"Specifically speaking, it's got something to do with time and space, its known by different names in different worlds," the stranger continued, "I come from another universe, you see."
Naruto only listened with half his mind. The other half lingered on Jiraiya. That part of his brain brought overwhelming pain. Being an orphan, he never had much to begin with, and every human connection he made was a treasure. He only truly felt loss when he lost Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya was the previous timekeeper, and according to the council, he entrusted it to you," the stranger said. His tone carried a new urgency. "Although they haven't recorded any activity of you using it, are you aware of what I'm speaking of?"
"Yes," replied Naruto as he pulled himself back to the present. "I believe you're here for the Time Scroll. Jiraiya-sensei never entrusted it to me directly," he paused—enough to send a shiver down Kurama's spine—"but after he passed away, one of the frogs—uh, the frogs were his friends and family—one of them came to me and told me about it."
A whistling wind blew through the clearing. Somewhere nearby, three genin and their instructor were celebrating their first successful mission, just as foreseen.
"Truth is," Naruto continued, "the frog explained everything: how Jiraiya-sensei entrusted it to me, how to use it and all that. I just never processed his passing very well, you know? So I never got around to it. The frog told me the chances of me having to use it in my lifetime were almost zero." He locked eyes with the stranger. "I guess he was wrong."
"Yes," said the stranger, "interdimensional issues are very rare for some worlds, whereas others give in to them too easily. All the same, it's our job as Timekeepers to keep an eye on things. A simple mistake could mean the end of worlds."
Naruto nodded. The stranger continued.
"Your world almost never faces problems like this. I checked the council logs—hardly any interdimensional activity here. So I understand why you've been easygoing about it."
Naruto nodded again. He knew there was a register inside the Time Scroll he was supposed to check periodically, but according to the frog, there was no real need for it, as the register never changed.
"Only this time," said the stranger, "someone from my universe entered yours. I need to find him as soon as possible. These bends in reality can cause great problems for both our worlds. Are you aware of anyone like that?"
Naruto shook his head.
"Right," said the stranger, "this person has green, mossy hair. One of his eyes is permanently shut, and he carries three swords. He's a formidable opponent if provoked—and he has a reputation for getting lost. In fact, his poor sense of direction is so bad, he's reached a different universe"