Naruto SI: Kaito Red Lightnin Chapter 182
Author's Note:
Sorry for the slow uploads, guys. I've been busy with work lately, but I'll do my best to upload more frequently.
As for Kimimaro, the theory they had about his condition being linked to his kekkei genkai was confirmed by Tsunade. She discovered that Kimimaro's cellular bone regeneration was slowly killing him. She told him outright not to use his kekkei genkai anymore and to start training without depending on it.
According to her calculations, if Kimimaro kept using it at full power, he wouldn't last more than five to six years before his body completely gave out. Kaito remembered that in the original timeline, Kimimaro had only lived until fifteen or sixteen. That meant Orochimaru's curse mark had only delayed things slightly.
Kaito had an idea for how to cure him—but it would take Tsunade's help, and he still needed to find the key to make it possible.
As for everything else, things had slowly gone back to normal.
Naruto had returned to the academy after another week of training. Karin had also come back after spending some time staying over at the Hyuga residence.
Boruto, on the other hand, had been going through intense training—brutal, even.
Kaito had him working with multiple shadow clones every day to maximize training efficiency. To prevent the strain from killing him outright, Kaito heals him after each clone dispels. While Kaito trained Boruto's physical abilities and ninjutsu, a few shadow clones stayed home and studied sealing under Kushina.
Kushina had gone full sensei mode. strict, sharp, and expecting her students to take everything seriously. Luckily for Boruto, he actually had some talent when it came to sealing. Unlike Naruto, who couldn't focus on it for the life of him.
…
The morning sun shone through the kitchen window as soft humming filled the air.
The kitchen was especially busy this morning as Kushina bustled around, preparing multiple dishes at once.
She stood by the stove, humming a tune while stirring a pot of ramen broth with a ladle. Lifting the ladle, she poured a small amount into her tasting spoon, gave it a taste, then frowned.
"Needs a bit of salt, ya know," she muttered, reaching over to grab the salt. She added a pinch to the broth, stirred, and tasted it again. This time, she nodded with a satisfied smile. "Hmm, perfect. Just needs to simmer a few more minutes." She lowered the flame to a gentle simmer and moved on to the next pot.
Beside the broth, another pot was already heating up. She stirred its contents before taking a tray of cubed meat and pouring it in. The kitchen filled with the sound of sizzling as she stirred the meat into the mixture.
While Kushina cooked, a shadow clone of Kaito stood at the kitchen island, working a lump of dough. He kneaded it carefully, pulling and stretching it into shape. Glancing toward Kushina, he asked, "Is this the right thickness, Mom?" as he held up the stretched noodles.
Kushina looked over from the pot she was stirring, squinting at the noodles. The clone brought them closer, and she rolled a few strands between her fingers before giving a nod. "It's almost the perfect size. One more stretch should do it, ya know."
The clone nodded. "Right," he said, turning back to the counter to stretch the dough a bit more before cutting it into ideal lengths.
Meanwhile, the real Kaito leaned against the wall nearby, quietly eating a cup of ramen. It was Ichiraku's special deluxe noodles. He slurped up a mouthful just as the oven behind him gave off a sharp ding—the sound of the char siu pork being finished.
Kushina glanced over her shoulder at the real Kaito. "Kai-kun, mind taking the char siu out of the oven for me, please?" she asked as she poured a pitcher of water into the pot.
Kaito looked up from his ramen, noodles still hanging from his mouth. He bit down, slurping the rest before swallowing. Glancing between his mother and the oven, he nodded. "Yeah, sure, Mom."
Kushina hummed in response, not even looking his way. "Thank you. Just let it rest on the counter, ya know," she said while adding curry paste into the pot and giving it a stir.
Kaito pulled the char siu out of the oven and placed it gently on the counter.
Kushina then turned to the shadow clone. "Clone-kun, start boiling the noodles, ya know."
His shadow clone gave a quick nod and dropped the freshly made noodles into a pot of boiling water.
Kaito picked up his ramen cup and was about to scoop up another bite when a knock echoed from the front door. He paused and let out a low grumble.
