Chapter 18: About the silence
He walked slow. She did it dragging her feet, and trying not to fall in any corner of the village. People looked at him strangely, and for Boruto it was no surprise considering that he looked like an old man in his walk. His whole body ached, every bone, every muscle. Joints, nerves, cells. Inside and out, it was just a great mass of pain.
When he finally arrived at his apartment, he felt all the weight of the world on his sore back. He had two typically straightforward functions. The first was to stand in front of the portal, and not give in to the temptation to drop right there and try to sleep like a tramp. And the other task had some required precision. It was trying to put the key in and open that damn lock to get into his "home".
Two months. He had just over 60 or 65 days of that endless torture. A week after week routine that looked a lot like the prelude to hell itself. It was training, but it had all the looks of the famous "divine punishment." Only reserved for those types of people who want something so intensely that when it is reached, it loses all the brightness of what was expected at the beginning.
"Be careful what you wish for ..." Bolt said to himself, making his hand stop shaking and thus hitting the lock, "the devil may come to fulfill it."
More than two months training with his father. More than two months carrying the heavy cross of his past decisions. Being trained in the most brutal way he could conceive. Away from the affection of his mother and sister, he looked askance at practically the entire town. It was all very difficult, too complicated.
In the darkness of the small dining room, he felt himself dying of anguish just thinking that he still had to cook whatever he could. Actually, he needed to do three things. Bathing, eating and sleeping. It was the only things he could appeal to, to try to recover as much as possible and thus get up to a new day.
So, he did the usual. He put instant ramen to heat, and as those interminable three minutes ticked by, he got in clothes and everything in the shower to save time. The first hit of the water produced screams, while the rest of those three minutes until returning for the ramen, generally consisted of complaints and curses at attempts to remove clothes. His muscles and joints made her pay every attempt at movement. Even so, his pride still kept it intact.
His father beat him daily. They were intense training sessions in the physical, which every so many days ended in a combat at the highest level. And Boruto has never felt more new to ninja art. And in addition to the 5 working days of continuous carnage, Bolt had to spend most of Saturday studying with Kakashi; polishing everything related to diplomacy and foreign law.
He fell asleep while the previous Hokage talked and talked, receiving a corrective blow to the head in return. Kakashi was as serious as in his first months as sensei, there were no jokes and no distractions. The silver-haired man seemed very concerned with completing a politician's theory training, beyond the implicit ninja part.
"-we should concentrate on techniques and forms of combat Uncle Kakashi ..." Bolt told him one afternoon while he was holding his head after receiving blow number 5 from him-this makes me sleepy.
-You must be very awake from now more Bolt - Kakashi argued seriously - at every step in and out of this village, you will have to take care not to fall into a well.
-I'm just a ninja Kakashi-sensei ...
-No… -the master corrected him- now you are not only a ninja, but an heir. You are the son of the most powerful village leader. What you do from now on has a direct impact on the Hokage. For that reason, you must handle politics and diplomacy, with the same skill that you throw kunai "
So to sum it up, Monday through Friday he was trained and pushed to the limits on his physique. While on Saturday he was tortured by the endless learning of treaties, obligations and diplomatic situations that Konoha had with the rest of the known world. Remaining only on Sunday, to try to lick his wounds and recover before the imminent arrival of the coming Monday; all to restart wear again.
Boruto ate the ramen in the dark of the kitchen-dining room, half naked and trying to hold the chopsticks between his trembling fingers with extreme difficulty. Not only did he feel his body atrophied from the extensive resistance training, but his chakra never fully recovered before the next morning came, and he again was forced to waste it in abundance.
And it was all about enduring. He had to resist at any rate. His father spoke to him only to indicate each exercise, and he had never smiled since the Uchiha affair. Likewise, Bolt in more than two months had only been able to see his sister during an afternoon. The young woman informed him with some discomfort that she was prohibited from visiting or seeing her brother on the express orders of her father.
-I would like to help Onii-chan… -Himawari told him while they had an ice cream that particular Sunday- I would like to visit you and be with you.
