It had been ten days since her training had begun It was unlike anything she'd ever been through. Her mother's training was strict and brutal. Uncle Naruto's was ridiculously unorthodox. In the beginning Uncle Naruto left a shadow clone in his place at the hokage's office and had taken her to a shuriken practice range. There were three targets for her to it. It would've been easy for her except the hokage had only given her one shuriken to do it. It made no sense. If there were three targets you would need three shuriken to hit them regardless of how you threw them. Each target must have shuriken in them. After trying and trying for hours, the hokage finally gave her a hint: "I didn't say you had to throw it." He had said with a mischievous giggle. Thus she went and literally smacked the three targets with the shuriken and the hokage had given her a thumbs up.

Sparring matches involved little more than classic taijutsu. No enhancements whatsoever. For endurance, she'd been made to carry the hokage's ridiculously huge pack on camping in one of the village's many forests. In the end it turned out there was only rocks in the bag and the tent had been set up beforehand. It felt like the only thing he'd really taught her was how to infuse her weapons with chakra. That was only for the first 3 days of course. The fourth she had come out and asked him: "Why don't teach me any real new jutsu like the rasengan or something?" His response had been one that aggravated her. He had said: "Rasengan isn't really your style Sarada. Sorry." After that she had had it. She exploded by telling him her father had been teaching Boruto some real techniques. Shurikenjutsu, taijutsu, helping him refine his rasengan, and chakra natures. The hokage responded by simply smiling at her and saying: "Your dad and Boruto are prodigies unlike you and me. They both have a wider arsenal of different techniques that we don't and it's possible we never will. So we need to take the fewer things we are capable of and refine them single-mindedly. Use them in every possible way to be able to stand up to them."

This was something her mother had never taught Sarada. She knew a ninja would have to use whatever they have at their disposal to try and win, but she always believed that you should have as many techniques under your belt as possible to win. This had changed her view completely.

The first three days she'd been taught how to think in different ways than usual. Build up endurance for doing the same thing over and over. After that the hokage guided her on refining her abilities. Her precise chakra control, her fire style and lighting style, and her sharingan. She had figured out how to use them in ways she never imagined.

Today was another sparring match with the hokage. This time ninjutsu was allowed. "Alright let's see what you got. Sarada!" He called her out with a great grin stretching from ear to ear. Accepting his challenge with grin of her own she took several kunai and streamed lighting natured chakra through them as she threw them. They were effortlessly dodged but she pulled back on the threads she'd attached to the weapons and they came back towards the hokage's head. He ducked as they missed their targets but she'd gotten closer this time than ever before. The hokage formed two clones and charged forth towards Sarada. She took her fist and smashed it into the ground releasing lightning nature chakra unlike the ordinary chakra she usually used. A crater formed in the ground was slightly smaller than usual but in exchange lighting crackled out in the form of shock wave from the point of impact sending the hokage and the clones and flying back. The clones didn't disappear on their own though, they were too strong for that. So the hokage released the jutsu on his own. Next she used firestyle to blow a great stream of flames at the hokage. This attack too was speedily dodged but she had already moved to appear behind him using the light from the flames as a distraction. Appearing directly behind him she moved to use one of her mother's superhuman punches to finish the fight in a single blow. Just as she was about to do it, she found her arms restrained by something strong from behind and next thing she knew was in headlock. She struggled to turn her head and see two of Uncle Naruto. He had created another shadow clone. When had he done that? After ginning at her, he released his jutsu again and she moved in for a punch but the hokage held up his hand. "That's enough Sarada."

That wasn't expected. "What? I can still fight!" She shot back.

"I know. So can I. But I've been pushing you hard for past ten days and I'd like to take you out for lunch. Something, just fun."

Sarada pulled her fist back and calmed down. It's true that the hokage never mistreated her but he'd never taken her for something simply fun before. "Fine." She tried to sound as angry as possible while trying to hide her smile.

She felt the hokage's hand ruffle her hair. He beamed down on her with pride. "You did great Sarada. You really did."

Now she became flustered and couldn't hold back smile anymore. "Thank you Uncle." She enthusiastically bowed.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Boruto yelled at Sasuke.

"Me? You're the one didn't wasn't watching his ass." Sasuke said with a sly grin.

"Did you have to go and jab it though?" He rubbed his behind where he'd been hit by Sasuke's Lightning Style: One Thousand Years of Death. Which was little more than imbuing your index and middle fingers with lightning-natured chakra and jabbing your opponent in the arse with them. "What kind of jutsu is that? Especially in sparring match between ninja?"

"Boruto. Ninja must expect the unexpected."

"Bull! You just ran out of moves because I cornered you." He accused of his mentor.

"What? Yeah right." Old Man Sasuke replied clearly flustered. "Thanks to me you've gotten a lot better, but don't think that you actually caught me off guard. You just got lucky."

"Luck! Ha! My ass."

"You mean the one you weren't watching?"

The two continued bickering, reminding Boruto of how much Sasuke was like his daughter. Only much more infuriating. It was quite common for the past ten days. When it came time to train however, there would be no nonsense between them. Boruto made sure to listen to everything the legendary Uchiha had to say. He was a strict teacher but also warm and soft-spoken. He always acknowledged Boruto's efforts without exaggerating the results. He always made sure Boruto was aware of his strengths and weaknesses. At first Boruto thought that Sasuke was degrading him. He quickly realized that wasn't the case. For a ninja, underestimation of your enemy's abilities, or the overestimation of your own, increases the chances of failure a hundred-fold. Doing both results in guaranteed failure. He never acknowledged those before before Old Man Sasuke.

