Boruto began closely observing the new Team 15, especially Tsubaki, the newly arrived samurai from the Land of Iron. Determined to gauge their abilities while also seizing the opportunity, he offered them training, revealing overwhelming intensity as he unleashed some of his power and forced them to withstand devastating chakra pressure.
Using extreme methods, Boruto forcibly expanded the three girls' chakra channels, pushing them to the limits of their endurance. Although the techniques caused excruciating pain, upon awakening, all three noticed a significant improvement in their chakra flow. Despite his questionable methods, Boruto achieved his goal: to begin his study of the samurai style.
Later, Wasabi and Namida attempted to stop an unlicensed criminal, but were outmatched. It was Tsubaki who, witnessing their determination, intervened and defeated the enemy with a devastating wind technique. Recognizing the team's worth, she vowed to learn from the shinobi. Meanwhile, Boruto, from the shadows, analyzed samurai chakra, convinced that this style could be the next step in his evolution.
At the moment.
A few days later, at the academy, all the genin gathered to bid farewell to Sumire, who had been selected for a new position outside the village. The hall was decorated with paper garlands, colorful lanterns, and a banner that read, "Good luck, Sumire!" Her classmates worked hard to prepare a small party in her honor, hoping her farewell would be filled with smiles and memories.
Sumire couldn't help but be moved. With tears in her eyes, she said goodbye to her teammates one by one. Many of them gave her small gifts: lucky charms, hand-woven bracelets, letters, and even a notebook with photos and messages from everyone. They wanted her to always remember her team and the village that loved her so much, no matter where she went.
Wasabi and Namida couldn't hold back their tears. They hugged her tightly, sobbing as they said, "I'm sorry, but I'm sorry."
—Promise you'll come back and visit us from time to time!
—And don't forget about us, Sumire-chan!
Sumire smiled tenderly, wiping her tears with the sleeves of her uniform. She nodded firmly, making it clear that she would hold each of them in her heart.
After the emotional moment, everyone gathered to cut the cake. They laughed, shared stories of past missions, and reminisced about funny anecdotes from the academy. Little by little, the atmosphere became more cheerful, although deep down, everyone knew they would miss Sumire.
Finally, as the sun began to set, the party came to an end. The room fell silent, but the memory of that day would remain etched in everyone's memory as one of the most special moments they had shared together as colleagues.
The next day, Sumire left Konoha to take up her new position. Meanwhile, the village's genin began their week with new mission assignments.
At that moment, Team 7 was gathered in the Hokage's office. Sarada, Mitsuki, and Saku were standing, waiting for instructions for their next mission, which they were to begin immediately .
"Author's Note: I forgot to describe Saku, I'll do it now.
Saku has brown eyes and long, dark brown hair tied back in a ponytail with a few strands loose on either side of her face. She wears her shinobi headband on her forehead. Her attire consists of an open white tunic with dark gray edges, in the traditional shinobi style, that reaches to her knees. Underneath, she wears a tight-fitting black combat shirt with a double-breasted collar. A white sash wraps around her waist, holding up the upper part of her clothing. Her pants are dark, ninja-style, tight-fitting, and flexible. Her legs are bandaged from the ankles to mid-calf in a classic style, and she wears black shinobi sandals, open at the toe. End of note."
Also inside the office were the leader of the Military Police, Kotaro Fuma, along with Sai and Shikamaru. The atmosphere was serious, and Naruto watched them closely before speaking firmly:
—The mission you'll be assigned today is very important. Do you know the Mujina gang of thieves?
Saku frowned, somewhat confused.
—The Mujina? Who are they?
Sarada looked at him sideways and replied, crossing her arms:
—You're pretty new to the village. That gang caused a lot of trouble in Fire Country.
Mitsuki intervened with her calm voice:
—We still don't know what your boss looks like, right?
The Military Police leader spoke, looking down at the documents in his hands:
—We don't know his face, age, or the techniques he uses. However…
Shikamaru, with his hands in his pockets, completed the sentence in a serious tone:
—A few days ago, Boruto brought new information about him. His name is Shojoji . We tried to look for more details, but we haven't found anything useful so far.
Naruto frowned, leaning his elbows on the desk.
—So… everything about him remains a mystery. No trace of his past, no trace of his abilities.
Shikamaru nodded with a worried expression.
—The gang has a sacred rule. Even if they're caught, they won't talk. And those who try to defect… they're killed immediately. Without exception.
Mitsuki intervened in an analytical tone, interlacing her fingers.
—That's why there's no information about their leader, right? There are no living witnesses.
Sai nodded gravely, arms crossed.
—However, a few days ago a very peculiar letter arrived in Konoha.
Shikamaru took out a crumpled envelope and placed it gently on the desk.
—She was sent by a man named Kokuri . He stole money from the gang and escaped. After that, he disappeared, but he committed another minor crime and was imprisoned in Hozuki Prison .
