Adult Sasuke and Boruto stiffened at the same time. Shock hit them like a bucket of ice water, making them whip around instinctively, their gazes locking onto the blond boy behind them.
Under the moonlight, the boy's figure came fully into view.
Calling him a "boy" was fair enough. A trace of youthful softness still lingered on his face, and his voice had the texture of adolescence. But his height...
He was already nearly as tall as Adult Sasuke, with broad shoulders and a steady stance-nothing like an ordinary boy's build.
He made no deliberate effort to radiate oppressive chakra, yet there was a depth and solidity to his bearing. Standing there quietly, he seemed to become one with the house beneath his feet and the night sky above.
Naruto did not seem surprised by their shock. He tilted his head, still wearing that inquisitive expression, as though studying an interesting puzzle, and continued in the same even tone:
"There's no need to deny it."
He pointed beneath his feet.
"The barrier I set up isn't just an alarm. It records the chakra signatures of everyone who enters without permission."
His gaze settled on Adult Sasuke, a complicated, unreadable glimmer passing through his blue eyes.
"Your chakra signature is almost identical to Sasuke's.
"So I only sensed chakra from one location-that of the blond kid beside you."
His explanation was clear and direct, exposing one of Sasuke's greatest advantages.
Appearances could be disguised, and one's presence could be suppressed, but chakra-a "fingerprint" born of the very essence of the soul and life-had nowhere to hide.
Naruto studied the master and student from the "future" standing before him.
An adult, one-armed Sasuke, and Boruto, another nervous-looking boy with blond hair and blue eyes much like his own.
His brows drew together