The Hunt

The door slammed shut.

Boruto lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

He knew Tsukihime was right.

But he also knew that going to save people was asking for death.

He had only one arm now, and his Chakra hadn't fully recovered. Going into the forest to face nine Gold Mode hunters would leave him with almost no chance of survival.

He'd only be throwing his life away.

But...

Tsukihime's expression from moments ago appeared in his mind.

There had been hatred in her eyes, despair, and a trace of... hope.

She hoped he would make a different choice. She hoped he wouldn't become another Hikaru, wouldn't turn into a cold-blooded monster.

"Damn it," Boruto cursed, punching the bed.

He abruptly sat up, ignoring the tearing pain in his wound, and ripped off his bandages.

His wound hadn't fully healed. Blood seeped out, staining the gauze red. But that little pain meant nothing to him anymore.

He walked to the door and pushed it open.

Tsukihime hadn't gone far. She stood in the hallway outside, her back to him, shoulders trembling slightly.

"I knew you'd come," she said without turning around, her voice choked with emotion.

Boruto didn't answer.

He simply walked up beside her and stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing out at the pitch-black night sky.

"I'm not doing this for you," he said quietly. "I just don't want to owe you anything. Besides... I want to find out how strong I am now."

Tsukihime turned to him. Tear tracks streaked her face, but she was smiling.

It was a faint smile, yet it warmed the cold night around them.

"Say whatever you want," she said. "You came anyway."

"Let's go," Boruto said. "Where's the forest?"

"Thirty miles outside the city. We have to get there before