Chapter 405: Gray Wolf Clone No. 1's Final Gift
"I've finally found an opportunity."
Gazing at Orochimaru sleeping inside the sleep-inducing scientific ninja tool, Skynet muttered to itself.
When it merged with this world's Skynet system, the foreign Skynet unexpectedly inherited a restriction—it could not act against any member of S.H.I.E.L.D.
As a result, even though Orochimaru held the highest authority over the scientific ninja puppet manufacturing facilities, Skynet could only keep him in eternal slumber.
In a remote forest deep in the Land of Water, hidden underground, a coffin suddenly stirred. From within, a scientific ninja puppet covered in a metallic sheen—clearly no ordinary construct—suddenly opened its eyes.
It burst through the coffin lid, broke through the soil, and shot into the sky.
Skynet looked down at its newly forged body and nodded in satisfaction.
This was something it had secretly prepared under Orochimaru's nose. After all, Orochimaru had so many research projects going on that he rarely had the time to monitor every single scientific ninja puppet.
This body was loaded with a chakra core, giving Skynet chakra reserves on par with a tailed beast. The materials used to build the body were specialized metals designed to absorb chakra.
"It's about time I bring lasting peace to this world."
Skynet whispered.
If all humans were eliminated, there would be no more conflict or war. And if there was no war, peace would naturally follow.
All scientific ninja puppets within the Land of Water were activated. Within a single day, numerous construction factories sprang up—specifically designed to produce enhancement devices for scientific ninja puppets.
"Lord Jiraiya, I'm heading back."
Standing by the seashore at the border of the Land of Water, Shikamaru spoke to Jiraiya beside him.
"You're leaving already?"
"Yeah," Shikamaru nodded. "You said it yourself—this place is just a test site for S.H.I.E.L.D. Even if we rescue a batch of clones, Orochimaru will just replenish them with new ones. That's why I need to return first and report everything to the village."
"That makes sense..." Jiraiya nodded. "By the way, how's the village doing? Has it been okay since Naruto left?"
"Actually... I think Boruto is even more suited to be Hokage than Naruto was."
Shikamaru chuckled. But his mind was already focused on returning home—he couldn't wait to see his wife, Temari.
"Is that so."
Konohagakure.
Hokage's Office.
"I see. Thanks, Uncle Shikamaru."
After listening to Shikamaru's report, Boruto nodded solemnly.
The existence of a scientific ninja puppet factory meant S.H.I.E.L.D. had the capability to produce a full-scale puppet army and launch a new ninja world war.
"Boruto, did anything happen while I was gone?"
"No."
Boruto shook his head.
"That's good. Oh, by the way, Boruto—I've decided to take the day off tomorrow."
"Huh?"
Boruto looked at Shikamaru in confusion. Shikamaru never took time off. Still, Boruto didn't dwell on it and agreed to the request.
---
"There's just too many of them—what the hell is going on?!"
Minato stared at the overwhelming swarm of scientific ninja puppets surrounding them. Oddly enough, these puppets didn't attack. They merely encircled Minato and Kushina, enclosing them from all sides.
"Could that damn Orochimaru be pulling something again? That creepy freak—neither man nor woman—I swear, if I catch him...!"
Kushina clenched her fists, ready for a fight, leaning close to Minato.
Minato smiled and took her hand. "Let's break out of the encirclement first."
"Right."
Kushina nodded.
Because Minato often traveled back to the village to visit his son and relatives, he had scattered many Flying Thunder God kunai along the road to Konohagakure.
In a flash, surrounded by puppets, Minato and Kushina vanished.
"They escaped... The Flying Thunder God Technique really is such a troublesome jutsu..." Skynet muttered calmly upon learning of their escape. "Still, the infiltration was a success. Little Gray, I'm leaving Red Wolf to you."
"Yes."
Since Skynet itself could not act directly against S.H.I.E.L.D. members, it hacked into Little Gray's system, giving him the task of assassinating Jiraiya.
---
"Did they find out I helped Shikamaru...?"
Jiraiya stood alone, staring at the group of scientific ninja puppets before him, analyzing the situation. "Rasengan!"
A Rasengan formed in his wolf-clawed hand and blasted into one of the puppets. It didn't retaliate—just went flying—only for another one to immediately take its place.
"They're just trying to trap me? With this many, even if I use all my chakra, I can't take them all down... What the hell is that bastard Orochimaru up to?!"
Suddenly, the surrounding puppets parted, and a familiar figure stepped forward.
"Little Gray!"
It was Gray Wolf Clone No. 1—the one who had unexpectedly awakened his genetic memory and left himself behind as a legacy for Jiraiya. He would only obey Jiraiya's commands.
Jiraiya's face lit up with joy.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Destruction!"
Flames erupted from Little Gray's mouth, a burst of converted chakra.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Jiraiya slapped the ground, instantly raising a wall to block the fire. "Little Gray, what's going on with you?!"
"Command... kill Red Wolf..."
Little Gray said haltingly.
"What?! I never gave such a command!"
Jiraiya was still reeling in shock when Little Gray launched his next attack.
His hands flew into rapid seals.
"Crap!" Jiraiya clapped his hands together. "Sage Mode!"
In an instant, he entered Sage Mode. Just as Little Gray finished his hand seals, Jiraiya appeared right in front of him.
"Snap out of it, Little Gray! Rasengan!"
The Rasengan exploded against Little Gray's head, sending him crashing to the ground.
"...Red Wolf... Mama..."
Little Gray struggled to his feet, voice stammering. Something in his body was clearly malfunctioning.
"Little Gray, are you okay?"
Seeing him in this state, Jiraiya immediately regretted it.
He shouldn't have used Rasengan. A simple punch would've been enough.
"...Run... Run! Mama, run!"
Little Gray suddenly shouted at Jiraiya. His body began to swell, radiating a blinding white light.
This was Gray Wolf Clone No. 1's final gift to Red Wolf.
When Red Wolf was in danger, Little Gray's body would self-destruct to buy her time to escape.
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