The funeral was as one would expect. Dark and somber, with every negative emotion imaginable hanging on the air. Aunt Hanabi's body came down gently into the hole in the ground. As dirt was poured on her coffin Boruto's memories of his late aunt attacked him mercilessly. Her brutal training, her comforting embrace, her warm and bubbly attitude. He couldn't understand why someone so good would be taken from him. According to his father, he'd sent Aunt Hanabi to investigate a town that was destroyed. After being gone for two days, a search party was sent to find her team only to find them all dead. Such an outcome wasn't expected for a ninja of Hanabi Hyuga's prowess. Or at least Boruto didn't expect it.

His sister and their mother clung to each other for dear life. Himawari wept softly into their mother, while the latter was struggling to no avail to hold back her own tears. Why? He'd asked this question so many times, but never received a satisfying answer. He began to think he'd never receive one. When the dirt was finally poured, the speeches began, which Boruto stopped paying attention to after his grandfather and mother finished theirs. All the speeches would boil down to the same thing. Hanabi Hyuga was gone and never coming back.

People began clearing out after paying their personal respects to the deceased. Boruto and his family stayed there well after everyone had cleared. Their grandfather's ailing health had drawn him back to the Hyuga compound while otherwise he'd have remained there with them. No words passed between the family members. There was nothing to be said. Their father held Boruto's mother and sister in his arms, all their faces stained with tears. Boruto himself didn't join in the embrace. He knew nothing would come of it. It would not help ease the pain, nor would bring Aunt Hanabi back. In due time everyone will return to their lives and treat Hanabi Hyuga like an after thought. It was in this moment that Boruto realized how his aunt's death would amount to nothing in the long-run. Someone would be found to take her place within the ninja ranks, and Aunt Hanabi would become a statistic; a casualty. He hated that word. There was nothing casual about death.

Boruto left his family to grieve in front aunt Hanabi's grave. They didn't stop him from leaving. They knew he would grieve in his own way. He stepped outside the graveyard and leaned against the fence where he was approached by Sarada who was dressed in the same funeral clothes as himself. His parents had invited the Uchiha family to the funeral, they didn't hesitate to say yes. She leaned there beside him. For a while neither said anything, before finally Boruto was growing awkward and decided to break the silence. "What is it Sarada?"

"Nothing." She sounded startled. "My parents went to pay their respects to my dad's clansmen." Her voice had a bit of disdain on it.

"Shouldn't you be with them then?"

"Probably." She didn't turn to leave. Boruto realized Sarada had something on her mind. "Boruto, does your family keep secrets from you?"

"Probably. Why?"

"I mean big secrets."

"Big, how?"

"Big. As in, change the way you think about your family, big."

"I don't think so. Why? Did your parents keep 'big' something from you?" Boruto didn't receive an answer. Normally he would've pressed her for one, but the expression on Sarada's face said, yes. "So did you ask your dad about what we talked about around the campfire?"

Sarada face shot up to glare at him square the eyes. He could tell by the expression she wore, that he shouldn't have asked that question. He waited Sarada for hit him, but she didn't. She simply looked back down at her feet. "It turns out my dad isn't as brave a man as I thought he was." She finally said.

What's that supposed to mean? "I see." He didn't think this was the appropriate time to say back something smart. She needed someone that she could express herself to and Boruto was glad to be that someone, especially when she wasn't hitting him. "Boruto, I think I might just hate my dad." That was the last thing he expected Sarada to say. Around the campfire she still trusted her father despite all the revelations. Something must've happened. "Well, not hate him, but just disappointed in him." Sarada continued.

"I'm guessing what we talked about around the campfire was true, huh?" Boruto decided he had to get that out there. There was no point beating around the bush.

"Everything we talked about was true, and there's so much more to it. I'm just disappointed with how my dad dealt with all that you know?"

"Yeah." No. "I'm sorry about that." He didn't what else to say.

"Thanks. I'm also sorry about your aunt. You must've loved her very much."

"I did. Thanks." Boruto was glad to be there with just Sarada. Alone, without her hitting him. He turned to see his family leaving the graveyard. "Well I should probably get going."

"Yeah, see ya." Sarada walked away as well. Boruto came up to his family and his father immediately put his arm around him. Boruto guessed that his father was the one looking for comfort.

Sarada had been spending more time alone ever since the conversation with her father. Her mother hadn't been particularly happy with it but she couldn't think of anything better to do. It had been three days since then, and two days since Hanabi Hyuga's funeral. The look of anger and pain on Boruto's face reminded of the face her young father wore in his genjutsu. She wished there was something she could do for him.

