Fire and water

The meeting was clearly formal. How could it be otherwise. All the previous events were prepared to do so. At the long dining room table, they had the Uchiha on one side. And in front of them, the Uzumaki with the exception of the Hokage. Naruto led the meeting, sitting at the head of the table.

There was clearly tension. It didn't seem like a confirmation meeting to the marriage contract. The events that emerged in previous weeks dictated a verbal proposal made by Boruto on the night of his 18th birthday, to Sarada Uchiha. A couple of days later, Sarada asked her mother to initiate conversations with the Hokage to reach an agreement. In a matter of a week, Sakura and Naruto had three formal talks. The deal was established, and the meeting of the Uchiha with the Uzumaki was the direct consequence of it all. With the presence of the head of the Uchiha family, to stamp the signature and receive the required dowry in money.

-Well Sasuke? - Naruto consulted before the awkward silence - you arrived about 24 hours ago from your trip. I'm surprised we have this meeting so soon. Any objection to the contract?

-I arrived last night -the Uchiha announced coldly and with crossed arms- And I still can't understand why both my wife and you believed that I should return to Konoha to sign a contract in which I have not been a participant. Do you think I'm an idiot?

-Is it a question that anyone can answer… –Interceded Boruto, smiling slightly, and making everyone tense a little more- or is it just rhetoric?

-Boruto closes his mouth ...- warned the annoyed Hokage- this is no time for jokes -Then he looked at Sasuke carefully and asked- What's the problem? Is the dowry for your daughter not enough? If so, it can be fixed.

-What has made you believe that money is a problem? –Sasuke pointed out obviously annoyed- my daughter still has a lot to train. She is a rookie Kunoichi yet. This is no time to think about marriage nonsense. The decision about her future rests with me as the head of the Uchiha clan. Has it been clear to you?

-Listen Sasuke… -Naruto smiled slightly trying to alleviate the matter- maybe you and I should chat more in private. It is natural that ...

-We have no business to discuss -the Uchiha stood up and both Sakura and Sarada also did so mechanically. They had to follow the clan leader out of the formal meeting- As the leader of my family, it will be my choice in due course to discuss this matter with whatever family I see fit. That's all….

Boruto smiled again. Looking at his father, he gave him a more than conclusive message with that gesture. The much feared ... "I told you so". That heralded the prelude to a possible disaster. Everything could be taken for a simple disagreement, which Naruto might manage to settle in a future meeting. Perhaps only Sasuke as a father, had felt being displaced from the responsibility he had for his daughter. Everything could be fixed in a few days of thought and reflection. Maybe it was the most normal thing in the world. Of the formal meetings between two clans.

But not this time. Not with what Naruto knew about the whole thing. Not with Sai's detailed report, not with Bolt's suspicions confirming the situation ahead of time. It was irrational for Sasuke to resist this. The Uchiha and Uzumaki had been friendly families for decades. They ate together on the weekends. They slept in the same house from time to time. They shared friendships older than the same families formed. The children of both were friends and then boyfriends. It was totally illogical what had happened in that meeting.

Naruto stood up, while Hinata, Himawari and Bolt remained seated on his side of the table. The Uchiha went out into the hall, to head for the exit. Sasuke forward, his wife and his daughter with their heads lowered from behind. It had been a terrible disappointment for Sarada. There was no doubt. And Sakura was afraid, that's what Naruto had read in the gestures of his ex-partner. Why? Why is everything so complicated?

-Fear not be stubborn ...- Naruto told him who was accompanying them to the door- no one thought of excluding you from this decision. The boys love each other very much. It all happened on the night of Bolt's birthday. Sakura and I just thought about moving things forward. Not that we did something that ...

-And what made you believe that I agree? -Sasuke turned annoyed and faced Naruto face to face, while Sakura and Sarada left the door in silence- your son is a problem for you. He has been for years. He is irresponsible and clumsy. He is a child playing adult. When we were younger than his age, you and I were fighting a world war. Do you think he is ready to take care of my daughter? Not that he was so lucky.

"It is true that Bolt was a problem child long before," Naruto conceded seriously, "but this has not been the case for years. He has matured and fulfilled his job as a ninja much better than I did at his age. He is soon to rise through the ranks. He will be an elite Jounnin at 18 years old. Where were you and I at age?

-That does not matter now. Sarada has a responsibility to the Uchiha clan. She must marry the most appropriate candidate.

