Chapter 17 - Never more

In the last month of his life as a Hokage, he had put absolutely everything he believed in to the test. It was difficult to think of another 30 days in the past in Naruto, which met such setbacks when it came to good and bad situations. The current state of affairs was regrettable. It was terrible to feel morally dirty at every step taken since the last month. Trips, meetings, long waits in that damn hospital room where his son lay unconscious. Incredible encounters for the calculated long ago, and situations that grated the absurdity. Very painful private conversations, and the feeling of entering a new time of mistrust and estrangement with the other Shinobi villages. Although paradoxically, the recent final signing of world peace, indicated exactly the opposite.

It all started a month and a half ago, as the seventh Hokage recalled, as he walked through a corridor of the general hospital of the leaf directly towards the accommodation where his son Boruto was waiting for him. It started the same moment, when Naruto found himself at any given dawn arguing with Kakashi about Boruto's actions and whom he seemed to have trained for it. When he was finally able to grasp the trace of chakra that both his son and Sasuke Uchiha emitted in the middle of a fierce battle on the outskirts of Konoha.

For years, Naruto had trained hard to learn techniques that would definitely put him at the forefront of his peers in combat. Techniques that made him so powerful, to avoid going to the extreme of murder in cases of disputes between powerful ninjas. That was one of the keys, which Naruto intended to hold to finally achieve the end of the old quarrels of the past between hidden villages. Many years of effort and training. Achieving among other jutsu, master the powerful Hiraishin that his father had designed. And all to end up doing what he never thought he would do. Committing a betrayal of his best friend, out of love for his son.

"It all happened very fast. As instantaneous as having transported towards the seal that he had cleverly placed on Bolt's shoulder. Minutes before the boy confessed his intentions to fight Sasuke, and his clandestine relationship with Sakura, as one of the causes that prompted him to do so. However, the seal that Naruto finally reached was another one, attached to a special kunai, thrown by his son a few meters from the battle.

Naruto appeared in field number 7. A territory that both Sasuke and himself knew all too well. But he could not reason where he was, nor how he could not get there before, nor because just in those seconds he had managed to effectively track the chakra signatures that he had searched so much in previous hours. All his eyes witnessed was how his best friend embedded a murderous Chidori in the chest of his son Bolt. His first child. The child who, when he was born, had made him cry like a child thanking his wife Hinata for bringing him into the world. The boy who so much resembled his and I was his younger, although his personalities were different.

Seeing his son fall, while Sasuke with that furious and unhinged gesture withdrew the only healthy arm that was left from the young blond's torso, and finally watch him collapse to the ground. In an explosion of blood that surged from his body. See him close his eyes, accepting the imminence of death. Then Naruto understood that he was witnessing what no parent should bear. The bloody murder of his beloved son.

And there was Sasuke Uchiha….

The brunette was barely able to withdraw his armed arm from Raiton, when he was finally able to detect thanks to his basic sharingan, that he was not alone on that battlefield. The area around the field was a mess. Burned trees, the overflowing river, craters here and there. An entire battle zone witnessed that something very big had happened in the previous hours. Sasuke hadn't understood the reason for that last Rasengan that Boruto had purposely missed, embedding him in one of the 4 sealed trees that kept the field hidden from everyone. Until he could notice the appearance of the seventh Hokage. The concealment field had been destroyed, at the exact moment.

Sasuke took a step back as he observed who had magically appeared a few meters away. He had few moments to reason what was about to happen. Very few, to realize that the recent death of his enemy, brought with it the disastrous consequence of winning that fight, only to end up losing the real war. Sasuke Uchiha understood everything, but he could do little in those few seconds:

-Dobe… .I… .it's not what….

Suddenly he didn't see anything. Only the chest of a Naruto that was almost hugging him from the closeness of the bodies. From being about 30 meters away, to practically no space between the two bodies of the old friends. In a few seconds, the disgusting taste of his own blood rose up the throat of the Uchiha who half understood what had happened. It was only previous experience, of that stab that Madara Uchiha knew how to inflict on him in the war. But it was not a total understanding of the current general situation, only previous experience knowing that he was about to die. He had been pierced side to side by the Hokage. In an attack impossible to avoid.

"Die ..." was the gloomy whisper that Sasuke heard in his ear, as he understood that Naruto had shattered his heart with a single blow.

There was no battle. In those moments there was no parity. If they were normal circumstances, Sasuke and Naruto would have fought for hours. For full days before one or the other, he was beaten by the slightest difference. But not tonight. Because the previous battle against the Hokage's son had weakened the Uchiha so much that the possible battle with Naruto Uzumaki turned into a single death blow. In a defeat as humiliating as it is predictable.

-Do… .Dobe… ..- he managed to chirp the brunette, before sliding down Naruto's body that simply dropped him dead at his feet.

