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Chapter 7 - WHEN DUTY DIVIDES

Boruto chewed his food slowly, his eyes fixed on his plate as the doorbell rang again, more insistently this time. "I guess so... That old man is here to ruin our food," he muttered, his tone laced with disappointment.

DING DONG

Himawari's gentle voice intervened, "Onii-chan, please don't speak bad things about Papa. You know it hurts me."

Boruto's gaze shifted to his sister's blue eyes, and he tried to get up from his chair, his movements slightly awkward, before sinking back down. He looked at her again, his expression softening. "Alright... Alright."

Boruto stood in the hallway, his eyes fixed on the entrance door as the doorbell continued to ring incessantly, DING DONG DING DONG. He thought to himself, "What in the world happened to Tou-chan?"

Despite his reservations, he found himself approaching the entrance door, his feet moving with a mix of reluctance and curiosity. He stopped halfway, standing near the stairs leading to the upper floor, his gaze still fixed on the door.

The hallway, with its simple yet warm decor, seemed to stretch out before him, the sound of the doorbell echoing off the walls. Boruto's mind uttered a dismissive phrase, "Whatever... I don't care."

The doorbell continued to ring, DING DONG DING DONG, as Boruto hesitated, his eyes fixed on the door, unsure of what to expect...

Boruto's eyes narrowed slightly, his focus still on the entrance door as the doorbell continued to ring. Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, "Boruto, listen to me. It's Ino."

He paused, his thoughts shifting to Ino, the kunoichi and friend of his family. Her voice in his mind was unexpected, but not entirely surprising, given the unique abilities of the Yamanaka clan.

Boruto's gaze remained fixed on the door, but his mind was now attuned to Ino's mental transmission. He thought back, "Ino-san..."

The doorbell continued to ring, DING DONG DING DONG, but Boruto's attention was now divided, his focus split between his father and Ino's sudden contact...

Ino's voice was laced with urgency, and Boruto sensed it immediately. He wondered, "Ino-san.." before asking through her jutsu, "Uh, is everything alright...I mean.." But before he could finish, Ino cut him off, her mental tone sharp, "What are you doing?"

The doorbell continued to ring incessantly, DING DONG DING DONG, as Boruto tried to explain, "Well...I am.." But his patience wore thin, and he shouted at the person outside, still ringing the doorbell, "Damn it!! Shut up!! For god's sake!!"

Ino's voice brought him back to his senses, "What's the matter?!" Boruto took a deep breath, calming himself, and replied, "Nothing."

Meanwhile, in the dining room, little Himawari's brow furrowed in concern. She thought to herself, "What's wrong with Papa?" assuming the person ringing the doorbell was their father, Naruto. Boruto had made the same assumption, and his outburst was a mix of frustration and worry. The doorbell continued to ring, oblivious to the tension inside the Uzumaki household...

Boruto's fierce determination was palpable as he told Ino, "Well, I'm going to open the door and kick that old man's ass!" Ino felt a wave of relief wash over her, thinking Naruto had arrived to protect his children. She thought to herself, "Oh, thank goodness Naruto is here...he'll handle it."

But her relief was short-lived, as she quickly realized Naruto couldn't have arrived so quickly. Her eyes widened in alarm as she thought, "No, wait! There's no way he could've reached so quickly! Tsk! I messed up!!"

The doorbell continued to ring, DING DONG DING DONG, as the tension inside and outside the Uzumaki household reached a boiling point...

The Uzumaki house was very quiet. A mysterious person in a black cloak was standing at the door. His face was hidden, so no one could see who it was.

Through her jutsu, she urgently told Boruto, "Boruto, don't open the door! That's a direct order from—" But before she could finish, Boruto cut her off, his anger and frustration boiling over, "What!! You're stopping me from kicking that old man's ass?!?!"

"But no!" Boruto said, determined to open the door.

Boruto burst out of the door, his fist clenched and ready to strike.

