The bustling city lights gradually dimmed as Boruto and Sumire Kakei walked through the shadows toward their booked hotel.
Two figures streaked across the sky like shooting stars, briefly entering Boruto's Byakugan vision before vanishing into the distance.
He didn't say anything.
They had just reached the hotel entrance when they were stopped by Iwabe and Kagura.
Both looked tense, their expressions tight, but when they saw Boruto, they visibly relaxed.
"What happened?" Boruto asked.
"Denki's been kidnapped!" Iwabe said urgently.
"I'll report this to Lord Mizukage immediately," Kagura said, stepping forward.
Boruto raised a hand to stop him. "Wait. Is it the same guy from earlier?"
Kagura hesitated, then nodded. "Funamushi. He was a genin at the Academy with me. He hates what the village has become."
"Then let's go," Boruto said calmly. "We'll bring Denki back and end this."
"This is—" Kagura began.
"There's no time," Boruto said. "The Mizukage is probably tied up with diplomatic matters. We handle this ourselves."
Kagura's hand rested on the hilt of his sword. After a moment of hesitation, his eyes hardened.
"…Alright."
The fountain in the plaza continued to spray water into the air, illuminated by streetlights that reflected off the rippling surface.
Denki was bound at the center, surrounded by Funamushi and several subordinates. When he saw Boruto, tears welled up.
"Boruto—!"
Boruto acknowledged him with a brief nod, then swept his gaze across the group.
"Let him go," Boruto said coldly. "Or this ends badly."
Funamushi laughed. "Still acting like royalty, Hokage's son?"
"This is Kirigakure. You don't make demands here."
Boruto turned slightly toward Kagura. "I gave them a chance."
Kagura nodded. "They chose not to take it."
Funamushi sneered. "You've changed, Kagura. Or maybe you were always weak."
Boruto spoke without looking back. "Mitsuki."
Mitsuki stepped forward, already forming seals.
"Wind Release: Kamaitachi."
A kunai flew first.
Boruto's hands moved in perfect sync.
—Flying Thunder God · Space-Time Barrier
—Fire Release · Great Fire Annihilation
In a flash, Denki vanished, pulled safely through space-time.
"What—?!" Funamushi's eyes widened.
A massive wave of fire surged forward, evaporating the fountain water into thick steam.
"Water Release!" Funamushi shouted. "Block it!"
The flames collided with water barriers, exploding into a choking white mist.
Then Funamushi grinned. "Crimson Mist Technique."
Fog flooded the area.
Boruto turned to Kagura. "This is your battlefield."
"I can see in the mist," Kagura replied quietly.
"Then don't see," Boruto said. "Let the sword decide."
A wooden sword can't cut steel—but it can still defeat it.
Kagura stiffened.
The fog shifted.
Funamushi lunged, blade flashing toward Boruto's back.
It missed.
Boruto slipped aside effortlessly, his movement precise—and in the same instant, he kicked Kagura forward.
Kagura landed smoothly, wooden sword raised.
Funamushi laughed. "Still pretending to be gentle? You're Yagura's blood."
"No," Kagura said calmly. "I choose who I am."
Steel and wood collided.
The wooden blade whistled through the mist.
Despite the difference in weapons, Kagura's stance was flawless—measured, controlled.
Funamushi's sword carved deep grooves into the wood.
"Break already!" Funamushi snarled.
The next strike snapped the wooden blade in half.
Funamushi surged forward—
—but Kagura moved first.
Using the broken blade, he redirected the steel, twisting it aside, then struck Funamushi's wrist.
A sharp crack echoed.
"Gah—!"
Funamushi's sword flew from his hand.
Kagura stepped in and struck his chest with the back of the blade, sending him crashing into the ground beside his unconscious followers.
The mist slowly dispersed.
Funamushi lay still.
Boruto exhaled softly. "That's your answer."
Kagura stared at the broken sword in his hand—then tightened his grip.
This is why I wield the sword.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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