Chapter 416: The Venom Trio Heads to Iwagakure
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
As he widened the distance between them, Boruto quickly formed hand seals and created a shadow clone. But almost immediately, the surrounding Scientific Ninja Tool puppets swarmed in and destroyed it in an instant.
"I won't give you the chance to enter Super Sage Fox Mode."
Skynet closed in swiftly, speaking coldly as it drove its iron fist into Boruto's stomach.
The powerful blow sent Boruto crashing through several unstable, crumbling high-rises. Even with the protection of the Nine Tails' chakra and the physical enhancement from Super Saiyan Mode, Boruto could still clearly feel a dull, lingering pain in his abdomen.
Skynet extended its palm toward the airborne Boruto and fired a beam of energy.
"...No signs of life detected from Uzumaki Boruto?"
Floating midair, Skynet let out a surprisingly human-like tone of confusion. Detecting vital signs was one of its built-in capabilities.
Analyzing the on-site data, Skynet detected residual chakra traces belonging to S.H.I.E.L.D. member SpongeBob.
"Flying Thunder God Technique, huh..."
Skynet quickly came to a conclusion.
Iwagakure.
Underground.
Using the Iwagakure ninja's Earth Release techniques combined with Scientific Ninja Tools, the underground had been transformed into a perfect refuge.
"Boruto! Thank goodness you're okay!"
Seeing SpongeBob suddenly appear with Boruto in tow, Sarada rushed forward with concern.
"Everyone..."
Boruto looked at the people before him.
S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra, and the Hidden Leaf Village—people who under normal circumstances would never work together—were now forced to stand as comrades in battle.
"Boruto, let me check your condition."
Tsunade stepped forward and spoke.
"Grandma Tsunade? I'm fine…"
Boruto looked at Tsunade, whose hands were glowing green as she approached.
"I'm not just checking for injuries. I need to see if Skynet planted a tracking device on you."
Tsunade explained while glancing at Shunhi, who stood behind them wearing a husky mask. The look was a reminder that this intel came from S.H.I.E.L.D.
"When did you guys get here?"
While Tsunade conducted a full-body scan, Boruto asked.
"Not long ago. We ran into Sarada, who was helping the Tsuchikage. When we heard you were fighting Skynet, we immediately sent SpongeBob to support you."
Shunhi answered.
"The scan's complete. Nothing abnormal. There's no tracking device on you—but I can't rule out whether Skynet used one that masks chakra signals..."
Tsunade concluded her inspection.
"Don't worry. Skynet doesn't have the capability to update its tech. In other words, it can only use existing technologies found in the ninja world. Neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor Hydra has developed Scientific Ninja Tools that can block chakra detection—because there's simply no need."
Shunhi explained.
After all, there are already many ways to conceal chakra that don't rely on Scientific Ninja Tools. However, Skynet would be limited to those tools to achieve that function.
"Tsunade-sama! Tsunade-sama! Please come look at my junior!"
Aka, kneeling beside the gravely injured Kurotsuchi, called out anxiously.
"...I'm fine, Aka…"
Kurotsuchi opened her hazy eyes and turned her head toward Aka's worried face, managing a weak smile.
"Let me take a look."
Tsunade moved to Kurotsuchi's side and began examining her.
"...Sixth, what's the current situation? Have you been able to contact anyone else?"
Boruto looked toward Kakashi, who stood to the side, and asked.
"So far, it's just us. As for the others, we haven't been able to reach anyone yet."
Kakashi leaned against the wall as he spoke.
He was beginning to suspect that they might be the only ones who made it out. As for the rest—either captured or dead...
---
After several days of travel, Shikamaru, Obito, and Konohamaru finally arrived at what used to be Iwagakure—now reduced to a pile of rubble.
"I wonder if Captain Yamato and the villagers are okay…"
Konohamaru muttered under his breath from a hiding spot.
While escorting the Konoha villagers to Iwagakure, the group had been ambushed by Scientific Ninja Tool puppets. Shikamaru, Obito, and Konohamaru split off to draw the enemy away, while Yamato led the villagers to escape. They agreed to regroup in Iwagakure.
"They'll be fine."
Obito replied distractedly.
"Stay hidden. More puppets incoming."
Hearing Shikamaru's warning, Obito and Konohamaru held their breath and concealed themselves within the ruins.
A patrol unit of three Scientific Ninja Tool puppets flew overhead.
"Whew, they're gone."
Shikamaru cautiously poked his head out.
"Hand over everything you've got!"
Three voices suddenly rang out from behind Shikamaru, Obito, and Konohamaru.
"You've got something valuable, don't you?!"
The trio exchanged glances, then slowly turned around.
"Where did you get those Scientific Ninja Tools?"
Shikamaru asked, eyeing the gear in the men's hands.
"Shut up and hand it over if you don't want to die!"
Clearly unwilling to answer, the men had scavenged their gear from the remains of destroyed puppets.
"Fine. I only have one thing to give you…"
As Shikamaru spoke, he glanced at Obito and Konohamaru.
"What is it?! No tricks!"
One of the men barked.
"It's…"
A black liquid engulfed Shikamaru as he spoke in a low, ominous voice.
"Venom."
At the same time, Obito and Konohamaru underwent the same transformation.
"N-no… please…"
The three men collapsed to the ground in terror, clutching their trembling Scientific Ninja Tools, aiming them at the monstrous Venom trio.
One of them panicked and pulled the trigger.
Their fate was sealed—the three men were devoured by the three Venoms.
"We need to move. The gunfire will draw more puppets."
Still in Venom form, Shikamaru licked the blood from the corner of his mouth with a long tongue, then turned to Obito and Konohamaru.
"Yeah."
Both nodded. Along the way, they had encountered many who were willing to harm others just to survive. All of them ended up as Venom's prey.
"Iwagakure has been destroyed. Yet the Scientific Ninja Tool puppets remain, patrolling at a high frequency. They're definitely looking for something… or someone."
Shikamaru looked up at the sky and said with certainty.
---
[I'm begging for support, everyone. Please help! Support me at patreøn.com/craxx_real.]