Lost Fledgling (End)

On a massive boulder in Aotoge District, Boruto appeared, flanked by two major powerhouses.

This was the location where Boruto's shadow clone had arrived earlier. At the time, Naruto, in pursuit of the enemy and to protect Boruto, brought him to this relatively safe spot.

Boruto dispersed after leaving the Flying Thunder God Technique mark.

Naruto was still unconscious, while Sasuke's condition was dire. His heart had been pierced, and he suffered from six penetrating wounds. His bones and organs were severely damaged, and many blood vessels were ruptured.

An ordinary person would have died instantly, and even if they survived by chance, they would gradually die from excessive blood loss.

With such injuries, even the Mystical Palm Technique would likely be ineffective. Aside from Tsunade, probably no one else in the entire Shinobi World could heal him.

In Konoha Hospital, Naruto, lying in a hospital bed, slowly woke up, staring blankly at the white walls and lights of the ceiling, a sense of loss in his eyes. The sound of a door opening broke the silence.

Hearing the sound, Naruto mechanically turned his head, and saw Hinata, accompanied by Himawari, visiting him in the ward, with Shizune the nurse following closely behind.

"Papa, you're awake!" Himawari excitedly rushed to Naruto's bedside.

"Ah, I'm already fine," Naruto replied with a smile.

Hinata approached, carrying a fruit basket, her eyes softly fixed on her husband. They looked at each other, a faint smile passing between them. A single glance between the couple was enough to convey much. Hinata didn't ask much, simply sitting beside him and peeling fruit.

Himawari talked to Naruto about many, many things, cherishing the rare opportunity to quietly chat with her father. Her cute and clingy, soft and adorable voice was incredibly healing.

Shizune quietly left after changing Naruto's IV drip. As she walked out of the room, she brushed past Boruto, who asked, "My dad, is he alright?"

"He's fine, just exhausted. He needs to rest more," Shizune said.

Boruto nodded, then casually asked, "What about Sasuke-san in the other room?"

"He's out of immediate danger. Currently, Tsunade-sama is still in the room doing her best to save him, and Sakura is helping. He should be fine soon."

"Okay," Boruto nodded, then pushed the door open and walked in.

Shizune paused for a moment, watching Boruto's figure and gait, so steady and mature. Was he really as mischievous as the rumors said?

In the ward, Hinata had peeled an apple, thoughtfully cutting it into bite-sized pieces, skewering them with toothpicks, and brought them to Naruto's bedside.

Seeing Boruto enter, Naruto's expression became slightly more serious. Sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, Hinata quietly led Himawari out.

"Let's visit again next time, and let Papa rest well," Hinata said.

"Okay~" Himawari happily agreed.

Boruto then took the plate of prepared fruit, picked up a piece with a toothpick, and held it to Naruto's mouth, feeding him. After he ate, he used another toothpick to take a piece for himself.

The sound of chewing filled the quiet ward, the apple juice flowing through his mouth and down his throat, which also happened to open the conversation between father and son.

"How's Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"He's out of immediate danger. His injuries were severe, and he won't be well for a while," Boruto said, helping himself to another apple.

"Hinata peeled those for me," Naruto grumbled, displeased.

"You didn't suffer any serious injuries, just overworked. You have time to lie here comfortably for a while, which is better than dealing with paperwork in the office."

"Ah, but that's Papa's job, though I was protected by you this time," Naruto scratched his head.

"Grandpa's Flying Thunder God Technique, I left a mark in the village before I left," Boruto explained.

Naruto stared at Boruto for a long while before gradually coming back to his senses, his face full of relief. "Haha, I didn't mean to blame you. We were saved thanks to you."

Boruto smiled and brushed it off, asking, "With something this big happening, should we announce it to the Shinobi World? With the opponent's strength, wiping out any village is within their capabilities."

"A Five Kage Summit will be convened soon," Naruto's expression was a little unnatural. "Too many things have happened recently. Be careful in the village, or rather, should you consider taking a leave of absence from school?"

