Applause rose and fell like waves.
"I never expected Boruto to be this skilled with a sword," Chōjūrō said frankly, unable to hide his astonishment. "Kagura is being groomed as my successor."
Boruto's talent in ninjutsu was already well known, but defeating Kagura in pure swordsmanship had genuinely surprised him.
The students might not have fully understood what had just happened, but Chōjūrō did. Kagura had fought seriously—without restraint, without hesitation.
"That child used everything he had."
Boruto shook his head lightly. "Maybe I was just lucky. I could feel it when we crossed blades—his grip hesitated. There was panic. You can't hide that with a sword."
Chōjūrō sighed softly. "That's the wall he hasn't crossed yet. His background didn't help him… it shackled him instead."
"I've heard about the Fourth Mizukage's brutal era," Boruto said casually. "Karatachi… he's related, right?"
Chōjūrō frowned slightly and glanced toward Kagura, who was walking over. His expression was subdued, though he forced a polite smile.
"Thank you for the spar," Kagura said. "Your swordsmanship is… terrifying."
"If something blocks your path, cut it down," Boruto replied calmly. "A blade exists to be sharpened."
Without saying more, he turned and walked back toward his classmates, who immediately surrounded him.
"Boruto, that was insane!" Denki exclaimed.
"I didn't think you had it in you," Iwabe admitted with a grin.
"Come spar with me sometime," Metal said seriously. "Your reflexes are exactly what I'm looking for."
…
On the other side, the atmosphere was much quieter.
Chōjūrō placed a hand on Kagura's shoulder. "You heard him. As a future Seven Ninja Swordsman, what obstacle can't your blade overcome?"
"I…" Kagura hesitated.
"Even if the sword can't cut it, you still have your comrades," Chōjūrō said gently. "You're not alone."
Kagura straightened, resolve returning to his eyes.
"Next, we'll head to the lodgings," Chōjūrō announced. "After that, the beach. The sea and the wind are always romantic."
Kagura blinked. Romance… would Boruto like that?
…
High above Kirigakure, a crack split open in the tranquil sky.
From the darkness stepped a man wrapped in a gray-black cloak. Purple hair parted neatly, orange-red eyes cold and composed, the Roman numeral VII etched beneath them.
He stood atop the tallest building, surveying the village below.
His target was clear—the hospital.
Carbon condensed beneath his feet, forming a floating platform that carried him silently through the air.
At the same time, near the coast, Boruto's Pure Eye activated.
Across distance and terrain, he caught the faint distortion of space and the cloaked figure slipping into the hospital.
"So they've arrived," Boruto murmured with a faint smile. "The bait worked."
He didn't turn back.
Tonight, the sea and the wind mattered more.
…
Dusk melted into evening.
Clouds burned crimson, the horizon glowing gold-red as though treasure lay buried within it.
Students sat on seaside rocks, feet submerged, laughing as small fish nibbled at their toes. Waves lapped gently, seagulls gliding low over the water.
As darkness deepened, Kagura led the class back to the hotel.
Only Boruto and Sumire remained.
They sat close together, saying nothing.
The silence wasn't awkward—just fragile.
Nearby, Mitsuki dealt with another matter. The thug from earlier returned with reinforcements.
One punch.
They flew backward, skidding across the sand.
"Guests deserve respect," Mitsuki said calmly. "Don't mistake kindness for weakness."
Iwabe and the others watched from a distance, assuming Mitsuki was venting frustration in Boruto's absence.
No one stopped him.
…
The full moon climbed high, bright as day.
Eventually, someone had to speak.
"Boruto… do you really like quiet places?" Sumire asked softly.
Boruto paused. "Why?"
"When you're with me, you barely talk. You're like a wooden doll."
"I don't like quiet," Boruto protested. "I'd get bored."
Sumire stared at him, unconvinced.
Boruto's gaze softened, a faint light flickering in his eyes.
"Most of the time," he said gently, "I'm watching you."
"Eh—!?"
Sumire froze.
Her face flushed instantly, red spreading to her ears. She turned away, heart pounding, moonlight tracing her shy profile.
Boruto's vision pierced far beyond the sea—past dimensions, past seals, into the distant stars.
Sumire was the hub.
The key.
The bridge between worlds.
"Boruto-kun," she said after a moment, trying to sound calm, "you're really good at teasing girls."
"To be honest—"
Her shoulders trembled.
Boruto chuckled softly and patted her shoulder. "Let's go back."
"…Okay."
He added with a grin, "By the way, my eye gives me 360-degree vision."
"Ah!?" Sumire panicked instantly.
Boruto took her hand and led her away from the beach.
…
High above, Sarada watched their figures walking side by side, silent and thoughtful.
Beside her, the white-robed man clicked his tongue. "Unbelievable. I'm running missions day and night, and he's out here flirting by the sea."
Below, the waves rolled on.
Emotions surged like the tide, and their silhouettes faded into the night—
like bubbles breaking on the surface of the ocean.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San