Boruto the Akatsuki: In Search of Power

In the previous chapter: Boruto arrived at the Earth village and had a brief confrontation with the "Created". He offered them the option to join him, but none accepted. Meanwhile, the genin came to the conclusion that the Earth village was under the control of the "Created" and that Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, was captured. Split into two teams, one of them rescued Kurotsuchi, while the other informed Konoha about what was happening. This triggered a battle between the shinobi and the "Waste". For his part, Boruto faced the "Created", defeating most of them. Finally, Kirara decided to join Boruto, while the fight between the genin and kuu began.

At this moment, half of the Kage building could be seen destroyed. Kuu began to float upwards slowly, looking at those present with disdain.

"This is the end for you," he declared coldly.

Saku stood up as best he could, quickly forming several hand seals.

—Mokuton: Daisoju !

Numerous branches sprouted from his arm, spreading across the ground and ascending violently towards Kuu , destroying everything around him in an attempt to catch him. Kuu reacted quickly, clapping his hands together as he shouted:

—Jinton : Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu!

He unleashed his technique, disintegrating everything he touched around him. Saku's branches were reduced to dust, forcing him to stop the flow of chakra. Taking advantage of the moment, he jumped to the side, dodging the attack just in time.

Meanwhile, Sarada ran through the ruined remains of the building, climbing the walls with ease. Her Sharingan glowed brightly, fully activated. Kuu looked at her, and instantly fell into a genjutsu created by Sarada's eyes.

Before Kuu could react, Mitsuki appeared in front of him, enveloped in a green chakra aura. With a powerful blow, he launched Kuu out of the building, sending him flying to the back where some trees were. The impact was brutal, causing a powerful rumble that destroyed the area. Boom !

Saku, Sarada, and Mitsuki glanced at each other, synchronizing their movements before charging into the forest to continue the fight. Kurotsuchi, determined not to be left behind, followed them.

In the forest clearing, Kuu floated up from the trees and shouted angrily:

—Damn you!

Before he could react, Kurotsuchi came down from above with a powerful punch that forced him to crash into the ground, generating a deafening roar! Boom !

"You're not the only one who can use that technique," Kurotsuchi declared firmly, clasping her hands together and shouting:

—Jinton : Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu!

An energy cube appeared in front of her and quickly transformed into a huge cylinder that shot straight towards Kuu .

Kuu , still on the ground, reacted by sending out his own Jinton . The two techniques collided in a devastating clash of energies. The force of the impact was such that a white dome of energy expanded from the center, pulverizing everything around it.

Kuu jumped towards one of the trees, trying to stabilize himself, then he tried to float but some branches emerged from the branches of the tree and caught his foot. Sarada appeared in front of Kuu , hitting him with a punch directly to the face that launched him into the air again, knocking down several trees in his path. Boom!

Kuu emerged from the rubble, staggering. Mitsuki, without giving him time to recover, performed some hand seals and shouted:

—Raiton: Hebi Ikazuchi !

A lightning snake shot out from his hand and hit Kuu squarely, electrocuting him and forcing him to his knees. At that moment, Kurotsuchi appeared in front of him, charging up her rock fist and delivering a brutal blow that launched him even further away.

Sarada jumped onto a tree branch, quickly performing several hand seals and said.

—Chidori !​

With impressive speed, Sarada descended and stabbed the Chidori directly into Kuu 's body , generating a massive rumble that echoed throughout the forest . Boom !

Kuu 's body began to fill with cracks as he muttered resentfully:

—Damn them…

Kurotsuchi jumped next to Sarada, looking at the remains of Kuu , and spoke seriously:

—I apologize for what the old man did to you… You should never have existed.

Kuu 's head , reducing him to dust and letting silence take over the place.

From the Kage building, Boruto watched the scene through the game that was playing ginton . A chain of chakra extended from his body in an unknown direction. In his hand he held a damaged, flickering silver heart, which soon disappeared in a flash.

—It seems they were able to win… That was fast, —Boruto muttered calmly.

He turned around and followed the path marked by the chakra chain, arriving at a place where the light did not enter. As he stopped, he looked ahead coldly and spoke:

—Old man, you've made so many mistakes and yet the world doesn't seem willing to pay you back.

The chakra chain held Onoki by the neck, his body covered in wounds as he tried to free himself, panting with the effort. The old man glared at him and replied:

—What do you want, brat?

Boruto, with an indifferent expression, replied:

—I am annoyed by people who do not bear the weight of their mistakes… as you will do in the future.

Onoki , filled with indignation, raised his voice:

—What do you know? I've had to bear everything! I lost my grandson... Everything I did was for him.

Boruto stared at him, coldness in his eyes.

—That's why I'm tired of people like you. The Kages are a pain, always believing themselves to be righteous while protecting those who don't deserve it.

—Let me go, brat! You're Naruto's son, aren't you?

Boruto didn't hesitate. His tone remained icy.

—It's over, old man.

In an instant, Boruto landed a punch straight at Onoki 's heart , sending him crashing into the wall with such force that it cracked. The old man fell to the ground, motionless, letting his lifeless body sink into the abyss of darkness.