Boruto felt a lot of frustration upon finding out about that. That his father was angry and would not forgive the Sasuke or Sakura business was a matter. But that he also forbade his mother and sister to interact with him, it already seemed pure hatred. Naruto must have known well that his children were always very close to each other. It was almost cruel to do that to her. And Naruto had never been cruel to anyone in his entire life. What reason could the Hokage have to isolate him like this? That was why Boruto decided as a matter of pride to follow the rules to the letter. If his father wanted to isolate him from his affections, if he wanted to punish him or simply check that young Uzumaki was not up to the challenge, Boruto would not give her the satisfaction of giving up so easily.
-Don't worry Hima-Nee ... .- the blonde whispered in his ear as he hugged his sister to say goodbye- you'd better obey Oto-sama. I don't want you to be affected by what's to come.
Boruto has been estranged from his sister from that day on. He did not see her again nor did he agree to walk with her. He decided to resist the situation alone, since he preferred to feel personally miserable, and not for eventual enemies to discover that hurting his little sister would be the way to do more damage to his.
From the third month, the training intensified ...
As Boruto resisted all kinds of exercise that his father imposed on him, the workloads were raised alarmingly. They started training earlier and earlier, and the end times were gradually extended. They were father and son, also teacher and student, but there were almost no words between them. This situation bothered Bolt at first, only to sadden him later. It was during these months of training, that the young Uzumaki was able to really see how strong his father really was. He had admired it as a child, but it was only as an ideal to achieve. But after that coexistence of forced training, he now felt a greater pride to say that this man was his father.
Little by little, the silence between them that had hurt Bolt so much in the beginning turned into a good kind of language for understanding. As they practiced, Boruto performed the exercises with great intensity and redoubled enthusiasm. Without demanding explanations as at the beginning, without complaining or refusing because it seems impossible. That managed to please Naruto, although he gestured he did not show it. Finally, one afternoon, Boruto began to notice that something was changing.
-He doesn't ... -he said in a whisper as he performed squats on the side of the battlefield- he no longer sends clones to train me.
He hadn't noticed it at first, perhaps because of exhaustion or just getting used to it. But his father had stopped sending clones to supervise him in training. He had been in person for almost 15 days. He left office work downloaded to his own copies and his secretaries, to give most of his time to his son's internships. Was he beginning to forgive him little by little?
-Sensei ... -Boruto told him that that's how he treated him since they started training together- What else should I do today?
It was almost 8:00 p.m., the night was gaining ground in the forest. They always trained quite far from Konoha. And generally it was an hour before the practice for the day should be over. But it wasn't happening, and maybe it was because it was Friday. It would be two days before they saw each other again. Still, Naruto had never shown a taste for closeness. Everything had always seemed like a formality for the Hokage. An obligation, more than a pleasure.
-The practice is over for this week ... -Naruto pointed out impassively and with crossed arms- I just sent a clone to look for some orders from Ramen. Do you want to dine here before heading back to the village?
The night was suddenly beautiful, there were fireflies that were beginning to be noticed among the trees that surrounded the area. The moon was gaining ground in the sky, and Boruto could not notice anything around him. He was too surprised, excited, dumbfounded, with that proposal from his father. After so long without speaking to him. Was the Hokage buying his son dinner?
The young man nodded, dropping to the ground because his legs demanded a break. In front of him, his father also took a seat crossing her legs. There was nothing to see in particular, it would be difficult to be comfortable dining without speaking. But Boruto didn't want to ruin the situation by commenting on something stupid. That is why such an invitation was quite a surprise.
It was the longest 15 minutes of his life. The calm forest, the sound of crickets, and the two of them sitting side by side without looking at each other or speaking. Only until the clone returned with Ramen's orders, that they moved again. The copy disappeared, and they both turned to dinner as the most interesting affair in the world. Silence was installed as always, but it was no longer so uncomfortable.
"You've improved…" Naruto finally said.
Bolt felt the food get even tastier. Those words were hopeful. From his point of view, the only good thing he could say about his training was that he had learned to tolerate constant pain more effectively.
-Next Monday, -said the father calmly- I have to travel to the country of iron.
That meant there would be no brutal training to welcome the following week. Months ago Bolt would have felt like great news, but now he for some reason he tasted bad. Was he a masochist? He could probably spend his time sleeping in her apartment, or maybe walking around a bit. Why now did he feel that he would miss the training? He must be getting addicted to pain. There was no other explanation.
