In the room, seeing that Zhong Ling's identity had been exposed, Zhong Yan quickly shut the door. This matter must not be known by more people—who knows what kind of time paradox it might cause otherwise.
"The one who fought the Ethereal on TV before, that was probably you, right?" Anby asked calmly, looking at the somewhat flustered Zhong Ling in front of her.
Hearing this, Zhong Ling fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Getting a definite answer, Anby let out a long sigh of relief. Then she turned her head toward Zhong Yan, who stood by the door, and asked, "Care to explain to me how the little guy we had suddenly grew up into this?"
The sudden question caused Zhong Yan to pause slightly. Before he could speak, Zhong Ling stepped forward and said, "Let me explain... Mother."
With that, Zhong Ling began to recount everything that had happened in the future. However, when he reached the part about Zhong Yan sacrificing himself to save everyone, he hesitated slightly.
Still, he ultimately told Anby the truth.
Learning that Zhong Yan would sacrifice himself in the future battle against the Exaltists and the Ethereal army, Anby's expression clearly grew sorrowful.
Thankfully, with Zhong Ling's help, that future had already been successfully altered. Now, the Exaltists and the Ethereal army had lost their former strength, and at least for the next ten years, they wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.
"Everyone in the future must've been devastated after losing him," Anby murmured, noticing the sadness on Zhong Ling's face. She didn't know the conditions for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. She only knew that a child who lost his father must suffer deeply inside.
And not just the child—a wife who loses her husband would likely plunge into deep grief. She couldn't even begin to imagine how much it would hurt if she had to go through something like that herself.
"No matter how painful it is, life still has to go on," Zhong Ling forced a smile and said.
Seeing this, Anby felt a sour ache in her heart. "You're leaving now... aren't you?"
The Zhong Ling before her did not belong to this timeline. Once his mission was complete, he had to return to his own.
Otherwise, having two Zhong Lings in the same timeline would inevitably lead to irreversible consequences.
Time paradoxes were terrifying. Even now, Zhong Yan still had no way to prove their existence, but he didn't dare to test them.
"Yeah, I just came to take a look. After all, the mother I have over there... hasn't smiled in a long time," Zhong Ling nodded.
Hearing that, Anby let out a soft sigh and said nothing more. She even turned her back to Zhong Ling, no longer looking at him.
Seeing this, Zhong Ling knew—it was time to go.
In the next second, as his thoughts shifted, golden light began to radiate from the surface of his body. Within that light, countless glowing particles shimmered, as if they were gradually disassembling his form, causing him to slowly fade away.
"Father." Just as he was about to disappear, Zhong Ling suddenly turned his head toward Zhong Yan, as though he had made up his mind.
Zhong Yan looked over immediately, only to see unprecedented determination in Zhong Ling's eyes. "Even if my future hasn't changed, please rest assured. No matter if it's Xi, Lan, or my three mothers, I will definitely protect them."
"Just like you once said—I'm the eldest brother. I should take on the responsibilities of the eldest brother."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan immediately understood.
Zhong Ling wasn't speaking to him—he was speaking to the version of Zhong Yan who died in the future.
Thinking this, Zhong Yan felt a tightness in his chest. The next second, he couldn't help but step forward and tightly embrace Zhong Ling.
It was only at that moment that he realized just how thin Zhong Ling had become. This was not the body of a teenager in his prime.
Maybe... this was the price of bearing such a heavy burden.
Zhong Ling hadn't expected the sudden hug, but he didn't resist. He knew—this might be the last time in his life he'd be embraced by his father.
In that moment, his thoughts drifted back to childhood.
Back then, he too had once been held by his father like this.
As memories surged from his mind like a tidal wave, Zhong Ling's tears finally broke free and rolled down his cheeks.
"Not going to give him a hug too?" At this point, Zhong Yan turned his head toward Anby, who stood not far away with her back to them. "He's your son too."
Hearing this, Zhong Ling raised his head in confusion, just as Anby finally turned around. Only then did he see the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Prompted by Zhong Yan, Anby stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Zhong Ling's waist.
"Make sure you take good care of yourself. If things get too rough... go get some hamburgers. That's my favorite food."
Zhong Ling said nothing—he only nodded lightly.
As the golden light covering his body grew blinding, and finally engulfed him entirely, the next moment, ether particles scattered across the room.
Zhong Ling, who had been standing there, was gone. Only Zhong Yan and Anby remained, embracing each other.
At that moment, perhaps sensing something, the young Zhong Ling, who had already been asleep in bed, suddenly woke up. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he looked up—only to see his parents hugging.
He didn't know what had happened, but like any child wanting to play, he quietly climbed off the bed and ran over, hugging Anby's leg.
It was only then that the two of them realized the young Zhong Ling was awake.
"Mommy, I'm hungry." When Anby looked down, she saw the little one asking for food.
Looking at the carefree child, and thinking of the Zhong Ling who had endured so much in the future, Anby released Zhong Yan, knelt down, and gently ruffled the child's hair.
"How about Mommy makes you some milk? Go play with Daddy for now." With that, Anby walked to the bedside, where milk powder and hot water had already been prepared.
Meanwhile, little Zhong Ling obediently followed her instructions. He ran back to the bed, pulled out a white mask marked with the Uchiha crest, and without hesitation, put it on.
"Daddy, come play!"
After that, he turned and called out to Zhong Yan.
The moment Zhong Ling put on the mask, Zhong Yan's expression shifted ever so slightly.
This scene—who knows whether it was merely a coincidence, or an omen of something more.