Between the appearance of Naruto in that field, and the imminent death of Sasuke, no more than 5 seconds elapsed. What the Hokage did was just the product of impulse. It was an emotional chakra attack response that Sasuke still emitted from his battle with Bolt. He didn't have time to think. There was not a moment of reasoning, not a second. It even took him another extra minute, realizing through his hermit way that although very weak, his son was incredibly still alive. It was impossible.

Naruto didn't have time to think about anything else. He simply took in his arms the young blond bleeding face up on the field, to transport him directly to the general hospital. With the typical despair of a father. Hoping for a future in which no brain with any logic could anticipate "

Naruto remembered over and over the events of that tragic night. He would get up early in the morning thinking about it. In the rare moments of mental freedom in his office, he had wondered a thousand times if he could act differently than he did. In the afternoons, while he was touring the ninja academy, the ANBU barracks or in meetings with the clan leaders, Naruto couldn't help but think that the people around him could no longer see him as before killing Sasuke. He was even surprised that they treated him even better than usual. But clearly it was not out of fear as it could be supposed, but with a certain malicious joy hovering in the simple glances of each ninja or civilian with whom he had to interact.

Why? Why was everything so simplified? Why did things on the inside and outside of the blade seem to have improved after committing that reckless murder on a Konoha ninja? Didn't anyone really mind that the Hokage had killed a ninja supposedly under his command, for the simple matter of a fight between Sasuke and the honorable son of the leader?

While Boruto was unconscious in the hospital, Naruto tried to protect him as best he could at his appearance. However, the only ones who could attempt to seize the opportunity to attack him had greater reasons not to do so than reason suggested. There were only three potential dangers for Boruto Uzumaki in his critical state. The first and most expected normally, was Sasuke's own family. But this option was the least likely. Naruto had witnessed Sakura's efforts to save Bolt's life. And he knew perfectly the reason why both mother and daughter preferred Boruto to be alive than for Sasuke to have survived that fight. Obviously, the rest of the village could suspect otherwise, but clearly the truth was that these women were in their own particular cases, linked to Boruto on a very deep level. Much more than they ever were with Sasuke himself.

And what about the Inuzuka?

Although they now had knowledge that Boruto carried the Byakugan, and therefore he could very well have killed Kiba in the past. The reality marked that trying to take revenge would bring nothing but misfortune for the clan of dogs. The Inuzuka were neither the most powerful nor the most influential in Konoha. Would they play it against the Hokage's son? Against the son of the most powerful ninja in the world? Furthermore, it was clear that if Boruto was capable enough to face Sasuke Uchiha, he was not exactly a weak successor. Better to leave the situation that size, for the peace. Tsume Inuzuka might not be the most politically reasonable, but she was also not a complete fool capable of endangering her entire clan.

Which finally left us with the last of the enemies that could wish Boruto's death. And that ladder, corresponded to the Hyuuga clan.

It was true that a special Byakugan outside the family was something they did not want. Also that attacking Boruto in the most weakened state of him, was perhaps the only chance they would have to eliminate him if that was the case. But the reality of the matter was that the Hyuuga family was led by a woman who would never give the necessary orders to attempt such an attack.

Hanabi Hyuuga, no longer had the ability to make decisions on her own.

Currently, the Hokage used to go to sleep in the comfort of his room in the Uzumaki house, with the juicy benefit of sharing his bed with not one, but two Hyuuga women. Many nights, he would enter his room to find his wife waiting for him. And several other occasions to find not only Hinata but his sister Hanabi as well, as eager for sex as the landlady of the house. Both husband and wife, they used Hanabi as she pleased. Like a tool, like a sex toy that they could fuck and subdue without the slightest concern. Hanabi Hyuuga responded to snogging meekly and excitedly. She without keeping a trace of pride in what her sister and her husband did to her. She looked very happy to be used in such a way. Something strange for Naruto, and no less exciting for that.

There was a seal in the corner of that room, and Hanabi's body had been specially marked to use that direct transport from the Hyuuga complex, to appear inside the Uzumaki's marriage room. It was this way, that Hanabi sneaked into Naruto's bed practically every night. It was incredible even for the blonde to understand how she had gotten into this crazy situation since that first night of fire and lack of control.

Now, everything seemed like a kind of competition between his wife and himself, to see who enjoyed Hanabi the hardest doing absolutely everything they could think of for it. And all with the goal of getting her pregnant in the very near future to spawn another special Byakugan in the Uzumaki / Hyuuga gene mix.

And not once, but twice he had to get her pregnant!

Total madness, that was clan bargaining. And Naruto only in recent months began to have a real dimension of all this.

-Hokage-sama…. -Kakashi told him, whom he found on the first floor of the hospital where Boruto was hospitalized- we were waiting for him.

