That afternoon Sasuke had appeared covered in blood with his gaze lost in the Hokage's tower, his clothes torn. He held in his left hand a scroll bearing the seal of the Otsutsuki. Pale and shaking like a leaf, keep repeated the same phrase over and over again:
"He's dead...he's dead...he was killed...he's dead...Boruto is dead...he was killed...he's dead...dead..."
A dimensional portal had appeared that took him there and immediately disappeared for that reason no one could travel through it to corroborate what he had just said. They called the Hokage immediately while holding Sasuke there who kept repeating the same thing despite the questions they asked him. Moments later Naruto arrived followed by Shikamaru.
Seeing his friend in such a bad state, she rushed to him to hug him tightly while whispering softly:
"Calm down Sasuke, that's it. I hold his face with his hands forcing him to look into his eyes.
Do you know who I am? Sasuke after looking at him started to cry "Naruto...you're Naruto...my best friend...but I...I...he's dead...they killed him...Boruto died..." The brunette's eyes were empty again, lifeless and distant.
The others tried to talk to him but Naruto didn't let them. Shikamaru asked him to call Tsunade urgently. He then held up the scroll that Sasuke had and gave it to Sai requesting that he urgently decipher it. Everyone obeyed orders. She then helped Sasuke to his feet and led him to his office helping him up the stairs slowly. The brunette kept repeating the same thing.
"He is dead. Boruto died.
They killed him. A couple of hours later, the brunette lay in a room at the Konoha hospital in the psychiatric sector. Tsunade was able to heal his physical wounds while his mind was another story.
She and Ino tried to enter his mind to find out what had happened but they couldn't see anything. Everything was white, there were no traces of images or anything. The last thing the brunette had on his mind was the moment when Naruto asked both him and Boruto to go investigate a Kaguya ruin that had been discovered almost on the border between the country of fire and the country of wind. It was supposed to be something simple and more than anything routine. That was four days ago. It was the last thing he had in memory of him. That upset them much more because when Sasuke regained consciousness he repeated the same thing again.
Both Hinata and Hima, Hanabi and Neji worried to the point that the women started crying. But Naruto remained serious and strangely calm. He showed more concern for Sasuke's mental state than for Boruto's death. But after the second day of the sudden and mysterious appearance of Sasuke and after continuing in the same position Neji exploded:
That morning in the Hokage's office he said: "May I know what's wrong with you, Naruto? The aforementioned looked at him strangely. Why do you only worry about Sasuke?
I understand that he is in extremely bad shape and helped him recover, but what about Boruto?
He was your son, damn it?" "Neji don't tell me you didn't notice either?" Naruto said calmly.
"What? What are you talking about?
"Boruto is not dead, he alone is lost. If I am worried about Sasuke, it is precisely because I need to know what happened?
Neji couldn't understand anything but when he saw Shikamaru he nodded his head. "Naruto is continuously feeling his son's chakra." Shikamaru said. But he can't detect where he is.
"Even Hinata doesn't want to believe me." Naruto said frustrated.
"If he's alive then why did Sasuke show up so badly injured and in such a state of mind? He doesn't even know where he is right now. We've never seen him like this before. Item Neji."
That was exactly what Hinata and Hima told him when he told them about Boruto's chakra. Naruto couldn't answer that but he was convinced that his son was alive.
In addition, Boruto had commented on the peculiarities of the Jogan and this was surely due to that eye that he had. However, the only one who not only believed him but helped him in the search for information was Shikamaru.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was still hospitalized in a psychiatric medicated so that he would not continue to get upset since every time he was conscious he repeated the same thing and even attempted against his own life.
They had to put a chakra-nullifying collar on him so he wouldn't use his powerful techniques against him. Seeing him like this, so destroyed, so defeated and on the verge of total madness, made both Sakura and Sarada change their attitude towards him.
For the first time her daughter began to see it from a different perspective and Sakura put aside her dark obsessive jealousy to return to being as she used to be in the past when they were still the happy team 7.
