Friday

Naruto and Jiraiya walked through the empty streets of Konoha. His Sensei gave him a side-eye as he murmured:

"We're not the in North anymore, Naruto... Why do you still wear that cloak?"

Naruto halted in his steps, he stared at the clip of his robe. His mind was blank for a couple of moments, then, with a resounding click, his robe fell off his shoulders, onto the ground.

"You're right... I do not need it anymore"

Naruto wore the same outfit as Timeskip Boruto. But his was clean and unscathed, possibly newly tailored. Jiraiya smiled and separated from him, leaving him walking alone in the cold street.

"Hwaa~" Shikamaru suddenly appeared beside him, a yawn escaping from his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck with a sleepy look.

"You're early", The Nara said as he struggled to walk properly. His hands were tucked inside his pockets.

Naruto didn't respond. They walked until they reached near a Ramen shop and rested against its cold walls.

Naruto stared at his friend.

"Have you...?"

Shikamaru's sleepy eyes turned firm as he resolutely nodded his head. Naruto silently sighed as he stared at the ground.

"Shikamaru, since you've come to a decision... I want you to do something"

Shikamaru gave a dark look before he responded:

"Just say it... If not out of my league, I'll get it done."

Naruto raised his head and smiled. "Good man. Gather all of our graduated classmates and arrange a meeting in the park we used to play... Which is now a construction site... But that doesn't matter. The meeting will be on Friday morning, sharp 7:00"

Shikamaru had questions, but he suppressed them and nodded. He could ask them later, first, he had to follow orders... It was for a great cause, after all.

Naruto arranged the meeting on Friday because all Shonbi, whether Jonin, Chunin, or Genin, were forced to take the day off... It was a new rule established after the Fifth Hokage's reign. There was no serious revolution against the idea, so all went well.

In the meantime, he had some things to take care of.

Shikamaru left, leaving him behind. Naruto pulled out a cigarette from his pockets, lit it up and smoked a mouthful. He slowly exhaled, and under the veil of smoke, a cold glint glistered in his eye.

He was a working man in his past life... So, he was accustomed to smoking for a clear mind. His previous body had some lung issues as he continued to do it, but this one had no such problems, the body of a Shinobi rarely got sick, and any impurities entering his body were immediately cleansed... So he didn't have to worry about any side effects.

He could smoke to his heart's content.

If you could do it... Why not?

Naruto walked through the bustling streets, his eye catching every single nook and corner of the paths. Finally, he reached his destination.

The construction site.

Naruto summoned four clones, and they quickly got to work. Each clone took out an empty scroll, ink and brush. They started craving letters and symbols on the blank page, all the same.

Done with the seals named "Silent", the four clones each chose a corner and placed the seals. They shimmered before revealing a cube formation for a split second, but it was as quickly concealed.

The clones popped with white smoke.

'Now, nobody can hear anything from the outside... This part is completely closed out from any spies'

'But they can still our lips... So'

Naruto pulled out an empty scroll and painted it with words and symbols. The seal was named "Illusion". He placed the scroll under his feet, which shimmered and became invisible.

'Great. Now I chose what they see from the outside'

His seal making abilities were top-notch. He had his doubts when he started to practice, but it all fell into place somewhere along the way.

Whether the meeting would happen or not, completely depended on Shikamaru. If not, he could still use this place for other reasons... And the building constructed would be of great help to him after the work is done. He could purchase it and make a lair for his works.

All in all, it was a win-win situation.

"I should be careful of my words while making my small speech"

Naruto pulled in a last smoke before burning the cigarette away.

"Now... What shall I do in the remaining time? Hmm... Ah yes, that could work"