Sai took the floor.
—It's a prison specializing in shinobi inmates. It's under the control of the Grass Village, and has one of the strictest surveillance systems.
Naruto turned his computer screen and pointed to an image. It showed a thin, pale-skinned man with round glasses and straight, neck-length hair.
Team 7 watched intently and nodded wordlessly.
Naruto continued seriously:
— Kokuri hid the fact that she had been a member of the Mujina gang. But the real problem is that the gang's second-in-command has entered the prison. Her name is Tsukiyo .
A new image appeared on the screen: a man with a thin face, green hair, and a marked scar on his left cheek.
Sai looked at the screen like that.
—That guy entered the prison as just another inmate… but he's not there as punishment. He was sent to silence Kokuri .
Shikamaru looked towards the team.
—In the letter, Kokuri offers key information about the gang and its leader… but only if we guarantee his safety.
Sarada frowned.
—That means you must have very important data.
Naruto nodded slightly.
—The information he has may be the only real clue to Shojoji . And that man must be located at all costs.
Team 7 nodded firmly.
Mitsuki raised her hand slightly.
—So… why don't the prison guards or the shinobi from that country protect him ?
The leader of the Military Police responded without hesitation, in a firm tone:
—The Mujina gang only operates in large countries like the Land of Fire. For Grass Village… they don't pose a real threat. They're not willing to get involved.
Shikamaru added, with a resigned expression:
"We requested that he be transferred to Konoha, but they refused. They said it would be direct interference in their internal affairs... and besides, the paperwork would take at least a month."
Naruto turned the screen again, now showing the map of Hozuki Prison .
Kokuri 's life will be at risk. Mitsuki, Saku... you will enter the prison as undercover inmates. Your mission will be to protect him from within until the transfer is approved.
Sai intervened in a calm tone:
"I know the leader of that prison. I trust he'll ease your entry. They'll place a chakra-suppression seal on you… but it'll be fake. Don't worry about that, you can fight if necessary."
Shikamaru crossed his arms, assessing the team.
—This mission is classified as chunin-level. The original team couldn't attend, so… you'll take their place.
Naruto looked at them confidently, and his tone was firm but close:
—The level they've demonstrated is already beyond that of many jounin. They'll have no trouble facing common prisoners incapable of using ninjutsu.
Mitsuki and Saku nodded without hesitation. Sarada pursed her lips, pouting slightly.
—And what will I do? Don't tell me I have to stay out…
Naruto smiled, somewhat uncomfortable by her reaction.
—You also have a crucial role. You'll go undercover as a journalist. Your mission will be to gather information from another angle… and keep an eye on the inside without arousing suspicion.
Sarada sighed, but nodded with conviction.
Team 7 remained steadfast and focused. Accompanied by Sai and the Police Leader, they left the office without wasting any time. A new mission was beginning… and this time, the risk was greater than ever.
Elsewhere in Konoha, Boruto sat in the abandoned factory, sitting on his throne. In front of him, a large table held the immense Uzumaki Scroll, fully unfurled. The scroll stretched to both sides, reaching each end of the factory, displaying its imposing length and the numerous written seals.
The dim light coming through the broken windows partially illuminated the symbols. Boruto kept his gaze fixed on the scroll, analyzing each section carefully, his expression serious and focused. The silence in the room was absolute.
Boruto moved his hands, pulling at the Uzumaki scroll as he read the hundreds of jutsus inscribed on it one by one. His eyes scanned each technique carefully, analyzing each seal, not missing a single detail.
In his mental space, Karasugan spoke in a curious tone:
—You've been reading that scroll for days. What are you planning to do, Boruto? I thought you'd go straight to that human samurai.
Boruto replied without taking his eyes off the scroll:
"I just want to read it all. I didn't have time before, but if I know this scroll well, I'll be able to use it more easily in the future. And about the samurai ... I'm waiting for the right moment. First, I'll finish this. It might take a few days."
He continued reading, flipping the paper back and forth. Several hours passed until his eyes landed on a jutsu. He opened his eyes wide, bent over the scroll with a surprised expression, and then bolted upright, grinning in amusement.
- Ha ha ha !
From the mental space, Karasugan and Galaga watched through his gaze.
Karasugan tilted his head and commented sarcastically:
—A copy jutsu? Is that what excites you?
Boruto replied without stopping looking at the jutsu:
—You don't understand… This jutsu is special. I've been looking for something like this, and this is perfect.
Karasugan read the title aloud:
—Fuinjutsu: Keitai Zoshoku — Sealed Form Multiplication —. Allows you to create copies of small objects such as senbo or shuriken. Size limit: a few centimeters. Status: Incomplete.
"What do you plan to do with this?" Karasugan added skeptically. "It doesn't look very useful."
Boruto smiled and sat down.
