Recap:
Boruto couldn't meet his father's eyes. The shame consumed him and the ground became blurry.
Naruto raised his hand to Boruto's forehead in anger.
"You are not qualified to be a ninja."
The hitai-ate that all shinobi worked so hard for, the identity of a ninja, was pulled off his head.
This act... was no different from ending his life as a Shinobi.
.....................
......
The stadium was awash with disappointment, worry, and second-hand embarrassment. The great Seventh Hokage was getting humiliated by his own son on an international stage. With a fully live broadcast! Konohagakure citizens were especially distraught and couldn't bear to look further.
Boruto barely registered what happened next. One moment his entire being hurt as if his throat were ripped out. The next moment he was making a fool of himself, yelling his lungs out at his father blaming him for never having time for him. Later! Later! Later doesn't come!
He glared up seeing nothing but a haze.
Wait.
Katasuke? What's this person doing here and spouting right now?
Crash!
Wtf.
What?
Why were there so many more people on this stage?
"Get behind me, Boruto!"
He got shoved behind Naruto.
Intruders.
Like a bumbling fool he stood there blank as his father interrogated the attackers.
Boom!
Even when he was flung meters away and caught by Naruto.
Then the stadium began crumbling down.
A series of large jutsus were deployed by the Kages and Jonin, protecting the audience and evacuating them. Some members of Naruto's circle exchanged strange looks with each other across the stadium seats and set into action.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
A reaction from Boruto, finally.
"It's dangerous! You need to get out of here-"
A pale man appeared right behind them.
Floating.
White.
A gorgeous sheer veil flowed over his form.
He immediately proceeded to kick his father away.
Crash!
Boruto scrambled to crawl a bit away from this person. Still blank.
The man ignored him and walked towards his accomplice.
Boruto brought his arm up and blasted a few stored fire jutsus at his back. The intruder merely raised his palm. And the fire disappeared.
"It got absorbed?"
He met eyes with his pale ones- ones very similar to his own Hyūga relatives, if not the very same.
Shadow tendrils rose up from below and bound him, preventing any movement.
Uncle Shikamaru's Shadow Bind!
Well, that got absorbed too.
...........
At another part of the stadium, Sasuke held his recently-in-danger-of-being-flattened daughter under his arm and saved her teammate from getting pummelled. A whole task when you only had one arm.
"Not much of a greeting is it?" He joked. The fat, fully white, half-horned person growled as they traded blows.
"I'll pay you back for my horn!"
"Aww, didn't like it? I thought you would have preferred it shorter.."
Sasuke grinned at Sarada as he annoyed the intruder.
Soon, he directed the battle to reach where Naruto was fighting the other pasty white guy. Now it was four to two. Or rather two to two with two extra half people on his side. (He kinda forgot he was in the middle of Konoha and not a remote dimension. People maths is different when you go solo for 20 years.)
"Who are they?" Asked Naruto, recovering from the hits.
"The big one is Otsusuki Kinshi. Veil one is Otsusuki Momoshiki. Fought them earlier. They're after the chakra fruit."
Lots of information in three sentences and only two made sense to Sarada and Boruto.
It may have been a whole, loaded 7 page essay to Naruto's ears though.
Yep. Panic time.
"Kaguya's deciphered scroll warned they'll attack. Chakra fruits are basically Tailed Beast's Chakra."
Oh god. A whole thesis.
Naruto regarded the two floating intruders. Maybe he would start hyperventilating.
Two whole Kaguyas. In the middle of Konoha. This was worse than the Pain incident.
He made the first best decision.
"Hey, you there! I'm the one you have business with, right? Don't drag everyone else into this!"
Momoshiki snickered. "Oohhh? They appear somewhat informed. Have they read Kaguya's scrolls?"
"They refine chakra fruits into 'Red Earth'. A pill that prolongs their lives and increases their powers," added Sasuke.
Ok. OK. Makes sense. Gotta get them away. Now. Fast!
"You know about Red Earth too?" Momoshiki pulled out a small pill, twirling it, "Now that's a surprise. Then you should know exactly how marvellous this thing is... with no effort at all... instantly, easily, you can acquire true power."
Boruto blankly gazed down at his hand.
"Then you'd be a coward that simply relies on doping!" Naruto yelled back, "That's not true power at all!"
"Hmph. Inferior lifeforms. Then you'll simply have to experience it yourself," Momoshiki released a huge, stadium-sized, dark sphere swirling with jutsus he had absorbed.
The ninjas tensed.
Boruto made a few Kage bunshin and surrounded Sarada.
"All of this may be my fault. At least I have got to protect her!"
And the jutsus came raining down.
.
.
.
"We're not dead?"
A warm chakra flowed around them all. Soft and protective. Ahead of them stood his father, glowing, dripping with golden, visible chakra.
He's never seen chakra before. Only felt it. The sheer amount and density of chakra that he released made it visible to the naked eye.
Golden chakra also covered many others still in the stadium.
Sarada squeaked in surprise. " What is this? The Seventh is doing this?!"
Momoshiki and Kinshi were taken by surprise too.
"Dad? You had this kind of power?" thought Boruto. The warm chakra slipped between his fingers and caressed his cheeks gently.
Sarada and Sasuke were almost blinded by the brilliance and deactivated their Sharingan. Sasuke provided some chakra to stabilise the unnatural barrier. "Let me give some chakra too. If you collapse, it's over for everyone."
"Yeah, sorry. Thanks."
"What an insolent display," regarded Momoshiki and began his assault again.
Hundreds of jutsus rammed into his chakra shields forcing him to go lower. Many people were blasted away from the force of it. He had to do something.
Outside the stadium, Hinata clutched Himawari in her arms. She could see her lover fighting and defending everyone. He wasn't attacking. Only protecting people so they could evacuate sooner. Gaara and the other Kages were stabilising the stadiums structure, pulling civilians out with various jutsus.
Inside, Momoshiki began to irritate. "Now this is the end," the black sphere was brought down.
"Sasuke..," Naruto whispered softly, "..take care of the kids."
"Hm. I will."
Boruto got a bad feeling from the way Naruto spoke. What's dad planning to do?
Naruto gritted his teeth and readied himself into a low battle stance.
Let's go, Kurama! You'd better not have gone rusty on me!"
A massive golden beast emerged from him, gathering a dense mass in its maws as if about to spit it at them. It raised its arms and blocked the black sphere. But it made no more moves.
"Wait, why is dad not attacking them?"
"Because," Sasuke, "if Naruto felt like it, he could blow that attack away. But it will take the surroundings all with him."
"So you plan to take all the damage yourself with that shield? So be it," laughed Momoshiki and detonated the sphere. Boruto recalled Sasuke's words to him about Naruto as he watched his father give him a small smile.
"It's not who Naruto is now that you should really know.
But everything Naruto has been up till now."
"DAD!"
........
He was in a hospital. No Dad. Where's Mom? Himawari?
Sarada was saying something to him but he couldn't hear her.
He jumped out of the bed and saw Hinata, his mother, near him. She was unconscious and receiving treatment from Sakura. Himawari was crying beside her bed.
He rushed up to them. "What happened to Mom?!"
"It's alright Boruto, I'm helping them," said Sakura, "She went up against them."
"Them?"
"She rushed to the stadium to prevent them from taking Naruto."
All that she found was a piece of his coat's embroidery. A piece she helped stitch herself.
.....
It was a day later and they still couldn't find Naruto. The other Kages were keeping the order and assisting the Konohagakure Council to the best of their abilities. Shikamaru stood in as acting Hokage for now. Kakashi had declined in lieu of assisting the search.
Boruto ran out of the hospital, past all the injured patients, all the way to the streets, ignoring Mitsuki's worried calls. He tripped and fell on something and landed heavily on his arm.
The arm with the Ninja tech apparatus.
The sight of it filled him with fury. He ripped it off and threw it far into the bushes.
Like that, he ran and ran, until he reached the empty Hokage's office.
It was just as cluttered as it was days ago. Stacks and stacks of papers. Wires and staples. Used coffee mugs and instant ramen cups.
Folders. An empty chair in the middle of it all.
There were six portraits on the wall. All the Hokages.
The Fourth Hokage. Yondaime. His grandfather....
The one who passed away before his father knew him.
His poor Dad... lived a life without ever knowing the joy of family!
Why did my Dad have to go and become a Hokage too?!
Being Hokage... separates families!
All he does all day is sit aroundlookingall important! Anyone else could do that!
There was a neatly folded orange and blue jacket on the desk. The very same one he wore in the genin team photograph on his desk. Boruto picked it up.
It looked so tacky.
