Chereads / Boruto the Akatsuki: In Search of Power / Chapter 22 - Boruto the Akatsuki: In Search of Power 22

Chapter 22 - Boruto the Akatsuki: In Search of Power 22

In the previous chapter : Boruto finally confronted his father, revealing the truth and managing to reach an agreement between the two.

The sun was just beginning to light up Konoha as Boruto walked through the streets with his hands in his pockets, the morning air hitting his face. He thought to himself, 'Kakashi's really going to force me to go to the academy... But, since everything's going well, there's no problem.' As he stopped at an intersection, the railings lowered and a train sped past, shaking the air. Boruto muttered, 'I was thinking of walking, but I'm so lazy.' In that instant, it disappeared in a flash of yellow.

Reappearing in the faces of the Hokages, he looked down upon the village before disappearing again, this time arriving at the roof of the ninja academy. He walked towards the door and, with a firm step, began to walk down the stairs towards his classroom.

After a few minutes of walking, Boruto stopped in front of the classroom and looked at the number. He thought: It must be this one, 1-A. I hope it's the right one . He opened the back door and as he entered, all eyes were on him. At the front of the classroom, there were the sensei, who would be in charge of leading the future shinobi teams. The murmurs among the students ceased as they saw Boruto's figure enter calmly.

Kakashi, who was in front, raised an eyebrow in surprise .

"I thought you weren't coming," he said in his usual calm tone, although there was a slight curiosity in his voice.

Boruto watched him from the doorway, his gaze cold and calculating.

"But you told me to come," Boruto replied, hands in his pockets. "I was just late, that's all."

Kakashi sighed with a mix of laziness and resignation, scratching the back of his head as if he had expected a different answer.

—Well, at least you came. —He paused before waving his hand at an empty seat. —Take a seat, Boruto.

—Hmph —Boruto let out a small snort, walking slowly towards the indicated place while adding—. I didn't know you were so eager to see me here, I even thought you wouldn't come.

Kakashi glanced at him, still relaxed, and said with a hint of humor in his tone:

—Let's just say I had to do my job. Besides, you said we'd have fun, so I came.

Those present looked at them curiously, but no one dared to say anything.

Boruto scanned the classroom with his cold, calculating gaze, thinking to himself, Looks like I'm late, but nevermind . He walked over to an empty seat and plopped down nonchalantly. Beside him, a few students watched, not daring to say a word, silenced by the overwhelming presence Boruto emanated. Among them, those who used to be his friends looked uncomfortable.

Shikadai watched him closely. It's Boruto... but there's something about him that feels different. His gaze, his clothes... something is strange. I have to be careful, especially after what Dad told me .

Sumire looked at him sadly. I can feel it... this Boruto is not the same one we knew. Something in him has changed deeply .

Mitsuki, intrigued, thought: This is the real Boruto. It's strange, I can't decide if he's good or bad .

Iwabe frowned, noticing Boruto's gloves. He looks stronger... different. But those gloves... they're strange .

Denki felt a tension that made him uncomfortable. I want to talk to him, but... something tells me not to. It's like my instinct is telling me to avoid him .

Meta Lee, for his part, felt Boruto's strength. This Boruto... it's like I'm facing someone superior. I don't stand a chance against him .

Chocho looked at him with a mix of wonder and attraction. What a cold aura... but why does he look so... sexy? Although at the same time, I don't want to get closer. It gives me a strange feeling .

Saku couldn't take his eyes off him. This is the real Boruto... The moment he entered, the air in the room changed completely. I want to fight him, even though I know he's dangerous .

Sarada looked at him carefully. Boruto... the real one is here. Although it seems like things have already been resolved, I wonder... could I beat him if we were to face each other? And... what team will he be on?

Meanwhile, Shino, at the front of the class, looked at his students and Boruto seriously. With a firm tone, he said:

—Everyone has passed the genin exam. You will now line up for the handover of your sensei and the formation of teams. Please come forward.

The students, full of nervousness, stood up and began to form a line. Boruto, from his place, looked at the others indifferently. It seems that everyone has their ninja band... I'll have to ask for mine after this , he thought.

A while later, the students were lined up, all facing forward. Shino continued, his voice echoing through the classroom:

—Teams of three are partners who will trust each other with their lives. They will share life and death working as a team. As ninjas, they are forging a relationship that will last the rest of their lives. Don't forget that.

With those words, the atmosphere in the classroom turned solemn. The students were nervous and full of expectation, and in some cases, they experienced fear of the unknown. Boruto, on the other hand, remained impassive, knowing that even though he was in that place, he would not be part of any team; it was just a formality to him.

Shino spoke in a firm voice that echoed throughout the room:

—Step forward when I call your names and you may leave the classroom to meet your sensei.

—Denki Kaminarimon, Metal Lee, Iwabe Yuino.

Hearing their names, the students stepped forward with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. They responded in unison:

-Here!

Shino continued, his tone unruffled:

—You will be team 5.

A wave of relief and joy spread through the selected players, who nodded and left the classroom with smiles on their faces, excited for their new team.

After Team 5 left, Shino called out:

—Wasabi Izuna, Sumire Kakei, Namida Suzumeno.

The three figures stepped forward, their faces a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. They responded in chorus:

-Here!

Shino announced:

—You will be team 15.

Namida, with tears in her eyes, could not contain her emotion and began to cry with happiness. Wasabi looked at her with a wry smile and said:

—If you get so excited, I can't imagine what it will be like in the future.

