In the previous chapter: Boruto continued to perfect his new chakra method alongside Tsubaki, enduring intense acupuncture sessions that reshaped his internal network to distribute chakra throughout his body. Despite the pain, his endurance was admirable, which deeply impressed Tsubaki.
During the process, Boruto discovered the seven levels of the samurai style and decided to adapt the system to his own unique style. After several days of meditation and practice, he managed to create a new chakra core in his chest, a feat that put his life at risk but ultimately solidified his method.
He then helped Tsubaki replicate the procedure. By guiding her precisely, Boruto enabled her to develop her own three chakra cores: in her abdomen, chest, and forehead. The process was a success, and Tsubaki achieved a surprising level of mastery, absorbing chakra from the environment and compressing it into its purest form.
In the end, both acknowledged each other's achievements. Boruto kept his end of the bargain, and Tsubaki completed her evolution. However, before returning, she made an unexpected proposal: a battle between the two. Boruto accepted, intrigued to pit his strength against someone who had already perfected the method he himself created. The confrontation was about to begin.
At that moment, Boruto and Tsubaki stood on the surface of the lake, a few meters apart. The water was still, reflecting their figures as if the world were holding its breath.
Tsubaki looked at him firmly and spoke.
"You know, I've been watching you all this time. I always believed that outside of the Land of Iron, there was nothing interesting... I thought those so-called shinobi were nothing more than a mockery."
He looked down at the water, watching his reflection distort with the slight ripples.
—But when you got here, you proved me wrong. That there's more to see... that shinobi aren't as useless as I thought.
He looked up again and determinedly looked into Boruto's eyes.
—The world is much bigger than I thought… and now I want to know why your eyes are like that.
Boruto watched her coldly.
"I thought we were going to fight, not have a talk." He tilted his head to the side. "What are you really looking for?"
Tsubaki let out a faint smile, but it disappeared immediately. The water beneath her feet began to churn intensely. Her eyes turned icy, and she spoke coldly.
—Ever since before... something bothered me. That someone like you doesn't follow the rules. That you brought me here just because you wanted to learn. That you thought you could handle me. It bothers me that you think you're superior to me. It bothers me... that I'm curious about someone like you.
Boruto looked at her, surprised by her frankness, and thought.
What a sudden turn of events... Her emotions change from one moment to the next. She's really upset... hahaha.
And then he smiled, not hiding the amusement on his face.
—So this is what the fight is for? To get even? Hahaha, how fun…
Tsubaki looked at him with annoyance and spoke in a firm voice.
—But there's something that bothers me even more… And that is that, deep down, we are alike. We are both curious. While I observe and learn from others… you destroy them and steal their knowledge. I reject what I don't like; you despise it and push it away, causing chaos.
Tsubaki held her katana tighter.
—I am discipline. I follow the rules because it's the right thing to do. Because I want to be respected. I want to reach the top with honor… living in my land, in my home. Tsubaki looked at her hand and spoke. I want to reach the top.
The chakra in his body intensified, increasing the pressure in the environment and looking at Boruto.
"You, on the other hand," he continued, without looking away, "are the opposite. You don't follow rules. You do what you want. You seek boundless freedom… You are the very definition of freedom. While I find peace in my place of origin, you seek it all over the world. We are opposites… but we share the same tastes. But I know one thing… and that is, you are a genius. Not just any one… You are a first-class monster. Yet, no one admires you. Everyone looks at you with fear."
Boruto sighed and looked at her lazily.
—I don't know when the last time someone told me that was. Or if anyone ever did. Honestly, I don't care… but it's interesting to hear it from someone like you. An heiress, so upright and traditional.
The wind violently lifted his cloak, and Boruto shoved both hands in his pockets. He smiled wryly.
—For you to call me a genius… when you're also a monster. You were able to complete my method. If I had given it to Konoha, they wouldn't even have gotten halfway there. You're just like me, Tsubaki… a monster. A terrifying one, but one who doesn't even realize how much he's taken from others.
Boruto's smile slowly disappeared. His gaze turned cold.
—But what bothers me the most in this life... —Boruto frowned a little— is seeing people who seek to be appreciated by others, but they don't do it for themselves... but to please the world.
He paused and held her gaze.
—You understand, right, Tsubaki?
Tsubaki looked at him for a moment, serious, and then spoke confidently:
—You're wrong. I'm doing this for both sides: for myself… and for my people. I want to get to that place, to feel like the Land of Iron isn't a fallen land just because I'm here. But it's also true… I seek recognition. And yes… I know I've taken things from others. Still, this is my path. And I have to walk it.
Boruto looked at her coldly and replied:
—How beautiful… hahaha. Surely, at some point you'll confront those you harmed. Because, as I always say, everything in this world has a price.
Tsubaki nodded firmly.
—Since that's the case… then it's time for our paths to cross. Only then will we know which is the right one: the one of order or the one of irregularity.
Boruto smirked and spoke in a mocking tone:
—Tough on those who break the rules… but flexible so you can move forward as a person. And grow as a people. That's what you'll do as you climb to the top, right? Hahaha … how stupid. But hey, it's your decision.
Tsubaki took a breath and calmly replied:
—That's what you have to do to move forward. You, on the other hand… you only think about yourself. You do what you want, when you want. That limitless freedom… is dangerous.
Boruto looked at her amused.
—This is starting to bore me. How about we include a bet, Tsubaki? What do you think?
Tsubaki looked at him seriously.
—Gambling? And what are you willing to give if you lose?
Boruto made a thoughtful expression as the wind ruffled his cloak, then he spoke calmly:
— Hmm … I think I got it. I'll give you an item. That'll be your prize.
Tsubaki looked at him curiously and muttered:
—An object?
