As White Zetsu finished speaking, everyone's expressions sharpened.
They turned toward the rear at the same time.
Buzz!
The Sharingan flared to life in Yuki's eyes as she spun around and charged forward.
Feng and Hua exchanged a glance and followed closely behind her, their own three-tomoe Sharingan activating in unison.
"They're here!"
In the mist, Boruto's figure emerged, sprinting at the front.
"It's him?"
Yuki frowned slightly. In mid-run, she leapt into the air and formed seals in front of her chest.
This place was a top-level secret.
Better subdue them first.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Annihilation!"
Boom!
An oval-shaped fireball crashed down like a miniature meteor.
"Oh no!"
Faced with the overwhelming sea of flames, Sarada cried out, her Sharingan activating.
"The range is huge! And it's more condensed than when she used it in the Chūnin Exams! Boruto, your Water Style won't—!"
Before she could finish, Boruto leapt straight into the falling inferno.
"Boruto!"
"So this is her modified Fire Style… After taking off the scientific ninja tools, I finally understand how strong it really is!"
Midair, Boruto raised his right palm toward the incoming flames.
"If it weren't for this mark Momoshiki gave me, I wouldn't even be qualified to stand in front of her."
Whoosh!
The Karma on his palm erupted with dazzling purplish-red light.
The flames above were forcibly dragged in—
At a speed only slightly slower than the Rinnegan's Preta Path.
"Th-He absorbed it…?" Sarada stared in disbelief.
Mitsuki narrowed his eyes.
"So that's the special power Boruto obtained…"
With the fire gone, Boruto's resolute face and open palm were revealed to Yuki.
"Hm? He absorbed my Fire Style…"
"So this is what Father mentioned… Looks like Momoshiki already…"
Yuki didn't hesitate.
Using the recoil from her previous technique, she kicked off the cliff face and formed the Snake hand seal.
Then I'll use something that can't be absorbed.
"Wood Style: Thorn Execution!"
Boom!
Vines and thorny branches burst from the ground, wrapping around Boruto and hoisting him into the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Feng and Hua darted through the forest gaps.
Feng sliced apart Mitsuki's snake arms.
Hua deflected Sarada's shuriken.
The moment they landed, their afterimages crossed.
Their blades stopped at Mitsuki's and Sarada's throats simultaneously.
Feng grinned at Mitsuki.
"Yo, fancy meeting you again so soon."
Sarada stared in shock at the blonde girl before her—
A stranger, yet also possessing a three-tomoe Sharingan.
Another Sharingan user…
She hadn't appeared in the Chūnin Exams, but her skills were clearly no weaker than Feng's.
Hua looked at Sarada's eyes and smiled.
"I remember you're called Sarada. Your shuriken movements are still a bit stiff."
"You just completed your tomoe recently, right? Your body hasn't fully adapted to your enhanced perception yet."
Sarada's heart jolted.
She saw through that at a glance?!
She probed cautiously.
"What about you?"
Hua smiled lightly.
"Me? A bit later than my brother. About three years earlier than you."
Sarada was stunned.
Three years?!
She doesn't look much older than me…
Does that mean she awakened it before ten?!
Now's my chance—learn more.
"Then Yuki… when did she—"
Hua cut her off.
"Don't try anything clever."
"I'm in a hurry to go home and play games. Your sudden appearance really annoyed me."
Sarada broke out in sweat.
She even saw through my intentions…
Why are Uchiha from the Hidden Dark Village so terrifying?
Yuki descended from the cliff and stood before Boruto, arms crossed.
"Did your father, Uzumaki Naruto, send you?"
Boruto shook his head.
"No. I came on my own. It has nothing to do with him."
"Then why are you here?"
"I want to see your father."
"Uchiha Akira."
"Uncle Akira."
"Oh?"
Yuki raised an eyebrow, lowering her arms and resting one hand on her hip.
So he already knows…
She asked sharply,
"I remember I was about to tell you back then before Momoshiki interrupted."
"How did you find out?"
"Photos," Boruto answered honestly.
"I went to your house. I saw your family picture with Uncle Akira."
