Naruto SI: Kaito Red Lightnin Chapter 185
Author's Note:
Ended up being 6,600 words—damn, this turned into a long one!
Sorry it took so long to upload, but I hope you all enjoy it!
Boruto smiled and said, "You should come home too, Dad. I'm sure Mom and Himawari would love to see you—plus, it's already morning." He pointed to the window, where the early sunlight poured through.
Naruto glanced at the rising sun, then back at Boruto. "I'd like to… but I've still got work to finish." He gestured to the towering stack of paperwork around his desk.
Boruto frowned. "But Dad…"
Sasuke, who had already made his way to the door, turned back and said, "Actually, Naruto… I think you should go home today. Spend time with your family. Or one day, you might regret not doing it."
Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Sasuke gave him a look. "Just leave a shadow clone to finish the paperwork. Trust me—you'll want to go home today."
Boruto stepped in, voice hopeful. "Yeah, Dad! Just for today—leave a clone, ya know?"
Naruto looked between the two of them and sighed. "…Alright, alright. I guess I could leave a shadow clone behind just this once."
Boruto fist-pumped. "Yatta!" Then, without wasting a second, he grabbed Naruto's arm. "C'mon! If we hurry, Mom and Hima will have just woken up—and if we're lucky, she won't have started cooking yet!"
As Boruto dragged him toward the door, Naruto stumbled a bit, laughing. "Hey—slow down! I still need to leave a clone behind, ya know!"
…
The morning sun rose high over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting a warm glow across the rooftops as villagers bustled through the streets, beginning their day.
Down one of those busy streets, Naruto could be seen walking side by side with Boruto. They had just left the Hokage Tower and were heading home.
As they passed through the village, people greeted them cheerfully.
"Good morning, Lord Seventh!"
"Hello, Hokage-sama! Boruto-sama too!"
Naruto smiled warmly and waved back at everyone. Boruto, hands in his pockets, glanced around at the familiar streets.
"You know," he said, "a lot has changed in Konoha since back then, ya know."
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah… a lot's different from when I was a kid. I bet it looks like a completely different place to you now, huh?"
Boruto nodded. "Yeah… but there are still a few things that haven't changed. Like the Hokage Mountain—well, other than the new faces. And the Hokage office's still in the same place. I guess it's just been renovated."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully before asking, "So Boruto… how was it, ya know? You said Mom was the one who sealed that mark on your hand. How'd you meet her? I doubt Sasuke would've just introduced you two."
He tried to sound casual, but his eyes were full of curiosity.
Boruto shook his head. "Actually… it was Kaito. He figured it out the moment we arrived."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "You mean… my brother from that timeline? But how?" he asked, clearly surprised.
Boruto put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "Yeah, him. We showed up a few kilometers outside the village, and apparently, he was just getting back from a field trip with some second-year Academy students."
Naruto blinked. "A field trip, huh? Heh… I remember having to take Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi on one of those back in the day." He chuckled at the memory.
Boruto nodded. "Well, when we first got there, we had no idea where we were. Then this red-haired kid—about my age—showed up outta nowhere. He didn't recognize our IDs and immediately got suspicious. Next thing we knew, he captured us and started interrogating us."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… he captured you and Sasuke?!"
Boruto nodded. "Yeah. He used fuinjutsu to paralyze Sasuke and pinned me to the ground. Then—right after that—he just started guessing where we came from just by sensing our chakra. serious i don't know how he guessed everything so perfectly it was like he read our minds or something. After that, we headed to the village with the team he was escorting—Mom, Shikamaru, and Sakura-san."
Naruto blinked. "Wait… you met your mom, Shikamaru, and Sakura?"
Boruto nodded again. "Yeah. When we got back to the village, Kaito sent us to the Hokage's office while he took Mom and the others back to the Academy."
Then Boruto shivered. "By the way… Tsunade-baa-chan was really scary back then."
Naruto looked surprised. "Grandma Tsunade? Huh? Wasn't the Third still Hokage back then? Tsunade didn't take the title till I was thirteen…"
Boruto shook his head. "It's a different timeline, remember? A lot of things are different there. According to Grandma, Kaito and Lady Tsunade actually impeached the Third Hokage because he was a terrible leader. I don't know all the details, but apparently Kaito managed to convince Lady Tsunade to come back and take the position."
Naruto nodded slowly. "I see…" Then he tried to sound casual, but Boruto could tell he was eager. "So… how did you meet Grandma?"
