BORUTO/ALTER: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS
IT HAD BEEN A LONG NIGHT- ONE FOLLOWED BY AN EARLY START TO MORE TROUBLES.
The morning sun warmed Naruto's cloaked shoulders, while his own shadow loomed over the grim tidings that Sai presented him. Kakashi leaned beside Naruto's desk, a pile of reports nearly rivaling the former Hokage's height.
Shikamaru was the one who broke somber silence.
Naruto's friend and adviser stood with his arms crossed, brown eyes glaring into the nearby window that overlooked a healing city.
Shikamaru shook his head.
"First Shizune.. now Kiba. I have to say Naruto.. I don't blame the Daimyo for his decision." Shikamaru said.
Naruto closed his eyes in silent frustration, curling bandaged fingers into a tight fist.
Upon hearing word of Kiba's death and Himawari's incident, the Feudal Lord had decreed that two members of the Shu Boeigun be sent to Konoha immediately.
"It's a decision that marks a dangerous precedent." Kakashi said coolly.
Shikamaru nodded.
"I agree. In a way, it's almost as if it's in concert with Nagayasu's victory in Kirigakure. The difference is-"
"This is political." Naruto said, cutting off Shikamaru. Naruto glared ahead at the unseen enemies that seemed to grow from the shadows that were closest to him.
"Having State Shinobi assigned here, especially with the Chunin Exams being held.. is a subtle show of force." Naruto whispered.
Sai stepped backwards with a polite nod as he spoke.
"The Shu Boeigun was created by the Fire Daimyo in response to Obito's war. We knew that this would sooner or later result in a situation where the Daimyo feels emboldened to assert his power over us." Sai looked away from Naruto then.
He's stalling to tell me something again-
Just as Naruto was about to lose even his patience, Sai drew in a sharp breath-
Then continued.
"It seems the Daimyo has specifically chosen.. your old student to be one of the State Shinobi to review our affairs as well."
Naruto smiled- inadvertently and bitterly.
"I'm sure Tangura never wanted to come here again." Naruto leaned backwards, the face of the youth he had trained seven years ago resurfacing within Naruto's memories.
However, Naruto and Tangura had a falling out due to decisions regarding how the village should be run, and after failing to politically usurp Naruto's position, Tangura defected to the newly formed Land of Fire's State Shinobi, taking along four other young Chunin with him.
The incident earned the group their own moniker..
The Lost Generation.
Now, after all this time, all of this silent rage and mutual distrust.. Naruto's first true genin pupil would be returning.
Again, Naruto smiled, his carefree personality shining through despite the grim days still ahead.
"I'm not going to pretend as if we don't need the help, to be honest." Naruto said with a small laugh.
Kakashi spoke next.
"You still need to be careful, Naruto. It's clear the Daimyo is making it known he finds you- all of us, ineffectual. I know you don't want to hear this.. but we may have to postpone the Chunin exams."
Naruto immediately shook his head.
"I can't." He said with unbecoming finality.
Kakashi inhaled sharply behind a blue mask. Naruto could tell his former Sensei was holding back anger.
Have you lost faith in me too, Kakashi?
"One of your former classmates, a clan Head, was killed yesterday, during an attack on our village perpetuated by your daughter. An attack that exposed yet again a lapse in our defenses-" Kakashi turned to face Naruto fully.
"Typically, you know I wouldn't be this harsh, Naruto. But please.. you have to realize holding the Chunin exams now would spell disaster, especially with the Shu Boeigun snooping around. Not to mention.. you know what Tangura Zaidao is capable of."
Naruto shivered.
Tangura's jutsu..
Even when Tangura was a child, the ability disturbed Naruto.
Tangura could use chakra to cause dreams to appear in your waking, conscious thoughts. In ways Naruto still didn't fully understand, it was more pervasive than any genjutsu, despite the effects itself being much weaker. Regardless.. with Tangura's natural combat ability.. it was a terrifying and lethal combination.
Kakashi straightened then, walking to the front of Naruto's desk as Shikamaru stepped aside almost sheepishly.