Onoki 's lifeless body for a moment. His expression showed no emotion as he muttered something inaudible to himself.

— The world is a stage dominated by the strong. With enough strength, there are no limits: you can shape fate to your will and make even ninja villages kneel before you. But your grandson was weak, and that was his downfall. Instead of focusing on others, he should have focused all his energy on strengthening himself.

After saying those words Boruto disappeared in a flash

Meanwhile, back at Rock Village, the debris created by the deaths of Onoki and Kuu had become completely immobile. This allowed the shinobi to quickly deal with it, consolidating their victory. Slowly, the teams began to gather at Kage Tower. It was there that they found Onoki 's corpse , lying on the ground, surrounded by the rubble.

Seeing the body, Kurotsuchi fell to her knees, unable to hold back her tears. Deep, regretful sobs took hold of her. The shinobi present bowed their heads in respect for the one who, despite his mistakes, was once a hero.

News of Onoki 's death spread quickly throughout the village, marking that day as the end of an era.

That same day, as the sun began to set and the arrival of the village of Konoha with the confirmation of Onoki 's death , the genin of Team 7 were sent back to their home.

Onoki 's funeral took place days later, drawing hundreds of people from the Rock Village. Villagers and shinobi paid tribute to the Third Tsuchikage, showing their respect and condolences. The Kages of each village were also present, offering parting words to honor his memory.

Days passed and in Konoha, a meeting was held to determine Mitsuki's fate following the recent incidents. During the interrogation, Mitsuki explained that his decision to leave with the enemies was both to uncover the truth behind the threat and to protect the village. He acknowledged that his actions were selfish, but not malicious. In the end, he was released, though not without stern warnings.

On the other hand, Saku and Sarada, who left the village without permission, faced stricter consequences. Their genin licenses and ninja bands were revoked, leaving them in an uncertain position. However, days later, Kurotsuchi visited Konoha and pleaded on behalf of the three young men, arguing that their actions helped save lives and restore peace to their village. Thanks to her intervention, Team 7 was able to regain their status as full-fledged ninja.

With everything settled, Team 7 officially returned to Konoha, finally closing their mission. Peace, at least for the moment, had been restored.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Boruto received his reward for successfully completing the mission. After handing over the report, Naruto nodded as he listened to every detail, and in the end, he spoke calmly.

—What are you planning to do now, Boruto? Are you going to continue taking missions or would you rather rest for a while?

"I'll take a break," Boruto replied calmly. "Afterwards, I'll continue with whatever missions you have for me. Although I'd like to know something..."

Naruto nodded again, his expression thoughtful.

—Sasuke has found the last Otsutsuki, so we'll send you to help him defeat it. I've noticed that you've gotten stronger. After that mission, you'll probably have to go to the Land of Rain.

Boruto stared at his father before answering seriously:

—I'll have to decline that last mission. It would be better if another ninja did it. Searching for information in that village would be difficult for me, but if someone knows the terrain better, they'll be able to cover the places needed for that research mission.

Shikamaru, who was silently watching the conversation, raised an eyebrow and looked at Boruto curiously before intervening.

—What do you mean by that, Boruto?

Boruto turned his head slightly towards him and replied with a light smile:

—To investigate an entire village, you need people, something I don't have. Besides, doing it alone would take too long, maybe a year, and we don't have that much time. It's better if someone else does it.

Shikamaru sighed, crossing his arms in resignation.

—I understand. You just don't want to do that mission. There was no need to make such a big argument.

Boruto gave a small smile and replied in a relaxed manner:

—I think it's time for me to go. I'll take three days off and then move on to the next mission.

Without waiting for an answer, Boruto turned around and began walking towards the exit. Naruto and Shikamaru watched him closely.

"Aren't you planning to use the Hiraishin to leave?" Naruto asked with mild curiosity.

Without stopping, Boruto calmly replied:

—I want to walk today. Well, see you later.

And with that last sentence, he disappeared after closing the door, leaving Naruto and Shikamaru with thoughtful looks.

Boruto walked calmly through the hallways, his gaze turning to the windows as he looked out over the village. He continued his way towards the exit, and the hustle and bustle of Konoha's streets enveloped him as he stepped onto the busy avenues. Without stopping, he glanced at each place as he walked, until he reached the center, where a large screen was broadcasting the local news.

Noticing Team 7 in front of the screen, Boruto closed his eyes briefly and resumed walking. Sarada, sensing his presence, turned her head towards him, watching him walk away.

—Boruto? —he thought, curiously. He looked at his companions before excusing himself: —I have something to do, I'll see you later.

Saku and Mitsuki nodded, and Sarada hurried after Boruto.

He continued walking calmly through the streets, as if the hustle and bustle around him did not exist. Suddenly, he spoke without looking back:

—What do you want, Sarada?

Sarada, somewhat surprised by her intuition, scratched the back of her neck and replied with a light smile:

—I saw you around here and wondered what you were doing.

Without stopping, Boruto glanced at her.

—I'm just taking a stroll, that's all.

She moved closer, trying to keep up.

"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked cheerfully.

"Do whatever you want," Boruto replied indifferently.