Just as Naruto asked, they stepped through the gate of the Uzumaki household and onto the patio.
Boruto chuckled. "Yeah… that was actually kinda funny, ya know. After Kaito convinced the Hokage I was a long-lost cousin or something—which she didn't believe, by the way—he brought us home to meet Grandma."
He rubbed the back of his head. "And when Grandma saw me… she started crying right away."
Naruto, stopping near the door, looked confused. "Huh? Why?"
Boruto scratched his head, grinning awkwardly. "Well… Grandma thought I was a love child Grandpa had with someone else. She thought Grandpa cheated on her, and I'd come looking for my 'real dad.'"
Naruto blinked, then burst out laughing. "She really thought that? I mean… I can kind of see it. You do look a lot like me and Dad."
Boruto laughed too. "Yeah… then that version of you came out and tried to fight me for making his mom cry. The others looked ready to gang up on me too. Luckily, Kaito managed to calm them down and explain everything to Grandma. She went from crying to being really happy in like two seconds, ya know."
Naruto grinned. "Really now? So… who were the others? Did Mom have more kids in that timeline?"
Boruto shook his head. "Nah, they weren't her kids. They were kids Kaito rescued and brought back to Konoha. Sasuke said you'd met them before."
Naruto raised a brow. "Huh? I've met them before?"
Boruto nodded. "Yeah. One of them is Karin-san—I actually met her here once during a mission. The others are Haku Yuki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Guren."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Wait… did you just say Karin, Haku, Kimimaro, and Guren?"
Boruto nodded again. "Yup. I take it you remember them?"
Naruto gave a soft smile tinged with sadness. "Yeah… I met all of them on missions when I was younger."
Boruto shrugged, then grinned. "Well, come on. I've got something for you guys. Hope Mom hasn't started cooking yet, ya know." He slid open the door and stepped inside.
As they entered the house, Boruto called out, "Mom! We're home!" He slipped off his sandals and neatly placed them on the rack.
Hinata's voice came from the kitchen. "Boruto, is that you?" She stepped out wearing an apron, wiping her hands on a towel. Her lavender eyes widened when she saw Naruto beside him.
"Na-Naruto-kun? Did something happen at the Tower?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head and gave a sheepish smile. "Boruto kinda dragged me home, ya know."
Hinata looked at Boruto in surprise—he'd never done that before. "Well… I was just about to start making breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
Boruto shook his head. "That won't be necessary, Mom."
Hinata blinked, confused. "What—?"
But before she could finish, Himawari came walking down the stairs, drawn by the sound of their voices. When she saw Naruto, her face lit up. "Papa! You're back! And Nii-chan too!" she beamed, running over to give Naruto a big hug.
Naruto chuckled, crouching down to hug her back. "Ah, Hima… it's good to see you too, ya know."
Boruto smiled at the sight before clapping his hands. "Alright, everyone to the living room. I've got something for all of you."
He walked past Hinata and into the living room. Everyone followed.
Boruto knelt by the coffee table, set down his pouch, and started pulling out several scrolls, laying them neatly across the table.
Naruto, Hinata, and Himawari sat on the couch, watching him with curiosity.
Himawari stepped closer and looked at the scrolls. "Nii-chan, what are these?"
"Just a second, Hima," Boruto said, still organizing them.
Hinata turned to Naruto and asked, "Ano… Naruto-kun, do you know what Boruto-kun is doing?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I've got a good idea."
Boruto finally stood up, facing them. "Well… as Dad already knows, yesterday I traveled to the past with Sasuke-san."
Hinata raised an eyebrow. "The past? You mean… time travel?" She looked at Naruto. "Naruto-kun?"
Naruto nodded. "It's true, Hinata. What he's saying really happened."
Boruto nodded too. "Yeah… and when I was there, I met Grandma Kushina."
Hinata's eyes widened. She looked at Boruto, then at Naruto, then back at Boruto again—speechless.
Himawari looked confused. "You met Grandma? But… isn't she… not with us anymore? So how could you meet her?"
Boruto scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, well… Hima, it's kinda hard to explain. I sorta… went back in time, ya know?"
Naruto leaned over and smiled at her. "It's complicated, Hima. But what matters is… your big brother got to meet Grandma. "
Boruto nodded and reached into his pouch. "And… Grandma asked me to give these to all of you." He pulled out three small scrolls, unsealing them one by one to reveal neatly folded letters. "Here, Dad—this one's for you. Mom—this is yours. And Hima—this one's for you too."
