Night descended quietly over the village, the pale moonlight stretching long across the rooftops.
Two shadow clones met in a narrow alley, exchanged a look, and clasped their hands in unison.
Bang!
One of them dispersed in a puff of smoke, leaving behind several neatly stacked sealing scrolls that landed softly on the ground.
Boruto, the remaining clone, crouched and gathered them up, his expression faintly serious.
"Guess I'd better master all of this before the real me gets found out," he muttered.
He knew the deception wouldn't last forever. If anyone discovered that his real body was still away on Mount Myōboku, things could get messy. So for now, every clone was put to work — one at home, keeping up appearances, and the rest scattered in quiet corners of the village, training through the night.
High above the quiet streets, a figure stood atop a telephone pole, robes swaying gently in the wind. His long, pale hair caught the moonlight, and golden, slit pupils glimmered faintly in the dark.
From that height, Mitsuki watched the faint blue flickers of chakra in the alley below — Boruto's clones, all working diligently, seals glowing faintly around them.
His father's words echoed in his mind. "Find your sun."
Looking at Boruto now, Mitsuki thought he finally understood what that meant.
He descended soundlessly, landing beside one of the shadow clones. Boruto looked up and gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Caught me, huh? I'm not really talented, so… I'm using quantity over quality. Cramming the hard way."
Mitsuki tilted his head. "You train this much every night… no wonder you're strong."
Boruto waved it off quickly. "Nah, just trying to learn something new before class tomorrow."
His tone was casual, but the spark of anticipation in his eyes betrayed him.
They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves.
Then Boruto asked abruptly, "You can contact Orochimaru, right?"
Mitsuki blinked. "Usually… we communicate through summoned serpents."
"Good," Boruto said evenly, though his pulse quickened. "Send him a message for me. Tell him I want to ask about his research on Hashirama cells — and how to safely master Wood Release."
Mitsuki paused, studying him. Boruto's expression was calm, confident. Serious.
Without further questions, Mitsuki summoned a small white snake. The creature slithered up his arm, listened quietly as Mitsuki whispered instructions, and then vanished into smoke.
Boruto arched a brow. "You're not even going to ask why I want that information?"
Mitsuki's reply was simple and sincere. "You must have your reasons. I help my friends. We're friends, right?"
For a brief moment, Boruto's expression softened. "Yeah. We are."
He remembered that moment during the Ghost Incident — when Mitsuki had revealed his Sage Mode just to protect him. There was no doubt in his heart.
Moments later, the white snake returned, slipping out from Mitsuki's sleeve. As it landed, it dissolved into smoke — and from within that haze, a tall, slender figure emerged.
A soft, hoarse laugh echoed through the alley.
"How intriguing. So the son of the Seventh Hokage is interested in my research on Wood Release?"
Orochimaru.
His amber eyes gleamed with amusement, his voice smooth, almost musical.
Boruto bowed slightly, tone polite but unflinching. "It's an honor, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's gaze drifted over the alley — over the countless identical Borutos surrounding him.
"Shadow clones?"
"My real body is training at Mount Myōboku," Boruto replied plainly. "These clones are just keeping up appearances."
Even Orochimaru hesitated, intrigued. "I see…"
"Consider this a small gift," Boruto said, raising his head.
At once, his left eye ignited with a brilliant azure glow. The faint snowflake pattern shimmered within, and a pulse of overwhelming chakra rippled through the alley.
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly — not in fear, but in fascination.
Boruto let the glow fade and said quietly, "You once said learning every jutsu in the world was your ninja way. I suppose I inherited some of that ambition."
A low chuckle escaped Orochimaru. "Heh… to hear such words from a child. How interesting."
"I want to understand this world," Boruto continued, voice calm but firm. "Not just as it is — but what lies beneath it. And for that, I'll need your help."
The older man studied him for a long time, then finally smiled — the kind of smile that was half amusement, half respect.
"You remind me of someone I once knew," Orochimaru said softly. "Perhaps Konoha truly is filled with talented children."
Boruto smiled faintly. "You've always pursued truth and eternity. After the war, we learned that immortality could be achieved by eating the Divine Tree's fruit. But surely, there must be another way… one you could discover."
That earned a quiet laugh. "You've done your homework, Boruto-kun."
Boruto's smirk was confident, almost sly. "Think of it as… a trade. I offer knowledge. You offer cooperation."
Orochimaru's expression sharpened — curious, but not hostile.
"An alliance built on shared curiosity. I like that."
"The stars, the Divine Tree, the Six Paths, even hell itself," Boruto said. "We'll uncover every truth. Together."
"Then tell me," Orochimaru asked, tone almost indulgent. "What do you need from me?"
"Three things," Boruto replied. "Hashirama cells. Sharingan samples. And help establish a new organization."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Oh? You have a name for it already?"
Boruto's gaze lifted toward the moonlight filtering through the alley. "When night falls, I'll move in the shadows — protecting the world while striking fear into it. The organization will be called 'Moon.'"
"Moon…?" Orochimaru repeated softly, thoughtful. "It reminds me of another man who carried the same contradiction — light and darkness in one."
"Uchiha Itachi," Boruto said, smiling faintly.
Orochimaru chuckled. "So you intend to become both the blade and the shield."
"My goal is simple," Boruto said. "To awaken the sleeping strength of this world before the next storm comes. To be ready — when they arrive."
"'They'?"
Boruto's tone darkened. "The Great Toad Sage once prophesied it — beings from beyond the stars. Stronger than Kaguya. Stronger than anything we've faced."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "The Great Toad Sage… an equal to the White Snake Sage. I see."
He studied Boruto quietly for a moment more, then nodded. "With your current strength, you'll need time. But I'll cooperate."
Boruto smiled. "Then let's talk somewhere quieter."
Outside the village, under the silver canopy of trees, the two stood together — Mitsuki silent at Orochimaru's side, watching intently.
Boruto's body flared with blue light as he activated the Tenseigan Chakra Mode.
Brilliant fluorescent energy erupted around him, forming a glowing mantle of pure chakra.
"First time I've tried this as a clone," Boruto said, gripping his wrist. "Let's see what it can do."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fascination. Mitsuki simply watched, silent awe on his face.
Six black orbs formed behind Boruto, the air distorting with their weight. He guided one forward — it spun slowly, humming with deadly power.
"Yin Wheel Creation… burst!"
The explosion of chakra tore through the clearing, uprooting trees and shaking the ground. Boruto didn't pause — he condensed another orb, the glow shifting from black to gold.
"Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
A blade of radiant energy extended from his hand, slicing cleanly through a distant hilltop. The roar echoed through the forest.
When the light faded, Boruto lowered his hand and exhaled heavily.
Orochimaru began to clap slowly, genuine admiration in his eyes.
"Remarkable," he murmured. "Even as a clone, you wield power on par with your father."
Boruto deactivated the chakra cloak, breathing hard but smiling faintly. "Still needs work."
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully. "I'll begin preparations at once. I'll have Mitsuki relay word when everything is ready."
"Good," Boruto said, his tone soft but resolute. "And I'll make sure he's safe here."
Mitsuki glanced between them, silent, while the moonlight spilled across Boruto's calm, determined face.
The shadows of three generations of shinobi — past, present, and future — mingled quietly under the pale blue glow.