Boruto the Akatsuki: In Search of Power 21

In the previous chapter: Karin detected the disappearance of two unusual chakrams, prompting Orochimaru and his team to investigate. Upon arriving at the location, they found a barrier hiding a genjutsu, which was destroyed by Orochimaru, revealing Boruto's lair. Inside the lair, Boruto displayed a cold and defiant personality, making it clear that he was not interested in negotiating with Orochimaru. After a tense exchange of words, Boruto unleashed a powerful explosion that destroyed his lair, leaving Orochimaru and those present shocked by the magnitude of his power.

After the huge explosion, no one could utter a word. They were in shock. Yamato looked at Sai beside him and spoke urgently:

—You should go to Konoha right now.

Sai looked at him, worried, and replied:

—And Boruto? We have to find him.

Orochimaru, who had been listening to the conversation, intervened:

—Don't you understand? The technique Boruto used... doesn't it sound familiar to you?

Sai pondered for a moment and then spoke, surprised:

—It's the Hiraishin... but how is that possible?

Orochimaru, as he watched the smoke screen in the distance, continued:

—I don't know how he learned it, but it would be best if you asked Konoha when you get there. Besides, Boruto is probably not here anymore. So you better get going now.

Sai looked at Orochimaru's back for a moment, but Yamato interrupted him:

—You should go, Sai. Orochimaru is right, even if we don't like it. You should also take that shinobi for a medical checkup. The kick he received was loaded with a lot of chakra.

Sai nodded, looking at Yamato, and replied:

—It's okay, Captain Yamato. I hope we meet again in the future.

Without another word, Sai disappeared in a Shunshin, followed by the shinobi of his team, who bowed before fading away in another Shunshin.

Orochimaru spoke, more to himself:

—He's quite selfish. I wonder what Konoha will do to handle him and keep him from getting out of control.

Yamato turned to Orochimaru and said:

—It's time to go. I don't think you want to investigate that place any further.

Orochimaru glanced at him and replied:

—You're impatient, but you're right. There's no point in investigating that place now.

In a shunshin, Orochimaru disappeared, followed by his group. Yamato did the same with his team of shinobi.

As they left the barren area and arrived at a place full of trees, the team advanced at high speed, jumping between the branches. Orochimaru was in the lead when Suigetsu approached him and spoke:

—Orochimaru-sama, it seems we have missed the trip.

Orochimaru glanced at him and replied:

—It's not like that, Suigetsu. We found something interesting.

He turned his gaze to another member of his group and asked:

—Karin-chan, what do you think of Boruto's chakra?

Karin, while still jumping, removed her hood and replied:

—Lord Orochimaru, Boruto's chakra wasn't great, but for his age it was enormous. Also, it seems that he also knows how to hide his chakra, like me. He is a powerful sensor.

Orochimaru nodded and added:

—Is that all, Karin-chan?

Karin took a breath and continued:

"His chakra is strange. During the Fourth Ninja War, I learned about the chakras of the strongest beings, but Boruto's is different. His chakra conveys danger. When I was in front of him, I felt like he could kill me at any moment. It's like entering the lair of a wild beast. There's no evil in his chakra, but it's not warm either. It's just… strange. I honestly don't want to cross paths with him again in the future. He gives me an unsettling feeling."

Yamato, hearing Karin's words, couldn't help but show surprise.

Orochimaru let out his signature laugh:

—Ku... ku... ku... So a chakra that emanates danger... You couldn't determine if it's strong?

Karin thought for a moment before answering:

—If I were to face you, Lord Orochimaru, you would win, but you would not emerge unscathed.

Those accompanying Orochimaru's group were stunned, unable to believe that a child was already at that level. Jugo and Suigetsu remained serious.

Orochimaru laughed again, a glint of amusement in his eyes:

—Ku... ku... ku... How interesting. I can't wait to see the chaos he'll cause in the future.

Elsewhere, more specifically in the abandoned factory, Boruto walked to his throne and sat down, leaning back with a carefree air as he relaxed.

"I wonder if they're dead..." he muttered, flashing a mischievous smile. "But well, that Orochimaru is a real pain. I'll have to be careful with him in the future."

Closing his right eye, when he opened it again, his Doujutsu shone in all its splendor. With a low voice, he whispered:

—Let's see how things are. I'll search all over Konoha.

Boruto's vision began to move, passing through the factory walls and rising into the sky. From above, he saw the village of Konoha, quickly directing his gaze to the Hokage building. There, Naruto was reviewing some papers, assisted by Shikamaru.

Boruto turned his attention in another direction, scanning the houses and buildings as if he was looking for something in particular. He thought to himself:

—There's nothing strange...

He concentrated for a moment longer and then thought:

—There seem to be some chakras in the forest... It must be the students. It seems they are taking the genin exam. I'll go check.

His vision, moving swiftly through the village, turned to the forest. Upon arriving, Boruto watched as the sensei fought the students, testing their will and camaraderie. As he watched, he thought:

—So you've already recovered... I wonder how Kakashi is. After all, I left him half dead.

With that thought in mind, Boruto redirected his vision towards the hospital. He left the forest and, going through trees and branches at high speed, arrived at the hospital. He began to check each room in search of Kakashi. However, after searching the entire place, he did not find him. His vision of the hospital came out, observing it from above.

"How strange..." he thought, frowning. "Has he recovered already?"

Boruto concentrated for a moment, trying to locate him again. When he was unsuccessful, he muttered:

—He's not in Konoha. That's weird...

He paused for a moment, reflecting:

—Could he be dead? I don't think so... After all, the news would have been bigger. He must be hiding.

With a mischievous smile, Boruto stopped muttering and thought:

—Well, I'll wait for the genin exam to finish... Then I'll show myself. I wonder what my father and the others will say to me. Ha, ha, ha. I'm kind of anxious.

Boruto turned his vision towards the forest, his expression showing a mix of curiosity and disdain.

—I'll observe the exam... I wonder how long it will take them to finish it. I hope not too long —he thought, with a sarcastic smile on his face.

From above, his Doujutsu allowed him to see those who used to be called his companions, facing their sensei in the dense forest. The battle was intense, but for Boruto, those efforts seemed insignificant.

"They're fighting with all their might… but it's pathetic," he muttered to himself, his expression disdainful as he watched the students' clumsy movements. "They can't even withstand a few blows from the sensei, and they're holding back. It disgusts me to see such empty efforts. They try and try now, as if suddenly the effort is enough to change their fate, when it never did before."

His gaze hardened even further, reflecting a mixture of contempt and pity.

—They only seek approval, as if their worth depended on the opinion of others. They wait for someone to congratulate them, believing that these empty words will make them stronger. How pathetic.

The sensei and students fought for a while, until several of the students were captured and the remaining ones chose to retreat.

Boruto, who had been watching the entire fight, couldn't believe what he was seeing. He thought with disdain:

"Is this serious? The mission is the same as last time: hit the red dot on the senseis' chests. It's pointless… They're so weak and slow. And Sarada… what a disappointment. Even with her Sharingan, she just had to put them in a genjutsu and she would have won, but she didn't. She doesn't even know how to use her abilities properly! It's a waste of Sharingan. Mitsuki… he was just having fun while fighting. I thought they would finish this test, but they retreated. The sun is setting, what rubbish."

Clearly displeased, Boruto continued to ponder:

—Though, Saku's abilities are the only redeeming feature. His Mokuton kekkei genkai is the only thing that makes him stronger, but even though he controls it perfectly, he's also holding back, just like Mitsuki. The only one who deserves some respect is Shikadai. That guy managed to prevent more of his comrades from being captured. He has potential, but the fact that he doesn't take things seriously leaves him behind everyone.

Boruto sighed as the sun set, giving way to night.

—I guess the time limit is the same as last time: 24 hours. I just have to wait.

He cancelled his Doujutsu, and his right eye returned to its normal color. Then, he made a hand position and said:

—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.

Several clones appeared, and Boruto made a scroll appear, which he handed to one of his clones.

—Take everything out and set up the machine here. We might need it later.

