BORUTO ALTER
NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
TRAINING BEGINS? SASUKE'S TERMS!
"THE POLITICAL landscape of the Mist is dire." Sai began, reading a letter they had received that morning.
Dark hair traveled down the sides of Sai's head and forehead as he looked up to regard Naruto. Naruto himself was seated at the Hokage's table, hands clasped into one another as advisors fanned outwardly from the left and right sides of his desk.
It was late. This session had been postponed to allow Naruto to stay with Himawari and the rest of his family for the day. However.. As Sai continued, Naruto knew that they were officially on borrowed time.
"Chōjūrō's grip on Kirigakure grows weaker with each passing day. While some in the village support a new direction for the Mist, a growing faction has spread whispers of inefficiency and rebellion. You sent me here on the auspices of creating a joint medical research facility, but now there are talks amongst clans that this mission is evidence of takeover."
Sai looked up at the group before returning to the letter.
"I recommend two teams be sent immediately. If these rebel clans gain more strength, we could quickly find ourselves embroiled in a conflict worse than the one in Sunagakure two years ago. I will remain, and work with the teams jointly once they arrive."
Sai rolled the scroll back into itself and then held it before him with both hands.
"Lady Tsunade's message," Sai said with a bow as Naruto rose from his chair, taking the scroll. He unfurled it once more, blue eyes going over the words Sai had just spoken.
Worse than Sunagakure..
Two years ago, a distant member of the Kazekage clan started a bloody conflict that threatened both Gaara's immediate family and the stability of the nation itself. The war had been won not only by Gaara, but by his son, Shinki. Naruto knew Shinki was the result of a marriage alliance between Gaara's regime and a branch of the Kazekage clans.. one that was closely related to the Third Kazekage.
The Kazekage clans possessed no proper surnames as was Suna tradition. However, these royal families had meticulously recorded bloodlines.. to keep the peace, governorship and land was divided amongst them based on the purity of each clan. Gaara's marriage was seen as a grab for power- and created a civil war that gave Shinki the name Chi no Ko.. child of blood.
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he reread Tsunade's plea. It was possible that the near success of the Sunagakure Rebellion emboldened the mist clans. For some time.. the world was at peace not only from the fallout of the Great Ninja War, but also out of fear. Fear of the great nations and also the leaders behind them- Naruto especially.
But now..
Peace brought boldness. And within the minds of Shinobi who see their opportunity and livelihood vanish with each passing day-
Boldness carries ambition. Even though the rebellion failed, the fact that Gaara- one of the great heroes of the Fourth Ninja War and legendary Kazekage, was nearly brought to heel was not unnoticed.
We're no longer immortal, Naruto thought to himself.
The voice of Kakashi brought Naruto out of his private ponders.
Kakashi massaged a chin masked in blue cloth as he spoke.
"Do we know anything about the rebelling clans?" He asked.
Sai nodded.
"Tsunade provided only one name: The Hoshigaki clan."
Naruto furrowed his brows.
"The same as Kisame." He whispered.
"More specifically, Nagayasu Hoshigaki. The current head. His son Shizuma seems to lead a small faction as well.. a group claiming to be the new seven swordsmen of the mist." Sai said coolly.
Kakashi scoffed.
"New seven swordsmen? These kiri nin are putting on quite the show aren't they." He said.
Shikamaru frowned.
"Regardless of their bravado.. the threat is real. Tsunade is right. This is a situation that can easily grow out of control. Not to mention..if this Nagayasu is even half as powerful as Kisame was.. Chōjūrō isn't strong enough to face him."
"Then the question is: which teams do we send?" Kakashi replied, nodding towards Shikamaru.
Shikamaru pondered for a moment.
"It would be best to send one genin team and two Jonin. Perhaps Tokubetsu rank." He said.
Naruto nodded in agreement.
"We're still dealing with our own problems here. I'd like to keep as many teams and their leaders within Konoha as possible." Naruto rose from his chair.
