Tōno Katō said, "The Chūnin Exams hosted by Konoha, with participants from all Five Great Nations, are coming up soon. Young Master Boruto, I want you to take my scientific ninja tools into that exam and use them to defeat your opponents—to take first place!"
"What did you say?!"
Boruto exploded the moment he heard this.
"Join the Chūnin Exams? Are you kidding me?! My dad is lying in a hospital bed after getting beaten up like that! Even if I complain about him never being home, he's still my dad!"
"How could I be in the mood to play some boring exam right now?!"
Katō's smile faded.
The Chūnin Exams were attended by the elite of the Five Great Nations—the leaders, the high-ranking ninja.
There was no better stage to promote scientific ninja tools.
In truth, "blowing away Uchiha Akira" had only been bait to hook Boruto's interest.
Even if Katō believed it was possible, there were too many uncertainties.
Where was Uchiha Akira now?
As the Hokage's son, Boruto would never be allowed to act on his own—let alone go hunting Akira by himself.
Even if Boruto, equipped with the latest tools, truly had the power to kill Akira…
Katō couldn't bear that responsibility.
What if something went wrong?
What if Boruto wasn't proficient enough?
What if he panicked and lost the initiative?
Katō wanted recognition, not disaster.
He was never stupid enough to really push Boruto into a solo death match.
As long as he could use the Chūnin Exams to prove the value of scientific tools, Konoha would naturally form a specialized unit to deal with Uchiha Akira later.
That would solve everything.
Even without Akira's incident, Katō had once planned to use Boruto to achieve his goals.
This was simply going with the flow.
Of course, he couldn't tell Boruto any of this.
He said solemnly, "Young Master Boruto, although these tools are easy to use, real combat still requires practice. I think the Chūnin Exams are the perfect training ground."
Boruto lowered his head and remained silent.
Konohamaru had suggested long ago that he participate.
But Boruto had found it boring and rejected it in front of Sarada and Mitsuki.
Now he was supposed to go back on his word?
That would be humiliating.
"Well," Katō said lightly, "if you're unwilling, I won't force you."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Boruto called out.
Katō's lips curved upward as he turned back.
"Is there something else, Young Master Boruto?"
Boruto clenched his fists, head lowered.
He remembered how his father had looked earlier.
So battered.
So helpless.
He had never seen Naruto like that.
He had never seen his mother and Himawari cry like that either.
Even if Dad is always buried in work…
Even if he misses Himawari's birthday…
I still can't stand seeing him hurt like that!
And I never want Mom and Himawari to cry again!
Having made up his mind, Boruto raised his head.
"I'll join the Chūnin Exams."
"But after that stupid exam is over, I won't have time to meet you again."
"I want all your inventory. Right now."
"Now?" Katō frowned.
"That's right. Once it's over, I'm going straight to settle things with Uchiha Akira."
Katō frowned deeper.
"Settle things? Where are you going to find him?"
"That's none of your business! I've got my own way!"
Katō thought:
He shouldn't know Akira's whereabouts yet… right?
Forget it.
This chance isn't easy to come by.
I'll go along with him.
He reached into his coat.
"Young Master Boruto, I have over a hundred techniques in stock—many A-rank and S-rank. You'll need to use them carefully."
"Don't accidentally kill your opponents in the Chūnin Exams…"
"Don't worry!" Boruto said confidently.
"When I, Uzumaki Boruto, do things, I know my limits!"
…
9:00 PM.
Paradise Village, Hidden Shade Ninja Village.
Hotel bathroom.
"Haa… running nonstop all day… I'm exhausted."
After eating and drinking his fill, Akira sank into the bath.
Hikari sat at the other end, rubbing shampoo into foamy bubbles.
Note: At this time, the channels to Indra and Asura's consciousness within Akira were closed. They could neither see nor hear nor sense anything.
Though they sat at opposite ends, the distance between them was less than half a meter.
After preparing the foam, Hikari blew gently on it.
Then her smooth hands moved from Akira's shoulders downward, spreading it evenly, slow and gentle.
"Does it feel good, Akira~?"
Her lips glistened softly.
"Yeah… it feels amazing…"
Feeling the warmth and softness, Akira closed his eyes in bliss.
Splash!
"Yow—!"
Suddenly, Akira jolted.
Hikari had viciously pinched his lower back.
She kept squeezing, making him howl.
"Ow ow ow—!"
When he opened his eyes, he saw her staring at him with a "kind" smile.
…She's angry.
His mind raced.
The reason was obvious.
"Hikari, let me explain—"
"Shut up and listen first!"
She cut him off.
"Did you forget you have my Eight Thousand Spears mark on you?!"
"I can understand you risking things to awaken your eyes!"
"But how could you hurt yourself like that?!"
"I held it in during dinner with Uncle Madara!"
"When I sensed your condition dropping suddenly today, I was terrified!"
"I almost intervened through Eight Thousand Spears!"
"If something had happened to you… what would I do?!"
"What about Xue'er and Yue'er?!"
"What about everyone in Hidden Shade Village?!"
She poured it all out in one breath, biting her lip afterward, her eyes trembling.
Since their marriage, Hikari rarely cried.
Except on the anniversaries of Akira's parents and brother, when she would cry with him at their graves.
Even during her difficult childbirth with Xue'er, when she was in agony, she never shed a tear.
Because Akira was there, holding her hand, encouraging her.
But this time…
She almost couldn't hold it in.
…I made her worry again.
Akira sighed inwardly and hugged her.
"I'm sorry, Hikari. I promise—there won't be a next time."
"Liar!"
She snapped.
"Men are all talk!"
"When it matters, you forget everything!"
"Power is more important than your wife and kids, right?!"
"Go marry your strength! Go have kids with it!"
So cute…
Even when she's angry, she's adorable.
Akira chuckled.
"How could that be?"
"Power is just a means, not the goal."
"It's all to protect you, our kids, and our family."
Hikari had calmed down a lot, but she still pouted.
"Hmph~! I'm not listening~! I'm still mad~!"
Akira hugged her tighter.
"And really, there won't be another time."
"Uncle Madara said self-harm to awaken eyes is wrong."
"Opening even one eye was a miracle."
"To awaken the left one, I'd need an unavoidable external death."
She looked up at him.
"Then I hope your left eye never opens."
"Alright, alright. It won't. Never."
"Can you let go now? It really hurts…"
"Hmph!"
She finally released his waist.
Resting against his chest, she wiped her tears with her wet face.
She wasn't unreasonable.
She knew Akira risked everything to protect those around him.
She wanted to say:
You don't have to work so hard. My Eight Thousand Spears can help you.
But she knew he'd never agree.
She leaned closer, face to face.
At this distance, it was either a kiss, a fight—or both.
"Just so you know, I'm still not fully over it~!"
Akira smiled.
"Then how do I make you completely forgive me~?"
Splash!
Hikari rose from the water, leaned forward, hugged him, and whispered in his ear,
"I want you to use all the strength you used outside today… on me. Not a bit less."
"Hiss—!"
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?