Sumire, with a satisfied expression, just smiled as Team 15 left the classroom, sharing the joy of the moment.

Shino continued with the team building:

—Houki Taketori, Hako Kurui, Renga Kokuho.

The three students stepped forward, their postures revealing confidence and a hint of impatience. They replied:

-Here!

Shino announced:

—They will be team 25.

Houki, with a determined attitude, looked at her companions and commented:

—It will be a pleasure to work with you.

Renga, with an impatient expression, said:

—Don't delay me.

Hako, with a slight smile, added:

-Not bad.

Boruto glanced at this group out of the corner of his eye, noticing Houki's style. He thought disdainfully: That guy dresses like Kakashi, is he imitating him? Hahaha, what a joke.

Shino waited for the group to leave and called out the following:

—Enko Onikuma, Doushu Goetsu, Tsuru Itori.

The three of them answered firmly:

-Here!

With a determined tone, Shino finished:

—You will be team 40.

Team 40 left the classroom with a mix of excitement and anticipation, ready for their new challenge.

In the classroom there were only Sarada, Saku, Mitsuki, Shikadai, Chocho, Inojin and Boruto left. The atmosphere was becoming more tense, full of expectations. Shino looked at those present and spoke calmly, but with a firmness that captured everyone's attention:

—The next team will be formed in a different way. There will be only two members. Boruto Uzumaki and sensei Kakashi Hatake... they will be team 11.

The students' eyes widened in disbelief as their gazes fell upon the blond. The silence that settled in the classroom was palpable. Boruto broke the tension with his usual cool and carefree tone.

"I see... So I'll be team 11. Not bad," he said, before walking calmly towards Kakashi.

Kakashi watched him with a mix of curiosity and his eternal serenity. Before Boruto could speak, Kakashi tilted his head slightly.

—Kakashi-sensei... I'm missing my ninja headband. Do you know where I can get it?

Kakashi, in his usual relaxed demeanor, reached into his ninja bag and pulled out a headband. Without much preamble, he handed it to Boruto.

—They gave it to me this morning. Take it.

Boruto took the headband and, with a slight crooked smile, put it on. Then, he turned his face towards Kakashi, showing an almost defiant air.

—How does it look on me, Kakashi-sensei?

Kakashi looked him up and down and, in a carefree tone, replied:

—It suits you well. Now, let's go.

—Hmph... —Boruto responded with a sigh, clearly not giving it much thought.

They both left the classroom, leaving the others in a mix of surprise and confusion. Sarada, unable to contain herself, spoke in a high-pitched voice:

—Shino-sensei, what's going on? How is it possible that Boruto and the Sixth Hokage are teammates?

The remaining students in the room turned to look at Shino, waiting for an answer. Shino, always serious, looked at Sarada and then at the others before speaking.

—It was a decision made by the top brass.

Shikadai frowned and added:

—Can you explain why that decision was made?

Shino sighed and calmly explained:

—Boruto's skills are too advanced for the genin rank, but the Hokage decided that he should remain at this rank due to his lack of experience. However, since there is no one in his generation who comes close to him in terms of skill, it was decided that he should form a team alone.

The surprise on the students' faces was evident, and before Sarada could interrupt again, Shino continued, anticipating:

—I'm not saying you're weak. It's just that Boruto is... exceptionally strong.

Shikadai, still confused, insisted:

—But why with the Sixth Hokage?

Shino replied with a seriousness that echoed throughout the classroom:

—To keep him under control and make sure he doesn't cause... trouble.

Chocho, with evident astonishment, asked:

—Sensei... how strong is Boruto that he's on a solo team?

Shino looked at her steadily, as if measuring his words.

—Boruto's abilities are in the range of a high-level jōnin, maybe even more... I'm not entirely sure.

The classroom fell into an overwhelming silence. The magnitude of what they had just heard was difficult to process. Boruto, at the level of a Kage? It seemed incredible, almost unreal. Shino, seeing the bewildered expressions of his students, tried to lighten the mood.

—There's no need to think about it too much. Come on, let's continue with the team building.

Shino called out the following names:

—Shikadai Nara, Inojin Yamanaka, Chocho Akimichi.

The three of them, still stunned, responded in unison:

-Here!

"You will be team 10," Shino announced.

The attendees exchanged glances, still processing the information about Boruto. As they walked out of the classroom, Chocho commented with a smile:

—So we'll be the ChōShikaIno.

Inojin looked at her, half laughing.

—Don't steal my thunder, it's InoShikaChō.

Shikadai, however, remained lost in his thoughts, frowning. Inojin looked at him and, with a small push, said:

—You better stop thinking so much, Shikadai.

Shikadai looked at him and sighed.

—You're right... but it's a pain.

Inside the classroom, there were only three people left. Shino looked at Sarada, Saku, and Mitsuki, and spoke with a light smile:

—You will be team 7 of this generation.

Sarada opened her eyes with a mixture of excitement and pride.

—We'll be team 7! Not bad at all.

Mitsuki, always calm, nodded slightly.

—So team 7, um... Okay.

Saku, with an enthusiastic smile, commented:

—Number 7, the lucky number. It will be a pleasure to work with you.

Mitsuki returned the smile kindly.

—I say the same thing.

Sarada, looking at her companions, added with determination:

—I hope they don't slow me down. I aspire to be Hokage.

Saku, with a confident smile, replied:

—I don't aspire to be Hokage, but I hope to be a great shinobi.

