In the previous chapter: After being discharged from hospital, Boruto resumed his life in Konoha, albeit with a more steadfast and distant attitude. His conversation with Momoshiki revealed profound details about Karma, its phases, and the secrets of White Karma, a rare variant that grants pure power without Otsutsuki heritage. At the same time, Boruto sealed Karasuki away in a remote forest as a preventative measure against future threats.
Meanwhile, Sumire decided to continue her journey outside of Konoha, which generated mixed reactions among her friends. Meanwhile, Boruto shared key information with Naruto and Shikamaru about a secret organization called Kara, suggesting Shojoji as the clearest link to investigate. Meanwhile, Boruto and his group's plans continued to move forward, with Kirara and Kuroshi executing the second phase in the Rain Village.
Finally, Boruto began tracking a new figure: a samurai from the Land of Iron, whose way of manipulating chakra could represent a valuable new technique for his evolution.
At the moment.
Wasabi and Namida ran through the streets of Konoha, moving forward with speed and energy. What they didn't know was that, from above, Boruto was following them closely, carefully concealing his presence as he jumped from building to building, silently observing.
Suddenly, as they turned into an intersection, a figure stood in their path.
It was a person covered in a light cloak and a straw hat that hid their face. Their posture was firm and serene. Wasabi, who was coming forward, barely saw it and tried to dodge it by jumping… but just at that moment, the figure partially drew its katana.
The movement was clean, swift, barely a move… but it was enough to destabilize the air around her. Wasabi, surprised, didn't react in time. Her jump went astray, she lost her balance, and fell face first to the ground.
"Wasabi!" Namida exclaimed, helping her to her feet.
Wasabi shook herself quickly and spoke angrily:
—Hey! What's wrong with you? Who do you think you are?
The figure responded in a calm but firm voice:
—Is everyone in this village that lazy?
Wasabi frowned.
—What do you mean by that?
"I thought you could dodge me..." the figure said, with a certain mocking tone.
Without another word, he turned and nimbly leaped between the buildings, gracefully disappearing from sight.
From the top of another building, Boruto had watched everything. A smile spread across his face as he muttered to himself:
—"Lazy people?" How funny…
Wasabi and Namida stood up, a little confused, but they didn't stop. They continued on their way, jumping between the rooftops toward the training grounds where their sensei Hanabi was waiting for them.
Boruto, meanwhile, moved silently again, never taking his eyes off the straw hat figure.
So that's the samurai ...
Some time later, Wasabi and Namida reached a wooded area on the way out of the city. After walking through the trees for a few minutes, they arrived at a training ground. In the center, a small river flowed peacefully through the grounds. There, Hanabi stood with her back to the water, silently watching the water.
The two girls jumped to the ground and ran towards their teacher.
"We're here, Hanabi-sensei!" Wasabi shouted excitedly.
Hanabi turned slowly and looked at them seriously.
—They're late.
"We're sorry..." they both said in unison, bowing.
But before they could say anything else, a voice was heard in the distance:
—They are really lazy…
Wasabi and Namida quickly turned in the direction of the voice. A few feet away, on a wooden pole used for throwing shuriken, stood a figure they instantly recognized.
"It's the one from before..." Wasabi murmured, somewhat annoyed.
Hanabi smiled calmly.
—Oh, you already know her? That's good.
Then he gestured with his hand, calling her.
The figure leaped high, and in midair, he removed the purple cape and straw hat he was wearing. He landed softly beside the group, gracefully and gracefully.
She was a young woman with a steady gaze and purple eyes. Her long brown hair was tied in a high ponytail, adorned with a small floral accessory. She wore a traditional samurai uniform: a white tunic with purple details, shin-length pants, and black forearm guards. A katana was securely fastened at her waist.
Hanabi approached and proudly introduced her:
—This is Tsubaki, from the Land of Iron. From today on, she will be part of Team 15.
Wasabi and Namida exchanged surprised glances, while Tsubaki remained calm, watching them calmly.
Hanabi smiled and spoke kindly:
—These are the members of Team 15. We didn't introduce ourselves before, but I'm Hanabi, the team leader.
Tsubaki gave a slight bow, showing respect.
-Nice to meet you.
Hanabi turned her gaze to Wasabi and Namida.
—Tsubaki is from the Land of Iron. This is her first time visiting Konoha, so it would be nice if you could help her get familiar with the village.
Namida took a step forward, a little excited, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
—Are you a samurai ? That's amazing!
Wasabi, somewhat more upset, exclaimed:
—Anyone who isn't a shinobi... on our team?
Hanabi kept her smile, although her tone became a little firmer.
—Yes. It's a decision made by your superiors. And as part of Team 15, you'll have to adapt and comply with the rules of a shinobi squad.
He paused, then looked at each of them seriously, but also confidently.
—Although Tsubaki has just arrived, I want you to cultivate teamwork.
He leaned forward slightly,
—keeping her smile. Take her around the village and show her the best of Konoha. I'm counting on you.
A moment ago, from atop a tree not far from the training grounds, Boruto watched everything calmly. The wind gently stirred his cloak, revealing his hands in his pockets. His eyes were fixed on Team 15.
"This will take time," he thought calmly. "It would be best to provoke him into using his technique. I guess there's no other option... I'm quite interested this time."
He listened attentively to Hanabi's last words, and a smile spread across his face.
And in that instant, he disappeared in a Shunshin.
Meanwhile, Wasabi was frowning, annoyed by the situation, while Namida was about to accept the task of guiding Tsubaki around the village.
