BORUTO ALTER
Trees shivered, green leaves falling like rain as darkness cascaded around Eu-Mi. Under the light of the moon, blackened iron sand enveloped Boruto's teammate within a shambling fist.
"Eu-Mi!" Boruto shouted. Blue eyes darted to where Akad-
Disbelief burned through the Uzumaki as if someone had set off a flare on his sleeve.
He's.. gone?!
Boruto's eyes narrowed, senses alerting to almost-invisible movement darting towards him from above.
Boruto frowned, glancing over a lowered shoulder just as Eu-Mi landed into a slide.
The kunoichi's eyes were wide, crazed and nearly feral. However, Eu-Mi's expression itself was almost serene.
Her mouth relaxed, blood trailing from both corners of a lax smile. She was covered in cuts, though it seemed she was able to avoid any debilitating injuries from Shinki's jutsu.
I get it now. I was honestly wondering how Shikadai survived Shinki's jutsu. It covers a vast area.. but the cutting power itself isn't enough to cause immediate fatal injury..!
Boruto furrowed his brows.
Or.. Shinki is holding back. Either way…
Boruto looked downwards, shadows covering his blue silver eyes.
The smell of rotting blood still hung heavily in the air. Shinki's sand was all Boruto could hear- the sound of it constantly rushing against itself in shrieking, metallic tones.
Boruto opened his mouth- grimacing as the taste of Shinki's stench fled down Boruto's throat. He nearly retched, eyes watering as rasping words escaped his lips.
"We.. should run.." Boruto said, meeting Eu-Mi's eyes this time.
The kunoichi gave Boruto a grin.
"I agree. He probably won't won't let us escape, though."
Shinki's iron sand screamed as it reformed around a swirling, shedding nucleus of metal and chakra. Boruto could vaguely make out the shape of a body within the blackened core.
She's right.
Boruto escaped to a mind rushing in thought.
It's possible he's already gotten a few armbands. We might be the last ones he needs to win.
"What was it like when he attacked you?" Boruto asked.
Eu-Mi's eyes focused back on Shinki's storm.
"It was actually weaker than I expected. He made me bleed, sure. They're just scratches really. What's more.."
Eu-Mi pointed directly at the black core. Leaves continued to fall around them, while the ground shook with Shinki's labored march.
"He's inside there. My Dad.. told me a bit about the Kazekage's sand technique. This.. is different. It's heavier. To attack and even move, he has to wind up the metal, wind up himself- and force a constant current of chakra that he springs out when he wants to strike." Eu-Mi replied.
Boruto understood immediately.
"So it's inaccurate."
Eu-Mi flashed Boruto another grin.
"Exactly. It seems as if-"
Eu-Mi rolled her eyes in exasperation, focusing on Shinki as she continued.
"It's like he doesn't use his chakra fully until the very last moment- to mold the iron into offensive shape.. until at its closest to his target."
Eu-Mi's deep voice bore a handsome chuckle.
Almost like he's fishing, in a sense."
Boruto pulled a kunai from his belt.
Fishing..? That makes sense. Like he's casting the chakra to influence physical movement and momentum..
Boruto shook.
"Then we go on the offensive ourselves. We're both pretty fast. Our goal isn't to beat him, it's to-" Boruto paused as Eu-Mi flashed ahead in a blistering shockwave of air.
Suddenly, she was above Shinki, weaving to the left and right as tendrils of iron snaked upwards to catch her.
Boruto watched intently.
She's right! At a certain speed, his attacks are actually easy to evade!
Boruto leapt ahead, straight for Shinki's core. The smell.. it was disgusting..
I'm getting used to it, which almost feels worse.
Boruto's eyes snapped to Eu-Mi, the girl pivoting herself towards high trees above.
His remaining teammate thudded loudly against brown oak.
Boruto threw his kunai into the writhing black-
Shinki's bleeding iron instantly rose to catch the weapon.
Boruto nearly gasped as his kunai was sent hurtling back towards him. He craned his head to the right, kunai passing into closing fingers harmlessly.
The wood all around was awash with noise.
Boruto twirled the kunai on its loop with a lowered hand, before reposting it into the palm of Naruto's gifted brace.
Boruto exhaled heavily from flared nostrils.
It seems he's alone. Its possible he either betrayed his team, or they're lying in wait.
Boruto skipped backward, glancing up at Eu-Mi affixed to the tree meters above.
Boruto then held his arm brace. The ideation of his Father's jutsu brought images of Naruto into Boruto's mind.
Naruto was with the State Shinobi now.
Be careful Dad. Your jutsu...might get me out of this.
I'll have to thank you when we're both back.
Boruto wiped at his mouth, focusing a determined glare ahead.
If I could use it.. preferably after an attack Eu-Mi delivers.. we may be able to keep him at bay!
Boruto swallowed heavily. He crossed his fingers, summoning a shadow clone that erupted into existence beside him.