Boruto smiled mischievously:
—But if I win… hahahaha … you'll have to join me, Tsubaki.
Her eyes widened in surprise. Boruto continued, serious:
—That's the price for defying me. You'll follow me. You'll be my teammate. I'll show you the world… the way I see it.
Tsubaki looked at him, still surprised, and then gave a half-smile.
—Do you like my company?
He laughed softly and then spoke decisively:
—All right, show me your way. Let's do it. But if you lose… you'll follow me. It'll be a fairer deal.
Boruto shook his head, still smiling.
—I'd rather die than do that… But hey, you can ask me for another favor in return. What do you say?
Tsubaki placed a hand on her chin, thoughtful. After a few seconds, she spoke:
—Okay. But if you lose… I want you to tell me your story. From the beginning.
Boruto looked at her, somewhat puzzled. She continued:
—Not the story everyone knows. I want the real one. I want to know what you did… and why you decided to follow that path. The whole truth… without any masks.
Boruto looked at her coldly. Then he closed his eyes for a moment… and when he opened them, he answered.
—Okay. Let's do it.
Tsubaki held her katana and, with a firm movement, drew it fully. She held it with both hands in front of her, pointing it directly at Boruto. Her gaze was serious and determined.
Boruto watched her silently for a few seconds. Then, he stretched his arm to the side and spoke coldly:
—For this fight to be fair… I won't use jutsus or shinobi techniques.
He opened his hand, and in that instant, in a flash, a katana appeared out of thin air, briefly floating in the air. Boruto closed his hand firmly around the hilt, taking it in his hand without taking his eyes off Tsubaki. He then spun it around with great speed in his hand, until the blade was pointing directly at Tsubaki .
—I'll use a katana to fight you.
Tsubaki frowned, annoyed.
—What do you think? Aren't you serious about me?
Boruto held his gaze, and his tone became deeper, firmer:
—I'm serious. Don't underestimate him. I'm an expert with any weapon… so this doesn't change anything. Don't hold back, because I won't.
Tsubaki stared at him silently for a moment. Then she took a deep breath, tensed her body, and assumed a firm stance, ready for combat.
At that moment, Boruto took a step forward… and, in an instant, appeared right in front of her. Without hesitation, he brought his katana down in a downward slash.
At that moment, Boruto took a step forward… and, in an instant, he appeared right in front of her, and Boruto brought his katana down in a downward slash. Tsubaki was surprised by the speed and, without thinking, raised her sword and blocked the attack with both hands. The clash of metals rang loudly and sparks flew, and the clash made the air around them vibrate. The water beneath their feet shook violently from the pressure of the impact.
Boruto applied more force and lowered his sword completely, and Tsubaki was sent flying backward, bouncing several times on the surface of the water until she managed to stop.
At that moment, Boruto spun his sword, leaping in her direction, twirling his katana in the air several times, ready to strike. Tsubaki noticed and quickly placed her hands in the water to propel herself to the side.
Boruto descended right where she was, and by slamming his katana against the surface, he caused a powerful explosion of water that dispersed in all directions, cutting through the water.
Tsubaki pushed herself back and jumped, quickly standing up.
Boruto composed himself and looked at her coldly.
-That's all?
He took a step... and disappeared. In an instant, he appeared beside her and launched a horizontal slash. Tsubaki noticed it out of the corner of her eye and, with precise reflexes, swung her katana and blocked the attack. The metallic sound echoed throughout the room.
Tsubaki held the blow for a moment, gritting her teeth, then forcefully deflected Boruto's katana to the side, causing a burst of water to rise violently. She jumped back to regain distance, but Boruto immediately appeared in front of her.
Wasting no time, Boruto launched another attack, but Tsubaki repeated her movement firmly, blocking it. The echo of the clash between their swords resounded again.
Thus began an intense series of attacks: Boruto pressed with swift and precise cuts, while Tsubaki dodged and deflected each blow, resisting with total concentration.
Boruto launched another attack, this time a downward diagonal slash. His katana clashed with Tsubaki's, and the metallic clang echoed again. Without giving her a break, Boruto thrust his sword hard, knocking Tsubaki back.
She slid backward across the water, trying to regain her balance, but Boruto appeared beside her in the blink of an eye and launched a direct kick at her. The impact sent her flying through the air, crashing into the water in the distance.
The impact caused an explosion on the surface, sending up a powerful blast that sprayed in all directions.
Boruto slowly lowered his leg after the kick and turned towards Tsubaki.
"How long will you continue playing...?" he said coldly. "But I must admit: it was surprising. You were able to keep up with my speed. Your senses improved quite a bit."
Tsubaki lay in the water, holding her katana in both hands. She took a deep breath, leaned against the surface, and then tried to sit up, landing on one knee. She looked at Boruto seriously, while a stabbing pain in her ribs forced her jaw to clench.
He took a breath… and in that instant, his katana filled with chakra, vibrating intensely. Firmly, he performed an upward slash, standing up at the same time.
At that moment, from the edge of his sword, a chakra slash shot out towards Boruto at full speed.
From the edge, a wave of chakra shot out towards Boruto at high speed.
Boruto angled his body just in time. The slash passed him by, splitting the water in two and continuing until it hit some trees in the distance.
—BOOM!
The explosion shook the surroundings. But Boruto didn't look away, as a cut appeared on his cheek. A light steam rose from the wound, healing it instantly. Then, he calmly thought:
"It's on the third level… That was a cut made of pure chakra."
Tsubaki, already on her feet, kept her katana surrounded by chakra. Wasting no time, she performed a series of rapid slashes in the air. From each slash, a burst of energy flew in Boruto's direction.
