4 His Unwillingness To Accept Defeat  

(The arrival of Uchiha Chitose let him see hope.)

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just taught a guy who didn't know what respect was a lesson."

"...Is that so?"

The voices of the two Uchiha siblings who left later gradually faded away, Boruto stood still for a while, suddenly, he shuddered all over, took a few unsteady steps back, but suddenly realized that his legs were weak. He raised his hand to touch his forehead, only to find that cold sweat had unknowingly spread all over his body.

——Don't know what respect is?

——That guy...

Boruto ignored the worried inquiries from Shikadai and others beside him as he stared blankly in the direction he had left.

Recalling his own embarrassing appearance just now, Boruto's hands hanging by his sides unconsciously clenched tightly into fists.

Evening, Uchiha residence.

Sakura was setting the table while smiling and listening to Sarada's excited description of how her brother introduced himself, how cool he defeated Iwabe, and how popular he was in class...

"In short, my brother is the coolest!" She finally solemnly concluded.

"Oh oh, I know. Time to eat, you two!" Sakura responded with a smile to her cute daughter, then called out to the two men sitting opposite each other in the study.

Ten minutes ago.

"How was school?" Sasuke put down his book and asked the two children who had returned from school.

Sarada repeated what she would say to her mother ten minutes later. Sasuke softened his eyebrows and listened silently, then looked at Chitose.

The boy obviously had something to say.

"Sarada, can you come help mom cook?" Sakura called out to Sarada when she saw her in the kitchen.

Sarada was taken aback for a moment, then agreed and walked out of the study.

Her keen and thoughtful character had already helped her discover some things.

The curriculum at the Ninja School was probably a bit simple for her brother.

"How was it?" Feeling that his daughter was good at understanding others, Sasuke then turned his gaze to his nephew and asked first.

"The introductory genjutsu class and shurikenjutsu class were very interesting. I look forward to the ninjutsu class tomorrow." After pondering for a while, Chitose finally spoke up.

Sasuke was slightly surprised at his words, but also felt it was reasonable.

Uchiha Itachi was an all-rounder ninja. However, what he cultivated most proficiently was the unique shurikenjutsu of the clan, as well as the profound genjutsu and fire ninjutsu.

From when he could remember, his brother was busy with all kinds of clan training every day, every day before going to school, and before class in the morning and after school in the afternoon after going to school. By the time he graduated from Ninja School at the age of 7, his brother's shurikenjutsu level was already superior to that of jonin.

This required more than just skills. Smart brain, eye-hand coordination, calm mindset, keen insight, physical training level, each required top notch excellence. Mastery of shurikenjutsu was not as simple as it sounded.

As for his genjutsu and fire ninjutsu, at that time in the ninja world, and even now, few could match him.

Itachi was like this at the age of 22, so if he had lived until now...

Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment.

If Itachi had lived until now, what would it have been like? He imagined. 14 years later, middle-aged Itachi would be teaching Chitose, who resembled him, in the clan training grounds, passing on everything he had learned in his life to his excellent son for him to carry forward, watching him proudly from behind, and then saying, "As expected of my son."

Maybe there would also be a gentle woman, like their mother, smiling at them under the eaves in front of the house, basking in the warm sunshine, patting her child's head when he was tired, and handing her husband a cup of fragrant tea when he rested.

Then I would visit them with my family. Their children would grow up supporting each other like siblings; they would gradually no longer mind the misunderstandings and hurts of the past, they...would be very happy.

But now, this could only be a fantasy.

Sasuke's heart ached badly.

Compared to his gifted brother, he really had nothing to brag about. Although his shurikenjutsu was a cut above other ninjas, compared to his brother who possessed such exquisite and pure skills, it was far from enough to show off.

There was also genjutsu and fire ninjutsu. Sasuke admitted that if his eyes were not immune to genjutsu other than Tsukuyomi, he would definitely become a ninja who was not good at genjutsu. As for fire ninjutsu, it would be somewhat far-fetched to say that he had mastered it. On the other hand, he was quite accomplished in lightning ninjutsu, not to boast.

But this was not what Chitose needed. Itachi's son - Sasuke stubbornly believed - must be proficient in genjutsu and fire ninjutsu like Itachi.

Even if he was stronger than most ninjas in the current ninja world, to be honest, it was largely due to the power of his eyes.

Chidori, Susano'o, Amaterasu... Most of his signature moves relied on his eyes to complete. Although Itachi also relied on his eyes, his basic ninja skills were much more superior than his own. He was still far, far away from a true "ninja". He only relied on his bloodline limits. Now, he didn't even have enough knowledge to teach Itachi's son.