Sai and Shikamaru didn't seem very comfortable with the situation. It was an awkward meeting for everyone in general. Some had other tasks to perform, others distrusted others. And in the middle was the Hokage. That he was a friend of each of them, unable to help them in particular because his own son was involved in the whole mess.

-Go on… -Naruto ordered the group- we have to announce to Bolt all the preparations for the following months. He must know about us. He cannot escape the consequences.

In a few minutes, the most powerful political group in Konoha was in front of the door of room 34. A simple Chunnin was resting there. But also paradoxically, an ANBU captain of Root and also the one now recognized as heir to the seventh Hokage. There the young Sarada's fiancé rested. But also the intellectual murderer of Sasuke Uchiha, the girl's father.

Naruto came across a Sakura coming out at the entrance to the place. The hairy woman could barely look at her old friend and looking down with some pity, she left the place without making an argument. She was wearing her hair up, her white jacket, and several analysis folders. Very professional, as always when he held his position in the hospital. Even so, Naruto couldn't help looking impatiently for some sign that would reveal the closeness that this woman had with Boruto. Sex, lovers, passion. Had they made love? Did they just fuck? Was it hate, guilt, sexual discharge, or rape? How much blackmail or consent had actually occurred between them?

Both Naruto and Sakura almost collided in the portal because they were ignoring the other. The last conversation between them a couple of weeks ago, left a painful discussion and a practically broken relationship between them. Naruto felt betrayed, and Sakura didn't feel like she had a reason to apologize. She was an irreconcilable position. Or so it seemed at the moment.

-Good afternoon Boruto ... -said the Hokage with a harshness that he rarely exhibited in his voice to anyone- I think a week has passed since your recovery. And we can't wait any longer.

The young man could barely open his mouth slightly to answer, when he finally managed to notice that behind his father, Shikamaru, Sai and Kakashi were arriving. All together. Why all at the same time? That was not something that could be expected.

-Hi Bolt ... -Kakashi smiled moving towards the chair next to the bed to sit comfortably- it's good to see you recovered. I hope not to bother.

-No, of course not, Uncle Kakashi ... -Boruto smiled although visibly surprised- only that I find it strange that all of you ...

-Enemies coming together? Shikamaru said with a bored gesture.

"Rather discordant ..." Sai corrected him without leaving aside his mechanical smile, "here nobody wants to kill anyone." The word "enemy" suggests other things.

-Enough stupid ... -Naruto admonished the two guys- I don't know what problem you two have, but that has to end. They are both my right hand, and I need them. So save the nonsense for another time and place.

Shikamaru was upset, but not with Sai precisely. He was trying not to show that Bolt was causing him that discomfort, and maybe he was using his crossover with the ANBU leader to cover it up. Although all things considered, arguing with that guy was the worst thing he could do. If Sai ever found out what Shikamaru and Ino had done, the matter would end with someone dead.

-Then? –Bolt consulted that he really didn't know what to expect after having survived that fight against Sasuke- What bad news do you bring me to come all together? Am I going to be exiled, arrested, executed? -In the face of everyone's awkward silence, Boruto couldn't help launching a small verbal provocation- will they give me a medal maybe?

-I just returned to Boruto village ... -said his father undeterred by that dark joke- from a meeting with all the leaders of the other villages. The news of your…. "feat" could not be hidden any longer.

Boruto looked at the Hokage in surprise. He had chosen a strange way to start a murder charge. Or maybe… it would be Uncle Kakashi who would tell him without further ado what was happening in the world without Sasuke Uchiha. So the young man sitting on the bed turned his vision from him to his master. Who generally did not give so many turns to say the important thing.

"Officially ..." Kakashi pointed out with his usual passivity. "Sasuke Uchiha is considered" missing in action ". All the documents referring to his departure on an emergency mission the night he left home a month ago, were prepared in a timely manner. The corpse was sealed in a special way, and buried in a secret place so that the remains were inaccessible. No one will find it, no one can use Edo tensei to revive it.

-But speaking unofficially ... -added Shikamaru with crossed arms- the news of a huge confrontation that practically dismantled the training ground number 7, has spread throughout the village in the first days. And since the Hokage has not presented any damage, everything suggests that he did not participate in said combat. Your strategy of making him look like the winner of that battle has failed.

-The news that was picked up by the rest of the villas in a matter of a week and a half -Complement Sai smiling barely- was inevitable. Despite our efforts to cover up the combat, the reasoning of the population plus the information given at the hospital gave them a definitive conclusion.

Boruto considered himself quite cunning. But the situation had him completely blank. It looked like a meeting of diplomats in the land of iron. He only needed to see Samurai guards to allow for the illusion. Had Root failed to cover up the fight? Did the rest of the villages accuse his father of having murdered Sasuke Uchiha? Was the whole mess about that?

"I stood in front of my fellow Kage," Naruto said with some annoyance, "and I have sworn on my honor that it was I who fought and killed Sasuke." I told them that he attacked my son because of his commitment to his daughter. That he lost control and I had to kill him. And even so….