Bright and highlighted, yet worn out and ripping at the seams, burned in places and missing a cuff.
Just like his father that shone so loud, yet was always weary.
His last smile was etched into his mind.
He pulled the jacket on.
There was a mirror in the corner.
Yes. Very ugly.
It was much smaller on him. The sleeves barely reached past his elbow. This was his, at the same age he was right now. Yet, so much smaller.
"I'm so....lame."
"Yes. You are."
Boruto whipped around to see Uncle Sasuke standing behind him.
"Uncle?"
"You were found to be a cheating fraud. You're being scorned by everyone. Your hitai-ate was confiscated and you're not a shinobi anymore,"
"And you have lost your father."
Boruto felt his heart drop further. He couldn't meet his eyes.
Sasuke stepwd closer, "In fact, your situation is very similar to what Naruto's used to be. Only, yours is still better. You still have your mother and sister."
Boruto glared at his reflection. The jacket felt constricting.
"Dad..,"
"What did he do at times like this?"
Sasuke stared down at the child looking so much like Naruto. The same stupid face. The same hidden determination.
"You want to know? Perhaps you are finally overcoming your some of your immaturity."
Boruto awaited his answer.
"Well, if you want to know, you should ask him yourself."
?!
"I'm going off to help him." Saying that, Sasuke simply began striding away.
"Wait! Dad's okay?!"
"Well, I can sense his chakra still. Whether or not he's okay isn't clear but at least he's not dead...yet. Either way, we should hurry."
"You can't be thinking of going without us, are you, Uchiha?"
It was the Rokudaime Mizukage, Chōjūrō. "It'd be a disgrace to the five Kage's honour if we let our sworn friend be taken away like that."
The Yondaime Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi and Godaime Raikage, Darui grinned at Sasuke. Hidden opinions swirled behind their eyes.
The Godaime Kazekage, Gaara, looked at his nephew fondly. "You look just like Naruto used to a long time ago."
"Not quite," said Sasuke, "You're still missing one thing," He took out an old worn piece from his robes.
A slashed hitai-ate.
The Kages began to make preparations to leave, issuing orders to their subordinates. They gathered their supplies and overlooked Konohagakure a final time.
Behind them, at the Hokage's viewing terrace, Boruto quietly asked Sasuke, "Uncle, why? Why are you bother looking after someone like me?"
He didn't deserve any of this. Not the hitai-ate. Not his gentle words.
Sasuke paused before he made the Rinnegan portal that would teleport them.
"Because you're my one and only disciple, aren't you?"
Boruto wasn't convinced.
"Listen, Boruto, you're a strong ninja. The true you, that is. When you finally put your mind to it, you'll surpass even Naruto as a Ninja.
"You're just trying to make me feel better about all this. It sounds a bit over-exaggerated."
"Not at all. It's the truth. Afterall, you're even a bigger loser than Naruto was."
"???" Okay true but-
"You are his son and you've been trained by me," Sasuke smiled. "Being such a loser, you'll grow to hate losing to the point you'll never back down or give up."
Boruto just had to laugh at that. It was encouraging in a roundabout way.
The Rinnegan Portal was deployed.
Shikamaru watched over them as the Kage and Sasuke grouped up in front of the black portal.
"You are all the best among as as far as combat ability goes," he had to stop his eyes from looking towards the little chick, Boruto, "Naruto is in your hands. Come back safely."
"Boruto!"
"Mom?"
Hinata, Himawari, Mitsuki, Sakura and Sarada had rushed here from the hospital. Sakura and Sasuke exchanged glances as she helped Hinata walk.
Sarada nervously looked between her parents and Boruto.
Hinata felt her words stop. Every bit of reproach she had to stop Boruto was washed away as soon as she looked into his eyes.
Boruto understood her unsaid words. He brought out the slashed hitai-ate and tied it to his forehead like a promise.
A determined boy, looking exactly like the young Naruto she once knew.
"Take care of your Dad, Boruto." A farewell.
"I'll be back!" A last promise.
They stepped into the portal.
......
(A/n: Even Sasuke Rickrolled me)
.......
Rescuing Naruto was swift. Like the winds were in their favour. A simple ambush and a weakened Naruto was freed from their shackles.
He clutched his stomach from where they continuously extracted chakra for hours and hours and gasped as he lay behind the rocky barrier.
"It's like looking at one of my own Kage Bunshin, haha."
"I thought it was cool...," said Boruto, tugging at the jacket, all previous comments of lameness forgotten.
"Looks like a bunch of things happened while I was gone."
"You could say," answered Sasuke, "that he's become a true Ninja." He swooshed away to join the four Kage fighting the Otsusuki duo.
"Boruto... for everything that's happened until now, I am sorry," Naruto apologised.
"It's fine. We can go on as we always have," Boruto dusted his knees and stood up holding a hand out to his father, "Just, when you do have time, instead of lectures, tell me your stories instead."
Naruto took his hand and made the deal. "I'm warning you though, my stories are pretty long!"
....
While the father and son were reconciling and bonding, Sasuke was fighting for his life. Axe and sword clashed and craters formed at the end of every move made.
Unlike most other fights, this was pure taijutsu, bombs and steel.
And Gaara's sand of course. He made sand platforms to support his Kage team and sand bindings to capture the enemy. Chōjūrō, Darui and Sasuke used their specialised swords to swipe and injure.
"YUUTON! Kaisekifuu no jutsu!" [Lava Release! Ash Stone Sealing]
Kinshiki was finally captured in hot rapidly solidified lava by Kurotsuchi.
Boruto quickly stopped Naruto from joining in and ganging up on Momoshiki. "Don't use any ninjutsu! He can absorb it!"
"Your 'ammo' comes from other people's ninjutsu, right? Pretty similar to those ninja tech toys," Sasuke provoked.
Momoshiki regarded the barren battlefield.
His partner was captured. He was outnumbered 6 (and a tenths) to one. And he was out of 'ammo'.
"Give up. Your partner has already been reduced to that state. Accept defeat and 'surrender'."
Momoshiki looked at the odd one about amongst his opponents. The weak link. "Fox.. that child of yours, he's weak."
Veins bulged around his eyes as he saw something further than any living Byakugan user could.
Boruto felt his heart shake.
"Your child's fate is interesting," Momoshiki sneered at something unknown, he looked far past them at a distant misty-white horizon, "I pity you Fox, even though you have all that power, your child did not inherit it. You have no way of passing it on to the next generation!"
"What the hell are you talking about?," Boruto shook off the creeping feeling.
He laughed, "Let me show you how it's done in my clan!"
He pushed a palm out towards Kinshi. A yellow eye with multiple concentric circles opened up on it staring wide.
Kinshi screamed as his insides were separated away from his body. It all flew to him into a misshapen orb of white, bloodless flesh under the horrified stares of everyone.
Momoshiki opened his mouth wide.
"He's eating his own comrade?!" Naruto gasped.
Sasuke wasn't expecting cannibalism but reacted fast enough to strike his sword. The sword beheaded Momoshiki halfway from the back and stopped.
"Too late," Momoshiki grinned raising himself higher, taking the sword along with it still stuck in deep. His head was tilted down, only hanging from the rest of his body by the oesophagus.
Yep. This was bad. Sasuke was optimistic.
An expected transformation sequence later, Momoshiki emerged with five eyes- three on his face and two on his palm- and two buffalo sized horns.
He looked like horizontal Buffalo Zetsu. Sasuke thought he was getting old. Why does he make so many internal jokes nowadays? Maybe this was Sakura's fault. She was so easy to tease recently. Just get a bit closer to her face and she-
Oh yep. Definitely her fault.
While Sasuke was indulging in his honeymoon phase old man style dissociation, the Kages were getting pummelled by the new Momoshiki.
He snapped out of his thoughts once Naruto started talking to Momoshiki.
In short, the petty conversation went like:
"You're the monster."
"You're also a monster. So we're two monsters."
Like that back and forth.
"Dad!"
BOOM.
And the fight continued.
Giant Gold Chakra Kurama was deployed by Naruto to combat the strange Juubi-looking tree trunks that attacked them.
Sasuke got the wind knocked out of him by one that he missed slicing through and that sobered him up completely from Sakura infused wine.
"Are you alright, Sasuke?" Kurama sized Naruto asked holding him in his palm.
"Yes, don't worry about me."
"So that damned Fox has come out at last!" Momoshiki conjured a giant elemental golem the same size of Naruto. (Why not bigger? Sasuke wondered.)
"Naruto!" Sasuke pushed some chakra towards him and activated his Rinnegan.
"Got it!"
A purple armour enclosed the giant form of Kurama. Gauntlets flitted over his clawed arms and a sword formed, directed straight to the heart of the golem. A classic Bijuu level battle. Just keep smashing the other guy until one falls.
