Killer B wasn't foolish; he understood Boruto's threat.
"Baka yarō, you want to trade me for Omoi?"
Boruto nodded coldly: "His life or death depends on your choice. I'm giving you ten seconds to decide!"
Killer B looked at his struggling disciple Omoi, without a hint of hesitation, and agreed firmly: "Fine!"
"Release Omoi. I'm willing to surrender and go with you."
As he spoke, Killer B dispelled his chakra cloak, exiting partial Bijuu mode. He stepped toward Boruto and Kawaki, signaling his surrender and readiness to be a hostage in exchange for his disciple.
Seeing this, Omoi thrashed even more violently, trying to signal Killer B to ignore him. Overwhelmed with shame and guilt, he even wanted to take his own life to eliminate the threat he posed as his teacher's weakness. Unfortunately, with his hands and feet bound and his mouth gagged, he couldn't even do that…
"Killer B-sama, don't!"
"Don't trust this bastard!"
"Killer B-sama!"
The nearby Kumogakure ninjas grew anxious, like ants on a hot pan. From the village's perspective, trading a mere Omoi for the Jinchūriki Killer B was a massive loss! Moreover, if the enemy achieved their goal, who knew what greater threat it would bring to the village!
This lopsided deal—exchanging something minor for something critical—anyone with a shred of sense wouldn't agree to, right?
Several Kumogakure ninjas immediately rushed forward, surrounding Killer B to stop him from doing something foolish.
"Baka yarō, kono yarō!"
"Omoi is my disciple; I have to save him!"
Killer B was resolute, shoving aside the ninjas and continuing toward Boruto, prepared to trade himself for his disciple's life.
Seeing they couldn't stop Killer B, the Kumogakure ninjas acted decisively, turning to attack Boruto and Kawaki. Whether they defeated the enemy and saved Omoi or forced the enemy to kill Omoi…
Either way, it would make the decision for Killer B, resolving the stalemate and preventing their Jinchūriki from falling into enemy hands.
Seeing his comrades attack, Omoi felt both pain and relief. He desperately hoped they'd free him, sparing his teacher from the threat…
"I'll hand the hostage to you—be careful."
As the Kumogakure ninjas attacked, Boruto tossed Omoi to Kawaki beside him, gripped his kunai, and charged alone. He took on the group of ninjas single-handedly.
"Watch out for that Jinchūriki; he's strong!"
Kawaki warned seriously. Though they bickered daily, he and Boruto genuinely didn't want each other to get hurt.
With Kawaki holding the hostage, Killer B didn't dare attack recklessly. Thus, Boruto, alone, defeated the five Kumogakure ninjas in less than half a minute. After all, these ninjas weren't particularly strong—just one Tokubetsu Jōnin and four Chūnin. Most of Kumogakure's elite forces were on the main battlefield, leaving few Jōnin in the village.
After clearing the obstacles, Boruto walked alone to face Killer B.
The two stood opposite each other. Killer B, at 1.9 meters tall, towered nearly half a body over Boruto. The size difference was significant. Yet, Killer B didn't dare underestimate this small, sinister Otsutsuki child.
"Baka yarō, an Otsutsuki this small is this strong?"
"I didn't kill them, but if you keep stalling, that's not guaranteed. More Kumogakure ninjas are gathering here, right?" Boruto pressed coldly.
He hadn't killed the five ninjas, a show of sincerity toward Killer B.
"Release Omoi, and I'll go with you!" Killer B raised both hands, signaling his genuine willingness to trade as a hostage.
"Fine!"
Boruto agreed readily, already stepping in front of Killer B. Then, he suddenly attacked, thrusting his kunai into Killer B's chest!
*PU-CHI!*
Killer B, with hands raised in surrender, hadn't expected Boruto's sudden attack and had no time to defend. The kunai pierced his heart.
"You—!"
Killer B was willing to surrender, first to save his disciple, and second because he believed the enemy wouldn't kill him. Kawaki had only severely injured and tried to hold him hostage earlier, proving the enemy likely didn't intend to kill him, perhaps respecting his Jinchūriki status. They might fear that killing him would also kill Gyūki. So, even after the hostage exchange and his capture, the enemy shouldn't rush to kill him.
(Why the sudden lethal attack now?)
(Did I misjudge?)
Killer B was full of confusion, but the kunai was firmly lodged in his heart. Boruto even deliberately twisted it once, thoroughly destroying his opponent's heart!
