In the previous chapter: Team 7 managed to capture Shojoji, the true leader of the Mujina Gang, after a difficult battle at Hozuki Prison . Sai arrived with reinforcements from Konoha and took charge of the situation. Shojoji was sealed with a special jutsu and taken back to the village along with the team and Kokuri.
Meanwhile, Tsubaki explained to Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hanabi everything that had happened during her training with Boruto, revealing that he created a version of the samurai chakra flow method. Despite his power, Tsubaki managed to defeat Boruto in combat. As part of their deal, she received a special katana as a gift and asked to be his friend. She was then invited to dinner with the Uzumaki family, where she also agreed to train Himawari in the ways of the samurai.
In the dungeons of Konoha, Shojoji, frightened by Sasuke's presence, revealed information about Kara: he saw mysterious symbols and a central figure shaped like a black diamond.
Naruto, Shikamaru, Sai, and Sasuke assigned Boruto and Sasuke to investigate more about Kara. Boruto revealed that he has a mark from his fight with Momoshiki, similar to ones that Kara members might have.
Boruto, after bidding farewell to his family, traveled to a secret base where he activated the next phase of his plan. He met with his subordinates (Kirara, Kuroshi, and Moku) in Amegakure and ordered the start of phase three of his operation. He also ordered the elimination of all Outers and the feudal lord of the Land of Rain. Finally, they departed using a spinning vortex, determined to act directly.
At this moment, in the city of Amegakure, the rain continued to fall.
In a narrow alley, a gray, swirling vortex suddenly appeared. From it, the entire group emerged.
Boruto observed the surroundings in silence for a moment. Then he looked ahead, where a wide street stretched. On the other side, a building stood out in stark contrast to the rest: it was large, solid, and well-maintained, unlike the dilapidated buildings around it.
"I guess that's it... right?" he murmured.
Without waiting for a response, Boruto continued moving forward with a firm step, his team following him silently.
As he left the alley, he stopped just inside the entrance. He looked at the building closely: the structure stood solid, well-maintained unlike the rest of the city, and several ninjas stood guard in front of the door. He narrowed his eyes as he analyzed the chakra around him and thought.
I feel like there are too many shinobi… they're on every floor. Hmm … hahaha, then I'll take the hard way.
He stepped out onto the street, crossing leisurely. People watched him suspiciously as his figure glided through the rain. When he reached the other side, five shinobi stood in the way. They eyed him warily, and the one who appeared to be their leader stepped forward.
"Who are you?" he said firmly. "You'd better go back the way you came. And before you leave, show us your face and the faces of the others."
Boruto paused for a few seconds. And spoke coldly.
—You'd better step aside… or you won't end up well.
The leader burst out laughing, looking at his companions.
—Hahaha! That voice? A child's? What are you going to do? Scare us with your words? Go back to your mother, she's probably waiting for you in some alley in the red-light district.
Boruto lowered his head slightly. The hood covered his eyes, revealing only the underside of the mask, where a smile was drawn. He spoke in a cold tone.
—Thanks for saying that. Now I have the perfect excuse to kill them... But don't worry, you won't die so quickly.
The leader looked at him and frowned, annoyed.
—What did you say, brat!?
At that moment, Boruto's hand appeared in front of his face.
BOOM!
The building's door was destroyed along with the shinobi's body. The massive metal sheets flew to pieces, and Boruto appeared in the center of the first floor.
He held the leader by the head, and without stopping, he violently slammed him to the ground.
BOOM!
The crash echoed loudly. The floor shook, and a cloud of dust rose in all directions, covering the room. Shards of stone flew.
The shinobi guarding the entrance quickly turned to look inside the building. The cloud of dust slowly began to dissipate. They saw Boruto's back and then turned their gaze to the ground, revealing a chilling sight: the body of the shinobi leader was still pinned in the crater, his head covered in blood. He was barely breathing.
At that instant, the remaining shinobi drew their kunai, ready to attack… but it was useless. At that moment, several blades pierced their backs, one after another. They fell to the ground without a single cry. Dead.
The shinobi inside the building froze. Their eyes widened at what had happened. At the far end, in the widest part of the first floor, stood a reception desk, and on either side, two staircases against the walls ascended from the center to the upper floors.
Boruto calmly looked around the place and glanced at the ninjas on the stairs, then looked up, muttering to himself:
—It will take time to reach the top… It would be better to destroy everything.
He looked down and turned to his team.
—Activate the barrier… and I'll take care of the rest. You know what to do with the survivors.
Kirara and Kuroshhi looked at each other, nodded wordlessly, and leaped back to the middle of the street. They quickly began performing seals, then struck the ground hard.
"Activate!" they shouted in unison.
At that moment, a massive barrier began to expand from the outskirts of Amegakure. The energy rose like an invisible dome, slowly enveloping the city.
Meanwhile, inside the building, several shinobi rushed towards Boruto, screaming in rage and drawing their kunai.
The first one lunged straight at him, aiming to slice his neck, but Boruto calmly ducked and let the kunai fly over his head. He shot back and raised his head, just as another kunai came down at him, dodging it effortlessly. A third shinobi tried to stab him in the chest, but Boruto twisted his body slightly, and the blade only grazed his cloak without touching him.