Boruto began running around the lake, dodging the attacks as each slash erupted upon hitting the water.
—BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The explosions continued one after another. Boruto disappeared from his position and appeared next to Tsubaki, but she released more chakra. Her sword became engulfed in an intense blue flame. In that instant, their swords collided.
—BOOM!
The water beneath them erupted like a tower, rising from the force of the impact. Tsubaki channeled even more chakra into her sword, increasing its intensity. From within the column, Boruto was pushed back by the pressure and, ultimately, launched into the air.
He spun around in mid-flight and landed on his feet, gliding firmly across the surface of the water.
Tsubaki, without losing momentum, ran straight towards him.
Boruto noticed her approaching. At that instant, she leaped up, launching a vertical slash from above. Boruto twirled his katana between his fingers and countered with an upward slash.
The clash was brutal. The swords clanged loudly, creating a new shockwave. Boruto, under the pressure, fell to one knee, resisting. Tsubaki's chakra continued to surge, pushing him down.
At that moment, Boruto released chakra, wrapping his katana, causing both chakras to collide with each other and at that moment, due to the pressure, a loud noise resounded.
—BOOM!
The force of the collision between their chakras was so intense that they were both thrown backward.
Tsubaki bounced several times on the water, but managed to stabilize herself, glide gracefully, and finally stand. Without missing a beat, she immediately adopted a fighting stance.
Boruto steadied himself and then moved his katana to the side, holding it with one hand. At that moment, the chakra in his sword began to manifest in all its splendor. It looked like a dense blue mist that slowly rose from the blade toward the sky.
Tsubaki was surprised to see him. She took a deep breath and muttered, as if to herself:
—Apparently… it's time to use it.
He closed his eyes for a moment and slowly lowered his sword, letting the tip touch the water. Inside, the three cores began to release a large amount of chakra, synchronizing with each other and sharing energy.
Then Tsubaki's eyes flew open, and a powerful wave of energy shot out from her body in all directions. The chakra of her katana shifted completely, enveloping it in a blue flame with white sparks that flickered like sacred fire.
Boruto watched her closely and thought:
"So… he'll use all three cores. I'll finally see his true power."
Then, he unleashed his full chakra. His second core also fully activated, and the flow of chakra in his katana increased dramatically. What had previously seemed like a mere mist began to violently erupt from the blade, rising like a dark blue column into the sky. While his cape flapped wildly,
At the same time, a powerful wave of energy burst from his body.
Boruto looked at his sword and thought:
"It's different from Tsubaki's… I wonder why."
Then he shifted his gaze to her. His expression grew more serious as he analyzed the chakra surrounding her.
"His flame… it looks so real, but it's not fire. It's chakra in its purest form. I wonder how long he can sustain it…"
Tsubaki looked at Boruto and raised her sword in his direction. In that instant, she disappeared in a flash and appeared in front of him, descending with her sword.
Boruto opened his eyes in surprise, but reacted instantly, moving his katana horizontally to block the blow.
—BOOM!
The thunder shook the air. The impact caused a huge column of water to rise between them as their chakras were fully released. The pressure of their energies expanded in all directions, forming a barrier between them.
Around him, chakra dispersed violently: a dark blue mist emanated from Boruto's sword, while an intense blue flame with white flashes enveloped Tsubaki's katana.
The pressure held for a few seconds… until Boruto began to slowly retreat, sliding backward. He clenched his jaw tightly, agitated, and thought:
"What's going on...? His chakra is smaller than mine, but he's pushing me... Is it because his is purer and denser?"
Boruto tried to exert more force in the collision, but it was useless. At that moment, Tsubaki screamed with determination and released a wave of energy that launched him through the air, crashing into the water.
—BOOM!
Tsubaki used the momentum, flexed her stance, and in an instant, she disappeared, leaving behind a path of open water. She reappeared above Boruto, suspended in the air, and without pausing, she launched a horizontal slash with her katana. From the blade, a blue flame energy shot out.
Boruto, still in the center of the water column, reacted instantly. He quickly swung his katana and positioned it in front of him, taking the attack full on.
—BOOM!
The resulting explosion split part of the lake in two. The impact was so violent that Boruto was dragged to the bottom, crashing heavily onto the lake floor.
—BOOM!
Tsubaki, suspended in the air, sheathed her katana. Then she gracefully descended, landing on her feet on the surface of the water.
At that very moment, Boruto appeared behind her, launching an upward diagonal slash with his sword.
Tsubaki looked at him out of the corner of her eye, held the hilt of her katana firmly, and murmured in a firm voice:
— Hiken Fuusetsugiri : Hidden Sword, Snowstorm Slash.
The chakra surged within the sheath, and Tsubaki immediately spun around her own axis, unleashing a horizontal slash in all directions.
At that instant, a bright blue line appeared floating in the air… and, in a flash, Boruto's sword was split in two. At the same time, a cut appeared on his chest, causing blood to spray into the air.
At that moment a chakra tornado emerged, causing a massive explosion.
—BOOM!
Boruto was violently launched, bouncing several times on the water leaving a trail of blood that diluted on the surface until he managed to stabilize and stand up ready to continue.
However, at that very moment, Tsubaki appeared in front of him, launching a direct thrust towards his neck.
The tip of the sword stopped right at his throat… and, in that instant, a burst of power was released directly towards Boruto, causing the water behind him to erupt violently.
—BOOOM!
Boruto stopped and lowered his gaze slightly, staring Tsubaki straight in the eyes. She looked back at him coldly.
Boruto, without saying a word, still holding the broken piece of his katana, calmly dropped it as it fell into the water. Then he raised both hands and, in a calm voice, spoke:
—You win, Tsubaki.
