BORUTO
SACHI YAMANAKA.
Short, blonde hair bobbed against her forehead, framing frantic light blue eyes as a desperate gaze peered ahead. There was only one thing on her mind.
Shota.
Sachi clasped her hands together tightly, sweat making palms slick to the touch. She was in an abandoned home found choked between two crossing streams.
Kawa no kuni..
The land of Rivers.
The young kunoichi released a steady beacon of chakra.
If you're in danger.. or if you think Konoha is after you.. come to the Land of Rivers. I will be there. I will sense you.
Shota's parting words before all this began thrummed within Sachi's mind. He loved her. They loved each other-
Sachi's senses began to calm.
I've been running for almost two days.. but I'm safe now. I'm here. I trust Shota. More than anything.
The home she hid within was built of wood, with exposed windows on every wall. A doorway, broken, spilled into the woody area outside. From cuts within the roof sunshine splashed, leaving warm patterns that crossed Sachi's eyes along with the thoughts that raced behind them.
In the silence between now and fate, Sachi found herself thinking about the interrogation.
Inadvertently, she shook. Sachi suddenly remembered the headband still warming a cold forehead as guilt tunneled through her body.
Two Konoha nin were killed. Shota.. he promised no one would die.
He said that this would help Konoha in ways it refused to help itself- using old Uzumaki techniques to fuel new medical technology.. to save lives!
Sachi shuddered.
The Death God scrolls.
Scrolls that, like the rest of the village, were warded behind a complex spell of chakra that only the barrier team knew of. The chakra inscriptions changed monthly.. However, Sachi had an innate ability.
Her sensory jutsu seemed to be able to decode chakra she felt. She understood the components of most jutsu, and while she couldn't perform the jutsu she experienced, she at least could record it, and knew how to replicate it. This was a skill that only Shota knew of.
Which is why when he asked for her help..
I wanted him to value me. To love me. He.. Shota isn't evil. I didn't think there would be any ha-
Sachi's emotions exploded as a familiar chakra suddenly stepped through an empty doorframe. She nearly leapt from her hiding place, smiling as her blue eyes locked onto an angular, handsome face shrouded by dark hair.
Shota smiled back softly. His skin was fair, smooth and unblemished, save for the red circles underneath his eyes. His pupils were dark brown- brooding and intelligent. As Sachi ran to him he pulled her close, caressing her head as she softly began to cry.
"I'm so glad you're safe," Shota whispered. They separated for a moment. Sachi looked up at Shota, tears falling from his eyes. She pulled his face down to hers, wiping his tears as she kissed him softly.
"They..didn't seem to pursue me as much as I expected. Sai must've held them back." Sachi said almost neutrally.
The shock of meeting Shota again.. after all of this.. it made it seem almost as if the last two days weren't real. But now that he was here-
"Two people died, Shota..!" Sachi whispered, almost as if she was still within Konoha's walls. She loved Shota.. but she needed to understand what was happening, and what this meant for them.
Shota gave her a look of genuine surprise. He then glanced away, out towards one of the windows and then to the wooded fields beyond.
He was silent.
"Shota! Please! I just.. I'm scared, Shota! I left everything for you!" Sachi pleaded.
Shota did look at her then. He slowly lifted his hand to Sachi's face, before cusping his palm against her cheek.
Sachi's heart ached.
Sho-
The thatched roof above cracked away with a violent, splintering bark. Sachi immediately turned, eyes wide as a scream filled her lungs.
A white, foxlike dog with blue eyes stood amongst the smoking debris. But that wasn't what filled her with terror.
No, far from it.
The upper body of a human girl was stitched to the dog's back, dried blood forming a matted, red ring around the girl's torso. Her arms dragged across the wood floor, while dark red hair veiled a lowered head.
Sachi.. she recognized the dog. It was Junban, one of Shota's ninken. Sachi knew Shota was interested in studying human biology.. but to do this..
This.. this is wrong!
Sachi stepped backwards.
Is this why Kiba expelled you, Shota?!
"Shota.. what did y-"
Sachi felt the weight of movement behind her.
She turned her head just as the tip of a kunai slashed across her neck. Sachi spun around, blood splattering against the wood.
Shota regarded her as she fell to her knees, blood pouring down a green flak jacket.
