In the previous chapter: Boruto watched the scene from an abandoned factory, using his clone to confront Shin. While Boruto planned to capture Shin using the Hiraishin, Sarada and Chocho attempted to defeat him. During the fight, Shin dodged Sarada and Chocho's attacks, and threw a large shuriken towards Chocho. Just before the shuriken reached her, Naruto intervened, quickly appearing next to the young ninjas.
Naruto confronted Shin, revealing his power by deflecting the attacks with Kurama's Chakra Mode. Though Shin attempted to fight back using his Mangekyo Sharingan, Naruto cornered him with Kurama's chakra hands. However, at the last moment, Shin escaped through a space-time jutsu, leaving Boruto frustrated, but aware that he would return to find Sarada.
Naruto, seeing the children, asked:
—What are you doing here?
Chocho, taking Naruto's hand and placing it on her head, replied:
—You are my dad!
Boruto looked at the scene, surprised and unable to imagine that Chocho was his father's daughter.
"No, I'm not your father," Naruto corrected, looking at Chocho with lines in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Boruto also looked at him with confusion. Chocho continued:
—But who was the one who didn't attack and why?
Boruto thought: Didn't he hear what that Shin guy said?
Naruto, looking back at Sarada, commented:
—It was probably because of Sarada.
Chocho, relieved, said:
—So it wasn't because of me.
Boruto, exhausted by the situation, didn't know what to say. Every word he heard left him stunned.
Naruto, puzzled, asked again:
—But why are you here?
Boruto replied:
"You forgot about lunch. I wanted to catch up with you to give it to you," she said as she raised her right hand and handed Naruto the lunch.
Naruto, surprised, accepted the lunch and said:
—Thank you, Boruto.
Boruto nonchalantly commented:
—Thank mom, I was the one who prepared it.
Naruto smiled, scratching his head with one hand, and then asked:
—And you, Sarada, why did you come?
Sarada quickly turned her head to look at the Seventh Hokage and explained:
—Well, I wanted to accompany Boruto and go on a trip.
Boruto looked at her, raising an eyebrow, thinking: When did this happen? He was about to speak, but Sarada gave him a sign with her eyes, asking him not to say anything. Boruto chose to remain silent.
Naruto, understanding the situation, said:
—Come with me, it will be safer. But first we have to eat.
Naruto started walking, and after a while they came to a meadow with a tree. They sat down under the tree.
"Well, let's eat and then we'll move," Naruto announced.
Chocho, excited, asked:
—Will they let me try the food?
Boruto looked at her with disdain and said:
—No, you don't taste, you devour. So you won't eat. After all, it's mom's food, I won't let you taste it.
—But I want to try it! —Choch protested.
"No, fatty," Boruto repeated firmly.
Naruto watched the scene in amusement, remembering how long it had been since he last saw his son argue. He passed Boruto and Chocho a rice ball, and gave one to Sarada as well.
While handing the rice ball to Sarada, Naruto commented:
"You look like Sakura," he smiled at her.
Sarada, surprised, lowered her head with a small smile of happiness.
After finishing eating, everyone said:
—Thank you for the meal.
Naruto put the container away and they stood up to start running again. As they moved forward, Chōchō commented:
—I have to find my father.
Naruto glanced at her as they ran and said:
—You know, your physique is very similar to Choji's. You look a lot like him, just like Sarada looks like Sakura. She reminds me of her. And well, Boruto... there's not much to say, he looks like me.
Naruto laughed happily, while Boruto looked at him without much interest.
"Mr. Seventh," Sarada said, "you were my father's teammate. I'd like you to tell me more about him. I want to know what he's like."
Naruto laughed excitedly.
—Hahaha, well, Sasuke doesn't wear glasses, but he has the same eyes as you. He's also handsome, like me. And he's smart, like me. He always got top grades at school, just like me.
Sarada felt proud hearing this.
"Really, Father? I don't believe it," Boruto interrupted. "I read the reports from that time and nowhere did it say what you're saying. Besides…"
Before she could finish, Naruto covered her mouth, laughing.
—Hahaha, as I was saying, your father was insensitive, arrogant and hostile, whenever I asked him something.
Sarada became dejected and lowered her head.
—But Sasuke was my rival and friend, so don't worry, Sarada.
Sarada smiled and they continued running.
—Also, where I'm going, I'll meet Sasuke. It'll be good if they meet up.
Sarada nodded, a smile on her face, eager to see her father. Boruto broke free from Naruto's grip and commented:
—So you're going to meet Sasuke Uchiha. That'll be interesting.
After running around, chatting and resting at a few stops, Sarada watched the Seventh Hokage, who was running ahead of her, thinking: Walking with the Seventh makes me feel safe.
Boruto, noticing her gaze, approached her and asked:
—What's wrong, Sarada? Why are you looking at my father so much? Do you feel safe?
Sarada looked at him without interest and replied:
—It's not something you care about.
Boruto, a little annoyed, said to him:
—I'm being nice to you, so don't make me regret it.
Sarada replied:
—Yes, of course, I would prefer you not to be nice.
