Chapter 18

"Alright! Let's show 'em what we're made of using the glorious power of youth!" Rock Lee declared as he and Metal Lee did a 'come at me bro' gesture to the remaining mechanical goons.

Shikamaru and his son then did their clan's signature hand sign. "Ready, son?"

"Yeah!" Shikadai nodded.

"Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu!" They both yelled out as both of their shadows stretched out and expanded to freeze all of the robots in front of them.

Shikamaru then turned to his best friend, Choji and his daughter Chouchou. "Choji! Chouchou! Now!"

"Ok!" Choji declared as he did a hand sign.

Chouchou mimicked him. "Yeah, let's do it, Dad."

"Let's go! Human Boulder!" Chouchou and Choji cried as they expanded and assumed their ball forms before rolling forward and mowing down the frozen robots.

"Insect Sphere!" Shino cried, as he released his insects while Tenten summoned and fired her hundred thousand bladed weapons. Both attacks wiped out a good amount of robots in one fell swoop.

"Quadruple Fang Over Fang!" Kiba and Goh both said as they began to spin rapidly with their dogs and shredded up some robots. They then looked up to see Sakura leaping above them before letting out a battle cry before she smashed the ground and created a shockwave with her superhuman strength. Most of them were a bit scared by her feat, except for Himawari, Hinata, Shino and Sakura's family.

"Boy… remind me not to get on her bad side…" Goh remarked.

"Good thinking son." Kiba commended him.

"Oh yeah! Look at them! They're dropping like flies!" Inojin cheered.

"Yeah! I'm so pumped up, I don't even need to power up!" Boruto said, excitedly.

"I know what you mean!" Sarada expressed. "We can actually win this thing!"

"Then let's stop talking and keep fighting ya'll!" Chouchou declared.

"My thoughts exactly!" Karai agreed, as she knocked a few more down.

Hinata then lands in front of one of them while the others fought the rest. She then took on a certain stance.

"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams… One Hundred and Twenty Eight Palms!" she cried as she zoomed toward one of the robotic puppets and began striking it, a hundred and twenty eight times. After she was done, it collapsed with its armor completely dented. Boruto's jaw dropped to the ground while Himawari was simply amazed.

"Wow… Mommy so powerful…" Himawari said, in awe.

Temari overheard her and smirked. "You have no idea, little girl."

"Hey, you guys! Come on over here! Let's finish the rest of them all off in one blow!" Boruto called out.

"I'm in!" Goh agreed.

"Me too!" Sarada nodded.

"Count me in." Inojin added.

"Yeah, whatever." Shikadai shrugged, smiling a bit.

"Let's do it!" Himawari cheered.

"Yeah, you said it girl!" Chouchou agreed with a smile.

"Right!" Metal Lee declared, enthusiastically before he and the rest of them all ran over to where Boruto was. They all stood in a straight line in front of the remaining enemy forces. Looking at them, one would have never suspected that they had never seen war before.

"Alright everybody… on my mark…" Boruto instructed as they all stood beside him and gathered up and the last of their chakra. "Now!"

"Spirit Animals unite as one!" They all cried, before all eight of them did the Snake and Tiger seals before clapping their hands together and their animal spirits appeared behind each of them. "Go!"

They then extend their arms and each release a beam of chakra from their bodies while their animal spirits each fired a beam of colored energy from their mouths, which fused with the single chakra beam and become one giant beam that struck the center of the group of puppets and created a super-sized explosion that destroyed the rest of them upon impact.

The shockwave knocks everyone off their feet and from far away one can see the huge blast radius that the blast had created.

When it was finally over, everyone was lying on they're faces, apparently knocked out. Until finally, the kids each began to wake up again and slowly pick themselves up, their bodies were still sore after getting hit by the blast though

"Is everyone alright?" Sarada asked the others.

"More or less…" Inojin responded.

"I think so…" Chouchou groaned.

"I've been better…" Shikadai added.