But then, a familiar voice was heard from the side of the field:
—If you want, I can help with the teamwork… Hanabi- neechan .
Hanabi immediately turned around, surprised to recognize the voice.
"Boruto...?" she whispered, between confusion and bewilderment.
Team 15 also turned around. Namida and Wasabi's eyes widened in surprise, and Namida even took a step back instinctively.
"Boruto, what are you doing here?" Hanabi asked, still somewhat puzzled.
Boruto responded calmly with his hands in his pockets, as if it was no big deal.
—I was passing by… and I overheard part of your conversation.
Hanabi watched him for a few seconds in silence. Then she smiled mischievously and covered her mouth as she spoke.
—That's new for you, Boruto. Are you that interested in something… or someone?
Boruto let out a lopsided smile as he began to walk slowly towards the team.
Hanabi then took a few steps forward, standing between him and the girls, her expression changing completely. Her smile faded and her face turned serious. She immediately activated her Byakugan, revealing the prominent veins around her eyes.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Boruto?" she said firmly, pointing directly at him. "Don't underestimate me."
Boruto stopped, still with that half-smile on his face. The atmosphere became dense for a moment, and Team 15 watched him, not quite sure how to react.
Boruto looked at her calmly.
—I'm just being nice. Besides… helping them isn't a bad thing, is it? Making them stronger in a single day sounds easy… I could even teach them one of my techniques.
Hanabi watched him with her Byakugan activated, her eyes marked by fine lines. Her expression oscillated between distrust and something deeper… sadness.
"I don't believe you," she replied firmly. Then, her gaze softened slightly, and she gave a small, wistful smile. "But... I wish I could, Boruto."
Boruto held her gaze seriously for a moment.
Wasabi, who had remained silent until now, thought nervously:
Is this… the real Boruto? I haven't seen him in so long, but… his presence makes my hair stand on end. My instinct is screaming for me to run.
Namida, on the other hand, just looked at him uncertainly. She couldn't tell if he felt fear or simply respect.
Tsubaki narrowed her eyes, analyzing the newcomer's every gesture.
"Who is it?" he asked in a calm but curious tone.
At that moment, Boruto and Tsubaki's eyes met. It was only for a moment, but the aura surrounding him made her grip the hilt of her katana tighter… without knowing why.
Boruto looked at everyone present and spoke clearly:
—This is the first time I'm speaking to you as myself... without a clone. Wasabi, Namida... and the newest member. My name is Boruto Uzumaki.
Then he turned his gaze towards Hanabi.
"The Hokage gave me permission to introduce you to Konoha. Also…" He waved his hand calmly. "I'll help your team out a little. Consider it an apology for what I did earlier. What do you say?"
Hanabi still hadn't deactivated her Byakugan. She scratched her head tensely, glancing at Boruto as if trying to guess his true intentions.
Boruto just gave him a kind, serene smile.
Finally, Hanabi sighed in resignation and spoke in a firm voice:
—I don't want you to hurt them. They're my girls. If I find out you hurt them, even a little… I'll be really mad at you, okay?
Then he muttered in annoyance, crossing his arms:
— Ugh … damn. I have a mission today. I have to find Bingo Book criminals…
He took out a small book, opened it, and showed pictures of some wanted subjects.
He looked at Boruto again, this time firmly.
—Take care of them for me.
Boruto nodded calmly.
—Don't worry. I won't hurt them.
Wasabi looked at him suspiciously and spoke in a tense voice:
—Don't think you're such a... liar, you're just...
But before she could say anything else, Boruto disappeared in the blink of an eye and appeared right behind her, in front of Tsubaki. With one hand, he gently pushed Wasabi's head to the side, briefly knocking her off balance.
"They really are lazy," he commented mockingly.
Tsubaki opened her eyes in surprise. She hadn't been able to anticipate the movement. She didn't even know how she'd gotten there.
Wasabi steadied herself, annoyed, while Namida turned around late, barely reacting to Boruto's words.
Hanabi also turned her head, her Byakugan still activated. Her expression grew more serious as she analyzed Boruto's movement, and she thought.
I barely saw him move... That speed is faster than I remember. And besides, his execution of the missions... Did he even...?
"Boruto... what ninja rank do you have now?" Hanabi asked with curiosity and some surprise.
Boruto glanced at her with a nonchalant air.
— Hmm … I think elite jounin. Or special.
Everyone fell silent. The surprise was evident on their faces.
Hanabi blinked a couple of times before speaking:
—He's higher in rank than me? Huh? He surpassed me!?
Wasabi and Namida were at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Boruto glanced at Tsubaki again. She tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword, feeling her instincts kick in.
I realized it too late… I'd be dead by now if it were a real fight. Who is this guy? Is he my age...?
Boruto turned completely towards Hanabi and spoke calmly:
—Don't worry, go on your mission. I'll take care of them.
Hanabi sighed in resignation, though still somewhat incredulous. She finally nodded.
—Take care, girls. Trust your training.
"Yes, sensei!" Wasabi and Namida answered in unison.
And with a Shunshin, Hanabi disappeared from the field, leaving behind a light breeze.
Boruto took a few steps forward, then turned to face Team 15. His gaze was cold and serious.
—As you've seen, I'll be with you until Hanabi- neechan returns. So I'll ask you right now... what do you want to do first? Go to Konoha or train with me here and now? It's up to you.
Tsubaki, without thinking too much, held her katana resolutely.
—I want to see how strong you are.