After a few minutes of senseless bickering, the two sat down for lunch. He always enjoyed Sasuke's company though he'd never admit it. There was something about the man that seemed to put him at ease. "Boruto. You really are getting better." Sasuke said.

Boruto smiled. "Thanks Old Man." He spooned in another bite food.

"In just ten days you went from a crybaby to well . . . a little less of a crybaby." The Uchiha said with a smirk.

"Hey! I was never a crybaby! I just . . . wasn't used to . . . well . . ."

"Working so hard?" Sasuke finished for him. "Yeah. I know how feel. I never had to work as hard as others to be able to do things. But that's the downside of being a prodigy." He sounded melancholy.

"Isn't that the upside?" Boruto was confused.

"Not necessarily. If we're confronted by something that we have to work hard for, we're usually the ones mostly likely to quit as opposed to guys who are losers like your dad. They never quit no matter depressingly hopeless the situation seems."

Boruto took a drag of his juice pouch, digesting his mentor's words. "Were you ever in a situation like that?"

"Yeah. When the yet-to-be sixth hokage was training me for the chidori."

"Really? But that's like your signature move now."

"Yeah. But back then, it was pain in the ass. Having to first awaken my lightning nature and then learn to apply in ninjutsu was challenging enough. Then to build my body up to the point so I could effectively execute the technique required me to put in more work and effort than I have ever had to in my life." Sasuke put a piece of tomato in his mouth. "My body aches just thinking about it.

"I don't completely get it." Boruto said.

"Think of it like this. A prodigy is a lot like tomato that's ripe right off the bush."

"That's a neat comparison." Boruto teased.

"Sh- Shut up!" Sasuke looked flustered. Another thing he learned is how sensitive Sasuke becomes about his food preferences. "Anyway if a ripe tomato is allowed to sit for too long it's gonna rot. A tomato that isn't ripe right from the get-go is only going to get better though."

"Yeah, but aren't humans a bit different?"

"Only in that we can better no matter how we start out. You and I are geniuses. We can do most of the things others can't without even trying, but if we think that because we're geniuses ,that we're the ones who a right to win then we cripple ourselves."

"That makes sense I guess. A genius that doesn't use their genius to get even better and do more, is no different that lump on a log."

"Exactly." Sasuke said with a proud smile. "Geniuses make mistakes just like anyone else, and the only way to better is to acknowledge those mistakes and move forward to get stronger in spite of them."

Yes. Old Man Sasuke was right. There was no refuting it. It wasn't too long ago that Boruto would've been happy lazing around and not trying to get better in fear of having to face his mistakes. But Sasuke changed his view. Mistakes are inevitable for a human being, but moving forward in spite of them is what makes humans stronger. Covering up one's mistakes by not doing anything or cheating is the same trying to hid a mansion using big yellow tarp. It's stupid and you just draw even more attention to yourself. Dad never told me these things. "So. Why'd you learn the chidori anyway?" Boruto wasn't asking why he had to work so hard, but why he had to learn this technique. It was simple curiosity.

There was slight hesitation as Sasuke put his single hand to his left shoulder. "I was under a bad influence at the time, is the best way to put it. By giving into it I could achieve an immense boost in power, but it came at a price that my friends thought wasn't worth paying. Kakashi taught chidori to me so I wouldn't feel the need to give into it."

"So what about you? Did you think the price was worth paying?"

"In all honesty, at that point in my life, I would've done just about anything to gain more power."

"I see." Boruto crumpled up his juice pouch. The Uchiha's story matched up. He was in search of power to kill his brother. It made sense that he'd be looking for any way to accomplish his task. Haru's face flashed in Boruto's mind. His grin as his mother pulled r son away, while his father fought Haru. And let him escape. "Isn't there a more efficient way of getting stronger?" Boruto suddenly said. He wasn't sure why, but he did.

"There are more efficient ways of taking out your opponent. The village's engineers have developed the Kote, which allows for one to fire out high level ninjutsu without training or chakra. While the device is powerful, it doesn't at all say that its user is powerful."

"Yeah, but in war, wouldn't it come in handy?" Boruto asked.

"Of course it would. Only a complete moron would question it. But putting all your faith in a single power with nothing else, and none in yourself leaves you empty and broken. You may not realize it right away but your screwing yourself over if you follow that path." Boruto looked down at the grass beneath him. His arguments were sensible and flawless. He just wished it didn't hurt to accept them. To accept the truth. He wanted to defend his family, he wanted kill Haru. Boruto for once in his life had a goal. A reason truly become stronger and strive for perfection. If he didn't, he'd have done anything to be able to take out his opponents. He was a prodigy so it wouldn't matter because he could do anything. But he couldn't stop Haru from almost taking Hima and he knew he wouldn't have been able to. No special tool or power was going to change that. "Come on. Let's go for a walk." Sasuke put a hand on his shoulder. Boruto nodded with smile and left with his mentor.

Haru walked down the steps into the dimly lit hallways. He could tell that a great amount work had gone into building this hideout. Haru just wished Orochimaru would've installed some more lights in here. A tall figure began to down the hall towards. He had orange hair, fierce eyes, and a scowl that said 'leave now or die.' "Who are you?" The man said.

"I'm here to see Orochimaru, if you be so kind." Haru said to the man. He didn't expect him to agree, but he decided he should maintain his own manners when he could afford to.

"No. Sorry, but I can't let you go see him. And you are trespassing by the way."

"I understand. But I have to see him and I'm afraid 'no' is not an answer I can accept right now." Haru glared at this orange-haired man.

