Discovering Clues  

(I look forward to your proof.)

The day before the third stage of the Chunin Exams, Hidden Mist Hospital.

The handsome young man with black hair and eyes sat on the edge of the bed, bending over to put on his mid-calf boots, then stood up. His right hand habitually reached for his waist, only to grasp at nothing.

He paused for a moment, lowering his hand and instead grabbing his jacket from the hanger, putting it on deftly.

The morning sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the youth's exquisite side profile, his picturesque features seeming to glow, making it hard for one to look away. He seemed lost in thought for a moment before suddenly shaking his head, dispelling the image of a sickly pale youth gazing at him with fervent admiration.

Chitose raised his right hand, studying it for a moment as his dark eyes lowered slightly.

"Aren't you going to find a sword?" The mellow voice of a youth came from the doorway.

Chitose turned towards the sound, seeing Kagura leaning against the door frame, observing him. Noticing Chitose's silence as those deep eyes studied him, Kagura suddenly froze, his smile fading as he fidgeted awkwardly, explaining, "Ah, that... I, I didn't mean to stare without announcing myself..."

How could he admit to being entranced... How embarrassing.

Chitose blinked, then his lips curved slightly. "No, I didn't think you meant any harm. I was just lost in thought." He shifted his body slightly, gesturing for the relieved Kagura to enter. "Please, come in and have a seat."

The purple-eyed youth immediately noticed the backpack on the bedside upon entering. He sat down beside the bed, eyeing Chitose's ever-present sword before hearing him speak.

"Congratulations on your recovery."

The youth handed him a glass of water, prompting a brief smile from Chitose as thanks for the well-wishes. As Chitose sat beside him, he glanced at Kagura's ever-present sword and heard him asked, "Is that sword important to you?"

Chitose's eyelashes fluttered unconsciously. He pondered for a moment before meeting Kagura's clear gaze instead of answering.

The puzzled youth smiled reflexively at his gaze.

Chitose's brow seemed to soften imperceptibly. Suddenly relaxing his posture, he lay back on the bed, smiling up at the befuddled Kagura. "I've been having a dream lately."

The youth looked down at him, playing along. "What dream?"

Chitose shifted his gaze to the ceiling, producing a piece of paper from his pocket and handing it to Kagura. Upon unfolding it, Kagura's eyes widened as he let out a soft exclamation of awe:

"Beautiful..."

"Isn't it?" Chitose folded his hands behind his head, calmly stating, "In my dream, I always see this sword. In a world of pure white, it calls out with a pleasing ring from afar. But no matter what, I can never get close to it."

He turned his head to study the pensive Kagura fixated on the sword in the drawing, inquiring, "What do you think I should do to obtain this sword?"

Kagura furrowed his brow, carefully examining the beautifully drawn long sword. Although clearly a drawing, one could still sense the sword's exquisite beauty and elegance.

The hospital room fell silent for a while before the gentle voice spoke softly, "...I think you should start by being able to call it 'him' instead of 'it'."

The cool, questioning voice asked, "From 'it' to 'him'?"

"Yes. Actually, I've been meaning to ask... Chitose, do you have the 'resolve to wield a sword'?"

The black-haired youth frowned slightly, studying him for a moment before sitting up. "What do you mean?"

Kagura returned the drawing to Chitose, setting his water glass aside before slowly drawing his own sword and laying it across his lap, reverently caressing it.

"My sword master once told me that every sword has a spirit. In the process of forging a sword, with each strike of the hammer, the swordsmith imbues it with his own convictions. Through tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of such strikes day after day, a fine sword crystallizing the swordsmith's blood, sweat and will is finally born."

"And for a swordsman wielding the blade, without a compelling reason to take up the sword, without finding the will to swing it, one can never understand the spirit of the blade in their hands, never harmonize their own will with the sword's spirit. In that case, they will forever remain a mere user of swords, never becoming a true swordsman."

"A true swordsman views the blade in their hands as their sole comrade-in-arms, never abandoning it no matter what occurs, defeating any foe together. Revering and respecting the sword, imbued with the mission to fulfill their own and the sword's will, such a person can possess an indomitable heart that never falters from their original resolve to take up the sword, no matter the circumstances."