More ninjas surrounded him, trying to trap him with coordinated attacks… again and again, but to no avail. Boruto continued to dodge each attempt as if it were nothing. His every move was fluid, precise, as if he knew in advance what they would do.
Boruto smiled under his mask and calmly murmured:
—Slow…
The shinobi, hearing his words, clenched their jaws tightly, grinding their teeth in pure rage and helplessness. They moved immediately: they leaped backward. One of them reached a nearby wall and, without hesitation, struck a small hidden panel with his palm.
At that moment, an alarm went off throughout the building. A high-pitched, metallic sound echoed between the walls, accompanied by a dim red light that began to flicker on the ceilings and in the corners.
The shinobi who activated the alarm smiled with amusement and haughtiness. He was about to say something… but fell silent when he saw Boruto watching him.
And suddenly, Boruto disappeared.
The ninja barely turned his body, but it was too late. A brutal kick from Boruto slammed into the wall right where the shinobi stood, causing a deafening crash.
BOOM!
The walls shook. A crater formed where solid concrete had once been, and the alarm system suddenly went off, as if the impact itself had rendered it inoperable.
The shinobi was sent flying by the impact and landed next to his comrades. He struggled to his feet, his face bathed in sweat and his breathing labored. He muttered, his voice barely audible:
—I barely saw anything.
Boruto slowly lowered his leg placing it on the ground, turned his head and looked, while his cape shook and spoke calmly.
—You saw me… Not bad. Very few can. You must be a high-ranking jounin… you must be one of the strongest.
The shinobi just stared at him, his muscles tense and his body ready for anything.
Boruto turned his body completely and spoke coldly.
—It's a shame, but you'll die, you're of no use to me.
The ninja took a step back, instinctively. And Boruto, without warning, took a step forward… and disappeared again.
At that moment, Boruto appeared with his foot in the shinobi's face, brutally impacting him against the ground with a loud bang.
BOOM!
The ground cracked violently and dust scattered in all directions.
The remaining shinobi quickly retreated upon seeing their comrade defeated so easily, but they had no time to react.
From the dense smoke screen, several chakra chains emerged at full speed, passing through the shinobi's bodies with brutal force, blood splashing onto the ground.
The cloud of smoke slowly began to dissipate… and at the center of it, Boruto remained motionless and at that moment more chains emerged from his body, piercing the ground beneath his feet.
The chains tore through the foundations, breaking the concrete and piercing the upper levels of the building. The shinobi descending the stairs barely had time to see them before they were instantly impaled, their bodies lifted into the air like broken dolls.
The first floor was devastated.
The second, shattered in a matter of seconds.
The chains wouldn't stop. The third, the fourth... each level was violently pierced by that unstoppable energy. Explosions echoed from floor to floor. BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!
Each impact was an explosion that shook the walls, ceiling, and floor. The entire building shook, as if it were about to collapse.
No ninja survived. The chains were relentless, destroying everything in their path, mercilessly hunting down every shinobi hiding, running, or ready to fight. Muffled screams, falling debris, dust filling the halls. A silent and efficient massacre.
From below, Boruto raised his gaze slightly. He didn't move. He didn't say a word.
As the chakra chains continued to rise without stopping, chaos erupted floor by floor.
Outside the building, Kuroshhi, Kirara, and Moku watched the scene intently. Explosions followed one after another, shaking the structure relentlessly. Even from that distance, they could hear the screams of the shinobi trapped inside.
Suddenly, when the chains reached the top floor, a huge explosion completely destroyed it.
BOOM!
The roof of the building blew apart, sending debris tumbling into the sky. Several figures emerged from the wreckage, leaping violently from the upper floor in an attempt to escape.
Among them, in the center of all the fleeing ninjas, one figure stood out: he wore a hat with a kanji engraved on the front, just like a Kage's.
Kirara took a step forward, her eyes blazing, preparing to attack, but Kuroshhi reached out and blocked her path. He looked at her seriously and spoke firmly:
—Our leader will take care of him. So don't worry.
Kirara looked down and nodded silently.
Meanwhile, inside the building, the walls began to collapse. Boruto lowered his head and more chakra chains burst out of Boruto's body and surrounded him. The building creaked, cracking from its foundations… and finally, it collapsed.
The entire structure collapsed with a loud bang.
BOOM!
The shinobi who had managed to escape from the top floor landed on a nearby building, gasping, and watched in horror as the tower they were in seconds ago completely collapsed.
The person wearing the hat took it in one hand and let it rest on his shoulder, finally revealing his face. He had black hair, a well-defined beard, and intense blue eyes that shone with suppressed fury. He took a few steps forward until he was right at the edge of the building. From there, he observed the total destruction of the building before him. He frowned and spoke in an annoyed tone:
—What the hell was that? Who's attacking us?
One of his shinobi, still with sweat on his forehead, quickly responded:
—We don't know, sir. Apparently it was too fast… We couldn't react.
At that moment, the dust cloud began to dissipate. And when visibility returned, everyone present opened their eyes in amazement… and even fear.
Among the rubble, the chakra chains still remained suspended in the air, completely motionless, as if frozen in time. But behind them... bodies were beginning to appear.