She tried to speak, tried to curse. Tried to scream. But she couldn't. Before she died, the last thing she saw were the tears in Shota's eyes.
"The Rasengan...?" Konohamaru repeated.
Boruto glared at Konohamaru, folding his arms across a purple shirt as the man groggily rubbed his eyes.
"Yes. I need to get stronger. Mastering the rasengan is a step towards that." Boruto said softly. As he spoke, the image of Himawari's mangled body reverberated throughout his mind.
Konohamaru's tiredness seemed to fade away as he nodded knowingly. But then, question painted over the man's face.
"I offered to teach you before..what changed?" Konohamaru raised an eyebrow.
Boruto looked away as a rising sun warmed his back.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
Alarm replaced confusion within Konohamaru.
"Sasuke Uchiha?" Konohamaru frowned.
"So.. he's returned."
Boruto nodded.
"He said he would help me become stronger.. if I can learn it." Boruto clasped his bandaged hand into a tight fist.
"The rasengan." Boruto finished.
Konohamaru remained silent. Boruto looked at him for some time, wondering what exactly was on the man's mind. His brows were furrowed, brown eyes focused on Boruto but somehow also past him.
Finally, Konohamaru spoke.
"Your dad.. the Hokage." Konohamaru graced Boruto with a slack smile.
"I know he trusts Sasuke Uchiha. No, it's beyond that."
Morning wind blew, causing Konohamaru's curly hair to rustle in the breeze.
"They're brothers. They love each other. But.."
Konohamaru's eyes snapped towards Boruto's.
"Sasuke did things that aren't forgivable. Things that-"
Unlike himself, Boruto interrupted.
"What things? What happened before the war, Sensei?" Boruto asked.
Sarada had spoken to him about her suspicions about the Uchiha, and he learned about their role in the war during his studies at the academy. But.. Other than that, there was absolutely no information on the clan itself.
When they were younger, it didn't stand out. But now...
It's clear that something happened. Something they're hiding from us.
"I.. I'm sorry, Boruto. I shouldn't get into this." Konohamaru sighed harshly, waving the subject away with both hands.
"Just know that.. Sasuke's path isn't the only way. I know what you want, Boruto. I had the same look in my eyes when I was your age. You want to succeed. To become stronger."
Konohamaru clasped Boruto's shoulder, offering a wide smile.
"Don't forget about the people who care about you. Sasuke.. he isolated himself. He thought only he could change things. I.. don't want you to become like that." Konohamaru said.
Boruto looked down, absorbing his Sensei's words.
He wanted to ask more, but he knew that Konohamaru was trying to keep something secret.
He didn't want to push the issue. Konohamaru deserved more than a pointless argument.
"With that said.. I can't imagine a greater honor than teaching you the rasengan, Boruto." Konohamaru grinned, curling his hand into a fist, eyes filled with fiery vigor.
"Back then.. your father was more than a Sensei. He was.. like an older brother to me. He's my family." Konohamaru affirmed.
"That means you are too!" Konohamaru offered his fist to Boruto.
Boruto raised his eyebrow.
"It's.. like the unison sign. Consider it an agreement. It's a promise I'll teach you your father's jutsu." Konohamaru said.
"Hmph." Boruto scoffed.
Nonetheless, he tapped a clenched fist against Konohamaru's own.
They began immediately.
Konohamaru brought Boruto to a wide clearing, trees bordering short grass peppered with white flowers.
"Now.. it won't be easy. This is something I actually hadn't thought of until now." Konohamaru began, standing in front of Boruto.
"To put it simply and rather bluntly.. you don't have a lot of chakra. Now, this is something that can be changed.. but I'd imagine that if you are able to learn the Rasengan, you'll only be able to perform it twice a day. Further, using it would immediately handicap you in a battle if it was anything less than a killing blow."
Konohamaru spoke as he circled Boruto, hand on his chin.
"With that said, I have faith in you. You're smart, Boruto. They say Minato was a genius. Himawari may have inherited his looks, but.. between you and I, Naruto says he sees Minato's spirit in you." Konohamaru grinned.
Boruto's eyes widened in surprise.
He then gave Konohamaru a cynical chuckle.
"Don't think that's going to encourage me. This isn't about him."