"Of course he have." Chouchou remarked, deadpan. "Lazy good for nothing…"

"Yeah, yeah…" Shikadai sighed.

"Well, at least we're all breathing!" Metal Lee smiled.

Boruto tended to his sister. "Himawari, are you ok?"

"Yeah… thank you big brother…" The little girl said, warmly as Boruto helped her up.

"We're good too by the way." Goh piped up, sounding a bit annoyed with Boruto.

"Uh… sorry." Boruto apologized, sheepishly.

"And what about the robots?" Chouchou pointed out. The kids all looked ahead of them were stunned to see a piles of broken metal parts, several craters and the waves washing away some of the wreckage.

"Whoa… there gone." Inojin remarked, surprised.

"It's over…" Shikadai breathed.

"We did it! We stopped them all." Sarada realized, excited. "Hey guys! We saved the world!"

"Oh yeah!" Boruto cheered.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Chouchou smiled.

"Big time!" Goh agreed, enthusiastically.

"Yay! Yay! Yay!" Himawari cried.

"Ha-ha! We're heroes!" Boruto declared.

"Yeah, superheroes!" Himawari added.

"Yahoo!" The Uzumaki siblings yelled, triumphantly as they jumped into the air while their friends watched and smiled, laughing in amusement. Nearby, the adults also noticed that the enemy was defeated and looked at the children amazed and proudly.

"They did it…" Temari breathed.

"They sure did." Konohamaru nodded, smiling.

"One shot… bam! There gone!" Choji exclaimed, amazed.

"Who knew they had it in them?" Kiba said, impressed.

"I did." Shikamaru said as he stepped forward. "I always knew. And Naruto did to."

"Yes. He did." Shino agreed.

"It's incredible that they managed to use the power of the animal spirits and channel it into one big blast." Ino added.

"It wasn't just powered by their animal spirits you guys." Tenten stated. Some of them turned to her surprised.

"Yes! It was also powered by their extreme bonds of friendship and youth! And nothing can beat something like that!" Rock Lee said, proudly.

"Isn't that amazing?" Sakura remarked.

"Yes… it's a New Era…" Hinata smiled.

"Yeah…" Sakura sighed. They then noticed their kids rushing over to them, cheering and laughing which brought smiles to their faces as they each embraced them, happy that they were all alive and well.

Some time later, all the ninjas decided to stick around the beachy area to relax and recuperate before heading back to the village, with a tied up Yuto in hand of course and while each of their friends hung up with their individual parent, Boruto and Sarada were both walking along the shore together.

"Whoo! Man, that sure was intense, huh Sarada?" Boruto remarked, exhausted.

"Yeah, sure was. Hey… can we talk for a second?" Sarada asked, slowly. "Alone?"

"Really? You want to talk to me… alone?" Boruto asked, stunned.

"Just come on." Sarada said, annoyed as she began to pull him away.

"Uh… sure. I'll be right back guys." Boruto informed his family before he and Sarada left.

"Huh, I wonder what they have to talk about?" Himawari wondered. Her mother and Sarada's mother just exchanged glances and shared a giggle. "What? What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing, sweetie." Hinata told her daughter, smiling.

Then before long, the two of them leaped onto the top of the rocky walls near the ocean and faced each other. It was a bit of a long and awkward moment but eventually Boruto finally broke the ice and spoke.

"Uh… good work out there…" Boruto told Sarada, blushing a bit.

Sarada smiled, blushing as well. "Thanks… you too… for once."

"Hey!" The blond protested. "Well… thanks… for stopping me from… you know…"

"Yeah… never had a doubt that you wouldn't by the way." Sarada confessed.

"You really have that much faith in me?" Boruto asked her, surprised.

"I always have…" Sarada said, nodding and blushing a bit.

Boruto smiled, thankfully then scratched the back of his head. "So uh… what did you want to talk about again?"

Sarada blushed even redder. "Oh! Well uh… maybe… after we get home that is… you… wanna hang out some more?"

