Chapter 326: Super Saiyan Mode
A golden Susanoo descended from the sky, shielding Boruto and swatting away several Susanoo constructs created by the surrounding Wood Clones.
"You are...?"
Boruto looked at the figure now standing protectively in front of him and asked.
"Uchiha Shunhi."
The Dark Shunhi turned his head to look at Boruto as he spoke.
"Shunhi... Uncle?!" Boruto's expression was one of shock. Was this really the same uncle who never left the house, who only cared about making ramen? "Uncle Shunhi, your power—how...?"
"We'll talk about all that after we get out of here."
The golden Susanoo spread its wings behind him and flapped twice.
"Trying to run?" Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 said as he brought his hands together. "Wood Release!"
Thick trees burst from the ground, wrapping around the feet of the golden Susanoo just as it lifted off. The other Wood Clones charged at the entangled Dark Shunhi.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
A massive fireball erupted from Dark Shunhi's mouth. The moment it hit the ground, it scattered in all directions. The wooden vines binding the golden Susanoo were instantly set ablaze.
Enveloped by the golden Susanoo, Dark Shunhi and Boruto soared into the sky.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release: Kirin!"
Influenced by natural energy, the sky darkened in an instant, and a light drizzle began to fall. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance.
Lightning gradually formed the shape of a Kirin above the clouds. As the beast took shape, the light drizzle turned into a full-blown thunderstorm.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Wall!"
Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 and his multiple Wood Clones simultaneously unleashed Deep Forest Wall, attempting to block Dark Shunhi's incoming attack.
But the Kirin eventually came crashing down, obliterating each section of the wooden barrier one after another.
The sound and light of the explosions faded away, leaving only a scorched, empty patch of ground.
"So strong..."
Boruto muttered in awe at the scene before him.
"Let's go."
Land of Rain.
Amegakure.
Located at the intersection of the Land of Fire, Wind, and Earth, the Land of Rain had fallen behind in development after the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. As a result, its foreign trade suffered. With the peace era in full swing, large numbers of people had migrated to other countries, leaving the Land of Rain a shadow of its former self—now considered more of a burden than a resource.
But for Dark Shunhi, this place was perfect to use as a temporary base.
"Uncle Shunhi, you..."
Boruto, following behind Dark Shunhi, had many questions he wanted to ask.
"Don't rush, Boruto. I'll answer everything in time," Dark Shunhi said from ahead. "By the way, what do you think of this place?"
"What do I think?" Boruto was puzzled by the question, but still glanced around. "It's really backward... Whoever's running this country must be pretty incompetent."
"...You're not wrong. But the leader of the Land of Rain died before the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Since then, the country's been without leadership." Dark Shunhi continued walking. "The last leader's name was Uzumaki Nagato."
Because he'd placed blind faith in Naruto's talk-no-jutsu, Nagato had chosen to sacrifice himself and used Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive everyone in the Leaf Village. But out of fear that the Land of Rain might produce another Akatsuki, the Leaf had since banned the formation of any new leadership there.
After becoming Hokage, Naruto conveniently forgot the promise he had once made.
Boruto silently followed behind Dark Shunhi. Looking around again, he suddenly found that the scenery gave him a very different feeling than it had earlier.
"It's about time I told you my true identity, Boruto." Bringing him to a tall tower in Amegakure, Dark Shunhi said, "As you can see, I am Uchiha Shunhi—from the future."
"You're from the future too?"
"To be precise, I'm from a future that's already been changed. Have you heard of the Ninja Act?"
"Nope."
Boruto shook his head.
"Not surprising. It's only come up in the past few days."
As he spoke, Dark Shunhi turned on a TV and played a prerecorded news segment.
"Dad?"
Boruto stepped forward, staring at Naruto being interviewed on the screen. The topic was none other than the newly signed Ninja Act.
"The Ninja Act—sacrificing shinobi to provide benefits for civilians. In the future, S.H.I.E.L.D. stole the Leaf Village's entire shinobi database and destroyed the village in one strike."
"What?!"
"All the intel on the Leaf's shinobi will be transported tomorrow morning to the Fire Country's capital, escorted by Kakashi and Mirai Sarutobi. That's our only chance."
Dark Shunhi led Boruto to a map pinned on the wall as he spoke.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Boruto said urgently.
"Hold on. Make sure you hide your identity—otherwise, you'll cause trouble for Naruto."
Reminded by Dark Shunhi, Boruto came to his senses and nodded. "You're right."
"Also, you can't use your usual jutsu."
"Huh? But if I can't, there's no way I can win against Uncle Kakashi and Sister Mirai!"
"Don't worry. I'll give you another power."
"In such a short time? Can we make it?"
"Relax. What, did you think I became this powerful just from making ramen?"
With Dark Shunhi standing there as living proof, Boruto started to feel a bit more confident.
Golden light flickered from Dark Shunhi's fingertip as he pointed to Boruto's forehead.
"Super Saiyan Mode?"
"A new form of enhanced taijutsu."
"I know this! It's a move the future me uses. So this is when I first learned it!"
Boruto exclaimed in realization as he entered Super Saiyan Mode. His hair stood on end, spiked up by the surge of chakra.
"Super Saiyan Mode is all about using chakra to stimulate your body and gain immense strength. But until you fully adapt to it, don't use it for too long."
Dark Shunhi warned.
"Got it."
Boruto nodded, excitedly reveling in his newfound power.
Meanwhile, in the Leaf Village—
Discontented with the Ninja Act, a number of Konoha shinobi were secretly plotting to stop the intel transfer to the Fire Country's capital.
"Don't forget to cover your identities—we can't trouble the Hokage," said one of the shinobi under Dark Shunhi's control. His words were met with unanimous agreement from the others.