BORUTO/ALTER

CHOCHO RAN through flames.

The screams of kiri nin dug at her fear- But she couldn't give in to such weakness now.

Chocho adjusted Inojin across a small back, his blood blotting clothing along with pouring rain.

To Chocho's left and right, buildings burned as rogue nin pushed forward, leaping from structure to structure with flashing swords.

In the chaos, none seemed to pay her any attention. The rogue nin kept themselves occupied by breaking into homes, stealing what little goods were to be found-

before killing the families within.

Chocho shut her eyes, tears brimming underneath them as tired legs were forced into a run.

I'm sorry. I have to protect my friend!

It was more than that. Inojin.. Was precious to all of their parents.

Inojin was born with two other siblings. Twins who were killed by their older brother, Khitan.

Chocho didn't know much about the event, but she knew that Shikamaru and Sai were able to fend off Khitan, who then fled the village, becoming a rogue nin.

After all that Inojin and his parents had been through.. Chocho doubled her resolve.

You're definitely not dying here, Inojin!

With that said, Chocho knew that the situation was bad.

The kiri under Nagayasu seemed to be far stronger than those of Chōjūrō. Pain, death, fear- it all howled around her, billowing out of windows as dying screams or rising from bodies of citizens who were trampled to death by their fleeing neighbors.

I have to at least make it back to the medical center.. Even if it's under attack- there's more of a chance there than out here!

Chocho sprinted forward, nimbly kicking away from a body that fell from the buildings above. Chocho ignored the dying man as he unintelligibly pleaded to her, mouth filling with blood as he choked.

Chocho grimaced.

She ran, the Shinobi's eyes haunting her with each pained step.

The medical center was within her gaze now. It was missing its roof, and wicked chakra spat about the air from the top floors.

However.. The main structure itself was intact. Nagayasu's forces seemed to be attacking here as well, but their numbers were far less numerous.

Chocho danced between the shadows of nearby towers. The young Kuonichi paused, waiting for two patrolling rogue nin to drunkenly run through the nearby street, swords covered in blood as they laughed.

Chocho narrowed her eyes, sprinting ahead silently against the light of the bloodied moon.

Chocho leapt in the air, passing through a broken window that led to the building within.

Her skin instantly warmed as lights flickered on. She steadied Inojin, before gathering in darkened surroundings.

The hallway before her was painted with bodies and blood. Random doors were slashed open, while medical equipment was ripped from carefully built interfaces and left in piles beside cooling corpses.

Chocho warily continued. Thus far, she didn't sense anything immediately around her. There was however... some sort of sinister chakra far above. With that said, Chocho knew that at least for now, there was no immediate threat.

She trusted in her sensory skills- Shikadai said she was the best out of all of them-

Shikadai.

She hoped he was okay. It should be fine now, right?- the Kage are here, aren't they?

True panic threatened Chocho's thoughts. It didn't seem as if anyone was alive. And above her.. the distant cackle of violent chakra seemed to press against her senses with a sudden harshness.

I'm.. I'm scared!

Chocho shook her head, tears silently streaming down her face.

I can't be weak now. Not with them depending on me. I have to save Inojin, and I have to make sure someone is there to go back and find Shikadai!

She ran once more, resilient to the splashes of blood that sprayed from the stomp of her sandals.

Room after room was empty, devoid of life or working medical tools. Chocho steadily made her way through floor after floor, until finally-

The sound of swords clashing together filled Chocho's ears.

It's coming from the floor right above me!

Chocho began to run-

She paused, turning before placing Inojin down.

Inojin was still unconscious, and bleeding heavily. Chocho sighed, swallowing rising despair as she used rudimentary medical jutsu.

She simply transferred more chakra to his body's natural healing- it wouldn't heal him enough to fully ensure his safety, but it would help Inojin's blood continue to clot and circulate as opposed to bleeding out.

Chocho rose, gripping her sword.

"This would be a lot easier if you were awake. Who's annoying now?" Chocho smiled sadly.

I feel like something bad is about to happen.

A violent exchange of blows, followed by a scream, brought Chocho to a ducked run. She drew her tantō, chakra running through the edge of the weapon's blade.

Chocho followed the sounds of further battle, zipping across a flight of stairs until-

A body hurtled straight for Chocho. She spun out of the way, blood flying across her face. The body crashed against a wall behind her with fleshly slop-

A shadow was upon Chocho in the next moment.

Though it was not one that carried the sense of killing intent.

Chocho lowered her weapon, raising eyes to the shadow above her at the same time.

