BORUTO ALTER
-KIRIGAKURE ARC-
SASUKE ducked.
The air from Sarada's strike parted long black bangs as he slid backward across old cobbled stone.
Sarada continued her assault.
Her one tomoe sharingan glowed underneath a fury of dark purple hair as she curled herself into a run close to the ground.
That sharingan..
Sasuke flashed to Sarada's left-
He turned into a swiping kick while simultaneously stabbing his sword for her center.
Sarada reacted instantly.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he watched her sharingan track his every movement.
The girl's eye bounced between a slanted gaze, erupting into a flurry of afterimages.
Sarada nimbly hopped over Sasuke, before charging for his back.
It's stronger than normal. Typically a one tomoe state wouldn't give this level of visual acuity..
Sasuke pounced further back, inching towards a flat roofed building.
The structure bore the symbol of the Uchiha- it was one of many training grounds used amongst generations of the Uchiha line.. until their end.
Sasuke dismissed the grim reality of his people, flashing a series of shuriken between his fingers.
Sarada leapt for Sasuke as he zipped the shuriken in a clashing arc.
Sarada somersaulted backwards, purple hair flying across arched brows. She leapt onto a nearby pillar-
Then vanished as Sasuke's projectiles struck uselessly against stone.
She appeared behind him.
This speed-
Sasuke hopped into a turn, raising his knee in a defensive block. Sarada's fist pressed against it, causing him to kick up smoke as he was pushed along the old archway.
Sasuke spied a nearby torch behind Sarada-
He warped within air, vortexing out of reality as the torch itself fell in front of Sarada's bewildered gaze.
She turned just as Sasuke launched himself across the courtyard, slashing his sword downwards for Sarada's forehead.
She threw herself to the ground, sharingan illuminated within Sasuke's passing shadow.
"Your eye is powerful, Sarada." Sasuke spoke just as the girl jumped to her feet.
But..
Sarada pushed herself forward, striking at the momentary weaknesses Sasuke allowed into her gaze. She steadily led him down another exposed hall, crumbling stones leading the two Uchiha through the remnants of a forgotten and reviled people.
Sasuke caught Sarada's incoming fist with the butt of his hilt.
"Your eye is weakening you. Greater vision comes at greater cost, as well." Sasuke said coolly.
Sarada's face contorted, but she remained silent. The girl leapt backwards, sharingan twitching as she wavered on her feet.
Sasuke raised a shining blade.
Sarada again vanished out of Sasuke's vision, though his senses alerted him to movement above-
Sasuke spun into the adjoining hall, courtyard returning to their view. Sarada ran across the stone wall to their shared right, brandishing two kunai in each hand.
Sasuke frowned, skidding past two vine-covered pillars and into the courtyard itself. Sarada leapt between them, before shooting herself directly for Sasuke.
Sasuke lifted his sword as Sarada's kunai sparked against it. She bounced backwards, twirling each kunai between deft fingers before resuming her attack.
She danced to Sasuke's right-
Sasuke blocked three successive strikes, Sarada circling around his disabled side. Sasuke cut his sword downwards in a bisecting slash-
Sarada curled around the attack, appearing within the bend of his elbow.
Sasuke dropped his sword, kicking at Sarada's legs while knifing the point of his arm forward.
Sarada's sharingan zipped downwards-
She made a mid leap while throwing one of her kunai just behind Sasuke's heel.
With one hand free, Sarada grasped onto Sasuke's arm as she drove her remaining kunai at his neck.
A powerful gust of wind shook from within Sasuke, pushing Sarada backwards and across the courtyard.
Sasuke's Rinnegan gleamed behind a thin veil of smoke.
Sarada righted herself, landing against a mossy courtyard wall-
Before falling to the ground.
She curled into a ball, grasping her Sharingan. Sasuke could tell that Sarada was in great pain.
The very same pain he knew all too well.
Yes. She has inherited a strong eye.
He approached slowly.
Sasuke knelt beside her.
"Your body isn't used to the visual prowess your Sharingan provides. It will take time for your nerves, your muscles, to adjust." Sasuke watched as Sarada lifted herself upright.
Her Sharingan was strained- blood vessels spiderwebbed across her eye.
"What's more.. your eye is stronger than normal. A one tomoe state wouldn't typically induce this level of intensity."
Sarada was silent. She closed her Sharingan eye, reopening it as a now faded and darkened pupil glared into Sasuke's own.
