VILE CHAKRA was visible to the naked eye. It flew about grey, muscled shoulders in grasping wisps, curling into the blackened sky above.

The being's strange pupils darted about frantically. Its beak opened and closed with a rhythmic snap as it reared its head at Boruto.

The genin narrowed his eyes.

It's coming!

The beast exploded in movement and sound.

"Boruto!" Hijikata and Himawari shouted in unison. Boruto's vision was shadowed within seconds. The beast was inches away from him, its gigantic and broad body dwarfing Boruto by more than a meter.

It raised a hand wrapped in chakra.

Even in this state it can form jutsu?!

The beast stabbed for Boruto's chest. The genin gritted his teeth, pain rocking his body as he forced himself into a somersault backwards.

The monster wasted no time.

It pounced into a run-

Himawari burst from the being's left. She spun on her heels, fingers pointed into fine daggers. She struck at the creature's shoulder and elbow. It yelled with an inhuman bark as it attempted to recover to the right with a dangling arm.

Hijikata jumped from an adjacent branch, spearing himself at the base of the being's back. The Hyuga shouted as he slapped his palms against the creature's muscled body, exuding a burst of chakra that lifted it into the air.

Boruto pressed his hands together, steadying himself and running forward.

"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"

Six blades of air shot forth from Boruto, cutting through a superficial layer of the beast's skin. Its blood splashed upwards as Sarada shifted into view above the creature's shoulder.

With a bellow she kicked downwards, using chakra to exemplify her strength. The beast fell to one knee.

"Now, Iwabe! Mitsuki!" Sarada yelled as she slid backwards, passing Boruto then pulling him along with her. Himawari and Hijikata similarly distanced themselves as Mitsuki's shadow passed over them all.

"Lighting Style: Strike Cannon." Mitsuki spoke as he signed with trained efficiency, running upon the stunned creature. He opened his palms to the beast's thudding chest.

Lighting bellowed forth from Mitsuki, shaking the ground. The creature staggered about haphazardly, bleeding profusely as it panted with eerie gasps.

"Hah!" Iwabe's swords slashed across the being's back as it whirled. He planted his feet, crossing swords with a sharp clink.

"Flowering stance, second ring.." As Iwabe spoke, chakra welled about his body.

"Thundering Moon Crescendo!" Iwabe shouted. Two bolts of chirping lighting curled from his spinning swords, exploding upon the creature.

Smoke clearing, the beast looked at its arms dumbfounded.

Iwabe's jutsu lopped off both of its hands.

Blood spurted from its wound as it fell on its bottom helplessly.

"Good, Iwabe!" Himawari jumped ahead. She ran, twirling her kunai into a stabbing position.

Boruto's left eye suddenly felt as if it was on fire. He grimaced, vision blurring-

What is this pain..?!

Time slowed.

Boruto saw a pocket of light. Within it, reverberating visions of the creature's hands suddenly regenerating. He then saw it thrust its claws into Himawari's sides, killing her instantly.

Time began to speed up again as the pocket realm closed. As it did, however, Boruto noticed that the vision began to rewind. He looked back into his current reality-

In about five seconds, Himawari would die.

Four.

Three.

I'm the only one who can-

Two.

Damn it!

"Wind Style: Gale Palm repulsion!" Boruto crossed his fingers as precious chakra left his body.

One.

The pocket dimension closed-

Himawari gasped as the creature's hands curled back into existence, blood dripping off of the newly birthed limbs. Its claws primed for Himawari-

A sealing mark suddenly appeared on the creature's chest. As it did, a gust of wind erupted into reality with a whipping roar, pushing Himawari to safety.

Sarada glanced over to Boruto.

"How did you-"

Boruto coughed, spitting up blood.

I used too much chakra..

Pain washed over Boruto's body. Sarada held him by the shoulder as he swayed on his feet.

"This isn't good.." She began as Mitsuki and the others ascended about them.

The beast still stood. It leaned unnaturally backward, before slowly swaying its body upright.

"None of our attacks seem to have any effect." Mitsuki said coolly.

Sarada darkened her gaze.

"And we can't run.. it's too fast." While she spoke, Boruto released himself from her grip. He stood shakily on his own, blue eyes shining underneath a veil of gored blonde hair.

Boruto crossed shaking fingers.

Sarada widened her eyes in surprise.

He's.. infusing chakra!

Most genin could infuse chakra. Iwabe and Mitsuki had done the same thing earlier, but that was before they had joined the battle.

However.. for Boruto to infuse chakra of this density while at his physical limits..

Sarada pushed up her glasses.

He made up for his small chakra reserves by training himself how to infuse it in greater amounts than most genin! Boruto is growing stronger!