Today she she sat down at the dock by the lake. It was quiet and lonely here. Just what she wanted. She supposed she ought be grateful her father had been understanding to her recent attitude. She looked down into the water, as if could give some answers. Wishful thinking. At least that's what she thought until she saw the reflection of the seventh hokage in it. She turned behind her and sure enough there he there he stood wearing his hokage cape and a face filled with concern. "Lord Seventh, I-"

"Do you mind if I sit?" She was surprised that the hokage was asking for her permission to sit down.

"Of course." She shifted to the side to allow the hokage to sit beside her. Before she always looked up to the hokage with reverence, but today she looked at him like he was a mystery. "Lord Seventh, I'm sorry about Lady Hanabi."

"Thank you Sarada. You're really kind you know."

"Thank you." Sarada was glad that the seventh was beside her. She always felt at ease in his presence.

"I'm guessing you're wondering what I'm doing here?" He said with a light chuckle.

"Oh no. Not at all." She quickly said. That actually wasn't on her mind at all.

"Well anyway. Your dad told that this was a good place to come and think. He used to come here all the time when he was your age you know?"

"Did he now?" Right now she had no desire to be reminded of how much she resembled her father. "So what did you come to think about?"

"Well, that town you went to go save went up flames two days ago. The team we sent there to replace you guys, they got there after it happened, so they're fine. But they told us that there were no survivors."

"What? No way. How'd it happen?"

"We're still looking into it. But apparently the flames are still burning, and they don't give off any smoke, so I'm guessing it wasn't an ordinary attack."

"That's awful." Sarada truly felt bad for that town that was just getting back up on its feet.

"According to the search party that retrieved Hanabi's body, that town she was sent to investigate had been destroyed the same way."

"So it's connected." She wondered if the conspirators Haru was investigating were the ones behind the attack.

"What about you Sarada? What brings you here?" The seventh's question caught her off guard. Should she tell him? What would he think? "I saw your dad earlier today. He looked about as sad and depressed as you do right now. You know you can talk to me if you want. Your my friend as well after all." The seventh's words had the utmost sincerity behind them. She knew she could trust him.

"Why did you forgive him for everything he's done?" Sarada suddenly said. She wanted to take it back, but it was too late now.

"So you know everything then?" The seventh's voice became softer.

"My dad used a genjutsu to show me your battles with him and what he did for revenge."

"Figures. Sasuke was never very good with words after all."

"So why did you forgive him? After what he tried to do to you and my mom. After he threatened to destroy the village."

The hokage didn't answer right away. "I suppose it's because, just letting him go through with his revenge would've been too painful watch. Every time I fought your father all I could see in his eyes was sadness and loneliness, and when he wanted to keep sinking into that place. It just hurt me."

"I know that. I saw your final battle. But why should it hurt you if he decides to hurt himself?"

"Because he's my friend. And I know just one step in the wrong direction, and I could've ended up just like him. Being a jinchuriki you come to understand loneliness pretty well. Watching your father choose that path of his own free will would've been right by others, but for me, giving up on my friends wasn't nearly as easy. Friends don't grow on trees so you have to treasure the ones that you have and nor should you just give up on them without giving it your all. I know it's a bit selfish, but how could I become hokage if I couldn't save even one friend?" The whole time the hokage seemed to be talking more to himself than to her. So that's why he forgave him. Because they were friends. Sarada wasn't sure if she could still understand that. "What about you Sarada? Have you forgiven him?"

"Yes. But I can't forgive him for leaving on that mission because he couldn't forgive himself. I know he was the only who could actually do it, but he never came to visit, never made it clear what was really important to him. Mom told me how he needed it. But what about us? We needed him. He was too busy correcting the mistakes of the past to even notice the mistakes he was making in the present." Sarada wasn't talking directly to the hokage either. She just need to get her feeling out there.

"I'm surprised. I let him go thinking it was okay as long he'd come back, but I never thought of it the way you do. I never realized it was weighing so heavily on you." The seventh said sincerely. "I wish I said something to him back then. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault Seventh. I just wish we were enough to help ease his pain and guilt."

"So do I. Listen Sarada, I know your dad can be a huge idiot. He isn't very good at having a family, but you need to always remember that no matter what happens he'll always love you." That's just like what Uncle Itachi told her father. Maybe I'm more like Dad than I thought, or want to be. The hokage got up to leave as he patted her shoulder.

