**Chapter 2: Boruto the Akatsuki: In search of power**
The village of Konoha, usually vibrant and full of life, was enveloped in an eerie sense of dread. Rumors of people falling ill from a lack of chakra had spread like wildfire, and the mysterious entity known as " Ghost " seemed to be the cause of this new illness. Talk on the streets revolved around the same concern: What was really going on in Konoha?
As Boruto, Shikadai, and Denki walked towards the academy, worry was written on their faces. Denki, always cautious, broke the silence first.
"Have you heard those rumors, Boruto?" Denki asked, his voice filled with concern.
"You mean the thing with Ghost ?" Boruto replied, with lines in his eyes, his face unconcerned.
—Yes, that character who does evil things... —Denki nodded, seeking confirmation from his friends.
Shikadai, who was walking with his hands in his pockets and a carefree air, let out a yawn before answering.
—I've heard something about that, but it doesn't seem like a serious problem. The Hokage will take care of it, I'm sure.
—You may be right, Shikadai, but... I don't know how to say it, it's strange. Don't you think so, Boruto? —Denki insisted, his concern evident.
"I don't know…" Boruto muttered, shrugging. "After all, we haven't had any problems with that… yet."
The three continued on their way in silence, their thoughts occupied by the uncertainty that Ghost had sown in the village. As they walked across a bridge, an abrupt sound broke the morning's tranquility.
"What was that?" Boruto exclaimed, turning to the bridge railing to look down.
Below the bridge, a burly man was randomly throwing fireballs, causing chaos in his surroundings.
"What the hell is going on here?" Boruto asked, his tone tinged with a mix of confusion and exhaustion.
—They will all die and fall because I say so, hahaha —the man laughed, his voice echoing with a strange mix of madness and despair.
Shikadai watched the scene, his face showing slight concern.
"That person... is strange. What could he be doing?" he said, trying to understand the situation.
Denki, for his part, frowned as he looked at the man.
"What could have happened to him?" she asked, her voice full of compassion and curiosity.
At that moment, Boruto felt a buzzing in his right eye. A familiar and unpleasant sensation that made him bring his hand to his face to cover it.
—No... not again... —Boruto thought, trying to control the involuntary activation of his Dōjutsu—. What's going on? Why is my eye activating now?
As he tried to calm himself down, Boruto looked back at the man causing the ruckus. Through his right eye, he could see a dark, evil chakra emanating from him, similar to the one he had seen on Denki earlier.
—It's the same chakra... —Boruto muttered to himself—. But why is my eye activated by this chakra? It shouldn't be... it's like someone is manipulating my Dōjutsu to make me see it.
Boruto looked up at the sky, trying to discern more about this strange phenomenon.
—This chakra seems to have a way back to its owner… it feeds off the chakra of the person it possesses. It's an interesting ability, but I wonder, what is its purpose?
Despite the confusion in his mind, Boruto decided that it was not the time to investigate further. He needed to get to the academy, so he turned to his friends, who were watching him with concern.
— Hey , Denki, Shikadai... aren't you coming? —Boruto asked, his tone calmer.
—But Boruto, aren't we going to help that person? —Denki asked, surprised by his friend's apparent indifference.
"Help him?" Boruto looked at the man again. "It's not our problem. Konoha ninja are already on their way to handle the situation."
However, a strange feeling ran through Boruto. Dark chakra was spreading from the man to somewhere nearby, and Boruto couldn't ignore the feeling that something else was going on.
—This chakra... is different. The presence I feel comes from the same side as that ninja... —Boruto thought, his expression turning serious.
Before he could fully process what he was feeling, the burly man began to run as he realized the Konoha ninja were approaching to stop him.
—Change of plans. Let's follow him —Boruto said, jumping off the bridge and running after the man at full speed.
—Hey , Boruto, wait! —Shikadai shouted, starting to run after him .
"Wait for me!" Denki cried, trying not to be left behind.
After a frantic chase, the three friends followed the man into a dark alley. Upon arriving, they were met with a scene they had not expected. The man who had been causing a disturbance lay unconscious on the ground, and standing beside him was an enigmatic figure. A man with white hair and yellow eyes, dressed in blue clothes, who stared coldly at the fallen man.
—This... this is the man with the strange chakra —Boruto thought, his eyes focusing on the stranger—. And the person on the ground... I no longer feel the chakra that controlled him.
The white-haired man looked at them with a disdainful expression, as if their presence was nothing more than nothing.
"This city is a bit noisy…" the stranger muttered, his deep voice echoing through the alley.
Boruto felt a chill run through his body. This man was no ordinary ninja, and the atmosphere around him was permeated with an eerie aura. As the stranger watched them, Boruto knew he had to act cautiously.
—I must send all this information to the real Boruto immediately... but not now, I'll do it when we get to the academy —Boruto thought, his mind working quickly to formulate a plan.
The three friends stood still, staring at the enigmatic figure in front of them. However, something deep inside Boruto told him that this meeting was just the beginning of something much bigger.
"My name is Mitsuki," he said with a calm smile, his tone friendly but enigmatic.
