Chapter Text
In hindsight, he had realised it already when he had clashed with Jura before.
He was strong, arguably the strongest shinobi in all of the elemental nations. Trained by Sasuke Uchiha, the fourth shinobi world war’s hero and was the legacy of the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, the child of prophecy. Inheritor of the Otsutsuki body. The last one might have been both a blessing and a curse.
And yet, he was outclassed.
By these beings that were physical manifestations that could think of the worst thing he had ever encountered.
The Juubi.
The most malevolent chakra he had ever observed…and it was now given human form all because of one fucking idiot. Code, that fucking bastard.
He created something so strong that it could destroy humanity many times over and still not be done with its supposed “purpose”.
He knew that the only reason that he escaped the last confrontation alive was because Jura was still learning about the world around it. No matter how absurdly powerful it was, it was still somewhat infantile. Young enough to not care if one of the ant-like things that die easily to have ran away.
But that would change.
With the level of intellect and adaptability displayed by these human-like god tree bastards, it wouldn’t even take a year for them to be strong enough to contend with Boruto at his strongest.
He had been holding back, yes. Right now, if he went all out, he could probably defeat Jura in a one-on-one battle, courtesy of Koji’s advice. But that was only if……it was a one-on-one battle. But just like Boruto had his own trump cards, Jura was sure to have something at the very least. Something that he didn’t know yet.
Something that could derail the fate of the entire world.
Boruto’s teacher was taken. He couldn’t protect Sasuke-shishou and was forced to run away while he bought time. A new god tree bastard had spouted from that incident, one who called himself Hidari and was targeting Sarada. He would never allow that, for sure.
Kawaki was useless. He had thought that at least due to the reason of killing Boruto, he would try to become stronger. But it seems he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the village after alienating Boruto from his own family.
The one who used to have everything had it stolen from him.
But he wouldn’t take revenge for that.
Of course not.
Kawaki needed to get stronger if there was any hope at all of him being able to contend with the god tree people. If it weren’t for Isshiki’s Dojutsu, there would be no hope at all.
He could only hope that the offhand comment he made about Amado withholding information would be enough for him to be able to start amassing power.
Boruto could feel that time was running out.
There was very little time to gain a massive advantage over a currently unconquerable enemy.
Boruto knew he could do it if given enough time. Three years wasn’t long enough to turn a shinobi of his calibre to the strongest shinobi in the world but he was able to do it anyways. He had had many advantages, sure. The biggest one being Kashin Koji’s Prescience. Following that ridiculously insane training based on a prophetic regime was the only way he was able to get this strong in so little time.
He had to figure something out. It was the only way the world would survive.
‘If only I had more time!’, lamented Boruto and cursed his own ineffectiveness.
Until….it clicked.
There was something that had been neglected.
Even in all the years of the development of the scientific ninja tools, no one had ever thought to create a scientific tool for this specific branch of the shinobi world.
The esoteric branch of sealing.
Never in a thousand years would Boruto have looked at sealing as a viable option unless he had proof that it might work. When he and his teacher had been on the run at the very beginning of the time they spent together, they had gone to visit the ruins of Uzushiogakure. There had been a sizable investment put to create a sort of memorial for the Uzumaki clan’s past home, courtesy of his father. However, in some of the manuals he found there, procedures to create your own seals were most common. The methodology was always somewhat similar and Boruto would have dismissed this thought as a mere fantasy had he not remembered the ridiculous efficiency of chakra when used in conjunction with a seal.
He remembered the tales of his grandfather, Namikaze Minato who had single-handedly felled 1000 Iwa shinobi…. because he had had time to prepare the playground.
His Flying Thunder God Seal, which was also inscribed on a few of the scrolls in Uzu was one of the most beautifully designed things Boruto had ever seen. Everything, from the primary nature of the user’s chakra to the specific vibrations unique to every single person’s chakra, it accounted for them all. It was truly a one-of-a-kind personalized seal.
He was only able to replicate and make a working version for himself because of Kashin Koji and his esoteric Otsutsuki ability of Prescience.
Had he not had this ability to draw inspiration from; it would’ve taken him years to reverse engineer the seal from the inscriptions. Which is why the idea that he had thought of currently was even wilder.
He was going to create an original seal.
A seal, that if everything was as he thought it was, would solve everything perfectly.
It would give him more time to perfect his techniques and powers while he would finally be able to rest for a while. Most of the time he had had to hide in other dimensions because of the sheer number of shinobi that attacked him.
Apparently, being the presumed killer of one of the harbingers of world peace wasn’t really something that earned you brownie points with any country.
There was that as well…wasn’t there?
If this went successfully, then there would exist at least one other world where his father wasn’t an orphan since birth.
One world where he and his sister wouldn’t exist probably, but Sasuke-shishou’s family wouldn’t be eradicated. One where his grandfather and grandmother wouldn’t have to say goodbye to their child so quickly.