Tsubaki stared at him for a moment. The blue flame surrounding her sword began to slowly fade, as if her chakra were slowly being extinguished. She dropped the katana, and it fell into the water with a soft splash.
At that moment, she tried to say something and took a step forward, but her eyes closed… and her body began to slump, limp. Boruto watched her silently, and before she hit the water, he gently caught her, landing on one knee.
Just then, the cut on his chest began to steam… and began to close rapidly, healing completely.
He held her in his arms without showing any emotion, and murmured in a low voice:
—He's reached his limit… He doesn't have the body to use that much power yet.
At that moment, in Boruto's mental space, Momoshhiki, Karasugan and Galga were laughing out loud, mercilessly mocking what they had just witnessed.
Momoshhiki crossed his arms and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
—Tsk ! To think you were once my vessel… Shame on you, Boruto. You were defeated by a little girl with an honor complex. Hahaha !
Karasugan, with a malicious smile, added while pointing at him mockingly:
—So much training, and in the end, they left you looking like an idiot! Hahaha !
Galga burst out laughing:
—Did you see that final attack?! I thought they'd slice you in half along with the katana!
Then he made a theatrical face and added:
—Next time, fight with a spoon instead. At least that way they won't break it.
Karasugan just snorted with a wry smile.
—It's not just the defeat, it's that you didn't even react in time... Pathetic.
Momoshhiki spoke with annoyance.
—You beat Urashiki … and you couldn't beat a girl.
As laughter echoed in his mind's eye, Boruto remained silent, his eyes closed and his brow furrowed slightly. He then sighed in annoyance and muttered:
—I was just using the sword style… I didn't combine my combat styles either, and I held back quite a bit in terms of strength. Although it seemed like I was unleashing all my energy, I only modulated it slightly, using only a small percentage of my power. So, don't bother.
In the mental space, the three looked at each other for a brief moment… and then burst into even louder laughter.
Karasugan, due to his large size, couldn't contain himself. He collapsed to the ground while rolling around, laughing uncontrollably. Galga roared with laughter, his tail flapping in the air as if he were clapping. Momoshhiki, on the other hand, just clicked his tongue in visible annoyance, remaining silent as the other two continued to mock him mercilessly.
Boruto just sighed in annoyance and thought:
Apparently, I'm at the second level of swordsmanship—Soul Breathing. Even so, I used up all my chakra and couldn't land a decisive attack. I suppose his mastery with the katana is superior to mine.
Then he looked down at Tsubaki, whom he was still holding in his arms. He calmly scanned her entire body, until he noticed her hands covered in blood and her gloves completely torn.
Boruto contemplated his wounds for a few seconds and muttered:
"I attacked using only my sword… and I still couldn't overcome it. It was only when I kicked it that I managed to hurt it."
He shifted his gaze to Tsubaki's face, who was still unconscious, with a few scratches on her skin. Boruto smiled sideways and thought:
It's been a long time... since someone beat me. Congratulations, Tsubaki.
Carefully, he moved one of his arms and picked up her katana from the water. Then he lifted her completely into his arms, stood up, and, without another word, disappeared in a flash.
He appeared in the center of one of the stone houses. He glanced at one of the beds and walked in that direction, carefully laying Tsubaki down on the mattress.
He then took the sheath from her belt and put the katana away, leaving it beside its owner.
With a sigh, he sat down next to the bed and placed a hand on Tsubaki's chest. A green energy began to emanate from his palm, slowly covering her body. The wounds, cuts, and bruises gradually disappeared, until her body was completely healed.
Boruto stood up and looked at his clothes with annoyance.
— Tch … Damn. It's all torn… even the cape. In the future, I should make clothes that repair themselves. Keep changing them is annoying… Oh, and clean them too.
Without further ado, he removed his cape, which was torn, and then his jacket and shirt, revealing his battle-scarred torso.
With a single movement of his hand and a puff of smoke, he made a scroll appear. He spread it on the nearest table, struck one of the inscribed seals… and immediately a new set of clothes appeared.
Boruto dressed calmly, putting on each piece of clothing with precision. He then packed the damaged clothes and sealed the scroll, causing it to disappear in another puff of smoke.
Boruto looked at his new clothes and thought calmly:
The only thing holding all this together… is the gloves. But oh well…
He looked at Tsubaki and muttered:
—Let's let her rest.
He approached the table and sat down in one of the chairs. At that moment, several seals inscribed on the surface began to glow softly… and, after a brief flash, several plates of food appeared in front of him.
Boruto looked at them sideways, without much enthusiasm, but finally picked up the chopsticks and began to eat in silence.
After a while, she finished eating and leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes as a gentle breeze came through the window, lightly moving her hair and she thought:
Tsubaki's swordsmanship... far surpasses mine. It's been a while since someone of my generation surpassed me at anything. The first was Giro... and Yuki was quite intelligent for her age.
Boruto slowly opened his eyes and muttered in a low voice:
—It's been a while…
He closed his eyes again, letting the silence fill the room, as his body slowly relaxed into the chair.
The sun began to slowly set. Shadows lengthened on the walls, and as the hours passed, darkness finally enveloped the place. A cold breeze blew through the window… and it slammed shut.
Hearing the noise, Tsubaki moved her eyes slowly and opened them. She blinked a few times, letting her vision adjust to the dim light that now dominated the room. The lit torches on the walls cast warm glows, and the heat in the room was gently increasing.
He took a deep breath. Then he turned his head to the side and there he was: Boruto still sitting in the chair, his eyes closed, motionless, as if time had stood still for him.
His eyes slowly lowered to the katana leaning against the bed. Then he looked at his own body, and as he moved his hand, he noticed he was no longer in pain. The wounds had been treated.
