Three Months Later...

The sun had risen over the Hidden Leaf Village, its golden rays gently illuminating the day. The streets were peaceful, bustling with the usual morning activity. The village had slowly returned to its normal rhythm after the chaos of the past events, but Boruto’s mind was still a bit clouded from everything that had happened.

"You really need to stop doing that." Sakuya’s voice was suddenly there, sharp and cutting through Boruto’s musings.

Boruto blinked, looking up to find Sakuya walking beside him, his usual cool demeanor in place, but there was something different. Something lighter.

"Doing what?" Boruto asked, frowning.

Sakuya gave him a long, exasperated look. "You’ve been staring off into space for the past five minutes. It’s like you’re trying to figure out if the sky’s gonna fall or if the world’s going to implode. Relax."

Boruto laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Hey, I can’t help it! It’s like... everything changed, and I’m just trying to get my head around it."

Sakuya rolled his eyes. "You’re fine. You’re always fine. It’s just that once you stop brooding, the world doesn’t suddenly explode, you know?"

Boruto shot him a look. "Is this the ‘you should take a break from saving the world’ advice I’ve been getting for three months?"

"It’s more like ‘try not to die in the process’ advice." Sakuya smirked. "But yeah, that’s exactly it."

"I’m trying!" Boruto grinned back, throwing up his hands in mock exasperation. "But, seriously, have you seen how much paperwork I have to do now that I’m actually an active ninja?" He waggled a piece of paper at Sakuya, an exaggerated expression of panic on his face.

Sakuya, rolling his eyes, flicked the paper from his hand. "Get a life, Boruto."

"Hey, I’ll have you know that being a hero is hard work, okay?" Boruto shot back, crossing his arms. "It’s like every time I turn around, there’s a new enemy or a new threat or, worse, new paperwork from the Hokage’s office! It’s like—"

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. You’re busy." Sakuya interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. "But you’re a ninja. This is your life now. Besides, we’ve got a team, right? We’ll take care of the heavy lifting together."

"If by ‘heavy lifting,’ you mean ‘boring-ass missions’... then yeah, sure." Boruto said with a mock grin, rubbing the back of his head. "I’ll try not to think about it every time someone asks for a mission report."

Sakuya raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching. "I’ll take care of it for you if you keep acting like a lazy bum."

Boruto chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m not a lazy bum! I’m just… a very tired, overworked, and incredibly popular ninja, okay?"

"That’s one way to look at it." Sakuya snorted, his usually serious demeanor slipping for a second.

"Hey!" Boruto called, gesturing towards the sky. "We didn’t die today, did we? That’s a win! We get to complain about stupid things like missions and paperwork, and you know what? I’ll take that any day. At least we’re still here to complain about it."

Sakuya paused, then shook his head, a reluctant smile forming. "You’re right, I guess. At least we didn’t go out like those two..."

Boruto stopped walking for a moment, glancing up at the clear sky. The weight of the past was still there, but now it felt more like something distant—a memory rather than a looming shadow.

"Yeah..." Boruto said softly. "But we’re here. We’re alive. And that’s all that matters."

Sakuya gave him a brief, almost approving look. "Damn straight. Now, let’s get back to doing things before I start getting bored."

Boruto grinned, feeling the familiar weight of the world settle back onto his shoulders. This time, though, he was ready. The weight wasn’t a burden. It was a challenge. A challenge that he would face with his friends, his team, and no matter what came next, they would face it together.

"Alright, let’s go." Boruto said, raising his hand in the air as though ready to tackle whatever came next.

And with that, the two of them headed into the heart of the village, prepared for whatever the future held, knowing that, no matter what, they would always rise again.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the Hidden Leaf Village. A soft breeze rustled through the trees, and the laughter of children echoed across the village as families gathered for a rare, peaceful evening. The last few months had been hard, but tonight was a time for a much-needed break—a time to unwind, share a meal, and remember that life still held simple joys.

Sakuya and Boruto, despite the weight of their recent battles, found themselves at a local gathering spot, surrounded by family and friends. The mood was light, the air filled with the comforting scent of grilled food and sweet pastries. It was the perfect escape from the chaos they had both endured.

Sitting together at a large table under the glow of lanterns, the group was a mix of old and new faces, all united by the bonds they had forged. Naruto and Hinata sat at the head of the table, beaming proudly at their son, while Sarada and Mitsuki were nearby, exchanging lighthearted banter.

"I still can't believe you did that, Boruto," Sarada said, grinning as she poked at her food. " "No one’s ever seen someone dodge an entire Rasengan like that. You sure you’re not part of the Uzumaki bloodline?''

"Oh please, Sarada," Boruto chuckled, adjusting his headband with a mischievous smile. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. But sure, let’s pretend I’m secretly a Uzumaki prodigy."

