The morning sun poured over the rooftops of Konoha, washing the village in gold.
After yesterday's disaster at the academy, Shino-sensei had learned a painful lesson — quite literally. The boulder that hit him on the head had left him bandaged, though thankfully, his medical ninjutsu and Jōnin-level constitution saved him from serious injury.
When Boruto entered the classroom, his gaze lingered briefly on the white bandages around Shino's forehead. Ah… so that's where the rock landed.
But more than that, Boruto's thoughts were on something else — that strange surge of chakra from the day before. It wasn't random. The link between his main body at Mount Myōboku and his shadow clone here in Konoha had resonated through the Jōgan.
For a brief moment, the distance between them had vanished.
The aftereffect still pulsed faintly within him — traces of natural energy blending with his chakra. He was getting closer to stabilizing Sage Mode, though it would take time to adapt fully.
Still, the realization from that battle was clear.
Nue.
That creature wasn't just a threat — it was a beacon.
A bridge between worlds.
The Nue's summoning wasn't limited to this realm; its nature as an interdimensional being allowed it to link the ninja world to other planes of existence. If summoned again, that bridge would expose the ninja world's coordinates to the cosmos.
And the Ōtsutsuki — those star-dwelling predators — would inevitably find it.
No… that can't happen.
Before the Otsutsuki come again, before the "Kara" organization rises from the shadows, he needed to erase every opening. Every threat.
The moment Nue appears, the coordinates will be revealed, and all of this — Konoha, Naruto, Himawari, everything — would burn.
Boruto clenched his fist. Then I'll stop it before it starts.
Sumire… the class monitor. She was kind, gentle — but behind that smile, she carried the legacy of her father's hatred.
Boruto exhaled slowly. If I can cut the connection before Nue manifests, I can stop the cycle.
And he already had a plan.
Due to the collapsed school building, today's lessons were relocated outdoors, under a clear morning sky. Students sat scattered across the open field, chatting lightly as the breeze swept through the grass.
"Alright, everyone," Shino said, trying to sound cheerful despite the bandage. "Today we have a new classmate joining us."
A murmur spread across the crowd as a boy with pale blue hair and calm eyes stepped forward.
"My name is Mitsuki," he said softly, his voice calm but confident. "I'm from Otogakure — the Village Hidden in Sound."
Shino nodded approvingly. "Thank you, Mitsuki. You may sit anywhere you like."
Mitsuki scanned the students for a moment before walking over and stopping beside Boruto.
"May I sit here?"
Boruto smiled faintly. "Sure. I'm Boruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too… Boruto." Mitsuki's lips curved slightly, that ever-serene tone never wavering.
As Shino began his lecture, Boruto leaned slightly toward Mitsuki and whispered, "Did Orochimaru send you?"
Mitsuki's expression froze. "Huh?"
Boruto chuckled. "Just a guess. You look like him — calm eyes, same posture."
Mitsuki stared at him in disbelief. How… could he know that?
Boruto shrugged casually. "Don't worry, I'm not judging. I actually respect Orochimaru-senpai. I heard he mastered Sage Mode, too."
At that, Mitsuki blinked, clearly thrown off. "You… know about Sage Mode?"
"Of course," Boruto said with an easy grin. "It's one of the highest levels of chakra control, right? Absorbing nature energy, balancing it perfectly with your own."
Mitsuki was quiet for a while, then spoke softly. "…You're more interesting than I expected."
Shino, meanwhile, was still teaching at the front, unaware that half his class was whispering behind him. The chalk in his hand creaked under pressure. "Boruto… please focus on the lesson."
"Oh, I'm listening, Shino-sensei." Boruto straightened up immediately, though his smirk betrayed him.
Shino sighed under his breath. Why does this always happen to me…
During the break, Boruto leaned back on his hands, staring at the clouds above. His mind was racing again.
Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode was one path. But there were two others — Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest. Each had its own type of senjutsu, its own essence of nature.
What would happen if one could master all three?
Could that fusion surpass even the Six Paths level?
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Mitsuki turned his head slightly. "You're thinking about Sage Mode again, aren't you?"
Boruto chuckled. "You read me that easily?"
Mitsuki nodded. "If you really want to learn, I can teach you what I know. Ryūchi Cave isn't a place most can enter, but… I think you'd survive."
Boruto blinked. This kid's too honest.
"I appreciate the offer," Boruto said lightly, "but what I really want is to meet your father. There's something I want to confirm about the Byakugan — or rather, what comes after it."
Mitsuki tilted his head. "The Byakugan…? Are you talking about—"
"Shh." Boruto smiled, eyes glinting for a moment before he looked away. "Just a theory."
The wind brushed over them, and Mitsuki stared at him curiously. There was something about Boruto Uzumaki that felt unlike any other student — calm, calculating, yet burning with purpose.
While the others chatted and ate lunch, Boruto slipped away quietly.
In a secluded corner of the academy library, one of his shadow clones materialized and began rifling through scrolls in the sealing section.
Contract Seal… Boruto traced his finger along the words.
A technique designed to sever the bond between a summoner and their summoned creature — permanently if performed correctly.
"If I can apply this to Sumire's contract with Nue," he muttered, "it could neutralize the threat before it ever manifests."
He smirked faintly to himself. "Alright then. Let's see how far I can take this before anyone notices."
The clone sat cross-legged in the shadows, opening the scroll. His eyes narrowed in focus as his hands began forming seals in silent repetition.
Outside, on the sunlit field, Boruto's real body sat next to Mitsuki, pretending to listen to Shino's lecture.
But behind his calm smile, his mind was already ten steps ahead — plotting, calculating, preparing.
If the future wants to repeat itself, Boruto thought, his gaze drifting to the purple-haired girl across the lawn, then I'll rewrite it before it begins.