Following Asuma's pursuers, Sasuke and Boruto swiftly arrived at the main gate. To their horror, they saw Minato and a young Sasuke inspecting severed ears and heads piled at the entrance.
"What is going on in this world?"
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Sasuke pulled Boruto to a halt, hiding behind some ruins. Boruto, spotting something, peeked out. His eyes weren't on Asuma's distant battle, but on the crowd at the gate. The two figures he saw made his eyes widen instantly.
"That's the younger Sasuke!"
"But he looks so arrogant—nothing like the calm Sasuke I know."
"And the person next to him... he looks familiar... it's Grandpa! The one who died before Dad was even born!!!"
"My grandfather in this world is still alive!?"
"And the gifts they're receiving from the others... ugh!!!"
Boruto's face turned deathly pale as he gagged. The sight of pale, lifeless heads and bloodied ears assaulted his senses. Born in a peaceful era, he had never witnessed such a gruesome scene—let alone one involving his younger uncle and grandfather.
The one-armed Sasuke beside him was equally horrified, his brows furrowing deeply.
"That's Zabuza! He's still alive?"
"And those eyes—someone transplanted Sharingan into them..."
"And Sasori, Kakuzu, Deidara... why aren't the Akatsuki wearing their red cloaks?"
"And the reanimated Fourth Hokage... he should be inside the Shinigami's stomach right now..."
The timeline was completely wrong. Nothing made sense.
As the one-armed Sasuke grappled with his confusion, Boruto finished retching. Shaking, he wiped drool from his mouth and looked at Sasuke.
"S-Sasuke-san... why is this Hidden Leaf so different from ours?"
"Why are these familiar people nothing like the history books described?"
"Does a world difference really cause this much divergence?"
"I don't know," Sasuke replied curtly. He scooped Boruto up again, his six-tomoe Rinnegan scanning the ruins for a better vantage point. He focused his chakra, activating Amenotejikara. In an instant, the two vanished, swapping places with a pebble in the distance.
Now they could see clearly. Past the crowd, there was Menma, flanked by respectful figures.
"It's my father—when he was young!" Boruto exclaimed, shocked that he'd found Naruto Uzumaki so quickly.
But this Naruto was different from the photo. His hair was combed neatly back, no longer hidden under that old yellow jacket. His expression radiated cold authority. Compared to the Hokage in their world, this younger version looked more like a dignified, handsome Kage.
"So cool! I never expected Dad—who always grins at Mom and eats ramen all day—to look this impressive!"
Unlike Boruto's excitement, Sasuke felt a growing unease. The Naruto before him felt unfamiliar. And the people standing beside him made things even more bizarre.
"Nagato and Konan, Akatsuki's leaders... they're not wearing their crimson cloud robes, and they're treating Naruto with respect?"
"And why are resurrected Hashirama and Madara here so early, also bowing to Naruto?"
"Where are Orochimaru and Kabuto? Where are Obito and Black Zetsu?"
His mind raced with questions, but he snapped to attention when Naruto suddenly looked in their direction.
Sasuke immediately crouched, pulling Boruto down with him. He gathered his remaining chakra, ready to flee.
Fortunately, Asuma—who had finally escaped his pursuers—ran past, drawing everyone's attention.
Sasuke let out a breath and looked at Boruto.
"Things have changed. We need to leave immediately. Naruto doesn't need our protection here, and Urashiki can't cause any trouble."
He knew Hashirama and Madara's power. There was no way Urashiki could defeat their Impure World Reincarnation forms. The chaos they caused during the Fourth Shinobi World War was on par with his own current state. Add Nagato and the Akatsuki members nearby? If Urashiki dared show up alone, he'd be dead instantly.
"I understand," Boruto agreed, though he kept peeking at the legendary figures. "Are these the powerhouses from the books? The First Hokage, the God of Shinobi... Uchiha Madara, the final boss of the Great War? They look so cool and terrifying!"
But before he could finish, Zabuza suddenly beheaded Asuma and Konohamaru Sarutobi in the distance.
"Konohamaru-sensei!!!" Boruto cried out in shock.
Realizing his mistake, he instantly clamped a hand over his mouth, too late. Several heads turned—Menma included—staring toward their hiding spot with sharp, piercing eyes.
Sasuke's expression turned grim. He hesitated for a fraction of a second, but ruled out surrendering. He grabbed Boruto's arm, poured all his chakra into his legs, and bolted.
What he was seeing was too bizarre, too different from the people and events he knew. He couldn't trust these familiar-yet-strangers with their safety.
"Who has such powerful chakra?"
The tone of "Konohamaru-sensei" wasn't loud, but it pierced through the tense air. Everyone present knew Konoha well—they'd been targeting it for years. Seeing a powerful unknown emerge from its shadows piqued their curiosity.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he felt a chakra signature identical to his own. Thinking of Menma and Naruto, he immediately abandoned his hiding spot and gave chase.
"A rather unexpected visitor," Menma mused, watching the one-armed Sasuke and Boruto flee. Given the current timeline, Boruto might already be dead, but Sasuke certainly wouldn't have lost an arm or possess the Rinnegan. This was interesting.
He turned to the three beside him. "Bring them back alive."
"Yes!" Madara and Nagato nodded instantly, leaping into pursuit.
Hashirama scratched his head, glanced around to confirm no one else was moving, and blinked.
"Oh, so I'm still here? Right, got it. Don't worry, Menma—with Madara, we'll bring him back for you!"
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