BORUTO. ALTER

KAKASHI felt the heat first. Seconds later, blinding light followed behind low impact booms.

An attack? Moegi's team didn't alert us-

White alabaster ceiling above shattered, orange and black flame swimming between growing cracks as the building shook.

The other Kage- Tsunade, Chōjūrō, and Mei, leapt to action beside Kakashi.

"We knew this was coming." Tsunade said coolly.

Mei flashed her eyes over to Tsunade.

"The other Konoha Jonin-" She started.

Tsunade's brown eyes shadowed.

"They're above us, on the roof.. no doubt under attack as well." Tsunade said sharply.

Kakashi remained silent as he came to a grim realization.

Those strange explosions.. Mugino and Moegi are no doubt fighting the enemy as we speak!

"We can handle things here. You should go help them." Kakashi said.

Tsunade nodded.

"You're right. Don't make Leaf Hokage look bad, Kakashi!" Tsunade said- before leaping above into and through the flames.

At the same moment, a kiri nin lieutenant rushed into their midst between falling debris. It was a young woman, blonde, with sharp teeth and a bloodied forehead.

"Lord Mizukage! Multiple attacks across all of our fortified positions! I've already rallied our remaining men.. bu-"

In the confusion, no one, not even the gathered Kage, noticed a shadow that leapt between exploding flames and crumbling rock.

This shadow pounced upon flying stone, masking its presence.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

Wait-

"Watch out!" He bellowed.

The kiri lieutenant's head was cleaved in half, lengthwise. The air seemed to growl around an impossibly long blade shrieking with darkened blood. It was a butcher's weapon, wide almost as if it were made for cutting trees, not bodies.

Yes.. Kakashi knew that sword quite well.

Kakashi shadowed his brows as the killer rose just ahead of the lieutenant's falling body, twirling Kubikiribōchō across his bare shoulders.

The killer looked at the gathered Kage, backed by the sound of furthering explosions that seemed to travel through the building itself.

His eyes were a pale violet, skin similarly colored. He bore braided black hair that fell down to a painted nose.

Both sides of his mouth were scarred with gill-like markings, while fine lips parted to reveal a shark toothed frown.

He was dressed in bandages from lower shoulder to toe. The only other clothing he bore was a blue cloth belt that wrapped around a thin waist. He was tall- slightly taller than even the massive broadsword he wielded.

"Shih Kango..!" Chōjūrō shouted, drawing his own hallowed weapon.

The rest of the ceiling fell then, basking the Kage in billowing smoke.

Kakashi leapt in the air, hopping backwards as the others followed suit beside him.

"Who is he?" Kakashi asked, forming a jutsu sign.

"Shih Kango.. one of the New Swordsmen.." Mei answered.

They stood closely against a nearby wall as smoke and fire clawed for their skin. It slowly dwindled, however.

A haze hung within the ruined room.

Above, the moon mocked amongst a sea of stars. In the distance, orange splashes seemed to break against the blackness, followed by

thudding, muffled blasts.

They'll be fine. Right now...we have to focus on this so called "New Swordsman".

Kakashi swallowed, wishing his muscles didn't ache quite as much as they did now.

He chuckled underneath his mask.

I'm getting far too old for this.

Ahead and within diminishing fog, Shih's silhouette marched forth. Zabuza's blade swung across the ball of his right shoulder.

"He's using-" Kakashi began.

Chōjūrō nodded.

"Only three of the original Seven blades are in the possession of the New Swordsmen. Save for Samehada.. that is wielded by Nagayasu."

Shih's frown deepened.

"Chōjūrō..." Shih's eyes widened. Kakashi wasn't sure if it was anger.. or bloodlust.

"Be careful." Mei warned. She folded her fingers together. Kakashi immediately felt chakra well from within the former mizukage.

"Shih Kango- he possesses a rare and powerful kekkei genkai."

Kakashi felt Mei's gaze turn sideways to catch his eye.

"One you may be familiar with, Kakashi Hatake. Ice Release." Mei spoke as Shih stepped closer, flipping his butcher's blade upwards.

