Chapter 372: The Weather's Getting Cold, Everyone Stay Warm
"Boruto, are you heading out on a mission again?"
"Yeah."
Future Boruto nodded at Hanabi.
"The disaster just ended. Can't they let you stay home and rest for a while? Brother-in-law is really something…"
Hanabi puffed up her cheeks, clearly displeased with Naruto.
"...Actually, Dad and Uncle Sasuke have both disappeared."
Future Boruto hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to tell Hanabi. As the next head of the Hyūga Clan, she was bound to find out sooner or later. What's more, the recent disaster had left the current clan head, Hiashi Hyūga, with a chill that had sapped his energy—he was clearly deteriorating.
It wouldn't be long before Hanabi officially succeeded him as the head of the Hyūga Clan.
"Huh? Disappeared? What do you mean?"
Hanabi was momentarily confused.
"I mean it exactly as it sounds."
Future Boruto said plainly.
"Brother-in-law actually…" A sorrowful expression appeared on Hanabi's face. "Then… does my sister know?"
"Uncle Shikamaru will tell her... In any case, even though this crisis was resolved, the ninja world still isn't truly at peace. Without Dad and Uncle Sasuke, the hidden threat of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the mutant beasts becomes even more dangerous. And the fact that I haven't disappeared yet… means that another bioterror outbreak still happens in the future."
After a moment of hesitation, Future Boruto decided to tell Hanabi the truth—that once the bioterror crisis was completely resolved, he would vanish.
"What? You'll disappear too?!"
"Yeah." Future Boruto nodded. "If the danger of a bioterror outbreak is eliminated, then the version of me from that future will naturally vanish."
"That's impossible…"
Hanabi looked as if she had just taken a heavy blow.
Future Boruto knew all too well how Hanabi felt about him. He hadn't inherited Naruto's cluelessness when it came to emotions. That was exactly why he chose to be honest with Hanabi—he wanted to extinguish any hope she might be clinging to.
Looking at the dazed Hanabi in front of him, Future Boruto sighed and gently hugged her.
"Auntie, I'm leaving."
He let go and shot off into the distance in a flash of golden light.
Hanabi's gentle scent lingered on him.
Boruto's warmth lingered on Hanabi.
Konohagakure.
The village reconstruction was in full swing.
"Master, I've come to take shelter with you."
Uchiha Shunhi arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen shop with Uchiha Shuyu.
Ichiraku Ramen had once again miraculously survived the disaster unscathed.
"Get lost!"
Teuchi Ichiraku shot a glance at Shunhi, then gave a cold look to the child beside him.
He had always treated Shunhi like a half-son, and even pushed for him to marry his daughter Ayame. His dream was for them to have a chubby little grandson so he could retire and enjoy grandpa life.
And now what? Sure, Shunhi had a kid—but not with Ayame!
"Come on, Master! My shop was destroyed, I really had no other choice. Once I rebuild, I'll be out of your hair…"
Shunhi pleaded while shooting glances at Ayame behind Teuchi.
"Yeah, Dad, let him stay. Otherwise, it's a bit pitiful to make them live in one of the village tents." Ayame came forward, stroking Shuyu's head. "And I really like Shuyu—he looks just like Shunhi. Practically identical."
Despite being treated completely like a child, Uchiha Itachi didn't slip up even once.
That was professionalism.
Besides, he had far more pressing concerns—Sasuke's sudden disappearance hadn't escaped the notice of this hardcore brother complex.
"Hmph."
Teuchi snorted, said nothing, and turned back inside.
"Thanks, little sister."
Shunhi grinned as he followed Ayame.
With their house destroyed, there were no big bags or belongings to bring.
"That disaster was really terrifying… but thankfully, the village pulled through. It must be thanks to Lord Hokage."
Ayame walked ahead, still somewhat shaken.
"Mhm."
Shunhi nodded quickly.
"Oh right, you and Shuyu will share a room. You're father and son, after all."
She led them to a door.
"Sure, that's fine."
"Also, after a little cleanup, Ichiraku Ramen will reopen tomorrow—you're helping, got it?"
After Ayame left, Shunhi and Shuyu entered the room.
"Shunhi, Sasuke…"
The moment they were alone, Uchiha Itachi dropped the act and urgently asked.
"I know. The Hero Prison."
Shunhi's face grew unusually serious.
"Where is it? We need to get Sasuke—and Naruto—out right away."
Clearly, Sasuke was his top priority.
"It's in space," Shunhi replied. Seeing Itachi's are you kidding me? face, he added, "The Hero Prison isn't a building—it's a planet. The entire planet is the prison."
The idea of using a whole planet as a prison was almost unbelievable. Even Itachi was visibly stunned—but he quickly composed himself.
Maintaining his expression was basic training for a double agent.
"What exactly is the Hero Prison?"
"The director of S.H.I.E.L.D. once told me—long ago, the Great Dark Heaven invited him to join."
Shunhi explained.
"Wait… you mean the director is part of the Great Dark Heaven?"
Itachi frowned. Given how powerful the members of the Great Dark Heaven had been so far, it wouldn't be surprising if the S.H.I.E.L.D. director was one of them.
"Of course not. The Great Dark Heaven tried to blackmail Nick Fury with the Hero Prison, but he refused. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s goal is to enforce peace in the universe through strength. The Great Dark Heaven, on the other hand, seeks to dominate the universe and plunge it into eternal darkness. They're enemies, fundamentally."
"I see..." Itachi nodded. "So the Great Dark Heaven just gave up?"
"Not exactly. The most unique thing about the Hero Prison is that its skies are a no-fly zone. No matter whether it's a flying tool or an innate flight ability—none of them work above the prison. In other words, once you're locked in, there's no getting out."
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