Konoha Hospital. Inside a VIP ward.
Obito narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the newborn blond brat before him, a fleeting murderous intent flashing through his mind.
"Damn it! Boruto still ended up being born right on schedule!"
But then he thought about how he had already defied fate and rewritten the story.
Obito figured that this brat wouldn't grow up to be as troublesome as before.
Naruto, oblivious to his friend's thoughts, grinned happily and waved them over.
"Obito, Hagoromo, come in and sit!"
Ever since taking office as Hokage, Naruto had been swamped with work. He barely had time to wander around anymore.
Thinking about it, he hadn't seen these two in over a month.
As for Rin, since she worked at Konoha Hospital, she had already visited several times.
So when Obito came over, he hadn't bothered calling her along.
Hagoromo smiled and said, "Congratulations, Naruto."
"The little one isn't crying or making a fuss. He looks like an obedient child—he'll surely be easy to raise."
"Pfft." Obito was instantly amused by his own son's words.
"Heh heh heh."
Naruto, not really getting the joke, just laughed along foolishly.
To avoid disturbing Hinata's rest, the three of them stepped outside to the small hospital garden and sat on the edge of a flowerbed, casually chatting.
Obito crossed one leg over the other and asked, "Naruto, I heard from Kakashi that you're planning to abolish the Anbu?"
Naruto scratched his head, a bit uncertain. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it. I believe Konoha no longer needs the Anbu in its current form."
"So I want to merge the Anbu with the Police Force and establish a new Konoha defense unit, dattebayo."
Obito patted Naruto's shoulder with a grin. "Hah! No need to be so nervous. Both Kakashi and I think it's a good idea."
"Seeing Konoha grow stronger under your leadership makes us proud. I'm sure Minato-sensei feels the same."
Naruto finally let out a sigh of relief and continued explaining his plan.
"I originally wanted Itachi to take charge of this new unit, but he said he wanted to focus more on his family."
"So I'm thinking of appointing Sasuke as the head, with Neji and Konohamaru as his deputies. What do you think, Obito?"
Obito nodded, a touch of emotion in his voice.
"You've arranged things well, balancing individual abilities with clan interests. You've really grown up, Naruto."
...
On the way home.
Obito glanced at his distracted son and sighed. "Hagoromo, Naruto already has a kid. What about you and Sonoko..."
Hagoromo, lost in thought, hadn't even heard his father speak.
He suddenly turned to Obito, his expression serious.
"Father, I've been thinking about something."
Seeing his son's solemn look, Obito's heart leaped with hope.
"Could it be... he's finally focusing on life's important matters?"
Hagoromo furrowed his brows and asked, "Father, how can I catch up to your level? Or even surpass you?"
Obito: "..."
"I knew it. I got ahead of myself. Sigh..."
"As for surpassing me... restart life or bind yourself to some overpowered system."
Not wanting to discourage his son, Obito pondered for a moment before replying seriously.
"If you can master the sage techniques of all three great summoning realms and fuse them together, then maybe—just maybe—you'll have a chance."
Hagoromo's eyes lit up with determination. "Even if it's just a slim chance, I'll give it my all!"
Obito ruffled his son's hair, a proud smile on his face.
"That's my boy. That indomitable spirit—it reminds me of my younger self."
"Perfect. Now no one will interrupt my time with Rin!"
Hagoromo chuckled shyly. "Father, I'm still far from your level."
When he was younger, Obito had often told him how he trained relentlessly to achieve his current strength.
Because of this, Hagoromo had always believed that his own efforts were only a fraction of what his father had put in.
Obito coughed lightly, feeling a little guilty, and spoke in a serious tone.
"I can arrange for your training in the three great sage lands, but I have one condition."
Hagoromo's eyes gleamed with excitement, his fists clenching.
"Name it! No matter the challenge, I'm confident I can overcome it!"
Obito nodded, pleased with his son's attitude. "You have to bring Sonoko with you."
Hagoromo: "??? But Father, women will only slow down my training!"
Obito sighed and ignored his son, striding ahead.
"This brat is regressing!"
"He used to know how to flirt when he was little—how did he grow up to be so dense?!"
...
On a gently sloping hill.
Two figures sat side by side in silence, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
The sun gradually sank behind the clouds, casting golden hues that bled into the sky like flowing paint.
The colors of autumn leaves painted the clouds in dreamy shades of rose and crimson.
Jiraiya gazed at Tsunade beside him, his heart pounding.
Bathed in the twilight glow, her fair skin took on the hue of two ripe apples, making her even more captivating.
A warm breeze brushed past them, and the air seemed to tingle with an unspoken tension.
Jiraiya swallowed.
Bracing himself for the possibility of getting a few ribs broken, he coughed and turned to Tsunade.
"Ahem, Tsunade... there's something on your face. Let me wipe it off for you."
Tsunade blushed slightly and gave a barely audible "Mm."
"This idiot... couldn't he come up with a better excuse?"
With her permission, Jiraiya gently cupped her face, slowly leaning in.
Tsunade, shy but expectant, closed her eyes, waiting for the moment.
Their faces drew closer and closer.
Jiraiya could feel her breath warm against his skin.
Just as he puckered his lips, ready to seal the moment—
A sudden voice interrupted.
"Uh... am I interrupting something?"
Startled, Tsunade's eyes flew open, and she instinctively shoved Jiraiya away.
Jiraiya's soul nearly left his body.
"I was this close—THIS CLOSE to kissing her!"
Why?! Why was he always just a little bit short?!
Jiraiya turned, his expression dark, and glared at the intruder.
"Obito... WHAT. DO. YOU. WANT?!"
Obito, realizing he had just ruined Jiraiya's big moment, chuckled awkwardly.
"Eheh, nothing major..."
He had planned to ask the two of them for a favor—pull some strings to help his son train in the sage lands.
But now?
Obito decided to flee.
"You two carry on. My issue can wait. Bye!"
The annoying third wheel disappeared in an instant.
But the moment was gone.
Jiraiya clenched his teeth.
He had protected Tsunade for a lifetime.
This time, he wouldn't let himself fall short again.
"Tsunade."
"Huh? What are you—mmph!"
Soft. Warm.
Finally.