"I've been reading this scroll carefully. Do you know what's most interesting? All the jutsus here have an extremely high mortality rate. They're forbidden for a reason: anyone who doesn't understand Fuinjutsu at an advanced level will never be able to master this scroll. Most of them were created by the first leader of the Uzumaki Clan… a monster of another level. This scroll should never fall into the wrong hands. It's too powerful… and that makes it even more fun."
—I laugh softly.
Then, he shook his head, turning his gaze back to the jutsu.
"I got sidetracked... This jutsu gives me exactly what I need for the third phase of the plan. I've always wondered how to get enough money, and this is the perfect way. Even though it's incomplete... I'll have to work on it. From now on, this will be my new project."
Boruto activated the Jougan and memorized the jutsu. He then began to close the scroll. Once it was completely rolled up, he made a hand seal, and the scroll disappeared in a puff of smoke. With another seal, the table vanished as well.
He stood up, his cape fluttering in the wind. He took a few steps away from his throne and began to form precise seals. Finally, he slammed his hand onto the ground.
—Fuinjutsu: Keitai Zoshoku .
Three sealing circles appeared: one under his hand, another in front of him, and a third further ahead. Boruto took a shuriken from his pouch and placed it in the second circle. Then he clasped his hands together.
-Activate.
A light scanned the seal beneath the shuriken, analyzing the object. Seconds later, a copy appeared in the last circle: a cracked and somewhat deformed shuriken.
Boruto watched the result without deactivating the Jogan . He muttered coldly:
—So that's the problem… it lacks the proper chakra structure to fully form.
The seal vanished. Boruto formed a new sequence of seals and slammed his hand against the ground again, repeating the process. This time, the shuriken emerged without any cracks, but its shape was visibly altered.
He smiled with amusement.
-Interesting...
He kept repeating the process over and over. He tried different small objects: explosive stamps, nails, basic tools… but when he tried to replicate a sheet of paper, it tore into pieces upon creation, unable to withstand the transformation.
Hours passed. The sky darkened. It was already nighttime when Boruto stood up, exhausted. Without saying a word, he disappeared in a flash, leaving the place behind.
The next day, Boruto appeared again in a flash, in the exact same spot he'd been standing. Wasting no time, he began forming seals with both hands, slamming his palms into the ground over and over again, without pausing for even a second.
Hours passed. The sun reached its highest point in the sky, marking noon. Boruto stood up, slowly stretched his body, and then sat on his throne. He activated a seal on his gauntlet and freed up a small table next to a box of fresh food. Leisurely, he began to eat.
As he moved his plate, he muttered under his breath, assessing his progress:
—I've been slowly modifying my hand seals… but the change is still too basic. It's useless.
He looked down at his food as he stirred with his chopsticks.
"I even injected it with altered chakra, modified with my own nature, but… it didn't work. It's like the seal didn't recognize it. How annoying…"
He remained silent for a few seconds, and then something caught his attention: the plate in front of him, composed of different portions of food, each from a single origin. Boruto narrowed his eyes, intrigued.
"Sometimes people tend to think the answer is at the end," he murmured. "Maybe the key is at the beginning."
He finished eating quickly, put everything away with simple seals, washed his hands with water from a nearby faucet, and put his gloves back on. He walked to the same spot as before, took a deep breath, and formed a new sequence of seals. This time, he slammed both hands against the ground.
—Fuinjutsu: Keitai Zoshoku !
Multiple sealing circles appeared around him, and beneath each hand, a new one formed, creating a complex pattern. Gradually, all the seals merged into two large circles in front, etched directly into the ground. Boruto took a shuriken from his pouch and placed it in the second circle.
He then extended his hand over the first one and released a precise amount of chakra.
-Activate.
A powerful wind spread in all directions as the seals rose like floating rings. They rotated precisely as a white light passed through the weapon's structure, scanning it completely. Upon reaching the last circle, the replica slowly began to form… until it appeared completely.
Boruto stopped sending chakra, stood up, and the seals disappeared. He picked up the new shuriken. It had no cracks or deformities. In fact, it looked more polished than the original.
He threw it hard against a factory wall. The metal impacted without breaking. At that instant, both the shuriken and the other weapons embedded in the ground flashed simultaneously, revealing the Hiraishin seal etched into their surface, merging into the barrier.
Boruto smiled, satisfied.
"Not bad," he murmured. "Injecting yin and yang chakra was the best option. But it's still incomplete."
He walked to the wall and withdrew the shuriken, observing it carefully.
—The size is still limited. If I try to replicate larger objects, the material could be damaged or the jutsu could simply fail. Besides, the power of the seal is too great, it would destroy the paper like nothing… I'll have to redesign its base. Perhaps encode it within a special scroll.
He thought for a few seconds, then added:
—And also… I need the seal to recognize chakra without elements. The seal itself to transform it into yin and yang. That way, it would make things easier… it would allow anyone to use it without needing to control both natures.
He looked at the shuriken again carefully.
