Naruto: Curse of the Ryugan
Dragon Attack
Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tenjho Tenge
AUTHORS NOTE:
Still battling writer's block. This installment took forever to get on paper. Here is Chapter 62, enjoy!
[ ] signifies hand signs
{ } signifies a foreign language
Last time:
…
Fire Capital, Showa Ito's Villa
Ito was furious. "How dare that scoundrel reject my daughter! I'll have Uzumaki's head for this!"
"Please Father, let this go." said Mitsu. "It's not worth it."
"My mind is set daughter." stated the nobleman. "We will have our revenge. My contact has information that Uzumaki is travelling to a place called Summoning Island for some unknown reason. That place will be his grave."
…
Konoha, Hokage's Tower
Jiraiya, Team Aka, Team Kuro, Uzumaki Kanna and Yamanaka Ino were set to go to Summoning Island. "We have a ship chartered in Port City, Tsunade-hime." said Jiraiya to his wife. If all goes well, we'll be returning with Uzumaki Honoka-san soon."
"We owe Honoka-san a great debt." said the Hokage. "I wish you all the best of luck."
…
Chapter 62
Fire Country, Konoha, Hyūga Compound
The previous morning Naruto's, party left for Port City in high spirits. They figured it would take three or four days to make the round trip. While the group was off adventuring, Hanako and Hiruzen were having tea with Hiashi along with Hanabi and Konohamaru Sarutobi. They were all having a nice time, and the children were talking about their plans to be great shinobi when they grew up.
That's when everyone in the compound saw a massive flash of light outside and felt a wave of chakra. The Hyūga immediately activated their byakugans and saw a tremendous source of chakra in the center of the main outdoor sparring circle in the compound.
Hanabi gasped. "That girl out there in the sparring circle has more chakra than you and Sarutobi-sama do Obaa-chan! Who is she?"
"I don't know Hanabi-chan." replied Hanako. "You children stay here while we investigate. She may be hostile."
…
The Sparring Grounds
A stunningly beautiful Hyūga girl was standing in the middle of the main sparring ring in deep thought. She was wearing white capris with a white battle kimono that had an elaborate green and yellow Shenlong motif embroidered on it. She also had a katana on her back and was holding an ornate ivory calligraphy brush.
The young woman had long indigo hair like Hinata and whisker marks like Naruto. Hiashi was the first to reach her and commanded, "Identify yourself kunoichi!"
She glanced over at Hiashi and replied, "Quit playing around Uncle Neji, I'm trying to figure out this seal formula. It didn't budge me a centimeter."
Hiashi frowned and said, "Neji is my nephew. I am Hyūga Hiashi. How do you know my-"
That was when she activated her byakugan and focused on Hiashi. Her jaw dropped. "Jiji? Where is your gray hair? Why do you look so young?!"
That was when Neji arrived on the scene. The young woman gawked at him for a moment and asked, "Neji, you're such a shorty! How old are you?"
Neji was taken off guard by the random question but answered, "I'm eighteen."
The girl screeched, "OH CRAP! MAMA AND PAPA ARE GOING TO KILL ME!"
…
Fire Country, Port City
Both Hinata and Naruto sneezed noisily. Hikari giggled. "Somebody must be talking about you two."
The byakugan princess sniffled and said, "They must be talking really loud then."
…
Konoha, Hyūga Sparring Grounds
"Who are you girl?" asked Neji irritably. (He wasn't too thrilled about being called short).
"I am Uzumaki Himawari*①." said the young woman as she bowed gracefully. "I am the fourteen-year-old daughter of Uzumaki Naruto and Uzumaki Hinata."
"Naruto and Hinata don't have a child-especially a teenager!" declared Hiashi. "Who are you really?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Are you doubting the word of an Uzumaki? Think very carefully before you answer."
"I don't believe you." replied the clan head.
Himawari smothered him with killing intent and her byakugan eyes blazed. "Then come settle it with me in the sparring ring, Hiashi-Jiji."
Hiashi said, "I'm not old. I'll teach you some things about juken."
She smiled viciously. "Do your worst. I will crush you."
Hanako and Hiruzen arrived just in time to hear the exchange and the former Third Hokage said, "If you two want to go at it, you will need a proctor. I will do that. This is taijutsu only. I want a clean match with no killing or maiming. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama." replied Hiashi.