The clones nodded and headed towards the back of the throne, which was in the center of the factory. As the clones worked, Boruto muttered:

—I'm going to rest for a while. I hope that when I wake up, those brats will have finished the genin test.

He closed his eyes calmly and leaned back on his throne, waiting for time to pass.

After several hours, Boruto slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the shattered windows, illuminating the weapons stuck in the ground and casting jagged shadows across the room. He slowly stood up, stretching his body as his eyes scanned the surroundings with an eerie calm.

He walked calmly behind his throne, heading towards the back of the abandoned factory. His footsteps echoed softly on the dusty, metallic floor. Upon arriving, his gaze fell upon the machine his clones had assembled. The structure was complete and ready to operate. The complexity of the device only increased his satisfaction.

A cocky smile appeared on his face.

"Perfect," he muttered to himself, admiring the work.

He turned around again and, after stretching once more, walked back to his throne. As he sat down, with a relaxed expression, he murmured:

"I wonder what time it is…" His nonchalant tone reflected the little interest he had in the time. "Well, never mind. I'll eat first."

With a swift movement of his hands, Boruto performed a seal, and a perfectly laid table appeared before him. Wasting no time, he pulled a scroll from his pocket, carefully unrolled it, and as he struck one of the seals, a variety of dishes materialized before him. With a calm gesture, he removed his gloves and laid them on the armrest of his throne.

Without further delay, he began to eat calmly, enjoying each bite as if the world around him were nothing more than a passing, insignificant background. The stillness of the place accentuated his indifference to anything other than himself.

After finishing, Boruto put everything away with the same meticulous precision, slowly standing up. He walked to a faucet on the side to wash his hands, taking his time, without rushing. Then, he returned to his throne and sat down again, letting out a soft sigh as he relaxed for a moment. With almost mechanical movements, he put on his gloves, adjusting them tightly on his hands.

As he did so, his mind wandered into conflicting thoughts. "I think it's time to show myself... though I don't like the idea. After all, once they give me their approval, it'll seem like I need it... and I don't." A weary sigh escaped his lips, along with a grimace of annoyance. "I don't want to hear their words, their judgments... I'm sure they'll say this is wrong, that this isn't the right path. How annoying!"

He was silent for a moment longer, staring blankly at the factory's shattered roof. Finally, he slumped his shoulders in resignation. "But what... it's time."

Boruto sighed and settled back into his throne, preparing himself for what was to come. With fluid movements, he made several signs with his hands and uttered:

— Kanpeki Bunshin no Jutsu (Jutsu: Perfect Clone).

A clone appeared in a cloud of smoke, but there was something slightly different about it. The clone looked at Boruto with a defiant attitude.

"Your suffering is over," Boruto said in a cold tone. "This could be your last outing."

The clone gave a small, defiant smile and replied:

—So, you'll finally stop being a coward.

Boruto watched him with a slight smile and continued:

—I'll tell you something... and it is the purpose of your existence.

The clone raised an eyebrow and asked:

-What are you taking about?

Boruto looked at him with a subtle smile and explained:

—You know, the fact that you exist is only to make others happy. You're a clown who only has 30% of my chakra, someone who can't get over the absence of his father. You only expect something from others. But I must say that you have fulfilled your mission for several years without complaint, and it's time for your last mission, clone.

The clone glared at him and shouted:

—So what if I only have 30%? I'm more human than you!

Boruto looked at him with a mix of pity and disdain.

—The fact that you have 30% of my chakra doesn't make you any better. But well, it's time to release more memories and emotions. Although you know that, you only have fragments of the sealed memories.

The clone opened his eyes in fear and took a step back. Boruto made a hand sign and said:

-Release.

The clone fell to the ground, holding his head as images rushed through his mind. Boruto spoke as the clone suffered:

—You're the one who attacked me in the alley. The one in the forest had a few more memories, but they were few. But you, you'll have all the necessary ones for the last mission... or so I hope it is the last mission.

The clone continued to hold his head as tears appeared in his eyes. After a while, he slowly stood up with a blank expression, and angrily ran towards Boruto, grabbing him by the neck and exclaimed:

—You could have saved them! Why didn't you? Why did you choose to suffer? Tell me why!

Boruto looked at him coldly and replied:

—That's all. And besides, it's none of your business. It's time.

The clone let go of him, took a few steps back, and his cold eyes began to fill with emotion again.

Boruto looked at him and said:

—I'll send you to the Hokages' faces. The rest will take care of itself.

The clone looked at him for a few seconds, then said with a mixture of hopelessness and resentment:

—I hope that in the future, everything you seek is taken away from you.

With a yellow flash, the clone disappeared.

Boruto watched him and, unfazed, muttered:

—If it goes away, I'll just have to start over.

The clone appeared in a flash of yellow in front of the Hokages' faces, with the sun high in the sky. Upon arriving, the clone raised his hand to cover his face, as if trying to hide something from view. He thought to himself:

—The real Boruto said everything would be resolved, so I just have to wait.

He sat up, looking down at the village of Konoha. Despite his defiant attitude, there was a hint of regret in his gaze, reflecting the inner struggle and weight of newfound emotions. As he looked out over the village, the clone's expression was a melting pot of mixed feelings: frustration, sadness, and a glimmer of hope.

Elsewhere in Konoha, more specifically in the barrier surveillance room, a large blue sphere was glowing brightly. Several shinobi surrounded the sphere, monitoring its energy while Ino watched each fluctuation closely. Suddenly, a kunoichi monitoring the chakra patterns spoke:

—Ino-san! Boruto Uzumaki's chakra has appeared in the village, it's on the faces of the former Kages.

Surprise filled Ino's face. Without wasting any time, she formed a seal with her hands and closed her eyes, connecting her mind with Shikamaru and Naruto's.

"What's wrong, Ino?" Shikamaru asked seriously.

Naruto, alert, added, "Has something happened, Ino?"

"Boruto's chakra has appeared in the village," Ino replied urgently. "It's on the Hokages' faces."

Both Shikamaru and Naruto widened their eyes in surprise. Shikamaru was the first to react.

—Naruto, stay where you are, I'm going to your office. I have to explain some things to you. Ino, tell Sai to bring him here immediately and call the others involved. And be careful, Boruto might be up to something.

"Understood," Ino replied, cutting the telepathic connection.

Shikamaru quickly left his office, striding steadily towards Naruto's. Upon arriving, he opened the door to find Naruto sitting behind his desk, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"Did you discover anything?" Naruto asked, intrigued by the speed of her arrival.

Shikamaru walked over to the desk, assessing the situation.

—I thought he was going to throw you out the window and go after Boruto.

Naruto sighed, "I was about to do it, but you stopped me. That means you have a reason."

—Exactly. There's no need to rush. Boruto is coming for us. He knew the barrier would detect him; it's part of his plan. He's waiting for us, he wants us to go after him —Shikamaru explained calmly.

Naruto frowned. "So, are you looking for us to confront you? You said you would explain more to me."

"Naruto, I think I know what Boruto is planning, but you're not going to like it. Every word he says will be designed to make you suffer. You have to be prepared for that. The Boruto you knew…" he paused briefly, searching for the right words, "that Boruto is just a facade he created. An illusion for others, for you. Whatever you see now, it's not the child you raised. You can't let his words affect you, because he knows how to manipulate your emotions."

Naruto clenched his fists, his gaze firm but filled with pain as he listened to Shikamaru.

"So you think Boruto... that my son is going to use me like that?" Naruto asked, his tone containing sadness.

"I don't just believe it, I'm almost certain," Shikamaru replied gravely. "He knows you better than anyone."

Naruto lowered his head for a moment, pondering, before raising it with renewed determination in his eyes.

"I won't let your words affect me," he said firmly. "I'm prepared."

"If what Kakashi and Sai said is true, then you must be ready to fight. There is no room for doubt," Shikamaru added in a warning tone.

Naruto nodded. "Don't worry about it, but you said you know his plan. What is Boruto looking for?"

