"...?! I... I don't know what you're talking about..."
Being suddenly recognized with his true identity—even more troubleso than the worst anticipated scenario—Sasuke felt cold sweat instantly seep down his spine. His brain raced, carefully recalling every detail from their encounter until now. His age obviously didn't match this tiline's Uchiha Sasuke, and he was certain he'd revealed no flaws in words or conduct. How exactly had this Naruto seen through him?
Watching Sasuke still stubbornly playing dumb, Naruto decided to speak more plainly. He directly gazed at Sasuke's concealed face.
"Uchiha Sasuke, genius ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire, last descendant of the Uchiha clan. In childhood witnessed his brother Uchiha Itachi's massacre of the clan and embarked on a path of revenge. Though gradually becoming mutually caring comrades with Team Seven, under successive strikes and pressure from Orochimaru and Itachi, he left Konoha and joined the powerful Orochimaru who coveted his body at the ti..."
If he'd rely felt sowhat panicked earlier, at this mont Sasuke felt his hair stand on end. Being so thoroughly exposed to his face created an intense sense of being spied upon. The current situation no longer allowed him to continue denying.
"Pretty strange, right? I'm rather different from the Naruto in your mories." Naruto scratched his blond hair. "Uchiha Sasuke from the future... how did you co to this world?"
Sasuke noticed Naruto used the word "world," not "ti." A terrifying speculation ford in his mind.
"Where did you learn these things..." Sasuke finally abandoned his disguise, voice low as he admitted his identity. But his vigilance toward this Naruto had already risen to maximum.
Even the mature and steady Naruto from his space-ti would probably struggle to deduce the truth in such short ti when encountering such bizarre circumstances.
"Don't be so wary." Naruto waved his hand, attempting to ease the tense atmosphere. "Actually it's quite simple—can be explained clearly. I'm actually in a similar situation to you. I traveled from the original worldline to the past, except..." He lowered his head looking at his own palm. "My age was also transford by ti into this appearance..."
---
Around the corner, Boruto leaned boredly against the mottled wall. Following Sasuke's instructions, he'd deliberately distanced himself by an entire street, completely unable to hear the distant pair's conversation.
Parallel universe, huh... Boruto thought aimlessly. Since the important people are the sa as the original world, there probably won't be major differences.
He tried finding the "discord" Sasuke ntioned from the scenery before his eyes, but aside from the architectural style appearing slightly antique, nothing seed particularly special.
The first four Hokage carvings all matched his mory. Though the Fifth Hokage carving was still under construction, it would undoubtedly be Granny Tsunade. Thinking this, Boruto couldn't help growing more curious about this world's father.
Just now on the way here, he and Sasuke had distantly seen this period's Sakura. Though Sasuke tily pulled him into hiding without opportunity for conversation, that face was identical to photos at ho.
Then Dad's childhood personality should be similar too, right? Boruto recalled sowhat uncertainly words his father once said—"When I was your age, I was far more steady than you." Could it be Dad wasn't bragging then?
Suddenly, Boruto's thoughts were interrupted. His gaze involuntarily drew toward a figure, unable to shift away.
If asked what kind of person was coolest, Boruto's heart already held a standard answer—stern bearing and gaze, taciturn personality, plus that innate pride and strength.
Simply put, soone like Uchiha Sasuke...
When the brain received these familiar traits appearing on an unfamiliar exterior, it created a peculiar cognitive conflict, making Boruto feel inexplicably excited.
She was a black-haired girl, ink-colored strands neatly falling behind her shoulders, making her neck and cheek skin appear especially fair. She had large obsidian-like eyes yet carrying aloofness and coldness rare for this age. That face simultaneously cute, pretty, and carrying so delicacy sohow gave an unapproachable feeling.
Wearing a high-collar short top and pants convenient for movent, her entire body lacked any superfluous accessories or frills. Her whole person emanated a clean and efficient bearing yet therefore appeared excessively cold.
When an admired figure's traits suddenly appeared as an unfamiliar girl's image, Boruto felt indescribable chaos surge within. This contradictory sense of familiarity and strangeness left him at a loss.
"Um... please wait!" Boruto almost instinctively called out.
Uchiha Satsuki turned her head puzzledly, then slightly froze. Being approached by sa-age boys wasn't unusual for her, but this ti she unprecedentedly didn't imdiately refuse with words like "if there's nothing, move aside." Sohow, this blond boy gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"You are... Have we t sowhere before?" Satsuki-chan preemptively asked what Boruto was about to say.
The prepared words Boruto had ready instantly vanished completely. He wanted to respond naturally, but his accelerated heartbeat only let him stamr. "Um... yeah, I also feel you're sowhat like soone I know..."
"...What's your na?" Satsuki-chan slightly tilted her head asking.
"Na? My na is Uzu... Boruto." He corrected himself in ti, secretly sighing in relief.
Watching Boruto's nervous appearance, the slight warmth that had just risen in Satsuki's heart faded sowhat. This reminded her of that always stamring Hyuga girl from class before. Perhaps the earlier familiarity was just illusion.
"...Then what do you want?" Satsuki-chan's tone recovered its usual coldness.
"Well... are you free now? I have so questions I want to ask you." Boruto mustered courage saying.
"No ti. I still have matters." Satsuki-chan crisply refused, imdiately turning to leave, her figure quickly disappearing around the street corner.
The response even colder than anticipated left Boruto sowhat disappointed. He felt quite confused—he'd actually developed an impulse to approach a first-eting girl?
And this person... Boruto was certain he'd never seen an adult woman with such special personality in future Konoha. Logically, every existence in parallel universes should have corresponding counterparts...
...Could it be she sacrificed herself in the future?
This saddening thought had just erged—before Boruto could regret forgetting to even ask her na—that familiar voice transmitted again from ahead.
"Naruto? Who is this person? Why is he following you around?"
***
80 advance chapters at patreon/Eatinpieces
User Comments
0 comments from readers