"And if I can get it to register the original object just once," he murmured, "I could multiply it dozens, even hundreds of times. I'd only need one base copy. That would save time, energy... and resources."
He planted the shuriken back in the wall and returned to his starting position. Wasting no time, he began forming seals with both hands at high speed, but this time carefully modifying each sequence. His gaze was steady and precise.
He struck the ground with both palms. The seals quickly spread across the surface. This time, when he replicated the object, two identical shuriken appeared instead of one.
Boruto smiled briefly, his focus intact. He repeated the process over and over, adjusting the seals with each attempt. He changed the order, the pressure, the release time… searching for the exact sequence that would make the multiplication stable.
The day passed between iterations, tests, and small improvements. The factory floor began to fill with engraved sealing circles, chakra markings, and incomplete or deformed copies.
Two whole days passed.
At this moment, Boruto was crouching in front of a large scroll. It was fully extended, and its surface was covered in complex seals.
Boruto slowly removed his hands from the scroll, stood up, and exhaled deeply.
"It's done," he said with a tired but triumphant smile. "The jutsu is complete... at last."
He made a seal with one hand. The scroll closed tightly, and in an instant, it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Boruto turned around, his cape fluttering in the wind as he strode back toward his throne. He sat down calmly, pulled out a new scroll, and muttered softly:
—It's time we met... The sun is already setting.
With a second hand seal, the scroll disappeared in a flash.
Elsewhere in Konoha, inside a small, traditional house with a single room and an inner courtyard, located in the residential area, silence reigned. In the center of the room, Tsubaki sat on her bed, legs crossed, meditating. Her breathing was steady and rhythmic, as she exhaled calmly.
Suddenly, in a flash, a scroll appeared on Tsubaki's back and fell gently onto the bed, right behind her.
Tsubaki slowly opened her eyes, cautiously turned her head, and, noticing the scroll, frowned slightly. She sat up and took it in both hands, muttering:
—A scroll...? How did it get here?
His eyes widened in surprise.
Flashback.
In a training area in Konoha, Team 15 was gathered. Hanabi, arms crossed in front of them, spoke seriously:
—So that's what Boruto did to them... From what I heard, he expanded their chakra channels, which made them scream in pain, right?
He activated his Byakugan and examined his students' bodies closely. His expression tensed.
"That's true," she said in surprise. "His chakra channels are larger than normal, and disproportionate to his age."
She deactivated her Byakugan thoughtfully. She frowned and murmured softly:
—Damn… I don't understand why Boruto would do this…
Wasabi, somewhat confused, asked:
—Is something wrong, Hanabi-sensei?
Hanabi kept her eyes closed for a few seconds, then exclaimed in frustration:
—Ugh ! I don't know... I can't find a clear reason. What was Boruto looking for with you ?
Namida, somewhat unsure, replied timidly:
—I don't know what Boruto thinks... But... why would he be interested in us?
Hanabi opened her eyes and looked at them seriously.
—I'll have to talk to my father... Maybe he can figure out what Boruto is planning. It's hard to decipher... But if I had to guess, I'd say he didn't come for you... but for Tsubaki.
Tsubaki looked at her in confusion.
—For me? Why?
Hanabi crossed her arms again and explained firmly:
—Boruto doesn't approach anyone without a purpose. He always acts with a plan. You're new to this team... It's likely that his real target was you. You should be careful. If he doesn't get what he wants the easy way... he might try another route.
Wasabi opened her mouth in surprise.
—Is it that bad? Can't Konoha handle it?
Hanabi sighed, her expression resigned.
—You see… Boruto possesses a special technique: the Hiraishin. He's capable of instantly teleporting to any location he's marked. No one in Konoha knows how to counter it. He can touch any object, mark it, and disappear… without anyone being able to stop him.
Team 15 was silent, impressed.
"You said he touched your sword, right? " Hanabi added. "Turn around."
The three of them nodded and turned around. Hanabi carefully checked their backs and confirmed seriously:
—I knew it… he marked them. They all have the seal.
Namida was immediately frightened. Wasabi and Tsubaki were also surprised.
"It would be best if you destroyed those clothes," Hanabi said firmly. "Do you understand?"
End of flashback.
Tsubaki loosened the scroll's binding, carefully unrolled it, and began to silently read its contents. Her eyes moved precisely, scanning each word while her expression remained serious. When she finished, she closed it firmly.
—After that, Hanabi-sensei told me... —he thought.
Flashback.
In the park, Hanabi stood in front of her. Her voice was firm, almost cautious.
—What my father said was that Boruto is looking for something inside your body. That's why he showed up that day.
Tsubaki frowned in surprise.
Hanabi continued seriously:
—And if he checked them… it's because he's not sure he'll get it yet. Or rather… it's a safety measure. You have to be careful.
Tsubaki nodded slowly.
—What happens if I erase the mark?
Hanabi shook her head.
—Don't. If you give him what he wants, he might offer you something of equal value. Give it a few days… and then you can throw those clothes away.