Hinata took her letter slowly, her fingers trembling slightly as she stared at it. "For me…?" she whispered.
Naruto, now holding his own letter, stood completely still—his expression unreadable.
Hinata glanced at him. "Naruto-kun… are you okay?"
He gave a small nod, his voice low. "Yeah… I just…"
But the words never came. Instead, he let out a slow, shaky breath and gently unfolded the letter in his hands.
To my sweet Naru-chan,
Hi there, ya know? It feels a little strange writing a letter like this, to a version of my son from the future of a another timeline… but I just couldn't hold it in any longer.
I'm so, so proud of you, Naruto. Ya know, when Boruto first showed me how looked in the future, I couldn't believe how handsome you turned out to be! You've grown into such a strong man—stronger than I ever imagined… not just in strength, but in heart too. You're kind, you're brave, and you carry the Will of Fire better than anyone I've ever known.
Still… I can't help but feel a little ache in my chest. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you in your timeline. To think that you had to grow up alone, face all that pain and hate from the village... no child should've had to go through that, least of all my sweet Naru-chan. Even if I'm not your Kushina… even if we're from different worlds… please believe me when I say this: I love you. And in my heart, you'll always be my son too, ya know?
I might be a bit late, but—please eat properly, okay? Sleep well, and don't push yourself so hard. When you're feeling overwhelmed, take a moment. Step back. Breathe. It's okay to rest. You've carried so much for so long, you deserve peace now.
I'm also really happy you found some like Hinata. If she's anything like the Hinata here, then she's got a heart of gold—gentle, caring, strong in her own quiet way. She's not just a great wife, she's a wonderful mother too. You picked well, Naruto. I couldn't have asked for better.
Spending time with Boruto has been one of the greatest joys of my life. He's bright, stubborn, and reckless—definitely your son, ya know! But more than that, he's loving, and thoughtful, and even though he hides it sometimes, it's clear how much he looks up to you. You raised him well, Naruto.
And now, as your mom—from another timeline or not—I have to say this, so listen up! Please take care of your family. I heard from Boruto that you're always working. I get it, you're Hokage and all, but don't forget: your family needs you too. You fought through so much pain and loneliness to find people who love you unconditionally. Don't throw that away, ya know. Cherish them. Spend time with them. I can tell Boruto really tries to make time with you special, and I know Hima does too. Don't let those little moments slip by.
And please… don't think I'm overstepping my bounds. I know I'm not your mother. But if our roles were reversed—if it were me who had passed in your timeline—I'd want the version of me from anywhere to say this to you. Because that's what a mother wants most… for her child to live a happy life.
I left you something, by the way. I gave Boruto your gifts—one of it's a schedule planner Minato made. He fine-tuned it to automatically sort out your meetings and free time, so you can squeeze in more family time. Boruto-chan knows which one—it's the one marked "Hokage." Make sure to ask him for it, alright?
P.S. Give Hima-chan a big kiss from Grandma, would you? She's so cute, I could just bite her cheeks, ya know!!
With all my love,
Kushina Uzumaki
(your mom… no matter the timeline) with a small chibi animated kushina blowing hearts at him at the bottom of the letter
As Naruto's eyes traced over the first line, his hands began to tremble slightly. A soft breath escaped him—half sigh, half gasp. His lips parted, and for a brief moment, all the weight he carried seemed to lift from his shoulders. His thumb brushed the edge of the paper, and his eyes shimmered with glassy emotion.
Boruto sat back quietly, watching.
Himawari leaned close to her mother and whispered, "Is papa… crying?"
Hinata smiled gently, her own eyes misting over. "No, Hima… those are happy tears."
Naruto lowered the letter slightly, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. He chuckled through the tightness in his throat.
"She really wrote this, huh…? Even after everything… even from another timeline… she still called me her son, ya know…"
He looked up at his family, a teary smile on his face. "She even told me to eat properly… to sleep well… and not to push myself too hard."
Boruto grinned. "She asked me to make sure you guys read those letters, ya know."
Naruto blinked, then asked curiously, "Wait… she said you showed her what we all look like. How'd you have our pictures with you?"
Boruto shook his head. "Nah, I didn't. I just used the Transformation Jutsu."
Naruto nodded slowly, smiling with a hint of awe.
