The night sky above Senju Park glowed faintly beneath a blanket of stars.
"I am the ancient Greek god of explosions!" Boruto declared in an almost solemn tone, floating high above the park.
"Boruto, what kind of nonsense are you spouting this time?" Naruto shouted from below, frowning up at his son.
"Explosion?" Kakashi's voice carried a trace of wariness.
Boruto smirked. "This height should be enough. Now… let's enjoy this artistic feast together."
Inside, he was laughing. Heh, I'm Tendo Pain—and I'm ready to explode.
"Boruto, what do you mean by that?" Naruto demanded.
"Explosion? Wait… why does that sound so familiar?" Naruto muttered, scratching his head as he tried to recall.
Boruto ignored him and simply raised his hand.
Snap!
A crisp sound echoed through the night.
"Here—!" Boruto shouted, his eyes flashing.
"Art… is an explosion!"
Ten thousand meters above Konoha Village, a purple-black chakra sphere suddenly ascended, glowing brighter with each passing second.
It was Boruto's creation—formed by absorbing Nue's chakra. Its destructive power rivaled that of a standard Tailed Beast Ball.
As soon as Boruto spoke, a dazzling light erupted in the sky above Senju Park—and all of Konoha.
A massive shockwave of energy swept outward.
The purple-black chakra sphere expanded rapidly before detonating in an earth-shaking blast.
BOOM—!
The explosion thundered across the village. The blinding light illuminated every street and rooftop of Konoha as if it were daylight. Even the distant mountains were visible under the radiant glow.
"What the—!?"
Naruto and Kakashi both looked up at the same time, eyes wide in disbelief.
The explosion's light reflected off their faces—like a miniature sun tearing through the night.
Sumire, still wearing Boruto's jacket, stood quietly as the purple glow danced across her hair. Her eyes shimmered with emotions too complex to name.
Meanwhile, the explosion broke through the calm of Konoha's nightlife.
People stopped in their tracks, heads tilted toward the blazing sky—expressions mixed with awe, confusion, and panic.
"Is that… a Tailed Beast Ball?"
"Or maybe a meteorite? Did Hokage-sama destroy it just in time!?"
A half-drunk ninja stumbled out of a tavern, muttering as he imagined the heroic battle in his head.
[Due to Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuations, progress +8848 points]
[Due to Hatake Kakashi's emotional fluctuations, progress +1765 points]
[Due to…]
The emotional reactions of those nearby caused Boruto's mysterious progress bar to surge.
"So, this can raise it that fast, huh?" he muttered to himself. "Almost half a million just from that blast."
"If I keep this up, Konoha's 'Super Shinra Tensei' progress bar will fill in no time."
Boruto landed softly on the ground, released his Transformation Jutsu, and returned to normal.
[Host: Uzumaki Boruto]
[Playing Role: Tendo Pain (Nagato)]
[Progress: 16%]
"I'm still short by over eight million… damn. Nue's chakra's gone, so I can't do it again."
He glanced toward his father. Or maybe… I could just drain Dad's chakra instead?
His gaze lingered on Naruto's stomach, the spot where Kurama once resided, as if
sizing up prey.
Naruto frowned immediately, feeling an uneasy chill. "Boruto… what's going on? And why are you even here at this hour?"
"Relax, Dad," Boruto said with a lazy grin. "I couldn't sleep, so I went out for a walk—and ended up running into a giant monster. As the Hokage's son, there's no way I'd just stand there and watch."
He clasped his hands behind his head, feigning innocence.
"Boruto!" Naruto's tone hardened. "This isn't something a child should get involved in! When there's danger, you're supposed to hide! It's not your turn to protect Konoha yet. That's our responsibility as adults!"
"Alright, alright, I got it, Dad. I'll be careful next time," Boruto said casually, though his mind was already scheming about how to boost his progress more efficiently.
While Naruto scolded his son, Kakashi crouched down, examining the ground carefully.
"This is the Diamond Seal… Did Boruto inherit Kushina's power?" he murmured to himself.
"And that explosion—it was probably him using the Jōgan Eye to extract Nue's chakra."
Kakashi's expression softened. "He's already mastered it… Naruto, your kid's a genius. He'll surpass you one day."
He looked at Boruto with quiet pride.
"Okay, okay, Dad, enough already! You've been nagging me all night." Boruto waved his hands impatiently. "I told you there won't be a next time. I'll explain everything to Mom, so chill."
Naruto's eyebrow twitched, a vein pulsing on his forehead. "Boruto—!"
Before things could escalate, Kakashi stepped in quickly. "Alright, alright, calm down, Naruto. No one's hurt, the situations under control, and the only damage is to Senju Park."
Boruto turned toward him. "Long time no see, Uncle Kakashi."
Kakashi chuckled and leaned closer, whispering, "Boruto, there are people watching. Have some respect—call me the Sixth Hokage."
Boruto sighed. "Why do you always make it weird? You and your plant obsession…"
Still, he smirked and said aloud, "Uncle Kakashi—the Sixth Hokage. That better?"
Kakashi patted him on the shoulder, smiling. "Perfect."
Naruto looked past Boruto toward Mitsuki, who stood silently nearby. "Boruto, what's with him?"
"Oh, that? He just fell asleep."
Boruto waved his hand and released the spiritual control. Mitsuki's eyes fluttered open.
"Huh? What happened?" Mitsuki blinked, then spotted Naruto and Kakashi. "Seventh Hokage. Sixth Hokage," he greeted respectfully.
Naruto nodded. "You're Mitsuki, right?"
"Yes, sir. I'm Boruto's classmate," Mitsuki replied politely.
Naruto's gaze softened, but his thoughts raced. Orochimaru's son… and he was here? Has he known about Nue the Bull-Headed King all along?
Boruto's attention shifted back to Sumire. "Dad, what about her?"
Naruto's tone turned gentle. "Children can't choose their parents. Their parents' sins shouldn't be their burden. Don't worry—we won't harm Sumire."
Then he added firmly, "But Boruto—don't tell anyone about what happened tonight. Got it? And go home. Now."
"Got it."
Boruto nodded and turned to leave.
When he reached home, Hinata was waiting at the doorway, worry etched on her face.
"Boruto… why are you coming home so late?" she asked softly. "The explosion just now woke me up. I went to your room and you weren't there. What happened? And where's your coat?"
"This—uh…" Boruto scratched his head, stammering for an excuse.
…
Later, in the Hokage's office—
"With Boruto's current strength and talent, do you really think it's right for him to stay in the Ninja Academy?" Kakashi asked, glancing at Naruto.
Naruto sighed, looking out the window at the still-bright lights of Konoha.
"I know what you're getting at, Kakashi-sensei. You want him to graduate early."
"But this is an age of peace. What's the point of rushing?"
He smiled faintly, though his eyes were heavy. "I grew up without parents. I never knew how to raise a child properly. But as a father… all I want is for Boruto to have a full childhood—and to grow up safe."