After Shikaku entered his house, he locked the door behind him.
The lights came on in the tatami room, and a square table was set out. Naruto and Shikaku sat across from each other.
This was unlike being with Gaara, a fellow member of Naruto's generation, with whom he could be more casual.
Shikaku was his elder. At least, that was how Naruto had always seen him.
Once seated, Naruto took off his mask of his own accord.
Shikaku did not ask about Naruto's eyes. He warmed the sake and prepared a few dishes.
Nor did Shikaku ask about anything else. He waited for Naruto to speak. He knew that, since Naruto had shown himself, he was ready to tell the truth.
Several rounds of drinks and dishes later, Naruto finally spoke.
His opening words dropped a bombshell. "Uncle Shikaku, do you believe... that someone from the future can return to the past?"
Shikaku smiled, as though listening to an amusing tale over an after-dinner chat. "Strange things like that usually only happen in fiction."
Naruto said quietly, "Yes. The old me would definitely have thought it was pure fantasy... until one day, a man who didn't belong to this world brought a 'treasure' that didn't belong here either. That treasure was called 'Pear.' Before I talk about that man and Pear, though, I can't avoid talking about Kaguya, the Sage of Six Paths, the Ten-Tails, the God Tree, and... the Ōtsutsuki Clan. It's a long story. Would you be willing to hear me out?"
Click!
Shikaku lit a cigarette, set his lighter aside, and said calmly, "No one will disturb us before dawn. Take your time..."
"All right..." Naruto gathered his thoughts. His gaze grew distant, as though piercing time and space to return to the faraway past.
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