What do you think?

Author's Note:

Before you read this chapter, understand that there are things that I had planned for the end of the Road to Ninja (limited Tsukuyomi arc) Hence a few things about the ending will be mentioned in advance; however, I shan't spoil it completely to keep the entertainment value of that arc intact.

__________________________________

Hidden Leaf Village…

Minato and Deidara stood beside Naruto, who was sleeping on the bed. Minato was a bit worried about what Naruto was going through as almost an hour had passed since Naruto was in the limited Tsukuyomi world. Deidara, on the other hand, though, was calmly staring at the moon by the window.

Outside the house, on the rooftop, stood a figure in the shadows.

"It sure is cold…" Tobirama sighed, folding his arms inwards as he also silently stared at the moon from the rooftop.

Earlier when Naruto and the others, including Deidara, were in the house, Tobirama and Minato met outside discussing how they would plan to deal with Deidara should the situation occur. It was decided that Tobirama would be outside in the shadows silently watching over the house. Should he be called, he would swoop in and land a blow that could take out Deidara in a single shot.

"I wonder how the seventh is doing…" Tobirama murmured as his gaze shifted over to the side of the house where the window of Naruto's bedroom was located.

Deidara turned towards Naruto.

("Naruto my man, You're lucky that my man Sasori isn't here,")

("The last thing I would hate to hear is him complaining about how he hates waiting,") Deidara thought.

*crk!*

At this moment, a cracking sound echoed in the silent room.

Deidara's and Minato's attention was immediately drawn towards the source of the sound.

"Hm?" Deidara's only visible right eyebrow perked up.

"The crystal…"

However, before he could speak, more cracks appeared across the surface of the crystal.

("Looks like he is going to wake up,") Minato thought internally.

("Was it supposed to break?") Deidara, on the other hand, was confused since Pain did not explain how the crystal ball will carry out the jutsu and how Deidara was supposed to collect the data.

*sh*

Naruto's eyes opened, following which two clear streams of teardrops ran down to his ears from both corners of his eyes.

Naruto stared at the ceiling for a moment, following which he sat upright.

"Are you all right, Naruto?" Minato asked with concern.

"…"

Naruto was silent for a bit, following which he smiled.

"I'm all right, dad," Naruto said.

Deidara stared at Naruto for a bit.

"You were right Aniki,"

"This jutsu didn't hurt at all," Naruto said.

"I did say it wouldn't hurt you,"

"…"

"So, What did you see?" Deidara asked after a small pause.

Naruto turned towards Deidara.

"I had a good dream,"

"The one in which I became a Hokage," Naruto said without overthinking.

"I see…"

("I guess, I will just report that the Crystal ball broke an hour after the jutsu was set in motion and that Naruto saw his dream while he was asleep for an hour,") Deidara thought.

"Aniki,"

"This crystal ball is awesome," Naruto praised.

"Thanks,"

"It's a prototype from the Organisation I work in," Deidara said.

"Do they plan to sell this stuff?" Naruto asked innocently.

"They haven't told me anything yet,"

"But tell you what, my man,"

"I can try and get some reserved for you if they plan to make it," Deidara said.

"Thanks a lot, ya know," Naruto said.

"Hmph," Deidara nodded.

…

In the living room,

Minato, Naruto, and Deidara were gathered.

"Thanks for dinner, Lord Fourth," Deidara said.

"Please call me Minato," Minato said.

"All right then, Minato,"

"Naruto, my man, I'll be off then," Deidara said, following which he headed towards the door.

Minato then looked at Deidara,

"Why don't you leave tomorrow when the sun's up?" Minato asked.

"Hm?" Deidara was surprised.

"You can stay for the night, Aniki," Naruto suggested suddenly.

Usually, Naruto and Minato wouldn't have done this being aware of the past, but somehow Naruto and the others got along well with Deidara in this timeline. With such being the case, it naturally wouldn't hurt to get along more.

"You want me to stay over?" Deidara asked.

"Sure," Naruto said.

"…" Deidara was surprised.

"All Right,"

"I need to head out for a few minutes,"

"just need to submit a report," Deidara said, following which he headed out.

…

Outside, on the rooftop,

Tobirama saw Deidara come out of the house.

*Sh!*

"Lord Second," Tobirama turned to see a hand placed over his shoulder.

< Flying Raijin! >

Minato and Tobirama quickly teleported away to the rooftop next to the roof of Minato's house. Almost immediately, Deidara jumped on to the rooftop of Minato's house.

*Sh!*

A Black High contrast version of Konan appeared in front of Deidara.

"How did the mission go?" Konan asked with no emotions reflected across her face.

Deidara looked at Konan and reported everything in detail.

"I see…" Konan replied, followed by a few seconds of silence.

"Deidara,"

"You'll head to the Hidden Sand,"

"Assist Itachi and Kisame in making money for Akatsuki," Konan said.

"Got it,"

"What about my man Sasori?" Deidara asked.

"He'll be heading there as well," Konan replied.

"I see,"

"Okay then," Deidara said, following which Konan disappeared from his view.

Deidara then shifted his gaze towards the horizon where Hidden Sand's general direction was.

…

On the other rooftop,

Tobirama turned towards Minato.

"Looks like the Akatsuki plans to make some money at the Sports Festival," Tobirama said.

"Mm," Minato nodded.

"All right Lord Fourth,"

"I'll brief the others,"

"Head back," Tobirama said, following which he disappeared from his spot.

Minato also followed through and headed back into his house.

The moment he appeared in the living room, Deidara stepped into the house.

He then saw the duo.

"Are you guys going to the Hidden Sand Sports festival?" Deidara asked.

"Of course," Minato and Naruto nodded.

"I'm heading there as well," Deidara replied, which had Naruto surprised.

"You're coming?" Naruto asked, while also being in concern about Akatsuki's plans since Minato did not have the time to relay Deidara's conversation.

"Yeah,"

"If you'd like, I can give you and your friends a ride on the bird," Deidara said.

"That's cool," Naruto was elated, seeing Deidara eager to provide a luxury ride.

Soon, Minato set up a bed for Deidara on the floor next to Naruto's bed.

"Good Night, you two," Minato said as he headed out.

"Good night," Deidara and Naruto replied at the same time.

…

"Naruto, my man," Deidara called out.

"Yeah, Aniki," Naruto asked.

"Do you guys have dinner like this every night?" Deidara asked.

"Nah, just once in a while," Naruto said.

"…"

"You can also drop by for dinner, ya know," Naruto suggested.

"…"

Deidara was reminded of the explosive meatball curry he had a few hours ago, and Rock Lee having a passion for explosion, not to mention Minato himself being an explosion.

"The cooking was good, wasn't it?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah…" Deidara answered.

"That bowl cut kid is good too,"

"What do you think?" Deidara asked.

"Yeah," Naruto answered.

"He'll make a good Kouhai," Deidara said.

"So, you would like to come here for dinner again in the future?" Naruto asked.

"I think I will…" Deidara said slowly.

…

In Minato's room,

Minato stared at Naruto's clone.

"So that's what Konan said, huh…" Naruto murmured.

"I guess, Akatsuki does not plan to make any moves yet,"

"And even if they do, they'll have to start with Garra," Naruto said.

"Indeed," Minato nodded.

"As long as I am there, I won't let anything happen to Gaara," Naruto answered firmly.

"Naruto," Minato called out.

"Hm?" Naruto looked at Minato.

"What do you think about Deidara?" Minato asked.