Kushina turned toward the sound, then looked at Kaito. "Mind getting the door, Kai-kun?"
"Yeah, I got it," Kaito said, sighing as he set his ramen down and walked out of the kitchen.
He had already sensed who it was.
Opening the door, Kaito leaned against the frame. "You're here early," he said, looking at Sasuke standing outside.
Sasuke gave a nod.
Kaito stepped aside to let him in.
"Is Boruto awake yet?" Sasuke asked as he entered.
Kaito shook his head, still holding his cup of ramen as he led him back toward the kitchen. "Nah, he's still out cold."
Yesterday, after dinner, Kaito and Kushina had sealed off the Karma mark on Boruto. The process had knocked Boruto out cold. When they'd begun sealing the Karma, it had activated and started spreading across Boruto's entire arm.
The mark was almost alive in how it could sense danger, either to itself or its host. It had built-in countermeasures meant to protect the vessel of the Otsutsuki. Luckily, Kaito had prepared his own countermeasures in advance and managed to suppress the mark before it could fully react.
By the time the sealing was complete, Boruto had completely passed out from the strain.
The seal that Kaito and Kushina created included a special mechanism—it allowed Kaito to embed part of his own chakra, along with Sasuke's, into the seal itself. It was a precaution. If anything happened in the future, the Karma wouldn't be able to break free without triggering that stored chakra.
As Kaito and Sasuke entered the kitchen, Kaito called out, "Mom, it's Sasuke."
Kushina looked over her shoulder. "Ah, Sasuke—you're here early," she said with a warm smile. "I don't think Boruto's awake yet. Want something to eat while you wait?"
She poured a scoop of soup into a bowl, added miso tare, and mixed it gently. She handed the bowl to Kaito's shadow clone, who was at the stove boiling noodles.
The clone took the bowl and carefully added the freshly boiled noodles, arranging them neatly before setting the bowl aside. They quickly repeated the process for another serving.
Sasuke shook his head. "No, thank you. I already had breakfast before coming over." He paused for a moment. "Did anything happen after I left?"
Kaito, who had just finished the last sip of his cup ramen, walked over to the trash can and tossed the empty cup in. "No. Like I said yesterday, the seal will completely suppress the mark."
Kushina, pouring broth into another bowl, spoke as she worked. "We made sure to place multiple countermeasures in the seal for every possible scenario. For each defense mechanism that mark had, we built something to stop it. Unless Boruto-chan—or you—use the key, the seal will stay dormant for the rest of his life, ya know."
Kaito then tossed a scroll toward Sasuke. Sasuke caught it mid-air and gave Kaito a questioning look.
"Take this," Kaito said. "It's a replica of the seal we used on Boruto. It might come in handy someday—if something happens or you run into someone else with a mark."
As he spoke, Kaito walked over to the counter and started slicing the char siu into thick pieces.
"I had one of my clones write an instruction manual for how to use it. It's simple, really—but you'll need Naruto's help to seal it properly."
Sasuke gave a nod and pocketed the scroll. "Thank you."
Just then, a groggy Boruto stumbled into the kitchen, yawning. He looked half-asleep and rubbed his eyes. "Man… what happened yesterday? I don't remember much," he mumbled as he plopped himself into a chair at the dining table.
Kushina glanced over. "How are you feeling, Boruto-chan?"
Boruto yawned again. "I feel sore all over… like I ran a marathon or something," he groaned, laying his head on the table.
Sasuke asked, "Do you feel any different? Does the mark on your hand feel any different?"
Boruto blinked, then looked down at his hand. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed a thin circular design now surrounding the Karma mark. "Huh… what?"
Kaito spoke up. "You passed out after the mark flared up during the sealing. It took a lot out of you."
Sasuke repeated, "So? Does it feel different, Boruto?"
Boruto kept staring at the mark. "Huh… yeah. I don't feel anything at all. Before, I could feel something faint—like it was pulsing or watching. But now… it's like it's not even there."
Kushina smiled and nodded. "That's good. That means the seal's working just like it was designed to, ya know."