Tsubaki thought for a moment and then asked:
—So… why did you also mark Wasabi and Namida?
Hanabi sighed, looking at the ground for a moment before answering.
—It was probably a distraction. Or just… because he doesn't care.
End of flashback.
Tsubaki stood up. She took her katana, hung it at her waist, and held the scroll firmly in her other hand. Without looking back, she walked out of the house with a firm stride, heading in a specific direction. Her face remained serious, but her eyes reflected clear determination. The sky was beginning to turn orange as the sun slowly set.
Tsubaki began jumping between the rooftops, moving at high speed toward the outskirts. After a few minutes, she left Konoha and entered the forest. She jumped between the trees until she reached a somewhat remote training area where a small stream flowed.
With a leap, he landed on the ground and looked in all directions. He took a few steps toward the stream, approaching calmly. Just then, a voice sounded behind him:
—So you came… You seem to know when it suits you.
Tsubaki opened her eyes and leaped forward, landing on the other side of the stream. She took up position to draw her sword and quickly turned around.
Looking across, she saw Boruto standing there with an amused smile. He spoke:
—Apparently I scared you… but oh well, it doesn't matter.
Tsubaki looked at him doubtfully and asked:
—Why did you call me here? What do you want?
Boruto stopped smiling and calmly replied:
—You should at least say hello. Don't you think so?
Tsubaki relaxed her posture a little, composed herself, and said:
—Hello… What are you looking for?
Boruto let out a small laugh.
—How cold... hahaha. But anyway, I called you because I need something you have.
Tsubaki narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
—What are you looking for to come after me?
Boruto smiled lightly.
—You know, I'm not the type of person who asks others for things. I always get what I want on my own, even if it means going to extremes. But this time I'm being nice… at least for now.
Tsubaki looked at him seriously as he continued:
—I'd like to learn something from you. Although I imagine you've already figured out what I'm looking for… and what I'm capable of, right?
"So you're looking for my samurai fighting style," she said bluntly.
Boruto tilted his head slightly.
—It's not exactly that. I just want to learn the chakra style of a samurai… and fuse it with that of a ninja.
"I see," Tsubaki replied. "But tell me... what do I gain by giving that to you?"
Boruto laughed briefly before speaking in a more serious tone:
—Not bad. Asking for something in return is normal. So I'll owe you a favor. If you teach me that style of chakra, you can ask me for anything… as long as it's within my capabilities.
Tsubaki frowned, annoyed.
—How arrogant… The samurai way is the honor of my land. Do you think I'll give it to you so easily just because you owe me a favor?
Boruto smiled, without losing his calm.
— Then I offer you something else. When I master this chakra, I will take it further. I will create a new and improved samurai style… and I will give it only to you. I will not teach it to anyone else. Not even I will use it. It will be yours, a unique style.
Tsubaki looked at him with annoyance.
—Seriously… you are very arrogant.
Boruto watched her firmly.
—You should take the deal. I don't owe anyone any favors. You'll be the first. And besides… you've only been told what I'm capable of. But you haven't seen it with your own eyes.
Tsubaki clenched her fists tightly, then sighed and closed her eyes to calm herself. Finally, she spoke calmly:
—Fine. I accept. But I want to see how you will improve the samurai style. And furthermore, I want to witness your training from beginning to end as I teach it to you. Do you understand? And about the favor… I will collect it later. If you do not accept these conditions, then we will fight right now. Enough of your dishonoring my land.
Boruto looked at her silently for a few seconds, and then spoke seriously:
—Fine. This is the first time I've ever asked nicely… so I'll take the deal.
Tsubaki stared at him.
—So, how do we start? What do you want to know about samurai chakra style?
Before he could finish speaking, Boruto disappeared in a flash.
Tsubaki barely had time to react. She felt a light pressure on her back: Boruto's hand, gently touching her between her shoulder blades.
"We won't talk about this here," his voice said firmly behind her. "Let's go somewhere else."
And in that instant, they both disappeared in a flash.
In a distant location, a large pond surrounded by many trees and giant skeletons could be seen. Bones jutted out from various parts of the ground, and in the center of the pond was a rather large hut with cylindrical pillars and strange seals carved into its structure. In the center of the hut, a three-pronged kunai was stuck into the ground.
At that moment, in the center of the place, Boruto and Tsubaki appeared.
Boruto lowered his hand from Tsubaki's back, and she looked around, disoriented, not knowing where she was.
"Where are we...?" he murmured, still alert.
Boruto took a step forward and saw the three-pronged kunai stuck in the ground. He looked around, then looked at the kunai and muttered:
—Kuroshhi, the place is not bad…
He walked a little further and stopped at the edge of the hut. He looked up at the sky, smiled, and thought:
—This place is perfect. The barrier they put up is well done.
He looked at the forest, noticing the bones sticking out between the trees, and spoke:
—I see… so it's this place. I wonder how big this region is.