She only wanted happiness her. They both talked to Tsunade and Shizune that afternoon to ask them to heal him.
"If you manage to cure my father, I promise to be the daughter he wanted me to be so much," the young Uchiha said crying. And never mistreat him again.
Also the Seventh affirms that Boruto is alive and I believe him. Boruto will be back and my dad has to be fine to receive him.
"We are doing our best. Shizune was saying.
"Please... I want to apologize to him... and tell him that my happiness is to see him happy with Boruto... please... Sakura said tearfully
"You can do it, Sakura." Tsunade replied.
Sasuke will recover as soon as Boruto is back here with him. But Sasuke, being semi-conscious from the drugs he was injected with, mumbled the same phrases while crying. His mind was blocked, he had been in shock after seeing his beloved blonde being torn to pieces by those enemies that suddenly appeared in those ruins falling on them by surprise. As much as they defended and even attacked, they had strange techniques that they had never seen before in the other Otsutsuki they had faced in the past.
Those two scrolls that they found there had much more specific information about them but one of the enemies seized a scroll and was escaping. He, Sasuke, was facing the other and Boruto, ignoring his orders, rushed towards the Otsutsuki who was about to flee but the damned one launched a mysterious technique that completely tore the blonde ninja's body to pieces. Sasuke had just eliminated his opponent when he saw that and two portals opened. One swallowed the enemy who was carrying one of the scrolls and the other swallowed the enemy who was holding the other scroll.
Sasuke was aware of him reaching Konoha before he collapsed. Then everything went blank and all he could do was repeat the same sentence over and over again.
His mind as well as his soul was shattered in that instant or so he believed. He only reacted for brief moments before Naruto who, upon seeing him, said crying:
"Sorry...I couldn't save you...I couldn't help you...I failed you Boruto....forgive me...
Then he would fall back into mental collapse. He couldn't bear to stay awake, couldn't bear to be alive, much less breathe knowing that his beloved was no longer there. They had to tie him to the bed as every time consciousness returned to him he tried to kill himself. Two and a half weeks had passed since he arrived in the village and his condition was not improving but rather worsening.
Only with Naruto by his side could the brunette rest and decide to want to take his own life.
"If he gets out of this I will never ask him to follow Kaguya's trail again, I swear." Naruto said feeling guilty.
I will demand that you stay in the village with Boruto and the others. Naruto told Sakura, Sarada, Shizune and Tsunade while he saw his friend unaware of him.
But one morning Boruto appeared at the gates of Konoha, he was exhausted, his clothes disastrous and extremely pale. When the guards saw him, they weren't surprised.
Boruto needed to see Sasuke because in his very soul he knew that something bad had happened to him and his father too because he had to give her the other scroll. For this reason he did not stop at the entrance, limiting himself to waving at them while he ran towards the Hokage tower.
When all the ninjas saw him arrive, they were amazed and some even crossed themselves as if it were a ghost. Boruto arrived at the Hokage's office and after entering he took a breath. He was truly exhausted.
"Dad...I'm here...here. I throw the parchment at him and Naruto held it up in the air with his right hand. Then I'll give you the full report...now I need to know where Sasuke is?"
But Naruto rushed over to hug him tightly as he told him that he knew he was alive.
"Huh? What's wrong dad? How is that? Obviously I'm...alive...he just felt Sasuke's intense pain in his chest. "No...dad...Sasuke... "Yes, come with me. I'll tell you on the way.
Shikamaru let Hinata, Hima and Neji know that Boruto is back.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you. So they both left the Hokage's tower to enter the village towards the psychiatric pavilion where Sasuke lay dying a little more every day.
After finishing hearing the whole story, Boruto quickly entered the room where Sasuke was stopping the nurse who was about to inject him with a new dose of painkillers. The young woman wanted to react but Naruto stopped her asking her to leave the room and call Tsunade urgently. She did so. Boruto rushed at Sasuke and holding his cheeks forced him to look at him.
His eyes met but Sasuke kept repeating the same thing as he pulled on his arms trying to free himself, his wrists were injured and part of the white sheets remained stained with blood. Boruto kissed him gently on the forehead.