Bodies of shinobi brutally pierced by chains, hanging lifeless, torn, bloody. There were many. Too many. And the blood kept falling… dripping from the heights, soaking the broken stones of the ground.
At that instant, as if they had received a silent order, the chains shook violently and the bodies were thrown in all directions.
ZAZZZ! BAM! CRASH!
The bodies flew through the air, crashing against walls, ceilings and poles, leaving bloody marks with each impact.
The dust cloud completely dissipated… and then everyone saw it.
Boruto stood there, in the middle of the mess, standing with his body straight, surrounded by a final dance of chains that slowly made their way back towards his body, hiding inside his black cloak.
The eyes of everyone present were fixed on him. The nearby citizens watched the scene in silence… and then they began to run away in terror, fleeing the scene without looking back, scattering through the streets of Amegakure, terrified. The atmosphere became dense. The air, heavy. The tension, unbearable.
Boruto turned his head slightly to the side, looking at his team among the rubble. Without saying anything, Kuroshi, Kirara, and Moku nodded silently… and disappeared in a flash.
Boruto then looked up, staring at the roof of the other building. The shinobi and the person in front of him instantly tensed, and Boruto, with a swift movement, pulled out a three-pronged kunai and threw it towards them with astonishing speed. The kunai flew straight towards the supposed Kage, but he managed to react, blocking it with his own kunai, deflecting it upwards, while the metallic sound of the impact spread throughout the place due to the force of the impact.
At that moment, Boruto disappeared in a flash and appeared in the air, right above the group of shinobi and the Kage. He held the kunai in his hand and muttered:
—Raiton.
His arm filled with lightning before unleashing the technique. The lightning struck the shinobi, who barely managed to turn around before being hit, and an explosion erupted in the area.
BOOM!
The attack was so fast that it left them paralyzed on the spot.
Boruto fell into the center of the building's roof, watched them out of the corner of his eye as they tried to move, and muttered:
—There are more than ten.
Then Boruto looked at the Kage coldly and said:
—You're disgusting... you need to die.
The Kage looked at him in fear, clenched his jaw and channeled chakra throughout his body, barely managing to move and jump towards another building to escape, beginning to run between the structures at full speed.
Boruto watched him lazily, as if he didn't care, and then looked at the injured shinobi around him.
—Well... I've never used this on humans, but I don't think they'll feel any pain.
The shinobi immediately became agitated, but it was useless. Boruto's right eye changed, activating the Jougan, and in that instant, the ninjas' bodies froze, as if time had stopped. Then, several cuts suddenly appeared on their bodies and, without further ado, they burst into blood.
Boruto looked at the still fresh blood on the ceiling, and thought coldly:
—Nothing remained of the bodies… millions of cuts in less than a second… hahaha…
Unhurriedly, he began to walk, letting his boots squelch through the red puddle that covered the place. Each step echoed among the rubble. As he reached the edge of the building, he looked up. His gaze fell on the Kage, who was fleeing between the buildings.
Boruto raised his hand, removed his mask, and let it rest at his side, squinting with a blank expression.
In the distance, the Kage was running desperately, leaping with all his might from rooftop to rooftop. His breathing was labored and his face was filled with tension. There was only one thought in his mind:
—Damn! Who is that guy? He's too strong… Who sent him? Is it because of what I did to that village? No… it can't be! I must escape!
But just to his right, a building was split in two with a clean, brutal cut, followed by an explosion that shook the entire area.
BOOM!
The Kage opened his eyes in horror and leaped toward another building. The one he'd left behind collapsed behind him, sliced vertically as if slashed by a giant blade.
He began to move even faster, desperate. Every time he passed near a building, whether to his left, right, or above, a shear line cut through the structure and a new explosion echoed behind him.
BOOM! BOOM! KRAK!
He jumped, rolled, spun between roofs, zigzagging like a cornered animal.
"We're almost there!" he shouted through gritted teeth. "That's the last building... I just have to jump!"
He gathered all his chakra, gritted his teeth, and jumped with everything he had left. He reached out, reaching for the edge.
But at that very moment… his arms were severed. At the same time, part of the building he was trying to reach was also split in two.
—AAAAHHHHH! —he roared in pain.
His body fell violently onto the terrace of a building. He rolled several times on the ground until he crashed against a wall. Wounded, bleeding, and trembling, he managed to get to his knees. He raised his head, and then... he saw her.
From a distance, in the middle of the city, a figure remained motionless. Watching him as if his life was worthless.
The Kage opened his eyes, paralyzed with fear. He couldn't utter a word.
And in that instant, it was all over.
An invisible line crossed his body and the entire building was split in two… vertically.
His body was severed cleanly. The rest of the building collapsed behind him in a shower of debris and dust.
Boruto, who had watched everything from afar with his Jougan at full power, slowly deactivated his eye when he saw that it was all over. He stood for a few seconds, staring silently at the spot where the Kage had died, and inside...
In Boruto's mental space, Karasugan looked at Momoshhiki and spoke in a neutral tone:
—That ability is really tricky. They weren't even able to figure out what killed them.