Ice Release? So he's like Haku-

Shih's eyes snapped to Mei.

"Nagayasu still entertains the idea that you'll join us. But you are not of the Mist. Not anymore."

Shih's glare then turned onto Kakashi.

"And you.. a Kage of Konoha.. your presence here does nothing but validate Nagayasu's conviction." Shih whispered.

His voice was soft, feminine. But behind it Kakashi could tell a deep rage broiled underneath his serene tone.

"We're here because Nagayasu instigated not only a coup, but an attack on a peace operation. His conviction is nothing but an excuse to grab more power." Kakashi replied.

Shih's frown turned into a sharp toothed grin.

"Better a warmonger than a Konoha dog..!"

Kakashi felt a shift in the air-

Shih's afterimage fell from reality as a shadow flew over to him.

Kakashi felt Chōjūrō move to his left-

Chōjūrō roared, his dualhandled claymore catching Shih's decapitating strike.

Kakashi hopped backwards-

He formed jutsu signs, gloved fingers flashing before him.

"Earth Release: Double Suicide Technique!" Kakashi vanished into the ground while Shih and Chōjūrō exchanged blows.

Shih Kango laughed silently. Chōjūrō stabbed his sword for Shih's stomach, then slashed it upwards for his chin. Shih easily sidestepped the attacks, switching the butcher's blade to his right hand.

Shih raised his blade-

Kakashi's hands broke free from the earth, grabbing Shih's ankles and then pulling the man down with him.

"Nice, Kakashi!" Chōjūrō complimented. The bandages on Chōjūrō's blade unfurled as chakra exploded from it with an ethereal howl.

Chōjūrō's sword conjured a massive mallet, crashing down at Shih's head just as Mei danced from Chōjūrō's shadow.

"Water Release: Dragon Bullet!" A screaming dragon of water formed before Mei, coiling itself around the Mizukage, then shooting for Shih's sinking body.

Chakra swirled from Shih.

"Ice Release: Singing Reflection!" Just as Shih spoke, ice particles seemed to sparkle in the air. Then, three mirrors spun into existence around him.

Both Mei and Chōjūrō's attacks crashed against Shih's conjured defenses-

Kakashi relinquished his grip, exploding into reality above ground behind Shih, who easily freed himself.

Kakashi twirled his kunai into a waiting palm-

Shih swung Zabuza's sword underhand and backwards, cutting up flooring as its blade bit through wood and stone.

Kakashi evaded the strike, ducking while forming jutsu signs with his free hand.

Shih, now fully turned, frowned- violet pupils followed Kakashi's movements.

His mirrors still floated around bandaged shoulders, moving while they defended from continuous attacks dealt by both Mizukage.

Shih suddenly rushed to meet Kakashi. In seconds he was inches away, sword bending into a horizontal arc swinging for Kakashi's waist.

Kakashi expected it.

He leapt over the attack, throwing his kunai at Shih's head. Shih shifted weight to his right leg, kunai harmlessly passing his cheeks.

That reaction.. it was almost as if he had a Byakugan! Kakashi thought. The former Hokage dismissed this notion as purple chakra screamed within his hand, crackling with lethal energy.

Kakashi fell at Shih, Chōjūrō leaping to Shih's center.

The chakra of the Mizukage's sword was now fashioned into that of a chain and ball- Chōjūrō spun the ball into a dizzying fan above his head- hopping backwards and releasing the ball for Shih.

Shih lifted Zabuza's sword, the flat of it bouncing Chōjūrō's conjured weapon back at him. Kakashi stabbed his lighting jutsu from above-

A bandaged hand caught Kakashi's wrist from somewhere even higher than he was-

Kakashi glanced upwards to see Shih's arm jutting from a mirror of floating ice.

Kakashi spun, pulling himself free and landing back onto the ground.

His eyes immediately flexed ahead, instincts instructing him to cross his arms.

Shih's foot caught Kakashi's defenses in the very next second.