Himawari nodded. "Yes, Sarutobi-Jiji."
Hiruzen sweat dropped. 'I'm beginning to believe she really is Naruto's daughter.' "All right, assume your opening stances."
Hiashi slid perfectly into the traditional juken stance whereas Himawari assumed the water juken stance that Hanako and Hinata used.
"Are both fighters ready?" asked Hiruzen. Getting a pair of nods, he said, "Begin!"
The two fighters exploded into furious action and the Hyūga clan head found himself both baffled and being overwhelmed by Himawari's sheer speed and ferocity. Trying the gain some distance, he said, "Eight Trigrams: Kaiten!" and the expanding dome of chakra blew the girl back.
She smiled crookedly as she got back on her feet and said, "Kaiten, eh? Let me show you a trick about juken." She held out her hands and said, "Twin Dragon Fists!" as two roaring Chinese dragon heads formed on her hands. Himawari asked, "What do you think of my variation of the Twin Lion Fists, Jiji?" She resumed her stance. "Get ready!"
Hiashi performed another Kaiten at the same time Himawari charged with her Twin Dragon Fists resulting in a massive explosion of chakra.
Hanako raised her eyebrows as the wave of chakra washed over her and Hiruzen, "Oh dear, that's going to leave a bruise."
…
Hyūga Infirmary
Hiashi woke up an hour later in the infirmary at the Hyūga Compound and muttered, "The last thing I remember was a dragon made of chakra heading towards me…"
He saw his Mother Hanako sitting beside the bed and she said wryly, "Himawari-chan is quite the little chakra monster, isn't she? They are doing a blood test at the hospital, but I have no doubt she is Hinata and Naruto's daughter."
Haishi shook his aching head. "But how can this be?"
Hanako smiled. "Hiruzen-kun and Tsunade-sama are trying to figure that part out."
…
Konoha Hospital
Himawari was explaining to Hiruzen, "I was working on a new variation of the Hiraishin Transport Seal, and it apparently sent me through time instead of space. I'll have to research this thoroughly. I can't just randomly be shooting though time after all." Then the girl started talking in abstract fuinjutsu terms and Sarutobi's eyes started swirling in confusion.
"…And that's the gist of the seal." finished Himawari.
That's when Tsunade entered and said, "The blood tests are positive, Himawari-san. You are most definitely Naruto and Hinata's daughter."
"Was there ever any doubt?" asked the Uzumaki girl.
Hiruzen was warding off a headache. "Not really, Himawari-chan."
…
The Ship Blazer
While Hiruzen and Hiashi were nursing migraines, Jiraiya and company had already set out for Summoning Island on the ship Blazer. Kanna had never seen the ocean before and was having a wonderful time up near the bow of the ship talking to Naruto about the sea.
Tomoe Hikari was talking to her teammates who were travelling without their ANBU masks for once. Mutsu Kia (Dove)*② was their team leader. Kia had short white hair and a pretty face. She reminded Naruto of Shizune in appearance.
Bear was also there, He was a big, burly man with short black hair and a square jaw. His name was Yama Kensuke*③. He was talking with the others about their little voyage. "It's hard to believe that Naruto can create a new body for a wandering spirit. It's kind of frightening the Uzumaki clan was that powerful."
"It is hard to comprehend." agreed Kia.
"That's why knowledge of it was limited to the Royal Family." chirped Hikari. "Such power could easily be abused otherwise."
Mikoto smiled. "Sounds serious. Are you going to learn it Hikari-chan?"
Tomoe waved her hands. "No way! It would take years for me to understand it. Kanna-chan is the only one aside of Naruto-kun that could puzzle out a seal of that complexity."
…
In the meantime, Jiraiya was below decks looking over the general map they had of Summoning Island with Team 11 and Ino. One of Naruto's shadow clones was present as well. "It's little more than a dot on the map." said the sannin. "It has a volcano but that's about it." He turned to the mind walker. "What can you tell us about the lay of the land Yamanaka-san?"
"Other than the fact that it's crawling with giant summon creatures, there isn't much to say." explained Ino. She pointed to the northwest of the shore they would be landing at. "The scientist's lab is here, and Honaka-san's spirit should be in the vicinity. From what we could tell, the creatures aren't overly hostile unless you attack them."