Carefully, he sat up and sat on the edge of the bed. He stayed there for a few seconds, silent, his gaze fixed on Boruto. And he thought.
When he sleeps like that... he seems like a different person. He looks very peaceful.
He took a deep breath. Then he stood up, picked up his katana, and secured it at his waist with smooth movements.
She walked slowly toward him. When she was at his side, she reached out a hand and gently placed it on his head, brushing his hair. And she thought
It's soft…
At that moment, Boruto opened his eyes and looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
-What are you doing?
Tsubaki watched him silently for a moment. Then she withdrew her hand and replied in a calm voice:
-Nothing.
Boruto let out a small sigh. Just then, several seals on the table began to glow, and several plates of food appeared in front of them in a puff of smoke.
Tsubaki gave a small smile. She walked over to the other chair, sat down, and began to eat in silence. As she ate, a smile appeared on her face as she murmured that it was delicious. Boruto just watched her lazily. After a few minutes, he finished eating while drinking water from a glass and relaxing in the chair.
Tsubaki glanced at Boruto as he drank silently. Then he placed the glass on the table and spoke:
—So… what are you going to do now?
Boruto looked her straight in the eyes.
—I'll honor the bet. So tell me what you want to know. Although I assume Hanabi- neechan already told you something about me.
Tsubaki looked at him for a moment before answering:
—That's the story everyone knows. I want to hear it from your perspective.
Boruto rested his elbow on the table and his cheek on his fist, letting out a soft sigh.
—Why are you curious about that? It's not going to add anything to your life.
Tsubaki kept her gaze fixed on his eyes and calmly replied:
—I'm just curious. About that story… because, in the end, I feel like it's incomplete.
Boruto smiled sideways and spoke:
—Okay… I'll tell you my part of the story.
He looked into her eyes, and Tsubaki held his gaze silently. Then Boruto closed his eyes, thoughtful, and when he opened them, he looked down. His voice, soft, began to count:
—When I was quite young, my mom once took me to a park near our house. All the kids my age were running around, laughing… but I just watched. I didn't understand them. I thought they were boring… inadequate, even stupid. But among that group, two people approached me. A boy named Jiro, who was two years older than me… and Yuki, who was the same age as me. They asked me my name, and then why I looked at the others that way. I answered honestly: I thought they were boring and stupid.
Tsubaki listened attentively. Boruto took a breath and sighed a mixture of coldness and nostalgia.
—Then Jiro smiled and said it was rare to meet someone like that. Afterward, they invited me to play chess. It was my first loss… one of many. I never beat them, not even Yuki, who , despite being very shy, was incredibly good.
His voice became a little warmer.
—We became close. They were my first friends. The only ones, really. Sometimes I went to their house to play. But one day… I found them hurt.
Boruto's tone changed subtly. He spoke more slowly now, as if the words carried weight.
—Apparently, the injuries had been caused by her father. I hated Yuki… because her mother had died during childbirth. Jiro, trying to protect her, always got in the way, taking the blows for her. It made me angry… a lot. But in the end, I didn't do anything.
He paused. Tsubaki lowered her head slightly, without interrupting. Her eyes were no longer curious; they were respectful.
"I suggested we train with chakra. Finding a way to awaken my own… and I taught it to them. I showed them how to seek power… how to obtain it. Two years passed like that. I was already five, and we were still training, day after day, without rest. The same day they named the new Hokage… was also Yuki's birthday. The ceremony went off without incident, everything was peaceful. Late that night, I went out to buy gifts for them. A teddy bear for Yuki—because he loved them—and a kunai for Jiro… so he could defend himself."
Boruto narrowed his eyes. He no longer spoke calmly, but in a lower… more tense voice.
—On my way home, in an alley… I found them. They were injured again. I saw their father for the first time. I ran toward them… and with a single blow to the head, I rendered him unconscious.
Thanks to my training, I had already learned medical techniques. I tried to heal them… I did everything I could. But it was useless.
Tsubaki lightly clenched her hands on her legs, feeling the tension grow.
—They died in front of me.
A brief silence.
—Out of rage…out of anger…I tied him up and took him to a hidden place. Then I returned home. My parents arrived with the news…that Jiro and Yuki had died. I went to their funeral. I cried, but my rage didn't go away. A few days later…I went back to find their father and tortured him for hours. Until I killed him.
Boruto leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.
Tsubaki watched him silently, seriously... with a hint of pity. Then she frowned slightly, thoughtful. After a while, she looked at him again and spoke:
—Why do you blame yourself for their death? Did you do something to cause it?
Boruto lowered his head and looked her straight in the eyes. His voice came out low, emotionless:
—I didn't cause anything. Everything just... went wrong. That's all.
Tsubaki narrowed her eyes. Her voice became firm but calm.
—Knowing your personality, and the way you describe it… I can sense something. You would have helped them, even if they were opposed. But you didn't. You left them to their fate.
Boruto held her gaze for a long minute. His expression grew colder.
"They asked me not to tell anyone." Then he smiled crookedly. "But if you want to know the real reason... that's fine."
He paused. His gaze was lost for a moment, and his tone turned cold:
—The experiment got out of hand… and my curiosity got the better of me.
Tsubaki opened her eyes in surprise. Boruto continued, his voice lower.
—At first, I didn't say anything because I wanted to observe them. I was curious... their suffering. I stayed quiet and watched them go through it all. But I gave them tools: chakra, the knowledge to become stronger. I even thought about giving Jiro a kunai... so he could make a decision on his own. A final decision: like killing his own father.
Tsubaki let out a breath, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. Then she murmured:
—You… were born evil from the beginning. No… it wasn't that. You were born with a superior intellect… and a twisted mind.
