BORUTO ALTER

POWER.

The word reverberated through Boruto's consciousness. He frowned, looking downward at the rubber ball that sat patiently in a bandaged palm.

It was afternoon.

The air was cool and soft upon Boruto's skin, while a regiment of trees stood vigil over him. Green grass spread about around and between the trees, peppered with weeds that mingled amongst flowers in comfortable proximity.

Boruto's mind was racing.

I burst the balloon. But this..

"Like I said before, the second stage will be the hardest one for you." Konohamaru had stated two days prior, handing Boruto a bright green rubber ball.

"I believe in you, Boruto. And I know you probably haven't wanted to bring this up with Lord Seventh.. but I know he has faith in you too."

Konohamaru had smiled then, before leaving Boruto to his own devices.

Boruto curled his free hand into a fist, slamming it into the side of the tree he reclined on.

Konohamaru was right.

Boruto had tried exuding his chakra to workable limits, attempting to cut through thick rubber-

it was to no avail.

He had even attempted to implement lighting within his rotation like before, but he either failed, or had to stop before actually maiming his hand for good.

This feels hopeless. It's not a matter of skill. I just..I'm not strong enough.

Boruto leaned his head back, resting himself on the trunk of a tree above. Blonde bangs fell down over blue-silver eyes as he retreated into his thoughts.

Right now, there's no way for me to generate enough chakra on my own to burst the ball. And even if I could, the density of the chakra wouldn't be enough to maintain its force.

Boruto smiled bitterly.

His thoughts drifted to the two family members he was compared to the most-

Neji and Minato. From what he knew, they were both geniuses in their own right- highly specialized shinobi who honed their craft to its absolute edge.

And, they were both ninja who died before they were able to realize their true potential.

Would they have been able to save Hima?

Boruto saw his sister within his memories. He replayed the moment she was almost killed- when she was kicked deeply into the earth, her bones cracking violently while blood sprayed from ripped skin.

"What does it even mean to be a Shinobi?" Boruto said aloud as he gripped the rubber ball with both of his hands.

"To kill." A voice said above him.

Boruto leapt to his feet, turning around and looking upward to see Mitsuki's plain and friendly expression staring down at him.

"How long have you been there?" Boruto asked as question painted his face.

Mitsuki jumped down before Boruto, Boruto himself stepping slightly backward. Mitsuki's expression didn't change- however, his yellow eyes did seem to glimmer with silent amusement.

"Does it matter?" He asked.

Boruto frowned.

"It might." Boruto said, though he offered Mitsuki a slight chuckle.

"Maybe you can help me." Boruto spoke as he walked past Mitsuki, bouncing the ball in his palm.

"With your question about Shinobi?" Mitsuki spoke neutrally as he stepped to follow Boruto.

"No. But do you really think being a Shinobi means killing? I don't disagree." Boruto spoke as he and Mitsuki walked further into the forest.

"My dad would say something about protecting others. Mom would say the same thing. Konohamaru.. everyone."

Boruto looked down at the ball in his palm, bouncing it one last time.

"This world.. it's violent, Mitsuki." Boruto stopped. He glanced over at Mitsuki, who was listening intently.

Then he looked upwards to the sun beyond a veil of green leaves.

"There's war. People dying terrible deaths. And we train.. we train to fight. At what point does protection become.. control?" Boruto addressed Mitsuki with this question, but within himself he knew that his heart almost seemed to grasp upon the answer.

He shook his head, silently dismissing grim musings. Mitsuki, on the other hand, answered instantly.

"Protection is always control." Mitsuki said.

"We train to fight because there are others who train to fight, and they have no qualms killing us. They would if they could, even if we wouldn't bother them." Mitsuki continued. He wore a slightly wider smile as he spoke.

"My parent says every Kage faces that question. Justification of murder, genocide. The successful ones knew when to mask themselves from empathy. The ones who embraced it failed quite soundly. They're responsible for the problems we have today." Mitsuki shrugged.

