The Secret of the Karma Seal

"Maybe." Boruto smiled, a hint of grim resolve in his expression. "But before that, I'll kill as many bastards as I can. If I can make them feel pain, it'll be worth it."

He turned and strode resolutely toward the forest, steeped in slaughter.

Tsukine stood where she was, watching his lonely figure gradually disappear into the morning mist as tears streamed down her face.

"Idiot..." she sobbed under her breath. "You big idiot..."

Boruto returned to the forest.

His wounds were still bleeding, and every step brought stabbing pain. His Chakra was nearly depleted, and his body was crying out in protest.

But he couldn't stop.

He knew that if he did, the exhaustion and despair buried deep in his bones would swallow him whole, leaving him unable to summon the courage to take another step.

"Four more," he told himself, his voice echoing through the empty forest. "Just four more kills..."

Steady footsteps sounded up ahead.

Boruto warily raised his head and saw a familiar figure emerge from the mist.

It was an old man in a plain gray robe, leaning on a cane. He looked kind and gentle, without a trace of killing intent.

"You're..." Boruto furrowed his brow as a sense of foreboding rose within him.

"Long time no see, young master Boruto." The old man smiled warmly. "Do you remember me?"

Boruto thought for a moment, then suddenly widened his eyes.

"You're... Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's butler? Yamada?"

"That's right." Yamada nodded, a trace of nostalgia in his eyes. "My name is Yamada. I used to work at your father's house and watched you grow up."

"What are you doing here?" Boruto warily stepped back, his left hand beginning to gather the Chakra he had left. "Is this part of the hunt, too?"

"Because I'm a hunter,