Shikamaru sighed. "His plan is simple: gain ground at any cost. Once he does, he will be able to achieve what he truly wants. What he is looking for is…"

Naruto interrupted him resolutely. "Whatever you're looking for, you won't get it. Not while I'm here."

Shikamaru took a few steps, standing next to Naruto. "Then we just have to wait for the others."

They both fell silent, knowing that the next meeting would be decisive, not only for Boruto, but for the fate of the village.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

—Come in! —Naruto said.

Kakashi entered first, followed by Hiashi and Hanabi. Behind them, more people appeared: the academy sensei and the headmaster.

"Continue," Naruto ordered.

The others continued into the room and stood in front of Naruto's desk. He looked at each of them and spoke:

—I hope that you are all informed of the whole truth.

The people present nodded. Shikamaru, who was next to Naruto, added:

—Make yourself comfortable.

The others moved, standing next to Naruto and looking towards the door. Naruto turned his gaze towards Anko, Konohamaru and Shino.

"How did the boys do on the genin exam?" Naruto asked.

Shino replied:

—They did very well. They showed great determination and never gave up. They made an excellent team. At first they had a hard time understanding each other, but in the end they managed to overcome the difficulties.

Naruto nodded happily and smiled, thinking to himself: Boruto should have been in that exam, starting his career as a shinobi and not in this situation.

Shikamaru, noticing the atmosphere, commented:

—We should bring some chairs, don't you think, Naruto?

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. Shikamaru left the room and called for a shinobi to bring the chairs. Meanwhile, the people present began to sit down.

At that moment, someone else came through the door.

—Grandpa Tsunade! —Naruto said. —Have a seat.

Tsunade sat next to Kakashi, and everyone present was waiting for Boruto.

Boruto, still sitting, watched Konoha as the wind moved his hair. At that moment, several shinobi appeared in a Shunshin, surrounding him, and Sai materialized behind him, a few meters away.

Without turning to look, Boruto spoke:

—I thought you were dead, Sai. I don't think the explosion was small.

Sai replied calmly:

—What you did was quite dangerous.

"Dangerous?" Boruto repeated, giving a slight smile. "Heh…

Sai kindly tried again:

—Will it be possible for you to come with us without us having to go to any further extremes?

Boruto glanced at him and, in a relaxed tone, replied:

"It seems the Hokage needs me..." he stood up and added. "Why don't we go see him?"

The shinobi, who were on alert, stepped back a little as Sai nodded.

"Follow me," Sai said.

The group of shinobi disappeared in a Shunshin, and Sai jumped from the Kages' faces, descending at high speed reaching the roof of a house. Boruto watched him and, after a moment, did the same, landing on the roof of the house. From there, both began to run towards the Hokage's office.

After several minutes of running and jumping, Sai and Boruto arrived at the Hokage building. Entering, they silently walked up the stairs leading to Naruto's office. As they climbed, the air grew heavier, and the sound of their footsteps echoed in the hallway. Finally, they reached the door. Before entering, Sai cast a quick glance at Boruto and spoke to him in a firm tone:

—I hope you're prepared. What you did has consequences, and you're going to have to face them.

Boruto didn't answer, keeping his face expressionless. Sai turned his gaze forward, knocked on the door and spoke:

—I can come in, I brought it with me.

From inside the office, Naruto's voice echoed low and restrained:

—Come in.

Sai opened the door and entered, closely followed by Boruto. As they moved to the center of the room when they arrived

Sai spoke formally:

—I have accomplished the mission.

Naruto, still staring at Boruto, replied:

—Take a seat, Sai.

Sai walked over to a chair and sat down. Boruto, for his part, remained standing in the center of the room. The gazes of all those present were fixed on him, carefully evaluating him, as if each one was looking for some clue in his behavior. They were looks that seemed like those of a judgment, loaded with a mixture of distrust and analysis. Boruto, without showing emotion, cast a quick glance out of the corner of his eye, but finally focused his attention on his father and spoke:

—Father, what do you want to tell me? Why did you call me?

Naruto, sitting at his desk, didn't take his eyes off Boruto. His eyes were filled with anger, but also with something else, a mix of pain and disappointment that he couldn't quite hide.

Before Naruto could respond, Shikamaru intervened, speaking with a calm but cold expression:

—We want to ask you several questions about what happened six years ago.

Boruto blinked barely, but kept his composure. He spoke calmly:

—What do you want to know?

Although his voice showed no sign of nervousness, inside Boruto felt the growing pressure of being in front of these figures, especially his father. The tension in the atmosphere was suffocating, but Boruto, true to his nature, did not let it show on his exterior.

The people present exchanged glances; they all thought the same thing: Boruto was hiding how nervous he really was. Shikamaru, however, noticed something else. He observed Boruto's feigned calm and thought:

"It seems like he does know what happened... but is this the real Boruto? I'd like to consult with Kakashi and Sai, but something doesn't quite add up."

Returning to focus, Shikamaru spoke, just as calmly as Boruto:

The tension in the room became palpable. Boruto clenched his fists tightly, trying to control the torrent of emotions that was overwhelming him. A bead of sweat ran down his temple, but his eyes, full of fury, were fixed directly on Shikamaru.

"I've already told you what happened that day," he said in a subdued voice. "Isn't that enough?"

Shikamaru kept his gaze firm, unperturbed, as he replied:

—I want you to tell me about Jiro and Yuki's family.

Boruto felt a surge of rage rise in his chest upon hearing that question. He glared at Shikamaru in fury before speaking, his tone more somber this time.

"They were my friends," he began. "I only know a little about their family… Yuki and Jiro's father was a veteran of the Fourth Ninja War. He mistreated Yuki, blaming her for his wife's death. Jiro always stepped in to protect his sister, taking the blows that were meant for her. Their mother died giving birth to Yuki. That's all I know."

Looking up, Boruto stared at Shikamaru, his eyes alight with anger. He hadn't stopped clenching his fists since he started speaking.

Shikamaru nodded, his tone now softer.

—So that's what happened... Losing someone is very painful, Boruto. Believe me when I tell you that I understand your pain. Everyone in this room understands it.

Boruto's expression softened for a moment, and he lowered his guard slightly.

"So why do you ask?" he replied, calmer.

Shikamaru looked at him carefully, measuring each word.

—We just want to know more... that's all.

Boruto lowered his head, his shoulders relaxing for the first time.

—I see... so that was it.

But Shikamaru wasn't done. With the same serenity in his voice, he threw out a question that fell like a hammer in the room:

—There's something that doesn't add up... Tell me, Boruto, how did your friends die? You were there, you must know who killed them... Or was it you?

Shikamaru's words echoed in the air, and everyone present held their breath. And they were shocked. Even Tsunade, who had remained silent, widened her eyes in surprise, but did not intervene.

Boruto, who had maintained a controlled attitude until now, slowly raised his head. His eyes, once filled with fury, now seemed to burn with barely contained anger.

"Be careful what you say, Shikamaru," he warned in a low, dangerous voice. "You could pay dearly for it."

The impact of his words was like an electric shock in the room. The sensei present, accustomed to the calm and disciplined Boruto, exchanged looks of astonishment. No one expected that response from him.

Shikamaru, however, did not back down.

"And what are you planning to do to me, Boruto?" he replied, unfazed.

Boruto, still furious, stared at him, but didn't answer. He just let the silence speak for him.

"I've told you everything I know," he said at last, his voice tense.

Shikamaru did not give in.

—Answer my question, Boruto. If you don't, I'll have to assume that it was you who killed your companions. And, in that case, we'll arrest you right now for murder.

The silence that followed was heavy and oppressive. All eyes were on Boruto, waiting for his answer.

Boruto glared at him and spoke:

—You want to know if I killed my companions? Well, well, since you want to hear my words, fine.

The people present became attentive to the blonde's words. Boruto continued speaking, his tone calm but filled with latent resentment.

