Boruto stood in the entrance hall, staring at the two identical figures in Hokage robes with his brain trying and failing to process the situation.
The Seventh Hokage coughed lightly, his swollen face making the sound wet and uncomfortable. "Boruto, I'm your father."
The voice was familiar at least. Boruto's eyes narrowed. This pig-faced stranger really was his dad, which meant... what? Why did he suddenly have two fathers?
His gaze shifted to the other man, the one standing behind his beaten-up father. This one had long golden hair that fell past his shoulders in a way that looked effortlessly elegant, almost otherworldly. Azure eyes bright as stars but deep as the night sky itself. Sharp, clean features with skin like polished jade. Tall, powerful, radiating quiet strength.
If Boruto had to compare them, this version was younger, taller, more handsome, and somehow more... complete. Like what his father should have been if life hadn't ground him down with stress and age.
This father is perfect, Boruto thought despite himself. I can't find a single flaw.
One young, one middle-aged. But the middle-aged one was definitely the father he'd always known.
"Dad," Boruto said slowly, his curiosity overriding his earlier determination to give his father the silent treatment for at least two more days, "what happened to your face?"
It was a valid question. His father was the Seventh Hokage, the man who saved the entire ninja world during the war. Who could possibly hurt him badly enough to turn his face into a swollen mess?
The Seventh Hokage's expression froze. How was he supposed to answer this? Sorry, son, your other dad beat me unconscious for an hour? That sounded insane.
He definitely wasn't telling the truth.
"Ahem." The Seventh Hokage cleared his throat. "Boruto, Dad's injuries... I fell."
"You fell?" Boruto's eyes went wide with disbelief. "Dad, with your strength, you can still trip and hurt yourself?"
The Seventh Hokage glanced desperately at young Naruto, silently begging for help. Young Naruto just shrugged, his expression clearly saying you got yourself into this mess.
"You know, Boruto," the Seventh Hokage tried again, "Dad works very hard. I wasn't paying attention, and I accidentally fell. That's how my face got like this."
"Hmph." Boruto crossed his arms, unconvinced. "Don't tell me you fell on some very special flat ground and somehow slid across it to create this effect."
"Haha..." The Seventh Hokage laughed weakly. "My son is so smart."
He quickly changed the subject, gesturing awkwardly at young Naruto. "Boruto, don't just stand there. Let this... um... let Dad come inside so we can talk properly..."
The word "dad" felt bizarre coming out of his mouth when referring to a twelve-year-old version of himself, but technically speaking, young Naruto was Boruto's father. Just from another world.
And only twelve years old.
Boruto stepped aside, still watching both of them with obvious suspicion.
The two Narutos entered the house and bent down to remove their shoes. Boruto studied them, noting how they moved in perfect sync despite the age difference. The whole situation made his skin prickle with strangeness.
"Hey, is Dad home?"
A clear voice rang out like a silver bell. A small figure appeared in the hallway, barefoot, running across the floor with a bright smile lighting up her face.
Himawari skidded to a stop at the entrance, her smile freezing as she saw two people removing their shoes. Two fathers wearing identical Hokage robes.
Her face scrunched up in confusion. How can there be two dads?
But when both figures stood up and turned to face her, her smile returned full force. There weren't two fathers after all—just one father and one uncle with a bruised, swollen face wearing Dad's clothes.
"Dad!" she squealed with delight.
Himawari's small feet pattered across the floor as she ran forward, arms spread wide for a hug.
The Seventh Hokage's swollen face managed something resembling a smile. Despite the injuries obscuring his expression, genuine happiness showed in his eyes. He crouched down, opening his arms to catch his daughter.
"Dad, you're finally home!"
Himawari's small body shot right past him.
The smile died on the Seventh Hokage's face.
He turned his head just in time to see his daughter throw herself into young Naruto's arms. The younger version caught her easily, lifting her high into the air. Himawari's laughter rang out like bells, pure and joyful.
The Seventh Hokage remained frozen in his crouch, arms still outstretched, embracing nothing but empty air.
"Hey, Dad!" Himawari giggled as Naruto spun her around. "You've gotten more handsome! And younger! Why did your hair grow so long?"
"Haha, Dad's always been this handsome and young," young Naruto said warmly, holding her with one arm as if she weighed nothing. Her cute smiling face made something in his chest feel warm and full.
Daughters really are the best, he thought.
His gaze shifted to Boruto, who stood off to the side with his arms crossed, watching everything with cold disapproval. Young Naruto's mind wandered to an absurd question: How do I prevent Boruto from being born in my world?
Wait, if he's already born, can I stuff him back in?
He shook his head at the ridiculous thought. No, that was unnecessary. The Boruto in this world only turned out like this because his father was never around. In young Naruto's world, he'd make sure to be there every day. His son would feel his father's love and attention. He wouldn't grow up bitter and distant like this version.
"Father, your voice sounds younger too!" Himawari said, tilting her head.
"Himawari!" The Seventh Hokage finally found his voice.
The familiar tone made Himawari turn her head. She looked at the swollen-faced man still crouched on the floor and blinked in surprise.
"Hey, Uncle, why do you have the same voice as my father?"
Young Naruto burst out laughing. He looked at the Seventh Hokage, his eyes clearly conveying: See? Your own children didn't recognize you. That's what happens when you're never around.
The Seventh Hokage read the meaning perfectly and thought bitterly, If you hadn't beaten me into a pig's head, they would have recognized me immediately.
But he didn't say that out loud. Instead, he looked at Himawari and said patiently, "Himawari, I am your father."
"You're my father?" Himawari's eyes went wide. She pointed at young Naruto, still holding her. "Then who's this?"
"This is also your father," the Seventh Hokage explained carefully. "But this is your father when he was young. See how much younger he looks?"
Himawari processed this information, her face cycling through several expressions before settling on confused acceptance.
"Oh! So I have two fathers?"
"Yes, sister," Boruto said quietly from his position against the wall. "We have two dads now."