"Sai has appointed you as part of my personal guard," Naruto added after eating for a while, "you must be ready to travel early on Monday."
Boruto still didn't speak. The excitement was too great by now. His father did not leave him behind. He was going to take it as his private guard. That was a complete show of confidence in his abilities. No one became a Hokage's guard without being at the best of his abilities. Even the most powerful ANBU could rarely qualify for such an honor. Only Sai, as the leader of the special squads or the Hokage himself, had the power to choose them.
"Hai Oto-sama…" the young man barely replied, nodding calmly.
And for an instant, Boruto saw his father smile. It was only a moment, a thousandth of a second. So much so that it seemed like an optical illusion. But whether it was true or not, the boy felt that he was on the right path to regain the affection of the man he most admired on earth.
Finally, the months of silence and pain were reaching their final twilight.
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Boruto was sitting around the table in the Uzumaki house. He had been invited by his own father to dinner, after several months where silence was the only certainty. It was believed to be a make-up dinner. Where Boruto could finally be with his sister and also visit his mother whom he missed a lot after going to live alone.
It seemed that the missions, acting as the Hokage's escort, had finished ironing out certain rough edges that father and son retained from the events at the beginning of the year. It could be said that after more than six months, the Uzumaki were finally a family again. Or so Boruto thought, until he sat at a table where not only his family was sharing, but also Sakura and Sarada Uchiha.
-Sit down Onii-chan ... -he said his sister happy to have his brother close again- this is your house too.
Bolt smiled slightly, as a kind gesture for Himawari and for the paradox of this general situation. With each passing day, he grew stronger than before the fight with Sasuke Uchiha. But ironically too, he seemed little by little to become more and more powerless over the actions of others. He was losing control of his life, the one that had cost him so much to gain when he joined the Root.
"This meeting has been delayed too long ..." Naruto started the conversation, from the head of the table "the marriage agreement had an extension of 12 months, although both parties planned to execute it much earlier. Even so, counselor Nara is present to certify the steps that we will follow. We must define this situation.
Shikamaru Nara. He was on Bolt's path again. The young man did not make any particular movement, not at that dinner, not during all the months spent on the street. It was more than evident that the leader of the Nara was still pending the matter of Root. But Bolt was suspended from his duties as a member of the group, so he did nothing but train. Survive training to be precise.
-Are the parties in agreement with the cancellation of the contract? –Shikamaru consulted who had been invited by Naruto precisely for that.
"The Uzumaki family wishes to cancel the contract," said Naruto seriously, who had already spoken with Bolt about the matter days ago, "we are willing to give up our right to a refund of the dowry."
They all looked at Sakura. There was an awkward silence that what she was supposed to say did not come from her lips. She looked uncomfortable, her face was lined with doubt and concern. Naruto was surprised by the situation. If what he knew about Sakura and Bolt had been true, the hairy one would be the most interested in preventing her daughter from marrying young Uzumaki. After all, the chances of the past situation being discovered sooner or later were higher if the relationship between those families continued to the nuptials.
"Uchiha Sakura ..." Shikamaru quietly intervened, cutting the silence like with an edge. "What is the response on his part?"
Sarada's face was stony, but she could tell she was nervous. The tension in her body was extraordinary. Wasn't it obvious that it was all over? The girl seemed frustrated that her mother was not responding as was evident. Or at least that's what those who looked at them around the table believed.
-the ... the Uchiha clan ... -she hesitated when Sakura started- demands ... that the marriage contract be effective. The date can be part of a verbal agreement. But what is signed must be respected.
Amazing….
Completely amazing ...
Total madness ...
Boruto and Himawari had eyes so large that they seemed to be trying to escape from the orbits. They couldn't believe what Sakura-sama had just said. Had the Uchiha women lost their sanity? Shikamaru sighed bored. He didn't seem to even attend to the situation, when in fact it was what he wanted. It was the reason why he had come in the first place. Naruto had received the same response from Sakura to the previous meeting they had. But even so, he did not believe that this was the reality. How to force Bolt to marry? It did not seem like something the boy was willing to accept. Why was Sakura allowing this situation to go ahead? Perhaps…. Did she want her daughter to marry so she could have Boruto close? Did she plan to continue her affairs even with her daughter being the wife of her lover? No, it was not logical. It couldn't be true. Sakura wouldn't risk such madness. Or if she would do it herself?