At that moment, Konohamaru approached them, smiling.

—I'll be your sensei. I hope we get along.

The three of them nodded, full of expectation as they left the classroom, the future shinobi of Konoha before them.

After each team met with their sensei and introduced themselves to each other, sharing their dreams and aspirations for the future, Boruto and Kakashi walked through Konoha, both with their hands in their pockets. As they walked, the bustle of the village barely seemed to reach them, immersed in a conversation filled with unusual familiarity.

—So, Kakashi-sensei, what are we going to do first? —Boruto asked, breaking the silence, while glancing sideways at the former Hokage.

Kakashi looked back at him, equally unconcerned.

—I don't know. What do you want to do?

Boruto frowned, looking away towards the road.

—I don't know either... but if you want, we can do some A or S rank missions. After all, I don't think you like wasting your time on low rank missions, do you, Kakashi-sensei?

Kakashi let out a small laugh, glancing at him.

—Okay. But don't expect me to do much. I'll just supervise you... unless the situation really requires it.

Boruto rolled his eyes in annoyance.

—You're tiring. But okay, that's fine. Let's go for those high-ranking missions.

Kakashi replied in a voice that, although calm, had a hint of mockery:

—You're the one who's tiring.

Boruto looked at him confused.

—Why are you acting like this? I didn't do anything to you.

Kakashi stared back at her with an anime-style bead of sweat on his forehead.

—You seriously injured me, Boruto. The worst part is that I'm your sensei now. My vacation... is gone —he said with exaggerated drama, comic-style tears streaming down his face.

Boruto looked at him in disbelief, his eyes showing small lines of exhaustion at the situation.

—But you stuck a Chidori in my chest! Plus, you lost the bet.

Kakashi looked away with an air of resignation.

—Whatever... Let's go for those A or S rank missions you're going to do alone. After all, I'm not old enough to fight anymore.

Boruto snorted, clearly annoyed.

—Really? Aren't you old enough to fight? You almost killed me last time.

Kakashi looked at him with a lazy smile.

—As if you hadn't tried to kill me too.

The conversation continued for a while longer, the two of them talking as if they were old acquaintances, their relationship peppered with jokes and taunts. The tension, however, was light, as if they shared a tacit understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Finally, they arrived at the Hokage building. Kakashi stopped walking and glanced at Boruto with an enigmatic smile.

—Well, here we are. Time to see what you got.

"I don't need you to tell me, Kakashi-sensei," Boruto replied, with a confident smile.

They both entered the building, ready for the missions that would test them.

As they walked through the Hokage building, Boruto looked around curiously and commented:

—So missions are assigned here, in the Hokage building?

Kakashi, walking beside her with his hands in his pockets, nodded.

—That's right. But they're on the second floor. Come on, Boruto.

They both started to climb the escalator that took them to the second floor. After walking a little further, they arrived at a room where a receptionist greeted them.

"How can I help you?" the receptionist asked, but when she saw Kakashi, her eyes widened. She stood up and bowed. "Sixth! Welcome. How can I help you?"

Kakashi approached the reception desk with a carefree attitude.

"Raise your head," he said calmly, as the receptionist complied, looking up at the ex-Hokage. "I need a favor. Give me an A or S rank mission."

The receptionist was stunned.

—For you, Sextus?

Kakashi shook his head.

—No, it's for my team. Haven't they informed you?

The receptionist shook her head, still surprised.

—I'm in charge of a genin and I need those missions. Could you help me?

The woman looked at him in disbelief.

—You... as a genin instructor? And on top of that, A or S rank missions?

Her gaze shifted from Kakashi to Boruto, who stood calmly with his hands in his pockets. When the receptionist noticed Boruto staring back at her, a feeling of unease washed over her. Boruto, sensing her thoughts, gave a mischievous grin as he let out a small but intense wave of chakra. The receptionist immediately backed away, stumbling slightly before falling back into her seat in terror.

"I hope you can help us," Boruto said coldly.

Kakashi, noticing what was happening, frowned and increased his own chakra, making the atmosphere even more tense.

—Enough, Boruto! It's an order from your sensei —Kakashi said firmly.

Boruto glanced at him, responding with more chakra, heightening the tension in the air. Kakashi matched him, and the ground began to crack beneath their feet, splinters of wood rising into the air. They both looked at each other, Boruto with a smirk and Kakashi with a serious look.

Finally, Boruto stopped smiling and dissipated his chakra.

"Okay, whatever you say, Kakashi-sensei," Boruto said, relaxing his chakra.

The receptionist, visibly scared, tried to calm down as Kakashi approached her with a small smile in his eyes.

"Relax," he said in a softer tone, "he won't do anything while I'm present. I was sent with him to keep him under control. Could you help us?"

The receptionist, still with a slight tremor in her hands, took out several papers with the mission descriptions. Kakashi passed them to Boruto.

—Come here, Boruto. Choose the mission.

Boruto, who still had his hands in his pockets, approached the table, maintaining his carefree attitude as he read through each mission carefully. Finally, he picked one that caught his eye. He thought to himself: This mission has a long stretch. Perfect for leaving my Hiraishin marks .

Kakashi looked at the papers Boruto had selected.

—So you choose to catch some Bingo Book mercenaries and rescue the captives. Not bad for your first mission —Kakashi commented.

The receptionist, still recovering from the situation, nodded and asked:

—Now that you have chosen, I need your names, team number and members.