"I'm Boruto," he replied, pointing at his friends. "And these are Shikadai and Denki."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said with a smile, Mitsuki commented.
—Well, it's time to go to the academy —Boruto said as he began to walk, followed by his friends.
"The Konoha ninja are already coming here," he added calmly, without turning to look at them, as if what they had just witnessed didn't worry him at all.
___ A few minutes later, Boruto, Shikadai, and Denki arrived at the academy and walked towards their classroom. When they were in front of the door, they opened it and entered, sitting together in the same row, as they always used to do.
"What happened to Iwabe? I haven't seen him again," Boruto asked, breaking the silence as he settled into his seat.
Shikadai and Denki exchanged glances before answering in unison:
—We don't know anything about him.
Boruto nodded slowly, deep in thought. "I thought he would find the courage to come back stronger. After all, I was influenced by him, hoping he would overcome his limitations. Denki had told me that he was the strongest in the physical tests and that he had been at the academy for three years longer than us. It was strange that someone with so much potential couldn't pass a written exam. I expected more from him… Did I underestimate him? Or maybe… he underestimated himself. He sure is a fool; I expected too much from him."
Boruto stood up from his seat with a serious expression on his face.
"Where are you going?" Denki asked, noticing the concern in her tone.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Boruto replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"You should hurry up, sensei shouldn't be long," Shikadai reminded him, yawning lazily.
-Understood.
Boruto walked out of the classroom and, once out of sight of his classmates, made a quick hand sign, sending the information he had gathered in the morning to the real Boruto. "That person… Mitsuki. What was he doing in that alley?" he thought as he walked towards the bathroom.
After a brief moment in the bathroom, he returned to his seat, trying to act as if nothing had happened. Just then, Sensei Shino entered the classroom, followed by a new student.
"We have a new partner today," the sensei announced, pointing to the boy accompanying him. "Introduce yourself."
"My name is Mitsuki. I come from the hidden village of sound," she said calmly, looking at the others with a neutral expression.
Boruto watched him intently. "It's the same person we met in the alley. He comes from Otogakure… and now he's here, in our class. I don't like this at all ." He knew he couldn't send any more information to the real Boruto until the end of the day. "I already sent what I found out this morning, and I can't do it again. I'll have to wait until the end of the day… but this is disturbing . "
"You may sit down, Mitsuki," the sensei said, pointing to an empty seat.
Mitsuki sat right behind Boruto, who felt his gaze fixed on him. "This is very strange… I'll have to wait until recess to try and talk to him ," Boruto thought, sensing a tension in the air.
Meanwhile, in the abandoned factory, the real Boruto found himself in a gloomy and disturbing environment. The factory, which had once been a bustling hub of industrial activity, now stood desolate and empty. The echoes of the past had faded away, leaving only an eerie scene: the floor was covered in three-pronged kunai and long swords, stuck in geometric patterns that formed an elaborate ritualistic circle . These sharp instruments were meticulously laid out, creating a sense of hidden power and control in the environment.
The walls, blackened by time and neglect, were adorned with ancient, dark seals that glowed faintly in the dim light. The seals, bearing symbols evoking ancient arts and forbidden knowledge, emitted a dim, sinister light that barely illuminated the vast space. The inscriptions on the walls seemed to tell forgotten stories and warnings of dark times, with the word "DEATH" standing out in a cruel, menacing style. This word glowed disturbingly, casting eerie shadows as the dirty light from the broken windows filtered through.
In the center of this dark stage, a single imposing throne stood, made of black metal and ornate with intimidating details. Boruto sat on this throne with a posture of absolute authority and dominance. His presence on the throne reflected a mix of power and contempt. The coldness of the surroundings contrasted with the malicious smile that was drawn on his face. His eyes, intense and bright, reflected a mix of satisfaction and disturbing amusement as he observed the desolate space around him.
"Hahaha, someone is toying with the citizens of Konoha, gathering chakra…" he muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the emptiness of the factory. "I wonder, what will they use that chakra for? I'll have to investigate further. And then there's the activation of my right eye. Someone else knows that I possess this Dōjutsu… I don't like that. Also, that white-haired person… Mitsuki. He gives me a strange feeling, as if his eyes contain hidden wisdom of the world, or as if he was just born and is learning everything for the first time. There's something else to him… but well, all in good time."
The royal Boruto leaned back in his throne, a sinister glint reflecting in his eyes. "This is getting interesting," he thought, the dark surroundings and eerie atmosphere washing over his musings.
Now, the most important thing is to meditate so that I can increase my chakra. I have been taking the Forbidden Scroll Soldier Pills, which I was only able to create after going to the academy due to the difficulty of obtaining the materials. My clone, during the night, took it upon himself to search for them in the shadows, and although it was a problem to get them, he succeeded. However, taking these pills has a risk: you can only take one a day, or you risk dying due to the internal explosion. Therefore, it is crucial to enlarge my chakra without making any sudden movements. I don't want to explode, especially now that I am taking two pills a day. My goal is to get stronger without compromising my safety.
Closing his blue eyes, Boruto sank into meditation, letting the eerie silence of the factory envelop him.
