The winds rustled through the Konoha training grounds as Ryouta stood bruised and exhausted, lightning crackling faintly around his fingers.

  Kakashi (watching closely):

  “Again.”

  Ryouta grits his teeth, his breath heavy. He thrusts forward, Raikiri forming—unstable, yet closer.

  Sakura (from the porch, gently):

  “Take a break. I made food.”

  Ryouta collapses to his knees, panting. Sakura brings a tray over—onigiri, grilled fish, and miso soup. Kakashi joins silently.

  Sasuke (appearing behind them):

  “He needs sword control too. Let’s not let him burn out just yet.”

  The three adults glance at Ryouta, who’s already trying to stand back up.

  Under the stars, laughter echoes faintly through the forest camp. A fire crackles as Yuta, Sumire, and Sarada cook dinner.

  Yuta (grinning):

  “Metal, extra protein for you, buddy.”

  He winks and sets down a heavily stacked plate.

  Metal Lee (teary-eyed, touched):

  “Y-Yuta… I’ll cherish this with my soul.”

  Boruto, Shikadai, and Inojin sit nearby, chatting and eating, the tension of tomorrow hanging in the air.

  Yuta (standing, voice sharp and full of fire):

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  “Tomorrow, we step into Majin’s kingdom. He thinks anyone under fifteen is weak. He’s wrong. We’ll show him what we’re made of.”

  Shikadai (calmly):

  “That idiot’s never met us.”

  Inojin (smirking):

  “Let’s give him a reality check.”

  Boruto (quietly):

  “I just hope I can stop big bro from exploding again.”

  Sumire (looking at Yuta):

  “You won’t have to. He’s not alone this time.”

  As the fire dies down, Sarada quietly lays beside Yuta, her arm brushing his. They don't speak, but the silence between them is warm and heavy with unspoken emotion.

  Far across the dark mountains, inside the cold marble halls of Majin’s throne, screams echo.

  Majin stands over a bloodied villager, his face bored, eyes gleaming with sadistic calm.

  Majin (casual, to a guard):

  “Clean that up. Next.”

  In the upper tower, Himawari lies on a massive bed, unmoving. Her eyes stare at the ceiling, empty. She sleeps all day just to forget. To not feel. To not hear.

  Later that night, the camp sleeps. But one figure moves in silence.

  Metal Lee pushes himself through forms and strikes in a clearing. Sweat pours off him, steam rising in the cold night air.

  Metal Lee (gritting his teeth):

  “Between the Seventh and the Eighth… there’s something…!”

  His body glows violently—but the energy falters, and he collapses to one knee, gasping.

  Metal Lee (frustrated):

  “No… I need a reason stronger than fear. Something to push me...”

  On the moon, Yumi watches the camp from a celestial mirror. Her eyes lock onto Yuta and Sarada, lying close.

  Yumi (darkly):

  “Sarada… you’re in the way.”

  She clenches her hand.

  Yumi:

  “I promised Sylus. His reincarnation will fall for Queen Aria. I don’t care who he’s close to now—my only goal is to make Yuta love Aria, and Aria only.”

  A faint wind stirs the moon’s quiet. From the shadows, Toneri steps out, eyes calm.

  Toneri:

  “Don’t become a villain, Yumi. Sylus wouldn’t want that.”

  Yumi’s expression hardens as the stars above silently burn.

  End of Chapter 38 – “The Night Before the Storm”

  Will Yumi turn another villain or not?