Boruto strengthened his stance.

I can move a bit more freely now... Overexerting my body is going to have its consequences later..

His eyes glanced over-

The beast stood silently amongst the group.

It had closed the distance in seconds, without any sound.

It clapped its hands together.

In the very next second, it exploded into a plume of steaming mist that burned their skin. Boruto grimaced, his arms reddened as he was pushed backward.

The shadow of the beast's form began to curl within wisps of the misty, steaming fog about them.

It suddenly appeared before Hijikata-

The genin danced backwards as the creature threw a flurry of punches. Hijikata dodged seamlessly, curving to the left as the others came upon the creature.

Iwabe ran beside it, swords at the ready.

"Sundering stance, first ring!" He began as his swords flowed with chakra.

"Rumbling cage!" Iwabe cut one of his swords downward. From the point of his sword a web of geometric earth grew, rising from the ground and spreading between Hijikata and the monster.

The being stopped before the rocky gate, turning its attention now to Iwabe.

Iwabe raised his swords-

The beast moved faster, catching one with its clawed hand. It pulled Iwabe in.

Iwabe released his grip on his sword, attempting to distance himself-

The being howled, its hand vanishing into a plume of mist as the sword floated in midair, righting itself for Iwabe.

Tool manipulation?! Boruto tried to run to Iwabe's defense-

Iwabe's sword jettisoned forward, propelled by shrieking steam. His own blade punctured him through the shoulder, sending him flying backwards.

"Iwabe!" Himawari turned for her teammate.

No! Boruto felt the being's movements-

It vanished into mist.

Seven streams of dark fog swirled for Himawari. As it took shape, it grabbed her by the head, lifting her into the air before throwing her into the ground.

Her mouth opened, blood flying as she bounced upwards from the force of the blow. The monster stomped a foot directly onto Himawari's rising stomach, tunneling her deeper into the earth with a sickening crack.

Hima..!

Boruto's anger flared.

"Hima!" He screamed. Boruto ran for the creature-

"Don't, Boruto!" Sarada began after him before stopping.

The beast disappeared into mist.

The creature shifted in the smoke beside Boruto. It spun into a kick aimed for his torso-

Boruto's senses saw the attack before the movement could even be registered by the naked eye. He ducked to the right, into the creature's center of mass, as he molded both hands into a spear.

"Lighting Style: Shimmering Fang!" Boruto howled as his chakra exploded. Lighting surrounded the point of his fingers as he drove his hands into the beast's flesh-

Sarada's glasses shimmered.

His attack- it did more damage than Iwabe's and Mitsuki's!

Boruto's attack seemed to actually affect the being's body. Still- as he cut past it reared to chase him, only momentarily affected.

Sarada ran for the creature's back-

It jumped in the air, punching downward at Boruto as it knifed a clawed foot for Sarada's neck.

She hopped backward, gathering chakra in her right arm. Boruto fell to the ground then immediately pushed himself upward, kicking the creature's beak with the momentum of his movement.

The beast seemed to freeze-

It can't heal and attack at the same time!

A swarm of snakes wrapped themselves around the beast, constricting it as its eyes bulged.

Mitsuki leapt from above. He descended upon the creature's head, stabbing his kunai into the base of its skull. Mitsuki pulled the dagger with him as he fell, dragging the beast backwards as it screamed in pain.

"Sarada!" Boruto called. Sarada nodded, jumping in the air.

Boruto placed the palms of his hands against the soles of her sandals.

A burst of air from Boruto's palms propelled Sarada directly to the creature's falling body.

Sarada's fist connected with a crashing pop. A shockwave of air reverberated through the wood as the beast went flying into a thick pocket of trees.

It exploded in a chaos of screeching wood and rising smoke.

"Sarada!" Hijikata's voice broke the silence.

Sarada felt night darken behind her.

I-

She couldn't doge, she didn't have enough time.

Sarada turned into the blow, crashing her closed fist against that of the beast's.

A belch of air exploded behind her from the being's force. In the next moment Sarada's arm exploded in a series of shivering cuts followed by crimson blood.

She was thrown off balance-

The creature raised its free hand. It maced a massive fist downwards for Sarada's skull.

A hand pushed Sarada away as she tumbled to the ground. She held her bleeding arm as she found herself staring at Konohamaru's flak jacket.

He held the beast's fist with one hand, as chakra gathered with the other.

The beast began to fade away in the mist.

Hanabi suddenly appeared beside it, clapping her hands on the ground. A binding jutsu spread across the beast, holding it in place.

The chakra in Konohamaru's hand became visible to the eye. It was blue, spherical, as air swirled around it.