Sakuya, sitting next to Boruto, couldn’t help but roll his eyes. "You’re going to start that rumor now, aren’t you?" he said dryly, reaching for his drink. "Next thing we know, the entire village will be asking for your autograph."

Boruto leaned back in his chair, a wide grin stretching across his face. "Can’t blame a guy for wanting a little fame. Besides, if anyone’s going to get famous around here, it might as well be me."

Mitsuki, sitting quietly as always, raised an eyebrow and spoke with his usual calm demeanor. "And what would you do with that fame, Boruto?"

Boruto thought for a moment, his grin never fading. "Well, obviously, I’d make sure we have enough ramen to last for the entire village. I mean, who doesn't want ramen as the national dish?"

Sakuya snorted at Boruto’s ridiculousness. "You’re gonna bankrupt the village with all that ramen, genius."

"Hey, I’m just being practical!" Boruto waved him off. "I’m thinking big. Real big."

Hinata, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, smiled warmly. "You’ve always been full of ideas, Boruto." She looked over at her husband, Naruto, who had been chuckling softly. "He gets that from you."

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Naruto, grinning ear to ear, shrugged in mock modesty. "**I can’t help it if my son’s a genius. It’s all the training, you know? I mean, I was Hokage and—"

"And a certain someone spent half his time talking about ramen rather than training," Hinata teased, cutting him off with a playful smile.

Naruto blinked, then leaned back, raising his hands in defense. "I’ll have you know, I was very serious about my... ramen consumption."

"Yes, yes, Naruto. We all know how much you love it," Sakuya chimed in, still smirking. "Maybe you should’ve spent more time teaching your son how to avoid getting into these ridiculous situations instead."

"Hey!" Boruto protested, standing up from his seat dramatically. "I can handle myself just fine, okay?! And I didn't ask for your sarcasm."

"You’re right. You’ve handled yourself quite well." Sarada, ever the voice of reason, grinned at him. "Except that time you ran straight into that giant snake."

"Sarada, don’t remind me!" Boruto groaned, sinking back into his seat. "I’m still trying to get that slime out of my hair. That thing was disgusting."

Everyone burst into laughter, even Sakuya, who rarely ever showed much emotion. The mood was infectious, and for the first time in weeks, the tension in their bodies seemed to dissipate.

"We should have another sparring match soon." Mitsuki’s voice was soft, but his words carried a certain weight. "It’s been a while."

Boruto blinked, his grin growing wider. "Oh, it’s on, Mitsuki. You might have the upper hand with that whole... snake thing, but I’ve got a new trick up my sleeve."

Sakuya chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re really gonna go at it again? After all we’ve been through?"

"Yes!" Boruto said, giving Sakuya an exaggerated thumbs-up. "We’ve earned a little friendly competition. Plus, I have a new move that’ll knock Mitsuki out of the park!"

Mitsuki raised an eyebrow, not the least bit impressed. "We’ll see about that."

Sakuya leaned back in his chair, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You two are impossible. But I guess if I’m not fighting anyone else..." He shrugged. "Why not?"

Just as the conversation was about to shift into another round of jokes, a sudden cry pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention. In a split second, the group turned to see Himawari, Naruto and Hinata’s daughter, charging toward them, her face filled with excitement.

"Boruto, Sakuya!" she yelled, her tiny hands stretched toward them. "I made something! Look!"

Boruto and Sakuya exchanged an amused look, but they both stood up to meet her, curiosity piqued.

"What did you make, Himawari?" Boruto asked, kneeling down as she proudly held up a small hand-crafted figurine made out of clay.

It was a crude, yet endearing attempt at making a ninja, with mismatched colors and wild, uneven features. It was clear she had put her heart into it.

"It’s you, Boruto! And you, Sakuya!" Himawari grinned widely, holding the figurine up with pride.

Sakuya’s mouth twitched, the closest thing to a smile he would ever show. "Well, I have to admit, it’s... unique."

Boruto burst out laughing, his voice light and carefree. "It’s amazing, Himawari! You made me look so... cool!" He glanced over at Sakuya, teasing him. "You sure you don’t want one of these, Sakuya? It might help with your charm."

Sakuya shot him a deadpan look. "Not interested."

The family and friends laughed together, the weight of their past struggles momentarily forgotten. For this moment, there were no enemies, no battles, no burdens—only the warmth of togetherness and the joy of being alive.

"Guess we can leave the world-saving for tomorrow, huh?" Boruto said, his voice softening as he looked around at his family and friends.

Sakuya raised his cup, his eyes glinting with a rare spark of warmth. "Sounds like a plan."

And just like that, the evening carried on, full of laughter, teasing, and the simple, unspoken bond that held them all together. Despite the darkness they had faced, in this moment, they were all just a family—united in the present, ready for whatever the future would bring.

The village stood beneath the peaceful twilight sky, the gentle glow of the setting sun casting a soft orange hue over the Hidden Leaf. It was a peaceful evening, the kind that seemed to promise new beginnings, a sense of calm after the storm. The leaves rustled lightly in the wind, whispering tales of the past, and the world, though forever changed, had found its way back to tranquility.

