The Fruit of Evolution

After Boruto asked that question, the air seemed to solidify into a thick gel.

It went on too long. So long that even the sound of breathing felt unnecessary, so long that the golden Chakra flickering at Naruto's fingertips dimmed slightly as its owner froze.

"Consciousness returns to the core."

Those four words in the ancient text were written offhandedly, like a dignified epitaph. Did it mean death? Or life in another form? Boruto couldn't tell, and didn't want to. He only knew that behind those four words lay a black hole, and whatever went in never came back out.

"Then is 'Shiki' still there?" Boruto's voice was dry.

"By definition, yes." Yamada's voice was as cold as a scalpel sliding across ice.

"And from 'my' perspective?"

"Then it wouldn't be your 'Shiki' anymore."

Naruto moved.

There was no warning, no buildup. One second, he was standing in the shadows. The next, his golden Chakra erupted like a blazing sun, forcibly shoving open the oppressive space. The stone patterns beneath the platform gave a low hum, as if some giant beast had trodden on a nerve.

"No." Naruto stared at Yamada, his voice frighteningly calm yet carrying undeniable weight. "This plan is off. Find another."

"There is no other plan." Yamada didn't even lift an eyelid.

"'No other plan,'" Naruto said, stepping closer. The golden radiance pressed Yamada into retreat. "I've been hearing that since the Chunin Ninja Exams. Back then, I thought there was no way forward either, but I still found one. You can do the same. Think again."

Yamada fell silent. His gaze passed over Naruto and settled on Boruto once more. He no longer looked at him like a test subject, but like an accomplice waiting to make a choice.

Sarada silently slipped to the side