"We'll send Team 10 along with Mugino.. and you, Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto said with a slight smile.
Kakashi chuckled. "An S-rank mission huh.. its certainly been awhile."
Then, Naruto turned to Shikamaru.
"If you have any concerns with my decision-" Naruto began.
Shikamaru waved his hand.
"He's ready. Almost a little scary. Takes after his mom a bit too much for my comfort." Shikamaru said with a sigh.
"Anyway.. I know the same goes for his team too. They've been training. Ever since Sunagakure." Shikamaru said softly.
All of them were silent for a moment. Team 10 had been the only ones sent to Sunagakure during the civil war. They almost didn't make it back.
With that said, it was this experience that made the genin team a highly specialized one- and in some respects, almost as skilled as the Tokubetsu Jonin accompanying them.
"Now that that's settled.. Sai, your report from the barrier team?" Naruto said, motioning his hand towards Sai.
Uncharacteristically, Sai faltered.
Naruto said nothing, but narrowed his eyes while Sai averted his gaze.
"There has been.. a new development. One that I personally attempted to control. As such.. a suspect has escaped." Sai whispered.
Naruto remained silent, as did Kakashi.
It was Shikamaru who spoke, his voice controlled but incensed.
"Escaped?! What's going on Sai! What happened with the barrier team? It has to do with the Yamanaka clan, doesn't it?" Shikamaru accused.
Sai's face contorted into a stern frown. His eyes locked onto Shikamaru, steely raising his voice.
"I am the head of the Anbu. I am trying to shield this village from the darkness Danzo brought to it. There are more clans involved than simply the Yamanaka, Shikamaru!" Sai hissed.
"Shikamaru.. please." Naruto offered a smile to his old friend. Shikamaru folded his arms, inhaling deeply while Sai resumed.
"As you know, the Inuzuka clan was placed in control of the police force. Due to their innate tracking abilities, they worked closely with the barrier team.."
"What's the Inuzuka clan have to do with this?" Kakashi asked.
Sai answered.
"Kiba rather independently leads not only the police force, but his clan. It seems he kept something from us."
"Well? Don't play coy." Shikamaru scoffed.
Sai ignored him.
"About eight months ago, Kiba banished Shota Inuzuka from Konoha. He then suppressed the information. We found this out due to coming across Sachi Yamanaka.. a barrier team member. She was in a relationship with Shota." Sai said.
"However, it goes further. Her interrogation was strange. She showed signs of distress. Sweating. When asked about the lapse in security in terms of the barrier team, she completely broke down."
Kakashi understood immediately.
"So that's your suspect. But you said she was lost..?" Kakashi questioned.
"As this situation now seemed to involve two clans.. I attempted to shield Sachi. I wanted to speak to her directly. But something scared her. She must've somehow sensed Anbu tailing her. She was able to evade our guards, and escape the village."
"It's clear then.. It's possible Sachi helped this group enter the village. But in terms of what they did.. it doesn't make sense." Shikamaru said.
Naruto raised his eyebrows in confusion.
"What do you mean, exactly?"
"You would assume Sachi would help the group out of revenge for Shota. But stealing the scroll has nothing to do with the barrier team nor the involved clans. The shinobi killed weren't intended targets, just people in the wrong place at the wrong time." Shikamaru explained.
Naruto understood.
He's right. Why would Sachi help a rogue group enter the village.. to no gain of herself or Shota?
Kakashi seemed to grasp it as well.
"The motive is strange. I would say the connection was tenuous, had she not run." The sixth Hokage offered.
"Her actions definitely speak of a panicked person. But now we lost our prime suspect and witness." Shikamaru said pointedly to Sai in all but name.
"Then we have no choice. Tomorrow, we will go to the military police force compound. I will speak to Kiba directly.. and find out more about this Shota Inuzuka." Naruto said.
"We'll give Team 10 and Mugino a day to prepare. You as well, Kakashi." Naruto added.
