Chapter 296: Returning to the Past

After a flash of light, Kirito, Boruto, and Kawaki found themselves back in their original timeline.

They reappeared midair above a wooded area on the outskirts of Konoha. This time, thanks to Kirito's intervention, Boruto didn't land face-first in the mud like the last time.

After they landed, Boruto angrily grabbed the turtle-shaped Karasuki and grumbled, "Why do we always appear in midair? Can't we just land safely for once?"

Karasuki stretched its head out of the shell and responded in its emotionless voice, "This is due to program settings. The height is calculated to be non-dangerous for users."

"It's not about danger!" Boruto snapped. "It's about the humiliation! Dropping out of the sky every time is just embarrassing!"

Karasuki replied with its usual monotone, "I cannot understand."

Boruto gritted his teeth in frustration, his face flushed with irritation. "This thing—"

"Stop it," Kawaki interrupted. "Don't break the Karasuki, or we won't be able to get back. Let's focus on getting Kirito home."

Boruto sighed, letting go of the device. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

The trio made their way toward Konoha. It was night, the streets quiet and peaceful under the soft glow of lamplight. Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, and the thin layer of snow on the ground crunched softly under their footsteps. In the distance, the lights of homes sparkled like stars.

As they approached a familiar large house in the center of Konoha's commercial district, Boruto pointed toward a faint light coming from deep inside the building. "There's someone inside," he noted.

"She must be back," Kirito said, leading the way. He opened the door with practiced ease and gestured for them to follow. "Come in. How about some tea before you head back?"

Kawaki shook his head. "No, the Seventh said we need to return immediately after we drop you off."

Boruto nodded. "Yeah, Dad's orders. We'll head back right away."

As they spoke, soft footsteps approached from within. A girl in casual clothing emerged from the living room. She looked at Kirito with a mix of exasperation and curiosity. "You're finally back. Where did you run off to this time?"

Her gaze shifted to Boruto and Kawaki, and she smiled. "Guests? Come in and sit down. Don't just stand there."

Boruto froze, staring at her. Something about her seemed incredibly familiar. His eyes locked onto her hairstyle—two knotted buns—and realization struck. "Wait, you're… Aunt Tenten?"

The words slipped out before he could stop himself. Boruto immediately clapped his hands over his mouth, but it was too late.

Tenten's expression darkened as she frowned. "Aunt? You little brat! Do I look that old?"

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Boruto apologized hastily, bowing repeatedly. He couldn't help but glance at her curiously. This Tenten was so different from the one he knew in the future—her skin was fairer, her figure taller, and there was a diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, similar to Sarada's mother.

"So, this is Aunt Tenten when she was younger…" he muttered to himself. It was difficult to reconcile the Tenten he knew with this version of her.

Tenten sighed and waved it off. "Fine, fine. Just come inside already."

"Thanks for the offer, but we have to go," Boruto replied quickly. He and Kawaki turned to leave, wanting to avoid any further awkwardness.

Before they left, Kirito replenished the Karasuki's chakra, handing it back to Boruto. "If you ever need me, feel free to come back. After all, we're comrades now, aren't we?"

Boruto grinned and bumped fists with him. "Of course! Until next time!"

As the two disappeared into the light of the Karasuki, Kirito watched them go before closing the door behind him.

Back inside, Tenten returned from the kitchen with a plate of fruit. Noticing Kirito alone, she raised an eyebrow. "Where'd they go? Were they too shy to stay?"

"They probably had a mission to get back to," Kirito said, reclining on the sofa and grabbing a piece of fruit.

Tenten joined him, still thinking about Boruto and Kawaki. "That blond boy looked really familiar…"

"Is it because he called you old?" Kirito teased.

"…" Tenten pouted and tried to snatch the fruit from his hand, but Kirito was too quick, popping it into his mouth before she could grab it.

"He's been here before," Kirito explained after swallowing. "During the Chunin Exams. But back then, he came with an adult and mostly stayed with Naruto."

Tenten frowned, trying to recall. "Now that you mention it… Who is he?"

"His name is Boruto," Kirito said cryptically. "You'll find out more later."

"Always with the secrets," Tenten complained before sighing wistfully. "The Chunin Exams… It feels like a lifetime ago. Everyone who participated back then has achieved so much."

Kirito chuckled. "Looking back, that exam was like a fight between gods, wasn't it?"

Tenten laughed but then sighed. "It's a shame I didn't advance back then. Neither did Lee… If it weren't for you, Lee might not have become a ninja at all."

"Well, things turned out fine in the end," Kirito said, smiling. "And with your current strength, losing isn't even an option anymore."

"Of course!" Tenten replied confidently.

Thanks to Kirito's guidance, Tenten had grown exponentially stronger. She had taken a special elixir he refined, which enhanced her chakra reserves to a level rivaling a tailed beast. The elixir had also optimized her body, lightening her skin tone slightly but not to the pure white of Kirito's Otsutsuki bloodline.

Under Kirito's rigorous training, Tenten had mastered Sealing Techniques and the Creation Rebirth Technique. What had once required precise chakra control now came easily to her, thanks to her vast reserves. With these abilities, she could wield the Six Paths Ninja Tools as a sustainable and devastating weapon.

In Konoha, apart from the "gods" like Naruto and Sasuke, few could match her.

As the snow continued to fall gently outside, Kirito leaned back with a satisfied smile. He was finally home, and though the future still loomed uncertain, he felt ready to face whatever came next.

(End of Chapter)