It was a boy who looked to be the same age as Chocho. The bottom of his mouth was tightly wrapped in white bandages, while spiked black hair fell over a kiri headband. He carried a massive blade that was forked into two tongues, but Chocho noticed he also carried a smaller sword, one that seemed to not belong to him.

Smart. That greatsword isn't the best weapon to use in tight spaces like these. I can see why he's alive, at least.

"I saw your konoha headband-" The boy began.

Chocho glared at him.

"There's no time to really explain. I have one wounded genin with me, and another back in the city. What's the situation like here? Where are the Kage? Moegi.. Mugino..!" Chocho spoke hurriedly as she raced back to Inojin, the kiri boy following behind her.

"I don't know those other names.. but the Kage are fighting whatever is above us. I'm sure you've felt it by now.. that chakra." The young kiri nin said, running beside Chocho.

Chocho's eyes threatened to water. Once more, she shut them, focusing now on Inojin as the pair turned into the stairway hall.

"He's-!" The kiri nin's voice rose in alarm.

The boy slid for Inojin, coming upon Chocho's teammate and placing down both swords.

"He's.. I don't know how much more time he has left." Chocho rasped.

The dark haired youth looked up at Chocho, before silently turning his attention back to Inojin's heaving, bloody wound.

"You're in luck. The Mizukage left behind his second in command of sorts- Kagura Karatachi. I don't know much about him- but he's a jonin. And he knows medical jutsu." The boy's eyes met Chocho's once more.

"Though your friend's injuries are serious. I'll be honest with you.. he still could die." the youth spoke, gathering up Inojin.

"I'll lead the way. Let's hurry."

MEI PROPELLED herself backwards upon a jet of water.

Shih Kango chuckled with dim humor. His light violet skin seemed to shine in the light of the moon-

Shih was beside Mei in mere seconds, erupting from a shard of ice by her foot.

Those damn mirrors! They're everywhere!

Mei lowered to the cracked floor below, closing her eyes inadvertently as Shih's broadsword passed overhead.

Chōjūrō.. he isn't keeping up..!

"Stay focused.. Fifth Mizukage!" Shih hissed as he lifted his weapon-

Before vanishing into one of a thousand mirrors.

"Chōjūrō! I need your help!" Mei shouted. She skipped back, rain pressing red hair against a bloodied forehead.

Shih..I've never actually fought him. He truly is as strong as they say...

Mei stopped just short of Chōjūrō's kneeling stance. Blood poured from numerous wounds that crawled across the Sixth Mizukage's body.

Shih had toyed with Chōjūrō- and spat him out.

"He's.. he's too fast…!" Chōjūrō hissed, blood trailing down both sides of his sharp toothed frown.

Shih suddenly reappeared from above.

"Ice Release: Singing Rapture!

Several of Shih's mirrors formed together in the air around him, churning into snowing, spinning rectangles of frozen glass.

Mei gathered Chōjūrō by the shoulder, the Sixth Mizukage lazily dragging his broadsword behind.

Mei propelled herself and Chōjūrō away with a stream of water-

Just as thousands of ice needles shot from each of the mirrors, exploding into a fine mist as they cut into the ground only seconds off target.

Shih fell from the air, ice mirrors above him cracking into further needles-

Then hurtling for both Mizukage.

Damn it!

Mei cusped both hands together.

"Water Style: Water Wall!" Chakra filled Mei's voice as water boomed in reprisal. A torrent of blue rose to the defense of Mei and Chōjūrō, absorbing Shih's ice in an advancing tsunami.

Mei turned to Chōjūrō in the seconds she bought them.

"Get it together, Mizukage! Remember who you are!" Mei spoke as Chōjūrō shakily straightened his stance. Blood spurting from his mouth, eyes glaring forward behind faded goggles.

"I know..!" Chōjūrō suddenly rushed ahead, meeting Shih as the latter lurked between a slash that parted Mei's water.

Their swords crossed with rumbling strikes, Shih's quiet smile growing wider.

Chōjūrō disengaged for a moment, chakra screeching from his weapon.

He fashioned the chakra into a massive warhammer-

Then spun for Shih.

Shih narrowed his eyes, raising zabuza's sword-

Mei danced from behind the Swordsman.

Now it's our turn!

Mei flashed fingers together, forming jutsu signs faster than the human eye could track.

"Water Style: Dragon's Gaze!" Mei shouted as rings of water formed around both her and Shih.

The rings harmlessly passed Mei..

Focusing instead on Nagayasu's warrior. Mei's jutsu wrapped around Shih, keeping liquid form while somehow constricting into malleable rivers of water.