Boruto smiled and said:
—That's true, if I'm nice to you I might mistake you for a boy and make you my best friend. —He laughed.
Sarada looked at him with disdain and replied:
—And you are not mistaken for stupid? Because you already are.
Boruto, stopping laughing, replied:
—What did you say, flat?
—What you heard, idiot —Sarada replied.
"Well, it seems you can't be nice to people," Boruto said as he pulled out a kunai.
"You've butted in where you don't belong," Sarada replied, also taking out a kunai.
Naruto and Chocho watched the scene with curiosity, commenting at the same time:
—They do get along well.
Boruto and Sarada, preparing for combat, shouted:
—Where?! This flat is just a hindrance! —Boruto said.
"You're the idiot and the hindrance!" Sarada replied.
The real Boruto, watching the situation from his hiding place, thought: Is this for real? I made such a stupid clone... what a pain. Even though I receive the memories of my clones, this is exhausting...
Naruto, Boruto, Sarada, and Chocho emerged from the dense forest, where light barely filtered through the lush green leaves. Stepping out of the thicket, they found themselves in a barren, almost desolate terrain. The trees here were a ghostly grey, twisted and dry, as if the life had been drained from them long ago. There were no leaves on their branches, only the ghostly silhouette of what was once a vibrant forest. The air was heavy, and an eerie silence hung over the place, broken only by the crunching underfoot of their walk.
Boruto and Sarada glanced at each other briefly, their faces reflecting the strangeness of their surroundings, before separating slightly, scanning the terrain cautiously.
A few moments later, Naruto, who had been scanning the horizon, spoke up, "There you go, guys, we're almost there." He pointed his hand towards a distant structure that towered over the barren landscape. "That tower over there is where Sasuke is waiting for me. But let's get some rest, it seems Chocho can't take it anymore."
The tower Naruto mentioned was a tall, ancient pagoda, its structure standing alone in the midst of the desolate landscape, its stepped roof standing out against the grey sky. It was made of dark stone and weathered wood, with small, narrow windows that let in little light.
They stopped to rest under the shade of one of the withered trees. Naruto pulled out a flask of water and handed it to Chocho, who dropped to the ground, panting from the effort. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her breathing was heavy. Boruto, for his part, leaned against a tree, observing the surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and impatience.
Sarada, meanwhile, approached Naruto with a serious expression. "Can I go to the bathroom?" she asked, looking in the direction of the tower.
Naruto looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Don't go too far," he warned her in a soft but firm voice.
Boruto, who had been watching Sarada, thought to himself, "You have no patience, Sarada." However, he didn't say anything and let her go.
Sarada broke away from the group, her steps quick and determined. She began to leap between the dry trees, her agile silhouette moving gracefully between the bare branches. Unnoticed by her, her eyes began to change, the sharingan of a tomoe activating, reflecting the excitement and tension she felt. In her mind, a single thought echoed loudly: "I'm coming, dad." Tears of joy welled up in her eyes as she approached the tower.
Arriving at the base of the pagoda, Sarada pushed open the wooden door, which creaked open. The interior was shrouded in a gloom that barely allowed one to see beyond a few meters. Only a small amount of light filtered through the windows at the top of the tower, casting long shadows on the stone floor.
Sarada moved towards the center of the tower, where a sturdy column stood like a solitary pillar. The only source of light barely illuminated her surroundings. Her eyes scanned every dark corner, anxiously searching for her father's figure.
Suddenly, a deep, familiar voice broke the silence. "How did you find me?" the voice asked, cold and cautious. Sasuke emerged from the shadows, his tall, slender figure coming into view as he approached Sarada.
Sarada's heart was pounding at the sight of her father. But her joy turned to confusion when Sasuke unsheathed his sword and aimed it at her. In one swift movement, he pinned her against the pillar, driving the sword right next to her head. Sarada was too shocked to speak, her eyes filling with tears as Sasuke's single hand reached for her face.
"Father!" Sarada screamed, the word leaving her mouth in desperation.
Sasuke stopped, his eyes widening in surprise. "Sarada?" he murmured, his voice soft as he pulled his hand away. He noticed the sharingan glowing in Sarada's eyes, a reflection of the same blood they shared.
Sasuke looked at Sarada with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low and tense.
Sarada, still recovering from the unexpected encounter, took a deep breath before answering.
"I recognized you when I saw you," he said with determination, his eyes still shining with the newly awakened Sharingan.
At that moment, the tower's door creaked open. Naruto, Chōchō , and Boruto entered, the light from outside casting their silhouettes on the walls of the pagoda. Naruto, with a smile that denoted relief, turned to Sarada.
"I knew you'd be here," he said, glancing at her briefly before looking up at Sasuke and starting to walk towards him. "Hello, Sasuke."
Chocho, seeing Sasuke for the first time, couldn't help but mutter under her breath:
"He's very handsome," she said, looking at him with admiration.
Boruto, for his part, crossed his arms and looked at Sasuke with an appraising expression.
