Chapter 72: Chapter 72: First Contact
The sudden appearance of two strangers in Konoha might not normally warrant the attention of Tsunade, the Hokage. However, reports from the barrier team and Anbu suggested that these two individuals had seemingly materialized within the village without warning.
Given the past infiltration attempts by the Akatsuki organization and Uchiha Sasuke's unexplained defection, Tsunade decided to investigate personally. She brought Kirito along, one of the strongest shinobi in Konoha, to ensure they could handle any unforeseen threats.
As they approached, Tsunade questioned Kirito, knowing his Byakugan could provide insight. "What can you tell about the intruders?"
"One is a blond boy, the other a tall adult. Both are unfamiliar. The adult has considerable strength but has made little contact with villagers," Kirito explained.
"Could they be from the Akatsuki organization?" Tsunade asked, her expression darkening.
Kirito shook his head. "No. They don't have the signature robes or any recognizable accessories."
Tsunade sighed in relief. If these intruders had targeted Naruto, it could have ended in disaster. She clenched her fists, her anger mounting as she recalled that Jiraiya, who was supposed to be guarding Naruto, had been reported to have separated from him—again, due to peeping at a bathhouse.
[That fool!] Tsunade fumed silently, promising to give Jiraiya a proper lesson when she found him.
Kirito, keeping a close eye on the situation, noted that the blond boy and the man had already encountered Naruto—quite literally. Boruto had been caught in one of Jiraiya's bathhouse escapades and was now being chased by an angry mob.
Turning a corner, Tsunade and Kirito came upon a ridiculous scene. Jiraiya and Naruto were crouched behind a wall, grinning as they spied on Sasuke and Boruto, who were being berated by bathhouse patrons. Jiraiya and Naruto even began planning how to continue their "research" until they sensed the oppressive weight of Tsunade's rage.
"You two—!" Tsunade's voice thundered.
Jiraiya and Naruto immediately dropped to their knees, apologizing profusely. "We're sorry, Tsunade-sama! Please forgive us!"
[Seriously, Naruto…] Kirito thought. [How much of this behavior is Jiraiya's influence, and how much is just him?]
Meanwhile, Boruto and Sasuke had managed to escape the angry crowd. Spotting Naruto kneeling in disgrace, Boruto froze mid-step. Before he could approach, Sasuke quickly pushed him behind and turned to face Kirito, who stood behind Tsunade, his expression calm but observant.
"Why now?" Boruto muttered nervously. "Didn't the turtle say Urashiki wouldn't arrive for days?"
With his pale skin, silver hair, Byakugan, and horn-like features, Kirito immediately reminded Boruto of the Ōtsutsuki clan, particularly Momoshiki and Urashiki. The boy began to form a Rasengan, preparing to help if Sasuke made a move.
Sasuke, more experienced with the Ōtsutsuki clan's threats, tightened his grip on the Kusanagi Sword hidden beneath his cloak. Though low on chakra from their recent battle, Sasuke steeled himself, ready to protect Boruto at all costs.
"I won't back down!" Boruto declared, moving to stand beside Sasuke despite the obvious danger.
Tsunade, watching the pair tense up, frowned. "Are you planning to fight here in Konoha?" she asked sharply.
Her tone carried weight, but her intuition told her that these two weren't ordinary threats. Boruto's familiarity also tugged at her mind, though she couldn't place why.
"Grandma Tsunade, get away from that Ōtsutsuki!" Boruto shouted.
"Grandma?!" Tsunade's eye twitched. "What a rude brat!"
Kirito, noting Sasuke's stance and Boruto's nervous energy, realized they saw him as an enemy. He decided to break the tension. "Why are you here?" he asked calmly.
The question heightened Boruto and Sasuke's nerves, but Kirito's lack of aggression puzzled them. After a tense pause, Boruto blurted out, "We… We're… tourists! We're just traveling and sightseeing!"
[Tourists? Really?] Kirito raised an eyebrow. Even Naruto looked unconvinced.
Sasuke quickly elaborated, sharing details of wonders and experiences from his travels across various lands. His knowledge was detailed and authentic enough to make even Jiraiya nod in agreement.
Tsunade, though still skeptical, asked, "Then why were you about to draw your sword just now?"
Sasuke replied, "We've encountered many dangers on our journey. That man," he gestured at Kirito, "resembles an enemy we've faced before. We reacted instinctively."
Kirito, catching the subtle hostility in Sasuke's gaze, shrugged. "Don't look at me. I don't know them."
Tsunade eventually relented but warned, "There's unrest in the village lately. You'll be monitored for everyone's safety."
She then turned to Jiraiya and Naruto. "You two will be responsible for keeping an eye on them."
"Why us?!" Naruto protested. "I have training to do!"
"And I have research!" Jiraiya added, equally indignant.
Tsunade's glare silenced them both. They quickly saluted, "We'll do our best, Tsunade-sama!"
As Tsunade and Kirito left, Boruto whispered to Sasuke, "He doesn't seem like the others we've fought."
Sasuke's expression remained hard. "He's still an Ōtsutsuki. They're never allies."
Sasuke's past experiences with the Ōtsutsuki clan had taught him the devastating consequences of underestimating them. His mistrust ran deep, and with his current depleted state, he was in no position to take risks.
Kirito, walking beside Tsunade, had his own thoughts. [Why are they here? They clearly don't know me. Are they time travelers like me, or is this something else entirely?]
He decided to confront Sasuke alone when the time was right, hoping to uncover the truth behind their sudden appearance. For now, he would watch and wait.
As Sasuke and Boruto watched Kirito's retreating figure, Boruto muttered, "This just keeps getting weirder."
Sasuke tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay vigilant. We can't trust him, no matter what."
The encounter had left both sides wary, their fates now tangled in a delicate balance of mistrust and curiosity.
(End of Chapter)
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