Chapter 330: Acceptance and Conflict
Since his own ocular power had already reached supreme heights, ordinary genjutsu absolutely couldn't affect him. This ironclad understanding completely destroyed Sasuke's last psychological defense.
No matter how much he wished everything before his eyes was just an absurd dream, rationality cruelly reminded him—all this was genuinely happening.
Adult composure and public execution-like shame fiercely clashed within his heart. He felt all his blood rushing upward, cheeks burning, nearly exhausting all self-control to restrain the impulse to immediately flee the scene.
Though these years his temperament had steadied considerably, deep in his bones that pride belonging to the Uchiha still couldn't calmly accept this fact—in another world, he was actually a girl?!
It's fine. Sasuke desperately consoled himself internally. Strictly speaking, this wasn't his own world. No matter what bizarre things he witnessed in this parallel universe, it wouldn't affect the original worldline. After forcing himself to accept reality, he could only rely on this reasoning to maintain sanity.
But Sasuke wasn't dull-witted. Already being a husband, he naturally perceived this "other self" seemed to harbor special feelings toward Naruto.
This made him recall long ago when he'd just become a ninja. Back then, not yet knowing Naruto stealing his first kiss was purely accidental, he'd once believed that dead-last did it deliberately... The Sasuke at that time had indeed suspected whether Naruto harbored strange feelings toward him.
But what was with this "self" before his eyes? If someone truly had to change gender, shouldn't it be that dead-last?!
"However, who exactly are you? Why are you beside Naruto?" After completing her self-introduction, Satsuki again raised the initial question, eyes still carrying vigilance.
"...Just passing through..." Sasuke barely maintained surface calm, pausing momentarily before inexplicably adding, "Also, I'll advise you... focus your thoughts on training..."
Satsuki listened to this out-of-nowhere advice completely baffled, about to retort when Naruto hastily interrupted. "Don't mind it, Satsuki-chan. Just an outsider. Due to this period's special nature, Jiraiya-sensei assigned a monitoring mission."
Naruto then considerately told Sasuke, "Um, you look like you need time alone. We'll wait for you ahead." Finishing, he pulled Satsuki's wrist, bringing her to disappear around the street corner.
After Naruto and Satsuki's figures completely vanished around the corner, Sasuke slowly raised his hand to his forehead, deeply sighing while attempting to calm the surging complex emotions within. This sudden truth made him feel dizzy, as though the entire world was playing an absurd joke on him.
This... what ridiculous development was this? This space-time's "me" was actually a girl... and moreover harbored feelings for that dead-last...
Sasuke pondered thus internally, then raised his head, turning toward the wall beside him, speaking to a seemingly ordinary tree behind. "Come out. How much did you hear?"
Rustling sounds of branches and leaves came from the tree. Moments later, a figure lightly leaped down from the dense canopy—precisely Uzumaki Boruto with a strange expression. Turned out after seeing that girl who caught his interest conversing with this world's father, he'd ultimately been unable to suppress curiosity and secretly eavesdropped on the entire exchange while hiding.
"...Probably everything..." Boruto scratched his cheek, somewhat embarrassedly admitting. "Sasuke-san, are you alright?"
Boruto's heart similarly filled with indescribable strange feelings. Now he finally understood why he'd been attracted to that black-haired girl. Though this fact was hard to believe, as an observer, accepting it was easier than for the person involved.
"This world's Sasuke-san is actually a girl," Boruto attempted using a lighthearted tone to break the awkward atmosphere. "However, though the gender differs, you're still quite similar... Whether bearing or that kind of..."
"Not similar at all."
Sasuke suddenly spoke, tone stiffly interrupting Boruto's attempted "high EQ" statement. Boruto froze, realizing this blow seemed more severe than imagined.
"Then Sasuke-san, what do we do next?" Boruto wisely changed topics.
"...Still according to the original plan," Sasuke forced himself to recover calm. "Follow beside Naruto, protect him well during Urashiki's attack."
"Also, Boruto..."
"...Yes!" Being suddenly addressed with such heavy tone, Boruto nervously responded.
"After we return," Sasuke's gaze became exceptionally serious, "everything about this world—don't mention it to anyone. Understood?"
---
Afternoon in Konoha Village. Naruto, Satsuki and Boruto walked side by side along the street. Not far behind them, Uchiha Sasuke still wrapped in those concealing garments maintained a subtle distance while slowly following.
Earlier, Boruto had proactively proposed wandering around the village to ease the awkward atmosphere. Since it was part of the monitoring mission, Satsuki didn't voice objections—merely silently walked beside Naruto while constantly noting surrounding movements.
