- Dad? - Naruto raised his head, thinking Boruto had spoken, but soon realized it was Shin. The boy took two hesitant steps towards him.
- Erh, hello, sir...
- You can call me Naruto.
- Naruto? - The boy was surprised. He had always called that man "father" throughout his life.
- Yes, that's my name. Naruto. - Naruto's confusion only increased. He looked closely at the two boys, trying to understand what was going on. Could it be that they were from another village? Or did they not recognize him? - But... we know each other, don't we? - he asked, doubt in his eyes.
Shin's heart raced. A glimmer of hope shone in his eyes.
- I'm sure we do. But from where? - Naruto put his hand on his chin and watched Shin intently. His smile was affectionate, but showed no recognition.
- My father... I mean... the person who raised me, he... - Shin tried to speak, but realized that Naruto didn't really recognize him. Still, there was something, a vague memory... something that could be the starting point. Perhaps a special moment...
- He likes ramen too," she said, trying to find some connection, although she didn't know what else to say.
Naruto laughed and put his hands on his waist.
- I see he's got good taste, kid! - Then he put his hand on Shin's shoulder and said: - Make yourselves at home, I'm going to wash my hands and I'll be right back. Hina, I'm starving, Dattebayo!
- Let's wash our hands too, Mom! - Boruto shouted, pulling Shin by the hand. He, in turn, took Hanami's hand, and the three of them quickly climbed the stairs to Boruto's room. From the kitchen, Hinata called out to them:
- There's a sink down here, Borut-...
In Boruto's room, they were silent. The atmosphere was heavy. Hanami, sniffling, was the first to break the silence:
- He wasn't pretending. He really didn't know who we were. - Boruto, pacing back and forth, sighed and pulled at his hair. Shin stood still, staring into the void, his countenance serious.
- Shin... what's going on? Why didn't Dad remember us? Or Aunt Hinata?
- Do you know my mother? - Shin asked, trying to find something positive in the situation.
- She's my godmother," replied Hanami, forcing a smile. - And her son is my best friend.
- Hey! Her son is me, you idiot! - Boruto exclaimed angrily, but his voice lost strength when he realized that Shin seemed distant, immersed in thought.
- Oh, that's right... - Shin said, almost without emotion.
- We need to find Shika! - Hanami suggested excitedly. - I'm sure he'll know what to do!
- You're right. - Boruto, surprising the others, said without his usual irony. - At least he'll know where to start.
- What about dinner? - Hanami, making a beak, rubbed her belly. - I'm starving.
- Let's have dinner with... with him - Shin hesitated. - And then we'll find Shikadai.
They went downstairs and tried to act naturally in front of the adults and Himawari. The food was delicious, and Hanami, without hesitation, repeated the dish, licking his lips. Shin, however, wasn't hungry.
He chewed slowly, his eyes watching Naruto's every move, while sadness consumed his chest. It was hard to accept that the man in front of him didn't recognize him, but it was becoming more obvious by the second.
She saw Naruto being affectionate with Himawari and exchanging complicit glances with Hinata. He smiled internally when he saw Boruto treat him like a child. He felt a little calmer when he saw Hanami interacting happily, but the pain wouldn't go away. Under the girl's protests, they decided not to have dessert and to leave for the forest.
It was 9 p.m. when Shikadai arrived on time. The presence of the Hokage's three sons indicated that things had not gone according to plan.
- He didn't recognize them, did he? - Shikadai asked, seriously.
- How do you know that? - Boruto asked, surprised.
- I suspected it," Shikadai replied with a hand on his cheek, pacing back and forth while the others watched.
- What does that mean, Shikadai? - Shin asked, suspicious. - You already know what's going on, don't you?
- Let's sit down," Shikadai said cryptically. The others followed him. - You mentioned being in the middle of a battle when you got here, Shin. Talk about it.
Shin looked at the others and hesitantly lowered his eyes.
- I can't talk about it... it's a confidential mission.
- If you don't tell me, perhaps the world as you know it, including everyone you love, will be destroyed - Shikadai said, with a seriousness that made the atmosphere tense. - I think I'd better start talking. If I'm right, things are much more complicated than we imagined.
The others remained silent, watching Shin, who, without any options, began to speak.
- Well... There's an enemy called The Fox. At least that's what he calls himself. We were fighting him. Or rather, one of his receptacles. Me, Hayato and Uncle Sasuke.
Shikadai and Boruto exchanged quick glances, and Boruto was the first to ask:
- Is he an Otsutsuki?
- What's that? Some kind of beast? - Shin asked, confused.
- No, it's a clan! Kaguya's clan! - Boruto replied, visibly annoyed.
- The Fourth War was against Akatsuki - Shin commented, raising his shoulders, still not understanding. - Otsutsuki was an army?
- Man... - Boruto scratched his head in disbelief.
- That's problematic - Shikadai commented, more worried than before. - Go on, Shin.
Shin frowned and suddenly made a hand seal.
- My theory is that I'm trapped in a very powerful Genjutsu. I know how to escape from ordinary Genjutsu. Now you're questioning me about my mission... Who can guarantee that this isn't a trick by the enemy to get information out of me?
- Damn... - Shikadai slapped his hand to his forehead in frustration. - It's me, Shin!
- Sorry, Shikadai. I need to consider all the possibilities. - His body began to be covered in black marks. The others stepped back, startled.
- What is it, man? - Shikadai asked, visibly uncomfortable.
- My hypothesis is that Uncle Sasuke betrayed us and put me in an Uchiha Genjutsu during the fight. Hanami... - He turned to his sister, his gaze grave. - I need a reality check.
- Shin! The Byakugou?! - Hanami exclaimed, startled.