"Back then, after my father's appointment as Hokage, I bought a present for Yuki, since it was his birthday that day. When I was walking to his house, I heard screams in an alley. I ran there, and what I saw knocked me out of my mind. I saw my friends on the ground, covered in blood, and a man standing over them, glaring at them. I ran towards them with everything I had, charged my feet and fist with chakra, and jumped up, punching him in the head. The man fell to the ground, unconscious. I then ran towards my friends, who were unconscious, and tried to heal them using the Mystic Palm jutsu, a jutsu I had learned from my father's scrolls that I found in his room. I wanted to heal my friends when they got hurt."

The shock in the room was palpable. That a child had learned the Mystic Palm was incredible; even some adults failed to master it, but a child... that was something else. Tsunade thought he was an out of the ordinary talent, an absolute genius who had learned such a jutsu without any guidance.

Boruto continued with his story, his voice holding firm despite the emotional burden:

—I sent all my chakra towards them, thinking I could heal them, but all I did was bring them back to consciousness so they could feel the pain. Their wounds were so deep that they could only suffer. Apparently, the man who hit Jiro and Yuki was their father. He was drunk, and with the bottle he had in his hand, he hit Jiro's head, embedding the glass. He stabbed Yuki with the broken part of the bottle; since his body was small, the wounds were more serious, destroying part of his organs. My technique only made them feel pain again.

Boruto looked down, staring at his own hands, which he clenched tightly.

—They said goodbye to me. In the end, Jiro took my hand away and placed it on Yuki so she wouldn't die, that was his last wish. But I wasn't able to fulfill it. She died soon after. I couldn't save her, I couldn't keep the promise to save Yuki... the only thing I had on my hands was blood. I watched as their lives slipped through my hands.

The pain in his voice was evident. Those present were speechless. It was a heartbreaking story, the kind of suffering that would have broken anyone. Even Shikamaru, who always had an answer, fell silent, processing what he had just heard.

Naruto felt the urge to stand up and hug his son, but he knew that this was not the right time.

Shikamaru finally broke the silence:

-I have a question.

Boruto looked at him, his eyes no longer shining like before.

—What happened to your friends' father?

The air in the room grew thicker. Boruto was slow to respond, but he finally did, his voice cold and emotionless.

—My friends' father is dead.

The coldness of those words made more than one person in the room shudder. Shikamaru gulped before continuing:

—Did you kill him?

Boruto looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then looked down and stared directly at Shikamaru.

—Yes. I killed him.

The impact of his words ran through the room like an electric current. No one wanted to hear the confirmation, but there it was. Boruto smiled crookedly, and something in him changed; a dark shadow seemed to envelop him as he continued.

"Since you asked, I'll tell you what I did to him. After my friends died, my anger and desire for revenge increased. So I took the man's body and brought it to another place. I tied him up there for three days, giving him no food or water, while Jiro and Yuki's funeral was held. When it was all over, I went to where he was tied up. The man was begging to be let go. I proposed a game to him: every time he failed, I would make a wound on his body with a kunai. The game began. Every time he lost, another wound appeared on his body. I destroyed his spirit, his mind, and his body. When the wounds were too deep, I healed him so he wouldn't bleed to death."

Boruto's tone grew even more somber as he recounted the man's final moments.

"In the end, he asked me to kill him, his mind was already broken," Boruto continued, his voice cold and devoid of remorse. "But I didn't do it at first. I let him suffer until he died of pain and agony."

Those present couldn't help but feel disturbed by every word that came out of Boruto's mouth. No one could process what he was saying.

"And you know what?" Boruto continued, his lips forming a dark smile. "At the beginning of the torture, he said something to me that made me laugh. He asked me to let him go… His children begged him for a long time to let them go, but… He never stopped beating them, he never listened to their pleas. That person was so disgusting."

Boruto couldn't help but smile even more, as if he was enjoying the memory. It was a disturbing smile, a disturbing contrast to the cruelty of his words.

The atmosphere in the room became unbearably tense, as if the air had become heavier. Some of those present looked away, unable to bear it in the face of the coldness with which Boruto described his revenge.

Naruto, motionless in his seat, felt a mixture of disbelief and pain. He had never seen his son like that, so distant, so cruel. Meanwhile, Shikamaru looked at him with an inscrutable expression, although inside he was also struggling to assimilate what he had just heard.

Boruto continued to smile, as if he didn't care what anyone thought of him. He had told the truth, a truth he himself accepted without regret, and that cold reality seemed to resonate in every corner of the room.

Kakashi, with his usual seriousness, broke the awkward silence that had formed in the room.

—So you took control of the clone, Boruto.

Everyone present turned their gaze to Kakashi, then to Boruto, surprised. This was just a clone?

Nobody could believe it. Nobody had noticed.

Naruto opened his eyes in surprise and in his mind space, he turned to Kurama.

—Kurama, is this a clone?

Kurama, who had been attentively watching the entire conversation, replied in a calm voice.

—It's hard to say... I don't know what the original looks like. But the chakra is that of a real person, you can't tell it apart.

—So, everything he said is a lie, a trick to manipulate us? —Naruto asked, with some doubt in his voice.

Kurama thought about it for a moment before answering:

—I don't think so... but who knows?

Naruto nodded mentally, with a mix of confusion and concern.

"This human brat is indeed strange," Kurama thought. "But he doesn't seem like an immediate danger."

Out of Naruto's mindspace.

Boruto stopped smiling, his face hardening as he looked at Kakashi.

"You're a pain, Kakashi," Boruto replied coldly.

—I see... —Kakashi continued, keeping his cool—. It's time for you to bring the real Boruto before us.

Boruto's clone stared at him intently, then let out a sigh.

"Whatever you say…" he said, taking out a three-pronged kunai. He sent chakra into the kunai and, in an instant, it disappeared in a smokescreen and the kunai fell to the ground, stabbing into the ground. The room was silent for a few seconds before another Boruto appeared, wearing completely different clothes.

Those who hadn't seen the real Boruto were left speechless. This Boruto was a completely different figure. His jacket was longer, adorned with red stripes that gave him a more imposing air. He wore high shinobi sandals, gloves covered his hands, and his cold, distant gaze contrasted sharply with that of his clone.

With his eyes closed, the real Boruto took a moment before slowly opening them.

"The information and experience have arrived," he said quietly. Then, his eyes met those of his father, Naruto, who was looking at him with a mixture of confusion and sadness.

"It's been a while, Father," Boruto said, his voice tinged with a calculated coldness, as if the family bond no longer held the same meaning for him.

The room became a whirlwind of tension as Boruto watched the reactions with his characteristic indifference. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, measuring each word before speaking, but Boruto was faster.

"I see many important faces in this place. Three Kages gathered by me, but what an honor!" He let out a carefree laugh that echoed through the room.

Kakashi looked at him calmly.

—You are completely different from the other Boruto.

Boruto, still with a smile on his face, observed him carefully before speaking.

—I thought you were dead, but you recovered faster than I did. You're pretty tough, Kakashi. You should tell me your secret.

Kakashi's expression didn't change, his tone still stern.

—So you won't say anything.

Boruto, keeping his smile, responded with a chuckle.

—You're all sitting comfortably, so I want to do it too.

With a subtle movement of his hand, he formed a wooden chair out of chakra. He placed it in front of Naruto, and with a relaxed attitude, he sat down, placing his ankle on his knee in an arrogant manner.

—Now we can talk.

Those present could not hide their astonishment. Boruto did not show a shred of respect for anyone in the room, making it clear that he was not afraid. His attitude defied any established norm, as if he were the one dictating the pace of the conversation.

Hiashi decided to intervene, breaking the silence.

"How have you been, Boruto, since our last meeting?" he asked calmly.

Boruto, without turning his head completely, looked at him sideways with a smile.

—Well, here we go, I've been quite busy these past few days.

Hiashi nodded, though his eyes were serious.

—I hope we can talk properly this time.

But Boruto looked away from Hiashi and turned to Naruto.

—Old man, you wanted the truth years ago. You better go, this is none of your business.

Hanabi, furious at the lack of respect, stood up from her seat.

—Why are you like this, Boruto? You're hurting everyone around you. Is this what you want? —she shouted with the Byakugan activated, ready to face him.

