A/N: Okay I've managed to find some time to write again! :)
Boruto stared idly at the ceiling. While it was certainly true that Sasuke dismissed him, he still had a day to spend around the office.
Takashi and Ayame were engaged in a heated discussion, so Boruto decided not to approach them. Errands weren't coming so Boruto had nothing to do.
He felt a suppressed feeling of excitement – he did not dare appear too cheery amongst the stale office atmosphere – and thought about the surprise in Sarada and Mitsuki's eyes when they realised he had succeed and they were going home.
It was scarcely past lunch and, thus, Boruto had an entire afternoon's time on his hands.
He could certainly afford to wait.
Sarada panted as she, Shikadai and Mitsuki grinded to a halt.
They had been running for more than an hour.
While it was true that they had made significant advances to Konoha, they were still not there yet, being situated amongst the stretches of dense foliage surrounding the village. A cool cloud of moisture wrapped itself about the vicinity, dissipating some of the heat that latched onto Sarada's skin after the sprint.
They decided to sit down, take a break and have some water.
"Phew that was close!" Sarada remarked.
"Indeed – we could have gotten caught," Mitsuki said while shuddering.
"Let's rest for ten minutes and no more," Shikadai told both of them. "We don't have much time to spare."
Sakura was accompanied by Kakashi. Both underwent a transformation jutsu to alter their appearances and mask their chakra.
She was now a plain woman with dark brown hair adored with an earthy brown garment (the kind that was ubiquitous amongst provincial townspeople) and he was a man with dark black hair.
They pretended to be husband and wife as they strolled out of Sayuri's bookstore, travelled down the road, bypassed towns and trailed Sarada, Shikadai and Mitsuki. The trio's chakras indicated they've already made substantial progress within the forest near Konoha.
"How far should we keep our distance?" Sakura inquired Kakashi, her former sensei.
"Just a little closer," he suggested.
It was in the outskirts of Konoha when Sarada felt something was wrong.
"I have a bad feeling about this," she whispered to her companions.
It was more premonition than any substantiated sense, but Sarada felt encircled.
"I don't see anyone dangerous nearby," Mitsuki answered.
Indeed, their surroundings betrayed no sign of harm. The trio were in the midst of a relatively affluent neighbourhood, locating their way through streets filled with small shops and businesses. Young teenagers were sprawled around the fountain in the main square, gossiping and giggling. Families strolled through the place nonchalantly as if nothing was wrong with the world. Nearby, Sarada could hear the sound of a little girl's laughter as her parents brought her candy.
As if nothing was wrong with the world. The thought hit Sarada.
All these people around her had everything they needed; they lived in an enclosed enclave of happiness, sealed off from the rest of the world. To them, there was nothing wrong with this regime. To them, the rebels from Hi no Ishi were truly dangerous, radical terrorists threatening to upend order and stability.
Such a strange world, they were in.
"Let's hope you're right," Sarada told Mitsuki. "We're nearly there anyways; we've got a little more than an hour."
Her two companions nodded.
"Have you ever been here?" Sarada asked Shikadai.
Shikadai replied: "Occasionally."
"Sarada, I was just thinking, we need to- Shit-"
Mitsuki stopped as a group of police officers drew near them. They halted another group of teenagers and demanded to be shown identification papers.
"It's okay, we've got this," Shikadai whispered as he handed Sarada and Mitsuki a bunch of documents. "It's customary for those who want to enter Konoha this way to be inspected. Unless you're a commonly certified visitor or a permanent resident – then you just show the police your other cards. There's also the option of bribery."
"Right," Sarada said as she absorbed all of that in.
"Papers young lady!" One of the policemen shouted gruffly at her.
She handed hers over.
"Okay… Sarada… you may go," he remarked. "Next – you!"
Mitsuki showed him his documents as Shikadai prepared his.
"I think we'll take the young man there," a smooth voice approached them, gesturing towards Shikadai. "He's on the suspect list."
ANBU. Sarada's heart thudded.
"Impossible – we're just visiting our friends in Konoha!" She remarked without thinking.
The ANBU was, judging by her voice, female. She war a cat's mask so it was impossible for Sarada to identify her. She turned her face towards Sarada.
"And who are you to speak?" A stern voice came from behind the mask.
"I'm his friend," she replied indignantly. It was too late to appear conciliatory – that would only arouse suspicions.
"We'll take all of them," a man ordered as he descended upon the trio with half a dozen of ANBU.
"No!" Sarada protested.
