Chapter 1: A Family I No Longer Belong To

The mission was over, and Team Seven was heading back to Konoha. The sun was setting in the purple sky, casting long shadows over the dusty road. Boruto walked in front, hands behind his head, thinking about the fight earlier. Sarada and Mitsuki followed closely, while Konohamaru walked ahead of them, calm and collected.

 ,,Boruto, even though you managed to defeat that ninja, you shouldn't have acted without a plan! Sarada scolded, adjusting her glasses,,.

 ,,Come on, Sarada, stop worrying so much! I'm not that incompetent. I could have beaten them all by myself! Boruto said with a cocky grin,,.

Sarada rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

 ,,Listen, Boruto, you're not Kawaki! If it were him, maybe he would have managed, but you wouldn't! she said, blushing slightly,,.

Boruto stopped abruptly and narrowed his eyes at her.

 ,,Are you saying Kawaki is better than me,,?!

 ,,Yes! Sarada confirmed without hesitation,,.

Behind them, Mitsuki let out a small laugh.

 ,,You two look like a married couple! he commented amusedly,,.

 ,,No! they both protested at the same time,,.

Konohamaru chuckled and stopped in front of them.

 ,,Alright, kids, enough playing around. You have three days off before the next mission, so I'll see you then. Don't forget to train,,!

 ,,Yes, sensei! they all responded in unison,,.

After Konohamaru left, the three teammates went to eat. Sarada kept talking about Kawaki, even though she had only known him for a week and hadn't even spoken much with him. Boruto bit his lip, annoyed, but he had to admit the truth: at the moment, Kawaki was stronger than him.

When it got late, Boruto suddenly stood up.

 ,,I have to go. See you later, guys,,!

The road home felt longer than usual. A strange feeling gnawed at him, a premonition he couldn't explain. When he arrived at his house, he opened the door quietly. Inside, it was silent, except for a faint sound coming from the kitchen.

Curious, he stepped toward the source of the noise. When he entered, his heart stopped for a moment.

Everyone was at the table—his mother, father, Himawari... all smiling, talking casually. For a moment, he felt the warmth of a family gathering. But then, his gaze fell on the table. There was no seat for him. No plate. Not even a sign that anyone had thought of him.

 ,,I'm glad we're all together for dinner, Naruto said with a smile,,.

 ,,Yes, I'm happy too! Hinata replied. It's nice to be able to sit together as a family,,.

Boruto felt a hollow pit in his stomach.

 ,,Yes, Mom! I'm so happy we're all here! Himawari exclaimed. Me, Mom, Dad, and Oni-chan,,!

Boruto collapsed onto the floor, unable to process what he was hearing. Oni-chan? But I'm her brother… aren't I?

He stayed there, motionless, watching as his family continued their dinner, unaware of his presence. When he finally got up, it was already late. He went to find something to eat, but the fridge was empty. Without saying a word, he slowly climbed the stairs to his room.

On his way, he noticed that Himawari's door was slightly open. An inexplicable curiosity pushed him to look inside.

And then, he felt his heart shatter in two.

Kawaki was sitting on Himawari's bed, reading her a story. The little girl's face lit up with joy as she listened attentively.

 ,,I'm so happy you're reading me a story, Oni-chan! You're the best big brother in the world! Himawari exclaimed, hugging him.

 ,,It's nothing, Hima. I just wanted to do something for the cutest little sister, Kawaki replied with a warm smile.

Boruto froze. A cold shiver ran down his spine. Without realizing it, his fists clenched, and a bitter feeling crept into his soul.

It was clear.

In this house, he no longer had a place.

That night, he couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned until, finally, a familiar voice whispered in his mind.

,,They've forgotten you, haven't they? Momoshiki's voice was as cold as ice.

Boruto remained silent.

 ,,Kawaki is better. Stronger. More loved. Your family doesn't need you anymore, Momoshiki continued with a sadistic satisfaction.

 ,,That's not true… Boruto whispered, but even he could hear how weak his response sounded.

 ,,If it weren't for him, your place would have been at that table. But now? You're a stranger in your own home. They laugh, they're happy, and you… you didn't even exist to them tonight.

 ,,Shut up… Boruto muttered, but his voice trembled.

 ,,Look at yourself, clinging to the illusion that they care. But where was your mother when you left this morning? Where was your father when you suffered? No one told you "good night," no one waited for you at home. To them, you're already a shadow.

 ,,That's a lie… Boruto clenched his teeth.

 ,,Is it? Then tell me, Boruto… when was the last time your father even looked at you the way he looks at Kawaki? When did your mother call your name with warmth? Even your sister… she's already replaced you. "Oni-chan," she calls him, with a smile that she used to reserve for you.

Boruto's breath caught in his throat. His chest ached with an unbearable weight.

 ,,You were once the light of this house, the pride of your father… but now? You're an afterthought, an inconvenience. If you disappeared, would they even notice? Or would they sigh in relief, knowing Kawaki could finally take your place?

Boruto dug his nails into his palms, feeling his blood boil.

 ,,No… I…

 ,,Admit it. You are alone. They do not love you anymore. They have abandoned you, and you are nothing but a ghost in their lives.

Boruto turned in his bed, gripping his pillow tightly. His breathing was ragged, and he squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the voice would disappear.

But it didn't.

The next morning, he left early without eating. He went straight to his training ground and started punching a tree trunk with his bare hands. His strikes became more aggressive, fueled by frustration and pain. His knuckles split, blood staining the bark, but he didn't stop.

Day after day, he repeated the same ritual—leaving early, training until exhaustion, and returning late, without anyone looking for him.

No one noticed his absence.

Not his mother.

Not his father.

Not even Himawari.

On the third day, with bleeding fists and torn clothes, Boruto realized something painful.

Maybe Momoshiki was right.

He staggered slightly, looking down at his trembling hands. How much longer could he endure this? How much longer before he completely disappeared from their hearts?

His jaw tightened. He wouldn't let it end this way. He had to become stronger.

Stronger than Kawaki.

Stronger than anyone.

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