Konohamaru shook his head, laughing.
"I was expecting a response like that."
His face then grew serious.
".. I do want to ask you something, Boruto. I want to know what jutsu you used against that creature. The one that actually wounded it." Konohamaru said, face stern.
Boruto looked away.
When he somehow saved Himawari from being impaled, he had used his own chakra. The pain he felt afterwards paid credence to that.
But..
Boruto's mind flashed back to the moment the creature whipped into reality from the fog, seconds away from killing him-
"Shimmering Fang. It's my strongest jutsu." Boruto answered quietly.
It had been Konohamaru who taught him that justu.
"Lighting Style huh.." Konohamaru glanced up to the trees above them.
They were both silent for a long while.
Finally, Konohamaru spoke.
"Based on what I know about your abilities, Boruto.. I do have to wonder how you were able to infuse chakra powerful enough to actually hurt that thing. Do.. you remember anything else happening?" Konohamaru pressed delicately.
Boruto remained silent.
He remembered the exact moment. It seemed almost as if the chakra he used came from something. Came from somewhere.
His mind suddenly shook as he again saw It.. the figure lingering underneath the moon, hidden within black mist.
Cursed Eye...
"I don't remember. Everything.. it happened so fast." Boruto lied.
Konohamaru regarded Boruto for a moment. Boruto knew that his Sensei wanted to ask more.
However, Konohamaru smiled, dropping the issue.
It was then Konohamaru produced a water balloon.
"You'll get the basics quickly. I'm sure you already know the first principle of the rasengan." Konohamaru said.
Boruto nodded.
"Rotation." He answered.
Konohamaru held the balloon in his hand. In seconds, the balloon suddenly ruptured, water flying between shredded rubber.
"So you use your Chakra to break the balloon." Boruto narrowed his eyes.
"Rotation..this is to improve chakra control. Being able to manipulate chakra within your hand." Boruto spoke as he looked at his bandaged palm.
"That's exactly it." Konohamaru chuckled, scratching his nose with a finger.
"I'm impressed..." he said. He produced another water balloon, offering it to Boruto.
"You try." Konohamaru tossed the balloon into Boruto's waiting hands.
Rotation..
Boruto planted his feet. He held out one arm to his side as he closed his eyes.
The water balloon sat heavy in his palm. He felt the chakra within his body.. felt it begin to move.
His grandfather had taught him some basics of chakra control, more in tandem with how it actually traveled within yourself, as opposed to how efficiently it fueled your jutsu.
It is very much a different concept, one that only the Hyuga have mastered.
The voice of Hiashi rang within Boruto's head as his chakra worked within the center of his palm. He gradually began to turn the water.
"You're doing it!" Konohamaru said excitedly.
Boruto strained his brows as sweat began to fall down into his eyes.
He shot his chakra outwards-
Ouch!
His entire hand felt as if it had been torn open. Boruto faltered as the water balloon calmed.
I can see what Konohamaru means.. to be able to generate enough chakra to rupture the balloon isn't going to be easy. But..
Boruto's eyes flew open. He placed his free hand underneath the one that held the balloon.
He focused on the chakra network within his body. He felt it.. two opposite currents that swirled through his muscles, his bones.
Hiashi's voice returned to Boruto's mind.
You can direct chakra throughout your body. It is energy, Boruto. Feel it, just as you feel the sun and the air.
Boruto focused. He gritted his teeth as he felt himself dragging reluctant chakra into a steady spin within the balloon.
If my chakra isn't enough.. then I can try something a little more direct!
"...hah!" Boruto shouted. The water balloon began to shake as Boruto's chakra churned it from inside.
Then-
Konohamaru nearly fell over from shock.
The balloon burst..
Leaving behind sparks of electricity that seemed to ride air.
Boruto fell to one knee, gasping.
"Boruto! That was amazing!" Konohamaru excitedly rushed over to Boruto, helping him to his feet.
"To be able to use elemental jutsu to supplant your own chakra while manipulating it...it's simple at this level, but the application itself was perfect. If it was any weaker, you would've failed. Any stronger.. you would've lost your hand. " Konohamaru trailed off.
"With that said.. it gets a lot more difficult from here. I can guarantee you that."
