The Truth About the Sea Country

"Because I have the best teacher," Boruto said with a grin.

The three of them smiled at one another. At last, the gloom of the past month lifted.

Just then, someone pounded urgently on the door.

"Clan Head! Urgent news!" A ninja rushed in, his face pale. "Elder Yamada... he's appeared on the outskirts of the village and wants to meet Boruto alone. He says... he knows how to remove the Karma Seal completely."

The mood in the room froze.

Boruto and Naruto exchanged a glance, each seeing the wariness in the other's eyes.

"It's a trap," Sarada said at once.

"Maybe," Naruto said, rising to his feet. "But it could also be real information. Yamada is descended from the Ōtsutsuki. The secret techniques he knows are far beyond anything we can imagine."

"I'll go," Boruto said.

"No—"

"Father, I have to go," Boruto said firmly. "This is about me. I can't hide behind your protection forever. Besides..." He looked at the mark in his left palm. "Now that I have Isshiki's power, I can at least fight back if Yamada tries anything."

Naruto was about to object, but when he saw the determination in his son's eyes, he finally sighed.

"I'll go with you, but I'll keep my distance. If he makes a single suspicious move..."

"I'll retreat immediately," Boruto promised.

The three of them headed for the outskirts of the village, the setting sun stretching their shadows long across the ground.

Yamada stood at the edge of the barrier, still looking like a kind, mild-mannered elder. But Boruto noticed that something about him had changed. His presence was deeper, more dangerous, like the calm before a storm.

"You completed the fusion." Yamada smiled. It wasn't a question, but a statement. "Faster and more perfectly than I expected. Boruto,