Meanwhile, Boruto recovering from the shock of the situation. He supposed that Sakura had said what she said, against her will. There was no doubt that Sarada had been adamant in her determination not to sever the relationship. It was clear that her mother was not the one she wanted to continue with all this. And for that reason, Boruto had to nip the problem in the bud. He couldn't marry Sarada Uchiha. Not after everything that happened.
"I want to talk to Sarada ..." said the young Uzumaki quietly "alone.
-That will not be possible, -said Shikamaru as mediator- the meeting is to define the aspects of ...
"I'm not asking her permission ..." Boruto pointed out harshly, looking at Shikamaru as if he were a dog, "he's nothing more than a fly in the ointment of this meeting." So he had better keep quiet, at least until they ask for his opinion.
-Boruto! –The father admonished him harshly- do not speak so disrespectfully with Shikamaru again. If you have nothing good to contribute to this, he closes his mouth.
-I will keep silence Hokage-sama -the son admitted calmly- when he has nothing more to say. But Sarada must know everything that has happened, before moving forward with this situation.
-Not that! –The frightened hairy yelled, and then lowered her head realizing her mistake.
Boruto had stood up, to invite Sarada to the backyard and thus chat. But Sakura's scream had left everyone frozen. Even the Uchiha girl didn't understand what was going on. Why were her mother and Bolt's father so nervous? What was it that Bolt had to tell him to change his mind about the marriage? For months, he had tried to get his mother to arrange this meeting to define the marriage. She had hardly been able to see Bolt for months because of the brutal training he had with his father. And to top it all off the weekend she was interning with Hatake Kakashi studying. She hardly had any freedom on Sunday, but still she always knocked on the apartment door to find him sleeping or exhausted to go out. The Sasuke thing was not a surprise to Sarada. Through her mother, plus the health situation that Boruto had passed, they made what happened evident. Sarada had loved her father very much, but no more. Never again since he discovered the black future he was preparing for her.
-Sarada….-Bolt told her, moving away from the table and inviting her with his hand to the back of the house- come please….
The girl hesitated for a few seconds, and later she would ask her mother about that senseless scream. She had always had the intuition that some things passed her by. Someone, or some of those present, had dark secrets kept. Whatever it was, Sarada promised herself that nothing would stop her from convincing Bolt to marry. She loved him, she still loved him as always. She felt a huge void that only the blonde's confident smile could fill. Whatever the problem was between her mother, the Hokage or Boruto, Sarada promised herself that she would stand by her future husband. She even if she had to fight against everyone to get it.
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-Why don't you want to marry me Bolt-kun?
They talked for a few minutes, but the talks had nothing to do with the issue that brought them into the backyard in the first place. They were both tense, and Boruto was sure that both Sakura and Naruto in the dining room, would be writhing with nerves to find out what was happening outside. However, Boruto chose that the first quiet talk he had with his best friend in several months, was more relaxed and tried to remove them for an instant from complex reality. But while Bolt talked about workouts and current pains, Sarada only had one clear goal that night. And she pursued him with the patience of an accomplished hunter.
-Why do you want to give up our commitment?
Two continuous and profound questions. Boruto was aware that he could manipulate the situation at will. If he only lied, and also rearranged the events of the past to his benefit, he could get Sarada to hate him, or instead continue to love him forever. The problem with both concepts was that achieving them through a lie would lead to the same result. Sarada would burn in the flames of fury, her eyes would feed unceasingly from that explosion, and a cloak of darkness would stain her life forever. If he wanted Sarada to hate him now, they could start a battle to the death as soon as he confessed that he had fucked her mother dozens of times. And that in addition, he seemed to be in love with Sakura. Bolt still didn't know whether to define what he felt as love, after all, it had simply been basic sex. Animal and hot. But what was love really? Was the need to be with the other at any time and place directly related only to the affective? Couldn't you start loving from the carnal?
