BORUTO ALTER

Crickets chirped outside.

Boruto sat in a well lit hospice room. The light contrasted with the growing darkness that spread over trees opposite of wide paneled windows.

He closed his eyes, curling fingers into the flesh of his palm.

All Boruto could hear was the machine-like breathing of Himawari's respirator. In the mire of his thoughts, he saw her lying there, body covered in bandages that were splotched with blood.

Twice today he had to leave as medical-nin re-addressed her wounds.

Tomorrow. We'll operate tomorrow. She's too unstable right now.

Sakura Uchiha's voice bounced between Boruto's ears.

Most of them were wounded- the only ones who survived unscathed were Mitsuki and Hijikata. Boruto had two broken ribs. Sarada's arm was fractured in several places, and Iwabe's shoulder had been punctured through, the bones shattered.

Tears threatened Boruto's eyes.

Himawari's condition was far worse. Her spine had been nearly severed. Her lungs were damaged, and routinely filled with blood. Almost every bone in her chest and stomach had snapped, causing bones to cut into nearby organs.

If she were to ever walk again intensive healing jutsu was required. Healing jutsu that, in her state, could actually end up killing faster than the current wounds would.

Boruto tensed at the sound of the door opening softly.

His eyes softened at the sight of Hinata cautiously stepping near her daughter.

Boruto watched as his mother ran a hand down Himawari's bandaged cheek. Boruto could tell she had been crying.

They all had.

"Where's dad?" Boruto asked silently.

Hinata paused.

She smiled at Boruto, coming around Himawari's bed and sitting in an empty seat beside him.

"He's meeting with Shikimaru and the others. What happened.." Hinata began.

Boruto knew she was preemptively attempting to defend Naruto. He smiled cynically.

"It's okay mom, I know."

Boruto shivered, remembering the feel and slickness of the air when Himawari was maimed.

"In this case, I'll give him a pass. He.. I've never seen him so upset." Boruto bit his lip.

"I.. feel so stupid." Boruto lowered his head, blonde hair masking his face.

"I'm weak. I couldn't do anything. I was mad at him before we left.." Boruto gasped as a shuddering, quiet cry left him.

"I couldn't even protect my sister. Our family."

"Boruto, listen to me." Hinata gently lifted Boruto's head. Tears were streaming down his face as his mother smiled warmly.

Hinata laughed quietly.

"You're just like Neji. You put so much onto yourself, over analyze things and push people away. You're kind, Boruto. You're a loving person. Don't ever think you didn't do enough. No matter what happens."

Hinata broke her white pupiled gaze, turning her attentions over to Himawari.

"When you two were born.. there were complications with the delivery." Hinata began.

Boruto opened his mouth to speak-

Boruto had never been told anything of his birth. It wasn't ever something that he put thought into.

What reason would I have to ever assume anything different?

Boruto's thoughts raced as his mother continued.

"When a baby is born, chakra is released by not only the mother, but the newborns as well.. Typically, this isn't an issue...Himawari's chakra was.. different."

The room seemed to grow darker.

"We told you a few years ago that your father is inhabited by Kurama, the Nine Tails."

Boruto remembered. It was then he and Himawari learned about the destruction Konoha suffered under the very being within its current Hokage.

Himawari treated Naruto no differently. She had inherited his rambunctious spirit, his joviality and desire for attachments. Boruto however..

He was young though smart for his age. He understood the repercussions behind the deaths Kurama caused. He knew that the Nine Tails was something to be feared.

And it's inside dad.

Hinata's voice brought him back to the present.

"Somehow, something from Kurama spread to Himawari. It resulted in a volatile mixture of all of our chakras.. it almost killed us."

Boruto shivered, looking at his sister.

"It was Sakura who saved us, Boruto. She was able to seal off the foreign chakra within Himawari.. and in that process, we stabilized."

Hinata's eyes watered. As Boruto looked at her, he could tell his mother was back in the delivery chambers.

He had no idea of how horrifying that must have been for her.

Mom..

"Have faith, Boruto. In your sister- and in Sakura as well."

It was then there was a quiet knock on the door.

Boruto and Hinata both looked at each other with a quizzical frown.

