"It's real."
Fujimoto Tōma smiled like a man who had been waiting for this exact reaction. Honestly, this was half the reason he'd dragged Naruto here in the first place.
"R-Really?" Naruto asked for the third time, still refusing to believe it even though the words came from Tōma himself.
"It's real," Tōma said calmly. "And you're not the only one. Sasuke here already met his grown-up self."
He gestured lightly.
Naruto went quiet, looking back and forth between Sasuke and the older Sasuke.
Yeah… that older version definitely felt stronger. Older too. More worn. Like someone who'd walked through a lot of bad weather and kept going anyway.
If Sasuke could accept it… then maybe…
Naruto swallowed and slowly turned his stiff neck toward Boruto.
Boruto was already staring at him, eyes bright with curiosity. Probably wondering what his dad looked like at this age.
Naruto froze.
What was he supposed to say in a situation like this?
"Uh… so…" Naruto opened his mouth, panicked, then abruptly changed course. "Nice weather today, huh?"
"…Y-Yeah," Boruto replied just as awkwardly, scratching his head. "Pretty nice."
They stared at each other.
Then both burst out laughing, loud and stupid.
Everyone else in the room watched in silence, united by the same thought.
Yeah. Definitely father and son.
Naruto scurried over to Tōma and whispered like his life depended on it. "Tōma, I can't just accept that I suddenly have a kid this old!"
Meanwhile, Boruto tugged on the older Sasuke's sleeve. "Um… Sasuke-san. If we're not from the same world… does he really count as my dad?"
That one stumped him.
Genetically, yes. Practically? Emotionally? That was a mess even Sasuke didn't want to unpack.
Tōma, meanwhile, was enjoying himself far too much. Sasuke caught his grin and snorted quietly.
After enough suffering, Tōma finally relented. "No one's asking you to accept it permanently. Boruto isn't staying here forever. Think of it as… a preview."
Naruto blinked. "A preview?"
"Just call him Boruto," Tōma said. "No need to force anything."
Boruto nodded quickly. "Yeah! Boruto's fine."
He then looked helplessly at Tōma, silently asking what he should call Naruto.
Tōma raised an eyebrow. "Don't look at me. You can't just call him Naruto. Be honest and call him Dad. Your version of Naruto won't hold it against you."
Boruto wilted instantly.
Naruto took a breath, squared his shoulders, and tried again. "Nice to meet you, Boruto. It's… uh… good to have you around for the next few days."
"…Y-Yeah. Please take care of me," Boruto said, voice dropping to a whisper at the end. "Dad."
That single word hit Naruto like a direct Rasengan to the chest.
His eyes lit up.
In that instant, Naruto Uzumaki made a solemn decision.
Even if it was only for a few days, he was going to be the best dad imaginable.
"Tōma!" Naruto said suddenly, full of energy. "If there's nothing else, I'm taking Boruto around the village! He hasn't seen this version of Konoha yet!"
Tōma stared at him. "…You think I brought you here just for a family reunion?"
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Oh. Right."
"Otsutsuki Urashiki," Tōma reminded him flatly. "The one trying to steal the Nine-Tails' chakra. You did hear that part, right?"
"…Kinda," Naruto admitted. "The son thing really threw me."
Boruto sighed. Yeah. That tracked.
Tōma went over the situation again.
Naruto clenched his fist confidently. "I'm not scared. Let him come. Kurama and I will handle it!"
"And how do you counter his chakra-fishing tool?" Tōma asked.
Naruto paused, then smacked his fist into his palm. "Easy. Just don't let it hit me!"
Tōma stared.
"…That explains nothing."
"Then do you have a plan?" Naruto shot back.
"No," Tōma replied honestly. "I don't know how that thing works. We adapt as we go."
Naruto frowned. If even Tōma didn't have an answer, this wasn't simple.
"Just remember," Tōma said, more serious now, "don't leave the village. If things get dangerous, call on the Nine-Tails. I'll handle the rest."
Naruto nodded slowly.
Then he clenched his fists again and looked straight at Tōma. "Let me fight him. I want Boruto to see that I can protect him."
Boruto looked up at him, stunned.
For a moment, Naruto didn't look like a teenager at all.
Tōma studied him, then nodded. "Fine. But if I decide you're outmatched, I step in. No arguments."
"That's fair!"
"Good. Now go," Tōma waved them off. "Before you start crying again."
Naruto grinned and beckoned Boruto over. Boruto glanced at the older Sasuke, who nodded calmly.
They left together.
After they were gone, the older Sasuke hesitated. "Is that really okay?"
Tōma leaned back. "In this world? Naruto's stronger than you think. Stronger than you, right now, at least."
The older Sasuke winced, then laughed weakly. "…Yeah. That sounds right."
"Your turn," Tōma added, looking at Sasuke. "You keep your future self company."
Sasuke nodded.
Soon, the office was quiet again.
Tōma stared at the ceiling, thoughts drifting.
Ōtsutsuki… bloodlines… time travel.
Troublesome things. But not unsolvable.
Strength would decide everything in the end.
Outside, Naruto walked through Konoha with Boruto at his side, talking animatedly.
After a long pause, Naruto asked, carefully and a little nervously,
"So… Boruto. Who's your mom?"