Itachi... would you blame me if you were here? Sasuke recalled Itachi's last smile during the Reanimation jutsu, and felt extremely bitter in his heart.

Itachi, even if you forgave me, I can never forgive myself.

But I will definitely not delay your son. I will let him receive the best education and growth.

Sasuke was silent for a while before looking at Chitose sitting upright in front of him. His early education was very successful. His mother must be an excellent woman.

Having made up his mind to educate Chitose well, he felt much more relieved. It didn't matter, after all, the rest of his life... was to live for atonement.

"Let's eat first. After that, I'll teach you and Sarada the Uchiha clan's shurikenjutsu."

At these words, not only did Sarada let out a small cheer, Chitose's eyes also lit up clearly.

Sasuke hooked his lips and patted Chitose on the shoulder. His mood was suddenly better than ever before.

Uzumaki residence.

Boruto returned home dejectedly. Even though the class president had returned to school at dismissal and informed them that he would continue to study with them in the future, his depressed mood did not improve at all.

Opening the door, his lifeless voice sounded: "...I'm home..."

"Welcome home, big brother!" Hearing the sound, little Himawari came running over, but did not get her brother's usual head pat. Subsequently, Hinata, who poked her head out of the kitchen, looked at her dejected son and asked puzzledly, "What's wrong, Boruto? Are your homework not going well?"

"...No..." Boruto dragged his school bag that was sliding on the ground and slowly came to the living room, only to see an unexpected figure.

"Oh, you're back?" Naruto was sitting on the sofa, holding a fairy tale book in his hand, indicating what he had just been doing.

"...You're actually back?! Wait, Dad, who exactly is that Uchiha Chitose?" Boruto first muttered in shock, then reacted and quickly asked about the culprit who had made him feel depressed.

Naruto was visibly surprised. "What's wrong, don't you get along with him?"

——Words like "background" were not very friendly.

Then he saw his son frown and look away gloomily.

It had to be said that Naruto knew his son very well. It looked like he had been humiliated by Chitose.

"Um...Dad, only people who have killed can have a killer aura, right?" After hem-hawing for a long time, Boruto finally tentatively asked out a sentence.

Naruto's eyes suddenly became profound. He looked at his anxious son for a long time before slowly nodding.

"...Ah. Yes."

Although he had expected it, Boruto was still stunned when he heard his father's affirmation. Then he clamored again: "What? Dad, you haven't answered my question yet, what is that guy's background?"

Naruto put down the fairy tale book, stood up, and put his right hand on Boruto's shoulder: "Why don't you go ask him yourself?"

"I--!" Boruto was rendered speechless and fell silent again.

"Then...why does he defend you so much?" He thought of the somewhat terrifying Chitose at that time, shuddered, darkened his eyes, and asked again.

Naruto looked somewhat surprised. However, he immediately laughed out: "Ahaha, is that so? Maybe it's because of my endless charm, ahahaha..."

"How is that possible, you stupid dad! What do you have that others would appreciate?!!!" Boruto yelled unbearably, and muttered angrily to himself, "That guy...you don't even know what he said to me because of you..."

"Calling people 'that guy' so casually, you can't make friends that way, Boruto!" Naruto said indifferently.

"Nagging--!! What do you know, bastard dad!!" Boruto retorted angrily. Seeing Naruto smile good-naturedly, he got up and went to the study.

Watching his back, Boruto's eyes darkened.

——Not telling me anything...what does that mean, bastard dad!

——But...Dad is right.

Boruto's eyes became determined. I must find out his secrets with my own strength, and make that guy - Uchiha Chitose, acknowledge how amazing I, Uzumaki Boruto am!

Boruto made up his mind silently. However, the blond man walking to the study suddenly stopped and looked back at him with a serious, scrutinizing gaze.

Boruto seldom saw his father reveal such a look. At this moment, he felt that all his thoughts were exposed before the other party.

He became a little nervous and stammered, "Wha, what is it?"

Naruto looked at his son for a good while before sighing.

"Boruto, the current you...cannot make Chitose acknowledge you. As your father, I'm very clear about this - your resolve is not enough yet." Having said that, he paused for a while, turned and entered the study without waiting for Boruto's reaction.

In the place Boruto couldn't see, Naruto's eyes were distant, as if penetrating time and seeing the two teenagers who didn't understand each other in the past.

The current you, he won't acknowledge you. Just like back then, Sasuke, bearing hatred, looking at the childish me.

At night.

Lying in bed, Boruto kept replaying in his mind the moment he turned around complacently, Chitose's unfazed, as if scrutinizing something, deep black eyes.

It was as if after appraising a cheap commodity and losing interest, he immediately averted his gaze. That cold and heartless attitude.