Boruto just smiled as he stretched his body in the chair.
—I'm telling you this because it was part of the deal. You're the first… and the last person who'll know.
Tsubaki took a breath. She was still looking at him, but her eyes were no longer just judgmental. Now there was a mixture of fear… and determination.
—You can continue. I'll listen to everything you say. That's why I asked for this deal… when I won the bet.
Boruto let out a dry laugh.
—Hahaha… I don't know what scares you more, me… or my past self. But hey, I don't care. So listen.
He settled into the chair, placing his ankle on his knee.
—When I was that age, while I was learning to read, I immersed myself in many books. In one of them, I found something interesting: it talked about having an indestructible will. The book explained that there were two paths. One was born from the power of friendship, of bonds, of family… of love. And the other… was following someone else's will.
Tsubaki squinted, trying to understand.
Boruto looked away, as if seeing the child he had once been again.
—At that moment, all I wanted was strength. I knew that with it… I could do anything. But little by little, I began to forget that. Jiro and Yuki were showing me new paths. I thought that maybe… it was necessary for someone else to carry that will. And then… give it back to me.
Boruto took a slow breath.
—So I transferred my will to them. I did it little by little… through games, training, the moments we spent together. I shaped their thoughts… without them noticing. The plan was simple: for them to invite me onto that other path. To have two wills… The will to protect… And the will of another. But, it seems… I failed. Or not entirely.
Tsubaki lightly pressed her fingers against the fabric of his pants, silently.
Boruto looked down at his own hands. He then took off his left glove and looked at his open hand.
—When I look at my hands… I see their blood. And the image returns again and again to my head… helpless to do anything. I just watch them die… and I didn't do anything. But I know it was my fault. And I also know… that the indestructible will returned to me. That… was the price for what I caused.
He calmly put his glove back on. Then he looked up at Tsubaki.
—That's the true story. Jiro and Yuki's deaths could have been avoided. But I didn't want them to. I just watched. I experienced the pain with them. I saw their suffering. And in the end... they gave me back the will I had given them.
Tsubaki sat straight in her chair, her gaze fixed on Boruto. She then lowered her gaze for a moment, thoughtful, and finally looked him straight in the eye.
—Hearing your true story… I don't know what to say, he murmured.
He looked down again and continued:
—When I arrived in Konoha, I was curious. My master had sent me to this country, but deep down… I didn't want to be here. I felt it was unnecessary. But you showed me something interesting. And my curiosity made me accept this place. Now, my companions… they are good companions. They always smile, they are always kind. Wasabi, with her explosive personality… Namida, with her shyness. I have fun with them.
Tsubaki looked up once more, staring into Boruto's eyes.
—But seeing you, I realized there are different kinds of people in the world. You travel alone… and you do it because you impose that pain on yourself. Because you feel you did wrong… and because you know no one else is capable of keeping up with you.
Boruto raised an eyebrow in surprise. Tsubaki smiled half-smilingly.
—I, Tsubaki, forgive you. I forgive you for what you did… and for what you will do. You are seeking freedom, aren't you? Well, to find it… you must first forgive yourself. Do their bidding, Boruto Uzumaki. They… have already forgiven you.
Boruto frowned and was about to speak, but Tsubaki spoke up:
—Don't deny it, Boruto.
She stood up and slowly approached Boruto. He didn't say anything. He just stared at her, his eyes wide.
Tsubaki stopped beside him and spoke calmly:
—I have two wishes. I'll use one of them.
He extended his hand towards Boruto, closing it into a fist.
—My wish is for you to become my friend, Boruto Uzumaki.
Boruto opened his mouth slightly, unable to say anything. Then Tsubaki added:
—Will you not keep your word?
Boruto reacted. He lowered his leg and then raised his hand, closing it into a fist as well… and collided it with Tsubaki's. She smiled kindly.
—Now we are friends.
Boruto lowered his hand and stared at it, then silently stared at his own fist. Finally, he muttered:
—A friend?
He looked up and looked her straight in the eyes.
—Why are you doing this? It doesn't make sense…
Tsubaki replied in a calm voice:
—You told me your story… and I listened. I know you won't change the future, no matter what others do… or what I do. But you can keep searching for answers, even within your own chaos. And now you know that, at least once again, someone chose to look upon you without fear. Someone recognized you as human… and someone wanted to be your friend. Not the clone you passed off as, but the real you. The real Boruto, unchallenged.
Tsubaki lowered her voice slightly, with honesty in her gaze.
—I'm not the type of person who finds all the answers. But at least I know this: people don't have to be alone.
She closed her eyes for a moment. In her mind, the image of the dojo appeared: the place where she trained. Where a person, silently, shared the same path as her.
—It's nice… to be able to enjoy something with someone who feels the same way.
She opened her eyes and looked at Boruto with a warm smile. She took a step forward and declared firmly:
—I'm Tsubaki Kurogane. And now, Boruto Uzumaki… you're my friend. I hope we get along.
Boruto stared at her, his eyes wide open. At that moment, he felt a lump in his throat… and a tear fell from his right eye, sliding down his cheek until it fell silently onto his own hand.
He looked down and thought, unable to help himself:
This is…?
Another tear followed. Without realizing it, they began to flow one after another. Still, her expression didn't change. She didn't frown, she didn't make a single gesture. She just… cried.
At that moment, Tsubaki approached and gently hugged his head, pulling him towards her chest.
More tears rolled down Boruto's face, falling without resistance, while his body remained motionless... as if he didn't know what to do with that released pain.
In Boruto's mental space, Momoshhiki, Karasugan and Galga watched everything that was happening, unable to say a single word.