The duo overpowered the golem and Momoshiki went down. At their level, most battle outcomes were decided within seconds. This was the fifth battle they all fought against these two. This was their fifth victory.
If only a variable didn't appear.
Later, as Sasuke reflected on the battle, he couldn't figure out how they appeared.
Katasuke and his assistant filming the whole thing. How did they cross all the way to there?
Momoshiki stood up again grinning amongst the angry yelling of the Kages directed at Katasuke.
"Thank you for your assistance, you fool," Momoshiki swirled the new jutsus he absorbed from the Ninja tech.
"You've gone and done it now, you colossal moron!" Yelled Chōjūrō at Katasuke.
Shadow Bind.
All of the Kage and Sasuke were frozen in place. They couldn't move a finger.
"Isn't this Nara's technique?" Exclaimed Darui.
Three bolts of shadow pierced Naruto's limbs. "You especially need special attention, Fox."
Boruto trembled far from the battle site, hidden behind one of Momoshiki's tree trunks.
"Boruto, they're dangerous but there's a reason I'm bringing you along. The five Kage and I should be enough to fight them,
"But should the worst happen, and things don't quite go as planned- for example should some of us fall in battle or we're on the verge of facing death, then you should act, Boruto. There's no other choice. I am counting on you. Believe in me, your Master, and carry out the plan."
Momoshiki gathered chakra, "I'll finish all of you in a flash. Stay still."
"This is no time to be scared. I have to believe in Shishou!"
Boruto formed a miniature Rasengan as fast as he could. He stepped out and slung the rasengan.
"Boruto!" When did my son learn the Rasengan?!
Momoshiki was startled and forgot to cast the jutsu at them. He raised his other hand prepared to absorb it.
Pfoosh. The rasengan disappeared.
"Did the jutsu disappear before he could absorb it? It didn't even reach him?" Chōjūrō asked in bafflement.
An awkward second passed.
"Hmph, your pathetic attempts are futile. Your attack didn't even make it to me. All of you shall die now-"
Wham!
Momoshiki felt the full brunt of the furiously rotating rasengan straight into his face.
The Shadow Bind was release as he got knocked down.
Naruto slack jawed watched it all flummoxed.
"I promised I would take him as my disciple if he mastered the Rasengan. He ended up mastering it within a few hours," said Sasuke, smug for some reason.
"Dad!" Boruto ran up to them. "Looks like he can't absorb jutsus he can't see!"
The Disappearing Rasengan. Boruto's very own accidentally created jutsu.
"Heh. You cheeky brat!" Naruto grinned at Boruto's excited giggles.
"I didn't really want to depend on such a gamble of a plan but eh, I suppose its fine. Well done, Boruto."
"Somehow that doesn't sound like a compliment."
Momoshiki retreated fast and popped a Red Earth.
All of them were exhausted from the battle, deprived of chakra. Naruto's limbs were pierced and had no mobility. Only Sasuke and Boruto were left standing.
"Boruto make that Rasengan again!"
"But, Dad! It's incomplete-"
"Don't worry about that."
Boruto began forming the golf ball sized rasengan again and brought it to Naruto.
Naruto gently placed his palm beneath Boruto's, joining him in making the rasengan. Maybe it was an illusion, it felt like there were many people channelling themselves through his palms. He could feel the heaviness of it. The weight of Naruto's feelings. His memories. A legacy passed through this Rasengan. It grew and grew until it was as big as the black sphere.
"Go."
"We have one chance, Boruto. Don't ruin it."
Sasuke ran and engaged with Momoshiki.
A brief battle involving diversions, kage bunshins and a lot of plain luck (courtesy of Sasuke), Boruto finally connected the massive rasengan with Momoshiki.
His arm was twisted to pieces along with his rasengan.
While below him lay the mangled dead body of Otsusuki Momoshiki.
.........
"Looking a bit roughed up aren't you?" Naruto joked as Sasuke came to help him.
"Not as much as you. At least I can stand on my own two feet."
"Ugh. How long are you going to keep this rivalry thing up anyways, dammit?" Naruto could swear Sasuke was behaving more and more childishly over the years.
"At least until I pull ahead of you."
They exchanged small smiles.
"Speaking of which, this seems to be your win, doesn't it?" Naruto looked at his son standing over the body of Momoshiki, "The essence of ninja never changes. You knew Boruto better than me."
Boruto observed the craters and valleys formed atop the massive broken tree trunk clutching his twisted wrist. There weren't even any traces of blood. Only some raw flesh and pure white hair scattered about.
What is this strange feeling?
It pricked his skin. Was it guilt? The feeling they mentioned when you made your first kill?
"Boruto, come down, we're heading back home!"
"Yes, be right there!"
"So you can hear us, Son of Man?"
!!!
There was Otsusuki Momoshiki, watching him, fully intact with not a scratch.
Genjutsu?!?
"Dad! This is bad! He's still here-"
Everyone waiting below were unmoving. Like time had stopped.
"Hmph, I see. You have the blood of one with the Byakugan,
"I was unable to view my own fate even with my power and the Byakugan," Momoshiki said appearing right in front of Boruto's face, "But your fate, I can see quite clearly. Those blue eyes of yours will one day take everything away from you. Pay heed, Son of Man, and bite down hard on this path you will inevitably have to walk,"
"Once one defeats one closest to being God, one ceases to be ordinary," he sneered as if cursing his killer.
And then he disappeared. Time resumed.
No one heard what transpired except two.
.....
What makes a God?
Immortality?
Planets, the stars and the Universe were all near immortal. Yet, they weren't God. They were unmovable, non-sentient objects that simply followed their own orbits.
Power?
What was power? The power to destroy? The power to create?
Everything within this universe took from another what it lacked. Even the power of destruction.
Would being dependant on something else to gain any power make one worthy of being God?
Then that wasn't truly a God. That was merely a vessel that held some accumulated power.
Who was God?
And what of the mortal vessel that dared call itself God?
........
........
The Chunin exam had concluded on a bad note. Some people began wondering if every Chunin exam Uzumaki Naruto was involved in would always be so... dangerous? Exciting? The Kages and their escorts and examinees were on their way back to their own lands. It was a big scare this time. The last major incident was sixteen years ago. Perhaps they were too lax indulging in all these years of peace.
One name amongst them stood out. The name of the only genin to have fought an Otsusuki.
"You've been acting weird lately, Boruto," Sarada said finally after days of seeing him staring off into the distance in a daze.
"Yes, your head's in the clouds, Boruto. Mind telling us?" Mitsuki said from the side.
The billboards had his face on it, with recent interviews broadcast throughout Konohagakure. He did learn something from his father's public relations(reputation) training.
Yet here he was, very different from the hyper smiling, highly popular, in demand kid on the broadcast.
"Eh, I'm just tired from all the TV commercials and magazine interviews," said Boruto with a feigned stretching flourish. It did feel quite strange to be forgiven so easily and reinstated as a genin again. Was this nepotism or was Konoha really this generous? Maybe the feat of assisting in eliminating village destruction level threats grants forgiveness to anyone. Maybe-
"Hey, you're off again." Sarada snapped her fingers twice in front of his eyes.
"Sorry-"
"The model ninja, ditching classes, cheating exams-"
Boruto sputtered. "Hey, I already apologised for all that! Cut me some slack!"
"True, he is quite the model ninja. Grandchild of the Yondaime, son of the Nanadaime... perhaps... the next Hokage?" Mitsuki imagined.
"Well, now that you are back, tell me, are you also aiming to become Hokage?" Sarada asked looking away with a small pout. She didn't know how to feel about competing against Boruto.
"Me? As Hokage?"
Boruto pondered upon it staring into Sarada's narrowed eyes. "Nope!" he grinned.
"Huh?"
"You're going to be the one that becomes Hokage, right? I'll be the one that plays the support role! I'll protect you from everything!" He declared passionately looking deeply into her eyes.
"Huh??" Sarada covered her rapidly burning cheeks. "EEHH??"
"To me,... becoming Hokage is like a straight rail. My grandfather was one and so is my father. I will walk a completely different path from them. If anything Sarada," he smiled at her red face, "the one I want to be most is a ninja like your father, Sasuke-san. Just like he supports my father, I shall support you. This shall be my Nindo!"
Sarada didn't like being the only flustered one after such a huge compliment was sprung her way. When did this idiot get so cool? She pouted with her cheeks stiller red.
When in doubt, dish out compliments. Kunoichi Handbook Basics 101.
"......"
"..."
"...."
"Huh?" Sarada was staring back at him without saying anything.