The door opened.

Boruto scoffed, smiling.

"I was beginning to think you forgot about us.. Shikadai."

Shikadai strode into the room slowly, a small smile on his face. His blonde hair was dressed into a wavy ponytail, drawing back his locks. He had sharp green eyes that seemed to appraise everything with a silent, humored criticism.

He was also calm to a fault, preferring to let others lead as opposed to being bothered.

It was this contrast of personalities within him that made Shikadai one of Boruto's closest friends.

"I just got back to the village.." Shikadai's easy smile fell as he took in Himawari's injuries.

Shikadai put his hands in his pockets and cast a worried glare to Boruto.

"How are you? Both of you?" Genuine concerns painted the young Nara's words.

"It has been.. difficult. But we are here." Hinata smiled. She reached for Boruto's hand, squeezing it.

"I'm going to check in on your Father. I'm sure you want to talk." She said with a smile.

Boruto bowed his head graciously.

"Thank you, mom. I love you. I'll head in soon." Boruto said.

Hinata shook her head.

"You're twins. Stay here as long as you need to." Hinata smiled again, bowing politely to Shikadai before leaving the room.

Shikadai took Hinata's seat, leaning backward while throwing his hands behind a head of yellow hair.

His earrings dangled as he spoke, a frown dressing sharp brows.

"Himawari.. she's the best of us. The strongest. What did you guys find out there?" Shikadai asked.

Boruto's mind flashed back to the night before.

He saw the young faced man with zigzagging scars. How he begged for his life before being turned into..

Boruto clenched his teeth.

"We fought a missing nin. He was wounded.. Himawari was the one who brought him down. Sarada, Mitsuki and I struggled against him."

Boruto looked down at his hands as Shikadai silently watched on.

"He was screaming to himself, Shikadai. He said a name..Otogane."

Boruto narrowed his eyes.

"Then he turned into something. Something evil. Its chakra.. it was unlike anything I've ever felt. I wouldn't even call it chakra. But what else could it be?" Boruto spoke as he turned his head to Shikadai.

"It was something no one could've predicted. My dad... that's why I'm not angry at him for sending us. He had no idea that this could happen."

Shikadai offered a somber chuckle.

"This village seems to have the worst fate." Shikadai said.

Shikadai then smiled.

"She's gonna be okay, Boruto. You guys made it back. That's what's important."

Boruto nodded. He reclined in his chair as he watched Himawari's body shake as she raggedly breathed.

They sat together in silence, tears again falling from Boruto's eyes.

NARUTO sat.

Inside, he felt broken. He felt like a failure.

I have to be strong now. For Himawari and Boruto.

The Hokage moved forward in his chair. Before him, his advisors stood alongside Konohamaru and Hanabi.

They were all silent.

Konohamaru's report was worse than anyone could've expected. It made sense, however.

Only something otherworldly could do that to his daughter.

"What has me concerned the most.." Kakashi began. He was standing beside Shikamaru, arms folded across a green flak jacket.

"Is this heavy chakra.. and.." Kakashi's tired eyes glanced over to Konohamaru.

"The Rinnegan." Kakashi finished.

Konohamaru nodded slightly in respect before speaking.

"Lord Sixth, it wasn't exactly the Rinnegan. It was.. different."

Hanabi nodded.

"It had the same swirling lines across the sclera. they were multicolored. Ranging from hues of blue to purple. In addition, it seemed to bear tomoe similar to a Sharingan." Hanabi said.

Sai shook his head.

"Perhaps that's how they infiltrated the village? Some jutsu held by the Rinnegan.." he pondered.

Shikamaru shook his head in disagreement.

"If Konohamaru's report is accurate.." Shikamaru gave Konohamaru a sheepish grin.

"Which I think it is, by the way.." Shikamaru continued, adopting a serious tone.

"I don't think anything like Konohamaru experienced could go unnoticed. With that said, there's no doubt the groups are connected in some way."

Konohamaru began to speak.

"Yes, the missing nin had said something about fighting for a greater cause. Then.."

The jonin glanced at Naruto before continuing.

"Boruto and the others said the ninja they fought called out to..Otogane."

