514 Naruto the Flame-Flame Fruit

Naruto and Kurama joined forces, trapping the Tailed Beast Bomb's explosion inside a sphere of chakra, preventing Konoha from being hit directly and minimizing the damage.

But Naruto himself was taken.

Konoha was now in the middle of post-battle rescue efforts.

"Dad… is Hokage-sama really not coming back?" the newly awakened Shinichi asked.

"It's alright. We're going to save him."

He patted his son's small head and said softly:

"You should head to the hospital and help your teammates. That's more important than anything. We adults will handle this. You kids grow up behind us, little by little. One day, you'll shoulder this burden too."

"I know, Dad… you went through all this yourself, didn't you?"

How many times had his father faced danger like this? How many times had he walked the line between life and death before gaining the power he had today? Dad… just how much suffering did you go through?

Kiyosuke didn't notice his son's gaze. He went to handle other matters—Konoha desperately lacked manpower right now. Even though Naruto had protected the village, people were still affected.

A temporary medical camp had been set up, but there still weren't enough medics. Sakura, Rin, Karin, and Shizune were leading the medical teams, rushing everywhere to put out fires, personally joining the treatment efforts.

Mei Terumī and her daughter also stepped in to help with everything they had.

Kiyosuke entered one of the sickrooms. Hinata was lying on the bed. Just before the explosion, she'd tried to rush in and save Naruto, but was caught in the blast.

"Silly girl…"

He sighed.

At her bedside, Himawari and Boruto kept watch.

"Don't cry. You have Sakura looking after her."

He gently rubbed Himawari's hair.

"Your mom will be fine. And we'll go save your dad soon. Do you trust Grandpa?"

"Mm!"

Himawari nodded hard and wiped her eyes.

"Dad said Grandpa is the strongest!"

"Mm."

He turned to Boruto.

"Come with me."

Boruto lowered his head and followed quietly. They walked past the injured, hearing their cries. Boruto's face grew worse with every step.

"After seeing all this, what do you want to say?" Kiyosuke asked once they reached an empty spot.

"I…"

Boruto didn't know what to say. He didn't know what he should do.

"Protecting the village is the Hokage's duty. Naruto always keeps his word—that's his nindō."

Kiyosuke continued:

"He's an idiot. Always has been. When he lost fights as a kid, he never told me. He'd just fight again until he won. Because he was a jinchūriki, his healing was strong. The other kids couldn't keep up. Most fights ended with both sides beat up. He'd come home bruised, head down… just like you now."

"I never blamed him. Kids are competitive. If you lose a fight, fight again. He never gave up. He always wanted to prove himself because everyone feared him—even though he was the son of the Fourth Hokage, the adopted son of a Konoha hero."

"Why?" Boruto whispered. He never knew his respected father was once feared.

"Because inside him… was the fox that destroyed Konoha."

"But that wasn't Dad's fault…"

"It wasn't. Your grandparents died the day he was born. They shielded him with their bodies. The Nine-Tails pierced straight through them. Just ten centimeters more… and Naruto would've been pierced too. You and Himawari wouldn't even exist."

"Your grandfather sealed the Nine-Tails inside your father. He asked me—who was beside him then—to raise Naruto. I was only fifteen at the time."

He paused, then said:

"Tailed Beasts are weapons of the village. Naruto was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. People feared another rampage. Those who lost family directed their hate at him. But because of my identity, they didn't dare say it openly. They acted respectful on the surface… but your dad had almost no friends as a child. Sasuke was one. Later, he gradually gained more—Shikamaru, Choji, your mom, your uncle Neji, Kiba and the others. Over time, he became a shinobi. Then stronger. Then Konoha's hero. Step by step, he proved himself. And finally… he became Hokage."

"Do you know why people respect Naruto? Because he's Hokage? No. It's because they saw his effort. They saw that he's Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha—not the Nine-Tails."

"Even the Nine-Tails let go of its hatred and became his partner. Boruto, you've never truly understood your father."

"I'm sorry… I just wanted…"

"You wanted him to pay more attention to you? He always pays attention. When you took the Chūnin Exams, he constantly asked whether you passed. He watched every one of your matches."

Kiyosuke patted Boruto's head.

"I didn't bring you here to scold you. I want you to know how hard your father worked. And… to keep your mom from worrying. Come with me."

"Where?"

"To save your old man."

"Eh? But I…" His strength was limited.

"You think your dad was strong when he started? He took forever just to learn Clone Jutsu. Sure, now he can make thousands of Shadow Clones at once, but beginnings are always hard. Just follow me."

"Grandpa… you're so strong. You still can't beat those guys?" Boruto asked.

Kiyosuke shook his head.

"If I fought them head-on, Konoha would be gone. I'm built for attack, not defense. I'd be forced into a disadvantage."

His destructive power was too high—one wrong move and Konoha would suffer massive damage. And Momoshiki had the Rinnegan, able to absorb chakra, removing Kiyosuke's greatest advantage. Combined with Bloodline Snare techniques, things would get messy quickly.

"Put this on. We're leaving."

He tossed Boruto a forehead protector. It was dirty and scratched.

"This is…"

"Your dad's. He stopped wearing it after becoming Hokage. I found it in his office drawer."

Feeling its weight, Boruto tied on the protector.

At that moment, Sasuke walked over.

"Bringing Boruto might have a special effect. We should go."

"Mm."

"Let's move."

A portal opened. Kiyosuke pulled Boruto inside. Sasuke followed.

They emerged directly before the Ōtsutsuki.

But the portal's exit point was off—they ended up high in the sky. Below them stretched a barren landscape, full of craters and the traces of the God Tree.

"They're over there!"

Kiyosuke instantly sensed their chakra. Bringing Boruto and Sasuke with him, he rushed toward that location—toward rescuing Naruto.