BORUTO ALTER
MOMOSHIKI HAD WAITED AEONS.
How many thousands of years had it been?
A rare smile graced Momoshiki's lips. His eyes watched a sea of stars that swam bountifully before a God's gaze.
Finally.
Many of his clansmen had found themselves exactly where he sat- only to realize that after making it this far, the Voice had grown silent. Their fate was not entrance into the Mundane Realm, but rather to be devoured by a newly arrived Otsutsuki.
Momoshiki had made it to the border of the seedbed. This was beyond chakra fruit-
It was a chance to redeem his lineage- the legacy that Kaguya tarnished.
Despite Momoshiki's recent blessings, he frowned, long white hair passing white eyes.
Enough of Kaguya. Now that I've heard It.. we can continue.
As if he was blessed with premonitions of being beckoned, Urashiki climbed from a portal- a dizzying ocean of colors closed shut behind the lesser being.
Urashiki, in honest sense of the term-
Was a forfeit Otsutsuki. He was not created from the process of being devoured- he was rather composed of left over chakra from the eaten.
His state was such that when he was killed.. he wouldn't even infect his killer with the mark. In fact, Urashiki's true name was Warad Sin- when the creature came into Momoshiki's bondage, he blessed it with a proper name.
However.. thoughts of those false clansmen brought a new anger to Momoshiki- this one far more recent.
Isshiki..!
Isshiki was of the same class as Urashiki. A false Otsutsuki, born outside of the process inherent to their being.
However, that usurper Isshiki.. had accumulated enough chakra that the Voice graced him-
Making him a full blooded Otsutsuki.. one that can carry and pass on the mark.
Momoshiki knew that the Voice even picked Isshiki over Himself to go to the seedbed with the Consort..
Momoshiki shook his head, closing white eyes as Urashiki's tittering speech caught small ears.
"You've done well here. Waiting." Urashiki smiled. The lesser Otsutsuki carried a fishing rod sculpted from chakra- it glowed a deep, venomous red. He rested this makeshift weapon across slim shoulders.
"Your impurities give you freedom." Momoshiki said, returning the false smile without facing his servant.
It was true.
Due to the fact Urashiki was not within the Otsutsuki bloodline, he wasn't as restricted as true clansmen were. Urashiki, despite his weakness, could freely travel between the dead worlds- and was Momoshiki's only liaison during this wait of eternity.
"I suppose that's fair then." Urashiki approached closer as Momoshiki turned eyes back to the stars.
"Kinshiki will be here soon, too. He heard It. It's telling him to follow you, of course." Urashiki chuckled.
"What's it like? Hearing it?" The creature inquired suddenly.
It's like hearing yourself.
Momoshiki said within- not wishing to bless the construct with undue knowledge, no matter how little.
"Once Kinshiki arrives, we will find ourselves in full accordance. The path will be open to us then." Momoshiki's voice rose with a growing ebb of excitement.
How could it not?
How many clansmen had died before feeling this liberation?
How many thousands of years had-
Urashiki's voice wrought Momoshiki free of his trance of happiness.
"For something called the Mundane Realm.. you all seem to crave it rather soundly." Urashiki said- almost condescendingly.
In any other instance, Momoshiki would've punished the creature. But now?
He had waited for so long.. a stream of conscience thought goaded by nothing but blinking stars for..
Momoshiki shivered.
"It is called the Mundane Realm.. because it holds everything.."
Urashiki laughed.
"Oh, I get it. That's funny. Abundance becomes.."
Momoshiki interrupted the creature with polite grace, closing his hand over a cluster of stars.
"...Mundane."
SHIZUMA OPENED TIRED EYES.
There was a dull, throbbing pain that traveled from his chest down to his bellybutton. His vision was blurred- but he heard slight conversation buzzing about his ears.
As awareness climbed through Shizuma's body, violent memories suddenly snapped to the forefront of awareness.
"Kakashi…!" Shizuma began, his voice sliding into a hiss.
Shizuma's rage fell upon the nin who were tending to him. Both of their backs were turned, though one of them seemed to be aware he was awake-
Shizuma rose, easily ripping himself free.
The one who turned was blessed with a fleeting glimpse of Shizuma's clawed hand slashing across her throat, blood spraying from the wound as she died instantly.
Long black hair, now painted with blood, fell beside Shizuma's handsome face. He stepped forward, towering over the surviving nin.
"L-Lord Hoshigaki-! Please!" The kiri nin stammered-
Shizuma smiled, grabbing the man by his throat. He squeezed, nails cutting into the man's neck as blood riveted down Shizuma's wrist.
Yes..
Shizuma felt his strength increase.
I could kill everyone here.. even Father!
