Evening in Konoha – Streets to Yakiniku Q
Haruto slipped on a jet-black shirt, its fit tailored and clean. He zipped up a jacket with deep red stripes down the sleeves, then adjusted the collar. Next to him, Naruto mimicked the style—his jacket lined with bright yellow streaks bursting with energy.
They glanced at each other in the mirror. A shared smirk.
"Ready?" Haruto asked.
"Born ready," Naruto grinned.
As they stepped into Yakiniku Q, the warm scent of grilled meat filled the air. Through the window, they spotted familiar faces—Kakashi, Jiraiya, Ino, Sakura, and Tsunade, all gathered around a sizzling tabletop grill.
Haruto pushed open the door.
"Yo," he said, casual.
Ino perked up immediately, elbowing Ino and smirking at the group. "Told you. My boyfriend's hot, right?"
Naruto leaned in toward Haruto. "Since when were you her boyfriend?"
Haruto blinked. "…I don't know...she said it."
Naruto nodded. "Nice."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "He's okay. Still not hotter than Sasuke."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of sasuke—where is he?"
Naruto munched on a grilled skewer. "Went off with Orochimaru."
Haruto frowned. "And you're here eating yakiniku instead of dragging his ass back?"
"He said he'd come back on his own," Naruto shrugged. "And if not—" He gave a thumbs-up. "Haruto's gonna beat his ass"
"And I personally believe that's true"
Tsunade, sipping sake, glanced between them. "I'll give you this—Sakura's really stepped up. And Ino's no slouch either."
Then she smirked. "But Ino… if only she studied as much as she daydreams she would be on the level of sakura...Might need to factory reset that brain"
Laughter rippled around the table. Kakashi, silent as always, calmly flipped a slice of beef into his mouth.
"Dang it, Sensei!" Naruto said, wide-eyed. "How are you always chewing and no one sees it?"
Sakura crossed her arms. "Honestly, I've never seen his face under that mask since I came in your team."
Haruto tilted his head. "Wait—our team?"
Tsunade nodded. "Sakura was a temporary member when you left. After Sasuke bailed, she became the fourth member."
Haruto leaned back slowly. "So… permanent?"
"Permanent," Tsunade confirmed.
Then Jiraiya leaned forward, grinning. "How old are you two again?"
Haruto raised a finger, counting precisely. "Sixteen years, three months, nine days, fourteen hours, fifty-seven seconds."
Everyone blinked.
Naruto shrugged. "I'm just a minute older"
The brothers fist-bumped with a huge grin.
"You could've just said sixteen," Jiraiya muttered.
Kakashi chuckled behind his mask. "They're definitely Uzumaki."
The evening passed with laughter, fire-lit smiles, and plates of meat disappearing faster than they were grilled.
Later walking ino home
The moon hung low over Konoha, painting silver paths across stone roads.
Haruto walked quietly beside Ino.
"So…" she said, cheeks pink. "How'd you suddenly become this handsome?"
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Suddenly?"
"I mean—you were good-looking before, but now? You're like... a moonlit prince."
He chuckled, gently patting her head. "More beautiful than the moon, huh?"
She leaned into him, their arms brushing.
Then her voice softened. "Haruto… are you strong now?"
He looked up at the sky. "Strong enough."
Ino took a deep breath, face glowing. "Then… I'll talk to my dad. About our engagement."
She bolted toward her house.
Haruto stood still. "…Engagement?"
His mind raced. Ino. Hinata. Both had feelings for him now. But no clan would accept being second.
Not unless... he was strong enough to rewrite the rules.
But his thoughts shifted—Boruto. In a different future, the boy who would bring destruction to Konoha. The same Konoha where Naruto laughed and lived. Playing pranks here and there getting strong and saving the village by six paths pain
He clenched his fists.
To only be destroyed by his own son...and he was a bit goofy not gonna lie
If I marry Ino and Naruto married Hinata… and that future comes again… I'll erase Boruto. With the Eye of Casualty, if I must.
Moments Later – Hokage's Office
Tsunade sipped tea as Haruto stepped in. Jiraiya leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"You're late," Tsunade said.
"You called," Haruto replied.
"Tomorrow, bell test," she said. "You, Naruto, Sakura. Kakashi's proctor."
Haruto blinked. "Seriously? That old ritual again?"
"To see how much you've grown," Tsunade smirked. "And to evaluate Sakura, properly this time."
Jiraiya muttered, "Does Haruto really need testing?"
Tsunade gave him a knowing look—remembering the monster birds and colossal beasts Haruto summoned against Orochimaru.
She sighed. "You'll still do it."
Haruto nodded.
"Now," Jiraiya grinned. "Hot springs, Haruto. Let's unwind."
Haruto's eyes sparkled. "You had me at hot springs."
Later – Behind the Hot Springs
Jiraiya found his usual spot. A peek hole. He crouched, grinning.
"Haruto, you seeing this?" he whispered, hearing giggles from inside the women's bath.
Water splashed.
"Wait—is that a hole in the wall?!"
"AGAIN?! That pervy white-haired man!"
"CATCH HIM!!"
"WHERE'S THAT DAMN PERVERT?!"
A mob charged.
Meanwhile, Haruto lay on a wall, sipping lemon water.
"Should've seen that coming the drinks incredible sour...wait what I was doing again?" he muttered.
He blinked. "Wait… hot spring?!"
Realizing how far he'd wandered, his Rinnegan activated. Six tomoe spun in glowing purple eyes.
With a flash, he phased through walls, trees, and even people—appearing near the bathhouse.
"Catch that red bastard!" a villager shouted. "He peeked at my beloved!"
Haruto glanced to the east and saw Jiraiya running like mad.
Sighing, Haruto ducked into an alley.
When he stepped out, he looked different.
A red-haired figure in a white mask, dressed in a black suit with a tie and a formal coat.
He scooped up Jiraiya, and in a blink of red, they appeared in a quiet forest clearing.
Jiraiya groaned. "They smacked my butt!"
He stood up, eyeing Haruto suspiciously. "Wait… who are you?!"
Smoke swirled as Haruto reverted.
"Really? You thought I'd save your sorry ass with my real face?"
"…Why are you talking like that?" Jiraiya squinted.
Haruto coughed. "Bad habit. Picked it up from Kakuzu."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Haruto glanced over his shoulder.
"Wait—is that a woman bathing?"
He pointed at a lake behind Jiraiya. Mist danced above the surface, and in it—a lone figure.
"She's… naked," Haruto said, stunned. "And she's dancing."
"She's got… bountiful—" Jiraiya added, frozen.
"Wait… I know that figure." Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.
Haruto activated his Rinnegan, clearing the mist.
Blue hair. Pale skin. White eyes.
Hinata.
"She's… Hinata?!" Haruto nearly choked.
Jiraiya nodded. "That's her."
Haruto's mind spiraled. "She's even prettier than in the anime…"
"what do you mean—wait! Your Rinnegan's still active!"
"Your seeing her clearly!"
Haruto blinked. "Oh no…"
"Only I… should see her like this," he muttered.
"What do you mean?" Jiraiya took a step back.
The six tomoe in Haruto's Rinnegan spun.
"Eye of Casualty."
A flick—Jiraiya's memory dissolved.
"AHH! My head! Why does it hurt?! And why does my butt feel violated?!"
He looked at Haruto.
"…Perfect timing! Let's go to hotspring"
Haruto smiled.