Then he looked over at Hinata and Himawari, who still held their unopened letters. "Go on… open yours too, ya know."
Hinata nodded quietly and unfolded the letter in her hands
To my dear daughter-in-law, Hinata-chan,
Hi there, ya know? I hope this letter reaches you with a warm heart. I know we're from different timelines, and maybe this letter feels a little strange, but please believe me—I've thought about you so much, ever since Boruto told me about you. And now that I've gotten the chance, there are so many things I want to say.
First and foremost—thank you. Thank you for loving Naruto. For standing by him, for giving him a family, and for helping him grow into the man he is today. I wasn't there for him in his world… and knowing that you were, that he didn't have to face it all alone… it fills my heart with so much peace, ya know?
I know my boy can be a bit of a handful—he's loud, reckless, and sometimes too stubborn for his own good—but his heart has always been pure. So, if there were ever times when he hurt your feelings or made you feel lonely… I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sure he never meant to. Naruto has always tried his best, and I know he'd never want to make the person he loves feel sad. Still, as his mother, I feel it's my place to apologize.
Hinata-chan, you've raised such wonderful children. Boruto is brave and strong, but more importantly, he's kind and thoughtful. Himawari… just hearing about her makes me tear up. She sounds like a little angel, and I can tell she's full of love. You're an amazing mother. I couldn't have asked for better for my son, ya know?
I've sent you a few gifts with this letter. Among them are pieces of Uzumaki family heirloom jewelry. I don't know if you ever received them in your timeline—my guess is the Third Hokage might've returned them to Naruto at some point—but just in case, I wanted to make sure you had something special. I made these for my future daughter-in-law. Since I couldn't give you the originals—those will go to my daughters-in-law here—I made exact replicas with the same materials. I hope you don't mind. They were made with love they are in the scroll labeled heirlooms.
I've also included a scroll with my personal recipe book and some video tapes where I explain each dish step by step. It's a bit embarrassing—my hair gets all over the place while I cook—but I wanted you to have them. If you ever wonder what kind of food Naruto would have grew up eating, it's all in there.
One more thing, and this is important—I've included scrolls with basic to advance Uzumaki clan fuinjutsu techniques. I'd really love it if you could learn them and teach them to Boruto and Himawari. It's our legacy, and even if I'm not there to pass it on, I know you'll do it justice. The Uzumaki blood runs strong in both your children, and I believe they'll carry it proudly.
Lastly… this might be selfish of me, but I really hope you and Naruto might give me a few more grandchildren someday, ya know! Tehehe! I know it's your life, and I don't mean to pressure you—but just imagining a house full of laughter, kids running around that's all I could ever hope for.
Hinata-chan… even if the other me never got to meet you in your timeline, I'm sure i already love you like a daughter. Thank you for being a light in Naruto's life. Thank you for being strong, gentle, and loving. I know you'll keep the family together no matter what.
Please take care of yourself, and don't let Naruto work himself into the ground, okay? You have my full permission to drag him away from his desk if needed—tie him up with a sealing jutsu if you must, ya know!
With all my heart,
Kushina Uzumaki
(your sorta-mother-in-law, and always cheering you on from across time)
As Hinata's eyes began to scan the page, a gentle hush fell over the room again.
Naruto watched her expression soften—watched as her lips parted in silent surprise, then trembled slightly as she read Kushina's heartfelt words. A blush crept onto her cheeks, turning her face a warm shade of red as her eyes lingered on a certain line.
Naruto tilted his head, smiling softly. "So? What did she say?"
"She…" Hinata whispered, blinking quickly to clear the mist in her eyes, "she thanked me… for loving you…"
Naruto's smile deepened, turning gentle and wistful. "Of course she did, ya know… you're everything to me."
Hinata's blush deepened, and she shyly turned away—reaching for the scroll labeled Heirlooms that was still sitting on the table. She unrolled it carefully and unsealed the contents.
A soft puff of chakra smoke dispersed, revealing a beautifully wrapped jewelry box resting on the table.
"She… she made these… for me?" Hinata asked softly, her eyes lingering on the jewelry box.
With careful hands, she opened the bundle, revealing a delicate collection—bracelets, a pair of elegant earrings, and a beautifully crafted hair ornament. Each piece reflected traditional Uzumaki style, with rich red and gold accents woven into every detail.
"Oh… they're beautiful…" she whispered, voice full of awe.