Yuki pressed on.
"How did you know where I live?"
Boruto replied,
"My dad and Sarada's dad fought Uncle Akira at your place not long ago."
"They lost. I overheard their conversation afterward and learned your address."
Yuki lowered her head, hiding her surprise in shadow.
So that happened…
Father fought Naruto and Sasuke already…
No wonder so many things make sense now.
Her thoughts raced.
When we went to the Chūnin Exams, Father and Mother were disguised.
Even Yuki and Xiaoyue were in makeup.
That photo… Naruto and Sasuke must have seen it too.
She clenched her hand.
So Father's actions aren't well accepted in Konoha…
Back then, Boruto relied on ninja tools and said he needed someone he had to defeat himself…
Was he talking about Father?
She looked at Boruto again.
The boy who once hated Father now called him "Uncle Akira."
When I rushed toward Momoshiki, Father took me away…
I don't know what happened afterward.
That must be what changed Boruto.
And Momoshiki leaving Karma on him…
Did Father allow that?
Maybe…
Letting him see Father isn't impossible.
But it's still just Boruto's word.
He could be testing us on Konoha's behalf.
Father hasn't returned.
I can't let them into Peach Haven.
Stalling here isn't good either.
What if Konoha reinforcements arrive?
…Should I seal them first?
Yuki raised her hand to form seals.
"Cry—!"
A clear crane's cry rang out.
A summoned crane descended from the clouds.
Seeing the blue-haired girl riding it, Yuki froze.
Her raised hand dropped.
Her sharp aura melted into joy.
"Aunt Jinghua! You're back~!"
The crane hovered as Jinghua landed before her, smiling warmly.
"Half a year and you've grown so much~"
"Mm."
Yuki quickly restrained herself in front of outsiders.
Jinghua turned to Boruto and the others.
"Boruto! Sarada! Mitsuki! What are you doing here?!"
Sumire leaned over the crane's back, her violet eyes filled with shock.
"Class Rep!" "Sumire!"
Boruto and Sarada exclaimed together.
"You're here too?!"
Sumire lowered her gaze, looking lonely.
How do I tell them…
That I did something unforgivable…
Whoosh!
At that moment, a black space gate rimmed with silver light opened in midair.
Akira, Madara, and Obito stepped out, returning via Tortoise.
They landed before the Peach Haven gate under everyone's stunned gazes.
Akira dusted off his black robe and smiled.
"Pretty lively here~"
Boruto's pupils shrank.
With a shout, he tore free from the vines and landed.
Yuki thought:
Not even a day, yet his presence is completely different…
So this is what it means…
Boruto walked forward under Madara's and Obito's watchful eyes.
He stopped before Akira.
Standing before the person he admired most, nervousness surged through him.
He clenched his fists, swallowing repeatedly, trying to steady himself.
Akira noticed every tiny movement.
He had expected this day.
Just not so soon.
"Are you hurt?"
Akira brushed dust off Boruto's shoulder gently.
Boruto's fear vanished at those words.
"Uncle Akira…!"
He raised his blue eyes to meet Akira's.
"I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
"And… thank you for defeating Momoshiki for my dad and the others."
Father…
He used to say "old man."
What changed in his heart?
Akira withdrew his hand.
"You're welcome. Have they gone home yet?"
"Not when I left."
Akira thought:
So Sasuke's Rinnegan is exhausted again…
"Finding this place on your own is impossible, right?"
Boruto nodded and showed his palm.
"It was this guy. He guided me by tracking Yuki's chakra."
Momoshiki: Heh~
"I see."
Akira's expression turned serious.
"So this was your own decision."
"Your parents. Your elders. Your village."
"None of them know."
"Yes…"
"I decided on my own."
Akira said calmly,
"By Konoha's standards, this isn't something a reflection letter can fix."
"You came here knowing the consequences."
"It's not just to say thanks, is it?"
"No. It's not."
Boruto clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
Then—
Before Sarada, Mitsuki, Yuki, and Sumire…
He dropped to both knees before Akira.
"Uncle Akira… No."
"Uchiha Akira."
"Please accept me as your disciple!"
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