"At least that's what I've been told. I think there's enough evidence to the truth of it." Mitsuki added.

Boruto led Mitsuki to a wide clearing, the same one where he had successfully broken the balloon earlier.

Mitsuki followed closely as Boruto stopped and began circling the center of the grassy plain.

I wonder what kind my dad turned out to be.

Boruto thought on this for a moment, before thinking that he would rather not know the answer.

Instead, he turned to Mitsuki, giving his friend a stern, frowning smile.

"My grandfather states that we need to center ourselves to the earth, to the elements around us to hone our chakra." Boruto explained as he held his palms outward, facing the grass below them. The ball dropped, rolling slightly away from his feet.

"And what does that have to do with the ball?" Mitsuki asked.

Boruto regarded him with a smirk.

"I'm trying to learn the Rasengan."

"Rasengan?" Mitsuki parroted.

Boruto gave Mitsuki an affirming nod as he began pacing to the left.

"To learn it, I have to break that ball with my chakra somehow." Boruto spoke as he began to ease his chakra out of his hands.

Mitsuki smiled.

"Your chakra isn't strong enough to do something like that. In such a concentrated point as well.."

Boruto gave Mitsuki a glare.

"I'm aware of this. But.. When I burst the balloon I felt something. Konohamaru said he saw electricity. I saw something else. It was almost as if.. I saw chakra- but like points on a grid in my mind."

"a grid?" Mitsuki said.

"Yeah. A shape almost. And we know that chakra is moldable." Boruto replied, continuing his strange movement.

"Imagine if I could.. fold the two sides of a sphere, then run them against each other, like two opposing currents. I'm not exuding more chakra to make the shape or expand it, but I'm increasing the pressure of it." As Boruto spoke, he became more sure of it himself.

This is the only way.

Mitsuki pondered for a moment.

"How would you manage to achieve that level of control?" He said finally.

Boruto closed his eyes.

"When I trained with grandfather two years ago, he was only really able to teach me the basics. But he told me a lot. Chakra control is understanding how chakra flows not only through you, but the things around you." Boruto almost heard his grandfather's voice within him as he spoke.

"Jutsu.. it's not just an attack. It's a cumulative effort between your spirit, your body, and the elements." Boruto opened his eyes.

"Mirroring nature to mold chakra..interesting, Boruto. The Hyuga are a powerful and wise clan. Perhaps your grandfather is right."

Boruto laughed cynically.

"He is right. It's me who's in question."

Boruto didn't want to waste any more chakra attempting to break the ball now. Currently, that might as well be impossible. He would continue to channel himself instead- opting in desperation to access a skill he had never even considered-

Molding chakra to form a feedback pressure force- one strong enough to fuel what would be the Rasengan, as opposed to rotation mixed with density and power.

I can do this.

Boruto shut his eyes in determination, remembering how much his palm burned when he made his vow to Sasuke Uchiha.

I have to.

KAKASHI stood again within Tsunade's makeshift office. Beside him, Mugino and Moegi flanked.

It was late. Reizei was hospitalized- his wounds weren't fatal, but he would need time to rest. Chakra would be able to heal his injuries, but that wouldn't replace the natural sleep the body needs.

Kakashi himself had a bandaged arm, similarly healed by chakra in response to Shizuma's grievous wound.

Shizuma Hoshigaki.

Kakashi still felt chills. It seems that Shizuma was being.. sedated somehow. And when he wasn't..

Kakashi folded his arms across a green flak jacket.

This is bad.

They had made a full report, including what Reizei knew about Shizune's death.. and her killer.

Tsunade had asked them to leave her for an hour- then to reconvene.

That was now.

"I apologize for my earlier request," Tsunade began.

Moegi bowed.

"There is no need for you to apologize, Lady Hok-" Moegi stopped as Tsunade politely raised her hand in interruption.

