Koji Kashin stood with his arms folded, the eyes beneath his silver mask glancing sideways at the impatient blonde woman beside him.
"Delta," he said calmly.
"Konoha is the strongest ninja village among the Five Great Nations. It's filled with powerful shinobi."
"If you charge in alone like this… that's reckless."
Delta placed a hand on her hip, her expression cold.
"Judging from your attitude, I already know you're not planning to fight alongside me."
"Fine. I don't need you anyway."
"I came prepared. Before leaving, I brought Ao with me."
Rustling sounds came from the forest below.
From the shadows of the trees emerged a cloaked man in dark clothes—broad-faced and thick-bodied.
Koji Kashin glanced down and muttered flatly,
"Oh… so this single-celled creature came along too."
"Looks like things won't end quietly today."
Ao was one of Kara's Outer members.
He had once been one of many candidates selected as a potential vessel for Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
There were numerous candidates like him. Only those who survived earned the right to join Kara.
Ao passed the selection trials, but lost both hands during combat.
Later, Amado replaced his arms with scientific ninja tools.
After joining Kara, Ao encountered Kawaki.
To his surprise, Kawaki had survived the selection process completely unharmed.
The two fought.
During that battle, Ao used his scientific ninja arms to grab Kawaki by the throat.
But Kawaki was even more ruthless.
He unleashed the power of the Karma, burning Ao's head with scorching chakra and smashing his jaw.
From that day forward, Ao lost his hair.
Amado later installed scientific devices in Ao's head and jaw so he could speak again.
Since then, Ao had only one goal in life—
Oppose Kawaki at every opportunity.
Because of that obsession, Koji Kashin mockingly called him a "single-celled organism."
Ao scanned the surroundings impatiently.
"Where is he?!"
"Where's Kawaki?!"
"I've been waiting forever to settle the score with that little bastard!"
Delta smirked.
"He's right in front of you."
"In that village called Konoha."
"Your job is to clear the obstacles and locate Kawaki."
Ao grinned wildly.
"Once I find him… can I kill him?"
Delta replied lazily,
"No."
"Kawaki is important."
"Our mission is to bring him back, not kill him."
"But aside from Kawaki…"
"…everyone else is fair game."
Ao burst into manic laughter.
"Perfect!"
"I'll make Kawaki realize what a curse he is!"
"I don't mind slaughtering this entire village—Hokage included!"
With that, he charged toward Konoha's walls, laughing madly.
Meanwhile — Naruto's Home
Inside the dining room.
Kawaki sat in Boruto's usual seat.
He had been released from the interrogation room earlier.
Naruto sat across from him.
On Naruto's left and right sat Hinata and Himawari, who had only hours earlier returned from the Hyūga mourning hall.
Sandwiches and breakfast porridge sat on the table.
Cold.
No one had touched them.
The atmosphere was so awkward it felt suffocating.
Kawaki sat stiffly with his head down.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
"Hokage… what exactly are you trying to do?"
Naruto forced a tired smile beneath heavy dark circles.
"You haven't had a proper meal since coming here, right?"
"Don't hold back. Think of this as your home."
Kawaki remained unmoved.
Hinata raised her swollen face, partially hidden beneath makeup.
Before bringing Kawaki home, Naruto had already explained everything to her.
Kawaki possessed information crucial to Konoha's safety.
But he was extremely guarded.
Naruto hoped Hinata could help ease him.
Her son had run away.
Her father had been murdered just last night.
Her husband was exhausted by the mounting crises facing the village.
But Hinata knew—
At times like this, she had to stay strong.
There were fewer and fewer people who could support Naruto.
She forced a gentle smile.
"The porridge must be cold…"
"I'll get you a fresh bowl."
Kawaki suddenly spoke.
"You're the Hokage's wife."
"That guy who died last night—Hiashi—was your father, right?"
Hinata froze mid-movement.
The air in the dining room instantly dropped to freezing.
Her lips trembled.
"Yes… he was my father."
Kawaki said bluntly,
"Your dad just died, and instead of attending his funeral you're serving me breakfast?"
"What's wrong with you?"
"I—I'm sorry… Naruto-kun."
Hinata covered her face, tears spilling out, and ran from the room.
SLAM!
Kawaki slammed the table and stood up.
"Hokage!"
"If you want information from me, just ask!"
"Use torture if you want!"
"But this fake emotional crap just makes me sick!"
Naruto stood up quickly.
"That's not what I meant!"
"I just want you to know we don't see you as a prisoner—"
"I said it makes me sick!"
Kawaki flipped the plate of sandwiches.
At that exact moment—
A bowl of porridge smashed into his face.
Kawaki stared in shock.
Across the table stood Himawari, tears streaming down her face.
"Stop yelling while sitting in my brother's seat!"
"Get out!"
"Get out of our house!"
"We don't want someone as rude as you here!"
Kawaki opened his mouth—
but no words came out.
Only then did he realize how cruel his words had been.
Especially toward the woman of this house.
"Waaah…"
Himawari ran out of the room crying.
Leaving Kawaki frozen.
And Naruto standing there in a daze.
Naruto sighed softly.
Then bent down and started cleaning the broken dishes.
Kawaki slowly sat back down.
His eyes wandered around the room—
until they stopped at a family photo on the cabinet.
Naruto's family stood together in the picture.
All of them smiling genuinely.
Not like the forced smiles from earlier.
Kawaki pointed at the blond boy in the photo.
"That your son?"
Naruto paused.
"…Yeah."
"Where is he?"
Naruto turned away.
"Some things happened."
"You could say he… ran away from home."
Kawaki frowned.
"Then why don't you go find him?"
"You're the Hokage."
"You've got people who work for you."
"Send them."
Naruto spoke quietly.
"It's complicated."
"That's my family matter."
"A private matter."
"But as Hokage… public affairs come first."
"Right now, the village is facing too many crises."
"Each one takes priority over Boruto."
Kawaki murmured,
"Boruto…"
"So that's his name."
Naruto nodded.
Then handed him a towel.
"Wipe your face."
Looking at Naruto's warm smile—
like sunlight melting snow—
something deep inside Kawaki stirred.
A small light flashed briefly in a dark corner of his heart.
It faded quickly.
But the warmth remained.
He took the towel and wiped the porridge off his face.
"Hokage."
"What do you want to know?"
Naruto replied gently,
"No rush."
"Eat first."
"I'll warm the food."
"No need."
Kawaki picked up the sandwich he had thrown earlier and took a bite.
"My stomach's used to cold food."
He started walking out of the kitAkira.
Naruto asked,
"Where are you going?"
Kawaki replied,
"I said some things I shouldn't have."
"I'll go bring that girl back."
"Then I'll tell you everything."
Naruto nodded.
"Go."
After Kawaki left—
Hinata stood at the corner of the hallway.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun…"
"I couldn't control myself."
Naruto stepped forward and embraced her.
"The one who should apologize is me."
"I shouldn't have asked you to do this when you're hurting."
"I'm worried about Himawari…"
"She's really upset."
Naruto nodded.
"I'll talk to her later."
Suddenly—
Naruto heard Ino's voice through the Mind Transmission Technique.
"Seventh Hokage!"
"There's an intruder at the northwest side of the village!"
"The enemy is using something that looks like scientific ninja tools!"
"Konohamaru is fighting him—but he's about to lose!"
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