While the Seventh Hokage's bleak figure walked through wind and fallen leaves, his home radiated warmth and harmony.
Hinata moved efficiently in the kitchen, putting finishing touches on dinner. The meal sat ready, waiting only for the Seventh Hokage's return from work before the family could eat together.
Naruto sat cross-legged on the tatami, drinking tea while organizing the intelligence he'd gathered throughout the day. He carefully reviewed the friends he'd made in his mind, cataloging each encounter.
He'd befriended tens of thousands of people across Konoha in a single day. The sheer number meant some names had already started blurring together. Mental organization was necessary to keep everyone straight.
He'd replaced the Seventh Hokage's identity to make all these friends, essentially paving the way for this world's Naruto. It was a favor, really. With all of Konoha as his friends, the Hokage's position would become absolutely stable.
Of course, this was just a minor gesture. Naruto didn't need the Seventh Hokage's thanks.
After all, helping alternate versions of yourself was just common sense.
No need for gratitude.
On the adjacent tatami, three small figures sat in a row. Boruto, Himawari, and Kurama, each clutching a handheld gaming console, engaged in coordinated team play.
"Listen to my commands!" Kurama' voice carried tactical authority. "Himawari, you're playing support. Don't try to steal kills. Buff your teammates and heal immediately when health drops!"
"Boruto, you're the damage dealer. Stop obsessing over clearing minion waves. The support can handle wave management. I need you watching the enemy support constantly. Kill them the moment they overextend. Don't let their healer develop. Their damage dealer is mine."
The fox commanded like a seasoned general, directing the Uzumaki siblings through complex strategy.
"Kurama, don't worry! I promise to complete the mission!" Himawari raised her hand enthusiastically to show obedience.
"Don't raise your hands! Focus on the game screen!" Kurama barked.
Himawari immediately lowered her hand, eyes gluing themselves back to her handheld.
While Kurama commanded Himawari's selfless devotion, veteran player Boruto responded with casual impatience. "Got it, Kurama. You handle your lane. I can manage mine."
Completely absorbed in their game, the trio remained oblivious to everything else.
Hinata finished her kitchen work and emerged, glancing at the clock. Her expression shifted to confusion. "Why hasn't Naruto-kun come back yet? He should be off work by now."
In the past, the Seventh Hokage returning in the middle of the night wouldn't have surprised anyone. But the current version had changed. He didn't work overtime anymore. He came home promptly.
Something felt wrong.
Hinata thought for a moment, then addressed young Naruto. Speaking to two Narutos felt awkward, so she'd developed the habit of using "he" when discussing her husband. "Why hasn't he come back? He's definitely off work."
Naruto considered briefly. "Maybe something urgent came up."
The words had barely left his mouth when they heard the front door opening. Both Hinata and Naruto turned toward the sound.
A bleak figure stumbled through the entrance. Bruised face. Swollen features. Footprints covering his entire body. Fallen leaves clinging to his clothes. The very picture of defeat.
"Ah! Naruto, what happened to you?!" Hinata's shock propelled her forward. She rushed to her husband's side, voice filled with concern. "How did you get like this?"
"Dad, are you okay?" Even the two children playing games looked up, startled by the Seventh Hokage's condition. They abandoned their consoles and ran over, faces showing genuine worry and anxiety.
Kurama remained focused on the game. It had glanced over briefly, assessed that its jinchūriki had only superficial injuries, and determined he'd recover quickly with his healing factor. No reason to stop playing.
Young Naruto also approached, genuinely confused. He hadn't sparred with the Seventh Hokage at all today. How had the man ended up in this condition? "What happened? How much hatred does someone need to do this?"
Looking at young Naruto's concerned face, seeing that puzzled expression...
It's all because of you! the Seventh Hokage screamed internally. You beat up every ninja in Konoha! Of course they blamed me and beat me in revenge!
But he didn't dare say those words aloud. He was terrified young Naruto would decide to add insult to injury.
Right now, he had one hope: that Naruto would return to his own world soon and stop causing chaos here.
But expressing that hope directly was impossible.
The frustration built inside him like steam in a sealed container.
"Pfft!"
The Seventh Hokage immediately spat out a mouthful of blood. He spoke with forced firmness. "I'm fine. Actually, I feel much better after coughing that up."
"Boruto, Himawari, your father is fine. Let's continue the game." Kurama pulled both children back to the tatami and their abandoned consoles.
Hearing Kurama' dismissive assessment made the Seventh Hokage's anger flare again.
"Go wash up, then we'll eat." Hinata's worry hadn't diminished.
"I'm fine." The Seventh Hokage patted her hand gently. "It's just... in my world, there are only wind and fallen leaves..."
He mumbled the words to himself as he shuffled toward the bathroom, lost in his own melancholy.
In my world, there are only wind and fallen leaves.
The cryptic statement made Hinata's concern deepen. She glanced at young Naruto, worry clear in her pale eyes. "He seems..."
Naruto raised his hand, cutting her off. "Don't worry. I'll handle it before I leave."
"Boruto, Himawari, time to eat. You can play after dinner." After the Seventh Hokage finished washing, young Naruto collected both children from their game, shepherding them to wash their hands before the meal.
Throughout dinner, the Seventh Hokage's expression remained blank. He moved mechanically, like a robot programmed to eat. Chew. Swallow. Repeat. No awareness of taste or texture.
When he finally finished, he set down his chopsticks silently. "I'm going to my room. You all eat slowly."
Watching her husband's retreating back, Hinata lost her appetite completely. She could see it written across him: pitiful, helpless, weak, withdrawn.
Konoha's Seventh Hokage, the hero who'd ended the shinobi world war, reduced to this. What could have broken him so thoroughly?
"What's wrong with Dad?" Himawari asked, her voice small. Boruto looked between Hinata and young Naruto, hoping for an explanation.
Naruto smiled reassuringly. "Your father's just tired from work. After dinner, you can go back to your games."
Once the meal concluded, Naruto addressed Hinata. "I'll go check on him."
He opened the bedroom door to find complete darkness. The Seventh Hokage hadn't turned on the lights. Naruto flipped the switch, illumination revealing his counterpart lying with his back turned, wrapped tightly in his blanket like a cocoon.
Naruto approached the bed, taking in the pitiful sight. "Naruto, what's wrong? Everyone's worried about you. If something's bothering you, tell us. We're family. We can solve it together."
The Seventh Hokage remained silent, motionless.
"Come on, cheer up." Naruto's tone gentled. "When I leave, you'll still be like this? How can you support your family in this condition? Don't forget the promise you made to yourself. You have to take care of them properly."
At those words, the Seventh Hokage's blank eyes suddenly blazed with light. He spun around immediately, his voice urgent. "You said you're leaving?"
Naruto looked at him suspiciously. "You seem really happy about my departure."
"No." The Seventh Hokage shook his head perhaps too quickly. "When are you leaving?"
"Tonight. After Boruto and Himawari fall asleep." Naruto paused, then added with genuine pride, "By the way, I made a lot of friends for you. Almost every ninja in Konoha will be your friend going forward. It'll be much better for your future development."
"Pff—"
The Seventh Hokage spat out another mouthful of blood, this one tinged with sheer disbelief.
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