Sarada nodded and walked beside him.

—Tell me, Boruto, what kind of missions do you do? —he asked curiously.

Boruto didn't respond, and Sarada, frustrated, looked at him with a twitch of her eyebrow.

—Hey! I'm talking to you!

"I just said do what you want, not that I would answer," Boruto replied with a slight smile.

Sarada pouted.

—You are incredibly annoying!

Boruto laughed lightly.

—Okay, I'll make conversation. What did you want to ask?

Sarada, regaining her spirits, smiled.

—I want to know what your next mission is. After all, you're not a genin; you're an elite jonin.

—The next mission will be to help your father finish off the last Otsutsuki.

Sarada's eyes widened in surprise.

—You're going to support my father? That's incredible. If I were in your position, I'd be closer to being Hokage.

Boruto looked at her with a slight smile before answering:

—Why do you want to be Hokage, Sarada?

She stared at him, as if the answer was obvious.

—To the Seventh. He inspires people and does everything he can to protect them. It's amazing, don't you think?

"You seem to hold him in high regard," Boruto said in a neutral tone. "But if my goal was to be Hokage, I wouldn't try to be like the previous one, but superior to everyone. That no one could reach me."

Sarada looked at him curiously.

—So why don't you try to be Hokage?

"I'm not interested." Boruto kept his gaze forward as his tone grew colder. "I don't want to protect people, or win their approval. I don't need them."

Sarada, somewhat uncomfortable, glanced at him before speaking:

—What you said makes being Hokage sound... bad.

Boruto, in an indifferent tone, replied:

—Only a few have been true Hokages. My father is not, at least not to me. He is a savior, a hero, but not a Hokage. He seeks the approval of others, their affection, their acceptance.

Sarada looked at him seriously.

—I see... So that's what you think. But then, what is a Hokage to you?

Boruto stopped, turning his gaze to the faces of the Hokages carved into the rock.

—The First, Second, and Sixth Hokage. They're the only ones who are truly worth it.

Sarada looked at the statues, confused.

-What do you mean?

Boruto resumed his walk, and Sarada followed him as he explained:

—Why do you think the village was created? It was to stop the wars between clans. The First Hokage did it because he wanted true peace, not because he was looking for approval or affection. When he died, the wars returned. The Second Hokage rose to power thanks to his intelligence and leadership ability, he never sought recognition, he only wanted to continue his brother's legacy, although he failed. And the Sixth... Well, he took the position because no one else could do it and because there was a promise to keep.

Sarada remained silent for a few moments before answering:

—But the Seventh... Since he was little, he wanted to be Hokage.

Boruto, with a slight bitter smile, replied:

—Not because he really wanted to, but because he needed the approval of others. He was isolated as a child, and he thought that being Hokage would no longer make him alone. And he was right. But his motivation was not his will, but a trauma from the past.

Sarada clenched her fists in indignation.

—You're lying! Even if it was for that reason, the Seventh protects us as if we were all his family.

Boruto let out a light smile.

—Of course, because for him they were always his family. Now he is the leader of that family.

He stopped and looked towards a nearby alley. Sarada also looked in that direction and saw a mother pushing her son away, as if rejecting him.

Boruto spoke coldly:

—The village is that mother, and my father is the child. Even if the child gets angry, screams or kicks, in the end he will still be the son, and the mother, the mother. Nothing changes. In time, the child will end up taking care of his family. You call it the "ninja way."

Sarada looked at the boy and then back at Boruto.

—It's... a little sad that that happened to him.

Boruto, in a neutral tone, replied:

—Was it sad or did someone design it that way? Who knows. But it's over now, and it can't be changed. Sarada, if your dream is to be Hokage, let it be because you want it, not because you need someone's approval. Follow your own path.

Sarada looked at him determinedly and nodded.

Boruto continued walking until he reached a store. Inside, he walked through the aisles while Sarada followed him. Suddenly, he picked up a stuffed animal, paid for it, and left the place.

"Is this for your sister?" Sarada asked, seeing the stuffed animal.

Boruto, without stopping, calmly replied:

—No. It's a gift for someone else.

After that, the two of them remained silent and walked for a while, arriving at the Konoha cemetery. Boruto entered, followed by Sarada, and walked up to some graves. One read "Jiro Takahashi", and the other read "Yuki Takahashi".

Boruto placed the stuffed animal on Yuki's grave and then pulled out a kunai, which he placed on Jiro's grave. Sarada watched him silently as Boruto bowed and said:

—It's been a year since I came to see you. I apologize for what I did in the past. You don't need to forgive me; after all, that was the way. In the future, I don't know if I can come, but I promise I'll come back, even if it's just once.

He bowed again and began to walk out of the place.

Sarada silently picked some flowers from the surrounding area, placed them on the graves, clasped her hands in respect, and bowed as well before following Boruto. He just glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as they both left the cemetery.

As they left, Sarada spoke:

—I see you're quite a humanitarian. They were your friends from the past, right?

Boruto, without looking at her, replied:

—Do you really think I'm a humanitarian? —He smiled half-smiled. —I wonder how long you'll believe that. But yes, they were my comrades who knew who I was.

