He was panting slightly as his body suffered from a prolonged drain of chakra. Launching a dozen elemental ninjutsu techniques in a couple of minutes, she charged a clear toll on exhaustion. But this fight was not about winning quickly. She had nothing to do with an ordinary victory.
The rain was beginning to strengthen. There was more and more humidity in the environment and that achieved what seemed technically impossible. Match the combat between two ninjas of different levels. The high-powered fire techniques that Sasuke Uchiha launched reduced in effectiveness in the constant rain and on that night of heavy humidity. Meanwhile, Boruto used the riverbed and took advantage of the surrounding water to increase the level of each technique.
Boruto was breathing heavily, but he wasn't planning on giving up at all. If there were two aspects of his combat form that he had taken great care of, they were undoubtedly defense and chakra control. They were key pillars of his strategy. At least when it comes to physical fighting. However, there was another aspect that he was also planning to exploit. The supposedly invincible Uchiha warrior, he had a weakness beyond his techniques.
-And this is the great Uchiha warrior? –Exclaimed Boruto, smiling sideways, as soon as they stopped attacking each other from a distance- I have seen more power in Konohamaru-sensei's techniques. He couldn't even light a fire with those pathetic jutsu.
Sasuke didn't reply. But the arrogance of that blond idiot annoyed him a lot. He had tried to get closer little by little. Attacking at close range with his Chokuto katana seemed the most logical option. But the Suiton jutsu that the Uzumaki had thrown made him recoil each time. So much was the extent and speed of the elemental attacks, that Sasuke had been forced to respond with fire techniques. He had the sharingan activated, but his head seemed about to explode with pain. He couldn't even imagine what he would feel if he increased the intensity of the Doujutsu to raise it to the Magenkyo sharingan. And that, he kind of prevented him from relying on the most devastating techniques in his arsenal. Use lightning techniques instead of fire? the prevailing rain and humidity did not make this option recommendable. Undoubtedly the power of his lightning techniques would increase too much, but it would be a damage both for Boruto, and for Sasuke himself. Without being able to properly control his chakra, the difficulty was too much.
-Surely you are wondering what happens with your chakra ... -Bolt told him, whose general strategy was not to let Sasuke think too much- I bet he was the last tea he had, just before going to sleep hours ago .
-What are you talking about?
-A great formula. A chemical chakra inhibitor. –He said crossing his arms as if the combat had taken a consensual break- in Shinobi with normal chakra flow, it blocks the use and the ability to mold it for an hour. On the other hand, monsters like you, or my father maybe… let's say that it halves the power they can use.
"It's impossible ..." Sasuke whispered, understanding why he couldn't manipulate his techniques naturally - it's impossible, I haven't had anything to drink while I was at Naruto's house.
No, he really hadn't had a drink. It was true that Hinata served the tea and its aroma was delicious. But Sasuke in a quick mental check, knew that he had not officially ingested anything. So how had that child done it? What kind of chemical could make him so weak that he was totally immune to poisons? Did "the last tea" refer to the drink he drank in his own home? Had his wife given him that garbage to drink?
-Right… -answered Bolt's silent question- evidently he has underestimated Sakura-chan's intelligence. A very serious mistake.
"Damn nuisance…" Sasuke whispered feeling his body numb, "you'll pay me when I get home."
Out of habit, he tried to raise the chakra level in his eyes. The sharingan acquired the powerful constitution of the Magenkyo. But after a few seconds, a sharp pain exploded in his head. It was so intense that he had to hold his forehead with both hands and then deactivate the Magenkyo sharingan to return it to more basic Doujutsu. It was too much pain, far superior to the feeling he attacked when he used his own eyes as a young man, before getting his brother Itachi's. Back then he was crying blood, at the use of the most powerful techniques. He was not bleeding now, but the pain was excruciating. Paralyzing. That forced Sasuke to dispense with the Magenkyo. He couldn't finish the battle fast with his best Doujutsu techniques.
Boruto knew what was happening to his enemy. He had prepared that battle carefully. He knew his rival and had in his favor the chemical ingenuity of the medical Kunoichi Sakura Uchiha, as a surprising ally. Hence, modern soldier pills, the chemical inhibitor to disempower Sasuke, and an injection of concentrated Tyramine, which she replaced the vitamins that the hairy girl used to apply to her husband before. That compound of Tyramine, caused the terrible migraines, nullifying the sharingan.