-More appropriate than my son? -Naruto already dismissed annoyed- Who will he be? Everything already seems like a sad excuse on your part.

-He will have to be a young man without a noble surname –Announced Sasuke seriously- someone who, by marrying Sarada, becomes part of my family. That young man will adopt the surname Uchiha. My family has to subsist. With your son, that is impossible. And even if Sarada has to sacrifice herself, he will never bear the Uzumaki surname. Neither she, nor hers, her children. Have I been clear enough for you?

And she left. Leaving Naruto totally surprised. It wasn't that he didn't understand the point raised by Sasuke in the end. It was obvious that the last of the Uchiha, she would have to adopt the last name Uzumaki when she married Boruto. That would basically erase the Uchiha clan in the next generation. If Sarada had been a man, this problem would not exist and she could take any woman as a wife. But being the female, she could only marry a man, who did not have a surname from the oldest families in Konoha. Only then, due to marriage agreements, would she change her surname to Sarada's. And the Uchiha would have another generation to try and expand.

Seen this way, it seemed like a pretty logical response to rejection. Although Naruto did not feel in his heart that that was not the reason for everything. It was just an excuse. All the power of his intuition told the Hokage that. Even if it hurt him to admit it, what Boruto had said would happen, he was becoming true.

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Boruto had taken things slowly. During dinner with his parents, he was even optimistic about the positive comments of the bitter situation. According to his father the Hokage, Sasuke was stubborn and surely in a bad mood. But he would change his mind in a few days. Naruto smiled and promised his son that he would personally intercede to achieve it.

-Don't worry, Onii-chan ... -said his sister smiling- even if you can't commit to Sarada-san, I'll always be with you. You will see that everything will be fixed.

Bolt smiled. He always got affection from his younger sister. Even after entering Root years ago, he felt that his humanity would never be fully taken away thanks to Himawari. Before each mission, before each problem. If he was worried or upset. He just had to meet his sister and chat for 10 minutes, even before going to sleep. After that, he always regained his smile and calm.

"Sakura-san looked very nervous ..." Hinata added to the table comments innocently "Sasuke-san has strangely refused. Is it a way to get more money or better conditions in the dowry?"

It seemed a stubborn and pointless refusal, according to the neutral gaze. If Naruto hadn't received the information from Sai, or the warnings from Boruto, he would think that Sasuke had only denied the agreement to gain more benefit. But currently, he couldn't think that way unfortunately. He was looking at his eldest son, just turning 18, and he had no doubt that he was not surprised by what happened. He could even be assessed by his calmness, that he expected exactly that. But why? What was his next step? What was he planning to do in the face of Sasuke's refusal? And the most puzzling question of all…. For what reason had Sakura-chan remained silent in the face of disappointment in the agreement? Was she expecting it too?

Nothing finally happened. They had dinner and tea with a cake that Hinata had prepared in the afternoon. They chatted animatedly, Boruto did not touch the subject of the contract again, nor did it seem a reason for anger not to get his way. Something else he had planned. It was unquestionable.

The clock read 2 am ...

Boruto Uzumaki had pretended to go to sleep when his family retired to his rooms. But even in the darkness of his room, he had waited sitting in the corner of his room for the night to creep in. He dressed for the occasion, perhaps for his last battle.

It was strange that he was not afraid. Although he was aware of the rival's strength, he was also not afraid to face him. He had prepared himself to the best of his ability, using absolutely every tool available. Right now, he could only trust his instincts. What he could plan had already been planned.

On the table of his work desk, a small package with everything you need. In there, some of Sakura Haruno's abilities were going to provide her with weapons to give her greater attack variants. Although the best "weapons" of that doctor Kunoichi, they were not exactly in that small bag that Bolt now tied to the back of his waist.

Black jean pants, shirt and jacket of the same color. On his back the symbol of the Uzumaki. The legendary warriors of the whirlpool. Konoha's bandana on his forehead. In his heart a mission that could be the last. Like a shadow, he had to leave his own house in search of the open area of the training grounds. But first, deliver a message to a certain home. All in the dark, silent and hidden.

He carefully opened the door to his bedroom, and crossed the hallway straight into the dining room area when ...

"Where are you going in the middle of the night, Bolt?"

The darkness of the place was only cut by the dim illumination of a light installed in the backyard. The open back door, gave some light to the whole area. The Hokage's voice was coming from somewhere in the dining room. The young man smiled slightly, without a doubt he had made the mistake of being too calm at dinner. His father was no longer in the "darkness" of ignorance. He had a lot of accumulated information and could have his own plan for him. Or maybe just instinct. Nothing to despise.