—Kakashi Hatake, sensei. Boruto Uzumaki, genin. Team 11 —Kakashi replied.

The receptionist wrote down the information, but couldn't help but look incredulous.

—Are those all the members?

Kakashi nodded, confirming with a nod. The receptionist, despite her surprise, didn't say anything else, although the fear that Boruto had caused her was still present.

"So... to the Land of Lightning," Boruto commented, looking over the details of the mission.

"We should go now. It's quite far from Konoha," Kakashi replied.

—Kakashi-sensei, tap my shoulder —Boruto said with a mischievous smile.

Kakashi, not quite understanding, walked over and touched Boruto's shoulder. In that instant, they both disappeared in a flash of light.

The receptionist stood there stunned, not knowing what to do or think. What she had just witnessed seemed like an illusion straight out of a dream.

Meanwhile, in a forest near Konoha, Boruto and Kakashi reappeared in the blink of an eye. Kakashi, surprised, let go of Boruto's shoulder and sighed.

—You should let us know when you're going to do that.

Boruto smiled playfully.

—But it wouldn't be fun.

Kakashi sighed again and looked around.

—I imagine that's the direction to Lightning Country.

Boruto nodded, still smiling.

—Once we finish the mission, we won't need to walk back to Konoha anymore. Don't you think so?

Kakashi, with a mixture of resignation and admiration, sighed again.

—Walking.

They both began to jump between the trees, advancing quickly towards their destination, as the mission had just begun.

Kakashi and Boruto were moving quickly, jumping between the trees at an impressive speed. After several hours of travel, Kakashi suddenly stopped, causing Boruto to slow down a few meters ahead. He turned to his master with a curious expression and asked:

—Is something wrong, Kakashi-sensei?

Kakashi looked at him with his typical carefree air and replied:

—Let's take a break. It's time for lunch.

He jumped to the ground gently, and Boruto followed him, landing beside him.

"Do you have anything to eat or should I share what I brought?" Kakashi offered as he rummaged through his bag.

Boruto shook his head, showing a slight smile.

—Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. I brought my own food.

Kakashi watched him curiously. Then, Boruto made a quick seal with his hands, and in a puff of smoke a wooden table and chair appeared. Without wasting any time, he sat down on the chair, and after another sign, he made a scroll appear. He opened it with precision and, hitting a seal on the scroll, a variety of food appeared before him.

"Sit down, Kakashi-sensei," Boruto said, as he made another seal, summoning a second chair.

Kakashi, intrigued but not losing his usual calm, walked over and placed their food on the table. They both sat down, Boruto took off his gloves and they began to eat in silence, enjoying the moment.

Despite the unusual nature of the scene, lunch was taking place peacefully, in perfect harmony between teacher and student.

After finishing eating, Boruto put everything back into the scroll, put on his gloves, and prepared to continue moving forward.

"It's time to continue, Boruto," Kakashi said, standing up.

Boruto nodded, and the two of them began to nimbly jump between the tree branches. As they did so, Kakashi commented:

—Those stamps you use seem pretty useful.

Boruto glanced at him and replied:

—Yes, they are quite practical.

Kakashi nodded, but said nothing more. They continued running for several hours until, as night fell, they both stopped abruptly, landing on a tree branch. In front of them was a treeless clearing, with obvious signs that there had once been a campsite.

"This is the place," Kakashi said, looking around. "This is where the mercenaries were last seen."

Boruto looked at the area carefully.

—So it's here... I thought they would be further away.

—You were able to keep up with me, that's why we got there so quickly. But tell me, can you locate them from here?

"Let me try," Boruto replied, closing his eyes to focus his senses.

Kakashi watched him closely, intrigued by his student's abilities. After a few moments of silence, Boruto opened his eyes and spoke confidently:

—I already found them.

"Which direction are they in?" Kakashi asked, surprised.

—They are still going in the same direction, a few hours from here. They have a camp, and they are keeping the hostages in the center of the place.

Kakashi was impressed.

—It's amazing that you could detect all that with your sensory ability. But how do you plan to confront them? They are dangerous ninjas, they are all in the Bingo Book and they are very experienced.

Boruto sat on the branch where he was standing and calmly replied:

—I'll send two clones. One will distract them and find out their abilities, while the other will rescue the hostages.

Kakashi looked at him seriously, warning:

—If one of the hostages dies, you will be held responsible and will not have another chance to be a ninja.

Boruto looked back at him with a confident smile.

—Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. No one will get hurt. Oh, one more thing... Am I allowed to kill?

Kakashi looked at him more sternly.

—I'd rather you captured them alive.

"I don't promise anything," Boruto replied, showing a serious expression.

He made a hand seal and said firmly:

—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.

Two Boruto clones appeared behind him in a cloud of smoke. Without wasting any time, Boruto gave them the order:

—Go.

The clones pulled out a three-pronged kunai and threw it in the direction of the mercenaries. The kunai flew across the clearing, landing on the other side. The clones then disappeared in a yellow flash, reappearing where the kunai had landed, only to throw it again at full speed as they approached the enemy camp.

Boruto's clones moved at breakneck speed, leaping through the shadows of the forest with the Hiraishin, while each marked kunai allowed them to cover great distances in a matter of seconds. In no time, both of them reached the branches of some trees that bordered the enemy camp. From there, they coldly observed the lights of the fire and the movements of the mercenaries, analyzing the situation. They looked at each other, nodding before disappearing in a blink using the Shunshin no Jutsu.