-I suppose you've figured it out ... -Added Boruto as he prepared to attack again- the use of a lot of chakra in your eyes will cause the migraine that has begun to torture you so much. All for the grace of a spiteful woman. He should never have underestimated her. That mistake is going to cost him his life.
After that, Boruto extended his arms up, and pointing with his two elongated fingers began to open seals throughout his body. Just like against his father. He releasing the power of "raging soul" brutally increasing the amount and speed of the chakra running through his channels. Raising the level of him superlatively. Risking it all. It was time to force his enemy to a deadly decision. In the rain, with the threat that his father the Hokage could intervene at any moment, the fight would have to come to an irremediable end.
The result owed a defeat, at any cost.
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
Naruto was totally overwhelmed….
He had too many feelings that were confused with each other nonstop. He had lost track of his son, and he had to go out into the streets an hour later, to search for him in the gloom of a sleeping village. Nerves betrayed him, because he didn't act like a Hokage should. He did not summon the ANBU, nor did he go to the Hokage tower to issue search and capture orders. He personally set about tracking Boruto's path, to no apparent result.
Sennin mode was the best choice….
It was the ideal way to track Boruto. He had to stop him before he confronted Sasuke. He had to convince him, to find a less radical way to avoid what appeared to be a plan by the Uchiha to perpetuate his clan in the village. But shortly after walking through the village in the middle of the night, Naruto was surprised to see that he did not find any trace of his son.
-It's impossible ...- he said to himself as he started running through the streets towards the Uchiha house- I can't find them. They are not in the village!
His sensory radar expanded for miles. Soon Naruto was able to verify that he could not feel Boruto's chakra, nor the great flow of energy that Sasuke always carried. But that was impossible! How could they disappear ?! The last hours seemed a great madness. Like a parallel world where the most unlikely events happened one after another. To think that an 18-year-old boy could sleep with a woman like Sakura. That he even tried to provoke a deadly showdown with Sasuke. It was at least difficult to anticipate. It seemed unbelievable. Naruto didn't know how he felt about that confession. Did it bother you? Was he disgusted, envious, or surprised? He was definitely not indifferent. But it was a matter to be discussed in the future.
-Kakashi ...- Naruto whispered suddenly- Boruto said that Kakashi has trained him.
The reaction was instantaneous. If he could not find them by the use of chakra, he would have to locate them through the only subject who could know Bolt's plans. His teacher. The former sixth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi.
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
Sitting in the backyard of his house, Hatake Kakashi watched the rain on a night as dark and possibly tragic as few others. In the last 72 hours, he had prepared himself for a situation that he never wanted to confront. A group of unfortunate events. The first one, happened in his time as Hokage. When it came to political responsibility to continue the peace achieved after the war. Then a group of leaders taking the path of instinct rather than reason. Resisting world peace. Kakashi understood little by little, that the change of Era would be difficult for the ancient ninjas to accept. It was not in their nature, they had simply not been trained for it.
As he drank his tea, and watched the rain fall into the inner garden, he thought creating the new Root was a risky decision. He was perfectly aware of the bad reputation created by Danzou's forces. As he was also aware that if Naruto took over as the new Hokage, he was simply not going to allow another command force in Konoha.
Still, he had to make the decision to take care of his former student's back. Why the new political rules implied a double village. The legitimate part commanded by the current Kage, and the stealth forces commanded by the previous leaders.
Years later, when Root dealt with matters the Hokage's office couldn't handle, Kakashi found himself leaving the operational part of his organization to Sai. Basically, Root was kind of a shadow to the Hokage and his Jounnin. Covering our backs on any situation between borders that could lead to a political inconvenience. Meanwhile, Kakashi used the knowledge of Gai and other former colleagues in the profession such as Kurenai or Anko, to learn more about the new generations of young ninja. Those who had the potential to be recruited. Watching the Chunnin exams years ago, he found one among many who would give shape and form to the special division:
He "discovered" Boruto Uzumaki. At that time with 15 years, eldest son of the seventh Hokage.