—So this is Sasuke Uchiha, the one who is on the same level as my father —he thought out loud, mixing respect and defiance in his tone.
Sasuke opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly he felt someone grab his hand. It was Chocho, who placed it on top of her head. Sasuke looked down, somewhat bewildered, and then spoke with a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"What are you playing? Why did you bring the kids?" she asked, addressing Naruto.
Sarada, who had been silent, holding back her emotions, finally burst out.
—Dad! I came to find you because I wanted to ask you something... What about my mom? Is she my real mother? —His voice trembled as he pulled a photo out of his pocket and showed it to Sasuke, his hands shaking slightly.
Naruto, intrigued by the sudden intensity of the situation, leaned down slightly to look at the photo Sarada was holding. His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the image: in the photo, Sasuke was surrounded by an albino man, an orange-haired man, and a red-haired woman. Sasuke was in the center, and the image seemed to be filled with hidden meanings.
"Something happened," Sasuke said, sensing the tension in the air.
Sarada continued speaking, her voice shaking with pent-up emotion.
—I wanted to meet you. I eavesdropped on the Hokage and Shikamaru's conversation, that's why I came here. I wanted to know why you're not home, why you never come.
Sasuke looked at her coldly and replied:
—That's none of your business.
Elsewhere, the real Boruto, watching the scene through his clone, couldn't help but laugh.
—Hahaha, that was so funny... Hahaha, that Sasuke... I can't stop laughing.
Sarada, hearing the indifference in her father's voice, opened her tear-filled eyes and ran out of the tower.
Everyone looked at Sasuke, expecting him to follow her, but he remained motionless. Naruto finally spoke:
—Aren't you going to go get her, Sasuke?
Sasuke pulled out the sword that was stuck in the column and put it back into its sheath, without saying anything. Chocho, with a disapproving expression, commented:
—You lack delicacy. Thank goodness you're not my dad.
Boruto, who had been watching the scene silently, didn't say anything either. Naruto looked at Sasuke seriously and asked:
—You could at least tell us why you are not in the village.
Sasuke remembered a moment from the past. Flashback: Sasuke was in the Hokage building, in one of the many meeting rooms, looking out the window at the Konoha village as he put on his black cloak. Naruto entered the room and approached Sasuke.
"Aren't you going to stop by your house, at least to say hello to Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"No need. I need to leave immediately," Sasuke replied. "Searching for information on what threatened Kaguya is the priority. The creation of an army like the White Zetsu is because Kaguya was afraid of something, and it is best to check carefully."
—Then I'll go with you —Naruto insisted.
—No, you must protect the village as the Hokage that you are. Besides, I'm the only one who can travel between dimensions thanks to the Rinnegan —replied Sasuke.
—We made many sacrifices to maintain this peace. We cannot let it be lost —Naruto said.
Sasuke turned around and spoke with determination:
—This is a trip for my atonement. See you later, Naruto.
"See you later, Sasuke," Naruto replied, as he continued to look out the window at Konoha. Sasuke left the room and said to himself, "This is the cooperation you wanted, and what I'm about to do will be a top secret mission, only reported to the higher-ups." End of flashback.
"Sakura is with her, she'll be okay," Sasuke said, returning to the present.
Sasuke looked at Boruto, who was watching him with his hands in his pockets and an indifferent expression. Sasuke spoke:
—He's your son, right, Naruto? They look alike.
Naruto smiled a little, scratching the back of his neck.
—Yes, he's my son, Boruto.
Sasuke looked straight into Boruto's eyes and commented:
—It seems that you are fine now, your eyes no longer show a void.
Naruto, surprised, looked at Boruto. Boruto simply shrugged and replied:
—That was a long time ago. It doesn't matter now.
Sasuke didn't say anything else and left the place. Naruto and Boruto followed him shortly after.
Sarada was sitting on a rock, crying silently. On another rock nearby, Chocho, not knowing what to say, took some chips out of her backpack and started eating.
"I don't like these kinds of moments, they stress me out," Chocho said as she continued eating.
Suddenly, Boruto appeared behind Chocho, surprising her.
"What's wrong, Chocho?" Boruto asked, laughing at having scared her.
Chocho, who had become a little angry, pointed in Sarada's direction.
—Look over there.
Boruto saw Sarada, who was crying inconsolably. A moment later, Naruto arrived to talk to her. He walked over and gently touched her shoulder, causing Sarada to look at him sadly.
—Sarada, you can count on one thing: your father is an unrivaled ninja —Naruto said, trying to comfort her.
Sarada looked at him without much interest, her sadness still evident. Chōchō watched the scene with concern for her friend. Boruto, for his part, thought to himself: What a way to comfort someone .
Elsewhere, a hooded man spoke in a low voice.
—It's time to move. Our goal is near. I will do my best for the revival of Akatsuki.
The hooded man removed his cloak, revealing a black suit with red clouds. He had several Sharingan embedded in his head and white skin. Behind him, there were five shinobi identical to Shin, ready to act.
