(He never valued strength when making friends.)

“I think what's important is not to get tangled up in what a ninja is or why we want to become ninjas. What’s important is what kind of person we want to become and how we can forge our own unique paths.” After laughing, Chitose’s voice carried a hint of delight. As the big brother, he patiently guided Sarada’s confusion.

Perhaps Sarada still didn’t quite understand—Boruto felt the same way—so Chitose explained further:

“Take Uncle Sasuke for example. He travels outside the village most of the time, gathering intel from various places and eliminating hidden dangers, working hard for the village yet remaining unknown to most villagers. The path he chose is to silently dedicate himself and guard the village. To him, this is how he realizes his own value. The kind of ninja he has become is one who loves the village selflessly yet silently.”

Sarada fell silent. After a while, she asked, “Then what about the Hokage?”

Boruto suddenly tensed up. He anxiously awaited Chitose’s answer.

“The Hokage is a position that only those with the broadest mind and heart can take on – a grand ninja. Like the sun, they warm everyone in the village and lead them steadily forward. That’s the kind of strong yet charismatic person I want to become. Just like Lord Seventh Hokage.”

The boy's voice, full of admiration, lingered in Boruto’s ears. He stared blankly at the hibiscus flower in front of him, unable to believe that was Chitose’s evaluation of the Hokage.

The Hokage just sits at a desk pointing fingers while doing an unrewarding job that anyone can do, where is this so-called “grand”?

“So brother wants to become that kind of person like the Seventh?” Sarada’s voice drew nearer. Boruto hurriedly hid behind a nearby bush.

“No. I will become a Hokage similar to yet different from Lord Seventh, in my own way.”

“I see... Although I don’t quite understand, I believe brother will become the best Hokage!”

“Thank you. Just remember this, Sarada.”

Chitose’s voice sounded beside Boruto. He nervously held his breath and silently waited for Chitose’s next words. He had a strange feeling that whatever Chitose was about to say would be very important to his future life.

“Your current doubts exist simply because you haven't found your own path yet and don't know what kind of person you want to become. Expose yourself more to all kinds of people and experiences. When you encounter something that you are willing to devote your entire life to, or when you understand what kind of person you want to become, your confusion will disappear and you will understand what to do.

As for ninjas—to be honest, I also don't know exactly what they are. But I believe that in essence, being a ninja is something very meaningful. Eventually, we will feel deeply proud of being ninjas.”

Sarada fell silent. So did Boruto. Chitose’s words left an indelible mark on his mind, while also earning his deep agreement.

He just knew he didn’t want to become like his old man... As for what kind of person he should become, to be honest, saying “I want to become a super awesome and handsome ninja” seemed a bit childish now.

So, what kind of person did he really want to become?

“Brother, do you already know which path you will take?”

“Ah.”

“...Okay, I believe brother is right. I’ll work hard...”

The siblings' voices gradually faded away. Boruto raised his head, cerulean eyes gazing at the sky, a rare moment of confusion in them. But...

“Geez, I don't know what I'm hesitating about. I’ll understand eventually. For now, the most important thing is still to surpass Uchiha Chitose first...”

Boruto placed his hands behind his head, murmuring to himself as he walked towards the classroom. Yet he couldn’t deny that Chitose’s words were engraved in his heart. When he finally understood what kind of person he wanted to become, only then would he realize how right Chitose’s words were.

Only that by then, his current simple motivation to defeat Chitose would have long changed.

However, as Boruto walked, he suddenly realized an issue that both he and all his classmates had overlooked — Chitose didn’t mention his birthday.

Why? Did he forget?

Boruto pondered for a while but took no further action other than feeling more curious about Chitose’s past. He wasn’t bored enough yet to tattle on Chitose just to get his math homework doubled, nor immature enough to tell on him. What Boruto didn’t know was that after returning to the classroom upstairs, Chitose had unconsciously glanced out the window and noticed him still standing there, racking his brains over why Chitose concealed his birthday.

Starting from that day’s introductory lesson, Uchiha Chitose could be said to have truly integrated into the class. With his prestigious background, good looks, extensive knowledge, formidable strength, he quickly became popular among classmates. Over time, everyone gradually discovered that despite his expressionless face, he was rather easy to get along with, so they relaxed around him. However, likely due to his innate temperament, the only ones who frequently interacted with him, apart from Sarada, were Iwabe, Metal, Mitsuki and Shikadai. After discovering Metal’s dedication to arduous cultivation, Shikadai’s exceptional intelligence, and Mitsuki’s special physique and taijutsu skills, Chitose was very willing to walk home with them after school.

As for how their route always detoured to the training grounds, Chitose claimed to know nothing.