Boruto charges at the mysterious person, his fist flying forward with all his might. But just as it's about to connect, the person's massive hand shoots out, grasping Boruto's smaller fist in a vice-like grip.

Ino tried to speak up, "Tch! Listen, Naruto... I mess-"

But Naruto cut her off, his voice low and serious, "Ino, can we talk afterwards? Right now, I have to deal with a freak. I'm sure you can handle this alone."

Naruto stood tall on a windy terrace, his hair blowing wildly. His Hokage cloak billowed behind him, looking strong and important. He was face to face with the mysterious old man.

Meanwhile, at the Uzumaki home, Boruto's eyes widened in shock as he faced someone he didn't expect to see standing at his doorstep - a familiar face, yet utterly unexpected in this moment.

Ino's eyes widened, sensing Naruto's seriousness through their mental connection. She was worried, feeling something was off.

The young man stood before Naruto, his slender figure exuding an aura of confidence. His bluish-black hair fell straight down his back, framing his pale, angular face. A pair of piercing purple Rinnegan eyes gleamed with intensity, giving him an otherworldly appearance. He wore a simple black cloak that billowed behind him, its darkness contrasting with his youthful energy. Underneath the cloak, a plain black outfit covered his body, its simplicity emphasizing his lean physique. Despite his age, barely 16 or 17, he radiated an air of wisdom and power.

As he gazed at Naruto, a sly smile spread across his face, his lips curling up in a subtle smirk. "My, my... what a surprise!" he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Meeting the Hokage in person."

A sudden gust of wind swept through the area, rustling Naruto's cloak and hair. The young man's black cloak also fluttered in the breeze, but his piercing purple Rinnegan eyes remained fixed on the Hokage.

"So, you're the monster, aren't you?" Naruto asked, his voice firm but calm.

The young man chuckled, his relaxed tone a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "My, my. I've earned a title so quickly, and from none other than the Hokage himself."

He paused, his gaze never wavering. "I hadn't expected to see your face here. Are you so free, Hokage? Don't you have any other matters to attend ?"

Naruto's expression remained serene, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "I always have time to entertain monsters like you. If you're getting cold feet, feel free to leave."

The young man's demeanor shifted, his smile fading into a serious mask. "Oh, I shall – after I've completed my task. So, where is it?"

Naruto's expression turned grave, his voice firm. "I don't know what you're talking about, but let's settle this once and for all."

With an effortless motion, the young man began to rise into the air, his black cloak billowing behind him like a dark cloud. He was flying, his movements eerily graceful.

"Sigh... if you insist," he said, his voice laced with a hint of disappointment.

Inside the village, a startled cry echoed through the streets. "Someone's flying in the air!"

The atmosphere was electric with tension, the air thick with anticipation. The villagers, sensing the sudden shift in power, scurried for cover, their faces filled with a mix of fear and awe.Naruto was shocked to see that the man was flying and he knew that this couldn't be solved quickly.

The wind died down, replaced by an unsettling stillness, as if the world was holding its breath in anticipation of the battle to come.

Sai stood atop a raised platform in the Konoha Training Grounds courtyard, addressing the gathered Jonins. "Any questions, anyone? I hope all squads are clear on their assignments."

Just then, Ino's voice echoed in his mind. "Sai, reach the south side of Sector K as soon as possible!"

Sai's expression turned serious. He turned to Kakashi, who stood at the edge of the platform. "Rokudaime-sama, I've received word from Ino. There's an enemy attack at the south side of Sector K."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. He turned to Sai and said, "Everyone, remain on high alert. We'll assess the situation before moving out."

As Kakashi pondered the situation, he thought to himself, "Naruto... Sasuke... I hope you're both there on the scene."

Sai stood by, awaiting further instructions, while the Jonins, including Konohamaru and his friends, remained still, unsure of what was happening. The tension was palpable, but they waited for their leaders' signals before taking action.