As she spoke, she gently placed slices of char siu, soft-boiled egg, Naruto fishcakes, and other toppings onto a steaming bowl of ramen.
Sasuke gave a final nod. "That's good, then. We'll leave as soon as you're ready."
Kushina quickly interrupted. "You don't have to rush, Sasuke. He just woke up. Let Boruto-chan get dressed and eat something first. It's not like you guys are going to be late for anything, ya know."
Boruto stood up, blinking, and looked at her. "Eh? Why are you making so many bowls of ramen?"
Kushina gave him a look like he'd asked the most obvious question in the world. "For you to take with you, of course—one for your father, your sister, and your mother. I'm sure Naruto-chan would love to finally taste my cooking, especially since he didn't get the chance in your timeline, ya know."
"Oh." Boruto nodded quietly, then left the kitchen to go get dressed.
Meanwhile, Kaito's clone removed the pot of curry from the stove and began ladling it into several storage containers.
The real Kaito reached over to the table and tossed Sasuke another scroll—the one that had been resting nearby.
Sasuke caught it and gave Kaito a confused look.
"That's a stasis scroll," Kaito explained. "One of my own creations. It keeps food warm and fresh inside. That one's for you, your daughter, and your wife to share."
Kushina beamed at Sasuke with a wide smile. "I asked Mikoto to make some of your favorites. Took a bit of convincing to get her to cook extra for me, ya know."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly as he looked down at the scroll in his hand. He clutched it a little tighter before finally pocketing it.
"…Thank you," he said quietly.
Kushina waved him off casually. "You've been protecting my grandson—or soon-to-be grandson… eh," she paused, looking a little confused before shaking her head. "Anyway, I just thought you'd like to eat you mother cooking again, ya know."
Meanwhile, the real Kaito helped seal the prepared bowls of ramen into a stasis scroll labeled Ramen, while his clone sealed the curry into another scroll labeled Kushina's Special Curry & Rice.
As they finished sealing up the food, Boruto returned to the kitchen.
"Baa-chan, can I get something to eat? I'm starving, ya know," Boruto said as he walked in.
Kushina nodded. "Of course, ya know. I saved some just for you," she said, handing him a plate loaded with rice, curry, tamagoyaki, and crispy chicken katsu. It was practically a mountain of food.
"Don't eat too much though," she warned. "You won't be able to enjoy this with your family later," she added, nodding toward the scrolls of sealed food.
Boruto stared wide-eyed at the massive meal placed in front of him and laughed awkwardly. "Eh… yeah, sure, Baa-chan."
While Boruto dug into his food, Kaito took out a few more scrolls and placed them on the table. "Alright, we've got a few things to give you, Boruto."
Boruto looked up from his plate, mouth full. "Huh? What is it?"
Kaito placed a large scroll down on the table. Kushina stepped in and explained, "This contains all the Uzumaki clan's techniques and knowledge—every sealing formula, forbidden technique, and scroll we've got. It's for you and your sister to learn from. Naruto-kun and your mother, too."
She smiled proudly. "As the next generation of Uzumaki, it's your duty to carry on the knowledge of your predecessors. This is a rite of passage in the clan. Every Uzumaki worth their salt should at least know the basics of fuinjutsu."
Kaito nodded, gesturing to Sasuke. "It's kind of like how, in the Uchiha clan, the rite of passage is performing the Fireball Jutsu. Same idea."
Boruto blinked. "Eh? So you want us to learn fuinjutsu?"
Kushina nodded firmly. "Yup. It's about preserving what was nearly lost. In your timeline, for some reason, Naruto never received my scrolls, notes, or techniques," she said, frowning a little.
Kaito shrugged. "Probably because of the Third Hokage."
Kushina sighed and continued, "Me and Kai-kun have put together a step-by-step guide and even some video tutorials for you all to learn from. Boruto-chan, make sure this scroll is kept safe in your house, alright? It holds all the secret seals of the Uzumaki clan. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous."
She gave him a stern look. "Promise me that this will only be taught to family—members of the Uzumaki clan."