"My love look at me, it's me... Boruto Uzumaki... I'm alive... I'm here by your side... React please.
"You're dead...I saw you die at the hands of...them...Boruto died...
"No, what you saw was a shadow clone made with the Jogan to mislead that bastard. It was a stupid idea that occurred to me at that moment and it destroyed you...forgive me my love...I never believed that... Would you really think I was dead?
Sasuke watched him in silence and little by little his gaze was recovering his characteristic shine. He widened his eyes in astonishment, reasoning for the first time in almost three weeks.
"Boruto? Is that you?
"Yes, my love, you see? Nothing happened to me
"Where are we? Just realized he was tied to a bed.
"Where am I? Why can't I use chakra? Why am I tied up? What happened? Sasuke... my love...
"Get me out of here Boruto please... help me...
Tsunade and Naruto watched the scene from afar more than satisfied with the result. She told him happily:
"Did you see? I told you and not only you... Sasuke would recover when Boruto came back to his life.
Hinata, Hima, Neji, Sarada and Sakura had arrived moments later. Boruto without thinking twice released Sasuke and he hugged him with the little strength he had. Sasuke was still crying but this time it was from happiness since he had recovered his beloved blonde. Naruto was the only one who entered the room at Tsunade's suggestion. They both looked at him happy and relaxed.
Boruto was beginning to suffer from the effects of fatigue and without thinking twice he lay down on the bed next to Sasuke.
"Welcome Sasuke." Naruto said smiling. You gave us a very big scare friend. "Dad knew he was alive.
"I wanted to tell you Sasuke that you were mentally in no condition to hear me. Sorry friend, sorry for demanding so much. But it's all over now, you won't have to keep looking for the ruins of Kaguya anymore. "Are you serious?" Sasuke asked. "Of course, others will. You will stay in the village as many of us have wished to happen. We'll talk about that, now...rest.
"Boruto had fallen asleep right there. Tsunade and Shizune entered at that moment to check on the brunette who tensed a little to see them and looked at Naruto desperately.
"Don't worry, Sasuke. His friend told him. "They are only helping you." Seeing that he hugged Boruto with a protective instinct, he continued. "My son will be in the next bed. You can see him all the time, but they have to check on him. Boruto needs to be healed too. Moments later Boruto slept peacefully in the next bed. Sasuke's wrists were bandaged and they stopped giving them strong medications. The days passed and Boruto as Naruto did not leave the place, every so often Shikamaru went with some role for Naruto. Hinata, Neji and Hima were also there who were well received by the Uchiha. However, he was not yet ready to see his daughter, much less his ex. When he had almost recovered Tsunade agreed that Sarada enter the room with only Sasuke and Boruto. The others watched from outside.
The Uchiha tensed at the sight of her but Boruto encouraged him by squeezing his hand. Sasuke looked away and Sarada's eyes filled with tears.
"Dad...that word caused a slight shiver in Sasuke and he closed his eyes. I'm so sorry dad." The brunette just listened in silence. If you give me another chance I'll be the daughter you need me to be...dad... Forgive me for everything... Sasuke opened his eyes to look at her, he was sitting on one of the chairs in the room. In truth his daughter had grown up, she was a beautiful young lady. But the tears didn't sit well with her.
She shouldn't cry, she had to be happy. He knew pain better than anyone and knew that it brought nothing good to one's life. "Sarada. He finally said. You could have made a good couple with Boruto." I joked but the blond exclaimed "Hey, what nonsense are you talking, Sasuke? I look at him frowning. In addition to not liking women, she's extremely bossy. She could never be with someone like that. "What do you say?" Sarada looked at him making sparks of fury, this made Sasuke laugh. He released Boruto while he stood up and opening her arms told him:
"I was just kidding, come here Sarada. The young Uchiha clung to her father crying with him for so much lost time and for the emotion of seeing each other again without hatred or rancor as father and daughter.
Boruto left them alone so they can talk more calmly. When Sasuke realized this he wanted to get upset but she told him:
"Don't worry dad, Boruto went for some juices... he'll come.