"You got a problem with the security and stability of our land?" The man questioned her.
"No – this is absurd. You are accusing my friend of outlandish cone-"
"Shut up girl. Know your place," the man interrupted.
"I do," Sarada fired back. "And I have done nothing wrong."
"Sarada…" Mitsuki whispered lowly. "Maybe its not such a good idea to go against them."
"Shadow strangling jutsu!" Shikadai yelled as he immobilized two ANBU and constricted them with shadows. "Sarada – there's no point. We've got to get rid of them here and now."
She nodded and yelled "Shannaro!" whilst pulverizing the floor. It set off a powerful blast that sent some flying off their backs.
Mitsuki extended his arms and wrapped them around the cat-masked ANBU's neck until all the air escaped her insides. She fell down with a thud. The feline portrait dispelled into grinded dust as the mask shattered.
Sarada activated her Sharingan and dodged a kunai flying her way, throwing another shuriken to deflect an explosive kunai. It landed near a flower shop and sent off a devastating explosion.
An ANBU saw her dojutsu and recoiled.
"Impossible…" a terrified voice whispered behind the raccoon mask. "Only one person-"
He collapsed into a genjutsu before he could finish his sentence.
The other two were still around her, finishing off their remaining assailants.
Soon, they were done.
Sarada heaved a sigh of relief. The three are competent fighters even amongst the most elite teenage shinobis. Extra training in the past few days certainly helped.
Suddenly, a whirlwind cloaked in luminous green chakra immobilized Shikadai. He crumbled to the floor before any of the other two could react.
The figure of a woman with long, thick dark black hair and eyes like pale pearls manifested in front of Sarada and Mitsuki, and asked the two while narrowing her eyes, "Any reason why you three are wrecking havoc at this hour of the day?"
It was Hanabi Hyuuga – one the Hokage's lackeys, as Sakura previously mentioned with scorn. In the last of expected places.
"Leave him alone!" Sarada demanded as she recovered.
Mitsuki was paralysed by shock at his spot.
Sarada charged towards the women with her Sharingan activated and yelled at Mitsuki: "Take Shikadai with you and find help. I'll hold her off."
Mitsuki shook his head to wear off the stunning scenario in front of him.
"Quick!" Sarada ordered.
He picked up the crumpled body of Shikadai and ran with all his might.
"Oh he won't get far," sneered Hanabi so uncharacteristically that it surprised Sarada. She had to remind herself that they were in a different world. "My clansmen will catch him soon enough."
"You underestimate my friends," Sarada refuted. "Now, fight me."
"My pleasure," the woman in front of her smirked.
Boruto hoped he was mistaken when he overheard two office chunins discussing reports about three young intruders in the suburbs of Konoha.
He leaned over near them surreptitiously.
"… Hanabi caught one – she put up a tough fight apparently. The streets were utterly demolished. They're still trying to track the other two."
Sarada? Boruto pondered. Could it be her?
He hoped he was wrong.
"Her name?" The other asked. "I might need it in my report to the Hokage."
"Sarada."
Boruto's heart froze.
Sakura and Kakashi sped up as they realised something was wrong. Shikadai's chakra was muted and Mitsuki's and his were travelling in the other direction, towards them, whilst a cluster of malign chakra closed in upon them.
The Hyuuga, Sakura cursed under her breath.
"You sensed them too?" Kakashi inquired.
Sakura nodded in response as the front of her hair incessantly flew into her face – her rate of travel accelerated exponentially owing to her desire to minimize the time it took for her to reach the boys.
They had a lot to lose.
Perhaps they've already lost.
Boruto tried to grasp what was happening.
So, Sarada and two other shinobi (one of them being presumably Mitsuki) tried to foray into Konoha for a mission. They got into a fight with the ANBU, the two others fled and Hanabi Hyuuga eventually subdued Sarada after a grueling fight. Sarada is currently detained near the Department of Torture and Interrogation and will soon be subjected to stringent examination by the authorities.
I've got to do something, he told himself. But I can't be suspicious. No. But I can't just walk in there and demand her release. Or sneak in there, for the matter.
From what he had learnt, it was the most secure institution in all of Konoha – perhaps in the entire continent – save for the Hokage's office.
For a moment, Boruto really hated himself for his ineptitude.
It's all your fault, a voice nagged persistently inside his head. If you hadn't been stupid enough to bring her along that night-
No, he refuted himself. No – I can do this.
"The Hokage wants you in his office," a peremptory order from a chunin cut off his stream of internal debate.