-I think you know where I'm going Oto-sama ... -he smiled at her, walking slowly and stopping in the area of light that was in the center- or at least, you suspect it.

"You know I can't allow it," Naruto replied, appearing to the area of light in front of his son. "I can't allow you to do something crazy." And since you know about our fight for a long time, I'm not going to let you go.

Boruto looked down slightly, and sighed with signs of resignation. You really weren't expected to have that opposition just that night. He also didn't have the option of fighting his father, and then having the strength to go after Sasuke. He couldn't fight two "monsters", when he didn't know if he could even match just one of them a bit. And the added difficulty was that he could not attack his father with the intention of killing, which obviously reduced the effectiveness of any ninja.

Boruto however, had been prepared to have a definitive conversation with his father. Since that night, where he made love to Sakura in the hospital. He had already decided how to deal with the situation if Naruto found out somehow. Would it work? Maybe yes, maybe no. but it was time to take that risk.

"I don't think you should get in the way Oto-san ..." he said raising his eyes and looking directly at Naruto, "I think that, in a way, you will agree with me and my decision tonight." Every ninja must go his own way after all.

-If you think I'm going to allow you this ... -Naruto smiled slightly, who was very focused on the slight movements of his son in front of him- you really know me little.

"In fact, I think I know you very well ..." he answered the smile with one of his own, to ease the tension. "I had to study you in detail." If I wanted to keep you safe, I had to learn everything from your past. And what you are capable of right now.

-Keep me safe? What are you talking about?

-When I was a child, -explained Boruto calmly- I felt a great anger and frustration because of you. He hated you, clearly. Because everyone in this village seemed to come before you, than your own family.

-That is not true…

-I know, now I know very well. But as a child, I wanted with all my might to be a ninja worthy of being your son. The son of the most powerful Hokage the Leaf Village has ever had. Be a worthy heir to your legend. And you never made a space in your life to train me. I saw you missing at birthdays, at my academy graduation, at my Chunnin exams. I saw you far from me, unconcerned about helping me forge my ninja path. I thought you were ashamed of me. I only knew the truth, a long time later.

-I'm sorry, but my work as Hokage doesn't ...

-You don't have to justify yourself, I understand. When I started training under Uncle Kakashi, after the Chunnin exams, I learned a lot about your past. Helping me understand my own future.

- (Kakashi-sensei? You… "Naruto thought surprised," What have you done with my son?)

- "A ninja must see, through disappointment" –added Bolt, supporting his argument –when I understood this concept, I knew it couldn't be your son. We are not the same. You forged your path alone, trained and lived without anyone by your side. The Sannin Jirayja put you on the path of the hermits. The nine-tailed fox not only determined the loneliness of your childhood, but also the basis of your ultimate power. How could I follow in your footsteps? How to stop being just a bad version of the great Naruto Uzumaki? In short ... I was disappointed that I couldn't be like you, and I couldn't digest it. Until that day, where my Byakugan woke up in the middle of the Chunnin exams. He clearly wouldn't be like my father. But that didn't mean that he couldn't be an important and powerful ninja. Although for this, he had to travel a different path.

-It was not my intention that you felt alone Bolt ... -the father approached and placed a hand on the shoulder of his son gently- I know that I should have been more with your sister and with you. But there was too much to do since the war. I believed that you would be able to forge your own ninja path, without needing me to lead you by the hand. Or directly achieve world peace, it would prevent my family from having to suffer and fight as I did. Like my parents did.

-But we will always have to fight. Because we are ninja, and there is no peace for ninjas…. -The young man smiled barely- I will never be better than Naruto Uzumaki. But I learned that I can be different. I'm going to be different even if it means losing what I want the most. Your respect, your love.

-You will always be my son Bolt, whatever happens. You have nothing to prove tonight.

-We will see that Oto-sama, when I finish telling you my last story before leaving, we will be able to know if you want it to continue being your family. Or maybe, I will never be more important than your friend. Certain? –Said the firm young man and he moved away slightly gaining some distance- at the moment of truth, when one of the two has to die. Will your son be more important than that supposed best friend, "almost brother"? Will you fight by my side? Or will you confront me in order to favor him? Who are you going to betray? That question you have to answer within yourself.

"There are no two sides Bolt…" Naruto whispered seriously, "and you're not going anywhere tonight." Whatever happens with the Sarada thing, you're not going to face Sasuke. I will personally take care of ...