Momoshhiki opened his eyes and replied lazily:
—Someone with advanced senses could notice her... maybe the fox, or that Uchiha, with the Rinnegan. Even the Ōtsutsuki could sense her. She's powerful, but only against low-level beings.
Karasugan looked at him with disdain and said:
—That ability cut off your arm, do you understand?
Momoshhiki looked at him sideways, unfazed:
—That was a surprise... but you're right. She's quite powerful. Her command of space grows stronger all the time. Although, what she's using now is the most basic of the basics... but she's using it in a useful way. Not bad.
Karasugan looked away and muttered:
—Boruto is beyond any power scale. The being itself... is already an irregular. Before, if I had faced him, I would have defeated him. But now... I don't know. I would have to discard everything.
Momoshhiki closed his eyes and said with a hint of mockery:
—Why are you lying? I was the one who stopped you last time...
Karasugan looked at him sideways, also closing his eyes, and replied coldly:
—That was different. That was the plan… to get you to underestimate us. To get you to let your guard down around us.
The conversation stopped.
Outside of Boruto's mental space, he sat on the corner of the building, while the rainwater trickled down his cloak and in that moment the mask in his hand disappeared in a puff of smoke.
At that moment, a spinning gray vortex appeared behind him. From it emerged Kuroshhi, Kirara, and Moku, his team.
The three of them looked around, noticing the chaos in the buildings. It was Kirara who spoke:
—Boruto-sama, what happened here? Why are the buildings cut in half?
Boruto looked around silently and replied indifferently:
—Don't pay attention to that. How did the other missions go for you?
Kuroshhi stepped forward and answered firmly:
"Boruto-sama, we've taken down the feudal lord of this country. We've also mobilized our people to eliminate the remaining Outers in hiding."
Boruto looked at him sideways and nodded:
-That's good.
He sat up slowly, dusting his cloak a little, and said:
—Since you've both done what I asked, go ahead with the plan. From what I know, the cities in the Land of Rain have the same name, or something like that... right?
Kuroshhi and Kirara nodded silently.
—The main city will be where we were before. Upgrade that place to the max… In technology, in weapons… and train the ninjas from scratch.
Kuroshhi frowned slightly and asked:
—But how will we do it? The country doesn't have enough money to sustain itself, and we don't have enough skills to form a complete ninja system.
Boruto turned around completely, staring at the group. He then looked at Kirara and spoke firmly:
—I assume you know where the techniques of the ancient Kages of this village are stored… correct? Give them to the ninjas who will be training. The strongest must learn S or A rank techniques. And the weakest… at least B rank.
Kirara nodded firmly.
Boruto turned his gaze towards Moku and spoke calmly:
—You seem to be having a good time, aren't you? You'll have a mission.
Moku jumped off Kuroshhi's shoulder and landed lightly on the ground. He knelt respectfully and said enthusiastically:
—Please give me your orders, Boruto-sama! I will do my best to fulfill them.
Boruto looked at him with a slight smile and replied:
—Come with Kirara. They'll go to the main warehouse of this village and take out everything there. Do you understand?
"Yes!" Moku nodded with a cheerful smile, before leaping nimbly onto Kirara's shoulder.
Boruto reached forward, and in a puff of smoke, a large scroll appeared. He held it for a moment, looked at it closely… and then tossed it to Kirara.
She caught him firmly in her hands.
Then, Boruto spoke seriously:
—That scroll contains what will give power to this village. Use it as efficiently as possible. And one more thing… close the borders. Only purchase materials up to the limit. Do you understand?
Kirara and Kuroshhi looked at each other in silence. They both nodded with conviction.
Boruto slowly turned his gaze toward the city in front of them. Then he added:
—We need a name for the main city. The most powerful countries have a village with a name different from the nation's…
He was silent for a moment… and then spoke with amusement:
—The name of the main village will be… Shinkugakure no Sato… the Village Hidden in the Absolute Void.
Kuroshhi and Kirara opened their eyes in surprise at what they had just heard, but quickly smiled. They nodded and answered in unison:
—At your service, Boruto-sama.
Without changing his expression, Boruto extended his arm again, took out another scroll and threw it back. Kuroshhi caught it in midair and Boruto spoke.
—In that scroll, you'll find everything you need to train the Chosen. Make them so strong… so strong… for the sole purpose of being useful.
Kuroshhi looked down and carefully unrolled the scroll, while Boruto watched him calmly.
—There are some very special techniques there. One of them is the Blood Awakening. I want you to practice it with them first… and then we'll look for ways to enhance it even further through technology.
Boruto took a breath and continued speaking.
"That scroll also contains secret techniques from other villages. If that's not enough, when you complete Kirara's quest, use Moku to steal more."
Kuroshhi looked up, nodding silently.
—Do whatever it takes to strengthen them
Boruto stopped looking at Kuroshhi and looked sideways at Kirara.
—You are the brain of this village. Make the people here happy… but not because of your control technique, but because they truly are. That's what I want in this ... use white techniques to dominate this place.
Kirara didn't look away and Boruto looked at the village and continued talking.
—Redesign the villages. Improve them. Make them the way you see fit. Create academies, structures, new foundations. Create everything from scratch. Do you want to experience what it's like to be truly human? This is your chance. Be a good leader. Maybe… that will give you what you're really looking for.
