In the quiet village of Konoha, the afternoon sun bathed the backyard of a modest, modern-style Japanese home.
A small boy, no more than three years old, lay sprawled on the soft grass, his gaze fixed on the sky above.
His baby-blue eyes followed a pair of eagles gliding effortlessly through the open air, their wings slicing the wind. The same wind toyed gently with his yellow-blonde hair.
It's been a week since I transmigrated into the Naruto world, he thought with a weary sigh.
Of all the surprises fate could have thrown his way, none were as staggering as this one—he had been reborn as the son of the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki.
In his previous life, he had been… ordinary. Just another person in a world without chakra, jutsu, or gods. Now, he found himself in a land where legends walked and even children could wield terrifying power. The thought was both thrilling and deeply unsettling.
Another sigh escaped him. Pushing himself off the ground, he wandered toward the backdoor and stepped inside.
The scent of warm food greeted him as he entered the dining hall. Standing nearby was a woman in her late twenties, her long, dark-blue hair swaying gently as she moved. In her arms was a tiny, sleepy-faced replica of herself.
"Ah, Boruto," she said warmly, noticing him. "Just in time. Take care of Hima for a moment—I have something to finish in the kitchen."
This was Hinata Uzumaki, his mother in this life. She carefully placed the baby into a small crib before gliding past him toward the kitchen.
Boruto approached the crib and peered down at his little sister. "Where's Dad?" he asked, lifting Hima into his small arms. Her dark-blue hair framed a cherubic face that radiated innocence.
Hinata's hands paused briefly as she rinsed something in the sink. "He mentioned meeting Shikamaru in person… he's one of your father's old friends."
"I see," Boruto murmured.
Hima wriggled in his grasp, her little lips trembling before releasing a wail.
"Waa\~ Waa\~!"
"Now, now… don't cry," he whispered, returning her to the crib. He rocked it gently, the wooden frame creaking softly. Gradually, her cries faded to quiet hiccups.
"I'm home!"
The familiar, cheerful voice filled the hall. Boruto turned to see Naruto stepping in, his presence as vibrant as the sun.
"Morning," Boruto greeted.
"Good morning to you too, Boruto," Naruto replied with a smile, ruffling his son's hair before settling beside him. He reached down and scooped Hima into his arms, his face softening as he cradled her.
Boruto looked at him intently. "Father… I want… to become strong."
The words froze the air. Hinata turned from the kitchen, her gaze meeting Naruto's. Both studied the boy, searching his face.
"I… just want to… become strong," Boruto repeated, quieter this time but with unshakable resolve.
Naruto leaned back on the couch, eyes half-lidded in thought. Memories stirred—dark alleys, cold stares, the crushing weight of loneliness from his youth. The days when he had been powerless, a target of scorn, invisible to kindness.
When I was weak, everyone saw me as an eyesore… he reflected. But now, as Hokage, I am respected. If Boruto grows strong… maybe he can protect himself. Protect the ones he loves.
Naruto weighed his thoughts in silence, his gaze drifting to his son. After a long moment, he exhaled, the decision settling in his mind.
"Boruto," he began with a small smile, "do you know what chakra is?"
"Chakra is the essence of life, right? Everyone has it inside them," Boruto replied without hesitation.
"Good. Now…" Naruto's smile widened faintly. "I'll teach you how to control it."
The young Uzumaki's eyes lit up with anticipation. He was eager—far more eager than most children his age could be. But Boruto was no ordinary child; the instincts carried over from his past life yearned for strength, for battle.
Naruto caught that fire in his son's eyes. His own expression sobered. "The path you're choosing is full of thorns and dangers. Remember that, Boruto."
"I will," Boruto said with equal seriousness.
Without another word, Naruto led him out to the backyard, the late afternoon light stretching long shadows over the grass. As they walked, Naruto's thoughts turned inward. I don't have much time these days… not with my duties as Hokage. I might not even see them every day. But maybe this training will bring us closer.
He settled onto the ground in a cross-legged position. Boruto mirrored him, his small frame straight-backed with attention.
"Close your eyes," Naruto instructed, "and imagine a blue fireball inside your abdomen."