After the theoretical class at the ninja academy, the students moved on to practice time, where tension and excitement were always high. Sensei Shino stood in the center of the training area, his usual poise. His voice rang out firmly as he explained the rules for combat, making sure every detail was understood.
"Today we will put into practice what we have learned," Shino said, his tone calm but authoritative. As he spoke, footsteps echoed across the academy floor, interrupting his explanation. All eyes turned to the entrance of the training area.
"Iwabe, are you joining this class?" Shino asked, with a mix of surprise and anticipation as he saw the young ninja approaching.
Iwabe nodded, his expression determined and serious. This created a murmur among the students, who were quick to get excited at the possibility of a showdown between Boruto and Iwabe, a duel that seemed inevitable and that everyone was looking forward to.
"Both of you, to the combat zone," Shino ordered, pointing to the designated area as Boruto and Iwabe approached the center of the field.
The two boys walked with a firm step, their gaze fixed on their opponent. The tension in the air was palpable, and the other students watched with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, anticipating the upcoming confrontation.
"What do you think, Sarada, of this fight? After all, we already know who the winner will be," Cho-Cho commented with a confident smile as she settled back to enjoy the spectacle.
Sarada, however, didn't share that confidence. Her gaze darkened slightly as she looked at Boruto, who seemed deep in his own thoughts. "It's strange… like I told you last time, it's like he doesn't care about anything. He always has that indifferent expression, and his eyes… His emotionless eyes are different from the ones he had when we were kids. It gives me a strange feeling."
Shikadai, intrigued by Sarada's comment, couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are you talking about, Sarada? What was Boruto like before?"
Sarada sighed, remembering that moment that had shaped her perception of Boruto. "My parents took me to his house when we were about seven. They told me to go up to his room to befriend him. When I opened the door, Boruto was sitting in a chair, looking at some books on a desk. His eyes… they were emotionless, but there was a malice in them that made me feel chills all over. I froze, not able to say a word, and retreated from the room after that. That's why I say it's strange."
The students listening to the story were shocked, even Shikadai, who was usually more skeptical, seemed intrigued. "My father told me something about that," Shikadai said after a moment. "Something very traumatic happened to Boruto around that time. I don't know what it was, but it had to have been around that period."
"So it was like that… I wonder what it was," Sarada murmured, her mind still reeling from the enigma surrounding Boruto.
Cho-Cho and Denki shared the same curiosity, watching the match that was about to begin. But just before Shino could give the signal to start, Iwabe spoke.
—So you came back, Iwabe. I thought you would listen to me —Boruto said in a neutral tone, not showing any emotion on his face.
"I'll listen to you, Boruto, but first I want to fight you again," Iwabe replied seriously, with the same determination that characterized him.
In Shino's mind, the pieces began to fall into place. "It seems they've fought each other before. When would that have been?" He shook off the thought and, seeing that they were both ready, gave the order, "Begin!"
However, just as everyone was preparing to witness the fight, Boruto raised his hand with eerie calm and said, "I surrender."
The students, who were eager to see the fight, blinked several times, in disbelief at what they had just heard. Even Sensei Shino was stunned, unable to hide his surprise. No one understood why Boruto had decided to give up so quickly.
—The sensei shouted the winner is iwabe
Everyone's eyes widened, unable to process Boruto's strange attitude. But to him, it was a calculated decision. Without further ado, Boruto simply jumped into the stands and sat down, as if nothing had happened, calmly watching what happened next.
"Why did you give up?" Denki asked, unable to hide his confusion.
"Well, it wasn't fun," Boruto replied nonchalantly, shrugging as if it was no big deal.
"Let's watch the match. This one might be interesting," Boruto said, turning his attention back to Mitsuki, who was now heading to the center of the field.
Sensei Shino, though bewildered, composed himself and announced, "Begin!"
Mitsuki, who had volunteered to fight, moved with astonishing speed, sliding across the ground until he reached Iwabe. With a precise punch, Mitsuki struck Iwabe, who blocked the attack with his forearms. In response, Iwabe threw a kick that Mitsuki dodged with ease. Mitsuki, taking advantage of his agility, wrapped himself around Iwabe's body and, with a swift movement, applied a lock to his opponent's neck, preventing him from breathing.
"The winner is Mitsuki!" Sensei Shino announced, trying to sound firm.
However, Mitsuki did not let go of Iwabe, continuing the choke hold as Iwabe struggled to breathe. The students, worried for their partner, began to fidget, as Shino rushed to separate the two. With difficulty, he managed to push Mitsuki away, who seemed oblivious to the gravity of his act.
Everyone witnessing the scene was shocked by the intensity and lack of control of Mitsuki, his new partner.
"You shouldn't do this. It was just a friendly spar," Shino said seriously, giving Mitsuki a stern look.
"But this is a fight," Mitsuki replied, with an eerie calm that only increased the others' concern.
—Yes, but it was training. Don't let it happen again, Mitsuki —Shino warned.
From the stands, Boruto watched everything in silence, his thoughts revolving around Mitsuki. "That Mitsuki is strange," he thought, slowly closing his blue eyes, letting intrigue and uncertainty settle in his mind as he analyzed what he had just witnessed.