Boruto completely ignored her, looking at the sky through the window with a smile.

—But what a lovely day, isn't it? I wonder how it will all end.

Hanabi's anger boiled over and just as she was about to attack, Hiashi grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"He's making fun of us," Hanabi protested angrily, looking at her father with a mix of confusion and anger.

Hiashi shook his head.

—Sit down, Hanabi. Boruto is right.

Gritting her teeth, Hanabi returned to her seat, though her Byakugan was still activated, her gaze never leaving Boruto.

Shikamaru, still sizing up the situation, tried to intervene again, but Boruto interrupted him, once again, with disdain in his voice.

"It seems that there are many people involved, and at the same time, few," he said, crossing his arms as if it were a simple game.

Shikamaru, clearly annoyed, was about to say something when Boruto cut him off once again.

"I haven't been to this office for years," Boruto added, as if everything else was irrelevant.

Shikamaru's rage was on the verge of exploding, his shadow already beginning to spread across the ground, but a slight movement of Kakashi's head stopped him. Shikamaru took a deep breath and calmed down.

Tsunade, who had been watching Boruto silently, finally decided to speak.

"So this is the real Boruto… A spoiled, annoying child," he said, his tone laced with disapproval.

Boruto glanced at her, and with a mocking smile, replied:

—And you are an annoying old woman.

In the room, several people sweated anime-style. Tsunade, on the other hand, stood up with fury in her eyes.

"What did you say, brat?" he growled, his fists clenched tightly.

"What you heard, old lady," Boruto replied, without losing his smile.

Tsunade was ready to attack when Kakashi, once again, intervened.

"Calm down, Tsunade-sama," he said in a reassuring tone, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Calm down? That brat disrespected me!" he protested, his eyes filled with anger.

Kakashi, with his usual serenity, looked at her with a slight smile in his eyes.

"Just calm down, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade took a deep breath, controlling her anger.

"But this brat will pay for it in the future," he muttered, his voice laden with menace.

Iruka, with the weight of the situation on his shoulders, broke the silence that continued to grow in the room.

"To think that this would slip through our fingers… I never thought it would come to this. I have failed as a sensei and as a director," he said, his voice filled with regret.

Shino, quickly intervening, shook his head.

—It's not your fault, Iruka-sensei. The mistake is mine, as your current sensei. I didn't realize... it's me who failed.

Anko, who had remained silent until that moment, added with a sigh of resignation:

—You're not the only one, Shino. I taught him too, so part of the blame is on me.

Konohamaru, who had always been close to Boruto, felt even more affected.

—The mistake of not having discovered the real Boruto is only mine. After all, I am the closest to him... I have to apologize to all of you.

The other sensei seemed to be about to speak, sharing the blame and weight of the situation. However, before they could say anything else, Boruto intervened without even looking at them.

"What a pain..." he muttered disdainfully.

The sensei looked at him, surprised by the interruption, but Boruto continued, his tone laden with contempt.

—They disgust me. They expect pity from others to feel good about themselves, as if they had done something, when in reality they did nothing. They are trash. They expect pity from others to feel "happy." They shouldn't even be in this room, they don't know anything about me. What gives them the right to be here? They better get out, because their faces make me sick just looking at them.

Boruto's words landed like a bomb. The sensei were stunned, unable to respond to the venom in his voice. It was as if everything they had built and taught had been disregarded in a single instant.

Naruto, unable to contain himself any longer, slammed the table hard.

—Boruto, that's enough of insulting others! We don't teach you that at home! —he shouted, with a mix of frustration and anger in his voice.

Boruto, with a mischievous smile, replied without flinching.

—I thought the mice had gotten your tongue, father... Or should I call you Hokage? Tell me, what do you prefer?

Naruto glared at him, his patience hanging by a thread.

Shikamaru, seeing the situation worsen, was about to intervene, but Boruto cut him off, this time with a louder voice full of contempt.

—You all are so stupid! I'll say it just once: what happens here is between me and my father. No one else! If any of you intervene, you'll pay dearly for it. And I'm serious!

The silence that followed was overwhelming. Everyone who was about to speak, or at least try to, fell silent, unable to move under the intensity of his words.

With a chilling coldness, Boruto continued speaking, his voice even colder.

—This is a family conversation. Something that none of you have the right to interfere with. So shut up and watch from the shadows, where you belong.

The atmosphere in the room felt increasingly heavy, the intense gazes of Boruto and Naruto trapping everyone present in an uncomfortable silence. Sai, from his place, watched with concern. Naruto , he thought, in the past you managed to save me from that abyss... how will you save your son ?

Boruto and Naruto's eyes remained fixed on each other, a battle of wills taking place silently. Boruto sat relaxed in his chair, displaying a confidence that almost seemed dangerous. His gaze was haughty, as if he didn't care in the slightest about the surroundings or the people around him.

Naruto, for his part, was trying to find something of the Boruto he used to know, but what he saw was a darkness that he couldn't quite understand. After a few seconds, he spoke in a firm voice.

—You've done a lot of bad things, Boruto. What were you trying to achieve by doing all this?

Boruto stopped smiling, his expression became serious, and settling into his seat, he replied:

—Be more free.

Naruto looked at him deeply, trying to process that answer.

"Be free? Aren't you free here?" Naruto asked, his tone filled with disbelief.

"I am not," Boruto replied, keeping his gaze firm. "This village is my prison."

Naruto frowned, his mind struggling to comprehend his son's words.

—Your family is in this village, don't you love your mother and your younger sister?

Boruto closed his eyes for a moment before answering, his voice cold:

—This place limits me. About my mother and Himawari... it's just temporary. Someday I'll have to part with them, and that's all.

Naruto felt a knot in his stomach at those words. His son was speaking as if their family ties meant nothing.

—So for you, your family is just a passing thing… —Naruto repeated, trying to understand—. The connections you've formed are just temporary?

"Connections are long until someone decides they aren't," Boruto replied nonchalantly. "It's that simple."

Naruto watched him seriously, searching for a chink in his emotional armor.

—So, what did you want to achieve by fighting Kakashi?

"What I wanted to achieve," Boruto answered seriously, "was a higher rank so I could move as I pleased. The fight with Kakashi got out of hand. Neither of them gave up, and that took things to another level."

Naruto frowned even deeper.

—Move as you please? What is your goal, Boruto?

Boruto looked him straight in the eyes, without hesitation.

—My goal is simple: to be the strongest. To reach a higher place than anyone else.

Naruto sighed, his thoughts racing in all directions.

—All this just for that goal? Is it necessary to do so much damage for that?

Boruto wrinkled his brow slightly, sensing a hint of contempt in his father's words.

—You speak as if you were mocking my goal, as if it were a small thing. I thought you would understand. I have read your stories, your dream of being Hokage... but it seems that you are mocking my dream.

Naruto opened his eyes in surprise, clearing his voice before answering:

—I'm not making fun of your dream, Boruto. What I think is that it shouldn't be necessary to cause so much harm. When I was your age, my dream was to be Hokage, but I never tried to hurt anyone like you are doing.

Boruto let his brow relax, and with an even colder voice, he replied:

—You and I are not the same, Father. We are opposites. You needed others to be someone, but I don't need them. I can be someone without depending on others. We are completely different.

Kakashi, who had been listening silently, pondered Boruto's words. Boruto was born with everything... a family that loves him. But he shows indifference towards it. He doesn't seek validation from those around him. Whereas Naruto... Naruto was born with no one. No one loved him, and everyone hated him. Yet Naruto sought validation from others, longed to be loved and acknowledged. They are opposites in every way .

The silence that filled the room was almost suffocating, each word from Boruto and Naruto cutting through the air like a knife. Naruto, without taking his serious gaze off his son, reflected on what he had said and finally broke the silence.

—You wanted to get a higher rank to move more freely... With what you've done in this village, you could have become a renegade ninja. Why didn't you do it? —Naruto asked, his tone serious and measured.

Boruto looked him straight in the eyes, his expression remaining serious, almost contemptuous.

