The Seventy-Minute Countdown

Yamada faced them again, his Byakugan fully activated as he scanned everyone's vital signs. Yet his gaze was unfocused, as if he were locked in an inner struggle. "The correct way to put it is this: it's the only path that can make God's consciousness return in an orderly manner. The price is real, but so is the result."

"You said 'return in an orderly manner,'" Boruto caught the key phrase. "Not 'activate' or 'guide.' That means the process started a long time ago, right? It didn't start when we got here."

Yamada didn't deny it.

Boruto walked up to the platform and stared at the swirling light from close range. The Light Patterns were extremely uneven. Several turbulent currents converged frantically on the center, like dying rivers searching for somewhere to flow.

"How much time is left?" Boruto's voice dropped.

"Two hours."

"No." Boruto straightened and turned his gaze inward. "Shiki, we need to have a serious talk."

In the sea of consciousness, their connection tensed for a moment, then slowly relaxed, as if Shiki had straightened his clothes and prepared to face his death.

"All right," Shiki said. "Let's talk."

Naruto called out to Boruto as he turned to leave.

He wasn't trying to stop him. It was just a father's instinctive pull. Boruto paused and looked back. His father stood where light met shadow, most of the wild golden chakra around him subdued. He was left in a state of alertness, poised for danger.

"What are you thinking?" Naruto asked.

It wasn't a very Naruto-like question. Usually, he would either shout out a plan or take action. The careful respect in his voice now showed that he was waiting for Boruto to make his own decision—even if it might cost someone their life.

"I'm thinking about Shiki,