When all accusations pointed toward Kirigakure, the moment the memorial stele was chosen, it was already destined to become the spark that ignited war.
This place—meant to honor the dead—was about to become the battlefield where blood would be spilled.
The so-called new generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist gathered here under the banner of justice: to vindicate ancestors who died in obscurity, whose names were erased, whose existence was quietly buried under the authority of the Mizukage.
They sought to shatter the illusion of peace.
As shinobi, they wielded power beyond ordinary people—power over life and death—and believed they therefore had the right to decide the fate of the Land of Water.
Not only because they possessed legendary ninja swords.
But also because behind them stood a daimyo who silently supported Shizuma Hoshigaki.
Before the war.
Inside the sword repository, Chōjūrō, the Sixth Mizukage, stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the disordered interior. Beside him, Mei Terumī, the Fifth Mizukage, looked at the scene with visible regret.
"The anti-theft mechanisms were activated," Mei said quietly. "But those puppets were never meant to stop someone wielding the Seven Ninja Swords."
She turned to Chōjūrō.
"Did Shizuma steal Kagura's key? That boy's way of thinking has always been… unsettling."
"He's good at exploiting doubt," Chōjūrō replied slowly. "He knows how to dig into people's hearts. Kagura has lived with guilt and self-blame for years. Shizuma didn't create that turmoil—he just gave it a direction."
Mei sighed. "So what now? Are you going to hunt them down and reclaim the swords?"
"The title of Seven Ninja Swordsmen is a symbol of Kirigakure," Chōjūrō said firmly. "It is not a banner for rebellion. Since they've chosen this path, there is only one option."
"To eliminate them?"
"Yes."
Mei hesitated. "Does that include Kagura?"
Chōjūrō turned around. His expression was calm—too calm.
"Kagura is a shinobi. If he has made a mistake, then he must accept the consequences."
Mei closed her eyes briefly.
"This won't be easy."
"No," Chōjūrō agreed. "But hesitation will only make it worse."
After a pause, Mei spoke again. "You're not counting on Uzumaki Boruto, are you?"
Chōjūrō shook his head.
"He has talent, yes. Perhaps one day he can shoulder something like this. But not now. He's still a twelve-year-old student who hasn't even graduated."
This wasn't Naruto's era anymore.
Blind faith alone wouldn't save a village.
"Are you going alone?" Mei asked. "The combined power of the Seven Ninja Swords isn't something to take lightly."
"As Mizukage," Chōjūrō said quietly, "protecting this village is my responsibility."
He turned and left.
Mei watched his back, her expression complicated. The boy who once followed behind her had grown into a leader who could no longer afford to rely on anyone else.
The hotel where Boruto and the others were staying.
Because of Kagura's disappearance, the Konoha students were temporarily confined, unable to move freely without a guide. Fortunately, the hotel itself was luxurious, offering plenty of food, space, and entertainment.
In a spacious room under warm lighting, Boruto and Mitsuki sat cross-legged on the bed, game consoles in hand.
They were in the middle of a cooperative dungeon run. The television on the wall played an unfamiliar program, completely ignored.
Waiting was easiest when you filled the time.
They were waiting for Kara's operative to move toward the memorial stele—waiting for outside pressure to collide with Kirigakure's internal chaos and push everything toward open conflict.
"Do you really think Kara will take the bait?" Mitsuki asked, eyes still on the screen. "From what you've said, they're extremely cautious."
"They are," Boruto replied lazily. "Their name alone screams defensive—Kara, a shell. But the truth is, only Jigen and Amado actually matter. The rest are disposable tools."
Mitsuki glanced at him.
Boruto's understanding of Kara was far too detailed. Sometimes it really did feel like he'd read the script.
"And the new Seven Ninja Swordsmen?" Mitsuki continued. "If a battle breaks out, should we interfere?"
"No need," Boruto said with a faint smile. "They won't have time to worry about us."
Mitsuki hesitated, then asked, "When do we move?"
"After this game," Boruto answered casually. "This is Kirigakure's problem. Outsiders shouldn't step in too early."
Mitsuki finally looked up at him, serious.
"Is it really okay to send the class rep ahead alone? She can't even protect herself."
Sumire was already on the front lines.
Boruto frowned slightly.
"You're right. She's weak—for now. We're basically cheating, so we can't expect her to keep up."
He grinned.
"I'll figure something out later. Worst case, I'll dig up a dragon vein and turn it into her personal battery."
Mitsuki stared.
What did "cheating" even mean?
A beep sounded—the map loaded. They'd reached the boss room.
Boruto stopped talking and focused on issuing commands.
Button presses echoed rapidly.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
Boruto shouted, "Come in!"
Several classmates rushed in, surrounding the bed.
"Boruto!" Iwabe panicked. "That huge monster—the one that attacked Konoha before—it's appeared again!"
"What monster?" Boruto asked without looking up. "Go find the teacher. Why are you telling me?"
"Ultraman?" Iwabe froze. "What's that?"
Denki hurriedly explained, "He means the giant monster. The one that was stopped by the Hokage."
"Then yeah," Boruto said flatly. "Definitely go find Shino-sensei. Do you think we can handle something like that?"
Iwabe swallowed. "We… don't know where the teachers are."
"Then go back to your rooms and play games," Boruto replied. "This isn't your problem."
Shikadai stepped forward. "Actually… it was the Fifth Mizukage who asked us to call you. She said she needs help from Konoha's jinchūriki."
Boruto finally paused.
"And she specifically asked for you," Shikadai added.
That alone said a lot.
"Huh…" Boruto sighed and put the console down. "Fine. Let's go."
The game had already ended anyway.
As Boruto left, the others sat quietly on the edge of the bed. Mitsuki shifted further inward, thoughtful.
"I never imagined Boruto would be involved in something like this," Denki murmured.
"He changed a long time ago," Shikadai said softly. "Ever since the start of the school year."
"You two knew him before, right?" Denki asked. "Was he always like this?"
Shikadai stared at the ceiling.
"He used to be a real problem child. Always getting into trouble, driving his dad crazy. After that talk at the beginning of the semester… everything changed."
"From then on, he became the Boruto you all know. Calm. Confident. Ridiculously strong."
Before that, he could barely manage three Shadow Clones.
What could flip a person so completely?
No one spoke.
Only Mitsuki sat quietly, eyes lowered, deep in thought.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San