___ After school, Boruto walked alongside his friends, enjoying the casual chatter that flowed between them. The conversation revolved around the day's lessons, jokes, and rumors circulating around the academy. As they approached the exit, they noticed Mitsuki standing there, as if he was waiting for someone. Boruto noticed his friends' attention focused on him and the strange new classmate.
"Hey, Boruto," Shikadai said curiously, "what do you think Mitsuki wants? He doesn't look like someone who would just wait for school to end."
"I don't know, but I'm about to find out," Boruto replied, heading towards Mitsuki, while his friends followed closely behind, interested in what was about to happen.
When Boruto and Mitsuki exchanged glances, the new student smiled and spoke first.
"Hello, Boruto," Mitsuki greeted in a friendly tone.
"Hey, Mitsuki. What's wrong?" Boruto replied, returning the smile but with a slight tension in his voice.
Mitsuki looked him straight in the eyes, as if trying to analyze Boruto's every gesture.
"I wish we were friends," Mitsuki said with disconcerting simplicity.
Boruto raised an eyebrow, weighing the intentions behind the proposal. "Will this be the quickest way to keep an eye on him?" Boruto thought to himself before speaking.
— Mmm , I see — Boruto said, showing a calculated smile — Sure, go ahead, we'll be friends. Let me introduce myself again: my name is Boruto Uzumaki.
"My name is Mitsuki. Just Mitsuki," he replied, keeping his tone neutral, but with a look that suggested there was more behind his words.
Boruto noticed the lack of a last name, which only increased his distrust, but he decided not to show it.
—Mmm , no last name? —Boruto said, trying to sound amused as his friends watched the interaction with interest .
"It's funny, isn't it?" Shikadai chimed in. "Most of us have a surname to carry, but you… just Mitsuki."
"Exactly," Mitsuki replied, her gaze fixed on Boruto, as if searching for some sort of approval or understanding in his eyes.
"Well, Mitsuki," Boruto said, finally relaxing the tension in his posture a bit. "It'll be interesting to have you as a friend. Right, guys?"
Denki and Shikadai nodded, though they couldn't help but exchange glances filled with unanswered questions.
"Yeah, sure," Denki said, forcing a smile. "The more the merrier, right?"
Mitsuki simply smiled, seemingly satisfied with the answer.
"So, see you tomorrow at the academy," Boruto said, waving his hand as he began to walk away with his friends.
"Yes, see you tomorrow," Mitsuki replied, watching Boruto and his group walk away, with a look that suggested the conversation had gone just as he had planned.
As they walked, Shikadai couldn't help but comment.
—That Mitsuki is… different. I don't know what to make of him.
—Me neither —Boruto replied—, but we'll find out. All in good time.
Over the next few days, Boruto, Shikadai, Denki, and Mitsuki began spending more time together during breaks at the academy. As they got to know each other better, the conversations between them became more fluid and natural, addressing topics that revealed their interests and personalities.
"So, Mitsuki," Shikadai began as they sat in the shade of a tree in the academy courtyard, "what do you like to do in your free time? We don't know you very well yet."
Mitsuki, with his usual calm smile, answered without hesitation.
—I like to watch the moon. There is something about it that I find fascinating. I also enjoy practicing my ninjutsu, perfecting techniques and exploring my potential.
Boruto raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
—Moon-watching? That sounds... different. I prefer to spend my free time exploring the village and seeking adventure. There's always something interesting to do or some problem to solve.
Shikadai, yawning, intervened.
—I prefer a more relaxed approach. I like to play shogi with my dad. It's a good way to train the mind without having to move around much.
Denki, who had been listening silently until now, decided to join the conversation.
—I love technology. I spend most of my free time creating or improving gadgets. My dream is to combine technology with ninja skills to make something truly unique.
Mitsuki listened to them with interest, but something in his expression suggested that he was processing the information in a different way.
"It seems like everyone has very varied interests," Mitsuki said. "It's funny how everyone finds pleasure in such different things. It's part of what makes each person unique, I guess."
Boruto smiled, glad that Mitsuki was opening up more.
—Yeah, that's the fun of having friends. You can learn from what they like to do and sometimes you even pick up a bit of their hobbies. Like with Denki, I had never thought about technology until I met him.
Shikadai nodded in agreement.
—That's true. Plus, it's good to have a diverse group. You never know when someone else's interests might be useful.
The conversation continued, touching on other everyday and personal topics, while the four boys enjoyed each other's company, gradually solidifying their friendship.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
A few days later, as Boruto, Shikadai, Denki, and Mitsuki were walking through the streets of Konoha, a loud bang was heard coming from a nearby street. As they turned the corner, they came across an intense fight between several ninjas. Five figures, dressed in the characteristic chunin clothing, were fiercely fighting against ten ninjas of the same appearance. The clash of kunais resonated in the air, creating obvious chaos.
Boruto's eye activated involuntarily, something that was already happening to him more often than he liked.
"Damn, again... this is already the norm. What am I going to do?" Boruto thought as he watched the scene. "Those guys have that chakra too... it's getting annoying."
