Time-Twisted Melody (Boruto - Twinkling Watermelon AU)

Chapter 13

 Third Person POV

The evening streets were bathed in the warm glow of streetlights as Naruto and Boruto walked down the sidewalk. Naruto strode ahead, his hands tucked into his pockets, while Boruto trailed a few steps behind, trying to keep up.

"Look," Naruto began without turning around, his tone exasperated, "I appreciate the thought that you think you can make me defeat Sasuke. But I don't remember ever inviting you into my band."

Boruto quickened his pace. "Oh, come on! Would you please give me a chance? I'll be sure to blow your mind!"

Just as Boruto finished speaking, Naruto suddenly stopped in his tracks. Boruto, caught off guard, nearly bumped into him. Confusion flickered in Boruto's eyes as he followed Naruto's line of sight and spotted a young girl with short pink hair and striking emerald eyes walking nearby.

"Sakura..." Naruto muttered, his voice soft and tinged with longing.

Boruto stared at his dad's demeanor, his heart sinking as he realized who the girl was. This was the Sakura—the one his dad had been head over heels for enough to create a band. Boruto's gaze shifted between the girl and his father, a mixture of disbelief and frustration bubbling up inside him.

"Do you really like her that much?" Boruto asked, his tone laced with a hint of jealousy.

Naruto rolled his eyes and resumed walking. Boruto, however, wasn't ready to give in so easily. He hurried after his dad, determined to steer him away from a path that didn't include his mom.

"Give up already. She's probably going to end up marrying somebody else. So, forget her before you get hurt." Boruto insisted, his voice urgent. "I told you. You're meant to be with somebody else—"

Grab!

Naruto's patience snapped. He turned sharply, grabbing Boruto by the collar and shoving him against a nearby tree. His eyes blazed with irritation as he yelled, "Are you putting a curse on me, or do you enjoy being grabbed by the collar?"

"I'm just telling you the truth," Boruto replied, his expression innocent but his words carrying weight.

"Truth about what?!" Naruto demanded, his frustration evident. "Seriously, why are you doing this to me? You conned me into believing that you're Kakashi, you're trying to get in my way and ruin everything I do. Who are you, really?!"

Boruto stared at Naruto, an indescribable look on his face as he silently thought, 'I am your son.'

The intensity of Boruto's gaze sent a shiver down Naruto's spine, making him uneasy.

"W-What? What is it? What's with those eyes?" Naruto stammered, unnerved by the strange tension in the air.

"I... come from a world you probably can't even imagine," Boruto muttered, his voice almost wistful.

Naruto scoffed, dismissing the statement with a wave of his hand. "Hah? Is that so? Are you from the future or something?" he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. But when Boruto's eyes widened in shock.

"How did you know?" Boruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Naruto scoffed again. "Hah, you crazy idiot," he muttered, turning away. "I'm a fool for expecting you to say something that makes sense."

As Naruto began to walk away, Boruto quickly chased after him, refusing to be dismissed. "Hey, where are you going? I'm not done talking yet!"

"I'm going to the future, what else!" Naruto called back sarcastically, but Boruto was relentless, following close behind like a lost puppy. Naruto quickened his pace, trying to shake off the persistent blond, but no matter how fast he walked—or even ran—Boruto was right on his heels.