"You know, Boruto," Sarada came real close to his face, slowly pulling her glasses upwards,"I've noticed your eyes are quite a brilliant blue," He could see each individual eyelash with how close she was.
Wait she's too close- "Much bluer than the Seventh's."
Those blue eyes of yours will one day take everything away from you.
"Get ready, Team. Target Mujina has been sighted!" Konohamaru's orders came through the headpiece. "Roger!" Smug Sarada and Suspiciously Grinning Mitsuki rushed away.
Once one defeats one closest to being God, one ceases to be ordinary.
Boruto unwrapped his bandages. At the centre of his healed hand was a small diamond shaped mark. A seal.
"I'm a ninja. What part of me is supposed to be ordinary?"
"Fate is what I make of it. I've played too many video games to fall for such bullshit."
"Have the targets been apprehended?"
"Yes, they call themselves the Mujina. Seems like there's more members of this group. We'll proceed to hand them over to Intelligence."
"No, head over to Torture and Interrogation."
"Roger." Konohamaru briefed the Jonin while the genin stretched having completing their mission. Team Moegi with Shikidai and co. left earlier after finishing up this joint mission. Of course after they did a little Extreme Ninja Scrolls card trading with Boruto.
They hadn't been allowed to this part of Konoha before. Torture and Interrogation. Famously cruel yet cloaked in mystery. Headed by one Morino Ibiki for the past three decades. Boruto never wanted to meet him (Shikidai said he was a frequent guest at his house so they didn't bother coming with them). Mitsuki was intrigued though. He heard that name many times, one of the few people his father mentioned by name.
They didn't get to meet the man (Psst. Hey, I heard he only had half his brain left. He survived torture where they scooped his brains out while he was wide awake!), but they did realise the snacks here were quite fresh. Lots of sweets were packed into every shelf. Even the fridge had some. Was Morino a sweet tooth? For compensating for missing brain parts? Information to file away for later. (A certain Mitarashi Anko/Dango sneezed in the distance.)
Not many if any of their classmates ever got a tour of this department. Of course the recent talk of the town, son of the Nanadaime was qualified, if required actually, to be here.
So was Uchiha Sarada, her prospects as a colleague were mouthwatering (Sharingan users were more than welcome to join the Interrogation department, they made work so much easier).
And Mitsuki... well he was qualified in the sense that he could be their customer and receiver of their services (if in case).
(Seriously, was the child of such a notable criminal really allowed to walk around here?
Well wasn't Uchiha Sasuke also a criminal once? Wait, how do you know about that? Wasn't it classified by the Seventh?
It's kind of an open secret in this department now. Some of us have eyes and brains for basic observations.
Oh, fuck it. It hurts my brain, I'll just go pull someone's toenails out now.
Wait, Yamanaka, you're supposed to be in Intelligence what are you doing here?
Blowing off some steam and gossip? *munching sounds*)
Uchiha Sasuke made his rare appearance (not rare for Sarada the Peanut, she sees him around way too much lately) in front of the trio.
"Uncle! You're here?" Boruto called out with restrained sweetness and sparkly eyes. (Oh, Sasuke the Annoying wished his Little Peanut was just as sweet to him instead. He would settle for being the target of Naruto's recent jealousy for now.)
"Boruto, a word? Sarada, Mitsuki, go on in, Konohamaru has called you."
They went to a hidden corner. "How's the seal?"
"I haven't felt any paralysis again since that day. Nor did I see him again."
"It wasn't a simple paralysis, Boruto. It was as if Time itself had stopped. Except for you whom he directly spoke to and me with my Rinnegan, no one else realised anything happened. I'm not trying to scare you. But watch out for any changes. If anything happens, inform me immediately. In the meanwhile, I shall continue investigating."
Sasuke deeply felt a weariness as Boruto went off to join his team. Was this how Kakashi felt while dealing with his Orochimaru™ Curse Mark© all those years ago? It's like it's all coming back to bite him in the neck again.
"Wait. Why am I stressing over this? I should simply go and ask the expert." Enlightenment visited him at last.
................
"Kakashi-sensei, now that you're here, mind telling me what you've been up to in secret? You and Shikamaru keep hanging out together secretly giving me strange looks."
"It's a secret :)"
Naruto pointedly looked at his own assistant. Shikamaru coughed, "Ahem. Don't look at me. We're still not sure yet."
"Hmm. Hiding stuff from your own friend and boss."
"I promise we'll tell you later when things are more conclusive."
Naruto dismissed the hidden ANBU and set up a listening barrier. Shikamaru and Kakashi made their own preparations.
Sasuke had laid out all the reports of his investigation on the Otsusuki. And Orochimaru. And Danzo. Sai was sketching out some portraits of some of his verbal descriptions. Ino rested against his back with a cold compress on her eyes. Konohamaru organised the list of new bunch of orphan clones and their newly assigned names.
There were too many interconnected relations between different recent happenings. Naruto realised he needed someone to sort through it all and explain it to him all again. So commences the Hokage's personal brainstorm session with the best minds in all of Konoha. Sakura was supposed to attend but she was still dealing with all the injured from the Otsusuki attack. Some of the injured were important personages and they couldn't risk ruining any more international relations. Sasuke decided to brief her later after her shift.
"Lets begin." Naruto settled into his seat, stirring the coffee Konohamaru brought in.
"First, lets establish the relations between all our parties. Let's begin with Orochimaru? Let's start with something more familiar."
"I have no idea where to start. It's such a mess. Someone make a chart as we talk. Sai?" "Yes."
"Ahem. Orochimaru harvested Hashirama's cells and had an experimental test subject's (Uchiha Shin) help to create the Sharingan arm for Danzo. There is no history mentioned about Uchiha Shin's background. From Orochimaru's testimony, Shin was obsessed with Uchiha Itachi due to Orochimaru's influence and took on the Uchiha name. He was genetically compatible with cloning experiments and there's a great chance Mitsuki was in the same line of experiments as he. Also, we have received news that Orochimaru had set up an egg and sperm donation centre back at Otogakure."
"Put that on the agenda for ANBU. Ask Captain Yamato."
"Shin ran away with his experiment research-I think around the time of our Academy graduation-and he began making more clones of himself, naming them all his 'sons' and 'spare parts'. They're all named Uchiha Shin. Kabuto has taken two hundred of them and renamed them. The remaining eighty two are with Sakura's Care Home. All of them are put in her Orphan Care program and she's personally overlooking their therapy. Here's the list of their new names and individual profiles. Kabuto is currently in the process of cultivating some of their communication and life skills."
"By when did we plan to get them admitted in the Academy?"
"According to the Academy expansion schedule, they should be able to join the outgoing batch in three months. They'll be attending a two month crash course first starting next month."
"Sasuke, are you really okay with your plan? You can tell me if you change your mind."
"Yeah. They are in need of basic Uchiha training. Even if they have no Uchiha blood, they do possess the Sharingan, albeit a degenerated version. As for the core Uchiha teachings, it depends."
"Sasuke as a teacher, huh? I never expected that." Kakashi wholeheartedly supported it.
"It's a temporary position and besides, I'm already Boruto's Shishou and I teach Sarada too." Naruto smiled at that.
"I heard from Sakura it was quite a mess when you came back, Sasuke? How did your first parent-child outing go?" Kakashi asked, ignoring the fact that the outing was his suggestion in the first place. "I won't say. I'm never listening to you again."
"Getting back on topic-Cough!KRoff!-the original Uchiha Shin may be deceased but there's still the fact that the experimental research has been spread. We're investigating who is currently in their possession. There's a few new suspects but we'll have to wait for news from Intelligence."
"I just came back from there," Ino pulled off the cold compress, "there's two. One of them was Kabuto's men. Kabuto had sent them to retrieve the data. The other is called Kara."
"Kara?"
"I only managed to extract the name. Everything else was wiped. It almost felt like they were mocking me leaving the name intact. I'm Not sure if Kara meant just one person or an organisation."
"That's all about Orochimaru for now."
"Not yet," Sasuke interrupted Shikamaru, "Orochimaru mentioned that many of his experiments came from ancient texts he found. Some of the texts had similar markings as Kaguya's scroll."
"!!!"
"Let's get on to the Otsusuki's then. Kaguya-"
"Otsusuki also have cursed seals."
"... You came across records of someone having their cursed seals too?" He's participating quite actively today.
"Boruto."
"What?"
"Boruto was branded with a cursed seal by Momoshiki."
CRASH!
It took a herculean effort for Sasuke to stop Naruto from breaking down the office walls to get to where Boruto was. Shadow Bind did the trick but then the Rinnegan was unable to stop Naruto from using the Hiraishin no jutsu and teleporting to where Boruto was.
