Naruto: Vertex

- Yes...

- Tomorrow morning, get to my house early. We'll go to the Nara Forest. There, the four of us will talk calmly. Do you understand me?

- Yes.

- S-yes, Shika...

- I'm going to let you go now. But stay still and don't attack each other, understand?

Everyone nodded, as far as possible, and then Shikadai undid his Jutsu.

A collective sigh of relief escaped everyone. Hanami broke the silence:

- You've never done this Jutsu before, Shika.

- It's a new technique. I trained to face Boruto's Shadow Clones in the Chuunin exam.

- Are you Chuunins already? - Shin asked, visibly impressed, as he approached Shikadai.

- Not exactly... - Shikadai looked at Boruto, noticing his friend's wide eyes. He decided to keep quiet. - We had some unforeseen circumstances and the exam was canceled.

- But did you actually take the exam? - Hanami asked, also approaching.

- Yes, we did! - Shikadai replied in a calm tone. - Your ninjas, haven't you heard?

- A bit early for that, isn't it? - Shin commented, his gaze turning to Hanami as he ignored Shikadai's question.

- Enough of this talk! - Boruto exclaimed, kicking a pebble across the floor. - If we have to leave, let's leave soon.

The other three looked at each other. They knew Boruto was right, although each had their own reason for wanting to leave the place. Shikadai was worried about the coming night; Hanami, exhausted, just wanted to rest; Shin was immersed in his own thoughts about everything that had happened; and Boruto... Boruto just wanted to let go of the tension and return home, where he could face his father.

They walked in silence until a part of the road where they finally stopped. At this point, the brothers, in a gesture of consideration, moved a little away from Shikadai and Boruto.

- Bye, Boruto. See you," Hanami said, waving from afar.

- See you later, kid - Shin also waved goodbye, his voice quiet but with a touch of seriousness.

When they were alone, Shikadai, with both hands stuffed in his pockets, looked at Boruto and said seriously:

- Don't do anything rash, Boruto. Confronting your father now won't be smart, not until we understand this situation better.

- That old fool won't be home anyway," Boruto replied with a forced smile, before leaping off the rooftops without so much as a goodbye.

Although Shikadai tried to appear calm, he knew his friend well. He knew that, behind the facade of anger, Boruto was much sadder than he wanted to admit.

However, Boruto didn't go home as expected. His destination was the Hokage Tower. More specifically, the window of the Hokage House, a small annex to the tower. There, crouched on the balcony ledge, he observed the apartment.

The light was still off, the room as closed as ever, with no sign of life. The furniture was exactly as he remembered it - nothing out of place, nothing even touched. The silence was even more present.

However, only one light was still on in the building: the Hokage's office. With an agile movement, Boruto hung upside down and cautiously peered through the glass. There, he saw his father sitting with his back turned, apparently busy with papers.

In the next instant, Naruto straightened up in his chair, alert. He turned quickly, looking around as if he knew something was wrong. By reading his lips, Boruto realized that his father had seen him. Without hesitation, he turned and ran, heading for home.

Standing at the point where they separated from Boruto, Hanami looked at Shikadai and asked:

- Why do you think we should go to your family's house, Shika?

- Yeah, if this really is the Village, I think we need to go home," agreed Shin, supporting Hanami's suggestion.

Shikadai scratched his chin thoughtfully.

- I have a few guesses," he said, with a thoughtful look on his face. - And if I'm right, I don't think you exactly have a home here.

Shikadai's speech was interrupted by a sudden hug from Hanami. He was surprised, but before he could react, she murmured, her voice breaking:

- I'm scared, Shika... It's so strange that you don't recognize me! We were together all the time, how can I be here, in front of you, and still miss you so much?

With a sigh, Shin gently pulled his sister out of Shikadai's arms, with a look of pity on his face.

- Hanami... don't push him," he said softly.

Hanami, however, seemed inconsolable.

- You don't understand, Shin...

- I'm sorry, Hanami... - Shikadai swallowed, his face flushed. - If we're such good friends, maybe at some point I'll... Tsk, this is really sucking... - He scratched his head, a little shyly. - If you want, we could go to your house, but I'm pretty sure she won't be there.

- Like the trains? - Shin asked.

- Yes, exactly like trains - Shikadai confirmed, putting his hands in his pockets and resuming his walk.

- I trust you, Shika," said Shin, nodding calmly. - If you think it's best for us to stay at the Nara Estate, let's go there. I have some ideas too, but... it's better to rest now and think together tomorrow. Then we'll decide what to do. But... is that going to be a problem for you?

- I'm hungry," Hanami mumbled, making a little sound.

- There's food there, Hana. - Shikadai answered quickly, then turned to Shin. - You're trusting me. I'll trust you too. Let's go.

Shikadai led the way, guiding the group as they ran along the rooftops, until they reached a forest with sparse vegetation. After a while, they spotted a kind of farmhouse. Shikadai made a quick hand seal and opened the gates, allowing everyone to enter.

In the center of the grounds, a simple-looking house stood. With another hand seal, Shikadai unlocked the door and they entered. The interior of the house exuded a rustic charm: a cozy fireplace, two sturdy wooden sofas and a large bearskin rug dominated the center of the room. In one corner, a bar counter with three high chairs displayed a selection of drinks, delicate glasses and a small refrigerated wine cellar. At the back, three closed doors hinted at other rooms.

- The door on the right leads to the kitchen, Hanami. There, you'll find food in the fridge and cupboards. - Shikadai explained, pointing.

Shin, with a complicit smile, put his hand on Shikadai's shoulder and replied:

- We know the house well, Shika.

- We come here once a month. - Hanami added, smiling back. - We know every corner as if it were the back of our hand.