The spacious classroom of the Ninja Academy was filled with an uneasy silence.
"I'm truly sorry, everyone. I attacked the very students I was supposed to protect."
Shino bowed deeply, his tone filled with regret.
The students looked at one another, unsure how to respond. After a brief silence, their expressions softened into understanding. They had all witnessed their teacher's loss of control earlier.
"Even so," Shino continued, his head still bowed, "I realize I almost committed an unforgivable act. I'll be reporting everything to the higher-ups and stepping down as your instructor."
"Shino-sensei, there's no need for that," Shikadai said quickly. "Nobody got hurt. Quitting over this is too much."
"Yeah, Mr. Shino," Boruto chimed in half-jokingly, half-seriously. "Sure, you're a little shabby sometimes, kind of unreliable, and your presence isn't exactly… loud—but we all know you're a good teacher who really cares about us."
The rest of the class nodded and murmured in agreement. Warmth filled the room.
"Boruto, you…"
Shino lifted his head and gave a faint smile. A gentle warmth spread in his chest. For the first time, he realized that being a teacher wasn't just about instruction—it was about guiding the next generation.
The trust and support of his students reignited his faith in himself.
"Thank you, everyone," he said softly, his voice slightly trembling.
Evening
The setting sun cast a warm orange glow across the village as the final school bell rang.
Boruto exited the classroom, casually holding Sarada's hand. At her desk, Sumire watched them leave, her eyes distant and unfocused.
"Class rep! School's over, wanna walk home together?" Chōchō's voice jolted Sumire out of her thoughts.
Sumire blinked, then smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Chōchō. I've got something to take care of today."
"Huh, you're acting weird, class rep," Chōchō teased, leaning in suspiciously.
Sumire waved her hands nervously. "No, it's nothing! Same as always!"
Chōchō giggled, straightened up, and waved. "Alright, alright. Don't work too hard!"
As her friend left, Sumire sighed quietly and began packing her things. But instead of heading home, her feet carried her toward the school rooftop.
When she pushed open the door, Boruto was already there leaning against the railing, the sunset at his back.
"Boruto…" she called softly.
"You undercover types of sure love meeting on rooftops," he said casually, turning to face her with a teasing smile.
"Boruto, what are you talking about? You were the one who asked me to come here," Sumire replied, her heartbeat quickening.
"Sorry," Boruto chuckled. "Just quoting a line from a movie. Don't mind me."
Sumire exhaled in relief—but something in his eyes still made her uneasy.
"So, what did you really want to talk about? Shouldn't you be walking Sarada home right now?"
Boruto didn't answer. He simply walked toward her until there was barely a fist's distance between them.
Sumire's face turned bright red, her body trembling slightly.
"Class rep," Boruto said quietly, "your personality reminds me of my mom when she was young… though I'm not sure if you're just pretending."
"Boruto, what are you trying to say? Why did you ask me here?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Boruto leaned closer, whispering directly into her ear. Though his tone was soft, his words carried a dangerous edge.
"Meet me at Senju Park tonight. Midnight. If you don't show up… I'll tell the Anbu your secret."
Sumire's eyes widened in shock, the color draining from her face.
Before she could respond, Boruto turned and leapt off the rooftop, vanishing into the fading light.
She stood frozen, staring at the glowing horizon. The sunset bathed her in orange, but it couldn't chase away the shadow gathering in her heart.
Nightfall
The moon hung bright over the village.
Atop Hokage Rock, Mitsuki sat silently, a small white snake coiled around his shoulder.
"Boruto was right," Mitsuki murmured. "Those eyes of his—whatever they are—they're not Byakugan. They can sense Nue's chakra."
He gently stroked the snake, his expression unreadable.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Senju Park, Boruto leaned casually against an old tree, eyes closed and hands in his pockets.
Footsteps approached quietly. A figure in a gray-white cloak and a rabbit-faced mask emerged from the shadows.
Boruto opened one eye. "Class Rep, it's just a meeting. You really need to be this secretive?"
"Boruto… how did you find out?" Sumire's voice came muffled through the mask, trembling slightly.
"Honestly? Just a guess," Boruto said with a smirk. "But the pattern on your back gave it away."
"The pattern…? You can see it?" she said in disbelief. "That's impossible unless—have you awakened the Byakugan?"
"Hah. Half right," Boruto grinned, then shifted his tone. "Now tell me—what's the real purpose behind all this?"
For a moment, Sumire said nothing. Then, in a low, trembling voice, she answered:
"Revenge. Everything I've done… every breath I take is for revenge against Konoha. I was born for that purpose. To complete my father's mission."
Boruto's expression hardened. "Tch. Sounds pathetic. So, who's your father? The guy who made his daughter shoulder his failures? What a piece of shit."
"Boruto, don't talk about my father like that!" Sumire snapped, her voice shaking.
"Whatever. But you think you can destroy Konoha by yourself? Keep dreaming."
Boruto stepped forward, his aura shifting from teasing to intimidating.
Sumire raised her right hand, chakra swirling at her fingertip until a droplet of water formed.
"Water Style: Water Bullet!"
She fired. The water shot past Boruto, blasting a massive hole through the tree behind him.
Boruto tilted his head slightly, smirking. "Not bad, class rep."
Sumire gritted her teeth and formed new hand signs.
"Water Style: Water Spirit Wave!"
A massive water sphere formed and launched at him—but Boruto vanished, reappearing behind her in an instant.
She gasped, spinning around—only to see his eyes glowing with the unmistakable pattern of the Jōgan.
"It's over," Boruto said calmly.
He thrust a silver-white orb of light forward, striking Sumire in the chest. Her body stiffened, her eyes went blank, and she collapsed to the ground as her mask shattered.
Boruto placed a hand on her shoulder, his chakra probing into her memories.
He saw flashes—her mother's tenderness, her father's madness, the agony of being implanted with Nue's seal.
"Root. Nue. The Bull-Headed King… huh?" Boruto muttered, frowning. "Goddamn it, Danzo. Even after death, you're still screwing up people's lives. The bastard's practically the 5.5th Hokage of hell."
He sighed, glancing at the unconscious Sumire. "Poor class rep… your pain runs deeper than mine. Guess I'm too into playing Pain lately—I'm starting to feel the pain."
But before he could finish his thought, the mark on Sumire's back began to glow violently. Purple chakra erupted, tearing through her cloak.
A deafening roar shook the air.
Smoke billowed—and a massive, monstrous creature rose from the ruins of Senju Park.
Boruto landed lightly on a nearby tree branch, his expression calm, almost amused.
"So that's Nue, huh? Doesn't look like much."
He smirked, eyes glowing faintly.
"Let's see what you've got."