…
Fire Country, Konoha, Hokage Tower
Tsunade and her advisors were a bit baffled as they talked to Himawari. "So, you're saying that you're actually from twenty years in the future?!" The Hokage face palmed. "I'm really at a loss as to what to say."
The girl looked embarrassed. "I think the thing to do is call my summons and see if there is a way to go back. I'm terribly sorry about all this Hokage-sama."
"Go ahead and call your summons then." said Tsunade.
"I'll do it outside the village gates, so nobody gets frightened." said Himawari.
"Alright." replied the Slug sannin. "Sarutobi-sensei, Hanako-sama, come with us. We're going to see if Himawari-san is stuck here or not."
…
The ship Blazer
The trip to Summoning Island had been uneventful until they arrived. Sitting there at anchor there was the military ship Crown, which was part of the Fire Country's naval forces.
After signaling the Crown, the Blazer anchored beside the larger ship. Jiraiya boarded the military vessel to see what was going on in case pirates or other hostiles were I the area. The Captain of the Crown came out and greeted the sannin.
"Welcome aboard Jiraiya-sama." said the Captain. "I have to say it's a surprise to see you here, but it is an honor to meet you. We just landed here just a day ago."
Jiraiya played dumb and said, "We were sent out here to investigate some ruins and didn't expect the navy out here. Are there pirates in the area?"
The Captain shrugged. "We really don't know. I was ordered to land samurai here so they could deal with bandits or something. Their mission was secret. It's all very strange honestly."
"Samurai out here? That is strange." agreed the sannin. "How many are there? Perhaps we ninjas could aid them."
"There were ninety of them plus their Commander." answered the Crown's Captain. "I can't imagine a small army like that needing help, but you might want to link up with them to make sure they are aware of you. You don't want to be attacked after all."
Jiraiya grinned. "Thanks for the information, Captain. The last thing we need is to get ambushed by friendly forces."
…
The Toad Sage was soon back aboard the Blazer filling everyone in. "…And that's the situation." Jiraiya explained. "Something stinks here. Not even the Crown's crew knows what's going on."
Yūgao frowned. "Let us two ANBU teams scout out the samurai situation discreetly, Jiraiya-sama. We can find out what's going on without being seen."
Jiraiya nodded. "Team Aka and Team Kuro will reconnoiter the island and see what those Samurai are up to. The last thing we need is a conflict with the Daimyō's forces."
Donning their ANBU masks, the two teams went ashore to see just what the samurai were up to…
…
Fire Country, Konoha, Village Gates
The gate guards Izumo and Kotetsu were watching with Tsunade and her advisors as they awaited Himawari to perform her summons.
The girl rolled up her sleeve showing an intricate summoning tattoo on her forearm. She bit her thumb with a lengthened canine tooth and spread a streak of blood on the tattoo. Then Himawari said, "Summoning: Come forth, Hiryu*④!"
A thirty meter long green and yellow Chinese dragon appeared in the sky above them. It had four claws on each foot and circled them effortlessly with its long, serpentine body before it landed silently in front of Himawari. He spoke in a smooth, deep voice, "So this is where you went Hima-chan. Time travel isn't meant for mortals you know. It is a minor miracle you survived the process."
Everyone's eyes were as big as saucers a the massive Shenlong before them, but the Uzumaki girl didn't seem fazed at all. She just sweat dropped. "Hiryu-sama, is there a way for me to get back?"
The dragon shook his head. "The Ancient One foresaw all of this. A butterfly effect has already taken place by you appearing in this time. You must promise not to attempt time travel again Hima-chan. It would be your undoing."
The girl sagged. "I understand. Time travel is forbidden. Got it."
Hiryu chuckled. "You have lots of work to do Hima-chan. Despite the odd circumstances, your name is still on the Dragon Contract and I'm still your personal summons. Be good. I will see you again soon Hima-chan." Then he poofed out of existence…
Himawari put her hand on her forehead. "I wonder what Mama and Papa are going to say. I don't think they are even married yet."
…
Summoning Island
Slaughter. Blood was everywhere. The two ANBU teams found the bodies of samurai freshly killed and dismembered in various states. They were rapidly hand signing each other. ["What the hell were they thinking?!"] signed Cat. ["These men were torn apart by the summon creatures on this island. We must search for survivors."]
Dove signed, ["Can you see any still living Raven?"]