Chōjūrō's hammer hurtled into Shih.

Chōjūrō narrowed his eyes-

A crack was heard, smoke billowing from Shih's quivering body..

Before it fell to the ground as a shattered statue of ice.

Shih silently flashed to Chōjūrō's left.

He was close to the ground, Zabuza's sword held at his waist. He knifed the cleaver for Chōjūrō's legs-

Chōjūrō leapt over the strike, stabbing his own sword downward.

Shih rolled to the right, laughing as Chōjūrō's blade met nothing but ruined floor and stone.

Shih kicked Zabuza's sword back into the air, spinning before hurling the massive blade downwards for Chōjūrō's head.

Chōjūrō stood perfectly still, narrowly evading the attack and smiling at Shih's bewildered gaze.

Chōjūrō then cut past the Swordsman in the very next second, sword held high.

Shih fell to one knee, blood flying from his chest.

Chōjūrō..! Mei rushed forward, smirking.

This is just what we needed!

Mei summoned all the chakra she possessed.

I'll end this with my next jutsu!

Chōjūrō turned just as Shih chuckled to his full height.

"Finally coming alive… Chōjūrō?!" Shih blitzed into a speck of air-

Smoke gathered around Chōjūrō before Shih himself exploded into life. The Swordsman assailed Chōjūrō with a relentless assault-

Their swords cried aloud, steels clanging together. Both Shih and Chōjūrō had twisted smiles on their faces, blood flying from each grin.

Keep him right there, Chōjūrō!

Mei clapped palms together.

"Boil Release: Concussive World!" Mei shouted.

Shih faltered, broken out of his trance with Chōjūrō as the weight of Mei's chakra suddenly hit him.

"Get back, Chōjūrō!" Mei shouted. Chōjūrō zipped to safety-

Shih moved to intercept, before being halted by a superheated fog that burned his purple skin.

"What.. is this?!" Shih whispered in quiet horror. He attempted to flee into one of his mirrors-

But they melted before he could enter them.

At the same time, a screen of water formed around Shih, keeping him restricted within an orb of burning mist.

Mei then closed her fingers into each other-

The orb sharply shrunk.

Shih's voice erupted in a howling, shrieking yelp. The orb filled with red haze as the sound of skin sizzling could be heard in muted tones.

Mei smiled.

That should-

The orb exploded in chakra. Eyes glowed darkly from within rising smoke.

Shih hunched over, but inexplicably and resolutely stood on his feet, Zabuza's blade held across raw and bleeding shoulders. Shih's skin was boiled- bits of it hung off, while lesions formed across his chest and arms. Parts of his face now bore exposed bone, fleshy flaps hanging from deranged and skeletal eyes.

How is he still-

Chōjūrō broke the dissipating smoke behind Shih. The Sixth Mizukage swung into a bisecting slash-

Shih, despite his wounds, turned instantly to meet Chōjūrō.

He saw him.. how?!

Mei leapt into the fray.

I'm no good at close range.. but!

Mei spouted a stream of lava from her mouth just as Shih's cleaving strike knocked Chōjūrō off balance.

Shih glared at Mei, evaporating into his mirrors as they rose from the floor.

His shadow danced about them-

Mei felt the kiss of air meet her neck.

This speed-

Just as Mei felt Shih's weight begin to press into the edge of her throat.

Chōjūrō was beside her.

A rush of chakra pushed Mei slightly away from the Swordsmen-

Mei threw her head upwards, screaming Chōjūrō's name, red hair billowing across a panicked face.

Chōjūrō blocked Zabuza's blade with Hirameikarei, struggling underneath Shih's strength.

Mei rebounded upon a nearby jutting stone- she pounced upon Shih, covering her fists with lava.

A mirror sprung up from the floor, tripling in size as it chased Mei's falling fists, meeting them with harmless hisses.

Chōjūrō roared.

Mei looked up, surprised by the chakra that rose from the timid Kage. Chōjūrō reversed his grip on Hirameikarei's dual handle, then pulled the sword backwards, disarming Shih while slicing off one of his arms.

Mei gasped-

Chōjūrō didn't falter. In the same swipe, he rotated his swing back around with hidden speed and strength- overcoming Shih's own ability for the first time during their battle.

Hirameikarei blurred into a crescent of moveme-

A spear of ice leapt from Shih's remaining palm. It punctured Chōjūrō through his left eye, blood instantly rushing from the wound as Chōjūrō's movements went limp.

Mei's vision seemed as if it was being obstructed by blackness.

Tears streamed behind Mei's eyes as they contorted in disbelief and rage.

