"Master Sasuke… should we stop Otsutsuki Urashiki?"
On a street in Konoha, Boruto asked quietly.
"He hasn't appeared yet. Something's probably gone wrong with the time jump," Sasuke replied after a moment of thought. "We've already spent time in this Konoha, and there are too many strange things in this era. We need to investigate."
Even though this Konoha was filled with powerful figures—and Naruto's strength was something even Sasuke couldn't fully grasp—the name Otsutsuki still made him uneasy.
No matter what, he intended to stop Urashiki before he could make a move on Naruto.
"Boruto, walk around the village by yourself for now," Sasuke said. "I need to go take care of something."
His figure flickered, and he vanished.
Sasuke arrived at the Uchiha district.
Uchiha clan members were already hard at work, rebuilding their land. Foundations had been laid, and ninjas moved efficiently—construction was far faster than anything civilians could manage.
Watching from a distance, Sasuke frowned slightly.
"The district was completely destroyed… even worse than in our world. So the Uchiha massacre still happened here—but they prepared in advance and hid. That means… Itachi didn't have to carry that burden alone."
He exhaled slowly.
"That's good. Really good."
Inside the district, a young Sasuke walked briskly beside a smiling woman—Uchiha Mikoto.
There was no gloom in him at all. No hatred. No heaviness. He looked like a normal boy his age—lively, energetic, happy.
Sasuke felt his heart soften.
This version of himself didn't have to endure soul-crushing pain or live with hatred that drove him to madness. He could simply stay with his parents and enjoy the warmth of family.
It was… wonderful.
"…Sasuke."
A familiar voice sounded.
Sasuke stiffened and turned.
Uchiha Itachi stood there in a jonin vest, watching him calmly.
"I'm just a traveler visiting Konoha," Sasuke said after a brief pause, forcing his tone steady.
He studied Itachi carefully, as if trying to burn every detail into his memory.
This Itachi was different.
No gloom. No crushing weight behind his smile.
His eyes were calm and warm, carrying a gentle clarity Sasuke had never seen before.
Brother… in this world, you don't have to suffer. You can live freely. That's really… really great.
Sasuke's nose stung, his eyes growing wet.
He remembered that final battle—the blood, the trembling steps, Itachi reaching out with fading strength.
"Forgive me, Sasuke. This is the last time."
Sasuke tilted his head back, staring at the sky so the tears wouldn't fall.
Itachi watched him quietly, his gaze soft.
"Since you're a traveler," Itachi said, "you should enjoy the village. If you want company, I can walk with you. My little brother always complained that I didn't train with him enough when he was young. I meant to make time, but…"
He shook his head, trailing off.
"Your brother would understand," Sasuke replied quietly.
Itachi smiled.
"Even while we were hidden, I was always by his side—training him, watching him grow. I was afraid of hurting him, so I held back."
"But when I wore a mask and trained him under another identity, I didn't hold back at all. I beat him black and blue every day."
"And he endured it. He kept growing. He's stronger now than I ever was. He even defeated Shimura Danzo."
"I'm truly proud of him."
"I really want to tell him that myself—'Sasuke, you're amazing. I'll always be proud of you.'"
Sasuke lowered his head, overwhelmed.
"I… should go now," he said hoarsely.
"And… thank you. Hearing that means a lot. I know he'd be happy too."
He wiped his eyes, turned, and left without daring to stay another second.
After all these years, he thought he was past this.
Turns out, just a few words from Itachi were enough to make him break.
"Then live well—and be happy in the future!"
Itachi called after him.
Sasuke paused, then quickened his pace and disappeared.
"Itachi, who were you talking to?" Mikoto asked as she approached with young Sasuke.
"No one," Itachi replied softly. "Just telling Sasuke to live happily and not be burdened by unnecessary things."
"Hmph. I don't need you telling me what to do," young Sasuke muttered, turning away.
Itachi chuckled.
"Mikoto, you should go check on the construction," he said. "Just in case something's off."
Mikoto smiled knowingly and left, leaving the brothers alone.
"I know who you are," young Sasuke said suddenly, his expression dark.
"You're Ox from the Red Sun Society. What are you planning? Naruto just became Hokage. I won't let you hurt him."
Itachi laughed softly.
"Sasuke… haven't you suffered enough? How about another sparring session?"
Sasuke's face flushed.
Even after defeating Danzo and becoming a jonin, facing Itachi still filled him with pressure. In all these years, he had never beaten him even once.
"One day," Sasuke said coldly, "I'll surpass you. And when I do, I'll repay everything you've put me through."
He turned and stormed off.
Power spoke louder than words—and right now, he wasn't strong enough.
Watching him go, Itachi smiled gently, like a teacher indulging a stubborn child.
"That was… Sasuke from the future? Or from another world?" he murmured.
"He's been through a lot."
Elsewhere on the street—
Boruto froze, panic flooding his face.
"H-Hey… what do you want?! Don't come closer!"
His body trembled. He looked around desperately, hoping someone—anyone—would notice.
No one did.
A cold voice whispered behind him:
"Go ahead. Cry. Scream.
Even if you shout yourself hoarse… no one's coming to save you."
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