Raven was looking around with her byakugan. ["I count six. They are all hidden in that mangrove. They look terrified."]
["They probably are terrified."] signed Gazeru.
Bear signed, ["Approach them carefully. We don't want them to mistake us for hostiles."]
["I'll take point."] signed Raven.
…
The six remaining Samurai were huddled in the mangrove praying that more giant snakes, millipedes, birds, spiders and who knows what else would stay away. The stench of blood and death had them all nauseous and they were exhausted.
That was when they heard a knocking outside their improvised hiding place. ANBU Cat's voice said, "I am ANBU Cat from Konoha, are you samurai injured? We've come to get you out."
The ranking samurai was a lieutenant and was thanking every deity he could think of that they were being rescued. He said quietly, "We are unhurt. Are the giant beasts gone?"
"They are for now." replied Cat. "We need to move quickly and quietly before they return."
…
The six battered samurai were soon on the shore waiting for a boat from the Crown to take them back to the ship.
"What the hell happened?" asked Bear.
The lieutenant said exhaustedly, "We were sent out here to ambush a Lord named Uzumaki and kill him. There were lots of huge creatures around and our commander ordered us to slay them and clear the area out. We killed a few but when the monsters got mad, they slaughtered us like cattle. I never want to see this island again."
"Who ordered you to come out here anyway?" asked Dove. "This island is forbidden for a reason you know."
"It's forbidden?!" asked one of the other samurai. "Showa Ito-sama sent us in the name of Daimyō-sama. Damn him!"
The samurai were soon safely back on the Crown and the two ANBU teams were back on the Blazer…
…
Fire Country, Konoha, Hokage Tower
"You might have warned us you could summon dragons!" said the mentally fried Hokage.
Himawari looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry Tsunade-sama, I forgot the Dragon Contract hadn't been signed yet."
Tsunade sighed. "I guess what's done is done. No one got hurt despite the fact several people wet themselves in terror. I assume you wish to become part of Konoha then? You don't have an identity here yet."
"Yes Hokage-sama, I am in your care." replied the young Uzumaki kunoichi.
"…And what rank are you?" asked the busty blond.
Himawari smiled happily. "I am an Uzu chunin!"
'So Uzu was rebuilt.' thought Tsunade. "Well given your prowess against Hiashi and all, I think it's safe to make you a Konoha chunin." 'She's probably closer to Jonin level.' "Let's talk about your specialties…"
…
The ship Blazer
Naruto and the others were discussing what to do about the Showa Ito problem. "I turned down his daughter, so he sends nearly a hundred samurai to kill me?!" said the whiskered blonde "That's insane!"
"Nobility moves in strange ways Naruto." replied Jiraiya. "We'll get this sorted after we revive Honoka-san. The Crown has already raised anchor and is setting sail for Port City. They won't be bothering us anymore."
…
The ninjas soon disembarked again and headed for the ruins of the scientist's lab to the northwest. There they found Uzumaki Honoka's spirit waiting for them. Seeing Naruto was wearing the Shippuuhime and Kurimuzu-Kougou she bowed in deference before mentally talking to Ino.
"Honoka says she is very honored that you have come Uzumaki-sama." said Ino.
"It's the least I can do for one of my clansmen." said Naruto with a smile. "We need a piece of your hair or a drop of blood to make the Body/Spirit Reformation seal work."
Honoka thought for a minute before she smiled brightly leading Ino into the long-abandoned lab, the spirit guided the mind walker to an ornate calligraphy brush.
Ino said to Honoka, "This brush was made from your own hair? That's perfect Honoka-san!"
The sassy blonde came trotting out of the lab with the brush in hand. "Here you go Naruto. The bristles of this brush were made from her own hair to conduct her chakra better."
"Excellent!" exclaimed Naruto. "Kanna-chan, let's set up a six-point dome barrier to keep all the summoning animals out. Hikari-chan can set up a sealing circle in the center that I will place the Body/Spirit Reformation seal in. Seeing the others nod, the three seal masters got to work.
Jiraiya grinned and thought, 'These kids are something else. Kanna and Naruto are moving like clockwork and Hikari is doing her part perfectly.'
It only took a few minutes before the dome barrier was active and the sealing circle was finished. Honoka's spirit was standing in the center admiring their work. Finally, the blonde seal master said, "Alright everyone, stay out of the center fuinjutsu circle while I complete the seal for Honoka-san."
