BORUTO ALTER: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
KONOHAMARU WRUNG hands tanned by the sun.
He placed them down on a table of russet brown, finding himself sitting between Sai and Shikamaru.
Konohamaru glared forward, meeting a glance with Naruto who sat across them all.
"They're really going for it.." Kakashi started.
Kakashi angled backwards, chair squeaking in slight protest.
Konohmaru watched the Sixth Hokage intently, keen to pick up on any latent wisdom or perspective.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, a blue mask somewhat betraying the movement of his lips.
"Our Daimyo knows what he's doing. This is a new type of threat, a byproduct of an era of peace." Kakashi paused, his words sobering the council.
"For the first time, a Daimyo has military power that could pose threats to a hidden village. The Daimyo wants to get rid of Kage, along with the traditional Shinobi system. This is the perfect opportunity to do so." Kakashi finished, nodding towards Naruto.
Konohamaru swallowed heavily. The image of those two State Shinobi surfaced within his mind. One of them being Naruto's first true genin pupil.
A new type of threat..
Naruto shifted forward, resting on elbows. Behind him, settling dusk coated Konoha's various structures- some newly built- many more a hundred or so years older, wood still as red the day it was painted.
As Konohamaru gazed at the city behind his Hokage, the dangers these State Shinobi presented became more real to Konohamaru than even the Otsutsuki-
The Daimyo.. his State Shinobi..
They were human. Humans with varied goals and ambitions. Humans that could reason with you, even turn you against your allies.
The Otsutsuki, if they have truly returned, possess the power to destroy humanity.
Regardless of Otsutsuki, humans gleefully incite conflicts that guarantee years of brutal, torturous bloodshed.
We could trigger another Great Ninja War.
A chill hurried through Konohamaru's body.
Finally, Naruto spoke.
"I will always admit.. that some of these events are a result of my own failure." Naruto started.
"The Fire Daimyo clearly has a vendetta against you, as does Tangura!" Konohamaru blurted.
He immediately whispered a swear, embarrassed as Naruto's eyes softened upon regarding him.
"My concern is the safety of the Leaf. I should've.. acted more, enforced more. I realize that now."
"The Daimyo is taking advantage of current happenings, that much is sure." Shikamaru said sharply, crossing his arms.
Konohamaru looked downwards, his hands flexing.
His entire team was well into the Exams…
He recommended them for advancement without question-
Though now, Konohamaru felt a tinge of nameless dread.
He shook, rapping and errant fist upon Naruto's desk.
"You can refuse the Shu Boeigun!" Konohamaru hissed.
Sai shook his head solemnly.
"After what happened in Kirigakure… such an action would be misinterpreted by our detractors.. and used by our enemies." Sai said.
Shikamaru nodded, meeting Konohamaru's gaze for a moment.
Then, the man continued.
"Refusal means escalation. These State Shinobi.. haven't been vague about their intent."
The Nara clan Head paused. Then-
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed.
Konohamaru watched Shikamaru's glare meet Naruto's.
The Hokage sighed, looking away in thought-or escape.
"The Daimyo intends to have me removed as Hokage." Naruto chuckled.
It was as if, for a moment, time itself roared in terms of its uncertainty.
Naruto's blue eyes gleamed underneath a shadowed brow.
"To accomplish that, I'm to be escorted to the Land of Fire's Saibansho, where they will have me tried. To the State Shinobi's credit, they did warn me of this when they first arrived." Naruto offered a rueful laugh-
one that almost shook with veiled anger… anger, no doubt, directed at himself.
The Ten Courts..
Konohamaru knew that the Ten Courts were the main judicial branch of the Land of Fire. They were behind the land's legal and financial systems, and had been excised from the Hidden Village structure by the time of the Second Ninja War.
Now however.. with the State Shinobi and the ambitions of the Fire Daimyo, the Ten Courts held almost as much political power as all the current Kage combined.
This information wasn't unique to Konohamaru. As the realization of their weakened position swam through them, silence spread amongst Konoha's inner council.
Konohamaru winced-
He wished the circumstances were different, wished that Naruto was beset by intrigue that induced lies or exaggeration.
The issue was that ultimately Naruto delegated far too much, granted leeway when unnecessary, and now..