Himawari leaned in beside her, eyes sparkling. "Wow! They look really pretty, Mama!"
Naruto nodded, admiring the pieces. "Yeah… really beautiful."
Hinata smiled and said softly, "She said these are family heirlooms… but they're replicas, made from the same materials. She wanted to keep the originals for her daughters-in-law…"
She paused, blinking. "…Wait. Daughters-in-law? As in plural?" She glanced at the letter again. "Did she… mean to write that?"
Boruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, that. Yeah—in that timeline, Dad had an older brother. Five years older. His name was Kaito Uzumaki."
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. "Naruto-kun has a brother…?"
Boruto nodded. "Yup. Actually… Mom, do you know if you had an older sister?"
Hinata blinked. "Huh? Why?"
Boruto explained, "When I was there, I met someone named Hotaru Hyuga. She was teammates with Kaito. Same age. She looked a lot like you… and in that timeline, she was your older sister."
Hinata's mouth parted in shock. "I… I don't think I have an older sister. Not that I know of, at least. Maybe… maybe Father knows something."
Himawari looked up, eyes wide. "Mama had a sister?"
Boruto nodded. "Mhm. Well… anyway, it seemed like Kaito and Hotaru might end up together. Grandma even said something like, 'In every timeline, at least one of Hiashi's daughters becomes my daughter-in-law.'"
Both Naruto and Hinata blinked at that, completely caught off guard.
Then Boruto turned toward his little sister. "What about you, Hima? You haven't opened your letter yet."
Himawari nodded eagerly and carefully unfolded her letter. "Okay! I'll read it out loud!"
To my adorable little Himawari-chan,
Hi sweetie! It's your Grandma Kushina here—well, sorta! I know we've never met before, and I'm from a different timeline, but the moment I saw how cute and bright you looked, I just had to write you a letter, ya know!
You're sooo cute, Himawari-chan! When Boruto transformed into you to show me what you looked like, I squealed out loud. Your smile, your big sparkly eyes, and those chubby little cheeks—I wanted to bite them right then and there, ya know!! You're like a little sunbeam!
I've sent you lots of presents, so I hope you like them! There's a plush fox that looks like your papa when he was little, some hair clips shaped like the Uzumaki swirl, and a special bracelet that has a protective seal hidden inside—just a little charm from Grandma to keep you safe, okay?
ive aslo packed up one present for each of you birthdays till your 30
Now, I know you're still young, but I wanted to give you something very special too—Uzumaki Clan Fuinjutsu! That's our family's sealing techniques! It's something I learned when I was younger, and it's a really important part of being an Uzumaki.
I've put together a full set of lessons just for you! Inside the scroll you received, you'll find video tutorials I recorded myself! Every lesson is labeled and organized from beginner to advanced, so you can go step by step at your own pace. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first—just have fun with it! And if you get stuck, the scroll also has notes, practice tips, and little games to help you learn.
One day, I know you'll be a master at it—just like your papa, big brother and your mom! Your mom is really smart and kind, and I know she'll help you along the way too.
And remember, sweetie… no matter which timeline I'm from, you're still my precious little granddaughter. I'm cheering for you with all my heart! So study hard, play lots, eat well, and always smile that beautiful smile of yours.
Give your mama and papa a big hug from Grandma, and don't forget to let them spoil you from time to time, okay?
With tons and tons of love (and a big Uzumaki hug),
Grandma Kushina
'P.S. I've also packed up one present for each of your birthdays—all the way until you turn thirty, ya know!'
Himawari finally read the last line, her voice softening.
"'No matter which timeline I'm from, you're still my precious little granddaughter. I'm cheering for you with all my heart! So study hard, play lots, eat well, and always smile that beautiful smile of yours. Love, Grandma Kushina.'"
She looked up, eyes shimmering with tears. "She really loves us… even if she's from somewhere else."
Naruto pulled her into a gentle hug, resting a hand on her back. "Yeah… she really does."
Boruto leaned back on his hands, grinning. "Told ya. She was amazing."
Himawari carefully rolled up her letter and held it close to her chest, still smiling. "Grandma Kushina is so nice…"
Then she glanced back at the scroll again and blinked. "Wait—there's more!" Her eyes widened as she read aloud:
"'P.S. I've also packed up one present for each of your birthdays—all the way until you turn thirty, ya know!'"
Her jaw dropped. "Eeeeh?! Thirty?! That's so many birthdays!"