Kakashi's voice was calm, but his eyes were bellowing in a way words were unable to.
"Without killing anyone, Tangura caused as much damage as Orochimaru did. I understand we're supposed to be allies, but the friendship is nominal at best. Our dear Fire Daimyo welcomed someone who instigated a bloodless coup, and now is sending him here."
Silence took the room then.
"You're right, Kakashi." Naruto said helplessly.
"But I can't postpone the exams. The exams are a way for our enemies to see our strength, and it's how we can bring the Shinobi of our village closer together. Especially with how things are now.. I want as many of our genin to gain as much experience as they can.. so they can face what's coming." The Hokage paused.
Then, Naruto's blue eyes met each of the others before continuing.
The Chunin Exams is a way to do that, and more." He finished.
Kakashi looked at Naruto for a long time.
Then, he closed his eyes. Kakashi softened his stance, offering Naruto a friendly and defeated chuckle.
"I know you're doing what you think is best. You're probably right.. I'm getting rather paranoid in my old age." Kakashi said.
Naruto nodded, smiling at his sensei.
Thank you, Kakashi.
Shikamaru and Sai seemed to relax as well-
Before a frantic rap met the door.
Himawari?
Naruto and Hinata had stayed up and spoken with her all night. She was.. fine, more or less.. stable and able to hold a normal conversation. But maybe something worse has happened-
Not now..!
Naruto rose from his desk just as Sai hurried to the door.
To Naruto's surprise, it was..
"Log?!" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief. For a moment, he relaxed-
But then he remembered why Log wasn't at Orochimaru's hideout.
Shin.
"Hello, Lord Hokage." Log bowed, before silently addressing the others as well.
Log slowly strode through Naruto's office, green hair bouncing across a pale forehead while yellow and snakelike pupils locked onto Naruto.
An almost unnerving earnestness exuded from Log- demeanor that contrasted directly with Log's forebear.
"There has been a new development." Log's speech was neutral- but his eyes narrowed.
"Lord Hokage, we have much to discuss."
"IT ALL HAS TO BE DESTROYED!"
sparks flew about the air as helpless scientists fled from hurtling cubes of carbon. The gears on Deepa's gauntlet spun violently, each movement directing one of thousands of carbon bullets to their desired targets.
Of which now.. was-
"The lab! Stop, you fool!" Victor rushed towards Deepa, flailing his hands in the air.
Deepa narrowed his eyes, purple hair wavering beside small ears as two more carbon missiles sped past his cheeks.
Victor spun around, following the trajectory of Deepa's attack-
"The incubating tree?! No Deepa..!" Victor fell on his knees as a rattling explosion erupted from the spider web of wires, panels, and bio-organic material that all fed to a looming womb of flesh that now, was engulfed in cackling flames.
Deepa's carbon continued, filling the air with hissing spats of sound. Sobs of scientists caught in Deepa's crossfire bleated along with the step of the Inner's boots.
He stood over Victor for a moment. Victor's hands were pale with silent anger- his fingers clawed at the metal flooring underneath them.
"What.. what have you done.." Victor's voice held a tone of despair that not even Deepa had seen from the man.
A cynical smile parted Deepa's painted lips.
"I almost feel sorry for you." Deepa leaned over with a grunt, grabbing a fistful of Victor's clothing-
Then throwing him towards the exit of the now crumbling laboratory. Smaller explosions burped flames down onto them, along with wayward equipment dislodged by Deepa's rampage.
"You were there. Jigen is sending that new Inner.. Kashin Koji..to us." Deepa's eyes widened at the memory of Kashin's mask.. the glow from underneath a hidden brow..
"Jigen doesn't trust us. We have to get rid of everything we've done here, then start again."
"Start again? How? We've exhausted this land's resources. And-" Victor began just as Deepa kicked the old man through the lab's door. Deepa then followed behind one last gasping belch of flame.
Some ways down the hall, a group of technicians and scientists nervously peered onward. Deepa nodded towards them.
"Clean everything in there. Leave nothing behind." Deepa ordered. Victor sighed, brushing himself off as he stood.