DELTA SNIFFED at the air.
Boro's temple stunk. The smell of rotting flesh filled Delta's nose. She ignored it as she walked, guarded to her left by her upper, Soejima Komeyo.
The man was tanned, handsome with a laughing face. Jet black hair was tied into a zigzagging ponytail behind his head, while eyes so slanted they seemed shut playfully gazed ahead. He wore a robe painted in a menagerie of colorful birds, while a murmuring human head dangled from a chain wrapped around his right hand.
They both walked across the Temple's outside courtyard, a long line of statues gracing either side of them.
The statues were in various positions- but all of them seemed to devour their own flesh.
Delta scrunched her nose at the brutality of Boro's religion- even more so than the smell of the human sacrifices, found left in pits beside the looming figures.
A massive door waited beyond two sets of stairs. They continued.
Delta raised the key given to her by Code, and in seconds the stone doorway slid into the bowels of the temple, allowing Delta and Soejima entry.
Fires lined darkened halls...but Delta wasn't here to pour over sacred text.
Soejima led the way as they entered chamber after chamber, their footsteps echoing throughout the crypt-like maze. Finally...
Soejima stopped before a door that was guarded only by two torches that rested on either side.
"She's here. Yes.. I can feel Amado's jutsu." He whispered with a peculiar, snakelike tone.
Delta again raised the key.
The door slid underneath a rustle of ancient stone..
The room was carved with sealing jutsu. Rope lined with tape seals snaked from the ceiling down to the stone floor. A sphere of oil rolled constantly, dripping tears of black blood as rope constricted around it.
Delta frowned.. but again, lifted the key.
The sphere of oil instantly fell onto the ground, black ink flying for Delta's face. Soejima's chains rattled as he swung the whispering head in a circling arc, allowing it to greedily devour the oil.
Delta lowered her head, regarding the being before her with both caution and curiosity.
A figure, feminine, stood with arms taught in a rigid stance.
She had square cut bangs, blonde in color, while the rest of her hair fell down to the back of her waist. Her skin was dark, the color of wood, while her eyes were a bright, pale blue.
On her forehead a swirling pattern was found, seemingly carved into her flesh.
Despite this, she had an.. almost friendly appearance, welcoming and beautiful.
Botashirin Zhenjin.
"... can you hear me, Botashirin?" Delta ventured.
If necessary, the Seal should work on her now. Though, like most of Delta's abilities, it's usage came at a risk. Delta was powerful.. However, she was unable to infuse chakra. Meaning the chakra she had carried a finite limit before needing to be replaced.
The seal, in a way, was more effective as a psychological tool. But would something like this work on a monster like Botashirin..?
"You..." Botashirin began. Her stance relaxed as she wobbled on her feet.
"Do.. you know who I am?" Delta asked.
Botashirin wiped away black oil that clung to her face. She cocked her head sideways as she regarded Delta with an unfamiliar gaze.
"A..Ada.. you.. you came back.." Botashirin stammered.
Despite herself, Delta laughed in genuine surprise.
"Ada?!" She cackled.
Ada was another failed vessel.. as the inheritor of Jigen's emotion and sight, she lacked overall combat ability. However, Delta knew Ada was dangerous.
Perhaps the most dangerous one of them all.
She wasn't surprised Jigen himself imprisoned her.
Botashirin's questioning murmur brought Delta back to the present.
"Yes- it's you, isn't it, Ada?" Botashirin lurched forward-
The vessel vanished.
Delta's eyes widened as she felt a kiss of air beside her.
She's right beside me- she moved this fast with just physical strength!
Soejima gasped in surprise-
"Don't move, Soejima!" Delta ordered. The man stilled as silence filled the tomb.
Botashirin played with Delta's hair as she circled the blonde woman, appraising her appearance.
Delta followed Botashirin's gaze..
Her awareness is slowly coming back. The confusion in her eyes.. it's fading..
"Yes.. Yes- it has to be you!" Botashirin exclaimed. Her speech was noticeably clearer. The vessel stepped backward.
"If it's not you.. then why have I suffered so long.. only to be brought back into this world? I was.. content with the pain.." Botashirin's face cracked into a smile.
The vessel lifted her hand as the chamber seemed to darken.