Tsubaki watched Boruto's back and spoke seriously:
—Where are we, Boruto?
Boruto looked at her out of the corner of his eye and calmly replied:
—I don't know exactly, but I know it's a good place.
Tsubaki frowned.
—You brought me here using that jutsu… the Hiraishin. What if I told you I wanted to learn it as a way to repay the favor?
Boruto glanced at her for a second, turned around and shrugged, speaking naturally:
—I could teach it to you… but you probably won't be able to learn it. It requires certain requirements to use it, which you don't have.
Tsubaki looked at him seriously.
—What are those requirements?
Boruto stared at her and replied:
—First, having the ability to sense chakra. The sensory ability. And well… you don't have that. And the other requirement, you don't have it even less. So it's not worth mentioning.
Tsubaki sighed.
—So that's why I can't learn it. Is it so necessary to have that sensory ability?
Boruto nodded slightly.
—Well… it's not strictly necessary, but if you want to know where you're going, it is. The Hiraishin connects my mind to the mark, and thanks to that—along with the sensory ability—I can visualize the destination before moving. Without that, you wouldn't know where you're transporting to.
He walked a few more steps and added:
—Maybe you could learn a different version… like marking just ten places and memorizing their positions. But beyond that, you could get lost. Another option would be to leave different shapes in each place to distinguish them… but that would be too complicated and annoying.
Boruto looked at her and smiled, then spoke:
—But we didn't come here to talk... so let's get started.
Tsubaki looked around and replied firmly:
—It's too late. It's best to continue tomorrow. Let's return to Konoha.
Boruto just laughed .
—Hahaha, that's not possible. We'll start tonight… and continue for as many days as necessary.
Tsubaki looked at him seriously, not fully understanding.
—What do you mean? I have missions to complete tomorrow. Besides, I have to meet up with my teammates.
Boruto replied calmly:
—Don't worry about it. Konoha already knows you were taken by me.
Tsubaki was surprised, and Boruto continued:
—You know… my father has me under surveillance. When I contacted you, Hanabi- neechan told the Seventh everything. So they put ninjas on guard. Plus, Hanabi was monitoring the whole situation with her Byakugan.
Tsubaki opened her mouth slightly in surprise and thought:
They're watching him... they consider him a threat. And yet, he doesn't seem to care.
Then he spoke:
—So… what will Konoha do now that they know I left with you?
Boruto looked at her and calmly replied:
"They'll probably wait for me to show up, to see if I'll come back with you or not. And well... while you're gone, your team won't be going on missions. So you don't need to worry. Once we complete this training... I'll return you to Konoha without any problems."
Tsubaki was so shocked that she couldn't say a word.
Boruto made several movements with his hands and then hit the ground firmly.
-Activate.
At that moment, the ground trembled slightly. Several structures began to emerge from the water, forming small dwellings, and a stone path extended, connecting to the central hut.
Tsubaki could only watch, amazed.
Boruto spoke naturally:
—These will be the homes we'll be living in for the rest of this time… but it's time to start training, don't you think?
Boruto then took off his cloak and, with a hand seal, stored it in a puff of smoke.
Tsubaki looked at him, not knowing what to say, for a moment, until she finally spoke:
—Why do you want to learn the samurai way? What is your path?
Boruto looked at her for a moment and then replied:
—You see, I have only one path… but while I walk it, I will have fun. I will do whatever I want, because my path has no end. I seek a power beyond understanding, where there is no end. And the chakra style of a samurai is very interesting. Besides, I feel it will make me even stronger than I already am. That is my path. And now I ask… what is yours?
Tsubaki looked at him seriously and spoke:
—Your words are quite… odd for someone who is supposed to be a shinobi. You do not follow the will of fire. My path is to be the heir to the Land of Iron, to represent the honor of the samurai way, to honor my land and lead my nation toward a new future. That is my path.
Boruto smiled slightly.
—A somewhat short path… but interesting. It's like wanting to be the Kage of your village. But hey, that's your business.
Tsubaki then asked:
—So, what do you want to learn first? And how do you plan to merge the samurai style?
Boruto sighed and then smiled confidently.
—Do you know how a samurai's chakra works compared to a ninja's?
Tsubaki shook her head.
Boruto continued, putting his hands in his pockets and lowering his head slightly, as if talking to himself:
—A ninja's chakra is concentrated in a single point, the abdomen. That's our center. When we use a jutsu, the chakra leaves there, flows to where we need it… and when we finish, it returns to that center.
He paused, looked up at Tsubaki, and then raised one of his arms, looking at his own hand closely.
—On the other hand, a samurai's chakra… is distributed throughout the body from the beginning. It's not concentrated in a single core like a ninja's. It's as if their entire body were the center of chakra. It sounds strange, but their chakra remains dormant when they're not using it. It's there, present, just in a deactivated state. And when they need it… they activate it immediately, without having to draw it from a central point.
