"Let's just go up to here."

"I refuse."

Chitose felt a little annoyed.

Originally, with the Hunter Exam time approaching, his time was very tight. He needed to cross the boundary line to apply for the exam in a city, then wait for the exam location notice. Among the companions, he could understand and accept Master Kakashi, after all in the month he had taught him, he had long been convinced by the other's calm and wise mind and extremely abundant combat experience. As for that Yosuke Kamizaki...he could also accept him seeing that he was arranged by the Seventh Hokage and was currently one of the most outstanding Genin.

However...

He silently looked back at the boy who had walked for half a day and was so tired he could barely walk and had fallen to the last place, repressing his urge to sigh.

Even with lacking stamina...surely a Genin's stamina shouldn't be this bad? They had already rested twice.

Seeing the moon had already risen in the sky, Kakashi stopped. "Alright, let's take a break."

Yosuke immediately collapsed in relief right where he stood, leaning against a tree to catch his hurried breath. Chitose frowned slightly, glanced at him, and remained standing without moving. Kakashi took out a scroll, lowering his head to unseal and take out sleeping bags while persuading, "Alright, let's rest for half the night first, so we'll have ample energy to keep traveling tomorrow."

Hearing this, the boy sitting to the side, Yosuke, stiffened his entire body. Then he raised his head, subtly stealing a glance at Chitose.

The black-haired boy's brows and eyes were lowered, his side profile seemed porcelain-white under the hazy moonlight, his chin slightly tucked in. They weren't far apart so Yosuke could clearly see his lightly pursed lips. He was silent for a while before sitting down with one leg bent, "I'll stand guard."

Kakashi smiled with squinted eyes, understanding the boy's stubbornness so he didn't refuse and directly said, "Half each." His tone was indulging yet helpless, like he was placating a headstrong child.

Chitose tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting away without a word.

"So unlovable..." Kakashi muttered before lazily raising a hand to adjust his mask and handing a sleeping bag to the dazed boy staring at Chitose, "Alright, hurry and rest."

The boy turned to look at Kakashi's expression, squinting eyes curved into a smile. His lips moved as if wanting to say something but ultimately he only silently accepted the sleeping bag and neatly laid it out to lie down.

Chitose's pitch black eyes swept to the side, watching the back of his head before turning away again, arms crossed.

Kakashi quickly lied down as well, smiling as he gestured to him before closing his eyes.

At this time, the forest quieted. Only the boy with bright eyes that were open, reflecting the moon's cold light in the night.

***

The next day.

Yosuke Kamizaki seemed to suddenly understand something. Instead of tiring like yesterday after a bit of walking, he gritted his teeth and persisted, striving to keep up with Chitose and Kakashi's pace.

During a short break on the way, he received praise from Kakashi and had just started feeling elated when he moved his eyes and saw Chitose casually leaning against a big tree not far away - one hand in his pocket, head lowered to look at a spot on the ground, face not red, breath not disordered. Happiness instantly died on Yosuke's stiffened lips.

After a while, having caught his breath, he silently straightened his back.

If it was only traveling like this...

He took a stealthy breath as he looked at Chitose who didn't know what he was thinking about, crouching to draw on the ground with a little wooden stick.

He could still persist. But reality always had a gap with ideals.

Whoosh!

Yosuke Kamizaki hadn't even reacted before seeing the sneak attack aiming his way. His whole body seized up in stiffness.

Then, he heard Kakashi yell sharply from not far beside him, "Yosuke!"

He gave a start and narrowly dodged the enemy's weapon. Finally recalling he still had kunai and shuriken on him, somewhat flustered, he took them out. Biting his teeth to force himself to calm down, he barely defended against the attack.

Also because he focused completely on the enemy, he didn't see how Kakashi and Chitose's expressions changed upon seeing him choose kunai over the short sword constantly hanging on his back.

Then Chitose's fleeting gazes that seemed to see through his every action after that held a hint of incredulous surprise that had his eyes widen slightly.

Suddenly, an obvious opening appeared in Yosuke's movements. The enemy immediately noticed and a dangerous blow rapidly closed in. The boy clearly panicked as his mind even blanked for an instant. He foolishly stood in place, eyes wide, watching the blade that could take his life chop down.

But he was lucky. The ferocious enemy's raising arm suddenly halted. Then he fell straight down. Behind him was the frosty-faced Chitose who lowered his extended arm holding a kunai, letting the blood drip down the blade.

His icy cold eyes that lacked any ripple of emotion met Yosuke's flickering with panic. Then Yosuke reacted, darting a look at the corpse on the ground. His face instantly turned ashen. One hand covering his mouth, he staggered backwards until his back hit a tree. Still he didn't forget to lean over the trunk and retch violently.

Chitose made no indications. He only watched him calmly.

