Scene: Hokage’s Office – Midday

  Sasuke walks in, dragging a bruised and terrified Kami by the collar. He tosses him in front of Hinata and Sakura.

  Sasuke (coldly):

  "He's your toy now. Do whatever you want."

  Kami trembles, backing away slightly.

  Sakura (cracking her knuckles):

  "I’m going to punch you into another timeline for even thinking of hurting my son."

  Hinata (calm but deadly):

  "Indeed. You messed with the wrong family."

  Just then, a violent quake rumbles through the building—measured, yet monstrous. A 9.0 magnitude, but tightly controlled.

  Naruto and Sasuke exchange a glance.

  Naruto (sighing):

  "Yeah… he’s not walking out of here alive."

  Scene: Konoha Hospital – Evening

  Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stand beside the hospital beds of Yuta, Ryuota, and Sarada.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Naruto (arms crossed):

  "That’s not what you should’ve done, Yuta. I wasn’t this reckless at your age."

  Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura burst into laughter.

  Naruto (blushing):

  "I’m trying to sound like a responsible dad here, damn it!"

  Sasuke (to Ryuota, serious):

  "You could’ve died. Going all-out like that—do you even realize how dangerous your personality is? You might’ve killed someone."

  Ryuota (grins, unfazed):

  "Then I should’ve aimed better."

  Sakura and Naruto laugh knowingly, recalling Sasuke’s teenage years.

  Sakura (to Sarada, sternly):

  "And you—don’t ever say something like ‘If you two jump, take me with you.’ If you go after Yuta recklessly, you’ll end up buried deeper than him."

  Kakashi chuckles hard, knowing all too well the irony in her words.

  Sakura (rolling her eyes):

  "What? It’s true."

  Scene: Training Ground – Nightfall

  Kakashi sits all three—Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—down on the wooden log bench.

  Kakashi (deadpan):

  "You three talk like you didn’t make the exact same mistakes your kids are making now. Stellar parenting."

  Before they can respond, Shikamaru walks by, smirking.

  Shikamaru:

  "Let’s see… Yuta’s got Naruto’s recklessness, Ryuota has Sasuke’s cold fury, and Sarada inherited Sakura’s fire. Apples don’t fall far, huh?"

  The three of them blush hard.

  Hinata watches from the side, amused.

  Temari (arms crossed, smirking):

  "He’s right, you know. Your kids are just better versions of you."

  The group bursts into laughter as the legacy of Team 7 lives on—in all its chaotic, emotional, powerful glory.

  Chapter 23 was my chance to really lean into the “legacy theme.” The kids may be powerful, but they’re mirrors of their parents—for better or worse. I especially loved showing Kakashi and Shikamaru as the “voice of reason,” reminding Team 7 that they were no better when they were young.

  Konoha’s reaction to Sumire’s return, as wel