In a complex battle, he having trained in the wrong methods. Being exhausted from previous fights and carrying the responsibility of being a worthy successor to his father. He obtained a painful defeat, before a stage that was already beginning to condemn his life to failure, even before he even allowed him to mature.
Kakashi reminded himself. Younger and betting on the talented student of dubious morals. Instead of the willful idiot. But with a heart stronger than a mountain. In that memory, Kakashi told himself that Naruto Uzumaki would never have a chance in the Chunnin exam finals, but still he won his match. And year after year, his growth was exponential. It was his will that guided her. It was his heart that made him strong. It was Naruto Uzumaki, rising above all the talents and abilities of his contemporaries, who determined the course of a war, with his subsequent victory in favor of Konoha.
Kakashi had always felt indebted to Naruto for it. And that was the reason for creating Root. To give him the support that he could not give as a sensei for a long time. And betting on Boruto, even if everyone thought it was a waste of time, was trying to change that black story.
Boruto Uzumaki unsurprisingly did not have the physical and spiritual virtues to continue the path of his father. But Kakashi discovered, not without some surprise, that this young man had another wealth of not inconsiderable virtues. And by helping to polish those details, betting on their hidden Byakugan as a surprise attack method, cultivating it with the proper strategy and battle techniques, they turned the young son of the Hokage into a very dangerous ninja.
Supreme power, subjects like Naruto or Sasuke had it. But Bolt Uzumaki, still very young and with a lot to learn, had a sensational capacity for strategy. Basically, he was surprising, creative, and high-flown. He studied everything that his father never understood. He practiced down to the detail and planned every little step toward bigger goals with the patience of a good architect. Intellectually, he might not be an offbeat prodigy like Shikamaru Nara. But Boruto never entered a combat, without having previously prepared the irremediable victory of him.
The boy was very hostile to his father's inattention. But his heart was not dark like the Uchiha's. He had a part of being kind and tender about him. He was very human in the company of his sister, and a tremendously practical ninja in his missions. In short, he knew how to perfectly divide the two parts of his life.
In just 3 years, Boruto Uzumaki had completed 14 high-risk missions, parallel to his work as Chunnin in the service of the Hokage. Sai elevated him as Root captain, because he sensed the terrible ascendancy the young Uzumaki had over other elements of the division. With whom he worked in specific situations.
Kakashi's memories were interrupted. The sound of heavy rain on the roof of his house suffered a shrill interruption. Someone had evidently landed on the highest tiles in the place. And his chakra, huge as a great hot spring, was impossible to hide in an obvious state of disarray. Even with the danger jumping into his yard, standing in front of him and walking with a threatening step. The owner of the house did not abandon the comfortable posture nor the glass of tea in his hand.
-Kakashi… ..- Naruto whispered with a firm and threatening voice in disgust- It's late enough to be awake, right?
-Not anymore "Kakashi-sensei"? - He pointed to lighten the tension- Anyway, let's just say that these last days were of a lot of pressure. Although I don't usually sleep much anyway.
-Any reason in particular? Naruto said, placing himself under the roof near the house and standing right in front of the silver-haired man.
-The usual Hokage-sama ... -he added smiling and making a gesture to invite him to sit face to face- has to be seen through disappointment. Please… sit down for a moment and let us talk as good friends.
"I don't have time for nonsense, I'm looking for my son ..." said the firm blond, "he ran away from home hours ago." I have to find him before he does something crazy.
-In my experience, Boruto does not usually escape. Nor do "crazy things". He just seems to move, exactly where he wants to go. He was trained under that concept.
"And where did Kakashi want to go tonight?" Naruto asked annoyingly, "because it seems that you know my son much more than you appear."
There was silence. Kakashi couldn't help but smile slightly when it became clear to him that Bolt was carrying out his plan just that night. It was to be expected if you think about it, since Sasuke would only be in the village for a short time. If he wanted to attack him, he must do so within days from his return, until the matter of the betrothal was sabotaged. Although there were some questions to ask about the matter. For example, how had Bolt gotten Sasuke to leave his house at dawn? Why couldn't Naruto track him down with hermit art? It was evident to Kakashi, knowing the methods his youngest student used to use, that it was all part of a well thought out strategy. Boruto used to be very surprising in his tactics, but unlike his father, they were usually pre-planned. Naruto, on the other hand, had the ability to improvise on the fly. Boruto in that aspect, was more like his grandfather than his Yondaime.
