Under Naruto's leadership, Konoha underwent a massive reorganization.
Except for shinobi stationed at the borders, every ninja in the village was recalled.
Personnel were reassigned.
Departments were restructured.
Functions and authority levels were redefined from top to bottom.
ANBU. Root. The Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Health. The Intelligence Division. The Administrative Office. Every organization was reshaped.
Konoha's shinobi filled out detailed questionnaires. Based on their true preferences and strengths, they were reassigned to new positions.
The chaos lasted nearly a full month.
When it finally settled, Konoha barely resembled its former self.
Many people felt lost.
The changes were drastic.
Confusion spread.
Mistakes increased.
Tasks were mishandled.
"Don't worry about it," Naruto replied to every report of confusion. "They'll adjust."
New systems always require adaptation.
Naruto firmly believed that only with clear authority, defined responsibility, and structural order could Konoha truly grow in a stable direction.
"Shisui, have you recorded everything?" Naruto asked. "The confusion, the emotional shifts, the structural friction. This is rehearsal."
"For ruling the Land of Fire. And eventually, for unifying the ninja world."
"Yes, President. Everything has been documented."
"Summarize the problems. Let the staff analyze them. Extract lessons. We pave the road for the future now."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Naruto with complete admiration.
Only now did he fully understand.
Many within the Red Sun Society had once questioned Naruto's caution.
With his strength, he could crush the entire ninja world in a day.
Why move step by step?
Why start with Konoha?
Why restructure?
Why wait?
But after witnessing a single village's internal reorganization chaos, Shisui understood.
Suppressing enemies and governing people were not the same thing.
Victory through force was easy.
Stability required structure.
"What's the reaction outside Konoha?" Naruto asked.
"There's unease," Shisui replied. "But after the Chūnin Exams and the inauguration demonstration, no village dares act openly. The ninja world remains calm."
"Good," Naruto smiled. "Calm gives us time."
Nearby, Boruto stared anxiously at the space-time turtle in his hands.
"Is it charged yet?"
After a full month of Naruto's brutal clone-training, Boruto had improved dramatically.
But he had also suffered.
Now he deeply appreciated how gentle his own father—the Seventh Hokage—actually was.
Compared to Fifth Hokage Naruto?
A smiling devil.
Training methods were unpredictable.
Creative.
Merciless.
Boruto had nearly cried every day.
"It should be ready soon," young Sasuke said quietly.
This month had changed him as well.
He had trained relentlessly against Ōtsutsuki Urashiki in the Proving Ground.
He had also spent time with his family—Itachi, Mikoto.
He never revealed his identity.
But they understood.
Mikoto, seeing his empty arm sleeve, had cared for him daily.
Young Sasuke had accepted that warmth silently.
If he could… he might have stayed forever.
But he had his own world.
His own responsibility.
"Energy sufficient. Space-time gate ready."
The turtle glowed with a soft green light.
Boruto jumped with joy.
"Finally! We can go back!"
"Not happy staying in Konoha?" Naruto's voice came from behind.
Boruto froze instantly, standing straight like a student before a strict teacher.
Naruto, Itachi, and Mikoto had arrived.
"You're leaving?" Mikoto asked softly.
"Yes," young Sasuke replied. "There's no banquet that lasts forever. I have my world."
He looked at Itachi.
At Mikoto.
Trying to memorize their faces.
"Open the gate."
The turtle floated upward. Its shell unfolded layer by layer, radiating brilliant light.
Young Sasuke grabbed Boruto's shoulder and stepped into the glow.
He looked back and smiled brightly.
"I'm really happy I came here. Seeing everyone safe… I'm truly happy."
His lips moved one last time.
"Mother."
The light vanished.
They were gone.
Mikoto broke down in tears.
"He called me Mother…"
Itachi supported her gently.
He had already guessed everything.
From Sasuke's eyes—
From the heaviness in his silence—
He knew.
In that world, tragedy had happened.
And this Sasuke had endured it.
Itachi had done everything this month to let him feel warmth again.
Just a little healing.
Nearby, Fugaku stood with young Sasuke.
"Father… why didn't you speak to him?"
"What was there to say?" Fugaku replied quietly. "I am not his father."
He placed a gentle hand on his son's head.
He understood too.
One decision. One night.
Two completely different destinies.
"If I had that turtle," young Sasuke muttered, "I'd travel through time and stop the tragedy."
Naruto appeared beside him.
"We have one too."
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Underwater ruins. I've already recorded the coordinates."
Even Fugaku was stunned.
Itachi stepped forward urgently.
"Where?"
Naruto raised a hand calmly.
"Even if you travel, you may not reach our past. It could be another parallel world."
"You might save one world. But not all worlds."
Silence fell.
Naruto's gaze drifted upward.
"First stabilize our own world."
"Then traveling elsewhere will come naturally."
His eyes flickered with anticipation.
Other ninja worlds.
Other versions of history.
Other possibilities.
That…
Sounded interesting.
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