"BORUTO! Where are you going?"
"Dad? I was on my way to meet up with Shikadai." Boruto was knocked off his feet as Naruto grabbed him into his arms. He pulled his collar, stretching out the inner T-shirt Boruto wore intently looking for any sort of marking.
"DAD??"
Sasuke came through a portal behind him. "Don't worry about it Boruto. Just show him the seal."
"Oh.. oh." Boruto meekly unwrapped his bandages and showed Naruto his palm like he was caught mid mischief.
"Dad- I meant to tell you but-"
Boruto would never forget the expression Naruto made that day. Many years later, on quiet nights, he would wish he had said something better to reassure him.
"...Boruto!"
Boruto gave Naruto a smile. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll be fine."
Back at the office, Kakashi sat holding his forehead in his palm. Shikamaru dusted off the wooden debris off the table. Sai and Ino picked up the scattered scrolls. Konohamaru swept off the ceramic mug shards.
Naruto returned with Sasuke.
"Kakashi, let's discuss about Boruto later, "Sasuke said quietly. "Yes."
"Naruto... we'll figure it out. As soon as we can."
The derailed conference room was returned to a less messy state while they were gone.
"Kaguya's scrolls mentioned the creation of a Zetsu army," began Sasuke, "At that time, she was already powerful enough along with her two sons. So there was no need for an additional army. Perhaps it was to combat new arrivals like Momoshiki and Kinshi."
"No, not just that," Shikamaru rubbed his beard, "They were expert infiltrators and could transform into anyone. It was also to keep the people of the Warring Era in check."
"An army of a hundred thousand Zetsus."
Ino tilted her head nursing her migrane on Sai's shoulder. "I wouldn't be surprised if there were still any white Zetsu somewhere on this planet."
"A hundred thousand on this dimension," Sasuke corrected.
"Shit."
"We'll need a separate meeting to discuss Zetsu."
"Add Zetsu and Hashirama's cells to Orochimaru's cloning techniques on the chart, Sai." Sasuke added, "Also add that Orochimaru is part Zetsu too." "And Obito too," he added.
"And that Zetsu was the reason of Uchiha's blood feuds."
"He wasn't the only reason," Sasuke whispered.
"There's one thing I don't understand," Naruto looked into his palms like the answers would just sprout there, "Everything seems to revolve around the Uchiha as a target but they're not the only players. We still don't know much about the Otsusuki and the only other descendant we know of are the Hyūga."
An unexpected observation by Naruto but it did start glaringly standing out on the chart. Orochimaru's obsession. Shin's Obsession. Zetsu's generational schemes. Danzo's target and his stolen Sharingans. It was everywhere. Kill the Uchiha. Create the Uchiha. Control Uchiha.
Naruto clasped his hands and glared at the chart. His pupils were slitted with raging emotions swirling beneath.
"Is it possible,.... that we don't know about Shin's background because he's a type of Zetsu?" Sai finished the drawing, "It doesn't make sense that he was obsessed with the Uchiha clan just because Orochimaru implanted Sharingans in him. If anything, he should feel averse, no? Did he willingly wish to be implanted with Uchiha body parts? Or Orochimaru plant some phychological suggestions?"
"Zetsu did get implanted by Hashirama's cells too."
Zetsu's generational schemes and probable obsession.
"What about the Hyūga Main family's Juuinjutsu? Wasn't it a cursed seal?" Shikamaru pondered thinking back on Naruto's observation.
Naruto recalled the seal on Neji's forehead he saw all those years ago. The Caged Bird Curse Seal.
"That's.....There may be a chance we could learn something from them. We're just not seeing it yet." "Also, Ino, run an investigation and compile all information on Cursed seals with Intelligence."
"I'll talk to Hiashi-sama later," Naruto mumbled, lowering his head and covering his eyes.
"You could summon him here Naruto, but I think it's better you took this as a chance to spend some time at home and meet with him in a personal capacity first instead."
"Sounds... great. I guess I'll ask Hinata then. Shikamaru, when can I schedule this?"
"You have a second meeting with the Fire Daimyo tonight. Will Hinata be free in three days?"
"I think she should be... She's out to visit one of her relatives."
"I'll write that in."
"I think we should all take a small nap before we continue. I'm getting a headache," saying that, Shikamaru laid down on the floor. Everyone looked at each other and shrugged, turned off the lights, had some electrolyte water, and napped where they sat.
While Naruto was purposefully allowed to nap a little longer, Shikamaru asked Sasuke and the rest to have a private talk. Konohamaru had to take leave to meet up with his team.
"Are we all planning to keep the news of the fourth Otsusuki secret for now? I don't think Naruto can handle more bad news. He's collapsed four times already in the past month."
"!!!!" Sasuke stared wide eyed at Shikamaru. "A fourth?! And four times?"
"Shh! Sasuke, we were going to bring it up with him soon but we're still unsure of what is happening. For now the intruder hasn't been causing any harm."
"And how do you know about this?" Sasuke gritted his teeth, "How many of you know this? Naruto-"
"It sound like a bad idea that we're keeping this from Naruto, but we feel it's best for now. We'll tell him at the next meeting. Two Hyuga Elders and Hyūga Hiashi , Ino and Shikamaru over here, and Lady Tsunade know. For now, too many unknowns are at play. That's why I suggested Naruto set this "Brainstorming" session up. It's so we can align all of our information."
"You'd better be right, Kakashi."
"She might be watching us right now too."
"Someone is watching us? Who?" Naruto stood leaning on the door frame behind them, rubbing the sleep marks from his face.
........
"Special Mission for Uzumaki Boruto. You are to guard the Fire Daimyo's son Tentō Madoka for two days. Mission brief has been issued. Your ward is waiting in conference room 28."
"Wait, why am I the one assigned guard duty?"
"Well, young lord, you were especially picked by the ward after he saw your interview," laughed Konohamaru, "Welcome to the other side of being a shinobi. It is guard duty, but it's basically being a servant. Enjoy!" :D
Boruto grumbled his way over to the conference room. The Fire Daimyo was visiting Konoha for a conference with the Hokage. Financial stuff apparently.
Tentō, his new ward, was a spoilt brat, to Boruto's chargin. But he did have a sick ENS card collection and was generally very polite, despite his occisional out-of-touch-rich-people habits. It wasn't too hard to find a friend in such a generous child and very soon, Boruto found himself teaching the kid to throw shuriken for basic self defence purposes. Not just because he felt pity for the kid who pined for his father's attention. Just like him. Maybe.
"It's too harddd..," whined a defeated Tentō, gasping, shuriken scarily near his toes. Not one reached the tree trunk.
"You gotta shoot it not throw it,"Boruto demonstrated again, "Come on try again."
"Young Master! What are you doing?" The Daimyo's assistant, Yamaoka, yelled at them from the window. "Cease this at once! This is uncivilised behaviour!"
The kid learnt it anyways. Boruto rewarded him with the only card he was missing from his collection. (Yes, Boruto's card collection was at least eighty percent as impressive as Tentō's.) It was quite a teary farewell.
Boruto made his way back to the Torture department. Why was Konohamaru sensei's new office relocated to such a strange place? It was messy as ever.
"Boruto! We're getting a B-rank mission!"
B-rank? Were they capable if it?
"The current Kazekage was completing B-ranks at our age too," said Mitsuki reading Boruto's expression.
Uncle Gaara's path to glory? Sounds awesome.
The trio were pumped to get on with the mission.
Hokage's Office:
"The Ninja Tech Division's Special Jonin, Toono Katasuke was apparently under the effects of mind control from somewhere outside the village. We've freed him from the control and his senses should be returning to him in a few hours. Ninja Tech information may have been leaked. We couldn't trace to when he was put under mind control," reported Ibiki, "It seems he's under even greater shock after learning what he did."
Sarutobi Mirai came in to report. "Team Konohamaru successfully apprehended the three Mujina Bandits yesterday. They have been interrogated."
Naruto was overjoyed, "They did it!" His last twenty hours were spent wide awake, deep in discussion with Sasuke, Shikamaru, Sai, Ino, Kakashi and Konohamaru. He had to catch up on some reports.
"Unfortunately, their boss hasn't shown up."
"Corpse (Shikabane) Clone Shojoji. His name's in the bingo book," said Shikamaru, looking through his pockets for a lighter, "He can transform into anyone from memory."
"Got a light, Mirai?"
"... This is a no- smoking zone, Shikamaru-san."
Mirai proceeded with her report. "It seems the bank robbery was a diversion. They were scouts sent to find out the movements of the Daimyo.
Naruto paused his sipping.