"And still ...?" Boruto asked who did not understand where his father wanted to go.

"Still, you don't believe me ..." Naruto defined, "everyone is so firmly convinced of my inability to kill Sasuke Uchiha, that they formed the crazy theory that my 18-year-old son and senior Chunnin is strong enough to Take down one of the most powerful ninjas in history in a hand-to-hand battle. That I have tried to hide the power of my heir from them, pretending to be the one who killed Sasuke. Just to cover up your power.

There was silence. Boruto widened his eyes without hiding his surprise from him. The whole scene seemed irrational to him. But after a few seconds, he began to calculate the situation in a general way. How were the Kages in the other villages evaluating him? What information had Root leaked to the rest of the hidden bodies in each village? Was Root preparing some kind of mission that Boruto couldn't understand? Because looking at it from the logical point of view, it seemed quite out of the ordinary that an 18-year-old Chunnin had taken out in a loyal battle a subject that could only be compared to the most powerful Hokage in history.

"The Kazekage Gaara ..." Naruto added after the heavy silence, "he warned me that there was no point in lying at village meetings." That no one would be willing to believe that I was the one who murdered Sasuke. Basically no one believes me capable of doing it. Gaara told me, "You are the one who has the right power level, but you could definitely never betray your feeling of friendship for him."

"Which has led to a different answer," Sai said calmly, "the son of the Hokage, has been training in secret and is much stronger than his category suggests." After all, Naruto-kun practically went Gennin all the way to Hokage.

"And that you have been hiding a special Byakugan until recently," Shikamaru intervened barely, "he only encouraged the theory that you are as strong as your father or the Uchiha." Which has ended up benefiting everyone apparently. Politically speaking, of course.

Boruto barely nodded, because he really felt far behind in the conversation. He felt like a moron. Perhaps his blows and wounds cost her gray matter. Because he wasn't really beginning to understand what everyone was doing in his room. Was it to arrest him? To dictate a sentence of exile? To congratulate him? Boruto couldn't understand what would happen to him, right after leaving the hospital in a few weeks. How was he supposed to have benefited Konoha according to Shikamaru Nara's vision? Because in Boruto's gaze, only he himself could see the benefits of liquidating the Uchiha until recently. Now what new thing had happened to make everyone think it was the right thing to do?

-Basically Bolt ... -Kakashi told him next to him-the agreements between Konoha and the other villages were closed in this last meeting. It didn't happen before because all the villages had dissidents. Not everyone wanted peace. Some of the reasons apparently were dedicated to Sasuke. His lack of ability to align himself with Konoha. An unstable subject. The previous Raikage had a lot of hatred for him. But currently, they are considering that Naruto has more weight resources in an eventual breakdown of relations between villages. His eldest son can become a key weapon in a future virtual fight.

-Now fear dominates them ... -Naruto pointed out with disappointment- everyone is ready to laugh at the possibility that I am the one who killed Sasuke. But they fear that you have as much power as he, with only 18 years. They fear they haven't seen you coming. They fear that Konoha could finish them off if you raise your level even higher. And that is just the beginning.

The rest of the conversation was just great madness. Boruto had been clear about the end of his life a month ago. And now it turns out that he was officially suspended as a Shinobi. He couldn't leave the village limits even to train. Most surprisingly, he would have to undergo an intensive training program run by his own father. Her old boyish yearning for him was finally going to be fulfilled! Naruto would be his teacher during the regular days of the week, and Kakashi would take charge of training him during the weekends, plus the rare occasions where the Hokage had to leave Konoha for meetings with the high command of the other villages. Shikamaru and Sai would also be in charge of filtering absolutely all the information related to Boruto, his training and evolution. No one should know about his current level, no one should know about the power that he would achieve in time.

"When you get out of here," Naruto said seriously as Bolt had hardly ever seen him, "he will give you the key to an apartment." Your belongings await you there because you are no longer going to live under my roof. You have chosen a path, and I will respect your decision. That's all.

After those last words, Naruto left the room accompanied by Shikamaru and Sai. Even Kakashi stood up to retreat, but delayed on purpose he left a few words on his ward. But the young man anticipated it, with his own impression of the matter:

-It seems that I have made him hate me -the boy said hurt- I knew it would hurt him a lot but ... Anyway. I will have to learn to bear it.

-Don't take his attitude wrong Bolt ... -the copy ninja smiled barely- Naruto would be incapable of hating you. You are his son and always will be. He loves you, and he will always do everything to protect you. These measurements, just look for that. In time, your father will understand as much as I do, that you did the right thing. At that moment, he and you will smile together again.

