When Boruto and Sasuke were training, the older Sasuke had already slipped into the streets of Konoha and begun gathering information.
After using genjutsu to hypnotize several Konoha ninja, Sasuke obtained the information he wanted, but what he learned made him frown uncontrollably.
According to Karasuki, he and Urashiki had traveled back into the past of the ninja world, and any contact with acquaintances could alter the future.
But this was not the past he remembered at all. In his memory, Tsunade became Hokage, not Jiraiya, and Naruto was not the leader of Uzushio Village—in fact, Uzushio Village did not even exist.
However, in this timeline, the Uchiha Clan Massacre had not been completely carried out.
Although Uchiha Itachi had attacked his clansmen for the sake of the village, many members of the clan, including Shisui, survived and were stationed in Konoha under the identity of Uzushio Village ninja, while Konoha could do nothing about them.
He didn't know whether this timeline was better or worse, but Naruto's and Sasuke's destinies had been completely changed.
Pulling back his wandering thoughts, Sasuke noticed the Konoha ANBU monitoring him and quickly activated Amenotejikara, instantly switching positions and appearing in a narrow alley.
No matter how different this era was, he had to stop Urashiki's scheme.
As for everything else, it wasn't important to him or Boruto.
...
Inside the Uzumaki residence, Naruto was preparing to visit the Hyūga Clan and get in touch with the clan's heir.
At that moment, Naruto suddenly sensed something and looked toward the distant sky with a frown.
Ever since obtaining the complete Nine-Tails, his sensory abilities had improved tremendously. He could now detect active chakra dozens of kilometers away, but just now, his perception had been abruptly interrupted for an instant.
Ordinary ninja might not notice such a fluctuation, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't think much of it.
But Naruto had already experienced time travel before, and this disturbance felt somewhat similar to that incident, forcing him to stay cautious.
Although the Dragon Vein Core was already in his possession and nobody could use the Dragon Veins to travel through time anymore, the Dragon Veins were not the only means of time travel.
There was also Karasuki from Boruto's era. That seemingly harmless little turtle was actually more powerful than the Dragon Veins and was a treasure of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
If someone had truly traveled through time, it should be the older Sasuke and Boruto.
Thinking of this, Naruto immediately abandoned the idea of visiting Hinata. After finding Shisui in the residence, he instructed:
"Shisui, there's an uninvited guest inside Konoha. If you find him, report his whereabouts to me immediately."
Shisui rarely saw Naruto wear such a serious expression and immediately nodded.
"I'll find the intruder."
Naruto thought for a moment before adding:
"If a conflict breaks out between you and the other party, run if you can. You're not his opponent, and even I would have a hard time dealing with him."
Shisui's eyes widened in shock. He instinctively assumed that Pain from the Akatsuki was lurking somewhere in Konoha.
After all, aside from Pain, there should be no ninja in the entire world capable of making Naruto this wary.
Naruto didn't explain further and vanished from the spot. After locating several unfamiliar chakra signatures, he immediately gave chase while silently evaluating Sasuke's strength.
Judging by his abilities, the older Sasuke possessed both the Rinnegan and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
His strength was definitely above Nagato's current level. Even the resurrected Uchiha Madara might not be his match. Defeating him would be extremely difficult.
However, traveling through time seemed to limit how much strength he could display, so defeating him wasn't entirely impossible.
Still, the most important thing right now was learning the true identity of the traveler and determining whether they came from his future or from a parallel world.
It didn't take long for Naruto to spot Boruto and Sasuke at the Uchiha training grounds.
The two were sparring fiercely, both displaying strength comparable to jōnin. After creating some distance, lightning gathered in Sasuke's hand while a Rasengan formed in Boruto's palm.
Just as Sasuke confidently prepared to strike with Chidori—
Boruto's Rasengan vanished into thin air.
The next moment, it slammed directly into Sasuke's body, sending him crashing hard to the ground.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on Naruto's face.
Boruto's Rasengan had likely been infused with Lightning Release chakra transformation, giving it the ability to disappear from sight.
Still, wasn't Boruto worried about exposing himself to Sasuke?
Or had Sasuke really become that dense?
No way. Sasuke already possessed jōnin-level strength.
Could it be that Boruto had reached that level too?
As expected of the Tattoo Era.
"Why did your Rasengan disappear?"
After climbing back to his feet, Sasuke looked at Boruto with a wary expression.
Boruto might seem a little dumb, but both his chakra reserves and ninjutsu mastery surpassed Sasuke's. His only advantage was combat experience.
Was Uzushio Village really that powerful?
Had all his training over the past few years been completely wasted?
If he had trained in Uzushio Village, perhaps he would have already defeated Uchiha Itachi and completed his revenge.
Was Sasuke-sensei really not like this when he was younger?
And just how strong was Dad in this era?
If he got the chance to meet him, he definitely had to teach him a lesson and vent some anger on behalf of Himawari.
At that moment, Boruto noticed that Sasuke had stopped moving and pointed behind him.
Turning around, Boruto saw a black-haired boy wearing a black fox mask.
Scratching his head, he grinned and said:
"Are you here to train too? Perfect timing. I just beat Senior Sasuke, so now it's your turn."
Hearing that, Sasuke's expression became rather strange.
Wasn't Boruto supposed to be a ninja from Uzushio Village?
How could he not even recognize Naruto?
Had he guessed wrong?
Were Boruto and that middle-aged man actually spies from another village?
But aside from Naruto and Kakashi, who else should know the Rasengan?
Facing Boruto's challenge, Naruto nodded slightly and disappeared before Boruto could even form a hand seal.
The next instant, Naruto appeared directly above him.
His elbow slammed down onto Boruto's shoulder and drove him into the ground.
No matter how much Boruto struggled, he couldn't break free from Naruto's restraint.
Left with no other choice, Boruto shouted toward Sasuke:
"Help me already! Aren't we on the same side?"
Sasuke looked at him with pity before saying to Naruto:
"Naruto, let the kid go. But do you really not know him?"
"Do I need to know him?" Naruto asked in return.
Spreading his hands, Sasuke replied:
"But he claims to be a ninja of the Uzumaki Clan. He knows your Rasengan, and his hair color is similar to yours. He's practically your brother."
Naruto shook his head slightly.
"I don't have a brother like that, and he's definitely not a ninja from Uzushio Village."
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