-Bolt told me your famous phrase an hour ago ... -Naruto pointed out while still concentrating on the hermit mode to try to track any hint of Sasuke's chakra or his son-and also confessed that you are his sensei . The important question now is ... what have you done with my son besides training him? Have you brainwashed him?
-You mean to give him orders? –The silver-haired man smiled again as in a diplomatic meeting- I don't think it's my duty. After all, I am retired from the activity.
-Shikamaru has taken his theory of a new Root within Konoha very seriously -Naruto pointed out with crossed arms- until recently I refused to believe that such an organization existed under my nose. But the Hyuuga attacks, plus the hidden negotiations of other clans, make me think that no one in this village respects that I am now the Hokage.
-That is not true. Ninja clans have always negotiated with each other in hiding - Kakashi added - they have done so since the founding days. Even one of the initial purposes of ANBU special hunters according to the Nidaime Hokage, was to regulate such matters. But with few exceptions, even the most faithful members of the ANBU never acted against their own family. The clan was first, Konoha always second.
-Did you know about Sakura's relationship with my son? Are they really lovers?
-I was just sure what would happen, if you had taken the wife of a guy like Sasuke for a wife. It would have been a disaster. A strange case of unstoppable force, against immovable object. And Konoha would be harmed for sure.
- ENOUGH OF STUPIDNESS! –The blond roared, punching against the small table that separated them- MY SON IS IN DANGER! FACE A NINJA YOU CAN'T BEAT! TELL ME WHERE THEY ARE, OR I PROMISE THAT I WILL FORGET THAT YOU HAVE BEEN MY SENSEI AND SEND YOU TO JAIL!
"You underestimate Boruto," Kakashi said calmly, "if you think he would leave any loose ends." I did not agree with this fight, and he knew it perfectly. He was never going to let me know his plans. Even so, they are probably not far from Konoha. Although I'd bet you won't be able to find them with Sennin art.
-I am the best tracker that exists with the natural chakra. I don't understand how not ...
-Boruto learned from your skill in the matter of Kiba. And although I do not know his plans first hand. If it was my fight, it would create a battle zone surrounded by seals of concealment. Like the ones you used the night you were born. With effective blockers against sensory capacity. After luring my enemy to that area, I would be able to prevent the Hokage from intervening.
Naruto was furious. Kakashi's passivity irritated him deeply. Is it that he did not see that Boruto was going to die? There was no chance of winning against Sasuke. He was too young, he was years away from developing and finally having a chance. Uchiha Sasuke was a devoted warrior. He had more power, more speed, and a hell of a lot more experience. A simple trap would not be enough. Not against the eternal sharingan.
"If you had fought against Sasuke ..." added the silver-haired man, drinking his tea, "both would have been destroyed." And Konoha would be the hardest hit. Boruto simply does what he promised to do, protect the leaf village. Protect you.
-So you think? Do you justify what is happening?
"I'm prepared to admit that Sasuke is a problem for the village." Kakashi nodded. "It was for me as a teacher." He was for you as a partner. He betrayed us and we forgive him. But deep down we know the truth. Boruto does not have an emotional bond with Sasuke, for that reason he could always see him as he really is.
-What are you talking about? Which truth?
-Sasuke Uchiha will never fight for Konoha. He has always fought only for his interests. And what he planned to do to his daughter is proof of that.
Naruto didn't like hearing that. Sasuke had always been someone special to him. Almost like the brother he never had. Since childhood, he was the only one with whom Naruto felt any kind of affinity. Despite fighting like cats and dogs, Sasuke perfectly understood the loneliness that Naruto felt inside. Because it was something they shared. How could life separate them so much? Naruto felt that he had done everything to get his brother back to Konoha. But the Uchiha never really returned. The village was only a place of passage. And both Sakura and Sarada, simply known by parentage.
-You and I… .we could never do what we had to do -I pointed out depressed Kakashi- Responsibility to the village, beyond what Sasuke means personally to us.