Naruto wished his advisors well, personally walking with them out of the Hokage's chambers. They were all tired.. peace seemed to have afforded conflicts more complicated than war. As Naruto returned to his office, his thoughts again drifted to his children.
Boruto. Himawari.
Earlier that day, Boruto had remained entirely silent as they watched over Himawari's healing. His sister still hadn't awoken.. as Naruto looked at his son, he recognized the emotions that were written on the boy's face.
Anger. Resentment. Shame.
Naruto clenched his fist, swearing to himself as he sat back down.
I couldn't protect them. Despite all of my power..
"Oi.. Naruto."
A shadow loomed to Naruto's right. The Hokage nearly jumped in surprise as Sasuke's tall, cloaked frame shambled into view.
"Sasuke?!" Naruto exclaimed.
Sasuke frowned.
"Tch.. loud as always, Naruto." Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Naruto understood his closest friend almost immediately.
"What is it you found, Sasuke?" Naruto asked.
"They're not like we assumed. Their society isn't built like ours. They're small in number.. but incredibly powerful. Kaguya.. seems to descend from some godlike bloodline, even amongst their kind." Sasuke answered.
They.
The Ōtsutsuki clan.
"They're still active, Naruto. I was attacked by one. It seemed to be defending a small temple, but decided whatever was within it wasn't worth being fully discovered." As Sasuke spoke, he reached into his cloak.
Naruto's eyes widened. Sasuke produced a glowing talisman- it was covered in a flowing script that seemed to pulsate within the air. Chakra whirled amongst it almost as if it was a living creature.
"What is that?" Naruto instinctively flinched away.
"An Ōtsutsuki tome. Though this is the first one I've found that is still.. for lack of a better term, alive." Sasuke answered.
Before Naruto could ask, Sasuke continued.
"Ōtsutsuki tomes are recorded with memories. They're living artifacts of their civilization. However, if the tomes aren't able to feed off of a steady stream of chakra, they become defective. The ones I've found before this one were like that. It made translation almost impossible."
"But this one.. you can read it?" Naruto questioned.
Sasuke slightly dipped his head.
"It will take time."
Then, Sasuke's eyes met Naruto's.
"They will be coming soon. I can feel it. That's why they didn't commit to their attack when they faced me. They want to maintain their surprise."
"Ōtsutsuki.. there's something happening here, too. A group that may be in possession of a dojutsu that looks like the Rinnegan." Naruto said.
Sasuke's eye widened in shock.
"Like the Rinnegan?" He hissed.
Naruto nodded, explaining not only the group, but the brutal attack on Himawari as well.
After a long silence, Sasuke spoke.
"The village isn't ready, Naruto. Not even the Jonin are strong enough." Sasuke looked towards the buildings outside.
"I know." Naruto replied.
"Hmph. You look tired." Sasuke said curtly.
"I am. All of that happened in the past day, y'know." Naruto responded sheepishly.
"Then I'll let you find a semblance of rest. It's time I return home." Sasuke's voice seemed a little lighter than usual.
Naruto grinned.
"Don't let me keep you." He said.
Sasuke nodded brusquely, opening a nearby window as he stepped outside.
"It's good to have you back, Sasuke." Naruto smiled.
Sasuke nodded again before jumping into the night sky.
Sasuke leapt from building to building, sliding down nearby railing before alighting down to Konoha's streets. The moon was fat in the air, while stars exploded onto a canvas of black above.
Sasuke stopped walking.
He stepped backward as a kunai sped past inches away from his nose, thudding into a wooden fence to his right.
A figure leapt into the light of the moon.
Sasuke remained still as the figure landed underneath the shadow of an adjacent building.
Sasuke smirked.
He's fast.
Movement exploded-
A shape charged for Sasuke, sandals slapping against the wood fence as it ran across it. Chakra began to hiss in the air-
"Lighting style: thunderclap arrow!"
A spear of light zipped for Sasuke-
"Wind Style: multiple gale palm!"
