Naruto was completely bewildered. What was this guy talking about? Did he really need to use such an excuse to cover it up?
"Naruto, is he telling the truth?"
On the other side, after hearing the unexpected answer, Satsuki was silent for a moment, complex emotions flashing in her eyes—first a sense of relief, then immediately replaced by new doubts.
She turned her gaze to Naruto, seeking confirmation, her voice filled with cautious probing.
At the same time, Sasuke gave Boruto an extremely subtle look, signaling him not to speak.
There's no other way... I have to cover it up now. Naruto forced himself to show a smile that was as natural as possible, "Uh, yes... it's incredible, isn't it?"
The chilling and terrifying emotion in Satsuki's eyes did indeed dissipate, but it was replaced by a scrutinizing doubt.
She continued to stare at Sasuke, waiting to see if he could provide more compelling evidence to confirm this bizarre claim.
"Naruko also has blonde hair and blue eyes," Sasuke continued to weave his lie unhurriedly, "but her hairstyle is very long twin tails."
He even raised his hands, gesturing the length of the braids on both sides of his shoulders. "I can describe it more specifically, but..." He turned his gaze to Naruto, "I don't want to become like that, so let this world's Naruto transform."
Sasuke slowly spoke these words, his tone carrying a peculiar composure. For some reason, a strange urge to laugh welled up deep inside him.
"Me?!" Naruto blurted out, his voice full of shock. He didn't expect Sasuke to be serious? Was it necessary to go to such lengths to lie? Naruto pondered, trying to find a way to refuse.
"After all, strictly speaking, that's another version of yourself," Sasuke's tone became subtle. "There's nothing to be ashamed of." He took a step forward, "Come on, I can describe it bit by bit."
At this point, the corner of Sasuke's mouth finally couldn't help but twitch slightly.
Naruto's heart was filled with resistance. He really didn't want to cooperate with this increasingly outrageous lie. However, when he looked up at Satsuki, he found that she showed no intention of refusing.
On the contrary, Satsuki was staring at him intently, her black eyes revealing a kind of... expectation?
——————
"Hmm, that's about right," Sasuke said, examining the 'Naruko' in front of him with a professional, scrutinizing gaze. "But you can't see clearly with your eyes closed like this. Is this reaction necessary? Your figure still needs to be adjusted."
Sasuke was completely in the mood to stir up trouble, continuing his serious analysis. Under everyone's gaze, to keep the lie going, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy's figure gradually transformed. In his place appeared a girl with brilliant golden long twin tails, azure eyes, and... an exceptionally well-developed figure.
"Nizhu Zi..." a female voice came from 'Naruko,' but with obvious suppression in her tone. "The matters of this world weren't my fault, were they? I was also very surprised at the time."
This cute voice was in stark contrast to Naruto's usual tone. However, Sasuke merely raised an eyebrow, continuing to act without changing his expression. "Surprised? I don't know what you're talking about." He put on a confused expression, "I've calmly accepted my other self, are you still ashamed of such a thing?"
Sasuke actually felt very strange inside. In the past, whenever he saw Naruto in this form, he was always scantily clad, posturing and using the Sexy Jutsu. Now, to see him act so shy was truly a first for him.
"Still a bit off," Sasuke took a step closer. "I told you the development was better than now. Also, Naruko isn't as timid as you."
"...I understand." 'Naruko' took a deep breath, seemingly trying to adjust her state.
"Hmm... ahem."
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm not laughing." Sasuke quickly regained his poker face, denying it with the calmest tone.
"You're not laughing?"
"Then you must have misheard." Sasuke turned his face away, but the subtle twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.
And Satsuki, standing by, seemed to have completely believed this explanation. The image Sasuke described was simply too specific and detailed—from the way the braids were woven to the preference in clothing style, and even some small habits. It didn't seem like something made up on the spot.
This was also the first time Satsuki had seen Naruto in such an appearance... Her right hand quietly reached for the ninja tool pouch at her waist, her fingers gently unfastening the side pocket's clasp. The moment 'Naruko' turned her head away in shyness, not daring to look anyone in the eye, Satsuki quickly took out the small camera she carried with her, her fingers rapidly and discreetly pressing the shutter button repeatedly.
Satsuki's eyes were fixed on the viewfinder, the golden twin-tailed figure reflected in her pupils.
So cute... just like a doll... Satsuki suppressed the urge to rush forward and embrace her. To be honest, an extremely strong, twisted thought surged within her.
She wanted to keep this image by her side forever, to imprison her, care for her meticulously, and then... completely erase her memories, making her depend only on herself, look only at herself.
All other extreme thoughts flashed through her mind. Her breathing quickened slightly, and her fingers gripping the camera turned white from the force.
Boruto, standing by with a poker face, felt somewhat speechless. Although he probably understood why they had to hide it from this world's "Master"—it was probably out of fear that she would get jealous.
But in the end, wasn't this just a version of Sexy Jutsu where the clothes didn't disappear? Did this world's dad really need to react so strongly?
After adjusting the transformation details once more and finalizing the figure, 'Naruko' whispered in a volume only the two of them could hear. "Nizhu Zi, your personality has really changed a lot over the years."
"Hmm," Sasuke responded calmly, ignoring the sarcasm. "It's all thanks to you."
His expression remained indifferent, but a hint of gentleness flashed in his eyes.
"...That should be enough, right?" Naruto, or rather Naruto in his 'Naruko' state, said with difficulty. At this moment, a strange sense of guilt welled up in his heart—although the differences in this world were not his doing, he was beginning to vaguely understand the absurdity and embarrassment Sasuke had experienced earlier.
"...Just a little longer."
Satsuki gently stopped Naruto's movement, her gaze still firmly fixed on the 'Naruko' in front of her. After a moment of hesitation, she seemed to think this level of contact shouldn't be too presumptuous, and she reached out a finger to pinch 'Naruko's' cheek.
Just then—
"—Sorry! No time to continue now!"
Suddenly, 'Naruko's' expression drastically changed, her blue eyes instantly filled with panic. Almost at the same moment, a puff of white smoke 'poof'ed, the golden twin-tailed girl's image quickly dispersed, and Naruto returned to his original form.
Without time to explain, Naruto abruptly pulled a flying thunder god kunai from his ninja tool pouch. In the instant before anyone could react, he hastily left a single sentence, and his figure 'whoosh'ed, vanishing from the spot.
"Urashiki is inside Konoha!"
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