Boruto nodded awkwardly. "Y-Yeah, sure, Baa-chan."
Kaito then placed another scroll on the table, this one smaller. "Everything inside is labeled so you won't get confused."
He then placed one more scroll down—this one even smaller—and said, "And this one's for Naruto."
Sasuke glanced at Kaito, raising an eyebrow.
Boruto blinked. "For Dad?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah. It's a technique I created… I call it Baryon Mode."
Kaito remembered Baryon Mode from Boruto. It was one of the few things he actually liked about the series back in his past life. At first, he tried recreating it with fuinjutsu. But the more he thought about it, the more flawed it seemed.
The original Baryon Mode gave an insane power boost—but only for a few minutes, and that was with Naruto and Kurama as the power source. If a normal shinobi tried using it—say by substituting senjutsu chakra for bijuu chakra—it wouldn't even last that long. Maybe a few seconds, tops. The only reason it worked against Ishiki was because Ishiki's body was already at its limit—he only had two days left to live. If Ishiki had been revived in a proper, healthy vessel, Baryon Mode would've been completely useless.
Not to mention, it was a suicide technique.
Kaito had spent years trying to fix those issues—refining it, rewriting seals, restructuring the chakra flow. And this version… this was as far as he had managed to develop it.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. "Baryon Mode?"
Kaito nodded. "This seal takes in two chakra sources—the user's chakra and another external source, like nature energy or tailed beast chakra. It stores both until the seal is activated. When activated, the chakra inside is smashed together, like a fusion collider, creating a massive surge of energy."
He tapped the scroll on the table. "If my calculations are right, it would give the user a significant power boost—even more than a bijuu amp or Sage Mode. It works kind of like nuclear fusion—the same thing that powers the sun. This 'chakra fusion' burns through the user's life force, though. Holding it for too long… will kill the user."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
Boruto looked at Kaito, eyebrows raised. "Wait... it's a suicide technique?"
Kushina's expression tightened as she turned to Kaito, her voice low and concerned. "Kai-kun… " she looked worriedly at him thinking 'why would you even make something like that? kai-kun'
Kaito nodded slowly. "It is a suicide technique… unless the user can constantly heal themselves. That's why I said it's for Naruto."
He glanced at Sasuke. "I'm assuming Naruto managed to befriend the Nine-Tails, right? If that's the case, and the Nine-Tails is willing to constantly heal him while he uses this… then yeah, he'd survive. It might shorten his lifespan a little, but he'd live. Anyone else who tries using it without that kind of backup would die once they burn through all their chakra."
kaito thought 'In theory, if someone combined it with Lady Tsunade's Hundred Healing Jutsu, it might work too. But even then… it would cut their lifespan down significantly.'
Kaito looked down at the scroll, then back up. "I've got a feeling you're going to face someone ridiculously strong… and this might come in handy."
He didn't say it out loud, but he knew—Ishiki's coming. He wasn't about to send them back unprepared. This seal had been something he'd developed and kept locked away for years… now, it might actually serve a purpose.
Sasuke nodded silently, taking the scroll from Kaito's hand.
Kaito continued, "The seal is extremely inefficient. It needs at least thirty days' worth of chakra to last a full day. That's thirty days from both Naruto and the Nine-Tails."
Then Kaito turned to Boruto and handed him a thin chain with a small leaf-shaped pendant. "There's a seal inside this pendant. It contains all my personal techniques—including Hiraishin. Keep it on you at all times. I've got a feeling you'll need it someday."
Boruto took the pendant, staring at it, confused. "Eh… thanks," he said, blinking.
Sasuke glanced at Kaito again, eyes narrowed slightly—but he didn't say anything.
…
The noon sun shone brightly over the Hidden Leaf Village.
At the main gate, Kaito and Kushina stood opposite Sasuke and Boruto, the time for farewell drawing near.
Kushina stepped forward and pulled Boruto into a tight hug. She held on for a few seconds before letting go, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'm going to miss you, ya know…"
Boruto scratched the back of his head, offering a soft, melancholy smile. "Me too, Baa-chan… ya know."