"The amount of chakra it requires.. I can't use this in a fight." Sarada said. She looked down.
"If I used it, it would have to be for short periods of time. Thirty seconds, maybe less." Sarada slammed her fist into the ground.
"That's not good enough. Not even close to it." Sarada whispered.
Sasuke's cloak rustled as he rose to full height. He paced some ways away from the girl, back turned to her.
"And that's why you'll continue to train. Your eye.. may surpass mine." Sasuke twisted his head halfways to regard Sarada then.
His Sharingan was active, red and burning underneath a lock of black bangs.
Sarada said nothing, holding her gaze as hair so similar to Sasuke's own wavered across her forehead.
"You have a duty, Sarada. Just as I do. Just as Itachi did. You will learn what that duty means. And what your eye means in regards to this world. This is part of the reality that has been hidden from you. The truth of the Uchiha." Sasuke felt as if his own voice was trembling.
Sarada looked away. However, Sasuke knew the question that came from her before she said it herself.
Nonetheless, he remained quiet as her voice awakened memories long wished forgotten.
"Who.. is Itachi?"
STEEL ROPE CRASHED Against layered roofing. Shikadai skipped backwards, Eiyūnogi trailing behind him. The rope cracked and whipped in the air as it clawed ahead, twisting around Qirūi's casual advance.
I led him away from Inojin and Chocho..!
Shikadai's thoughts were punctuated by the sound of stone thatching rupturing open behind. He twitched his fingers, directing Eiyūnogi's wraith-like body to his back.
I need to focus!
Shikadai weaved strings of chakra as Eiyūnogi threw the boy into the air- the puppet simultaneously grasped the snaking steel that nearly impaled Shikadai.
Two more whips of steel slashed around Shikadai as he fell back down for the roof. He twirled, summoning a gust of wind to throw the whips back to Qirūi.
Shadow Imitation is out of question.. his ability to attack from multiple directions almost nullifies it. If I use it.. it'll have to be at the most opportune moment to land a blow with Eiyūnogi.
Shikadai directed Eiyūnogi upwards into a grasping leap.
The puppet caught him before rolling its master out of cold fingers.
Qirūi's voice broke across the ruined stone.
"Your agility is impressive for a puppet user. I see your hair as well, despite the dark. The color is wrong.. but you're of the Nara clan, aren't you?" The middle aged man spoke happily as a winding steel wall parted-
Revealing a small grin.
The blade portion of his sword- painted with Chocho's blood.. curled about his body, shifting upwards and
traveling his full height-
Then past it.
Shadows leapt on the jagged stones between Shikadai and Qirūi, but none seemed to fully reach the swordsman. Further, the man was obviously aware of the shadows around him.
So he knows about our secret technique..
Shikadai shook his head.
Focus. The opportunity will present itself!
Shikadai's green eyes tensed.
He's coming!
Eiyūnogi rattled with an inhuman respiral as she shook upwards in a taught, defensive stance.
Qirūi rushed for Shikadai, raising his sword arm high in the air as a tangle of steel sprouted ahead.
Shikadai slid down the far side of the roof, guiding Eiyūnogi away from him. She flew slightly above the stone, meeting with Qirūi as the man pursued downward.
Eiyūnogi's mouth opened with a silent scream.
A dagger shot forth from her jaw-
In the next second, one of the swordsman's steel tendrils flexed- forming a taut line across Qirūi's smile and deflecting the kunai.
Shikadai crossed his arms.
Eiyūnogi flipped onto one pair of her hands. The puppet's kimono ripped away, revealing another face embedded behind the cloth of her kimono. This one bore the grin of a black oni, red lips lining shadowed teeth locked into a smile.
The oni's mouth opened as seals simultaneously glowed across Eiyūnogi's arms.
Shikadai formed jutsu signs-
Eiyūnogi shadowed them with her two
free hands.
Qirūi spun backwards as his sword formed a cloud of metal around him.
"Wind Style: Fractal Spear!" Shikadai's voice howled along with the night air. Chakra surged around Eiyūnogi.. as the black oni within her stomach seemed to laugh with a joyful, silent glee.
This is one of my strongest abilities. I need to test his defense now, while I have the chakra.
Shikadai peered ahead as a screeching spear of wind swirled from the oni's mouth-
Before forming into a pointed tornado that spun for Qirūi.