The Swordsman chuckled, launching from Kakashi and into the air. Shih hung midair for a moment-

A shadow passed across Kakashi's forehead protector.

This speed! It's not jutsu.. is this just his physical strength? It almost rivals Guy's!

Kakashi swung around just in time to see Shih reappear behind Chōjūrō.

"Behind you, Mizukage!" Kakashi dipped into his chakra, fueling his muscles.

The battle with Shizuma reminded me that I've grown rather complacent.. I shouldn't hold back!

Kakashi tapped into the first gate, physical form blistering through the air.

Just as Shih was about to fell Chōjūrō with a killing blow, Kakashi shattered before the swordsman. He kicked his foot upwards into Shih's startled expression. The swordsman's head knifed backward as he was thrown upwards.

Kakashi continued his assault, meeting Shih middair.

Kakashi rocketed a fist across Shih's face, then grabbed him by his own bandages.

Kakashi twisted Shih underneath him-

He summoned chakra into his fingers, before curling them into a resolute fist-

"Falling Gate Technique!" Kakashi yelled as he planted his knuckles into Shih's chest. Sound exploded- a ring of air formed around them, before Shih crashed back down to the floor.

Smoke filled the room, Kakashi landing some ways away from where Shih had been cratered.

"Despite losing your Sharingan.. you seem to be as strong as ever, Kakashi." Mei said.

Kakashi heard Chōjūrō ready his blade.

"It's not over yet." Kakashi said, narrowing his eyes. Between a veil of parting smoke, Shih rose.

A fine trail of blood painted the corner of dark lips and ran down a square chin. Shih bore a horrid bruise that was the color of purple and red, exposed underneath now torn bandages.

Zabuza's sword was still in Shih's grip, but now it rested halfways on the ruined flooring. Shih's fingers curled around the long hilt before tightening as the man's chakra rose.

That definitely hurt him.. but it wasn't enough.

"Your strength is apparent, Hokage." Shih straightened himself, finally raising Zabuza's sword from the ground.

Shih lifted the butcher's blade close to his face, before placing his palm on the flat of it.

"Let's see the true extent of your skill!" Shih's voice grew louder than it ever had been. Ice began to spread across his broadsword.

"Ice Release: Demon Crane Mirror!" Shih shouted as the room shook.

On either side of Shih a mirror cut from the ground, dripping with quickly cooling water before hardening under a coat of ice. Then, the mirrors shattered in a deadly explosion of lethal daggers.

The Kage leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding Shih's ice.

It was then Chōjūrō screamed.

Kakashi and Mei landed, watching as blood spilled from Chōjūrō's arm. He fell beside them, wincing and lifting himself to one knee.

"How!" Mei started-

Kakashi felt Shih between them.

He kicked Mei out of the way of a slashing, downward cut. He then jumped upon Zabuza's sword, running atop it as he moved for Shih.

Shih vanished along with his sword.

But..

Kakashi no longer wielded the Sharingan. However, his eyes were naturally attuned to the precognitive abilities of it- his body in a similar state. While he could no longer trace movement, his eyes were able to discern it with much more precision than normal.

It was this passive skill that allowed Kakashi to see Shih travel between shards of his broken mirrors.

A mirror fragment closest to Kakashi seemed to sparkle-

Shih pounced from the shard, body curling into its full height as Zabuza's sword stabbed for Kakashi.

Kakashi spun counter clockwise, around Shih, tapping into his chakra to fuel his muscles.

He swung both hands for Shih's head.

The swordsman ducked underneath the blow, holding the butcher's blade with both hands at his side. Shih rolled into a rising strike-

Mei suddenly flashed beside him.

"Lava Release: Melting Apparition technique!"

Steaming and acidic mud belched from Mei's mouth. It hissed as it made contact with a figure of ice.. Shih himself climbing out of one of his fallen mirrors some paces away.

"Tch.. what a troublesome technique." Mei hissed. Kakashi turned to see Chōjūrō rise to his feet, a bandage wrapped around his arm.