Boruto curiously examined this simultaneously familiar yet strange Konoha. Naruto walking ahead occasionally introduced buildings and shops along the way.
Satsuki's attention concentrated on two matters: first, why that mysterious Uchiha Sasuke behind constantly maintained such distance; second, Boruto seemed confused by Satsuki's vigilant attitude toward villagers.
When passing a considerably large hot spring establishment, the proprietor behind the front counter immediately recognized Naruto. He instantly came running out all smiles, enthusiastically blocking everyone's path.
"Oh my? Isn't this Young Master Naruto! Never expected you'd grace us with your presence—truly brings radiance to our humble establishment!" The proprietor rubbed his hands, face full of flattery.
Naruto helplessly sighed. "Um... I have no plans to bathe in hot springs. Just passing by."
"That doesn't matter!" The proprietor hastily interjected. "You know, [Hitomi Spring] will soon celebrate its fiftieth anniversary! This is an old hot spring establishment existing since First Hokage-sama's era. On that day, we'll invite all regular customers to enjoy free hot springs and premium cuisine. If possible, you absolutely must grace us with your presence! Please accept this!"
The proprietor respectfully offered an exquisitely crafted card.
"This is an exclusive card we specially customized for you. From now on, whether hot springs or other services—completely free! This card exists nowhere else in all Konoha, issued solely for you..."
Boruto stared dumbfounded at this suddenly appearing proprietor offering lavish gifts with extraordinary enthusiasm. He couldn't help exclaiming internally: This world's Dad is way too popular! Starting with that female villager inviting Naruto home for dinner earlier, Boruto had noticed this unusual treatment.
Though rationality told him this Naruto wasn't his biological father, seeing that face identical to Father's childhood appearance, Boruto still couldn't help addressing him thus internally.
However, what happened next shocked Boruto even more. He saw Satsuki—that female version "master" around his age—accept that card with face full of disgust. Under the proprietor's astonished gaze, "SNAP"—she cleanly broke the card in half.
"Get lost." Satsuki-chan's voice was cold as ice. "Don't use this hypocritical charity seeking self-consolation. When you barred people from your door back then, where was this enthusiasm? What good intentions are you pretending now?"
"Wait, aren't you being a bit excessive?" Boruto couldn't help blurting out. The proprietor, originally preparing to slink away dejectedly, hearing this, looked toward this youth speaking for him with expectant eyes.
But the next second, Boruto discovered in surprise that Satsuki, who'd merely maintained distance from him before, now looked at him with eyes full of undisguised hostility.
"Shut up! You—someone completely ignorant of the past—what qualifications do you have pointing fingers here?"
"Why are you still here? Must I spell out those matters before you'll give up?"
Satsuki's icy words completely crushed the hot spring proprietor's last wishful thinking. Face awkward, he lowered his head and hastily departed.
Boruto stood in place, completely unable to understand why Satsuki would use such sharp attitude toward someone proactively showing goodwill.
"If you knew... that villagers once saved by someone turned around and did those excessive things to their savior's only son, would you still think my attitude is problematic?"
Boruto opened his mouth but discovered he didn't know how to respond. He looked toward Naruto, discovering the other was about to speak in dissuasion, but just then, Uchiha Sasuke who'd been silently following quickly stepped forward, grabbing Boruto's arm.
"Apologies. We're new to Konoha and don't understand this place's past. I'll remind my companion to watch his words and conduct. Please don't take it to heart."
Hearing this, Satsuki-chan merely coldly glanced at Sasuke, saying nothing more. She turned, pulling Naruto's sleeve, tone somewhat stiff. "Let's go."
Watching the two walk ahead, Boruto finally couldn't help quietly asking, "Sasuke-san, what exactly is..."
"...I think I roughly understand what happened." Sasuke's gaze followed the two figures ahead, voice low. "Boruto, I'll slowly explain to you in a bit."
Simultaneously, walking ahead, Satsuki's emotions gradually calmed. She slightly turned her head, voice much gentler than before. "Sorry, I couldn't help acting like that again..."
"It's fine. Actually I'm very happy Satsuki-chan always defends me like this. But you needn't worry—I'll refuse those people's goodwill."
"Mm..." Satsuki lightly nodded, then as though remembering something, cheeks taking on faint blush. "Right, Naruto, since we're not training this afternoon... shall we go back earlier?"
"Eh? Did something happen?"
Satsuki's ear tips reddened further, voice also softer. "...Actually nothing special. Just Kushina-san invited my father and mother over today as guests... saying she wants to discuss some... previously arranged matters..."
***
80+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces