Comets approached, their light streaking across the night sky like omens of an inescapable fate.
From the vast darkness of space, they could be seen crossing the Phantom constellation, their trajectories unchanging, heading towards a specific location, a predestined point on the vast canvas of the universe.
A solitary figure stood on the desolate surface of the moon, silhouetted against the distant glow of the stars. His white hair waved with an eerie stillness, as if time itself stood still in his presence.
He watched the comets with a gaze filled with deep, almost forbidden knowledge. His voice, resonant and calm, broke the absolute silence of the lunar void.
"The comets are approaching... they have crossed the Phantom constellation. They are heading this way."
The air, though non-existent, seemed to grow thick, permeated with a palpable tension.
"The harvest has begun."
His voice, firm and full of meaning, suggested that the events taking place were not mere coincidences, but part of an ancestral cycle, a cosmic ritual that was about to be unleashed.
"Will he be the key to the world?" he murmured with a gravity that seemed to resonate through the very fabric of space.
As the comets continued on their unstoppable course, the figure remained in place, like a patient observer of the fate that was about to unfold.
On Earth, back at the Seventh Hokage's house, the night enveloped Konoha in a blanket of tranquility. Inside the house, Naruto and Hinata sat in the living room, the soft light illuminating their faces as they spoke quietly, sharing their worries.
"So that happened, Naruto... I didn't think our son would get into trouble like that, let alone say those things to you," Hinata said, her voice soft but filled with concern.
Naruto let out a nervous laugh, bringing a hand to the back of his head in a habitual gesture. "Well, I deserve it. I don't spend much time at home... It's only natural for Boruto to feel that way."
Hinata looked at him with a mix of tenderness and sadness. "I understand that it's because of your job, Naruto, but I know he understands it too. However, I think you should try to spend more time with them. They need you... after all, you are their father."
Naruto nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as both Hokage and father. "You're right, Hinata. I do feel caught between the two sometimes, but I know I need to try harder to be present. Maybe in the next couple of days, when Boruto has a break from the academy, we can do something as a family. Do you have any ideas?"
Hinata smiled, trying to offer a solution that would bring the family together. "You could take them to the Hyūga estate. Spending time there would be good for the children and for my father. You could use the opportunity to talk about Himawari's Byakugan... and perhaps find out if there's a way for Boruto to awaken it as well. I'm sure that would make him very happy."
Naruto watched her with a smile, appreciating her concern and the way she always thought of her children's well-being. "Yeah, that sounds nice. Maybe Boruto just wants my attention... but he didn't used to be like that. He was always in his room, reading, absorbed in his own thoughts. I wonder what's changed."
Hinata nodded, sharing the same concern. "It's true, Naruto. He was always a lonely child, but also intelligent and cheerful. After that accident, he changed... he became more distant, and his smile... that bright smile he always had, he only shows it when he's with Himawari. That relieves me, but I can't help but worry. And... what happened to the culprit? Have they found any clues?"
Naruto looked down, his expression becoming more serious. "No, we haven't found anything. But in Jiro and Yuki's graves we found two objects..."
"Two items?" Hinata asked, concern evident in her voice.
Naruto nodded, his voice low and gravelly. "There was a kunai in Jiro's grave."
"A kunai?" Hinata's eyes widened, fear beginning to take root in her heart. "Was it left behind by the culprit?"
Naruto shook his head, his gaze grim. "I don't think it's the culprit... because we found a teddy bear at Yuki's grave."
"A teddy bear?" Hinata asked, incredulous, as her mind tried to make sense of what she was hearing. "What does this mean, Naruto?"
"It's hard to say, but there's something else... both objects were covered in blood."
Hinata lowered her head, feeling a lump in her throat. She knew that Boruto had bought a teddy bear for her friend, who was celebrating her birthday, and that she had found the kunai in Boruto's room while she was tidying up, but she never mentioned anything to Naruto. Now, her heart was filled with a mixture of fear and confusion.
"Naruto... I..." Hinata began, her voice cracking with worry.
Naruto gently took her hands, looking into her eyes with a mix of firmness and understanding. "I know what you're thinking, Hinata. But only Boruto has the answers to our questions. We must give him time. When he's ready to talk, he'll tell us what really happened and why he did what he did."
Silence settled between them, broken only by the sound of their shared breathing. They both knew they were walking a tightrope, trying to find the balance between being loving parents and keeping the peace in their home. Deep down, though, they both shared the hope that, one day, Boruto would trust them enough to reveal the truth.
"Well, since we're done talking, it's time to go to sleep. Naruto, you have to get up early tomorrow, and I have to wake the kids up first thing in the morning," Hinata said with a soft smile, as she stood up from the couch.
Naruto nodded, following Hinata as they both walked out of the living room and up the stairs to their room. Upon arriving, Hinata opened the door and they entered together. In a gesture of affection, Hinata leaned down and gave Naruto a kiss. He, surprised but pleased, responded tenderly.
They got into bed, wrapped in the quiet of the night, letting the silence speak for them.
__ A few days later, in the stillness of the night, Boruto Uzumaki lay in his bed, deep in sleep. However, this was no ordinary dream; something eerie and supernatural permeated the atmosphere around him. He found himself floating in a vast, dark void, where the feeling of abandonment and loneliness was overwhelming. Around him, a desolate landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, with withered grass and shadows that seemed to come to life. In the air, strange symbols shimmered and danced, emitting flashes of cold light, as if trying to communicate a hidden message beyond his understanding.
"Where am I?" Boruto muttered, his brow furrowed, as his breathing grew heavy. The place seemed so unreal, but the tightness in his chest was unmistakable. "This place… seems abandoned for centuries."
The heavy silence was suddenly broken by the sound of footsteps echoing from the shadows. Boruto turned around quickly, his body tense in surprise. A figure emerged from the darkness, his presence commanding involuntary respect. It was a man with snow-white hair, dressed in a high-collared ceremonial kimono and a light green sash that tied over his shoulder. His face was expressionless, but with an ancient knowledge that made the air around him seem to vibrate.
"Who are you?" Boruto demanded, his voice firm but tinged with distrust. He knew he was not in an ordinary place, and that this being was no ordinary person.
"I am speaking to you in my dreams," the figure replied, its voice resonating like a distant echo that seemed to emanate from deep within the darkness.
"In a dream?" Boruto frowned even more, trying to understand the meaning of those words. Confusion was mixed with a growing sense of danger.
The man slowly advanced, his movements fluid and ethereal, as if he were completely unbound by the laws of this world. "Your eyes… are the hope for the destruction to come."
"Destruction? What are you talking about?" Boruto's thoughts raced, trying to remember where he had seen that outfit and that aura. Something in his clan's collective memory seemed to warn him of impending danger.
The being calmly raised his hand, pointing directly at Boruto's right eye. "Within you lies the salvation of the world… and hope."
Boruto felt a chill run through his body. Instinctively, he brought his hand to his right eye, feeling a pulse of energy beneath his palm. But before he could react, a terrifying vision invaded his mind: a gigantic beast emerged from a dense fog, its red eyes shining with overwhelming ferocity, as if they were windows into a bottomless abyss.
The vision disappeared as suddenly as it had come, leaving Boruto with a mix of fear and anger. "What the hell was that? What does my eye have to do with that beast?" he thought, his heart pounding. He turned his gaze to the man, demanding answers.
"Your fate is sealed in those eyes," the being continued, ignoring Boruto's questions. "Remember, light always destroys darkness."
The man's voice echoed in the void, like an inevitable sentence. Before Boruto could react, the vision vanished in a blinding flash, leaving him alone in his room, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
"Damn, that guy… I know who he is," he muttered, his words filled with hatred as he touched his right eye, which was glowing with an unusual intensity. "My eye is activated, how did this happen? I can't deactivate it!"
Anger began to boil inside him, an uncontrollable fire fueled by frustration and helplessness. "That bastard... Who does he think he is to try to dictate my destiny? I'm nothing like my father!"
He clenched his fists tightly, feeling his anger turn into fierce determination. "Toneri Ōtsutsuki... damn it. My eye won't deactivate, and for me to be able to control another eye from a distance... that bastard has a more powerful technique than I imagined. I have to cut the connection he has with my eye and claim it for myself. This is going to hurt, but there's no other option."
With unwavering resolve, Boruto rose from the bed and began channeling all of his chakra into his right eye. The pain he felt was intense, as if his eye was about to explode, but he didn't stop. He fell to his knees, the suffering such that his vision blurred, but Boruto gritted his teeth, resisting the agony that was coursing through him.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, a powerful energy emerged from his eye, sending all the objects in the room flying into the air. Despite the pain, Boruto maintained his concentration, feeling Toneri's energy being expelled from his body. The room was plunged into chaos, but he barely noticed it, his mind focused on the task of purifying his eye.
"Damn, that energy… it was Toneri's. It seems I've finally expelled it," he gasped, his body shaking from the effort. "Now I feel like this eye is really mine, and it seems like new techniques have been activated… But that bastard tried to manipulate me, and I won't forgive him for that."
As he struggled to catch his breath, Boruto noticed something strange in his surroundings. Small spatial cracks, like shards of broken glass, began to appear and disappear around him, leaving him perplexed. "A new ability? Or have others been unlocked? I'll have to be careful next time I activate it."
The connection with Toneri had been broken, but Boruto felt like something had changed in his eye. "That Toneri wanted me to activate it slowly… and that ability to control other people's Dōjutsu? It's intriguing. I'll have to investigate further later, but right now I feel like this eye is mine alone, like it's linked to my spirit, not just my body."
With the room in disarray, Boruto struggled to his feet and began to organize everything, putting things back in their places. As he tidied up, his mind continued to analyze every detail of the encounter. "It's been a long time since I got this angry… Toneri and his damn salvation drove me crazy. But something tells me this is just the beginning."
However, a nagging doubt persisted in his mind: the image of the beast with red eyes would not fade away. "What was that beast? What does it mean? I have to find out… before it's too late."
Finally, with the room in order and exhaustion weighing on him, Boruto dropped onto the bed. Though the physical exhaustion was overwhelming, his mind continued to work, planning his next move. "I'm going to find out everything about this eye… and what Toneri Ōtsutsuki really wants."
As Boruto lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, a sharp pain began to surge in his right eye. " Aaa , why does my eye hurt so much?" he muttered, his voice laden with frustration and unease. He stood up with difficulty, his movements quick but unsteady. In a nearby cabinet, he hurriedly opened a drawer and pulled out a small hand mirror. Looking at his reflection, he was shocked: his right eye was red, as if the blood vessels had burst, swollen and filling with an alarming intensity. " Aaa , it hurts so much!" he exclaimed, pressing his hand over his eye in an attempt to ease the pain.
At that very moment, the worried voice of his mother, Hinata, echoed from the doorway. "Boruto, are you okay? I heard a rumble. I'm coming in."
"Shit, I have to get out of here!" Boruto thought quickly. He made a sign with his hands, and with a burst of smoke, a clone of himself appeared. "Clone, keep mom at the door. I don't want her to see my eye in this state. She'll surely get even more worried."
The clone nodded and walked towards the door. When he opened it, he showed only his face with a forced smile. "Hello, mother. What do you need?"
"Are you okay, Boruto? I heard a noise," Hinata asked, her concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine, Mom. I was just exercising and fell. That's all," Boruto replied, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
Hinata, relieved, let a smile of joy light up her face. She tenderly stroked her son's hair. "I'll wait for you downstairs, breakfast is almost ready."
"Okay, Mom. I'll be right down," Boruto replied, returning the smile with a warmth that couldn't completely hide his concern.
Hinata stopped stroking Boruto's hair and headed towards the stairs to go down to the kitchen.
"What happened, Hinata?" asked Naruto, who was sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee in his hand.
"He just fell, that's all," Hinata replied, trying to downplay the incident.
"I see. As long as she's okay, that's what matters," Naruto said, his comforting smile mirrored by Hinata's.
With the door now closed, the Boruto clone turned back to the inside of the room and said, "There you go, he's not suspicious. Although I thought he might use his Byakugan, why didn't he?"
"It's because she trusts us, her children. That's all," Boruto replied, while keeping one eye closed in pain. "What will you do now?"
"It's time for me to go. You'll have to eat Mom's cooking today. They can't see me," Boruto said as he began forming a hand sign. "Hiraishin no Jutsu," he uttered, and disappeared in a flash of light.
The clone, now alone in the room, commented, "Looks like it's time to head down," as he opened the closet and changed into his clothes. He changed into Boruto's pajamas, so as not to raise suspicion.
In an abandoned factory, Boruto appeared next to a worn-out looking throne. Swords and three-pronged kunai were scattered around. He sat on the throne and placed his hand over his sore eye, concentrating. "Mystic Palm Technique," he muttered, and cyan-colored chakra emerged from his hand, beginning to heal his eye. "I'm low on chakra. I need to eat and change my clothes," he thought as the healing energy worked on his eye.
After a while, Boruto finished healing his eye. With a wave of his hands, a scroll appeared which he unfolded to reveal several seals. He hit two of them, and a ration of food and clothes immediately appeared. Boruto began to eat greedily, before changing his clothes. He stored the dirty clothes into the scroll, and with another wave of his hands, the scroll disappeared in a burst of smoke.
Leaning back down on his throne, Boruto allowed himself a moment of rest. "Time to recover my chakra. I'll need to get some rest," he said, as he closed his blue eyes that disappeared into the shadows of the abandoned factory. "That was tiring," he added with a tired whisper.
Despite the temporary relief, his mind was still troubled by pain and stress. He knew he had to be prepared for what was coming, especially with recent events that had set in motion a series of challenges he couldn't ignore. "I have to stay alert. I don't know what else can happen, but I'll be ready to face whatever comes," he thought as exhaustion enveloped him.
__ A few minutes earlier, at the Seventh Hokage's house, Boruto was walking down the stairs with a calm step, heading towards the dining room to have breakfast. In the kitchen, his mother, Hinata, was serving the dishes with a serene smile. Seeing him enter, she greeted him warmly. "Hello, Boruto, how was your night?"
"It was okay, Mom. Nothing happened," Boruto replied, his tone neutral as he walked over to the table.
In the living room, Himawari, his beloved younger sister, sat waiting for Hinata to serve the food, while Naruto was flipping through a report, drinking his morning coffee. Seeing her brother, Himawari quickly got down from her chair and ran up to him with a bright smile. "Hello little brother! How are you?" she said as she hugged him very lovingly, her small arms wrapped tightly around him.
Boruto, surprised but pleased, crouched down to her level and hugged her back, responding with a smile he only reserved for her. "Hello, Himawari, I'm fine," he said, his voice full of tenderness. He ruffled her hair lovingly before standing up.
"It's time to eat," Hinata announced from the kitchen, looking at them with eyes full of tenderness and love.
Boruto walked to the dining room and sat down next to his sister. He looked at his father and greeted him briefly, "Hello, father," he said without much enthusiasm.
"Hey, Boruto," Naruto replied with a smile. "How did you sleep? I heard you fell. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, nothing to worry about," Boruto said, trying to sound indifferent, although deep down he felt a small resentment towards his father.
Naruto noticed the lack of warmth in Boruto's voice, but decided not to push. "It's okay," he replied kindly, but with a slight tone of concern.
A few moments later, Hinata arrived with plates of food and placed them on the table. She sat down to Naruto's right and, with a smile on her face, said, "It's time to eat." They all said "Thank you for the food" in unison, and began to eat breakfast in a familiar and warm atmosphere.
When they finished breakfast, everyone expressed their thanks again, and Boruto and Himawari offered to carry the dishes to the kitchen. With effortless coordination, Boruto soaped the dishes while Himawari rinsed them and carefully placed them on the shelf. Despite the mundane task, the shared moment strengthened their bond, laughing with each other when they accidentally splashed water.
After finishing, Boruto and Himawari sat on the living room couch, playing with each other with the same complicity. Naruto, who was sitting on another couch nearby, looked at his children with a satisfied smile before breaking the silence. "Boruto, today is your day off from the Academy, right?"
"Yeah, it's my day off," Boruto replied, looking up from his game with Himawari.
Naruto, in a cheerful tone, made her a proposal: "Would you like to come with us to the Hyūga estate? Himawari and I are thinking of visiting the grandparents."
Boruto thought for a moment, not so much because of the invitation, but because he was a little surprised that his father wanted to spend time with him. "And mom? Will she stay home?" he asked, more out of courtesy than anything else.
Hinata, who was listening to the conversation from the kitchen, answered as she gathered up the last of the utensils. "I'm going to meet up with some friends," she said with a smile.
"I see... well, I have nothing better to do, so I'll go with you," Boruto finally said, accepting the invitation with a carefree tone. Although he was trying to maintain a facade of indifference, deep down, a small spark of joy was igniting within him. Even though he was just a clone, Boruto couldn't help but feel a little glad that he could share that moment.
"Alright! Then get ready, we'll be leaving in a few minutes," Naruto said, encouraged by his son's response. "You too, Himawari," he added, looking at his daughter who was already standing up excitedly.
Himawari ran to the bathroom to get ready, and Boruto followed close behind with a genuine smile on his face, enjoying his little sister's contagious energy. After a while, Naruto and his two children were ready to leave the house. Hinata walked them to the door to say goodbye, her expression radiating warmth and motherly concern. "Take care of yourselves, take care of your grandparents and aunt. Goodbye, children, and behave yourselves," she said, watching as both children nodded seriously, though with a spark of excitement in their eyes.
Hinata approached Naruto and, after giving him a soft kiss, said with a smile: "Give my regards to my father and sister."
"Don't worry, Hinata, I'll give them to them," Naruto replied, returning her smile with a hint of tenderness. "Next time, you'll go with us," he added, almost like a promise.
Hinata nodded, watching her family walk away down the path. She stood in the doorway for a moment longer, watching until they were out of sight, then closed the door with a contented sigh, thinking about the day ahead.
Hinata dressed up carefully, choosing a simple but elegant dress, perfect for a quiet afternoon with her friends. After saying goodbye to Naruto and the kids, she left the house and headed to the meeting place, a cozy cafe in the center of the village. Upon arriving, she saw Sakura, Ino and Tenten already sitting at a table in the corner, surrounded by plants that gave the place a fresh and relaxed air.
"Hinata, here!" Sakura called with a smile, raising her hand to get his attention.
"Hello!" Hinata replied warmly as she approached the table.
After greetings and hugs, the four women settled in and ordered their drinks. The atmosphere felt light, filled with laughter and murmurs of lively conversation from the other people in the café.
"How are your children, Hinata?" Ino asked, leaning forward a little, curious.
Hinata smiled, though there was a hint of worry in her eyes.
—They're okay... although Boruto has been a little distant lately. I'm trying to give him space, but sometimes I worry that he's going through something he doesn't want to share.
"It's normal for them to become a bit distant at that age, especially the boys," Sakura commented, nodding in understanding. "Sarada also has her moments when she doesn't want to talk, but I try to be there for her when she needs it."
"The important thing is that they know they can count on us," Tenten added, remembering her own experiences as a child. "My advice would be to keep showing them that you're there, even if they don't want to talk. Sometimes, they just need time."
Ino nodded, supporting Tenten's idea.
—And it's crucial to keep communication open. Sometimes, a question or a gesture is enough to make them feel safe sharing what's happening to them.
Hinata nodded, taking a sip of her tea and feeling grateful for the advice.
—Thank you, girls. Sometimes I feel like I worry too much, but knowing that you guys go through similar things helps.
"That's the good thing about having each other," Sakura said with a warm smile. "We can support each other and share what we learn along the way."
The conversation flowed easily, moving from their children to memories of when they were young, their current occupations, and future plans. They laughed, shared anecdotes, and enjoyed time together, strengthening the bonds that had united them for so many years. It was a girls' day filled with mutual support and camaraderie, where each found in the others a safe place to express herself and be understood.
We now follow the story of Naruto and his children. Naruto walked slowly towards the Hyūga estate, accompanied by Boruto and Himawari. As they walked, the citizens of Konoha greeted them respectfully, bowing their heads to the Seventh Hokage. Although Naruto smiled back at them, his mind was occupied with recent memories, reflecting on how he had managed to find time to be with his family that day.
Flashback:
In the Hokage's office, Naruto was in a meeting with Shikamaru and Sai , discussing the problem that Ghost represented. The tension in the air was palpable, and the seriousness on their faces made the gravity of the situation clear.
"Ghost remains an enigma," Sai began , unfolding some reports on Naruto's desk. "We've searched every corner of the village, but we haven't found any solid clues about its origin or who's behind this."
Shikamaru looked at the documents with a frown.
—It's obvious they're using something strange, but beyond that, it's all a mystery. Every time we get close to a lead, they disappear without a trace. This is beyond anything we've ever faced before.
Naruto nodded, his blue eyes filled with concern.
—We know that Ghost is related to some kind of strange chakra that absorbs people's chakra. But the most disturbing thing is how it seems to possess people, as if it were controlling them from somewhere else.
At that moment, the office door opened and Kakashi Hatake , the Sixth Hokage, entered. His appearance was different; both eyes were uncovered.
"Naruto, Shikamaru, Sai ," Kakashi greeted, closing the door behind him. "I'm sorry to barge in like this, but I brought some information that I think might help you better understand what's going on."
Naruto stood up to greet him, noticing the seriousness in Kakashi's expression.
—Kakashi-sensei, what did you discover?
Kakashi sighed, placing a scroll on the table.
—While on vacation, I continued to discreetly investigate Rais. I found something that connects this phenomenon to a previous experiment, one involving Hashirama Senju's cells. It involved a summon they created, known as Nue.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes in interest.
—You mean it's some kind of creation, a weapon developed from Hashirama's cells?
Kakashi nodded.
—Exactly. According to the information I found, the strange chakra that Ghost uses to possess people and steal their chakra is actually a byproduct of those cells. The researchers behind this experiment attempted to create an ultimate weapon, one that could steal chakra and manipulate people, creating a bomb. However, all of them died under mysterious circumstances shortly after completing the project.
Sai , who had been listening silently, finally intervened.
—Do you have any idea who was behind this experiment?
Kakashi nodded again, his expression grave.
—The leader of the project was a man named Chiaki Matsubara . He was a brilliant scientist, but with questionable morals. According to the records I found, he was the mastermind behind the development of Nue. However, he is also dead. It seems someone wanted to make sure this information never came to light.
Naruto clenched his fists, his worry growing.
—This means that Ghost is more dangerous than we thought. If he is related to Hashirama's cells, he might be able to absorb chakra on a much larger scale than we've seen.
Kakashi nodded, looking at Naruto seriously.
—Yes, and that's not all. Ghost's summoning isn't in the world of normal summons. It's on a different plane, one that can only be accessed through a specific type of chakra. If we can figure out how that connection works, we might be able to find a way to stop it. Apparently, the creation of this was to destroy Konoha after all. It had hatred for us for what we did, dismantling Rais and showing the truth to the citizens.
Naruto nodded, understanding the magnitude of the situation.
—So, we need to find a way to cut that connection and stop Ghost before he causes more damage.
Shikamaru looked at Kakashi, pondering the information he had just received.
—This changes things. We need to reevaluate our strategy. Kakashi-sensei, is there anything else we should know?
Kakashi shook his head.
—That's all I managed to find out. But with this, at least we know what we're fighting against. It will be difficult, but not impossible.
Sai nodded, picking up the reports from the table.
—I will continue to investigate Ghost and try to find more information on how to stop him.
After Sai left, Naruto remained silent for a moment, absorbing all the information. Then, he looked at Shikamaru, his face reflecting his concern.
—Shikamaru, there's something else that's been bothering me.
Shikamaru, who had noticed his friend's uneasiness, looked at him curiously.
—What is it, Naruto?
Naruto sighed, rubbing his forehead.
—It's about my children, Boruto and Himawari. Lately, I've noticed that I'm drifting away from them. Boruto has been acting different, more distant. And I feel like I'm not there for Himawari like I should be. I'm so caught up in my duties as Hokage that I don't know how to balance things out.
Shikamaru nodded, understanding Naruto's dilemma.
—It's a difficult challenge, Naruto. Being Hokage is a huge responsibility, but so is being a father. And you can't neglect either of them.
Naruto nodded, feeling the weight of his responsibilities.
—But how can I find time for them? The work is never done, and there is always something that needs my attention.
Shikamaru leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in thought.
—You can't be 100% all the time, Naruto. You need to take a day off, spend time with your children, be with them. We can handle things here for a day. Boruto and Himawari need to see you, not just as Hokage, but as their father.
Naruto looked at him, surprised by the suggestion.
—A day off? Will that really work?
Shikamaru smiled slightly.
—That's a good start. Family ties are the most important thing, and if you continue to neglect them, you could lose something valuable. Take the day, Naruto. We'll take care of the rest.
Naruto smiled, feeling a weight less on his shoulders.
—Thank you, Shikamaru. I'll do that.
End of Flashback
Back in the present, Naruto looked at his children as they walked beside him, feeling grateful for Shikamaru's advice. He knew that this day was important, not only for them, but for him as well. It was a chance to reconnect and be the father he always wanted to be.
After walking for a while, Naruto and his children arrived at the Hyūga district. Stopping in front of the entrance to the Hyūga leader's house, Boruto noticed something strange.
"What's not right?" Boruto asked, looking around.
Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared behind him. Boruto quickly turned around and saw his grandfather, Hiashi Hyūga, wearing his signature kimono and white eyes.
"Grandpa!" Boruto exclaimed, with a mix of surprise and joy.
Hiashi, with a warm smile, stretched out his arms to welcome his grandchildren. Himawari, full of enthusiasm, ran towards him and hugged him tightly.
"Grandpa Hiashi!" Himawari said, as Hiashi hugged her tenderly.
"My dear Himawari, how you have grown," Hiashi said, gently stroking his granddaughter's hair.
Naruto, who had been standing in front of the main gate, watched the scene with a satisfied smile. At that moment, the door opened and Hanabi Hyūga appeared, wearing a yellow and orange kimono that complemented her sleek, straight black hair.
"Hello, Naruto!" Hanabi said, approaching with a warm smile. "Come in, please!"
"Hello, Hanabi," Naruto replied, as he entered the house.
"How have you been, Hiashi?" Naruto asked, following Hiashi as he headed into the house.
"I'm fine, thank you," Hiashi replied, as he lovingly patted Boruto and Himawari's heads. "Come on, let's talk inside."
Hanabi also approached her nephews, wrapping them in an affectionate hug.
"Hello, my little ones!" Hanabi said with a smile. "I'm Aunt Hanabi. I'm so happy to see you!"
Naruto and his children followed Hiashi and Hanabi into the house, enjoying the warm welcome and loving attention of their family.
__ Naruto and Hiashi were in a cozy room inside the Hyūga estate. The room, decorated with traditional elements, offered a peaceful atmosphere. Naruto, although ready to enjoy the day with his family, had an important matter on his mind. Meanwhile, in the courtyard outside, Boruto and Himawari were playing with Aunt Hanabi. The small garden featured a fruit tree and a pond, creating the perfect setting for a family afternoon.
"So, Naruto," Hiashi began, settling himself on a cushion near the tea table, "what brings you here with the kids?"
Naruto took a sip of his tea before answering.
—I wanted to ask if there is a way to awaken the Byakugan in a similar way to how Himawari did. Also, I took the opportunity to spend time with them; I haven't had much time with them these past few months due to my busy schedule.
Hiashi looked at him with a curious and thoughtful expression.
—About the Byakugan, Himawari's case is interesting. The only known way to awaken the Byakugan is through intensive training. However, Himawari's awakening occurred in a moment of great emotion, specifically anger, making it difficult to determine if there is another way to do it. As for spending time with your family, it would be a good idea to stay at home today. We'll talk more about the Byakugan later. But tell me, why are you specifically interested in the awakening of the Byakugan in Boruto?
Naruto took a moment to formulate his response.
—I thought this might make him happy. He's been pretty lonely since that incident. You know what I mean, Hiashi.
Hiashi nodded, his gaze softening.
"I see. But he seems more composed and calm now. He doesn't try to push everyone around him away, and his malice seems to have dissipated. That makes me happy." Hiashi closed his eyes for a moment, recalling memories of when Boruto was barely six years old. He remembered his emotionless gaze and the malice that emanated from him, an image that was still etched in his mind. "Back then, when I saw him, he had an expression that showed no emotion, not even love, only unhinged amusement. Now, it seems that that has disappeared, although a trace of it still remains within him."
Naruto, with concern on his face, asked:
— I never noticed you had those eyes. How could you hide them from me?
Hiashi replied calmly.
—He never really showed them to you, I'm sure he hid them well. Hinata told me that he was very intelligent since he was little. By the age of three, he was already able to read and play chess at a very high level.
Naruto nodded, knowing that Hinata was right. He remembered how hard it was to win chess games when Boruto was just a kid.
—I could never beat him in a game. He was incredibly skilled at it.
Hiashi laughed in amusement.
"Yeah, I remember how frustrated you were." Then, his expression changed to a more serious and contemplative one. "So he's hiding his true face from us, huh?"
Naruto, somewhat surprised, asked:
—Do you really think he's hiding something?
Hiashi calmly replied:
—I don't think so. It's just that his sister is his anchor. Look at Boruto playing with Himawari. —Hiashi pointed at Boruto, who was enjoying a joyful moment with his sister and cousin. —That smile can't be faked. It's genuine, do you understand?
Naruto relaxed upon hearing that.
—I'm glad it's not what I feared. I thought I wasn't close to meeting my own son.
Hiashi thought to himself that the problem was not whether what Boruto was showing was authentic, but that this was actually the real Boruto.
—Well, changing the subject —Naruto said—, to determine if Boruto has the Byakugan, we just need to evaluate his combat ability.
"That's right," Hiashi confirmed. "I'll try it."
Hiashi stood up and walked out into the courtyard, where he called out to the three young men who were playing. Boruto and Hanabi approached, and Himawari, seeing her grandfather, also approached curiously.
"What's wrong, Father?" Hanabi asked, somewhat surprised.
"What's wrong, Grandpa?" Himawari asked, looking at Hiashi with interest.
Hiashi looked at Boruto and said:
—Boruto, do you want to fight me?
Hanabi was even more surprised and asked:
—Why, Father? What's going on?
Hiashi replied:
—It's just a sparring match.
Hanabi thought for a moment before intervening:
—I'll take care of it, Father. I'll fight him because you'll hold back.
Hiashi looked at her with a slight nod.
"You're too soft on them. I'll take care of this," Hanabi finished speaking.
Hanabi, with a determined expression, approached Boruto.
"What's going on?" Boruto asked, somewhat confused.
Hiashi explained to him:
—We want to see if you can awaken the Byakugan through training. It's not that we think you can't do it, we just want to try. Do you understand how it works? You'll have to see the chakra in its purest form.
Boruto looked at everyone and nodded determinedly.
— "Alright, Himawari. Sit back and watch from here. We'll play after this." Boruto gave his younger sister a reassuring smile, who nodded and headed into the house. Himawari settled in next to Naruto and Hiashi, while Boruto and Hanabi prepared for combat.
They stared at each other intently, sizing up each other's capabilities. Hanabi, with a slight smile, spoke first. "Boruto, you've always been smart, but there was something in those eyes of yours that drove everyone away. Aren't you going to attack first?"
"Aunt Hanabi, that was before, when I didn't know much. Now I have friends," Boruto replied, not losing his cool.
Hanabi, a spark of amusement in her gaze, activated her Byakugan, prominent veins surrounding her eyes. "Come on, Boruto. Don't make me wait."
"Okay, Auntie. I won't hold back," Boruto said, with a confident smile.
"Hahaha! Let's see what you got, brat!" Hanabi joked, preparing for combat.
Boruto wasted no time and rushed towards Hanabi at astonishing speed, surprising her with a swift punch. Hanabi easily blocked it, her face showing a mix of amusement and seriousness. "You're fast, but that's not enough. You lack technique," she commented as she launched a powerful palm towards Boruto, who was sent flying into a nearby tree, making a loud bang upon impact.
Naruto and Himawari watched with concern. "Will Boruto be okay?" Himawari asked fearfully.
"It'll be fine," Hiashi replied, activating his Byakugan to better follow the fight. "That blow was careless, but this is going to get interesting. Besides, I want to see if he's really capable."
Boruto slowly stood up, a small smile of amusement on his face. "Aunt Hanabi, I thought this was just training," he commented, as he dusted himself off. Internally, he mused: I was overconfident. That punch was strong… but well, I can only use 30% of my power, since I'm just a clone. I want to test my limits of this body .
Hanabi, seeing him stand up, smiled. "Don't worry, Boruto. I want to see how far you can go. Don't hold back."
Boruto adjusted his stance, a playful smile appearing on his face. "Fine, if you ask, then I'll go all out."
Naruto watched the change in Boruto, noticing the determination in his son. "Hiashi, this is more than just training," he commented, worried.
"Watch, Naruto. Boruto still has much to prove," Hiashi said, his eyes following his every move.
Boruto began to slowly walk towards Hanabi, stretching out his arms and cracking his neck. His movements, while appearing relaxed, showed no openings, like a seasoned warrior. Suddenly, Boruto disappeared in a burst of speed, reappearing behind Hanabi with the intention of punching her. Hanabi, reacting quickly, spun on her heels and placed her open palm to block the blow. A loud crash echoed through the courtyard, leaving everyone shocked by the intensity of the exchange.
Boruto wasted no time and just as quickly launched a kick. Hanabi countered the attack with ease, but Boruto was already preparing another strike. Hanabi tried to immobilize her leg with a paralysis technique, but Boruto reacted quickly, sending a punch that forced Hanabi back. His movements were so fast that Himawari couldn't follow them with her eyes.
Both fighters took a step back, but Boruto didn't stop attacking. With surprising speed, he appeared in front of Hanabi, throwing another straight punch. Hanabi, surprised by the speed of the attack, raised her forearms to protect herself, but the force of the blow sent her back a few steps. Boruto took advantage of the opportunity, turning his body and throwing a diagonal kick, trying to break through Hanabi's defense.
Hanabi, recovering quickly, assumed her combat stance. With a series of fluid movements, she launched her palms towards Boruto in quick and precise bursts. Boruto, albeit with difficulty, managed to counter the palms with his own fists, increasing the speed and intensity of his attacks.
The courtyard of the Hyūga house became a real battlefield. The blows resounded as Boruto and Hanabi exchanged attacks. Hanabi continued to throw her palms with the intention of hitting Boruto's chakra points, while he responded with a series of counterattacks, using kicks and punches in an attempt to break through his aunt's defense.
Boruto, noticing Hanabi's superior skill, decided to use his own style to even the odds. He performed a series of hand seals and released a Kage Bunshin no Jutsu , creating several shadow clones that surrounded Hanabi. Each clone attacked from different angles, but Hanabi, with her experience, neutralized them one by one with her precise blows.
Finally, Boruto used a strategic move, creating a clone to distract Hanabi while he approached from behind with a Rasengan in hand. Hanabi, sensing the buildup of chakra, quickly spun around and, with a deft move, deflected Boruto's attack with her open palm, dispelling the technique.
They both backed away again, panting slightly. Boruto, still smiling, commented, "Aunt Hanabi, you are incredibly strong. But if you think this is all I have, you're in for a surprise."
Hanabi, equally impressed, nodded. "Don't hold back, Boruto. I want to see more."
Boruto adjusted his fighting stance. "Alright, Auntie. This is my perfected style, and although I'll only be using Taijutsu, I'll be increasing my speed."
Hanabi readied herself again, focused on her nephew. Boruto ran at full speed, slamming his forearm into Hanabi's. In one fluid motion, Boruto grabbed Hanabi's forearm, pulling her down hard. He quickly threw a punch aimed at her face, which Hanabi barely dodged by tilting her head back. Taking advantage of the moment, Hanabi tried to hit the chakra points on Boruto's arm, but he let go of her forearm and, in an instant, punched her in the stomach, sending her backwards.
Hanabi, recovering quickly, charged again. Boruto, using his speed, appeared in front of her throwing another punch. Hanabi blocked the attack with an agile movement, deflecting the blow with a twist of her body. She responded with her hands, searching for Boruto's chakra points, but he countered them with precision, increasing the speed of his attacks.
The exchange of blows intensified. Boruto showed surprising dexterity and control, his movements were irregular and without a clear pattern, but executed with an elegance that demonstrated his mastery of combat. Hanabi, rushed by the pressure of the attacks, decided to change tactics and shouted: " Celestial Rotation of the Eight Trigrams! "
Boruto, surprised, jumped back, but the technique had already reached him. He was sent flying, falling to the ground and bouncing several times. In the air, Boruto performed the Kage again. Bunshin no Jutsu , creating several clones that supported him to stop his fall and prepare for a new attack.
As Boruto threw kunais and shurikens at Hanabi to keep the rotation going, he was closing in fast. As Hanabi's technique ended, her clones attacked from all directions, but she, with great speed, countered them one by one, causing them to disappear in a puff of smoke.
Boruto, seeing an opportunity, came forward with a spinning kick. Hanabi, with an agile movement, grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground hard. A loud rumble echoed, but when the dust dispersed, there was only a log in its place.
" A replacement... " Hanabi thought, activating her Byakugan at full power to locate Boruto.
Suddenly, she looked up at the sky and saw Boruto descending with two Rasengan in each hand. Hanabi, reacting quickly, prepared her technique and both shouted in unison: " Rasengan! - Heavenly Rotation of the Eight Trigrams! " The techniques collided with tremendous force, creating an explosion that shook the entire place.
From the cloud of dust, Boruto was thrown out, falling to the ground unable to move, with his chakra points sealed and shaken by the intensity of the fight. From the curtain of dust, Hanabi emerged, serene but with an expression of respect on her face.
—You still have a long way to go to beat me, Boruto. I'm a Jōnin —Hanabi said, remembering how, amidst the chaos of the clash of power, she had taken advantage of her speed to get close and accurately hit Boruto's chakra points, leaving him without energy or ability to continue fighting.
The stunned spectators could hardly believe what they had witnessed. The battle had been more intense and exciting than anyone could have imagined. When the dust finally cleared, Boruto lay on the ground, unable to move, while Hanabi, standing panting, maintained a faint smile on her face.
"Amazing, Boruto!" Naruto exclaimed, excited by what he had just seen.
"I think that's enough for today," Hiashi said, with a satisfied smile.
Hanabi, regaining her composure, walked over to Boruto and helped him up, leaning him against the fence of the house. As everyone praised him for his effort, Hanabi patted him on the shoulder, showing her pride in what he had accomplished.