Kirara opened her eyes a little in surprise and then smiled happily.
—Thank you, Boruto-sama…
Boruto nodded once, turned around and looked back at the city and spoke coldly.
—This place… we won't make it stronger because it needs it. We won't give it happiness because it deserves it.
A slight smile spread across his face as he stretched his arms out to his sides.
—We'll do it because we want to. Because we're selfish. That's the path to freedom… my path to the pinnacle of power.
Kuroshhi and Kirara looked at each other, smiled sideways, and Moku spoke energetically:
—Yes, Boruto-sama! In search of the summit! Hahaha —he exclaimed, bursting out laughing.
Kuroshi and Kirara followed him with a brief laugh, while Boruto watched them out of the corner of his eye. Then he lowered his arms with a calm smile.
A moment passed before the laughter died down. Boruto slowly turned his body toward them and spoke calmly:
—Call me if anything happens… and try to find out about Kara, and if you see any members of the organization… kill them. Take out everything you see of them.
The three nodded in unison. Kuroshhi stepped forward and spoke:
—Boruto-sama, what will you do?
Boruto looked at him silently for a second, then put a hand to the back of his neck and replied:
"I'm going to train. I need to perfect one of my techniques... Besides, it's time to seek a higher level of mastery over my skills. Everything I have is slipping through my fingers, so I'll train for a while." She lowered her hand and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "You guys should train too. Do it when you have free time... strive for the top."
The three present nodded firmly. Boruto turned to Kirara, giving her one last instruction:
—Kirara… when you rebuild this place, make the technological advances at the same time and keep them hidden. And one more thing…—he looked at her sideways——build me a complete tower, complete with everything. Don't forget the details.
Kirara bowed her head.
—Don't worry, Boruto-sama. I'll do my best to make it happen.
Boruto smiled sideways, turned his face slightly and said:
—So… see you.
At that moment he disappeared in a flash, leaving behind only the slight movement of the air that stirred the clothes of the three.
Kirara and Kuroshhi looked at each other for a second, and Kirara spoke:
—It's time to go.
Kuroshi nodded, while Moku smiled from Kirara's shoulder. At that moment, a swirling gray vortex appeared from Moku's eye, sucking them both in, while the rain continued to fall.
In a place isolated from the world, the snow fell relentlessly, covering the vast plain with a seemingly endless blanket of white. In the center, solitary and firm, stood a luxurious-looking house, its dark walls contrasting against the icy brightness of the surroundings. Beyond, a forest of tall, snow-covered trees surrounded the plain like a natural wall, and an invisible barrier protected the entire perimeter, keeping out the wind and the most intense cold.
The silence was absolute, so profound that even the slightest crunch of snow under a foot could break it.
Suddenly, in front of the house, in a flash, Boruto appeared. The snow was pushed aside by the sudden pressure.
Boruto scanned the area, glancing at his surroundings before turning back to the cabin. Then, he looked down at the ground, bent down, and scooped up a handful of snow.
Boruto scanned the area, glancing at his surroundings before turning back to the cabin. Then, he looked down at the ground, bent down, and scooped up a handful of snow.
"What an inhospitable place... I don't feel any life around here. It must be the cold." He exhaled slowly, watching the steam escape from his mouth. "I wonder how Kuroshhi and Moku got here..."
He stood up and began walking, crossing the snow until he reached the entrance of the cabin. He opened the door and found a surprisingly warm and comfortable interior considering the weather outside.
He walked to the center of the room and laid his gaze on an unlit fireplace. With a flick of his arm, a sphere of fire emerged from his hand and flew inside, igniting the coals. As soon as the flame caught, the light and heat spread rapidly. The fire spread through the gutters, igniting torches that illuminated every corner of the cabin.
Boruto looked around the cabin, noticing that despite being in the middle of such an inhospitable place, the place was surprisingly luxurious. He let out a small sigh.
—Well… I guess this will be my training place, —he murmured.
Without further ado, he removed his cloak and then his jacket, stripping off his shirt as well, leaving his torso exposed. He draped the garments over the back of a nearby armchair. He studied his own body for a moment, as if assessing its physical condition, and spoke in a low voice:
-Activate.
At that moment, intricate seals began to appear on his skin, spreading and covering him completely. Boruto clenched his jaw tightly, concentrating as he felt the invisible weight they imposed on him. He turned to the door, took firm steps forward, and opened it, letting the biting cold greet him immediately.
The icy wind whipped at his skin, and his body began to tremble under the pressure of the seals.
"Damn... it's been a while since I used the gravity and suppression seals. My body... hurts," he thought, with a grimace that turned into a crooked smile. "I can only use them as long as I don't push my body too hard... otherwise, they'll break. That's why I never removed them before: they lose their effect in combat. But now... they'll be perfect for improving my chakra control."
He took a slow breath, feeling the veins in his body begin to pop and bulge from the pressure. The seals tightened, further increasing the weight on his muscles.
He closed his eyes, concentrating. The cold gripped his skin, and little by little, ice crystals began to form on his naked body.
—Katon….