Wasabi looked at her with wide, comical eyes, incredulous.
—Hey, why do you make decisions on your own?!
She then turned to Boruto, visibly annoyed.
—And why are you doing this? We don't need your help!
Namida, on the other hand, just remained silent, somewhat nervous. Her gaze darted from one to the other, unsure how to intervene.
Boruto calmly observed the group, and then focused his attention on Wasabi.
"Then I'll take your words as training." He smiled rather coldly and gave a wasabi look. "And since my presence bothers you so much... why don't you come and defeat me?"
Boruto leaped back, letting the wind ruffle his cloak. His voice echoed firmly.
Wasabi smiled confidently.
—It will be a pleasure.
Namida, worried, held her arm.
—Wasabi, pull yourself together. It's Boruto. You know he's very strong... don't do it.
Wasabi took a determined step forward. She took out a scroll and firmly placed the hood over her head. Her hands moved nimbly as she activated her technique.
—Ninpo : Nekokaburi no Jutsu! —he shouted loudly.
A flash of chakra surged through his body. Immediately, feline ears made of energy formed on his head, while a chakra tail swished intensely behind him. His speed, perception, and agility instantly increased.
Facing her, Boruto didn't react. He just stared at her with a cold expression and spoke with disturbing calm:
—When someone doesn't know their limits and rushes toward the impossible, I call it stupidity. But when they already know the truth… and still choose to move forward, that's no longer bravery. It's idiocy.
Wasabi gritted his teeth in fury and ran towards him.
-Be quiet!
Boruto narrowed his eyes slightly.
—First lesson, —he murmured—: Chakra control.
In an instant, Wasabi appeared in front of him and swung out with his chakra-coated claws. But Boruto was no longer there.
He reappeared at her side, serene, without even turning around.
"Chakra control," Boruto continued without even opening his eyes, "allows you to adjust the strength of an attack. Stronger, weaker... but it also means you don't waste a single drop."
Wasabi spun around, trying to reach him again. She attacked once more, with all the speed she had, but Boruto simply tilted his body to the side, effortlessly dodging her.
—And, besides—Boruto continued—, even if your chakra is low, if you control it well… the blow is still lethal.
She screamed in rage and lunged once more, blinded by frustration.
Boruto barely lifted his foot off the ground.
—like right now—he whispered.
At that instant, a sonic wave erupted beneath his boot.
—BOOM!
The ground shattered in all directions. For Tsubaki, who was watching from a distance, everything seemed to slow down.
Amidst the floating dust and fragments, Boruto slowly raised his hand. His index finger placed itself right in front of Wasabi's forehead, not even touching it. Then, an invisible wave of pressure was released in a circular motion. The air around them exploded.
A gust of wind erupted around him, forming an invisible ring, like an invisible barrier of pressure. Wasabi's head was forcefully pushed back, and his body was thrown backward, landing on the ground.
And in an instant, everything was back to normal.
Boruto lowered his arm and looked down at the ground, staring at Wasabi. His expression remained the same: calm… unperturbed… as if nothing that happened could affect him.
Boruto turned to the other girls and spoke firmly:
—That's the lesson I'll teach you. Chakra control can make you stronger. Do you understand?
Wasabi felt stunned and glared at Boruto in anger. In a final push, she lunged at him, but Boruto grabbed her by the neck and held her still as she tried to attack him.
"Are you still doing this?" Boruto said coldly. "You're so weak… That's why I didn't like the academy. Everyone was weak, thinking they were strong, dreaming of being ninjas or some such nonsense. That's why I didn't go there. I found it annoying… because of people like you, you know?"
Wasabi just glared at him and yelled:
—You wanted to eliminate us in the forest for the genin exam! You're just a monster who harms others for your own benefit, using your strength to cause harm. If you truly understand what strength is, then tell me! Explain to me how we're supposed to understand it! Where were you when you saw us as obstacles!?
Boruto stared at her, narrowing his eyes, and spoke directly to her:
"Do you know what presence is? Everyone has it, but almost no one uses it. My father, or high-ranking ninja, rarely use it because it's dangerous to weaker people. If you fuse your presence with your chakra, you can create a very strong killing intent. Mid- to high-level jounin, even Kages, hold back… because their presence alone could make anyone faint."
Boruto took a step forward, and his voice became colder:
—But today... I will show you what happens when I unleash my full power. If you can ever endure it, then you can stand before me. Otherwise... I will kill you.
He paused briefly and, with a murderous look, added:
—Don't die.
Still holding Wasabi by the neck, Boruto threw her forcefully toward his group. Wasabi's body bounced on the ground several times before stopping right in front of her companions. Namida immediately ran toward her and grabbed her in a hug.
—Are you okay, Wasabi?
Wasabi sat down slowly and, breathing heavily, replied:
—I'm fine, Namida...
With effort, she stood up as Boruto watched them from a distance. Then, he spoke coldly:
—This... I only show it against the strongest. But today will be a demonstration. Learn.
At that instant, the new Team 15 tensed. Everything around them went silent, as if the entire forest was hiding from something. The ground beneath Boruto's feet began to crack more intensely. Nearby trees creaked, pressed down by an invisible force.
A blue and black aura began to cover Boruto. It wasn't violent, but slow, like a candle flame. His cape rose slightly, while small stones floated around him, stirred by the pressure. Everything around him began to crumble.
Tsubaki unconsciously adopted a fighting stance, gripping the hilt of her sword with both hands. Wasabi and Namida, on the other hand, couldn't even breathe. The pressure was suffocating.