By now, over ten bandits who had attacked them earlier already laid dead on the ground without Yosuke noticing in his dizzy state. Catching sight of the blood from the corner of his eye sent another wave of nausea through him. Finally emptying his stomach, both hands trembling as they clasped the tree trunk, his gaze was somewhat vacant. Sensing the silence, his heart thumped as he slowly righted himself. Hands hanging loosely at his sides, he steadied his breathing and forcefully reminded himself not to recall the scene from earlier.

He didn't know how much time passed in silence until his hands suddenly fisted tightly. "Why...kill them?"

He was even startled by the tremble in his own voice but no one answered him. Whether Chitose or Kakashi, both simply stood behind him without moving or speaking.

The smell of blood was pungent in his nose, stirring another bout of nausea. He gritted his teeth and asked again, "Say it, why did you have to kill them--"

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"Boruto."

A cold voice cut him off, also instantly tensing up this boy's entire body. A long sigh sounded by his ear. His mind blanked.

The silence of death lingered in the forest. Kakashi who hadn't spoken this entire time finally opened his mouth, "...Well, things have already gotten to this point. Letting Boruto return alone wouldn't be realistic either so for now, we can only--"

His unfinished words didn't need explaining for the remaining two to understand upon meeting Chitose's gaze.

Disguised as Yosuke Kamizaki, the boy finally turned to face the other two, especially making an effort to look at the black-haired boy without glancing at the corpses on the ground. Not bothering about his exposed identity, he only repeated his question, "Say it, Chitose! Why did you have to kill them? Even if they wanted to rob us, you didn't have to--"

He suddenly cut himself off.

He remembered that time Chitose had released unconcealed killing intent after hearing him badmouth his dad. Breathing instantly grew difficult as the previous events flashed through his mind. It was like he was seeing this boy in a new light all over again, scrutinizing him from head to toe with unfamiliar eyes.

"To you, this is all very commonplace, isn't it?"

Chitose's pupils contracted minutely but he didn't speak. He only watched the changes in the boy's expression across from him in silence - from incredulous gradually turning into disappointment then anger.

"Forget it!! To think I was actually idiot enough before to see you as a good person, I even went out of my way to send you off! My eyes were clearly blind!!"

He yelled furiously to the extreme before whipping around. Seeing the corpses again, he clenched his fists tightly until they trembled as he forcefully tore his eyes away and stormed off into the depths of the forest.

Naturally, he didn't see the dimness that flashed through the black-haired boy's eyes as he watched his disappearing figure, harboring unknown dangers.

Meanwhile, Kakashi who had watched the one-sided argument between the two children - although it was just Boruto talking to himself - paled. He looked between one and the other before raising his eyes speechlessly to the heavens.

Um...Boruto, I killed people too...why didn't you think of me at all... And...where's the team spirit...

***

[Letting little Boruto return alone wouldn't be realistic...]

Why wouldn't it be realistic? Boruto absentmindedly gazed at the wooden ceiling as he thought back on Kakashi’s words.

--Because you're too weak.

The pair of eyes that seemed to contain no emotion suddenly surfaced in his mind. Boruto irritably flipped over, facing the interior wall. It was like something similar had happened before...

Lost in thought, Boruto suddenly recalled. Back then, Chitose had just transferred to the Academy. He himself had vowed to become stronger and catch up to Chitose's pace before seriously applying himself to learn and train harder than ever.

But after such a long time, the distance between him and Chitose hadn't changed one bit. On the contrary, as more and more things were revealed about that guy, he was increasingly unable to understand him and...also unable to keep up with his pace.

In the dark of night, Boruto's azure eyes reflected the weak moonlight. Missing their usual clarity, they were somewhat gloomy instead.

The quiet space contained the other person's calm, steady breaths.

Boruto carefully turned halfway, secretly studying the boy lying properly on his back with both hands folded over his stomach. The upper half of his face was concealed in darkness but the lower half was exposed under the moonlight streaming in the window. From Boruto's angle, the line of his jaw appeared extremely elegant.

He unwittingly gawked at his side profile before abruptly realizing what he was doing. Annoyed, he whipped back around to face the wall again.

Why am I staring at that guy who treats human lives as a game?! Boruto furiously thought, taking over half the time before his eyes dimmed slightly. He tightened the hand fisted over his chest.

Just what is it...that made you become like this... Chitose?

***

The next day.

Boruto opened his eyes, glaring at the ceiling for a good while before vaguely realizing where he was. He immediately looked to the side only to find the bed the black-haired boy had occupied was now neat and tidy without a soul.

Yesterday, they had arrived at the Kara City outskirts a full day later than originally planned and stayed at an inn here. Adding the fatigue built up from hurrying on the road these past days and staying up for most of last night without falling asleep, Boruto naturally slept until past noon today.

Crap crap...

Knowing he had delayed things again, Boruto swiftly got dressed and charged out of the room. Kakashi's room across was also already vacated. He raced down the stairs and the inn worker who saw him come down kindly pointed towards the backyard. Boruto understood at once and hurriedly nodded in thanks before rushing over.

