BORUTO ALTER
KAKASHI grinned underneath his mask, eyes closed into thin slits.
"Ah, Lady Tsunade," Kakashi spoke with a happy but quiet politeness, bowing towards the fifth hokage who was seated before him.
Tsunade smiled, brown eyes shadowed underneath blonde bangs.
"You arrived faster than I expected." She said, seated at a table covered in hastily scribed intel.
Kakashi found himself in Tsunade's medical center, a joint project between Kirigakure and Konoha. However.. Now it had become a sort of headquarters, a central operations unit dedicated to retaining the order of Chojūrō's government.
"Naruto sent us immediately." Kakashi answered as he lifted his head.
"I'm having Mugino and Moegi patrol the current borders under Chōjūrō's control. I know that this.. Nagayasu Hoshigaki has been launching intermittent attacks. Turning villages against their own Kage." Kakashi folded his arms across a green flak jacket.
"Based on what I saw on the way here.. I understand that there's more to it than that." Kakashi said quietly.
Tsunade offered him nothing but a bitter smirk, closing her eyes as she looked away almost in shame.
"You're perceptive, Kakashi." Tsunade said somberly, resting a finger on the corner of her forehead as she slouched to the right of her desk.
"Nagayasu is powerful. He's smart, too. Very resourceful." Tsunade met Kakashi's eyes then.
"I'm sure you've seen it. How empty the markets are. How no people walk the streets. Nagayasu's attacks.. they're concentrated on Kirigakure's trade routes. He starves out sections of the land until local clans swear fealty to him." Tsunade spoke as she straightened herself, leaning forward while long hair brushed against the table underneath her.
"So his forces are formidable as well." Kakashi said.
Tsunade nodded.
"They're stronger than many of the Kirigakure nin who still serve Chōjūrō. Nagayasu has attracted powerful clans within the Mist.. clans that want more. More control."
Kakashi chuckled.
"Clans that want to be free of Konoha's passive leadership." He added.
The peace that Naruto brought us.. was it foolish to assume it would last forever?
Tsunade smiled weakly.
"Perhaps."
The Fifth Hokage then folded both of her hands together, before resting a pointed chin on her makeshift throne.
"I sent Shizune to the northern districts. Nagayasu's rogue nin are making headway there. Cutting off our supply lines. It's a crucial village.. losing it would leave the rest of Kirigakure open to Nagayasu's encroachment."
Tsunade's face seemed to falter slightly.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
"What's happened, Tsunade?" Kakashi asked.
Again, Tsunade gifted a slack, defeated smile.
"I haven't heard back from her in about ten hours. We've sent encoded chakra messages that should have been intercepted by the sensory nin under her. I.. trust Shizune. With my life. But this silence isn't like her. I fear the worst, Kakashi." Tsunade said.
"Then the northern districts should be our first priority. We'll see what's going on there." Kakashi nodded.
"And- We'll come back with Shizune. That's a promise, Tsunade." Kakashi looked away from Tsunade as a single tear fled from her eye.
"Please.. Kakashi!" She clasped her hands together, bowing her head towards him as more tears stained her countenance.
Kakashi glared ahead, a hidden grimace forming at the corners of his mouth.
It never ends.. this pain. No matter how old you get.. no matter what you survive.
Kakashi's gaze softened.
"We won't fail you."
"COME NOW! That can't be all you can do, right?" Sou Akki's voice bellowed down darkened halls.
Shizune turned mid-run, narrowly dodging a triangle of pink chakra that cut bits of her hair as it passed.
Blood crept from numerous wounds- some superficial..
Some serious.
Pain racked Shizune's body as she moved, skipping backwards while Sou gained on her with casual speed.
"You've been fighting rather defensively!" Sou grinned. He ran forward-
Shizune suddenly pounced on Sou, slashing her remaining hand at his neck. He chuckled, sidestepping the blow, spinning to her exposed flank.
"You've barely used any jutsu.." Sou hissed.
Shizune's senses screamed.
Three crescents of chakra sprung from Sou's hand, hidden behind the curve of his waist.
Shizune tapped into her chakra, forcing her body to move faster than her muscles would allow. Her shadow danced backwards, before breaking into a nearby doorway.
"I can't believe you're fighting like this. I've been holding back as well.. of course. But from how you're dodging, it's clear you have more to offer." Sou's voice trailed Shizune as she rushed through a wide assembly area. Circular walls surrounded her, while deeply bloodstained floors splashed with every step.
