Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 213: Side Story Uchiha Sasuke 3
---Karma Mark---
"Yes, I can," replied Setsuna.
To be honest, Setsuna could remove it easily using purifying magic alone. However, he deliberately created a fuinjutsu version so that future versions of Naruto could learn to remove the Karma mark themselves.
Setsuna placed his hand over Kawaki's and activated the technique. In seconds, the Karma mark disappeared, and Kawaki's hand returned to normal—no trace of the sinister seal remained.
Setsuna then looked at Naruto and tossed him a scroll.
"If something like this ever happens again, use this to remove the mark," said Setsuna.
"Thank you," replied Naruto with a nod of gratitude.
---The New Boruto--
Uzumaki Naruto home was cozy, spacious, and radiated family warmth. After learning that Setsuna would be staying for a year in this timeline, Naruto and Hinata warmly invited him to live with them. It was their way of thanking him for taking care of Boruto in the alternate timeline.
On the first morning, both father and son decided to spar with each other. Young Naruto—who had traveled alone to the alternate past, had grown incredibly strong, and he often fought Boruto to a draw.
But this older Naruto, the one from the current timeline, had lost much of his power—especially after losing Kurama. His strength now primarily relied on Sage Mode.
So, for the first time in many years, Naruto was defeated by his own son.
"Hey, old man… go ahead and use Sage Mode. I'll even give you five minutes," smirked Boruto teasingly.
Naruto scowled, slightly irritated. He took the challenge seriously and activated Sage Mode.
They clashed again, but even with Sage Mode, Naruto was eventually lost to him.
This version of Boruto had become much stronger. He had fought against young Naruto, who could use KCM 3, Sage Mode, and teleportation jutsu. While Boruto had a lower chakra reserve than young Naruto, his advantage lay in his unique dojutsu—Jōgan.
Against an adult Naruto who no longer had Kurama and couldn't use KCM, Boruto easily dominated the match.
"Papa lost," commented Himawari innocently.
"Hah! Himawari, your brother is the strongest now!" Boruto boasted with a grin.
Setsuna walked over to Naruto, a faint smile on his face. "In your current condition, beating Boruto was impossible. Even Sasuke—with his Sharingan—struggled against him."
"He's managed to get that strong in just four years…" Naruto muttered in disbelief.
"Yes," said Setsuna. "Your younger version gave him a strong sense of rivalry. That drive pushed him beyond his limits. He learned Sage Mode, unlocked new levels of power, and eventually matched your younger self."
"I'm glad he's grown strong," Naruto said, smiling. Then, he glanced at Boruto thoughtfully. "I saw he had a dojutsu…"
"Yeah, it's called the Jōgan," explained Setsuna. "It functions similarly to the Sharingan, but it also increases reaction time and body movement. Even Sasuke had trouble keeping up with it."
"Jōgan?" repeated Naruto.
"It's the result of your Uzumaki bloodline combined with Hinata's Hyuga bloodline," Setsuna explained. "A perfect fusion of two powerful lineages."
Naruto remained quiet for a moment, looking at Boruto with pride. His son wasn't just strong, he had become a true shinobi in his own right.
---The Return---
Inside the Hokage's office, everyone was deep in discussion, debating what chakra source Setsuna had sensed the day before.
"I believe it's the Ten Tails," said Setsuna calmly, after having spoken with Kurama.
"Are you sure?" asked Shikamaru, furrowing his brows.
"Yes. There's no mistake about it," Setsuna confirmed.
"What should we do now? Sasuke has already lost his Rinnegan," Shikamaru added with concern.
Boruto and Sasuke exchanged glances. Neither of them had revealed that Setsuna also possessed a Rinnegan. Respecting his silence on the matter, they decided to keep quiet as well.
"I have the ability to pull people from the Astral Dimension," Setsuna finally said.
"Astral Dimension? What's that?" Most of the people in the room looked confused—except for Sasuke and Boruto, who already knew.
Setsuna took a moment to explain. "The Astral Dimension is a space where you thought you had died and no longer exists, but actually they are still alive, the body will maintain as long as they still have chakra, they can remain longer if their chakra reserves were large enough. It allows me to retrieve those individual as long as they are still alive in that astral dimension."
"... Basically, it lets me bring back people who are still 'technically' alive—like the First Hokage," Setsuna added.
Pap!
Naruto suddenly stood up from his chair, eyes wide. Even Shikamaru was visibly shocked by the knowledge he just received.
"Is that ability tied to your eye?" asked Shikamaru, narrowing his gaze.
Setsuna only smiled meaningfully. Without saying a word, he raised his hand—and summoned two figures into the room.
A warm, golden light enveloped the office. Moments later, Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina stood there, blinking as their eyes adjusted to the light.
Even after so many years since the Fourth Great Ninja War, they were still alive in the Astral Dimension. Their survival was due to their enormous chakra reserves.
Minato looked around and quickly recognized the room. "This… This is the Hokage's office," he murmured. Then his eyes fell on Naruto. "Are you… Naruto?"
"Father…" Naruto choked out.
Kushina's eyes welled with tears as she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her son. "Naruto! Have you… Have you died too?" she asked, crying as she held him tightly.
Naruto looked older—his face worn with the weight of duty and loss—but his golden hair and familiar whiskers made it clear to her who he was.
Hearing Minato and Naruto speak confirmed her suspicion. This really was her son.
Finally, they were reunited… after his death.
"Tell me, my son… Did you marry a beautiful woman? Do I have grandchildren?" Kushina asked, smiling through her tears.
"Mom… Just look around. You're still alive," Naruto replied gently.
"Alive? Are you kidding me?" Kushina asked in disbelief.
"No, seriously. Look—this is Konoha," said Naruto, gesturing around the room.
Kushina took a long look at her surroundings, at the familiar yet subtly changed faces of Konoha's shinobi, then turned toward Minato. He, too, was staring at everything in disbelief.
"How is this possible?" she finally asked.
Shikamaru stepped forward and explained the situation—how Setsuna had the ability to retrieve people who were still technically alive by dragging their chakra body forms back from the Astral Dimension.
"So… you're saying that for all these years… we weren't truly dead?" Kushina asked, her voice trembling.
Shikamaru nodded solemnly.
Overwhelmed by the emotional weight of everything she had heard and felt, Kushina's eyes fluttered, and she passed out in Naruto's arms.
P/S: I know this side stories have gone quiet long but be patient, im trying my best to give proper ending.
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