He lowered his arm and sighed through his nose, with a brief smile that lasted no more than a second.
—A shinobi also has chakra spread throughout their body, yes… but we use it differently. Just enough to move a limb or execute a technique. Nothing more. A samurai, on the other hand… is always full of chakra. They just keep it turned off, like a covered lamp that could turn on at any moment.
Tsubaki looked at him curiously, without losing her composure, and spoke:
"Is that how it works? Is that how ninjas use chakra? So… how do you plan to fuse it? I don't think any style can be so easily modified to work with another."
Boruto put a hand in his pocket and calmly replied:
—That's no problem. But to fully understand how it works… you'd better help me acquire the samurai chakra style. It's time you taught me. Although… I wonder how they manage to store chakra throughout their bodies without it dissipating.
Tsubaki sighed, placing a hand on her waist as she looked around.
—We need a place where you can lie down… besides, it's too dark. It'll be a problem doing it like this.
Boruto took his hand out of his pocket, pointing firmly at one of the pillars with his palm outstretched.
—Katon: Hoin no Jutsu.
At that instant, his hand burst into flames, and a small fireball formed in front of his palm and shot toward the nearest pillar. Upon impact, the seals inscribed on its surface reacted like gunpowder, igniting instantly. The fire climbed up the structure, and the symbols coalesced at the top of the pillar, forming a glowing core.
One by one, the other pillars activated in the same way. Flames spread across their surfaces, igniting them in a chain until they illuminated the entire place with a warm orange light.
Boruto shook his hand, extinguishing the fire with a gentle motion. Then he spoke calmly:
—This is enough… right?
Tsubaki watched him, still shocked. She'd seen so many things that day that she was simply speechless. Finally, she murmured:
—You are able to form jutsus… without the need for hand seals.
Boruto sighed and replied naturally:
—It's just fire. I don't need seals for that. Seals are used to direct chakra from the core and shape the attack, but if you have advanced chakra control… you can do this without a problem.
He paused briefly, then asked:
—Well, tell me… what else do you need?
Tsubaki replied in a firm tone:
—We need acupuncture needles… and a place where you can lie down. That would be all.
Boruto nodded. He made a one-handed seal, and in a puff of smoke, a scroll appeared in front of him. He quickly unrolled it until it floated in the air. He struck one of the seals inscribed on its surface, and in that instant, a stone bed fell to the ground with controlled force.
Beside him, a table of the same material also appeared. On it, Boruto placed the scroll. Immediately, another puff of smoke revealed a long case that stretched out across the table, opening on its own. Inside, a series of precision needles were carefully aligned.
Boruto looked at Tsubaki and spoke calmly:
—That's it. What's next?
Tsubaki looked at him seriously and answered without hesitation:
—Take off your clothes… and lie down on the stone bed.
Boruto held her gaze, surprised by the suggestion. She returned his gaze with the same firmness. They both remained silent for a few seconds… until Boruto, with a resigned gesture, began to remove his clothes.
He removed his gloves, his jacket, his shirt, his ninja sandals, and finally his pants, leaving him in his underwear. He folded each item carefully and laid them neatly beside the stone bed. Then, he lay down face down.
Tsubaki approached, standing next to the stone table. She set her katana aside, taking one last look at it. Then, she looked at Boruto's back a few feet away… and spoke in a direct tone:
—Turn around.
Boruto glanced at her and obeyed, turning his body until he was lying on his back. Tsubaki rolled up both sleeves and said seriously:
—I'll stick the needles into the connections of your main bones. But first… you'll have to send chakra throughout your body. Keep it active throughout the entire process without letting it shut down. That's essential.
He took one of the needles with great care.
—I'm warning you, it might hurt. Your chakra is too large… and your channels are very developed. I had this done when I was five, and I barely felt any pain… but your case is different.
Boruto closed his eyes for a moment and smiled slightly.
—At first I thought you wouldn't know the process, but it's interesting.
Tsubaki prepared to begin, while seriously muttering:
—For a leadership candidate… that's what it takes.
In that instant, Boruto sent chakra flowing throughout his body at maximum power. A powerful wind surged around him, and chakra began to emanate intensely from his skin, enveloping him like a blue flame.
Tsubaki reacted immediately. With precision, she began to stick the needles one by one into Boruto's body. She started with his abdomen, then his chest, and finally his forehead. Then she moved on to his extremities: shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, and feet.
It took a while to properly place the needles in each joint. As he worked, some areas of Boruto's body began to tense. Veins bulged in various places, reflecting the effort of keeping his chakra active. Boruto, his eyes closed, frowned silently, enduring the pressure without making a sound.
When she finished inserting the last needle, Tsubaki took a step back and explained in a calm voice:
—The human body has several chakra connection points in the joints. Since every human has them, by pinching these places we can prevent the chakra from flowing out of them. This process will take time… until you get used to the sensation in each joint . The goal is for the chakra to understand that it should remain there… as a part of you.
