It seemed the guy had left the solar system entirely, escaping into the depths of space.
Victor found this puzzling.
Hadn't Boruto said Urashiki would make his move against Naruto during this period? So why had the bastard flown off to outer space instead of heading to Konoha?
"He's most likely searching for his companions from this timeline."
Perhaps sensing Victor's confusion, the adult Sasuke offered an explanation.
"I'm guessing he's realized by now that this world isn't the past of his original timeline. In this world, the Fifth Hokage and the Hidden Leaf Village are far more powerful than in his own. Urashiki's probably worried he can't take down Naruto on his own, so he's gone looking for his counterpart in this world and his companions."
He, Boruto, and Urashiki had all entered this world at roughly the same time, just in different locations.
More importantly, this world's past was drastically different from their original timeline.
A little digging would've revealed that much.
Though Urashiki was arrogant, he wasn't stupid. After realizing Konoha in this world was far stronger than expected, he wouldn't act recklessly.
Adult Sasuke had anticipated this move all along. That's why he'd been tracking the Ōtsutsuki so carefully.
Unfortunately, he'd been one step too late. By the time he found Urashiki, he only caught a glimpse of him using spatial teleportation to leave the planet.
Victor's curiosity stirred. "Who are these companions? What kind of abilities do they have?"
"Ōtsutsuki Momoshiki and Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki..."
The adult Sasuke shared everything he knew, laying out all the intelligence he had on the other two Ōtsutsuki clan members.
Even though this world wasn't the past of his original timeline, he didn't want to see this ninja world fall into danger either.
If he could help them prepare, so much the better.
Victor listened quietly as the older Sasuke finished his briefing on their enemies.
"Thanks for the intel. It's extremely helpful."
The adult Sasuke shook his head. "Don't mention it. On the contrary, I should be thanking you. Thank you for avenging my dead clansmen, and thank you for killing that man."
"Oh? Are you referring to Danzo or Itachi?"
After a moment of silence, adult Sasuke spoke. "Both of them."
Victor smiled slightly. "Interesting. I thought you would've forgiven your precious big brother after learning the truth about the Uchiha massacre."
"I reconciled with him. I never said I forgave him for his arrogant decision." The adult Sasuke gazed up at the sky, his words carrying the weight of years. "Besides, a living person has no right to forgive a murderer on behalf of the dead."
Victor studied the one-armed man before him with newfound respect. "It seems time really can change a person."
"Who is this guy?"
Tsunade looked curiously at the one-armed man with side-swept bangs standing beside Victor.
For some reason, the man felt familiar to her, as if she'd seen him somewhere before. But her memory insisted otherwise.
Victor patted the man's shoulder. "He's Boruto's master, the future Sasuke Uchiha."
That's right. Victor had brought the guy back to Konoha.
At first, the adult Sasuke had been reluctant to return, but Victor had forcibly dragged him along anyway.
"Oh! So it's you."
Hearing this, Tsunade gave the future version of Sasuke a once-over.
"Time really is merciless. That little brat's going to look like an old man in the future."
Thank god I'm a cultivator and don't need to worry about the years leaving their mark on me.
"Actually, I have a favor to ask."
"I want you to teach your younger self and Naruto in this timeline, and also serve as their bodyguard."
Konoha was critically short-staffed right now.
Under these circumstances, assigning several elite jōnin to protect Naruto felt like a waste of valuable resources.
Now that she had someone available for free, she had to make full use of him!
It'd be a waste not to!
The adult Sasuke didn't refuse. "No problem. Leave them to me."
Compared to Konoha's elite jōnin, he was far better qualified to protect Naruto.
It could also serve as a way to make up for the harm he'd caused after leaving Konoha all those years ago.
"Shizune, take Mr. Sasuke here to meet his younger self and Naruto."
"Uh... okay. Mr. Sasuke, please follow me."
After the two left, only Victor and Tsunade remained in the office.
"Could you please stop being so handsy?"
Tsunade slapped away the wandering hand that had found its way to her chest and scolded him.
"If you really have nothing to do, help me review these documents!"
"Alright, but I've been working hard all day. You'll have to reward me properly when we get back."
Victor emphasized the word "reward" with obvious implication.
Tsunade naturally understood the hidden meaning in his words, and a faint blush instantly colored her fair cheeks.
"All you think about is fooling around, you pervert."
Though she said that, she didn't explicitly refuse.
Time passed day by day.
Over the following days, Victor helped Tsunade process documents during the day and thoroughly "dealt with" her at night. His life was quite pleasant.
During this period, Victor would occasionally summon his other wives to help.
There was no choice, Tsunade alone couldn't handle him.
It would be difficult for her to satisfy Victor on her own.
Four days flew by in a flash.
Early that morning, after breakfast, Victor and Tsunade walked hand-in-hand toward the Hokage Building.
But before they'd made it even halfway there, something went wrong.
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion echoed across the village as the barrier covering all of Konoha shattered violently.
In an instant, everyone looked up at the sky.
Then four figures dressed in white, with horns protruding from their heads and pale white eyes, descended from above.
Two of the men looked nearly identical, like twins.
Seeing these four people, the adult Sasuke's expression immediately turned grave.
"How is this possible? Two Urashikis? And Kinshiki and Momoshiki too?!"
Boruto shot up from his chair, his face full of disbelief.
Since adult Sasuke hadn't told Boruto about Urashiki's actions, he was inevitably shocked to see his supposedly dead enemies reappear before him.
"Naruto, Sasuke, you two stay with me and don't go anywhere!"
The adult Sasuke turned and spoke firmly to his younger self and Naruto.
The two nodded. "Okay!"