An ominous pressure began to come of the man. It was akin to how The Sol use their Shizenryu. He was pulling natural energy into his body passively, despite the fact the he had chakra. Haru eyes-widened along with his grin as the right side of the orange haired man's body started changing into something demonic. There were spikes and scales; claws and fangs; all in a deep, dark shade of stormy gray. "If you don't leave. I will kill you." The man's tone was deep threatening, and incredibly hostile. Haru clenched his own hand into a fist and prepared to kill this man.

"That's enough Jugo." A voice called came from down the hallway.

The owner of the voice began to come to the light revealing none other than Orochimaru with a silver-haired man and a red-haired woman behind him. "This isn't an opponent you can defeat."

With that the orange haired man's body quickly morphed back to normal.

"Orochimaru." Haru said.

"Haru Chinatsu." Orochimaru seemed to as pleased as the one called Jugo to find him here.

"You don't look happy to see me. We are family after all." Haru said with all honesty.

"I don't see how." Orochimaru replied calmly but intimidatingly.

"Mitsuki. Your son, my nephew. Family."

"You of all people should know that blood isn't a very good qualifier for family Haru."

"Of course not, but it's a good place to start."

There was pause. Haru stared the immortal Orochimaru straight in the eyes with Orochimaru returning the glare. "What did you come here for Haru?"

"I had a chance to speak to Mitsuki. I told him about the sun blade."

"As did I."

"You didn't tell him the true nature of the curse, did you though?"

Orochimaru didn't answer right away. "No I didn't. There would be nothing gained from me telling him or not."

"Nothing gained? You would allow your own son to suffer as the sun's chosen one, than help him by telling him the truth?"

No answer.

"You truly are snake to the end. Himiko drove you away, so to avoid suffering the same fate twice, you keep your son at distance."

Orochimaru scoffed. "You misunderstand the nature of my relationship with Himiko. I do regret her fate and we did care about each other to some extent. But romance was beyond us. My new body allowed me to consume the energy plant life to maintain my youth yet I could never gain immortality and Himiko was chosen by the sun. Destined be humanity's salvation but never allowed to live as a human. How could romance between two people as ironic and hopeless as that be possible?"

"Oh, so it was a relationship of need and logic. You understood and related each other but were unable love, so you skipped to the third step. A child between you two would indeed be powerful."

"Indeed Haru." Orochimaru's stance was began longer and stronger. He could tell from his posture that Orochimaru had no muscle in his body that was useless. No muscle simply for intimidation. There was no wasted breath, and no wasted movement, as would be expected of a ninja of his caliber. "So tell me what have you come for? You certainly won't ask me to join you? I don't have much interest wars that I didn't start." Orochimaru said. A dark aura forming around him.

"You say that, but in truth you find war as intriguing as I do, whether you take part in it or not."

"True enough. There is nothing so interesting as watching fools dig their own graves."

"You and I are the same then."

"Not quite. It interests me just as a gruesome murder case might interest a crime investigator. I don't derive pleasure from war, I simply use them if it suits my purposes."

"Is that right? I think you might find this war a bit more pleasurable."

Orochimaru's stance softened. "I can't believe I'm actually going to listen to you."

"Can we sit down somewhere?"

"No."

Haru couldn't help but frown at the answer. It was clear this man was not going to be in position where it made it harder for him to fight.

"I plan to release a great power sealed under the Leaf Village."

"And what power is that?"

"Hachiman."

Orochimaru's mouth opened slightly at the mention of the name of the god of war. Then he began to laugh. "Are you mad boy? You plan to release that monster? For what? It has no purpose. No power that can be used to your benefit. It is merely a force of nature."

"Exactly." Haru said with as as much determination and confidence as he could muster. "It will be released, complete its task, and then go back to sleep no matter what I do. And that's what I want."

"You're talking about bringing forth the apocalypse." Orochimaru began to smile.

"We both know it won't be so grand."

The three of Orochimaru's subordinates were growing uneasy, but didn't speak. "Indeed. So tell me, why did you come to talk to me about it?"

"I see you as a special war potential, so I'd like to come along."

"So that means you view me as one of the people who can kill you."

"As far I can tell, you are the only one capable of killing me."

Orochimaru sighed. "You always were like that. Anything or anyone that was threat to you, you did everything in your power to win it to your side. Whether it was in a fight or game of tag." Orochimaru said sarcastically. Though he knew Orochimaru as a child he never knew that he had discerned so much about him. However there was something missing.

"You presume to know me quite well. Orochimaru." Haru said.

"Not at all. You are a unique man. One who is a black sheep no matter what flock he finds himself in. Misunderstood and undesired. Why else are you so keen on destroying the world?"

"Hn." Haru smirked. "I came here for your answer."

Orochimaru returned the smirk. "Never." The venom on Orochimaru's voice was threatening as a cobra's.

Haru locked glares with Orochimaru again as the other three in the hall prepared for battle. "I'm surprised Orochimaru, I thought you'd be interested in the results of my mission."

"At another time I would've been. But I've rather grown bored of large-scale destruction. After all, what good would it do anyone? Especially me? I used to want to control everything though all I want to see now, is what others can do with the world the way it is. So no. Releasing the war god is something that would interfere with the world I like to observe.

Haru scoffed. "You've grown soft, you old snake." He said as he walked away.

"Perhaps I'm not the only one. Or do you really plan to just walk out of here without killing us. After all, I might just decide to inform the hokage of your plans." Orochimaru's voice seemed to mocking him behind his back.

Without turning he replied. "Perhaps. But I think we both know he can't stop me."

"One thing I've learned is never to underestimate that fool. Haru." Orochimaru sounded sincere.