Sasuke, meanwhile, re-entered the tower. He walked over to the pillar where he had stabbed his sword and touched the opening it had left. He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering when his daughter was crying. Suddenly, Chocho appeared behind him.
"Here," he said, offering her a bag of chips.
Sasuke looked at her curiously.
—What are they for?
"These potatoes are my favorite. Give them to Sarada to make her feel better," Chōchō replied .
Sasuke was about to answer, but looked up at the top of the pagoda, his Sharingan activated.
Meanwhile, with Sarada and Naruto, the situation was getting more tense. Sarada, determined, spoke:
—If you don't want to give me information, I'll look for it myself.
She got up from the rock and started to run, but Naruto grabbed her arm.
—Wait, Sarada. If you talk to Sasuke, I know everything will be fine.
Boruto, who was watching the scene, suddenly felt a strange chakra that made him turn completely. At the top of the pagoda, a small white being was watching them. From a spinning vortex that the small being created with his Sharingan, the figure with several eyes and a shin appeared.
While jumping from the pagoda tower
The being with many eyes spoke:
—Go get them, Shin.
Shin, with a cold and calculated voice, replied:
—Understood, father.
At that instant, the multi-eyed being launched a group of sharp blades towards Naruto. Naruto quickly activated Kurama's chakra, generating a wave of energy that deflected the blades in midair. However, the multi-eyed being, using his Sharingan, manipulated the blades in flight, directing them back towards Naruto with deadly precision.
Sarada, trembling in fear, watched the battle, unable to look away. Naruto, with fierce determination, summoned Kurama's head into its chakra mode. The gigantic head emerged, absorbing the blades that crashed into Kurama's protective shield.
—Sasuke, I'll leave it to you! —Naruto said calmly.
Sasuke, with superhuman agility, jumped from the ground and positioned himself in front of the multi-eyed being. He unsheathed his sword with precision and launched a thrust towards his opponent. The multi-eyed being, showing no signs of fear, stopped Sasuke's sword with his bare hands, sliding it through his hand and cutting him.
"Shin!" the being with several eyes shouted.
Shin, who had been falling alongside his father, sent his three-pronged weapon towards Sasuke with devastating force, aiming for the center of his target. Just when it seemed like Shin's attack was going to reach Sasuke, Sasuke activated his Rinnegan and switched places with Shin.
Sasuke quickly turned towards the being with several eyes, making a quick handstand with his one hand. With a determined shout, he launched his fire technique.
—Katon: Endan no Jutsu! —he exclaimed, as a gigantic ball of fire emerged from his mouth, cleaving through the air with scorching heat.
The multi-eyed being, surprised by the intensity of the attack, activated his Sharingan and placed his son behind him to protect him. The fireball hit Shin squarely, throwing father and son to the ground with a thunderous "Boom!"
Sasuke landed next to Naruto inside Kurama's head, using protective chakra to keep himself safe. Sarada, her eyes filled with admiration, spoke in wonder.
—Amazing, Dad!
Naruto, without losing his composure, answered with a slight smile:
—That's nothing.
Chocho, who was watching from the tower door, added enthusiastically:
—It's incredible!
Meanwhile, Boruto, who had distanced himself from the fight, was sitting on a rock, watching the scene with a calculating expression. He thought to himself:
"That speed isn't bad... it's strong, but I wonder what its limit is. Now is when the real fight begins."
The multi-eyed being began to slowly rise from the ground, while Naruto, frowning, asked:
-Who are you?
The being let out a chilling laugh.
—I am Shin Uchiha, from Akatsuki.
Naruto was surprised to hear that name.
—Akatsuki?
Sarada, still in disbelief, muttered:
—He has the same name as the other Shin...
Both Boruto and Chocho shared the same surprise in silence. Meanwhile, the real Boruto, observing the scene through the eyes of his clone, mused:
"The name itself makes no sense. Also, the way he uses his supposed son is... strange, no matter how you look at it."
Back in the fight, Sasuke slowly approached Shin, intent on getting answers.
"I hope you are ready. Today you will answer all of our questions," she said in a firm voice as she walked towards Shin.
But before Sasuke could break out of Kurama's chakra, Shin activated his Sharingan. Suddenly, Naruto spat out blood, shocking Sasuke, who quickly turned around to see his sword stuck in Naruto's stomach.
Shin, with a cold smile, spoke:
—It seems that things have changed.
Kurama's head in chakra mode faded away, and Naruto fell to the ground on one knee, as the blades that had injured him fell around him.
"What are you doing resting?" Shin mocked.
Little Shin, injured and with his clothes singed, slowly stood up.
Naruto, with the sword still stuck in his abdomen, said with effort:
—Using your own son as a sacrifice... that's not what a father does.
The real Boruto, who was still watching through his clone, thought:
"It seems like he can control weapons... or maybe it's something else, a seal or a mark. But well, since he's here, it's time to capture them. I'll have to take control of the clone for a while."
Suddenly, Boruto's clone sensed a chakra approaching at full speed and sent the information to the real Boruto, who was shocked.
"It seems that reinforcements have arrived... but this speed... is fast. It seems that I won't have to do anything."
