Early that morning in Konoha, Naruto arrived at the Eighth Training Ground. From a distance, he saw that Team 8 had just finished their morning training. He walked over with a smile and said, "Morning, Kurenai-sensei, Kiba, Shino. Finished training? I'm here to see Hinata."
Hinata shyly greeted Naruto, and Kurenai teased, "Oh, if it isn't Naruto! Here to see Hinata this early?"
Naruto smiled. "Yes, there's something I wanted to talk to her about. I'm not interrupting, am I?"
Kurenai laughed. "No, not at all. Go on, Hinata."
Hinata nodded shyly and left with Naruto. As they walked along Konoha's streets, she noticed his serious expression, as though something was on his mind, and asked curiously, "Did something happen, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto replied, "Nothing. Sasuke is leaving today. I want to absorb the Three Sacred Treasures before he goes. Once Boruto and Sarada have fully adjusted to the powers of the Rinnegan and White Eye, we'll go after Thanatos. We've put this off for too long. It's time we dealt with him, and we can settle the matter of Black Zetsu while we're at it." By the time he finished, his expression had turned completely serious.
Hinata knew Thanatos was a weight on Naruto's heart. Unless he dealt with him, Naruto would never truly be happy. She said nothing more and followed him toward the Forest of Death.
As soon as they entered the Forest of Death, Hinata saw Boruto sparring with Sarada. Sarada threw several shuriken, then added the Phoenix Flower Jutsu to them. The flaming shuriken shot toward Boruto, who hurriedly dodged.
Just as Boruto thought he had avoided all the shuriken, they collided in midair, changed course, and flew at him again. He had only just landed and could no longer dodge.
Just when Hinata thought Boruto