Chapter 238:
The massive golden fox clad in the Susanoo armor slammed into the chest of the Imperial Armor, forcing it to stagger backward.
Its feet gouged a long trench into the ground as it was pushed back.
However, the Imperial Armor quickly regained its footing and, using the "Heaven and Earth Shift" technique, threw the fox off with both hands.
The huge fox hurtled toward Hanabi's direction, and to avoid crushing her, Future Boruto was forced to dispel the fox midair.
In the end, Future Boruto landed steadily in front of Hanabi and Chōchō Akimichi.
"So cool! And he even made the fox disappear just to protect me..."
Chōchō looked at Future Boruto's back, her face filled with emotion.
"As expected... no matter how many times I see him, this guy really does resemble Lord Seventh."
Shikadai muttered to himself as he stroked his chin and stared at Future Boruto's back.
The golden fox clad in Susanoo armor was once again summoned by Future Boruto, while the Imperial Armor also summoned its own light-maned steed.
From the direction of the sun, the imperial steed came flying at a speed beyond light, crashing directly into Future Boruto's fox.
Even with the protection of the Susanoo armor, the fox was still sent flying, its massive body flattening a swath of dense forest.
"What?!"
Shikadai's expression was one of disbelief. Though he had never held out hope that this unexpected ally could defeat the enemy, he had at least believed the man could protect their group and help them escape. But now, even that seemed uncertain.
Konoha Village – Hokage's Office
The battle between Future Boruto and the Imperial Armor had naturally caught the attention of Naruto and the Nine-Tails within him.
"Naruto!"
Kurama, who had been lying dormant inside Naruto, suddenly lifted his head and spoke.
"Yeah." Sitting at his desk, Naruto's expression turned serious. He entered Sage Mode to better sense what was happening. "That chakra signature—no doubt about it, it's Boruto. Looks like he's finished his Sage Mode training... But he seems to be fighting someone..."
Naruto immediately stood up, grabbing his Hokage cloak from beside the chair and draping it over his shoulders.
"Naruto, where are you going?"
Just then, Shikamaru happened to walk into the Hokage's office.
"Sorry, Shikamaru. It looks like Boruto's in a battle just outside the village. I have to go help him. Whatever it is, let's talk after I get back."
Naruto spoke as he walked toward the door of the office behind Shikamaru. But then, Anbu shinobi began streaming through the doorway.
"What are you doing?!"
Naruto demanded, his instincts bracing for immediate combat.
"Uzumaki Naruto—you should've realized it by now."
It was Shikamaru, standing at the forefront, who answered.
"Shikamaru! So it was you who replaced Konoha's upper echelon!"
Naruto glared at him and instantly entered his Sage Fox Mode.
"Don't be rash, Uzumaki Naruto." Despite standing face-to-face with Naruto in his Sage Fox Mode—a form no ordinary shinobi could handle—Shikamaru remained completely unfazed. He calmly continued, "Did you know the people we replaced aren't actually dead?"
"What did you say?!"
Naruto's rising aura suddenly halted as a sense of unease crept into his heart.
"To prevent our infiltration plan from being exposed by the deaths of our liquid-metal androids, we always eliminate the original host when a doppelgänger is destroyed," Shikamaru continued as he looked Naruto in the eye. "In other words, if you kill us, the people we've impersonated will also be disposed of."
"What?!"
Naruto, now aware the villagers were still alive, became hesitant to act.
"So, Uzumaki Naruto—if you don't want innocent villagers to die because of your recklessness, then surrender quietly."
Showing no concern for the danger, Shikamaru calmly walked up to Naruto.
"Damn it..."
Naruto clenched his fists tightly as he stared at Shikamaru.
"Stay calm, Naruto. If you kill them now, you'll regret it later."
Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind.
"Yeah. Don't worry, Kurama."
As Naruto responded, he suddenly turned and dashed toward the window behind his desk. Smashing through it, he transformed into a streak of golden light and used Body Flicker to speed toward the outskirts of the village.
"We won't catch up now." Standing by the shattered window, Shikamaru watched Naruto's retreating figure and muttered to himself. Then, turning to the group behind him, he said, "Begin the S.H.I.E.L.D. takeover of Konoha Village."
"Yes."
Konoha Village Streets
Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi were strolling and chatting leisurely together.
"Isn't that Lord Hokage?"
Alerted by Moegi's comment, Konohamaru instinctively looked up at the rooftops. "Why's Lord Hokage in such a rush..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Konohamaru was suddenly stabbed from behind.
"Udon, what the hell are you doing?!"
Moegi caught the wounded Konohamaru as he fell to his knees, clutching his stomach, and turned to face Udon.
"Udon... your hand..."
Konohamaru grimaced in pain as he looked at Udon's right hand, which had transformed into a blade and was dripping with blood.
Hyūga Clan Compound
Hinata pulled Himawari behind her protectively. Himawari clutched a chamber pot containing Shukaku, the One-Tail. The elderly Hiashi Hyūga stood in front of them, glaring at the intruders. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Konoha's Anbu and Hyūga clan shinobi said nothing. They simply stared silently at the three of them.
"From this moment on, Konoha Village will be under the control of S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Shikamaru stepped through the crowd and confronted Hinata and Hiashi.
"Shikamaru! Do you even know what you're saying?!"
Hiashi stared down Shikamaru, his presence still commanding.
"Of course I do. Even Uzumaki Naruto has abandoned you now..."
"Dad..."
Himawari looked up at Hinata, her voice trembling. Hinata gently patted her daughter's head.
Naruto's hasty departure from the village hadn't escaped the eyes of the major clans. At first, they had simply assumed something urgent required his attention. But now, it seemed Shikamaru had been right all along.
"Naruto would never abandon this village!"
Hinata stood firm as she stared at Shikamaru.
"Hinata, I'll buy you and Himawari some time. Find a chance to escape."
Hiashi whispered to Hinata.
"But Father..."
"Hinata, you still have to protect Himawari..." Hiashi said as he took a stance in Gentle Fist style. "It's been a long time since I last fought, but don't you dare underestimate me."