He suddenly sat up angrily and punched the wall next to him.

——What's so great about him! The back silhouette with the hem of his coat sweeping a sharp arc, instantly defeating Iwabe, suddenly appeared before his eyes.

He knelt up irritably and slammed his head against the wall.

——Damn... Damn! Damn! Damn!!

The cold brows and eyes, with barely detectable disgust, the terrifying him releasing killing intent was so frightening, so... unapproachable.

[I simply can't believe you are actually the son of the Seventh Hokage-sama.]

Boruto clenched his fists tightly and slammed them fiercely against the wall. Because of the extreme anger, his chest heaved violently as he panted loudly.

What Uzumaki Boruto hated the most was when others mentioned him together with his father. But this time, this one and only time it wasn't praise for resembling his father... it made him feel frustrated.

Uchiha Chitose was different from those who never acknowledged his efforts and summed it all up with one phrase "the Hokage's son". He saw him, but he had no interest at all in the real Uzumaki Boruto.

He only had respect and admiration for his father as Hokage. As for the Hokage's son, who was not at all outstanding in his eyes, he was completely indifferent and dismissive. From the beginning, he had separated him from his father. Because in his eyes, he was too weak.

There was no comparability at all between himself and his respected dad.

Boruto slammed his forehead against the wall.

He was not resigned!

He had never felt such strong, stronger than ever before, resentment!

——I will definitely make you see me, Uchiha Chitose! Just you wait, I will definitely make you acknowledge me, Uzumaki Boruto, as the most outstanding ninja, Uzumaki Boruto!! 

[With the current you, you cannot make Chitose acknowledge you. As your father, I'm very clear about this - your resolve is not enough yet.]

Boruto was stunned for a moment, then he suddenly lay back down and wrapped himself tightly in the quilt. He knelt on the bed with his forehead against the mattress, fists clenched tightly, his whole body tense, teeth gnashing loudly.

In his azure blue eyes flashed towering rage, and deep resentment.

Ever since he was born, Uzumaki Boruto had received a lot of attention as the hero Uzumaki Naruto's son. He himself was very talented, with an extremely smart brain, learning things very quickly and able to do them perfectly. Later, he even became the Hokage's son, the young master of Konoha village.

In this environment, Boruto inevitably developed an arrogant and conceited personality that loved to show off and was somewhat unruly and mischievous. At the same time, he had a strong sense of self-esteem, which made him very competitive. Since entering Ninja School at the age of 6, although he caused some trouble, relying on his smart brain, he could get a good grade with a little effort on tests and the like, thus greatly satisfying his vanity.

This directly caused the flaws in his personality to get more and more serious.

Naruto watched this happen and was anxious. Boruto was different from him. From a young age, he was not good at anything, and it was relying on a tenacious perseverance and the help of his companions that he finally achieved his dream. But that perseverance was finally forged only after countless failures, setbacks, pain and tribulations.

But Boruto - he had had too smooth a life since he was little. He had never experienced any setbacks, fearless of heaven and earth. On the surface he said he disliked Naruto, but in fact, the things he did - sneaking on the thunder train without buying tickets, recklessly driving the thunder train on his own, smashing the sacred Hokage Rock... Not one of those, without his dad as Hokage, were malicious deeds that would be condemned by the whole village. And because he was too outstanding at the academy, without any opponents, it led to him not understanding that there were still many powerful enemies in the world, becoming overly arrogant and complacent, and even somewhat unmotivated.

In recent years, this phenomenon had become particularly serious. He would lose interest in anything after a brief enthusiasm, lacking lasting perseverance and tenacity, and even looking down on things that tested patience - such as immersing oneself in cultivation - thinking that kind of behavior was silly.

No matter what he did, with just a little effort he could get what he wanted. He did not understand or possess the things that truly enriched the soul, such as fortitude, perseverance and hard work.

This was taboo for a ninja. Without overcoming these shortcomings, he couldn't even become a qualified ninja.

The other children didn't have Boruto's cleverness, so the phenomenon was not yet too obvious. But they still lacked the kind of positive spirit Naruto hoped for, and instead had some debauched opportunistic trends.

Of course, there were very good kids too, like Metal Lee, son of Little Lee, and the held-back Iwabe. They were all very down-to-earth kids.

Although Boruto played a big role in their growth and his concern for his companions was a point about Boruto that made Naruto gratified, after all, Boruto himself was still far from having the resolve a ninja should have.

If this continued, Naruto worried that not only when he became a ninja and went on missions, at every stage of his life after that, Boruto would run into troubles caused by his personality that should have been avoided instinctively, or completely collapse in the face of setbacks.

And now, the arrival of Uchiha Chitose gave Naruto hope.