He always felt that Sarada should spend time shopping with her female friends after school instead of training with him everyday. She would be happier that way instead of just cultivation day in day out with her brother. Morning practice was already enough training for a girl. Naturally, Sarada also didn’t want to walk to and from school with any boys other than her brother either. Thus the siblings often parted ways after school.

Of course, since Sakura worked overtime frequently, the two took turns cooking dinner and doing chores. Whenever Sakura saw the schedule posted on the genkan, she would feel a mix of guilt and gratification. Originally Chitose wanted to take over all the work — shadow clones meant he could train and cook with no issues — but Sakura and Sarada firmly rejected him.

—By the way, after tasting Chitose’s cooking, Sarada became even more worried her future sister-in-law would end up spoiling him rotten.

Naturally, since most — or rather all — of Boruto’s buddies overlapped with Chitose’s new friends, it was common to see a noisy group of six boys walking towards the training grounds after school. And at the center of those six, one could always spot the blonde boy tirelessly provoking the black-haired one. The latter would often ignore him completely, fully focused on practicing hand seals, then proceed to refresh the “Chitose VS Boruto One-Sided Victory Tally” set up by Iwabe at the training grounds.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

—Generally, the training order was always Chitose against Boruto, while the rest paired up to spar, followed by a free-for-all melee, and lastly a group battle with them split into teams of three. There were no restrictions on ninjutsu, weapons were prohibited. Only during the free-for-all would Chitose get slightly serious since it was usually the other five ganging up on him then. Shikadai’s tactics, Mitsuki’s unpredictable Shadow possession, and their teamwork were enough to make him focus a little to respond properly. They also always chose more complex terrain for added challenge. Despite losing more than winning when up against Chitose, those battles were the best practical experience for the boys’ growth.

As for the group battles... Usually Chitose and Shikadai avoided being on the same team. Pitting tactics against tactics provided ample benefits for both, in their own words.

However, only Shikadai, Mitsuki and Boruto vaguely sensed Chitose going easy on them. Without using any ninjutsu or Sharingan, just taijutsu and wits, he effortlessly ran them ragged. If he went all out, even if it were five against one, they wouldn’t stand a chance at victory.

They felt extremely frustrated and dejected over this. Especially Boruto — after realizing it, he punched a tree in anger hard enough to make his own fist bleed.

Yet Chitose never showed the slightest impatience. Despite not fighting with his full power, he would always point out their weaknesses after their daily training.

—Though Boruto was somewhat unwilling to admit it at first, he had to acknowledge that the flaws Chitose identified did exist within himself.

Two months passed unknowingly. Just when Boruto could no longer tolerate Chitose's behavior that he felt was taking advantage of them, the appearance of one person brought a turning point that gave his life a new direction.

It was a Friday.

After school, the six boys came to Training Ground 3, the one closest to the academy, as usual. After putting down their schoolbags, they started training. Boruto looked towards Chitose first, and the latter returned his gaze, calm black eyes indicating he was ready to begin anytime.

Boruto gritted his teeth. In his understanding, Chitose who was much stronger would spar with him everyday — or rather, act as his practice partner or even teacher. Today in taijutsu class, he narrowly beat Iwabe after an intense fight, but even after receiving Shino-sensei’s praise at their astounding rate of improvement, he didn’t feel happy at all.

It was all thanks to Chitose. Unknowingly, he already owed that guy a lot.

After thinking for a long time, Boruto finally decided this would be the last time sparring with Chitose. He wasn’t an idiot; he knew Chitose had changed them, slowly making them stronger, and more importantly — slowly making them better. Chitose's presence motivated them to work harder. His mother's gratified expression whenever he returned home covered in dirt and sweat said it all. But Uchiha Chitose...

As much as he hated to admit it, Boruto believed that given Chitose’s intelligence, spending his after school time training by himself would be more beneficial than accompanying them, these rookies.

So today would be the last time training together with Chitose.

Boruto exchanged looks with the other four before facing Chitose. "Let's start!"

The moment his voice faded, he flung out a smoke bomb that heavily smashed into the ground. Then he swiftly weaved signs, splitting into four shadow clones that scattered according to their pre-arranged tactics. Thick white smoke swiftly rose, obscuring everyone's vision.

Chitose's calm expression didn't change. He lowered his center of gravity, enhancing all his senses, and his black eyes rapidly scanned through the smoke.

Although his new friends still lacked strength for now, what he valued when making friends was never based on power.

In them, he saw unlimited potential. Given time, they would definitely grow into excellent shinobi. Most importantly, they were pure of heart and treated him sincerely as an important friend, willing to accept his advice without reservations and accompany him training. Chitose had always liked befriending competent people. He never looked down on them despite their difference in ability, on the contrary, their rapid progress and the surprises their new moves brought constantly attracted him to bond deeply with them.

There was great power in numbers, unity and exchanges of ideas — that was something Chitose always cherished.