Naruto's thoughts again drifted to Boruto and his sister. For a moment, he almost lost his composure.

Instead, he swallowed deeply before leveling his eyes onto Sai.

"Have your Anbu search all of our records for any reference to Otogane. Search the Uchiha tablet files Sasuke translated as well." Naruto ordered.

"Of course, Lord seventh." Sai bowed.

"We have a new enemy now, that much is clear." Naruto stood from his desk. He frowned as his blue eyes seemed to glow from underneath a hooded brow.

"An enemy possibly far more dangerous than even the Akatsuki. A criminal organization in possession of a dojutsu derivative of the Rinnegan.. which means.."

Kakashi nodded somberly.

"We can't rule out the Ōtsutsuki." He said quietly.

Naruto raised his head.

"We knew that Kaguya disobeyed whatever hierarchy the Ōtsutsuki clan adhered to. This could be their retribution."

"Or a descendent that hid itself until it knew Kaguya was defeated. Maybe that's why it has its eyes on Konoha. Maybe that's why it waited until now." Shikamaru said.

Dark omens passed between the Shinobi gathered.

"In any case, the village will be put on lockdown immediately." Naruto stated. He turned his head towards Sai.

"Sai.. Have Ino review the perimeter squad shift register for the past seven months. Then, I want the Anbu to speak with each of them. I don't want them harmed, I want leads onto how this group was able to enter the village. Like I said when this started.. there's no way they could get in without help from the inside."

"That much is more certain than this strange eye." Shikamaru said softly.

"Naruto-"

Naruto's eyes widened at the sound of Hinata's voice. He immediately moved about his desk, walking past Kakashi and the others as he embraced his wife.

"I was just with Boruto and Himawari. Shikadai was there as well." Hinata said, offering a small smile to Shikamaru as she parted from Naruto.

"Lady Hinata," Shikamaru said with a bow as the other advisors took turns greeting her.

"How was Boruto?" Naruto asked.

Hinata's face hardened somewhat.

"You need to make sure you speak with him before the night is over." Hinata said.

Naruto drew his breath in sharply.

Failure.

"I know. I.. wanted to give him time." He said.

Hinata's gaze softened. She raised her hand, caressing Naruto's cheek.

"Just make sure you do." She said with a smile.

Naruto turned to his advisors.

"Consider this meeting dismissed. I'm going to visit with Hima and Boruto. Tomorrow.. a new day of challenges awaits us. But.." Naruto offered an almost childlike grin.

"I'm glad to have you all!" He said happily.

Kakashi scoffed.

"You never change, Naruto." He said, smiling underneath his mask.

Shikamaru threw his arm around Naruto's shoulder.

"We're glad to have ya too!" He laughed.

Sai gave a small grin.

"I'll be sure to inform Ino of the plan."

He turned to Kakashi.

"Lord Sixth," he bowed. Then, he left the room with the others.

Hinata and Naruto watched them leave before turning their eyes to each other.

"Sakura spoke to me before she left." Hinata began.

"What did she say?" Naruto looked at Hinata pleadingly. He needed hope. Something to cling onto. This world.. he didn't know if he was prepared to face anything like Madara's war ever again.

Hinata looked away.

"She might have to undo the seal. Maybe even partially, if it's possible."

Naruto immediately understood.

The seal was no doubt affecting Himawari's own natural healing. Further.. It was possible that as Himawari's chakra shared its space with something similar to Kurama..

Sakura could take advantage of Himawari's healing factor during the operation.

"It may be the only chance we have." Naruto said quietly.

Hinata nodded.

"I agree."

They embraced again, holding each other for as long as they could.

DEEPA was annoyed.

He hated meetings.

He and Victor stood cloaked in a swirling mass of darkness. Eyes, Otogane's dojutsu, swam within black globs of rolling liquid. The chakra was thick in the air. It rolled over his skin in sickening, penetrating waves.

The dark sea spread for kilometers around as they waited for the others. Otogane's genjutsu was able to allow the inners of Kara to mentally link with one another, giving them an undetectable method of long distance communication.

"I can't believe we're the first ones." Victor chuckled.

Deepa remained silent.

He was tired of being paired with the old man.

