Chapter 415: The Ruined Iwagakure, Boruto vs. Skynet
"So we're heading to the Land of Earth? Got it." Future Boruto nodded and continued, "Can you take Tetsubaki and Himawari with you?"
Rin glanced at the still-childlike Himawari and the petite Tetsubaki, then nodded. "If it's just the two of them, that won't be a problem."
Her exoskeletal armor could handle the combined weight of the three of them.
"Good. Then take them to Iwagakure first."
"What about you?"
Rin looked at Future Boruto and asked.
"If we don't destroy the construction facility in the Land of Water, then they'll keep pumping out Scientific Ninja Tool puppets nonstop. We won't be able to eliminate them faster than they're being produced. So, I'm heading to the Land of Water."
"Wouldn't it be better to regroup with everyone first and come up with a plan? Just going on your own—"
"I can handle it alone."
Future Boruto replied firmly.
"...Alright."
Left with no choice, Rin could only agree as she stared at the determined Future Boruto before her.
——
"The entire Shinobi World is already under my control—except for one place. So, the last place they might head... is here."
Land of Earth.
Iwagakure, surrounded by natural barriers, was renowned for its strong defenses. The many rocky mountains formed a natural fortress. However, its advantage of being easy to defend and hard to attack proved meaningless against Scientific Ninja Tool puppets that dominated the skies.
Though Iwagakure was the final village left in the Shinobi World, war came all the same. It spared no one—not even Iwagakure.
"There it is—up ahead! Iwagakure!"
"Look! In the sky!"
Hearing Sarada's voice, everyone instinctively looked up to see rows of Scientific Ninja Tool puppets flying overhead toward the front lines.
"That's Iwagakure."
Boruto's expression grew serious. "Sarada, we need to pick up the pace. We have to support them."
"Right."
Sarada nodded.
During an earlier skirmish with the Scientific Ninja Tool puppets, her Rinnegan's ocular power had yet to recover, leaving her unable to open a space-time portal.
It was already over.
Even though Boruto and Sarada rushed toward Iwagakure at top speed, by the time they arrived, the battle had already ended.
The war had ended far too quickly—and so had Iwagakure.
Ever since the death of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, Iwagakure had declined into the weakest of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Even the previously devastated Kirigakure was arguably stronger—at least it still had its Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, alive.
The sky above Iwagakure was completely blanketed by swarms of Scientific Ninja Tool puppets, like locusts. Iwagakure had no powerful ninja left to counter them. Even the Fourth Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi, lay gravely wounded.
"Boruto! Look—it's the Tsuchikage!"
Hiding in a corner with Boruto, Sarada pointed toward Kurotsuchi, who was lying unconscious on the ground. Dozens of Scientific Ninja Tool puppets hovered menacingly around her.
"Yeah."
Boruto nodded, eyes fixed on Kurotsuchi. "Sarada, stay here…"
The puppets descended, ready to hoist the unconscious Kurotsuchi onto their shoulders. Just then, several golden figures charged at them.
"Rasengan!"
The Rasengan smashed into the puppets, obliterating dozens at once.
"Sarada!"
"On it!"
With a teleportation jutsu, Sarada appeared beside Kurotsuchi. Together with Boruto, they hauled her up.
"We need to go—fast. More puppets will be coming soon."
"Got it… Boruto—watch out!"
Just as Sarada warned him, an immense wave of Nine Tails chakra erupted from Boruto's body.
It enveloped the three of them, shielding them from the energy blasts fired from behind.
"Sarada, take the Tsuchikage and go. I'll buy you some time."
"But—"
"Don't worry, Sarada. I'll be fine. After all, I am the Hokage."
Boruto pointed to the white cloak billowing behind him, proudly bearing the kanji for "Eighth."
"…Alright. But Boruto, be careful."
"Yeah."
Boruto gave his word.
As Sarada stumbled away carrying Kurotsuchi, a portion of the puppets immediately broke off to pursue them.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of Boruto clones leapt into the air, intercepting the pursuing puppets.
"Your opponent is me!"
Boruto shouted at the puppets in the sky, while murmuring to himself, "This should be fine… right, Kurama?"
"No problem! Let's go, brat!"
Kurama replied from within Boruto.
"Alright! Full-power Nine Tails Chakra Mode—let's go!"
Boruto launched into the air, landing right in front of one of the puppets. With a reverse roundhouse kick, he shattered it on impact.
The remaining puppets stopped attacking and instead encircled him.
After several exchanges, Boruto muttered, "These things… they're stalling for time. Waiting for reinforcements…"
The ground was already littered with puppet wreckage, but more and more kept arriving.
"They're waiting for me, Eighth Hokage."
A voice rang out, and a figure—clearly distinct from the others—descended from the sky before Boruto.
"Skynet!"
Boruto instantly recognized it.
"Didn't expect the Hokage to still remember me. I'm honored."
Though Skynet's words sounded respectful, to Boruto, they dripped with sarcasm.
After all, the very village a Hokage was sworn to protect—Konohagakure—had been destroyed by this being.
"Hmph!"
Boruto snorted coldly and said to the Nine Tails inside him, "Leave maintaining the Nine Tails Chakra Mode to you, Kurama."
"Got it."
Kurama nodded, his eyes gleaming with hostility as he stared down Skynet.
"No need to be so tense, Lord Hokage. I'm here to invite you to join us."
Due to the prohibition on attacking S.H.I.E.L.D. members, Skynet needed to recruit allies instead.
"Sorry—hard pass! Super Nine Tails Chakra Mode!"
Combining Super Saiyan Mode with Nine Tails Chakra Mode, Boruto's hair stood on end, and golden lightning crackled around him.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Skynet, empowered by the Nine Tails' chakra, and launched an unstoppable ninjutsu assault.
"Rasengan!"
The golden Rasengan slammed into Skynet's chest, spinning violently—but all it left behind was a visible indentation.
"…What a shame."
Skynet looked at Boruto and shook his head with exaggerated disappointment.
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