"The Fire Daimyo?"
"Yes."
"The one who left fifteen minutes ago?"
"Yes."
"Damn it. Shouldn't have taken that nap."
Sarutobi Konohamaru was next to report. He was in a rush.
"Daimyo's son! Kidnapped!"
"Slow down Konohamaru. Tell us properly."
.
.
.
"-After learning of their demands for Tentō's safe return being 500 million ryō and the immediate release of all criminals in Hōzuki Castle, Ikkyū deduced that with how seamless the abduction was, they must have had spies within his entourage."
"Spy entourage being who?"
"The Mujina Bandits."
"And my son is currently with said spy entourage?"
"Ye-Yes."
"Get going."
"Yes!"
". . ." Naruto leaned in his chair poinedly looking at his assistant and deployed three more kage bunshin.
"Am I hallucinating or is everyone here keeping news and secrets from me on purpose?"
"Ahem. Cough. There might be a delay in communications. We'll get it fixed soon."
Boruto didn't expect to be fighting so soon. He just wanted to return the extremely rare SSR card Tentō had snuck into his pocket. He really wanted it but it didn't quite feel right to recieve it this way. Well, one thing (kidnapping event of local rich kid) led to another (being willingly kidnapped) and now he's trying not to get his head bitten off by- Surprise!-another cannibal. A shape shifting cannibal. Of course he gets roped into the trope of 'The Butler did it!' And of course the butler Yamaoka turns out to be a cannibal who eats brains and shifts into his victims.
If he had a ryō for every cannibal he'd met he'd have two ryō, which wasn't a lot but extremely weird that it happened twice. In videogame terms, he was expecting this to be a flag of some sort.
Oh wait! Sarada mentioned a flag called "Boruto, you idiot, we were supposed to draw out the Mujina Boss!" earlier yesterday.
Lo and behold, the Mujina Boss, drawn out right in front of him.
Boruto cast out as many shuriken and kunai he could to fend off the rogue ninja. Sarada taught him a few tricks to do single ricochet shuriken and they came much in handy. Seven underlings, down. Now only Shojoji was left.
"As expected of the Hokage's son. You are worthy of becoming my face."
He was a wind chakra natured nimble hippopotamus with a mouth just as wide as one. Boruto was exhausted having spent enough stamina on taking out his minions. Then he was caught.
Oh he's gonna get his brain chomped off. Farewell, sweet world. Mom. Dad. Himawari...
Whack! The shuriken jammed between his shoulder blades distracted Shojoji from his bite.
Tentō, you sweet sugar pie!
Boruto managed to free himself. Creating some distance between them he furiously tried to come up with a plan again. The plan involved Rasengans.
It worked! Boruto high-fived Tentō amongst the falling debris of the comically Shojoji shaped wall gap. It worked for five seconds.
"You bRat!" Shojoji pulled out his hulking frame from the hole.
"Gaah!" "Alright, stand behind! We're doing this again!" Boruto reassured the kid as he formed another Rasengan. Shojoji would not be hit twice by that dangerous sphere. Poof! The Rasengan dissapeared.
Shit! My chakra!
He tried to pull out some more. "Urgh!" A string of sharp pain shot up his palm. He glared at his misbehaving palm unwilling to form another rasengan.
"!!" The diamond shaped curse mark had bloomed and spread. It burned his veins.
"Wait... that mark? Are you affiliated with them?? That organisation?" Shojoji stopped in fear and a flash of recognition passed over his face.
"I don't understand what you are talking about. Organisation?"
The confusion on Boruto's face calmed Shojoji's fear. "You don't know? Then I must be mistaken."
Shojoji laughed and barrelled towards him claws and mouth ready to bite his head off.
Crash!
Wait is that my flag I planted earlier, UchihaSarada?!
"Hey, idiot, need some help?"
Serpentine arms wrapped around the hippo. "Can't go off on your own without us, Boruto." And Mitsuki.
"Shannaroooo!"
BTOOM!
......
"You owe me a caramel macchiato," said Sarada.
"I'll take a cappuccino and panini," said Mitsuki, putting away the snake he used to track down Boruto.
"Urgh, my wallet... :')"
Konohamaru sighed smacking his face. "You guys! You abandoned a B-rank mission that you accepted and went off on your own! I'll take into consideration the crucial factors at play but be prepared to receive your punishment."
"Argh! Another crap card!" Boruto moaned at his luck. "When will I get the one card I really want?"
"Anyways, what was the card that you returned to Tentō? You could have taken it if he was offering," Sarada asked later after Konohamaru-sensei took in the criminals to Interrogation. They were let off after the Daimyo came to reunite with his son and reward them. It was another teary reunion and teary farewell.
Mitsuki rubbed his wrists that got hit by the Mujina Boss. At least there weren't any teeth marks. Perks of being super elastic.
"Oh that?" Boruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"I did want it, but I wanted to earn it myself. Hehe."
Sarada pouted at Boruto's non-answer. She huffed and ordered a pack of ENS. "Hmm? Who is this? It's SSR!" On her last card was the face of a pasty white snakeman. The name was familiar.
"Why does Orochimaru look like this? He looks more masculine here."
"That's because Orochimaru keeps changing his skin. Its just that he's been wearing the recent feminine one more often." Mitsuki peeked over their shoulders.
"Hm? How do you know that, Mitsuki?"
"Eh? Didn't I tell you? He's my Dad."
"Ghekhm?!!" Sarada's eyes popped out.
........
Naruto could finally take a breather. His son was home, gaming in his room. His daugher sleeping on his lap. His wife drying her shoulder length wet hair as she watched T.V..
He took Himawari to her room and tucked her in, deciding against waking her up to brush her teeth. Boruto, he allowed to stay up a bit longer.
"Boruto, we're going on a little walk, don't stay up too late." Naruto pulled Hinata with him.
Boruto made a face at Naruto's blatant flirting, trying hard not to smile at their clasped hands.
It was a warm night. Naruto still didn't let go of her hand. Hinata's steps slowed and he matched her. They walked all the way to the top of the Hokage monument's viewing terrace, gazing upon the village sprawl, still lit up well past the hours they used to be unlit in their memories. There were fewer stars in the sky. They have fallen to the ground, illuminating their home.
Naruto couldn't get enough of the glittering stars reflected in her clear eyes. So he drew in closer, placing a tender kiss upon them. She smiled and placed some on his lips in return.
Dawn arrived too fast for either of them. They had arrived home hours ago but neither slept; conversation stretched into worried confessions, vulnerabilities and deep hugs, both refusing to miss an inch of the night to catch up with their soul.
Boruto found them slumped in the kitchen, sipping coffee. Hinata rested her head Naruto's shoulder and he pulled a lock of her hair away from the brim of his mug. Boruto made a disgusted face when Naruto licked her coffee-dipped hair and left as fast as he could for morning warm-ups.
Himawari was next, still sleepy and followed Boruto out. Both would be back within half an hour for breakfast before heading out again to the Academy.
"Let's head up to the bedroom, Naruto. Don't sleep on the table. I'll join you after I lay out their breakfast." Hinata blinked her sleep away.
Noon had come by. Hinata made a call to her father pushing away Naruto's heavily draped leg. He rolled away, snored loudly, and rolled back when she was done, dragging her back under the sea of blankets and cushions.
...........
It was a bright and sunny day, perfect for teaching the younglings. A seminar cum sparring discussion with the Nanadaime Hokage himself. Every battle tip he gave was precious knowledge. The class sat on the steps watching the father and son exchange taunts in the small arena.
Boruto readied himself for the spar, checking his surroundings.
"Shall we begin, Boruto? Or do you need more time?" Naruto rolled his shoulders lazily.
"Let's go! I'm gonna win this time."
"Haha, say that after you've landed a proper blow first."
[Uzumaki Naruto (no clone handicap) v/s Uzumaki Boruto]
Begin!
Boruto cast his usual four clones attempting to distract and surround Naruto. They exchanged a few kicks and punches, engaging in a taijutsu warm up, testing each other.
Naruto wiped them out into poofs of smoke.
"I'm here behind you!"
Naruto whipped his head around to see a Flying Rasengan hurtling at his face. He raised his right hand and smacked the rasengan straight. It dissapeared to nothing.
"!! HOW?"
The audience were flabbergasted. "Quite brave of him to get behind Naruto," Sai laughed along with Shikamaru.
"Your Rasengan's improved, Boruto." Naruto said nonchalantly as if he didn't just barehandedly smack away a swirling bomb of pure chakra.
Boruto retreated, going through some handsigns. "Suiton! Billowing Wave!"
The space between them flooded with gallons of blue water. "Raiton! Thunder Arrow!"