-This is my decision Oto-sama. They are my problems and it will also be my path. After all, Sasuke and I, we have the same goals. We want exactly the same. Absolutely everything.

-What are you talking about?

This would be the difficult thing. It was the moment where Boruto was going to say what could be very painful for his father, or instead, incomprehensible and irrelevant. The revelation he had in store for Naruto was nothing more than a method to prevent him from intervening. Although too, he could seriously injure the Hokage's pride, if he still held some kind of feeling for his former teammate beyond his physical desire. Then such a revelation would become an obstacle rather than a shortcut. It was an all or nothing play.

-Months ago ... -said the young man serious and concentrated on the possible gestures of his father -I took care of a problem that could happen. Just like the Kiba Inuzuka affair. As I said, I have studied your past, and that has led me to understand how important Sakura Uchiha had been to you.

Naruto was not liking that comment at all. But unable to attend to a reasoning about what was to come, he just listened and waited. Kiba's business had been unpleasant enough to have any other comparable matter.

-She was a frustrated woman. For years she had drunk the poison of her own wrong choice in marriage. –Boruto started walking slowly from side to side, without sudden movements to show his lack of interest in an escape or attack- whole years without a husband present. A guy who just got her pregnant and left her to fate here in the village. A man who had not fulfilled even the minimum sexual expectation, of a woman completely given body and soul to him.

Each word was stronger than the other. Because they taught Naruto a fairly detailed knowledge map about Sakura's personality and destiny. It was almost, as if Boruto had been the ex-partner of the hairy girl years ago instead of his father. He knew a lot about her. Maybe too much.

-the problem arose, when Sakura felt the end of her limits. When she stopped… "loving" - she said it with clear irony - to her husband. So, you were there. The former companion of hers who she had always waited for, who had always cared for and loved her in silence. How not wanting to relive those moments of her youth? The temptation was very strong. Since I was 10 years old, I saw some strange connection between you. Maybe not romantic, but clearly sexual.

-We don't ... we never ...

-I know ... -the young man barely smiled- you are an honest man. Unable to betray under normal circumstances. Even in a land of so many traitors. But the physical attraction was inevitable. And many times you have to choose between two bad paths. I don't dare to suppose what was going through your mind when you were near Sakura. But I assure you that she wanted to revive that ancient devotion that you once kept for her. She felt such frustration that she was favorably disposed to commit a sneaky act. And I think she understands well what I'm aiming at.

There was silence. Naruto felt like a child again before his own son. Like that night where he tried to apologize for accusing him of Kiba's death. Like that night when he felt the sting of betrayal run through his skin in an annoying way. Knowing that that old friend, he was trying to fuck Hinata. Disgusting.

-I couldn't allow it. He couldn't allow Ka-san to be abandoned. You are the Hokage of the entire village. But first there must be your duty to your family! "He added raising his voice slightly above normal, and then he continued quietly again" Then, one night that Sakura and Sarada-chan came to sleep here ... "he pointed with a gesture. the boy tired, taking time between sentences to speak- I intervened against Sakura, I did something to stop her. I did something that would prevent more suffering for Oka-san, from whom you were slowly moving away. I was in charge of preventing Sakura Uchiha from continuing to look for something in you that she did not get from her husband.

-It's not true ...- Naruto stammered, opening his eyes with surprise and shudder- that's not ...

-I did what I had to do, to protect this family. –Said the young man looking seriously at his father- and during the last months, I have transformed the repressed desires of that woman into my property. She has become my lover. I definitely took her away from you. And besides, I was able to save you from having to fight Sasuke over her. You will say that you would never have slept with Sakura Uchiha –he ended slowly backing away and disappearing into the shadows- But just like Kiba Inuzuka it was a danger that I took care to avoid. I did the same with her. Do you understand why you can't intervene in this fight Oto-sama? Because you are the Hokage. You are the light of peace. You are the one who should not stain your hands with the blood of traitors. And more personally, for the simple reason that you didn't fight for her in her due time. As I will. So tonight I'm going to keep everything Sasuke Uchiha has. With Sarada-chan… ..and also with Sakura… .with everything….

That said, Boruto's voice trailed off until it disappeared. Naruto couldn't move. His body was completely paralyzed. His brain was atrophied. He could barely take a couple of side steps to flop into a nearby chair. His body and his mind could not take more of the pain. The surprise, the shudder, the shame. All in a mixture of feelings that drugged him better than any narcotic. And he hadn't even noticed his son's departure. Only the unease, the despair and the inexplicable adrenaline that overflowed him.

