Even though Sasuke's behavior seemed somewhat unusual, Mikoto still invited both of them to stay for dinner, considering Akira was her son's friend.
Before Akira could even nod in agreement, Sasuke immediately accepted the offer, leaving Akira to glance at him with a puzzled expression.
At first, Sasuke had hesitated at the doorstep, his nerves keeping him from entering. Now, as soon as Mikoto invited him, he eagerly agreed. What could Akira do? Since Sasuke had accepted, he couldn't very well decline.
"Alright then, thank you for having us," Akira nodded in response.
They entered the Hokage's home. As the evening set in, Mikoto began preparing dinner. Sasuke sat on the sofa, his eyes wandering over every corner of the house, each familiar sight pulling memories from the depths of his mind.
As dinner neared completion, Fugaku and "Second Pillar"—the young Sasuke of this timeline—returned home. Both welcomed Akira and Sasuke as guests.
The young Sasuke was eager to share a new technique he had developed, something he called the "Eye of Truth." It was a dojutsu that allowed him to see through all transformation techniques. It was specifically designed to counter Naruto's various Harem Techniques.
Although they weren't brothers, Sasuke and Naruto's rivalry was no less fierce, their bond close enough to resemble that of siblings. As they reached adolescence, young Sasuke had begun to understand certain matters between men and women. In their battles, when Naruto found himself at a disadvantage, he would often resort to using his Transformation Technique or even an advanced version of the Harem Technique. Every time, young Sasuke would crumble.
So recently, to counter Naruto's antics, young Sasuke had developed the "Eye of Truth," meant to see through Naruto's illusions.
"Hey, Akira, I'll show you this technique later!" young Sasuke offered, remembering that Akira had also once fallen victim to Naruto's Harem Technique.
"Uh, let's talk about that some other time," Akira replied awkwardly.
"By the way, I've heard things are getting chaotic in Iwagakure lately," Fugaku brought up as they gathered around the dinner table. Though he preferred not to discuss work during meals, it was inevitable when the Hokage of Konoha and the village's Anbu commander sat down to eat.
"Yes," Akira nodded, "and it seems Iwagakure is headed for a disaster."
"A disaster? What do you mean?" Fugaku, knowing Akira's mysterious ways of gathering information, put down his chopsticks and listened attentively.
"If nothing unexpected happens, a week from now, Iwagakure will see a struggle for the Tsuchikage position, primarily involving Kurotsuchi, Onoki's daughter, and the two Jinchūriki," Akira began.
"My friend here also brought news of a powerful individual, someone possessing both the Byakugan and Rinnegan powers," Akira continued, glancing briefly at Sasuke. "His goal, much like the Akatsuki's, is to capture the nine Tailed Beasts. His first targets will likely be the two Jinchūriki of Iwagakure."
"They'll attack Iwagakure in a week?" Fugaku's expression darkened. Someone possessing both the Byakugan and the Rinnegan—how could that be possible?
The Akatsuki leader's Rinnegan was terrifying enough, but now there was someone else, possessing both the Byakugan and Rinnegan? When did these powerful eyes become so commonplace?
"Urashiki is planning to go after Iwagakure's two Jinchūriki first?" Sasuke thought to himself, stunned. He had no reason to doubt Akira's words; after all, Akira had already revealed his prophecy-like abilities.
But Urashiki's target was Naruto's Nine-Tails. Why was he now attacking Iwagakure? Then again, the other Tailed Beasts were also Tailed Beasts, so it wasn't entirely unreasonable.
"If you have seven days, do you think you can make it there in time?" Fugaku pondered aloud after a moment of silence.
"What, do you think I'm some kind of workhorse that can be pushed until I drop?" Akira retorted with annoyance. He had managed to reach the Land of Iron's capital in five days, but now Fugaku wanted him to get to Iwagakure in seven days?
Akira's complaint left Fugaku speechless, though there was a hint of warmth in his heart. Akira had been willing to rush to his rescue in five days, but when it came to Iwagakure, he had no such interest. Did this mean Akira considered Fugaku more important, or was it that he bore some resentment toward Iwagakure?
Who could blame him, really?
Initially, Akira had intended to go and support Iwagakure, but circumstances had changed. With Sasuke and Boruto now in Konoha, their situation took precedence over assisting Iwagakure.
After discussing Urashiki, they moved on to the overall situation in Konoha, and even the Akatsuki. From their conversation, Sasuke gained a clearer understanding of the current state of the shinobi world.
The Akatsuki had already been exposed, and the Five Kage Summit was planning a united front against them. The Uchiha Clan now held power in Konoha, and the village was stronger than in his timeline, with even the Three Legendary Sannin having returned.
Fugaku occasionally spoke to Sasuke, who kept his replies short, wary of making mistakes. Despite his reserved responses, Fugaku couldn't help but feel impressed by Sasuke's insight.
After all, like Akira, Sasuke had also "read the script in advance."
After dinner, Akira and Sasuke left the Hokage's residence and headed back to Akira's home. As they walked, Sasuke still felt like he was in a dream.
The Uchiha Massacre had been averted, and their coup had even succeeded. It was like a fantasy come to life.
Coming here with Urashiki, Sasuke had intended to stop him. Instead, he found a world so vastly different from the one he had left.
"Urashiki is planning to attack Iwagakure. Shouldn't we deal with him first?" Sasuke asked, the warmth of family life failing to make him lose sight of their mission.
"Of course we need to deal with him," Akira nodded, "but we only have six days left. Do you think we can reach Iwagakure in time?"
"It won't be easy," Sasuke admitted, "but if Urashiki gets his hands on two Tailed Beasts, it will only become harder to deal with him."
"You make a good point. The earlier we act, the better," Akira agreed. The idea of getting to Iwagakure in seven days had already seemed impossible, and now they were down to six days.
Unless they had access to long-range teleportation jutsu.
At this thought, Akira's gaze fell on Sasuke. After all, Sasuke's Rinnegan power, Amenotejikara, was a space-time ability, right?
"I can't make it to Iwagakure in six days either," Sasuke understood Akira's expectant look and shook his head. "Even learning the Flying Thunder God Technique wouldn't help; it's only a mid-range teleportation, not suited for long distances."
"Wait... perhaps there is a way," Akira muttered as a thought struck him—a solution beginning to form in his mind. As he considered it, the more feasible it seemed.
"Have you thought of something?" Sasuke asked, noticing the change in Akira's demeanor.
"Yes. There's a technique used in Kumogakure called the Heavenly Transport Jutsu. It can teleport materials across vast distances. If we can use it, we can reach Iwagakure," Akira explained.
"But as far as I know, Konoha doesn't know that technique," Sasuke said. He remembered the Heavenly Transport Jutsu being used by the Fourth Raikage during the Fourth Great Shinobi War in his timeline.
"No, we don't. But I can learn it," Akira said with a smile.
"Learn it now? How could you possibly have time for that?" Sasuke was stunned, staring at Akira in disbelief. There were only six days left before Iwagakure was attacked, and now Akira wanted to learn a new jutsu? It seemed impossible.
"You really know nothing about my life simulation ability," Akira chuckled at Sasuke's bewildered expression.
There was no need for further explanation—after all, they still had six days. That meant he could simulate his life six more times.
As they talked, Akira and Sasuke arrived back at Akira's home.
"Master Akira!" Keiko was waiting for them. She helped Akira freshen up, mentioning she had prepared his bath. As they entered the house, Sasuke paused, noticing Konan sitting in the courtyard, sipping tea.
The sight stopped Sasuke in his tracks.
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POWER STONE!!!
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Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 300+ at patreon.com/Emik01.