"Point noted. I honestly don't care what you do Orochimaru, As long as I can do what I want." He turned to face Orochimaru. "I just remembered. Mitsuki. I think I should let you know that I plan to make him the sun's chosen one. My trump card. In exchange I will take everyone and everything that loves and knows. I will spare him the burden of having to push those that he loves away on his own." Haru walked away without waiting on a response from Orochimaru. He knew that the snake would not face him unless he absolutely had to. Just because Orochimaru was capable of killing Haru doesn't mean it was guaranteed. As he left the hideout a snake slithered past his feet. "Hn. We'll meet again Orochimaru."

"Your ramen's always the best Old Man Teuchi." Naruto said to the old ramen chef. The old man simply smiled back full of pride. He'd been coming here since he was a child and few other food could satisfy him the Ichiraku Ramen. he looked over at Sarada, to see his young apprentice enjoying her bowl as well though slower that himself. Naruto added his fourth empty bowl to the stack of finished bowls next to him Sarada finished hers as well.

Naruto paid the rather hefty bill and waved goodbye to the Teuchi. "Thank you, Uncle Naruto." Sarada said to him.

"Huh?" Naruto wondered what was on the girl's mind. She could be feisty but she always thanked him for everything as if it were her first time being allowed to go out this.

"It's just that I don't get to feel this way a lot." Sarada replied the sadness evident in her voice.

"What do you mean?"

"I just well . . you know. My mom can get caught up with work at the hospital sometimes and my dad . . ."

"I understand." Naruto what was going on. There was always tension when Sarada and Sasuke spoke to each other. The two walked in silence for a bit. Naruto was glad for Sarada's company as he didn't get to have these sorts of chances with his children very much. Shadow clones didn't cut with his family and being there by himself was . . . difficult.

"So let's go do some more training." Sarada suddenly said.

"Sarada." He was surprised by the young kunoichi's determination. "I just thought that you wanted to take the rest of the day off."

"No way. You said you'd be with me the whole day today. I don't want to waste it."

"I understand, but don't think you should take care of yourself and take the day off?"

"No way. I have to get stronger so I can beat Boruto!" She immediately covered her mouth at her utterance of the boy's name.

Naruto cracked up in laughter and patted Sarada's head. "Trying to take the genius genin down a notch huh? Talk about aiming high. But I suppose with you it's okay since you're not completely hopeless unlike me."

Sarada sighed in relief at that. In truth, Naruto couldn't help feel a sense of nostalgia looking at Sarada. At her age he had defeated both Neji Hyuga and Gaara, bot recognized as the strongest genin from their villages. The odds of him defeating one of them was hopeless, as it was but defeating two would be something out of fairy tale. Thus, he was as surprised as everyone when he defeated both of them. Though it had been close.

Boruto was the genius son of an idiot. While Sarada was no idiot and was incredibly gifted, it would be wrong to deny that she didn't possess the same genius potential as he father. He was happy however to know that his student wouldn't let that stop her. This girl's just as stubborn as I am.

"So will you train me today or not?" Sarada tone was impatient.

"Okay sure. How about we go to the river? We can train on the water."

"Yeah." She was enthusiastic again. Naruto smiled at his pupil who ran ahead leading the way.

When they reached their destination they found that they weren't the only ones who had the idea of training here. Sparring on the on the river were none other than his own son and Sarada's father. "Hey Boruto, Sasuke!" Naruto called to them.

The two turned to look at them, clearly surprised by the coincidence. "What are you guys doing here Dad?" Boruto asked.

"We came here to train." Naruto replied.

"Is that right?" Sasuke said. Sarada scowled at him.

"Well we were here first." Boruto said defiantly.

"Hey now, I think we can come to some sort of compromise here." Naruto said looking at Sasuke confidently. He had just the idea to settle, help Sarada towards hero goal, and hopefully one-up Sasuke.

"What?" Sasuke said clearly annoyed by the hokage's staring.

"We'll decide who gets to train here by having a sparring match between our students Sasuke."

""What?!"" Both Boruto and Sarada said in unison.

"What kind of preposition is that?" Sasuke asked.

"A good kind. It's clear that whoever wins this match has the better teacher."

"This is stupid." Sasuke said.

"Yeah." Boruto added in.

"Come on Sasuke. You're not scared are you?" He teased the uptight Uchiha. "Afraid that I'm a better teacher than you in addition to becoming hokage?"

"Hang on. Don't me and Boruto get a choice?" Naruto heard Sarada's question but was too focused on teasing her father.

"Sasuke. Don't tell me you're chicken?" Naruto kept on pestering his rival. He would not let him get away from this.

"Fine!" Sasuke finally spat. He huffed and looked he was ready to smash a rock. "Boruto!"

"What?" Boruto spat back clearly not interested in his mentor's and father's rivalry.

"You better not lose." Sasuke said.

"Fine. But I can't lose when I was taught by you."

"Hn." Sasuke smirked at Naruto. Naruto stifled the urge to smack that smirk off his face.

"Sarada." Naruto turned to his own pupil. "Let's take these geniuses down a notch."

"Alright." She nodded strongly.

The two genin stepped forward to face each other. Naruto and Sasuke stepped to the side.

The two genin glared fiercely at eachother. Naruto could tell that though they had no intention to do this yet, they were going to give it their all. Thus he had to make on thing clear. "This is just a sparring match you two. Injuries are inevitable, but we also we can't bring you two home half-dead or your mothers will kill us. Got it?"

""Right."" The genin replied in unison.

"Go!" At Naruto's call the two genin charged at each other.

Sarada instantly blitzed Boruto with a powerful chakra enhanced punch creating a massive crater upon impact. What do you think of my new strength Dad?
 Once the dust from Sarada's attack settled, Boruto was not there. How did she miss? She pushed that question away as she turned and barely managed to evade a gentle fist strike from Boruto.