Shin, with a malicious smile, spoke:
—The game is over.
He activated his Sharingan again and directed the falling blades towards Sarada at full speed. However, Sasuke got in the way and the blades stabbed into his back.
"Dad, Dad!" Sarada cried, full of concern.
Sasuke tried to move, but noticed that his movements were restricted.
—My movements... it's the ability of his Sharingan.
Shin, seeing the opportunity, charged towards his enemies to finish them off. At that moment, a colossal punch hit his side, sending him to the ground with a thunderous "Boom!", raising a cloud of dust around him.
"Shacnaroo!" a familiar voice shouted.
Sarada recognized the voice instantly and shouted:
-Mother!
Naruto and Sasuke looked on, surprised by Sakura's sudden arrival. Boruto, from his position, thought:
"What great strength!"
Sakura stood up, her gaze filled with determination and fury as she turned to Shin.
—How dare you hurt my daughter and my husband, you trash?
Turning to look at his companions, he asked:
—Who is this and why is he attacking them?
Sasuke, while removing the blades from his back, replied:
—That's what I want to find out.
Naruto, with effort, added:
—I'm here too.
Sakura quickly approached her companions, worried about their condition.
"Are you okay, Naruto?" she asked as she helped him up.
Naruto, with a forced smile, pulled the sword out of his abdomen, as steam rose from the wound, indicating that his chakra was healing it rapidly. He then handed the sword to Sasuke.
Sarada watched the scene in disbelief, impressed by her parents' strength and Naruto's quick recovery.
"What's wrong with them? They're so strong... and that wound healed so fast... they say there's a beast trapped inside."
Inside Naruto's subconscious, Kurama crossed his arms and scolded him.
—You're really rusty... is this enough to scare you?
Naruto, still feeling the pain, replied:
—I'm telling you that, Kurama.
Out of her subconscious, Sakura quickly approached Sarada, bending down to hug her tightly.
"Sarada, are you okay?" she asked, looking her over, relieved not to see any injuries on her daughter.
—But... Mom, why are you here? —Sarada asked, still confused.
"Shizune told me what happened," Sakura replied.
Sarada lowered her head, saying nothing, while Sakura stood up and joined her companions, ready to continue the battle.
Naruto, after healing his wound, exhaled deeply and said, "Looks like it's over," as two large hands made of Kurama's chakra emerged from his body. He carefully picked up the two Shins lying on the ground, unconscious.
Boruto, who had been watching the battle from a rock, stood up to approach his father and the others. However, just as he was about to do so, he noticed the presence of a small white being moving stealthily behind Sarada. He decided to stay where he was and sit down again, sensing that something else was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Naruto was halfway through bringing the bodies of his enemies towards him, when suddenly, a spinning vortex appeared out of nowhere, trapping the two Shins. Simultaneously, another vortex materialized behind Sarada, attempting to suck her inside.
Sakura, who was paying attention to her surroundings, noticed what was happening and shouted desperately, "Sarada!" Without thinking twice, she ran at full speed towards her daughter. At the last moment, she pushed Sarada hard, moving her away from danger. Sarada fell to the ground hard and, turning around quickly, tried to reach her mother's hand.
But it was too late. The vortex had completed its mission, and in the blink of an eye, Sakura was completely sucked in, disappearing before everyone's eyes. Sarada, with tears in her eyes and her hand outstretched towards where her mother had been moments before, couldn't believe what had just happened.
Naruto and Sasuke, horrified by Sakura's sudden disappearance, were momentarily paralyzed by shock and despair. The atmosphere was filled with tension as everyone present took in the gravity of what had happened, knowing that the danger was not yet over.
Elsewhere, more specifically in a clinically white underground lair, Sakura found herself surrounded by several Shins , each identical to the last, with the same cold, calculating gaze. The atmosphere was oppressive, with smooth, featureless walls that gave the feeling of being trapped. In front of her, stood the adult Shin, watching her with an expression of malicious satisfaction.
Shin's clones surrounded her, ready to attack if she made any wrong move. The situation was tense, and Sakura, though worried, maintained her firm stance, prepared for any eventuality. She knew she was in a precarious situation, but her determination did not waver.
Sakura spoke with determination, though with a grimace of resignation on her face. "It seems I have fallen into the lion's den," she muttered, aware of the gravity of her situation.
Elsewhere, more specifically with Naruto and his group, the tension was palpable. Naruto activated his sage mode, closing his eyes and trying to track Shin. "It's impossible," he said, frustration evident. "The space-time jutsu leaves no trace. They're either very far away, or they're protected by a powerful barrier. I can't sense Sakura's chakra."
Boruto, who was watching everything from a nearby rock, approached his father, while Chocho, who was on the tower, also approached to comfort her friend Sarada.
Back at Shin's underground base, Adult Shin was lying on a stretcher, with Child Shin at his side, who had been with him during the battle. Adult Shin spoke, his voice cold, "Keep an eye on her." Shin's clones surrounding Sakura responded in unison, "Yes, Father."