A dark grin crossed-
Shizuma felt the familiar pain of a needle puncturing his neck. His hands released the dying man in his grasp, a smile surfacing as the trueness of his being was slowly subdued.
"You're getting faster, Setsuna." Shizuma's voice quieted. Setsuna stepped from behind the Hoshigaki.
"You have been summoned by Lord Hoshigaki." Setsuna said simply.
Shizuma stepped forward, accepting the dark robes that Setsuna handed him.
"The operation within Kirigakure city was a success. The Sixth Mizukage is dead. The Fifth has reclaimed her title, but it is a nominal power. We are in control now." Setsuna spoke with excitement unbecoming of him.
Despite Shizuma's sedation beginning to take effect, the Hoshigaki chuckled.
"And the lands stolen by Konoha?" Shizuma rasped.
"Returned. A treaty signed by the Seventh Hokage himself." Setsuna replied. Shizuma stretched his arms, following the slightly shorter man through throngs of Kiri nin.
Shizuma felt a faraway pang of anger.
He should've been the one to lead the assault. Injuries or not-
Calmness took the place of further thoughts of muted rage. Shizuma's mind felt.. serene almost.
He followed Setsuna with a relaxed gait, eyes nearly lidded.
They both marched through flesh-like halls, water seeping between hastily boarded leaks. A mismatch of metal repairs continued beside them-
Shizuma felt a grin form at the ethereal ocean of his Father's chakra.
Despite the drug coursing through his mind Shizuma heard the call of killing intent.
Father would be worth ki-
..
That pain again.
Setsuna spun from the young Hoshigaki, steadying him as a fresh dose of dulling agent swam through Shizuma's body.
They continued downwards, descending further into the fog ridden lair. Shizuma spied stone at the end of the curving passage- and he could hear the distinct cry of subtle water.
It was then he heard voices as well-
The others.. ?
interesting.. Father..
Shizuma smiled.
Setsuna continued leading the way downward. A fresh burst of hot fog graced their faces. Upon stone,
The Swordsmen sat.
The first to catch Shizuma's eye was him-
Shih Kango.
The man's face was tightly wound with black bandages. His braided hair poked through some of the wrapping, while angry, pained eyes glared from underneath the shadow of Zabuza's famed claymore.
Shih offered a quiet laugh.
"Your arm-"
Shih Kango's eyes widened in silent amusement, but he offered no reply.
"Careful, Shizuma." Buntan spoke next.
Her voice was quiet, but deeply jeering, almost instantly offensive no matter what she said.
"Shih is the one who killed the Sixth Mizukage." She gave a steel smile.
Across her back, her father's Thunderswords thrummed with barely contained excitement, eager to burn whatever souls unfortunate enough to come in contact with them.
Buntan was seated beside Hebii Chigo, a small woman who bore slanted eyes and pale skin. She was dressed entirely in purple.. within her robes, the blade Nuibari was waiting for the bell of blood in order to perform cruel tortures.
Hebii Chigo said nothing, but held her gaze with Shizuma to such an extent he, despite his drugging, felt a pang of uncomfort.
A chuckle caught Shizuma's eyes- which were desperate to look away.
He found himself looking upon that of Hayan Komota, a large and severe man. He was the oldest of the new Swordsmen, and the only one who was an adult during the tenure of the previous generation.
His blade was a strange one. It was quiet-
Small, with a broad edge that was held within a wooden scabbard. Not even Shizuma knew the name of Hayan's weapon.
"That's nothing to be proud of. Any of us here could have done it." Hayan said, walking back to the group.
"Speaking of us.. where's Qirūi?" The spearsword wielder, Dosetsu Kenki asked. He sat in the center of the stone, dark red hair falling down to his chin, while dark skin, the shade of oak, hugged handsome and youthful features. He wore simple clothing- a dark grey tunic paired with slim fitting blue trousers that bore flared groves.
Dosetsu's yellow and blue eyes looked about the group as a laugh erupted between the others.
"Right.. he isn't here.." Shizuma said, realizing the man was missing to the sound of Buntan's condescending retort.
"You're both behind. He died two weeks ago, during the assault. The same day as our dearly departed Chōjūrō."
Dosetsu blushed, scratching his head.
"Right- I've been away-" Dosetsu apologized.
Buntan exhaled heavily. She opened her mouth to offer another insult-
But sound roused all of their senses to new, terrified heights. Even Shizuma's eyes snapped at the bark of chakra that followed curling waves. The water hissed at it touched upon the precipice stone, the heat of it blasting at the gathered Swordsmen.
Finally.. the storm subdued.
Before them all, Shizuma's Father sat calmly upon unnaturally still water.
His wide brimmed hat hid features similar to Shizuma's, the only thing visible underneath the hat's shadow were Nagayasu's painted lips.
