Chapter 392:
"So damn exhausting."
After the birthday party ended, Future Boruto lay sprawled on his bed, staring at the ceiling with a weary groan. Gradually, his emotions began to settle.
Though he was truly happy to see the people he once knew again, Future Boruto was fully aware that it was all just an illusion. The real reason he came back—traveling through time to change the future and save everyone—was the actual reality.
"As much as I hate to leave…"
Reality.
Mitsuki stood, panting heavily, facing four enemies before him. He glanced back at the collapsed Future Boruto behind him.
"No other choice… I'll have to use that move. Technique Thirteen…"
It was the most powerful and final sword technique Mitsuki had mastered. Not only would it inflict tremendous damage on the enemy, it would also severely injure his own body.
"Wait, Mitsuki. I'm awake."
Future Boruto's right hand landed on Mitsuki's shoulder from behind.
"Boruto…" Mitsuki turned his head to look at him. "What happened to your face?"
Future Boruto's face was a bit swollen and red.
There was really no helping it. To wake him up, Himawari had desperately slapped him in the face.
"…I'm fine. Let's deal with the enemies first."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Future Boruto entered Sage Mode.
"Sleep God! One more time!"
Water God looked toward the Sleep God.
"Mm." Sleep God nodded and once again opened his eyes toward Future Boruto. "Huh?"
But in front of Sleep God—there was no trace of Boruto.
Though Sleep God's powers were troublesome, he himself was quite weak. As long as you were prepared, he was easy to counter.
"Rasengan!"
"Above us!"
Thunder God looked up. His hands surged with lightning as he raised them above his head to form a protective barrier of lightning for the group.
"Sage Art: Ultra Big Ball Rasengan!"
The Rasengan swelled instantly in size, slamming down on the clustered four enemies all at once.
…
"Where is this…" Fire God was the first to wake up, glancing around the dim surroundings. Then, he called out the names of the comrades beside him. "Hey! Thunder God, Sleep God, Water God—wake up!"
"Mm? Fire God… what is this place…"
One after another, the others also began to regain consciousness.
"This is a warehouse. Looks like you're all awake."
The door to the warehouse opened, sunlight streaming in. The four flinched and instinctively pulled back their feet.
"You're the ones from last night!"
Fire God shouted as he recognized Future Boruto and Mitsuki walking in.
"No—aren't you a demon too? Then why can you move about in sunlight?!"
Thunder God's eyes locked onto Mitsuki with suspicion.
"I'm a bit different from you guys," Mitsuki said, rubbing the back of his head.
The current demons were all the result of experiments using RC cells from Mitsuki's body, carried out by Orochimaru. In a sense, Mitsuki was like their progenitor.
"Tell me everything you know. If not, I'll throw you one by one into the sunlight."
To demons, the sun was their greatest nemesis. Only a rare few powerful ones could withstand even the fading rays of sunset.
"In truth, we're part of the revolutionary army resisting this nation," Fire God said, looking at Boruto.
"Hey! Fire God, what're you doing?! You're not the kind of guy who just gives enemy intel away!"
Water God glared at him.
"No, I just think they might become our allies. I trust my instincts," Fire God said, eyes burning with conviction as he looked at Future Boruto. "This country needs change."
"A demon talking about changing a nation? You think I'll believe that?"
Future Boruto stared him down.
"No, actually… the four of us used to be human. We were turned into demons against our will," Fire God replied quickly. "There are people in this country using innocent humans for demon experiments."
"You said… demon experiments?"
Future Boruto's expression sharpened. His eyes bore into Fire God.
"Yeah…"
Fire God nodded lightly.
Future Boruto knew very well—only one person in this world had the ability to carry out such experiments: Orochimaru.
"Do you still remember where the experiment site was? Take me there."
Boruto looked straight at him.
"Yeah."
Fire God nodded firmly.
Night quietly descended.
"Hey, Fire God, do you really trust those two?" Water God whispered next to him.
"We've got no other choice right now."
Fire God whispered back.
Outskirts of the Iron Country's capital.
"No doubt about it—this was Orochimaru's underground lab," Future Boruto said, scanning the familiar architectural style. "Though by the looks of it, it's already been abandoned."
"Are you two willing to join us and help change this country?" Fire God looked at Future Boruto. After some brief time together, he had clearly realized Boruto was the true leader among the three.
"Change this country? If I remember correctly, isn't the current ruler Iron Camellia?"
Future Boruto remembered every name from the village with crystal clarity.
"That's right. She's definitely the one who drove the country to this point."
As Fire God spoke with a fierce, twisted expression, Future Boruto remained silent.
"..."
Iron Country's capital.
Inside a luxurious mansion.
"Yes, I understand, Lord Gray Wolf. I just didn't expect the people of the Hidden Leaf Village to be entangled with an assassin organization. It seems I'll have to adjust my plans."
Mizunotsuki spoke respectfully to Gray Wolf via video call.
Iron Camellia had strong ties with the Hidden Leaf. As long as she remained in power, the Iron Country's bond with the Leaf would only deepen. That meant the Leaf would never allow her to be removed easily.
At this point, the only option was to assassinate Iron Camellia.
It wasn't the best timing—but it was the only way forward.
"No need to look so grim," Gray Wolf chuckled from the other side of the screen. "Since the Leaf has already sent people, S.H.I.E.L.D. will lend you some support too."
"Understood. Thank you, Lord Gray Wolf."
Still, Mizunotsuki's expression remained grave.
The fate of the Land of Water's rebirth would hinge on this one act.
…
Future Boruto looked at Fire God. Faced with Fire God's eyes full of desperation, he slowly shook his head.
As a former Daimyō of the Land of Water, Mizunotsuki had no shortage of political experience. His guess was correct—no matter what, the Hidden Leaf would never permit Iron Camellia's downfall.