Chapter 71: The Second Coming of Fourth

During this period, Boruto dedicated himself to thoroughly instructing Kawaki in various combat techniques. He took the time to patiently teach Kawaki different Jutsu, ensuring that he had the necessary skills to defend himself in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Once Boruto completed the training sessions, he seamlessly transitioned into his own rigorous physical exercises.

With unwavering determination, he pushed his body to its limits, honing his strength, agility, and endurance. Each movement was executed with precision and purpose, as Boruto strived to surpass his previous limits and reach new heights of physical prowess.

Kawaki's curiosity piqued, and he approached Sarada, who had just finished her intense workout. "Does Boruto always train with such intensity?" he inquired.

Sarada, catching her breath, chuckled and replied, "You should see how intense it gets when Metal is here."

Curiosity piqued, Kawaki asked, "Who is Metal?"

Sarada explained, "Metal is, at the very least, Boruto's most formidable rival. They constantly push each other to their limits, striving to outdo one another in every aspect of their training."

Intrigued by Sarada's response, Kawaki couldn't help but ask, "And what about you, Sarada? How do you compare to Boruto and Metal?"

Sarada, modestly acknowledging her own skills, replied, "I'm skilled, but I have to admit that even Mitsuki has better chances against Boruto and Metal. They have a unique bond and push each other to new heights."

Taking in Sarada's words, Kawaki nodded, gaining a deeper understanding of the dynamic training environment that surrounded Boruto and his peers.

Feeling inspired by Boruto's dedication, Kawaki made his way over to him and decided to join in on the handstand push-ups.

Boruto noticed Kawaki's presence and flashed him a confident smile. "You better keep up," he playfully taunted.

Kawaki, feeling comfortable and ready for the challenge, responded with a smirk. "Shut up, you blonde bastard," he retorted, teasingly.

Boruto chuckled in response, appreciating Kawaki's playful banter and determination to match his level of skill and strength.

Over the course of the next few days, Boruto and Kawaki continued their rigorous training sessions, pushing each other to their limits. In the midst of their training, Kawaki also took on the task of repairing a damaged vase, diligently working to piece it back together using glue.

As Kawaki focused on his repair work, Naruto, curious about his actions, approached him. "What are you doing, Kawaki?" Naruto inquired, his curiosity evident in his voice.

Kawaki paused for a moment, still searching for one missing piece of the vase. "I'm still searching for one more part of the vase," he replied, his dedication to fixing the broken object evident.

Naruto sighed, realizing the futility of the search. "At this point, you won't find it. Hinata cleans every day, so it's unlikely that the missing piece is still around," he explained, reaching into the fridge to retrieve a refreshing orange juice.

As he closed the fridge, Naruto muttered to himself, "Hmm, I shouldn't touch Boruto's apple juice."

Undeterred by Naruto's comment, Kawaki remained determined. "At least I can try. A vase that leaks water will only cause more problems," he reasoned, his commitment to completing the task at hand unwavering.

As Kawaki and Naruto engaged in conversation, a significant event unfolded in Uzushiogakure. Boruto, deep in his studies of Fuinjutsu, suddenly found himself taken aback as his karma seal unexpectedly activated on its own.

Surprised and slightly alarmed, Boruto instinctively reached out to touch the glowing mark on his palm, trying to comprehend the sudden surge of power coursing through his body.

With a determined expression on his face, Boruto made his decision. "I guess it's time," he said, placing his glasses carefully on the table. He reached for his Jonin vest, slipping it on and adjusting it to fit perfectly. Next, he fastened his Konoha headband securely around his forehead. As a final touch, he draped the 4th Hokage cloak over his shoulders, feeling a surge of excitement and confidence.

Boruto couldn't help but smile as he admired his reflection in the mirror. The cloak, which he had purchased from a specialty shop due to its cool appearance, made him resemble his grandfather, Minato Namikaze.

With everything in place, Boruto retrieved his Minato kunai. Holding the kunai in his hand, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. He eagerly awaited the moment when Kawaki would activate the seal on the other kunai that had been entrusted to him.

As Kawaki and Naruto engaged in their discussion, their attention was momentarily diverted by Kawaki's frustration. "I guess it's not here," Kawaki muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment as he searched for the missing piece of the vase.

Naruto, sensing Kawaki's frustration, stepped in to offer some reassurance. "Call it quits, Kawaki. You've done enough," he said, shouldering the garbage bags and preparing to dispose of them.

Realizing that he couldn't find the missing piece, Kawaki let out a sigh of resignation. "I guess I'll have to fill the hole with glue," he said, standing up and contemplating the best way to repair the damaged vase.

Outside the house, Hinata and Himawari appeared, ready to head out for a shopping trip to prepare dinner. Hinata called out to Naruto, who was still outside. "Naruto, we're going shopping for dinner," she informed him, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

Himawari, with a smile on her face, waved goodbye to her father. "See you later," she said, her excitement evident in her voice.

Naruto nodded, concern etched on his face. "Okay, be careful out there," he replied, his protective instincts kicking in as he watched them leave.

After disposing of the garbage bags in the trash can outside, Naruto's attention was suddenly drawn to Kawaki, who was now standing with a perplexed expression. Kawaki's palms began to glow as the karma seals on his hands activated on their own, causing Naruto to become increasingly alarmed. "What's happening?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and concern.