Sasuke was genuinely surprised at this-
From behind?! I can't sense him!
Sasuke spun on his feet, extending one hand behind himself as he absorbed the incoming lighting jutsu.
He focused his eye on the crescents of compressed air that threatened to behead him-
Amenotejikara!
Sasuke switched places with one of the blades of air- and in the process, honed in on his target.
Sasuke's Rinnegan glowed as an orb of gravity swirled into existence in midair. It threw his attacker to the ground, holding him in place as Sasuke softly landed with a plume of smoke.
"You're certainly skilled. I couldn't sense you for a moment." Sasuke said as he looked down at the subdued assailant.
The boy clawed at the ground, attempting to free himself of the gravity that imprisoned him.
"You're- Sasuke.. Uchiha! You almost defeated the H-Hokage!" The boy said.
Sasuke chuckled.
"And who told you that, young shinobi?" Sasuke asked.
"My father.. the Hokage!"
Sasuke smirked inside himself.
I had assumed as much.
The boy had long dark hair.. but in the light of the moon, Sasuke could see the resemblance between the boy and Naruto. They had the same shaped eyes, the same marks on their cheeks.. and seemingly, the same single minded determination that irritated Sasuke to no end.
But there was something that intrigued Sasuke. The boy's line of attack.. it was planned out. Not only that, he had evaded Sasuke's senses until the very moment he struck. At the very least, he had more natural talent than Naruto did at the same age.
"I never had any chance of defeating your father." Sasuke said plainly. He dispelled his jutsu. The boy's body instantly relaxed as he rose, hands on his knees as he coughed.
"I needed to steal chakra in order to even pose a threat to him. But your father wasn't even fighting to kill me. Had he been, I would not be speaking to you now." Sasuke spoke easily despite the admittance.
"That doesn't matter! You're- you're Sasuke Uchiha. The power you wield.." the boy trailed off. Then, he struck his chest with his fist.
"I need to become stronger. My dad.. he doesn't have what it takes to get me where I need to be. But someone like you-"
"Why were you out here?" Sasuke interrupted.
The boy paused.
"...I followed my dad to the Hokage's office.. I was trying to listen in on their meeting. I heard some things. They're sending my friends to Kirigakure. That's also why I have to-"
"I can't train you." Sasuke answered coolly.
The boy's face fell. However, instead of getting offended, his determination seemed to grow even bolder.
"I know I'm weak now. But I can get stronger."
"That's the problem. If I trained you now.. you would die. There would be no point to it." Sasuke said with a bite of finality.
He continued on his way, leaving the boy standing at the intersection of two sidewalks.
Sasuke heard footsteps running behind him-
He turned, frowning-
The boy caught up before falling to hands and knees. He desperately began entreating Sasuke.
"I need to improve. Right now.. I'm too weak. I can't protect anyone. Not even my sister.." Blue silver eyes lost in pained reflection suddenly snapped towards Sasuke.
"Please. Help me." The boy asked.
Sasuke grimaced.
"Maybe I was wrong to have been impressed by you."
The boy sharply drew in his breath.
"Wallowing in self pity.. begging others to show you the path to strength. I can tell that you lack it."
".. it?"
Sasuke turned from the boy again.
This time, as Sasuke walked, he heard the sound of a blade slashing across skin. Sasuke spun on his feet, eyes wide as the boy now stood, defiant in the moonlight.
The boy held out his palm, unmoving as a steady stream of blood gushed from where he had sliced it open.
"I promise you.. Sasuke Uchiha. I will never be this weak again.." the boy said. His voice was strong. Resolute.
Sasuke scoffed.
"What is your name?"
"Boruto.." Boruto lowered his bleeding hand, cusping it into a tight fist.
"Boruto.. Uzumaki." The boy finished.
"Can you perform the Rasengan?" Sasuke asked.
Boruto seemed to be surprised.
"No-"
"If you can learn the Rasengan..." Sasuke's cape billowed as he turned from Boruto for the last time.
