Chapter 287:
"Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan!"
When it came to size, the Rasengan passed down in the Uzumaki family had never backed down from a challenge.
"Hey, hey, Sasuke, are you sure Manda can withstand that thing?"
Suigetsu pointed at the massive Rasengan Future Boruto was raising—it was even bigger than Manda—as he spoke to Sasuke.
At that moment, Future Boruto's Rasengan struck Manda head-on. The giant serpent, who had been summoned less than three minutes ago, collapsed instantly, ending its life.
"B-Bastard… you actually… made me fight such a powerful opponent…" Manda lay sprawled on the ground, his hateful snake eyes glaring at Sasuke as he spoke in broken gasps. "You used… those eyes… to control me, didn't you… Damn it…"
"No way. Orochimaru's favorite summon, Manda, actually died just like that?" Suigetsu stared in disbelief at Manda's massive corpse. "Sasuke, are you sure you still want to keep fighting?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his right hand clenching and unclenching repeatedly. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "Retreat."
The moment Sasuke gave the order, the scene before Future Boruto's eyes faded into black and white once again.
"Wait a second," Future Boruto said casually, already familiar with this sequence. "I suddenly don't feel like stopping you from going after Uchiha Itachi anymore."
"Sasuke, be careful. It might be a trap."
Suigetsu warned Sasuke.
"Mm."
Sasuke nodded. Now that he had finally mastered his ninjutsu, he wouldn't be satisfied until he killed Uchiha Itachi.
Suddenly, a black shadow dropped down beside Future Boruto.
"Boruto, Lord Itachi says Sasuke can come—but everyone else must stay here."
Kisame glanced at the stone sphere above them, then delivered the message.
"Kisame Hoshigaki… Itachi's partner."
Sasuke looked over at Kisame.
"Sharingan. Judging by those eyes, you must be Uchiha Itachi's younger brother. Go on, then."
Kisame's shark-like face showed a hint of urgency as he spoke to Sasuke.
"Hmph."
Sasuke snorted coldly and walked over toward Kisame.
"Hey, Sasuke, be careful. It might really be a trap!"
Karin called out from behind.
"Facing two Akatsuki members, we have no chance of escaping anyway."
Sasuke replied. Besides, he was just about to confront the one person he had vowed to kill—there was no way he'd give up now.
"In that case, let's get rid of you small fry first."
The moment Sasuke disappeared after passing by, Kisame drew out Samehada and turned to face the remaining three.
"Perfect. I've been wanting to get my hands on Samehada for a while now."
Suigetsu raised his Executioner's Blade and faced Kisame.
"You're not going to fight?"
Kisame looked toward Future Boruto and asked.
"Not interested. I already fought just now."
"Shark-face, let me help you out."
Hanabi looked up at Kisame and said.
"…It's Kisame Hoshigaki, not 'shark-face.'"
Kisame looked down at Hanabi.
"Whatever."
Hanabi replied as she activated Gentle Fist and cloaked herself in a Nine-Tails chakra shroud.
"Jūgo, you take care of the kid over there. I'll deal with Kisame. Karin, keep an eye on that guy and don't let him pull anything sneaky," Suigetsu instructed. "Everyone, let's go!"
Elsewhere, Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke had already begun their fierce brotherly battle. In Amegakure, Jiraiya and Pain were locked in a deadly clash between master and disciple.
…
"Sasuke?!"
At Karin's cry of surprise, everyone turned to look.
"From now on, our mission is… to destroy Konoha."
Sasuke said slowly. His once three-tomoe Sharingan had now evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"So Itachi-sama… was killed by you."
Kisame narrowed his eyes dangerously at Sasuke.
"Are you seeking revenge for Uchiha Itachi?"
"…"
Kisame said nothing, but the Samehada in his right hand trembled slightly.
"Wait, Kisame."
A voice came from behind Kisame as Tobi emerged from Kamui space, stopping Kisame's raised hand.
"Tobi?!"
Hanabi looked at him with confusion. For some reason, Tobi gave off a strange vibe now.
"Long time no see, Hanabi."
"Tobi, I thought you died at the hands of the Raikage."
Kisame withdrew Samehada.
"Just got lucky and managed to escape," Tobi said as he removed his mask. "In the end, I even kept my true identity hidden from you—the one closest to me. I sincerely apologize."
"So that's your real face… Man, you're kind of ugly."
Hanabi muttered as she studied Tobi's true appearance.
"So it was you all along, Tobi. Now I can relax," Kisame finally spoke after his initial shock. "Former Mizukage… No, I should say Uchiha Madara."
"I'm counting on you, Kisame," Tobi said after putting his mask back on, then turned to the others. "What about the rest of you?"
"We're with Sasuke, of course."
Karin was the first to speak, her gaze locked on Sasuke.
As for Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo, Tobi couldn't care less. The only one he was truly concerned about was Boruto.
Revealing his true identity in front of Future Boruto—even at the risk of exposure—Tobi felt he had shown his sincerity.
"Doesn't matter to me. I just want to protect Hanabi."
Future Boruto looked at Hanabi as he spoke.
"A guy like that… really makes people jealous…"
Karin muttered as she glanced at the indifferent Sasuke. "When will Sasuke ever say something like that to me…"
Akatsuki Video Call
"…After eliminating Jiraiya, you've become Konoha's prime target. If we delay any further, they'll have time to come up with countermeasures. We must act before that happens."
Tobi's illusionary projection spoke.
"Pain is invincible. Capturing the Nine-Tails will be no problem."
Konan replied to Tobi.
She was still not used to this version of Tobi—the serious one. After all, in Akatsuki, Tobi had always played the fool. But now he had revealed himself as the one who originally proposed capturing the Tailed Beasts and uniting the shinobi world: Uchiha Madara.
"There are only two Tailed Beasts left. I'll leave the Eight-Tails to Sasuke."
Tobi said.
"Sasuke? Are you sure he's up to it?"
Konan frowned in doubt.
"Don't worry, Sasuke will be fine—I guarantee it."
Tobi assured her.
Sending Sasuke to capture the Eight-Tails would both help him hone his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan and stir conflict between the two most powerful shinobi villages. After all, Konoha had always treated Sasuke with leniency.
Of course, to ensure success, Tobi would secretly follow him.
"Then capturing the Nine-Tails will be up to me and Konan."
Tendō Pain declared.
"Let Boruto go with you too."
Tobi added.