Boruto took a single step forward... and the weight of his presence multiplied. The cracks in the ground expanded even further.
Far away in Konoha, Naruto sat in his office, staring out the window. Suddenly, he opened his eyes in surprise and muttered:
—Boruto... why are you releasing your chakra like that?
And then, in an instant, everything vanished.
Boruto's chakra returned to normal. Sound returned to the room, as if nothing had happened.
At that moment, the new Team 15 collapsed to the ground, exhausted, breathing heavily. Boruto took a few more steps and stood in front of them. He watched them in silence; the team could only stare at him in terror.
Then, Boruto looked away at the new member and spoke:
—Tsubaki... don't underestimate ninjas. It doesn't matter what you are. As long as you're strong, you can do anything.
Then, Boruto turned his gaze towards everyone and continued:
—This goes for you too. At the academy, they say chakra connects everyone… but I don't see it that way. It's true that everyone has it, but your chakra is yours alone. Don't share it… don't waste it. Learn to master it. To control it. To trust it more than anyone else.
He remained silent for a few seconds before adding in a firm voice:
—Finally... if you want, I can help you better control your chakra. To master it throughout your entire body. If you wish, I will. It's up to you... if you truly want more strength.
Wasabi, Namida, and Tsubaki were at a loss for words. Boruto sighed in annoyance and spoke in a dry voice:
—Now talk. Tell me what you want to do... hmm ?
Tsubaki looked up, stared at him directly, clenched her jaw, and slowly stood up, asked seriously:
—How did you… get so strong… at such a young age?
Boruto looked at her coldly and replied:
—Because I never expected anything from others.
He paused, looked thoughtfully to one side, and added in a low voice:
—But that... only works on me. If you try it, you'll only find death.
Tsubaki looked at him for a moment in silence. Then she spoke with conviction:
"When I came to this village, I thought the shinobi had nothing to teach me... but it was the opposite. You are different from everyone else. I accept your guidance... to learn to control my chakra."
Boruto looked at her for a few seconds, nodded briefly, and looked away at Wasabi and Namida.
—And you? Do you accept?
They both looked at each other, still scared, and finally nodded.
Boruto nodded again, this time with a slight sigh, and said in a more relaxed tone:
—Okay... I'll take you out for something to eat. Consider that an apology. Now, stand up.
Wasabi and Namida stood up, somewhat shakily. Boruto spoke calmly:
—Show your backs. I'll send my chakra through your bodies, expanding your chakra channels. You may feel pain, but you must circulate it as if you were using your own techniques. That way, I'll get the chakra flowing better throughout your body.
The girls turned around, somewhat nervous. Boruto positioned himself behind Tsubaki and placed his palm on her back. He closed his eyes and smiled sideways, thinking:
Everything's going according to plan. If I can get her chakra circulating, I'll be able to analyze how she moves and learn it... without using the Jougan. But if I fail now... it could kill her. Hahaha... that makes it pretty interesting. But I won't fail.
At that instant, Boruto released chakra from his hand, causing it to flow forcefully through Tsubaki's back. A stream of wind erupted around the two of them in various directions.
Tsubaki's eyes snapped open, her jaw clenching tightly as Boruto's chakra surged through her body, seemingly trying to break her chakra channels from within due to the sheer power of the flow. But she didn't relent. She channeled her own chakra, forcing it to flow as if using her sword in combat.
Inside Boruto, a voice echoed. Galaga spoke suspiciously:
—Why do you do that? Why don't you use Jougan to learn it more easily?
Then, Karasugan calmly replied:
— Because that power belongs to him… but at the same time, it doesn't. He doesn't use it in case he loses it one day. If that were to happen, he wants his body to still retain its abilities. He's looking into ways to replace certain functions of the Jougan. Even in the future... he might try to replace some of Karma's abilities with something else.
Gala nodded silently, understanding Boruto's decision.
Outside, in the real world, Boruto continued to send chakra through Tsubaki's body. His energy flowed intensely, entering and exiting her channels, slowly expanding them. Tsubaki's veins began to swell, visible beneath her skin. Small blue auras emerged from different parts of her body, and a moment later, a faint vapor began to emanate from her, slowly spreading in the wind.
Wasabi and Namida watched everything with wide eyes, amazed and motionless at what they saw.
Seconds later, Boruto withdrew his hand. In that instant, Tsubaki fell to her knees, panting, her breath ragged. Her body began to return to normal. She took a deep breath and tried to stand up… but she couldn't. Her body wasn't responding. Instead, intense pain coursed through every fiber of her being. Still, she didn't scream. She just fell sideways to the ground, exhausted.
Boruto looked at her coldly and spoke calmly:
—You shouldn't move. Your chakra channels just changed shape. It's like you're using every muscle in your body at once… to your limits.
Then he turned to Wasabi and Namida, stopping behind Wasabi. She noticed him and nervously murmured,
—Isn't there a less painful method? Hehe…
Boruto sighed in resignation.
"You complain too much, huh? Listen," he said in a more disinterested tone. "Imagine chakra is water... and chakra channels are a glass. When you use chakra, that 'water' should flow, but if the glass is too small, it spills. What I do... is make that glass bigger. I turn it into a pitcher. That way, when you use it, you won't overflow your chakra. It's simple."
Wasabi forced a small, nervous smile.
—I think… you better not do it.
