Naruto: Vertex

Kakashi put his hand on Shin's shoulder and said firmly:

- It's okay, Shin. Caring about your comrades is the most important thing for a ninja. Don't feel ashamed. Be proud.

Shin sighed, still uneasy.

- I didn't really see his Fireball, but I imagine he felt something similar. It's hard to believe that he still had enough chakra to launch such a strong Jutsu after the blow he took.

- It was huge, brother. - Hanami confirmed without hesitation. - I saw it, and I know it was.

Kakashi exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the stones scattered on the ground. Then he looked up at his brothers.

- Now I need you to trust me.

Shin and Hanami looked at each other, the same doubt hanging over them: was this Kakashi really like the one in their reality? Was he worthy of the same trust?

- I'll leave a key for you. Make yourselves at home here. - Kakashi smiled as he looked at Hanami. - You can eat whatever you want.

She arched an eyebrow, not knowing whether to be grateful or offended.

- But I'm going to find a way to help you and... for that, I'm going to need to talk to some people. Do you trust me?

The two exchanged another look before lowering their heads and nodding at the same time.

- Right, right... - Kakashi stood up and started walking to his room.

- As for you... the fewer people who know about this story, the better. The chances are slim, but there is a possibility that this vessel came with you. I don't think so, but it's better not to risk it.

- Do you want us to be locked in here? - Hanami grimaced.

Kakashi laughed out loud, putting his hands on his waist.

- I'd like to, Hanami, but I know it would be pointless. Besides, I won't even be here to keep an eye on you. Maybe I need to travel.

- Travel? - Shin asked, frowning.

- Yes. I'm going to look for answers about this situation. But don't worry about it. In the meantime, Boruto and Shikadai seem to be good company for you.

They both crossed their arms at the same time, turning their faces to opposite sides.

- This Boruto is very annoying. - Shin grumbled.

- And Shika doesn't remember me. That annoys me. - Hanami snorted.

Kakashi laughed. Your criteria for defining good company were definitely different from theirs.

- They've kept you alive, fed and clean. What's more, they're being discreet and trying, each in their own way, to resolve this situation. I think that should be taken into account, don't you?

They both swallowed. Seen from that angle... he was right. As annoying as they were, Boruto and Shikadai were helping.

- If you can, stay with them. I'm going to get ready and leave. The key's over there, Shin. Excuse me.

And with that, Kakashi disappeared down the corridor.

The brothers looked at each other once more. In the silence between them, they already knew that they agreed on what they would do next.

Shortly afterwards, Kakashi handed Shin some money. The boy hesitated, uncomfortable knowing that he wouldn't be able to give it back. But in the end, he accepted - there was no other option.

In the morning, they went shopping and returned home with bundles of new clothes, finally fitting their size.

Around lunchtime, they hid near the Academy. Boruto and Shikadai were saying goodbye to their classmates when a toad jumped on Shikadai's foot.

- Argh! - Boruto shouted, startled.

- Come on, Boruto. - Shikadai pulled his friend by the hand, while raising his other arm in a quick wave. - See you, Inojin. Bye, Mitsuki!

Without letting go of Boruto, he followed the frog to a group of bushes behind a building. It was then that they spotted the two brothers coming out from behind the leaves.

- That always works for us, Shika! - Hanami smiled excitedly and waved at him. - I'm glad you understood!

Without hesitation, she ran up and hugged him. Shikadai, unaccustomed to this kind of closeness, stiffened for a moment. He always felt uncomfortable with Hanami's hugs, but apparently that was how she treated Shikadai from the other reality. This time, however, he reciprocated the gesture. It wasn't so bad. Maybe he could get used to having a friend.

Boruto, on the other hand, had his arms crossed behind his head and a bored expression:

- All right, all right, that's enough. It's not like you haven't seen each other for weeks or anything.

Shin rolled his eyes, impatient. This kid really knew how to be annoying.

- Hey, you guys changed clothes.

- Yes!" Hanami pulled away from Shikadai and spun around. - We went shopping.

- The Rokudaime is really amazing," Shikadai commented, immediately understanding the help Kakashi had given them. - I don't think we could have spoken to a better adult. My father always speaks highly of him.

- Has he found a solution? - Boruto asked.

Shin raised an eyebrow, cynical:

- Are you bothered by our presence in your world, Boruto?

- Come on, I'm worried about you, you idiot! - Boruto retorted, closing his hand and bringing his fist close to Shin's face.

- Are you two going to fight every time you meet? What a pain! - Shikadai stepped between the two to separate them.

- Uncle Kakashi said he'd find a solution for us. - Hanami replied, ignoring the tension between the two. - He also told us to stay with you. Can we?

- Did he say that? - Shikadai frowned.

- Actually, he said you'd been good friends. - Shin put his hand on Shikadai's shoulder. - And he also asked us not to get into trouble or talk too much about... our situation, you know.

- Well... Konohamaru-sensei summoned us to a meeting about a mission. - Boruto scratched his head. - I don't know if I can take you.

- I'm going to spend the day practicing the Ino-Shika-Cho Combined Jutsus. I also don't know if I can take you without explaining where you came from.

- Maybe we could make up a story and tell everyone the same version. - Hanami suggested.

- Yeah... maybe that's the best thing to do. - Shikadai agreed.

Shin crossed his arms, skeptical:

- With us looking the same, I don't know what kind of lie we can come up with.

- We could say we're cousins! - Hanami perked up.

Shikadai let out a sigh.

- Right... and I'm going to say that you're whose children? Aunt Hanabi's? She's not even married here.

Hanami was discouraged. It really wasn't a good idea.