Naruto remembered many meetings with the Kage from other countries. Where Sasuke Uchiha was always a matter of mistrust and discussion. Although the Hokage had always guaranteed that the Uchiha was no longer a renegade, the resentments of the other leaders never allowed to close the issue definitively. Realizing a world peace, with subjects with Sasuke Uchiha's power and background loosed around the world, was nothing short of impossible.
"Sasuke would never hurt Sarada-chan," Naruto said trying to convince himself of it, "even if the Uchiha tradition was that, he would find a way to avoid it." He has always suffered from the loss of his family. He would do nothing to destroy another.
-You can believe that lie for as long as you want Naruto. But you certainly understand that Sakura would never allow her daughter to be harmed. Sasuke may not be a present father, but Sakura has never neglected his responsibilities as a mother. She has given her life watching over that girl. She has taken care of her, she has raised her practically alone. Do you really think that she would allow manipulation and rape on that level? Sasuke would only stop her by murdering her. And then what would you do? Would you bear to see all that situation?
Kakashi didn't mean to be so rude. But it seemed pertinent to make Naruto understand the future situation. It may be that both Naruto and Sasuke had the firm intention of never facing each other in combat. Since they were both aware that they would die from doing it again. But sooner or later, for alternative ideals, forms or paths, they would end up fighting to the death. It was an inevitable fight. They were lifelong friends, yes, but also eternal rivals.
Naruto didn't know what else to say. He felt confused and without arguments. Kakashi's words reached deep to him. His sense of morality surely wouldn't allow Sarada Uchiha to suffer the fate her father seemed to prepare for him. Naruto saw himself in comparison, with his daughter Himawari doing those things, and it grossed him out. How could Sasuke even think of raping his own daughter? It didn't matter if it was custom, tradition, or whatever. It was something that should not happen.
"I understand how you feel Naruto ..." Kakashi admitted, "I myself warned Bolt as his teacher, that he had no chance of winning." But he, smiling in a way that reminded me a lot of you, said ... "I'm not planning to win that battle, just make Uchiha lose the war"
Naruto couldn't help but wince at those words. And he was just about to respond when:
"I'm getting it ..." he said, widening his eyes with stony seriousness. "I can track it!" They are both in a training camp! I have to go right now!
Kakashi was about to offer to accompany him, when the Hokage disappeared in a flash of gold. The fantastic jutsu "god of flying thunder" had a new interpreter since it was created by Yondaime decades ago.
"Wow ..." Kakashi added soberly to himself, "Has something gone wrong with the boy's plans?" It is unexpected that the seals failed. Anyway ... - he sighed wearily as he retired inside his home to try to sleep - tomorrow the hospital or the cemetery will be very crowded.
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / *
One month after…
She opened her eyes and it was daytime. The light from the window behind his headboard didn't bother her. However, that natural lighting was very useful to appreciate the whole room perfectly. White roof, white sheets, and a hideous hospital gown. Again the same story.
-Deja vu ... - Boruto thought somewhat depressed- this is beginning to be repetitive and boring.
His body was a bundle of pain. Under the sheets he could not appreciate it, but surely he had scars that would remind him for the rest of his existence of what he had experienced. Although, considering that he had been quite wrong in his final calculation, it was strange to have survived such stupidity performed.
- "I'm alive" ... -Boruto thought between surprised and incredulous- Why am I alive?
The last memory of him came grotesque and incomplete. The final move in the battle to the death against Sasuke Uchiha. Under the rainy night, in the semi-darkness between craters of a fight at the highest level. Boruto could only remember the disgusting feeling in his mouth from the copper. When his own blood began to flow between his teeth, and Sasuke Uchiha's right arm pierced his chest wrapped in the Raiton of a perfect Chidori. Then a light, a golden reflection appearing a few meters away. And as his eyes darkened and he entered the unconsciousness that precedes death, he could see his father the Hokage appear at the end of a battle.
After that… .. darkness.
The plan was always to die. After analyzing his enemy for weeks, young Uzumaki had come to the conclusion that there was no way to defeat Sasuke Uchiha in loyal combat. The levels of strength, skill, and chakra displayed by both the Uchiha and his father, the Hokage, were beyond the closest reach of a still young Boruto. But it was a mission for him to complete. It was a job he had to do before Sasuke forced Sarada-chan with his sharingan.