Boruto ignored her. He placed his hand on her back and, without warning, sent his chakra into her body. Instantly, the same thing happened as with Tsubaki: wind erupted, Wasabi's veins flared, her chakra surged like a storm, and her body was pushed to its limits.
After a moment, Boruto withdrew his hand. Wasabi fell to the ground hard, unable to catch himself. He could barely keep his eyes open. His breathing was labored and his muscles trembled.
Boruto watched her for a few seconds, then gave a small laugh and muttered contemptuously:
—It looks like a leech… heh.
Wasabi heard it. Although his body didn't respond, his eyes moved slowly, filled with rage, but he couldn't say a word.
Without giving it any further thought, Boruto took a few steps and stopped behind Namida. She was clearly scared. She was trembling, her hands clasped against her chest, trying to gather courage, but her body spoke for her.
Without saying anything, Boruto placed his hand on her back. He immediately released his chakra without restraint. Namida let out a strangled scream, but the pain was so intense that her voice cracked before it could fully escape. Her body reacted instantly, forcing her chakra to circulate violently.
The wind stirred around him again. Intense pressure spread out in waves, and a few seconds later, Boruto withdrew his hand.
Namida fell to the ground unconscious, completely exhausted, without making a sound.
Boruto looked at the three of them, lying on the ground, and sighed.
—Pathetic… but at least they survived.
Tsubaki, still on the ground, was the only one able to speak. In a weak, broken voice, she asked:
—Tell me… will this really… help us?
Boruto watched her silently for a few seconds, then looked away with some annoyance.
—This is getting annoying… but anyway, I don't care.
He crossed his arms and continued, in a relaxed but firm tone:
—Originally, when your chakra grows, your channels grow as well… both adjust over time. What I just did was force that growth, enlarging the vase before you fill it. Now, you just have to learn to fill it completely. And when you reach a higher level, even if you're at the same stage as others… you'll have an advantage: the vase will still be bigger.
He paused, looking at the three lying on the floor.
—It was an interesting experiment.
Wasabi could barely move his lips to articulate a single word:
-Experiment…?
Boruto let out a low, sarcastic, and cruel laugh.
"I didn't know if it would work... so I tried it on you guys," he said nonchalantly, before letting out another laugh. "You know what? The probability of you dying was pretty high... hahaha."
Wasabi and Tsubaki opened their eyes in surprise, their gaze trembling slightly. Their fear was evident, though they tried to contain it.
Boruto just smiled calmly, as if nothing he said had any weight.
—But don't worry... you survived. And besides, you'll be stronger now. Like I said, I'll treat you to lunch. It's up to you whether you accept or not... hahaha.
Tsubaki and Wasabi didn't respond. They remained silent, not daring to say a word.
Noticing her reaction, Boruto stopped smiling. Without another word, he began walking slowly toward the shade of a nearby tree. He sat down calmly, leaned against the trunk, and closed his eyes, letting the silence reign. Meanwhile, the sun beat down harshly on the others' faces.
Spend some time in silence.
Finally, Tsubaki managed to stand up. Although still weak, she began to walk slowly toward the shade where Boruto was resting. Wasabi, with effort, also stood up. She helped Namida up, and together, they walked with difficulty to the same tree.
As soon as they arrived, Wasabi collapsed unconscious to the floor, completely exhausted. Tsubaki, sitting up, also lost consciousness, without uttering a word.
Only Boruto remained awake, calm, as if all of that had been just another little training session.
After several hours, Tsubaki slowly opened her eyes, looking around. Beside her, Boruto remained with his eyes closed, but he didn't seem to be asleep. He sat up carefully, took a few steps toward the clearing, and looked up at the sky: the sun was already setting.
She placed a hand on her chest, took a deep breath, and began channeling her chakra. She opened her eyes in surprise. Her chakra flowed more easily, her body felt lighter. She looked at the others, just as they slowly began to open their eyes.
Wasabi woke up and moved his head. He saw Namida leaning on his shoulder. With a slight movement, he gently pushed her away, stood up, and spoke:
—How long has it been?
Tsubaki watched her without responding, still focused on Boruto. Namida felt the movement and woke up too. She rubbed her eyes and sat up awkwardly.
Wasabi stretched out her arms and walked toward the river, where she drank water with both hands. Namida took a few steps, looking around in confusion.
"How long has it been?" he repeated.
"I don't know," Wasabi replied from the river. "But it's been several hours, that's for sure."
Tsubaki kept her eyes fixed on Boruto, who still hadn't opened his eyes. Wasabi finished drinking and turned to the others.
—My body feels lighter… and for some reason, stronger too.
Namida nodded as she checked her arms:
—Me too… it's incredible. That Boruto was able to do this…
Wasabi looked at Tsubaki's back and asked:
—Do you feel it too, Tsubaki?
Tsubaki looked at her sideways.
"Apparently, he kept his word…" He pointed at Boruto. "Who is he really?"
Wasabi was silent for a moment before answering:
—He's dangerous… and the strongest of our generation.
Tsubaki looked back at Boruto, intrigued.
—The strongest? I wonder what methods he used…
"You'd better not mess with him," Wasabi said seriously. "He's unstable… a monster. He destroyed an entire forest of Konoha with a single technique. He nearly wiped out every genin of our generation… even a Kage from a past generation."
Tsubaki opened her eyes, impressed, and then looked at her with some laziness in her voice.
—So… why did you challenge him?
Wasabi looked away, uncomfortable. Namida couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"Wasabi-chan sometimes gets carried away by her feelings," she said with a laugh.