"You're lucky I'm long suffering to a fault, you bastard." Victor grumbled.
Deepa ignored him.
"I'm having Jeishi delay them. That should give us at least until morning to remove all evidence of our little project."
Victor nodded slowly.
"What did you tell him to do?" The older man asked.
Deepa smiled.
"I told him to come up with something. I'm sure he won't disappoint us."
Victor gave a half hearted chuckle.
"And.. What news of Kawaki?" Victor inquired as a platoon of masked cleaners marched past him and Deepa, and into the ruined lab.
Deepa grimaced.
".. apparently it's done, already. Which is why Kashin is on assignment in the land of Fire. They're not.. telling us something, Victor. But there's something there. Something that either Otogane.. or Jigen.. wants."
Victor sighed, crossing his arms.
"Don't forget about Amado. I don't trust him."
Deepa laughed.
"You shouldn't trust anyone." Deepa said, glancing once more at Victor before striding away, leaving the old man to the sound of embering flame and sputtering currents of electricity.
THE SUN BROKE THROUGH AN ENVELOPING SCREEN OF LEAVES. Rays touched upon Yoshika's skin, warming splotches of his face as he yawned.
Stretching, Yoshika hopped in place for a moment. Han sat, as he did every morning, with his legs crossed and hands pressed together. The man's drawn pupils stared ahead in manufactured awareness.
Despite himself, Yoshika always met their gaze.
"So.. what is it. The ability Jeishi said you have. Entropy..." Yoshika ventured.
Han's head slightly turned.
"I'm assuming you're addressing me." Han said plainly.
"Well, yeah." Yoshika answered.
Jeishi had informed the group that he sensed something- a group of beings following them. Deepa had gone ahead, while Kashin and his team circled back to shadow their pursuers.
Yoshika and Han were ordered to act as a middle guard, essentially to secure a meeting point and to gather more information on their surroundings.
But for now.. it was quiet.
And Yoshika.. was bored.
"An Entropic Sageā¦" Han trailed off.
"Entropy is the order of disorder. But it's more than that. It's the use of the unavailable energy around us- chakra that is generated, but not used."
Yoshika frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Han smiled.
Huh- weird. Don't like that-
Yoshika thought.
"When you cast your crystal jutsu, for example, you are expending chakra from your body that isn't actually being used towards your jutsu. In other words, it's wasted. But it still exists."
Yoshika caressed his chin in thought.
"So.. an Entropic Sage can gather dispersed, leftover chakra?"
"Not exactly." Han said. Suddenly, he stood.
"I suppose you've never seen me fight, have you?" Han said.
It was true.
Despite the fact Yoshika had been assigned to Deepa's team for almost a year now, he had never actually fought alongside Han, or when they did fight, they were separated- operating on different sets of orders.
Yoshika stepped backwards.
"I'm not really uh- looking to spar," Yoshika raised a hand cautiously at Han.
"Don't worry. This is just an explanation. Unlike most abilities.. Entropic Sage jutsu must be accessed with Fuinjutsu." Han pulled his sleeve up to a thin elbow.
Squares of sealing paper were stitched into Han's skin, black wiring festering as it veined through his pale forearm.
"These tags redirect the physical pathways of chakra in my body. Each one is a carefully calculated fuinjutsu seal. By redirecting my chakra pathways, I am converting my body itself into a vehicle of entropy, as I am changing my true path of chakra from order.. to disorder."
"..Changing your literal chakra pathways.. that would kill you, no matter how strong you are." Yoshika replied.
"The Uzumaki, eons ago, discovered that if they in effect sealed themselves, they would be able to access wasted chakra within not only their own bodies, but from those around them. Though this process is time consuming.. and requires decades of meditation. Further, while this allows you to access chakra, you still can't use jutsu outside of fuinjutsu." Han explained.
"I still don't understand," Yoshika said with a laugh.
Han, surprisingly, returned it.
"Many didn't. Which is why this ability was the one that led to the destruction of Uzushiogakure."
"Save for Jeishi." Yoshika said.
Han's head turned to Yoshika then.