Naruto burst out laughing. "She really went all in, huh?! That's just like Mom."
Hinata giggled softly beside him, shaking her head in quiet awe. "She must've spent so much time preparing everything…"
She then placed a hand gently over her heart, eyes warm. "Thank you, Boruto… for bringing her to us—even just for a little while."
Boruto gave a small nod. "Yeah… I'm glad I could, ya know."
He reached for a few more scrolls from his pouch and handed them out. "Here, Dad—these are yours. These are for you, Hima. And these are yours, Mom."
Then he unsealed a much larger scroll, laying it out carefully on the table.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
Boruto looked up. "It's all the Uzumaki sealing techniques. Grandma made a full copy for us to learn from. She said not to give it to anyone except another Uzumaki—or someone married into the clan."
He paused, growing serious. "She made me promise it would stay in the family and never be taught to outsiders. She said… there's a reason the whole ninja world feared the Uzumaki clan enough to band together to destroy it, ya know."
Naruto's face grew solemn as he nodded. "Right…"
Hinata touched the edge of the scroll gently, then looked at Boruto. "Did she give you anything, Boruto-kun?"
Boruto shook his head. "Grandma already gave me all my gifts when we were in the past. I've got them sealed in a scroll."
Naruto picked up one of the scrolls Boruto had handed him and began unsealing it. A soft puff of chakra released, and neatly folded fabric spilled out in layers—ten full sets of clothing, stacked perfectly, with a letter placed on top.
Curious, Naruto picked up the letter and began to read aloud. His voice was steady at first, but laced with emotion.
"This is for you, Naruto-chan. This is my gift to celebrate you becoming Hokage."
He paused, lips curling into a soft, nostalgic smile. He glanced at Hinata and the kids, then looked back down at the letter. His voice wavered just slightly—quiet, proud.
"I personally designed this, so I hope you like them. Even the cloak. I put my heart into every thread—so please, wear them with pride, ya know. Hope you love them."
Boruto leaned forward, wide-eyed. "Wait—Grandma made you a custom Hokage outfit?"
Naruto raised a brow. "You didn't know about this?"
Boruto shook his head. "Nope. But I guess that's why she was measuring everyone, huh?"
Naruto chuckled softly and began to unwrap the top bundle. As the fabric unfolded, he held up a white Hokage cloak—similar to his usual one, but distinct. The deep crimson flames at the bottom shimmered in the light, and the kanji across the back read:
"Seventh Hokage – Son of the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero"
He blinked, surprised—then laughed, eyes misty and glinting with warmth. "She even signed it like that… what a name, ya know."
Hinata leaned in and gently touched the cloak's edge. "It's beautiful… and the stitching—it's all done by hand."
"There's more," Naruto said, digging into the pile again.
He pulled out a sleek black vest—similar to Kakashi's flak jacket, but customized with orange trim. Folded inside were a pair of fitted gloves, reinforced armguards, long-sleeved orange shinobi wear, and matching pants.
He stared at the full set in silence for a moment, running his fingers along the seams.
"…She really thought of everything," he whispered.
Himawari leaned against his arm and hugged it tight. "You should wear it, Daddy! She made it just for you!"
Naruto smiled, ruffling her hair gently. "Yeah… I will. At the next Hokage ceremony or big mission—I'll wear it with pride, ya know."
Boruto smirked. "You'll probably cry again when you put it on."
Excited by her letter, Himawari eagerly unsealed her scroll of gifts. Her eyes sparkled as she opened the bundle, her voice ringing with pure joy.
"Wowww!" she squealed. "There's so much in here!"
She pulled out a bundle of colorful clothes—soft, bright, and clearly made with love. A sky-blue sweater with little fox ears on the hood, a white-and-red scarf with swirling Uzumaki symbols, mittens with tiny embroidered seals, and even a traditional yukata with delicate floral patterns.
"They're so pretty!" she gasped, hugging the hand-knit sweater tightly to her chest. "She made these… for me?"
Naruto knelt beside her, smiling warmly. "Yup. Hand-knitted and everything. She must've spent a lot of time thinking about what you'd like, ya know."
"I love them!" Himawari beamed as she wrapped the scarf around her neck. "It's so warm!"
Next to her, Hinata quietly opened her own scroll. Inside was a neatly folded lavender sweater, soft to the touch. Underneath it lay a matching scarf, and beneath that—an apron, beautifully embroidered with a blooming Uzumaki crest stitched into the hem. There was also a sealed envelope labeled:
"For the Heart of the Home."