"There is. Time is of the essence now." Tsunade said steely.

Kakashi understood.

Right now, we don't have time for sympathy. Shizune.. we will have to mourn you once we're done with our duty here.

Kakashi frowned bitterly.

As Shinobi.

"We can assume Nagayasu will be launching an assault within hours, not days. He won't fully commit to an invasion, but he wants to whittle down our strength. He then wants to reinforce the north, and ensure we can't get it back."

Tsunade steepled her hands before brown eyes.

"He knows that Chōjūrō's call to action was met with a whimpering reprisal. But he also knows that Chōjūrō and Mei have returned. With all of us here, he may either do two things.

Attack us with a punitive force, or throw at least half of his strength at us to see how much damage he can do, and to test our collective ability. We're backed into a corner, but he doesn't want us more time to call for additional help." Tsunade spoke coolly, but Kakashi felt as if he could hear a slight tremble behind her resolute voice.

Kakashi spoke through the cloth of his mask.

"You said he's cautious. So he doesn't want to commit everything yet, but he also doesn't want to miss this opportunity. With the luxury of numbers, we're forced to play his game." Kakashi replied, keeping his thoughts to himself as he met Tsunade's gaze.

"Exactly." Tsunade said.

"But that doesn't mean we can't play with him. I have no intention of dying here." Tsunade offered them all an almost wicked grin.

"In fact, for the first time in a while, I feel like fighting. They've made their intent clear." Tsunade's eyes seemed to water for a moment- before clearing up once more.

"There won't be any holding back for any of us. Next time we face them on the battlefield.. it's going to be the end." Tsunade met each of their eyes in turn, before nodding.

"I understand you carried out my earlier orders?" She asked.

Moegi stepped forward in answer.

"Yes. I'm having my team patrol the perimeters once more. We won't be caught by surprise."

It was Mugino who spoke next.

"And I've prepared our remaining forces. The Kiri nin here are ready to fight for their lives. I can see it in them." Mugino answered solemnly.

Tsunade bowed her head in silent agreement.

"Then for now, we wait." She said.

SHIKADAI ran through darkened, dilapidated streets.

The moon was high in the sky, while moisture itself seemed slick in the air.

Kirigakure was broken, ill-lit, and run down.

Shikadai spotted homeless sleeping outside of abandoned shops, or within carved out buildings that may have once been homes themselves.

It was a far cry from the comfort of Konoha.

Is this why the people are revolting? If they live like this.. then should we really be here?

Shikadai could do nothing but bear a dark grin.

So it's just like Sunagakure again.

Shikadai's mind flashed to the first time he had killed- the thought chilled him, causing him to stop in his tracks as he looked up to the stars above, halfway hidden by clouds.

The reason why I'm here doesn't matter. All that matters is protecting my friends.

"Shikadai, are you okay?" Chocho politely hissed from a building above. Her and Inojin partrolled alongside, though they hopped from roof to roof as opposed to keeping to the streets.

"I'm fine. Keep it down, won't you?" Shikadai smiled up at Chocho.

Inojin chuckled.

"Idiot.." Inojin whispered.

I won't let anything happen to them.

They were in the far corner of Kirigakure proper. Right now, Shikadai knew that Moegi was with Lord Sixth and Mugino as they updated Tsunade.

He didn't envy their task.

He didn't know Shizune well- at all, actually. But he did know from what both of his parents told him that she was a close personal friend of Lady Fifth.

The resolve that he had to protect those he loved from harm.. Shikadai had no idea of how Tsunade must feel. To lose someone close to you like that..

Mom was right. This world is cruel. That's why you have to be crueler.

Shikadai and the others were nearly finished with their patrol. They hadn't come across any activity. Shikadai was glad that despite the tension, the night itself has been without incident.

The trio of genin turned into an adjacent street. Ruined buildings met either side of them as a light rain began to fall from the skies.

The air seemed to grow colder somehow.