With the deaths of Kiba, Shizune, and Chōjūrō.. not to mention the risk of not only hosting the Chunin exams, but also allowing his daughter to take part in them-
Naruto's passive yet headstrong leadership has now arisen in the form of protests from a mass of political opponents.
"What can we do? When are they planning on executing this…order of summon?" Sai asked.
Naruto offered nothing…
Save for a silent grimace to the gathered council.
Shikamaru softened his voice, answering in the Hokage's stead.
"In three days."
CHUNIN EXAMS: DAY ZERO (Two hours before Boruto's battle with Shinki)
MITSUKI'S wavy light blue hair bounced above slanted eyes.
Himawari moved ahead of him, splintering into existence with each stomp upon grasping branches. On one arm, a cloth band waited. On another, an electronic wristband denoting the color 'brown' blinked in the dimming light of a dying sun.
This 'Forest of Death' is entirely taking up my vision.
Mitsuki's plain thoughts reverberated keen senses.
The entire situation..
Was enthralling.
These sights-
The raw fear of the gathered genin..yes, Mitsuki was scared, too.
Mitsuki, at the onset of the Exams, had quickly decided for a time, he would
act no ill violence upon competitors...unless forced to defend, of course.
The strange genin's heart leapt.
Mitsuki had long yearned for this. He wanted to see the true reality of these assorted classmates- and further, what would their decisions be? Examples like this..
provided Mitsuki with distant human experiences that would allow him to survive within this strange, violent reality Boruto and the others strove and bled against.
Shinobi.
Mitsuki dismissed this errant rambling, unease crossing serene countenance.
As Mitsuki moved, he looked at the ground rushing underneath.
Another chill, this one nearly causing a pause, shook Mitsuki.
It's more than that.
More than examples.
Mitsuki bore a somewhat more animated smile, mirroring Boruto's glare.
The stakes of the exams and the dangers presented meant that Mitsuki would earn another piece that fit into the puzzle..
discovering exactly what this all meant.
The face of Parent loomed within Mitsuki's calm.
Mitsuki's attention forcefully shifted away from his forebear, a being whose desires were uncertain and alien-
Even to Mitsuki himself.
It's still light here.
Mitsuki and his team found themselves upon some sort of incline.
The setting sun was ablaze in a final embrace against encroaching darkness, hues of purple and black intermixing with orange streaks that fled across the dimming skyline.
Sweat curled into both curves of Mitsuki's eyelids. He blinked, gaze falling onto the one who introduced himself as Reizei.
Reizei flew branch to branch, easily keeping up with both young konoha nin.
The Mist ninja's hair was long, dark. Bandages covered the boy's mouth all the way to his neck, while a dark gray tunic hugged his chest. He..was weaponless, alien to the custom of what Mitsuki knew of the Mist clans.
Mitsuki was intrigued by this one-
To tell the truth, both teammates truly excited him. Despite the fact that they hadn't spoken since introducing themselves, Mitsuki felt that even this barren interaction educated on the personalities of his peers.
They were interesting-
Mitsuki glanced at Himawari who sped beside.
He smiled, to which she frowned-
Before increasing her speed, hurtling into a bouquet of green leaves.
Mitsuki had been around Himawari- both their teams often took missions together..before all of this..
They happened to be assigned to a slew of mundane, D-rank missions.. to which Mitsuki soon realized, along with the others, was at the insistence of Hanabi and Konohamaru sensei.
Mitsuki frowned.
It's.. been so long since all of them have been together.
Mitsuki felt an alien emotion then. He paused once more, this time inadvertently rushing into a jutting branch. He spat, teeth meeting the sharp whip of bark that met a now stinging mouth.
"Mitsuki!" Himawari hissed in concern just as Reizei flashed beside Mitsuki's recovering leap, both meeting upon the broadside of heavy oak.
Reizei nodded towards Mitsuki, crouching beside the shaken Konoha genin.
Himawari thudded above them. Mitsuki could picture her blue eyes darting about dark surroundings as she spoke.
"I hate the fact we haven't come across other teams yet." Himawari whispered.
"Are you okay to keep going?" She asked politely, though her voice was hurried.
Mitsuki nodded, giving Himawari a smile she couldn't see.
As they continued, Mitsuki's thoughts dwelled on the girl.
