The sun rose over the horizon, illuminating the Konoha sky. Tsunade was meeting with Naruto, Sasuke, and Boruto in her office. They had been talking for about two hours after Naruto decided to take a break from the battle against Urashiki. His new Rasengan was powerful and guaranteed a kill upon impact, but he was still struggling to use it. He had also used all his remaining strength in those final blows.
"Do you have enough chakra to activate that tool?" Tsunade asked, looking at the turtle resting in Sasuke's palm.
"It should be enough," Karasuki replied slowly.
"Good..." Tsunade nodded, satisfied. She didn't want any more trouble for now, especially since the recent incident had been resolved relatively easily.
"So, what's the point of saying goodbye?" Naruto smiled slightly, looking at Boruto. "Remember to train, kid. If people like that Urashiki return to your world, you'll need power to protect it, but don't forget your comrades and family. There are only certain things you can do alone; there will come a time when you'll definitely need help."
Boruto swallowed and nodded. He knew things were just getting started. He clenched his right hand, where the Karma mark was. He still didn't fully understand what it was, but it couldn't be anything simple.
"One last piece of advice..." Naruto raised a finger as he looked at Boruto. The little he had known about the young Uzumaki was enough for Naruto to understand that something was wrong with him. It wasn't anything too serious, but it could escalate in the future, which is why he wanted to say these last words.
Boruto looked at him intently.
"I don't know if you already have a goal, or a dream for that matter. But don't let others dictate your decisions so much. Hold on to what you want to achieve, strive, and take the step forward. If you fail, it doesn't matter; you can get up and keep going. But, along the way, don't forget those who are behind you."
Boruto remained silent before nodding and looking at Sasuke. The three adults noticed this and smiled, Naruto and Tsunade more than Sasuke. It seemed Boruto truly admired Sasuke.
Sasuke decided to activate Karasuki at that moment as Boruto approached before a light flashed and the two of them vanished. When they disappeared, Naruto and Tsunade looked at each other before sighing. Things had ended quickly, and much better than either of them had expected.
"Tsunade..."
The Hokage looked at Naruto with a hint of surprise. The blond boy had never called her by her name before. He always used some annoying way of referring to her, but not this time. Naruto looked at her seriously; there was no smile on his face. His eyebrows were furrowed over his eyes as his blue orbs gazed at her with a serious expression.
"What's wrong?" Tsunade asked, frowning slightly.
"I want the key to the seal. This fight made me realize that I need to learn how to use all the power it can lend me."
"Key? Are you saying someone has the key?!" Tsunade hadn't heard of that. Since learning that Kyuubi had been sealed, she hadn't heard of anyone possessing a key. His grandmother might have been the case, but she was dead. Kushina might have had a key as well, but she was also dead.
"Key?" "Jiraiya-sensei has it. My father gave it to him through a toad," Naruto replied, taking a deep breath.
"I need that key if I want to properly interact with Kyuubi."
Naruto knew he needed the key. He could remove part of the seal, but if he truly wanted to have good cooperation with Kurama, the key was necessary. The two already had what could be considered a good relationship. Besides, if someone pursued Kyuubi in the kind of annoying way the Ootsutsuki did, they would be in danger if they couldn't use the full power at their disposal.
Akatsuki was also still roaming the nations, searching for and trying to capture the Jinchuriki. Gaara's case certainly wouldn't be the only one. In fact, they didn't even know if any had already been captured.
"Akatsuki is still out there. We don't know if they'll attack the village to get what you want; it's best if we prepare properly."
Tsunade nodded, understanding the points Naruto was making.
"Great! I'll contact Jiraiya about this."
"I'll also send Gamakichi with a message, just in case."
When the conversation ended, Naruto headed back to his apartment and summoned Gamakichi to deliver a scroll to Jiraiya. Of course, it required payment in the form of some sweets, but that wasn't a problem. After that, Naruto sat in the lotus position to meditate and enter his mental landscape.
"So... is that moment finally here?" Kurama spoke, his eyes closed and his paws tucked under his head. Naruto approached and stepped through the bars to touch Kurama's fur.
