Mikoto took out the lunch she had prepared at home from the basket and began placing it on the table, one dish after another.
There were Sasuke's favorite bonito rice balls, tomato and potato beef stew, and Itachi's favorite three-color meatballs and natto.
It was worth mentioning that, due to Itachi's strict upbringing of little Sasuke, the younger version of him didn't dislike sweets or natto. Similarly, after learning the truth about Itachi's past, the older Sasuke no longer hated those foods either.
In addition to those four dishes, Mikoto had also prepared oden, tempura, and miso soup.
Due to time constraints, this was all she could make, but the portions were surprisingly large—overflowing with a mother's concern that her children might not eat enough.
Maybe this is what motherly love looks like…
Itachi picked up a bonito rice ball and placed it into Sasuke's bowl.
"Try it. You probably haven't had this in a long time."
The look in his eyes as he gazed at Sasuke was filled with deep affection. Though he didn't ask directly, he could tell from Sasuke's reactions that this younger brother from the future had endured much—perhaps more than he could ever imagine. Even his left hand was gone.
Little Sasuke, who was sitting next to Boruto, immediately pouted.
"Why don't you give it to me? You're playing favorites!"
Fugaku silently glanced at his younger son, then shifted his gaze to the older Sasuke's empty left sleeve. His heart clenched painfully.
"He only have one hand. It's not convenient. Why—do you only have one too?"
Fugaku's dry and high-EQ response made little Sasuke fall silent. With a slight frown, he began eating his bonito rice ball quietly.
Since he has only one hand, he's slower at eating. But I have two hands! I'll win this competition!
Sasuke smiled helplessly. He remembered how he used to compete with Naruto at mealtimes. It probably started during the Nazda mission—they ate together at Naruto's house and ended up competing over who could eat faster. After that, it became a tradition. Somehow, eating with Naruto always turned into a contest.
He never expected to find himself in a world where his childhood self would now compete with him. It felt strange—like a mirror facing another mirror.
Sasuke didn't dwell on it further. He brought the rice ball to his lips and took a bite. The familiar taste sparked an avalanche of memories.
…Delicious.
His mother's rice balls had always been his favorite, and they still were. But this peaceful scene—the taste, the laughter, the warmth—felt alien.
It reminded him of the days after the Fourth Great Ninja War, when he was imprisoned in Konoha's detention facility. Back then, he would sometimes dream of his family, only to wake up in tears.
It felt like a dream—fifteen years in the past.
Sasuke took his time eating. He chewed each bite slowly, as if trying to preserve this fragile, beautiful moment for just a little longer.
But reality tugged at him. He had a mission to complete. His wife, Sakura, and his daughter, Sarada, were waiting for him back in their world.
Thinking of them brought a small smile to his face, softening his expression with warmth.
Mikoto and Fugaku, seated nearby, caught that expression—and as parents, they immediately understood what it meant.
Fugaku remained silent, so Mikoto asked the question they both wanted answered.
"Sasuke, tell me the truth—do you already have a child?"
"Cough—cough!!"
Little Sasuke, who was sipping water, choked violently at his mother's sudden question and stared at her in panic.
"Mom! What are you saying!?"
"I'm not even thirteen yet!"
Even though he'd once snuck off to a bookstore with Naruto to secretly read one of those adult "Little Emperor" books, and even though he was currently in puberty, he had never... you know. He was determined to maintain peak shinobi performance!
Just look at how exhausted Kakashi-sensei always looked. That had to be the result of too much "self-practice," just like the book said.
He couldn't risk dulling his reflexes for something like that!
Mikoto's eyes flicked past him and landed back on the older Sasuke.
"I wasn't asking you. I asked him."
Little Sasuke let out a sigh of relief.
Whew… I really thought the secret stash Naruto and I hid under my bed was discovered…
At that moment, the older Sasuke blushed, stiffened slightly, but nodded in quiet confirmation.
Itachi, who was sitting next to him, lit up like a firecracker. He clapped both hands on Sasuke's shoulders and rocked him back and forth with uncontainable joy.
"Sasuke! Is it a boy or a girl!?"
"A niece or a nephew!?"
Sasuke, still digesting his food, was now being jostled back and forth like a ragdoll.
Little Sasuke, meanwhile, stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes. So cool! My future self actually gets married! I wonder what kind of amazing kunoichi he ends up with. She must be really beautiful and kind, like Mom—strong and gentle at the same time!
"Stop shaking me! I'll throw up if you keep this up!"
Itachi blinked and realized he had gotten carried away. He chuckled sheepishly and quickly released his brother.
"Haha, sorry! I got too excited. Go on."
As he spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Sasuke, his face practically glowing with anticipation.
Sasuke glanced around at the eager eyes surrounding him. Even Fugaku and Mikoto looked like they were holding their breath.
With a sigh, and cheeks still slightly pink, he said softly, "It's a daughter. Her name is Sarada."
Fugaku nodded with approval, his expression softening into something proud.
"Good. A worthy heir."
Little Sasuke peeked out from behind Boruto.
"Who's the mother?"
Sasuke hesitated. The question clearly made him a little awkward.
Boruto, sensing the moment, decided to step in like the loyal disciple he was. He knew his sensei would thank him later for relieving the pressure.
"It's Aunt Sakura."
"Sakura?" Little Sasuke raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
Itachi immediately caught on.
"You mean that pink-haired Sakura who was on your team with Naruto?"
Boruto nodded firmly. "Yup. That's Aunt Sakura."
Mikoto and Fugaku both remembered the girl. She had been Sasuke's teammate before the third Chunin Exams. They recalled her vividly—especially Mikoto, who had heard glowing remarks about Sakura's medical talent from the head nurse at Konoha Hospital.
"She's not a bad girl," Mikoto said thoughtfully. "Her personality reminds me a bit of Kushina. A strong heart. She's a good child."
Sasuke frowned at his mother's praise and immediately protested.
"Mom, you don't know! Sakura's violent. In our team, she was always hitting Naruto! She's just a brute!"
"I would never marry someone so violent!"
He folded his arms across his chest and turned his head defiantly, clearly baffled at how his future self could make such a choice.
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