Chapter 55

Boruto reclined on the sofa, his forearm draped over his eyes to shield them from the light. The soft patter of footsteps approached, followed by the sweet voice of his sister, Himawari. "Onii-chan," she called out, her voice filled with concern.

Boruto responded with a noncommittal hum, his eyes still hidden beneath his arm.

"I heard about the invasion at the stadium. Are you okay, Onii-chan?" Himawari's concern was palpable, her words laced with worry.

Boruto reassured her, his voice steady despite his fatigue. "I'm fine, Hima. Just a bit tired."

Hinata, their mother, entered the room at that moment, her gaze softening as she looked at her son. "Himawari, don't bother your brother. He's exhausted after fighting alongside Naruto," she gently admonished, her words carrying a note of maternal concern. She then moved towards the kitchen area to prepare dinner.

Himawari's eyes widened in admiration. "You fought against the invaders with Otou-chan?" she asked, her voice filled with awe and respect.

Boruto simply nodded, confirming her question. "Yes," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Himawari's admiration for her brother was evident in her words. "That's amazing, Onii-chan. But I'll let you rest now," she said, before heading towards the kitchen to help their mother. "Let me assist you, Okaa-chan," she offered, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Hinata's response was filled with warmth. "Sure, my cute daughter," she said, a loving smile adorning her face.

Boruto couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming interaction, but his moment of peace was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and a familiar voice echoing through the house. "I'm home," announced Naruto, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion.

Hinata greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome back," she said, her voice filled with relief and happiness.

Himawari, ever the caring daughter, immediately voiced her concern. "How was your day, Otou-chan? Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry even as she continued to help Hinata in the kitchen.

Naruto reassured her with a gentle pat on her head. "I'm good, Himawari," he said, his voice filled with affection.

Himawari beamed at her father's reassurance, her worry replaced by a radiant smile.

Naruto then made his way over to Boruto, taking a seat on the single couch opposite him. He regarded his son with a worried gaze. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with fatherly concern.

Boruto maintained his composure, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "I'm fine, Otou-san. Just mentally tired," he reassured his father.

Naruto nodded, accepting his son's words. "Alright, if you say so," he said, his gaze lingering on his son, a silent promise of support and understanding.

As Boruto drifted into a deep slumber, he found himself in his mindscape, standing alone amidst a vast expanse of darkness. His voice echoed in the void as he spoke, "Am I seeing my other self or..." His words trailed off as the figure of Momoshiki materialized before him.

Boruto greeted Momoshiki with a brazen insult, his voice brimming with defiance. "What do you want, you weakling?"

Momoshiki's voice was cold and detached, his words filled with contempt. "Human, your arrogance knows no bounds. When I take control of your body–" His sentence was abruptly cut off by Boruto's interruption.

Boruto dismissed Momoshiki's threat with a smug grin. "Nah, that won't be happening. But I do have to thank you. Your Karma seal will helped me unlock my own version of the Rinnegan." With a casual gesture, he patted Momoshiki's shoulder.

Momoshiki's confusion was palpable. "How do you know about the Karma seal? You're just a human," he questioned, his voice laced with disbelief.

Boruto's response was filled with confidence. "Nothing is hidden from me. Try to take control of me, and see what happens to your consciousness," he warned, his voice echoing ominously in the mindscape.

Momoshiki recoiled at the mention of the vile Chakra. "That repugnant Chakra," he muttered, his voice filled with disdain.

Boruto nodded, confirming Momoshiki's suspicion. "Yes, the only type of Chakra that your race cannot absorb," he stated, his words filled with a mix of satisfaction and defiance.

While Momoshiki felt a surge of annoyance at Boruto's words, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation at the thought of potentially possessing Boruto's body. "True, but soon, I will have your body," he declared, before dissolving into the darkness of the mindscape.

Boruto was left alone in the void, his smile hinting at a newfound resolve. "I guess I'll be getting the Karma seal after all. And here I thought I wouldn't," he mused, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and determination.

Deep within the confines of a dense forest, a tense conversation unfolded between Orochimaru and Mitsuki.

"Why did you unleash that power in front of others?" Orochimaru questioned, his voice laced with concern. "You know very well that it's not something you can display openly."

Mitsuki's response was resolute, his voice tinged with determination. "Because I want Boruto to see a different side of me. I no longer wish to be a disappointment. It's time for me to find my own strength and stand tall."

