Naruto: Vertex

- "We could say that you're exchange students," Shikadai suggested, scratching his chin.

- And the school wouldn't know? - Boruto asked, crossing his arms.

- It's... problematic," Shikadai admitted.

- Let's keep the history of the Shogi Club," Shin decided. - That way, we don't have to explain too much.

- And why on earth would we take civilians on our training sessions or missions? - Shikadai retorted, already seeing the plan fall apart.

- Oh, for heaven's sake... - Shin slapped his forehead impatiently. - Hanami, it's not possible! Where's your talent for lying? Now's the time, sister!

- We're from the Grass Country Shogi Club and we're on ninja exchange. Okay, that's it! - Hanami decreed, crossing her arms.

- I've never heard such a bad lie in my entire life... - Boruto lamented, massaging his temples.

- "Good to know there are Shogi Clubs all over the world, Shin," Mitsuki commented, smiling at him. - Nice to meet you.

Before they could reply, Sarada came running up, panting:

- Sorry I took so long, guys! I had to help my mom with the bags that... - She stopped in mid-sentence when she noticed a young blond stranger approaching her.

- Anzu?! - Shin's eyes widened in surprise. - Anzu, you...

Hanami grabbed her brother's arm, squeezing hard.

- Shin! No.

- Han... hi? - Sarada frowned, taking a step back. - My name is Sarada. Who are you?

- Friends from Shikadai's Shogi Club - Boruto replied, visibly annoyed by the lie. - You've come for an exchange.

- Shogi? - Sarada adjusted her glasses, suspicious.

Boruto let out a heavy sigh. He knew that deceiving Mitsuki was one thing, but lying to Sarada... that was another story.

- Actually...

- Hello, everyone! - Konohamaru arrived, greeting his team with a smile. - Um, and you're...?

- Friends. Can you go on the mission with us? - Boruto asked quickly, trying to sound natural.

- Huh? Of course not, Boruto. The mission is only for the team, you know that.

- We're on exchange, Sensei-Konohamaru! - Hanami said, her eyes shining with excitement as she stared at the well-known young man.

- Wait... what did you call me?

The silence was heavy for a moment. The three of them looked at each other, frozen. How the hell were they going to explain this now?

- You see, Boruto, what happens when you call me inappropriately? Now the girl thinks that's my name.

All three sighed with relief at the same time. Better to be scolded than to have to explain yourself.

- They're on exchange with me, Konohamaru-sensei. Please - Boruto put his hands together in supplication, his pleading look catching Konohamaru off guard.

- Hmm... I'll have to explain the situation to the Hokage - Konohamaru pondered, putting his hand to his waist. - But maybe I'll consider lying to him... if you tell me the whole truth first.

The three of them looked at each other, pressing their lips together.

Yeah... keeping up this lie wasn't going to be that easy.

Mitsuki and Hanami were sitting in the center of the clearing while Konohamaru was talking to the Hokage. The pale boy was showing off his snake hands, amusing himself by scaring the girl, who was screaming with fear and excitement. When a frog jumped near them, Mitsuki made one of his snakes swallow it, which startled Hanami, who immediately burst into laughter. They laughed together, comparing the summoning animals and their contracts.

A little further away, under the shade of a tree, Sarada, Boruto and Shin were sitting quietly. Sarada watched them with keen curiosity, while Boruto kept his arms crossed and Shin seemed oblivious to everything.

- So, in this other reality, none of the three of us exist? - She asked, without facing him directly, her gaze lost in the sky.

- "I guess not..." Shin replied awkwardly.

- But Shikadai is there.

- Yes, he is.

- Which means that Temari and Mr. Nara...

- ...would somehow always end up together. - Shin murmured, distracted, his eyes fixed on her face.

- And you said my father has six children?!

- Yes.

- Wow... that's a different world. I can't even imagine it.

Boruto frowned, irritated by the way Shin was looking at Sarada.

- What are you looking at her for, you idiot? - He grumbled, loud enough to break the mood.

Sarada turned to Shin and realized that Boruto was right. The boy seemed paralyzed, just watching her. She blushed and looked away, uncomfortable.

Without answering, Shin leaned forward slightly and held out his hand.

- May I?

- Huh? - Sarada blinked, confused, but before she could react, he had already taken off his glasses.

She felt vulnerable without them, but, in a strange way, it didn't bother her as much as she'd imagined. She squeezed her eyes shut, adjusting her vision without the lenses, while Boruto looked from one to the other, completely lost.

- What are you doing? Sarada!

Without listening, Shin turned towards the clearing and called out:

- Hanami!

The girl stopped playing with Mitsuki and ran over to them, puzzled. Shin, still absorbed, turned his attention to Sarada, his expression almost reverent.

- Let me touch your hair.

Before she could answer, he began to straighten it, pulling a few strands to one side, as if he were tidying it up.

- But what...

- Take your hands off her, Shin! - Boruto ordered, but his voice had no effect. Neither Shin interrupted his movements, nor Sarada protested. It was as if they were both stuck in a trance, unable to look away from each other.

Hanami stopped behind her brother and, as soon as she saw Sarada up close, she put her hands to her mouth in surprise.

- My God... - she whispered, shocked.

Sarada ran a hand through her hair, trying to understand what was happening.

- What's going on? Tell me.

Shin, with tears in his eyes, replied:

- I don't know what this means, Sarada, but...

- ...you're identical to a good friend of ours.

- Anzu. - Shin stammered, dumbfounded. - Anzu Uchiha.

- She... - Hanami added, still in disbelief.

- ...she's beautiful.

- But she's my age.

Sarada's eyes widened, she pulled her glasses from Shin's hand and stood up abruptly.

- That's impossible! I'm me here and everywhere! For her to be identical to me, I'd have to...

- ...be someone else's daughter. - Boruto added, his voice lower, almost reluctant.

- No! Again? You're not going to do this to me! What the hell!

She spun on her heels and ran off.

- Wait, Sarada! - Shin immediately got up and chased after her.

Hanami clenched her fists.

- Shit... I told him not to say anything!

- I don't think you should swear, Hanami. - Mitsuki commented, her expression unchanged.

Hanami gave him an impatient look.

Konohamaru sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck.

- All right. Let's all go to Waterfall Country.

Boruto smiled, but his expression soon hardened. Something told him that this trip would bring more questions than answers.