There were no more words, no reproaches from the boy. He was silent and with some sadness. As they left the hospital, Shikamaru pointed out that he had found it very strange that Naruto's son accepted everything without arguing. After all, he had proven many times that he was not good at obeying orders, and very clever at passing the side of illegality. Shikamaru couldn't help but ask aloud, if perhaps Bolt wasn't thinking of an alternative strategy to disobey. Maybe thinking of defecting.

Naruto did not attend to him. His gaze on Bolt was totally different. He didn't think his son was going to escape from Konoha. Because he just didn't suit her. Right now, Boruto had to be protected by the village walls from possible foreign attacks. Ever since the rest of the villages reasoned about the supposed level of the Hokage's son, they would be planning a way to put a price on his head. They couldn't let him grow up, they couldn't let Boruto Uzumaki have a family. It was not unknown to the foreign Kage, that the young man in question was engaged to Sarada Uchiha. How not to hope that the children of both, become ninjas of unattainable levels? This being the case, Konoha grew stronger while the other villages lowered their level. Currently, Naruto led the alliance because of his friendship with other leaders and his message of peace. But most of all, he led by his own personal power that was many times greater than the Kage combined. While no one trusted Sasuke too much prior to his "disappearance" of him, neither should they fail to acknowledge that the Uchiha was the only one with the power to face the seventh Hokage. If Boruto became a successor to his father, but was not a peaceful subject like his predecessor, the problems would only increase for each member of "the Alliance".

It was a future defeat, and everyone knew it. Everyone would have to give up more and more diplomatic ground. For that reason they would put a price on Boruto's head. If some mercenary assassinated him as soon as he left on mission, the balance of power would balance again years later. It was the only thing to appeal to. Because officially with their village ninjas, they couldn't do anything.

Naruto knew it. He knew that Sasuke was a risky guy, but not a successor in the Kage's eyes. But Bolt was different. He would be the next leader, or at least the most powerful Shinobi in the world in a few years. Technically, peace was maintained by the word of the current leaders plus the equality in power of all the towns. But that could change, and Naruto was aware of it.

* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /

* / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * / * /

Boruto was sitting sideways on a stretcher. He had been transferred at the request of the nurses to Sakura Uchiha's personal office. The young Kunoichi only accompanied him, while one of them officiated as "armrests" and led him slowly to the Jounnin doctor's office.

In the early days, Sakura had permanent guards around the clock. Her parentage to the late Uchiha prevented her from attempting to exact revenge against the Hokage's son. However, after she was the main doctor in the operations that saved the young man's life, it was quite silly to think that Sakura would throw her career away by committing murder, or even acting negligently.

Nothing further from reality…

Sakura was as professional as she could. And she had had a hard time appearing indifferent to Boruto's health over that of any of the hospital inmates. Actually, she wanted to always be in his room, she wanted to be with him, she wanted to be on top of him. Take care of him, take care of him, watch him wake up and smile.

However, Himawari and Sarada's constant visits prohibited Sakura from showing more interest in Bolt than recommended. She was a mature woman, who had no other reason to be with the patient, other than the clear fact of ensuring her recovery. Her husband had been murdered, and she had to create the best "widow" performance of her, to fit the concept that everyone pointed out to her she should have. So as not to raise any suspicions about her "contribution" to that death.

She cost him a lot, and Sarada also couldn't be seen to be concerned about the recent disappearance of her father. Both women were on the opposite side of Sasuke, at the time where he had his death and disappearance. The pig had died the death he deserved. He had never cared about them, never cared about being a father or a husband. And the last straw was that her plan for her daughter's future was related to using her as a simple container for Uchiha semen.

At night, Sarada and Sakura slept in her mother's room. They ate together, studied together, even the girl had spent entire shifts with her mother in the hospital. She almost always living in the room of the unconscious boy. Sakura remembered that her daughter was engaged to the Uzumaki. And that she had suffered a lot when they separated months ago. There was no doubt that her daughter Sarada, she still wanted to go ahead with the marriage business. And she without a doubt she would prevent Sakura and Bolt from continuing to have any kind of relationship in the future. Cards were drawn on that matter.

In those days, seeing Boruto wake up was for Sakura a mixture of very contradictory feelings and thoughts. She was happy, she was very satisfied that she had managed to save him from death once more. As a doctor, her ultimate pride was winning those impossible battles against death. And seeing Boruto Uzumaki awaken from unconsciousness was certainly a "medal" that Sakura was happy to award herself.

But that day when she received him in her private office, she waited for the nurses to leave her room to turn and look at him. It had been a couple of weeks since her awakening, and it was the first time in all that time that Sakura no longer had ninjas or nurses guarding her meetings with the boy. Neither would Himawari or Sarada, nor Naruto, nor Hinata with their maternal visits. Just the two of them. For the first time since that hot night in the hospital room.

"Please ..." Sakura said, putting on disposable white gloves, "take off her upper garment."