His speed was completely different from before. He'd always been fast. The fastest of their generation in fact but this was on whole other level. There was no way she'd be able to follow him with normal eyes. Sharingan! His movements had become so much clearer with her new fully matured sharingan. Now Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Several small balls of fire sped towards her blonde opponent only her flames to blown away by a blast of air from another gentle strike. He can already create shock waves using gentle fist. But . . . He just barely dodged the shuriken she'd hidden in the flames and one of them left a cut on his cheek. I made the first blow. Uncle Naruto had taught her to be proud of whatever progress she made. That meant you were that much closer to completing your task. Boruto smirked and cracked his neck. He instantly formed a rasengan larger than ever before and in single hand which he quickly threw at her.

Were it not for her sharingan she'd never have dodged the spiraling sphere and even then she just barely dodged. Next came a wall of water from Boruto's mouth which she could only match with her firestyle. She couldn't begin to imagine how he was ever able to do that and weave the hand signs for it so fast if at all. Boruto's attack left water at her feet. She wasted no time running lightning nature chakra through it sending a stream of electricity at Boruto which he made no attempt to even dodge. Instead the electricity never reached him. He smirked at Sarada surprise. Anyone else would've been dumbstruck but with her sharingan she could tell that he'd released chakra from his chakra points all at once creating a form of armour around him. She'd almost forgotten that Boruto was from the Hyuga Clan, who no one could match in terms of sheer chakra manipulation. Boruto pulled out out single kunai and prepared to attack.

BOOM!

There was a great sound of an explosion far off in the distance, interrupting their match. "What was that?" Sarada asked. She turned to her and Boruto's fathers who seemed as if they'd expected this. "It's coming from the direction of the interrogation division!" Uncle Naruto yelled. That meant that something wrong with their prisoners. "Sasuke you get the kids home!"

"Right." her father answered.

"Dad!" Boruto yelled.

"Don't worry about me. I'm trusting you to look after your sister. Now go." The hokage ran away like an arrow fired from a highly compound bow. You didn't see him leave but you knew that he did.

"Come on. Let's go!" Her father called back.

"Come on Boruto!" Sarada called to her friend who seemed incredibly reluctant to obey. His eyes had that anger in them again. The anger of boy, no, a man looking for blood.

His sparring match with Konohamaru-sensei had been interrupted by the explosion. "Sensei?" Mitsuki looked to see if the jonin understood the situation.

"The sound came from the direction of the interrogation division. That means there something going on with the prisoners." He turned to Mitsuki with a stern a look on his face. "I'll take you home to keep you out of danger. Then I'll head to the interrogation division to see what's happening."

Mitsuki nodded in acknowledgement.

"I'm sorry but you can't go anywhere yet." The all to familiar voice of Haru Chinatsu stopped them in their tracks. Mitsuki and Konohamaru-sensei turned to face him.

"Haru. What do you want?" The sensei interrogated of the man.

"Your student there." Haru bluntly said as gestured to Mitsuki.

"What do you want him for?"

"I told you all that meant to. Since I have no use for you Konohamaru Sarutobi, you will die here." Haru threw his hand into the ground sending a stream of spiky earth in the sensei's direction. He expertly dodged the attack picking up Mitsuki as he did so.

"Mitsuki. You run. I'll hold him off." Konohamaru-sensei said.

"Sensei . . . " Mitsuki began.

"Go. I'll be fine I promise." With that Konohamaru-sensei charged the leader of the Black Sun with a rasengan in each hand. Mitsuki wasn't about to leave this battlefield yet. Thus he hid himself in the earth the way his father taught him to but still being able to observe the fight.

Massive Rasengan! Konohamaru's attack was being blocked by Haru bare hand. No. It was more it was being dismantled by another form of energy, but Konohamaru Sarutobi was no ordinary ninja. The rasengan had shrunken down to size but Haru jumped away leaving Konohamaru with a still a sizable rasengan. Konohamaru's chakra was incredibly powerful as would be expected of prospective hokage. The strain of blocking such powerful attack from such and opponent must've put strain Haru's body. Good. Or at least he thought it was good when saw that Haru didn't look exhausted at all.

Konohamaru took what was left of the rasengan and tried blitzing Haru only be blown away by some invisible force as Haru swiped his palm at him. Shaking it off, Konohamaru formed the tiger hand seal and and blew a great inferno from his mouth. This attack however was also blocked by what appeared to be lava. As the smoke settled down, Haru was indeed standing there surrounded by moat of lava. With Haru pushing forth his hand several streams of lava flew at Konohamaru. Konohamaru dodged with unerring speed of kage-caliber ninja. Though the lava streams themselves were also incredibly fast. He prepared for The multi-shadow clone jutsu.

"Ah." There was stabbing pain in his back as felt hot liquid flow from the source of the pain. He turned to see a kunai stuck in his flesh and hands holding it were none other than Mitsuki. His students. He looked at Haru who was wearing satisfied expression on his face.

Konohamaru groaned at the kunai left his body and he fell to the ground. This wasn't an ordinary stab Mitsuki used. There was chakra infused in it. Powerful chakra. That was the only way he could have been affected so greatly by it. He looked on as the lava moat around Haru died down and his student walked towards uncle. He wanted to see how Mitsuki looked right now. He also wanted to see what his own face looked like. No doubt one of guilt, stupidity, and regret. "Mi . . . tsu . . . ki." He groaned out as felt his consciousness leaving him.

Mitsuki turned towards his former teacher. The look upon his face was emotionless. No pride, regret, joy, or pain. It was as if this was his natural duty. His duty to leave behind the ones who care for him. There was nothing he could do as Mitsuki and Haru walked away side by side. Nothing, as his eyes closed. Gramps Third Hokage. Is this how you felt when Orochimaru left you?