Shikadai narrowed his eyes.

He glanced upwards, first to Chocho and then to Inojin.

They both returned his look, silently nodding.

There was something or someone here.

It was a presence that was hastily hidden, but the residual ebb of violent intent seemed to lick about.

Could it be Nagayasu's forces already?

Whoever it was, Shikadai could tell they were either alone, or far from any allies.

Still..

We can sense him. And he can probably sense us, too.

Shikadai heard Inojin take up a defensive position behind him.

Ahead, the feeling of violent ideation warbled softly, seemingly leaping between buildings.

Something is going to happen soon. They're not going to try to run.. whoever this is wants a fight.

The sound of glass shattering filled the genin's ears.

Shikadai's eyes leapt to the sound-

Chocho's curdling scream could be heard from his right. Shikadai closed his eyes, controlling his emotions before steeling his gaze upwards while running up the side of Chocho's building.

Inojin was beside him.

"Did you see what happened?" Inojin asked, anger similarly masked as they rushed to Chocho.

"No-" Shikadai answered simply.

I had us separated too far apart. This is my fault.

Both of the genin swung onto the roof where Chocho had been. They spied her directly-

Though her condition..

A man stood before her as she writhed on the ground.

He was laughing.

His sword curled around Chocho's body- It had skewered her through the legs and arms, and seemed to be constricting her as tendrils of steel rope twirled around the tang of the sword itself, whipping in the air as if the tentacles of an octopus.

"You..!" Shikadai snarled.

He clapped his hands together-

It was then a sharpened rope of steel cut through Inojin.

Shikadai dipped his head-

He narrowly evaded a lock of rope as it slashed the air above him. He rolled forward, sliding to the right of Chocho and her attacker as the man purred.

"You're not as weak as them. That's good." He said comfortably.

"Who are you?" Shikadai rasped.

He's already looking down on me. I can try to use his confidence against him..

The man offered nothing but another laugh.

"We're at war. Do you exchange names with enemies?" The man asked.

It was dark, so it was hard for Shikadai to make out the man's features. However, he seemed to have dark purple hair that reached pale cheeks. A jacket curled around the man's slim body, billowing outwards away from him almost as if cape.

"People often do. Out of respect." Shikadai retorted.

This caused the man to give Shikadai a genuine laugh.

"I like that answer, young Shinobi. Yes, it is a respect." Chocho's attacker leaned forward into the moonlight.

His face was leathery, with a scar running across a lower lip and upwards to his right eye. He had bright blue pupils that seemed to glow under the light of the moon. His hilt was a forever moving vortex of steel rope, while the actual blade itself curved like some sort of whip, extending itself as it pulled Chocho behind the man.

"My name is Qirūi Kuniaki. Swordsmen of the Mist." Qirūi answered with a soft grin.

Shikadai returned the smile, though anger took the place of Qirūi's friendly countenance.

"And my name is Shikadai Nara."

He bit his thumb, drawing blood.

Then, he dabbed the blood on the seal that was tattooed on his wrist.

In the next moment, space exploded with sound and smoke. Qirūi clicked his tongue in surprise as a chattering puppet fell over in a protective stance around Shikadai.

It was feminine in shape, with two horns that jutted from its forehead, while two more were found cutting upwards from its back.

Long blonde hair fell down both sides of a face contorted in a weeping laugh, while haunting black eyes stared outward. It was dressed in a ripped kimono, four segmented arms rattling from an elongated, shifting torso, while the puppet itself leaned over on two bowed legs.

Shikadai flared his fingers, attaching strands of chakra to the joints of his horrific machination.

"This is Eiyūnogi.. she's excited to repay you for what you did to them.`` Despite his rage, Shikadai felt the singe of bloodlust quicken.

Qirūi seemed to be even more amused.

"I suppose I have time." He stepped forward.

Shikadai's grin shadowed.

"Enjoy it."

Because I'm going to ensure these next minutes are your last!