"If I had become a rogue ninja, things would be more complicated. Being your son would make it very difficult for me to move as I want," Boruto answered, without a hint of doubt in his voice. "You would never stop looking for me. You would do anything to find me and bring me back to Konoha. I would be a bigger target, not only because of my power, but because I am your son. All the villages would hunt me more than any ordinary rogue ninja, and the complications would be enormous. It is better to face you now, here, at this moment, than later, when things would be even worse."

Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, processing the cold logic behind Boruto's words. He slowly nodded, acknowledging what his son was saying, even if it hurt him deeply.

"So you had it all planned out," Naruto murmured, his voice filled with a mix of acceptance and sadness.

Boruto indifferently replied:

—who knows.

That emotionless, disdainful response weighed heavily on Naruto. His son's indifference hurt him more than anything he had ever said before.

The gap between father and son was more evident than ever.

Naruto spoke seriously, without taking his eyes off his son:

—I understand everything. You did this to get a higher rank, and I can understand that. But why send a clone all over Konoha pretending to be you? You could have shown your strength from the beginning and graduated earlier. I would have allowed it myself.

Boruto looked at him, a smile appearing on his face as if Naruto's words were a joke.

"Hahaha, you're so funny, old man," Boruto replied with a cold laugh. "What you're saying... you would never have done it. Instead, you would have given me a typical speech, something like: 'Even though you are strong and talented, Boruto, you must learn the value of teamwork. Friends are your greatest strength. Only when you have something to protect do you show your true strength. It's important that you learn to trust others and understand that you can't do everything alone. Learn to protect them, and then you'll understand what it really means to be strong.' Those would be your words, parents.

Boruto maintained his mocking smile as he looked at his father, his every word laden with contempt.

"Those would be your words, father," Boruto continued, leaning forward in his seat. "But that's not what I want to hear. It never was. I don't need a lecture on the importance of bonds or protecting others. Protecting them from what?" He laughed, but this time with a harshness that chilled the air around him. "I'm not like you, I don't have that ridiculous desire to be loved and accepted by others."

Naruto watched him silently for a moment, his expression more serious than ever.

"Is that what you think I am, Boruto?" he asked calmly, though his eyes showed the pain of hearing his own son speak that way. "That I always wanted to be Hokage to be accepted? I fought to protect everyone because that's what gave me strength. Because those bonds, those people, are what made me strong."

Boruto let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair.

—Exactly, that's the difference. You need others to be strong. I don't. I don't need anyone to achieve the power I seek. That's the difference between you and me, father.

Naruto watched him with a hint of pity, knowing that his son might never understand what true friendship means or having something to protect.

—Boruto, tell me... why did you send a clone instead of doing things yourself? You just had to wait until the exam to become a genin.

Boruto looked at him strangely and replied:

—You really don't know? I thought you'd understand, Father. After all, you taught me.

Naruto opened his eyes in surprise.

—What are you talking about? What did I teach you?

Boruto leaned forward slightly, with an enigmatic smile.

—I'll tell you something, father. Something very important. You may not even accept it, but I want to hear your answer. I don't want anyone to tell you what to say, I don't even want that being that lives inside you, the Kyubi, to tell you anything. He must only listen. And this goes for everyone here: no one must get in the way. I want to hear your words, the words of the one who calls himself Hokage.

Silence filled the room. Everyone present, including Naruto, awaited Boruto's words. Inside Naruto's mindspace, Kurama thought: What will this brat say? It must be something strong... Naruto, prepare yourself.

Out of the mind space, Boruto stopped smiling and spoke seriously.

—So, Father, do you want to know why I had the clone do everything for me?

Naruto remained silent for a moment. Something inside him told him that he didn't want to hear what Boruto had to say, but he replied:

—Go ahead, Boruto.

Boruto leaned back in his chair, his gaze cold and firm.

"Do you know how long it's been since I last saw you, Father?" he said with cutting calm. "Almost five years."

Naruto opened his eyes in shock.

-That?

Those present could not hide their surprise.

Boruto continued speaking, with a cold tone:

"What you saw was just a clone. Although I could see you through it, it's not the same as seeing you in person, Father. I created the clone to prevent several things. The first was that neither you nor Mother would know that I was training. I trained day and night for the past six years, ending up with deep wounds, sometimes broken bones… So the clone was my replacement. But I invented the clone technique after my sixth birthday, when you sent a clone to celebrate it. For the six years you've been Hokage, you never showed up on my birthday. In the first two years, you sent a clone to replace you, but after that, you didn't even send one."

Boruto let out a bitter laugh.

—Hahaha... It's sad, isn't it, father? During those years I didn't understand why my dear father didn't come to my birthday, so I learned. I thought: Should I show the world what I feel? But I told myself that it was stupid... still , I wanted to try what it feels like for others to only see a clone instead of yourself. I sent the clone to the academy. I showed the world what you taught me, father: a clone to replace me, like you did on my birthdays. That was the main reason for the creation of my clone technique. There are other reasons too, like not wanting to interact with others because they would be a hindrance and things like that, but that was the main one.

Boruto paused and his gaze hardened.

—What surprised me the most was what happened days ago when I fell ill... although, of course, it was the clone who was sick. I was hospitalized for a few days, but you never came to visit me. When the clone passed on his memories to me, I was surprised. I thought that, even though I was your son, it wasn't enough for you to come visit me. So tell me, father, what excuse will you give me? Why in all these years didn't you come to my birthdays? Why, even when I was sick, didn't you come to see me? What will your excuse be? That you were busy helping the village? That you are the Hokage and don't have time? That the village is your family and you have to think about everyone? That you forgot? Tell me, father, what is your excuse? What will you tell me to feel better about yourself? Or will you just stay silent, letting the air carry away the words? Will you promise me that it will never happen again and that you will do it differently from now on?

Naruto just stared at him, unable to say anything. It was as if the words had gotten stuck in his throat, unable to believe what he was hearing. Those present felt a knot in their stomach; they never imagined that Naruto would do something like that. It was unthinkable for them.

Boruto waited for an answer, but when he didn't receive one, he stood up suddenly, full of fury, and shouted:

"You're just a hypocrite! Before I turned six, you promised me that you would come to my birthday, but you didn't go! You just sent a clone. A year later, you did the same thing. When I heard the words you said to Sarada, I was disgusted. When I read the stories about you, how you always kept your promises… Hypocrite! You're just a hypocrite who believes that forgiveness should always be given. Do you think that I should forgive you just because you're the Hokage? If I'm still in this village in the future, I don't want you to come to my birthday again. If you do, even just once… I will destroy this village! That great village that is your family. I will leave nothing of it, so that you understand that if you make a promise, it must be kept no matter the price. Father, the hero you were in the past, you are no longer. You are just a shell of what you were. I can even say that you are much weaker than the Naruto of the past."

Naruto stood there with his eyes wide open, unable to say anything. He hung his head, unable to face his son's words. Boruto looked at him and, after a moment, spoke:

—That's all. Father, you won't say anything, you'll just stay silent, you coward!

He sighed and sat back down, glancing at the others. Everyone was silent, unable to say a word. What they had heard was incredible.

Boruto watched them and coldly said:

—It seems that this conversation has ended here. What's next?

No one in the room spoke up. Everything was silent for a while until Boruto spoke again:

"Why are you so quiet?" he said with a mocking smile. "Hahaha."

Kakashi, who had been looking at the ground, looked up at Boruto and spoke:

—Tell me, Boruto, how much did you have planned? This is all a game to you, right?

Boruto watched him and replied:

—I didn't have anything planned, I just thought this would happen. And if it's a game... maybe so, after all I've already said what I had to say. It's time to take another step, or advance to the next level.

The people present raised their heads. Hiashi was the first to speak:

—You trained day and night to become strong. Tell me, what do you plan to do when you reach the top, Boruto? When there is no one left to surpass.

Boruto glanced at him and replied:

—I don't know. When I get there I'll think about it, but there's always someone to surpass. There's always someone above you.