Hinata opened it gently and gasped softly.
Inside was a hardcover book with a faded red cover and gold lettering:
"Kushina's Book of Recipes."
Hinata held it reverently, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the cover. On the first page, written in Kushina's lively, looping script, was a short note:
"For my future daughter-in-law—the one who keeps everyone fed and loved. Cook these with fire in your belly and love in your heart!"
Naruto leaned over her shoulder, his eyes lighting up as she flipped through the pages. His grin widened the moment he spotted one particular entry.
"Wait—Mom had a ramen recipe?!" he exclaimed, jabbing a finger at the page. "Look, look! Kushina's miso char siu ramen!!"
He was practically bouncing in place, a big, boyish grin on his face.
Hinata giggled softly, placing a hand over the recipe. "I could try to make it for you, Naruto-kun. I'm sure it'll taste wonderful."
"No need for that, Mom," Boruto said as he stood up and walked over to the dining table with a grin. "Come on! Grandma cooked for you guys."
He unrolled the preservation scroll across the table and released the seal with a soft poof of chakra.
One by one, dish after dish began to appear.
Poof! A few large bowl of miso char siu ramen emerged first, the rich aroma of pork, broth, and miso filling the air almost instantly.
Poof! A steaming pot of red bean stew appeared next, followed by a perfectly grilled mackerel plated with crisp, fresh pickles.
Poof! Stir-fried vegetables, shaped and arranged like little foxes.
Poof! Bento boxes appeared next—crispy chicken karaage, spicy shrimp skewers, ebi tempura, ika tempura, more fox-shaped veggies, all carefully arranged with homey detail.
Poof! And finally, a pot tray of Kushina's signature spicy curry with rice, steam rising from it as if it had just come off the stove.
Boruto stepped back, hands on his hips. "Grandma cooked all this right before we left. It's still hot and fresh, ya know."
Naruto walked up slowly, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. "This… this really is her cooking…"
Hinata covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes already misting. "She… made all this… for us…"
Himawari stepped closer, sniffing the air. "Mmm… it smells so good."
Boruto smiled. "She even made extra bowls just for you, Dad."
Naruto blinked, stunned. "She really… went all out, ya know."
Hinata wiped her eyes and smiled. "Well, we can't let her hard work go to waste. Let's eat."
"Let's eat," Naruto echoed, nodding as he sat down and picked up a bowl of ramen.
Himawari eagerly grabbed a bento box filled with ebi tempura, while Hinata served herself a plate of curry and rice. Boruto did the same.
They all pressed their hands together.
"Itadakimasu."
Naruto was the first to take a bite—chopsticks lifting a bundle of noodles to his mouth. He slurped them gently, then stopped mid-chew. His eyes widened. He closed them slowly as he savored the taste, holding still.
A few quiet seconds passed, and then—his shoulders trembled slightly.
His eyes pricked with tears.
He slowly chewed and swallowed, then reached for another bite, more carefully this time.
Hinata took a spoonful of the curry and smiled gently. "Yeah… this is really good. Okaasan really poured her heart into this."
Himawari crunched down on a piece of shrimp tempura. "Mmm! So crispy! It's really yummy!"
Boruto smiled and nodded. "Her food's as good as yours, Mom… ya know."
Then Himawari paused and looked at Naruto, tilting her head. "Daddy… why are you crying?"
Naruto blinked and wiped his cheek with the back of his hand.
"I'm just… so happy, Hima," he said softly, his voice catching in his throat.
"I always wanted to eat her cooking, ya know… I never thought I'd actually get the chance…"
He looked down at the bowl in his hands, then smiled as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
"…But now I have."
Hinata gently reached over and grabbed Naruto's hand, giving it a soft squeeze. "That was very thoughtful of Okaasan…"
Naruto nodded, smiling through his tears. "Thanks, Mom," he whispered. "It's perfect… ya know." Then, with a deep breath, he picked up his chopsticks again and continued eating.
Boruto, as if suddenly remembering something, perked up and reached into his pouch. "Oh right!" he said, pulling out another scroll. He handed it to Hinata. "This one's for you, Mom."
Hinata blinked in surprise as she accepted the scroll. "For me? What is it, Boruto-kun?"
