[V2] - Chapter 125. This Dark?
---
"So this is the other ninja world?"
The Sixth Hokage, Kakashi, arrived with a heart full of excitement and anticipation, gazing at this world that felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
Originally, he had planned for Boruto—who had already been here—to show him around. But by the time he got the message, that kid had already taken off with his friends. So Kakashi had no choice… but to come alone, pushing Guy in his wheelchair.
After all, Guy was just as curious about this alternate ninja world and kept shouting that his youth had returned.
Thinking it over, Kakashi decided it was best to bring him along.
They had two main goals in coming here.
To meet this world's versions of himself, Rin, and Obito—
And also…
To see if they could buy the latest work by this world's Jiraiya-sama. According to Boruto, the Jiraiya here was a very popular author, and many of his works were totally different from the ones back home.
Just thinking about it filled Kakashi with anticipation…
So, before coming, he made sure everything was well-planned.
This trip was for tourism!
Even though things back home were still tense—Naruto and Sasuke had gone out—after so many years of hardship, didn't the Sixth Hokage deserve a little relaxation?
With a travel bag slung over his back, Kakashi looked at the desert in front of him.
It really did resemble the Land of Wind from his own ninja world, but still felt a bit different—like that giant iron tower in the distance.
That must be the signal tower Boruto mentioned!
With that in mind—
Kakashi pulled out a little notebook from his chest—
It contained the travel guide he'd compiled for the alternate ninja world.
"It looks like I'll have to buy a phone later. If what Boruto said is true, we can even go to an internet café to gather information!"
He skimmed the notebook, eyes narrowing slightly. "This is going to be great!"
"I can already feel the scent of youth!" Guy shouted from his wheelchair. "I believe the me in this world must be sweating hard in the name of youth!"
"Alright then… let's go take the High-Speed Rail to Konoha! I hear it's kind of like the Thunder Rail."
Just as he finished—
"Bounty Hunter Travel Agency! We'll take you to experience the sights and tastes of the alternate ninja world! Don't miss a single moment of beauty!"
Suddenly—
A blond young man stepped forward, smiling as he handed them something like a flyer. "There's nowhere you want to go that we don't know! As the Bounty Hunter Travel Agency, our feet have touched every corner of the ninja world! Book now and get professional pickup, comfy service—you can even nap peacefully during the ride! Want to see fireworks? We can make it happen anytime, anywhere! Great prices, thoughtful care, like being at home! Sir, are you interested in checking out more?"
As he spoke, he noticed the two men in front of him staring straight at him with intense eyes. He waved his hand. "Sir? What's the matter?"
This guy…
He wasn't looking at the flyer, didn't walk away, but was just staring at him?
The young man hesitated, then tossed his head slightly and said, "Sorry, I know I'm handsome, but… we don't offer those kinds of services."
Right after he said that—
"Deidara?!" Kakashi and Might Guy instantly jumped back with alarm, eyes sharp and serious. "We didn't expect… you were still alive!"
"???"
Deidara stared back in utter confusion.
What the heck?
He's not alive?
Are they saying he's… dead?
Wait, hold on—
Why would he be dead?!
"Hey hey, I'm just a tour guide trying to make a living, and now you're out here cursing me to death?"
"Deidara… eh~"
At that moment—
Kakashi and Guy suddenly came to their senses.
This was the other ninja world's Deidara—
Not their Deidara.
A similar ninja world… but a different one!
Looking at the upset Deidara in front of them, they quickly apologized. "Sorry! We mistook you for someone else," Kakashi said as he accepted the flyer with a complicated look in his eyes, his heart full of emotion: [Could it be… in this ninja world, even the Akatsuki have become tour guides?]
He raised his head again and looked at the Deidara tour guide in front of him, silently pondering. If someone could guide them… that'd actually be pretty convenient.
Deidara had been annoyed at being cursed to death, but when he saw the guy in front of him starting to waver, his irritation instantly vanished.
He grinned and quickly added, "How is it? No one beats the prices at Bounty Hunter Travel Agency! Book now and we include meals, lodging, and transportation!"
After all—
Kakuzu, that old man, always said—the customers are like the Sage of Six Paths!
