The Truth at the End of the Stairway

Boruto stood at the entrance to the stairs, the Karma Seal on his left hand burning his skin like a hot iron. The heat wasn't pain so much as a summons, as if something were waiting for him at the bottom of the abyss.

"We have to go down," he said.

Sarada gripped her short sword until her knuckles turned white. "Are you sure? That voice didn't sound friendly."

"We don't have a choice." Boruto gave a bitter smile. "This maze is an Ōtsutsuki Training Ground, and I have a Karma Seal. If I want to survive, I have to find out the truth behind all this."

The two of them descended the stairs. The stone steps were steep, and each footfall echoed through the damp air. Moss on the walls gave off a faint glow, lighting their way while making the surrounding shadows seem even more eerie.

After about five minutes, the stairs finally came to an end.

A vast underground cavern stretched before them. Its ceiling was too high to see, lost in endless darkness. At its center stood a black Tower, its surface carved with Runes of the Ōtsutsuki Clan and glowing with a faint blue light.

"That's..." Sarada sucked in a breath.

Countless bones lay scattered around the Tower, some human, others belonging to all kinds of monsters. They faced the Tower as if in worship, as though they had witnessed some terrible sight before they died.

"Offerings," Boruto murmured. "They're all offerings from people who failed the trials."

His Karma Seal suddenly throbbed violently. A powerful pull came from the top of the Tower, nearly yanking him off his feet.

"Boruto!"

Sarada clung tightly to his arm, and the two of them fought against the force together. But the pull only grew stronger, and Boruto's