It was Galga who broke the silence first. Her voice sounded confused:
—I don't understand... why is Boruto crying? When I saw his memories, I didn't notice anything like that.
Karasugan sighed slightly and flapped his wings a little before answering:
—What happened… happened when Boruto was very young. Even though his mind was superior, his heart was still fragile. What you see now… is the residue of what remained from then. Once that pain leaves, his mind will become clearer. But possibly… he won't change.
Galga looked at him out of the corner of her eye, nodded silently, and then looked back ahead.
Momoshiki, meanwhile, remained seated on Galga, watching the scene without uttering a word. Without showing any emotion, he then closed his eyes.
Boruto was still hugged by Tsubaki. Tears were still streaming down his face, but his expression didn't change. He felt her warmth, constant, enveloping. He slowly closed his eyes, several thoughts running through his mind.
I feel like the thorn in my heart is no longer bothering me… the distraction in my mind is slowly disappearing…
Time passed peacefully. After a few minutes, the tears in Boruto's eyes stopped. He opened his eyes slowly, still in Tsubaki's embrace.
He opened his mouth slightly and spoke calmly:
—I'm… fine.
He slowly raised his hand and took Tsubaki's, gently removing it from his head.
Tsubaki, who still had her eyes closed, opened them upon feeling the gesture, and let go of Boruto, taking a step back. She looked at him calmly and asked:
—How do you feel? Are you free yet?
Boruto looked at her sideways and replied kindly:
"Yes, I'm fine." She looked at her own hands and added, "What reminded me of them... is disappearing. But my will... is stronger. I feel like this is my true will now... and this time it belongs to me alone."
Tsubaki watched him for a moment and smiled sideways as she thought:
It's nice to see someone rebuild themselves... but I know he won't change. All I did was help him a little, so his pain would go away.
Then she looked at Boruto's face again, noticing that his eyes were still the same... but as she looked at his body, she thought:
He's not tense anymore. He looks more relaxed… even better.
Then he spoke, smiling kindly:
—Now we are friends, Boruto.
Boruto looked at her directly, noticing that she was actually happy. He smiled sideways and replied:
—Apparently… you like this. For someone who also blames himself…
Tsubaki smiled, though a little uncomfortably. Boruto added, almost amusedly:
—But it's not that bad. I guess we're friends now, Tsubaki.
Tsubaki sighed softly and walked back to her seat. As she sat down, she spoke with a lighter air:
—And now, what are you planning to give me? You said you'd give me an item for winning.
Boruto smiled slightly and spoke:
—What do you want as an object? I'll get it for you. What do you say?
As he said this, he stretched out in his chair and put his hands in his pockets.
Tsubaki frowned slightly, thoughtfully, and replied:
—I want what you have that's most valuable. I want you to give it to me.
Boruto looked up at the ceiling, thoughtful. Then he looked down and muttered:
—I don't have anything like that, Tsubaki. You'll have to order something else.
Tsubaki looked at him with some boredom and replied:
—Really? You don't have anything valuable?
Boruto leaned his elbow on the back of the chair, rested his face on his fist and smiled:
—I don't have any of that.
Without saying a word, Tsubaki drew her katana from her waist and carefully placed it on the table.
—This is my valuable item. You should get one in the future, Boruto.
She stared at the katana for a moment in silence, then looked up at him.
Boruto raised an eyebrow, curious.
"So... what are you going to ask me?" Tsubaki asked, looking at him calmly.
Boruto looked away for a moment, thoughtful. Then he looked back at Tsubaki and said calmly:
—I'll give you two items.
He settled into the chair and, from his ninja bag, took out a three-pronged kunai, which he placed gently on the table.
Then, with a wave of his hand, a scroll appeared in a puff of smoke. Boruto unrolled it on the table, carefully examining the inscribed seals. He struck one of them with his palm, and in a cloud of smoke, a katana appeared, lying on the table.
It was a thin sword, slightly longer than normal. Its entire surface—from the hilt to the scabbard—was completely black. It didn't have a traditional handle; instead, it featured a smooth, minimalist design. Along the blade and scabbard, engravings that looked like irregular cracks ran a reddish-orange, like veins of solidified lava. These markings glowed faintly.
Boruto looked at the objects on the table and spoke calmly:
—I'll give them to you.
Tsubaki, still amazed by the katana, listened to his words in silence. First, she picked up the three-pronged kunai and carefully put it away. Then, without taking her eyes off the katana, she held it in one hand and brought it up to her face. She tried to draw it, but couldn't.
Boruto smiled, amused.
—You won't be able to open it like that.
He then performed several hand seals, and finally pointed at the katana with two fingers.
-Release.
The katana was covered in luminous seals for a few seconds. Then, one by one, they vanished as if they had never been there.
—Now… inject chakra into the katana —Boruto instructed.
Tsubaki nodded and, without hesitation, channeled her chakra to the maximum. In that instant, the katana changed completely. The crack-like markings vanished completely, and in their place appeared a new design: thin branches, shades of white and blue, extending the entire length of the katana. From those branches sprouted purple flowers, delicate but intense.
The design covered the entire katana… and suddenly, it opened by itself, revealing its edge: a smooth, dark metal, completely black.
Tsubaki whipped it out, swinging it sideways. At that moment, one of the walls of the house was cut in two with a single movement.
Tsubaki was shocked, her eyes wide open… unable to say a single word.
Boruto, seeing her like that, simply laughed sideways and commented:
—You split the house in two! Hahaha. That katana is made of some very high-grade material.
Quickly, he pulled out a three-pronged kunai and stuck it into the table, observing it.
—There's common iron. Then there's black iron, which normal kunai are made from. Then there's black steel, which is what my three-pronged kunai and most of my weapons are forged from, along with refined metal.