Sarada, a little annoyed, replied:

—Always so mysterious. Who are you trying to impress? A girl?

Boruto sighed.

—Why do you ask that? Did you...?

Sarada gave him a dirty look.

—Don't think so much of yourself, Boruto.

Boruto laughed .

—Hahaha, I think it's time for me to go. I have things to do.

He turned around, heading in another direction.

—See you later, Sarada. Get stronger; it will be more fun when I beat you in the future.

Sarada smiled determinedly.

—Wait and see who defeats whom.

With that, he continued on his way in another direction.

Boruto continued walking calmly until suddenly, a flash appeared in front of him, revealing a scroll floating in the air. He took it with his hand, opened it, and after reading it, muttered to himself:

—Everything is ready.

In an instant, Boruto disappeared in a flash.

Elsewhere, inside a room filled with advanced machines and several incubators filled with a strange liquid, one of which showed something slowly forming inside. In front of a group of computers, Kuroshhi sat, working diligently, with Moku on his shoulder, giving him directions in his high-pitched voice.

Suddenly, Boruto appeared behind Kuroshhi in a flash.

Kuroshhi sensed his presence immediately, turned around quickly, and bowing slightly, said respectfully:

—Welcome, Boruto-sama.

Moku also bowed his small body, making a slight sound of respect.

Boruto looked at the place carefully and said:

—I see you got everything set up. Not bad. Tell me, where exactly are we, Kuroshhi?

Kuroshhi replied accurately:

—We are in some mountains underground. I sealed the entrance, so the only way to access this place is with a space-time jutsu.

Boruto smiled, placing his hand on Kuroshhi's shoulder.

—Not bad. You did well.

Kuroshhi bowed his head in gratitude.

—Thank you, Boruto-sama. But what do you need? I received the scroll with the information, and I did my best. I'm not sure if you'll be up to the task.

Boruto replied calmly:

—Don't worry. I'll take care of the rest.

He removed his cloak and, after stretching his body, laid it on a nearby table. Then, he walked over to a stretcher, took out a scroll, opened it, and tapped the seal on its surface. In a puff of smoke, Kirara appeared, lying unconscious.

Moku, intrigued, spoke:

—Master, who is she? And why was she sealed?

Boruto replied without flinching:

—This is Kirara. She will be your new partner. Her ability is interesting and will be very useful for my plans.

Without wasting any time, Boruto continued:

—Take her and put her in an incubator. We will improve her body until she becomes a perfect human.

Kuroshhi nodded obediently, carefully lifting Kirara and placing her in one of the incubators, removing her clothes without removing the bandages on her body. The liquid began to cover her completely while Boruto opened his hand, causing a silver heart with signs of damage to appear in a flash.

"Put this in another incubator," Boruto ordered, handing the heart to Kuroshhi. "We will make this heart the most powerful one."

Kuroshhi complied, placing the heart into another incubator.

Boruto sat in front of the computers, meticulously reviewing the results of both processes. He adjusted and modified each parameter with precision while Kuroshhi assisted him, carrying out each instruction to the letter without question.

After several hours of uninterrupted work, Boruto leaned back in his chair for a moment and then firmly gave an order:

—Kuroshhi, connect the heart to all the power and recovery machines. With the adjustments we just implemented, it should work perfectly.

Kuroshhi nodded quickly and began preparing the connections.

Boruto stood up and walked over to Kirara's incubator. He looked at the bubbling liquid surrounding her body and said:

—Also, it's time to put the seals in place. They will help us stabilize the whole process and ensure that it works properly.

Moku, from Kuroshhi's shoulder, slightly bowed his small body and spoke:

—How long will that take, master?

"At least two days. It's delicate work, but necessary," Boruto replied, as he turned to a nearby table, where he had already prepared a series of tools and scrolls.

"Also, I want to try something," Boruto said, looking back at Kirara's incubator. "I want to infuse natural chakra into her body."

Kuroshhi opened his eyes in surprise, his expression reflecting concern.

—But, master, natural chakra is difficult to handle. It could be harmful to your body and even destroy it completely. Also... what kind of natural chakra do you plan to use?

Boruto kept his gaze fixed on Kirara as he calmly replied:

—It will be an experiment. It won't be the chakra of snakes or toads, like the known sage modes. It will be something different: a pure natural chakra, adapted specifically to her. A new sage mode.

Kuroshhi still unsure.

—But, master, the only one who managed to develop a unique sage mode was Hashirama Senju, with his tree sage mode.

Boruto turned to face him, his eyes shining with amusement and coldness.

—I know, but this won't be a simple imitation. To control natural chakra, you need perfect chakra mastery, and that's what we'll achieve here. We'll do something similar to what Orochimaru tried with Mitsuki, but this time without giving the natural chakra specific properties. If the experiment works, the result will be a totally new sage mode. If not, the chakra will consume her and she'll die. That's why there's no room for error, we must work with absolute precision.

Kuroshhi swallowed and nodded.

—I understand, master.

Boruto walked towards the silver heart incubator, examining it for a moment before turning to Kuroshhi and Moku.

