Boruto felt miserable that he couldn't get a look at Icha Icha Paradise. His curiosity about the book only grew stronger.
Adult Sasuke quickly put the book away, coughed lightly, and said:
"Alright, that's enough. Stop thinking about it. Besides, we should be leaving."
Now that the matter with Ōtsutsuki Urashiki was settled, there was no longer any reason for them to stay here.
But before leaving, some memories needed to be erased.
The moment Kiyosuke's eyes sharpened with caution, Adult Sasuke knew wiping his memories was impossible. If Kiyosuke survived, he might influence the future in some way, but it shouldn't affect Konoha much.
With that thought, Sasuke abandoned the idea of erasing Kiyosuke's memories.
However, Naruto and Jiraiya's memories had to be dealt with.
So, Sasuke turned to the two of them.
"Naruto, Jiraiya-sama. Let me show you something."
"Huh? What is it?" Naruto looked over curiously—only to meet the gaze of Sasuke's six-tomoe Rinnegan.
In an instant, all the memories of Adult Sasuke and Boruto from these past few days were sealed away, Kurama's included. At the same time, Sasuke dispelled the genjutsu he had placed on the Nine-Tails.
In the future, Kurama and Naruto would become close friends. Leaving behind his illusion might interfere with that, so it was better to release it now.
Jiraiya too collapsed after seeing the Rinnegan.
In their altered memories, the past few days had been nothing more than training in town, stuck at an inn because of a storm.
As the two slumped to the ground, Kiyosuke asked:
"You're leaving already?"
"Yes." Sasuke nodded.
"We're not from this era. Staying any longer is meaningless. Kiyosuke-sama, take care."
"I understand. Thank you for coming back to tell me such important things."
Kiyosuke nodded, then turned to Boruto.
"Kid, once you're born, I'll make sure to guide you well."
Guide you into becoming a hot-blooded youth!
Boruto's expression stiffened. He forced a laugh.
"N-no need for that, really…"
"Oh, it's necessary!" Kiyosuke grinned, making Boruto shiver.
From the bag on Boruto's back, a turtle floated into the air and yawned.
"Leaving already?"
"Huh? You're awake?" Boruto asked in surprise.
"Weren't you out of chakra?"
Karasuki had indeed fallen into a deep sleep from lack of chakra. Originally, Boruto and Sasuke planned to remain in this era until Karasuki recovered enough to return them to their own time.
"Because of that recent battle, a huge amount of chakra was released. I absorbed a little of it while you were fighting. It's enough to take you two back now. So… are we returning?" the turtle asked.
Kiyosuke studied Karasuki with interest.
"So, you're just a turtle, and yet you can perform time-space travel? Fascinating."
Karasuki turned its gaze to Kiyosuke.
"It seems you've learned about the future."
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Nothing. As long as the main flow of the future remains unchanged, it's fine." Karasuki shook its head, unconcerned. After all, even if it did care, there was nothing it could do. It was only a turtle designed to carry people through time. It had no power to interfere with the timeline itself.
Or rather, perhaps its very existence was meant to alter the timeline. But constant interference would cause chaos, and that would be troublesome.
Fortunately, Boruto and Sasuke had only altered a small branch of the main flow. It shouldn't cause any problems.
Probably…
And even if problems arose, Karasuki could do nothing.
It was just a turtle, after all.
"Well then, are you ready?"
"Ready." Boruto nodded.
"See you in the future, both of you," Kiyosuke said, waving his hand in farewell.
Sasuke inclined his head, then turned to Karasuki.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
A burst of light engulfed the two of them, and they vanished before Kiyosuke's eyes.
They would return to their own time, right after the moment they had originally left—resuming their lives, though with subtle changes.
History began to correct itself…
Meanwhile, Kiyosuke hoisted the sleeping Naruto and Jiraiya and carried them back to the inn.
The genjutsu placed on them was powerful. For some time, even if someone looked directly into their eyes, they wouldn't recall anything about Sasuke and Boruto. While they slept soundly, Kiyosuke quietly left the town.
"If Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's body ends up in Orochimaru's hands, that guy would probably go crazy, huh?"
Ōtsutsuki physiology was vastly different from humans. If Orochimaru studied it thoroughly, his strength would skyrocket—and perhaps his lifespan would increase endlessly.
Orochimaru, mastering the cutting-edge science!
Kiyosuke shook his head. No point dwelling on that. His priority was changing the course of his own death. He had no intention of dying in the darkness before dawn.
Some parts of his plan would have to change.
"Damn it, this is giving me a headache."
Grumbling under his breath, Kiyosuke made his way back to Konoha.
When Tsunade saw him return covered in injuries, she was shocked.
Was there really anyone left out there capable of wounding Kiyosuke?
But Kiyosuke brushed it off.
"It was from training. Hardly anyone in the shinobi world can hurt me."
Well… maybe Pain's abilities could hurt me.
And Yin–Yang Release could suppress me, too.
Hearing it was training, Tsunade didn't press further. She knew he was right—few people in the ninja world could harm him anyway.
Life returned to normal, and Kiyosuke continued leading his squad on missions.
Before long, three years had passed. The kids were already fourteen.
Time always flew with young boys and girls. Hinata had blossomed into a graceful young lady. Kiba had shot up in height.
As for Shino… well, he looked exactly the same.
But the biggest change was in Akamaru. Just a while ago he was still a little pup, yet after two years he had grown large enough for Kiba to ride on his back.
What the hell?
He had stayed the same size for years, and then suddenly grew in a single year—almost like Kiba had swapped dogs but kept calling it Akamaru.
And with the passing of another year, the annual Chūnin Exams were upon them again.
Thinking back, two years ago these brats were only twelve when they signed up for the exams.
This time, the Fifth Kazekage Pakura arrived in Konoha with Gaara, Kankurō, and Temari to discuss the exams.
Pakura wanted the next Chūnin Exams to be held in Sunagakure, using the event as the perfect opportunity to announce Gaara's succession as the Sixth Kazekage.
Yes—Pakura had decided to pass on the title of Kazekage to Gaara and step down herself.
She and Gaara had already discussed it. Though Gaara was still a little immature, with proper guidance he would undoubtedly grow into a Kazekage capable of carrying Sunagakure's future.
It was the right choice.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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