Naruto worked furiously as he made the Uzu Black Seal and carefully placed a few strands of Honoka's hair in the center. Then he finished the seal and slammed a bloodied palm in the circle and charged it with chakra. "Uzumaki fuinjutsu: Body/Spirit Reformation!"
Tiny pinpricks of light appeared all around then and started coalescing around Honoka's spiritual form. The lights glowed brighter and brighter until there was a blinding flash and Honoka was standing in the center of the circle, alive. Her dark eyes widened as she took her first breath of air in decades.
"I'm…I'm alive…?" she whispered in a soft voice. She moved her right hand around and flexed it before she said, "I…I can feel again! I'M ALIVE!" She looked at Naruto and immediately hugged him and started sobbing. "Thank you so much Naruto-sama. I will forever be grateful!" she cried.
It wasn't until a few moments later that she realized that she was completely naked and shrieked at the top of her lungs in embarrassment. Honoka's face was still as red as her hair when Kanna unsealed a blanket and wrapped it around the blushing girl to cover her modesty…
…
When they got back to the ship, Kia and Hinata gave Honoka a thorough physical and found she was as healthy as could be. The girls also gave Honoka some spare clothes to wear, and she enjoyed her first meal in a lifetime.
…And Jiraiya started taking notes for his newest installment of his book series called Icha Icha: Ghost Stories…
Everyone else was very happy for Uzumaki Honoka and the trip back to Port City was a big celebration. Honoka swore her loyalty to her new clan head as well.
…
Fire Country, Konoha, Hyūga Compound
Hanako brought Himawari back to the compound to greet her family properly and make actual introductions. From what Hanako could tell, her great granddaughter was smart, sweet and kind like Hinata…and had Kushina's ferocious temper.
The beautiful Uzumaki girl said, "Hello everybody, I'm Uzumaki Himawari and I'm very pleased to meet all of you."
Neji was a bit frightened having witnessed both Hiashi getting mowed down and the dragon summoning. He greeted her respectfully and was glad she didn't seem to hold a grudge. Himawari smiled and said, "Just call me Hima-chan Uncle Neji."
Hanabi on the other hand was thrilled to meet the Dragon Lady. "It's so wild! You can summon real dragons! I'm Hanabi and I'm very happy to meet you!"
Himawari almost squealed. "Look at you Aunt Hanabi. You're so little and cute! Why aren't you wearing your orange kimono with red flames?"
The younger Hyūga heiress's eyes got huge. "An orange kimono with red flames?! That sounds so cool! Can I get one Daddy?"
Hiashi was under the attack of his daughter's puppy eye jutsu and was at a loss for words.
Hanako smirked slightly and said, "We'll go shopping for one later with Himawari-chan, Hanabi-chan."
"Okay!" chirped the excited eight-year-old.
Hiashi was still a bit beat up and Himawari said, "I'm sorry I had to clobber you Jiji, but you questioned my word." Her eyes turn steely. "Please accept my apologies."
'Is she regretful or threatening me?!' thought Hiashi fearfully. "Of course, I accept your apologies, Himawari. I can tell that you are a good, honorable young lady."
She beamed at him and said sweetly, "Somehow, I knew you'd say that Jiji."
…
Hokage Tower
Tsunade was reading Jiraiya's report on the six samurai they managed to rescue and Showa Ito's planned attempt on Naruto's life. The Hokage was not a happy woman. Not only had the Uzumaki clan head been threatened, eighty-five Fire Country samurai had been killed by Ito's stupidity.
Now the Fifth Hokage was trying to decide whether to inform the Daimyō of his younger brother's treacherous actions or just to arrange Ito's death herself. 'On the positive side, they managed to accomplish their mission and revive Uzumaki Honoka. The question is, who leaked the information to Showa Ito that Naruto was going to Summoning Island to begin with? It wasn't a top security mission, but it still would have had to be someone in the Mission's Office with clearance.'
Sifting through her options, Tsunade called Shizune in and said, "Get me Morino Ibiki in Torture and Interrogation. I have work for him."
…
Ibiki reported in twenty minutes later and Tsunade explained the situation to him. "So, I want to catch whoever is leaking information to Showa Ito. A simple sting operation would be best."