The Uchiha house stood serene, its traditional architecture a testament to the clan's legacy. Sasuke, his eyes narrowed in concern, stood at the entrance with his daughter by his side. She wore her signature red spectacles, her black hair framing her heart-shaped face, and her black eyes sparkling with shock. Her outfit was a perfect replica of her usual attire - a sleek black jacket, a white shirt, and a flowing skirt.

"Listen to me, Sarada," Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder and said, his voice firm but gentle. "It's an enemy attack, and no matter what happens, you will not go to the battlefield. Do you understand?"

Sarada's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling from the sudden news. "An enemy attack?!" she thought, her thoughts racing with worry.

But as the reality of her father's words sank in, a surge of frustration and disappointment washed over her. She didn't want to be left behind, idle and helpless, while her family and friends fought to protect their village. As a young Shinobi with dreams of becoming Hokage, the thought of being sidelined was unbearable.

"But why?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion, concern, and a hint of rebellion. "Even Mama is out there helping... Why can't I?"

Sasuke's expression remained calm, but his words cut deep. "You don't have to compare yourself to Sakura. She is strong, while on the other hand, you still aren't strong enough to protect yourself yet."

Sarada's eyes dropped, her spirits sinking like a stone in a pond. She felt a stinging sensation, as if her father's words had slapped her hard.

"As for me, I have to go," Sasuke continued, his tone unyielding.

Sarada's voice trembled, "But..."

Her words were cut short by Sasuke's firm tone, "I hope I have made myself very clear."

With that, he turned and left their home, disappearing into the darkness, leaving Sarada feeling small, weak, and helpless. She realized that in her parents' eyes, she would only be a trouble, a liability, not a valuable asset.

Sasuke moved swiftly towards the battlefield, his thoughts focused on aiding Naruto, his old friend and ally. The weight of his responsibilities as a father and a Shinobi hung heavy on his shoulders, but he pressed on, driven by duty and loyalty.

The air was electric with tension as Naruto plummeted towards the earth, his body a blur of motion. The wooden roof of a nearby house shattered beneath his impact, splintering into a thousand fragments as he crashed through its fragile surface. Time seemed to slow as he descended, his Kurama-infused form glowing with a fierce, golden light that illuminated the darkening landscape. The sound of his landing was like a thunderclap, shaking the very foundations of the village as Naruto's powerful frame struck the ground with incredible force.

But he was in trouble. He landed hard on the ground, his legs and arms struggling to hold him up. He was barely sitting, his face down, like he was badly hurt.

Naruto's body was shaky, his arms and legs trembling. He was trying to catch his breath, but it was hard. His special power was still around him, but it was as if he was not able to fight him even in his Kurama Chakra Mode.

He looked like he was about to fall over, but he was trying to stay up. He was gritting his teeth, fighting to stay conscious. Everything was blurry, but he knew he couldn't give up.

Naruto's vision began to blur, his head spinning from the intense battle.As he sat there, trying to catch his breath,suddenly, a faint rustling echoed through the air, followed by the sound of footsteps approaching. Naruto's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing as he tried to focus on the incoming figure...

The man's speed was a blur, his movements almost instantaneous as he closed the distance between himself and Naruto. The dust kicked up by the fallen roof seemed to part like a curtain, revealing the man's determined expression. His leg shot out in a lightning-fast kick, striking Naruto's stomach with incredible force. Naruto flew across the street, crashing into another house with a loud thud.

Naruto clutched his stomach, grimacing in pain. "Damn it! His taijutsu is too strong... B-but this Rinnegan..." He gritted his teeth, struggling to catch his breath. The Nine-Tails' power was healing his wounds, but it was a slow process.

As Naruto lay there, he couldn't shake off the feeling of desperation. "Damn it! At this rate, he's going to destroy the village..." The thought of the innocent villagers, unable to defend themselves, filled him with urgency. And what about the Chunin Exams, scheduled for the next day? The village was already in shambles...

Lost in his thoughts, Naruto failed to notice the man's approach. But it was too late anyway - the man's speed was too great, his movements too swift. Naruto tried to move, but his body felt heavy, unresponsive.