The swordsman swung his metals into a grasping shield, but not even that could halt Shikadai's jutsu.
Qirūi dug his heels into the roofing.
Shikadai grinned.
The man was being pushed back.
Strikes of steel broke from Qirūi's sword-
Shikadai's spear of air threatened to impale Qirūi- the man had both hands on the hilt of his blade now..
Suddenly, a curtain of blood sprayed from Qirūi's stomach.
Shikadai's jutsu made contact.
Qirūi yelled in equal parts annoyance and pain, thrusting his sword upwards as a well of water formed around him.
Before enveloping Qirūi whole.
The wind spear imploded against Qirūi's sphere of water, smoke hissing across it reminiscent of flames.
Shikadai pulled his arms backwards.
Eiyūnogi spider-crawled towards her controller, blonde hair striking against wooden, weeping eyes.
Shikadai then fished his fingers in the air, strings of chakra almost visible in the cloudy light of the moon.
Rainfall grew harsh in seconds, causing Shikadai's own blonde locks to slacken across his glare.
Qirūi's water sphere sliced open-
Four coiling links of steel erupted from the sphere of water. They rose in the air- orbs of water forming at the tips of them.
Now he's starting to reveal more of his abilities..!
Shikadai swung Eiyūnogi before himself. Seconds later, streams of water belched forth from the steel rope. Shikadai rushed closer, Eiyūnogi clambering beside him.
Shikadai and Eiyūnogi leapt from the roof-
Water exploded behind the kick of black sandals. Shikadai twirled himself in the air, narrowly avoiding another super-pressured stream of water. Eiyūnogi contorted the oni mask on her stomach into a makeshift defensive shield, bracing the last two typhoons of water with a silent, screaming pain.
Qirūi's sphere dissipated violently, falling apart within gusts of pouring rain. This didn't stop the man's attack- nor did his wound. A series of metal brambles whipped for Shikadai. The boy and his puppet fell back down onto the roof, narrowly avoiding dozens of Qirūi's lengthy talons.
Shikadai's chakra flared.
He locked eyes with Qirūi for a moment, laughing as Qirūi's comfortable, easy grin had evolved to one focused and tight-lipped.
Eiyūnogi pushed Shikadai aside as four stalks of steel suddenly stabbed downward into the stone, pulling up slabs of paneling as they squirmed in the air.
Shikadai slid himself into a pass beside Qirūi. Eiyūnogi lurked on all of her limbs, crawling at their rear.
Qirūi chased Shikadai with bright blue eyes- Shikadai felt the hair on his neck scream in response to the curling blade that guillotined down from above.
Shikadai smiled.
The wind seemed to howl from both Shikadai and Eiyūnogi. The sound was more like a curdling, pained scream-
It was then Eiyūnogi who was below Qirūi's sword.
The puppet allowed a portion of the blade to cut into her shoulder-
Shikadai flew for Qirūi's back as the man turned.
Rope shook to life around them, weaving into a lethal embrace that threatened to snap Shikadai's limbs free.
However-
The boy danced between the strikes of rope, rounding in on Qirūi with single-minded determination.
Your jutsu Qirūi.. is similar to my cousin's.
Shinki surfaced within Shikadai's thoughts. Shikadai was looking upwards at Shinki's shoulders, sun burning behind the younger boy.
A universe of screeching and blackened sand churned around Shinki, dripping with the blood of his previous victims.. which contained remnants of iron that helped control his otherworldly jutsu.
Shikadai had almost beaten Shinki. But in the end, he was the one who was defeated.. and heavily injured.
But it was from that training session Shikadai learned something.
When an opponent is stationary with a weapon that can strike from multiple directions around their center... that center is the only opening!
And.. your rope is slower than Shinki's iron sand!
Shikadai cut the strings of chakra between him and Eiyūnogi. She collapsed, Qirūi's blade pulling itself free from her shoulder.
Shikadai leapt between Qirūi's forest of rope. He clapped his hands together.
Then, Shikadai stole a glance upwards to see Qirūi's blade vipering for him.. leaving Eiyūnogi behind.
Finally.
Shikadai directed his fallen chakra strings to the seal tattooed to his wrist. Eiyūnogi rose- blonde hair basking baleful, hollow artistry.
The same curdling scream rose from within Eiyūnogi and Shikadai.
Shikadai again switched places with his puppet. The boy curled from Eiyūnogi's former position, hands still pressed together as his shadow sprung to life. It sped across the roof, before attaching itself to the shadow of Qirūi's blade.