"Only such a person can become a true master, a true swordsman. I think the reason the sword in your dreams refuses to let you approach is that you haven't found your resolve to wield it yet. You must first find that will, that conviction that pierces your heart at the moment you take up the sword, Chitose."

The youth's usually gentle voice carried a firm resolve that reverberated softly in the small hospital room. Gazing at the pensive, downcast Chitose, he suddenly smiled.

"Hey, in the third exam, if we happen to face each other, let me prove it to you."

Chitose's head snapped up, surprise evident as he looked at Kagura. At this moment, those purple eyes were clear and focused, brimming with confidence.

"I'll prove to you what a true swordsman's resolve really is."

Chitose's black eyes reflected Kagura's utterly sincere expression. For a long while, just as Kagura thought he would nod, Chitose smiled instead.

"Can you really prove it to me, Kagura?"

The youth's face suddenly paled. That's right... he couldn't wield a sword!

If he wielded a sword, he would become a mindless, murderous monster!! "I..." He opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak under Chitose's calm, penetrating gaze. Suddenly flustered, memories of the past surged into his mind, and he became afraid.

Would Chitose also distance himself upon learning he was the grandson of the Yagura clan? Would he also see him as a violent, bloodthirsty madman? Would he...detest him?

Kagura's flustered state was now so obvious, those purple-red eyes trembling, the earlier resolve completely gone.

Chitose observed him, then spoke in a mild tone, "What are you afraid of, Kagura?"

The youth startled, staring at him with wide eyes.

Chitose smiled faintly at the youth who seemed to have recalled something distressing, his eyes now brimming with tears. "Are you afraid of hurting me, making me detest you?"

Across from him, the youth's grip on the sword in his lap tightened, his whole body tense. He lowered his head, unable to meet Chitose's gaze. However, a soft chuckle came from beside him.

"Then you are overthinking it."

Huh? Kagura's pupils constricted as he looked up at Chitose, only to find him already at the hospital room door with his backpack slung over one shoulder. He turned back, his usual impassive expression meeting Kagura's deep, seemingly all-consuming gaze.

"Thank you for today, Kagura. I look forward to your proof."

The black-clad youth's retreating figure disappeared, leaving only those last words hanging in the air.

Inside the room, the slender youth bowed his head to study his beloved sword, his expression fluctuating before settling into firm resolve once more.

He believed in Chitose's strength.

***

At the Hidden Mist Village docks, a ship was slowly approaching.

Boruto and Sarada squeezed behind Naruto, craning their necks and squinting to catch a glimpse of the crowd gathered on shore to welcome them, hoping to spot that familiar figure among them.

Suddenly, Naruto let out an "Ah!", and Sarada's eyes lit up as she looked towards him, about to speak, when Boruto's voice exploded like a firecracker beside her ear, "It's Chitose! Chitose is over there!!!"

She quickly turned to follow Boruto's pointing finger, but in her peripheral vision, she noticed Boruto's unnaturally bright eyes and elated expression.

Frowning inwardly, she turned and squinted to find her brother's figure, happily waving at him when she saw Chitose acknowledge her with a raised hand. But then Boruto's voice boomed in her ear again.

Louder and longer this time.

"Hey—! Chitose! Over here!!!" The blond young boy, undeterred by his father's amused scolding, climbed right onto the ship's railing, waving his arms excitedly towards the black-clad figure. By now, the ship was close enough to shore that Chitose's appearance was clear to all three of them. Seeing Boruto's exaggerated display of joy, those bright azure eyes sparkling like the ocean itself, the usually frosty youth finally softened his expression, the corners of his lips curving upwards.

Just as the previously bouncing blond boy fell still, his father gave him a puzzled look, Boruto mumbled something about forgetting something before scampering back down the deck in a hurried "pitter-patter".

What Boruto didn't know was that the girl who had witnessed everything was eyeing his lowered head and the pinkish tint peeking through his hair with narrowed, dangerous eyes.