Thump!
Kakashi struck Boruto on the head with a casual knife-hand.
"Ow!"
Boruto immediately crouched down, clutching his head in pain.
Kakashi's laid-back expression vanished. He looked down at Boruto with rare seriousness.
"Brat, you'd better keep that mouth of yours sealed tight. If a single word slips out in front of the wrong person…"
A trace of chilling killing intent seeped from Kakashi's eyes.
"…it could get the current Naruto killed."
Boruto's face went pale.
"The Ōtsutsuki crisis may be temporarily over, but they aren't the only ones coveting the Nine-Tails. Do you understand?"
Feeling the genuine pressure radiating from Kakashi, Boruto shuddered violently. He hurriedly clamped both hands over his mouth and nodded as hard as he could.
Only then did Kakashi turn his gaze toward adult Sasuke, who was preparing to leave. His tone shifted, carrying a hint of teasing.
"That aside… future Sasuke, are you really not planning to stay and personally guide your past self? That kid's thirst for power is pretty obvious."
Adult Sasuke paused mid-step and turned back to look at Kakashi.
His mind briefly replayed Kakashi's monster-like performance on the battlefield.
"…."
After a short silence, a very rare, barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of Sasuke's mouth.
"With you here, I'm at ease."
"Hey, don't start flattering me."
Kakashi spread his hands helplessly and sighed.
"I can handle teaching him Lightning Release, but when it comes to advanced Sharingan applications, that still has to be left to a real Uchiha like you. After all, I'm just an amateur."
At the word amateur, not only did adult Sasuke's eye twitch, but even Tsunade—who had already reached the doorway—couldn't help herself.
A non-Uchiha who could wield the Mangekyō Sharingan actually had the nerve to call himself an amateur?
This bastard Kakashi was becoming more shameless by the day.
Adult Sasuke said nothing more.
He cast one last, lingering glance at the excited blond boy by the hospital bed, then formed a hand seal.
Poof.
White smoke puffed out.
The one-armed swordsman in gray robes, exuding a solitary and oppressive presence, vanished. In his place stood a wandering samurai wearing a bamboo hat and coarse linen clothes, with an utterly unremarkable face.
Even the empty left sleeve was cleverly concealed beneath a wide cloak.
"I'm leaving," Sasuke said calmly. "Boruto, don't cause trouble for Kakashi or Hokage-sama."
With that warning, the disguised Sasuke pushed open the iron door and disappeared without a trace.
Only after his presence had completely faded did Tsunade withdraw her gaze and turn back to Kakashi and Boruto, who were staring at each other.
"Alright. Since the big one's gone, the little one needs strict supervision."
Rubbing her temples, Tsunade walked over to a storage cabinet, rummaged through it for a moment, then tossed several bottles of black hair dye and a box of special flesh-toned greasepaint at Boruto.
"Transformation Jutsu can be dispelled during intense combat or when chakra runs low. A physical disguise is far more reliable."
She looked down at Boruto, her tone brooking no argument.
"Dye that eye-catching blond hair of yours black. More importantly, use this greasepaint to completely cover those whisker marks on your cheeks. They look exactly like Naruto's."
"When you're outside, you are absolutely not allowed to show your real face."
"Eh?! I have to use makeup…?"
Boruto stared at the bottles and jars in his hands, his mouth twitching. But under Tsunade's oppressive gaze, he could only swallow his protest.
"As for a name…"
Kakashi chimed in at just the right moment, a mischievous glint flashing through his half-lidded eye.
"Let's call him Menma."
"Since Naruto loves Menma in his ramen so much, he should find the name pretty endearing."
"M-Menma?!"
Boruto's forehead instantly filled with black lines. That name sounded way too casual!
After finishing Boruto's arrangements, Tsunade turned back to Kakashi, her expression serious.
"There's one more thing, Kakashi. You should know."
She crossed her arms, the corners of her mouth lifting into a satisfied smile.
"Your female student, Sakura Haruno, will be temporarily removed from Team 7's regular mission roster starting today."
"Oh?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow slightly. Though he had already anticipated this, he still played along.
"And why's that?"
"The monstrous strength that girl has shown, combined with her exceptional chakra control, makes her a perfect fit for me."
Tsunade's eyes sparkled with the joy of discovering a rare gem.
"I can even faintly see the physical potential of my grandfather's Senju bloodline manifesting in her."
"Leaving her under your guidance would be a waste. I'll personally keep her by my side and teach her true Medical Ninjutsu and Taijutsu."
Kakashi laughed inwardly.
The Bloodline Awakening Potion he had exchanged for Sakura had clearly done its job. Tsunade now viewed her as an ideal successor.
With the Fifth Hokage teaching her personally, Sakura's growth would skyrocket—and as her original teacher, he would naturally benefit as well.
"Since Hokage-sama has decided, I have no objections."
Kakashi shrugged lazily.
"Alright, take this brat named Menma and get out of here."
Tsunade waved her hand impatiently.
"I still have a mountain of messes to deal with."
---
The next morning.
At the forest edge near Konoha's Training Ground Three.
Naruto, young Sasuke, and Haku were already waiting.
After a full day of rest, the three youths were brimming with energy.
When leaving earlier that morning, Kakashi had specifically asked Haku—who lived with him—to head to the training ground first, using the excuse that he had business at the Hokage Building.
In reality, he had gone to the ANBU-arranged safe house to pick up Boruto, personally supervising the boy to make sure his disguise was flawless.
"Damn it! Why is Kakashi-sensei late again?! And why isn't Sakura here today?!"
Naruto scratched his head irritably, pacing back and forth.
"Idiot," young Sasuke said coldly, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. "Aren't you used to it by now? When has he ever been on time?"
Just then—
"Yo. Morning, everyone."
Accompanied by a lazy voice, Kakashi's figure appeared out of thin air in a gentle breeze.
"Sorry, sorry. Got lost on the path of life today, so I'm a bit late."