So, while resting on his previous hospital visit courtesy of his Aunt Hanabi, Boruto found himself hanging out with a Shogi board alone. He always knew how to hear from a Raíz teammate that this game was ideal for developing intelligence. That the great generals of history were assiduous players. That helped increase strategic capacity and decision making. That controlling a team of pieces with different ranks or abilities was a good simile of the ninja team leader.
Boruto had received a few visits from his generation mates. He precisely he dedicated himself to playing with Shikadai. And from there he got the idea that would allow him to sing victory over Sasuke Uchiha. It was a typical know-it-all comment, very typical of Shikadai. He had told her that there were other ways to play Shogi besides the traditional one. And among them, the most interesting was the so-called "Shogi of death".
- "Usually you have to use your pieces to take the opponent's pieces," Shikadai told him while they were playing on an afternoon visiting the hospital, "but with the Shogi of death, the objective is to force the opponent to take your pieces. In a few moments In other words, whoever loses the game automatically wins the game.
- Play to lose? - Bolt had consulted incredulously - What's the joke?
-You will understand that the nature of the player is to seek victory. –The young Nara replied- technically, "playing to lose" is sometimes more difficult than giving everything to win. You have to sacrifice everything. And there are not many who are mentally prepared for that. "
Boruto had thought about those words a lot during his hospital stay. A couple of days before inviting Sakura with that juicy sexual proposal. And analyzing everything that happened, taking into account the latent danger that Sasuke Uchiha posed for Sarada and Sakura, it was necessary to eliminate him at any cost. Thus, he only had to find a way to cross the Uchiha, in the path of the only ninja capable of defeating him. The seventh Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto. So, he only had to give his father a reason. One reason why he forgot his old friendship with that dangerous fellow. Give the Hokage an incentive that he wasn't able to refuse. And that excuse could clearly be the death of his son.
"I must have died…" Bolt added to himself, looking at the white ceiling with concentration, "Uchiha pierced my chest with that Chidori." How could he fail? Has my father avoided it in any way?
Boruto was beginning to doubt the effectiveness of his plan, when a door to the room opened, and he let a couple of nurses accompany Himawari Uzumaki in his way. His sister.
-Onii-chan! –The young woman smiled happily and openly she threw herself on her brother to hug him warmly- I knew you would wake up very soon!
-Of course you knew ...- Sarada's voice said that entered after the nurses- Oka-san has told us that at any moment he would open his eyes. You can stop camping in the room now.
Himawari backed off the bed at her brother's tormented moans. The loving embrace abused the weakened body of the patient. Bolt couldn't help but look at Sarada, noting with some concern that she was not making any complaints. She must be furious if she had found out about her mother and hers. Or hurt if she knew that her father was history. What happened? Had Sasuke Uchiha survived?
The following conversations were far from clarifying any point of concern. But seeing her younger sister smiling and sure of her, seeing her lifelong friend unconcerned about what might happen to her in the future, gave young Uzumaki some peace of mind, who would allow herself to rest for the next few hours. The time for recriminations would come when the Hokage or Kakashi-sensei came to claim him. Boruto knew there would be bills to pay and now he had no plan to escape the consequences.
He must have died….
He must have fallen and been buried as a hero or traitor. His name would be on a stone or in the black history of Konoha. Boruto was prepared for it. He was ready for death even though his age wasn't right. In his heart, he had accepted the way of the ninja. He had embraced him with his flaws and benefits. He was satisfied with the task accomplished. Even being accused and locked up. Stripped of the ninja bandana from him. Expelled from the profession or whatever the hell happened to him ...
He had been, he still was, and he would always be a Konoha ninja.
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
Shikamaru Nara never left an enigma behind.
His mind wouldn't allow it. It was the unanswered questions, who activated his brain and made him work like never before and with great enthusiasm. Still a vital part of the village as a personal advisor to the seventh Hokage. The question of the last months, always surrounded around the same person. To the same ninja. Boruto Uzumaki.
The performance reports did not indicate outstanding statistics. Since his failed promotion exam to Chunnin years ago, the seventh's son had raised his bar in an acceptable but always moderate way. Technically, the old reports didn't put him at the forefront of any tests. Both physical and mental. Of aptitudes or abilities. About knowledge or logic. In no area did Boruto Uzumaki appear as remarkable.
Then why?
