"The battle has started over there…"
Kawaki sprinted, glancing at the main battlefield in the distance, growing increasingly shocked by the terror of Uncle Sasuke. If he got caught up in that, he might not withstand a single slash.
(Truly worthy of being the tough guy who defeated Otsutsuki Isshiki… If only I were that strong…)
"Sensei will handle things there. We just need to focus on completing our mission," Boruto urged softly without turning his head.
"The target is Kumogakure's Jinchūriki, right? I remember his name is Killer B? The younger brother of the former Fourth Raikage? Seems like he also knew the Seventh Hokage?" Kawaki turned and asked Boruto.
After the Fourth Ninja World War over a decade ago, among the nine Bijuu, only Kurama and Gyūki chose to return to their Jinchūriki, while the other seven opted for freedom, scattering across various places. Thus, the only confirmed location now was Kumogakure's Jinchūriki, Killer B, making him the primary target for Boruto and the others.
"That's right. I heard Dad say Uncle Killer B was his friend and saved him multiple times. They had a good relationship…"
"A former friend of the Seventh Hokage? You won't hesitate, will you?"
"You'd better worry about yourself. Without that Kāma power, don't hold me back later."
"Boruto, you…"
The two bickered as they rushed toward Kumogakure. Soon, Boruto and Kawaki reached the outskirts of the village.
Everything was unfolding as Sasuke and Amado had predicted. To prevent the village from being destroyed in a major war, Kumogakure chose to strike proactively, setting the battlefield outside the village.
Facing Sasuke and his group, who had razed Kirigakure, Kumogakure didn't dare hold back, deploying nearly all its elite forces, leaving only a handful of ninjas to guard the village. In other words, Kumogakure was at its weakest now.
This was also the best time to capture the Hachibi Jinchūriki!
What if the Hachibi Jinchūriki wasn't guarding the village but had gone to the battlefield?
Wouldn't that be even better? Sasuke's Six Paths could take down Gyūki with a single glance or a slap from Susano'o, saving time and effort.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At this moment, in front of a restricted military area on a Kumogakure mountainside, several figures faced off.
"Killer B-sama, please don't make this difficult. That thing absolutely cannot be moved!"
"Cannon, cannon~~ my cannon~~ I'm definitely taking it~~"
Killer B spoke in his familiar rap cadence, but his steps were resolute as he advanced toward a hollow cave behind the Kumogakure ninjas.
Inside was stored a secret weapon covertly developed by Kumogakure: the Space-Time Chakra Cannon! There was also another Diffusion Chakra Cannon stored in a different cave below.
When fully charged, a single shot from the Diffusion Chakra Cannon could destroy hundreds to thousands of meteors. Meanwhile, a fully charged Space-Time Chakra Cannon could even send half the moon to another dimension.
Remember, while Konoha was busy playing house, Kumogakure was secretly pushing its development, mastering the tech tree, and quietly building strategic weapons!
Never underestimate the power of ninja scientific technology!
"No way!"
"We'll never let you pass!"
"Raikage-sama said this is the village's last line of defense."
"It can only be activated if the enemy is about to invade the village!"
The Kumogakure squad leader was resolute. This was also the final order specifically entrusted by the Fifth Raikage before departing.
If their frontline forces collapsed and the enemy reached Kumogakure's gates, these two chakra cannons would undoubtedly be the village's last trump cards.
Why not take these high-tech cannons to the battlefield?
Joking aside, these cannons were the size of buildings, movable only on foundations and rails. Designed as defensive weapons to protect the village, they couldn't be easily transported for open-field combat.
Moreover, cannons inherently had high attack but low defense and required long charging times. If they encountered unexpected collisions during movement or a sudden confrontation…
Such cannons would only be a burden, unable to showcase their deterrent power. Thus, they were better suited to remain in the village as the final defense line.
Unfortunately, Killer B was deeply dissatisfied with this arrangement.
"Baka yarō, kono yarō!"
"If the enemy reaches the village, Big Bro and the others are done for."
"What's the point of these cannons then?"
"Do you want to see Big Bro and the others die?"
"Get out of the way, I'm taking this cannon to help Big Bro!" Killer B's emotions were straightforward.
Though he loved the village, despite being forced to stay by the Fourth Raikage, how could Killer B let Big Bro and the others fight to the death? He desperately wanted to help them.
However, Killer B wasn't foolish. Even his close friend, Uzumaki Jigen, lost to Otsutsuki Sasuke, meaning Kurama lost too. He understood that even combined with Gyūki, he might not defeat the enemy.
The only way to win was to bring Kumogakure's strongest weapon, the Chakra Cannon, to the battlefield, using the power of scientific ninja tools to deliver a fatal blow!
Though the cannon was large and hard to move, as a Jinchūriki, he could fully transform into a Bijuu, strong enough to carry it to the battlefield. Otherwise, staying in the village, waiting for Big Bro and the others to lose and die as the enemy invaded, would be more painful than killing Killer B!
"…"
The guarding Kumogakure ninjas exchanged glances. They couldn't refute Killer B's words. After all, if the enemy reached Kumogakure, it meant the frontline forces, especially both Raikage, had fallen.
As long as they were still breathing, they'd never let the enemy breach their defenses. All Kumogakure ninjas firmly believed this.
On one side were the Fourth and Fifth Raikage, whom they deeply respected; on the other was the village they swore to protect with their lives. Forcing them to choose between the two was excruciating.
"Kono yarō!"
"Move aside, I'm only taking one cannon!"
"I'll take the Space-Time Chakra Cannon, and the Diffusion Chakra Cannon will stay to guard the village. I just need that cannon to defeat Otsutsuki Sasuke, who killed Jigen!" Killer B offered a compromise.
This was indeed his goal. Compared to the Diffusion Chakra Cannon with scattered power, only the Space-Time Chakra Cannon could threaten Sasuke. So, he only intended to take one.
This wasn't a request—it was his final declaration. To save his brother, he was willing to do anything. If his comrades still disagreed, he'd have to use force!
"…"
"Alright, taking just one cannon shouldn't be an issue…"
"Besides, Raikage-sama and the others mustn't come to harm…"
The Kumogakure ninjas couldn't withstand Killer B's verbal assault and stepped aside one by one. Or perhaps, they knew that, aside from the Fourth Raikage, no one could stop a serious Killer B.
Overjoyed, Killer B lunged toward the chakra cannon in the cave. But after just a few steps, a warning from Gyūki in his consciousness exploded: "B, be careful!"
It was too late. Killer B didn't know where the danger came from, let alone have time to react.
The next second, a figure burst from the ground without warning. Kawaki's right hand had transformed into a spike, instantly piercing Killer B's abdomen!