Electrified water rapidly flowed towards Naruto.
"Doton. Earth Wall." Naruto smacked the floor after a single handseal. A thick and wide wall raised from the ground, blocking the rapids and concealing him.
"ARGH!" Boruto felt he was going to lose.
Crack! Naruto smacked his hand through the wall.
???
Boruto waited for some sort of rasengan to fly at him.
Swoosh! The water flowed upwards into Naruto's open palm.
"The Seventh is absorbing his technique!" Mitsuke gasped in the audience.
"This is just like that Momoshiki!," thought Sarada.
Is he going to do something? Boruto waited for the water to gush back out somehow.
"A ninja must see what lies behind the behind -ttebayo." Naruto said standing behind Boruto.
??!
His eyes wandered to Naruto's right sleeve. It was missing.
!!
He chuckled under the stares of all the amazed chicklings and walked up to the earthen wall, pulling out his bandaged prosthetic still in the hole and attached it back to his stump.
"That was a fine match, Boruto. Class, that's all for today. Let's wrap it up." The class filed away murmuring to each other about the various techniques they were taught today, excited to try some of them out immediately.
Sasuke entered the door to the room where the Mujina Shojoji was chained up. Torture and Interrogation called him in after going through their processes. The massive form of Shojoji was hanging by his wrists, eyes a bit dialated and face lax. "The information I have is extremely valuable to you bastards. You won't be able to pry anything out of me." He slurred.
Morino Ibuki and Yamanaka Sai were wiaiting for him. "Sorry for calling you down here, Sasuke," Sai said.
"No, it fact, you're doing me a favour, I wanted to talk to him myself." Sasuke had heard somethings from Boruto and Sai.
The Mujina Boss shut up his rough talking tongue at the sight of him. "You recognise me don't you?"
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Of course you know of me. Anyone would who's worked in the underworld would have heard of me. That means all human waste like you know exactly how far I'm willing to go to get you to talk, don't you?"
Shojoji quivered at the purple eye staring through him.
"What do you know about Boruto's seal?"
................
"No way, I'm not taking on this mission." Boruto crossed his arms like a petulant child.
Sarada could understand him. In front of them sat Katasuke, the cause of Boruto's recent misfortune(?) "Your mission will be to escort Katasuke-san to Ryuutan City. You depart in an hour. It's a C-rank."
Boruto grumbled sipping his lemonade.
Konohamaru left them after saying that while Katasuke meekly slinked away to gather his gadgets.
Earlier, at Naruto's office:
"That hand?! That was Ninja Tech!" Boruto said, scandalised, pointing at the hand on his father's desk. "You cheated!"
The artificial hand sat unwrapped, mocking Boruto with its gleaming circuits and metallic gears.
"You told me Ninja Tech was cheating!" Boruto fumed.
"Settle down Boruto. I already explained that match was an experiment." Shikamaru patted his shoulder.
"This arm was made by Katasuke from the insights he received from Momoshiki's style of fighting," Naruto patted the arm, "Using this, you can nullify the opponent's jutsu. We can't release it yet though."
"I don't give a damn about that explanation! you used ninja tech. you cheated!" After you went on telling me they were not supposed to be used, YOU went and used one?!."
"Err.. listen...." Naruto sputtered.
"And here i thought you'd grown a little Boruto," Sasuke came into the office, "It doesn't matter what the tool is, it matters how you use it."
"I have some more news for you."
.
.
"The world is in danger?"
Team Konohamaru's trio looked at the Hokage and his Shadow and his Assistant strangely.
"There's tons of people like the Mujina out there, for you to say the world's in danger because of punks like those it is a bit exaggerated."
"Of course I'm not taling about small fry like them," Sasuke answered, "There might be beings with the power on par of the Otsusuki's working in the shadows."
Boruto and Sarada's eyes widened.
"Does it have anything to do with Boruto's mysterious seal?" Mitsuki asked holding up Boruto's palm.
"Wait! You knew!" Boruto gasped.
"You were acting too strangely recently. Of course we noticed." Mitsuki said blandly.
"You all know?"
"There are many mysteries surrounding the seal Momoshiki gave you. But, as far as we know, that organisation might be related to the seal."
Boruto recalled the words of the Mujina boss. It seemed as if he recognised the seal.
"...An organisation..?"
"Kara...If that organisation exists, they very likely have something to do with the Otsusuki. At the very least, it may be no normal decent organisation," said Shikamaru.
Otsusuki..They still exist somewhere out there!
"Boruto...you saw the damages they are capable of. They have no regard for ordinary people. That's why we need power," said Naruto.
"But we only need the power of Ninjutsu. We don't need Ninja Tech,-ttebasu."
"Instead of having jutsus cancel each other out when they are pitted against each other, wouldn't it be better to absorb them? There'd be less casualities and collateral damage then." Katasuke appeared out of the blue, shocking the trio.
"Katasuke! How did you escape?! You hack conman of a scientist!" Boruto flicked out his kunai. Mitsuki extended his arms to hold him back.
"It's been a long time, young one!" Katasuke laughed.
"You! Youu..!!"
"Boruto, Katasuke is not a conman or fake. This is an excellent piece of technology,"
"This is also power that can support the Hokage. Just like Sasuke supports me."
"The reason they were banned at the chunnin exams were because we wanted to test out your actual strength. The goal there was different. This isn't about good or evil or what's right or wrong, what's important is how you use it."
Boruto wasn't convinced.
Naruto had to leave it for now. "Here's your new mission," Naruto pulled out a case, placing the artificial hand in it, "You are to escort this hand and Katasuke-san to Ryuutan city.."
"What?! No! Ask someone else to do it!" Boruto stomped off.
"Mitsuki... Sarada," Naruto watched Boruto's dissapearing shadow, "Take care of Boruto's seal. Make sure he doesn't exert himself like he did with Shojoji."
Sasuke handed over a few slips of paper with tips for that.
Basement:
Mitsuki rubbed his ears. He had been listening to Boruto's grumbling and whining for the past hour.
Sarada failed to persuade him. She left to get ready for the mission.
"You can go with her too, Mitsuki. Don't worry about me."
"I'll only go if you go."
"Huh?"
"I'm not going if you're not going. It has nothing to do with only this mission, it's just my policy. If you don't go, Sarada will have to go solo."
"You bastard. So you're pulling this card!"
Slurp. Sllureppppupprpprppppsr. SLuperruperrrr.
Boruto made noises with his lemonade's straw. The last straw for Mitsuki.
"Boruto." Mitsuki slinked up behind Boruto. His arm snaked to the back of his neck, grabbing his jaw, forcing him to stop slurping and look up at him. "WHA?"
"Didn't you say you were going to support Sarada if she becomes Hokage?"
"Err.. yes?"
"Then are you going to allow her to go on a mission alone?"
6] Finding Kawaki and kara arc. why is kakashi so convinced the fourth one is an otsussuki. Konohamaru come across the cargo and have to fight Kara. nfight with Ao ensues. Nearby, they come across a fight scene with multiple dead puppets . Find a boy survivor. Badass Naruto while keeping Kawaki in check. (Cue trauma flashback)
The train left the platform. Boruto sipped his water and grumbled at the sunny Katasuke enthusiastically chatting with the one eyed man in from of them sharing their general seating compartment. He introduced himself as Ao. He was Katasuke's old patient. Three of his limbs were prosthetics.
Katasuke happily tightened some of the loose connections for him enthusiastically gushing away about his newly developed artificial limbs.
Katasuke mentioned he was a ninja as he screwed on a small piece. Someone who served long ago in active duty.
"You were a ninja, Sir?" Boruto excitedly butted in. "Where are you from?"
Sarada elbowed him. 'Have some tact, Boruto!"
Ao peered at Boruto with his lone eye. "I'm from the Mist."
"Kirigakure? I've been there! The Academy took us there on a field trip!"
Ao blanked out, nonplussed. "It seems... that while I've been away, Kiri has changed quite a bit."
Perhaps it was the shock of learning such a bloodthirsty place could one day host field trips for kids, Ao shared a bit more about himself. Some of his former exploits.
"I haven't been the same since the Great War. My entire section was wiped out except for me. In fact, the only reason I'm still alive is because of Doctor Katasuke and the others. And Ninja Tech."
Ao observed the downcast face of the quietened boy. "Do you hate Ninja Tech, son?"
"..."
Boruto raised his eyes to meet his. Ao pressed the screwdriver into his neck.
!!! "Boruto!" Sarada tried to push him away.
Boruto didn't realise how close to death he was until a drop of blood dripped into his collar.
"See? Just like that, you'd be dead. If I were your enemy...," he laughed.