-Sarada… .I….
-Please don't reject me ... -said the girl approaching her arm and taking him from the side- I know that everything has been steamed with blood. But my father wanted a future of me, which was disgusting. If I have to give you everything to accept me. If I have to ...
-No ... -Boruto interrupted him, moving away a little- this does not have to do only with sex. And it's not because of your father mostly.
-So what?
She was going to tell him. It was a matter of opening your mouth and confessing that he was unfaithful when they were dating. Confess that he had slept with another woman and it was not for a seduction mission. Confess who that woman was, and why Bolt kept thinking about the hours he spent with her in the past. Something in the young man's mind read ... "tell her" "free yourself and free her from this burden." But another part, the darkest part of desire, whispered maliciously: "accept the marriage, then you can continue your love affair with his mother behind everyone's back" "accept to be close to Sakura" "accept to blackmail Sakura with that truth if necessary "
-Sarada ... -he said finally deciding- we can't continue with this, without you knowing some things. To get married, we must do it knowing perfectly everything that happened. Most importantly, the reason why I decided to break up our courtship months ago. So you can forgive, or leave our relationship annulled forever.
"You said it was because they blamed you for Kiba Inuzuka's death," the young woman pointed out softly, "wasn't it true?"
-In part yes, but I also did it because I did a mission, where I had to sleep with my goal. To blackmail her and carry out my orders.
-a mission? What does a mission have to do with ours?
Sarada was Kunoichi. In the civilian world, it would have been an unacceptable excuse to declare infidelity for obeying orders from others. But among ninjas, missions had and had to be accomplished beyond murder or sex. The Shinobi of the "infiltration" division practically lived by seducing targets and getting what they needed out of them. By force, or with sex. That did not constitute treason between ninjas. But Bolt could not disguise the truth of the matter, now that he had decided to open the game, Sarada had to decide if she wanted to marry a traitor.
"When I finished my mission," the blond continued, "I still decided to continue seeing that woman." She lives in Konoha, and we became lovers. You and I weren't making love, and I couldn't help but watch her.
Sarada was paralyzed. This had nothing to do with a mission. It was simply that Boruto was sleeping with another woman. That he had exchanged her for another. That he couldn't wait for her when she asked for time before having hers "first time" hers. The physical approach attempts ceased on the young Uchiha, her mind beginning to cloud with rage.
-Who is she? –She snarled furiously- Who the hell is she ?!
That was the key question. Right now Boruto could manipulate the result just by giving Sakura's name. Sarada would be so furious with her mother that even she would forget that Bolt was also part of the betrayal. Even if he said the right words for her, he could manage to marry her and have him part with Sakura by blaming her for the matter at convenience. Divide to conquer. But the last few months had changed something in Boruto's soul. Maybe it was about the silence, maybe the extreme loneliness or the pain of not having anyone close. The Uzumaki actually understood, that if he destroyed the bond Sarada had with her mother, he would leave her with nothing. Without her father, without her mother, without a partner. He would tear her to pieces and transform her into a Magenkyo user for sure. He couldn't do that to Sarada Uchiha. And even if it hurt him to admit it, he couldn't hurt Sakura either. Both were part of the same desire and feeling. Both or neither.
-The problem is this ... - Boruto pointed out trying to be calm- apparently the Uzumaki of the whirlpool, had such an excessive amount of chakra, that his libido was uncontrollable. They as I have read, they solved it with sexual helpers. A second woman who could cover for the wife in case of need.
-What are you saying? –Sarada stammered without understanding where she wanted to go.
-The reason why I needed that woman, is the same that will drive me not to be faithful to you if we get married. The same reason that Oto-sama, she has a sexual helper who complements my mother. For this matter, we must cancel the commitment. I doubt very much that you want to meet another woman in our bed, 10 years from now. Or share me with someone else.