Meanwhile, Boruto and Kakashi continued to watch from a distance, where the clones had entered. Kakashi, leaning with his back against the trunk of a tree, spoke calmly:

—How long will it take them to get to the camp?

"A few minutes," Boruto replied without hesitation.

Kakashi let out a slight sigh before speaking again:

—I see... The Hiraishin really is on another level.

Boruto just smiled, satisfied with the answer. He knew that the power he was displaying was beyond even Kakashi's expectations.

Several minutes passed in silence, staring in the same direction Boruto's clones had disappeared. Suddenly, Boruto's eyes twitched slightly, feeling the return of memories and the sensations of his clones.

—Kakashi-sensei... it's over now —Boruto said calmly.

Kakashi looked at him, understanding what that meant.

—Have the clones' memories arrived yet?

Boruto nodded and without another word, he pulled out a three-pronged kunai from his bag and threw it from the tree branch he was sitting on. The kunai streaked through the air before landing right in the center of the clearing. In that instant, a yellow flash sent ten people into view, frightened and confused.

Kakashi stopped leaning on the trunk, opening his eyes and taking a step towards the edge of the branch.

"Those are the hostages?" he asked, looking at the trembling people.

"Yes," Boruto replied, standing up. "The mission is complete."

Kakashi glanced at him, noticing the indifference in the young man's voice.

—And what happened to the mercenaries?

Boruto turned his gaze towards him, then turned his eyes to the horizon coldly before answering.

—They didn't want to give up... so they're dead.

Kakashi sighed deeply and jumped down from the branch to where the hostages were. The ten of them were clearly terrified, not knowing exactly where they were or who the ones who had saved them were. Kakashi gave them a calm look and spoke softly.

—Calm down, we are Konoha ninjas. You are safe now. We will take you back, you don't have to worry anymore.

One of the hostages, still trembling, spoke in a voice broken by fear:

—They all died? How...?

Another hostage, younger, continued with a trembling voice:

—He was just a child… but as he killed everyone, he looked like a demon. There was only amusement on his face…

Fearful voices multiplied as the hostages shared their impressions. Kakashi, surprised by what they were saying, noticed the intensity of their words. The image of Boruto they described was that of someone completely different from the boy he knew.

At the top of the tree, Boruto stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down with a mixture of laziness and disinterest. The hostages' reaction didn't matter to him at all.

Kakashi, still close to the hostages, tried to calm them down again:

—You don't need to be alarmed anymore. The one who did that was a Konoha ninja, and his only mission was to save you. You can relax now.

The hostages exchanged glances, still scared but a little calmer after hearing Kakashi's words.

Some distance away, at the mercenary camp, the massacre had come to an end. One of Boruto's clones stood in the middle of a bloody scene, his hand still piercing the chest of one last mercenary, a three-pronged kunai dripping with blood. With a firm gesture, he pulled his hand back, allowing the mercenary's body to fall to the ground. Dead bodies lay everywhere, with kunais strewn about. The clone turned his head, making sure no one was left alive. He found no survivors. Satisfied with his work, the clone disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Back in the clearing, Boruto, still on the tree branch, closed his eyes as he processed the memories and experience of his clone. With a low voice, he muttered to himself:

—The mission is over... It's time to return to Konoha.

Boruto opened his eyes, jumped next to Kakashi and made several signs with his hands before saying:

Hiraishin: Shuzoku Ido .

The hostages, seeing Boruto, opened their eyes in surprise and, in that instant, they all disappeared in a flash, appearing at the entrance of Konoha.

Kakashi, realizing what was happening, turned to look at Boruto and, with a tone of mild irritation, spoke:

—I told you to let me know when you did it.

Boruto, with a carefree air, replied:

—Sorry, I forgot, Kakashi-sensei. But we're already in Konoha.

Kakashi sighed, but before he could say anything else, a few shinobi standing guard at the entrance approached. The leader of the group, surprised, spoke:

—Sixth-sama! What are you doing here?

Kakashi looked at them calmly and replied:

—Just fulfilling a mission.

The shinobi looked at him curiously, and Kakashi continued:

—Help these people, take them to the hospital. They were being held hostage by mercenaries.

The shinobi were shocked at the revelation and nodded quickly. The hostages, bewildered and still not understanding where they were, did not take their eyes off Boruto. He, realizing this, looked at them and smiled.

Frightened, the hostages hid behind the shinobi who had arrived.

Kakashi, watching the scene, looked at Boruto and said:

—Don't you think it's enough?

Boruto looked back at him, amused.

—But it's a smile of confidence and hope —he said, laughing.

Kakashi shook his head, exhausted, and spoke:

—Go home. It's quite late, I'll take care of the rest.

Boruto nodded, and with a carefree tone, he replied:

—See you later, Kakashi-sensei.

In a flash, Boruto disappeared.

Kakashi, sighing wearily, watched the shinobi as they took the hostages to the hospital. In his mind, he thought:

—It's been a bit of a weird day... but oh well, whatever.

And that's how Boruto's first mission came to an end.

The night passed peacefully, and with the dawn, Boruto and Kakashi found themselves in the mission office. Kakashi, with his usual relaxed expression, turned to the receptionist:

—Yesterday's mission was completed successfully.

The receptionist, her eyes wide open, could not hide her astonishment.

"I understand," he replied. "How fast they are… Then, for the A-rank mission, they will be given their pay and can rest for a few days."

Boruto, arms crossed, gave a slight smile.