To their surprise, a black portal materialized, and from it emerged Jigen, the enigmatic figure they had been warned about by Boruto.

Although taken aback, Kawaki's confidence grew, a smirk forming on his face as he anticipated the challenge that lay before him. The little training he had undergone had prepared him to face this formidable opponent, and he was eager to see how well he would fare.

As tension filled the air, Kawaki swiftly summoned his blade arm on his right side, determined to strike Jigen with all his might. However, Jigen effortlessly slapped the blade away, demonstrating his superior speed and reflexes. Before Jigen could utter a word, Naruto, in his KCM (Kurama Chakra Mode), charged forward with incredible speed, aiming to deliver a powerful punch to Jigen.

Reacting on pure instinct, Jigen activated his Karma seal, enhancing his physical abilities. With lightning-fast reflexes, he swiftly kicked Naruto in the stomach, sending him staggering backward. In the midst of his attack, Jigen conjured four chakra rods and hurled them towards Naruto, intending to immobilize him.

Naruto, refusing to be defeated, swiftly landed on the ground and called upon the power of Kurama. The mighty Nine-Tails manifested its massive hands, skillfully intercepting the incoming black rods, shielding Naruto from harm.

"I don't have time to play with you," Jigen declared, his voice laced with impatience as he addressed Naruto. Despite Jigen's dismissive words, Kawaki remained undeterred, determined to make another attempt. He unleashed a powerful right hook slash towards Jigen, hoping to catch him off guard. However, Jigen effortlessly caught the attack with a single hand, showcasing his immense strength and skill.

"What are you doing, my rebellious son?" Jigen taunted, his voice dripping with condescension.

"Fuck you! I ain't your son, you bald, head-ass, shining headlight bulb-looking ass!" Kawaki retorted, his anger and defiance fueling his words as he cursed at Jigen for the first time.

Jigen, known for his calm demeanor, never anticipated that mere words could hurt him. However, the venom in Kawaki's insults struck a nerve within him.

"You want to get hurt again?" Jigen sneered, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and malice.

"Try me, bitch!" Kawaki spat back, his frustration and determination evident as a horn emerged from his head, signifying his transformation into a more Otsutsuki-like form.

Jigen's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. It seemed that Kawaki had progressed to a level beyond his expectations, bringing him one step closer to completing his plan.

With a swift motion, Kawaki retracted his blade arms and lunged at Jigen, aiming to tackle him to the ground. However, to his astonishment, Jigen remained completely stationary, unaffected by his assault. "What?!" Kawaki exclaimed in disbelief, his mind racing to comprehend how Jigen could withstand his attack. "How the hell did Boruto do that again?"

Mocking Kawaki, Jigen taunted, "You wanted a hug from your dad?" But before he could revel in his taunts, Naruto, seizing the opportunity, delivered a powerful kick to Jigen's head, causing him to stagger backward.

Taking advantage of the opening, Kawaki swiftly pinned Jigen to the ground. Fueled by a mix of anger and a desire for retribution, Kawaki proceeded to stomp on Jigen's face, his actions fueled by a deep-seated resentment. Turning to Naruto, he urged, "Join in!"

Understanding the source of Kawaki's newfound aggression, Naruto hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to join in, not wanting to give Jigen a chance to recover. Creating multiple clones, Naruto unleashed a barrage of stomps on Jigen, their combined force overwhelming the enigmatic figure.

In his over 1000 years of existence, Jigen had never experienced such a profound sense of humiliation. The sheer intensity of the assault surpassed any previous humiliation he had endured, even surpassing the pain of being stabbed in the back long ago.

Kawaki felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him, finally able to act as he wished after longing for this moment for so long.

However, Jigen had reached his limit. Determined to put an end to this humiliation, he swiftly created a portal that engulfed them, transporting them to another realm.

Naruto and Kawaki found themselves taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Their surprise only grew when Jigen kicked Naruto aside and seized Kawaki by the neck, his grip tightening with each passing second.

"See you later, Uzumaki Naruto," Jigen sneered, his voice filled with a mix of triumph and disdain. With a wave of his hand, he conjured another portal, intending to escape. But before he could step into it, Kawaki switched places with Sasuke, delivering a powerful kick that sent Jigen hurtling into the portal.

Sasuke wasted no time, immediately rushing to Naruto's side. Urgently, he called out, "Come on, we have to leave this place."

Naruto's concern for Kawaki was evident as he hesitated. "What about Kawaki?" he questioned, his worry evident in his voice.

"He'll follow us," Sasuke assured, his confidence unwavering.

Meanwhile, Kawaki found himself bewildered by the sudden turn of events. "Huh?" he muttered, raising his head to see another portal materialize in the same spot.

To his surprise, Jigen emerged from the portal, his expression now tinged with annoyance. Sensing the danger, Kawaki quickly concealed himself, his mind racing with thoughts of Boruto. Gripping a kunai tightly, he bit his thumb, activating the seal embedded within it.

As Jigen's gaze fell upon Sasuke and Naruto, his attention was drawn to the Uchiha's eyes. A glimmer of recognition flickered in his eyes as he spoke with a mix of curiosity and determination. "Rinnegan, Uchiha Sasuke," Jigen stated, his voice laced with a sense of purpose. "I'll deal with you two first."