The two worlds were in the same season. Even day and night matched, as though they were operating in perfect sync—except that they were separated by twenty years.
Whether it was a coincidence, or as Karasuki had said, the two worlds had already begun to connect and synchronize with one another through time, no one knew.
It was late October. In the afternoon, Konohagakure enjoyed clear autumn skies and refreshing weather. The sunlight wasn't harsh, and the streets were lively with residents and off-duty shinobi coming and going.
On a bustling shopping street not far from the Hokage Tower, three beautiful, mature women—each with her own distinct charm—were shopping with a girl of about ten.
Like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each possessed her own unique fragrance. Some were radiant and elegant, others gentle and graceful.
They occasionally stepped into clothing stores, but quickly came back out without buying much, leaving the shopkeepers thoroughly disappointed.
When groups of women went shopping together, weren't they supposed to compete and buy things like crazy? Why didn't that work on these women?
Along the way, the blonde woman was comforting her two companions. The latter both seemed troubled, their faces heavy with worry.
Makoto happened to cross paths with them and gave them a faint smile.
Despite the twenty-year gap, he recognized them at a glance.
Ino was a hopeless face-con. Even now, in her thirties and already married with children, she hadn't changed a bit. Unlike Sakura and Hinata, who simply regarded him as a stranger and paid him little attention, Ino immediately noticed him despite the worries weighing on her mind.
Ino flashed him a bright, open smile.
"Handsome guy, you're unfamiliar. I don't think I've seen you in Konoha before. First time here? Need me to be your tour guide?"
It sounded like an invitation, but it was really a probe.
After all, she was a veteran of the Fourth Shinobi World War and one of Konoha's pillars. Even while appreciating a handsome face, she didn't forget to casually gather information.
Makoto didn't answer.
Instead, he crouched down and looked at the cute short-haired girl.
"You must be Uzumaki Himawari, right? Shouldn't you be at the Academy? Playing hooky?"
Hinata tightened her grip on her daughter's hand, but didn't stop her from talking to him.
This was Konohagakure, home to two shinobi who stood at the pinnacle of the world. The three women themselves were far from helpless, each possessing at least jōnin-level strength. Even though Hinata had become a housewife after marriage, her Byakugan was no decoration.
Anyone too weak who dared cause trouble for them was guaranteed to get beaten into a pulp.
Himawari tilted her head in confusion.
"Uncle, how do you know me?"
"You answer my question first, then I'll answer yours."
"Okay. Today's a holiday, silly uncle. Now can you answer mine?"
"Of course. Your brother told me what you looked like, so I recognized you right away."
Himawari's eyes immediately lit up.
"Uncle, you know my brother? Where is he now?"
Not just her—even Hinata hurriedly asked: "Sir, have you seen Boruto recently?"
"I have."
Sakura instantly sensed an opportunity and pressed further.
"Then what about the adult who was with Boruto? Have you seen him too?"
"Of course. You mean Uchiha Sasuke, right?"
"Yes, exactly! Do you know where they are now?"
"They're at the Seventh Hokage's office. I came to Konoha together with them."
The moment they heard that, neither Sakura nor Hinata had any desire to stay any longer.
Grabbing Himawari's hand, they immediately sprinted toward the Hokage Tower.
"Sorry about that. Please forgive us."
Ino apologized on behalf of her two close friends before hurrying after them.
Makoto sighed inwardly.
So these were the Rookie Nine after growing up and becoming parents.
All the youthful passion and budding romance of the past had vanished, replaced by the realities of everyday life.
...
Inside a drink shop along the commercial street.
The new generation's Ino-Shika-Chō trio was chatting with friends.
In the current era, relations between the Five Great Shinobi Villages were more peaceful than ever before. And with no mysterious organization threatening the safety of the shinobi world at the moment, these rookie genin lived remarkably carefree lives.
Unlike Makoto's generation.
Back then, they graduated, immediately started taking missions to gain experience, and before long were being thrown onto battlefields to "ignite the Will of Fire."
At that moment, the perpetually lazy-looking Nara Shikadai lounged in his seat with a straw between his lips, absentmindedly watching the flow of pedestrians outside the window.