The last month had been crazy. Where the Shinobi world suffered one of the roughest blows since the time of war. The disappearance of Uchiha Sasuke, had moved all the leaders of the different villages in the world. Any political analyst could have fallen into the trap of assuming that Sasuke Uchiha's "unconfirmed disappearance-death" could weaken the position of Konoha and his current Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto. However, strangely, the remaining leaders of the alliance were cordial and neutral. Even many of the Hokage's previously ignored requests were encouraged and approved with strange enthusiasm.
Clearly, something was changing in the thinking of the foreign Kage and their feudal lords who previously did not respect the ideas of peace that Naruto ...
-Jaque Oto-sama….
Shikamaru snapped out of his deep thought. He was in the backyard of his own house playing Shogi against his son. Just as he himself used to do against his late father. And lately the games got more and more complicated. The boy was cunning. He was just as lazy and lazy as his predecessors, but his level of intellect also set him apart from the rest. Shikadai was just like his father when he was young. They work together, they visited the Hokage tower often, and despite his youth, he was already involved in the higher echelons of decision-making in Konoha.
"You've improved…" Shikamaru pointed out as he moved a piece to protect the king from him.
-Not too much… -the younger Nara replied wearily- only that Oto-sama is distracted from the game….
In the next four moves, Shikamaru lost the game. His young son had defeated him and that was news. His father couldn't even remember one occasion, where he himself defeated Shikaku, his own father's. Maybe his son was just smarter and more capable. It was because of this argument, that Shikamaru took a long time to understand who had informed Boruto of the secret matter between Ino and him.
"I still don't understand why you did it, Shikadai ..." said the father as they rearranged the pieces to start another game, "after weeks of searching among the Hokage tower staff. I was able to conclude that only one person knew exactly where I am all the time. Only one can watch me knowing my every move. Why did you give that information to Naruto's son?
The young man sighed in resignation. He didn't seem particularly nervous about being discovered. Rather, he anticipated a troublesome and boring conversation. His apathy matched his father. Shikamaru reflected that if he had taken his son by surprise, he didn't show at all.
-I just do what I have to do Oto-sama- said young Nara without neglecting the board in front of him- it is quite tired and boring. But necessary.
They fell silent. Shikamaru felt weird about claiming his son for betraying him for cheating on his mother. The problem was not that Shikadai did not approve of the situation, that could be understood normal, the matter ended in having used the information obtained to deliver it to a ninja outside the family. For leaving him vulnerable to blackmail. Finally, Shikamaru thought that the drinkable thing was to explain the global situation to his son. After all, you couldn't ask for silence from his mother without giving her a valid reason.
-what Ino and I have is….
"Something unimportant ..." Shikadai interrupted without even looking at his father "but just as your duty as an advisor is to protect the actions of the Hokage, mine lies in defending the interests of the Nara clan.
-What are you talking about?
-Years ago, Ka-san made a mistake in judgment, just like you do now. In that case like today, I had to intervene to protect them. Even against his own will.
-Your mother…? What did she supposedly do?
-A year and a half ago ... -Shikadai said seriously as always- Bolt answered for me. He protected Ka-san. I prevent her from being accused of treason against the village. Then months ago when I found out that Mrs. Yamanaka was more than just an old friend to you. It seemed strange to me. That he hadn't considered how dangerous it was to cheat on such a troublesome woman as Ka-san. Can you imagine that Ka-san murdered Mrs. Yamanaka? A diplomatic disaster, among other things.
Young Nara did not speak again for the rest of the meeting. For any other interlocutor, he would have needed a more detailed explanation. But not Shikamaru. he basically understood that his son had asked Bolt for help in the matter of his mother. And given information about his father in the form of payment. All with the intention of preserving peace within his family. To protect their own, to guide them, to always be prepared to support them. A very typical Shikadai trait. The problem was, at the same time he had screwed up every attempt by Shikamaru to advance the investigation into that secret group that seemed to control Konoha. Or maybe, that question was also part of the package. Anyway, Shikamaru couldn't help but try his best to investigate it:
"Tell me everything you know about Root ..." added the father when they had finished Shogui's last game in silence, and the young man retired to his room "Do you and Boruto belong to that organization?"