"Ninja Tech is a tool. Just like this screwdriver," Ao relaxed back into his seat, wiping away the blood and handing the screwdriver back to the shocked Katasuke, "The same tool that saved me could have been used to kill you. It all depends on how you use it."
Boruto gulped.
Ryuutan City. They said goodbyes to Ao. "Come visit us at Konoha next time, Sir!"
"Sure. Send my regards to the Hokage."
Boruto cheerily waved at him as the train began to move.
Ao watched his bright blond hair disappear among the train smoke and crowds.
"He's a bright and cheery young man, that Hokage's kid." A passenger sitting close to Ao commented.
"Well that's a surprise, for someone of Kara's Inner to come out right now," Ao crossed his leg not bothering to turn."Why do you seek a retired old man like me?"
"We wouldn't have if circumstances hadn't forced us. The Vessel has been lost," said the passenger, "Find it."
"You overestimate me, I am someone retired who cannot handle even hand to hand combat right now."
"Toono Katasuke seems to have advanced his Ninja tech, don't be modest, I know exactly all the modifications he did to you.. I value you incredibly, there's not many Outers with your skills."
"Well thank you for that."
"Konoha has already caught onto our scent. There's two Konoha Jounin nearby the vessel. Under my seat are weapons and details."
...........
"It never ceases to amaze me how you can get so close to a stranger you've just met," Sarada adjusted her glasses. "Heh, he was really cool. I want to hear more of his stories next time!"
"We've arrived!"
"For a high-tech research base, it looks quite...compact."
"Sumire!" "Class Prez?"
Kei Sumire, the class representative of Boruto's Academy batch served them green tea and biscuits. "What a surprise to see you guys here!"
"Where is it? The Artificial Hand?" Inuzuka Akita, Ryuutan City's Ninja Tech Head researcher demanded as soon as she crossed the doorway.
"Well, now that the mission is completed," Boruto ignored Inuzuka's crazed reaction to the new tech, "We're heading back."
"Hold on right there, Uzumaki-kun. There's still a bit left for you to do," Inuzuka Akita smiled charmingly.
........
"I did not consent to be a test subject! Sunnovabitch! Wasn't this just a Protect and Escort mission?"
Boruto yelled from the arena at the two way mirror as he dodged projectiles.
"Well you were the one who rushed out of the Hokage's office without listening to the whole story, "said Sarada.
"Looks interesting. Let's do it for Class Prez," Mitsuki backflipped. It was a three way battle.
Boruto rushed up to Sarada with Hyūga's Gentle Fist style palm attacks. Sarada blocked his palm strikes one to one with speedy taijutsu blocks. She dropped low to sweep his feet but he dodged by leaping high. Can't risk a hit from Sarada. Mitsuki entangled her with his serpentine limbs.
"Haha!" Boruto descended to deliver her a knockout blow.
Sarada smirked. Pfshhhh! a Ninja Tech stun grenade. Boruto rubbed his ringing ears.
"Sorry boys, this is my win." Sarada had her kunais around both their necks.
They gave their feedback to Akita. It was most impressive. A flashbang that also emits smoke an high pitched sound! They'd never seen it before.
Behind the screen, Katasuke clapped his hands. "Impressive. But Akita-Kun, isn't this just a stun grenade? It already exists. I used them more than twenty years ago."
"Haha. Onto the next room!" Akita sweated under the senior's smile.
A soundless room. Nothing could be heard even if they screamed.
Something to do with cancelling waves. Next room.
Wall walking without chakra?
Flying apparatus?
A CHAKRA SABER??
Boruto was starting to enjoy it actually. He petted Chamaru the dog's head. It had a prosthetic hind leg. Maybe this tech-science thing wasn't so bad after all.
Riiing!
"Boruto, It's a call from the Nanadaime!" Katasuke called them over.
"Hm? Dad?" Boruto put it on speaker.
'Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki. It's about Konohamaru. He and Mugino were out on a mission investigating a crash at the border. We've lost contact with him,"
Sarada gasped' "No way!"
"Your team is the closest team to their last known location. Will you be able to head out to investigate?"
.............
Konohamaru headed out to the border zone after receiving a report on some runaway farmhorses. They were agitated and trampled the stablehand. He kept deliriously yelling about an airship falling over his horse stable. Various reports stated concern about a wildfire starting from any exploding parts. It was a dry November and the chill hadn't yet set in. Global warming apparently.
"We've arrived at the crash site." Konohamaru reported over his earpiece. "We'll inspect the interiors for any survivors."
"There's a casket open here!" Mugino alerted Konohamaru outside. They exchanged places. There were signs of a fight all over. Seemed like the cargo this airship held was taken from this casket. Konohamaru headed further in looking for the controls. He took out a tiny scroll and inserted it into an open port, downloading everyone from the ship's database and flight records.
Wham!
"Mugino?!" Konohamaru headed out to see his partner down. Possibly dead.
.
.
.
Boruto and his team and Katasuke's colleagues made their way as fast as possible to the coordinates they received from Intel.
Ex Class President Sumire stayed at the back for support.
"One more kilometer." She informed.
Ratatatatatat!
"What the f- Gun!?"
Mitsuki realised they could have easily died.
"MISTER AO?!" Boruto couldn't believe it. Ao blocked their way ahead holding a machine gun. The line of bullet holes at their feet warned them that it was not going to be a fair fight. If it would be a fight at all.
.
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.......
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A/N I completely forgot the events of Naruto Gaiden and kept scanning through Boruto: Next Gen looking for the whole 'Sarada has existential crisis' arc. Turns out they are separate mangas.
Author's Thoughts in the process of writing:
-February 2023: maybe you should pick up the pace. It's gonna get wordy if you get into the details. Stop writing here now. Go back and reflect. Also remember, you got 5 portfolios to make.
-February 2024: I may or may not think to end the previous chapter on a cliffie ;P Ah, you really are giving into your evil side, present me. You are manipulating future me into writing whatever you suggest in the comments instead of any new ideas she has. Welp who am I to say that? It's because of those notes and comments that you wrote ten chapters on this particular day. Can't blame me.
-June 2026, you still got 2 more portfolios to make, bro.
-August 2026, portfolios can wait. Imma write on the metro. Ao3 audience really motivated me. I'll make this a mega chapter in dedication to their mega comments. Sorry wattpadies.
-September 2026: i fear i am writing a whole volume in the span of a chapter QAQ. Have i unlocked the comedy? am i clown?
-I have not unlocked the comedy. It was just 3 am writing style that felt immensely funnier than it is.
I am enjoying writing this Sasuke character development. It's such a pity that the subtle Japanese nuances of his words don't get well translated to English. There's so much care in his speech regardlss of the emotion he is portraying, whether anger, love or sadness. Sasuke seems like he's less expressive or socially adept than Naruto but I feel like his emotions are much deeper.
I get bored writing fight scenes.. I'll only briefly mention any strategy they used. This chapter is so theory heavy.. I read through chapter 16 of Boruto and I don't understand how Boruto can use three diffrent elemental Chakra. He can use water, lightening (from Hinata) and wind (from Naruto). I may be missing something here. Wasn't there something in Shippuden about everyone only having 1 chakra nature unless they had a kekkei genkai? Gotta mention this somewhere...
I just now came to the realisation I am Kakashi's age when he was assigned Team 7. I will not be able to handle 3 whole kids at his age. I began reading Naruto when I was Naruto's age so I consider him to be in the same age group as me (despite him being much older than me currently.)
Okay, I know this is supposed to be a mature work but I have zero experience in writing romance. Why, I feel shy even writing about handholding!
I have realised I need to add more swear words. I have ever only said 'fuck' twice in my life. I am not living up to the mature tag :c I think I am writing clean because I don't want to reach 'dead dove' levels of writing. This is the sanitised version of what I imagined. Wait, on second thought, I could still tag this as DD;DNE...
Boruto's reaction to Ninja tech is my reaction to AI. Please, AI, don't steal my work, just learn to do my laundry *sobs*
I COMPLETLY EFFIN FORGOT I ALREADY WROTE THE CHUNIN EXAAMS ATTACK ALL THE WAY BAcK IN CHAPTER TWENTY ONE [EXPLOSIONS EXPLOSIONS] AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Well after all that effort, please just consider it a recap from Boruto's point of view.
Lots of the stuff written in this chapter here is a condensed, reshuffled version of chapter 5 to chapter 25 of Boruto: Next Generations. The plot will diverge from Boruto canon after this arc.
Brief mention of Naruto Gaiden manga [Recommend you read it.]
ALSO! I HAVE FINALLY REACHED 50,000 WORDS ON THIS FIC!