Shikadai grimaced as he felt the full weight of Qirūi's shadow.
He's.. heavy!
But-!
Shikadai could feel Qirūi straining against Shikadai's shadow. Shikadai caused the man to drop his weapon as sweat beaded down the boy's face.
"H-how..!" Qirūi stammered.
Shikadai offered Qirūi's back a sick grin.
"Eiyūnogi was created two hundred years ago. She bears the hair of a woman named Mineko Gokagai. She was a brave shinobi- though she was betrayed by her own lover in a grab for power. Her lover killed their children in front of her- then skinned her alive, before shaving her long, blonde hair."
Qirūi continued to struggle against Shikidai's shadow, but despite his strength.. Shikadai's grip was absolute.
Sweat curled around and down Shikadai's nose as he spoke. At the same time, Eiyūnogi staggered forward.
It takes a lot of chakra to control her through the seal.. especially while maintaining shadow possession.. despite that- he's mine now!
Shikadai swallowed harshly as more sweat dripped freely from his face.
I'm stalling for time to infuse chakra with this story.. but it's a psychological tool as well!
A smile followed Shikadai's thoughts as he continued aloud.
"The man, her lover.. had her fashioned into a puppet, one he could use to fight and defend his stolen keep. But the woman's spirit lived on within it. She killed the man and all who worked for him after his coup. Years later, my ancestors discovered her amongst bloodied sand and stone. Though none could control her.. until now."
Qirūi gave nothing but a harsh, constrained chuckle.
Shikadai's grin deepened at the shake of it.
"Eiyūnogi has given me some sleepless nights.. but because I have taken in her pain, her curse.. we are linked."
"So that allows you to switch places." Qirūi rasped.
Shikadai smiled.
"Among other things."
Shikadai felt chakra drain from him. Eiyūnogi shook to attention.
She sped for Qirūi. All four of Eiyūnogi's arms suddenly grew daggers jutting from wooden palms.
The chakra strings attached to Shikadai's seal fluctuated in the air. Qirūi began expanding his own chakra to free himself-
Shikadai released his grip on Qirūi.
Then, he formed a jutsu sign.
He pivoted, now directing Eiyūnogi towards his own returning shadow-
Then, once the puppet was within it..
Qirūi fell to the ground. The man immediately flipped himself over, grasping for the hilt of his sword. Qirūi retrieved his blade- oblivious to the natural shadows creeping beside him.
The steel of Qirūi's weapon erratically snaked to life.
"Shadow transfer jutsu!" Shikadai bellowed. Eiyūnogi fired the daggers into Shikadai's shadow.
Qirūi scoffed-
Just as four daggers sprouted from the shadows behind him.
Whenever Eiyūnogi was within Shikadai's casted shadow, objects from her could travel between shadows, as long as both she and the targeted shadow were on the same surface level.
The objects can't travel that far. Further, it's a technique that would only work on a distracted opponent.
Kankuro, Shikadai's uncle and the one who taught him puppetry, was the one who discovered that Shikadai had this ability.
The seal that holds Mineko's spirit within Eiyūnogi.. seems to be some sort of Time-Space ninjutsu. Since you both are linked to each other with fuinjutsu, it appears this skill can feed into your Nara Hiden.
Kankuro's gruff voice slowly fell from Shikadai's thoughts as he stepped forward.
Qirūi was doubled over. Each of the daggers had found their way into his stomach.
Shikadai paused. He formed a jutsu sign as he closed his eyes.
Still have a bit of chakra left.
The boy peered dark green eyes downwards at Qirūi.
"P-poison.." The swordsman turned over. His blue eyes seemed to be puffing out of their sockets, tears streaming down scarred and weathered cheeks.
The man gasped for breath- at this distance, Shikadai could see that Qirūi had sharpened teeth.
"You'll be dead soon." The boy said with a smile as he dispelled Eiyūnogi.
Shikadai's eyes swung to the left of the roof-
Movement!
However, it wasn't an enemy.
Despite the rain, Shikadai almost yelled in excitement.
"Chocho! Inojin!" Shikadai stepped for his teammates.
Chocho fell to one knee, inojin's limp body following her as she attempted to hold him upright.
"My injuries.. were easy to heal. Inojin.. that man's weapon tore through his chest. I was able to slow the bleeding but.." Chocho spoke between desperate, hurried breaths.
