"Naruto, why isn't Sasuke here?"
Inside the Hokage's office, Gaara looked toward Naruto, who stood silently before the wide window overlooking Konoha.
Darui added, "Didn't you say there was urgent news from Sasuke's mission?"
Naruto turned slowly, his expression solemn.
"Sasuke went ahead to continue his investigation. The situation is… urgent."
Gaara frowned. "You mean…"
Naruto's voice grew heavy. "Our world is about to face an unprecedented crisis."
The words hung in the air like a storm cloud.
The atmosphere in the office froze as the Five Kage exchanged grave looks, tension silently building between them.
Chojuro was the first to break the silence. "Naruto, what exactly are we dealing with?"
"Do you remember White Zetsu?" Naruto asked.
"The army Madara created to fight against the Allied Shinobi Forces," Chojuro replied immediately.
Naruto nodded. "According to Sasuke's latest findings from his investigation in Kaguya's dimension, those White Zetsu soldiers weren't created for that war. They were made long before the age of ninjas began."
The other four Kage stared at him, stunned.
"Not only that," Naruto continued, "Sasuke believes those Zetsu were created by Kaguya to fight against something else — beings even more powerful than her."
"Stronger than Kaguya…" Kurotsuchi muttered, eyes wide. "Could it be…"
Naruto's serious nod confirmed it. "Yes. Kaguya created the White Zetsu army to defend against those unknown entities."
Darui leaned forward. "Then how long before they appear?"
Naruto thought for a moment. "We can't say for sure — it could be days, months, years… or longer."
Darui frowned deeply. "That's… troublesome."
Chojuro sighed. "If this were our time, it might be easier to handle. But this generation…"
Naruto looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
The office fell silent again. A heavy pause lingered before Kurotsuchi spoke up.
"Let's be honest — the current generation of ninja is weak."
"In this peaceful era," she continued, "young people have become complacent. The number of active shinobi has dropped sharply, and many don't even want to become ninja anymore."
Darui nodded. "I hate to admit it, but it's true. War, as terrible as it is, brings out a ninja's potential and forces evolution."
Kurotsuchi added, "Our generation grew up in war. We survived countless battles — that's how we became strong. But the next generation? They lack real combat experience."
"Compared to us, they're unreliable," she finished bluntly.
Gaara looked at her quietly. "Every generation says that about the next."
He smiled faintly. "But what do you think, Naruto?"
Naruto turned toward the sunlight streaming through the window, a gentle smile forming as he thought of his son.
"They may be weak now," Naruto said, "but I believe one day they'll surpass us — grow stronger than we ever were, and make the world even better."
The room fell quiet again, but this time with warmth instead of tension. The Kage all seemed moved by his words.
Then—
A strange, melodramatic voice echoed from above the ceiling.
"Ridiculous! A bag of rice… must be carried up several floors!"
The Kage froze.
"…What?" Darui blinked.
"Where did that come from?" Chojuro looked up.
"It's from above," Kurotsuchi pointed at the ceiling.
Naruto covered his face with one hand and sighed. "Boruto… not again."
Above the Hokage Building, a figure in a black cloak with red clouds descended slowly — exactly like when Pain once invaded Konoha.
The Kage rushed to the rooftop, staring in shock.
"Pain?!" Gaara exclaimed.
"Akatsuki?!" Kurotsuchi gasped in disbelief.
[Gaara's emotions +1854]
[Kurotsuchi's emotions +1356]
[Chojuro's emotions +864]
[Darui's emotions +1341]
Except for Naruto, all four Kage were on edge, watching the "Pain" floating dramatically in the air.
"Yes," the figure said coldly. "I am Pain — a god. Feel pain. Accept pain. Think about pain. Understand pain."
He slowly rose higher, arms spread, the wind whipping his cloak.
Darui turned to Naruto. "Is that… really Pain?"
Naruto sighed. "No. That's my son."
"Your son?!" Gaara nearly choked.
Naruto gave a reluctant nod.
Kurotsuchi tilted her head. "Wait, he can fly now? What kind of jutsu is that?"
"Boruto, get down here right now!" Naruto shouted angrily.
But the clone didn't listen.
"Ridiculous! Let the world—feel the pain!"
Suddenly, a loud rip echoed as the Akatsuki cloak burst open from the left shoulder, revealing part of his bare skin with the embedded black rod glinting in the sunlight.
"...Naruto, what's your son doing now?" Chojuro asked blankly.
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's happening again…"
"New technique?" Kurotsuchi guessed.
"Or new prank," Darui said flatly.
"Planetary Devastation!"
Pain clasped his hands together, gathering chakra dramatically.
The Kage all froze.
"Wait—did he just say Planetary Devastation?!" Gaara's eyes widened.
"That's… isn't that—"
Naruto blinked. "Boruto doesn't even know that jutsu…"
Before he could react further, he leaped toward the floating figure—
But the instant he touched it, the "Pain" burst into white smoke and vanished.
Naruto hovered mid-air, dumbfounded. "A… shadow clone?!"
Gaara chuckled softly. "Looks like we've been tricked."
The others couldn't help but laugh too.
Darui smirked. "Well… if that's his son, maybe your belief isn't misplaced after all."
Naruto landed back on the rooftop, shaking his head but smiling despite himself.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "That's Boruto for you."