The idea was great. It had occurred to him while he was finding the least painful way to convince Sarada to stop the engagement. The dialectical technique was to put aside the problem of betrayal. Implement in the dialogue, a kind of health issue that would prevent the relationship from continuing. If Sarada was as jealous and possessive as she seemed, she was never going to consent to such an argument. She would probably call him a liar, or slap him back into the dining room and end the meeting. But the identity of the lover would be irrelevant if the problem was chronic. After all, more lovers might come in the future. Certainly the history classes that Kakashi-sensei taught were bearing unexpected fruit. Push Sarada aside, to keep Sakura's secret buried forever. Without a contract relationship, there would no longer be a family relationship. Naruto and Sakura were only reunited because of something previously signed. But the reality is that they had not spoken for months. And they might never do it again if the hairy girl understood Bolt's maneuver.
-Do you understand Sarada-chan? –Bolt told him softly as if to make the information he was giving more bearable- we cannot be husband and wife. Or I'll end up hurting you.
"Right now, you're hurting me more than ever," the girl clarified in pain.
-But you can choose ... -he admitted firmly- now you can, before the contract becomes effective. I am giving you the opportunity to ...
-You are abandoned me! -She yelled to him, standing in front of him and hitting him with a punch to the stomach that months ago would have sent him flying, but now she barely moved him- you are a damn liar! You just want to leave me to go with that woman! WHO IS SHE?! I will kill her…
-It would be useless ... -said the blond taking her wrists to prevent her from continuing to attack him senselessly- that woman is out of my reach now. She doesn't want to see me anymore because she's married. But the problem that made me see her at the beginning is the same and she remains the same. My father the Hokage, he has it too.
-Is your father cheating on Hinata-sama?
"No ..." Bolt smiled slightly mischievously "actually it is said ... that my aunt Hanabi is the one who comes ..." to visit. Straight to the Uzumaki couple's room. Thu Thu
For some unknown reason, the image covered Sarada's entire mind. She imagined the Hokage, who always looked so serious in his office and everything. Naked between white sheets besieged by the two Hyuuga princesses, hungry asking for sex without apparent truce.
The mental image of her made him nod, and a trickle of blood trickled down her nose slightly. It took her a few seconds to recover, and finally notice that Bolt was entering the house again to resume the meeting. Apparently, everything had been complicated by the most unexpected side. Sarada did not know what to feel, sadness for the situation, hatred for that unknown woman, or anguish for feeling that she was missing her opportunity to marry the man she loved. It was all a huge confusion. She was even beginning to understand her mother a little more. It was Sakura, who had suggested that she not go ahead with the idea of her marriage.
Sarada was adamant in her request days ago. Even threatening to flee the village if her mother got in the way of her happiness. It was Sarada who from the shadows had forced that meeting, it was Sarada who had forced her mother to demand the fulfillment of the commitment. But now, right at that moment, she did not feel strong enough to continue fighting in that area. However some battles, she could be won by feigning defeat at the beginning.
If Bolt did not wish to continue this situation, nothing could be done at the moment. But Sarada wouldn't give up easily. She was stubborn and smart. She was told that she still had a chance to appeal. So, she still had one card left to play in the game.
-Bolt-kun…. -She whispered sadly her-if we can't get married….
-What happen?
"I am the last of the Uchiha," the girl clarified, looking down sadly, "all the clans will try to get me to commit myself to her children." It will be a hunt, she would be exposed. Oka-san has no power without Oto-sama alive. They will force me to… .- she couldn't even say it out of frustration- at least… couldn't we pretend that we're still engaged?
-Sarada we can't get married, -she tried to explain the blonde- it wouldn't be good for you if ...
-I do not want that! –The young woman clarified, interrupting- just… let more time go by until I meet again…. "available".
Boruto understood, if the contract was broken, Sarada would be officially single again and marriage proposals would be showered on her. The issue now, was that without Sasuke as an intimidating element alive, the council might want to rush the times for the last Uchiha to start producing Sharingan inheritance as soon as possible. Then Sarada would no longer have the power to decide with whom to share her life.
"I understand ..." Bolt said, nodding, "we can sign an extension of the contract." That would give you one more year at least. Certain?
She smiled, and they both returned to the dining room in silence. Boruto had spoken with his father seriously about the breakup and the reasons for asking. But he couldn't help but feel a little guilty about everything in the past, so he couldn't deny Sarada the possibility of keeping her freedom a little longer. At the same time, the young Uchiha was glad that she had managed to convince Bolt to continue the deal. It had all been a great excuse, she did not care nor was she afraid of political pressure. But even if Boruto no longer saw her as the only girl in her life, she could still find a way in time to win him back. Keeping the agreement was the way to buy some time.
