Taking the Otsutsuki Path to Leave the Otsutsuki Nowhere to Go

The first light of dawn slowly rose, scattering the thick black fog over Kirigakure. Unfortunately, it did nothing to dispel the heavy stench of blood and charred flesh all around.

Boruto stood atop a pile of rubble, wiping the blood from the short blade in his hand. He stared blankly over the battlefield, his heart filling with an indescribable mix of sorrow and shock.

So this was real war!

Not the little adventures he'd had before, which were more like playing at being a ninja, but genuine, bloody slaughter!

No right or wrong, no justice—only life and death!

Whoosh—!

Suddenly, a kunai shot toward Boruto's head from behind.

Boruto turned slightly aside. A flash of cold light flickered in his hand, and he knocked the kunai away in an instant.

The attacker was a Kirigakure Genin who had been watching Boruto for some time.

Even though Kirigakure had surrendered, a few diehards were still hiding in the ruins, trying to launch counterattacks and sneak attacks.

When the attacker saw his ambush had failed, he immediately rushed out and lunged at Boruto.

But the next second, before he could get close—

Kawaki charged in from the other side and killed him on the spot. A spike formed from Kawaki's right hand, transformed into an inorganic substance, pierced straight through the attacker.

"Idiot, what are you spacing out for?"

Kawaki pulled out the spike and turned to Boruto, scolding him with evident displeasure.

"He couldn't hurt me."

Boruto sheathed his sword again and replied simply.

"Tch... So, tell me, how many did you get? I killed seventeen Kirigakure Shinobi, including a Jonin. What about you?"

"I killed three and took out nineteen more."

"Hmph! Why didn't you kill them all? Why leave yourself a future threat? You're still so naive, even now.