Boruto was sitting on her stretcher, looking directly at her and having placed the "coat rack" with the serum that accompanied him everywhere, resting next to her. Without making a gesture, he moved her shoulders to help her left hand lower the white robe to her waist. His body was still collecting some bandages in both places. She was hurting him so badly that he didn't attempt any kind of sudden movement.

-As Sakura-chan ordered… .- the young man whispered, smiling slightly.

She had already approached, and she heard those words trying not to let her heart escape from her chest. She was beginning to feel the sweet sensation of her, the one that for months had accompanied her in her furtive encounters. That strange and wonderful feeling of feeling like a woman, of being desired. To think about a life beyond her work as a doctor, or as a mother. And that "chan", which intensified the feeling of her. That gave them another entity to the mutual relationship, achieving more intimacy.

-Your wounds almost disappeared ... - she said trying to sound neutral Sakura- I just have to change your bandages and then perform a chakra test to see your internal channels and ...

-Thanks Sakura-chan ... -the boy interrupted looking at her looking up from her and thus meeting her eyes-thanks from her for all of her. I couldn't have done it without your help.

There was a moment of silence. Sakura couldn't process those words for what they were. She was trying to find some external meaning in it. Something that Bolt tried to say, beyond that thanks.

-I did nothing but my job. –Sakura answered her after starting to change the bandages- it was you, who has achieved something that she thought impossible.

-We did it together….

"You fought alone," Sakura contradicted seriously, "you beat him in a fight all alone." If he wasn't dead, he surely would have felt very humiliated. That a child has defeated one of the most powerful ninjas in history is ...

-I couldn't have done it without your help… -Boruto insisted suddenly, and raising her left hand, he took Sakura's face to force her to look directly at him- your formulas and your help to prepare the battle. We were a great team, and this time we weren't naked on a bed to complement each other so well.

They barely smiled, if Bolt didn't use some provocative phrase it wouldn't be the same. She didn't respond quickly, just clung to her shoulders gently to indicate that she needed to lay him down on the stretcher. She would check his legs, and the entire general structure with chakra emissions. Even so, they could continue talking:

-First, you gave me a lot of information about your missions and battles in the war. Boruto reminded him, already lying down and allowing himself to be checked, then you created that serum with Tyramine essence that you gave him in injections that he believed were vitamins.

"Whenever he came back from his long journeys," Sakura recalled aloud, "I used to give him vitamin injections." I was surprised that you asked me to change them, I knew that no type of poison would affect Sasuke. But it was great to think about ...

"Tyramine is not a poison," Bolt said as if accompanying the remembrance, "it is a compound found in certain foods. It has certain fermented foods, also herring among other foods. Eating these products in excess for many years produces in people a ...

"Chronic migraine ..." Sakura added as she continued her examination, "when you asked me to synthesize a concentrated formula, I didn't understand why you wanted to give a rival headaches." Until I reasoned about the side effects of a migraine.

-headaches, extreme sensitivity in the senses, brain swelling in the worst cases. I figured using the sharingan would be damn torture for him. And finally, he has deprived him of his best Doujutsu techniques, nullifying the Magenkyo. Obviously the migraine would not last long, since the Tyramine compound would dissipate in the body. But he would not survive to enjoy it.

"And then the evening tea ..." Sakura said as she moved up Bolt's body, scanning him with green chakra, "to which I had added my odorless or flavorless chakra inhibitor."

-Which reduced his total power to half, -Boruto indicated closing his eyes and trying to relax- leaving me hand in hand in amount of chakra.

"Even so, I couldn't help much ..." the hairy pointed out, "in battle you were alone."

-It seems like it, but the bag with the different creations of your laboratory, they gave me weapons to hurt it and weaken it to the maximum. I used the anticoagulant gel on my kunais, fighting hand to hand I produced wounds that did not heal. That made him bleed too much, even in minor cuts. He had to sacrifice more chakra to "change skin" with Orochimaru's jutsu.

-But he hurt you more with his katana….

"Which I was able to compensate with your plasma tablets," the blond remembered calmly, "I combined those tablets to recover my lost blood, with your new formula of soldiers' pills." So I managed to hurt him while he kept me up and active. In short, your creations allowed me to weaken and wound him to the point of defeat. You gave me your "weapons", and I was in charge of using the surprise with them.

Seen like this, it even seemed worthy of merit. Sakura had always felt inferior to the rest of the ex-teammates from her team 7. But right now, she could tell that her "talent" was in creating lethal weapons with her knowledge of chemistry. So much so, that she had screwed one of the most powerful subjects in the world with them. Although she did not have any "blood barrier" as always Sasuke had taken it upon himself to point out when he wanted to denigrate her in the past. Even so, she Sakura had fucked him really hard.

-In conclusion? –The woman consulted while she had reached Boruto's chest and arms with his chakra examination.