Kakashi intervened again:

—What are your plans, Boruto? The fact that you told us all the truth... Why did you come? You said you didn't want to be a renegade ninja, that it would be a pain for you, but you could have come a month later. Why today?

Boruto looked at him coldly and replied:

—Because I want to be a ninja of this village.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise, and Naruto, who had been keeping his head down, looked at Boruto. Kakashi continued:

-What do you mean?

"It's simple," Boruto said, "it will benefit me more to be a ninja than a deserter. So... will you accept me into the village?"

Shikamaru intervened:

—You did quite a few things to harm our shinobi.

Boruto replied:

—None of them died, so it's okay. They were just injured in the fight between Kakashi and me.

Shikamaru, with a mix of frustration, said:

—Seriously, you're quite annoying. Tell me, how do you plan to become a ninja?

"Like everyone else, it's that simple," Boruto replied, indifferent.

Naruto, still with sadness in his eyes, hurt by his son's words, did not know how to deal with him from then on. Finally, he spoke:

—So you're planning on joining a genin team? Forming a team?

Boruto looked at him coldly and replied:

—Is that the first thing you say? Well, I don't care anymore. I was a little angry when I said those words, but it doesn't matter now.

Naruto opened his eyes in surprise and lowered his head again, trying to hold back his tears. Within his mindspace, Kurama spoke:

—Calm down, Naruto, that brat is manipulating you.

Naruto who was sitting in his mind space turned to look at him as Kurama continued speaking:

—Your son told the truth about what he felt in those years, but now he no longer feels that anger. He is manipulating his emotions and the emotions of others. After all, the best way to lie is with the truth, and he knows it. So, Naruto, shrug your shoulders. You are not like that! In the past, you made me forget my hatred, we became partners... or have you forgotten? You wanted to be Hokage, and you succeeded. You are the hero who saved the world! Tell me, Naruto, can't you save the relationship between father and son?

Naruto, who was sitting in his mindspace, stood up, but there was determination in his eyes as he looked at Kurama.

—It's true... I just have to try again and again, right, Kurama?

Kurama smiled showing his fangs and said:

—That's right. You never gave up, and you never will, because you are...

Naruto turned around as Kurama finished his words:

—Naruto Uzumaki, the jinchuriki of the Kyubi no Kitsune .

Naruto spoke firmly:

—I won't give up on my son. It's time to talk to him.

Outside the mental space, Naruto raised his head and looked at Boruto. With a firm voice, he said:

—Boruto, I will not give up on you. I am your father and the Hokage of this village, Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto's eyes shone with unwavering determination. Boruto looked him in the eyes and said:

—We'll see, Father. Your resolution... how long will you carry it out?

Naruto spoke firmly:

—So you plan to join a ninja squad... And tell me, how do you plan to pay for everything you've done?

Hearing Naruto's words, everyone in the room smiled in relief. This was the Naruto they knew, the one who never gave up.

Boruto looked at him and replied:

—I can't and don't want to be on a genin team with brats that I'd have to protect just because I'm the strongest. And about paying for what I've done... what do you think I'm doing here if not that?

Naruto kept his gaze fixed on Boruto and spoke seriously:

—Are you planning to skip the ranks of a ninja? I won't allow it. You'll be on a genin team, whether you like it or not. That will be your punishment.

—I don't think that's possible, even if you wanted to, Father —Boruto replied calmly—. Why don't you explain to him, Shikamaru?

Naruto turned his gaze to Shikamaru, waiting for an explanation. The others did the same, in tense silence.

Shikamaru put a hand to his head, visibly annoyed, and spoke:

—What a pain... Naruto, it's true that Boruto can't be on a genin team. And the reason is very simple: he's too strong.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto replied in disbelief. "No matter how strong he is, he has to be a genin."

"It seems that what I told you passed you by very quickly," Boruto intervened, with a mocking smile.

Naruto looked at him and replied:

—It didn't go over well, but rules are rules. And you'll be a genin.

Shikamaru sighed and clarified:

—Naruto, Boruto is right. We can't put him in a genin team because it would upset the balance between the members. Genin teams are formed by balancing each member's abilities so that they complement each other and can thus improve their capabilities to the maximum. The problem is, in Boruto's generation, there is no one capable of matching him. If we put him in a team, he would have to lower his performance to adapt, and that would negatively affect the entire team. But if he fought at his full potential, his teammates wouldn't be able to keep up with him. That's the problem: Boruto is too strong compared to his generation.

Boruto smiled with satisfaction.

—Now you believe it, don't you, father? I can't be on a genin team.

Naruto frowned.

—So what do we do? He can't join a genin team, but he can't skip rank either.

"I have an idea," Boruto interrupted with amusement. "Do you want to hear it, father?"

Everyone looked at him expectantly, while Naruto watched him seriously.

"What's this about, Boruto?" Naruto asked, intrigued.

—You see, I would like to be given the rank of jounin, but I know that they won't —Boruto answered with a smile—. To be a genin, you just need to pass the exam. To be a chunin, you need the experience of being a genin. But to be a jounin is different; it requires strength and experience. And you already gained the experience when you were a genin, you just need the strength.

Shikamaru curiously interjected:

—So you want to gain the experience of a genin to become a jounin?

"That's right," Boruto replied confidently. "My idea is to have someone in this room train me for a while."

Naruto looked at him, confused.

—What do you mean, a time as a genin?

"It will only be a few months," Boruto explained. "I already have the strength to be a jounin, but I lack the experience. In the chunin exams, I won't aim to be a chunin, but a jounin."

Everyone present widened their eyes in surprise. Shikamaru muttered:

—Be a genin for a while and then jump to jounin...?

"Not bad, right?" Boruto added with a cocky smile.

Naruto looked at him seriously.

—If we listen to you, who would be your sensei?

Boruto smiled even wider and replied:

—There are only two people with enough time to teach me, and who have strength similar to mine.

Kakashi, who had remained silent, thought to himself: Damn, I know where this is going...

Boruto continued, looking directly at Kakashi.

—Kakashi, we made a bet when we fought, but neither of us won. Let's just say we both lost. I did my part and told you everything I know, but you still need to keep your deal.

Kakashi looked at him calmly, but there was a slight tension in his voice as he replied:

—Hey, that's not fair. You asked me to promote you, but I can't do that. I'm sorry, but the bet doesn't count.

Boruto looked at him amused.

—Make me your sensei, Kakashi. It'll be fun, and you're the only one who can teach me. Well... not the only one, but I don't think Tsunade will be too excited about teaching me if she doesn't beat me up first.

Tsunade, from Kakashi's side, let out a laugh.

—Well, you know what you're talking about, brat.

Boruto looked at her without much interest.

—Well, Kakashi, since we both lost the bet, we can change the conditions. Since you lost, become my sensei. Besides, it will only be until the chunin exams, a few months. It's not that long.

Naruto interrupted, annoyed:

—When did I give permission for this? You'll have a normal sensei, like everyone else, and there will be no exceptions.

Shikamaru sighed and added:

—Naruto, that's not a good idea. If we put a normal sensei on him, who knows what could happen. We need someone who can keep him in line. Kakashi was your sensei, and he could pass on your teachings to him in a more direct way. Plus, he might be able to influence Boruto's attitude.

Naruto sighed, pondering Shikamaru's words, and then looked at his son.

—Boruto, is this what you really want? To be alone, with no one to turn to?

Boruto looked at him and replied firmly:

—That's right. I prefer to be alone. If I overcome some obstacle by myself, I can feel proud of what I achieved without anyone's help. I don't want anyone's support, I prefer to walk alone.

Naruto slowly nodded at his son's words and calmly said:

—I hope that in the future you will trust your father. I will always be here for you.

Boruto nodded, showing a slight smile.

—I'll keep that in mind, Father.

Naruto looked at Kakashi and declared:

—So, Kakashi and Boruto will team up.

Kakashi urgently raised his voice:

—But I haven't accepted!

Naruto looked straight at him.

—Kakashi-sensei, I'm relying on you to help me with this.

Boruto added with a challenging smile:

—It will be a pleasure to work as a team with you, Kakashi-sensei.