Eyes aware of their own weakness met Kakashi's.

"You both need to go." Chōjūrō said harshly.

"Go? You can't handle Shih alone-" Mei replied, her brows drawn together in confused anger.

Chōjūrō offered her, then Kakashi, a slack grin.

"I know. But.. you both can feel it can't you? Whatever destroyed the roof.. whatever Tsunade went to fight.. it has much stronger chakra than Shih!" Chōjūrō flourished a shrieking blade to his side.

"Besides, we can't have three Kage fighting one Swordsman.. What does that say about our strength?" Chōjūrō offered a sharp toothed smile.

"Mei will stay with you, Chōjūrō. I'll go and help Tsunade. Naruto sent us both for a reason." Kakashi nodded.

Mei and Chōjūrō returned the nod, stepping forward and past Kakashi as the man leapt above them.

Shih didn't move to stop him.

Kakashi was greeted by the sound and sight of war.. a world all too familiar to him. Kiri nin loyal to Chōjūrō fell as throngs of Nagayasu's forces pushed around them.

Kakashi zipped from building to building, following the slight ebb of Tsunade's chakra between showering images of chaos.

Kakashi tightened his fists.

It feels almost as if...

We're losing.

QIRŪI swung blindly in the darkness, whips of steel cutting from his arms and palms. Disembodied laughter wafted around him.

It was growing darker as well.

Qirūi heard footsteps clack about the shadowed walls.

He channeled electricity through steel tendrils, before surrounding himself in a shield of electrified metal and water.

I don't know what sort of technique this is.. some sort of sealing jutsu- a physical barrier that restricts air and sight! But.. it seems as if the boy is trapped in here within his own jutsu as well! What's more.. if he could've, he would've used his puppet to run me through.. or use his shadow jutsu.

Qirūi threw his arms outwards, spreading his water across Shikadai's shadow chamber.

This jutsu is the extent of your power right now isn't it, boy?! Qirūi thought wickedly.

He heard sloshing in the water-

Qirūi directed metal spears to where the sound came from.

Nothing.

Qirūi gasped- he felt as if his eyes were being pushed from their sockets. His lungs burned as they begged for air.

There's no way that he can maintain a jutsu of this degree for long.. all I have to do is outlast him- keep attacking randomly, deprive him of air as well!

Qirūi began slashing his steel wildly, before electrifying even the water he stood upon. Sparks of lighting harmlessly traveled through him, illuminating a skeletal grin underneath pale skin.

A crack struck against Qirūi's ears.

Suddenly light, dim light but far brighter than Shikadai's prison, shone from above.

Cracks of shadow began falling away, revealing once again peeks of the old library.

Air!

Qirūi turned, rushing for the light-

He opened his mouth wide, inhaling the new, fresh air that rushed into the boy's barrier.

But then-

Qirūi gasped, gagging as something was suddenly shoved between his teeth from above.

He turned, bewildered- the taste of paper filled a constricting throat.

The boy rose from the inky floor. His arms black right up to his elbow.

Just as Qirūi stepped for Shikadai, the boy formed a jutsu sign with a dark grin.

Qirūi's throat ruptured-

Explosive.. tags..?! Qirūi's last thoughts fled him- flying along with the explosion that popped the Swordsman's head in a plume of smoking blood intermixed with chunks of charred brain.

SHIKADAI DISMISSED his jutsu. He fell over onto his back, gasping haggardly while the shadow theater melted away. Qirūi's body smoked nearby, the smell of his corpse filling the library.

Ningyō Jōruri.. was an incomplete technique.

Somehow, Shikadai was able to manifest Eiyūnogi's time space ninjutsu between shadows- and cover an area with it instead. However, Shikadai was only able to sink himself directly into the shadow's curving walls- other than that, he wasn't able to use any other ability within the dark, airless crypt.

He was lucky that Qirūi was so easily distracted.

Shikadai coughed violently. He caught his mouth with a shaking hand.

He felt blood on his palm.

I can't even move.