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, his tone becoming more serious. "Are you defying me, Mitsuki?" he inquired, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

Mitsuki met Orochimaru's gaze, his voice unwavering. "Yes, I am. That power may have been created by you, but it belongs to me. I will wield it as I see fit."

A faint smile played on Orochimaru's lips as he absorbed Mitsuki's words. "If people catch wind of the power you possess, you will be on your own," he cautioned, his voice tinged with a mix of caution and intrigue.

Mitsuki nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I understand the risks, but I already have friends who will stand by me," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.

With a final glance, Orochimaru's expression softened. "In that case, I apologize for taking your time. Take care, my son," he said, his voice carrying a hint of paternal affection.

Mitsuki returned the sentiment, his voice tinged with gratitude. "Thank you," he replied as Orochimaru vanished into thin air, leaving Mitsuki alone amidst the tranquility of the forest.

The Next Day,

Boruto stood firm, his expression unyielding. "You're not firm enough," he remarked, effortlessly deflecting Himawari's palm strike with a swift motion.

Undeterred, Himawari attempted another palm strike, only to be pushed aside once again by Boruto's unwavering defense.

"Again," Boruto commanded, his voice filled with determination.

Drawing closer, Himawari decided to switch tactics, attempting a finger strike. But Boruto anticipated her move, catching her finger with ease.

"If you keep using the same technique, people will start to notice your pattern," Boruto advised, releasing Himawari's finger from his grasp.

"I'm trying," Himawari responded, her voice filled with frustration as she tried to gather her focus.

"Clear your mind," Boruto instructed, his voice calm and reassuring.

Following her brother's guidance, Himawari closed her eyes, attempting to find her center. As she opened her eyes, she unintentionally activated her Byakugan for the first time, revealing the intricate Chakra Pathway points. Without hesitation, she targeted a specific point on Boruto's stomach, but he swiftly caught her wrist, preventing her from executing the strike.

"Congratulations on awakening your Byakugan," Boruto congratulated, a warm smile gracing his face. "However, you still haven't varied your approach. But for now, I'll let it slide."

Confusion washed over Himawari as she processed her brother's words. "Huh? Byakugan?" she questioned, puzzled by his mention of the legendary eye technique.

Curiosity piqued, Himawari made her way towards the nearest reflective surface, the sliding door. As she gazed upon her reflection, she was astonished to see her own Byakugan staring back at her.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Hinata, their mother, watched the unfolding events with a mix of surprise and bewilderment, unsure of what had transpired.

Head Hyuga Clan Mansion,

Boruto sat on the sidelines, his eyes heavy with exhaustion as he watched Hiashi, Hinata, and Himawari engage in a lively conversation in the yard. Yawning, he couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as he observed his family's easy camaraderie. Hanabi, noticing his fatigue, approached him with a curious expression.

"What have you been up to in the past few years?" she inquired, her voice filled with genuine interest. "And by the way, you've grown taller than me!"

Boruto sighed, his weariness apparent. "Just training, nothing else," he replied monotonously.

Hanabi raised an eyebrow, her concern evident. "You don't have a life then," she remarked, her tone tinged with both sympathy and reproach.

Boruto nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. "Yes, that's true," he admitted, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Hanabi probed further. "Why are you sacrificing so much time for training? Are you trying to follow in your father's footsteps and become Hokage?"

Boruto shook his head, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Nah, I don't really know. But becoming strong is my responsibility," he explained, his gaze shifting to his right palm, where a diamond-shaped tattoo adorned his skin.

Hanabi furrowed her brows, seeking clarification. "How is that your responsibility?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Because I don't want to die early," Boruto replied matter-of-factly, his eyes filled with determination.

Intrigued by his response, Hanabi pressed on. "Then what is your dream?" she inquired, her voice softer this time.

Boruto's expression softened as he spoke. "A good wife and a happy life," he revealed, his words carrying a sense of longing and vulnerability.

Hanabi couldn't hide her surprise at his dream. "So, are you planning to be a Shinobi forever?" she questioned, her voice tinged with both curiosity and concern.

Boruto chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Nah, I'm actually training to be a doctor, and I'm loving it," he confessed, a pang of nostalgia hitting him as he remembered the catchphrase of a beloved restaurant. 'Although,' he thought to himself, 'I do miss fast food from my previous world.'

A mix of admiration and affection filled Hanabi's gaze as she looked at her younger brother. "You're really something else, Boruto. You've grown so mature," she remarked, her voice filled with pride. "But remember, if you ever have any problems, you can always talk to me. I'm here for you, my little cute brother."

Boruto's smile widened, grateful for his Hanabi's support.