Before they pay, give them the best service.
After those words, Kakashi pondered once again. He was quite familiar with what Deidara said—after all, this was once an opponent of his. However, the Deidara he knew was the one from his own ninja world. As for this Deidara here... he had no idea how things were with him, but he guessed their abilities should be roughly similar.
Boruto had also said this ninja world was quite safe. Even Orochimaru opened a black-hearted factory and no one directly pushed him. As long as they were careful, it should be fine.
Compared to completely unknown people, for familiar ones—even if they might be enemies—as a ninja, Kakashi could relax a little inside.
Moreover, he glanced at the prices on the flyer.
Clearly marked prices, which looked quite reasonable.
He hesitated for a moment and was about to nod—
"Kakashi! You're here too?"
A familiar voice came.
Hearing that call, both Kakashi and Guy immediately showed excitement on their faces and abruptly turned to look at the smiling, cheerful fool walking over—
Uchiha Obito!
A former close friend!
Unexpectedly, they met now.
Kakashi's eyes instantly reddened, his lips trembling slightly as he said, "Obito...!"
"It's me! What's wrong? It's been so long, feeling a little emotional?" Obito looked strangely at Kakashi, who stared at him with a gloomy expression, especially with… how to say it? A weird look in his eyes that made Obito shiver involuntarily.
"What's wrong with you? Forget it! Never mind." Then he lowered his head, looking at Might Guy in the wheelchair, and suddenly laughed, "Guy, what's with your leg... Did you break it running deliveries or something?"
He glanced at Kakashi and then at Guy.
Their faces, looking a bit older than his own, surprised Obito again. "Why do you guys look a little strange? Huh—wait a minute, could it be… you're the Kakashi and Guy from another ninja world?"
After he said this—
"…"
That's classic Obito!
Only just realizing now!
But it was understandable.
They had nearly mistaken the Deidara here earlier too.
Kakashi gave Obito a complicated look, then after a moment, recovered and nodded lightly, "Obito from another ninja world! Hello!"
"Sure enough, Kakashi from another ninja world!" Obito immediately happily moved closer, excitedly saying, "I was planning to return to Konoha first, then visit the other side in a few days. I didn't expect you guys to get here first!" Saying this, he tilted his head, looking around in puzzlement, "What about the Obito from the other ninja world? Hasn't he arrived yet? Oh right! How's the other me doing? He must have become a respected Hokage by now!"
"...You…" Kakashi's eyelid twitched, mouth opening slightly.
He was suddenly at a loss for words.
Should he say that the Obito from the other ninja world… had killed Minato-sensei, Kushina-sama, the Third Hokage's wife, killed many others, sparked the Fourth Ninja World War, and was planning to create a ninja world with Rin?
He wondered if saying that would crush this Obito's spirit here.
While he was hesitating, Deidara, waiting nearby for business, was getting impatient and quickly said, "So? Are you going to order the service or not? You should know our Bounty Hunter Travel Agency is very popular! If you hesitate, someone else will snatch it up!"
After that, Kakashi came back to his senses and quickly nodded, "Order! Order! Please…"
He was about to take out his wallet!
"Wait!" Obito stopped him directly, turning his head and frowning as he looked at Deidara. "Bounty Hunter Travel Agency?"
"Yeah! What's wrong? You want to order too? We're professionals!"
"Professional?" Obito pursed his lips, looking at Deidara proudly raising his head. "Don't joke around! The Bounty Hunter Travel Agency is a scam! Someone already posted it online! They jack up prices mid-trip, kick people off if they don't pay! They trick elderly customers into spending, force charges, and their so-called meals are just awful military pills. And now they still dare to solicit customers here?!"
"..." ×3
"Damn! Who posted that?!" Deidara angrily cursed, "I already told that old man not to have his eyes on the money hole! Fine! Our reputation's ruined! Why bother trying to get customers now?"
Saying that, without hesitation, he turned around muttering curses and ran off.
It looks like that deal was lost!
Leaving only Kakashi and Might Guy staring at the departing Deidara with utterly destroyed worldviews.
The Akatsuki of this ninja world—
It turns out they're this dark?