"In conclusion ..." said the blond serious, "I knew he couldn't defeat him." So make a plan to destroy it piece by piece. The inhibitor took over the excess chakra from him, while the Tyramine took away the Magenkyo. I drove him to a humid and rainy terrain with a nearby river. He used fire. So with an environment that was too humid, he weakened his techniques, while strengthening those of water that I possess. And his Raiton jutsu would hurt both him and me. Electric-based techniques are not convenient when everyone is in contact with water. If he used them, we would both be harmed equally.

"You sacrificed yourself," Sakura told him with some annoyance in her voice, "weakening him enough that your father… ..he…."

"I lost on purpose," the blonde pointed out seriously and they were already looking into each other's eyes. "I lost the battle, but I prepared the ground to win the war."

-sacrificing your life.

-I'm a ninja Sakura-chan ... -Boruto was still lying with a calm face of an almost diplomatic conversation- it was a mission, and if I had to die to fulfill it I ...

-Not! He escaped her, looking away from her nervously, you shouldn't do this for me. I didn't want you to… disappear… Why did you come so far ?!

-What is not obvious? -I point out with a hint of sad smile the young man, whose feelings for the hairy were increasingly clear- I'm trapped Sakura-chan ... -indicated the blonde with a sad gesture, and raising an arm he reached up to place a hand on the female's face - I want to be with a woman, who cannot reciprocate. I want to remain invisible, but now everyone sees me in full light. I want to protect my family, and I even seem like some kind of enemy to them. Maybe ... "he whispered, gently pulling her hand away," maybe you should have let me die. It would have been the best for everyone.

They both knew the problems that were coming. It was crazy to think about being lovers, but it was inevitable to want him intensely. Sarada still had powerful feelings for Boruto. And she surely she would not be willing to forget the betrothal now that Sasuke was no longer in the middle. But she was also an Uchiha, and her eyes would be a source of inexhaustible hatred if she ever found out what her mother and her boyfriend had done. How not to generate a new circle of hate? How to pretend that nothing had happened when even Naruto now knew what had happened?

Boruto had his relationship almost severed with his father. Although he had imposed himself as sensei, it was evident that expelling him from the Uzumaki house showed every sign of emotional separation. She trained him to prepare it. She trained him to raise his level and maintain the facade that foreign villages chose to believe. He trained him because it was his duty as a Hokage. Boruto had never seen interest in his father to train him in the past. Why was he doing it now? Simply because it was part of his job as the Hokage.

As for Sakura, she couldn't help but feel divided by the situation.

She had had deep conversations with her best friend Ino hers in those past few weeks. In which she had to confess what seemed impossible. She had to tell him, the depth of the problem that involved her daughter, her boyfriend and herself. Like a new love triangle where everyone was chasing someone they didn't want to reach. But they still wanted him at every turn. And to top it off there was also Naruto, with whom Sakura had a nasty argument weeks ago:

"Sakura had been called to the Hokage's office. Which had surprised her at first because her reports on Boruto's health status were detailed and up-to-date. As she walked from the hospital to the Hokage tower, Sakura wondered over and over again for the reason for the call. The last time he was there, it was when Bolt had been hurt by Hanabi Hyuuga. Before and after, he had stayed as far away from Naruto as possible. He didn't want to cause any more trouble for that family. She did not want to restart that vicious cycle that among other things, caused Boruto's first attack on her.

-With permission Hokage-sama…. -said the woman entering the office.

There was Ino, Shikamaru and Konohamaru. Also a team of 4 ANBU that seemed about to leave on a mission. They all looked at her deeply, causing Sakura some discomfort. But it was only for a moment, only for seconds and nothing specifically referred to. Sakura had felt somewhat nervous to no avail, they were not in the office because of her presence.

"Leave me alone," Naruto said harshly, "I have business to deal with Uchiha-san.

They all obeyed. It was evident that they had discussed other issues and each one resolved his own, now a meeting was coming between the former teammates of Team 7. But the strange use of the marital surname generated an obvious coldness and separation. Sakura began to sense the reason for her arrival at that office. And it would be a difficult talk to do civilly.

-All these years… -the blond Hokage started standing up and walking along the side of his desk with his arms behind-- all these years I thought we were friends. That you trusted me, like I trusted you.

Sakura decided to keep quiet. She wasn't sure what Naruto knew, or if she had really found out everything. Maybe it was time to pray to Kami-sama for secrets. It wasn't that she really had a lot of excuses to raise in the face of what happened. Out with Sasuke, or even worse about Bolt.

"I can't understand how you were able to…." The man seemed to choke on his own words. There was no doubt that she had a lot of frustration - doing those things with Boruto.

The bad feeling had been confirmed. From now on, everything would be open-hearted. Sakura could only hope, that whatever happened in this talk, the secret would never reach the ears of her daughter Sarada hers. It was everything she could wish for out of this disastrous situation.