Then, the air turned to fire.

Konohamaru lifted his arm as the heavy orb of chakra threatened to explode.

"Fire Release: Great Flame Rasengan!"

Konohamaru's chakra met the being's skin with a horrific roar. The beast was instantly consumed by swirling flames, regeneration factor unable to keep up with the vortex of incinerating hell.

SHOTA INUZUKA Watched as one of his dogs ate the face of a man they had killed together. The dog was black furred, wolflike with a third eye that glared from its forehead. Shota himself sat amongst a puddle of stinking blood.

the bodies around him belonged to the River's elite Anbu, a group specifically filled with those who possessed unique chakra natures.

Shota sighed, flexing a scarred hand.

His body ached.

It had been a hard battle. He was content to sit here for hours. In fact, he would rather sit and not think at all.

However thoughts crossed his mind.

Shota's mind drifted to Konoha. He then curled his hand into a tight fist.

It's too late for doubts now.

"Shitai, you've had your fill." Shota said softly.

Shitai ceased eating immediately, bright eyes staring at Shota from a sea of ebony fur.

"Junban," Shota called.

This dog was much quieter.

Shota smiled as the reason for his expulsion from Konoha slinked into the moonlight from the shadows.

Amongst the bloodied lord's chambers, Junban's white fur seemed to shine with an unnatural light. She had a soft, foxlike face, wise and elegant.

On her back a human torso was cruelly stitched, arms dragging on the floor with upward palms and trembling fingers. It bore the face of a young woman, red hair dangling above Junban's head like a veil.

He wasn't sure what Lord Victor wanted with the land of Rivers. To that effect, however, he also didn't care.

If Jigen can promise me power..

Shota's thoughts drifted to what he left behind in Konoha. He grimaced, shutting his eyes as the memories of the lie he had lived during the war threatened to surface.

Tears fell from his cheeks as his shoulders shook.

"Oi.. crying again, Shota?" A voice called from behind.

Shota turned around, long black hair framing his sharply featured face.

He smiled, speaking quietly.

"It's a cruel thing we do, Akane Mori."

Akane stepped forward. Her head was shaven, and she wore a bandage wrapped around her eyes, though the outline of them could be seen. Her face however, was disfigured.

Her mouth was embedded on the side of her cheek, sitting sideways with rows of sharpened teeth.

The symbols "悲鳴" were written in the space where one's mouth would be.

Despite his own grim nature, Shota shuddered every time he read Akane's face.

Scream.

"The Lord of Rivers is now under my genjutsu. It was easier than I thought." Akane chuckled.

She kicked one of the bodies beside her, splashing blood as Shitai growled.

Akane ignored the dog.

"I didn't think you'd be able to kill all of them. They were strong." She commended.

Shota ignored her, wiping the tears from his face.

"I was about to contact Lord Victor."

"I'm not stopping you." Akane replied frankly.

Shota chuckled, raising a jutsu sign.

Junban's human head suddenly lifted itself. Her arms swung about until shaking hands molded together in the same fashion as Shota's.

"Ketsuryūgan!" Shota shouted. The head on Junban awoke with strange eyes, red sclera with a purple and reptile-like pupil.

Blood twisted into a pool before Shota. Within it, Victor's face waited.

Their Lord wore a hood, leaving only the bottom of his face visible. Shota inhaled sharply.

This was the man that dictated his future.

The allure of being amongst Kara's Upper Guard teased at Shota's mind as he made his report.

"The village is under our control, Lord Victor. Akane's genjutsu is affecting the surviving villagers and now, their lord. You will be able to begin your operations immediately." Shota said.

Victor chuckled.

"Good.. and Deepa's team?" Victor inquired.

"Han Sifu made contact with us before we began our attack. He left Mitchitsune and Nire behind. Konoha nin were after them."

Victor laughed with a deep rasp.

"Just as Lord Jigen predicted.. The Konoha nin are as audacious as they are weak. No doubt the reason why you're amongst us, right Shota?"

Victor's hood lowered.

"And they have.. the item?" He continued.

Shota nodded, offering no other emotion.

"Everything is proceeding as planned, Shota." Victor's voice took on a tone that was almost warm.

"Soon, our sacrifices will reap rewards beyond any dream." Victor's voice faded as the blood mirror dissipated.

Shota stood, walking away from Akane and facing the torn-open walls that bled to the nighttime world outside. With stars shining upon him, tears once again fell down Shota's cheeks.

There was only one dream Shota wanted fulfilled. And he decided once, long ago, that he would do anything to ensure it became a reality.

That's why I'm here, Lord Victor! Shota simmered within himself as his hounds howled at the mocking moon.