Chapter 4: Hidden Shadows
The Hokage's office was bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, but the atmosphere inside was anything but serene. Naruto stood behind his desk, his hands gripping the edge of the wooden surface as if it were the only thing keeping him grounded. His usually bright blue eyes were clouded with worry, his brows furrowed deeply. Across from him, Konohamaru stood with his arms crossed, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. Shikamaru leaned against the wall in the corner of the room, his sharp eyes observing the conversation with a calculating gaze, though even he couldn't hide the faint crease of worry on his forehead.
,,So, tell me exactly what happened, Konohamaru, Naruto said, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of anxiety. Boruto killed someone? How did things get this far?
Konohamaru sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to find the right words. His usual confidence was replaced by a palpable unease, as if the weight of what he had witnessed was too heavy to articulate.
,,I don't even know where to start, Naruto, he began, his voice low and hesitant. When we got back from the mission, about a week ago, Boruto seemed fine. He was his usual self—arrogant, confident, maybe a little reckless, but… okay. We had those three days off, and when we met again for the next mission, he was… different.
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his grip on the desk tightening. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, a mix of fear and guilt swirling within him. He had been so busy lately, so consumed by his duties as Hokage, that he hadn't noticed anything unusual about Boruto. Or had he simply chosen not to see it?
,,Different how? Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Konohamaru hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as if he were reliving the moment.
,,He was… colder. More distant. It was like he wasn't really there, you know? Like he was just going through the motions. And then, during the mission… he killed that ninja without hesitation. It wasn't like him, Naruto. Not at all like him.
Naruto's breath hitched, his mind racing to process what he was hearing. Boruto, his son, the boy who had always been so full of life and energy, had taken a life. The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he felt a lump form in his throat. He had always prided himself on being a father who was there for his children, but now he couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed Boruto in some fundamental way.
,,He killed someone… Boruto? Naruto repeated, his voice trembling slightly. I can't believe it. He's not the type to do that. What happened to him?
Shikamaru, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, his arms still crossed but his expression more focused than ever.
,,Let's not forget that Boruto has Karma, he said, his tone calm but firm. We don't know what long-term effects it has on him. Maybe something about that power is influencing him more than we realized.
Naruto nodded slowly, but the worry in his eyes only deepened. He had always known that Karma was dangerous, but he had hoped that Boruto would be strong enough to resist its influence. Now, he wasn't so sure.
,,Yeah, but… why didn't he come to me? Naruto asked, his voice tinged with guilt. Why didn't he say anything? I've been so busy lately, but… I should have been there for him.
Konohamaru hesitated, his expression conflicted. He didn't want to add to Naruto's guilt, but he also knew that the truth needed to be told.
,,I think it's more than that, Naruto, he said carefully. During the mission, it was clear he feels… neglected. He talked about Kawaki, about how everyone compares him to him. I think he feels… replaced.
The word hung in the air like a heavy cloud, and Naruto felt his heart sink. Replaced? How could Boruto ever think that? He loved his son more than anything, but now he couldn't shake the feeling that he had somehow failed to show it.
,,Replaced? Boruto? Naruto repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. But… he's my son. I love him just as much as I love Kawaki. How did it come to this?
Shikamaru sighed, his expression softening slightly as he looked at Naruto.
,,Naruto, you know how busy you've been lately, he said gently. Maybe Boruto felt like you didn't have time for him anymore. And now, with Kawaki in the house… maybe he feels like he's lost his place.
Naruto's shoulders slumped, the weight of Shikamaru's words pressing down on him. He had always tried to be a good father, but now he couldn't help but wonder if he had been blind to Boruto's struggles. He had been so focused on his duties as Hokage, on protecting the village, that he had neglected the one person who needed him the most.
,,Then I need to talk to him, Naruto said, his voice firm despite the turmoil in his chest. I need to show him he's wrong. I haven't forgotten him. I haven't replaced him.
Konohamaru nodded, but his expression was still troubled.
,,That's a good idea, but… be careful, Naruto, he said cautiously. Boruto isn't himself right now. He's full of anger and pain. I don't know how he'll react.
Shikamaru stepped forward, his expression serious.
,,And don't forget about Momoshiki, he added. If Karma is influencing him, it could be dangerous. We need to be prepared for anything.
Naruto nodded, his jaw tightening with determination. He knew the risks, but he also knew that he couldn't let Boruto face this alone. No matter how dangerous it was, he had to be there for his son.
,,I understand, Naruto said, his voice steady. But he's my son. I can't let him lose himself in the darkness. I need to bring him back, no matter what it takes.
...
At that moment, the door to the office opened, and Sakura walked in, her expression concerned. She had clearly heard the conversation, and her green eyes were filled with worry as she looked at Naruto.
,,I heard what happened with Boruto, she said, her voice soft but urgent. Is it true that he killed someone?
Naruto nodded, his expression pained.
,,Yes, he said quietly. And now we're trying to figure out what's going on with him.
Sakura stepped closer to the desk, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. Her touch was gentle, but her eyes were filled with a quiet intensity.
,,Naruto, you need to be careful, she said firmly. If Karma is affecting him, he could be dangerous not just to himself, but to everyone around him.
Naruto nodded again, but his expression remained resolute.
,,I know, he said, his voice steady. But I can't let him fight this alone. I need to be there for him.
Shikamaru sighed, his arms still crossed as he leaned against the wall. He knew Naruto was right, but he also knew the situation was far more complicated than it seemed. Boruto wasn't just struggling with his emotions he was grappling with a power that could consume him entirely. And if Momoshiki was influencing him, there was no telling what he might do.
...
Meanwhile, Boruto was in his room, his back pressed against the wall as he sat on the floor. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling, but his mind was far away, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the memory of the mission replaying in his mind like a broken record. The way his fist had connected with the rogue ninja's chest, the way the man's eyes had widened in shock before he crumpled to the ground it was all too vivid, too real.
But what haunted him even more was the look in Sarada's eyes when she had confronted him. The fear, the confusion, the disappointment. He had seen it all, and it had cut deeper than any blade ever could. He had always prided himself on being strong, on being someone his friends and family could rely on. But now, he wasn't so sure. Now, he felt like a stranger in his own skin, like he was losing control of everything he had once held dear.
,,Why? he whispered, his voice barely audible in the empty room. Why don't they see me anymore? Why did they choose him?
Momoshiki's voice echoed in his mind, cold and mocking.
,,Because they don't deserve you, Boruto, the voice said, dripping with malice. But you… you can be more than them. You can be stronger. You can show the world they were wrong.
Boruto clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to push the voice away. But it was no use. The more he fought it, the louder it became, until it was all he could hear.
,,I don't need them… he murmured, his voice trembling with rage and pain. I don't need anyone.
And in that moment, Boruto felt something in him shift. Something dark and powerful, something that made him feel… free. But it wasn't the kind of freedom he had always dreamed of. It was the kind that came with a price a price he wasn't sure he was willing to pay.
At 30 power stones, 5 more chapters!!!