A flame slowly surged out of his body, but in that instant, the suppression seals broke, and a scorching blaze erupted from his body, expanding in all directions. The snow around him melted in seconds, and steam rose in dense clouds.
Boruto opened his eyes, gasping, and stopped the flow of chakra. His knees gave way, causing him to fall against the melting snow, but he quickly got back to his feet.
He repeated the process over and over: activating the seals, resisting the pressure, accumulating chakra, and releasing it. The air filled with steam with each burst of fire, but no matter how much heat emanated, the snow continued to fall relentlessly on that silent place.
Somewhere in the world, in an unknown dimension, stood a structure that defied all logic. The walls were crisscrossed with lines of light that slowly descended, like live electric currents, moving through the metallic surface. The blue and white glow intermittently illuminated the place, revealing a vast, dark, and geometric environment… as if everything were inside an immense cube suspended in the void.
Inside, other black cubes floated and moved slowly up and down, like pieces of an ancient, precise mechanism. In the center, on a larger cube than the rest, several hooded figures stood. Their cloaks hid their faces, but the interior of each glowed with a different hue, suggesting a unique identity and purpose for each wearer.
Facing them, sitting in a metal chair with a relaxed posture, was someone who radiated authority. His deep yet calm voice broke the silence, immediately changing the atmosphere.
"Apparently, the elemental villages have detected us," he said with disturbing calm. "It must have been because of the facilities in the Land of Rain."
His dark eyes slowly turned to a figure shorter than the rest. The hooded figure clenched his jaw as the leader continued:
—But it doesn't matter. Even if they get some information, they won't be able to understand our true objective.
His gaze shifted to another of those present before continuing to speak:
—However… to think that there is someone unknown moving between the elemental nations, with abilities so high as to use a space-time jutsu… could be a nuisance for us.
There was a brief silence. The leader smiled disdainfully and, with a slight sigh, added:
—But since I've been told he's weak… he doesn't pose a threat. There won't be any changes to our plans.
The murmur of the lights and the slow movement of the cubes were the only things that broke the silence, while the tension in the air remained intact.
Time began to pass with apparent tranquility in the Land of Rain. Under the new regime, changes were becoming visible throughout the territory. However, not all was peaceful: every dawn, lifeless bodies appeared in the streets, and the country's borders had been completely sealed. Soon, the name of its main village resonated around the world.
The elemental nations, noticing these movements, sent spies to investigate... but it was useless. No one was able to penetrate the country's defenses. Ultimately, they decided not to intervene directly, especially when Konoha declared that the village was in the process of recovery, claiming that their own informants confirmed that this had no connection to the Kara organization. The new kage, they claimed, was working to rebuild the country.
Thus, the Village of the Void was officially unveiled. With Konoha's help, the elemental nations and their major villages reopened trade routes to the area, facilitating the flow of materials to Shinkugakure, the name the village had adopted.
As the new village took shape, its population—imperceptibly controlled by Kirara—worked tirelessly on the reconstruction. Barriers were lifted, and each destroyed structure was replaced with a new, more solid one. Men and women between the ages of 15 and 50 participated in the construction, and the fittest women also helped with the heavy lifting.
Curiously, the people seemed happier and more optimistic than ever, unaware that they were under the influence. Kirara's ability didn't completely rob them of their personality or free will; it simply implanted a clear and persistent idea in their minds: that they should work for the well-being and restoration of the country. They did everything else on their own, convinced that it was their own will.
Months passed, and Shinkugakure slowly emerged as a stronger and more protected nation than ever.
In Konoha, the streets were bustling. Merchants hawked their wares, children ran between stalls, and the hum of everyday life filled every corner.
Among the crowd, Team 7 walked calmly towards their destination.
Saku spoke with a carefree smile:
—So we're finally assigned a mission… It's been almost a week since the last one. I wonder what we'll be doing now.
Mitsuki replied calmly:
—Let's hope it's not too complicated.
Saku looked at him out of the corner of his eye, raised an arm and flexed proudly as if he were a wrestler in full display.
—I wish it were. It'll give us more experience. Look at these muscles, don't you think they're crying out for action?
Mitsuki looked at him and gave a light laugh.
Saku, excited by the reaction, turned on his heels as if he were in a parade and ended up gently pushing Sarada with his arm.
She lost her balance a little and looked at him with annoyance.
—Hey… what are you supposed to be doing?
Saku raised his eyebrows mischievously and leaned towards her.
—Nothing, nothing… I just wanted to get you out of your thoughts. Tell me, what were you so focused on?
Sarada looked at him for a few seconds, sighed and replied:
—There are things I still don't understand... that's all.
Saku tilted his head and clicked his tongue.
—You're talking about Boruto and Tsubaki, right? About how they became friends… and how Tsubaki is now training Boruto's sister.
Sarada nodded.
"I wonder why Boruto went to such extremes... but oh well." He sighed, then smiled slightly. "Time to focus on the mission, don't you think?"
Saku gave a thumbs-up and a wide smile broke out across his face. Mitsuki nodded, relaxed.
The group continued forward, laughing. Saku, unable to sit still, began doing little imitations of the passing villagers: he walked hunched over, imitating an old man, then raised his arms as if selling fruit, and even bent down, pretending to carry heavy sacks.
