Konoha Year 60 —
the night before the Rookie Nine graduated and were assigned to their teams.
(In this timeline, Naruto did not steal the Scroll of Seals, but Mizuki was still captured.)
Somewhere in Konohagakure, inside a private residence—
Within the house sat a young boy with lustrous white hair and fair skin. Handsome, yet carrying a hint of youthful softness, he was seated cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed in meditation.
Inside his mindscape—
The boy's brilliant blue eyes—clear and radiant—were now clouded with tears.
Standing before him was a white-haired man with sharp eyes and distinctive red markings on his face. His bearing was strict and imposing, like that of a stern headmaster.
Anyone from the older generation of Konoha would be shocked to see him—
For this man was none other than the Second Hokage of Konohagakure—Tobirama Senju.
Tobirama's body was glowing with a faint white light, as though he were on the verge of disappearing. Yet his expression was unlike his usual stern demeanor. Instead, he gazed at the boy with unmistakable satisfaction and expectation.
If the current Hokage and his former teammates were here, they would surely be stunned. Their teacher… showing such a gentle expression?
Tobirama spoke, his tone as soft as he could manage.
"Don't worry, Nagi. It's not as though we won't meet again in the future."
The boy across from him choked back a sob. "But… Sensei…"
Tobirama stepped forward and wiped the tears from Nagi's face, placing both hands firmly on his shoulders.
(If the Third Hokage saw this, he would hardly believe his own eyes.)
Then Tobirama's expression turned serious once more.
"Now, I will teach you my final lesson."
Hearing this, Nagi suppressed his grief and straightened his posture, listening attentively.
"Nagi, do not grieve over my departure. In the era your uncle Hashirama and I lived through, partings from friends and family were commonplace. Turn your sorrow into strength. Do not be bound by what lies before you. You still have a future ahead of you."
He paused.
"Konoha—no, the very future of the shinobi world—depends on you to change it."
"Yes, Sensei."
Tobirama's expression softened again.
"If ever you need us, do not hesitate. Simply use the Impure World Reincarnation and summon your uncle Hashirama and me back. As for Hiruzen—if he encounters any problems, handle them boldly. And for now… do not tell him about my departure."
He gave the boy one last look.
"And take care of yourself, Nagi."
"…I will."
Tears shimmered in the eyes of Shiranui Nagi.
As Tobirama finished speaking, the white light surrounding him intensified. His figure gradually dissolved into radiance—until nothing remained.
The moment he vanished, Nagi could no longer hold back his tears.
For the first time, he truly felt the pain of parting.
"…Sensei. Farewell."
The next day—
Nagi woke early. After washing up and finishing breakfast, he put on a pair of plain glasses that subtly diminished his presence and fastened his Konoha forehead protector around his shoulder rather than his brow.
Then he headed toward the Ninja Academy.
When he arrived, only a few students were present. Nagi quietly took his seat and opened a book, beginning to read.
After some time—
He sensed someone sit down beside him.
"Nagi, Nagi! I hope we end up in the same team!"
The one sitting next to him was none other than Konoha's most famous troublemaker—Naruto Uzumaki.
Unlike in the original timeline, Naruto now looked healthy and well-nourished. His complexion was rosy, his body strong, and he was no longer the short, underfed boy he once had been.
Nagi glanced at him and replied,
"Yeah. I'd like that too."
Naruto grinned widely.
"Hehe, right? And it'd be even better if Sakura were on our team too!"
A little while later, when Naruto spotted Sakura Haruno entering the classroom, he immediately ran over to her, laughing cheerfully.
Nagi returned to his book. But suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
He was just about to turn and warn Naruto—
Yet in the next instant, he fell silent.