From a high vantage point, Boruto Uzumaki gazed down at the village below. His eyes, now marked with the experience of countless battles and the scars of war, softened with the quiet realization of how far he had come. The weight of his lineage, his duty, and his personal journey all seemed to melt away as he stood there, surrounded by the memories of those who had shaped him, both friends and enemies alike.

Beside him stood Sarada Uchiha, her sharingan now dull, but her spirit just as sharp as ever. She had grown into a woman of strength, intelligence, and grace. But even with all her accomplishments, she knew that this peaceful moment, this quiet life they had built, was the culmination of years of hardship and sacrifice.

"It's hard to believe it's really over, isn't it?" Boruto said softly, breaking the silence between them. His voice was calm, but there was a deep heaviness to it, one that only time and experience could bring.

Sarada glanced at him, her eyes reflecting the same thoughts. "Yeah. It feels like we’ve been fighting forever... but here we are, standing in the middle of it all, finally at peace."

Boruto’s hand instinctively moved to the side of his head, his fingers brushing the spot where his scar once was—a reminder of the battles fought and the sacrifices made. It was hard to forget everything. Momoshiki. The Eclipse. Tsuyohana. Their journey was one that had taken him to the edge of despair and back, and yet, here he was, alive, with his friends and family by his side.

He turned to Sarada, his face serious yet full of warmth. "I remember when we were younger, we didn’t know how hard the world would get. We were just chasing our dreams, but now... we’ve had to make our own path. A path that’s ours, no matter how painful it got."

Sarada smiled, her expression thoughtful. "That’s the truth. But I think we’ve all found our way, haven’t we? In our own time... we’ve created something. Something real." She looked over at the bustling village beneath them—the village that had always stood as a symbol of hope, of the future. "And now we get to protect it. To raise our kids in it."

Just as Sarada spoke, the faint sounds of children playing echoed in the distance. The laughter of their children—Saruto and Kitaru, Boruto and Sarada’s legacy—rang through the air. It was a pure, untainted joy, a sound that symbolized the peace they had fought for, the future they had secured.

Behind them, the figures of their friends began to appear—Sakuya, now a father to three children of his own, Tsubaki by his side. His once-icy demeanor had melted into a steady warmth, the father figure he never expected to become. His children, Yin, Katsura, and Renki, were playing near the gates of the village, full of the same spirit and energy that had defined their parents in their youth.

Tsubaki caught Sakuya’s gaze and smiled, and for a moment, they shared a quiet understanding. No more wars, no more battles—just the family they had built and the love they shared.

"You’re doing well. They’re lucky to have you," Boruto said to Sakuya with a grin, his voice soft but filled with a quiet pride. Sakuya gave a simple nod in return, acknowledging the bond they had forged through hardship.

Sarada, too, exchanged a smile with Tsubaki, who gave her a wink. "It's all been worth it, hasn’t it?" Tsubaki asked, her voice filled with a knowing warmth.

Sarada didn’t need to answer. The peace was more than enough to say what words could not.

As the sun dipped lower into the horizon, casting long shadows over the village, the group of them stood in silence—Boruto, Sarada, Sakuya, and Tsubaki—witnessing the world they had shaped together.

There was a soft whoosh of wind as Boruto’s fingers brushed against the familiar, cold surface of his old headband, which now hung loosely around his neck. The symbol that had once represented all his doubts and struggles was now a reminder of everything he had achieved—everything he had endured. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the soft breeze to brush against his skin, his thoughts drifting to those who had come before him—Kawaki, Tsukasa, and the ones who had fought alongside him.

It was strange, in a way. Their losses still echoed in his heart. He still felt their absence, a presence that never quite left. But he had learned something valuable through it all—the people you love, the bonds you create, they never truly disappear. They live on in your heart, in the memories, in the lives of those you touch.

Sakuya looked over at Boruto, his gaze steady and calm. "It’s all part of the cycle, Boruto. We live, we fight, and we pass on what we have. The next generation takes the torch."

Boruto nodded, a quiet understanding passing between them. The future was in their hands now, and it was a future of hope, of peace, and of unwavering love.

The wind continued to stir around them, rustling the trees and carrying with it the sound of distant laughter. The sun had almost set, and the village glowed in the twilight, a symbol of everything they had fought for, everything they had lost, and everything they would protect.

As the first stars began to appear in the sky, Boruto turned back to Sarada. Her eyes met his, filled with a shared understanding of the journey they had taken, and what lay ahead.

With a soft smile, he whispered, "We’ve done it, haven’t we?"

Sarada’s lips curved into a smile. "Yeah. We’ve made it."

And with that, they knew—this was not the end, but the beginning of something even greater. The future was theirs to shape, and though the battles were over, their story was far from finished.

The End.