Corpses were spread about the room. Ruined door frames bled to further halls ahead, which in turn lead to the entrances of the structure.
Now that I'm here.. I can go all out- I need to wound him as much as I can, then try to escape!
Shizune spun, blood spraying across her legs.
Sou playfully splashed towards her.
"I see! So, that's your plan!" Sou grinned.
Shizune offered a sinister smirk.
"I hope I don't disappoint you." Shizune replied.
Sou frowned in slight concern-
Shizune's remaining hand snapped in the air as she formed jutsu signs with deadly speed and accuracy.
"Ninja Art: Recirculation!" Shizune said, chakra forming at the base of her fingers. She tapped into her built up reserves, sprinting for Sou.
His expression changed again- genuine concern on his face.
That's right- I've been holding back my physical speed as well!
Shizune raced for Sou, dancing to the left and right as prisms of chakra hurtled for her legs and arms.
It's working- he was holding back, but now he's not used to my movement!
Shizune was upon Sou- a wall of blood splashed between them as Sou desperately kicked ahead.
Shizune crouched downwards as she ran, clasping Sou's falling leg as her chakra pulsed into his veins.
Sou gasped, coughing up red gore. He gave Shizune a wild, confused look. To Shizune's surprise, Sou immediately recovered with a rounding double kick- sending her rolling backwards through shallow blood.
Shizune hit the chamber wall with an echoing crash. Sou advanced-
Before wavering on his feet.
He gripped his right eye, blood pouring between gloved fingers.
"It.. it hurts!" Sou shouted.
He moved his free arm to attack-
It suddenly went limp.
Sou screamed in equal parts fear and frustration.
Medical nin are often thought of as only healers, weak and unseasoned ninja unsuited for the heat of battle!
Shizune swirled for Sou as he staggered backwards.
But it is our knowledge of healing, our knowledge of the body that makes us the perfect warrior!
Shizune angled herself for Sou's wavering back-
She again flipped her fingers into jutsu signs.
Ninja Art: Severing vein!
A scalpel of chakra spun from Shizune's finger tips. It caught onto Sou's neck-
Shizune pulled her hand backwards as Sou's muscles began to tear free.
Two arrows of pink chakra shot from above. One of them cut Shizune's line, while the other spun for her forehead.
She jumped to the right as Sou's attacks dissipated into the blood below them.
A shadow clone- above!
Shizune somersault backwards.
Sou's shadow clone landed directly before her, advancing with a series of attacks that forced her backwards.
I meant to kill him.. but he's wounded now!
Shizune accepted a sundering punch to the stomach, grasping the clone's arm before throwing it to the ground. She then zipped a poison needle into its neck, causing it to explode in a cloud of white smoke while the real Sou cackled.
"I.. underestimated you- that's for sure! But.. I did tell you I was holding back, didn't I?" Sou began to straighten.
My recirculation jutsu should have redirected his bloodstream- affecting his movement and perception.. but it looks like he's beginning to counter it somehow!
Sou threw his head upwards, two steady streams of blood riveting from both of his eyes.
"What a nasty jutsu.. I've had to use my chakra to forcibly move my blood to the right places. I'm not surprised Nagayasu wants you dead."
Shizune narrowed her gaze. She fluttered her fingers, poison darts suddenly appearing between each of them.
"So you are working for Hoshigaki."
Sou offered Shizune a bloodied smile.
"Not yet. That's what you're for." Sou formed a jutsu sign.
"Gas Release: Shatter Reel."
Light suddenly erupted from underneath Sou as his chakra spiked to new heights.
Gas release?! So is that how he's making those shapes? Controlling the gas- the atoms in the air and forming them into tangible figures with chakra?!
A snaking,whiplike laser of chakra slashed for Shizune, sizzling the pool of blood as it raced above it.
Shizune jumped midair- twirling her body as Sou's chakra spun around her. She narrowly evaded, feeling the bite of his attack as it singed her skin.
His attacks are stronger now- I couldn't feel the heat from them before!
A piercing sound smashed into Shizune's eardrums as blinding light burned into her eyes.
She felt herself being punctured by sharp objects- dozens of them cutting through her stomach, arms, and legs.
Shizune fell to the ground. She could see nothing but blackness as horrific pain curled from the tip of her head to the point of her toes.