Suddenly, he noticed something interesting and called out to his companions.
"Hey, Inojin, Sarada. Looks like your moms just ran into someone they know."
"But whoever it is, he looks pretty unfamiliar."
"Really?" ×2
The two immediately looked out the window and saw their mothers talking briefly with a stranger before rushing off at high speed, as if something important had happened.
Sarada asked, "Inojin, do you know that stranger? Is he a relative of yours or something?"
Inojin shook his head.
"Never seen him before."
Chōchō chimed in, "I don't know him either, but he's really handsome, isn't he, Sarada?"
Sarada frowned.
"Is that really what we're talking about right now?"
Mitsuki said thoughtfully, "Judging by their reactions, that gentleman must have provided some important information."
With his sharp mind, Shikadai quickly came to a conclusion.
"It's probably information about Boruto and Sarada's dad. Otherwise, those two aunties wouldn't have gotten so excited."
Sarada immediately stood up.
"Then why are we still sitting here? Let's go after them! Dad and Boruto have been missing for over a month. Maybe some news about them just came back."
Mitsuki glanced toward the street.
"But that man seems pretty mysterious too. None of us know him, so he probably isn't from Konoha. Yet he somehow has information about Boruto and Sasuke-sama. Isn't that worth looking into as well?"
Shikadai let out a long sigh.
"Ugh, what a pain. Let's split up. Sarada and Mitsuki, go after the aunties. We'll quietly follow that guy. Once you've confirmed the information, follow our trail markers and catch up."
"No problem," Sarada agreed. "Let's do that."
With the plan settled, the five rookie genin split up and went into action.
...
Makoto wandered leisurely through Konoha's central district.
He didn't have any particular destination in mind. Every now and then, he would stop to ask someone a question or two, looking every bit like an ordinary tourist.
As he walked down one street, he sensed people tailing him from behind.
He merely smiled and paid them no mind, continuing forward.
Before long, he arrived in front of a ninja tool shop.
Looking up at the sign, he found the name rather odd.
After entering, he discovered that business was terrible. There wasn't a single customer inside.
Only a woman with twin buns sat behind the counter, staring blankly into space as if she had already started growing mold.
The moment she spotted a customer, she came back to life.
"Welcome, sir! What ninja tools are you looking for? I'll get them for you right away. Bulk orders come with discounts."
She enthusiastically continued, "Though if the quantity is too large, we'll need Konoha's approval first. But once authorization is granted, we can even arrange reliable shinobi escorts. Mission fees are half price."
Looking at the grown-up Tenten, Makoto smiled.
"Ordinary ninja tools are useless to me. The only things here that interest me are those three items behind you. Would you mind letting me take a look?"
Tenten's smile faded.
"Sorry, sir. Those are part of my private collection. They're not for sale—only for display."
"Is that so?"
Makoto casually beckoned with one hand.
The Bashōsen, Benihisago, and Kōkinjō flew into his hands.
After examining them for several minutes, he returned them to their original places.
Throughout the entire process, Tenten could only watch.
She couldn't move a single muscle.
It felt as though her body had turned to stone.
When she realized Makoto had no intention of stealing her treasures, she breathed a sigh of relief.
At the same time, she discovered she could move again.
Tenten didn't recklessly attack.
She knew she was no match for the man before her.
Remaining calm, she asked, "Sir, attacking a Konoha shinobi without cause inside Konoha is equivalent to declaring war. Surely you know that. So who exactly are you?"
"You'll find out who I am eventually, Tenten."
Makoto shook his head.
"Your strength is pretty disappointing. Even though I'm not your sensei, I'm still disappointed. You need to work harder in your training from now on."
After saying that, Makoto turned and left.
Tenten: "..."
What did he mean, even though I'm not your sensei?
Of course he wasn't!
My sensei is a hot-blooded idiot with a bowl cut. Since when did he become this cool and handsome?
Though she was full of questions, she didn't pursue him.
Instead, she headed straight for the Hokage Tower.
No matter what, she had to report this.
Konoha had enjoyed peace for far too long.
Perhaps some people had grown complacent if they were allowing someone this mysterious—and this dangerous—to stroll into the village.