Chōjūrō stepped backwards, breaking away a part of Shih's ice with him. He stumbled about for a few moments, before finally falling to his knees, then to his back.

Chōjūrō's chest went still.

"Ch-..Chōjūrō!" Mei screamed.

"…you..!" Mei snarled into a run, chakra screeching about her.

Shih dashed away-

He's slower, but he's still faster than I am!

"Running away?! What's wrong?! I should be easy for you to kill now, Shih!" Mei's voice bellowed in the thunderous night.

Shih turned, standing upon a lone column of stone that once belonged to a domed roof.

"We've fulfilled our objective…" Shih reached into his cloth belt, producing some sort of flare.

He rose a burned arm into the air, firing the flare as it exploded in white light across thundering clouds that threatened the moon.

Retreat? But-

Shih regarded Mei with cruel humor as she climbed to reach him.

"You're weak, Mizukage. Nagayasu ordered that you.. are to be spared. Though don't worry. Next time we meet.. I'll be sure to return in kind." Shih whispered.

He formed a series of jutsu signs with his remaining arm-

Before vanishing within the sound of beating rain.

Mei didn't waste another thought.

She spun, rushing to Chōjūrō.

Mei knelt beside him, cradling his head as tears freely fell upon Chōjūrō's bloodied body.

I'm so sorry.. Chōjūrō..!

TSUNADE SOMERSAULTED BACKWARDS. A long ponytail danced behind honed movements aged by precise chakra control.

Botashirin laughed, her voice growing higher and more childlike.

"You can get stronger! You can!" Botashirin applauded.

Tsunade landed upright, sliding backwards as Botashirin rushed to greet her.

Tsunade ducked into a crouch, rolling to the right as Botashirin ripped her first through the air.

"Ho..?" Botashirin hissed coyly, crouching herself lower to the ground.

Tsunade kept moving. From her roll, she rose into a circling run. She pumped chakra through aging muscles-

Tsunade charged for Botashirin-

Botashirin formed a jutsu sign with both hands.

Tsunade felt as if she were blind for a moment.

Chakra overwhelmed her senses.

All she could perceive was Botashirin.. and the black, snaking heads of chakra that sprouted from her. The blackness seemed to be inhabited by some sort of static, and the chakra itself was fashioned into the shape of a female hydra, each face complete with wavering purple locks.

"Come now," Botashirin smiled as Tsunade's senses returned.

The apparition that curled around Botashirin vanished.

But Tsunade could still feel it.

"Don't stop now." Botashirin's playfulness had been replaced by a strange, alien intellect.

She stepped forward-

Before a bang split Tsunade's ears.

A shock of light filled Tsunade's vision. She couldn't see for a moment, but she could hear-

And the sound she heard was Botashirin laughing.

"More! More!" Botashirin cheered.

Tsunade's vision slowly returned.

Was that.. a retreat signal?

Tsunade looked about her, around the ruined outskirts of Kirigakure and further beyond.

Sure enough, the tall man was gone. She also noticed other Kiri nin fleeing, running while hands were filled with what little goods they seemed to have stolen.

A withdrawal.. after all of this..

Tsunade's eyes widened.

"That means we're going too." Another voice called.

Tsunade was drawn to Botashirin, who was still looking expectantly up at the sky, light rain drizzling upon a youthful face.

Another man was beside her.

This one was wearing a haori of colored birds, with a zig-zagging black ponytail and sharply slanted eyes. In his hand a chain was found.. which in turn carried a panting human head.

"Soejima.. already?" Botashirin gave Tsunade a sad face.

"It's fine I guess. I miss Ada. I want to see her!" Botashirin clapped her hands together expectantly.

Soejima shrugged, giving Tsunade a helpless, comical grin. The head Soejima carried vomited-

But.. it was-

That's.. chakra?!

The vomit spread over a small circle of ground- revealing mirroring images within.

Time-space ninjutsu?

"Who are you?!" Tsunade ran for the pair-

But before Tsunade could hone in on them, they both hopped into the vomit.

Botashirin waved as she slowly sunk into the ground, Soejima's portal closing with a hissing smack.

Tsunade fell to her knees.

She gasped for breath, the shock of the past events finally settling within.

She felt almost as if.. this was all for nothing. Above, she heard the sound of Kiri nin fleeing, cackling in the night. The cries of the dying accompanied that of mourning wailers, fire cackling behind them all.

"Tsunade," Kakashi landed beside his fellow Hokage, nodding.

"I felt a horrible chakra.. but then-"

Tsunade offered Kakashi a smiling grimace.