Boruto looked confused as he raised a brow. "Hang out? Don't we already do that?"

"Yes, but I mean… more often then we usually do…" Sarada stuttered.

"Meaning?" Boruto inquired.

"Like… sharing a meal together at say… I-I-Ichiraku?" Sarada finally spat out.

"You mean like… oh!" Boruto said finally getting it, he blushed red also. "You mean… like a date?"

"If you want to." Sarada offered. "If not, that's ok…"

"No! No! I want to!" Boruto suddenly said.

"Really?" The Uchiha girl gasped in surprise.

"Yeah, sounds like… fun…" The blond stammered, still blushing red.

"Oh… cool then." Sarada smiled. "Oh! By the way, before we leave… I want to try something first…"

"Ok, what's…" Boruto began before Sarada suddenly kissed him, making his eyes go wide and his cheeks blush even redder. When they finally ended it the two stared at each other stunned before glancing away shyly and smiling.

"Uh… was that… weird… to you at all?" Sarada asked, nervously.

"Uh… n-no…" Boruto said, blushing and sharing a sweet smile with Sarada

"I think it's weird." Someone suddenly spoke up, surprising them. They turned and noticed Goh and Konohamaru standing close by and smiling at them.

"Hi guys, we interrupting?" Konohamaru smirked.

"Hey! How long have you two been here!?" Boruto questioned, aggravated.

Konohamaru shrugged. "Oh… long enough."

"Man, you two are like two seals fighting over a grape." Goh remarked, amused.

"It's not polite to eavesdrop." Sarada scolded them.

"Yeah, what she said!" Boruto added, hotly.

"Aw, already agreeing with your girlfriend, eh?" Goh teased.

"Why you…!" Boruto began.

"Easy Boruto…" Sarada advised him.

"Ok, sure." Boruto relented. Goh and Konohamaru snickered to each other.

"Listen uh… could you please give us some privacy guys?" Sarada asked her teacher and teammate, embarrassed.

"Yeah, you guys need to get lost." Boruto stated.

"Hey, we were here first. Get a room." Konohamaru smirked.

"Yeah, what he said." Goh added.

"Fine." Boruto said, before leaning towards Sarada. "Wanna make a break for it? I know the tuck and roll."

"I am right behind you." Sarada nodded, before they both zipped off before the other two could even blink. Goh put a hand on his hip, looking impressed as he turned to his sensei.

"Boy, they sure can move fast when they really want to," he remarked.

"They sure can." Konohamaru nodded.

The two soon landed back on the ground and after sharing a sweet smile, they separated and Boruto was soon greeted by his younger sister.

"Hey, big brother!" Himawari smiled.

"Hey sis, what's up?" Boruto inquired, smiling also.

"What were you and Sarada doing up there? You were gone for a while…" The little girl remarked.

"Uh… nothing! Just… big stuff…" Boruto said, blushing.

"Okay. So… do you think Dad was really here or was it…" Boruto's sister began.

"Ah… doesn't really matter." Boruto shrugged, putting hands behind his head and looking up. "After all… we got to see Dad."

"Yeah…" Himawari smiled, as her brother held her close.

Sarada smiled sweetly at the sight before noticing both of her parents walking over to her.

"Sarada." Sasuke spoke up.

"Father? What is it?" Sarada inquired, a bit concerned. "Is something wrong? Do you… have to leave us again?"

Seeing how sad his daughter was, Sasuke put a hand on her head, surprising her. "Not anymore I don't," he confessed, surprising her even more.

"You mean… you mean that you're staying?" Sarada asked surprised.

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah. With him gone, I have no choice but to protect the leaf. Besides… I miss my family."

Sarada quickly became teary eyed. "Daddy…" she cried happily.

"It's so great to hear that, Sasuke." Sakura said warmly. Sasuke nodded and turned his attention back to his daughter.