He looked at his companions, quickly assessing the situation. He knew he needed to act, but he also knew he needed their help. "This is starting to get serious," Shikadai said with a worried expression.
Boruto glanced at him and replied seriously, "They are being controlled by a chakra other than their own."
Shikadai opened his eyes in surprise. "How do you know?"
"I'm a sensor," Boruto replied with a mix of truth and lies. He couldn't reveal the real reason behind his knowledge, so he opted for a more common explanation.
Denki, intrigued, asked, "What is a sensor?"
Shikadai, who was a little more knowledgeable, explained, "A sensor is a ninja who can sense the chakras around him and determine how many people there are, as well as other chakra-related things."
After hearing this, Shikadai frowned thoughtfully.
I speak boruto "We should help them," he suggested. "It's possible that if we knock out those five, the strange chakra will fade away.", "What's the plan, Shikadai?"
Shikadai, with his typical strategic calm, replied, "We can't risk much; after all, we're not even genin yet. So we'll use the chunin who are fighting to distract the controlled ones, while we come at them from behind. I'll paralyze them with shadows, and then you and Mitsuki will attack them. Denki, you be prepared in case things don't go as expected and go warn the other shinobi if necessary. We'll use the alleys to sneak up unnoticed and defeat them quickly. We can't let the others discover us. Understood?"
Boruto smiled, seeing this as an opportunity. "This is a good opportunity... plus, the Hokage is getting closer. I'll make a few mistakes on purpose so he has to tell me important details."
With a sigh, he said out loud, "Well, let's begin."
The plan in action
The team quickly moved through the alleys, approaching the controlled chunin without being detected. Boruto and Mitsuki lay in wait while Shikadai used his shadow technique to immobilize one of the controlled ones. Wasting no time, Boruto and Mitsuki attacked, knocking out the chunin with precision.
Amidst the chaos, Boruto and his team moved forward cautiously, trying to carry out Shikadai's plan. However, the controlled ninjas, noticing the presence of the young men, began to attack with greater ferocity. One of the enemies, a chunin possessed by dark chakra, noticed the maneuver of Boruto and his friends and, with surprising speed, headed towards them.
Before they could react, the chunin launched a series of kunai in their direction. Boruto managed to dodge most of them, but one of the kunai grazed Denki, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground. The enemy, seeing Denki vulnerable, lunged at him with the intention of finishing the young man off.
Boruto tried to intervene, but the chunin was faster, hitting Denki in the chest with brutal force, sending him into a nearby wall. Denki, unable to defend himself, took the impact and hit his head against the wall, falling unconscious on the spot, Boruto knowing that his plan worked began to attack.
Shikadai, Mitsuki, and Boruto attacked the chunin with great speed. Boruto delivered a precise kick to the chunin's head, sending him crashing into a wall with a thunderous "boom." The other shinobi, controlled by the dark chakra, tried to fight back, heading towards Mitsuki. However, Shikadai reacted quickly and shouted, "Kagemane no Jutsu!" (Shadow Imitation Technique). Shikadai's shadows spread rapidly, trapping several enemies and rendering them immobile.
Mitsuki, seizing the opportunity, extended his arms with surprising speed, wrapping them around two of the ninjas, immobilizing them and rendering them unconscious with a firm twist. Boruto, demonstrating his speed and calculated anger, appeared near another shinobi, throwing a punch straight to the chin that knocked him out. Only two enemies remained.
One of them managed to move and, with a quick gesture, threw a kunai with an explosive tag towards Shikadai. The explosion resounded loudly, but Shikadai, demonstrating his reflexes, agilely jumped to the side, sticking to a wall to avoid the impact.
The two remaining ninjas attacked Boruto and Mitsuki with their kunai, but before they could do any damage, the Konoha shinobi who were watching the scene in amazement intervened. They quickly jumped in and captured the last two enemies, neutralizing them.
Boruto, without wasting a second, ran towards Denki and held him in his arms, checking on his condition.
"Denki!" Boruto exclaimed as he shook his friend, trying to wake him up. Denki was dazed but breathing.
"What happened?" Mitsuki asked, worried.
"Nothing serious, just… a small accident," Boruto replied, feigning calm as he made sure no one else noticed what had really happened. "Everything according to plan," he thought to himself, a smile appearing on his face.
__ The Hokage arrived shortly after the fight, where the chunin explained what had happened and how Boruto and his friends had helped. Naruto, frowning, approached his son.
"Let's go to the hospital, we'll check on your friend," Naruto said, with a stern tone.
Naruto ordered the other ninjas: —Take the unconscious shinobi to the hospital.
Boruto, carrying Denki, began to jump across the rooftops towards the hospital, followed by his friends and the Konoha ninja. When they arrived at the hospital, a doctor greeted them.
"Hokage-sama," the doctor greeted respectfully, "I will take the unconscious people to the medical area for a check-up, make sure they are not seriously injured."
"Understood, Hokage-sama," the doctor replied, calling for other doctors with stretchers.
"Let's go in," Naruto ordered seriously, addressing Boruto. "You guys wait here. Shikamaru is coming, he'll tell you what to do. Boruto, follow me."
"You guys should go with Denki, I'll go with the Hokage," Boruto said, following Naruto as they entered the hospital.
As they walked down a hallway, Naruto began to berate Boruto. "You shouldn't have gotten into this fight and endangered your teammates. It's not your responsibility."
—Your ninjas couldn't handle five of them, and they were damaging the homes. Without us, they would have ended up more injured or battered. I don't know what your problem is, I just did what should be done —Boruto replied, defending his actions.
"It was the job of ninjas, and you're not a ninja yet," Naruto replied seriously.
"Your ninjas are a failure," Boruto said harshly.
"What did you say?" Naruto shouted, visibly angry.
"What you heard," Boruto replied without hesitation.
Naruto, losing his patience, grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to the end of the hallway, passing through some doors. He let go of him and forced him to look through a transparent glass. Boruto opened his eyes in surprise when he saw what was on the other side.
"What is this?" Boruto asked, confused.
"These are the people who turn violent," Naruto replied in a serious tone.
Behind the glass, Boruto could see Sakura and several medics struggling to save a person on a stretcher, whose body seemed to have been drained of all its life energy. The medics and Sakura were transferring chakra to him in a desperate attempt to stabilize him.
—You see, Boruto? You shouldn't get into this trouble. Be responsible. We can't allow a child like you to go around endangering others. Next time, one of your classmates could die because of your recklessness.
Boruto clenched his fists, furious at his father's words. "You talk too much, Hokage. I've read your history in books; you're no saint. Besides, if one of my comrades dies, it'll be because they're weak. That's all," Boruto thought resentfully.
Finally, Boruto turned around and headed for the door. "Fine, I'll listen to you. I'm leaving, Hokage. It's time to go home… but what would you know about that?" Boruto said coldly, letting the doors close behind him.
Naruto was silent, unable to answer, as he watched his son walk away.
__ Boruto walked over to where his companions were, a worried expression on his face, and asked in a low voice, "How is Denki?"
Shikadai, with a serious but calm expression, replied, "He's already awake. Fortunately, the blow he received from the shinobi wasn't as serious as it first seemed. He was able to protect himself enough to not suffer any further damage."
Boruto lowered his head, feigning an air of regret, while his eyes showed apparent concern. "It's my fault," he muttered, his voice laced with remorse. "I didn't mean for one of us to get hurt like this. I should have thought more about Denki… he's just starting to use ninjutsu at the academy. I apologize for getting you two involved in this." As he said these words, he bowed deeply, his worried expression contrasting with the thoughts he kept hidden. Inside, Boruto rejoiced in his deception: The plan worked, hahaha .
Shikadai, trying to ease the tension, stepped forward and placed a hand on Boruto's shoulder. "Don't worry, Boruto. It's my fault. I should have come up with a better plan," he said with a mix of self-deprecation and camaraderie.
"No, it's my fault," Boruto insisted, trying to sound genuinely apologetic. "After all, I was the one who suggested we get involved. But I think we should head back home for now. We'll come check on Denki tomorrow, after all, there's no academy tomorrow," he concluded, raising his head and smiling weakly.
The others nodded, agreeing to Boruto's suggestion. With one last glance at the hospital, the three friends silently left the building, their footsteps echoing in the quiet Konoha night. They walked together through the streets, deep in thought as the night fell, until they reached an intersection where their paths diverged.
"I'm going this way," Shikadai said, pointing to a street that led into a nearby neighborhood.
"And I'm over there," Mitsuki added, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Well, see you tomorrow," Boruto said, raising a hand in farewell. The three exchanged brief smiles and went their separate ways.
As Boruto walked alone down the dark street, his countenance changed. The silence of the night enveloped his thoughts, and a shadow appeared in the distance. In that shadow, deep blue eyes, devoid of emotion, watched him. It was another Boruto, a reflection of himself, but with notable differences: a longer jacket, black leather gloves, and sandals that extended further than usual. The Boruto who had been walking from the academy vanished in a puff of smoke, revealing the real Boruto, who had been hidden the entire time.
The real Boruto closed his eyes and let out a cold, calculating laugh. "Hahaha, I see… so this is what happened," he muttered to himself. "That Hokage… always playing the best, how fun. But well, my birthday is coming up. There are still a few months left, but before then, the academy will end and missions will begin. My body has finally gotten used to the soldier pills, and my chakra coils are growing strong. I can already start to stretch my body a bit… but for now, it's time to go home to see my mother and my dear sister."
Boruto looked up at the starry sky, allowing his thoughts to flow as he walked. "Though, that Mitsuki… his stretching abilities and fighting prowess remind me of someone I've read about… the snake Orochimaru. That being is trouble. I wonder if my father allowed him to establish his seed in Konoha. If so, he sure is a softie. Forgiving someone who has caused so much harm to Konoha, the village he's supposed to protect… Will this be your first mistake as Hokage?" Boruto mused, his mind filled with doubt and distrust. But he couldn't help but smile sinisterly. "Well, we'll find out later… hahaha."
Finally, Boruto raised his head and saw the door to his house in the distance. "Looks like I've arrived," he muttered, letting his gloomy thoughts fade away. "Time to stop thinking about it… for now." With a calm expression, Boruto entered his home, ready to continue his double life, hiding his true intentions behind a mask of normality.
A few minutes earlier, Mitsuki could be seen on the faces of the Kages, as he looked out over the village of Konoha and a white snake rested on his shoulder.
I'm already getting to know him... his abilities are quite strong... and about that I have an idea of who he could be, it's not long now... if I know, in this time I will find out if Boruto is my sun.
At the Nara house, Shikadai sat in his room, reflecting on what had happened that day. Despite his young age, he was carrying the weight of responsibility, as he had been the architect of the plan that ended in an incident involving his partner Denki.
Dinner was already ready, and Temari's voice was heard from the kitchen.
—Dinner is almost ready, why don't you come eat, Shikadai?
Shikadai, still with the incident in his mind, answered absentmindedly.
—I'll be there in a moment, Mother.
Shikamaru, who had been looking through some documents in the living room, approached his son with a worried expression.
—Hey, Shikadai, what's wrong? You seem worried. I heard you were involved in a fight with some shinobi and one of your comrades was injured. Is that bothering you?
Shikadai nodded, a mix of frustration and worry showing on his face.
—Yes, Father. Not only that, I was the one who proposed the plan. I feel responsible for what happened. I should have foreseen the risks better.
Temari, who had entered the room to join the conversation, placed a hand on her son's shoulder, offering a gesture of support.
—Shikadai, I understand that you feel that way, but you must remember that in situations like these, not everything always goes as planned. The important thing is to learn from our mistakes and move on.
Shikamaru nodded in agreement, moving closer to offer his advice.
—Your mother is right. Sometimes things don't go the way we expect, but that doesn't mean you failed. What counts is how you handle the situation after it happens. Learning from mistakes is part of the process. And above all, don't take all the blame just because you were the one in charge of the plan. Sometimes variables beyond our control play a big role.
Shikadai looked at his parents, taking in their words.
—Thank you. I guess I've been so focused on how things could have gone better that I've forgotten that we can't always control everything. I promise I'll try to learn from this and do better next time.
Temari smiled tenderly, while Shikamaru nodded proudly.
—That's all we can ask of you, Shikadai. The important thing is that you are willing to learn and improve. That will take you far.
—Yes, and remember that we are here to support you every step of the way —Temari added.
Shikadai felt comforted by his parents' words.
—Thanks, Mom, Dad. I'll go to dinner now.
As they sat down at the table, the atmosphere in the Nara household was warm and full of understanding. Although the day had been challenging, the unconditional support of his family gave Shikadai the strength he needed to carry on.
The next day, Boruto and his friends headed to the hospital to visit Denki. The group approached the room where Denki was receiving treatment. Opening the door, they found Denki sitting on the bed, looking a little sore but conscious.
—Denki! —Boruto exclaimed upon seeing his friend—. How are you feeling?
Denki smiled weakly as he saw his friends. "Hey, Boruto. Hey, everyone. I'm fine, just a little sore. The doctors say I'll be fine after some rest."
"We're glad to hear that," Shikadai said, approaching the bed. "Last time we saw you, you were in a pretty bad state. How are you feeling now?"
"A little dizzy, but nothing a little rest can't fix," Denki replied. "I can't believe I got myself into such a mess. Thanks for helping me out."
"Don't worry, it wasn't your fault," Mitsuki said with a smile. "We're all learning, and sometimes things don't go as planned. The important thing is that you're here now and you're going to get better."
"Yes, and I'm really sorry for putting you in danger," Boruto added, sounding regretful. "I shouldn't have gotten you involved in that. But I promise I'll be more careful next time."
"You don't have to apologize," Denki said. "We all did the best we could. I just want us all to be okay and continue learning together."
"Exactly," Shikadai interjected. "We learn from our mistakes. The important thing is that we are here to support each other now. Also, there is something I would like to say. Next time we face a situation like this, let's do it with a more solid plan so that everyone is safe."
"Of course!" Boruto nodded. "We'll do better next time. For now, we should make sure Denki recovers well."
"Definitely," Shikadai said. "And Denki, if you need anything, don't hesitate to say so. We're here to help."
"Thank you, guys," Denki said, his expression filled with gratitude. "I really appreciate your support. And yes, while I'm recovering, if there's anything you need, let me know."
"Well, I'm glad you're on the road to recovery," Boruto said. "Let's let you rest now. If we need anything from you, we'll let you know."
The friends said goodbye to Denki, making sure he was comfortable and well taken care of. As they left the room, the group gathered in the hallway, exchanging words of encouragement and pledging to be more prepared for future challenges.
"See you next time, Denki," Shikadai said with a smile. "Take care of yourself."
"See you later!" Boruto added as the group headed towards the hospital exit.
With that farewell, Boruto and his friends left the hospital, determined to get better and support each other on their path as ninjas.
__Two days have passed and classes at the academy have resumed. Denki could be seen fully recovered and improved, waiting for his friends. When Boruto passed by him, he said:
—Come on, Denki, it's time to go to the academy.