Shikadai nodded brusquely. He rushed to Inojin, sliding across the slack, wet roof. Rain continued to fall all around them.
Shikadai raised inojin slightly. The wound in his chest was severe.
He would die within an hour without medical attention.
"We need to get back to headquarters anyway- warn them what's happening. We can move faster with the both of us. Inojin isn't dying here. None of us are." Shikadai's eyes burned.
"Judging from this guy's jutsu.. he's a long range fighter, typically part of an advanced, staggered deployment. If we're lucky, he's the first one to reach us here." Shikadai spoke while looking back at Qirūi's body.
Suddenly, chakra swelled-
Qirūi rolled, falling over the cleft of the stone roof.
His steel returned from below, shooting outwards in attack while other tendrils attached themselves to the roof with crunching stabs.
"Damn it!" Shikadai swore. He spun around, summoning Eiyūnogi with a flourish and a bite that drew blood.
The puppet shattered into existence, pushing Chocho and Inojin away from the roof.
"Shikadai!" Chocho yelled as she cradled Inojin.
"Get back. I'll hold him off. I'm not fighting to win, I'm fighting to buy time." Shikadai said steely.
Qirūi's tendrils whipped in the air as the swordsmen climbed back onto the roof.
Shikadai threw his head around in anger, still sensing Chocho standing behind him.
"Go Chocho! Inojin is going to die!" Shikadai bellowed.
It was then an explosion filled the air.
It was far, but close enough that the slight, sudden illumination of orange flame could be seen in the city beyond.
That's.. headquarters!
"Shikadai.." Chocho stammered.
"You and Inojin have a better chance there than here. Now they need you, more than ever! Go, Chocho!" Shikadai lowered his head to her then, giving his teammate a small grin.
"I'll be fine. I'm the strongest, after all." Shikadai said.
Chocho smiled, but tears fell from her eyes and onto her chestnut skin.
"I'll get Inojin help. Don't die.. Shikadai!" Chocho said. She threw him her and Inojin's ration pills-
before turning her back to Shikadai. She then vanished in a blip of air between harrying bouts of rain.
Shikadai stepped to face Qirūi. The man finally returned to the roof. His eyes bled, while his skin bore a strange discoloration that seemed contained within his arms and stomach.
Qirūi's purple bangs were disheveled, while his old, weathered face bore a slack-jawed and sharp toothed grin.
"You're a scary kid.. Shikadai Nara.." Qirūi still spoke coolly, but now.. there was a sharper intent in his voice.
An intent to kill.
The man held his sword with a limp arm, however the hilt of steel freely moved about Qirūi. The blade of the weapon itself was poised behind Qirūi as if a viper.
"That poison should've been it for you." Shikadai replied.
Qirūi offered the young Nara a venomous grin.
"It was fatal.. for a moment. My sword is called Sermon of the Jellyfish. She allows me to convert poison that comes in contact with my body.. and in turn, create a cure for it."
Qirūi's skin was clearing. However, his earlier wounds still slowly bled. The man no doubt sealed most of the stabs with chakra, but that was one visible weak point Shikadai could discern.
Still..
I'm low on chakra. Shikadai reached into his pouch. He fished for his own ration pill. The first of his available three.
Shikadai put the pill in his mouth, crunching down on it. Chakra seemed to instantly spring from within his chest. It momentarily warmed him against the beating kiss of the rain.
"Chakra pills?" Qirūi chuckled.
The man lifted his arms. Steel tendrils suddenly stabbed into his body, coiling underneath his skin. As the swordsman's skin ripped, Shikadai saw that Qirūi's muscles themselves seemed to be made of the same writhing metal.
Qirūi cocked his head. Purple hair passed a bloodied forehead. The man cracked his neck and shoulders into place.
Shikadai watched in disgust while the steel rope settled underneath a superficial layer of ripped skin.
Qirūi's weapon was now devoid of the steel tendrils- only the snaking, viperlike blade portion remained.
"How old fashioned." Qirūi hissed.
The swordsman vanished as the sting of electricity swam over Shikadai's skin.
FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE INVASION OF KIRIGAKURE
DELTA stood beside Soejima and Sou. Behind them Botashirin lurked, shying away from the band of cruel looking rogue nin that offered nothing but dark glares.
Delta shook her robe free of rain.
At least they were finally out of the elements.