Meanwhile Sarada, it was said that she was going to take revenge on that damn woman who had driven Boruto away from her side. She just had to find out who she was, and the beginning of it all was to pretend that she wouldn't chase her to the end of the world. But as soon as everyone lowered their guard of her, as soon as Boruto saw her again for any circumstance; Sarada would manage to find out her identity.
That woman was dead, she just didn't know it yet.
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The road had been mostly quiet….
Boruto was marching behind his father, along with the Hokage escorts direct to the meeting of leaders in the land of iron. The pace of the march had been slow according to the young Uzumaki, he even he was tempted to indicate to the leader, to hurry the march to arrive before sunset. However, when the night was already the owner and mistress of the landscape, Boruto could finally notice the main reason for that supposed "slowness".
"We will rest here for an hour," Naruto announced to his group of subordinates, "we have to get to the meeting in force. For any problem.
Bolt was about to blurt out the most basic question. Why rest a few kilometers from the goal? But looking at the rest of the masked ninjas who were escorting the Hokage, he could see that they were all visibly exhausted. Some took off their masks, others tried unsuccessfully to pretend not to be agitated. But you could tell that they had given enough of their chakra to keep up the race pace. And in case of having to fight, it would be difficult for them to maintain a good level without rest.
Boruto took off his wolf mask to get a good look at them. The level of fatigue from maintaining such a slow gait in his eyes seemed quite remarkable to her. Only his father and himself, seemed to breathe slowly. Like having taken a walk of only a few kilometers.
-Never forget ... -said his father seeing him so confused- our training of last year.
The young man nodded seriously. It had been fucking hell. During every day, with no apparent rest or truce. His body had been pushed to the limit, over and over again. He had ended up dead, exhausted, totally unable to move. What was that raging march through the woods across the land of fire in comparison? Damn if he could keep running all night if he had to!
"Incredible ..." he said to himself, barely smiling, "it's incredible ...
Naruto was next to him, and he couldn't help but smile as well. He was proud. He couldn't help it. His son was almost as strong as himself. He was almost 19 years old and was almost as strong as the most powerful Hokage. Whatever he lacked in experience or age, he made up for with hard work and a lot of intelligence. His son was as dangerous as the rest of the Kage had long assumed. It was exactly what they expected of him. No one in his right mind would try to attack him head-on and out in the open. Naruto knew for a long time, but only then was he fully aware of what he should do:
"Are you ready Bolt…" he pointed out seriously, "your training is over."
The young man looked at him. With that expression of surprise that made him look almost a child. The child who years ago was no longer. The infant who had longed for the company and support of his father. Naruto felt somewhat guilty about it. If he had acted differently, maybe Sasuke would be alive. Maybe Sakura wouldn't have gotten involved Bolt. Maybe the engagement between Sarada and Boruto wasn't a sham like it is today.
-What do you mean Oto-sama? –The young man stammered somewhat confused- you still haven't taught me everything.
"The hermit art is a training that does not correspond to me," clarified the father, "only the wise men of the sacred mountain can train you in it." The rest of my techniques are derived from the basic ones that you already know. But tonight I have verified that the essential part of my task is finished.
Since Bolt didn't understand what he meant, he simply kept silent. Naruto then separated himself from the rest of the group walking side by side with his son. What he had to say to her was private, and no one was to hear it apart from them.
-There are many Shinobi in the wide world with a high level. Whether it's from techniques, or having trained hard in a specific field to become specialists, many ninjas can fight at the highest level. They will be your rivals on equal terms.
-So how do you know I'm ready?
-During this trip, I was increasing my walking speed every hour. Little by little, without anyone noticing it during the first hours.
-And does that prove….?
-It has proved to me that your resistance to prolonged effort is high. You will be surprised to know that the toughest battles against the most dangerous opponents are rarely defined in a few minutes. They last for hours, even days if the Shinobi are in equal power. And therefore, they are defined not by techniques, but by the ability to sustain a high physical level for a long time. In addition to being able to manage the chakra correctly.