"You've come a long way since we first met and have definitely proven that me and your mother don't have to worry about you all the time." Sasuke told her.

Sarada nodded. "Thanks."

Sasuke then smiled a small but warm smile at Sarada. "A father can only hope that one day… he will be humbled by the feats of his child, and I have to say that you've made me very proud, Sarada."

The Uchiha girl looked up at him shocked and suddenly became a bit teary eyed. "Father… you don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that…" she expressed.

"I think I do, and I apologize for that." Sasuke said sincerely as he bowed.

"You don't have to Dad I…" Sarada began to say.

"No, I do. I wish I could change it, but I can't." Sasuke stated, regrettably.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself." Sakura told him.

"I know, but…" Sasuke began.

"Don't worry Dad, your still number one in my book." Sarada told him, proudly which made him smile.

"Thanks, Sarada. Now… go and join your friends, ok?" Sasuke told her, still smiling as he poked her in the forehead. Sarada smiled sweetly, as she put her hand on her forehead before rushing to the others. Sasuke watched her go with a smile as well.

Sakura walked up next to him and smirked. "Not bad. Your getting better at this."

"Thanks." Sasuke said, gratefully. "I just hope they can face the next set of challenges that might await them…"

Hinata then stepped forward and made herself known to them. "They will. Naruto had faith in them, which means… we must have faith in them too," she reasoned.

"Hinata… Are you sure you're gonna be ok?" Sakura asked her, concerned. "I mean… with Naruto gone I…"

"Yes, I think I'm going to be fine, Sakura." Hinata nodded, smiling sweetly. "Like Boruto said; ninjas are those who endure and I'm going to continue to do so till the day me and Naruto are reunited in the afterlife."

Sakura nodded. "I understand."

"Until then…" The Byakugan Princess began as she stared at her happy children. "I'm going to continue to help our children… however I can."

"We all will." Sakura stated as the others joined them.

"Guess it's fitting to call them the next generation, huh?" Kiba remarked.

Tenten nodded. "Yep. We passed on the torch and they didn't get burned once," she said.

"Well, just a little." Shino pointed out. "I mean they did get knocked down a few times."

"Can it, will ya?" Kiba told him, annoyed. "They did alright, so let's just leave it at that, ok?"

Kiba then resumed smiling at his kid, looking proud.

"So, I suppose we should all head home then, huh?" Sarada assumed.

"Guess so." Goh nodded.

"Yeah, but it'll take forever…" Shikadai complained.

"Hey, it's the journey, not the destination." Inojin pointed out.

"Uh, newsflash; the journey sucks." Chouchou stated.

"Only if you see it like that." Himawari told her.

"She's got a point guys." Boruto said.

"Ah, your just saying that so she doesn't beat you up."

Boruto laughed. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. Any who… last one there has to give me his or her desserts!" he cried as he leaped on ahead.

"What!? Uh-huh, not gonna happen!" Chouchou stated as he leapt after him.

"Chouchou, wait!" Inojin called out as he also leapt after her.

"Ugh. What a drag…" Shikadai complained, leaping also.

"Boruto, you idiot, slow down!" Sarada shouted, as she quickly joined in.

"You know your talking to him, right?" Goh questioned as he went after her.

"Yes! Leap everyone! This is the springtime of our youth" Metal Lee cried out as he jumped high into the air

"Hey! Wait for me!" Himawari cried as she ran after them all. Behind them, the adults stayed where they were and watched their children rush off like they used to do when they were young with proud looking smiles on their faces.

The forest was alive with laughter as the kids leapt, swung and even back flipped from tree branch to tree branch with big smiles on their faces as they headed back to the village with warmth in their hearts and hope for the future.

"Yep, and even though the world still has its problems, even if ninja villages should one day disappear, we're gonna continue to carry on the peace and protecting the those in need of help. That's what my We are… Shinobi!" Boruto declared in his mind before leaping forward into the distance along with his friends, ready to face the new world and protect it.