Himawari was very similar to Boruto. She was far more vocal, but still, kept thoughts to herself unless reason goaded her to speak. She more or less led them-
Both Mitsuki and Reizei had kept quiet soon after the start of the exam, each neutrally allowing Himawari to lead. However..
It was clear Himawari had no idea where she was actually going.
Mitsuki smiled to himself.
There's one difference.
Mitsuki's methodic thoughts spun as if a gauntlet of spinning gears.
Boruto wouldn't put it upon himself to direct anyone- unless he had a plan.
Once more, Boruto's face flashed across Mitsuki's mind.
I was too open.
Mitsuki watched Himawari- the girl's afterimages shifted between swaying verdant leaves.
Perhaps you will give me an idea on how to deal with what happened.
There was something about Himawari- a power that she seemed to be forcefully repressing. It was almost like-
Once again-
Boruto.
The feeling of that chakra rushed over Mitsuki- chakra that was all powerful-
While also being nearly indetectable. It was a creeping, evil sensation..
One that Mitsuki at first thought came from the creature that attacked them months ago, when all of this began.
Now however..
Mitsuki realized that aside from the monster's overbearing and savage chakra, the strangeness he sensed.. Came from Boruto- the moment he wounded the creature more than any of them had- while possessing almost no chakra.
Mitsuki's heart quickened.
Chakra.. That felt like it was coming from somewhere, somewhere far from Boruto.
Mitsuki inadvertently shut his eyes, remembering the night at Sumire's home.
He felt it then, too.
When Boruto froze in place- when he stared at the corner of Sumire's ceiling..
One of his eyes black, pupil a glowing white.
I shouldn't.. have said anything.
Mitsuki's smile vanished, a dark glower replacing it.
He tapped into held back speed, meeting Himawari mid jump.
"What are you thinking of doing?" Mitsuki ventured neutrally, keeping his eyes ahead while zipping alongside her.
Himawari frowned.
"I'm not entirely sure. We should probably rest- I'm just worried about what could happen if we stop moving." She admitted.
Himawari does have a point.
Even though all the competitors were children, they were all shinobi.
And Mitsuki knew that in a situation like this, there will always be those on the lookout for others who make simple, half second mistakes that can be exploited. Letting down your guard, taking time to rest.. these were all variables that had to be accounted for.
However, Mitsuki also knew that if they didn't rest, they would be more exposed to possible dangers, and further even a more attractive target for opposing team members.
Even the aspects of their teams came into question.
He remembered the rules clearly. After the second day, they would be unable to attack those with the same wristband color or animal. However, the cloth bands can be taken at any time, right?
Mitsuki's thoughts raced almost as if moving alongside him.
Himawari may be worried that Reizei will betray us. Even moreso, the rules imply that team members can immediately turn on each other for the cloth wristband on the first day. Doing so would give the attacker twenty six points, assuming he betrays both team members.
Mitsuki couldn't sense any hidden intent from Reizei, however he wasn't naive enough to rule out the possibility. Reizei may turn out to be a staunch one time ally-
Until circumstances change loyalties.
Just as that thought entered Mitsuki's mind, a shattering series of explosions rocked the trees he leapt upon. His ears rang violently as darkening forest suddenly lit up in multiple, curling conflagrations of licking flame.
In the next screeching moment, chakra was all around him- as were fleeing black embers and leaves-
Burning as they fell to the forest floor.
"What was that?!" Himawari bellowed, immediately dropping to the ground below, Reizei and Mitsuki following suit.
To their shared right, a few meters away, whistling fire grew even larger as it spread. Dozens of loud pops came from within the swirling of inferno-
Mitsuki's senses clicked in acute awareness.
A battle?
It was then he saw two silhouettes rush back from immolated woods.
Sarada? Shikadai?!
Sarada slid backwards across lightly burning grass, about ten meters or so, at the edge of the fires within savagely made, ashen-dirt clearings.
Shikadai landed after the Uchiha, carrying a dark skinned boy with bright blonde hair. The boy seemed to be passed out-
"Sarada! Shikadai!" Himawari called.
Reizei lowered his gaze.
"Konoha-nin? I recognize one of them. He was sent to help during the fall of Kirigakure." He whispered.
Himawari nodded.