Guessing Chitose was probably training with Kakashi, he lightened his footsteps at the entrance. These days whenever free, Chitose trained vigorously particularly on genjutsu and taijutsu. After yelling at Chitose last time, he hadn't interacted with him again and the other hadn't actively spoken to him either. For some inexplicable reason, he didn't want Chitose finding out he had come.

Slowing his breath, he entered the backyard grounds and secretly peered through a tall, lush shrub at person-height in search of Chitose and Kakashi's figures.

"...Really..."

A sigh vaguely reached his ears, causing Boruto to instantly halt and unintentionally eavesdrop.

In the inn backyard.

Kakashi lay lazily atop a maple tree branch, occasionally glancing down at Chitose training below. After a lengthy silence, he lazily spoke up, "Aren't you going to explain?"

Upside down on a rock with one hand, the motions of Chitose below didn't stop. "Explain what?"

"Oh come on, don't pretend. We're about to part ways soon. It's rare for the boy to personally see you off...even if his approach was inappropriate, it came from kindness. Yet you're just going to let him misunderstand?"

Chitose's supported fingers stirred once.

"There wasn't any misunderstanding to begin with." He blinked sweat from his eyes to avoid it dripping in. "I did kill and I don't believe I was wrong. He just can't accept it."

After a short pause, he continued, "So there's no need to explain anything."

Kakashi looked upon his unperturbed disciple rather troubled for a time before heavily sighing, hands pillowing his head as he watched the lush red canopy overhead.

"You're truly too aloof. Those bandits held killing intent and who knows how many they harmed. Killing them was expected. As for little Boruto...he's still too naive. This is how an unspoiled wartime shinobi would normally react."

Shifting the conversation, his eyes fleetingly noticed a change in the boy's expression.

[To you, this is all very commonplace, isn't it?]

[I actually used to see you as a good person...]

Faintly mocking words floated through the boy's mind. I'm afraid only the first sentence truly came from the depths of your heart, Boruto. So you were able to so readily...voice out the second sentence. This is the first time, Boruto.

Profound darkness surfaced in the black-haired boy's obsidian eyes. So I'll forgive your misunderstanding and doubt this one time.

"But his reaction is expected of a shinobi who hasn't graduated from the peaceful era." Kakashi continued while watching Chitose from the corner of his eye.

"Alright, it's about time for you to tell your dear master about your purpose for stubbornly taking the Hunter Exam in a foreign land."

Only silence answered him. Unbothered, he leisurely sat up, dangling a leg as he looked down at his disciple. "It's for power, correct?"

Though spoken like a questioning tone, both people present understood he had already affirmed it.

Chitose's ground-supported hand clenched.

"Why?" Kakashi asked again.

Chitose didn't speak.

Kakashi helplessly exhaled before crossing his fingers, "Come now, consider this old man's feelings and resolve some doubts?"

Chitose expressionlessly glanced away.

"So cold-hearted..." Kakashi grumbled and laid back down again.

Silence descended once more. Maple leaves had already turned red in the deepening autumn. One occasionally drifted down from Kakashi's resting tree to land beside the inverted boy.

Suddenly, a huge change occurred this very instant.

"It's that mountain! That ghost mountain appeared again!" someone shrieked hysterically as they stumbled into the inn and collapsed to their knees after crossing the threshold, too anxious to forget yelling to the already ugly-faced crowd inside, "Th-that mountain! Mount Kara!"

Kakashi frowned and sat up. Beside him came the heavy thud of a rock dropping before the black-clothed boy darted out the backyard entrance, "I'll go take a look!"

"Wait, Chitose!" Kakashi leapt off the tree to pursue him, conveniently dragging out Boruto from the shrubs who had wanted to secretly follow them, "Boruto, you need more practice in hiding your chakra!"

The blonde boy was carried like a chicken, kicking his suspended legs futilely, "Let me go! Pervy geezer!"

A cross popped up on Kakashi's forehead.

"Unlovable brat! No respect for your elders?" He shook the boy twice, satisfied to see him swaying left and right.

Just as the overgrown kid was bickering noisily, the sky rapidly darkened before their eyes at a visible pace. Kakashi blankly watched the giant mountain that stopped approaching yet obscured half the formerly azure sky, its base stretching extremely wide. After a lengthy silence, he slowly turned to the still perfectly composed black-haired boy beside him whose expression hadn't wavered.

Raising a brow, Kakashi stared speechlessly. So even this...you already knew about long ago?

Under both obvious and hidden observational gazes, Chitose lowered his head and deeply inhaled before speaking, "This is it, Master Kakashi, Boruto."

He turned to face them. The sudden appearance of this mountain saved him quite some time. At least he no longer needed to cross the narrow Stone Country.

"Once I get past this 'Mountain of Death', I'll arrive at my destination."

The two across silently watched him for a while.