They had been forced to wait outside of Nagayasu's fog-covered fortress for almost an hour- and were offered nothing to shield themselves from the rain that seemed never ending in this region.
Delta narrowed her eyes at the recent memory as she took in new surroundings.
Shinobi were busy at work- repairing various cavernous halls, while others hustled with carts holding rattling collections of swords.
Others lined themselves up, separating before individual kiri nin that exuded stronger chakra than the rest.
It was clear that despite Nagayasu's request for time.. the news of Shizune's death roused him to some sort of action.
Good.
Amidst the confusion, a man broke free from hurried commotion. He was tall, young, with blue eyes and cropped hair. A blonde topknot dressed the crown of his head. He wore a layered bamboo chest plate- while a large, cylindrical sword was carried across his back.
Delta noticed in grim humor that in his hand...he still held Shizune's head by the hair.
"You and your allies may come with me." The man said simply.
He turned his back to them. He led them past the crowds, rogue nin parting as they caught sight of his tall stride- in addition to his grim cargo.
Delta narrowed her eyes at the man's sword.
I can feel chakra from within it. He must be one of them. One of the "New Swordsmen".
Delta wasn't fully educated in the history of Kirigakure.. so she didn't have any expectation of this so-called famed group.
However, the man was strong. Not as strong as Delta or even Soejima, but strong nonetheless.
The man led them further into the fortress. They passed rooms that bore nothing but hanging blades, while others openly boasted the corpses of tortured prisoners.
Water seemed to drip from the ceilings despite multiple layers of wood reinforced with metal. It seemed they were traveling deeper and deeper.
Finally, the man led them to a large door. Delta was surprised- she felt heat from behind the door. So much of it that sweat began to threaten her forehead.
"W-what..." Botashirin started.
Whatever is behind that door.. is rousing her!
Soejima had grown to entertaining Botashirin with his playful attitude. He took to this now, swinging the chained head he possessed in the air as Botashirin clapped.
Delta turned her attention back to the swordsman.
Behind Delta, Sou sat with a heavy sigh.
"Nagayasu wishes that only you enter." The swordsman said solemnly.
"Naturally." Delta said. She turned to give Soejima and Sou an affirming nod. Then, she locked eyes with the tall swordsman.
The man returned her look.
The door slid open slowly-
Hot mist spread ahead. It flew past Delta, parting her hair as heat did cause sweat to fall from her skin.
The swordsman continued, unfazed.
Delta trailed the man through a flesh-like tunnel. Their steps squelched against the ground, drawing water with each pressed movement.
Then, Delta saw stone emerging from within the hall's smoke. The heat seemed to increase as well.. it was almost unbearable.
Still, Delta's guide continued.
She followed him down the slippery incline, until finally both of their boots clacked against the fine, stone platform. All around them water wavered.. and it was from this water, Delta realized, that the heat was from.
But how? Delta scanned the water. She saw nothing.. save for the steam that gradually rose from darkened and churning pools.
"I have brought her, Lord Hoshigaki." The man announced. As he did so, he tossed Shizune's head into the steaming water before them.
Next, the liquid seemed to vortex.
It curled into a rising swell until finally, a figure was seen sitting patiently within. The figure wore a wide brimmed hat, and Delta could see that it possessed long, dark hair.
Delta narrowed her eyes. She saw that the being now held the dark haired woman's head, cradling the woman in its lap.
The figure sat cross legged within a circle of still water, despite the waves that churned between it and the platform.
Delta could tell it possessed a great height, even while seated. However it was also thin, almost feminine, with an angular lower jaw and lips the colors of light blue and dark purple, respectively.
A shadow hid the figure's remaining features.
"Lord Hoshigaki," The swordsmen bowed to one knee.
Nagayasu's circular hat dipped in respect of the bowed man.
"Setsuna Hikage.. this is the one who killed the Fifth's lieutenant?" Nagayasu began. His voice was soft, but somehow it seemed to boom within Delta's ears along with the heat of the water.
In a way.. Nagayasu reminded Delta of Jigen.
"No. It was one of her subordinates. She acted out of an appeal of alliance." Setsuna informed, still bowing.
A low laugh rose from Nagayasu.
"Alliance.. foreign shinobi meddling in Kiri affairs.." Nagayasu whispered.
"I- we, have no interest in Kirigakure." Delta assured.
Nagayasu gave nothing in return save for a slow chuckle.
"Then why are you here?" Nagayasu replied simply.
