Chapter 254:
"What?!"
In the laboratory, Orochimaru stared at the screen in shock.
"As expected, it's still chakra..."
Director Fury's right hand passed effortlessly through the Thunder God Armor on the Terminator's body, grabbing the Terminator by the neck. Although the Terminator's entire body was radiating lightning-natured chakra, whenever it was about to touch Director Fury, it would instantly vanish into thin air.
Nick Fury casually tossed the Terminator aside. Though his face was pitch-black, his expression was clearly one of disappointment. Then he transformed into a streak of light, darting through the corridor.
"This is bad! Kabuto, we need to get out of here—fast!"
Orochimaru didn't know who this man was, but just looking at him, he could tell this was someone not to be trifled with.
No sooner had he spoken than the lab door was smashed open.
"Brought in by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Deputy Director Husky. Member of the Avengers Division, Orochimaru."
Nick Fury looked coldly at Orochimaru as he spoke.
"May I ask what business you have with me?"
Although he had already secretly prepared his Orochimaru-style Escape Technique, he still felt a little uneasy inside.
"I am the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury (Bald Egg)."
As he spoke, Fury scanned the room.
Aside from the Imagine Breaker being drawn earlier, both the role of Nick Fury and the Glint-Glint Fruit had cost Shunhi his entire fortune to obtain from the system.
Of course, that was only a small portion. The real money sink had been a spaceship.
"Director..." Orochimaru immediately responded respectfully. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"Notify all members of the Avengers Division and the Justice League Division. We're holding a meeting."
Onboard the spaceship floating in outer space—Serbot.
"So this is the real S.H.I.E.L.D. base!"
Orochimaru looked around with curiosity, peering through the windows at the sights of space.
"Minato, is this the Ninja World from space? It's so beautiful..."
Patrick Star leaned against SpongeBob, gazing out the window at the universe.
"Yeah." Minato gently pulled Kushina close by her pink shoulders. "Wait—Kushina, what's that?!"
Before them, thirteen meteors streaked across the sky, trailing long tails as they headed toward the Ninja World.
"Those are the Peace Stars. I believe that's why the Director summoned us."
Shunhi walked over to join Minato and Kushina.
"Shunhi, do you know something about them?"
Minato looked at him, and hearing Shunhi's voice, Jiraiya and Uchiha Itachi also came over.
"The thirteen Peace Stars can grant thirteen wishes. But only minor ones that don't significantly affect universal laws—like restoring the destroyed Hidden Leaf Village or making someone fall in love with you... things of that scale." Shunhi explained calmly. "Of course, the most important part is the legend: if you gather all thirteen Peace Stars, you'll obtain a map that leads to Infinite Energy."
"What's Infinite Energy?"
Orochimaru also came closer and asked.
"Unlimited food is one type of Infinite Energy. But it's much more than that. Chakra from the Ninja World, Shadow Energy from mutated beasts—those are all forms of Infinite Energy. In your terms, possessing Infinite Energy means having unlimited chakra. So it's no exaggeration to say that Infinite Energy is a treasure sought after by all races in the universe."
Director Fury approached and answered directly.
"Sir."
Shunhi immediately bowed respectfully.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s next mission will focus on collecting the Peace Stars scattered throughout the Ninja World!"
Fury waved slightly at Shunhi as he gave the order.
In the Ninja World—
Within the black fog, the Dark Domain—
"So, the Peace Stars are really something like this... unlimited Shadow Energy, huh..." Evilmoku knelt respectfully before the Black Emperor. "I will definitely gather all the Peace Stars. But... Lord Black Emperor, would relying on just me be enough?"
"Don't worry. The battle for peace isn't won through brute force. You'll understand once the fight for the Peace Stars begins."
Hidden Leaf Village—
"That's odd. Where's Mousey?"
Sarada walked among the collapsed buildings, glancing around in search of Mousey.
Elsewhere—
Chōchō Akimichi sat dazed on a set of stairs.
"What's wrong, fatty? You seem really out of it today."
Inojin stood beside her and asked.
"Haven't you been super into that Boruto from the future?"
Shikadai joined in.
"You guys really don't understand girls at all. It's obvious Hinata-nee likes Boruto too..."
Chōchō rested her chin in her hands and sighed.
"Of course Hinata-nee likes Boruto. She's his aunt, after all," Inojin replied matter-of-factly.
"Aaagh! That's not the kind of 'like' I'm talking about! I mean romantically, okay? Seriously! And besides—what's really got me down is that I've eaten all my chips..."
Because most of the Hidden Leaf Village had been destroyed, the snack shops were gone too. Chōchō had no way to restock her beloved chip supply.
"So that's it..." Inojin scratched his head as realization dawned. "...Wait! You said Hinata-nee likes Boruto? As in romantic feelings?!"
"Isn't it obvious? I seriously don't get why you guys are so shocked..."
Chōchō shot him a disdainful glance.
"That's exactly why we're shocked! Right, Shikadai?"
Inojin turned to Shikadai.
"Yeah." Shikadai nodded. "No matter how you look at it, the generational gap is too big. Neither Naruto nor Hiashi would ever allow it."
"You guys just don't get romance. This is exactly how it plays out in TV dramas! No matter the family or the rules, the couple overcomes every obstacle, and in the end, they embrace and kiss on a beach at sunset..." Chōchō got more and more fired up as she spoke, eventually jumping up from the steps. "It's decided! I'm going to help Hinata-nee and Boruto!"
"Hey, Chōchō, calm down..."
Shikadai was just about to speak when he suddenly choked up—Chōchō was giving him a terrifying look.
"You two are going to help me, right?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Inojin quickly nodded.
"That's why my dad always says women are trouble..." Shikadai muttered.
"What was that, Shikadai?"
"I said I'll help too—just like Inojin."
"Good. In that case, let's go find Hinata-nee right away!"