She was alone again. She looked at her own reflection in the water, she was always told how much she resembled her father, now she was beginning to see it. Others didn't see her father the way Sarada did. Before, she saw a man devoted as ninja and loving as a father. Now all she could see was a broken, selfish man who got away with every mistake. Well not this time. She wouldn't let him get away with his mistakes so easily.

Boruto had been watching Sasuke Uchiha train ever since the funeral. His skill-set astounded him, and Boruto was sure that he hadn't seen half of what he could do. All five chakra natures, taijutsu, ninjutsu, shurikenjutsu, Boruto couldn't even fathom what other jutsu he could do. He's way cooler that Dad. Ever since seeing Sasuke at the funeral he'd been following him around hoping to learn more about him for Sarada. He couldn't get the image out his mind about how depressed she seemed. Lately, he'd had also gotten very intrigued by the Uchiha. "You can come out now Boruto!" Sasuke called out. How did he know he was there? How long did he know he was there? Boruto hopped down from the tree branch he was perched on. "How long did you know I was there?"

"Since the funeral." Sasuke answered. Boruto wasn't sure how to interpret that, but decided it didn't matter. "So any special reason you've following me around?"

Boruto hesitated. "I want you to make your student." Sasuke looked surprised, no, shocked by his statement. He looked Boruto up and down, as if assessing him. "Sorry Boruto, the answer's no." He finally said. That was unacceptable. Boruto wouldn't accept anyone else as his mentor.

"C'mon what if I prove to you I'll be a good student?"

"Fine, if you can do the rasengan I'll take you as my student."

Boruto instantly formed a rasengan. Sasuke definitely didn't seem to be expecting that. Boruto threw the rasengan back over his shoulder ignoring the explosion and the crater it most likely formed. Boruto kept smiling at Sasuke. "So will you take me?" Boruto asked excitedly.

Sasuke sighed. "Why do you want me as your mentor anyway? You got Konohamaru and your dad? Don't you?"

"Konohamaru-sensei is my team leader who I probably won't actually have as my mentor, and my dad's too busy being the hokage. But you. You can teach me without restrictions can't you?"

Sasuke looked at Boruto with an almost guilty look look on his face. As if he wanted to accept him as his student but was afraid to."Look Old Man Sasuke, I know things haven't been easy to Sarada lately, but I'll talk to her about it. Please Old Man take me as your student." Boruto was ready to beg him if he had to. There would be no one else he'd accept as his master. Finally Sasuke relented, "alright Boruto I'll take you as my student."

"Yes!" Boruto laughed out loud.

"We'll meet at the memorial stone tomorrow at 10:00 AM, Got it?"

"You got it Old Man Sasuke."

"And one more thing. Stop calling me 'Old Man'"

"You got it Old Man Sasuke." Boruto heard Sasuke groan, but didn't care. He finally had a real mentor.

"You actually took on an apprentice?" His wife clearly did not expect this when he told he had good news. "So who's your new pupil?"

"Naruto's son." Sasuke heard his wife laugh hard at his reply. When she saw his serious expression however, she immediately stopped laughing.

"Wait, you're serious? You took Boruto on as your apprentice?"

"That's right. Is there something weird about that?"

"I just never imagined that, is all."

"Me neither. He actually came out and asked me to make him my student. I didn't want to at first, but the kid was persistent."

"He gets that from both his parents." Sakura sounded happy. "I think you'll like Boruto, he's a real prodigy you know. He's a lot better than Naruto and Hinata were at that age."

"Yeah I heard that." Sasuke said. "I just don't know how I'm gonna handle him. I mean, I never thought of myself as being a teacher."

"Then why did you accept?"

Sasuke didn't answer straight away. He fidgeted trying to think an appropriate response. "Well I suppose I should get involved with this village one way or another now that my mission's over." In truth Sasuke wasn't sure he accepted Boruto as his student.

"I think you should talk to the sixth hokage for some tips."

"Kakashi, he's still alive?"

"Of course he's still alive you idiot. He's not that old."

"I was only kidding." He hadn't seen his old teacher in a long time. Perhaps it would be best for him to go see Kakashi. He wondered what he was like now. His thoughts though were cut off by the sound of the door opening. That must mean his daughter was home.

"Hey Sarada." Sakura called to Sarada as cheerfully as she could manage. "So how did your walk go?"