"We have a shared enemy. Konoha. The village hidden in the leaves." Delta stated.
Nagayasu's hat lifted slightly- but otherwise he remained silent.
"Your success here would weaken the hold Konoha has on this region, and in turn weaken Konohagakure itself. What you do with Kirigakure is your right.. no, it's more than that. It's your birthright, isn't it?" Delta smiled at Nagayasu then.
Setsuna regarded her coolly from his lowered position. He remained silent, returning his gaze to Nagayasu.
"Your words ring of boastful truth.. one that often accompanies deception." Nagayasu said finally.
Delta remained still.
She tapped into precious chakra- powering her eyes.
Her eyes analyzed Nagayasu's overall strength- Amado admitted that this skill was ultimately unreliable as the readings between an individual at resting strength versus the heat of battle would differ between night and day.
Use it as an approximation Amado had warned years ago. Despite her annoyance towards the man, Delta found herself smiling at the memory.
That smile almost instantly vanished.
Nagayasu's resting strength steadily approached her own. Delta had brought all of her chakra canisters, but without them she knew Nagayasu would easily defeat her. With them? It was hard to say.
This man is stronger than I thought.
However, Nagayasu Hoshigaki seemed to still be pondering his decision. His voice slithered ahead with pulsing waves.
"...Due to Shizuma's wounds, we will need more allies to make up for the lost strength in the immediate assault. Further.. using your pawns allows more maneuverability." Nagayasu's presence seemed to shift with the fog.
"You may direct them as you wish. All of them.. save for the other woman. She alone is mine to use." Delta said.
Nagayasu simply laughed quietly. Then, his hat lowered, basking his face fully in shadow.
"Setsuna.. work with this one, gauge the strength of her allies. You will be the one to lead this assault. Bring two swordsmen with you as well." Nagayasu ordered.
Setsuna bowed.
"It will be done, Lord Hoshigaki."
From the turn of Nagayasu's hat, Delta could tell the man was regarding her.
"And you.. what is your name?" He asked.
Delta smirked.
"You can call me Ada."
BORUTO SAT ACROSS FROM MITSUKI. The sound of the diner filled his ears. Around him, people happily ate while conversing amongst their friends and families.
Boruto placed a curved spoon down beside his meal before crossing tired arms.
Rasengan..
Mitsuki had helped with training today. They were still focusing on chakra control primarily- though Boruto himself had made little headway.
"It seems I can teach you the basics.. which you pick up quickly." Mitsuki had said earlier,
"But when it comes to chakra manipulation.. that is something you will have to figure out on your own, Boruto."
Boruto now looked up, glancing at Mitsuki between a frame of black bangs. Mitsuki smiled back at Boruto.
"I can tell it's still on your mind." Mitsuki said.
Boruto smiled bitterly.
"It's the only thing I have right now. If I can do this.. then maybe I can become someone who will protect her." Boruto said, looking into his own reflection found within a cooling soup.
"Himawari." Mitsuki nodded knowingly.
"When it comes to that, perhaps strength isn't what matters." Mitsuki said.
"My lack of strength is what almost killed her, Mitsuki." Boruto replied with a frown.
Mitsuki simply smiled neutrally.
"Yes. But many things may have killed her, not just your own weakness." Mitsuki kept his gaze.
Boruto scoffed.
"You don't even care."
Mitsuki's yellow eyes gleamed.
"I don't. It's just an objective truth. Himawari needs you for reasons beyond strength. You may learn the rasengan but still fail in saving her from death." Mitsuki finished with a grin.
Boruto rolled his eyes.
"Thank you. I feel better."
It was almost early evening. Konoha itself was winding down- crowds that typically flocked the shopping centers where Boruto ate (and Mitsuki watched him) dwindled as the minutes went on.
Boruto wondered.. for a moment, what it would be like to be less of a Shinobi.. or even not one at all. Would he experience fear the same? Pain? Death? If he could choose.. would he still choose to be born to A Hokage?
He wondered how Sarada felt. He knew that she was training with Sasuke Uchiha now. Boruto wondered if this meant Sarada would finally know the truth. He also wondered how she would handle it. Was it something she could endure? Would she tell him?
This world.. it's dark. Everything about it holds secrets and hatred. Things that want to hurt you. Make you inhuman.
Boruto was drawn out of his musings at the sight of Sumire walking into the restaurant. Boruto rose in surprise as Mitsuki turned to follow his gaze.