Boruto leapt into the air-
His clone pressed palms against the soles of his sandals.
A burst of infused winds escaped from the clone, hurtling Boruto to Eu-Mi as Shinki's tendrils rose to catch him. Shinki's iron swirled about Boruto's body..
However, he was able to twist himself middair, avoiding them with nimble precision. He clung to bark beside Eu-Mi, gasping heavily as movement and stench exhausted him.
"What's your strongest technique?" Boruto pressed.
Eu-Mi's eyes widened- though she answered readily all the same.
"My technique is not insomuch based on jutsu. It's mainly focused on summoning weapons." She said.
Boruto nodded.
As they spoke, Shinki made no effort to send his sand towards them-
However, he spread bloody iron ahead and behind them, leaving swirling pools of rotted ore ready to catch them by the legs if they attempted to flee beyond.
"I have a jutsu that might be able to break his defenses. What I need you to do is attack him at the crux of his core, from above." Boruto started.
Blue eyes glanced over to Eu-Mi's brown glare.
It.. needs to be a heavy weapon, one that even if he catches it with his iron..it'll force him to use chakra to keep it from cutting down on him." Boruto uttered hurriedly.
Eu-Mi's face flashed in thought for a moment, until an evil grin spread across a closed mouth.
"I have something in mind." She said.
Boruto motioned towards her bandolier of scrolls.
"Let me see the summoning contract for the weapon."
Eu-Mi hesitated.
"Hurry!" Boruto urged.
Eu-Mi sighed, unfurling the bandolier and pointing to a circled kanji that read Claymore.
Boruto formed a jutsu sign, then pressed his palm against the old calligraphy.
Then, he handed Eu-Mi one of his own kunai.
She took it without question, though she did give him another questioning glance.
"When you summon your weapon, throw this kunai somewhere behind him- anywhere. Just make sure it's close." Boruto spoke with a grimace.
This will use a lot of chakra.. but if we want to win, it's our only option.
Sarada's warning lurked between Boruto's ears.
You can only use it once.
Boruto smiled.
It's a new technique.. one based on that trick. This is the perfect application for it!
"Fine. You seem determined. By the way, where's our little Akadou?"
Boruto's smile evolved to a cynical, humored grin.
"He ran."
Eu-Mi tsk'd.
"Smart."
Eu-Mi stood, tall body sprouting vertically from their perch. The bandolier around her neck flowed about almost as if a tail, reminding Boruto of Himawari.
He closed his eyes.
I hope you're safe, Hima. You too Sarada.
Boruto's heart lurched at the image of Mitsuki.
Make it out of this unharmed so..I can apologize to you.
Boruto felt a surge of chakra from Eu-Mi-
Shinki's iron sand reacted instantly, suddenly shooting forward in spears from the pools Shinki placed around them, and from his core itself.
So he was waiting! He didn't want to use more chakra until we did!
Both Eu-Mi and Boruto reacted to the attack, each of them spinning from their tree as the sound of bark ripping apart joined the symphony of metal.
Eu-Mi spun in the air, falling down towards Shinki with impressive speed. Boruto himself landed a few meters in front of Shinki-
Boruto placed one foot ahead of his body..
Just as Eu-Mi landed upon Shinki's iron sand. Just as it began to climb towards her ankles, she kicked free, narrowly missing a wave of iron that rose from one of Shinki's pools behind them.
Boruto held out his palm- the brace he wore seemed to burn with the heat of his chakra.
A feedback.. loop..!
Within Boruto's open hand, a sphere of chakra crackled into life. It was.. black, visible to the naked eye. Boruto then realized that his technique was using the chakra leftover by Shinki's own jutsu.
He ignored this revelation, thrusting his arm upwards in the air just as Eu-Mi leaped between three trees, placing herself above Shinki once more.
"Manipulation Tool: Heavenly Steel Deception!" Eu-Mi bellowed as smoke rushed from her. She escaped from the mist, and in her hands a gigantic katana sliced down upon Shinki's iron sand, easily cutting through it until it sparked against his core.
Boruto strained as the hissing sound of his Rasengan became even louder than Shinki's jutsu. He felt the Rasengan grow heavier- heavier than it was last time, as it filled itself with the chakra of the elements around them.
He ran ahead- arm still raised high.
Eu-Mi cackled, letting go of her weapon as she kicked aside three ropes of iron that came for her.
"You're getting weaker, Shinki!" She boasted cruelly while brandishing Boruto's kunai, throwing it down at the ground behind Shinki-
As she herself fled backwards.
Eu-Mi's summoned sword.. was held in place.
Boruto gave a shadowed grin-
Shinki's sand struck the ground beside Boruto as he ran, dodging the Suna ninja's now desperate lashes.
The Rasengan was almost unbearable to carry- however, Boruto could direct it much better than before.
The Uzumaki formed a jutsu sign with a free hand.
This is going to take all the chakra I have.
