Inside the Hokage's office, Fujimoto Tōma reviewed the latest reports from ANBU monitoring Nagato and Konan. After skimming them, he nodded in quiet satisfaction.
As expected, even without his direct involvement, Jiraiya was doing everything he could to help the two adapt to life in Konoha. Tōma understood the reality well enough. Until they truly blended in, they would always be watched. With their pasts, full trust was impossible. At best, the level of surveillance would simply decrease over time.
That was fine. What Tōma wanted was for them to settle down quickly. Especially Konan.
Once she was stable, he could start assigning her missions.
He had briefly considered pairing her with someone, but the logic fell apart immediately. Teaming her up would mean assigning someone strong enough to keep an eye on her. By that logic, only Sasuke qualified. But then what was the point? Sasuke could handle missions on his own just fine. Adding Konan would barely improve efficiency.
In the end, Tōma made his decision. Konan would work solo.
As long as Nagato remained in Konoha and was well cared for, betrayal was unlikely. And honestly, scheming behind people's backs didn't suit her temperament anyway.
With that settled, Tōma shifted his attention.
"The intelligence Konan provided on Akatsuki. Has it all been verified?" he asked.
Nara Shikaku gave a wry smile. "Yes. It checks out. But…"
"They don't know everything about their own members," Tōma finished calmly.
Shikaku nodded. "Akatsuki doesn't operate like a traditional organization. It's closer to a mercenary platform. The leader provides resources and a meeting point, but members choose their own targets. Backgrounds aren't deeply investigated."
He handed over a dossier.
Tōma skimmed it.
The masked man, claiming to be Uchiha Madara. Possessed space–time abilities, capable of rendering parts of his body intangible. Alive.
Zetsu. Divided into White Zetsu and Black Zetsu. Abilities unclear. White Zetsu excelled at reconnaissance. Black Zetsu could completely suppress his presence and even seize partial control of others' bodies. Alive.
Hoshigaki Kisame. Exceptional Water Style user with immense chakra reserves. Alive.
Hidan. Possessed immortality and a curse-based killing technique. Alive.
"…Kakuzu is dead?" Tōma paused, mildly surprised.
"Yes," Shikaku confirmed. "He was killed in an ambush by Kumogakure during the Eight-Tails operation. According to Konan, the Eight-Tails still fell into Akatsuki's hands."
Shikaku sighed. "That leaves only the Nine-Tails."
His gaze shifted unconsciously toward Tōma. After witnessing the massive Chibaku Tensei in the sky and how effortlessly it had been neutralized, Shikaku felt an almost absurd sense of security.
With a Hokage like this, Konoha truly felt untouchable.
"The Eight-Tails…" Tōma muttered, frowning. That diverged from what he remembered, but it wasn't impossible. With a stronger lineup, Akatsuki succeeding made sense.
"Our informants?" he asked.
"No contact," Shikaku replied. "Kumogakure has imposed full lockdown."
That alone said enough.
Before Tōma could think further, an ANBU operative entered.
"Hokage-sama. Two unregistered individuals have appeared in the village. They seem to be searching for something."
"A man and a woman?" Tōma asked instinctively, then reconsidered.
"No. Two males. One adult, one child."
The description followed. Black hair. One eye covered. Missing an arm. Unusual clothing. The child had short blond hair and, according to the ANBU…
"…resembles Uzumaki Naruto as a child."
Tōma waved a hand. "Continue observation. Inform the ANBU captain if anything changes."
"Understood."
Tōma didn't dwell on it. Similar faces weren't rare. The real issue was timing. Konoha hadn't fully reopened after the recent disaster. Anyone entering now without registration was suspicious.
What he didn't know was how literal that resemblance truly was.
Meanwhile, the two figures stood in front of a small ramen shop.
"So this is Ichiraku Ramen?!" the blond boy in a red vest exclaimed. "It's so tiny! I can't believe it grows that big later!"
"Boruto," the man beside him said calmly, adjusting his cloak. "Don't draw attention."
"I'm just shocked," Boruto laughed, scratching his head. "Future Ichiraku is huge."
The man sighed. "Focus. We're here to find Naruto and protect him from Urashiki."
Boruto nodded, then glanced around. "Any idea where Dad is?"
"He's either at home or here," the man replied. "If he's outside the village… that complicates things."
His gaze drifted to the Hokage Rock. Five completed faces. And one unfinished form beside them.
"…Is this Kakashi's term as Sixth Hokage?" he muttered.
That didn't line up. Something was off.
"Hey! Sasuke-san!" Boruto tugged his sleeve. "That's Aunt Sakura!"
Boruto waved and ran forward.
Before he could take three steps, a hand clamped over his mouth.
"Mmph?!"
"Didn't Urashiki tell us to act cautiously?" Sasuke whispered.
Too late.
Haruno Sakura had already noticed them.
"Uh… were you calling me?" she asked, puzzled.
"Sorry," Sasuke said quickly. "Mistaken identity."
He studied her forehead. No Strength of a Hundred seal.
That contradicted everything.
Sasuke's mind reeled. The timeline didn't match. The Hokage didn't match. The world itself didn't match.
He pulled Boruto away.
After some discreet questioning, the truth hit them like a thunderbolt.
"The Sixth Hokage?" Boruto repeated blankly.
"Yes," a villager said proudly. "Lord Fujimoto Tōma!"
Neither of them had ever heard that name.
As they retreated, the villager frowned and hurried toward the Hokage Tower. Something wasn't right.
Boruto swallowed. "Sasuke-san… this is weird."
"There are two possibilities," Sasuke said quietly. "Either we were deceived… or this isn't our world."
The turtle in Boruto's pack spoke up. "If Naruto were dead here, Boruto wouldn't exist. So history hasn't been overwritten."
"…Then this is another world," Boruto whispered.
"A very similar one," Sasuke agreed. "But with a different Sixth Hokage."
No matter what, they had to find Naruto.
They headed for his apartment.
Waiting outside was a young man leaning against the wall, arms crossed, sword on his back.
Boruto stared. Then looked at Sasuke.
Same face. Younger. Both arms intact.
Sasuke's breath hitched.
Before they could slip past—
"I've been waiting for you," the young man said, opening his eyes.
Sasuke stopped.
"…We don't know each other," he said cautiously.
"You've been gathering information all day," the young man replied coldly, drawing his blade. "Now you're heading for Naruto's home. Are you Akatsuki?"
Sasuke raised his hands. "Street performers. Just arrived today."
"That excuse doesn't work," the young man said. "No registration. You're lying."
Boruto tugged at Sasuke's sleeve. "Sasuke-san…"
ANBU shadows appeared on the walls around them.
Sasuke let out a helpless, bitter smile.
This was bad.
Very bad.