After chatting, walking and joking around with each other, they arrived at the academy. They entered, went to their classroom, opened the door and sat down at their seats. A few minutes later, Sensei Shino arrived.
"Everyone rise!" the delegate said. Everyone stood up.
"Sit down!" the delegate finished speaking.
"I have some news for you," Shino announced. "Starting next week, you'll be doing work experience. Pick any place you want and help each other improve. You can go in groups, so make your teams and tell me at the end of the day."
Everyone started whispering about where they wanted to go.
"I'm going to the beauty salon!" Chocho said happily, while Sarada nodded in agreement.
—I want to go to the waterway, what do you girls think? — Sumire said.
A brown-haired girl with black eyes, dressed in white and orange, spoke shyly.
—Well, I'll go with you, Sumire-chan. What do you think, Wasabi? —
—I'll go too, Nanami.
Said a girl with brown hair, green clothes and brown eyes.
—What do you think, Boruto? Where would be the best place to go? —Mitsuki said.
"I think the mailman one would be the easiest. We wouldn't be in one place, and we wouldn't get bored," Boruto replied.
Shikadai and Mitsuki nodded in agreement. "Well, it's decided," Shikadai concluded.
"Guys, I'll pass. I'll do my work experience with Iwabe," Denki said.
Boruto looked at him confused. "What did you say, Denki?"
—You see, he asked me for help studying for the exams. After all, I'm second in the class, and you, Boruto and Sarada, are first. I'm helping him, so now I'm with him —Denki explained.
—But the exams were a few days ago —Boruto said, incredulously.
—Yes, but we became friends and he asked me to accompany him. Iwabe is usually alone, and I want to do for him what you did for me, Boruto. So I'm sorry, guys —Denki said.
Denki stood up from his seat and walked over to Iwabe's seat, sitting next to him. "Where are we going, Iwabe?"
"Well done, Denki!" Iwabe said excitedly. "We'll go work on the fireworks."
Boruto looked in disbelief at what was happening and thought: This is what it feels like to be changed... while touching the right side of his chest. Mitsuki and Shikadai did the same, nodding in understanding.
—Well, that's over. It's time to talk about what we're going to do —Boruto said, without giving it much importance, while the other two did the same.
At that moment, the bell rang, indicating the start of the break.
"It's time to go eat," Boruto said, starting to walk and leaving the classroom towards the school store to buy what he always eats: a Yakisoba bun.
When he arrived at the store, he asked the lady for a Yakisoba bun, while hearing another voice asking for the same thing.
—There's only one left —said the lady.
Boruto and Sarada turned to look at each other and said in unison: "Leave it to me."
—Hey, I always order Yakisoba bread. Leave that to me, Sarada —Boruto said.
—I know, you always smell like that, but I've been told it's really good and I want to try it —Sarada replied.
"Who was the one who ate them all?" Boruto asked, looking around.
"She was a chubby, dark-skinned girl," the lady at the store replied.
Boruto looked around for the culprit, and when he saw him, he thought: Damn fat ball with legs .
—Hey, Chocho, you should give me one. You have too many! —Boruto said loudly.
"If I don't eat this, I won't be able to last until the afternoon, do you understand, Boruto?" Chocho said, while eating more Yakisoba bread.
Boruto thought: Damn fat girl .
In the store we heard: "Thank you for your purchase, please come back again."
"Hey, Sarada, what's wrong? You bought the last Yakisoba bread. It was only fair we should share it," Boruto said, frustrated.
—Boruto, you shouldn't fight with a girl —Sarada replied.
—Shut up, fatty! —Boruto replied.
"What did you say?" Sarada asked, annoyed.
—You should let me have it, I'm a girl after all.
—Ha? Really? I don't see that, you're missing a front and hair —Boruto said laughing—. Hahahaha !
Shikadai and Mitsuki couldn't help but laugh. "What a great joke, Boruto!" Shikadai said, bursting into laughter.
"It's not a joke," Boruto replied, trying to remain serious before laughing even harder. " Hahaha !"
Sarada, furious, crushed the bread in her hand and grabbed Boruto by the collar of his shirt. "Say that again, you bastard!"
—What do you want me to say? That you're a man with... —before he could finish, Sarada rubbed the bread all over his face, pushing him back.
"That's what you are, a Yakisoba clown!" Sarada said angrily as she walked away.
Boruto screamed because his eyes were burning, while Mitsuki and Shikadai laughed even harder. After a while, Boruto could be seen washing his face while Shikadai told him:
—It's your fault, you asked for it.
—Don't scold me, you were laughing too, Shikadai. That Sarada... I'm going to get revenge, damn it... aaa —Boruto said, exhausted.
Later, after the academy, Boruto disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing the real Boruto. Boruto closed his eyes as the experiences and memories of the day came back to him.
—Do I really smell like Yakisoba? That clone of mine does... aaa —Boruto muttered tiredly—. But it was funny... that joke about her missing her forehead and hair... ahaha . It's time to go home... haha.
At the Uchiha house, Sarada looked at herself in the mirror, observing her hair and her personality. Note: I'll leave it like this, it's more fun, end of note. That Boruto... will pay for this , she thought with determination.