She began to move-
Then stopped herself.
"We're friends.. close friends.. I know I can trust them. We all can." She said, more for Reizei's sake than anything else.
"They've been attacked, that much is clear.. that, and they're on the defensive." Reizei crouched, lowering himself closer to the ground.
"I feel-!" The Mist's eyes widened.
Mitsuki's senses shouted in alarm-
Mitsuki spun on black sandals, kicking up grime as a hardened projectile of webbing skimmed past his shoulder, slightly cutting away some clothing-
revealing a line of stinging blood.
Both Himawari and Reizei immediately readied themselves just as Mitsuki heard movement above-
His yellow eyes tore into the dark outlines of thick foliage and foreboding trees.
Shikadai crouched beside Mitsuki in seconds.
"Careful, Mitsuki!" Shikadai shouted.
"It's Menda! My clansmen."
The sound of Menda's movement chimed throughout the wood, somehow audible over the call of roaring flame.
He's using shadow clones..
Mitsuki had never met Menda, though he knew the boy was a Nara, and further, inherited the jutsu of the Aburame from his mother.
Despite coming from a rather unremarkable family, Mitsuki knew that Menda was strong.
Mitsuki didn't have to pretend what kind of mindset Menda would have upon crossing an Uchiha destined for greatness…alongside the heir of the Nara.
Mitsuki smiled.
Yes. The amount of force makes sense now.
"There's more of you.." Menda's voice leered in ghostly echoes.
"I never thought you'd be so talkative, Menda!" Shikadai retorted.
Menda's genuine laugh leapt across embers.
Mitsuki's eyes flew across shadows, suddenly aware of-
"Shadow Abstraction!" Menda's utterance followed a rumble within the ground.
In the next second, black spears snapped into Mitsuki's vision.
They're-
Mitsuki's sight tunneled as his senses screamed.
The distorted shadows of trees- painted by the fire, were now dimensional objects that stretched, stabbed, and jutted forth with such instant destructive force even the wind howled in pain.
Mitsuki narrowly avoided shadow branches just as he saw Reizei about to be impaled-
Mitsuki's arm elongated, snatching Reizei and pulling him to safety as the temple of lethal shadows crumbled about them.
"Are you guys okay?!" Sarada's call harried over rising smoke.
Shikadai resurfaced from within a pool of shadows a meter or so from Mitsuki.
Mitsuki grinned.
That's new.
"I put Usen within my own Shadow Transfer jutsu. I can feed him oxygen via my Fuinjutsu… so he's safe as long as I'm still conscious." Shikadai smirked.
"Though while this is active.. I can't use any Shadow Jutsu myself." The young Nara tore a bandage from his wrist, revealing a sealing tattoo.
"I know, I promised to fix you before I did this..!"
Smoke screeched from Shikadai, parting to reveal a half-destroyed puppet with strangely fleshly skin and flowing blonde hair.
Mitsuki could tell that it was missing arms, segments of them ripped off and gnawed as if an insect that survived a bird of prey.
Still however..
Chakra plumed from Shikadai.
For a puppet user to be able to infuse more chakra with their tool summoned..
Mitsuki smiled.
This could be fun.
Almost as if in silent agreement, Menda's laugh hailed from shaking trees above in the dimming light of flames.
"..Finally get to see your little toy.." Menda trailed off, his voice growing deeper.
"He's not backing down." Reizei hissed.
Sarada nodded, standing beside Reizei.
"We've been fighting him for about an hour. His chakra.. it seems as if it hasn't decreased at all." She looked back towards Mitsuki and Himawari.
"This is it, guys. Treat this like an actual battle. If he can get away with it.. Menda will kill us." Sarada focused her attention back to the trees-
As the stench of killing intent permeated throughout darkening exam grounds.
NEXT TIME: JIGEN'S DECLARATION, AMADO'S MOVE! THEN, KILLER BEE VS THE OTSUTSUKI!
A/N: sorry for the semi hiatus. I've been working on the first Boruto alter manga chapter which is done now! Look it up by literally searching "Boruto alter" on Google and finding my Reddit account.
Thank you for the continued interest in this story, I really wanted to ensure the story moved forward in a good way so this is more of a set up chapter. Expect the next chapter to be longer and out sooner.