knows if other accidents might occur. We must return as soon as possible."
"Understood."
Although Boruto was reluctant, he understood the importance of the situation.
"Alright Sasuke, since you want to leave, I won't stop you. However, before you leave, there is surely enough time to have a meal together." Naruto stood up and brushed the dust off his pants.
Sasuke was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Anyway, he needed to replenish his energy after returning to Konoha. A meal wouldn't delay things.
"However, before that, I want to ask you something."
Sasuke looked straight at Naruto. "Do you know about the Ōtsutsuki Clan?"
"From the moment Urashiki appeared, you were very clear about his ability details and combat style. It didn't seem like you were seeing him for the first time at all."
Naruto smiled. "I know a little, but Sasuke, asking this is meaningless. You are about to return to your own space-time, knowing more won't change anything."
Sasuke fell silent upon hearing this.
Naruto was right, he was not a person of this space-time, and the Ōtsutsuki threat in this space-time had nothing to do with him. Furthermore, he hadn't even finished resolving the problems in his own space-time.
This Naruto mastered Nine-Tails Chakra, Flying Thunder God Technique, Light Release, Fuinjutsu, and Adamantine Sealing Chains...
If the Ōtsutsuki Clan really attacked, this Naruto's chances of winning might be much greater than the Naruto of his own space-time.
"Fine, I won't ask." Sasuke said.
"By the way Sasuke, before you leave, I want you to do me a favor."
"What favor?"
"Let's step aside to talk."
Naruto stood up and tilted his head toward the training room.
Although puzzled, Sasuke set down his teacup and stood up to follow Naruto.
Before leaving, Naruto turned back to Boruto, who was about to stand up, and said, "Boruto, you wait here for a moment. I have something to discuss with Sasuke."
"Oh, okay, Dad." Boruto sat in place.
Entering the training room, Naruto closed the door behind him.
Sasuke leaned against the wall. "What is it that needs to be discussed specifically here?"
Naruto turned around and concisely stated the matter he needed Sasuke's help with.
After hearing his words, Sasuke's eyes widened.
A moment later, the training room door opened. Naruto and Sasuke walked out one after the other.
Boruto leaned over and keenly noticed that Sasuke's complexion was paler than before he went in, and his steps were a bit unsteady.
"Sasuke-san, what is wrong? It feels like you are a bit weaker than just a moment ago."
"Boruto, you saw wrong." Sasuke replied expressionlessly.
He turned to Naruto, his tone carrying a hint of urgency. "Naruto, when are we eating? After we eat, we are leaving."
Naruto smiled. "Let's go, I'll take you to eat. The place has already been arranged."
Along the way, Sasuke recalled what Naruto had done in the training room. The more he recalled, the more he felt that this space-time's Naruto was simply outrageous.
—
Konoha Yakiniku Restaurant.
Sasuke stood at the entrance of the shop, staring at the few familiar faces already seated inside, and froze on the threshold.
He had thought that the meal Naruto mentioned meant the three of them finding a quiet place to eat something casual, while chatting about intelligence regarding the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
Looking at the situation now, Naruto clearly intended to call all their childhood companions.
Sasuke instinctively retreated but Naruto had already firmly pressed his hand on his shoulder, pushing him and Boruto inside together.
"Barbecue!"
Inside the barbecue restaurant, Choji waved his chopsticks, his face overflowing with happiness from the bottom of his heart.
"Yo, everyone is here." Naruto greeted them.
"Naruto, you have done another big thing."
Shikamaru's gaze swept over Boruto and Sasuke.: "Who are these two?"
Naruto sat down in a chair. "I'll introduce you in a moment."
Shikamaru pursed his lips. "You've actually learned how to keep people in suspense."
Without pressing further, he returned his attention to the menu in his hands.
"Na...Naruto."
Just then, Ino walked over and grabbed Naruto's arm, her voice carrying a hint of playful complaint. "Before I could thank you properly, my dad dragged me away. My dad is really something. Even though you saved me, he dragged me home without letting me say a single word of thanks."
"Ino, you were targeted by Danzo only because of me. Come to think of it, I should be the one apologizing." Naruto said.
Boruto sat across the table, his eyes wide open. 'Aunt Ino?'
Why is Inojin's mom so intimate with Dad?
In his memories, Ino and Naruto occasionally cracked a joke or two, but never had this kind of physical contact.
He hurriedly turned his head to look at Sasuke, wanting to get a reasonable explanation from him. However, Sasuke just shook his head slightly, signaling Boruto with his eyes not to ask any more questions.
Seeing this, Boruto had no choice but to swallow the question that was on the tip of his tongue.
Naruto and Ino chatted for a few sentences, and only then did Ino contentedly let go of Naruto's arm and was led by him to sit down nearby.
At this time, Kiba brought Shino and Hinata over.
He shouted, "Naruto, didn't everyone just gather a while ago? Why is there another gathering so soon? Don't tell me you have something else to announce?"
"Woof!" Akamaru, lying on Kiba's head, barked.
Shino followed behind, pushing up his sunglasses. "Naruto must have a special reason for this gathering."
Naruto said, "Can't we have a gathering without a special reason? I'm treating this meal, everyone eat to your heart's content."
"You said it!"
Kiba immediately pulled over a chair and sat down.
Naruto nodded at Shino as a greeting, then walked to Hinata's side. "Hinata, come here, let me introduce someone to you."
He took Hinata's hand, led her around half the table, and sat down next to Boruto.
"Introduce someone?"
Hinata's heartbeat began to accelerate uncontrollably.
'Mom?'
Boruto saw the red flush appear on Hinata's face and his entire body reflexively straightened up.
He saw this face at the dining table every day at home and would never mistake it. But the expression she had when looking at Dad...
Her voice was so soft and the degree of her blushing was completely different from the strict mom he knew—they were like two different people.
In Boruto's memory, when his mom got angry, even his dad had to bow his head and admit his mistake.
Hinata was led by Naruto to sit down, and she looked up to see Boruto next to her.
This blonde boy gave her a very familiar feeling, as if she had seen him somewhere. Or rather, just like someone she was very close to.
But Hinata carefully recalled all the relatives of the Hyuga Clan and all the ninjas of the same generation in Konoha, and couldn't find this face.
"Hello." Boruto bit the bullet and greeted her.
Hinata thought Boruto was just introverted and shy and nodded slightly to him.