He now he could know the real intention of his son. He didn't mean to eliminate Sasuke to save his lifelong friend. He intended to take everything away from her. He intended to possess Sakura, and Sarada as well. He intended to kill him, and replace him. Take the whole life out of him.

Just like in a game of Shogi against Shikamaru he had explained to her sometime. The most important piece to take….

The king"…

It was the future of the Uchiha ...

And Boruto was thinking of taking it at any cost ...

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While they dined at the table. They had had a useless argument, where his wife did not stop recriminating the situation of the contract. Meanwhile, his daughter Sarada was crying with downcast eyes of clear depression. Those were horrible hours. It was clear that both women were against her decision.

Sasuke let them fight uselessly against the situation. The young woman ran into her room and locked herself there. Sakura followed her and tried to contain her. While the man had a tea in the dining room quietly. Hours later, she Sakura did what she had been doing since they met at the academy as children, try to get closer to Sasuke. Understand it, tolerate the situation, mediate between a daughter who did not want to accept her fate and a father with goals far from parenthood. All of this without really knowing that she was prompting Sasuke to deny the agreement.

Before they went to sleep, the events of the day were analyzed by Sasuke step by step.

Two days earlier, he was touring some caverns in Rock Country. He received a hawk messenger, with a statement sent by Sakura asking for his immediate return to the village. His wife explained the engagement situation to him, and as head of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke had to return quickly to give his signature and blessing to the matter. Perhaps he would not have cared too much in other circumstances, but the same message communicated that the marriage would be finalized within a month from the date. Commitments usually take several months to complete. Even years sometimes. The latter made him suspect that something was not developing as planned.

Sasuke had to go back into overdrive. He didn't have the time to subtly sabotage the situation. He returned and was forewarned of a particular event. Sasuke reasoned that perhaps his wife had somehow managed to break the Genjutsu she had imposed on him. If now he knew what he knew about his plans. He would have alerted the village authorities to prevent it. The Uchiha believed that the clan council would not intervene to conserve the sharingan. But in the case of Naruto, surely the situation would be different. Surely Sakura would hide behind her "friend" and everything would be more complicated. That also explained the abrupt contract in place. He would return to his house, and both his wife and his daughter would not be there. Hiding from him, possibly hiding in Naruto's house.

But all initial conjecture, it seemed to fall to the ground when Sasuke returned ...

Both women were still in the Uchiha house. His wife hadn't said anything to Naruto. She didn't seem to know Sasuke's plans. She showed no fear, no disgust, not even resistance. In Sarada's case, she was clearly afraid of him. It was Sarada who had brought the marriage proposal. It was Sarada who had somehow managed to break the Genjutsu. An inconvenience, but nothing that could not be solved with the Magenkyo.

During the morning, Sakura did what she always did when Sasuke came back. She made him a breakfast, changed the bandages on his artificial arm, and gave him an injection of vitamins to make up for the past months of poor diet and life in the open. All the usual. Sakura never seemed to find out about anything. Sasuke even thought himself paranoid, to think that his silly wife could have broken the sharingan's Genjutsu. She was a hindrance, and she always would be. She was only good at tending wounds and cleaning the house. Clearly Sarada had inherited the talent necessary to have broken the illusion. Though clearly, she was too young and inexperienced to be able to do anything else to avoid her fate.

It was dawn at the Uchiha house ...

Sasuke felt a slight headache. He got up from his bed, his body was somewhat numb. Sakura had gone to sleep with Sarada, at the express request of the girl. Sasuke didn't care since his plan would only be useful when he found the right husband for his daughter. He couldn't go wrong with this move, or he would have to face Naruto in combat. And that winning or losing situation would cause too much damage.

"That damn tea ..." he whispered annoyed, filling a glass with water in the kitchen sink and drinking greedily. What the fuck had Sakura made it out of?

She had become fond of a wide variety of infused drinks. Many made up of exotic flowers. Fortunately, Sasuke had trained as a young man with Orochimaru. That guaranteed him immunity against poisons of all kinds. Therefore, any physical discomfort, little he had to do with something ingested. Still, being at home, unlike ordinary men, had always given him great "discomfort." That must be the cause of his unexpected "insomnia". He had woken up in the middle of the night with a major thirst and a little dizzy. The cold dining room only taught loneliness. And something out of the ordinary.

