Desperation
A year had passed after Boruto killed Momoshiki. Since then, both him and Mitsuki have gotten quite strong. Boruto's beginning to understand the power of that strange marking on his right hand and Mitsuki is utilizing his Sage chakra more sufficiently. As for myself...I've begun to question my position as Captain of Team 7. My training for the most part as been well in the past year.
My mother would sometimes teach me some tricks to maintaining my chakra, and my father even taught me how to use the Chidori. But my visual prowess...hasn't seemed to improve past my first tomoe. It feels like I've hit a limit while my friends continue to exceed theirs.
I stared at the palm of my hand..wondering if I'll have the chance to continue to grow stronger.
Boruto: Uh Sarada?
Sarada: W-What?
Mitsuki: It's time for the mission briefing.
Sarada: Oh..right.
Konohamaru: You feeling alright?
Sarada: Yeah I was just...lost in my thoughts I guess.
Boruto: Well they'll be plenty of time for that after the mission, so let's go!
Sarada: ...Idiot
The team proceeded to make their way inside the Hokage's office.
Naruto: Ah good your here.
Boruto: So what's the trouble this time?
Shikamaru: C rank. We have a lead on some bandits with a lot of scientific ninja tools.
Sarada: Ninja tools? You mean the kind that Boruto used during the chunin exams?
Boruto: Hey!
Naruto: That, and along with some other weaponized tools belonging to us.
Mitsuki: They were stolen from us?
Shikamaru: Yes. We still haven't figured out how. No one in the sensory division picked up on any foreign chakra signature.
Konohamaru: Could it be someone already recognized by the sensory team?
Shikamaru: It's possible that there could be a traitor, but we haven't been able to find anyone suspicious.
Naruto: But we might have found where this group of bandits are holding up. Our tracking unit believe they're hiding out in a cave just north of here. Konohamaura I want you to take your team up there and investigate the cave. If they're there, subdue them and try to bring back whatever you can that was stolen from us.
Konohamaru: Yes lord hokage.
Shikamaru: I probably don't have to say this, but they'll be well equipped if they're there. So stay on guard.
Boruto: Heh we always are!
Shikamaru handed us the coordinates and we began to make our way to the door.
Naruto: Wait Boruto...how's your hand?
Boruto: Oh..well I think my training is really paying off thanks to Uncle Sasuke. I'm starting to have more control over it.
Naruto: That's good..just don't over do it. We still don't fully understand it yet.
Boruto: You got it!
We started our journey to the location of the hideout. When we arrived the area was very secluded. The cave was surrounded in a heavily forested area. It was a perfect hiding spot for anyone avoiding public eyes.
Konohamaru: This must be it.
Mitsuki: Its very secluded.
Sarada: Yeah, whatever they're doing here it's definitely being kept away from public eyes.
Konohamaru: I'll take point. You guys follow behind, and keep quiet. If they're really here we might be able to bring them in.
We followed him into the cave. It was somewhat dark and a bit chilly. We walked for a few minutes in silence until boruto nudged my arm.
Boruto: Hey..!
He whispered
Sarada: what..?
I whispered back.
Boruto: You getting a bit chilly here too?
Sarada: So what..?!
Boruto: Geez no need to act like that. Just trying to converse a little here y'know.
Sarada: In the middle of a mission?
Boruto: Yeah I know it's just...you've been acting kinda strange lately.
Sarada: Huh?
Boruto: You've been distant these past few weeks. Your not acting like your usual self.
Mitsuki: He's right.
Mitsuki joined in on our quiet conversation.
Mitsuki: What's wrong?
Sarada: ...look would you guys just be quiet and focus?
Boruto: But-
Konohamaru: Shhh! Quiet! Listen.
We kept silent and began to hear faint voices further in the cave. We went in further and the voices became clear. We hid behind some huge rocks and peeked in on the individuals talking. A group of four men talking to some hooded figure.
Sarada: That must be them.
Bandit 1: The tools you brought are almost altered and reconfigured. When can we expect our pay?
Hooded Figure: When they're all altered. This technology is too risky to be carrying around. I want to eliminate any chances of them being traceable. Just like the last batch you will do the same to these.
Bandit 2: Just letting ya know one of your Inner buddy's brought us a bunch this time, so it may take us longer to work on these.
Bandit 3: Ha! And the longer it takes!
Bandit 4: The more it'll cost ya.
Hooded figure: Rest assured that you'll be compensated handsomely just like your previous work. Just make sure everything goes uninterrupted.
Bandit 1: Don't worry. We have that taken care of already.
