Naruto nearly dropped the reel. Shikamaru leaned against the doorframe, pipe unlit, shadows pooling under his tired eyes.

"Watch it," Shikamaru said. "Then go home. Himawari drew you a picture today. That's episode 721. And it's better than anything on these reels."

Naruto watched the final credits roll. His own younger voice echoed: "I never go back on my word. That's my nindo—my ninja way."

Shikamaru was quiet for a long moment. Then he reached over and took the reel from Naruto's hands.

Here's the answer to your first question, followed by the story you requested.

"I'm not avoiding anything."

"Borrowing history without permission, Lord Seventh?"

He slotted the reel into the old projector. The wall flickered to life: a younger Naruto, bruised and grinning, standing next to a scowling Sasuke and a tearful Sakura. The final scene—the one where Naruto, as Hokage, waved to the crowd, and the camera pulled back to show every face he'd ever touched.