Bloodline Awakening

Konoha's morning carried an almost unreal stillness. Boruto stood on the roof of the Hokage Building, looking down at the village as it emerged from the crisis. Fifteen hours of continuous purification had pushed his body to its limit, but strangely, his mind was exceptionally clear. Bridge continued operating deep within his consciousness, like a precision auxiliary engine, filtering out fatigue and optimizing his perception.

"You shouldn't be up this early," Bridge said, a hint of reproach in its voice. "Thirty-seven percent of your muscle fibers are slightly torn, and your Chakra reserves have recovered to only twenty-three percent. Medically speaking, you should be in bed right now."

"Medically speaking," Boruto replied silently, "I should've died several times over by now."

Bridge fell silent for a moment. That was a fact—from his battle with Momoshiki, to Kawaki's betrayal, to Shiki's sacrifice, Boruto's very survival was a statistical miracle.

"You're worried about that prophecy," Bridge said, changing the subject. "The one about the 'Great Selection.'"

"Yamada had no reason to lie." Boruto gazed at the eastern horizon, where a pale streak of dawn was spreading. "And I can feel it... some kind of change. The Chakra in the air, the pulse of the earth, even the warmth of the sunlight—they're all different from before."

"Your perception is evolving," Bridge said. "The Resonance between us is reshaping your nervous system. It's not a bad thing, but it does mean you've entered the scope of the 'Selection' earlier than ordinary people."

Boruto clenched his fist. Beneath his skin, he could feel some Ancient Power awakening. It wasn't the encroachment of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, but something deeper—a response from the planet itself.

"Boruto!"

Sarada's voice came from below. Boruto turned and saw that she had already changed into her training clothes. She held two