The interrogation division was in shambles. Naruto had managed to find a single survivor amidst the rubble, who told him of how suddenly the barrier surrounding Jet had simply dissipated and then he freed the rest of his comrades. How Jet had and the rest of Sol laid waste to the to all the guards. Afte the poor man had died. Naruto closed his and moved forward.

"Why did he break out now?" He said to himself.

"Because now was the best time." A voice answered from behind him. He turned and saw Shikamaru. "We got here too late." He was lamentful.

"Yeah. That usually seems to be the case with us doesn't it?" Naruto said. "What do you mean now was the best time?"

"The guard around your daughter has been set. All our preparations have been complete. We have done everything that we can in advance to protect ourselves against the Black Sun."

"You mean we exhausted a good portion of our resources to do it. Meaning there was nothing more that we could do. Making it easier for the enemy to plan against something our static and stagnant plans. But how did they find out?"

"There is much about their abilities that we are unaware of. perhaps they some method of observing of what happens inside the village."

"It doesn't matter. We need to get to the Uchiha residence and protect my daughter."

Sasuke threw open the door. "Everyone listen. We need to get Himawari out of here."

Hinata, Sakura, Himawari, as well as Kakashi Gaara and Killer Bee came into the entrance hallway. "Have they come for her?" Hinata said clearly frantic.

"They have. C'mon.

"Aw, man. And I was just about get ready for Rap Concert." Killer Bee Complained which Sasuke ignored.

Everyone quickly hustled out. Sasuke was particularly surprised by Himawari's calmness. Despite her life being in the greatest danger, she seemed surprisingly level-headed. When they told that she was target, she was definitely scared but didn't cry. He originally assumed that she was to young to understand what was happening. He later learned though that understood very well that she could die, but what scared her most was that others would die as well. That is one brave girl.

Sasuke decided that leaving the village would be the best. They would head to one the Uchiha's secret hideout. He looked around and saw several figures coming towards them wearing the same dark ponchos as the ones who tried to kidnap Himawari before. One of them came directly at the group only to be deflected by a wall of sand. Gaara's attack. However several more came forth as well Sasuke unsheathed his sword to end them, but they sliced up by Killer Bee first all the while yelling some bad rap verses. Several then came for the side and they repelled by Kakashi's purple lightning. Damn. They're getting all the action.

A single tall figure with long brown hair now stood between them and the main gate. "Jet."

"Hello. Sasuke Uchiha. And the hokage's daughter." He smiled at Himawari, who had activated her byakugan. "I'll be taking the girl now."

"Like hell." Boruto yelled.

"That wasn't a request." Jet replied. Suddenly countless more Black Sun members appeared beside Haru. And the ones that attacked them before returned as well. Sasuke activated his mangekyo sharingan preparing for battle.

"Sasuke." Kakashi spoke. "Me, Gaara and Bee will create an opening. Then you take everyone else and get as far from as possible." Kakashi voice had the utmost confidence behind it. He looked at the other two of Himawari's bodyguards. They both wore the same confident expressions.

"Kakashi." Sasuke began.

"Don't bother Sasuke. You can tell Naruto I tricked you into leaving us behind. " At that the sixth hokage, the fifth kazekage, and the eight-tails jinchuriki stepped for forward to make their stand.

Both of Kakashi's hands began to crackle ferociously with purple lighting. He he shot beam a gigantic purple lightning beam at the enemy blocking their path. While Gaara used his earthstyle to to shift the ground at their feet, making them lose balance and preventing them from successful blocking Kakashi's monstrously powerful attack. "Now." Sasuke shouted to the ones who weren't fighting. Hinata picked up Himawari as they blitzed for the gate that had been pretty much demolished by Kakashi's attack. As they passed the gate an enemy blacked their path which Sasuke prepared to cut down only for his student Boruto to beat him to it with a rasengan. He gave him a proud smile as the enemy lay on the ground struggling to pull himself together.

Boruto gave himself a mental pat on the back for taking out the enemy. He was just a soldier for Haru, but being able to get in the game made him self more important and felt like he'd taken an active role in protecting his sister. As the group leaped from tree to tree led by Old Man Sasuke, Boruto looked over to his mother and his sister. That was his drive.

There was a great heat hanging on the air. It felt like fire, no hotter. Looking to the ground he found something completely different. It was lave and the very trees they were gliding across were sinking it. "Sasuke." Aunt Sakura called.

"I know." Her husband replied, his face dripping with sweat. Eventually the ground beneath them became earth again. But keeping them reaching the trees on that side was none other than Black Sun leader himself. Haru Chinatsu. Boruto's hated enemy stood before wearing the same smirk on his face as the night he last tried to kidnap Himawari.

"So your the legendary Sasuke. I honestly thought you'd be taller." Haru mocked.

Boruto prepared himself for battle, but Old Man Sasuke ran in first, his sword storming with electricity. He slashed at Haru who blocked with golden glowing blade that seemed to materialize out of thin air. No. It did materialize out of thin air. How did he do that? His father had told them that Haru could mimic the affects of ninja, but there was no ninjutsu that make weapon materialize out of thin air. "Wow, you really are fast Uchiha. But as would be expected." Haru said.

"I won't let you take my sister you bastard." Boruto said with as much venom and hostility as he could muster. If he had the byakugan it would flaring right now.

"Unfortunately kid, I can't leave without her." Haru said back.

Boruto was about to draw natural energy into his own body when he felt Old Man Sasuke hand on his shoulder. "Everyone grab onto me." Sasuke said.