-What's that? Sasuke wondered looking at a white envelope on the dining room table, with his name written on the back.

He walked over and took the letter. For a moment he was inclined to think it was that failed marriage contract. Or maybe a message from Naruto sent through the ANBU. But it was not, it could not be because said commitment was on a rolled parchment. And this was a letter kept in an envelope sealed with his name on it. It was a direct message to him. A little confused and trying to divert attention to his growing physical discomfort, he went to that letter and opened it to read its contents:

"Sasuke Uchiha…

Without a doubt, he will already be thinking about the steps to follow in his family plan. If I have to be honest, it was relatively recently that he knew what he had in mind for Sarada-chan and her belly. Which has led me to understand her. So many months of refusing to make love to me were based on a threat from her jealous father. All planned to hope that she has a husband, and a good excuse to cover up her pregnancy. And I must tell you, that seen from a neutral point of view, I can even understand it. Although he is clearly not going to agree with it. The point is, unlike my father the Hokage or the Clan Council, I don't usually sit around while a renegade and traitor gets away with it. I tend to act to avoid it, and I'm very good at my job, I can say that clearly.

In short, I think his plan to get her own daughter pregnant will never come to fruition. For what reason would it not work? Who will dare to prevent it? It's simple in fact, it will be me. Because Sarada-chan who is my girlfriend, she is already expecting a child of mine. "

The blood began to heat in Sasuke Uchiha little by little. The last words had been an inexplicable stab at his spirits. HOW COULD AN IDIOT CHILD GET SARADA PREGNANT ?! I HAD BAD IT ALL! ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! THAT WAS THE DAMN REASON FOR ALL THIS! IT WAS THE REASON TO PLAN A WEDDING WITHIN THE FOLLOWING MONTH! THE IDIOTED SON OF NARUTO HAD PREGNANT SARADA! And still, there was more message to read ...

"Surprised? Angry? Furious? I don't give a damn. And since I know very well that you are not going to sit idly by seeing how your plan has been destroyed by someone like me, I suggest that we meet tonight. training ground number 7. To take him to familiar ground. There I will prove that Sasuke Uchiha is just an old wreck, and that his ambition to perpetuate the sharingan personally has died before he was even born. When two ninjas have a disagreement, the only one solution involves spilled blood.

I'll wait for him until 5 in the morning. And if he doesn't show up to the fight like cowards usually do, I'll report his plan to secretly impregnate Sarada-chan in the morning. I'm sure my father wouldn't like that at all. And he will have many enemies instead of just one.

Sincerely… ..Uzumaki Boruto. Sarada-chan's future husband. "

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The darkness of that night was not a difficulty ...

Boruto walked slowly, through the clearest area of training ground number 7. A forest area, ending with the crossing of a river and something more flat on the opposite side. The full moon, was hiding from time to time, intermittently between black clouds that seemed to be taking strategic positions to observe the future combat.

25 folders with mission reports. Medical card, personalized analysis of the enemy's abilities. At least half a dozen debilitating tactics, to provide greater alternatives to ultimate success. Careful choice of the date, based on a weather report that ventured the most suitable scenario to present that battle. A terrain known to the enemy, but one of the few that had a natural water source crossing the area. Giving the young Uzumaki an elemental advantage.

Boruto knew what his rival could do, and he also knew the hidden power that Sasuke did not teach except against rivals of his stature. In theory, of course, this combat was not about reaching an impossible level. It was another kind of fight really. Boruto had to find a style more used by the Sunagakure puppetry experts. Set traps and weaken. That was the real goal.

Suddenly some clouds flashed, and seconds later a sound of thunder swept through the area. The atmosphere was humid and heavy. It seemed that it was only a matter of minutes to feel a providential rain fall. The area was quite far from the civilian population. But a certain part of Bolt's thoughts adjusted to a good strategy that the combat zone did not go too far.

He had thought it all through, and it still didn't seem like enough ...

It is that in ninja combat, he could not diagram completely perfectly. When Boruto fought his father, he learned a hard and valuable lesson from tough fights. You cannot anticipate absolutely everything. Imagination, improvisation, were also not inconsiderable tools to incline a battle. And Boruto knew that he would not be the strongest in that fight, but who else could surprise his enemy.

