"The Gate to the other world that Nue opened... has been sealed."
Overlooking a blue planet was a desolate, solitary satellite: the Moon.
Upon it stood a building akin to a temple, constructed in ancient times, its very existence a secret.
Floating soundlessly above it, a man, resplendent with white hair and raiment, spoke in hushed tones to nobody in particular.
"For the time being... it seems that the Jougan will not return."
Ohtsutsuki Toneri. Speaking to Boruto through his dreams, he had prompted the awakening of a fateful power within the boy's body. A lonesome guardian pledged to standing vigil over those who lived on the surface world.
He had been unable to personally intervene. Doing so would surely have drawn the gaze of the "enemy" to the world looming below. That was why, upon becoming aware of Nue's existence, he had used means beyond human understanding to make Boruto aware of a portion of the power held within the Jougan, for he had had no choice but to resolve the incident indirectly.
"However, this is all just temporary... In time, the gods... will descend upon this land."
Of that he was certain. The arrival of those "enemies that frightened even Kaguya," whom Sasuke was investigating at that very moment, would likely occur far sooner than Naruto imagined. Within several years, a single year, or perhaps sooner still...!
"Their strength... the strength of the ninja... Still, it defies comprehension..."
Toneri himself had once been consumed by selfish pride, until his battle with Naruto revealed the error of his ways.
That was why, though they were but saplings sprouting from the seeds sown by Kaguya, he believed that the shinobi could surpass the power of the Ohtsutsuki who were their forebears.
And among them would stand a boy, the crystallization of that legacy: Uzumaki Boruto, whose potential was limitless.
EPILOGUE
Somewhere on an unidentified world.
Its doomed sun burned red, spitting synchrotron radiation with each death rattle, bathing its russet-colored terrain in the brilliant hues of an aurora.
In the heart of a ruined metropolis brimming with countless corpses, a small figure dressed in nobleman's finery, veil unsullied by even a mote of dust, sat atop a massive tree stump and gnawed upon something.
At first glance he appeared to be a handsome youth, but he wore a ruthless expression that oozed malice and vile cunning, and from his head grew a pair of horns that curved forward, dispelling any notion that he was human. Both of his eyes were white -- Byakugan.
"Hmm... For a world with such a low civilization level, I suppose the fruit was adequate."
The prize he had seized was the Divine Tree that had grown in these lands... now cruelly cut down and bereft of its fruit.
For no other reason than to "harvest" it, this world, and those who dwelled upon it, had been effortlessly destroyed.
"So, how did it go?"
With his back still turned, the silhouette of a stout man emerged from a spacetime ninjutsu behind him... Garbed in clothing of a similar design, with a single thick horn protruding from his skull and the bearded face of a giant, he replied with a voice like ice.
"In Kaguya's world, I observed significant tears. The space curvature has broken 16."
"Oh? We were supposed to wait to harvest that world..."
The smaller individual answered without a hint of emotion. He didn't even turn around.
"Right. If the space curvature exceeds ten, law dictates that we must immediately report it to the clan as an abnormality."
The giant stood at attention and nodded respectfully. It was obvious which of the two was in command, despite their respective ages; perhaps there was more to them than met the eye.
"For her to neglect her duties... That would mean that she has either chosen to disobey the clan, or..."
It was hard to fathom, but could she have been overthrown and destroyed by inferior lifeforms?
Normally such a thing would be impossible... However, if it were true, he imagined that it would make for an "exceptionally interesting" situation.
Unlike this pitiful heap, such a planet might have an abundance of ripe chakra truly worthy of being eaten.
"Kinshiki, make preperations to depart."
"As you wish, Lord Momoshiki."
Twisting his mouth wickedly, he who devours chakra -- nay, he who devours worlds -- rose to his feet.
* * *
The day of that clash draws near.
For now, his father's true greatness, and the burden of his heavy fate... these are things the boy is unaware of.
However, regardless of the hardships he may face, with the Will of Fire that dwells in his eyes, like the shining sun, he will light the way to his future... with his friends, together.
For this... is his story.