He knew that there were more enemies outside- but it seemed as if, for now, he was undetected.

The genin's heart beat heavily out of exhaustion.. he had overextended his chakra.

Sorry.. Chocho.. Inojin..

Shikadai's eyes closed.

FIRE CACKLED AROUND Tsunade.

She breathed heavily, arms raised in a defensive position before her body. Somewhere, Mugino and Moegi laid in defeat- and possibly dying.

Before her, the man responsible for the explosions stood. He was tall, with blonde hair tied into a knot at the crown of his head.

He wore ornate bamboo armor.. and in his hand, Tsunade recognized the sword of Jinpachi Munashi.

The Shibuki.

However, he was the lesser of Tsunade's problems now.

Beside the man a woman also stood, far shorter- with blonde hair and dark chestnut skin. She had wide eyes that sat underneath a swirl tattoo carved upon her forehead. Chakra.. it seemed to sing about her, but it was an unholy and corrupted chorus.. heavy in the air with unnatural power.

The man hadn't attacked once. The woman however.. brought down both Mugino and Moegi with terrifying capability.

She crouched forward, hands flexing.

"I'm told.. her name is Botashirin Zhenjin.. though even I was unaware of the extent of her power." The man spoke over the sound of distant fighting.

Botashirin pounced then, almost as if she was spurred by the sound of her name.

Too fast-

Tsunade buckled shaking knees, catching Botashirin's punch with both hands as smoke exploded from behind them.

Her physical strength.. is beyond mine!

Despite this, Tsunade threw Botashirin's hand away. She unleashed a rattling blow for Botashirin's head-

Only for Botashirin to block the strike with her forearm. The woman dug into the ground slightly, bare feet cutting upon jagged rock.

Botashirin grinned at Tsunade.

"So.. heavy!" She exclaimed happily.

Tsunade ducked, shifting backwards only seconds away from a punch that would've pierced through her skull.

Botashirin unleashed a volley of blows- Tsunade blocking only the most lethal ones. Tsunade gritted her teeth as Botashirin pushed her backwards, gradually overpowering Tsunade as each descending strike shook the Hokage's insides.

Finally, Botashirin broke through.

She caught Tsunade's fist, then gifted the Hokage with her own. Tsunade had only seconds to rush chakra to her head in a last ditch effort of defense-

Botashirin's punch connected with Tsunade's jaw, a sickening crack reverberating through Tsunade's body. Botashirin released Tsunade's hand, allowing the Hokage to fall to the ashen ground as she gasped.

This.. strength.. it's..!

Tsunade dribbled blood from between dry lips.

"You could consider her my rage, perhaps. The rage of the Mist." The man said, voice now barely a whisper within Tsunade's dazed mind.

Botashirin kicked Tsunade in the stomach. The fifth Hokage grunted in almost suppressed pain, rolling over to her back.

Botashirin giggled, straddling Tsunade. She cupped Tsunade's head within her hands, before smashing her own forehead against Tsunade's nose-

Once, twice, four times-

Tsunade coughed up blood, more of it flying from her face than her mouth.

Botashirin then raised both hands free-

Before crashing her fists down with terrifying force and speed.

Dust rose in the resulting blast, before revealing Botashirin's furrowed brows. She lifted hands from the ruined earth. A small smile grew across Botashirin's lips. Her eyes rose to meet Tsunade's, who was now standing a short distance away.

Tsunade wiped the blood that painted her face. She channeled chakra within her, reinvigorating tired muscles.

"You're.. stronger? You can get stronger?" Botashirin cooed.

Tsunade stomped forward, rocks rising in the air.

I won't let Shizune's death be in vain. No, I'll avenge her.. here, and when I cross her killer!

Tsunade erupted in movement then, appearing above Botashirin. She threw a punch downwards at the woman-

Botashirin met the attack, bracing her fist against Tsunade's.

Chakra roared from their contact, almost detonating the wind that howled amongst a dying city.

NEXT TIME: BREAKTHROUGH! BORUTO'S DISCOVERY