"Naruto, try to go and come back as quickly as you can. You might just run into an unexpected surprise."
"Because that person believes in you, you'll definitely be able to do it."
"You'll definitely defeat Gaara."
…
Naruto Uzumaki recalled Kakashi-sensei's words. He stared blankly at the Team 7 standing in front of him, the ones said to have come from another world.
"So that means…"
His expression looked pitiful. Even Naruto himself didn't realize that when he had first learned the truth, he'd worn the exact same foolish, helpless expression.
Naruto Uzumaki murmured, "So… I was really that close to my dad just now?"
Worried that Sasuke might be in danger, he had rushed over without hesitation, brushing past his chance to see his father face to face.
At that moment, Sasuke Uchiha finally understood.
He glanced at the flustered Naruto Uzumaki standing beside him and pressed his lips together.
"Dead last, how could you possibly beat that Gaara? You and Sakura should go back first. After I beat him, I'll come find you myself."
Truthfully, Sasuke was a little curious too. Someone who could be Kakashi's teacher… what kind of person was that? And why didn't Naruto himself even know?
The Sasuke opposite him cursed inwardly. He'd never really noticed it before, but now that he was actually facing himself…
Damn, this feels so awkward. He was clearly worried about that idiot, yet the moment he opened his mouth, it sounded like pure disdain.
Damn it. Why did he suddenly feel like he wasn't that much better than Madara Uchiha?!
Their personalities were supposed to be completely different, right?!
While Sasuke from the mission scroll world was busy struggling with his own twisted personality…
On the other side, Sakura Haruno looked at the Sasuke Uchiha in the black bodysuit speaking beside her. She understood perfectly that this was his way of urging Naruto to go see his father, even if only once.
And yet, her heart was caught between reason and emotion. Was the "Minato-sensei" Kakashi-sensei mentioned really that person?
No way!
Naruto was nothing like the legendary hero in terms of grades, looks, or personality!
And if Naruto truly were that man's son, then why had his treatment been so terrible?
She wanted to ask, but had no idea how to begin.
Shikamaru Nara felt it was better to ask outright. Otherwise, if they guessed wrong and let that idiot Naruto get his hopes up for nothing, it would hit him far too hard.
Stepping forward, Shikamaru Nara looked at Kakashi across from him.
"Kakashi-sensei, I know this is a bit troublesome, but I still need to ask…"
"Hm? Ask what?"
"Naruto's father, your teacher… is he really that legendary figure?"
Legendary?
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha both froze for a moment.
What kind of person could possibly deserve the word "legend"?
Adult Kakashi scratched his head, looking a little lazy.
"It's probably exactly who you're thinking of," he replied.
Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki watched as Sakura and Shikamaru's eyes instantly widened, their faces filled with disbelief.
Shino Aburame, who had overheard Kakashi, Might Guy, and Rin talking earlier, had already guessed that person's identity. He cautiously pressed on with another question.
"If he's really that great man's son, then he shouldn't be using the Uzumaki surname."
Naruto said, "I think it's because Dad had way too many enemies, so I took Mom's family name instead."
The look Sasuke Uchiha gave Naruto Uzumaki and the other Naruto was filled with disbelief. From what Shikamaru Nara and Shino Aburame had said, he had already picked up on one thing.
Their father seemed to be an extraordinary figure.
Just then…
Gaara, already pushed past his limit by the pounding headache and violent impulses, let out a roar. Half his body transformed into a half-Shukaku form!
Sasuke Uchiha immediately entered combat mode.
"So this is your true form?!"
He flung several kunai forward, urging Naruto Uzumaki to hurry back.
Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, and Shino Aburame also looked toward Naruto, unsure what choice he would make.
Stay and fight here, or rush back to meet his father, that legendary great hero?
Every kunai Sasuke threw was swallowed by Gaara's sand and embedded into the sand armor.
"Giving them back to you!"
The kunai shot back toward Sasuke with even greater speed and force.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto Uzumaki only relaxed after seeing Sasuke evade the attack with a Clone Technique.
He said firmly, "Since Kakashi-sensei sent me here, there's no way I'm going back without doing anything! The person who said they believed in me must've been his teacher, right? If that's the case, then no matter what, I have to get Sasuke out of here!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura from the other world also prepared to join the fight.
Temari and Kankurō immediately moved to block them, their gazes sharp and full of caution.
After the special training he'd gone through, Sasuke was confident in himself.
"Let's treat this as an early trial before the Chūnin Exams. We'll finish this quickly, then deal with that Gaara together!"
Through repeated training, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura from the mission scroll world had already grown used to fighting as a trio, as well as coordinating in a six-person team together with Minato's team.
Hearing Sasuke's words, Naruto and Sakura immediately prepared to take down Gaara's brother and sister first, then stop Gaara himself.
They knew the Sand ninja had been deceived, and that Gaara himself had been kept in the dark since childhood. But at a moment like this, if they didn't fight, those people would never listen to reason.
However, they were stopped by Adult Kakashi.
"Wait a moment. There are a few things I need to confirm."
Naruto looked at Gaara, who was writhing in pain in his Shukaku state. Even his other-world self and Sasuke didn't seem to be a match for him.
"Confirm what? Does it really have to be now?"
Adult Kakashi nodded.
"There's a very high possibility that even without the mission scroll's assistance, you and Sasuke from this parallel world could still defeat Gaara."
What?!
Sasuke had just seen the Sharingan of that Sasuke Uchiha.
"He only has two tomoe in both eyes, right? Are we really not needed to deal with that Gaara?"
Adult Kakashi said, "That's the second thing I need to confirm. Just what does Orochimaru's cursed seal mean?"