Delta felt air rushing over her skin. She could hear Soejima's robes softly fluttering behind her-
Killing intent snaked throughout the air. Delta.. she felt as if she could see it. It was a curling, dragon-like chakra that twisted about Botashirin, rippling in the air as if an echo itself.
"You are Ada. Only you could free me. Only you would." Botashirin spoke flatly as her blue eyes seemed to glow from behind a veil of cackling chakra.
Delta swallowed harshly.
"I am Ada," Delta smiled, walking towards Botashirin. Delta slowly opened her arms as she approached.
"I am here for you, Botashirin. I love you."
Botashirin's eyes were unreadable. Delta stopped just short of the vessel.
"You have to be." Botashirin replied eerily.
Delta faltered, but kept her smile.
"Hug me. You'll remember, Bota." Delta cooed.
This seemed to move the vessel- Botashirin's eyes softened. She entered Delta's embrace.
"It is you." Botashirin whispered.
Delta could feel tears wetting her tunic.
"It is." Delta assured, holding Botashirin closer as the vessel silently wept.
She had already sent her outer ahead to Kirigakure. Now, she herself was prepared.
I'm ready for you, Fifth Hokage!
RAIN FELL HEAVILY, flashes of lighting illuminating windows that lined a curling hallway. A small collection of houses were able to be discerned with each strike, before vanishing into darkness once more.
Shizune ran ahead, flanked by two Kiri-nin. Shouts filled the building as loud snaps bounced between walls.
"Is it Nagayasu's forces again?" Shizune snapped her eyes to the kunoichi beside her.
"No.. the reports-" The woman froze.
Shizune herself stopped, sensing someone approaching from a room ahead.
Alarms instantly went off in Shizune's head-
This chakra..!
More screams. Then, a crash.
The door ahead flew open- with a headless, armless body flying behind it.
The body slid across the smooth hallway floor as the rain continued to beat upon the windows outside.
The cuts on the body.. they were clean- too clean to have been done by a blade.
It was then she saw him.
A man casually walked through the now broken door frame. Behind him, Shizune could make out the faint crumple of bodies in the darkness.
He was thin, youthful and pale skinned. His hair was a bright yellow, slicked back save for two bangs that fell over thick brown brows and green eyes.
He wore a sleeveless black tunic that fit tightly over his chest, while his legs were dressed in simple flared trousers that cuffed into onyx divided-toe boots.
"Ah.." he began.
"You two- you need to ru-" Shizune began.
She stopped mid sentence, senses forcing her to the floor-
She rolled backwards as a visible prism of chakra cut through the air.
The two kiri-nin were bisected instantly, blood spraying across Shizune's face.
What jutsu is this..?!
"You're more skilled than the rest. You can see them, can't you?" The man smiled.
"Who are you..? You're not of Kirigakure." Shizune said steely.
This man is strong.
He ignored her, raising his hands before pressing them together- one hand facing Shizune, the other pointed upwards.
"Perceiving them isn't that special. Most nin above jonin can. This just means you'll see your own death coming."
The man smiled.
"My name is Sou Akki," he introduced politely.
Between the shape created by his hands, chakra glowed- until it shot out for Shizune, expanding in size as it snapped through the air.
Shizune dodged again, leaping upwards-
A disc of chakra effortlessly cut through Shizune's left wrist. She screamed in pain, gritting her teeth as she threw herself to the adjacent wall.
Shizune flipped herself upwards, narrowly dodging another prism of lethal chakra as it dissipated against the wall.
She focused her chakra and her breathing.
Tsunade's teaching allowed her to stop the bleeding, righting herself while the man simply watched with a slight smile.
"Yes, I wonder how long you'll last."
The man spread his fingers as if he was about to catch something thrown to him. He then interlocked them, forming a cage that he lifted before green eyes.
"You know what happens next, don't you?" He asked.
Shizune steadied herself. She raised her remaining hand into a jutsu sign.
She had no other option. She had to fight.. no, had to survive. For Tsunade. For Konoha.
"Ho..?" Sou chuckled.
"I suppose...you want to entertain me!"
Shizune charged, light filling her eyes as Sou's chakra exploded into existence.
NEXT TIME: Nagayasu Hoshigaki- Dread of the Mist!
