Before Sasuke could continue his questioning, Naruto spoke up first: "Do you think your era is truly peaceful?"
"Of course it's peaceful! The Fourth Great Ninja War... that was already more than ten years ago in our time."
The Ninja World achieved true unity after that. Technology and Ninjutsu have both developed rapidly, and everyone doesn't have to fight each other like they used to."
Boruto's tone was certain; this was the accepted, public historical narrative he had been taught.
Naruto didn't immediately refute him. He just stared quietly at Boruto. Those deep blue eyes seemed able to see through all appearances, making Boruto feel a bit uneasy, and he unconsciously gripped his juice glass tighter.
Then Naruto spoke. His tone remained steady, yet it was like a scalpel, precisely dissecting the cruel cycle beneath the surface of peace:
"Given your age, if the Fourth Great Ninja War happened over ten years ago, do you know what that means?"
"What?"
"It means that in your world, the Fourth Great Ninja War broke out before I turned twenty."
"It also means that since the First Great Ninja War after the death of the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, there has been a Great Ninja War on average every twenty years."
His gaze swept over Sasuke before landing back on Boruto. His voice was clear and calm:
"Every generation, from birth to adulthood, is destined to experience at least one devastating war that sweeps through the entire Ninja World. A long-lived Ninja like the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi..."
"Might just have fought through all four Great Ninja Wars."
"Pfft—cough, cough!"
Sasuke, sitting to the side, was caught off guard by these words. He nearly spat out the mouthful of tea he had just taken.
He quickly turned his head, put down his teacup, and covered his mouth with his fist, coughing low to try and hide his loss of composure.
The Sandaime really had fought through all four Great Ninja Wars.
He was young during the First Great Ninja War, he was part of Konoha's top leadership during the Second and Third, and for the Fourth, he was brought back by Orochimaru's Edo Tensei.
"If the 'me' in your world grew at a similar rate to mine, I think the reason for peace after he participated in the Fourth Great Ninja War lies more in his overwhelming strength."
"Just as no one dared to move against Konoha during the First Hokage's era, no one would dare to move against Konoha during Uzumaki Naruto's era either!"
His tone shifted, adding in a half-joking manner:
"Unless there's... an alien invasion or something."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, he'suddenly' noticed the atmosphere was wrong.
Adult Sasuke, sitting across from him, suddenly looked grim. His entire aura became cold and tense, the slight ripples from before vanishing instantly.
And Boruto beside him jerked his head up. Those eyes, so similar to Naruto's, were filled with unshielded shock, and even... a stunned 'How did you know?' look.
The chopsticks in the boy's hand even fell onto the table unconsciously, making a light clatter.
The restaurant fell into a dead silence.
Only the sound of the night wind blowing through the courtyard outside seemed exceptionally clear at this moment.
The light, relaxed smile on Naruto's face froze and then quickly vanished.
He frowned slightly, his gaze moving back and forth between Sasuke's stern face and Boruto's startled expression.
"There really is... an alien invasion?"
Although Naruto knew about the Ōtsutsuki invasion, he couldn't show it.
Because the Nine-Tailed and the Minato Chakra inside him didn't know.
Life is like a play; it all depends on the acting.
Sasuke nodded, confirming Naruto's words.
"Yes, there really is an alien invasion."
"They are visitors from beyond the heavens known as the 'Ōtsutsuki'."
Nine-Tailed: Hmm? (Alert)
Sasuke continued.
"We came to your world because one of them, a guy named 'Ōtsutsuki Urashiki', has set his sights on your Nine-Tailed."
"He traveled through time and space using a treasure called 'Karasuki'."
Sasuke briefly explained the direct reason for their appearance here. "To stop him, we engaged in a fierce battle during the pursuit. As a result, we were accidentally caught in a space-time turbulence and arrived in your world."
Next, Sasuke introduced the known abilities of Ōtsutsuki Urashiki to Naruto.
"A Space-Time Ability called Yomotsu Hirasaka, the ability to absorb Ninjutsu, a red paper crane Body Flicker Technique, and a Red Fishing Rod that can hook away a person's Chakra..."
Naruto thought for a moment.
"I'm quite good at Sealing Jutsu. In a bit, I'll place a Seal on you to lock your Chakra inside your bodies; then you shouldn't have to worry about it being stolen. As for the Space-Time Ability, I think the Second Hokage should have a way."
"Konoha also has barriers that can Seal space-time, but if the opponent senses a barrier that Seals space-time Ninjutsu, they will definitely flee immediately."
"So, the key is how to set it up to ensure effectiveness while minimizing the risk of being detected in advance."
Naruto summarized, his gaze returning to Sasuke's face, inquiringly.
"You understand Urashiki's behavioral patterns better. Are there any habits we can exploit?"
"For example, are there specific signs before he appears?"
Boruto and Sasuke glanced at each other, then looked at Naruto.
"He will definitely come for you."
Sasuke stated this certain future.
"In the final moments of Karasuki's transmission, I kicked him into a space-time rift. Karasuki told us he would arrive in this world in a few days."
He looked directly at Naruto, emphasizing his words: "The only thing we can be sure of right now is that his target is the Nine-Tailed inside you. So, he will definitely come for you."
This conclusion was both a warning and a heavy, invisible burden placed on Naruto's shoulders.
However, Naruto's reaction was once again unexpected.
He didn't show the slightest sign of tension or worry. Instead, those deep blue eyes lit up, as if he had instantly sorted through all the clues and made a decision.
"I see..."
He repeated softly, his tone as calm as if they were discussing tomorrow's weather.
"Then let me be the bait."
He said it so naturally, so decisively.
He looked at Sasuke and Boruto, his gaze open and firm:
"Since his target is clearly me, rather than passively waiting for him to attack some unknown corner of Konoha and cause unnecessary panic and destruction, it's better to proactively create an 'opportunity'."
He paused, clearly articulating the potential benefits of this bold plan:
"If we can take that guy down..."
His gaze swept over Sasuke's empty left sleeve and Boruto's nervous face.
"Not only will I be safe, but you guys... will be able to go home with peace of mind, right!"