Chapter 286: Kids, You Should Be Kind to Animals—Don't Use Genjutsu on Them, Okay?
"Sorry, Boruto. Looks like you're going to die with me."
Deidara looked at the suddenly appearing Future Boruto as he spoke.
"No need to apologize. Besides, I'm not dying."
As Future Boruto spoke, he hurled a shuriken into Deidara's chest. At the same time, he extended his right hand toward the dying Deidara, revealing his Rinnegan.
"That eye... Only the Leader was supposed to have it! Why do you—?"
"Planetary Devastation!"
Stones began wrapping around Deidara, lifting him high into the sky.
—
Akatsuki Video Conference Call
"Deidara... is probably dead."
Zetsu's projection spoke.
"Another one down? Tch, and here I thought he was supposed to be hot stuff."
Kisame mocked.
"Didn't Deidara go with Boruto to find Sasuke? Why would he be dead?"
Uchiha Itachi asked.
It was one thing if Sasuke managed to take down Itachi one-on-one, but to defeat one while fighting two? When did Sasuke get that strong?
"You've misunderstood something. The one who killed Deidara wasn't Sasuke—it was Boruto."
Zetsu explained.
"So, Boruto's betrayed the organization?"
Tendō Pain asked.
"Not exactly. Deidara tried to blow himself up and drag both Boruto and Sasuke down with him. In the end, Boruto killed him to save himself. Right now, Boruto should already be fighting Sasuke. And there's more—after killing Deidara, to stop the explosion, Boruto used a sealing technique called Planetary Devastation."
"Planetary Devastation..." Konan instinctively glanced at Tendō Pain, then asked, "Where are Kakuzu and Hidan? Why aren't they at this meeting?"
"They were killed by Leaf shinobi a few days ago in the Land of Fire. I just didn't get a chance to report it..." Zetsu added, "Also, in the Land of Lightning, Tobi and I were discovered by the Raikage. Tobi's currently being pursued by him. I managed to slip away, but Tobi's fate is still unknown."
"No big deal. Someone like Tobi is easy enough to replace," Pain replied indifferently. "Anyway, have you uncovered any intel?"
"Yes. We've found that the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki seems to be able to use the Eight-Tails' power freely without any drawbacks."
"...Got it."
With that, Pain immediately logged off.
"Itachi, you'd better be careful. Deidara already revealed your location to Sasuke. If Boruto didn't manage to stop him, Sasuke should be heading your way."
Zetsu said.
But Itachi had already logged off the moment Zetsu started talking.
"I'll let Mr. Itachi know."
Kisame nodded.
—
"Damn it!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he stared at Future Boruto. His chakra was nearly depleted from the fight with Deidara, so he had no choice but to go for a quick finish. His opponent seemed to understand that too, focusing solely on defense—yet every time Sasuke tried to back off and recover, Boruto would immediately push forward with the offense.
What made things worse was that Future Boruto was extremely familiar with Sasuke's fighting style—every move Sasuke made was effortlessly countered.
"Sasuke! Are you okay?!"
A voice rang out from the distance—it was Karin. Behind her came Jūgo and Suigetsu.
"Jūgo, let's go!"
Suigetsu drew the Executioner's Blade from his back and picked up speed, quickly outpacing Karin, who had been running ahead.
"Mm."
Jūgo nodded, flinging off his cloak to reveal his muscular frame as he followed closely behind Suigetsu.
"I'm not letting you interfere with this fight."
Hanabi stepped forward, cloaking herself in the golden Nine-Tails chakra shroud.
"That chakra..."
Karin instinctively looked toward Hanabi. As the only sensory-type ninja in Team Taka, Karin was naturally sensitive to chakra.
"Out of the way, brat!"
Suigetsu roared as he swung his massive blade at Hanabi.
"Gentle Fist: Rotation!"
Hanabi spun at high speed, deflecting Suigetsu's attack. She came to a stop and used the opening to strike at his pressure points.
"Hah!"
But Jūgo charged in from the side, breaking Hanabi's flow and stopping her from landing the hit.
"Thanks, Jūgo!"
Suigetsu shouted as he pulled back and spoke to Jūgo, who was keeping Hanabi busy.
"Go help Sasuke!"
Jūgo called out to Suigetsu mid-fight.
"I'm on it!"
Elsewhere, seeing Hanabi join the fight, Future Boruto also ramped up his offensive pace.
Their Kusanagi swords clashed, sparks flying as they locked blades in a deadlock.
"Chidori!"
Lightning surged from Sasuke's left hand as he thrust toward Boruto's chest. With one arm missing, Future Boruto was forced to retreat.
"Die!"
As Boruto leapt back, Suigetsu raised his blade and swung it down toward Boruto's head.
"Amenotejikara!"
In an instant, Boruto swapped places with Sasuke.
"What?!"
Suigetsu was stunned to see Sasuke suddenly appear in front of him. He tried to stop his swing, but it was too late.
Sasuke just barely managed to raise his Kusanagi to block in time.
"Suigetsu, you idiot! If you hurt Sasuke, I swear I'll kill you!"
Karin yelled furiously.
"You okay, Sasuke?"
Suigetsu looked down worriedly at the kneeling Sasuke. Sasuke's right hand, tightly gripping his sword, was scraped and bleeding.
"I'm fine..." Sasuke struggled to his feet and stared at Future Boruto. "That jutsu... it lets him switch places with others...?"
"What now, Sasuke? Should we retreat?"
"No! I finally found out where Itachi is—I'm not backing down here!" Sasuke bit his finger and slammed his hand to the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
"That's... Manda! The giant serpent Orochimaru used to summon!"
"What's the meaning of this, brat?! You dare summon me?! Want me to eat you first?!"
The summoned Manda bared his fangs in irritation.
"No wonder even Orochimaru had trouble handling that thing..."
Suigetsu looked up at the towering serpent in awe.
Sasuke said nothing. He simply locked eyes with Manda, activating his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
—
Suddenly, Manda turned his head, locking his dangerous serpentine gaze on Future Boruto—then charged at him.
"You really shouldn't treat animals like that, Sasuke. Using genjutsu on them?"
Trying to lighten the mood, Suigetsu chuckled as he joked.