"I'm sure you all remember.. when I spoke to you of what we need in Kumogakure.." He began.
"Of course, Lord Hoshigaki." Setsuna said, bowing with the others. Only Shizuma still stood.
"We needed the borderland stolen by Konoha. Now-" Setsuna's voice rose, excitement driven by conquest urging hasty words.
"Patience, Setsuna. For now.. we must wait. But in the meantime.. we will prepare." Nagayasu's hat dipped forward.
"Violence favors the one who finds cruel thoughts during peaceful mornings…" The man said, mist hissing from the lake and rising into a cloak around hidden thoughts.
BORUTO raised a bandaged hand to the sky. He watched as sunlight danced between cloth fingers-
For a moment, he was entranced by the fact a world so cruel, so dangerous, had simple moments just as these.
"Hey, dozing off in the middle of a conversation?" Shikadai's voice met Boruto's daydreams, pulling them free.
They both lay on opposite sides of a triangular roof, one that loomed above Konoha's entertainment plaza. Here, bands played, food was prepared- people danced and shopped. It had a nice, comforting hum to it that Boruto and Shikadai each enjoyed.
Boruto laughed, placing both hands on his stomach as he sighed.
"Sorry. I.. I guess I changed my mind about the exams because of everything that's happened. My sister.. Lady Shizune. You and Inojin." Boruto answered.
"I thought as much. I just wanted to hear it from you. I could tell at the funeral something had changed." Shikadai replied.
"I'm glad, Boruto." The Nara added after a spell of silence.
Boruto frowned. By the tone of his voice it seemed Shikadai had some sort of underlying thought.
"What do you mean?" Boruto asked, raising his voice over a roll of laughter from the people below.
"We lost in Kirigakure, Boruto. I thought I knew war from what Inojin, Chocho and I experienced before but.. it feels unfair, sometimes." Shikadai slammed his fist against the roof.
"I'm thirteen and I've died almost three times. Inojin almost died. Your sister.. so much death and suffering.. and we're just kids." Shikadai whispered.
Boruto felt his heart beat faster as dread curled around it.
He had carried these very thoughts for some time.
"That's why I want to get stronger. That's why you do, too. Because we need to be able to stop our friends from suffering. Dying." Shikadai's voice was resolute.
It's not just me.
Everyone is suffering. Everyone is dealing with this inescapable feeling of horror. Fear of losing.. everything.
"We're going to get stronger, Shikadai. I feel like the world is changing- maybe not all of it good.. but if we can survive until we live in the good part-" Boruto cut himself off at the sound of Shikadai's laugh.
Boruto smiled, resting his head behind both arms.
"Don't be mad if I don't make it to the finals." Boruto said.
I've only got a month to train with Sasuke…
Would that be enough time..?
Shikadai clicked his tongue.
"It's going to be tough this year. I know a little about some of the other genin who are competing. Since the village is still in lockdown, everyone is getting screened. Which means my dad has been telling me who to look out for." Shikadai spoke to the sound of metal screeching due to his movement. He peeked over to Boruto's side of the roof.
"First, there's my cousin.. Shinki. But there's others too. Even from our village. My dad specifically told me to watch out for Eu-Mi Lee." Shikadai went to his previous spot, lying back down.
"Apparently she's Lee Sensei's daughter with Lady Tenten. She's still a genin, but she's two years older than us. Dad said her report detailed that she's spent the past three years in Amegakure."
Boruto furrowed his brows.
"Why?" He asked.
"My dad didn't know either, or he didn't want to tell me. At the very least, she's strong." Shikadai knocked on the roof again, this time much happier.
"I'm excited for you to see how creepy Shinki is. To be honest.. I don't think I'd be able to beat him."
"You fought him in Suna right?"
"Yeah. He almost killed me." Shikadai replied. Boruto could hear the grimace on the boy's face.
"If you face him.. just realize this. His jutsu is a psychological one. You have to get closer, not further away. And.. it's heavy." Shikadai informed.
"It costs a lot of chakra for him to use. So he prefers quick fights- but don't let your guard down. He's part of two Kazekage clan bloodlines. His chakra.. Well, let's just say he has to have a ton." Shikadai finished with a short laugh.
Before Boruto could respond, he heard a frantic series of footsteps coming for both him and Shikadai.
Boruto and Shikadai leapt upwards, alarm quickly painting over curiosity when they saw the expression on Mitsuki's face.
"Boruto! Your sister, she's-!" Mitsuki started..
Before an explosion of chakra shook even the roof they stood upon. The music below came to a subdued halt as screams replaced claps and cheers.
Boruto's eyes swung to the source of the evil chakra-
It climbed from the smoking roof of where Himawari was recuperating-
"Mitsuki- what's going on? What's happening to Hima?!" Boruto screamed.
