Boruto's target was clear—the Deepa trapped inside the water prison.
"From the way that skinny guy's hand turned black when he struck Kawaki earlier, I already found it strange. Combined with those carbon projectiles he just fired, his ability must be manipulating 'carbon.' That means he can also use it to reinforce his body like armor. A normal Rasengan probably won't work on him."
I'm reaching my limit… Boruto thought grimly. That big guy's ability is at least slow-acting. If I go down, Mitsuki and Sarada might still have a chance. But this carbon user… his ability is instant-kill. One mistake and it's over. Before I collapse… I have to take him out first!
Sensing the danger, Deepa roared from inside the water prison, "Boro! What are you standing there for!? Stop him!"
Boro looked up at the massive Rasengan descending from above and sighed in admiration. "To think Momoshiki's vessel could reach this level… But the more violently you use chakra, the faster the virus inside you will take effect. Boruto Uzumaki… you've already reached your limit."
Momoshiki: "…"
Just as the Rasengan was about to strike—
It began to rapidly dissipate.
The roaring spiral collapsed, followed by the water prison itself breaking apart. The Kāma markings retreated from Boruto's palm.
"…Damn it. Just a second too late…" Boruto's body went numb as he fell helplessly into the center of Boro, Deepa, and Kawaki.
Kawaki silently picked up the laser sword.
"You brat… you almost turned me into a real clown. I'm going to kill you!" Deepa snarled, still shaken, as he climbed up from the water. His right arm transformed into a glossy black carbon claw as he lunged forward.
But Kawaki moved first.
He rushed in and drove the laser sword straight into Boruto's chest.
Crack!
Blood splattered across Kawaki's face as he twisted the blade violently, completely shredding Boruto's heart.
"Ugh—!" Boruto's eyes widened as blood burst from his mouth.
As life slipped away, Boruto finally understood what death truly meant.
The soaring melody of his life had just reached the end of its chorus, about to rise into its climax—only to be abruptly cut off. There was no time for regret, no time for resentment.
The past twelve years of his life flashed before his eyes.
I've accomplished almost nothing as a ninja… just a bunch of foolish things. And now, just when I finally found my purpose… when I finally took my first step… is this where it ends?
Ten days ago, during Akira's second training session, he had asked Boruto a question.
"Boruto, what is your dream?"
"To become a strong ninja like you, Master."
"Strength isn't the goal. Once you become someone like me, there should be something you want to achieve. What is it?"
"I…" Boruto had no answer.
"Tell me next time."
That question changed everything. It pushed Boruto beyond simply admiring strength, forcing him to search for meaning—to find his own ninja way.
Five days ago, during their third session—
"Master, I've found my answer! Once I become as strong as you… I want to be a ninja who protects the world from the shadows!"
"Oh? Protecting… that makes sense. But why emphasize 'from the shadows'?"
"Because… being in the spotlight means carrying everyone's expectations, like my father does. That's not necessarily bad, but it's not for me. A protector in the shadows… just like you, Master. You only appear when something truly important happens. And when you do… it means the world is about to change. I think that's incredibly cool."
Even Boruto himself hadn't realized the light in his eyes when he said that.
"Mm. A fine ambition. I look forward to seeing you reach that day."
Back to reality.
"…Damn it. Is this all I amount to?"
"I'm sorry, Master… I failed you. I'm sorry, Sarada, Mitsuki… I dragged you down with me."
With a sharp motion, Kawaki pulled the blade from Boruto's chest. Blood poured out, soaking his clothes and spreading across the water beneath him.
In Kawaki's mind, the image of the Seventh Hokage was now stained with the same crimson.
No matter his intentions, once he had done this… there was no forgiveness.
That home… no longer had a place for him.
"Oh my~ what a ruthless move," Boro commented lightly.
Boruto's Kāma hadn't developed enough for Momoshiki to forcibly resurrect.
Which meant…
Kawaki… just killed Momoshiki himself.
Kawaki tossed aside the laser sword and pulled out a family photo. With his bloodstained thumb, he pressed over Boruto's image, replacing it with himself.
A faint, lonely smile appeared on his lips.
Seventh Hokage… the half month I spent with you was the happiest time of my life.
I killed your son, Boruto Uzumaki, with my own hands. I've prevented a future where you suffer and your enemies rejoice. And at the same time… I've lost any right to be your son.
From here on… I'll follow Boro and Deepa back to Jigen. When I see him, I'll use my life to negotiate—to make sure he spares you and Konoha.
Just wait for me.
Flames ignited in Kawaki's palm, reducing the photo to ashes.
He wiped the blood from his face and said coldly, "Take me back."
Deepa grinned viciously. "Back? Why go back? There are still two more to kill."
Kawaki glanced at Sarada and Mitsuki.
Uchiha Sasuke's daughter… and that Mitsuki from Team Seven. They followed Boruto to that rogue ninja Uchiha Akira. Then they deserve to die.
"Hurry up and kill them. Then take me to Jigen."
"Bo… Boruto…" From the moment Boruto was stabbed, Sarada's mind had gone blank.
All sound disappeared. All surroundings faded.
Only the figure lying in a pool of blood remained in her vision.
"Boruto…" she whispered, stepping forward shakily.
Beside her, Mitsuki's hand clamped down on her shoulder like iron.
"Go. Return to Taoyuan immediately and bring Lord Shadow."
"Boruto!!" She ignored him and kept moving.
Slap!
Mitsuki struck her across the face, knocking her onto the water's surface.
"…Huh?" The blow snapped her out of her spiral of despair.
"Go," Mitsuki said firmly. "Right now, the only one who can save Boruto is Lord Shadow."
"Th-then… what about you…?"
Boom!
A green aura of chakra erupted around Mitsuki. A white horn burst from his cracked forehead as serpentine energy coiled violently around him.
"Sage Mode."
"I'll hold them off."
"You… alone?"
"Hurry!" Mitsuki shouted. "Even Lord Shadow's time reversal has limits! Every second matters—the later you are, the lower Boruto's chance of survival!"
"…!" Sarada clenched her teeth and turned, sprinting away.
"Where do you think you're going!?" Deepa laughed maniacally, swinging his arm. "I'll catch you, tear your clothes apart, and stab you full of holes until you bleed out!"
Carbon bullets shot toward Sarada's retreating figure.
Mitsuki instantly appeared in their path.
"Sage Art: Great Snake Lightning—Protection!"
The sage snakes around him transformed into lightning, not launching outward but circulating rapidly around his body, forming a defensive barrier resembling a Lightning Release armor.
This was a defensive technique Mitsuki had developed after losing a sparring match not long ago.
Every day in the Hidden Shadow Village, he had been training—not for himself, but for the one he wanted to protect.
Boruto… my sun. I will protect you, even if I have to bleed out completely!
The carbon bullets slammed into the lightning barrier, sending violent green ripples across its surface.
Deepa clicked his tongue in surprise. "Oh? That chakra layer can actually block my carbon bullets? One after another… how irritating."
Boro smirked. "So that's Orochimaru's 'creation'… Interesting. Doesn't matter why he's here with the Hokage's son. Let me add some firepower."
"Die, son of Orochimaru!"
"Lava Release: Scorching Star Break!"
A golden torrent of explosions engulfed Mitsuki's position completely.
Behind it all, Sarada ran with tears streaming down her face, not daring to slow down for even a second.
"Wait for me, Boruto… Mitsuki! I'll bring him… I'll beg him to save you… no matter the cost!"
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