"Hey, Namida, don't say that!" Wasabi replied, embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.
Tsubaki sighed, then turned her gaze to Boruto. She took a couple of steps until she was standing in front of him. Cautiously, she reached out to touch his shoulder.
But at that instant, Boruto opened his eyes and quickly grabbed her wrist. Tsubaki jumped. He immediately let go, and she took a step back, surprised.
Calmly, Boruto sat up and said:
—You're awake now… everything went well, then.
Inside the mental space, Momoshiki was sitting in front of a chessboard, with a bored expression.
—Do it quickly. We need to finish this game, you know.
Boruto replied in a low voice:
—I understand… we'll play later.
Momoshhiki sighed, floated up, and flew onto Galaga's back, lying on his head as he silently closed his eyes.
Outside the mental space.
Boruto watched them with disinterest and spoke in a dry voice:
—So… have you decided what to do? Are you going to follow me or go off on your own to show Konoha to your newest member?
Wasabi and Namida looked at each other. Then Wasabi stepped forward and replied firmly:
—We'll go on our own.
Tsubaki looked at Boruto silently, but ended up nodding, supporting the decision.
Boruto watched them for a few more seconds, his face emotionless. Then he spoke:
—Do what you want. It's not my problem.
And in that instant, he disappeared in a flash.
Wasabi and Namida looked at Tsubaki.
Tsubaki, staring at the spot where Boruto had disappeared, spoke seriously:
"Apparently, I was wrong to think I wouldn't learn anything in Konoha... but I have yet to see the will of the shinobi. However, I am certain that the samurai's is superior."
Wasabi, hearing that, frowned and replied with annoyance:
—You think so? If you only came to prove that, then you came to the wrong place.
Without another word, Wasabi leaped up into the trees. Namida looked at Tsubaki with a softer expression and spoke:
—I hope you find what you're looking for, Tsubaki. But I don't know if one day will be enough to find it.
From a branch, Wasabi raised his voice:
—Follow us. We'll take you to Konoha.
Tsubaki nodded silently and jumped up, joining them. The three of them began to walk through the trees toward the village.
After a while, the team walked through the streets of Konoha. No one said a word during the walk, until Namida, with a hand on her stomach, broke the silence by saying she was hungry. Without giving it much thought, they headed to Kaminari Burger . The place was empty, so they sat down without any problem.
Wasabi ordered some fries for Tsubaki, who received them with a slight nod and a "thank you."
The others began to eat quietly. After a while, they finished eating and went for a walk around the village. They visited a few sites until, eventually, they reached a hill. There, in a lonely park, they could see all of Konoha from above.
Wasabi crossed his arms and asked:
—What did you think of the place?
Tsubaki looked at the scenery for a moment before answering coldly:
"My superiors sent me to this place to learn everything... and now I know I can learn a few things from you. But even so, your will is inferior."
Wasabi frowned angrily. He stepped forward and grabbed her by the clothes, looking her straight in the eyes.
—You know nothing about us. You saw Boruto, and yet you still say our will is weak? Do you think someone like him has a weak will? You just don't want to be here, and you hide behind that excuse of will.
Tsubaki looked at her seriously.
—You're wrong. When you fought Boruto, I didn't see that will you speak of. I only saw someone who threw himself into fighting someone much stronger… and abandoned his partner. You didn't know how to handle the consequences. If Boruto had wanted to, he would have killed you. But he didn't… because, from what I could tell, to him you're just someone who isn't worth his time.
Wasabi gritted his teeth in rage. He abruptly released her, pushing her back, and turned around.
"You know nothing. You have no idea what shinobi are capable of. Our conviction is stronger than you think. It's you who doesn't want to see it."
Then he jumped and walked away.
Namida, who had watched everything nervously, ran after her. As she did so, without looking back, she said:
—I know I've said it before... but do you really think one day is enough?
He took another leap, following her through the trees.
Late at night, the lights of Konoha illuminated every street and building.
Wasabi sat atop one of the tallest buildings, silently watching people walk through the streets.
Namida came up behind her, paused for a moment, and then spoke:
—Wasabi…
— Hmm ... don't say anything, —Wasabi replied without looking at her. —I know.
Namida looked down at the village and said softly:
—We have to get along… because if things go wrong, Sumire will be sad.
Wasabi sighed deeply.
—I know. He'd blame himself, like always…
Namida sat next to her and, while watching the people with a slight smile, added:
—There are all kinds of people in the world. Today we met someone from a faraway country. It's normal that we don't understand each other right away.
Wasabi nodded slowly.
—You may be right…
Suddenly, Namida looked toward an alley across the street and pointed to someone in the shadows.
—Look… that guy…
Wasabi followed his gaze, focusing intently. Recognizing him, she opened her eyes in surprise and stood up.
—It's him! He's the one Hanabi-sensei is looking for… the one with the bingo book!
Namida was instantly alarmed.
—We need to talk to Hanabi-sensei!
She stood up quickly, ready to run, but Wasabi stopped her.
—There's no need, Namida. If we go get help… he'll escape.
He looked at her firmly.
—We have to catch him ourselves.
Namida became nervous.
—But what are we going to do? We don't have permission to fight!
Wasabi clenched his fists decisively.
—It's two against one. We'll defeat him easily.
The suspect they were watching entered an alley. Wasabi and Namida quickly followed him.
With Tsubaki, while walking through the streets of Konoha, he noticed Wasabi and Namida gliding across the rooftops, jumping in the direction of the outskirts of the village. Without giving it much thought, he decided to follow them silently.