"A break doesn't sound bad," he murmured with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

The receptionist, still impressed, took out an envelope with money and handed it to Kakashi. Unfazed, he received it with his typical calm and passed it to Boruto, who looked at it curiously.

"Aren't you going to take your share?" Boruto asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kakashi, always calm, responded with a slight smile behind his mask.

—I'm a former Kage, I don't need it.

Boruto nodded, surprised by his master's disinterest, and put the money away.

—In that case, I'll take my leave, Kakashi. We'll talk later.

Kakashi glanced at him and replied in a carefree tone:

—Whatever you say.

Without another word, Boruto disappeared in a flash, leaving behind a light gust of wind.

Kakashi, now alone, sighed tiredly as he looked at the spot where Boruto had been moments before.

—That boy... always so impulsive —he muttered to himself,

The receptionist, surprised by Boruto's sudden disappearance, looked at Kakashi and asked with some admiration:

—Sixth... what rank are that boy's abilities at? Being able to move at that speed is incredible.

Kakashi, keeping his tone serious, looked at her and replied:

—He's almost at the Hokage rank. In the future, he'll probably come alone to accept high-ranking missions.

The receptionist's eyes widened, unable to hide her shock at what she had just heard.

"That's incredible... no wonder, he's the Hokage's son," she said, almost breathless.

But Kakashi looked at her with a more serious expression.

—You shouldn't mention that "son of the Hokage" thing in front of him. He gets angry... and who knows what he might do.

The receptionist, confused, tilted her head and asked curiously:

—What are you talking about, Sextus?

Kakashi sighed and explained:

—I was assigned the task of keeping him under control... and teaching him a thing or two.

The woman couldn't believe what she was hearing. The fact that a former Hokage had to watch over a boy left her stunned, but she nodded slowly with a mixture of respect and surprise.

Kakashi, seeing that his point had been understood, turned to leave the room and, with a nonchalant gesture, said:

—I'm off. I'll leave you to your work. I imagine the genin will start arriving later, so good luck with the new ones.

The receptionist, still impressed, quickly rose from her seat and gave a small bow.

"Have a nice day, Sextus," he said respectfully.

Kakashi raised a hand in a casual gesture, waving goodbye as he left the room. As he walked through the halls of the Hokage building, his mind was lost in thought.

"Boruto... you are ruthless. I feel like I can't change your personality... all I can do is accompany you on your way," he thought as he left the building, feeling the warm breeze of the new day.

The sun shone high over Konoha, illuminating the village as it woke up to a new day filled with challenges and opportunities.

A few minutes earlier, Boruto had appeared in a flash of yellow in front of his house. He stared at the door for a few seconds before thinking, I think it's best to get this over with.

With determination, she walked to the entrance, opened the door, and took a few steps inside. She took off her sandals, placing them neatly at the entrance, and began walking towards the kitchen, where she knew her mother would be. When she arrived, she saw the back of Hinata, who was quietly washing the dishes. In a calm voice, she said:

-Am at home.

Hinata, who was concentrating on the sink, flinched at the sound of her son's voice. Her hands trembled slightly, and the sound of running water seemed to stop. Slowly, she turned on her heels and, seeing Boruto, couldn't contain herself. She ran towards him and hugged him tightly. Boruto, surprised, opened his eyes and glanced at his mother out of the corner of his eye. He felt the warmth of her tears dampening his clothes, but he didn't say anything, he just stood there, receiving Hinata's hug.

After a few minutes, when the tears had stopped a little, Hinata spoke with a broken voice, still clinging to her son:

—Your father told me everything... I'm so sorry, Boruto. I'm sorry for what you've suffered, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. I'm so sorry.

Boruto calmly replied:

—It's okay, Mom. Part of the blame is mine too for not saying anything sooner.

Hinata, her eyes misty, quickly shook her head and said:

—No, it's not your fault. You were still a child, Boruto. Even if you were so smart, you were still just a child.

Boruto, who was still watching his mother out of the corner of his eye, sighed.

"You can let me go, Mom," Boruto said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

But Hinata, instead of loosening the hug, tightened it even more, whispering with a broken voice:

—I won't let you go... I feel like if I do, you'll leave me.

Boruto, calmer, stroked his mother's hair and repeated firmly:

—Don't worry, Mom. I promise I won't leave.

Hinata finally opened her eyes slightly, slowly letting go of her son. She sat up straight, wiping away her tears, as Boruto watched her with a warm smile.

"I'm home, Mom," Boruto said with a kind smile.

Hinata, seeing her son's smile, remembered a little Boruto making the exact same expression when he was a child. That memory brought her some peace, and returning the smile, she said softly:

—Welcome, Boruto.

At that moment, hurried footsteps were heard coming down the stairs and a child's voice said excitedly:

—Little brother, you're back!

Boruto turned around and, with a smile, replied:

—I'm back, Himawari.

Himawari ran to him and hugged him enthusiastically.

—Welcome! —he exclaimed happily.

Hinata watched the scene with a soft smile, enjoying the affection between her children. Then, Himawari spoke with emotion:

—Little brother! I've been training hard, I hope you see how much I've improved.

Hinata, who was standing behind Boruto, raised an eyebrow and asked:

—Training?

Boruto, who was still smiling, stood still for a second. Himawari, realizing her mistake, immediately covered her mouth. They both slowly turned towards their mother, who was looking at them with the Byakugan activated.

"I want to hear more about this 'training'," Hinata said, her calmness belying her uneasiness.