Adult Shin spoke again, with a mix of authority and pain, "You are useful, so you will live. You may still have some value." He groaned in pain as he touched his chest, then continued, "You caused quite a bit of trouble."
Sakura, without losing her composure, replied, "It was your fault for attacking my husband, my daughter, and also my best friend. Also, let me treat that child beside you. After all, he could die, and I don't think you want that to happen."
Adult Shin looked at her indifferently and replied, "My son? You are wrong. They are nothing more than clones created from my tendons and teeth, meant to help and improve me."
Sakura spoke in disbelief, "Clones? Impossible. The only one who could do something like that is…"
Shin interrupted her: "That's right. My master is Orochimaru."
Sakura frowned upon hearing Shin's response, feeling a mix of surprise and repulsion. At that moment, Shin activated the Sharingan embedded in his head, and, above the clone Shin, blades began to move.
"What are you doing?" Sakura asked, alarmed.
The blades stabbed into the clone's body, taking his life in a cold and calculating act. Sakura, resigned, understood that she could no longer save the boy's life. At that moment, a blade opened the clone's stomach vertically, beginning a macabre operation.
"What you're doing is horrible," Sakura said indignantly. "Even though they are clones, you raised them as if they were your children."
Shin, while manipulating the organs to transplant them into his own body, replied coldly, "They are nothing more than spare parts. Nothing more, nothing less. There is no need to be sad. After all, living beings do not really die."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked with an angry tone in her voice.
—These clones are just genes. It is true that living beings die, but with clones it is different. It is what I call the life system.
—A body is not just a vessel for another. Every being has its own thoughts. Between parents and children, or families, there is much more than just genes —Sakura replied firmly.
Shin, unfazed, continued: "Genes are the essence of life and advancement. We negotiate with the strong to create stronger beings. That is life and so is evolution."
Sakura, full of disdain, replied: "You don't understand anything you're saying, nor what it means to be a parent, nor what a family means.
Shin, with a fanatical gleam in his eyes, said, "War makes us stronger, it makes us evolve. Only when humans are cornered, put against the ropes, do we take the step to grow and advance. In wars and battles, new weapons, jutsus and techniques are developed, all to finish off the enemy. From these conflicts, the strongest ninjas are born, those who are called heroes or villains. In the past, there was Akatsuki, an organization capable of making the ninja world tremble, starting the fourth shinobi war. I will make the shinobi world tremble again, to continue with the evolution, following the will of Itachi Uchiha."
As Shin finished his operation, he mentally prepared himself for the upcoming battle, certain of his purpose and his mission.
As night fell over the tower, Naruto and his group found themselves in an atmosphere of tension and worry. Naruto was leaning against a pillar, under the light of a lamp hanging from it, with a thoughtful expression. Sarada and Chocho were sitting near him, observing the surroundings in silence. Boruto was sitting on the stairs, his gaze fixed on the ground, while Sasuke watched the entrance from the door.
Naruto broke the silence: "Shin might have a connection with Orochimaru."
Sarada raised her head, intrigued. "Orochimaru?"
Boruto, surprised by the mention of the name, asked, "Orochimaru?"
"That's right," Naruto replied. "Master Kakashi told me that the only one who could be related to this is Orochimaru."
Sarada remembered what she had heard before and said, "I've heard about him… he's a criminal who attacked the village, right?"
Naruto nodded, his expression hardening. "He's a dangerous guy."
Sasuke, who had remained silent until now, added, "Shin had an arm full of Sharingans. Only Orochimaru could do something like that."
Chocho, with confusion on her face, asked, "So, is that Orochimaru guy with Sarada's mom?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, Orochimaru is being watched. Besides, I don't think he's directly involved in this problem."
Sasuke, in his usual cold tone, suggested, "Anyway, we have to go with Orochimaru to find out information about Shin and find his hideout."
Sarada stood up, her voice filled with frustration. "Why don't you think about Mom? You're so insensitive!"
Naruto tried to calm the situation, but Sasuke responded first, with coldness and discipline: —The most important thing for a ninja on a mission is not to get carried away by emotions. If you want to become an exceptional ninja, you must learn to control them.
Sarada glared at him, feeling misunderstood. Chocho, trying to ease the tension, raised his hand with a bag of chips and said in a carefree tone: "I only have the low-salt ones left."
Sarada looked at her, and for a moment, a slight smile appeared on her face. "Chocho…"
Naruto took the moment to intervene: "Well, you two will come with us."
Sasuke looked at him in disbelief. "What are you saying, Naruto?"
Naruto maintained his stance and replied, "It's better for you to come with us. That way, you'll be safer."
Naruto then leaned towards Sarada and whispered in her ear, "You might find the person in the photo."
Sarada was filled with hope and a spark of happiness lit up her face. Boruto stood up and approached his companions, knowing that they were about to leave.
With determination, everyone left the tower, ready to head to Orochimaru's lair. They opened the door and began to run under the moonlight.
"We'll arrive tomorrow morning, so keep up the pace," Naruto said, as everyone ran at full speed.
