The Disappearing Rasengan
As Boruto and Sasuke were training, Sasuke had discreetly infiltrated the streets of Konoha, gathering intelligence.
Using genjutsu, he manipulated several Konoha shinobi to extract the information he needed. However, what he learned made him frown.
According to Ryo, he and Urashiki Ōtsutsuki had traveled back in time. Any interaction with people from this era could alter the future.
But something was off. This wasn't the past Sasuke remembered. In his timeline, Tsunade, not Jiraiya, had become Hokage. Naruto was never the leader of Uzushio Village—because Uzushio Village didn't even exist.
Moreover, the Uchiha Clan's downfall had not unfolded entirely as he recalled. While Itachi had massacred most of their clan to prevent a coup, in this timeline, several Uchiha, including Shisui, had survived. They had seemingly integrated into Konoha under the guise of being Uzushio Village shinobi, yet they operated independently of Konoha's authority.
Sasuke wasn't sure if this reality was better or worse, but it was clear—Naruto and his own fate had been completely rewritten.
Shaking off his thoughts, Sasuke noticed Konoha ANBU observing him. Without hesitation, he activated his Rinnegan and teleported into a narrow alleyway.
No matter how much this timeline differed, his mission remained the same—he had to stop Urashiki's schemes. The rest was irrelevant.
---
Meanwhile, in the Uzumaki Clan's residence, Naruto prepared to visit the Hyūga Clan, intending to meet its heir.
Suddenly, he paused, his gaze shifting toward the sky. His brow furrowed.
Ever since fully merging with Kurama, Naruto's sensory perception had significantly improved. He could detect chakra activity from miles away. But just now, his sensory field had been disrupted for an instant.
Most shinobi wouldn't notice such a subtle shift. But Naruto, having once traveled through time himself, recognized a familiar disturbance.
Even though the core of the Ryūmyaku (Dragon Vein) was in his possession, meaning no one could use it to time travel anymore, there were other means. The Kara organization had used a turtle-like artifact—Kāma's plow—to manipulate time and space. That small, unassuming creature was, in fact, a powerful Ōtsutsuki relic.
If someone had used the plow, it had to be Sasuke and Boruto.
His plans to visit Hinata forgotten, Naruto found Shisui within the Uzumaki compound.
"Shisui," Naruto said, his voice serious. "There's an uninvited guest in Konoha. Find them and report their location to me immediately."
Shisui, noticing Naruto's rare grave expression, nodded. "I'll track them."
Naruto hesitated before adding, "If you come into direct conflict, retreat if possible. You're no match for this opponent. Even I would struggle."
Shisui's eyes widened. The only ninja capable of worrying Naruto were the likes of Pain.
In the current ninja world, besides Nagato of the Akatsuki, who else could warrant such caution?
Naruto didn't elaborate. Instead, he vanished in an instant.
---
Naruto soon located unfamiliar chakra signatures and followed them.
He found Boruto and Sasuke at the Uchiha training ground. They were sparring, both showcasing jōnin-level techniques. After creating some distance, Sasuke formed a Chidori while Boruto prepared a Rasengan.
Confident in his speed, Sasuke lunged forward, aiming to land his Chidori first.
But then—Boruto's Rasengan vanished into thin air.
A second later, it struck Sasuke, sending him crashing to the ground.
Watching from a distance, Naruto smirked. Boruto had incorporated Lightning Release into his Rasengan, rendering it temporarily invisible.
But… how had Sasuke not noticed? Had he dulled over time?
No, Sasuke was a formidable ninja. Could it be that Boruto had already reached a high level of skill? If so, this truly was the era of prodigies.
Sasuke, pushing himself up, stared at Boruto, unsettled.
"How did your Rasengan disappear?" he asked.
Boruto scratched his head. "Dunno. Just a trick I picked up."
Sasuke frowned. Boruto might act clueless, but his chakra control and jutsu proficiency rivaled his own. The only edge Sasuke had was experience.
Was Uzushio Village truly that strong? Had he wasted years training elsewhere?
If he had grown up in Uzushio, could he have defeated Itachi and avenged his clan?
Boruto, noticing Sasuke's distracted state, turned to a nearby figure.
A black-haired boy wearing a black fox mask stood silently.
"Oh, are you here to train too?" Boruto grinned. "I just beat Sasuke-senpai. Your turn."
Sasuke's face stiffened.
Something wasn't right.
If Boruto was truly from Uzushio Village, why did he not recognize Naruto?
Was Boruto lying about his origins? Or were he and his "middle-aged companion" spies from another village?
But only Naruto and Kakashi should know the Rasengan technique…
Before Boruto could react, the masked boy vanished—only to reappear behind him.
Naruto moved faster than Boruto could track. In a flash, he slammed his elbow into Boruto's back, pinning him to the ground effortlessly.
No matter how much Boruto struggled, he couldn't break free.
Frustrated, Boruto called out to Sasuke. "Hey! Aren't we on the same team?! Help me out!"
Sasuke only looked at him with sympathy.
Naruto, still pinning Boruto down, turned to Sasuke. "Do I know this kid?"
Sasuke shrugged. "Well… he claims to be from the Uzumaki Clan. He knows the Rasengan. And his hair color kinda matches yours. If you ask me, he's your long-lost brother."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't have a brother. And he's not from Uzushio Village."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Just who was Boruto Uzumaki?
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