—I want you, Kuroshhi, to be in charge of monitoring everything from the computers. Moku, you will assist Kuroshhi in the configurations. This job will take time, but it must be done correctly.

Moku, from Kuroshhi's shoulder, nodded vigorously.

Boruto made a sign with his hands, and in a puff of smoke, several clones appeared in the room.

"Split into two teams," Boruto ordered. "One group will work on the seals needed for the heart, and the other will take care of the seals on Kirara."

Wasting no time, the clones moved towards their assignments, each beginning to draw complex seals with precision. Meanwhile, Kuroshhi and Moku focused on fine-tuning the machines, making sure every parameter was aligned with Boruto's instructions.

The lab remained in a constant hum of activity. The glow of the seals briefly illuminated the place, while the heart inside the incubator began to beat slowly.

After several hours of uninterrupted work, Boruto observed the results carefully and gave a new order.

—Gather around. The heart is ready. All that remains is to reinforce it with final seals and channel a small portion of natural chakra. Everything starts from here.

The clones quickly positioned themselves around the incubator, forming a barrier of seals in the air. The lines written on the crystal began to glow, merging with the heart. It beat irregularly at first, but with each seal that was integrated, its rhythm became stronger and more stable.

After several hours of effort, the last of the seals was integrated into the heart, which was now beating intensely. Boruto lowered his arms and exhaled deeply.

—It seems to have worked. Now comes the hard part: implanting it in Kirara and turning her body into something more resilient, more human.

He walked over to the controls and pressed a series of buttons. The fluid in the heart incubator was drained, leaving the organ exposed. Boruto opened the capsule, carefully disconnected the wires, and took the heart in his hands.

At his signal, the fluid in Kirara's incubator was also drained. Kuroshhi, using a surgical knife, precisely cut open Kirara's chest while Boruto kept his gaze fixed on the process. With calculated movements, he placed the heart back into place.

A green chakra emerged from Boruto's hand, sealing the wound with a seal that glowed brightly before disappearing. The liquid refilled the incubator, and the computers began to beep as they registered the first signs of adaptation between Kirara's body and heart.

"Now, we'll wait," Boruto said as he watched the indicators stabilize. "She must fully adapt to the heart before moving on to the next phase. We'll transform her into something more than human, with real blood instead of that liquid running through her veins."

With a sigh, Boruto walked over to a nearby stretcher and lay down, clearly exhausted.

—Kuroshhi, do the same. We've made a lot of progress, but there's still work to be done.

"Understood, Boruto-sama," Kuroshhi replied before following suit and lying down on another stretcher.

The laboratory fell into a momentary silence, broken only by the soft hum of the machines at work.

Hours passed until Boruto snapped his eyes open, his expression changing to a mix of concentration and determination. He stood up from the stretcher, walked over to the computers, and after reviewing the results, spoke firmly:

—Kuroshhi, wake up. The process is complete. It's time for the next phase.

Kuroshhi opened his eyes quickly, standing up as he nodded.

"What shall we do, Master?" he asked, ready to receive instructions.

"His body must evolve from an earth creation into a human being," Boruto explained calmly. "To achieve this, we will reactivate his cells to the maximum while injecting natural chakra. This will force his evolution. You and Moku will observe every detail of the process; in the future, you may have to perform it yourself."

"Understood, Boruto-sama," Kuroshhi replied respectfully, as he took position next to the machines, ready to supervise.

Boruto approached the incubator, his gaze fixed on Kirara. Suddenly, his right eye began to change. The Jougan activated, and the air in the laboratory changed.

—Karma: Second phase—Boruto announced with a firm tone.

Black marks began to spread from his hand to his black face, reflecting off the glass of the incubator. He looked at his own reflection and thought briefly: This is my limit, for now.

Wasting no time, he performed a hand sign, materializing a large scroll in a puff of smoke. He opened it on the ground, revealing multiple inscribed techniques. Boruto focused on one in particular. He then stood up and looked towards the incubator, there were seals rolling all over the glass.

boruto began to perform hand signs. The seals lit up and entered Kirara's body, glowing brightly as they did so.

Boruto extended his arm with two fingers pointing forward at that moment a wave of energy was released that caused an air to move through the laboratory.

Smiling confidently, Boruto focused his Jougan, allowing him to visualize Kirara's chakra channels. He moved his hand, redirecting Kirara's new natural chakra to her heart.

Kuroshhi and Moku watched intently, their Sharingan active, impressed by the level of control Boruto was displaying.

However, Boruto began to sweat, gritting his teeth as Kirara's chakra became unstable. His body showed cracks, and the flow of energy became chaotic.

"Damn…" Boruto muttered, struggling to maintain control, and thought, "This chakra is too powerful. It's like it refuses to be controlled."

At that instant, a familiar voice resonated in his mind.

"Human... use the Jougan domain," Momoshhiki said calmly.

Boruto smiled with determination, activating his Jougan to the maximum. The cracks on Kirara's body began to close as her form changed drastically.

With renewed precision, Boruto guided the natural chakra through Kirara's body, stabilizing it and concentrating it in his heart. The process of evolution had begun, and Kirara was no longer just dirt.