A few minutes later, Boruto, Himawari, and Hinata were sitting on the couches, and Boruto explained everything about his younger sister's training.

"I see," Hinata said, "so you're teaching him some techniques."

Boruto nodded and, looking at Himawari, added:

—That's right, but they're not harmful to her body. She's more talented than me. Plus, she has the Byakugan, it will be very good for her.

Hinata pondered for a moment, a doubtful expression on her face, before looking back at her son.

—I want to see that training.

Boruto nodded without hesitation, stood up, and walked towards a sliding door. Opening it, he walked to the backyard of the house, and as he walked forward, he stopped to look back at the house.

—Himawari, come, it's time for you to show me what you've learned.

Himawari, her eyes shining with excitement, ran into the courtyard.

—Yes, brother! What are we going to do? —she asked excitedly.

Boruto looked at her with determination and replied:

—Attack me with the techniques I taught you. I'll correct you as we fight; you'll learn better that way.

Alarmed, Hinata quickly got up from the couch and walked to the sliding door.

—Wait, Boruto. Himawari is not qualified for combat —he warned with concern.

But Boruto smiled confidently at him.

—Don't worry, Mom. I won't hurt Himawari.

Although still uneasy, Hinata nodded, though her concern had not completely disappeared. She looked at her daughter nervously.

Himawari, anxious but determined, looked at her brother.

—Do I really have to attack you, brother?

"That's right," Boruto nodded. "Do your best. It's time for you to learn Taijutsu, that's the next level."

Himawari looked at her own hands, concentrated, and adopted the Hyuga Clan's combat stance, with surprising precision. Boruto raised an eyebrow, impressed.

"Who taught you that combat stance, Himawari?" he asked curiously.

"My aunt told me to use it when I go into battle," Himawari replied seriously.

Boruto smiled.

—Activate the Byakugan and attack me.

Without hesitation, Himawari did as her brother instructed, and the power of her Byakugan activated, releasing a faint air around her. Hinata, watching the scene, muttered to herself:

—What a powerful Byakugan...

Himawari, with the Byakugan fully activated, asked:

—Brother, aren't you going to get into a combat stance?

Boruto smiled confidently.

—Don't worry, Himawari. Attack.

With a mix of excitement and seriousness, Himawari prepared to attack her brother, knowing that this training would mark a new step in her development as a ninja.

Himawari ran towards Boruto quickly, her movements agile though slightly shaky from excitement. She threw her palm towards Boruto's chest, aiming for a precise strike. Boruto dodged it easily, moving to the side smoothly, but kept his gaze sharp.

"Don't hold back, Himawari!" he said, encouraging her.

Himawari gritted her teeth and, after adjusting her posture, made a hand seal as she shouted:

—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!

Behind her, two clones appeared and immediately launched themselves at Boruto. He dodged their attacks with agility, but one of the clones tried to surprise him by launching a direct blow to his abdomen. Boruto turned and dodged it, but at that moment, the other clone attacked from behind. Boruto quickly turned around and caught the clone's hand, making a slight movement that made it explode in a cloud of smoke. Immediately afterwards, the second clone launched another attack with an open palm, but Boruto again caught his arm and, with a simple movement, he also vanished it into smoke.

Himawari, taking advantage of the distraction, lunged at Boruto's back and attempted a quick strike. However, Boruto moved as if nothing had happened, dodging with ease. Himawari leapt back, but Boruto appeared in front of her in an instant, using incredible speed. He gently placed his finger on Himawari's forehead and pushed her back. She took a couple of steps back, surprised.

"Your moves are easy to read," Boruto told him with a slight smile. "You need to learn to hide your movements and control your chakra better."

"But bro, you're so fast. I couldn't catch up to you," Himawari said, pouting.

Boruto smiled confidently.

—I'm your older brother, I can't let you hit me so easily.

Himawari sighed, somewhat dejected. Boruto watched her for a moment and then asked with interest:

—Tell me, Himawari, have you learned the Rasengan?

Himawari looked at him, smiled confidently, and extended her hand.

—Rasengan! —he exclaimed.

The wind began to swirl around his palm slowly, until it formed a small Rasengan. Boruto smiled proudly at his progress.

—Awesome. Now, attack me with it —Boruto told him.

Himawari ran towards her brother, throwing the Rasengan with determination. Boruto raised his hand, and a whirlwind similar to the Rasengan began to form in his palm, although it was not fully formed. Both attacks collided in a burst of wind that spread throughout the entire backyard of the Uzumaki house.

Hinata, watching from the sliding door, looked on in awe at the skills her daughter was displaying. The clash continued as Boruto sent more chakra into his palm, causing the whirlpool to gain more strength. The impact was such that Himawari was propelled backwards, as her Rasengan vanished into thin air. She fell to the ground, sitting up, with a shocked expression as she looked at her brother.

Boruto stopped concentrating chakra in his hand and, with a proud smile, said:

—Not bad, Himawari. You're impressive. You just need to perfect the Rasengan a little more, and then I'll have to get a little more serious.

Himawari smiled, touched by her brother's praise, and tried to stand up. However, suddenly, her vision became blurry, and she ended up lying on the ground, fainted from the effort.

Boruto quickly approached her, picked her up in his arms, and walked into the house. As he passed Hinata, she looked at him and said:

—She looks exhausted.

"It was to be expected, it's her first time fighting seriously," Boruto replied, carefully laying Himawari down on the couch.

Hinata looked at him from the door, watching her son's back.