"Come on, come on, fresh fruit, fresher than my chakra!" he exclaimed, imitating a merchant's voice.
Sarada shook her head, though she couldn't help but smile. Mitsuki, for her part, let out another soft laugh as she watched him.
While all this was happening, Saku thought to himself:
Boruto… always so mysterious. Your life should be fun and exciting, full of adventures.
With that thought in mind, he laughed and joked with his companions again, enjoying the tranquility of the moment.
As they continued walking, they reached the Hokage Building. They entered with a firm step and walked around the building, taking the stairs to the next floor. Upon arriving, they walked down a hallway until they stopped in front of a door marked "Mission Assignment."
Saku slowly opened the door and entered first, followed by Mitsuki and Sarada.
In the background, as always, was the receptionist checking her computer. She barely looked up and recognized Team 7, smiling kindly.
-Welcome.
The three of them greeted each other at the same time and approached the counter.
At that moment, the side door of the room opened and Konohamaru entered. He raised his arm vigorously.
—Guys! How are you?
"Konohamaru-sensei!" the three of them answered in unison, smiling.
Konohamaru stood behind them, crossing his arms as he watched. The receptionist, wasting no time, spoke clearly:
"Since everyone is here..." he said, reaching out and handing over a sheet of paper.
Saku was the first to take it. He looked down and began to read aloud, in a somewhat careless tone:
—So we'll have to... find someone... I see.
Sarada leaned slightly toward him, also reading the report. Mitsuki looked over both of their shoulders.
Sarada spoke seriously, placing her hand on Saku's shoulder:
—I guess it's not a bad mission. Cheer up. A mission is a mission, and we should take it responsibly.
Saku sighed, but then smiled sideways.
—I understand… let's do it.
Mitsuki and Sarada nodded at the same time.
Saku then turned to Konohamaru with a curious expression.
—From what I read… the mission will be in the Valley Country. That's pretty far away, isn't it?
Konohamaru's expression turned thoughtful for a moment before he answered:
—It will be a little difficult to find your main city without knowing the area.
At that moment, the side door opened again.
A deep voice echoed in the room:
—That's why they called me.
The person who entered was wearing a chunin uniform, accompanied by an orange and white striped scarf that fell around his neck.
Konohamaru looked in surprise at the person who had entered. His face lit up and he spoke excitedly:
"Mugino! You were in the village? That's incredible!" She quickly approached him. "I haven't seen you in over two years."
Mugino replied in a dry voice:
—I'm finally free.
Konohamaru burst out laughing.
—Hahaha, you're still just as serious. What do you think of the village?
While they were talking, Sarada intervened curiously:
—So… he'll be the one to guide us?
Saku narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice:
—He seems a little serious… will he be okay?
Konohamaru put an arm around Mugino's shoulder and led him towards Team 7.
—Let me introduce you. His name is Mugino. We went on many missions together years ago, and he was a great teammate.
The receptionist nodded and added:
—Mugino is familiar with the area where the mission will take place. He'll be accompanying them on this occasion.
Team 7 looked at each other and nodded. Konohamaru smiled and formally introduced them.
—Mugino, these are my students: Sarada, Saku and Mitsuki.
The three of them bowed in respect. Saku stepped forward and extended his hand.
—It will be a pleasure to work with you.
Mugino looked at him somewhat lazily before answering coldly:
"This isn't a field trip. You'd better get ready." Then he looked around the rest of the team. "I hope they don't get in the way of the mission."
Without saying anything else, he turned and started walking towards the exit.
—We're leaving right now.
Saku smiled awkwardly, scratching his cheek.
—Wow… he is a bit agitated. I wonder why that is.
Sarada looked at him sideways and sighed.
—That's what you get for being playful. You should grow up.
Saku watched her with tears in his eyes, pretending to be hurt, while Sarada simply started walking. Mitsuki smiled silently, and little by little, the team left the place behind Mugino.
After a while, the group left Konoha and ran through the trees, keeping a steady course until they reached a rocky area with no vegetation.
As they ran at high speed, Mitsuki approached Mujino.
"What did your campaign mission consist of?" he asked calmly.
Mujino looked at him out of the corner of his eye, but looked back before answering:
—It's not entertaining at all.
Sarada, who was coming behind, also intervened:
—I'm interested in knowing that too.
Mujino sighed, and after a moment of silence, they reached a river. On the bank was a wooden boat. They pushed it into the water and climbed in. Mujino took the helm, and as the boat moved forward with the current, Team 7 watched closely, waiting for him to continue speaking.
Finally, Mujino opened his mouth:
—The mission was for my squadron to intervene in a conflict zone.
Saku frowned.
—Conflict zone?
"That's right," Mujino replied seriously. "The great elemental countries—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning—formed alliances that significantly reduced conflicts around the world. However, that only applies to them. Among the smaller countries, conflicts have increased."
Saku nodded slowly.
—I see… I guess the Fourth Ninja War didn't end all wars.
Konohamaru, who was at the front of the boat keeping an eye on the surroundings, intervened:
—Mujino's job was to put out those small sparks that could start a big fire.