The atmosphere was getting heavier. It was humidity, an ideal atmospheric pressure for the beginning of a precipitation. Boruto Uzumaki was standing with his arms crossed in the middle of the field. Turning his back to the river, which crossed the area side by side. His rival would appear in front. He did not fear a treacherous attack, because Sasuke Uchiha knew himself superior. That was a kind of advantage, which Bolt should know how to take advantage of before serious combat. Pride was a fairly general evil among powerful ninjas.

Standing firm, they breathed slowly. He had partially activated his Doujutsu for a few minutes, just to make sure his enemy was on the way. Then, assured that Uchiha had accepted the "kind invitation", he deactivated his Byakugan so as not to despise even a drop of chakra. He had to stay calm. Stick to the plan he had designed. One small miscalculation, and all would be lost.

A few flashes of lightning, and the sound of multiple thunderbolts erupted through the area. Boruto closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened it he found at 50 meters the figure of Sasuke Uchiha waiting for him. It was the moment of the truth. It was the moment where he would become a ninja, and by killing or being killed, he would fulfill his mission.

-It seems that you are even more of an idiot than your father ... - Sasuke said harshly, hiding his arms by the black cape that he had on his shoulders, Boruto could tell that he had not yet activated his sharingan, or the reddish flash would be seen among his dark hair - come here. And get my daughter pregnant without being anyone to her.

-I am more to her than you will ever be ... -said Bolt, who did not move but had activated his chakra to react as quickly as possible to any attack- after all, Sasuke Uchiha is nothing more than a renegade to whom no one chases for the Hokage's intervention.

-Do you think your threats will bring me here? Sasuke replied dazed, and Bolt could feel that the handle of his katana began to protrude between his clothes-you are nothing more than a hindrance that I will soon get out of the way. Do yourself a favor boy, and go home begging for your life.

-he ... I find it funny ... -the young Uzumaki smiled sideways, starting to walk sideways, while Sasuke did the same on the opposite side- he thinks I'm afraid of his presence. He calls me "nuisance", when the legend of him is more false than the supposed Uchiha honor. It is nothing more than a farce, a myth about a warrior who has fought memorable battles. Pure lies.

Sasuke was surprised. He had always seen Naruto's son as a child. He never thought for an instant that he would end up facing him in the middle of a night, about to get drenched from a downpour and having to eliminate him. How did he convince Sarada? How did he manage to seduce her into breaking a direct order from her father? Was Naruto such an idiot that he didn't know about all this? Sasuke felt a stitch of pain, right on his right temple. He felt a strange pressure on his skull and each time it increased a little more. It was the reason for him not having activated the sharingan while he was coming to the field. He tried to blink slightly, letting that annoyance take a back seat. He had some business to deal with right now, then he would take something for that headache that among other things, forced him to get up in the middle of the night.

-Who else knows you're here? Sasuke asked, looking around, showing apparent carelessness. "Does your father know?"

"Do I smell fear?" Bolt smiled contemptuously. "I suppose he will have to make a little fuss in this fight." You don't want the Hokage to come kick your butt. Certain? But if he doesn't fight with all his powers, how will he defeat me? Decisions decisions…

Dangerous, very dangerous. Sasuke had no doubt that this match would be a victory. But the issue was the strength required. If he defeated that boy and killed him, the next day he would have the entire Konoha ninja roster looking for a culprit. And if he didn't fight him now, Boruto himself would go air everything to his father. To do?

The Uzumaki disappeared in front of his eyes, Sasuke didn't even have a good idea of what to do with it, when he had to evade a couple of punches to his right hand and jump back to avoid a kick that tried to reach his waist. The boy was fast, a lot more than expected. He undoubtedly he had had a fairly targeted training in Tayjutsu. Classic of his father. Powerful at close range. But there was something else. Sasuke didn't feel at his best. Besides that nagging headache, there was also the matter of his chakra. For some reason he was having a hard time mastering it properly.

-You couldn't touch me or sleeping ... -Sasuke said seriously, to hide his discomfort-you need a million years to be at my level.

-That's supposed Uchiha-san….-Bolt pointed confidently, and in his right hand 4 shuriken stood out- but soon he will begin to change his mind… -He quickly gathered his hands in a tiger position and declared- BYAKUGAN

Sasuke's eyes widened. Naruto's son had the Byakugan! HOW THE HELL DID I GET IT ?! Boruto meanwhile, launched a volley of shuriken that hit Sasuke's body directly. A slight explosion, and the body was actually a log of wood. The Uchiha appeared behind the blond and, drawing Chokuto's sword, made a deep cut across his entire back. On instinct further, he activated his sharingan, and was barely able to pull away from a muffled explosion produced by that fiery clone, with the image of the Uzumaki.

