𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 | 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐎 𝐔. [PART 1]

28 - Inheritance of Flame and Shadow

The air in the Hokage’s office was still, almost reverent. Outside, the village hummed with life, but within these four walls, time had slowed. The soft clinking of the Hokage’s desk clock was the only sound that dared interrupt the quiet intensity radiating from Himawari.

She stood in front of her father’s desk—her posture regal, the Uzumaki flame burning in her veins steadier than ever. Her brother and Sarada stood close behind her, while Sasuke leaned against the wall, arm folded, his face unreadable.

Naruto sat silently in his chair, watching his daughter with an expression that was equal parts awe and unease.

Then Himawari began.

Her voice was calm, steady—too steady for someone so young, but it carried the weight of truths earned through fire.

“It all started when we lost consciousness during that battle,” she said. “We thought it was the end. But it wasn’t.”

She glanced at Boruto and Sarada, then at Sasuke, before locking eyes with her father.

“When we woke up… we were somewhere else. Not in any world we've ever known.”

She let that linger for a moment, then continued, a flicker of dry amusement touching her lips.

“That’s where we met him. Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.”

Naruto and Sasuke straightened immediately.

“Ultra Old Gramps, as Yūrena named him,” she added with a fond smile, “he healed us. Said we weren’t meant to die yet. That our roles weren’t finished. That we were… chosen.”

Naruto’s brows furrowed. “Chosen?”

Himawari’s smile faded into something more solemn.

“He gave us power. Gifts to help us survive what was coming.” She rested a hand on her stomach, then looked at Naruto with a spark of emotion in her eyes. “I have half of Kurama sealed inside me. Just like you do, Dad.”

Naruto’s breath caught. “Kurama…?”

Himawari nodded. “He entrusted a part of himself to me before fading completely. I feel him with me… always.”

She looked then to Sasuke. “And Yūrena… she has a Rinnegan in her right eye and a complete Mangekyo Sharingan in her left. Her eyes were evolved by Hagoromo so she wouldn't go blind from their use. She’s—”

She hesitated, just for a heartbeat.

“She’s powerful. So much more than she lets on.”

Sasuke’s expression didn’t shift, but there was a flicker in his eyes—an echo of past regrets and reflections of battles lost and won.

Then Himawari dropped the truth that bound it all.

“Just like Hashirama and Madara… just like you and Uncle Sasuke…” Her voice softened as she looked at both men, “Yūrena and I are the next reincarnations of Ashura and Indra Ōtsutsuki.”

The silence was immediate and deafening.

Naruto’s eyes widened, his jaw slackening. Sasuke’s arm, which had been casually folded, slowly dropped to his side. Even though he’d heard this before from her during their journey back, hearing it again in this space… surrounded by the weight of their past decisions… it struck harder.

Boruto took a step forward, stunned. Sarada stood still, watching Himawari in quiet awe.

“I’m… Ashura’s reincarnate,” Himawari continued softly. “And Yūrena is Indra’s.”

Naruto finally found his voice, though it was laced with disbelief. “That’s… a burden no one should carry.”

“I know.” She gave him a small, sad smile. “But I’m not carrying it alone.”

She squared her shoulders and began again.

“For the first nine months after we woke up, Yūrena and I trained. We trained harder than we ever had. Mastering the gifts we were given, understanding the nature of our chakra, of ourselves. We hunted down a few of the people who called themselves Ōtsutsuki descendants—claimants trying to resurrect the old ways through twisted ideology. Some were powerful. Too powerful. But we cleared them, one by one.”

She stepped forward, voice stronger now.

“Then, for the next five months, we worked in shadows. Under the names Himari and Yurei. We infiltrated underground movements. Sabotaged operations. We were careful. We were winning.”

She paused, her hands balling into fists.

“Until four months ago.”

The air turned cold.

“We got ambushed. A powerful group of Ōtsutsuki claimants—we didn’t stand a chance. We pushed them back, but the battle drained us. When we collapsed, unconscious… I don’t know how long I was out.” Her voice broke slightly. “But when I woke up… Yūrena was gone. No trace. No chakra. No sign. Like she vanished from the world itself.”

The pain in her eyes was sharp, but she didn’t shed a tear.

“I’ve been searching. But deep down… I know.” She looked at Boruto and Sarada, then at Naruto and Sasuke. “She’s not in this world anymore. She’s in another dimension. And something’s trying to pull her into the darkness.”

The room stayed silent.

And then—

The door to the office burst open.

The bang echoed through the chamber as Hinata and Sakura stumbled in, both breathless, both wide-eyed.

“Himawari—!” Hinata choked out, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

Sakura stared, frozen in place, her eyes shimmering in disbelief.

Himawari turned slowly, meeting her mother’s gaze.

And for a moment—just a moment—the world fell away again.

They were no longer shinobi, warriors, or reincarnates.

They were family.

Shattered. Scarred. But still whole enough to try again.

And it had only just begun.

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