"Horrible doesn't even begin to explain it. Nor does it explain their retreat." Tsunade answered.

"I saw the flare. It seemed as if they were on the cusp of victory. To flee now means-"

Tsunade's eyes widened.

"Victory here wasn't their intent. Not yet."

A somber nod passed between the two experienced Shinobi.

They rushed for headquarters, silent dread preparing its greeting.

BORUTO OPENED HIS EYES.

Light replaced darkness far too quickly for him.

He groaned.

"Of course the first thing he does is frown," Boruto heard Konohamaru's voice, followed by the laughter of his parents.

Boruto rose, fully awake and bewildered to find himself in bed.

Naruto and Hinata were seated beside him, while Konohamaru stood beside Boruto's second window. He smiled, nodding at Boruto.

"You were out for about six hours." He said softly.

Hinata leaned closer, holding Boruto's hand.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

Boruto looked at his other hand-

It was bandaged again, small splotches of blood painting wrapped white cloth.

"My head.. It hurts, I guess." Boruto said.

Naruto laughed.

"Mine would too if I learned the Rasengan as quickly as you did.."

Naruto leaned in closer as well. He clasped Boruto on the shoulder, blue eyes locking into Boruto's gaze.

"I'm proud of you, Boruto. You.. you're so much smarter than I was at your age. But please..It's a dangerous technique for you..So you have to promise me not to use it if you're in danger. Not yet." Naruto smiled then, clapping Boruto's shoulder as he leaned back.

"But still.. that sort of power!" Naruto smiled genuinely.

"That's incredible Boruto!" Naruto exclaimed.

"You should've seen it, Lord Seventh. Even Mitsuki was shocked."

Boruto had, despite himself, broken a small smile due to his dad's praise.

But at the sound of Mitsuki's name-

Boruto was about to ask where Mitsuki was, but felt better of it.

No doubt Mitsuki was hurt.

Hinata squeezed Boruto's hand, which made him realize he was frowning.

"This is probably a lot for you, I'm sorry. We were just.." Hinata didn't cry, but Boruto could tell from the look in her pale eyes that she was thinking of Hima.

"I know, mom. I know." Boruto smiled.

"I'm glad you guys are here. I still can't believe I did it." Boruto met Naruto's eyes then.

Boruto silently raised a bandaged fist to Naruto.

Naruto jumped, startled as Konohamaru laughed in the back.

"Come on, don't you do this lame thing?" Boruto shook his fist in the air.

Naruto smiled, bumping his fist against Boruto's.

He sniffled.

"Are you crying?!" Boruto exclaimed.

Naruto reddened, jumping up from his seat.

"No- I" Naruto stammered.

"It's fine, Naruto," Hinata said, smiling warmly.

"I was crying when I carried him here! At first I was proud, but then I realized you had almost no chakra, Boruto. Lord Hokage's right, you really can't afford to use the Rasengan in a pitched ba-"

Boruto's pillow smashed across Konohamaru, causing the man to choke on his next words.

IT WOULD BE TIME SOON.

SHOJOJI DIDN'T want to keep Otogane Gamou waiting. He had to procure the boy.. and for that, he needed the girl.

Sumire.

Shojoji snaked about the wood of the home.

Surprisingly, the girl and her mother were out. Only the father remained. The father was seated in their main living space, calmly sipping at a cup of tea.

The man turned his head, before unnaturally leaning backward until his eyes directly met Shojoji's.

Sweat beaded down Shojoji's forehead in seconds.

All this time.. he could sense me?!

He would have to kill the father first- he hadn't planned on taking the girl's body now, but if the man-

"Before you take action, consider the fact we may be beneficial to one another." The man said.

Shojoji halted. He still kept himself hidden, but he hadn't spoken yet.

Should I? Suppose it's too late now.

"Beneficial?" Shojoji asked.

The man leaned back to a normal position, head no longer facing Shojoji.

"I imagine your intent here does not end at my family." The man said slowly.

"No. But I intend to kill them. Both your daughter and your wife. You as well." Shojoji replied.

The man chuckled, taking a sip of tea.

"And you could. I can sense your power. It would be done in seconds."

The man finished his tea. He politely coughed, then resumed speaking.

"I have no interest in my family. They were only a means to an end. What I have an interest in.."

The man rose from his mat, turning to face Shojoji.

"Is the destruction of Konoha."

NEXT TIME: END OF KIRI ARC! onto the CHUNIN EXAMS!

HIMAWARI'S AWAKENING, MOMOSHIKI'S TEST