Like right now, Boruto had come up with using smoke bombs to obscure movements, catching Chitose a little off guard.

Sensing danger behind him, Chitose swiftly turned and blocked Boruto’s strong kick. Then he shifted one arm to block sideways while stepping forward to punch and dispel that shadow clone. The next second, attacks came from three directions simultaneously. Chitose calmly yet swiftly jumped up to dodge the fierce sweeping kick, turned in midair to dispel another shadow with a spinning kick, then grabbed the vehemently punching fist from behind him with his right hand before landing. After landing, he swiftly turned and pulled hard on that arm towards his own right armpit, making its owner stumble. As the clone lowered its head, Chitose fiercely kneed its abdomen before letting go. He then dodged left to avoid the elbow swipe, lowered his body to slip under the extended arm and complete his turn to end up behind, countering with his own elbow to fiercely strike the vital point at the back of its head.

The entire process took barely a few seconds. His moves were almost too swift to see clearly. Boruto’s four shadow clones were completely defeated, disappearing into white smoke. At the same time, the smoke gradually dispersed. Chitose rapidly glanced at the blurry figures of Shikadai and the rest in the distance — he paid them no heed, continuing to search for Boruto’s real body instead.

Wait—something’s not right! What's that person doing behind Shikadai?

His expression changed. He charged towards Boruto not far away. "Watch out underground!"

But it was too late. Abruptly, a hand stretched out from below Boruto's feet and seized his ankle! Boruto only saw a blur before finding his body below the neck firmly trapped underground, unable to move at all!

A ghastly voice brimming with killing intent gave him goosebumps. "Earth Release: Head Beheading Technique!"

His pupils constricted as his eyes made out the faint gleam of a tanto that swiftly sliced towards his neck! The speed was so swift it was already less than two centimeters from his carotid artery in the blink of an eye!

—Am I going to die?

That terrifying thought instantly flashed across Boruto's mind. In that instant, his whole body went ice-cold, his limbs stiffened, his brain blanked out as he completely lost the ability to react.

Yet in the next moment, the blade quickly withdrew. At the same time, he heard heavy muffled blows, Chitose's bone-chilling voice sounding above him, which to Boruto now sounded like heavenly music. "Get lost!"

Boruto's eyes widened as he raised his head. The first thing that entered his vision was Chitose's back. Only then did he clearly see his ambusher who almost took his life just now.

It was a tall man with short, naturally curly brown hair. His droopy eyelids looked soulless but the eyes beneath were terrifying. Purple adhesive tape strips decorated both cheeks. He wore ordinary black shinobi attire without a forehead protector.

"Hurry to the nearest Anbu or elite jōnin and report this to Lord Seventh Hokage! This guy is strong!" Chitose’s icy yet steady voice rang out again. He was clearly addressing the stunned Shikadai and friends who stood motionless watching this side. Hearing this, Iwabe and Metal reacted, seemingly wanting to step forward but held back by Shikadai and Mitsuki. The ponytailed boy deeply glanced at Chitose confronting their attacker before turning to run. "Let's go, we'll only get in the way here!"

Regardless of how the other boys argued and compromised before eventually yelling at Chitose to hold on while swiftly running for backup, Chitose only stared unwaveringly at the strange man's every move, eyes filled with extreme caution and bloodlust.

The brown-haired man also ignored the fleeing boys. He merely straightened up leisurely and somewhat arrogantly eyed Chitose and Boruto still stuck underground, looking very tense.

Is his target me or Boruto?

Chitose watched the man's every move like a hawk, quickly analyzing his aim. Suddenly the man moved. In a speed nearly invisible to Boruto, he instantly appeared before Chitose, a short blade that somehow appeared in his hand mercilessly hacking down. Chitose barely blocked it overhead with his crossed kunai.

—Such power!

Chitose's heart sank. The next moment, the man noticed another Chitose who had quietly arrived at his right rear. He had just turned sideways to dodge that clone's attack when he abruptly paused for a split second before beginning to block the continuous hail of kunai and shuriken fired at him from behind Chitose's real body. With both hands freed up, Chitose put away his kunai and rapidly formed seals at his current fastest speed. "Fire Release: Giant Flame Blast!"

An enormous fireball spewed forth, the searing heat seeming to distort the very air as it engulfed the man's form. Without even checking the outcome of his attack, Chitose instantly backed off half a step to make more hand seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Puffs of white smoke flashed by as several clones appeared, surrounding Boruto behind Chitose. Then one of the Chitose's swiftly retreated ten meters away from Boruto before a downpour of shuriken from all directions rained down on him an instant later. Chitose was left with no room to evade at all!

His target is me?

Chitose's jet black eyes reflected the sky full of shuriken before his vision was engulfed entirely.