Boruto was thoughtful. It was true that he was now much stronger and more resistant than almost a year ago. But his father hadn't taught her either of his two most powerful weapons. The hermit mode, and the Hiraishin no jutsu. You couldn't because it was training for those who signed the toad contract. And it was the mountain sage who should choose his students. But the other technique, created by his grandfather Minato Namikase, was a family heirloom. Why hadn't he shown it to her?
-Hiraishin no jutsu, an S-class technique created by the Yondaime Hokage. Only the mastery of that jutsu turns any ordinary Shinobi into an almost invincible warrior. That technique is a family heirloom. Why haven't you shown it to me Oto-sama?
Naruto stopped his walk suddenly. His serious, pained gestures indicated that what he was about to respond was totally against his heart. Boruto couldn't imagine the cause of all this. Could it be that he didn't have enough talent to learn something so complicated? No, it couldn't be that. Grandpa Minato had been a genius. But his father, the current Hokage, was just a very willful fellow, and yet he had figured out how to perform the same complicated technique. There had to be another reason.
-the "Hiraishin no jutsu" technique is part of the forbidden scroll of the village of the blade. My father didn't have time to pass it on to me, and only when I became a Hokage was I able to perfect what the Kyuubi chakra had barely taught me. It is a technique, which can only be taught to a Hokage, or to people of extreme trust for a Hokage.
Then, Boruto understood. His father had trained him, even spoke to him again after spending so many months in isolation. But above the silence of that moment, the truth was clearer than sunlight. Boruto at that moment, understood everything.
-I'm sorry Bolt… -added the father before turning around and returning to the camp alone- but despite having trained you so that you can survive any mercenary, I can't trust you again. Whether you admit it or not, Kakashi has involved you with an underground organization.
-That's not…
-I spoke with Kakashi, the night he was looking for you so that you wouldn't fight with Sasuke. "Naruto told him seriously" he said more than he certainly meant. Also, Shikamaru who is my most loyal advisor, is certain that something is not right. And I have to trust that he has never failed me. I know that Root exists, I know that you are part of it. So I can't trust you again. I can't give you my father's technique. I cannot give you the technique of a Hokage, when I am not sure if you will use it to protect our village, or on your personal whim. You said that you would break your engagement with the Uchiha girl, that you would release her but ended up extending the contract.
-But not me…
-Let me finish Bolt ... -interrupted the blonde leader-I will not tell you again what you will do with your life. But when we return to Konoha, you will be promoted to Jounnin of Elite. And you can choose to work in any department you want. However, until that secret organization is unmasked and destroyed, you will no longer be part of my escort or to hang out with our family. You have chosen a path, just as Sasuke Uchiha did long ago. He lives with the consequences of your choice. Just as I have to deal with mine.
And the Hokage left. Leaving only one of the beings he loved the most in the world. His own son. Maybe Boruto thought it was easy or satisfying for Naruto to say everything he said. But nothing further from reality. Ever since he married Hinata, even when he became a Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki had used all his time and effort on a mission post. World peace. It might be the most altruistic motive on earth to seek that, but in reality, Naruto was seeking it for the most selfish goal conceivable.
He had been an orphan. No family, no father, no mother. He never had brothers and until a year ago, the only man who had occupied that place in a certain way had died. Naruto Uzumaki saw his children born and grow up. He had a boy and a girl. But above all he was very afraid. Fear of that ninja world in which he had grown up, he would take away that family that he had so hard to find. He loved his wife, but once retired from the activity, he was the one who ran the least risk in the village. He loved his children, and they would choose a path too bloody and dangerous to get out of it unscathed.
World peace was to avoid suffering the death of his children. To prevent them from becoming ninjas. To avoid a pain that he surely could not bear if on a mission he lost them. And Boruto, his eldest son, was violating that titanic effort of his father to save him from all darkness. Even worse, he had turned into darkness. A Shinobi who obeys the shadows.
From that path, from that direction, he couldn't save it. And he only had to wish it were good. Because even suffering as a father the situation, he had an obligation as a Hokage to protect the village from him. Against the risk that he was, even if that danger was involved….
Of his own son of his ...
End of chapter.
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