The boat continued downriver until it entered a deep forest. Sunlight barely filtered through the treetops, casting shadows that seemed to move with the wind.
Mujino observed the surroundings in silence, and then spoke in a serious tone:
—Even if we seem to live in peace, there are always shadows lurking. In the end, we're still human... and there's always someone who wants to see the world burn.
Team 7 stared at each other in silence for a moment, reflecting on his words. Mujino, without taking his eyes off the river, continued speaking with the same seriousness:
—Although many don't know it…
The time passed calmly as they made their way downriver. After several hours, they disembarked and continued their journey, hopping through the trees, trying to advance as far as possible before nightfall. Finally, they found a quiet clearing and decided to camp.
They lit a fire and around it, Team 7 ate dumplings for dinner, while Konohamaru and Mujino took turns standing guard.
After a while, Mujino approached the group. His expression was as serious as ever.
"You'd better finish eating and go to sleep," he said dryly. "We'll have a long walk tomorrow."
Team 7 watched him in silence for a moment. Without further ado, Mujino jumped up and disappeared into the trees to resume their surveillance.
The three young men looked at each other. At that moment, Konohamaru appeared and spoke calmly:
—Don't you like Mujino?
Sarada looked at him and shook her head.
—It's not that… —he replied.
Saku smiled awkwardly.
—He treats us like we're useless. And well... that's a little annoying.
Konohamaru took another dumpling and spoke while chewing:
—Mujino spent a lot of time in conflict zones. That's why he seems cold and distant.
Saku looked down for a moment and muttered:
—Well, he has more experience than us, so I understand.
Konohamaru stood up, his expression serious, and said:
—He saved my life countless times. So don't worry too much... you'll eventually understand.
Team 7 nodded silently, accepting his words.
The next day they continued moving forward, jumping through the trees at great speed. After several minutes, they reached a valley covered in a dense fog.
Konohamaru and Mujino went ahead, placing themselves at the front, while Team 7 stopped behind them to observe the place.
Mujino spoke with a firm voice:
—This is the place.
Saku approached the edge of the valley and contemplated the gigantic expanse that disappeared into the mist.
"It doesn't need a name," he murmured, looking at Sarada and Mitsuki. "It really is huge."
Sarada replied calmly:
—Definitely a hard place to find.
Mitsuki nodded silently.
Mujino and Konohamaru resumed their march, leading the group toward a main path that descended into the valley. After a short walk, they found themselves in front of a massive wooden gate reinforced with metal. Several Valley Country shinobi were guarding it.
The fog covered much of the vision, making the presence of the guards even more tense.
Konohamaru slowly walked over to the guards, took out a scroll and handed it over.
—We're from Konoha. A person from your country requested a mission. Her name is Mia.
One of the shinobi took the scroll, examined it, and nodded seriously. He then looked at his companion, who nodded and disappeared in a flash. After a few moments, he reappeared, and the enormous door began to slowly open, creaking against the silence of the valley.
From the doorway emerged a young woman with plain brown hair that fell to her back. She was dressed soberly, without ornaments, which contrasted with the solemnity of the place.
Mia spoke in a clear voice:
—I was waiting for you. I'm Mia.
The team nodded silently, and Mia began walking back toward the village, followed by the entire team. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a huge wooden and iron elevator. They all boarded, and the mechanism began to slowly descend, gradually revealing the hidden interior of the village in the fog.
Team 7 watched silently through the elevator's glass as it slowly descended. The fog gradually parted, revealing the village hidden in the valley: wooden roofs, warm lights illuminating the narrow streets, and suspension bridges connecting platforms carved into the rock.
Konohamaru turned to Mia seriously.
—Can you tell us what's happening here?
Mia held her gaze, though concern shone in her eyes.
—Before… this valley was peaceful. There were only a few families living off fishing and farming. It was harsh, but peaceful. Everything changed when a water company arrived. They promised work and well-being, and the residents accepted.
He pulled a crumpled photograph from his coat. In it, he saw himself smiling next to a man with a firm expression.
—This is my husband, Anato . He became part of the company, indispensable to them. He worked in the labs, though he never told me anything… they said it was all secret.
Sarada narrowed her eyes.
—Do you know what they studied?
Mia shook her head slowly.
—No… just that they needed materials. Plants, wild sap, even the nests of rare birds. My husband traveled tirelessly looking for all of that. His job was to analyze them and deliver them to the lab.
Saku intervened in a low voice:
—And he disappeared during one of those expeditions?
Mia looked down and nodded regretfully.
"He should have been back a month ago. He always wrote down the exact date and never missed a visit. But this time..." she clutched the photo to her chest. "He didn't come back. I went to the company, begged for answers, but they told me everything was confidential."
Her lips trembled and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"That's why I asked Konoha for help. I know Anato 's still alive... I feel him here," she placed her hand on her heart. "But I'm afraid of what happened to him."
The members of Team 7 stared at each other in silence. Konohamaru clenched his jaw, while Mitsuki and Sarada remained alert.
The elevator arrived with a metallic rumble at the bottom of the valley. The doors opened, revealing the village in all its splendor. Below, there was no trace of fog, revealing a spacious and welcoming town, with well-kept houses and vibrant parks that stood out from the landscape.