"Ninja Association?"
"What's that?"
Boruto blinked, confused. He had never heard of anything like a "Ninja Association" in Konoha before.
Sasuke, standing beside him and staring at the man in front of them—Uchiha #1—couldn't keep his expression calm either.
He studied the unfamiliar uniform worn by Uchiha #1, a growing sense of unease rising in his chest. Suppressing his inner shock, he decided to ask directly.
"Are you… part of the Konoha Uchiha Guard Division?"
At the mention of the "Uchiha Guard," a flicker of nostalgia crossed Uchiha #1's face.
"The Konoha Uchiha Guard Department… That's what it used to be called, years ago."
"Are you villagers returning from a business trip or something? After the Guard Department was restructured three years ago, we were renamed to the Konoha Security Department."
A woman stepped up beside him—light skin, ponytail, red fang-markings on her cheeks, and the iconic dragon-whisker bangs falling from her forehead. She grabbed Uchiha #1's arm casually.
"The current Security Department isn't just Uchiha anymore. You guys must've been away too long if you didn't even know that."
Uchiha #1 pulled his arm stiffly out of her grip.
"Inuzuka Hana, we're on duty. Please show some respect for the dignity of the Security Department."
"You'll be fined one thousand ryo after patrol for misconduct."
Inuzuka Hana rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Hmph ╭(╯^╰)╮, got it, Captain Uchiha #1~!"
She strutted back into the patrol line, then flashed a playful grin at the other officers behind her—who immediately stifled their laughter under her sharp glare.
Their reaction barely registered to Sasuke. The name Inuzuka Hana was familiar enough—but Uchiha #1?
Wasn't he supposed to be dead?
Sasuke remembered the man clearly. While they'd never been close, he knew this Uchiha had clashed more than once with Itachi. So how was he alive?
And what's more, how was he apparently involved with Inuzuka Kiba's older sister?
As Sasuke's thoughts spiraled, Boruto leaned forward to inspect the uniform again, his eyes wide with interest.
"Whoa… this uniform is so cool!"
Uchiha #1 tilted his chin up, pride swelling in his chest.
"Pretty stylish, huh? It was designed three years ago by Uchiha Hikaru—our deputy clan head and one of the two current Hokage assistants."
"It's modeled directly after Lord Hikaru's personal combat gear. Of course it looks badass!"
Boruto blinked.
Uchiha Hikaru?
The name wasn't familiar at all, and just as he was about to ask, Sasuke subtly yanked on his arm, cutting him off.
"Of course I know that," Sasuke said quickly. "But… what exactly is this Ninja Association you mentioned?"
"I've been away from the village for quite a while. Guess I've missed a lot."
Uchiha #1 seemed genuinely understanding.
"That's not surprising. The Association was only formally announced by Lord Hikaru a few days ago, right after the Chunin Exams ended."
"That day… man, it was like a wave of people flooded the streets. You should've seen it."
He was about to launch into a full explanation when Inuzuka Hana coughed loudly behind him.
"Ahem! Captain Uchiha #1!"
"If you don't wrap this up soon, we're going to be late on our patrol route. Are you gonna pay all the fines for the squad?"
Uchiha #1 winced. Damn. He'd totally forgotten about the time.
He quickly turned back to Sasuke and offered a rushed summary.
"In short: Lord Hikaru is the Association's president. The Five Kage act as council members. Any shinobi—no matter the village—can apply to join after background review."
"For details, just ask around."
"Alright, I'm off. Take care, big bro."
With that, Uchiha #1 waved and continued down the street with his squad.
Boruto barely managed to stifle a laugh, doubling over and covering his mouth.
"Pfft… Big bro…"
Sasuke's eye twitched.
"I'm thirty-one. He's what, twenty-six or twenty-seven? Calling me 'big bro' isn't that strange."
"…Boruto, what are you laughing at?"
The sudden weight of Sasuke's glare—his tone cold and ominous—nearly froze Boruto in place. The oppressive pressure of the Six Tomoe Rinnegan felt like it was bearing down.
Boruto immediately straightened up.
"Nothing! I wasn't laughing. Just… remembered something funny."
Satisfied, Sasuke let it go—for now.
They resumed wandering the village, keeping an eye out for Naruto.
As they walked, Sasuke quietly observed the village's layout and atmosphere. Something about this version of Konoha felt… off.
Why was Uchiha #1 alive?
Why was the Uchiha Clan thriving instead of massacred?
And more importantly… who the hell was Uchiha Hikaru?
How had someone who should've been exiled or suppressed by Hiruzen and Danzo not only survived, but risen to become an assistant to the Hokage?
This world… It's not the one I remember.
Boruto's eyes darted around excitedly, taking in everything like a wide-eyed tourist.
Eventually, they made their way to the headquarters of the so-called Ninja Association—after asking directions from several villagers.
They weren't the only ones. Dozens of other tourists had gathered around, taking photos and marveling at the building.
"It's huge!"
Boruto's voice rang with awe.
Sasuke frowned, grabbed the back of his collar, and dragged him away.
"You've seen it. Let's go. We need to find Naruto."
Unconsciously, Sasuke veered south.
If he'd been paying attention, he would've realized that heading south wasn't going to help. In fact, it would lead them straight to the Uchiha district.
Ten minutes later, the fan-shaped Uchiha clan crest began appearing on the surrounding walls.
Boruto spotted the symbol and tilted his head.
"…Isn't that the same symbol on the back of Sarada's outfit?"
He looked up at Sasuke with curiosity.
Sasuke, however, was staring blankly at the walls around him—his expression unreadable.
The wall was intact.
There were no signs of destruction. No scars from fire. No memory of blood or ash.
The night of the Uchiha Massacre… never happened?
And then—at that exact moment—Uchiha Itachi, who had managed to get a rare weekend off, was walking out of the Uchiha compound with a much younger Sasuke.
The two brothers were headed into town together, planning to visit their favorite dango shop in the market…
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