"Kaito gave it to me to pass on to you," Boruto said. "It's from Grandma Hitomi. He said… you might like to eat something your mother made."
Hinata froze, staring at the scroll as her eyes welled up with emotion.
"Grandma Hitomi?" Himawari asked, confused. "Mama's mama?"
Boruto nodded. "Yeah. Apparently, in that timeline, Kaito saved her during Hanabi-nee's birth, so she's still alive over there."
Naruto gave Hinata a gentle smile. "Go on… open it, Hinata."
Hinata gave a small nod and unsealed the scroll with careful hands. With a soft poof, a wooden box appeared—overflowing with beautifully arranged dango. Mitarashi dango, hanami dango, kibi dango, anko dango… each one neatly placed and perfectly shaped.
Nestled inside was a handwritten note.
Hinata picked it up and quietly read it, her fingers trembling slightly. Her breath hitched when she recognized the handwriting.
"It's… a recipe," she said softly, voice breaking just a little.
She picked up one of the dango and took a bite—her eyes closing as the taste filled her mouth. A tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled. "It's exactly how she used to make it…"
Himawari reached for a piece, biting into it with a happy hum. "It's really good! So soft and sweet!"
Hinata looked at Naruto, her voice tender. "Naruto-kun… do you think I could take some of this to Father and Hanabi? They'd love to have some of Mom's cooking…"
Naruto smiled warmly. "You don't have to ask me, Hinata. I think you should. I'm sure they'd love it… ya know."
Hinata nodded, her voice full of quiet gratitude. "Thank you…"
The family returned to eating together, laughter and quiet smiles filling the room.
While scooping another bite of curry, Hinata glanced at Boruto. "So, Boruto… what exactly did you do while you were in the past?"
Boruto looked up from his plate, grinning. "Well, while we waited for that Otsutsuki to show up, Kaito trained me. A lot. I've gotten way stronger, ya know."
He jabbed a thumb toward Naruto with a smirk. "I bet I could even give you a run for your money now, old man."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, already smirking back. "Oh? Is that so?"
Boruto grinned. "Yup. Anytime you're ready, ya know."
Naruto grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Wanna spar? See how far you've come?"
Boruto smirked and nodded. "Yeah, you bet. Let's head over after we eat, ya know."
Hinata, however, frowned slightly at the mention earlier. "Otsutsuki…?"
Boruto nodded, setting down his chopsticks. "Yeah… they went after Dad in the past. To steal Kurama. That's how me and Sasuke-san ended up back there—chasing after Urashiki."
Naruto crossed his arms, his expression serious now. "Good thing you and Sasuke followed him, huh? Who knows what would've happened if you hadn't."
Boruto shook his head, lips curled in a small, wry smile. "Honestly? I don't think much would've changed."
Hinata blinked in confusion. "Huh? Why's that?"
Boruto leaned back and explained, "Because of Kaito. He's Dad's older brother in that timeline. He's the one who actually defeated Urashiki."
Naruto's eyes widened. "What?! You and Sasuke didn't fight him?"
Boruto shrugged, setting down his chopsticks. "Sasuke got his chakra drained right at the beginning. And Urashiki broke my hand and kicked me aside like I was nothing. It was all Kaito. He mastered Sage Mode—and used it along with some of Kurama's chakra that he took from your younger self… when you went berserk."
Naruto's eyes widened further. "He mastered Sage Mode?! But… didn't you say he was around your age? And wait—what do you mean, I went berserk?"
Boruto nodded. "Yeah, he's thirteen. But Grandma said he's the youngest person to ever master Sage Mode. She also said… he's the strongest person in the village. As for you… Urashiki impaled Kaito through the chest. Everyone thought he'd died. You kinda lost it after that. Kurama's chakra burst out of you, and that's when Kaito used it to take Urashiki down."
Naruto was quiet for a second, visibly trying to process all of it.
Boruto then said, "Oh—speaking of Sage Mode, Kaito asked me to talk to you about the toad contract. He said I should learn it."
Naruto blinked. "Don't you already have the snake contract?"
Boruto nodded. "I do. But Kaito told me that if I really want to master Sage Mode, I should either go to the toads or the slugs. He learned it from the slugs. That's apparently how he heals so fast—slug sages have insane regeneration."
Naruto crossed his arms thoughtfully. "So Grandma Tsunade actually let him sign the slug contract, huh…" He then smiled. "Well, if you're serious about it, I can introduce you to Gamakichi later."
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