Time passed, and with the conclusion of the Mount Myōboku campaign, the Vast Ocean Realm finally welcomed true peace.
However, the people of this extraordinary world were insatiable in their thirst for power. Thanks to the low entry barrier and excellence of the qi cultivation system, more and more individuals in the Vast Ocean Realm began their training journeys.
At this moment, Uzumaki Naruto had graduated from Konoha's First Qi Academy, becoming a true third-tier Grand Battle Master in the Qi cultivation hierarchy.
(A/N: This is not the same as Doupo Cangqiong [a.k.a BTTH]. The hierarchy here consists of Fighter, Battle Master, Grand Battle Master, Spirit Warrior, Battle King, Battle Emperor, Battle Ancestor, Battle Honored, and Battle Saint, spanning levels one through nine.)
{T/N: Author finally clarified but the system hasn't even changed that much. *facepalm*}
"Alright! Today I'm going to complete ten missions and buy some oil!"
Thanks to Ye Wen's intervention, Uzumaki Naruto had escaped a miserable childhood. Influenced by Asura's chakra, he was incredibly optimistic and driven.
Though Kurama (the Nine-Tails) remained wary of the current Vast Ocean Realm, years of animosity prevented it from fully accepting Naruto.
Because of Kurama's interference, Naruto's potential hadn't yet reached the fifth tier—Battle King.
Even so, at just the third tier, Naruto's strength already rivaled that of former elite shinobi.
Though the era of ninjas had ended, every age still had problems ordinary people couldn't solve. Naturally, qi cultivators took over the roles once filled by ninja.
Currently, Uzumaki Naruto was a proud junior adventurer.
"Mom, I'm heading out!"
*Ding ding~*
"Be careful on your way!" Uzumaki Kushina responded warmly from the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato, sitting on the couch reading the newspaper, sighed. Folding the paper, he put on his gear and discreetly followed Naruto.
Due to the qi cultivation system, Minato looked as youthful as he had in his twenties.
"The Great Vast Ocean God said the target would appear around this time, and I need to keep a close watch. But why hasn't there been any movement yet?"
Minato wasn't impatient. His family was complete, and he no longer harbored excessive desires. Watching Naruto carry out missions with such energy and cheerfulness was a joy in itself.
As Minato observed Naruto's growth from the shadows, his brows suddenly furrowed.
When it came to space-time abilities, Namikaze Minato was second to none in the ninja world.
"This space-time fluctuation—it's neither Summoning Technique nor any known space-time ninjutsu I'm familiar with."
Following prearranged plans, Minato immediately activated the alarm to call for backup.
Considering they were in a residential area, Minato knew he couldn't allow this sudden unknown visitor to cause chaos or casualties.
*Flying Thunder God Technique—*
Minato threw his Flying Thunder God kunai, instantly teleporting above the source of the space-time fluctuation. He locked onto two figures who clearly didn't belong to this era.
"This presence… chakra!"
Locking onto his targets, Minato tossed another kunai and teleported behind the two strangers, placing his hands on their shoulders.
!?
!
Before the two visitors could utter a word, all three vanished from the bustling streets of Konoha.
---
In the Forest of Death.
After relocating them here, Minato immediately created distance. Though he had received information from Ye Wen that these two weren't enemies, caution was always wise. A former elite ninja like him was nothing if not prudent.
At this moment, Sasuke of the future—now missing an arm—finally snapped out of his daze and stared gravely at Minato's familiar face.
"Fourth Hokage? Why are you here? Wait, you're not under Edo Tensei—you're alive!" Sasuke exclaimed in shock.
Uzumaki Boruto, meanwhile, blinked in surprise before exclaiming loudly, "Eh?! Oji-san!"
"Ah, hello. Are you ninjas from another timeline's Konoha?" Minato asked gently, ever the sunny personality.
Though Sasuke didn't understand why Minato was still alive, he was certain this man wasn't an enemy. Moreover, it seemed the other side already knew their identities, so Sasuke nodded calmly.
"Yes, Fourth."
Minato nodded. The situation matched the intelligence he'd been given.
He then turned his attention to Boruto, whose whisker marks on either cheek made him look strikingly similar to Naruto. However, Minato understood—they were from another timeline and didn't necessarily represent the future. Jiraiya's life had been proof enough of that. Thus, Minato kept his enthusiasm in check.
"I already know the general situation, but you must understand your identities are sensitive. Please don't act rashly.
Also, I'm no longer the Fourth Hokage. You can simply call me Namikaze Minato."
"Understood," Sasuke replied, his tone calm and mature—far removed from the angsty youth he once was.
Boruto, however, felt uneasy. In his mind, Minato should have greeted him with the same warmth and affection his grandfather Hyūga Hiashi showed him. But this situation was strange.
At this moment, Sasuke's voice whispered into Boruto's ear.
"Be careful. This timeline differs greatly from ours. Something unforeseen seems to have happened."
Sasuke was deep in thought. When they arrived, he had clearly seen only five Hokage faces carved into the mountain. But the fifth face wasn't Tsunade, as he remembered—it was Kakashi, someone very familiar to him.
Thus, Sasuke asked Minato, "Namikaze-senpai, what year is it in Konoha now?"
The question caught Minato off guard. After all, the ninja world had long since transitioned to the new Vast Ocean calendar. However, being the fastest man in the ninja world, Minato quickly calculated the answer.
"Konoha no longer uses that calendar system. But according to the old method, it's currently the 59th year of Konoha."
Sasuke nodded calmly. This timeline was indeed strange. At this point, he and Naruto would have just graduated a year ago, and the Third Hokage should still be alive.
Still, Sasuke's curiosity was piqued. Though he had only glimpsed it briefly, the prosperity of this Konoha far surpassed that of their own world.
"What exactly has happened in this world?"
Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves signaled the arrival of someone.
A flash of lightning later, Kakashi appeared beside Minato.
"You've worked hard, Sensei."
"Not at all. It's my duty."
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Kakashi turned his gaze toward Sasuke and Boruto.
"Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Boruto, correct?"
Though they didn't know how their identities had been revealed, both nodded cooperatively in response to Kakashi's inquiry.
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