Everyone did as told. In instant the group found themselves on in another tree that wasn't sinking. Looking at ground he found that it was actually there and not a pool of lava. He looked all around him and found that right behind him, with his back turned was Haru standing on a tree that was sinking in lava. That was the tree that we were on. This could only be the work of Sasuke's rinnegan technique: Amenotejikara. He had see him use it once during training, but had never once been truly part of the technique, It's feeling was similar to the flying raijin jutsu invented by the second hokage. But his just allowed Sasuke and anything attached to him to switch places with whatever he eyed.

"Sakura. you take everyone and head to the Kiba' and Tamaki's Uchiha hideout. I'll stay and deal with Haru.

"Right." Aunt Sakura replied.

Boruto wanted to stay and fight with all his heart. "C'mon!" Sarada pulled on him. "Let's go!"

Boruto got his wish though as when he turned there was massive, tall wall of earth that literally sprung out of the ground blocking their path. "Sorry but I can't let the girl get away this time." Haru said holding a glowing golden sword like weapon. He charged at Sasuke who countered with his own chidori infused blade.

Aunt Sakura tried to punch away the wall. Normally such an obstacle would be no match for her, but she was blown back after punch meaning that it was infused with natural energy. Of course he wasn't just gonna let us escape so easily. He turned to Sasuke's match with Haru. It was quite equal.

Sasuke jumped back and shot out a black sphere from his hand allowed it to hover above Haru. The black sphere began to rise and debris, lava, earth, and trees were being drawn towards it forming sort of sphere. Planetary Devastation. Boruto had heard of this rinnegan ability but to see it up close was magnificent. Haru himself was being drawn into it but seemed quite calm. He's insane. The sphere was about to finish when a great shock wave came from Haru as he yelled. The planetary devastation was destroyed and Sasuke used Susanoo to guard them from the falling debris.

Haru jumped to the ground. He looked tired. "Man. That rinnegan is real troublesome." Haru said gritting his teeth. Several stream of lava instantly began to crash against the Susanoo literally meting it. He could hear Sasuke struggling to keep up the defense. He looked over at the others. Sarada and her mother stood together looking at Sasuke. Aunt Sakura looking worried. Sarada looking completely scared. His own mother and sister were huddled together. Both of them with their byakugan activated. "Mom." Hima said.

"Don's worry Hima." His mother replied.

Hima didn't look truly worried. It was a look frustration. Frustration that this man kept trying to hurt them. At least that's what Boruto though it was. She didn't seem as afraid by the whole situation when the told Haru was targeting. He never knew she could be so brave. Boruto himself couldn't help but be terrified by this Haru's awesome power. As the Susanoo began to give way, the lava began to be engulfed by great black flames that formed a sort of shield around the group. This was Old Man Sasuke's amaterasu. The black flames instantly had an opening in them through which Haru blitzed through the black flames opening them like a door and tackled Sasuke. "You are a pain with this rinnegan." Haru reached down to Sasuke's face and he violently yanked his hand back. Blood exploded from Sasuke's face as he painfully screamed. "You won't be needing this eye anymore." He squeezed his hand that was no doubt holding said eye. Indeed blood began pouring between the fingers of the hand.

Sasuke kick Haru off of him, but struggled to get back up as his single hand clutched the left side of bleeding face. He tore out his rinnegan. Boruto stood there horrified. The legendary Sasuke Uchiha just lost his greatest trump card. Everyone knew that any dojutsu's full power could only be accessed when the user had both eyes in tact. Sasuke no longer did.

Aunt Sakura wasting no time ran forth with Chakra enhanced fist to push Haru further back which worked. She then grabbed her husband and ran back to their daughter. Both Sarada and Aunt Sakura had tears in their eyes as Sasuke stood back up, clutching his sword in his hand.

Boruto glared at Haru who was clearly paying no attention to him. Boruto wasted no time in placing his special seal on kunai and threw at At Haru who effortlessly caught it between his fingers. Guess he was watching. Haru smiled at him. Boruto instantly focused his chakra and allowed himself to become like the wind as he instantaneously appeared at the kunai's location and kicked Haru in the face sending him flying. He heard gasps from the other members of the group behind him.

Haru got back as he shook the dirt off of him. "Who would've thought that genin could successfully use the flying raijin jutsu? But you are of the Hyuga clan. Your chakra manipulation skills would be unmatched. Added to the immense reserves of chakra inherited from your father would make it easier to perform high-level ninjutsu when you put your mind to it. He smiled at Boruto as if he were praising him. "However . . . " Haru's foot shifted and in the next second he was directly up in his face and delivered as powerful kick to his gut, that sent Boruto flying into the dirt. "You should've struck me with a rasengan to do some greater damage. You must've been scared or angry, which clouded your judgement. But I'll give you credit, no ordinary ninja can get the better of me like that. It's shame I have kill someone with some much potential."

Boruto heard a yell as his mother attacked Haru to no avail as with swipe of his palm an invisible force sent her flying. Next came Aunt Sakura and Old Man Sasuke who were blown back by a shockwave. The three of the go back up to fight but countless of Haru's glowing blades came dow ntrap[ing them each in a cage and cutting them each as well. This is bad.

He looked over to his sister who clearly frozen in fear, he then looked to Sarada who shakily got into battle stance activating her Sharingan. Boruto stood back up. "Hey. I'm not done yet." He looked Haru in his purple eyes. It was the first time. There was look in his eye that reminded him of himself. A look of longing and desperation for something. For understanding.

"Boruto Uzumaki." Haru began in casual voice with blood from Boruto's kick dripping from his mouth. "I said that no ordinary ninja can better of me, but don't get me wrong. I didn't acknowledge that you could kill me."

"I don't need your acknowledgement." Boruto still clutching his side.

