The school trip to the Land of Water had finally come to an end.
"Wait for me! I haven't boarded yet!"
Chocho came running down the dock, dragging an enormous suitcase behind her as the cruise ship was about to depart.
"Chocho, you're late. And what's with that huge suitcase?" Shino asked, holding his attendance list, clearly exasperated.
"I couldn't help it! All the local specialties looked so delicious—I didn't know which to choose, so I bought them all," Chocho said helplessly.
Meanwhile, on the dock, Kagura waved goodbye to Boruto, who stood on the deck.
"Boruto, I hope we'll get another chance to spar with swords next time."
Boruto looked back at Kagura, Chōjūrō, and the others seeing them off below.
"Kagura, if you ever want to experience Pain, come to Konoha to find me."
"Pain?" Kagura blinked in confusion and turned to Chōjūrō.
Chōjūrō gave an awkward laugh.
"Sorry, I meant if you want to spar again, come to Konoha anytime."
As the ship slowly pulled away from the port, the people of the Hidden Mist grew smaller in the distance.
"We're going home to Konoha," Sarada said softly, gently taking Boruto's hand.
"Yeah," Boruto replied with a nod.
The ship sliced through the waves, the sea breeze brushing against their hair. For the first time in a while, everything felt peaceful.
"I'm home!"
At the Hokage's residence, Boruto burst through the door.
"Big Brother's back!"
Himawari ran out from the living room corner, followed by Plankton—currently transformed into a mini Nine-Tails.
She held a sketchbook in one hand, smiling brightly.
"Himawari!" Boruto said warmly, ruffling her hair. "What's that you've got there?"
Hinata stepped out of the kitchen, smiling. "Himawari's been practicing drawing. She's entering the Konoha Drawing Contest soon. Your father's going to present the first-place award himself."
"Oh? That's awesome."
Boruto crouched down. "Let me see, Himawari."
She eagerly handed him her sketchbook.
Boruto flipped it open and saw a cute drawing—himself and Sarada holding Himawari's hand while walking on the beach, with a tiny Nine-Tails following behind.
"Wow, Himawari! You draw so well! You'll definitely get first place," Boruto praised sincerely.
"Really, big brother?" she asked, eyes shining.
"Of course," Boruto grinned.
That night, the family gathered for dinner. Hinata's cooking filled the table, warm and fragrant.
"Is Dad not coming home tonight?" Himawari asked, glancing at the door hopefully.
Hinata gently stroked her hair, unsure how to respond.
"Don't worry about Dad," Boruto said softly, picking up her favorite dish. "Let's eat."
Two days later, inside a luxurious villa in Konoha, Boruto looked around in awe.
"Denki, your house is massive—ten times bigger than mine! Is this what being Konoha's richest man looks like?"
"Come on, Boruto," Denki said with a laugh. "If Hokage-sama wanted a mansion like this, he could just snap his fingers and have one."
Then, curious, he asked, "So, why did you suddenly decide to make a movie?"
Boruto's expression turned serious. "I want to make a movie about my father's story—so more people can know what he went through, and what kind of man he really is."
Denki's eyes widened. "So you want to bring the Seventh Hokage's legend to the big screen? That's incredible!"
Boruto nodded. "I already filmed a trailer myself. I just need Kaminarimon Company's resources to help me promote it."
Denki smiled. "No problem, Boruto. Leave the promotion to me."
That night, Konoha's streets glowed under soft lamplight.
Shops buzzed with life, screens blaring colorful ads. But then, one massive advertising screen suddenly changed.
The cheerful background music stopped. A heavy, tense melody filled the air.
A deep narration began:
"Konoha's greatest crisis—the Six Paths of Pain descend. The ultimate showdown of the Child of Destiny begins."
People stopped walking, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
The screen showed a chilling scene—Pain floating from the Hokage Building into the sky above Konoha.
"Is that Pain?" someone whispered.
"They're turning that battle into a movie?" another asked, eyes wide.
Many had lived through that horrific battle themselves. Seeing it again brought old memories rushing back—pain, fear, and awe.
Pain's voice thundered from the speakers:
"Laughable! Feel pain! Think about pain! Accept pain! Know pain! Those who do not know pain cannot understand true peace."
Then, the image zoomed in—Pain hovered like a demonic god, arms outstretched.
"From now on… let the world feel pain!"
An elderly ninja froze before the screen, trembling. He had barely survived that battle.
Others around him, old and young alike, watched in silence, remembering the scars it left behind.
Then came the counterpoint—Naruto's determined figure standing before Pain. The music swelled with hope and courage.
"That's the Seventh Hokage!" a child cried, pointing at the screen, his eyes full of admiration.
The narration deepened, each word echoing in their hearts:
"How will he face this unprecedented challenge? What will become of Konoha?"
Clips of Naruto's fierce fight flashed one after another—each strike, each defense perfectly choreographed, breathtaking and emotional.
Finally, the screen displayed the title:
Movie: "Naruto — Clash of the Child of Destiny."
Unveiling the Seventh Hokage's Legendary Battle. Coming soon!
The background music reached its peak before fading to black.
The screen dimmed, but the crowd's excitement only grew louder—buzzing through the streets of Konoha long into the night.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Boruto: Growing Up as Naruto's Son is now on Patreon!
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