Wasabi and Namida After a while of following the suspect, they reached a forest on the outskirts, maintaining the pursuit. Finally, the man stopped, turned around, and spoke in a firm voice:
—Get out of wherever you are.
Wasabi and Namida emerged from the trees. The man looked at them with disdain.
—I thought they were guards… but they're just shinobi girls. Hahaha.
"Don't underestimate us," Wasabi replied seriously. "We'll stop you here and now. We're more than enough."
The guy smiled. At that moment, two more guys came out of the trees, one on each side.
"Damn!" Wasabi muttered, pulling his hood up.
He quickly took out a scroll, opened it in the air and struck a seal while shouting:
— Ninpo : Nekokaburi Kai.
An orange chakra enveloped her body. Concentrated energy glowed in her hands and feet, while cat ears and a swiftly swishing tail appeared.
In an instant, he disappeared from view and appeared right in front of one of the enemies. He punched him square in the stomach, knocking him through the air and crashing into several trees. Mid- spin, Wasabi launched a second attack at the group's leader, who blocked it with his forearms, taking a few steps back.
"It wasn't bad…" the man said, surprised.
"Namida! Take care of the other one! " Wasabi shouted.
The second enemy rushed toward Namida. She drew a kunai and began a determined hand-to-hand fight.
Wasabi, for his part, charged directly at the leader. He drew a kunai, and they began to exchange blows. Wasabi's chakra claws collided forcefully with the enemy's weapon, pushing him further back with each impact, increasing his speed and aggression.
The man, noticing this, smiled slyly. He took out a small sphere and threw it to the ground. In an instant, the area was filled with a thick gray fog.
—Tsk ! —Wasabi tried to jump back to gain distance, but it was too late .
From the mist, she received a strong kick to the back that knocked her to the ground. As she stood up, a kunai was thrown directly at her. She narrowly dodged it, but the blade grazed her arm, leaving a cut.
Without time to breathe, a volley of kunai erupted from the mist. Though he tried to dodge them, he received multiple cuts and fell to his knees, panting from the effort.
Namida, who was watching everything from her position, shouted desperately:
—Wasabi!
In that moment of distraction, her opponent caught her from behind and delivered a direct punch to her head, slamming her brutally to the ground. The cloud of dust began to dissipate little by little. Wasabi remained on her knees, panting. One of the enemies grabbed Namida by the hair and dragged her along the ground, bringing her towards Wasabi. At the same time, the leader approached Wasabi and kicked her hard, sending her rolling several meters.
The leader approached Wasabi again, removed the ninja headband and said with contempt:
—This is just a decoration. They're so weak.
The man holding Namida on the ground sneered:
—Wasabi? Why don't you run away and abandon your partner? With your abilities, you wouldn't have any problems.
Without waiting for a response, he threw Namida at Wasabi, leaving her unconscious beside him.
Wasabi clenched his jaw, holding back his rage. His arms trembled, but he stood up nonetheless. He raised his fists and, in a firm voice, exclaimed:
—I am a shinobi! I will not abandon my comrades! I will fight to the end! That is… my will!
The leader sneered and threw a kunai straight at his head. But at that precise moment, a sword cut in precisely, deflecting the projectile in midair.
From the other side, Tsubaki appeared in front of Wasabi, her katana still vibrating from the impact.
Wasabi, stunned by the sight of her sword, whispered:
—Tsubaki…?
Tsubaki looked at her sideways and replied calmly:
"Your conviction is admirable. You stood your ground and protected your comrades without abandoning them. Perhaps shinobi aren't as bad as I thought…"
Wasabi didn't know what to say. She just watched her silently, still surprised.
From the back, the enemy leader let out a mocking laugh:
—Hahaha… another adorable shinobi speech.
Tsubaki said nothing. Instead, she immediately advanced on him, unleashing a series of precise slashes with her sword, while still holding the scabbard in her other hand. Each blow forced him further and further back.
The leader felt the force of each impact. Finding himself overwhelmed, he pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it to the ground. The area was completely covered in a dense fog.
Tsubaki instantly shifted her position. In the midst of the smoke, a kunai grazed her face, making a small cut on her cheek.
Without losing her cool, Tsubaki firmly ordered:
—Get down!
Without hesitation, Wasabi threw himself to the ground, covering Namida's head with his body to protect her from whatever was coming.
Tsubaki placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. Her gaze was intense, fixed on the mist. In a low but determined voice, she spoke:
— Hiken : Fuusetsugiri ... Hidden Sword, Storm Slash.
At that instant, he drew his sword in a single motion.
A shear-force tornado erupted from its position, violently expanding in all directions. Nearby trees were ripped apart, the ground was ripped up, and a thunderous roar echoed:
—BOOM!
The enemies were thrown into the air, engulfed in the destructive gale. The technique devastated everything in its path, leaving the forest silent for a few seconds… as if even nature had paused to contemplate the power of a true samurai.
Tsubaki slipped her sword back into its scabbard with a clean motion. Then, she looked down at her own hands. She remained silent for a few seconds, breathing calmly. In her mind, she thought:
"This is… different. I don't feel as weak as before… It's like my burden has been lightened. Is this what Boruto did to me?"
She looked up at Wasabi and Namida. Namida had just opened her eyes, dazed but conscious. They were both shocked; their expressions spoke volumes.
Wasabi could barely utter a word. His gaze shifted from Tsubaki to the landscape devastated by the technique. Namida, still lying down, murmured:
—Tsubaki… did you do all that?
