The Hokage's office buzzed with tension, the late afternoon light casting long shadows across the room. Tsunade leaned against her desk, arms crossed, her piercing gaze fixed on Naruto. Jiraiya sat to the side, his bandaged stump a stark reminder of his brush with death, while Kakashi stood near the window, his single eye narrowing as he processed the report. The air was thick with unspoken questions, the weight of Naruto's sudden transformation hanging heavily over them.
Kakashi had just returned from a failed mission, his team battered and empty-handed. Sasuke's battle with Itachi had ended in chaos—Itachi dead, Sasuke taken by a masked figure claiming to be Uchiha Madara. Kakashi's report was grim: they'd lost Sasuke's trail entirely, forcing their return to Konoha. But it was Naruto's actions that sparked the most confusion. He'd fainted mid-mission, only to awaken as if possessed, abandoning the team without a word. Rumors swirled that he'd kissed Hinata and confessed his love, a boldness that left Jiraiya both amused and proud.
"That kid's got guts," Jiraiya chuckled, only to shrink under Tsunade's glare. "What? He's my student!"
Tsunade paced, her mind racing. Naruto's sudden mastery of Sage Mode, Flying Thunder God, and Rasengan—techniques that rivaled or surpassed the Fourth Hokage's—defied explanation. More perplexing was how he'd known to find Jiraiya in the Rain Village, saving him from certain death. Too convenient, she thought, her Hokage instincts screaming caution. Jiraiya, too, wrestled with the same question: How did Naruto know I was in danger? It's like he saw it coming.
Kakashi, groomed as Tsunade's potential successor, had been briefed on Jiraiya's ordeal—Nagato's Six Paths, the puppet corpses, the Rinnegan's dark power. But Naruto's role stunned him. Escaping Yamato's Wood Release was one thing, but wielding Flying Thunder God with such precision? That's a technique even Minato's elite guards struggled to master, Kakashi thought, his mind reeling. Naruto's growth is unnatural.
Tsunade's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. "Naruto, you've got explaining to do. Your strength, your knowledge of Jiraiya's danger, your sudden… romance with Hinata. What's going on?"
Naruto met her gaze, his expression calm but guarded. He glanced at Jiraiya, hoping for support, but his mentor avoided his eyes, clearly torn. Thanks, Sensei, Naruto thought, rolling his eyes inwardly. Guess you're already whipped by Tsunade. Playing innocent, he shrugged. "What do you want me to say, Granny Tsunade?"
Tsunade stepped forward, her voice low but firm. "No one else is here, Naruto. Jiraiya, Kakashi, and I—we're family. Your changes are too drastic. Sage Mode, Flying Thunder God, saving Jiraiya like you knew exactly where he'd be. I'm not accusing you, but as Hokage, I need answers. The village's safety depends on it."
Jiraiya coughed, his tone softer. "Naruto, I trust you, kid. But Tsunade's worried. Tell us something—anything—to put her mind at ease."
Naruto's heart sank. He wanted to tell them—about his past life, the future he'd lived, the losses he'd endured—but the truth was too dangerous. Revealing his time-travel could unravel everything, expose him to enemies like Danzo or worse. Instead, he clung to his cover story. "I'm sorry, Granny Tsunade. No comment. All I can say is what I told Sensei: my father, the Fourth Hokage, gave me these skills."
Kakashi's eye widened, shock breaking his usual calm. "Minato-sensei? You met him? How? He's—"
Jiraiya cut in, his voice steady. "Minato sealed his chakra in Naruto's Nine-Tails seal. When the Nine-Tails went berserk, Minato's chakra likely activated, guiding him. That's how he learned these techniques."
Kakashi nodded slowly, processing. "That… makes sense."
Tsunade's frown deepened, unconvinced but lacking evidence to push further. "Fine. But Naruto, this isn't over." She paused, her tone softening. "What's your next move?"
Naruto glanced at Jiraiya. "Sensei, can we talk outside? I've got a question."
Kakashi reached out, alarmed. "Naruto, wait—"
But Naruto was already out the door, his steps quick. Jiraiya exchanged a look with Tsunade, who nodded reluctantly. He followed, leaving Kakashi and Tsunade in the office, their suspicions lingering.
Outside the Hokage Building, Naruto stepped into the bustling Konoha street, his Sage Mode senses alert. A familiar voice stopped him cold. "Naruto-kun!"
He turned, a grin spreading as Hinata approached, her pale eyes shy but warm. Instinctively, he opened his arms, expecting her to leap into them as she had in his past life. But Hinata stopped short, her cheeks flushing as she glanced at Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi nearby. "Naruto-kun, there are… children here," she murmured.
Naruto froze, arms outstretched, then laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Right, my bad, Hinata." His heart ached with nostalgia—she was the same shy girl he'd loved, but this timeline's Hinata wasn't yet his wife.
Behind her, Sakura snorted, arms crossed. "Unbelievable."
Shikamaru leaned in, whispering to Kiba. "They're really together?"
Kiba grinned, nudging Shino. "Yup! Naruto passed out, woke up, and went straight for her lips!"
Shino nodded solemnly, adjusting his glasses. Sai, ever the artist, held up a sketch of the moment, earning a thumbs-up from Kiba. "Professional."
Shikamaru stared at the drawing, then at Naruto's goofy grin, clapping his hands. "Impressive."
Naruto chatted briefly with his friends, learning of Sasuke's fate: the battle with Itachi, Sasuke's victory, and his abduction by the masked "Madara"—Obito in disguise. Just like before, Naruto thought, his jaw tightening. In his past life, Obito had revealed the truth about Itachi, sending Sasuke spiraling toward Cloud Thunder Gorge to hunt the Eight-Tails. I need to move fast.
Bidding his friends farewell, Naruto climbed to the Hokage's office, pushing open the door. "Granny Tsunade, you called?" His eyes lit up as he saw Kakashi. "Sensei Kakashi's here too!"
Tsunade's gaze was unrelenting. "Naruto, explain yourself."
Naruto deflected, sticking to his story. When pressed, he stood firm, refusing to reveal his time-travel secret. As the conversation stalled, he turned to Jiraiya. "Sensei, a word outside?"
Ignoring Kakashi's protest, Naruto stepped out, Jiraiya trailing behind. In the quiet hallway, Naruto's expression turned serious. "Sensei, Sasuke fought Itachi and won. He's with 'Madara' now—Obito, the one manipulating him. I need to find him before he goes after the Eight-Tails."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, his mind still grappling with Naruto's uncanny knowledge. "How do you know all this, kid?"
Naruto hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Trust me, Sensei. I'll bring Sasuke back. Just… keep Tsunade off my back for now."
Jiraiya sighed, clapping Naruto's shoulder with his good hand. "You're a mystery, kid. But I trust you. Go get our boy."
Naruto nodded, his resolve steeling. With Shisui's crow at his side and the weight of the future on his shoulders, he turned toward the village gates. Sasuke, Nagato, Danzo, the Otsutsuki—each was a thread in the tapestry of fate he'd vowed to rewrite. I'm coming, Sasuke, he thought, his Sage Mode chakra flaring as he vanished into the twilight.