Boruto pressed himself onwards.
Even so, I'll still be able to move..!
Boruto was only a few paces away from Shinki now- He could see Shinki's iron sand divert some of its force-
It went from holding Eu-Mi's weapon to swirling before Shinki's immediate front.
Shinki no doubt sensed the hell that was nearly upon him.
Go..!
Boruto's arm, despite the brace, felt as if it was about to be broken in two.
He pushed through the pain, ignoring the feeling of Shinki's iron sand as it began to envelop him- though Shinki made a point to keep away from Boruto's Rasengan.
Boruto's free hand bled as it moved against the sharp currents of iron caressing exposed skin.
The Uzumaki opened his mouth, vocalizing into a vengeful scream.
"Ninja Art: Rasengan Substitution!" He bellowed.
Both Boruto and his jutsu vanished. Eu-Mi's sword landed where Boruto once was..
Just as Boruto's Rasengan hailed crescendo upon the crown of Shinki's core. The sound made upon contact was deafening-
blinking light flashed throughout the forest.
Boruto erupted into physical space where Eu-Mi had thrown the kunai.
He formed both hands together, making a spear with right and left fingers-
"Lightning Style:.." Boruto muttered, blood crawling upwards into a taut mouth, some of it dripping past clenched teeth.
The black Rasengan devouring Shinki's metal dissipated in a belch of vanishing chakra, revealing the Suna genin's broken shell. Shinki himself was crouched within a small crater, iron sand buzzing about him as if electricity.
"Shimmering.. FANG!" Boruto finished, propelling forward as his lightning jutsu stabbed Shinki right at the boy's iron covered shoulder. Chakra roared all about them-
Lightning and sound screeched from Shinki, the weight of the last of Boruto's chakra deepening the crater several degrees further.
Shinki stumbled back. His entire body was still covered in shifting metal- though clumps of it began falling away.
Boruto's eyes narrowed as he gasped at the air greedily. A line of blood did fall from his mouth then, and as he stepped backwards from Shinki's smoking body, even the trees themselves shook in a quaking aftermath, some of the weaker ones uprooted due to the carnage.
Boruto-
His heart stopped.
Shinki's eyes dimmed.
Portions of iron face gradually fell away, revealing an empty husk that led Shinki's body.
Shinki's shedding fell to knees that crumbled apart.
"of course…" Eu-Mi hissed with a slight grunt, landing at Boruto's blind spot- somewhat behind him.
Boruto coughed, swallowing blood.
The Rasengan.. is it really doing this much damage to my body..?!
Boruto braced himself on both thighs, his posture sagging as lungs labored for breath.
It was then Boruto's eyes spotted something in the leaves.
The figure gracefully stalked across a long branch, white robes breaking free from a wavering green sea.
It was hooded, bearing a suna headband. A strange mask in the shape of a weeping monk glanced down at them.
The girl Hoki pointed out-!
Now however.. something terrifying caught Boruto.
He remembered the girl had two masks- two faces staring in separate directions.
What he saw now, though-
Was Shinki's head.
Even from this distance, it was undeniable.
Though Shinki's face was covered in strange bright blood, Boruto could see it was the genin.
He straightened.
Eu-Mi offered no words, no doubt just as shaken as he was.
What am I even looking at? Is that her-
True revulsion, worse than Shinki's reek, met Boruto then.
Is that this girl's jutsu?! A substitution that completely replaces its target.. then reforms it from her own body..?
That had to be it. The blood covering Shinki.. it wasn't normal. It had a rejuvenating spark of chakra that Boruto could discern even from here, overpowering the proctor's genjutsu.
She's going to be a beacon for everyone else though.
Boruto steadied his breath-
The girl moved.. then vanished in a scream of leaves.
Boruto hated himself for it, but he let out an exasperated sigh of relief.
His arm throbbed with burning pangs, however the brace seemed to help significantly. Post usage, the binding eased Boruto's rattling, shaking bones still along with Boruto's own natural chakra.
Still..
The jutsu held a heavy risk, this much was even more apparent.
Boruto wanted to rest.
No, we have to keep going for now. Find somewhere safe to recover.
Eu-Mi's leg swiped across Boruto's ankles.
He easily fell, gasping as Eu-Mi's fist descended into his stomach in the next second.
He coughed up a plume of blood, eyes widened to the sight of Eu-Mi straightening above him. She grinned, pulling Boruto's cloth band free as he rolled away in pain.
He spat, curling to his knees, holding himself upwards on a pointed chin and elbows quivering under his weight.
You..!
Boruto wanted to scream-
He couldn't. The pain was too much.
Eu-Mi's sudden attack would've been debilitating on its own. After the Rasengan however..
Boruto's vision faded, before finally...
He lost consciousness, confusion and betrayal throbbing behind the blackness of sight.
SORRY, MITSUKI'S TEAM WILL BE NEXT TIME! 7/27/2022