It wouldn’t be his world. It would never be his world. He wasn’t enough of a coward to run away from his own bleak future. Based on what Koji said, he wouldn’t be able to run anyways. If he ran away to this other world, the world would end.
Maybe he could prevent that other world’s destruction eventually by never letting the Shinju come into existence in the first place, but that wouldn’t do.
His sister, his friends. They might hate him, curse him in this world for killing their Hokage.
But they still exist. He wouldn’t abandon them. That’s not the Will of Fire he was taught.
Even if they keep hating him, even if they try to kill him.
He would protect the world or die trying.
And this seemed to be his best option.
A custom-made seal that allowed his body and mind to crossover to the past.
But….it wouldn’t be his world’s past.
If Kashin Koji’s prescience tells him something, it was that alternate realities, even if they don’t currently exist, can be created by shoving a wrench in the works, which is exactly what he planned to be.
His Jōgan, although still immature based on what the fucking parasite told him, would still allow him to navigate through the dimensions.
It would be a gamble, sure.
If he didn’t already know that his odds of success were less than a percent, he wouldn’t have even entertained this possibility.
This could give him the edge.
When he would be back, he would arrive in the same exact place at the same exact time. His body would age, sure; but he didn’t mind being a few years older than any of his peers if it meant he was more experienced and could easily overwhelm Jura.
The only lament would be...... Sarada.
If this plan worked, he wouldn’t ever be able to have the life with Sarada that he imagined having. Her as the Hokage, him as her shadow advisor and husband….it wouldn’t work.
If this was the only way, then Boruto wouldn’t hesitate.
His life was already hell.
At least he can prevent others’ from becoming like his.
Sarada would have to find someone else her own age.
It.... couldn’t be avoided.
Although he knew that Sarada and Sumire were probably the only two people who weren’t affected by Eida’s omnipotence and nobody else would ever know that he was Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto’s son; it was a bitter pill he was prepared to swallow.
He slipped off the edge of the cliff and pulled to where he felt the marker he gave Koji.
It was time to discuss the plausibility of the plan.
If Koji couldn’t see him come back......then that meant he would never.
If there was even a slight possibility than an older version of Boruto who was more experienced and more adept would arrive, then it was a gamble worth taking.
That’s what Boruto thought, anyways.
“I’m telling you, Boruto; The risks are too high.”
“You’re not answering what I’m asking. I asked if it was possible and if you see a future where I do this and return successfully.”
“And what happens if I do tell you that? If there’s a small chance of this wild goose chase you want to go on succeeding, then are you actually planning on going through with it? Do you realise how long it will take for you to create a seal that can literally create a new timeline?”
“…. you’re not getting the point. It’s not me that’s creating the new branch. Me going there causes a ripple effect which creates the branch. Also, I have your cheat code. If I study this for one day, you’ll be able to tell me the closest working prototype I can build in the future; If I keep repeating this process, I’ll be able to get the seal done while not completely understanding it, and lightning fast at that.”
“How would you know if I would definitively see your so-called world-time jumping seal? I could very well see a different technique you invent.”
“Your Prescience is based on intent. If I study this idea and focus on it so wholeheartedly, the world will be tricked into believing there’s a possibility I can keep studying this as the world keeps breaking down. That possibility is what you will see the future of.”
“……I don’t understand how you are able to know my ability better than I do, despite me being the one having the visions.”
“Perks of being the Fourth Hokage’s grandson. They used to compare me to his genius, you know that?”
“…Enough self-flattery. Do you know what this will entail? The sacrifices you’ll have to make?”
“……...I’m aware. To say that I’m not pissed off at all would be a…lie. But if my life’s hopes and dreams are all it takes to save the world, then I’m not backing down. I am my father’s son, after all.”, Boruto added with a determined expression.
Heaving a heavy sigh, Kashin Koji finally relented.
“Fine. I will help you make it. But you WILL NOT use it until I see your future self coming back.”
“Of course. That’s the plan. If you don’t see me coming, then that means this world is doomed.”
“I wonder if I’ve already doomed the world by agreeing to create this thing.”
“Haha, don’t say that. I’m sure the world wouldn’t make a joke out of you quite that badly. You did survive against Isshiki, did you not? He was an absolute monster.”
“That’s not wrong. Isshiki was one of the most genius and tenacious Otsutsuki that I know.”
“How many do you even know of?”
“Too many.”
“That’s fair, old man. I’ll get started on working on the seal after my physical conditioning today.”
“…...Boruto, has he spoken to you?”
With a click of his tongue, Boruto sounded quite annoyed.
“No, that parasitic bastard hasn’t said a word. I think he’s planning something.”
“If this plan of yours works, you might just be able to rid yourself of the unwanted tenant.”
“Wait, really? How does that work? Did you already “see” it?
“Not yet. It’s merely a possibility.”
“I hate when you say that.”
“When do you not hate what I say?”
“Never? Ugh…I’m going to go train now. Too much brainstorming will burn me out.”
“Ha, that cheek of yours still hasn’t dwindled, has it?”
“What can I do? It’s my only charming point after all.”