"Ah~ drool?" Sarada's cheeks flushed pink at Boruto's teasing words.
"Then, Boruto… what else do you want me to do?" she asked shyly.
"Do what?"
Boruto suddenly sat up and tackled Sarada onto the grass, his hands braced beside her head, eyes locked on hers.
Startled by his sudden move, Sarada's heart skipped a beat. But soon, a mix of shyness and anticipation flickered in her eyes.
She gently pushed against his chest, her voice barely a whisper.
"Boruto… what are you going to do?"
"Hehehe~" Boruto grinned mischievously. "What do you think? Obviously, it's—"
Sarada turned her head away, cheeks burning. But after a moment, she pushed him over, reversing their positions so he was the one lying on the grass.
"Sarada… you've turned the tables again," he chuckled, looking up at her.
"Hmph! Who told you to tease me just now?" Sarada said, brushing her fingers gently across his cheek, her gaze soft and hazy.
Then, she cupped his face and leaned down slowly until her lips met his.
For a long moment, neither moved. When they finally parted, Sarada exhaled softly.
"Boruto, it's been a while since we sparred," she said. "I want to see how much stronger you've gotten."
"Actually, not by much. Just a tiny bit," Boruto said with a grin, pinching his fingers together.
"A tiny bit? I don't believe that."
"Really—it's just that tiny bit."
At a training ground in Konoha, the two stood facing each other.
Boruto had his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed and unbothered.
Sarada, however, stood in a sharp fighting stance, eyes full of determination.
"Boruto, this time we'll do taijutsu only. Ready?" she asked.
"Come on, Sarada," Boruto replied casually.
"Don't expect me to go easy on you."
I will, Boruto thought silently.
As soon as the spar began, Sarada vanished from sight—her movements as swift as a shadow. A kunai flashed toward Boruto's vital point.
"Whoa, hey—going all out already? You trying to kill your husband or something?" Boruto muttered.
He twisted effortlessly, dodging the strike and countered with a swift punch aimed at her ribs.
But Sarada reacted instantly—she spun in mid-air and kicked toward his head.
Boruto raised one arm to block, then swung his other hand like a blade toward her.
Sarada deflected it and used the momentum to leap back, creating distance.
Behind a tree outside the training field, a cloaked figure watched silently.
Itachi Uchiha.
So that's my niece, Sarada, he thought.
His eyes narrowed as he observed the two sparring. And the blond kid with the whisker marks… that must be Naruto's son.
"Their taijutsu already surpasses most Chunin," he murmured to himself. "Geniuses, both of them."
Then his gaze fixed on Sarada's glasses. Why does she wear them? Could it be… she hasn't awakened her Sharingan yet?
Back on the field, the spar had reached its peak.
Sarada's forehead glistened with sweat, but she refused to slow down. Every strike came faster, sharper—each impact echoing through the air.
"Boruto! Take this!"
She leapt high, throwing a powerful punch that cut through the wind.
Boruto's figure blurred; he appeared beside her in an instant. With perfect timing, he dodged the blow and caught her arm midair.
Sarada lost her balance—but Boruto caught her gently, preventing her from falling.
"Boruto… you're amazing," she said softly. "The gap between us keeps growing. Even my best taijutsu can't match yours."
Her tone carried no frustration—only renewed determination.
"I'll train harder," she said firmly. "So that one day, I can stand beside you."
At dusk, on the streets of Konoha, Boruto and Sarada walked hand in hand.
"Boruto," Sarada said, "let's stop here. I still need to buy some ingredients for Mom. She's been working late at the hospital lately."
Boruto nodded, releasing her hand with a smile before heading off.
Sarada carried her groceries down the quiet street. The moonlight shimmered across her hair, and the night breeze was gentle.
But high above, perched on a utility pole, a shadow watched silently.
A crow cawed softly.
Sarada stopped, glancing back—but saw only the bird flying across the sky.
"Strange… I thought someone was there just now," she murmured.
As she turned a corner, she brushed past a man with dark hair—and suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit her.
The vibrant world turned black and white. The moon bled red.
"What—? A genjutsu? When did—?"
Realizing too late, Sarada tried to break free, forming hand seals—but the illusion held firm.
Elsewhere, Boruto lowered his hand with a sigh.
"Yeah… that's Itachi. It's good for her to experience some pressure."
Inside the illusion, Sarada heard a familiar voice.
"Dad?"
She turned—but no one was there.
"Calm down, Sarada. It's just a genjutsu," she told herself.
The scene warped again.
Sasuke appeared, surrounded by Akatsuki members in black cloaks with red clouds. His body was covered in wounds.
"Sarada! Why are you here? Get out of here!" Sasuke shouted.
Sarada clenched her fists. No, this isn't real.
Her Sharingan flared to life—Two Tomoe spinning rapidly.
The illusion shifted once more.
Now Sasuke was on his knees before her, his eyes gouged out, blood streaming down his face.
"Sarada! Run! They're coming for your eyes!"
"Dad… it's not real," she whispered, trembling as she stared at his hollow, bleeding sockets.
The illusion twisted again.
Sasuke was nailed to a cross. Before him stood a shadowy figure in an Akatsuki cloak—his face hidden in darkness.
...
Author's Note:
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