Boruto sighed and lowered his arm, relaxing his posture.

Kuroshhi approached and spoke respectfully:

—Boruto-sama, everything is ready.

Boruto nodded, keeping his gaze fixed on Kirara.

—I'll continue to observe the chakra channels, but for now, his body is filling with natural chakra. You can see it, right, Kuroshhi?

Kuroshhi looked closely and nodded.

—Yes, I can see it. It's a bit strange, but it's certainly powerful... and very dominant.

Moku intervened from Kuroshhi's shoulder:

—You used those seals to draw a path for the natural chakra.

Boruto crouched down, closed the scroll with a firm gesture, and put it away with a simple hand seal. As he stood up, the Karma began to retreat into his hand, leaving only his activated Jougan.

"Those seals are designed to control natural chakra," he explained calmly.

Moku tilted his head in understanding.

—Understood, master. Then, all that remains is to wait until the process is complete.

Boruto nodded.

—When you wake up, it will mean that your new body will be ready. The natural chakra will have passed through your chakra channels and will be stored in your heart. Only then will the normal chakra be able to integrate. That will be the indication that the process has been successful.

Kuroshhi and Moku nodded firmly, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.

Boruto took a chair, placed it in front of the incubator, and sat down. He crossed his arms and placed his ankle on his knee, as his Jougan deactivated and he closed his eyes to rest. Kuroshhi, standing beside him, also closed his eyes, and time began to slowly pass.

Two full days had passed since Boruto started the process. After six more hours, Boruto opened his eyes. Looking into the incubator, he noticed that the liquid inside had turned into a whitish color, making it impossible to see what was inside.

Boruto felt the chakra emanating from the incubator and thought:

This chakra is strange... but it is strong, as if it is trying to oppress everything.

A smile appeared on his face as he muttered:

—Hahaha... interesting.

Kuroshhi opened his eyes upon hearing Boruto's words, while Moku, who was resting on his shoulder and drooling lightly, woke up with a start.

At that moment, the incubator made a mechanical sound and expelled all the liquid inside. Everyone turned their attention to it, and the lid opened, letting out a thick steam. Slowly, a figure emerged.

Kirara emerged fully, her hair a little longer and her height slightly increased. She brought her hands to her mouth, feeling an initial difficulty in breathing. Instinctively, she broke the bandages covering her, breathing deeply. She felt the air fill her lungs, the saliva in her mouth and the rhythmic sound of a heart beating in her chest.

Boruto stood up and spoke:

—Kirara, it seems that everything has gone successfully.

Kirara looked at her body, still adjusting to the new sensations, and then looked at Boruto.

"Why does my body feel strange? It's like I've changed," he asked in a tone full of uncertainty.

—Your body has changed. You are now human, or perhaps something more than that —Boruto answered calmly.

Kirara took a few wobbly steps before falling to her knees on the ground. Tears began to well up in her eyes, but they weren't from sadness, but from pure happiness.

Boruto looked at Kuroshhi and ordered:

—Help her. Give her clothes and make her take off those bandages.

Kuroshhi nodded, walked over to Kirara and carefully lifted her up, carrying her to a chair.

Boruto took another chair, sat in front of her and said firmly:

—You should calm down.

Kirara continued to look at her body as tears flowed endlessly.

Boruto sighed. At that moment, Kuroshhi left a set of clothes beside Kirara, and Boruto stood up.

—Get changed. We'll talk when you've calmed down. Kuroshhi, take care of her. I'll be waiting outside the cave. I can sense my Hiraishin mark, so I'll check the surroundings —Boruto said as he walked to the table to pick up his cloak and put it on.

With a flash, he disappeared from the spot, leaving Kirara and Kuroshhi in the lab.

After a few minutes, Kirara stopped crying and looked at Kuroshhi. He was staring at her emotionlessly, his gaze fixed on her.

"You... are a creation like me," Kirara asked curiously.

Kuroshhi calmly replied:

— Hmm , it's difficult to answer, but more or less I am.

Kirara nodded, she was about to continue, but Kuroshhi interrupted her:

—You should put some clothes on and take off those bandages. You won't need them anymore. Boruto-sama will talk to you later.

Kirara nodded again and began to undo the bandages as Kuroshhi closed his eyes.

Moku, who was on Kuroshhi's shoulder, jumped to the ground, landing gracefully on his feet.

—Master said you'll be the new partner. Is that true? —she asked with amusement in her voice and a cheerful smile.

Kirara, having finished removing her bandages, looked in the direction of the small creature and spoke:

—What are you?

Moku proudly replied:

—My name is Moku, and I am the most interesting being in this room.

Hearing those words, Kirara smiled as she began to get dressed.

"I see... you look like the waste that was our subordinates," Kirara said, her tone a mix of curiosity and mockery.

Moku paused to think about it for a moment before replying:

—But I'm not a waste! I'm Moku, the best companion.

Kirara finished putting on her clothes, smiled slightly and said:

—I see. I hope so. You're a bit of a sweetheart.

Kuroshhi opened his eyes, looking at Kirara, and spoke:

—Since you're done, I'll call Boruto-sama.

