Chapter 319:
The gigantic Shizōma lunged at the much smaller modern Boruto and Kagura with a massive swing of his fist.
"Boruto, look out!"
Kagura, now clad in the Black Rhino Armor, warned modern Boruto.
"It's too late to dodge..."
Modern Boruto crossed his arms in front of his chest as he watched Shizōma's massive fist barrel toward him. A cloak of Nine Tails chakra wrapped around him.
"What the...!" Shizōma's body was suddenly restrained by kagune bursting from the ground. "What are these annoying things?! I don't care what they are—nothing will stop me!"
Shizōma's massive body began to tremble slightly, and cracks formed along the kagune binding him.
"Sage Art: Ultra Big Nine Tails Rasengan!"
Future Boruto, holding an enormous golden Rasengan, charged at Shizōma, who was on the verge of breaking free, and slammed it into him, sending Shizōma flying.
The impact of Shizōma hitting the ground once again triggered a minor earthquake in the capital of the Land of Water.
"Are you two alright?"
Landing in front of modern Boruto and Kagura, future Boruto asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," modern Boruto replied.
"Boruto, who is that guy?" Kagura whispered to modern Boruto.
"That's the future me. Pretty cool, huh?"
Modern Boruto responded proudly.
"...He really does look a lot like you," Kuju Kagura said, nodding as he looked at future Boruto.
The massive Shizōma climbed back to his feet and, seemingly having lost all reason, began attacking indiscriminately. Future Boruto immediately entered Tailed Beast Mode to block the assault.
The two titans clashed fiercely in the Land of Water.
"That's the new power granted to us by Lord Black Emperor, the leader of the Chimerabeasts. While gigantification gives immense power, it also strips us of our reason," Evilmoku said from a rooftop, watching the battle unfold.
All across the Land of Water, crimson flowers bloomed from the kagune. Their pollen drifted through the air, and as the surviving citizens inhaled it, they dropped to their knees one after another, one eye turning into a kakugan.
Simultaneously, humanoid monsters with red skin and only a mouth grew out of the kagune, chasing down the remaining survivors.
Modern Boruto and Kagura looked around, preparing for battle.
Thanks to the Nine Tails' chakra cloak and armor, the two of them had not inhaled the pollen.
"This country… might as well be abandoned," Evilmoku said to the three comrades standing beside him.
"Let's go!"
After sending Shizōma flying once more, the Nine Tails swept its tail in a wide arc, knocking away the humanoid monsters surrounding modern Boruto and Kagura. Then it wrapped its tail around the two and leapt toward the border of the Land of Water.
"But I haven't found Mitsuki yet!" modern Boruto shouted as the Nine Tails' tail carried him away.
"That thing is Mitsuki," future Boruto said, glancing back with a brief explanation.
"Aren't we going after them, senpai?" Evil Flame asked Evilmoku.
"No. Our more important task now is to prepare to seize the upcoming infinite energy. As for our alliance with S.H.I.E.L.D.—it's about time we ended that too."
Land of Fire — Konohagakure.
"You're saying that thing is Mitsuki? That's impossible!"
"That creature is called 'Dragon.' It appeared in the future," future Boruto explained.
"Do you know how we can save Mitsuki?"
Future Boruto shook his head. "Up until the bioweapon outbreak, I never managed to save Mitsuki. But apparently, if you can extract him from inside the Dragon, the Dragon will vanish on its own."
Modern Boruto clenched his fists. "If there's a way, then we have to go save him now!"
"We can't. Dragons have now spread throughout the entire Land of Water. We have no idea where Mitsuki is buried inside which one. It's not possible to save him."
Future Boruto looked at his present self.
"If that's the case... if that's really the case, then what's the point of me getting stronger all this time!" modern Boruto shouted, raising his head to face his future self. "Mitsuki is your friend too! How can you just stand there and do nothing when he's become like this!"
"...Because I've gotten used to losing friends. Besides Mitsuki, there are still many others who need me to save them," future Boruto replied, his expression unreadable.
——
Hokage's Office.
Staring at the future Boruto before him, Naruto crossed his arms and frowned. Then he looked to Shikamaru and said, "The Peace Star may have eliminated the zombies in the Land of Water, but as for Mitsuki... What do you think, Shikamaru?"
"Seal off the Land of Water completely. No one goes in or out. As for Mitsuki... there's nothing else we can do. We'll probably have to give up on him," Shikamaru replied.
"No. The Hidden Leaf will never give up on a single villager..."
"Also, the Ghoul Investigator Squad has already departed for the Land of Water," future Boruto added.
The Ghoul Investigator Squad consisted of Zabuza, Haku, and Might Guy.
In the desolate Land of Water:
"Gray Wolf, you'll remain here to conduct experiments," S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury said to Orochimaru.
"Yes, Director."
He wanted to monopolize the infinite energy. Though Orochimaru was also deeply interested in it, given Nick Fury's strength, he could only agree for now.
Sensing a threat, Mitsuki, now as the Dragon, manipulated kagune to burst from the ground and stab at Nick Fury.
Hands in his pockets, Fury raised one hand. As it touched the kagune, it began to dissolve and scatter.
"So that's the Dragon—ghouls' ultimate evolution."
No matter the attack, Nick Fury neutralized it with ease. Orochimaru, though inwardly shocked, kept his face expressionless.
"Too weak. Absolutely worthless," Nick Fury said, returning his hand to his pocket. "And in the future, the world under S.H.I.E.L.D. control won't need such things. Orochimaru, your research focus must shift to artificial intelligence."
"Understood."
Orochimaru responded respectfully.
"Director Nick Fury, we're also very interested in the infinite energy. Mind if we tag along?" Evilmoku, Evil Flame, Evil Gold, and Evil Earth landed around Nick Fury and Orochimaru, surrounding them.
"Chimerabeasts... So you couldn't resist showing yourselves. Tell me, was this your idea or the Shadow Emperor's?"
Even surrounded by four enemies, Nick Fury remained utterly calm.
As he finished speaking, Fury turned into light and in a flash kicked Evil Gold away.
"Evil Gold!"
Evil Earth shouted, looking toward the kicked-away Evil Gold.
"No need to panic. You're next."