"Long time no see, Naruto," Sasuke said automatically.
"It hasn't been a long time at all. This is obviously the first time we've met." Naruto looked at Uncle Sasuke with interest.
Setting aside the missing arm, this was what Sasuke looked like middle-aged. Somewhat disheveled. Naruto imagined his own world's Sasuke in the future—would he look the same as this version standing before him?
Hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly as he finally registered the differences. This Naruto was distinctly different from the one he knew. Younger appearance, yes, but also taller. The long golden hair looked almost ethereal, giving him an otherworldly quality. The temperament radiating from this boy was completely unlike the Naruto he'd known his entire life.
More importantly, having been entangled with Naruto for a lifetime, Sasuke could feel every nuance of his movements.
This wasn't right.
"You're not Naruto," Sasuke said, his body immediately shifting to a combat stance. "Who are you?"
"Don't be nervous." Naruto sensed Sasuke's muscles tensing all at once, saw the softness leave his eyes. He waved his hand in a calming gesture. "Sasuke, I am Uzumaki Naruto. Just not the Uzumaki Naruto of this world. I'm from another timeline."
"Another timeline?" Sasuke's tension eased slightly. He believed the words immediately. The Sage of Six Paths and the Ōtsutsuki clan all came from other dimensions. It wasn't surprising that this Naruto originated from elsewhere.
Seeing Sasuke's expression soften, Naruto continued. "I'm staying at this world's Naruto's house right now. Aren't you good friends with him? Why haven't you visited as a guest?"
"I've only been back a few days," Sasuke explained. "Most of my time is spent outside the village on missions."
Naruto nodded in understanding. "I see. I heard your world's Naruto mention things about you. In my world, Sasuke and I are also very good friends. I came here today to chat with you, reminisce about the past. Then I can tell my Sasuke all about it when I return."
"No problem, Naruto. Come sit at my house." Sasuke's invitation was genuine.
"Wait, Sasuke." Naruto grinned. "Before we chat, why don't we be friends properly? Have a friendly discussion first. If we spar at your house, your home might get destroyed. I heard from Hinata that your family's had some difficulties lately. All those mortgage payments."
The mention of mortgage payments brought a shadow of genuine sadness to Sasuke's face.
Still, Sasuke agreed to the sparring suggestion without hesitation. Sparring was no problem at all. He and this world's Naruto had been fighting their entire lives. His arm had been lost during one such match, after all.
"Alright, let's find a suitable place," Sasuke said with a nod.
Sasuke's ready agreement made Naruto laugh. He wanted to see how strong an adult Sasuke truly was. The Sasuke back home had a strong heart but his body hadn't fully matured yet. The fights never felt quite satisfying.
"Then let's head to the forest." Naruto stepped forward and placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder. In the next instant, they appeared above a dense woodland.
"What?" The movement caught Sasuke completely off guard. He hadn't felt any chakra fluctuations from Naruto's body. It didn't look like Flying Thunder God either, which surprised him greatly.
"That's right, this isn't Flying Thunder God," Naruto said cheerfully. "This is Heavenly Steps."
Glancing around, Naruto pointed to a relatively open, flat clearing not far away. "Let's go over there. Otherwise, your Fire Style might not hit me, but it'll definitely destroy the forest."
The casual jab made Sasuke's face darken. What do you mean my Fire Style can't hit people?
Landing in the clearing, Naruto released Sasuke and backed up ten meters. "Sasuke, come on. Let's have a friendly exchange."
"Yeah." Sasuke nodded.
He and Naruto had been fighting since childhood. Even after breaking his arm, even after getting married, those battles had never truly stopped. Though the Naruto in the Hokage Building had become more stable recently, less likely to engage in casual violence.
This foreign Naruto awakened something in Sasuke's memory. He recalled every fight he'd had with his Naruto over the years. Although some battles had seemed meaningless at the time, looking back now filled Sasuke with warmth. They were good memories.
All of them.
"Then I'm coming." Sasuke vanished from his position.
In the next second, he appeared in front of Naruto, somersaulting through the air to strike with both feet in a devastating kick.
"Sasuke, don't hold back. Use your real skills, or you'll regret it." Naruto raised his arm casually to block the Lion Combo.
Sasuke's foot connected with Naruto's forearm. Instantly, it felt like kicking a steel plate. Pain shot through his leg.
"Lightning Style: Chidori Senbon!"
Sasuke leaped back, retreating to a distance. Immediately, he launched his attack. Countless senbon made of lightning shot toward Naruto. With his Sharingan guiding them, each needle targeted a vital point.
This Sasuke is interesting, Naruto thought, his mouth curling into a smile.
Looking at the senbon flying toward his vitals, Naruto activated the Protective Retraction Technique.
The vulnerable area retracted to safety. Naruto let the sharp senbon aimed at his groin fly directly at him, a smile on his face. He didn't dodge.
"What?!" Seeing that Naruto didn't evade, Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. His Chidori Senbon couldn't be recalled mid-flight. If this injured Naruto and created problems with Hinata, he'd be a sinner.
Even if this wasn't his world's Naruto, he'd still feel guilty.
The senbon struck Naruto's body harmlessly and dissipated one after another.
Then Naruto attacked.
A simple punch. He appeared in front of Sasuke instantly. Sasuke, still worried about the previous attack, took the blow fully. The punch sent him flying backward, crashing heavily into the ground in the distance.
"Sasuke, don't get distracted during battle!" Naruto retracted his fist with a smile.
"What incredible taijutsu." Sasuke stood up, one eye already swollen shut and turning black. That punch had landed squarely on his left eye. Still, seeing that Naruto was completely unharmed brought relief.
Naruto was fine, but he'd taken a punch to the face. Sasuke decided to get serious.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
The massive fire technique shot skyward. After a moment, thick thunderclouds gathered in the sky above Naruto. Sasuke formed hand seals rapidly as thunder and lightning began dancing within the storm clouds. The thunder roared.
Naruto looked up and watched the lightning above slowly converging. Finally, it coalesced into the shape of a massive beast.
A Kirin.
The lightning beast took form and charged toward Naruto with the full power of nature's thunder.
"This move is excellent," Naruto thought. "I'll have to ask Sasuke to demonstrate it again so I can bring it back for my Sasuke to learn."
His body moved, appearing directly in front of the Lightning Kirin.
Then...