Everyone was running with determination, except Chocho, who was struggling to keep up. He was sweating profusely and showing signs of fatigue, but he continued to push himself to keep up.
After running for most of the night, they arrived at the outskirts of Orochimaru's lair. The terrain was barren and rocky, and behind some rocks, Naruto came across a familiar figure. It was a person dressed in a chunin vest and a protective ninja band that covered from his forehead to his cheeks.
"Hello, Captain Yamato," Naruto said, recognizing him immediately.
Yamato replied with a slight smile, "Don't call me that, Hokage. That was a long time ago; it doesn't sound right to call me that anymore."
Naruto, however, insisted, "To me, you will always be Captain Yamato."
Yamato nodded and then added, "You've come to see Orochimaru, right? I can't move from this place, it's my mission to watch him. You'll have to do it yourselves, I can't abandon my post."
"I understand," Naruto said, respecting his commitment. Without another word, he began to run towards the entrance of the lair, with his group following close behind him.
As they entered the lair, they found themselves in a labyrinth of endless hallways. The structure was confusing, with corridors crossing and branching off in multiple directions.
Naruto, feeling disoriented, stopped and asked, "Where do we go now?"
Sasuke, with his characteristic confidence, replied, "Follow me."
Naruto, Boruto, Sarada, and Chocho began to follow him, while Sasuke led them through the winding hallways, changing directions frequently. Boruto watched the walls, noticing the intricate drawings of snakes and other similar animals that decorated the place.
—This is a maze —Boruto thought—. No matter how you look at it, it's hard not to get lost. All the hallways are the same... although Sasuke seems to know exactly where he's going. It must be because of the drawings on the walls.
After a while of running, they came to an intersection. Sasuke stopped, and the group did the same, waiting for his next move.
Suddenly, a voice was heard from the darkness: "Sasuke, what brings you here? This place is not for children," said an albino with a sardonic smile. Behind him, another figure appeared, a man with orange hair.
—Suigetsu, Jugo, it's perfect that you're here. Take us to him —Sasuke said, his tone authoritative.
Jugo spoke, Hokage!
Boruto, sensing a strange energy, thought to himself, "These are the chakras I sensed before... but there are more, beneath us. Those chakras are different, strange... And besides, one of them is at the level of a Kage and is getting closer."
Sarada, for her part, looked at them closely and thought: "They are the ones in the photo..."
Suigetsu, crossing his arms with a defiant smile, replied, "And why should we follow your orders, Sasuke?"
Jugo spoke decisively: "I will take them."
At that moment, everyone fell silent. Naruto, who was standing behind Sasuke, spoke in a low voice, "It seems there is no need to continue searching for him, Sasuke."
Just then, footsteps were heard approaching the group. A figure with white skin and long, straight hair appeared before them. With a small smile on his face, the figure spoke, "It seems I have visitors. I wasn't expecting it."
Boruto thought to himself, "This is Orochimaru, I can feel it… he's dangerous. This feeling he's giving off is completely different from that of a human." Meanwhile, the real Boruto, who was watching everything through his clone's eyes, was thinking, "This is Orochimaru… he looks really strong. This feeling in my chest tells me that fighting him will be fun." Boruto touched his chest with his hand, feeling a mix of excitement and defiance. "His face tells me that he's not afraid of anyone, not even Sasuke and my father. This is really fun." A strong killing intent emanated from Boruto's body, and a malicious smile appeared on his face. "When we meet face to face, I'll fight you. It's sure to be a lot of fun."
Back at Orochimaru's lair, Sarada spoke in a fearful tone, "Is this Orochimaru?" Her fear clearly showing. Chocho, beside her, was just as scared.
Chocho spoke, with a mix of confusion and nervousness: "But... just in case... would he be my father... or my mother?" while looking at Orochimaru with uncertainty.
Sarada looked at her in disbelief, not knowing how to answer that question. Meanwhile, Boruto, who was listening to everything, was left with a shocked expression, with lines in his eyes, unable to believe what he had just heard.
Sasuke spoke, his gaze intense. "Orochimaru, one of your people kidnapped my wife and attacked my daughter. I don't know what he's planning, but you better talk."
Orochimaru stared at him with a slight smile and replied, "Did I do something suspicious? Then why are you watching me?"
Sasuke started walking towards Orochimaru and said, "So, who is this Shin Uchija?"
Orochimaru was momentarily surprised and then replied, "Follow me, I will tell you everything later."
They started walking and came to a room where there were tubes or incubators, inside which beings were being formed. Boruto looked at one of the tubes and saw something that caught his attention; inside one of the tubes, there was a being very similar to Mitsuki.
Orochimaru approached the tubes, looked at them with nostalgia and said: "Shin… that name brings back memories. He was one of the experiments of the past, but he is no longer with me; he escaped long ago. The right arm that Danzo used was Shin's. He is very interesting, he has a body capable of adapting to any kind of transplant. He was the best of the clones."
Naruto, confused, asked, "Clones?"
Orochimaru turned to look at Naruto and replied, "Well, how can I explain it so you understand? Mmm ... well, it would be like a shadow clone, but it never disappears into smoke, but remains."