Just as the man's kick was about to land, a figure appeared out of nowhere. Naruto's eyes widened in shock as the man suddenly transformed into Sasuke. But only for a split second - Naruto quickly realized that it was one of Sasuke's Rinnegan abilities, allowing him to swap places with anyone or anything.

Sasuke stood before him now, his eyes were fixed intently on the mysterious man.

Sasuke stood tall, his eyes fixed on the man, as the wind blew through their hair. Naruto,spoke up, "You're late, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's expression was calm, but his voice hinted at a hint of apology, "Sorry... I had some errands to attend."

Naruto's confusion was evident, "Huh?" He couldn't fathom what could be more important than saving the village. He pressed for an explanation, "What do you mean?"

Sasuke's gaze shifted, avoiding Naruto's question. Instead, he remarked, "That's not like you. To get beaten so easily."

But before Naruto could respond, the man spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Is it so embarrassing to admit that your errand was family issues?"

Sasuke's eyes flashed with anger, his composure shattered. He charged towards the man, his fists clenched, "You..."

Naruto's eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. He realized that Sasuke's "family issues" meant ensuring the safety of his daughter, Sarada. A mix of emotions flashed across Naruto's face - surprise, concern, and a hint of warmth.

But then, Naruto's thoughts drifted to his own family, his son Boruto's face flashing in his mind. A pang of fear and worry struck him, as he remembered that his children were alone at home, vulnerable to the enemy's approach. His instincts screamed at him to rush to their side, to protect them at all costs.

But, as Hokage, he knew that his duty was to prioritize the village's safety above all else. The weight of responsibility settled heavy on his shoulders, a constant reminder of the difficult choices he had to make.

Naruto's eyes clouded, his expression tinged with sadness. He felt torn, his heart aching with the thought of his children in danger, while his mind knew that he couldn't abandon his post.

Sasuke's battle with the enemy raged on, but Naruto's attention was divided. He knew he had to trust in the village's defenses, in the shinobi who protected it, but as a father, it was hard to shake off the feeling of helplessness.

Sasuke's shurikens flew swift and deadly, forcing the enemy to dodge and weave. As he closed in, Sasuke taunted, "Naruto, I thought you had something else to do instead of dealing with this cheap Rinnegan guy!"

Naruto snapped out of his thoughts, confusion etched on his face. "Huh?" He didn't grasp Sasuke's meaning, but the enemy's anger was palpable.

The man's face twisted in rage, "You think you have the right to call my eyes cheap? You single-handed bastard!"

Naruto's eyes widened as understanding dawned, and he spoke up, "But—"

However, Sasuke cut him off before he could continue. Sasuke drew his single sword, its familiar shine a comfort in the chaos. "No buts... just go!!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the distance between them.

Naruto hesitated, still unsure, but Sasuke's urgency was infectious. With a nod, he turned to leave, then stopped and turned back to Sasuke. His eyes shone with a mix of gratitude and concern, "Alright, thanks Sasuke... but make sure not to get hurt, or else you don't know what I'll do to you!"

Sasuke's expression didn't change, but a hint of warmth flickered in his eyes. He knew Naruto's words were laced with a deep-seated worry, a testament to their unbreakable bond.

Naruto's voice cracked with emotion as he continued, "I have to go, my children... they're counting on me!" His eyes pleaded with Sasuke to understand, to keep him safe.

With a curt nod, Sasuke acknowledged Naruto's words. "Go, I've got this."

Naruto sprinted away, leaving Sasuke to face the enemy alone. The man's laughter echoed through the air, "Foolishness! You think you can save your precious village and family?"

Sasuke's gaze narrowed, his focus solely on the battle ahead. "I'll show you the true meaning of foolishness."

---

Quiz Question:

What is the name of the clan that Sasuke belongs to?

A) Uchiha

B) Uzumaki

C) Hyuga

D) Sarutobi

Share your answer in the comments below!

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