"She might not be able to save the world… but she can stop Naruto from breaking."
From within the distorted space, Boruto watched her.
This was the first time he had ever seen her look like that.
Not stubborn.
Not competitive.
But resolute.
When someone has something they want to protect—
Even weakness becomes sharp.
Jigen walked forward slowly, black staff forming in his hand.
His killing intent was no longer restrained.
"Leave," Naruto said hoarsely, pushing Sarada Uchiha slightly behind him. "All of you."
Mei Terumi grabbed Sarada's wrist.
"Let's go! The Hokage can handle this!"
Sarada shook her off.
"It's because he can't defeat him that I need to buy time."
She stood beside Naruto.
Despite the smoke-dimmed sunlight—
Standing next to him felt warm.
Jigen vanished.
He reappeared inches away.
The black rod swung horizontally.
Sarada raised her arm instinctively—
Crack.
The rod lodged into her forearm.
Mangekyō spun.
She attempted genjutsu.
It dissolved instantly.
Jigen increased pressure.
Her arm snapped in two.
" Sarada…!" Mei Terumī gasped.
Naruto's pupils shook.
His voice failed.
But Sarada didn't scream.
She seized Jigen's wrist with her remaining hand.
In that instant—
Crimson chakra erupted.
Tailed Beast cloak manifested around her.
Not fully.
But enough.
The broken arm regenerated rapidly.
She twisted, pulling Jigen forward—
Elbowing into his chest.
The air burst outward.
Jigen barely shifted.
He caught her elbow calmly.
She was too slow.
Too light.
Too human.
A Tailed Beast Ball formed at near point-blank range.
She abandoned her trapped elbow and shoved the sphere forward recklessly.
The ball crushed her own joint before touching Jigen—
And was absorbed instantly by Karma.
"Uchiha," Jigen muttered. "Annoying eyes."
He swung for her throat—
Bang.
Naruto's fist slammed into Jigen's face.
Naruto's arm bent unnaturally after impact.
He ignored it.
Nine-Tails chakra forcibly reconnected the fractured bone.
Jigen steadied himself.
Unharmed.
"Still clinging to hope?"
He lifted his hand.
Black rods erupted from the ground.
They impaled both Naruto and Sarada.
Pinned.
Lifted slightly.
Blood poured from Naruto's mouth.
Kurama's chakra flickered violently but was suppressed by the rods' interference.
Sarada's cloak collapsed.
Yet—
She was pulling herself forward.
Through the rods.
Regenerating.
Jigen tilted his head.
"So. Where is your limit?"
He stepped forward.
His fist clenched.
The air fractured from sheer force.
He appeared before her—
And punched.
Sarada's body shattered into fragments.
Blood mist burst outward.
Silence followed.
" Sarada!!" Mei Terumī screamed.
Naruto stared.
The world felt hollow.
Red fog drifted slowly downward.
Jigen laughed.
"How fitting. The Blood Mist returns."
Time ticked.
Nothing reformed.
Nothing regenerated.
The answer was clear.
Naruto lowered his head slightly.
"This is the second time…"
Jigen looked amused.
"What nonsense are you muttering?"
He turned toward the two Mizukage.
"Broadcast this. Let the entire world see. Uzumaki Boruto will come crawling to save his father."
Mei Terumī's eyes burned.
"You may kill the weak. But you will never trample a hero's dignity."
Jigen looked to Chōjūrō.
"It was Naruto who created this era," Chōjūrō said quietly. "Without him, the world ended ten years ago."
Jigen nodded faintly.
He wasn't angry.
He didn't need to be.
"We suspect Uzumaki Boruto is connected to 'the Moon.' I merely wish to hold him by the throat and confirm it."
His tone was casual.
Absolute.
Naruto coughed up blood.
"Don't delude yourself…"
His voice was weak.
"But you'll die."
Jigen looked down at him.
"Oh?"
Naruto lifted his head slightly.
Even impaled.
Even broken.
His eyes still held light.
"You picked the wrong bait."
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