He approached the center of the stone bed and pointed out three key points on Boruto's body: the abdomen, the chest, and the forehead.
—These three points are the main centers. The one in the abdomen is where chakra is generated and stored. The one in the chest is linked to life. And the one in the forehead… represents the mind, the spirit. The chakra flows from the spirit to life, and from there to the core. Everything is connected.
He remained silent for a few seconds, observing Boruto's now motionless body, each needle glowing slightly from the pressure of the chakra.
"This chakra method is fine, but it's not perfect. Besides, there are ranges at our power level... so keep in mind: this is just the beginning."
Tsubaki took up her katana, sat cross-legged, and closed her eyes. Time passed. After a few hours, the moon was already high in the sky.
Tsubaki stood up and walked over to Boruto. Her body was dripping with sweat, and her veins seemed about to pop. Boruto stood with his eyes closed, frowning silently, not uttering a single complaint.
Carefully, Tsubaki began to slowly remove the needles, one by one, following the same order in which she had placed them, but in reverse. She started with the feet, then the knees, the hips, and so on until she removed the needles from the abdomen, the chest, and finally the forehead.
Each needle emerged wrapped in a faint glow, a sign that the chakra continued to flow intensely even at the end of the process.
Boruto's body began to relax. The veins, once taut and prominent, returned to normal. Then he opened his eyes, still breathing heavily, and looked at Tsubaki.
"How many times do I have to do this?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
Tsubaki looked at him calmly and replied:
—As long as necessary, until you can maintain the chakra in your limbs on your own. Also, at the points I punctured, you'll need to form small chakra cores so you can control its flow in those areas.
Boruto slowly sat up, sat on the stone bed, and sighed.
—How long did it take you to master this?
Tsubaki looked at him calmly.
—Five days. Thanks to that, I was Lord Mifune's last direct disciple, and also a candidate to compete for the position of leader of the Land of Iron.
Boruto turned his back on her and began to dress silently. As he put on his clothes, he spoke:
—You'd better go to sleep. We'll continue tomorrow... until I've got it completely mastered.
Tsubaki looked at him with concern.
—You shouldn't move so much. Your body is still recovering.
Boruto finished putting on his pants, then his jacket, and finally his gloves and sandals. He answered calmly as he began walking toward one of the houses:
—That's not a problem.
Tsubaki sighed and began walking along the stone path, observing the silent lagoon around her. Upon reaching one of the dwellings, the stone door automatically opened to the side, sliding into the wall. At that instant, the torches in the room lit up one by one, softly illuminating the interior.
Tsubaki entered and looked around. There was another door to one side, built into the wall, leading to the bathroom. In the center of the room was a table with a couple of chairs, and at the far end, a fairly large, neatly arranged bed.
He walked toward the bathroom; the door opened automatically upon detecting his presence, revealing a large and perfectly ordered space. Then he walked over to the bed and lay down flat, wearily spreading his arms. At that instant, the coffee table lit up; several seals quickly appeared on its surface, and in a puff of smoke, multiple plates of food appeared, neatly arranged on the table.
Tsubaki sat down in surprise, and upon seeing the food, her stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed, she blushed a little. She stood up somewhat shyly, sat down in one of the chairs, and looked at the dishes on offer: steak, hamburgers, fries, a glass of water, and various other preparations.
Without thinking twice, Tsubaki began to eat. The taste was delicious. Her eyes sparkled with every bite, and she continued eating without stopping, enjoying every moment.
"This is… surprisingly good," he murmured, swallowing with a slight smile.
He took a potato chip, looked at it doubtfully for a moment, and then tasted it.
—How can something so simple taste so good?
He continued eating and, after biting into a hamburger, he couldn't help but speak with his mouth half full:
—They definitely don't serve this in the Land of Iron…
With a more relaxed expression, he finished much of the plate in silence, savoring each portion as if it were a small break from so much pressure.
Boruto was sitting on the bed, his hands clasped together in a seal. He held the position for a few more seconds, concentrating, and then slowly lowered his arms, leaving them at his sides. He lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The dim light reflected in his eyes, giving him a thoughtful and serene air.
At that moment, from within, Galaga spoke in a deep voice:
—Why are you being so nice to her?
Boruto calmly closed his eyes, and in an instant, his consciousness entered his mental space. He appeared lying on top of Karasugan's head, his arms crossed behind his neck, relaxed.
"Because it's the best method," he replied calmly. "For someone who teaches this style, you need to have all five senses active and, above all, experience. If I put her in a genjutsu or try to steal her memory, it could go wrong... so this is the safest way. If it's done this way, the process will be perfect. That's why I'm doing it. And, apparently, it wasn't a bad idea."
He closed his eyes as his voice faded with sleep. Gradually, his breathing became slower and deeper, as he fell completely asleep.