Extra: Long Time No See
"It's been a while, Minato."
The pen in Minato's hand halted mid-stroke.
That voice—
He couldn't be mistaken.
The shinobi world had known peace for years, but the effort to improve people's lives was monumental. Endless duties day and night had left their mark on Minato's face, silver streaks threading his blond hair.
Slowly, he lifted his head.
And then, a warm smile crept onto his face.
"I thought your reaction would be more dramatic," Uchiha Kagami said, casually lounging on the sofa.
"I thought so too… But you look exactly the same as you did back then. It feels like you never left."
"That line's too sentimental. Go say it to Kushina."
Minato studied him carefully. "Is this just a projection? Your real body isn't here?"
Kagami looked toward the sky outside the window, lips curling in a subtle smile. "Mm. That place is… really something."
"Is that so? Good for you."
"In my memory, you rarely ever smiled like that. Would you tell me about your journey?"
"Hmm… with your level of understanding, it's difficult to explain it in a way you'd grasp."
Minato didn't take offense. He chuckled. "Then let me ask something simpler—did you meet someone you liked?"
"A question I can actually answer, huh?"
Kagami paused, then shook his head. "I can't explain that either."
"But… I did enjoy fighting with that woman. I still can't beat her. Not yet. But if I run, she can't catch me either."
Minato grew intrigued. "There are people stronger than you in that world?"
To him, Kagami had been unmatched since awakening the Mangekyō—no enemy could stand against him.
"Of course there are. Countless strong opponents… and endless stars to explore."
Kagami turned from the window and met Minato's gaze, beaming.
"But I'll become the strongest of them all."
…
"I believe in you," Minato said softly.
Always have.
---
"Who are you?"
"It's me! Konohamaru!"
Konohamaru's temple twitched. "It's only been a year or two! You seriously didn't recognize me, Naruto-nii?!"
Naruto scratched his head with an awkward grin. "Sorry! You've changed so much, I didn't realize it was you."
Where Naruto went, Sasuke usually followed.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he stared at Konohamaru's eyes.
"Konohamaru… so you have it too, huh."
Konohamaru met his gaze and smiled. "Thanks to Orochimaru-sensei's help, I managed to get it."
"Huh? Get what?" Naruto looked between the two, sensing an odd tension.
They looked like they were about to go find a spot to fight.
Some kind of Uchiha code?! Don't leave me out!
Only after hearing Konohamaru's words did Sasuke glance behind him at Orochimaru in his simple white robes.
Sasuke frowned. "If I recall… the village hasn't lifted your bounty. We may not arrest you, but showing up in the village so boldly…"
"That was years ago…"
Orochimaru chuckled bitterly. "The one who issued that bounty was the one who brought me here. Maybe he believes I've atoned enough."
"The one who—" Sasuke's pupils shrank as the thought clicked.
A voice from around the corner confirmed his suspicion.
"Long time no see, Sasuke, Naruto."
"You already guessed, didn't you…" said Shisui, emerging with a smile. "Big brother's returned."
…
"Where is he?!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Sasuke's Sharingan activated on its own.
Shisui pointed to the Hokage Office. "He should be—"
Boom!!
Before he could finish, a streak of orange lightning zipped past, flying toward the Hokage building.
Sasuke blinked in surprise. That speed—he thought it was Zoron.
But that chakra...
When did Naruto become a Jinchūriki for the Nine-Tails!?
---
The Hokage office grew crowded as more people entered. When several giant orange cats squeezed inside, it felt downright cramped.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not the kind of person who cries over pets."
Kagami looked with slight disdain at Zoron, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
Zoron wiped his tears with his thick paws, sobbing,
"Lord Kagami... why didn't you say goodbye?!"
"Why'd you leave me behind?!"
"Uwaaa…"
It was obvious Zoron was trying to hold it in—but he failed.
Kagami placed a hand on his head.
"Aren't you a bit too big of a kid to be crying? It's unsightly."
Streams of strange energy flowed from his palm into Zoron's body, restoring the white patches of aged fur to a vibrant orange.
"To manipulate the flow of time so casually… Kagami-kun really has reached the realm of gods."
Orochimaru couldn't help but marvel. Though he had used secret arts to regain his youth, he could tell—what Kagami had just done was nothing short of miraculous.
Kagami clearly disliked being surrounded. He waved his hand.
"Aren't you all supposed to be holding the Fifth Hokage selection? Go deal with that. I've got things to take care of afterward."
As the crowd began to thin, a teary-eyed Naruto approached.
He held out his hand.
"You promised me a birthday present, remember!"
Kagami blinked, then laughed. "I distinctly remember saying only if I was still around back then."
"I don't care! Let's pretend today is my birthday!"
Despite the tears, Naruto stubbornly held out his hand.
Kagami smiled helplessly and extended his own.
Where their palms met, a tiny rift in space opened—releasing an aura so oppressive that it made even the strongest in the room uneasy.
Tap—
A shimmering multicolored egg landed in Naruto's palm.
Even from the outside, a rhythmic heartbeat could be felt, radiating a mysterious aura.
"Alright, go somewhere and hatch it. Should be something interesting."
Inside Naruto, Kurama had been trying to suppress his presence ever since Kagami appeared.
But when that egg emerged—
Kurama had a terrible premonition…
Something terrifying would be born from that thing.
"You big curly-haired menace! I want one too!"
Kagami aggressively ruffled Karin's hair.
"Annoying! What do you take me for?"
"Go get ready. I still need to evaluate your worth. If you're too weak…"
"You're not qualified to come with me."
At that, everyone's eyes lit up.
---