"The easiest option would be to leak a false mission with Naruto involved and wait for a message to be sent out at the aviary to the Fire Capital." said the torture specialist. "Then we question whoever sent it."
Tsunade agreed. "We'll make it something obvious. Team 11 and Uzumaki Naruto are going to Tanzaku Gai a week from now. Make it a B-ranked mission from ANBU."
Ibiki nodded "I understand Hokage-sama. The fake mission will be in the Mission's Office within an hour."
…
Tea Avenue, Amaguriama Sweets Shop
Hanako and Himawari were taking Hanabi kimono shopping. The little girl was very excited. They decided to stop and have some sweets at Hanabi's favorite place to eat before setting out. Hanabi was having a banana split while Hanako and Himawari enjoyed some tea.
Rumors about the Dragon Lady had travelled all over Konoha by now and Himawari's white battle kimono with the dragon motif made it obvious exactly who she was. What no one could figure out was where she came from…
The trio was soon at Washi's Kimono Boutique that did custom work (Hanako always had hers made there) and the owner was very impressed with the beautiful embroidery on Himawari's battle kimono. "So, you say the work was done outside of Fire Country. Such a shame, I'd love to meet the person who did such exquisite work."
Hanako cleared her throat. "Actually Washi-san, I want to get a custom kimono for my youngest granddaughter Hanabi-chan here."
Washi looked at Hanabi and said, "Such a cute child. Do you want something floral like Hanako-sama wears?"
"I want an orange kimono with red flames!" said the eight-year-old excitedly.
Washi looked a bit stunned at the idea and Himawari henged into the design she had in mind*⑤. "Something along these lines should do nicely." said the dragon summoner.
"Oh my, that's quite daring." declared Washi. The woman had fire in her eyes. "You have excellent taste Himawari-sama! I like it!" The seamstress whipped out a measuring tape and said, "Let's get some measurements of you Hanabi-sama. A young Lady such as yourself should be fitted perfectly!"
…
Hokage Tower, Mission's Office
Ibiki Morino had two ANBU (Lizard and Monkey) hidden at the Mission's Office after he dropped off Naruto's false mission. He made a point to mention the name Uzumaki so it would be heard. The clerks went through the normal procedures but one in particular copied it down and took the copy to the aviary.
"This one goes to the Fire Capital." said the chunin Riku Shinji to the aviary attendant. As soon as he handed it off, the attendant dropped his henge and revealed he was ANBU Lizard. "And what about this particular mission would they need to know about in the Fire Capital chunin?" asked the ANBU. "We're going to talk to the Hokage."
…
Tsunade's Office
The Hokage was pissed. "So, you've been feeding information to Showa Ito for how long chunin?!"
"…Since you took office Hokage-sama. Showa Ito-sama didn't trust you as the Fifth Hokage and hired me then to report on missions to the Fire Capital." answered Shinji "When he came to the village recently, he asked me to send copies of the missions chunin Uzumaki Naruto was on."
"Do you know why Ito-sama did this?" asked Tsunade.
He squirmed a bit. "I was paid to obey, not to ask questions."
Tsunade stood up. "Showa Ito-sama is plotting against Daimyō-sama and all your messages were to support his treachery. Were you aware of this?"
Shinji's jaw dropped. "N-no! He said it was Daimyō-sama's will!"
She shook her head. "You are a fool, Riku Shinji. Lizard, take him away to ANBU prison on charges of High Treason. His punishment will be decided later. We need him alive for now."
Shinji wailed before ANBU Lizard took him away in a body flicker...
…
Fire Country, Konoha, Front Gates
Three days later, Jiraiya and company arrived with Uzumaki Honoka. They had no idea what surprises awaited them…
…
POSTSCRIPT:
*①: She basically looks like the canon Himawari except her eyes are lavender like Hinata's.
*②: Mutsu Kia (Dove)- Yes! After 62 chapters I finally named Dove!
*③: Yama Kensuke (Bear) …and Bear as well.
*④: Hiryu means "Flying Dragon."
*⑤: This is Hanabi's kimono in The Last: Naruto the Movie, only full length and cut for a child of course. See Narutopedia.
Writing this chapter was a bit of an uphill battle. It was originally going to be all Ito's treachery, but it didn't turn out that way. I'm not a huge fan of the Boruto series in general, but there are a few characters I like so I put an alternate version of Himawari in the mix. See you next time. Blue out. 9/2/24