It was a very crude trick to expect Shikadai to give himself away. Especially understanding that he had known to be one step ahead of both parents in the past. But while he would not get something concrete, perhaps in gestures or forms to find some clue. After all, if Shikadai was involved in the matter, maybe Bolt wouldn't be able to execute his threat against Ino and him. However, young Nara had an answer to that random question:
-Once you spoke to me about the importance of preserving the future. –Shikadai said without turning to see his father –he said that we must work to guarantee a lasting peace. And that it was time to make smart decisions. To think, before committing murder. But the real question could be…. How to get war-trained diplomats and ninjas to sign and respect a peace agreement?
-You have not answered my question….
-Of course I did… .Oto-sama.
With that said, Shikadai left the backyard. The next hour was one of heavy reflection for Shikamaru. Smoking a cigarette, looking out into the garden of his house and thinking deeply about conversations with his son. Apparently, at some point in the last 3 years, Boruto Uzumaki had been recruited and trained by a secret organization. Said group had acted behind the back of the Hokage, and even appeared invisible to the vigilance of the ANBU special hunters. But his motives did not seem defined to the search for power in particular. The problem for Shikamaru in his personal matter was that he could not see the situation in a global way.
However, the latest events of last month had once again changed the international scene. Right now, the investigation matters on the supposed clandestine organization, had to be shelved until better occasion. Although right now, in Shikamaru there was a doubt that he would keep him active for the next few weeks.
What business had his wife Temari gotten into that Shikadai had to ask for outside help to solve?
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /
Boruto had felt quite heavy about his adventure.
In the first instance, it had been almost a month since his fight against Sasuke Uchiha. He was unconscious most of the time, and his body had suffered various and serious injuries. He was visited by his mother and sister on a daily basis. Both commented to him that in the village it was rumored an escape of Sasuke, for having attacked the fiancé of his daughter. Some more, that in reality the Uchiha had been executed by the seventh Hokage and would be buried in a common grave so that only that monstrous fight that destroyed field number 7 would remain in rumors. In addition, several other nonsensical chatter ran like whispers through the civilians. All crazy versions and without much sense.
Boruto was quite shocked by such gossip. In fact, they made him think a lot about the consequences of what he had done. Meanwhile, he enjoyed seeing his sister smiling and happy. To whom if his intuition did not fail, he owed his life. The theory that Bolt had come up with is that Sasuke Uchiha's Chidori failed to reach his heart, because the Uzumaki's body was used to receiving constant attacks on the less dangerous areas of the chest from practices with his sister. Himawari. It was his clever little sister, who had taught him with her blows exactly where to receive a mortal attack so as not to die.
And as for his mother Hinata, he had the good news that she suspected. The woman had made her son understand that Aunt Hanabi had become a regular toy for the Hokage and his wife. In short, Hinata was the one who gave the orders to the Hyuuga clan, through her subdued younger sister.
"I knew I could trust ..." the boy said from the bed to his mother, "Ka-san knew."
The woman couldn't help but smile. She felt useful, she felt powerful. There were no more chains to bind her like in her ancient clan when she was young. But now, she was a mother and a wife, she was a pillar of her family. That was a reassurance for Boruto. Currently, she couldn't even get out of bed. Much less help his mother or sister in the Hyuuga matter. It was a source of serenity to know that this problem had ended.
He also received other types of more complicated visits.
Sarada and Sakura were never at the same time. The young woman visited him as a friend of hers. The situation was strange and tense between them. There was no doubt that the young Uchiha had deep feelings for her ex-partner. But there were barriers that had been raised between them. The matter of her father was only one of the problems to be overcome.
On the other hand, Sakura, only appeared on a few occasions and as a doctor. It was obvious to Bolt that the woman was avoiding him as much as possible. They could never be alone, and it seemed strange to the young Uzumaki that there were always other doctors or even ANBU ninjas. What exactly was happening? Why was Sakura watched by the hunters?
Her questions, she began to have answers a week after she regained consciousness. It was the moment when she saw her father again, after that night of combat in the rain. But he did not come alone. Kakashi, Sai and Shikamaru accompanied him in that meeting in the hospital room.
That night, they had a strange chat. It was the first time in many years that Boruto Uzumaki was surprised. The first time since he started training with Kakashi-sensei.
End of chapter.