"Hi mom. My walk went fine. I actually ran into the hokage. He sat down with me and we talked for a bit." Sarada sounded happy at that. Sasuke wondered what his daughter his friend could've possibly talked about. Especially after their last real conversation. Ever since Sasuke confessed his deeds to his daughter, Sasuke had silently agreed to her some space. From insistence from his wife of course.

"That's good. Sarada come say hi to your father." Sakura said it more like order than a request.

She walked over to him. "Hi dad." There was almost no emotion behind her words.

"Hey Sarada." He tried to sound happy but it didn't work too well.

"Sasuke tell our daughter what happened today." Sakura called out. Sasuke really didn't feel like telling her, but her wife's words were not easily refuted.

"Well you see Sarada, I took Boruto on as my apprentice today."

Sarada's face finally showed some emotion, but it wasn't the emotion he was expecting. "Boruto? Why'd you take him on?" Her voice rang with anger.

"Well, he asked me too, and he's persistent." Sasuke stammered out.

"You could've just refused. I had to teach myself the firestyle jutsu from the scroll you gave me. I had no one to help me."

"I know. And I'm proud of you for it."

"You don't get it!" Sarada was livid now, he could see it. "But why should I expect you to?" Sarada spat at him. She didn't wait for a response nor could Sasuke give one. She simply went upstairs and slammed the door to her room. Sasuke had messed up again, only this time he wasn't sure about what he did.

"I really don't get it, do I?" Sasuke turned to face his wife who had the same hurt expression that Sasuke was probably wearing.

"It doesn't seem like you do." Sakura sighed.

"Is she jealous that I took Boruto on as an apprentice, and not her?"

"I think it's more like she's upset that you moved on from her so quickly."

Sasuke couldn't believe this. "That's not it. I just, I didn't take on Boruto to avoid Sarada, I just thought that maybe I could help him out. Konohamaru or Naruto aren't able to do that."

"Then tell her." Her wife was growing impatient with him now. "You need to stop keeping your reasons and feelings to yourself. Sarada wants to help you. She wants to be someone to help you get over your past, but you won't let her. You think you're protecting her by keeping all your secrets from her, but you're also hurting her by doing that." Sakura yelled at him. Sasuke knew she was right. By hiding his feelings from his daughter he was hurting her. "Sasuke. Why did you really take on Boruto as your apprentice?"

Sasuke hesitated. "The look in his eyes is the same as mine when I was his age. A look that just screams of pain and anger. Maybe I was being impulsive when he came to me, but I felt like if didn't say yes to him, I'd be making another huge mistake." Sasuke gave his wife a determined look. This was the real reason he accepted Boruto as his student. If he could stop just one person from becoming like him, maybe he'd be able to forgive himself for his mistakes. His wife smiled at him.

"Alright then. I guess you've made up your mind. I'm proud of you Sasuke, and congratulations on your new student."

"Thank you. I'm gonna go see Kakashi now." He walked out the door with new determination and resolve. Naruto always talked about passing the will of fire onto the next generation. The time's come to do just that.

The Village Hidden in the Leaves seemed like a place out of time. It was a quaint village and a bustling metropolis all it once. A lot better than that dinky town. Haru had brought Jet along with five other members of the black sun for this infiltration. All of them wore dark hooded ponchos to conceal their identities. Haru had to be particularly cautious given that four ninja from the leaf already knew his identity. Not that it mattered if he was discovered, he'd simply kill the unfortunate fellow recognized him, no matter who it was. Jet had complained about why they couldn't launch an all out assault. He knew Jet was aching for some real action, and truth be told, so was Haru. But he had no intention intention of getting the Black Sun into a full scale battle. They were still human and could only do so much after all.

The night air was sweet and soothing. Tonight they would take their sacrifice. Tonight they would take Himawari Uzumaki. "Everyone ready back there?" His entire infiltration team all nodded in unison. "Alright then. Move!" Swift and silent they ran into the village bypassing the barrier ninjutsu set in place around the village's perimeter, and silently killing any guards on the border. They stuck to the allies. Haru had no desire to waste time taking the streets. Behind buildings and over rooftops was their route. Safest and without any traffic. As they neared the hokage residence. Haru signaled his subordinates to stop. There were ANBU guarding the residence. As expected. Haru had the team split up to eliminate guards faster. Seconds later, the ANBU began dropping like flies despite Haru's squad being outnumbered by them. Haru entered the home through a window while he had the rest of his squad remained outside. He told them that it was to avoid being noticed. The home's interior was rather modest compared to how large it was. Haru made his way upstairs which was rather plain in comparison to the first floor. There were but 4 doors no doubt one of them was the bathroom. He used the natural energy to help him find the disturbance that was Himawari Uzumaki. That disturbance was not small but soft. And it was young as well. Found you. He entered the second last room and sure enough in the large bedroom, there was single bed. On it slept a little girl with short dark hair. That had to be Himawari Uzumaki. He would simply knock her out with a jab to the neck and escape out the window in the room. He approached the bed slowly and quietly and pressed his finger into the girl's neck once he was right beside her. He placed the girl under her arm and as he did he spoke to the immensely powerful presence he'd been sensing behind him for some time. "So Seventh Hokage, do you plan to just let me walk out of your with little girl or will you do something about it?" He turned to face the face his foe and sure and enough there he stood in his glory. He still wore his Hokage cape.