She heard the sound of Sou's boots as they sloshed through a now growing pool of shallow blood.
"Most people fall for that one.. sadly." Sou's voice seemed almost faraway to Shizune.
She felt herself being lifted by the hair.
If he can control gas.. he must've exploded the whip as it fell around me. Creating an explosion that turned particles in the air itself into glass spears..
Shizune smiled.
"Oh..? Perhaps you will find peace then." Sou said.
Shizune formed jutsu signs at her side.
Creation Rebirth: Mitotic regeneration!
Shizune's vision exploded as chakra plumed all around her. Sou released his grip in surprise-
Shizune curled her hand into a fist, punching him square in the jaw. Sou gasped in surprise, falling backwards. Shizune continued her assault, falling to the bloody floor and kicking her legs across Sou's own.
The man tumbled onto his back-
Speed is the key! I need to overwhelm him!
Shizune's wounds were healing.. but she hadn't fully mastered the creation rebirth technique yet.
Using it in this incomplete state meant that not only would it use up all of her chakra.. but the wounds that were healed will reopen.
I don't have much time- I need to kill him now!
Shizune pounced at Sou, flashing three poison darts for his body. He hopped away, dodging her attack as he spun on his feet.
He moved-
But staggered.
My re-circulation jutsu.. it must still be affecting him!
Sou's movements became slower. He formed a jutsu sign- only for one of his arms to go fully limp.
Shizune rushed for him.
I'll have to stop his heart-
Her remaining hand signed as she flashed ahead, rounding on Sou.
Ninja Art: Rending Pulse!
Shizune cracked into dwindling chakra.
This will.. have to be it-
Shizune felt the numerous wounds on her body beginning to tear open as the Rebirth Jutsu wore off. She allowed the healing to slow, instead fueling the cells in her muscles, her bones, to their absolute limit.
Her image exploded in a blink of sound and speed. She hurtled for Sou, hand primed for his chest as he attempted to evade.
It's ove-
Suddenly, Sou weaved effortlessly out of the way as Shizune's palm struck a bloody pool where he had stood.
He spun around her, firing a square of chakra directly through Shizune's chest. She fell forwards-
Before exploding in a cloud of smoke.
Sou's eyes widened in surprise-
Shizune appeared behind him.
I figured there was a chance he was faking his condition.. which is why I used a shadow clone substitution! Now.. you're mi-
Shizune's thoughts were cut short as a disc of chakra erupted from Sou's own body, blood training behind it.
It cut through Shizune's stomach as she gagged, coughing up organs intermixed with blood. Shizune's upper body fell forward, her weight resting on her chin. She tried to move her arm.. but it slowly became far too heavy.
She could still hear, but she couldn't see.
Tears stung at her eyes.
Shizune thought of Tsunade.
Then, she died.
SOU fell over, coughing up blood. He screamed in pain, cusping his selfmade wound as he pressed superheated gas onto it, sealing his skin back together.
She pushed me to my limit.
Sou frowned.
No, that's not true. I barely used any of my abilities.
Sou flexed his hand, glove still covered with blood.
Then why..
Had Sou.. almost been defeated?
He refused to believe such a notion. He knew that there were Shinobi far stronger than he.. but there was no way this woman could push him to this state!
Sou snarled as he jumped to his feet. He stomped to the woman's upper body. Her eyes were still open, tears staining pale cheeks while black hair was slowly dirtied by blood.
Sou flexed his fingers towards the woman, before firing a prism that freed her head from
the rest of her corpse.
Now I have Nagayasu's entry free. Sou bent down to pick up the head-
Movement flashed across Sou's eyes. He followed the call of his senses, before finally his sight fell upon a young man who stood at one of the far doorways. His hair was jet black, and his neck and jaw seemed to be covered by grey bandages.
In his hands a sword was found. It was large, and forked like a serpent's tongue.
It was then Sou saw the man's forehead protector.
A kiri survivor? I thought I had killed them all. This one.. he's skilled if he's evaded me for so long. I should retreat for now.
To Sou's surprise, the man turned before vanishing into the air.
Sou spread out his senses..
Despite his wounds, he chuckled.
That kiri nin.. he truly did run! No matter. Delta's plan.. It hinges on drawing out the best Kirigakure and Konoha can muster. So go.. run to your allies.
Sou smiled as he gripped Shizune's head even tighter, causing it to drip blood.
You'll only delay the inevitable..
