The boy wore a black athletic jacket lined with purplish-red fabric, a white undershirt beneath it, and a silver, screw-shaped necklace hanging at his chest. The style looked a little avant-garde, but there was no doubt about it—this was unmistakably ninja attire.
He still seemed dazed, his gaze wandering over the familiar streets of Konoha as if caught between confusion and disbelief. Finally, his eyes settled on Naruto, who was sitting right in front of him with an equally blank expression.
"Y-you… you're… Dad?"
The blond boy stared at Naruto, his clear azure eyes suddenly shrinking.
"Huh?!"
Naruto's eyes flew wide open. He pointed at his own nose, so shocked that he completely forgot about the furious pursuers behind him.
Upon hearing the boy's slip of the tongue, Kakashi—watching from a distance—had a flash of sharp realization in his eye.
His gaze shifted from the flustered blond boy to the tall, cloaked man standing beside him.
A gray cloak. Black hair deliberately falling to obscure half his face. A cold, distant aura that spoke of countless battles survived.
And then there was the boy—blond hair, fox-like whisker marks on his cheeks, features eerily similar to Naruto's.
"…Seriously?"
Kakashi muttered to himself, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
Aren't these two the main characters from that infamous movie, The Will of Fire? Even dogs would shake their heads at that plot.
He looked at the so-called "Boruto" prince in front of him, then at the one-armed Sasuke beside him, his entire body steeped in the weariness of time—a middle-aged, debt-paying version if there ever was one.
"So they even pulled out the time-travel nonsense," Kakashi thought dryly. "Just like that Ōtsutsuki Urashiki mess."
Honestly, compared to hot-blooded idiots who charged headfirst into death, this kid's story wasn't even exciting. He was practically wrapped in plot armor.
While Kakashi was silently complaining, the cloaked man—adult Sasuke—stiffened visibly.
He immediately realized Boruto had said too much.
In one swift motion, Sasuke grabbed Boruto by the shoulder, yanked him behind himself, and spoke in a low, controlled voice:
"The child is exhausted from the long journey. He's confused… experiencing hallucinations."
"Who's hallucinating?! He clearly looks just like my dad—"
Boruto started to protest, but Sasuke shot him a cold, warning glare. The rest of his words died in his throat.
"Whew—don't scare me like that!"
Naruto patted his chest, muttering with lingering fear. "I thought I sleepwalked and somehow gave birth to a kid!"
"Stop right there!! Don't run!!"
At that moment, the enraged bathhouse aunties finally caught up. Brooms, wooden basins, and murderous intent filled the air as they charged forward.
"Naruto! You idiot! Why are you just standing there?! Run!"
Jiraiya streaked past like a gust of wind, grabbed Naruto by the back of his collar, and dragged him along as they bolted down the street.
"Aaaah! Let go of me, Pervy Sage! I wasn't peeking at all!!!"
An old man and a young boy screamed as they fled, chased by a mob of furious women, disappearing into a cloud of dust at the far end of the road.
Left behind were a dumbfounded Boruto and a deeply frowning adult Sasuke.
"Th-that guy really is…?"
Boruto pointed shakily at Naruto's retreating figure, his eye twitching violently.
This was nothing like the calm, dignified Seventh Hokage from his memories—the one always busy, always serious, never home.
This was just… a street thug.
Kakashi watched the scene, sighed helplessly, stuffed Make-Out Tactics into his ninja pouch, and stepped out from the shadows at the corner of the street.
He looked at the tense Sasuke before him, and the single visible eye curved slightly into a warm, gentle smile.
"Nice to meet you," he said lazily. "You two travelers from afar."
Hands in his pockets, his tone calm and unhurried, Kakashi spoke—causing the Rinnegan hidden beneath Sasuke's messy hair to tense imperceptibly.
"Judging by your looks," Kakashi continued, "it seems you've lost your way in Konoha."
"Would you like me, as a local, to act as your guide?"
Boruto, still reeling from the revelation that his father was apparently a bathhouse peeping accomplice, finally snapped out of it when he heard Kakashi's voice.
He turned toward the sound.
The moment he saw that familiar silver-haired figure, his eyes lit up as if he'd finally found someone he knew in this strange world.
Boruto excitedly opened his mouth, about to call out—
Sasuke reacted instantly, slamming his hand down on Boruto's shoulder and forcibly cutting him off.
The grip was so strong Boruto let out a muffled groan.
"Uncle Sasuke, what are you—"
Sasuke ignored him completely, stepping forward to shield Boruto behind his back.
Having survived countless life-and-death battles, Sasuke understood the taboos of time travel far better than Boruto ever could. He also understood just how terrifying the perception of the man in front of them was.
One tiny slip could expose everything.
If history changed, the consequences would be beyond imagining.
"No need," Sasuke said calmly. "Thank you for your kindness."
He deliberately lowered his voice, roughening it, disguising his usual cool tone to sound like a weathered traveler.
"We're wandering performers, making a living through shows."
"We're only passing through Konoha, hoping to see the sights and maybe find some inspiration. We won't trouble Konoha's ninja—we'll explore on our own."
"I see."
Kakashi nodded lightly.
From his worn appearance, the man certainly did resemble a wandering artist.
But…
Kakashi's gaze shifted back to Boruto.
"The way that boy looked at me just now," he said casually, "it felt like he recognized me."
The air froze instantly.
Sasuke's right hand, hidden beneath his cloak, clenched silently.
If the man in front of them made even the slightest move, he would retreat immediately—Boruto in tow.
He knew his former teacher far too well.
Boruto broke out in a cold sweat, shrinking behind Sasuke, barely daring to breathe.
Seeing the two of them braced as if facing a deadly enemy, Kakashi suddenly chuckled.
"Well, don't be so nervous."
He waved a hand, and the subtle pressure in the air vanished, leaving behind his usual laid-back demeanor.
"I was just asking."
Scratching the back of his silver hair, Kakashi added apologetically:
"Konoha was attacked not long ago, so security's tighter than usual."
"People tend to be more sensitive toward outsiders."
Hearing this, Sasuke's tension eased slightly.
"I understand," he said, bowing his head faintly. "Sorry for the inconvenience."
"No, no."
Kakashi smiled, pointing in the direction Naruto and Jiraiya had disappeared.
"Since you're exploring on your own, feel free to enjoy yourselves."
"Just a friendly warning—when you're sightseeing around here, it's best to stay away from those two idiots."
"Otherwise," he added dryly, "you might get mistaken for their accomplices and beaten up along with them."
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