"I don't think this is the time to talk about that," Sakura said trying to keep calm. "I just have to say, I never wanted to hurt anyone." Things just happened.

-Did they happen? -Naruto asked irritably- Did things just happen ?! Her voice from his rose with an anguished tone. I HAVE MY SON FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE AT THE HOSPITAL! YOUR HUSBAND WHO WAS MY BEST FRIEND IS DEAD! YOU REVOLVED WITH YOUR DAUGHTER'S Fiancé behind EVERYONE'S BACK! HOW CAN YOU SAY, "THINGS JUST HAPPENED" ?!

Naruto was upset. There was no doubt that he could no longer contain the full load of frustration that he was carrying. But Sakura, while she felt distraught and hurt at having to face the situation, she could not conceive of admitting innocence of the matter. The hairy woman, she reasoned with great success, that confessing everything about that first night where she was attacked and forced by Boruto, would not serve to justify what came next. But instead, she could end up breaking the father-son bond that was so hit by the general situation. What good was she saving herself and sinking Boruto? She sakura felt that she couldn't do that to him. Not after the boy saved Sarada and herself, from the sad Uchiha fate that her late husband was preparing.

"When I found out what my damn husband was going to do with Sarada," Sakura pretended to admit coldly, "I knew no one could help me."

-You should have come to me ...- Naruto said almost like a verbal shot- I could have helped you.

-Tell you? –The woman smiled sarcastically- and what are you supposed to do to help me? Would you protect my daughter? WOULD YOU HAVE KILLED SASUKE TO SAVE ME ?! YOU COULDN'T IN THE PAST! YOU WERE NEVER WILLING TO KILL HIM, EVEN WHEN SASUKE HAD SWORN TO DESTROY KONOHA! Do you even have an idea what Sasuke would have done to me if he found out that he had told you everything?

They both glared at each other. Firmly and deeply. And although they had much to say about the past, little had real importance after the fatal events. However, despite the anger and disappointment. Naruto wanted to know the story that had led his former teenage love to fall into the arms of an 18-year-old. That above all, made him very curious. Sakura had represented not only her youthful romantic interest, but also an unknown, which Naruto Uzumaki never knew how to solve. How had her son managed it? Sakura reasoned that that alone kept Naruto from ever speaking to her again. And she couldn't even offer an answer like that she could honestly offer.

-I have no more reasons to justify or defend myself. –Added the serious woman, and turning to take the exit- it was my own desire and selfishness that made me sleep with your son. Look at it like this, or however you want. But since that relationship has ended, I only ask you not to intervene. Sarada would be hurt unjustifiably. And she worries me above all. Good morning, Hokage-sama.

And she left, without waiting or receiving an answer. She internally knew that Naruto could rat her out to Sarada instantly. She had a thousand resources to do it. She also understood that there was no way around it. Not forever at least. Sakura was only betting that this conversation, she made Naruto believe that her son had been confused and manipulated by her. And so she allowed the young men to go on their way and finally marry without saying what she knew. Sakura had said and she vowed to fulfill her, that she would never fuck Boruto again. It wasn't that she didn't want him, it was that she would never allow herself to lose the only bond that she still had to her downcast family. She wouldn't sacrifice Sarada, for a personal goal. In that, she clearly differed from the pig of her late husband. "

She recalled that discussion with some anguish. As she finished taking the chakra test on Boruto. And although the physical attraction that she felt for the young man was palpable, although her body later demanded a sexual discharge as soon as she managed to find the solitude of a bath, she Sakura had to avoid giving any sign to the blond of the need to her. For Boruto to forget her, for her to focus on recovering and then on Sarada. May she never think that they could be together again. It was the best for their future.

"In 5 days," the doctor just told him, "you will be physically recovered." Your chakra channels however, are too damaged by that horrible technique you used long ago.

-How much longer?

-At least an extra week -the woman clarified- you can have light physical routines, but in no way use chakra for… .mmnmmmnnnn

She was focused on her speech, so much so that she could not react effectively to a Boruto who sat on her stretcher and taking her behind her neck covered her lips with a fiery kiss. She didn't know how to get away from her, she had taken her by surprise. She tried to gently push him away, and it took her an extra 10 seconds to overcome the pleasant sensation of contact. Her mouth had never felt sweeter, tastier. The feeling was intoxicating, but she had to end.

"Never again, Bolt," she said, abruptly leaving the place, "we can't do it anymore."

-I wish you Sakura-chan… -the young man replied trying to get up from the stretcher- Why can't we continue…?

"Never again ..." said the hairy one, touching her mouth, "please Bolt ... never again."

Sakura left the office as if she was escaping her death. And inside the place, young Uzumaki savored the goodbye kiss like torture. Because life had shown him the way to heaven and right now, he seemed to be in free fall. Straight to that "never again", straight to his own personal hell of his.

End of chapter.