Then I look at the katana that Tsubaki had in her hands.
—But that katana… it's made of refined metal, mixed with an even harder material called a special alloy. Its durability is extremely high.
In Boruto's mental space, Momoshiki was resting on Galga's head, seemingly dozing peacefully. However, he opened his eyes slightly and muttered lazily.
—Mmm … so that's what they call metals on this planet… —he yawned—. —There's a much higher level of durability. It's called Eikogane , the Metal of the Eternal World… created from the matter of the stellar crust, combined with advanced chakra techniques.
Boruto, inside his mind, opened his eyes slightly, intrigued.
—A metal like that...? How does it work?
But Momoshhiki simply yawned again and, paying no attention to it, closed his eyes again, sinking back into his sleep.
Boruto sighed and left his mental space and looked at Tsubaki.
Tsubaki held the katana, still surprised, and observed its edge carefully.
"It's too sharp... and also, too light," he said sincerely.
Then, slowly, he sheathed it again. Gently, he placed it on the table and spoke, lowering his gaze slightly:
—I can't take it… it's too valuable, Boruto.
Boruto stood up, walked to the wall, and touched the cut the katana had made.
—I had that katana forged along with another one my sister has. I thought about using it in the future… but I realized katanas are n't my style.
He turned to Tsubaki and added with a calm smile:
—I'll get my own weapon, like you told me. So don't worry. Take it… it was part of the bet.
Tsubaki carefully took the katana, and in that instant, it disappeared in a curtain of smoke. She felt a slight burning sensation on her arm, and when she looked at her wrist, she noticed the same white branches with purple flowers that decorated the sword had appeared.
"What's this?" she asked in surprise.
Boruto replied calmly:
—The katana has several seals. So, well… it will be with you, on your wrist, forever.
Plus, it will strengthen according to the user's chakra. It's a powerful weapon… use it well.
Tsubaki smiled happily as she looked at her doll. Her cheeks flushed, though she didn't say anything. A few seconds passed in silence, until she looked up at Boruto. He was watching her with a calm expression and a slight smile on his lips.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, feigning annoyance.
Boruto smiled in amusement.
—You look like a little girl. Hahaha.
Tsubaki glared at him, a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment, while Boruto continued to laugh.
—Seriously… you're evil, —he muttered.
Boruto shrugged, still smiling.
—Better to be friends with the bad guy… than his enemy, right?
—It's time to return to Konoha.
As he spoke, he began to perform hand seals at high speed, without taking his eyes off her.
—Although I suppose they'll ask you what I did to you…
After finishing the seals, he extended two fingers towards Tsubaki and pointed at her naturally.
—Just tell the truth.
Tsubaki nodded decisively.
—See you, Boruto.
And in that instant, he disappeared in a flash.
Boruto watched for a moment where Tsubaki had left. Then he slowly lowered his arm and muttered softly:
—It's time to destroy this place.
At that moment, she disappeared in a flash. An instant later, she reappeared, standing on the surface of the water, near the lake's edge. Her trembling reflection was etched beneath her feet, distorted by the gentle ripples that ran through the water.
He raised his hand and pointed his palm towards the houses, while thinking:
Karma. Second form.
At that moment, beneath the glove, the Karma Marks activated, rapidly spreading up his arm to his face, forming dark black lines that pulsed with his chakra. At the same time, his right eye glowed… and the Jougan activated with intensity.
Boruto spoke coldly:
—Rasengan no Hametsu … Rasengan of Ruin.
At that instant, a sphere of red chakra with black sparkles began to form in the palm of his hand. In the center, a white core vibrated intensely.
The sphere began to grow rapidly, and immediately the pressure released by the Rasengan caused the water around it to rise violently, splashing in all directions.
Suddenly, white rays of light erupted from his Jougan, striking the water's surface like lightning, making high-pitched screeches as they hit.
The beams curved and joined the Rasengan. Upon contact, they lost their bluish hue and took on a pale white that completely enveloped the sphere, causing it to vibrate even more intensely.
The pressure was overwhelming. At that moment, the Rasengan shot forward, unleashing a shockwave that spread out in all directions, causing the water to churn violently.
The sphere disappeared… and an instant later it reappeared in the center of the lake and a path appeared through the water.
"Explode," Boruto ordered coldly.
Without saying anything else, he disappeared in a flash.
At that precise moment, the Rasengan shone brightly, and then…
BOOO ...
A deafening roar echoed throughout the area. The lake was completely destroyed, and a dome of red and white energy erupted from the point of impact, destroying everything in its path.
Nearby trees were immediately toppled, shattered by the force of the blast. White lightning bolts shot out in all directions, striking the ground and causing further explosions:
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Elsewhere, more precisely in the abandoned factory, Boruto appeared in a flash, right in front of his throne. He looked around calmly for a few seconds and then slumped back into his seat, exhausted.
The Karma marks began to slowly fade from his face, and the Jougan deactivated shortly after, returning his expression to normal.
He looked down at his hand, noticing that it was still covered in smoke. Then he murmured:
—My most powerful Rasengan… so far. Even though I just created it, it still has imperfections. It needs modifications.
He closed his hand tightly into a fist, and the remaining steam immediately dissipated. Then he looked to the side.
—Looks like they've found Tsubaki… I left her in the training area. It was only a matter of time.
Boruto smiled half-smiled and then stared straight ahead. He slowly began to close his eyes as the night light filtered through the broken windows.
The seals inscribed on the walls began to glow faintly, like faint pulses breathing in the darkness. The air inside the room changed, becoming a little warmer.
And so, with his body relaxed and his mind silent, Boruto began to fall asleep, all the while the machines behind him echoed in the air.