Kuroshi pulled out a three-pronged kunai and injected chakra into it. The inscriptions of the Hiraishin's mark began to glow, and in a flash, Boruto appeared in the laboratory.

Boruto looked around the place and then looked at Kirara.

—I see your clothes don't fit you well... hmm , you were taller before —he commented neutrally.

Boruto took out a scroll, opened it, struck a seal on it, and materialized a shirt and pants which he handed to Kirara.

—Put this on. When Kuroshhi gets you out of this place, go to some town and buy some clothes that fit you better —Boruto ordered.

Kirara nodded, took the clothes and started putting them on. Boruto, meanwhile, turned around and sat down in a chair in front of the computer. He looked at the results on the screen and spoke:

—Kuroshhi, tell me how the second phase is going.

Kuroshhi looked at him seriously before answering:

—The second phase is a bit complicated. There are too many of them, and I don't have enough skills.

Kuroshhi knelt down, showing respect, and added:

—But I will do everything I can to make it happen.

Boruto calmly replied:

—Don't worry, Kuroshhi. She will help you complete it faster.

Kirara, having finished dressing in the clothes Boruto gave her, spoke:

—I'm already with the clothes.

Boruto turned his head towards her and commented:

—My clothes look good on you. Wear them in the meantime.

Kirara nodded before speaking with a serious expression:

—Tell me, Boruto, what do you want from me? You told me it was a whim, but I don't think so. I can feel it, you are very strong. I don't know what you did to my body, but I feel that even with this power I couldn't defeat you. What are you planning?

Boruto replied coldly:

—Many people asked me the same thing, but I only want one thing: power. At first, when my clone said all that, it was for everyone. But after receiving the information, I realized something. Your ability is the most interesting of all your companions, but your weakness was melee. So I eliminated that weakness.

Kirara frowned slightly, her eyes shining brightly, and spoke:

—I see. So I would still be under your command if I said no.

Boruto replied bluntly:

—You wouldn't be under my command. You would have died, and I would have created another you with your abilities. But that would take time, so it was best to recruit you.

Kirara lowered her head in thought before saying:

—So, right now, I'll have to work for you. Apparently, this is the fate of those of us who are empty.

Boruto looked at her seriously before answering:

—Do you really think that way? I don't see it that way. You think you are empty because you are not human, but you are wrong. We humans are the ones who are empty. We are never satisfied, it is never enough. Instead, you have a clear purpose.

Kirara looked at him with a mix of excitement and confusion before speaking:

—I don't know. You gave me this body, and I feel happy to have it. But it's strange, I don't understand it. I wonder if this is what made humans special. I always pursued them, collecting their things, adopting their tastes. I even came to feel that some things were beautiful.

Boruto replied, his tone cold but thoughtful:

—I see. Right now you feel new things and you don't know what they are. I understand. As my clone said before, travel the world fulfilling my mission. While you do so, observe everything, learn, and fill that void you say you have. When you have an answer, tell me. If you decide to leave, I won't stop you. What do you say?

Kirara looked at him seriously and replied:

—I understand. After all, a deal is a deal. You gave me this body, now it's time for me to do my part. Tell me, what do you want and what's next?

Boruto watched her before answering firmly:

—The old man's wish was for peace. Mine is neither unrealistic nor stupid. I only wish for power, that's all.

Kirara frowned slightly and asked:

—Why do you say that my creator's wish was foolish?

Boruto spoke coldly:

—Peace is impossible to achieve. No matter how hard you try, discord will always exist. Besides, your creator is dead.

Kirara opened her eyes in astonishment and exclaimed:

—What do you mean, he died?

—It seems that the creator named Kuu betrayed the old man and he died —Boruto explained—. Also, your former companions are also dead.

Kirara looked down in thought and commented:

—I see... Well, I didn't expect them to live, but Mr. Kuu 's thing has me surprised.

Boruto spoke in a firm tone:

—About the mission you will have to do… Kuroshhi will be your partner along with Moku. Also, you will train with them.

Kirara frowned and replied in surprise:

—Wait… train with them? But why?

Boruto looked at her seriously before answering:

—There are some things that sometimes bother me, and one of them is when people think they are great when they are not. You must become stronger than you are now, because in this world only power matters. If you have power, everything you want will come true.

Kuroshhi approached Kirara, extending his hand towards her, and spoke calmly:

—My name is Kuroshhi. I hope we get along.

Kirara looked at Kuroshhi's hand before shaking it firmly, replying:

—I hope so too, Kuroshhi. And the little one is Moku, right?

Moku, from the ground, responded enthusiastically:

—Yes, I'm Moku! I hope we get along.

Kirara gently lifted him off the ground and spoke with a smile:

—I like you, you're cute.

Boruto slowly stood up.

"It's time to move," he said calmly.

Before he could say anything else, he released all of his chakra, unleashing an overwhelming energy that filled the air. His Karma and Jougan shone brightly, causing the air to become thick.

Kuroshhi and Kirara stood still, paralyzed by the immense pressure. The ground and walls began to tremble, and cracks in space materialized, tearing through the air as if reality itself were being torn apart.