"It's not necessary."

Although Boruto didn't want to go to class either, taking a leave of absence would probably mean being assigned to Naruto's side, which would hinder his actions.

Naruto forced a smile. "Oh, that's not a big problem either."

Boruto probably understood what he meant. Because in the previous battle, he had ruined the White-Robed Man's plan, and it was possible that he held a grudge or would directly infiltrate the village to assassinate him.

"From the White-Robed Man's conversation, he didn't kill Sarada, probably wanting to use her as a bargaining chip," Boruto said.

"I was too careless," Naruto said, shaking his head awkwardly.

"So, in the short term, before the enemy sets up an inescapable net to lure you over, I should be fine."

Seeing Boruto analyze it this way, Naruto didn't insist, but calmed down instead. "Alright, then take care of yourself. If anything happens, use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape."

"Okay."

Boruto nodded, finished the apples on the plate, and left.

Meanwhile, the White-Robed Man's Mangekyō finally faded. Although he had been keeping it in energy-saving mode, the Mangekyō was, after all, the Mangekyō. Keeping it open for too long was a great burden on the eyes.

As the Mangekyō closed, it seemed the world changed. Besides the White-Robed Man standing quietly on the ground, at his feet lay the girl in red clothes, unharmed.

Tears of blood streamed from the corners of her eyes. The activation of the Mangekyō, coupled with the constant torment of the genjutsu, had pushed her body and mind to the brink of collapse. Now, she had finally succumbed and passed out.

The healing light of the Mystical Palm Technique gently flowed through the girl's body. She slept peacefully, even though she had experienced collapse and despair just before losing consciousness.

Even so, the White-Robed Man was disappointed with the results of this trip. Only one eye had awakened to the Mangekyō. The other eye, due to her fragile constitution, had been forced to stop midway, barely reaching the level of the Sharingan.

As time passed, she finally showed signs of waking up. Moonlight shone on the girl, her sweat-soaked, fragmented hair radiating a soft glow.

"My head... feels so heavy... Am I dead?" Sarada murmured, appearing weak and utterly exhausted.

She slowly opened her eyes, somewhat unaccustomed to observing the moon. Her newly awakened eyes had cured her nearsightedness, making this the first time she had clearly seen the world since losing her glasses.

"You're awake. Get up and let's get moving," the White-Robed Man urged impatiently.

Hearing this, Sarada's delicate body shuddered violently. She quickly stood up, her gaze meeting the White-Robed Man's. His Mangekyō had receded, revealing a pair of pale pupils, tinged with a sky-like blue.

Sarada, just now fully realizing the situation, was instantly filled with horror. She shuffled backward, wanting to distance herself from the terrifying individual who would drop her from a great height without a second thought.

As she retreated, she realized how childish her thinking was. Her head was still somewhat dizzy, her thoughts lingering on everything she had experienced in the genjutsu space.

In that genjutsu, the White-Robed Man had ruthlessly replayed the scene of Sasuke's death countless times, adding embellishments, making her feel as if she were right there, witnessing her father's demise firsthand.

It wasn't until her mind couldn't take it anymore and collapsed, ultimately awakening the power of her Mangekyō, that she saw through it all as a genjutsu, including being dropped from mid-air and all the pain she experienced upon landing.

It was all the White-Robed Man's genjutsu!! (Drunken Dream)

Memories gradually flooded back. Sarada looked down at her body, finding no scars or feeling any pain. Instead, her body felt warm and comfortable in a way she couldn't describe.

"Get up, then let's start moving. You'll probably have to put up with me on this mission for a while," the White-Robed Man coldly reminded her.

Sarada was filled with countless questions, but compelled by the White-Robed Man's coercion, she obediently stood up. Seeing this, the White-Robed Man didn't say anything more and walked forward.

"Um... may I ask what our mission is?"

"Seven-Tails Chōmei... Capture plan," the White-Robed Man said simply.