"Be wary of Jeishi, Yoshika. I know he seems kind.. but his existence.. is an anomaly. Be careful around him." Han sai-
The sound of twigs breaking cut off Han's speech. Yoshika's eyes instantly shifted to the small figure that silently swore as he broke through thick forest and into their makeshift clearing.
Jeishi's wide blue eyes regarded both Han and Yoshika with a hidden mirth, as if he was in on some joke at their expense.
"I am kind," he said softly.
"And I am an anomaly." Jeishi grinned.
"Jeishi, I-" Han stammered.
The man fell to his knees.
"Forgive me- I-"
Jeishi casually waved his hand in the air in polite dismissal.
"I would be worried if you weren't cautious of me, especially with your ability, Han Sifu." Jeishi then pressed his hands together.
"In about one minute, three individuals will attack us. One of them seems to be puttering around the strength of a Kage." Jeishi spoke in such a plain, friendly tone, his warning almost became even more alarming.
"Here? Is it the ones following us?" Han asked.
Jeishi closed his eyes with a smirk.
"I believe so. Something is happening in Rivers.. something that not even Deepa and Victor seem to be aware of. And now, that something is coming to us."
Yoshika's heart beat erratically in almost hidden fear.
Kage.. level?!
"Don't worry." Jeishi said as he stepped forward.
"I won't let either of you die. Deepa.. and I still have use of you."
BORUTO ONCE AGAIN found himself in a hospital room, looking upon his sister. However, her body wasn't mangled and near dying- no, far from it.
She was brimming with chakra. Despite this, her face was downcast, her slanted eyes almost closed and nearly hiding a bright blue eyed gaze.
She sat up in bed, fingers clenching a blanket wrapped around her waist.
Outside, small plumes of smoke rose from the entertainment center. Workers- both civilian employees and Shinobi- cleared rubble and bodies from streets, while others marked homes that would need to be renovated after Himawari's unconscious rampage.
Seventy four people had died.
Himawari laughed.
Boruto almost jumped at the sound.
"What is it? Hima.. how are you feeling? Ho-"
Hima's ice blue eyes snapped to Boruto.
Something is different about her.
Boruto swallowed, remembering that same tinge of fear he had felt as a child when he learned what was inside of Dad.
Hima's glare dissipated as she turned away from Boruto.
"Nothing feels real. The last thing I remember is that we were on that mission. Now.. all of this. It literally doesn't feel like I'm alive." Himawari said softly.
Boruto dragged his chair closer to Himawari's bed.
"Listen- what's important is that you're..talking, thinking. We.. we..weren't sure if Mrs. Uchiha was successful. Weren't sure if you'd even walk again, be.. there again."
"People died because of me, Boruto." Hima replied.
A chill passed over Boruto's skin at the sound of his sister's voice as she spoke.
"People with their own families. People with their own dreams, desires. And now they're gone, and they didn't do anything wrong."
Himawari fell back into her bed.
"Thanks for staying with me for so long. But I want to be alone for a little." She said softly.
Boruto swallowed heavily.
"I understand." He nodded. He rose, before leaning over and giving Himawari a hug.
"We love you." Boruto whispered.
"Ugh," Himawari said, pushing him away.
"Gross."
Boruto scoffed.
"I'm just trying to make you feel better."
Himawari gave Boruto a smile- the first genuine one he had seen on her since she awoke.
"It's working. Now leave me alone so I can be depressed."
Boruto gave her a short chuckle.
"Do you want visitors yet? Iwabe and Hijikata want to see you."
Himawari shook her head.
"Between you, our parents, and Hanabi I think I've had enough visitors. I'll.." Himawari's smile faded.
"I'll talk to them soon. I promise." She finished.
Boruto gave his sister one more smile, before exiting Himawari's room and closing the door behind him.
Boruto stepped into the hall-
And the very next second, he was staring at Sasuke Uchiha.
"We have one month." Sasuke's dark eye gazed down at Boruto.
"Let's begin."
NEXT TIME: A PITCHED BATTLE! KARA VS THE SHARINGAN!