Just then, Kushina reached into her bag and pulled out three neatly folded letters. She handed them to Boruto.
"Boruto-chan, can you give these to your father, mother, and sister?"
Boruto accepted them gently and nodded. "Sure thing, Baa-chan."
Kushina stepped back, her voice soft but steady. "Listen close, Boruto-chan. Tell your dad I'm proud of the man he became, ya know. Tell your mom thanks—for loving him, and for keeping our knuckle-headed bloodline in line."
She gave him a teary smile.
"And give Himawari the biggest hug from her Baa-chan, okay?"
She reached forward, tapping and finger on his heart. "Keep that Uzumaki spirit burning bright. Eat well, train smart, and take care of your family. And if the road ever feels too heavy... remember, We'll be right here waiting with lots ramen and open arms, ya know." smiling at the end
Boruto wiped at the corner of his eyes, then extended his fist toward her. "I will, Baa-chan."
Kushina smiled wide and bumped her fist gently against his. "That's my boy."
Off to the side, Kaito stood silently, arms crossed, watching. His gaze shifted to Sasuke.
"Don't even try it," he said calmly, his tone firm.
Sasuke, who had begun molding chakra, froze and looked at Kaito.
"I know you've been erasing everyone's memories about you and Boruto these past few days," Kaito said, voice sharp. "Don't even think about doing it to me or my mom. I'll pluck your Sharingan out if you try."
Sasuke, unfazed, responded evenly. "It was necessary. Our interference—"
But Kaito cut him off. "Like I said before—our timelines are significantly different. It doesn't matter if we know a few things about yours. That won't change what happens here."
Sasuke stood silent for a moment before giving a small nod. Then he turned to Boruto. "We should get going. It's getting late."
He turned back to Kushina and gave a respectful bow. "Thank you again… for everything."
Kushina nodded, her lips trembling slightly as she held back tears.
Boruto nodded toward Kaito, and Kaito nodded back. With that, Boruto and Sasuke turned and began walking toward the village gates. Kaito had told them to get outside of Konoha's detection barrier before activating the KuraSuki seal.
Kushina and Kaito stood side by side, watching their figures grow smaller and smaller… until they finally disappeared beyond the gates.
Kaito turned to her. "Are you okay, Mom?"
Kushina held a hand over her chest, eyes still fixed on the road. "I'm just sad that I might not see him again, ya know," she said softly.
Kaito looked down. "Yeah… but we can't do much about that, ya know."
Kushina nodded silently. Then, after a moment, she turned to him with a small smile. "Wanna go get some ice cream, Kai-kun? It's been a while since we had a proper mother-son date, ya know?"
Kaito smiled back at her. "You don't have to ask me, Mom. I'd love to, ya know."
Her grin widened and, as if her energy had returned all at once, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him along. "Then let's go shopping too, ya know!"
Meanwhile…
Sasuke and Boruto reached the edge of the village's detection barrier.
Sasuke came to a sudden stop, looking straight ahead.
Boruto noticed and blinked. "Huh? What's wrong, Sasuke?"
He followed Sasuke's gaze—and spotted someone standing just beyond the trees.
Leaning against the trunk with his arms crossed and eyes closed, stood Itachi.
Boruto's eyes widened. "Eh?! Itachi-san?"
Itachi slowly opened his eyes, pushed himself off the tree, and walked toward them.
"I heard you were leaving," he said as he came to a stop in front of them.
Sasuke gave a small nod. "Yeah. We have to get back home. It's been a while."
Itachi nodded once, then held out a small wooden box. "It's a parting gift."
Sasuke took it and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."
Itachi gave a faint nod, then walked past them—but just as he passed by Sasuke, he stopped.
"…You've grown up, Sasuke," he said quietly. Before Sasuke could respond, Itachi's body dissolved into a flock of black crows, scattered
Sasuke's eyes widened, frozen for a moment as he stared at the disappearing crows.
Boruto stood beside him, mouth slightly open. "Wait… does he know?"
Sasuke smirked and shook his head. "Come on, Boruto. We should get going."
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