"There's a fierce look in your eye." Haru said intrigued. "Yeah the look of man searching for something. Something that no one will understand." Haru lightly laughed. "I'm actually interested in seeing what your capable of but I have other matters to attend to. If you want try and kill me I won't stop. I always appreciate the effort if I can't get a result." He turned away and began walking towards Himawari.

"Damn you!" Boruto was still in pain. His insides rattled as he formed a rasengan and threw at his enemy who blocked in his hand but the spiraling sphere didn't instantly dissipate. He seemed to be actually struggle against it.

"I'm impressed Boruto. Your rasengan is powerful, but your frightened and injured. You can't properly mold chakra because I kicked with natural energy you in the stomach which where chakra is actually located. It has disrupted the flow inside you. But it seems not too significantly. Now I suppose I'll kill you first." As Haru raised his hand to attack he was stopped by Himawari's voice.

"Don't hurt him." Hima's byakugan flared as she stared down this impossible enemy. "Please. If I go with you, will promise to not hurt them anymore?"

Boruto wanted to cry. He couldn't believe the words coming out of his sister's mouth. And it seems that the adults in their cages couldn't either. As they screamed at Hima to not say such things.

Haru looked at the young girl standing up to her. "You do understand Himawari, that I am going to kill you later on."

"I know." She put her down. "I know." Her voice became quieter.

"Damn it!" Boruto charged a Haru again with a rasengan only to blown back by the same invisible force from before. He landed in the dirt which didn't rattle his insides like before but still hurt.

Sarada had apparently over come here fear as she leaped at Haru only to meet Boruto's fate. Defeat.

"Boruto. Your sister is bargaining for your life, your mother's life, and the lives of your friends." Haru said. "You ought to show some respect." He turned to Himawari. "You are a brave and loyal young woman. I give my word that will I no longer harm these people in exchange your cooperation." That had sealed the deal. Himawari diligently followed Haru while their mother frantically cried behind the cage of swords for her daughter to stop. Boruto got back up and prepared another rasengan and readied himself to throw it, only to feel a kunai enter his arm from behind. His arm dropped to his side in pain as he turned to see that it was Mitsuki who threw the kunai. "Big Brother!" Hima cried only to be silenced by a jab to the neck by Haru.

"Mitsuki. I promised I would not hurt these people anymore." Haru said clearly disappointed by Mitsuki's actions.

"You didn't though. I did. Of my own volition." He said as walked away right past Boruto and towards Haru. Not even bothering to look at him.

"Hey Mitsuki!" He called to his friend who stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. "What the hell are you doing?!"

No answer.

"Say something you bastard!" Boruto's voice was drenched in blind rage and confusion.

This time he did answer by punching Boruto in the throat with a stretch out arm. "I'm sorry Boruto." There was no emotion in voice as Boruto struggled to breathe grasping at his throat.

"Mitsuki!" This time it was Sarada who spoke. "Why?!" There were tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry." Mitsuki turned away from Sarada and stood beside Haru staring at his former teammates.

"Let's go." Haru put Hima under his arm as they began to walk away."

"Hold it, you assholes." Boruto said, still finding it hard to breathe. Sarada had stood up as well the fear in her gone, staring at their enemies angrily.

"Kid. I struck the bargain with your sister." Haru said. "I have no intention on breaking it over your stubbornness."

Boruto locked eyes with Haru again. He stepped for to to attack only to be stopped by Haru' voice.

"You really are strange." Haru shaking his head.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Boruto shot back.

"I've seen fools who don't know when they're beaten, but your different. You're even sadder."

Boruto ground his teeth not worrying about the damage that could he could be doing to them.

"You fight against me, but you can't beat me. It's not because of the difference in our physical abilities but your drive. You want to defend your family but you want avenge your family by killing me as well. It's such strange contradiction. You can't defend your family if you focus on killing me, and you can't kill me if you focus on defending your family." Haru's analysis was Boruto wasn't wrong. He just never thought about it before.

"Don't think you understand me, you bastard." Boruto said with all the rage of his soul. "I'll protect my family by killing you!"

"True. Your family will be protected if you kill me but that 's not the only way to do so is it?" Haru once again said something Boruto wished was wrong. "If you focus on killing me than you won't be protecting your family even if it serves that purpose. After all, one person's vendetta may mean another person's justice but they are never the same for the person committing the deed. You can't have it both ways. Protection and vengeance are opposites, though they maybe accomplished through the same means, they never mean the same thing."

"What are you trying to say here?"

"You have several desires but can't go to the full lengths for any of them because of their contradicting natures. You my friend, can't beat me now, because your don't know what you're fighting for." Haru snapped his fingers, there was great flash of light and Mitsuki, Haru, and Hima were gone.

The blade cages around the adults vanished.

Aunt Sakura ran to Sarada and embraced her as both cried into each other. Sasuke stood behind them with the blood still pouring from his left eye socket drenching the front his cloak in it.

He found himself in a tight embrace with his panicked and tearful mother, with tears coming out of his own eyes as he still stared at the spot where his enemies disappeared from. He wanted to comfort his mother. To help her. To apologize for his failure. But there were other things on his mind unfortunately. Invading the spaces in his mind that should be focused on his family.

Mitsuki's sudden and random betrayal and Haru's words: "You don't know what you're fighting for."

Author's Notes: Hi everyone. First I'd like to thank you all for sticking with me long and for your support. You see on September 8th I'll be going back to university and it'll difficult for me to update my story frequently. I don't know when I'll be able to get the next chapter out, so I hope you fans be too disappointed. I enjoy writing this fic as well and it's a pain to not be able to write it as frequently. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Please comment and review.

I'll be changing my username to kulamrit5625 tomorrow.

When the next chapter does come out expect some serious drama and pain for Boruto and his friends.

- Thanks.