"I'll accept you as my student.." Sasuke's voice seemed to fade with him as he escaped into the darkness beyond the reach of the moon.
Boruto stood, alone as he bandaged his palm.
The Rasengan...
He clenched his wound, blood dressing new bandages a shade of deep red.
SHOJOJI bit deeply into bone. His tongue slurped up the blood and flesh still on it, as sharp canines broke bone into splinters, marrow gushing from between white cracks.
Shojoji was crouched over a young woman. He was within her blood covered home- The woman's dead husband was a few meters away in the kitchen, where Shojoji had beaten him to death. Aside from the sound of Shojoji's eating, it was eerily silent.
He was lucky. Both were non combatant shinobi, but they possessed the chakra natures Shojoji needed. He wouldn't go as far as to steal their bodies, but their power.. as little as it may be, would serve his personal ends.
Shojoji threw his head backwards, his meal plummeting into his stomach with a sickening splash.
He-
Shojoji..
The man nearly vomited. His vision spun as he tumbled over, catching himself on his hands as he tried to focus. Pain split from the base of his head to the tip of his belly button, rupturing up and down his spine.
Otogane Gamou..!
Shojoji swore. She hadn't contacted him in nearly ten years.. what could Kara possibly want with him now?!
Shojoji.. I know you hear me..
Another gust of pain plowed through Shojoji.
This time, he did vomit.
I- I am here, Lady Otogane, Shojoji spoke within himself.
the walls of the woman's home suddenly turned black.
The center wall, the one closest to Shojoji, began to swirl as if a pool of water. Dozens of pale faces suddenly surfaced amongst the blackened liquid, circling around the head of a young woman- beautiful with long onyx hair.
Otogane Gamou.
"Shojoji..You haven't forgotten your oath to Kara, have you? I have been lax with your discipline. But you are still amongst my lower guard."
Shojoji chuckled.
"I'm the only one who's survived." He rasped.
"It pleases me that such a plain truth has clung to you, Shojoji." Otogane said.
Shojoji adopted a dead tone. He knew better than to resist Otogane. He was thankful she had ignored him for as long as she had.
"What would you have me do, Lady Gamou?" Shojoji bowed his head.
"A team of lowers encountered two groups of Konoha shinobi." Otogane began.
The leaf village?
Shojoji raised an eyebrow, but remained silent as Otogane continued.
"One of them encountered a chakra.. a chakra that for a split second, felt almost like my own." Otogane said.
Shojoji immediately refused the information he had just been given.
"That's impossible. If it was like yours, that would mean it was fr-" Shojoji stopped as pain, pain worse than before, erupted behind his eyes. He cried aloud in torment, throwing himself to the floor as he desperately clawed at burning pupils. The faces within the wall laughed as Otogane's voice boomed.
"Do not presume to know truth, Shojoji. I know what I have felt." Otogane rumbled.
Shojoji wept as he spoke.
"Of course, Lady Gamou!" He pleaded. He didn't care what he said. He just wanted the pain to end.
Otogane smirked as Shojoji's agony did indeed slowly fade away.
"To see someone so cruel speak with such earnest innocence.. it's almost insulting.." Otogane seemed to laugh.
"...Konoha.." Shojoji said, breathing heavily.
He looked up. the walls-
They were normal again, albeit covered in the former owner's blood. Shojoji was alone.
He knew why Otogane was sending him. He could navigate under the radar of Jigen.. not to mention he was the only member of Kara who could entirely change his appearance and chakra natures. Still.. for Otogane to be driven to these lengths.. she obviously didn't want Kara to know of this mission.
Especially not Jigen.
Was it really possible she sensed something like that? What living being could possess such chakra-
Shojoji was frozen for a moment. But then, he shrugged. Such questions were beyond him. His only objective was to find out who that chakra belonged to. To which, Shojoji smiled.
His methods were cruel.. but such was the life of Shinobi.
NEXT CHAPTER: FORMATION INO-SHIKA-CHO!