To their left, the black chakra began to bubble.

It rose like a dripping fountain, forming into the shape of a woman with long hair and thigh high boots.

"Ah, Delta." Deepa gave a smile.

"How unfortunate." He said, smile growing wider.

"If it isn't Deepa and Victor. Lord Jigen's stray lot." Delta retorted with a spit of venom.

"Enjoy your position now, Delta." Victor warned.

"We-" Victor began, stepping closer to Deepa as he prepared to brag of their Outer's victory.

"Your success.. seems to have afforded you a rather confident tone.. Victor.." in the center of the growing group, chakra churned. It swirled and swirled until finally, the thin shape of a woman rose from the black liquid.

She had ebony hair and pale skin.

She was beautiful. Otogane wore an ageless yet young face, angular with a smoothness akin to marble. She had wide, black eyes, almost friendly, if you could ignore the curling dread that wafted about her.

She wore a simple dark brown kimono while a similarly colored haori was wrapped around her shoulders-

fastened at her breast with a child's skull.

"Otogane Gamou..!" Victor stammered, obviously unnerved as Otogane's gaze bore into him.

Deepa couldn't blame the old man. The vile chakra seemed to increase tenfold.

And this is only a genjutsu! Is this.. the strength of Antichakra?!

While they had used Otogane's jutsu previously, this was the first time she had ever revealed herself beyond her voice.

That realization brought Deepa to a new alertness-

And fear.

"Jigen.. had matters to attend to with Code in that realm. He asked me here in his stead. Consider myself.. Jigen's will."

Delta bowed, unnerved by the growing chakra that seemed to howl within all of their ears.

"Of course, Lady Otogane. What would you have us do?" Delta asked.

Tch! We're all inners.. even if Otogane is Jigen's favorite-

Deepa thought this, but knew inside himself there was another factor too.

Otogane Gamou possessed inhuman strength. Something beyond Deepa's comprehension. It was this much he knew, but dared not to verbalize, not even within his own thoughts.

"Delta.. you are to extend your operations into Kirigakure. Jigen.. cares not what you do..Ensure that the land is destabilized. Konoha.. is a nation that puts it on itself to protect its neighbors. This distraction will allow Victor and Deepa to continue with their dealings." Otogane said with a humored tone.

"Deepa.." Deepa's skin crinkled at the sound of Otogane directly addressing him.

"Your Outers have succeeded in procuring the scroll.."

"Yes. They're on their way to the land of Rivers now. We can then ferry it to-"

"No." Otogane said plainly.

Deepa furrowed his brow.

No?

"Amado has said that the project no longer has the time to wait for that transportation. I have sent my Upper, Subutai Ekēi, to retrieve the scroll himself. He will be the one to present it to Lord Jigen."

Deepa's face contorted into a snarl.

The Kumogakure swordsman?!

Rage billowed within him-

However, he was smarter than to lash out at Otogane here.

"Kamimura's teleportation juts-"

"Was sufficient in allowing you to enter Konoha with help. My jutsu.. is far too volatile to be used by anyone other than Subutai.. not to mention it would've been sensed by their Hokage."

Deepa understood.

But now that we have the Land of Rivers under control.. she doesn't need us. Which means she'll be the one to gain even more favor with Jigen!

"The project is of utmost concern to Jigen and Amado. If nurtured properly..it will fulfill our desires, and further our objective. The divine tree." Otogane spoke as her world began to unravel around them.

Enact Jigen's will..

Otogane's voice rang within Deepa's head as he was once again staring at a wooden wall slightly illuminated by a candle beside him. Victor shook, swearing as he wiped at his cloak.

"Damn Otogane!" He shouted.

Deepa folded his arms.

"Hmph. There's nothing we can do now. Besides.. we still may gain the upper hand.." Deepa smiled.

Once they were established in Rivers, they would be able to pursue something else.

The creation of their own divine tree.

Once they had the power of the chakra fruit, not even Jigen or Otogane could stand in their way.

It was simply a matter of time.

Deepa laughed aloud, throwing his arms outward.

"It's the dawning of a new age, Victor!" He laughed.

Soon.. I'll be rid of you as well!