Kakashi looked at him with some tiredness.

—It's not very exciting for you to call me that, but well... since it will only be until the chunin exams, I'll accept it.

Kakashi scratched his head and sighed, resigned.

Naruto turned his gaze towards Boruto and added:

—But I'll only accept being a genin until the chunin exams if you win, Boruto.

Boruto smiled confidently and replied:

—Sounds good to me. If I win, I'll be a jounin without any problem.

Naruto glanced at him and smiled.

—Don't underestimate ninjas, Boruto. You might be in for a surprise.

Boruto replied with determination:

—That's what I hope.

Kakashi looked at Boruto and warned him:

—Well, since I'll be your sensei, you'll follow my rules, right?

Boruto looked at him with disdain.

—It depends on the rules.

Kakashi smiled under his mask.

—It doesn't matter if you don't follow them. I'll make you follow them, no matter what.

Kakashi turned to Naruto and continued:

—Naruto, tomorrow is the day of team formation and the assignment of senseis.

Naruto nodded, and Kakashi continued:

—Boruto, I want to see you at the academy tomorrow. I don't want a clone, I want the real Boruto. Also, if you don't show up, you won't be a genin. Do you understand?

Boruto looked at him with some annoyance.

—Kakashi-sensei, those kids at the academy... they're a pain.

Kakashi replied without hesitation:

—You'll do what I tell you, Boruto.

As they talked, the atmosphere between the two changed; they spoke as if they had known each other for a lifetime. Those present watched the interaction in amazement: Boruto was able to speak to Kakashi as an equal, as if they were on equal terms.

Hiashi watched the conversation with a small smile on his lips and muttered:

—I'm glad everything has been resolved... I hope this doesn't change.

Hanabi listened to him, glanced at him, and then turned her gaze to Boruto.

—I hope you're right, Father.

Tsunade turned to Kakashi and commented with a slight mockery:

—Looks like you're still getting on with the job, Kakashi.

Kakashi looked at her dejectedly.

—I had already retired, but now I have to do it again... how lazy.

Boruto chimed in with an amused smile:

—Come on, Kakashi-sensei, it was fun, don't you think? After all, we fought hand to hand. I'm sure we'll get along just fine.

Kakashi looked at him without much enthusiasm and replied:

—Whatever you say, Boruto.

Shikamaru, who had been listening to the conversation, intervened:

—Boruto, now that you'll be in the village, how do you plan to pay for what you did? The shinobi you hurt... your classmates at the academy... Besides, you didn't even go to class, and to ascend to any rank you need to take a written test.

Boruto looked at him indifferently and replied:

—About the injured shinobi, I don't have an answer. As for my classmates, I don't care, they've never met me, so it doesn't matter. And about classes and exams... you can give me any test, I'll pass it. During the years I trained, I studied too. I read about all of you. So tell me, Shikamaru, what will you have me do?

Shikamaru looked at him seriously.

—I understand... I hope you're prepared for the tests. And about the injured shinobi, I think you owe them an apology. Same with your academy classmates, even if they didn't know you, they appreciated you.

Boruto looked at him coldly and replied:

—I don't owe anyone anything. So you better save that speech for someone else. I'm not going to apologize for something I didn't do.

Shikamaru frowned.

—What do you mean you didn't? The burned shinobi aren't your responsibility?

"They just got in the way of Kakashi's fight. They shouldn't have interfered," Boruto replied indifferently.

Shikamaru looked at him in disbelief.

—You're talking nonsense. It seems like you don't want to do this the easy way.

Boruto smirked.

—And what are you going to do? Take away my genin position and imprison me in Konoha? You want to fight? I'm not afraid of you.

Shikamaru's shadow stretched out towards Boruto, paralyzing him. Boruto noticed this and glared at him defiantly.

—Do you want me to apologize because they are weak? If they were stronger, they would have stopped me.

Shikamaru sighed.

—I don't want to fight. I just want you to apologize.

Boruto let out a sigh of annoyance.

—This is a bother... Well, I apologize for hurting the Konoha shinobi. I didn't think the jutsu was so powerful.

Shikamaru looked at him with some relief, but Kakashi intervened:

—That's enough, Shikamaru. Boruto won't change, leave it at that.

Shikamaru withdrew his shadow and Kakashi turned to Boruto.

—You said that you didn't think the jutsu you cast was that powerful... Now that I remember, Boruto, hand over the copy of the forbidden scroll. And if you have more copies, hand them over too.

Everyone present widened their eyes in surprise, remembering the story of the scroll. They looked at Boruto expectantly.

Boruto sighed.

—Do I really have to hand it in?

"Hand it over," Kakashi insisted.

With a wave of his hand, Boruto conjured a large scroll wrapped in a smokescreen and threw it towards Shikamaru, who received it with both hands.

Kakashi looked at Shikamaru and then at Boruto.

—How many jutsus did you complete from the forbidden scroll?

Boruto smiled, slyly.

—I won't tell you, because you'll ask me to hand them over. And I won't, since I got those jutsus by myself, without anyone's help.

Kakashi sighed again.

—Okay, leave it like that.

Boruto, sitting in his chair, leaned forward, taking out a three-pronged kunai which he stabbed into the ground.

—Well, then I'll go.

He stood up from his chair and with a wave of his hand, it disappeared in a puff of smoke. Naruto watched him and spoke with concern:

—I hope we can talk at home, Boruto. Your mother must know, and your sister too.

Boruto looked at him with disdain.

—Don't worry about it. My sister already knows, and my mother may know it too... But well, it's up to you, father.

He looked around at everyone present and added with a cynical smile:

—I hope they don't die somewhere. They seem like nice people, but I wonder if they really are. I'll see you in the future.

With a yellow flash, Boruto disappeared.

Boruto appeared in the abandoned factory and slowly walked to his rock throne, letting himself fall into it due to the accumulated tiredness of the day. He muttered to himself:

—Everything went well... It's just a matter of time and I'll be able to move the way I want.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Naruto remained silent, his eyes wide after hearing Boruto's words about Hinata and Himawari. He thought to himself, "So they knew? Why didn't they tell me?"

Inside, Kurama spoke:

—Hinata may have had a suspicion, but not certainty. That's why she didn't tell you; she just had doubts, not the full truth. And as for your daughter, well... Boruto probably told her not to say anything, so don't worry. But your son is amazing, Naruto. He was able to foresee what was going to happen, which makes him a danger... If he gives you advice in the future, you should take it seriously.

Naruto nodded in his mind.

—I'll keep that in mind.

Out of his mind space, Kakashi stood up and walked over to Naruto's desk, saying:

—I'm leaving, Naruto. I have work to do tomorrow, so I'll be leaving.

Naruto nodded, answering:

—Have a nice afternoon, Kakashi-sensei.

Tsunade also stood up and said:

—Take care, Naruto. I'm leaving too.

Naruto waved her off with a smile.

—See you later, Grandma Tsunade.

The others did the same, leaving the room one by one and heading home.

Naruto was left alone in the office with Shikamaru. He turned his chair and looked out the window, where the sun, tinted orange, was beginning to set behind the mountains. Thinking, he said:

—I think it's better to go home early today.

Shikamaru stood up from his seat.

—You're right, it's better to finish early for today.

Naruto stood up, putting on his Hokage mantle as he prepared to leave.

Shikamaru looked at the scroll they had received from Boruto and asked:

—What do we do with this scroll? We should destroy it.

Naruto looked at the scroll for a moment before answering:

—I'll take it with me. It'll be safer with me, and I'll destroy it when I get home.

Shikamaru nodded and handed him the scroll. They both left the office, ready to return home.

Thus ended the day for Naruto and Boruto, each on their own path. Naruto walked towards his home, with the forbidden scroll in his hands and his mind filled with doubts about his son. Meanwhile, Boruto, sitting on his rock throne, smiled confidently, knowing that everything was going according to his plans. Night fell over Konoha, enveloping the village in a shroud of uncertainty and new challenges. Although their paths had diverged, they both knew that the future was about to change.