"Yes. We need to get stronger for any danger that might arise."
"Well, I don't mind you using my power to scare some bastards," Kurama smiled slightly as he slowly stood up before opening his eyes and looking directly at Naruto.
"Hey... do you think we can get you out of here?"
"Are you crazy, Naruto? We both know that'll kill you."
"I'm not talking about your entire body. You're a being created from pure chakra. I was thinking more of an avatar; a part of your chakra taking a smaller form, so you can bind your senses and walk outside," Naruto said, smiling and running his hand through Kurama's soft fur.
"Who knows, maybe you can be like Akamaru!" Naruto said happily, a little louder than usual.
"You're comparing me to a mere dog?!"
"But would you like to bite certain people?" Naruto grinned with amusement as he asked the question.
Kurama lowered his gaze and observed Naruto for a few moments before nodding.
"But I would like to bite certain people."
The two looked at each other and remained silent for a few moments before raising their heads and laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
"Bwahahahaha!"
The two companions enjoyed the brief moment of relief and amusement they shared. They both knew that dangerous people were against them. They understood that things would get a little complicated in the near future, so they had no qualms about laughing and getting a little closer to each other.
But neither of them planned to back down easily. Anyone who came after them seeking their deaths wouldn't get away unscathed. Uzumaki Naruto and Kurama weren't the type to lie down and die.
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(Omake: The Reaction to the Adventure in a Different Timeline)
"Huh?! You ran into another me?! No, wait, you fell into a different past?!" Uzumaki Naruto, the Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure, exclaimed, his face a mask of astonishment as he looked from Sasuke to Boruto and then back again.
"Yeah..." Sasuke said, lowering the small sake cup from his lips.
Since they had returned with good news of Urashiki's defeat, the Uzumaki and Uchiha families had decided to have dinner together that evening. Naruto readily agreed, thanks to Boruto's insistence, and also because it would be a welcome break from all his work.
"What did I look like?" Naruto asked, pointing at his face with a finger.
"Different," Sasuke replied.
"Cooler," Boruto added.
"Hey, what do you mean by that? Am I not cool anymore?"
Boruto just stared at him with a slightly lifeless expression, causing his father's head to droop a little as black lines appeared above him.
"Hmm..." Sasuke murmured, but his smile was visible at Boruto's words and Naruto's reaction.
"By the way, Mom!" Boruto exclaimed, remembering something. His hands had slipped slightly on the table as he leaned forward a little more, looking between his mother and father.
"Yes?" Hinata asked curiously. All this talk about another timeline had her a little confused, but she was also happy about the reunion between the two families. She never blamed Naruto for his lack of time; she knew how busy he was. But, despite everything, having him by her side made her happier.
"Dad... Erm... The other Naruto? Ugh... this is so annoying," Boruto quickly changed the subject. "Well, the thing is, the other one was engaged to the other Hinata!"
"Huh?"
Both Hinata and Naruto were surprised to hear this news.
"That's right," Sasuke nodded as he spoke, causing everyone to look at him. "When the other Naruto took us to the Hokage's office, Hinata was there. Also, I saw a bento box. It seems their relationship started long before this timeline."
"Why would Naruto be having lunch in the Hokage's office?" Sakura asked.
"Is that what surprises you?" Sarada asked, a little puzzled.
"He could also use Wood Release..." Boruto commented.
"He was faster, his strength surpassed Tsunade's. He was more serious and didn't have as much trouble finishing a battle. He never stopped to talk to Urashiki unless it was to distract him," Sasuke continued, enjoying how Naruto's mouth slowly opened until it hung open.
"The other Hinata seemed to think that Tsunade was training the other Naruto to become the Sixth Hokage," Boruto murmured a little more.
"Fine! I get it!" Naruto shouted, annoyed. "He's better than me, fine. That's enough. And you, Sasuke, I know you're saying all this on purpose."
"Hn... Dobe."
"Teme!" Naruto growled.
Hinata and Sakura watched the scene with a bit of surprise. It had been a while since those words had been spoken, and it almost seemed as if little Sasuke and Naruto had appeared in the room.
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