Boruto obeyed. His breathing slowed, his mind narrowing to the image. In the darkness behind his eyelids, he found it—a ball of pure, azure flame, vibrant and steady, as if it had always been there, waiting to be noticed.
"There."
"Now," Naruto said, "guide that energy through your whole body."
Boruto drew a deep, measured breath, letting the chakra flow. It spread through his limbs like warm water, filling every muscle and vein with vitality.
This feels amazing… His body felt alive, sharper, stronger.
"Open your eyes," Naruto continued, "and follow me. Mold the chakra into your hands while performing this set of hand signs."
He demonstrated slowly, fingers weaving through practiced patterns. Boruto copied him, his movements uncannily precise for a beginner, shaping the energy as if it were second nature.
When the sequence was complete, Boruto extended his right palm. A small ball of fire flickered to life above it, glowing faintly in the evening light.
"Oh?" Naruto blinked in mild surprise. "You got it on the first try? That's… uh… good, I guess."
Praise had never been Naruto's strong suit, but Boruto barely noticed. His focus was locked entirely on the warm, dancing flame in his hand.
So this is… Ninjutsu.
Boruto glanced up at his father, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "Dad, can you teach me a jutsu?"
Naruto shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Not yet. You're too young for that. First, you need to master controlling your chakra."
"Then… how about we fight?" Boruto asked.
Naruto hesitated, arms folding loosely. "…Well, a spar won't hurt."
Boruto's eyes lit up. "So if I manage to hit you, you'll teach me a jutsu once I've got chakra control down?"
"You promise?"
"Promise," Naruto said with a nod.
They took their positions, standing barely a meter apart. Boruto adjusted his footing and dropped into a stance—surprisingly solid for his age.
Huh, Naruto thought, mildly impressed. He's come prepared.
Boruto lunged first, his small feet kicking up dirt as he closed the gap. Naruto didn't move an inch until the last second, stepping back just enough to let the boy's punch sweep harmlessly past.
Boruto didn't slow. He pivoted and swung his leg low toward Naruto's shin, but the Hokage hopped aside. Without missing a beat, Boruto twisted his body mid-motion, unleashing another kick. Again, Naruto evaded, his movements effortless.
A flurry of punches followed, Boruto's breath growing heavier with each strike.
"Not bad," Naruto remarked, weaving around the blows.
He caught himself smiling. He's trying so hard.
"Time's up!" Naruto announced at last.
Boruto halted, chest rising and falling rapidly, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Again," he panted, already sliding back into a stance.
Instead, Naruto placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll teach you the jutsu."
Boruto's head shot up. "Really?"
"Yup."
The boy wiped his brow. They walked back inside together, Naruto speaking as they went.
"You know," he began, "I wanted to become strong when I was your age too."
Boruto's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yup," Naruto said with a chuckle. "Back then, I was desperate. When I joined a team under Kakashi, I trained from sunrise to sunset. I worked myself ragged because I wanted the village to acknowledge me."
He pointed to himself with pride. "And through sheer hard work and perseverance, I became Hokage."
Boruto's eyes sparkled. "Wow, that's so cool."
Naruto's voice softened. "I understand your drive, my son. I can see you've inherited my will… but you've also got your mother's spirit."
"Mother?" Boruto asked. "What was she like when she was young?"
Naruto's expression warmed. "She was kind. Always determined to grow stronger and make her clan proud."
He scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed, as they sat down together on the sofa. "Over time, Hinata and I came to understand each other's feelings… and eventually, we got married."
"Breakfast is ready!" Hinata's gentle voice called from the kitchen.
Naruto and Boruto rose and took their seats at the dining table.
"Ah\~ That smells amazing," Naruto said with a wide grin, earning a shy smile from Hinata.
They ate quickly, the morning filled with quiet warmth. Afterward, Boruto carried Himawari back to her crib.
"You can keep an eye on her, right?" Hinata asked.
"Yeah," Boruto replied.
He brought his little sister into his room. The morning breeze drifted in as he sat beside her.
Boruto leaned back on his bed, his eyes lingering on her tiny, sleeping form. For the first time that day, he let his mind wander in silence.