*SWOOSH!*
Boruto pulled out his kunai, blood spurting from the wound. Killer B's large body staggered back and collapsed to the ground.
"Boruto, what are you doing? Weren't we supposed to capture the Jinchūriki alive? Why'd you kill him?!"
Seeing this, Kawaki grew frantic. Boruto's actions shocked him. He knew the Jinchūriki had to be captured alive to extract the Bijuu.
If the Bijuu couldn't be extracted, how could they awaken the Juubi? If the Juubi didn't awaken, how could Sasuke become a god? If Isshiki wasn't defeated, how could they save Naruto?
'That's my adoptive father, Naruto!'
Boruto turned and glared at Kawaki, saying irritably: "Why the rush? Look closely before you talk."
Boruto pointed at Killer B's body on the ground. Kawaki looked closer and saw the corpse suddenly burst, turning into a puff of white mist. The mist dispersed, revealing a short octopus tail…
Kawaki was stunned, not expecting this Killer B to be a transformed piece of Bijuu tail!
"What?!"
"A ninja transformation technique? No, a clone technique?"
"It doesn't seem like that either…"
"Point is, this isn't the Jinchūriki's real body, right?"
Boruto nodded, then scanned the surroundings and shouted: "Come out! Your clone's been exposed. If you don't, everyone here will die because of you!"
Soon, another Killer B leapt out from behind a distant rock, looking at Boruto with a slightly shocked expression.
"Baka yarō, kono yarō!"
"How'd you know it was a clone?"
Killer B couldn't understand. His octopus clone was nearly flawless, never exposed by anyone!
How could this kid see through it instantly? Was this an Otsutsuki special ability?
"Sorry, I heard it from my teacher."
"You're the expert at clone techniques, even making clones from your Bijuu tails that even my teacher's Sharingan couldn't distinguish as fake."
The ancients planted trees, and the present reaps the shade.
The ancients fell into pitfalls, and the present avoids them.
All the losses Sasuke suffered in his youth had become lessons shared with Boruto beforehand.
This made Boruto more cautious, deciding to test Killer B earlier to avoid falling into the same trap.
If the Killer B he just stabbed was the real body, he likely wouldn't have died either. Boruto, as Naruto's son, knew well how resilient Jinchūriki were. He'd heard Aunt Sakura say that his father once had his entire abdomen pierced yet could still jump around and unleash Rasenshuriken!
Hearing Boruto's explanation, Killer B frowned.
"Your teacher? Sharingan? How'd he know about my tentacle clone?"
"It's like I tricked him before…"
"When did I…"
Killer B grew more confused. In memories altered by Omnipotence, Naruto and Sasuke's identities and experiences were merged into Uzumaki Jigen. But one person couldn't simultaneously defect from and stay in the village. Upon deeper scrutiny, he could always sense illogical conflicts in his memories.
(Hiss~ Something's off; my head hurts so much!)
(It feels like my brain's about to grow…)
(Kono yarō!)
Killer B's head ached more, the chaotic and contradictory memories making him deeply uncomfortable, as if he'd forgotten something crucial.
Seeing this, Boruto didn't hesitate. He charged at the real Killer B, ready to seize the moment to capture him and secure the Jinchūriki target.
But halfway through his charge, he saw this "real Killer B" clutching his head, suddenly bursting into a puff of white mist…
(What?!)
(This is a Shadow Clone too?)
(Then where's the real body? Does he really not care about his disciple's life?)
Boruto was a bit confused. He could see Killer B genuinely wanted to save Omoi, and his father had said Uncle Killer B was fiercely loyal. So why was the enemy still using a clone to deceive him at such a critical moment?
Was there something more important than saving his disciple?
As Boruto pondered.
*BOOM!*
A loud noise rang out. The distant stone cave where they stood suddenly shattered from a mini Bijuudama explosion!
A giant octopus, fully transformed into a Bijuu, emerged from the cave, carrying a Chakra Cannon with its tentacles. It leapt high, soaring over Boruto and the others, and raced at high speed toward the main battlefield in the distance.
This bizarre sight stunned Kawaki and the others.
"Boruto, what the hell is that guy doing? What's he carrying?"
"Not good—he's going to use that cannon against Sensei!"
Boruto had heard of the Chakra Cannon's fame. Connecting it to Killer B's actions, he instantly guessed the truth, his expression shifting.
"Huh?"
"Chase him quick!"