Tsubaki didn't respond immediately. Her expression remained serene.
After a few minutes, the place was already surrounded by several shinobi. The criminals were escorted away and arrested by the support jonin. Meanwhile, Hanabi scolded Wasabi and Namida with all her might, lecturing them one after another.
"What were you thinking?! Acting without permission, taking that kind of risk!" she shouted furiously.
Wasabi and Namida could only hang their heads in shame as they apologized over and over again:
—We're sorry… Hanabi-sensei…
—It won't happen again…
A few meters away, Tsubaki sat leaning against the trunk of a felled tree, silently observing everything that was happening. Her expression was calm but thoughtful.
At that moment, someone approached her. Sumire appeared beside her and, with a gentle smile, said:
—Are you Tsubaki?
Tsubaki looked at her briefly and nodded.
Sumire continued:
—Thank you… for protecting them.
Tsubaki calmly stood up and replied:
—Are you Sumire?
"That's right," she said with a warm smile. "Could you… look after Wasabi and Namida? From Team 15… for me, please."
Tsubaki looked at her seriously for a moment, then nodded.
-I will do that.
He looked over at Team 15, who were still being scolded, and commented:
"They have a good determination... but they're somewhat reckless. I thought shinobi were lazy, lacking conviction... but I was wrong. I've realized that's not the case. Although..."
Sumire looked at her silently, waiting.
—…it seems like I still don't know a lot. I hope I can keep learning.
Sumire nodded tenderly, maintaining her smile.
—I'm sure you will.
Tsubaki watched Team 15 from a distance and commented with a slight smile:
—Yes, your teacher has long sermons...
Sumire also smiled softly upon hearing her.
Meanwhile, Wasabi and Namida remained kneeling in front of Hanabi, who had her arms crossed and a clearly annoyed expression.
"After all," Hanabi said, sighing angrily, "I didn't leave Boruto to look after them. Where is he now?"
Wasabi and Namida glanced at each other, without saying a word.
Hanabi, still upset, thought silently: I wonder what Boruto did...?
Without wasting any time, he activated his Byakugan. The veins around his eyes popped out, and his vision expanded in all directions, in several directions, and then his gaze shifted to the village. His gaze lingered on one of the buildings closest to the forest, where he made out a seated figure.
For an instant… that person's right eye glowed with a strange chakra.
Hanabi opened her eyes in surprise.
"Boruto... was here?" he whispered.
But the glow disappeared instantly.
What was that in his eye… how strange it was only for a moment it must have been my imagination…, he thought.
Hanabi deactivated her Byakugan, sighed, and looked back at Namida and Wasabi firmly.
—Then you'll tell me exactly what Boruto did, do you understand?
They both nodded immediately, still nervous.
—Okay. Stand up.
The girls obeyed instantly, still with their heads down.
At the top of the building, Boruto watched everything from a distance. Sitting with his gaze fixed on Hanabi's direction, he muttered to himself:
—That was close… But now I know what's wrong with that chakra flow. Tsk … how annoying.
From within, Karasugan's voice resounded with imposing power:
—You barely finished talking to those humans and tried to replicate the chakra flow, but you failed. Even if you did it the same way… copying it just wouldn't work. So what did you discover with the Jougan?
Boruto stood up, his cape fluttering in the wind. He spoke in a tired but firm voice.
—First of all… samurai don't move chakra like we do. Shinobi direct it to their hands, their feet, their eyes… we adapt it. They don't. They just activate it… and spread it throughout their entire body at once.
Galaga frowned in disbelief.
—All over your body? That sounds like a huge waste.
Boruto shook his head softly, not taking his eyes off the forest.
—That's exactly what intrigued me. Even if they expand it, that chakra isn't used up. It doesn't circulate like ours… it stays there, latent. As if the entire body became a container. And they only use it when strictly necessary… like when wielding their katana or moving with absolute precision.
Karasugan let out a sigh.
—So that's why you want to copy it, right? That style keeps the chakra dormant until the user summons it… Perfect for long fights. No unnecessary wear and tear.
Boruto nodded slowly.
"That's one of the reasons," he said in a more serious tone. "But what really bothers me is the way they merge with the weapon. When they channel chakra into their swords... it's not just to strengthen the edge. It's as if the sword were an extension of their body, like another nerve, as if it were breathing with them."
Karasugan tilted his head and opened his beak sarcastically.
— Apparently, you'll have to ask him to teach you how to achieve that chakra control...
Boruto closed his eyes in annoyance.
"And that's what irritates me," he murmured. "That kind of control doesn't depend on strength or talent. It depends on something else… something I don't even know if I have. That chakra doesn't move. It's not consumed. But it's not extinguished either. It's throughout their body like a still, serene sea. And when they use it… that sea becomes a flame. Not one that burns and burns out… but like an eternal candle."
He opened his eyes coldly and said:
—Apparently, this will be the price I will pay to obtain it.
Karasugan, from the mental space, flapped his wings vigorously and exclaimed:
—You're saying it doesn't take talent or restraint to learn that? So... the human named Tsubaki has no talent?
Boruto turned around and looked down on Konoha.
"His talent is with the sword, and it may be quite high," he replied calmly. "But what I mean is, to learn that style of combat, it takes more than talent... perhaps mentality, or more abstract things. Something different."
Boruto smiled slightly… and then started laughing.
—Hahaha… but that's not my style. I'll make that style my own. A superior style.
And in that instant, he disappeared in a flash.