"If you know what's good for you'll let my daughter go kid." He was quiet, but Haru could sense the intense fatherly anger emanating from him.

"Hate to say this old man but I have no intention of doing so."

"I won't ask again."

"It's not like you were asking to begin with."

"You really want to die that badly?"

"About that. I don't have any intention of doing that either. So since neither of us will be backing down, how about we take this outside? Wouldn't want to wake up the rest of your family now would we?" He smirked at the hokage.

"Trust me, I'll end this before they even realize your here." With blinding speed the hokage appeared directly in Haru's face where he effortlessly caught the hokage's kick and pushed him back. Smirking at the hokage, Haru threw his daughter out the window. "HEY!" The hokage yelled in vain and without need since she was caught by one his men who sped away with the girl. "You bastard!" The hokage was red with anger and he no longer kept his voice down.

"Well, now that that's out of the way we can do this properly." He grinned. Before Haru or the hokage could make a move, a dark haired woman who was no doubt the byakugan princess and Boruto Uzumaki appeared in the doorway.

"What's going on?!" The princess was frantic.

"Well, so much for you ending this before the rest of your family realizes I'm here." He mocked the hokage. "How've ya' been kid?" He addressed Boruto, removing his hood. The boy clearly wasn't expecting this. That made the their reunion all the more amusing for Haru.

"Haru Chinatsu? What the hell is going on?" Boruto cried out.

"You know this guy Boruto?"The hokage asked his son.

"Yeah, he's the chief of that town we went to on our mission."

"Oh that town." Haru began. "I sent that place up in flames."

"You what?!" The hokage's son was clearly out of the loop. The boy anger was quite impressive in all honesty. he had a desire to see what he was capable of. Boruto opened his mouth to speak, or to most like yell something, but didn't get the chance to do either.

"You destroyed that town using a special fire right?" The hokage's tone grew darker.

"Correct." Haru replied.

"Another town was destroyed the same way. The town I sent Hanabi Hyuga to investigate." The hokage looked in square in the eyes and Haru stared back. The byakugan princess and Boruto seemed to be growing with fear

"How about you stop beating around the bush and say it?"

The hokage didn't get a chance to. His wife spoke first. "You. You killed my sister." The look of horror and rage on her face was priceless. The same face was worn by the hokage and Boruto.

The byakugan princess stepped forward. Her dojutsu activated and an evil aura surrounding her. "You son of a bitch! I'll-"

"Hinata." The hokage caught his wife before she could charge at Haru.

"Take Boruto and raise the alarm. This guy's cronies kidnapped Hima. No doubt there are already ANBU chasing after them but we need to let every ninja in the village know."

"What, Hima?!" The hokage's wife and son cried out in unison.

"It'll be alright. I promise. Now go."

After some hesitation and reluctance Hinata Hyuga ran away dragging her son behind her. Boruto manage to steal one last glare at Haru though. "That's a nice family you've got." Haru smirked at the hokage.

"Yeah they are. I'm lucky to have them." The hokage spoke up.

"Well, most of em'. What, with you sister-in-law dead and me having kidnapped your daughter and all."

The hokage began to glow bright yellow with black seals over his body. Haru could sense the natural energy mixed with vile chakra radiating off the hokage. So this is his jinchuriki and sage powers. "Haru Chinatsu was it? I've never seen my wife so mad in my life. I promise you, if you were facing her she'd tear you limb from limb. Literally." The hokage began raising his voice. "I don't want my son to see his mother like that so I'll slaughter you for her and for me!"

Haru laughed. "This is gonna be fun." He gave the hokage a thumbs down. The hokage scoffed and the two charged at each other.