I need to get over there- now!
"They said she woke up, Boruto. But something is wrong. Her chakra-" Mitsuki turned as another explosion rocked through Konoha.
"She's moving-" Mituski spoke while his eyes darted to Boruto-
He watched as a black and purple jacket flashed across rooftops.
"Wait, Boruto!" Mitsuki yelled.
"We need to go too, Mitsuki!" Shikadai bellowed, moving beside Orochimaru's prized project.
More explosions sprouted throughout the inner city as smoke rose from ruined buildings. A horrid chakra screamed within the air itself. It was heavy...abrasive as it nearly burned and cut your skin.
Is this really.. Himawari?
TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE HIMAWARI'S AWAKENING
NARUTO SIGHED. His eyes ached.
His body felt numb, weakened even.
The Hokage slouched over various parcels from the Land of Fire's Feudal Lord, furious over the concessions made in the aftermath of Kirigakure.
But what choice did he have?
Chōjūrō..
It almost didn't seem real. Death was a reality Naruto sadly knew well, but for some reason Chōjūrō's kindness and humble nature made it almost like death would be adverse to choose him.
But it wasn't only that.
Shizune.
Naruto remembered when he first met the woman- he was struck, even at that young age, by her devotion to Tsunade. They truly loved each other-
And now..
I feel as if I'm losing control of everything around me.
The relief operation in Kirigakure was a failure. Not only did it result in the deaths of two precious comrades, but it was a vocal declaration that Konoha's power not only had restrictions- but that it was also no longer resolute.
Naruto placed a head swarming with dark thoughts within his hands.
Then there was the intel that Tsunade had initially only wanted to tell Naruto himself.
I fought someone.. she.. she was stronger than me. Her chakra.. it wasn't human.
Tsunade witnessed this being flee with a mysterious Shinobi who wasn't of Kirigakure. One that carried a panting head..
Naruto furrowed his brows, thinking again of the initial scroll incident a few months ago.
The things the rogue nin said..
Serving a greater purpose..
Otogane..
Naruto didn't consider himself a genius by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, he felt that he was.. stupid, with a lot of things.
But even Naruto knew it would be dangerously naive to think that these incidents had no correlation.
Something was moving- something powerful and hidden, just like the Akatsuki.
No-
Maybe even worse.
Naruto clenched his bandaged hand into a fist. His thoughts flew to Himawari and Boruto. They were everything-
I can't let them live in a world like this.
In the next second, Naruto's mind went blank.
No, it wasn't that he had no thoughts-
It was that fear completely coated every sensation tangible to him. Chakra screeched through the air with a sudden, angry bellow- Naruto felt almost as if his body was shaking.
This.. this feels like Kurama!
Almost as if he was listening, the Fox himself spoke within Naruto's mind.
It's happening now, Naruto. She's awake.
The chakra- it grew stronger and stronger-
In seconds, two jonin rushed into Naruto's office.
"Lord Hokage! It's your daughter!" One of them exclaimed.
Naruto ignored them, leaping through the nearby window as a cloak of Kurama's chakra flared to life about his body.
His eyes honed in on Himawari's location-
It was strange- he felt her chakra, but not Himawari herself.
What's going on!
Suddenly, red chakra blanketed a block of buildings.
In the next moment, they erupted in popping, rupturing echoes, torn asunder by invisible forces that shrieked between the cries of villagers crushed underneath stone.
It was then Naruto saw her.
She pounced from rising smoke, before vanishing into a blink of dust while midair.
Naruto's eyes danced from rooftop to rooftop as he flew ahead-
This.. this is my fault, too.
Kurama scoffed.
And that's why you're the only one who can help her.
Naruto grinned.
Kurama was right.
Naruto pounded a closed fist against his chest, landing on a nearby roof as chakra swam around him, saving the villagers trapped underneath toppled debris.
"Let's go, Kurama!" Naruto roared.
I'm here for you, Hima!
YOSHIKA ITO
RANK: OUTER
ASSIGNED INNER: DEEPA
YOSHIKA shuddered.
He hated it in the Land of Rivers, but at least it wasn't headquarters.
The air here.. it felt wrong.
Yoshika had no delusions about his morality. He was a rogue nin and criminal, after all. But still..
Something about this place felt against sense.
And it's giving me the creeps.
Now, Yoshika was on his way to the main hall. Jigen had recalled Kara-
All of Kara, for some unknown reason. Even Deepa and Victor seemed bothered.
Yoshika sighed- there was only one door separating him from the main hall now. He could already hear voices behind it.
The feeling.. it was worse here.
Yoshika continued, shutting his eyes tight as he marched into oblivion.