It went silent for a moment. The hooded figure looked past the group of men then turned his attention back to the men.
Hooded figure: Good.
He then suddenly disappeared. As if he was never there.
Bandit 3: Geez what a creep. What do ya think big guy?
Bandit 4: An odd man indeed, but he pays well.
Bandit 1: Alright back to work. There's still a lot to do. I wanna get this done as soon a possible-
Mitsuki had dug his arms underground and roped the first guy who seemed to be in charge of him. He proceeds to knock him out by giving him a bit of a shock.
Bandit 2: The hell?!
Bandit 3: Company!
One of the lanky looking bandit's grabbed a bracelet ninja and started firing fireballs at us. Boruto sent in five shadow clones and took out the fireball shooting bandit along with the other guy trying to run.
Boruto: Alright big guy! You wanna make this quick and give up?
Konohamaru: you have no chance. Give up!
Bandit 4: Pathetic leaf trash..!
The bandit began weaving signs with his hands rather quickly and clamped them together. Boruto began to charge at him.
Konohamaru: Boruto wait!
Bandit 4: Titanium Encasement Jutsu!
Boruto struck at him with an open palm to the face.
Boruto: What the?!
Bandit 4: A bit rough for ya ain't it?
He grabbed boruto by the face and tossed him at a work bench. Mitsuki warped his arms around him and began electrocuting him, but it had no effect. He pulled his arms to him and punched him into the wall of the cave.
Konohamaru: Sarada, think you can make a dent?
Sarada: Yeah, but I'll need a distraction..!
Konohamaru: No problem!
He charged at him with his kunai and slicing away at him. Every cut that came into contact with his skin only gave out sparks. He caught Konohamarus arm and applied enough pressure to make him release the knife. He screamed in agony.
Bandit 4: You think a little toys gonna work?!
Konohamaru: N-No...But!
Sarada: THIS WILL!
Bandit 4: What the?!
Sarada: CHAAAA!
I connected with a blow to his back. That ridiculous strength that my team members have witnessed countless times in the past breaking a person in two. The result of the punch...ineffective. Not even a dent. I froze in fear. I looked back at my hand that I punched him with. My knuckles were bleeding.
Sarada: But...how..?
He began to laugh
Bandit 4: You damn weakling! Is that all you've got?!
He dropped sensei and pinned me to the ground with one arm. I tried to escape, but it felt like a brick wall collapsed on me. I couldn't move.
Bandit 4: A girlie such as yourself..should've just stick to the medical field!
Boruto: Hey bastard.
Bandit 4: Huh?
He turned around to see boruto with his rasengan in hand and the strange marking overtaking the right side of his face.
Boruto: Nobody...HURTS MY FRIENDS!
He landed his rasengan faster than that guy could react. With those marking giving Boruto a boost in chakra it strengthened his rasengan and did more than put a dent on his skin. He sent him flying into the wall with chucks of rocks nearly burying him. He was finally taken out of the picture.
Boruto: Hey! Sarada! You alright?
Sarada: ...I'm fine.
Boruto: Thank goodness.
Konohamaru: That's quite the unusual jutsu. Mitsuki you alright?
Mitsuki: Yes. I'll be fine.
Konohamaru: Nice job Boruto. Seems like your really getting the hang of that thing.
Boruto: yeah, though I think it's still a bit unstable.
Konohamaru: Alright, start gathering what you can. You two take the ninja tools back to the village me and Mitsuki here will get these guys roped up.
Boruto: Alright.
Sarada:...
We compiled what we could in a big sack and our way to the leaf. Hopping from branch to branch. It was silent for a while. I couldn't say a thing. I didn't want to.
Boruto: Hey, you did good back there!
Sarada: ...Huh?
Boruto: that plan was really well executed. I guess that jutsu of his was something else huh?
Sarada: Are you serious?
Boruto: What?
Sarada: You know exactly what Boruto! You saw everything! I failed to take that guy out. I nearly got sensei killed...I nearly got myself killed.
Boruto: Sarada...it's not like you to beat yourself up over something like this. These things won't always work out.
Sarada: ..easy for you to say. I hardly recognize you anymore.
Boruto: Hey, how about after the mission we-
Sarada: Boruto. Someone's up ahead.
Boruto: What?
The both of them stopped in their tracks. It was the hooded man they seen talking to the bandits back in the cave.
Hooded figure: Well, it's quite the pleasure to meet the leafs finest shinobi.
He stepped forward.
Hooded figure: Now then, I'll be taking back what's mine.
End of Chapter 1