"For?" Boruto attempted to press for more information.
"How the hell am I supposed to know? Just go," the man in front of him dismissed rudely.
"Mitsuki, Shikadai!" Sakura called out to the two figures ahead of her.
Well, two barely distinct figures, considering how Shikadai appeared entirely unconscious and sprawled over Mitsuki's back.
"Sakura, Kakashi," Mitsuki replied hoarsely, sapped of energy from the frantic fleeing. "They've got Sarada."
"Why did you summon me here?" Boruto asked bluntly. All niceties had been dropped.
Sasuke looked rather amused, much to Boruto's exasperation.
"I'm asking you: is there a reason why you called me into your office after dismissing me this morning?" Boruto demanded again.
"A little less anger, please," the man replied coolly, unaffected by Boruto's temper. "I'm sure you know why."
"Why?"
"Your friend… has been captured," he raised his eyebrows while explaining. "She tried trespassing into Konoha with rebel spies."
"She has a name – she's Sarada Uchiha," Boruto looked at Sasuke straight into the eye. "In another world, she would have been your daughter."
The man winced, though just barely, and continued: "I am aware of that."
"Then-"
"I must admit, I did not order her capture," Sasuke brushed off Boruto's words. "I was informed of a trio of young, unidentified – though, according to my intelligence service, affiliated with Hi no Ishi – shinobis approaching Konoha. The actions of the ANBU or the Hyuuga were in no part due to my instructions."
"Oh really?" Boruto said sardonically, his features contorting. "I believe every word you say."
"Save your pathetic attempt at sarcasm for someone who cares. The ANBU and the Hyuuga auxiliary police force often operate independently around the area to guarantee security. However, that is not to say I am not in charge of them," Sasuke replied, unflinching. "I simply don't direct every single move they make."
"Alright. I still don't understand why you-"
"I'm just getting there," Sasuke interjected Boruto again. "I want you to personally release her and take her with you back to your own world."
"Why?"
"Like you, she doesn't belong here…"
"And you want me to basically piss off with her."
"I'd advise you to use more appropriate language in my office."
"Whatever."
"I must say you're even ruder than your father."
Boruto didn't know what to say to that.
"Anyhow, you should get going. Here's my letter of authorization – just show it to the guards and they'll let you in," the man stated while pulling out a piece of parchment. It was inscribed with his clean, clinical handwriting.
"Why?" Boruto just had to ask.
"I believe I've already elaborated why I'm helping you. I don't care about you or her so long as both of you leave this world."
"Do you-"
"No. I don't care about her at all. She's from an alternate dimension where what happened never was and, more importantly, she is disrupting the balance of this world, my world. The very essence of stability is threatened if both of you remain. And if you do – I will kill you," Sasuke finished off unceremoniously.
"I see," Boruto's voice quieted. "It's a pity then. She's a fine, passionate, talented girl. She's my best friend. You would have been proud of her."
"Would I? Perhaps. But it is useless to speculate on such things. I can see why you'd call her talented – according to Hanabi Hyuuga, she wasn't easy to beat," Sasuke said while shrugging.
"Very well I'll leave," Boruto uttered these words. Nothing in this world mattered anyway; in a few hours, he'd be back home.
"One more thing," Sasuke said sharply, leaning close to Boruto and pulling the boy towards him. "She was with the rebels of Hi no Ishi. Now I don't care and I don't know about your political views but they're not likely to be happy with you leaving. They'd probably try and stop you."
"How would you know?" Boruto frowned.
"I have my sources."
Boruto gulped uneasily as he strode towards the door. A nauseating feeling rose about his stomach as he realised he might as well have been colluding with this repressive regime – there was certainly an element of tacit agreement in what just happened. He stood face to face with the most brutal man in this world and conversed with him like nothing was wrong. To be fair, Boruto did convey a sense of outrage but it was wholly personal, being completely unrelated to and unaffected by the system itself. He was only indignant because his best friend was captured, not because the secret police routinely arrested and spied on citizens without due process.
No, although Boruto did feel rather disturbed, he did not really care.
You shut your eyes and everything becomes easier to bear.
It was not his world after all.
He would be returning to his.
A/N: Please let me know your thoughts about this chapter in the reviews :D I'd love to know what you think about the way this story is going and your predictions. Reading your comments in the past month has been nothing but a pleasure.
What do you think about my depiction of Boruto, honestly? Do you think is apathy is unrealistic?
On another note, I'll be going on a 1-month hiatus. I've got important exams coming up and I simply won't have time to write.