"So how do they disappear?" Naruto asked. "After they've fulfilled their assigned function?"
—Well, it would be by killing them, after all it is the only way —Orochimaru answered.
Naruto replied, "People are not simple, Orochimaru; every living being has its own mind."
Orochimaru gave a cold laugh and said, "People are simpler than they seem, Naruto. After all, people are slaves to their genes, like your son or Sarada, Sasuke's daughter. They resemble their parents because of their genes. Genes are a compendium of recorded information; if you change a gene, that information will be altered."
Sarada muttered to herself, "Genes…"
Boruto glanced at Sarada and then turned his attention back to Orochimaru, listening to the conversation. With confidence, he spoke, "Even if the genes are changed, you won't be able to change the fact that that person is still who they are. Orochimaru, you can change your genes thousands of times, but you won't be able to alter the essence of who you are. You can modify your appearance, your abilities, and even your nature, but in the end, you are still Orochimaru. Genes are only a part of who we are; what really matters is our will, our decisions, and the connections we form with others. Those are the things that truly define a person. The way you talk tires me out."
Everyone present turned to look at him, surprised by Boruto's words.
Orochimaru turned to look at him, surprised, and said, "True, I can't change that part." He let out a low laugh and thought to himself, "But what a smart kid. Plus, the way he looks at me is challenging… how interesting."
Sasuke brought up the topic again: "Back to the point, then, why does Shin use the surname Uchija?"
Orochimaru replied, "He took possession of it. Since he uses Sharingans, he became obsessed with them, especially your older brother, Itachi Uchiha."
"Well, we already know where it came from," Sasuke said. "So how do we find it?"
Orochimaru replied with a smile, "Everyone has questions except you, kid. I like you."
Boruto looked at him without much interest and replied: "Don't come near me, you give me a bad feeling."
Orochimaru let out another of his signature laughs and then turned to Sasuke. "Fine, fine. If Konoha catches that pest Shin, they'll be doing me a favor. Besides, I owe Naruto a debt," he said as he looked at the Hokage. "So, how's the kid doing? Is he okay?"
Naruto replied, "Don't worry, he's doing fine."
Orochimaru nodded and said, "Good. Follow me, I will explain in detail how to find him."
Orochimaru began to walk, and the others followed closely behind.
At that moment, Sarada stood back a little, next to Suigetsu. With a low and cautious voice, Sarada moved closer to him and said:
—You were my dad's classmates, right?
Suigetsu glanced at her and replied in a carefree tone:
—Well... more or less.
Sarada took out a photo from her pocket and showed it to Suigetsu, pointing at the red-haired girl in the picture.
"Do you know this woman?" she asked, curious.
Suigetsu examined the photo carefully before saying:
—Oh, of course, it's Karin.
Sarada nodded, internalizing the name.
—So her name is Karin... Is she here?
Suigetsu shook his head.
—No, she is somewhere else.
Sarada put the photo away, a mix of emotions flashing across her face.
"I want to ask you another favor," he added, his tone more serious.
Boruto, who had noticed Sarada lagging behind, glanced at her from the corner of his eye, wondering what she was planning.
Sarada and Suigetsu separated from the group and headed to a secluded room. Once inside, Suigetsu looked at her questioningly.
—What do you want? —he asked.
"I want you to do a DNA test on me," Sarada said firmly.
Suigetsu raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request.
—Why do you want a DNA test? And with whom?
Sarada hesitated for a moment before answering:
—I don't think I'm my mother's daughter, but the daughter of the woman in the photo, Karin.
Suigetsu took a step back, taking in what Sarada had said.
"Really? I didn't think Sasuke was with multiple women…" he muttered, though an image of Karin approaching Sasuke flashed through his mind. "But I don't think Karin…"
Sarada interrupted him, determined:
—But there is a possibility... If we compare genes, we can know if I am Karin's daughter or my mother's.
Suigetsu sighed and nodded. He walked over to a desk, opened a cabinet and began searching.
"It should be around here somewhere..." he muttered as he searched around. After a few seconds, he pulled out a small, clear plastic box containing what looked like an umbilical cord.
"This is Karin's umbilical cord," Suigetsu said. "I'll run the DNA test."
Sarada nodded, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. Suigetsu pulled out a utensil to take a saliva sample from Sarada's mouth. After a few moments, Suigetsu said:
"We'll analyze your sample with Karin's and see how closely related they are," he said, pointing to a computer.
Sarada nodded again, watching Suigetsu's every move. He stood up from his chair and stood behind her, watching the screen alongside Sarada as they waited for the result.
A few moments later, the computer displayed the result: 99% blood match.
Suigetsu, still behind Sarada, said in a soft voice:
—It seems that Karin is your mother, no doubt.
Sarada couldn't believe her eyes. Her eyes turned cold, as if she had lost all hope, and she began to cry silently. Suigetsu watched her, and saw how tears began to slide down her cheeks.
The revelation had left Sarada devastated, facing a truth she had never imagined.