"Sure? "Yes, don't worry. Nobody will separate you from him, after all he is a great boy, ideal for you. I... I was wrong dad...
"In what.? In everything... forgive me for being so stupid
"Daughter. Sasuke hugged her again
"You don't have to be sorry anymore. The good thing is that you noticed. Now we'll make up for lost time... when you're of age...
"Why not now? "Because of the restriction daughter, I can't get close... to you. It was obvious that she hurt Sasuke's soul. Your mother arranged it that way... a long time ago...
"Dad....
"In fact I don't understand how you could get in and how it is possible for us to continue talking without a guard coming.
"Dad, mom took off the restriction. Sarada told him. Now we can spend time together without problems or fears. "Did Sakura really do that? Sasuke was shocked.
"Yes, she changed. "In what sense? "She no longer wants to hurt you dad, she did her a lot of good seeing you so badly. "I had to be on the verge of madness for her to finally understand me huh? I don't know whether to be happy or sad, daughter.
"Let's leave the past behind dad yes? Boruto was instantly told to enter with Naruto carrying some soda cans. Seeing them Sasuke smiled happily. The four of them spent a few happy hours chatting a little about everything. Sakura would have to wait a little longer to be able to talk to him without getting upset. Five more days passed and Sasuke was progressing wonderfully. Boruto did not take off from his side. Sakura's turn had finally come, if Sasuke passed that test he would be truly free. They would discharge him and he could go home. When she crossed the threshold the Uchiha looked at her in wonder. The colors drained from his face but he forced himself to remain calm and cool. When Boruto wanted to leave, he held him holding his hand while he whispered in his ear:
"Please don't leave me alone with her...please my love... Boruto nodded and stayed but sat on the bed and took out the cell phone from him. Pretending to be a bored teenager in a room with two adults, he supposedly began to play, although in reality he communicated through WhatsApp with his father who remained outside the room with Tsunade to find out what he should do. This was indicating according to what Tsunade said. Sakura what do you want? "Sasuke...I...I...I'm so sorry...sorry about everything...you were right about everything... "What is this all about? Is it another trap of yours? "No, apparently I had to see you... so badly... to... to... understand you... forgive me... "Nothing will change Sakura.
"I know Sasuke, don't get me wrong. I'm not asking you to get back together. Boruto gave her a hard look. I know you have Boruto who is the one you really need to be with. I just want you to know that...I no longer want to be your enemy...I'll be happy seeing you be. Forgiveness...
"You really say it? Yes? Sasuke had a hard time believing him.
Boruto, what do you think?"
"She better be honest since she's dating Uncle Neji." At this Sasuke looked at him in amazement and Sakura blushed. Neji would never have noticed her if she was still obsessed with you. But I don't like having her as a relative. Sasuke looked at her with different eyes for a few moments before saying: "I forgive you, Sakura, but I don't want to talk to you or hear from you. She just disappears from my life. The only good thing about our relationship was Sarada.
Nothing more. She smiled relieved, she had received forgiveness from the one to whom she had caused so much damage. She now at last she could try with Neji without frustration or lies or hate or anything. She could finally experience true love because she hoped that by her side she would be happy. When he left the room Tsunade and Naruto entered. Sasuke's face lit up with happiness. She gave him the good news. She was free, at last she could go home.
Tsunade took off the necklace that nullified his chakra and recently Sasuke felt truly free. He took a deep breath as if he had been holding in oxygen for a long time. When they were out and after Sarada's arrival, Naruto suggested that the four of them go eat ramen and so they did.
That night Sasuke resumed his life with a new beginning. Hours later when he got home, the Uchiha went to the room and took out a package. Then I wait for Boruto to get out of the shower to kneel and after opening it say: Boruto do you want to marry me? "Yes... yes... yes." Boruto said with tears of happiness in his eyes. No one will separate us Boruto, we will be together forever my love. "Of course my love, I love you so much. They kissed with wild intensity to seal that promise of love forever.