With a slow turn, Boruto faced a specific direction, moving towards the center of the room.

"I see you're back," he said, his voice heavy with authority.

Kuroshi and Kirara followed Boruto's gaze, but they failed to see anything. However, when Boruto raised his hand and firmly clenched his fist, the cracks in space slammed shut, emitting a deafening sound. From the center of the room, new lines of cracks emerged, spreading like living roots throughout the room. Finally, a shapeless shadow emerged, sitting on what appeared to be a nebulous throne.

Surprise was reflected on Kuroshhi and Kirara's faces.

Kuroshhi reacted immediately, tearing off the bandages on his right arm, revealing the eyes embedded in his skin. The Mangekyo Sharingan on his arm glowed brightly, moving erratically, as if sensing the presence of something ominous.

Meanwhile, Moku jumped from Kirara's arms to her shoulder, also activating his own Mangekyo Sharingan , cautiously studying the newly appeared figure.

The shadow slowly turned its "head", observing everything around it.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Boruto demanded coldly.

The shapeless figure seemed to move something resembling lips, but made no sound. Boruto narrowed his eyes, trying to decipher the gesture.

"I see…" he murmured, with a mixture of distrust and analysis.

Kirara, somewhat bewildered, whispered to Kuroshhi:

—Did you understand what that thing said?

Kuroshhi paused for a moment to think and replied:

—He said he doesn't want to fight.

Boruto closed his eyes briefly and, within his mental space, he addressed his internal interlocutors:

—Momoshhiki, Karasugan, any idea what this is?

Momoshiki spoke seriously:

—I'm not sure what it is, but it could be something that doesn't make sense to exist in this world.

"What are you implying?" Boruto asked seriously.

—Forget it, it's not what I think... it must be something else —Momoshhiki replied.

Boruto sighed and looked at Karasugan, but he shook his head, offering no answers.

Coming back to reality, Boruto opened his eyes and turned to the shadow:

—What do you want? Why did you come here?

The shadow moved his lips again without making a sound and then smiled with amusement.

Kuroshhi and Moku, able to read the mouth movements, flinched, clearly surprised. Boruto frowned, his expression irritated.

"I don't know who you are, but since you're here, then stay," Boruto said, raising his chakra even further.

The place began to shake, and the cracks in space spread even further, as if responding to his energy. With determination, Boruto reached out his hand towards the figure, attempting to touch it. However, his hand passed through it, as if it didn't exist.

"Damn it!" Boruto growled angrily.

The shadow, though still completely silent, seemed to be laughing mockingly. It moved its lips once more, before fading away completely.

Boruto took a deep breath, ceasing to release chakra. The cracks instantly disappeared, and the atmosphere returned to calm. Finally, Boruto deactivated his Jougan, though his expression remained hardened.

Kuroshhi spoke seriously:

—Boruto-sama, that thing was...

Boruto looked at him, sighing deeply before answering:

—I don't know what it was, but his words bothered me. Anyway, it's time to get out of here. Kuroshhi, you know what to do. Moku, take them away.

Moku, with his Sharingan activated, created a spinning vortex that absorbed Kirara and Kuroshhi, completely disappearing from the place.

Boruto stood for a moment longer, staring at the empty space where the shadow had been. Then, with a flash, it too was gone.

In Amegakure, the endless rain fell with its melancholic rhythm. From a spinning vortex on the top floor of a building, Moku, Kirara, and Kuroshhi appeared.

Kirara looked around in surprise. One of the walls was missing, revealing the city covered in mist and rain. The grey light of the storm dimly illuminated the place.

"Where are we?" she asked, curious.

Kuroshhi calmly replied:

—We are in Amegakure. This place will be the starting point of the mission. Later, we will move to other villages when the third phase begins.

Kirara walked to the edge, watching the rain fall steadily.

"This place... feels so peaceful," he commented.

From his shoulder, Moku replied:

—It's a deceptive calm. This is the most destroyed village, and that's why it's full of dangerous people in every corner.

Kirara turned around and looked at Kuroshhi.

—First I want you to take me to get new clothes.

Kuroshhi nodded and started walking, followed by Kirara. As they walked, she asked:

—I want to know something. What exactly did that shadow say?

Kuroshhi glanced at her, but it was Moku who answered:

—First he said: I don't want to fight. Then he added: You look so cute when you get angry that I can't stop teasing you. And the last thing he said was: See you later, Boruto.

Kirara opened her eyes in surprise.

—I see. No wonder Boruto got angry.

Kuroshhi sighed, his expression serious:

—I didn't want to say anything because he didn't comment on it. But I will ask you to add -sama when you refer to my master.

Kirara glanced at him and nodded.

—I understand. I will add it in the future.

Kuroshhi nodded in approval, while Moku, in a more relaxed tone, added:

—Don't pay too much attention to him, Kirara. Just have fun. Later, when you see more places, I hope you'll end up staying with Boruto-sama. He won't treat you badly.

Kirara smiled slightly and nodded.

—Thank you, Moku. I will make my decision when I have explored more of the world.

The three continued walking calmly through the halls of the building, while the rain continued to set the pace outside.