After hesitating for a while, Shikamaru stepped forward.
His usual lazy expression was gone, replaced by a gaze that felt distant—almost unfamiliar.
"Naruto… was it you who killed Asuma?"
Beside him, Chōji stood with his head lowered, silently waiting for an answer.
In his heart, he prayed Naruto would shake his head and deny Shikamaru's suspicion.
But Naruto—
Nodded.
Chōji's eyes dimmed.
It was the answer he least wanted to hear.
Shikamaru clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.
"Why?"
"He tried to kill me," Naruto replied curtly.
He wasn't surprised that Shikamaru had figured it out.
After all, Asuma had died silently within Konoha, and very few people were capable of such a clean kill.
Shikamaru frowned.
"Why would Asuma try to kill you?"
Naruto didn't respond again.
Sensing the tension, Kaguya, who had been standing quietly behind Naruto, stepped in front of him.
Her white eyes stared coldly at Shikamaru—
The kind of look that said she might strike at any moment.
Shikamaru gave a bitter smile, his tone tinged with self-mockery.
"Right… even if I knew the reason, what would it change?"
With that, he turned and walked away.
"Shikamaru!" Chōji called out, then looked back at Naruto.
In the end, he followed Shikamaru.
Konoha wasn't safe right now. He couldn't let Shikamaru wander off alone.
Compared to the canon timeline, Shikamaru wasn't as devastated by Asuma's death.
They hadn't spent that much time with Asuma yet.
And since Naruto had said Asuma tried to kill him, Shikamaru believed it—
There was no reason to lie.
But still, Shikamaru didn't know how to face Naruto, so he chose to walk away.
Ino stood there awkwardly, torn.
She trusted Naruto completely.
"Ino, go after them. I'll come find you later."
Shikamaru and Chōji were among Naruto's few real friends in Konoha.
He didn't want anything to happen to them.
"Then you have to come find me. I have a lot to talk to you about."
Ino nodded, gave Kaguya a quick glance, then chased after the two.
Just as Naruto was about to leave, a figure dropped down from a nearby rooftop.
Two massive orbs (her Earth Grudge Star Jutsu-enhanced assets) jiggled heavily as she landed.
Tsunade landed in front of Naruto.
She looked worn out—her hair slightly messy, clothes stained with dust and grime from battle.
Even her famous "twin stars" were sweaty and smudged.
"Naruto, can you help save Konoha?
I'll agree to whatever conditions you asked for before!"
Naruto blinked in surprise.
It looked like the Pure Land rebellion was giving the Hokage a serious headache.
The first wave of escapees was made up of the strongest souls.
Even Konoha was barely holding it together.
But before Naruto could answer—
A deep voice sounded from behind Tsunade.
"Tsunade… what did you just promise him?"
She turned around, eyes wide.
Sure enough—two tall figures in Sengoku-era armor, one in red, one in blue.
"Grandpa… Second Grandpa?! You escaped too?!"
Strangely, her first reaction wasn't joy—
It was panic.
From what she'd seen, the spirits escaping from the Pure Land tended to go berserk.
If her grandfathers went rogue too, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Behind her stood none other than:
Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage
Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage
The voice had come from Tobirama—arms crossed, face stern.
Even as a spirit, he radiated authority.
His eyes scanned the Hokage Rock, then narrowed.
"Tsunade… you're Hokage now?
Has Konoha really fallen so far that there's no one left to take the job?"
Tsunade twitched.
"Hah?! Like I wanted to be Hokage! All you guys left me with was a mess!
Since you're back now—take the job back!"
But seeing that neither of them had gone berserk like the other spirits, she felt relieved.
Her genuine outburst made Hashirama scratch his head awkwardly.
"Ahaha… Tsunade, your Second Grandpa and I are already dead.
Konoha still needs to rely on you new sprouts, y'know?"
"By the way, that boy in front of you—who is he? He looks strong.
A genius from Konoha?"
He gestured toward Naruto.
Both brothers stared at Naruto, their faces turning solemn.
They could feel his chakra—
So vast, it exceeded even the tailed beasts.
Tobirama looked away.
"Big Brother, now's not the time.
The spirit leak from the Pure Land is getting worse by the second."
"If this keeps up… Konoha is doomed."
Hashirama nodded. His tone shifted to serious immediately.
He reached for his body—only to feel nothing.
"But in our state… we can't exactly possess someone, right?"
He clearly disliked that option.
Tobirama frowned.
"No need. I did some bloodline experimentation in the past.
I sealed away a number of test bodies—just in case of emergencies like this."
Hashirama's face darkened.
"Tobirama! You promised me you'd stop doing human experiments!"
Tobirama didn't even flinch.
"How many times did I advise you on matters you ignored?"
Hashirama went silent.
He knew it was true—
He never listened, especially when it came to the Uchiha or other villages.
Both brothers were stubborn to the core.
But for Konoha's sake, Hashirama agreed—
They had to use those experimental bodies.
"Tsunade, hold the line. Your Second Grandpa and I will be back soon."
With that, the two headed toward the secret lab Tobirama had hidden years ago.
Having them on her side eased the burden on Tsunade's shoulders.
But as she turned to Naruto—
She remembered her promise earlier.
Her face flushed slightly.
"So… looks like I don't need your help anymore?"
Naruto gave her a half-smile.
"Should I pretend I didn't hear you earlier?"
Tsunade gave an awkward laugh.
"Haha… uh… yeah… let's do that."