The Disappearance of One Hundred Thousand People

"But your actions set a precedent," Chojuro, the Mizukage, joined the discussion via video call. "Now Kirigakure has similar cases, and the villagers are demanding the same 'transformation.' But we don't have a bridge, and we don't have your abilities. How are we supposed to meet those expectations?"

"I can train others," Boruto said. "Sarada has already started mastering the basics, and others can learn too. I'm not the only one who can do this."

"The question is," Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, interjected, "whether we want this to become widespread. The Great Selection prophecy says that all Special Bloodlines will face a choice. If we offer a 'third option,' are we interfering with the natural process?"

"Natural?" Boruto couldn't help raising his voice. "Is turning people into monsters natural? Is forcing them to choose between agony and death natural? If so, I refuse to accept that kind of nature."

Silence fell over the conference room. Darui, the Raikage, suddenly laughed, his boisterous laughter jarring in the tense atmosphere.

"I like this kid," he said. "He's got the same temper his grandfather had when he was young. The Fourth Hokage was just as stubborn. He always believed one person's strength could change the world."

"And the world really did change," Naruto said softly, "thanks to his stubbornness."

Tsunade sighed and rubbed her temples. As a medic, she understood Boruto's motives; as a politician, she feared the uncontrollable consequences.

"Let's vote," she said. "On whether to support Boruto's 'Purification and Transformation' project, and whether to expand it across the entire Shinobi World."

The vote was three in favor and two abstaining. Tsunade and Chojuro chose to abstain—not because they opposed it, but because they needed more time to observe. The result was seen as a victory for Boruto, but he knew the real