—Boruto, do you want to talk? —he asked softly.

Boruto glanced at her, sat down on the couch next to his sister and, after a few seconds of silence, answered:

—What do you want to know, Mom?

Hinata walked over to sit on another couch, ready to listen to what Boruto had to say. She took a deep breath before speaking.

—Your father told me everything you told him when you met with him and the others. Is it true?

Boruto closed his eyes briefly, opened them and calmly replied:

—That's right, everything I told my father at that meeting is true, Mom.

Hinata looked down at the ground, trying to process what she had heard.

"Why did you push things to that extreme, Boruto?" she said, her voice shaking. "I can't find a justification. I know you're smart and wouldn't let yourself be carried away by negative emotions for so long… not like now."

She looked up, meeting her son's eyes.

—I know you, son. You have shown a superior intellect since childhood. Tell me, what is going on?

Boruto remained calm as he watched his mother.

—You're right, Mom, you know me well. I didn't let myself be carried away by what happened when I was little... but the question you ask me doesn't have an easy answer —he answered with a melancholic smile—. Maybe what happened back then was the trigger for what I am now.

He stopped smiling, and his expression became more serious.

Hinata, surprised by his words, opened her eyes slightly.

—It was probably our fault… we should have pushed you harder to tell us everything. We would have found a solution —he said, with remorse in his voice.

—Like I said, it's not your fault —Boruto replied, in a calm tone—. It's mine. If I had told about the mistreatment my friends received from their parents, many things would have been avoided.

Hinata looked at him silently, noticing the serenity with which her son spoke.

—Tell me, Boruto, what do you plan to do from now on?

"I just want to be the strongest," Boruto replied without hesitation. "That's my wish. I have nothing else."

Hinata frowned slightly, trying to understand.

—Become the strongest? Surpass your father? Do you plan to become Hokage?

Boruto opened his eyes, surprised by the question, and shook his head.

—No, I don't want to be Hokage.

Hinata looked at him curiously.

—So what do you intend to be if not a Hokage? It is always said that the Hokage is the strongest.

Boruto adopted a thoughtful pose before answering:

—I don't know yet… but maybe I could work like Sasuke Uchiha does.

Hinata was surprised, blinking rapidly.

-You're sure?

Boruto smiled and confidently replied:

—That life wouldn't be bad at all. Without being so tied to the village, wandering the world as the strongest. That's what I'll do.

Hinata, seeing the conviction in her son's eyes, smiled gently.

—I hope you can fulfill your dream, and as your mother, I want to be there when you do. You will be someone who protects the village from the shadows.

Boruto smiled confidently.

—Don't worry, Mom, I'll achieve that goal faster than you think.

Hinata nodded, pride in her eyes.

-I know.

Boruto and Hinata continued talking until Himawari woke up, still exhausted from training.

"Are you hungry, Himawari?" Boruto asked.

—A lot! —she replied.

They ate lunch together, enjoying the food as Himawari talked excitedly about her training. Boruto, with a calm smile, listened attentively.

Afterwards, they went out into the garden, where Boruto continued training with Himawari. She tried to imitate his movements, with effort and enthusiasm. Hinata watched from a distance, but occasionally joined in to gently correct her daughter and offer some advice.

As night fell, they dined together again. Himawari couldn't stop talking about what she had learned, while Boruto offered her small comments and suggestions.

"It's time to rest," Boruto said when he finished.

"Thanks for everything, brother!" Himawari replied with a big smile.

"Rest, Boruto," Hinata told him, as she began to collect the plates.

He went up to his room, plopped down on the bed, and glanced around at his surroundings. "How long has it been since I last slept here?" he thought. "It's quite comfortable... I should come here more often." He closed his eyes slowly, letting sleep wash over him.

After that day, Boruto continued to accept S- and A-rank missions alongside Kakashi. Each mission was more challenging than the last: spying in hostile territories, rescuing key figures, and protecting important dignitaries. All of them required exceptional skills, and Boruto more than met expectations, standing out as an efficient and lethal ninja.

As time went on, Boruto began to return home more often. Although he maintained a cold and distant facade, moments with his mother, Hinata, and sister, Himawari, were a relief. He enjoyed family meals, those where Hinata prepared his favorite dishes, and he also dedicated time to training Himawari, teaching her techniques and reinforcing her potential. For him, those days were calm and full of peace.

In the village, rumors about Team 7 were growing at a dizzying pace. Villagers talked of their exploits: on their first mission, the team had taken on experienced ninja and saved the leader of a small village. Then, on another assignment, they stopped thieves who had caused chaos with a massive genjutsu, freeing the population from their control. The three members of the team, coming from prestigious bloodlines—a Senju, an Uchija, and a third companion shrouded in mystery—earned a reputation as the most promising ninja of their generation. In addition, they were under the leadership of Konohamaru , the grandson of the Third Hokage, which added even more prestige to the team.

However, all of this seemed irrelevant to Boruto. Fame and recognition did not motivate him. While his companions excelled in missions and attracted the attention of the village, Boruto preferred to work in the shadows. His true strength and abilities were only known to Kakashi, the Hokage, and a few high-ranking shinobi. Boruto accomplished his high-level missions without seeking applause or praise.

Months passed, and as Boruto continued to hone his techniques, a new challenge approached that resonated throughout Konoha: the Chunin Exams . An event that promised to be the next big step in his path, although Boruto knew that, for him, it would mean something more than just a promotion.