"Sumire!" Boruto called.
He had befriended her at the academy two years ago.. but now that they had their own teams, he hadn't seen many of his classmates.
Sumire gave Boruto a small, quiet grin. She was dressed in a blue and white tunic, while elbow length gloves trailed down to her fingers.
Her hair was tied in a thick ponytail that traveled to her belt, while sharp bangs cut just above expressive brows and wide, brown eyes.
"Boruto. Mitsuki, it's good to see you both after so long." She called from the counter. Boruto walked over to greet her, Mitsuki in tow.
Boruto frowned as they got closer.
"Sumire.. is everything okay?" Boruto asked.
Her face..
It was hollow. Stressed. Boruto could tell that Sumire hadn't been eating.
What's going on?
Sumire looked away from Boruto.
"Everything is fine. I- I've been training for the chunin exams. It's taken a lot out of me." Sumire said.
She quickly turned back to the counter's menu.
"I don't think they have what I want today-" Sumire broke away from Boruto and Mitsuki, rushing for the exit.
"Sumire, wait!" Boruto called after her.
He stepped ahead, before stopping as she vanished between revolving doors.
Mitsuki moved beside him.
"She's hiding something." He said casually.
Boruto frowned.
Sumire..
SUBUTAI EKEI.
RANK: UPPER
CHAKRA bit at Subutai's coiled locks. It hurled itself against the walls of Otogane Gamou's chambers. Amado sat just outside of a ritualistic chakra circle, while Otogane herself channeled antichakra into Amado's project.. the corpse known as Kashin Koji.
Across the chamber, Jigen watched with silent appraisal. A black hood was drawn over most of the man's pale face.
Subutai placed a palm on the hilt of his katana.
My sword is reacting to this chakra even more than before. Truly..just like this katana, Kashin Koji is from that era...The same one as Otogane!
Subutai shut his eyes. More than just chakra was pouring into Kashin's corpse. He felt other things too- memories. Abilities. All of this.. coming from within Otogane herself.
Otogane possessed a dojutsu.
One that wasn't activated until her murder.
A dojutsu that gives her dominion over the dead, and the energy that comes from the dead.
Antichakra.
This dojutsu is called..the Makaigan.
Subutai knew that Otogane was killed by what would become the Uchiha Clan four hundred years ago, and that somehow, Kashin Koji was involved. When she died, Kashin Koji was one of the first victims of the Makaigan.
Amado came to know that Otogane possessed this corpse within her hidden realm. It was due to this and Otogane's current strength that he had another theory..
Those born centuries ago, for whatever reason, seemed to possess stronger chakra than those living now. If a corpse could be fully brought back to life using Otogane's jutsu, Uzumaki fuinjutsu, and Amado's own artificial repairs..
They would be able to create a being strong enough for Kawaki to devour- a being capable of using senjutsu.
Suddenly, the chakra around the room vanished. Subutai widened his eyes in surprise, focusing on the corpse that was at the center of the ritual circle. Kashin's body seemed to flail about-
Before falling still.
No one, not even Otogane nor Jigen, spoke.
Kashin slowly lifted to a seated position. The man's white hair fell down the sides of his face and cascaded along the curve of his back. He bore two red tattoos underneath each eye, while a short cropped beard hugged his square jawline. His left arm was discolored from the rest of his body, stitched hastily at the elbow. The arm seemed to carry a strange chakra as well..
Subutai's senses nearly shouted in alarm.
This is..nature energy!
Subutai could feel it. Along with Otogane's antichakra.. this man was producing his own.
Otogane rose then. She walked around Kashin, who seemed oblivious to her. She then reached a pale hand across at him, before tapping him on the forehead.
"Wake up Kashin Koji, wake up. This world's song has evolved into bedlam since you left it." Otogane susurrated.
Almost as if a switch went off in his brain, Kashin stood immediately.
This.. this shouldn't be possible!
Subutai felt awe and fear claw at his neck. Despite Subutai's own power.. Kashin was a new entity. A new being thrust upon the world of Shinobi.
He was something else too.. a harbinger of the new order, and in a way, a savior to the fate that was left to this world thousands of years ago.
Now that he's here..
Subutai bore a wicked grin.
You really are the key.. to Kawaki.
NEXT TIME: NARUTO AND SASUKE! THEN,
SHIKADAI'S TRUMP CARD!