"A fiery clone ..." Sasuke said whose great speed allowed him to pull away in time to get out almost unscathed "I should have known." Use the same techniques as the Dobe.

Boruto appeared from the ground, close to the river with a distance of 50 meters. He seemed confident enough to be fighting a superior opponent. Sasuke reappeared from his swift sunshin, stepping out of the distant trees into the river. He had taken a more cautious distance. That technique was not common for a Chunnin. An elemental clone, it required more control and talent than usual.

-Your father only used shadow clones ... -he pointed slowly walking towards Boruto- I'm surprised that you can combine them with Katon.

-A specialty of Itachi Uchiha as I knew… -the young man smiled defiantly- the best Uchiha warrior since Madara's time. It's a shame that terminal illness kept her from cleaning the floor with his silly little brother.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. That provocation was not expected. Playing with the memory of his older brother like that was something that made him piss off. Regardless of the time elapsed. Itachi was always a sore spot. What was he up to? Die fast?

"I'm not going to fight with you ..." he smiled sideways to respond to Sasuke's provocation, and without hesitation he re-sheathed his katana as if he had finished everything, "it would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito." Instead ... "he focused his three-bladed sharingan," I'll just rip out of your brain the stupid ideas of interfering with my plans.

I try to enter Bolt's mind, looking him straight in the eye. But nothing happened, the young man kept looking at him with a certain mockery, and for some reason nothing was happening. Sasuke tried to increase the amount of chakra in his gaze, but he only got more headache. It was as if his brain was struggling to escape from his skull bone. It was evident that Boruto's Byakugan was keeping him safe from mid-level ocular Genjutsu. But with Magenkyo no one could. The point was, activate it and bear the burden of pain that was occurring. Sasuke had noticed that his brain seemed to swell more, the greater the concentration of chakra in the area.

-Is your headache from him getting worse? –He responded to the confusion of his rival Boruto- I imagine that for a Doujutsu user, it must be a damn torture to try to concentrate chakra in his eyes under those circumstances. Migraines can be terrible for those who abuse their senses. Or at least that's what my favorite doctor told me.

Migraines? What migraine? How could Bolt know what was happening to him? Sasuke couldn't remember ever having such intense pain. As he knew, migraine was a type of chronic condition. A piercing headache. But Sasuke had never had one. It was impossible for that child to know what he had!

"You don't have time to sleep!" Bolt yelled at him, performing a sequence of seals. "SUITON, JUTSU WATER SPEARS."

Six jets of liquid gushed out of the river, taking the form of columns and launching themselves at Sasuke. The Uchiha took a step back and began to avoid them with lateral movements. The attack had missed him, but he recognized that that would have been a great blow had he taken it. He rolled on the ground and before standing up he threw a group of kunai towards the blonde. An instant later, he threw a pair of shuriken to bounce off the previously sent kunai and thus achieve the effect of surrounding the opponent. An attack in all directions.

-Those cheap tricks won't work against me ... -said Boruto harshly and began to turn quickly on his own axis- KAITEN.

The heavenly spin defense deflected all weapons without dealing any damage to him. It didn't matter that they were infused with chakra to gain insight. With the Kaiten defense they could do nothing. As soon as he stopped spinning, he created four clones and sent them to chase after the enemy. A battle to the death began.

-You cannot beat child… .- Sasuke said easily defending himself from the attack of those clones and destroying them wielding a kunai- you are nothing more than an insect for me. A moth, that will burn in my flames ... -making seals- KATON, JUTSU BALL OF FIRE- blowing hard.

Bolt didn't move from his position, he just started his own sequence and replied:

-SUITON, JUTSU WATER CANYON

Both techniques collided in the center, but although the Uchiha's carried more chakra and was also more powerful, Boruto's had been born and was reinforced by the flow of the river behind him. The best of the reasons for choosing precisely that training ground for battle.

-I know you are a master of fire ... - Boruto smiled preparing to attack again- and for that reason, nothing better than fighting by manipulating the water.

And the battle in the dark finally began. Under the black clouds, the rainy sky about to burst. Far and at the same time close to the blade. Far and near in many respects to breaking the law. The world could be very big. But before that battle was even close to ending, they would both understand that there was no room on the planet for both of them. For better or for worse, by force or cunning. One was going to fall, and the other was going to prevail.

End of chapter.