Chapter 197: With Enough Clones, You're Bound to Get a Few Freaks
"What is this thing?"
Before setting out, Future Boruto looked at the arm in his hand and asked.
"This is a scientific ninja tool arm I created. Not only is it highly responsive, but it also has the ability to absorb chakra. If it has one flaw, it's that it requires a continuous supply of chakra to function. However, for a Jinchūriki like you, that drawback is practically negligible. If I'd had more time, I could have optimized it even further."
Amado took a deep drag of his cigarette, a smug expression spreading across his face.
"Granny Tsunade believes that regenerating your lost arm is impossible. At best, it can be reattached if it was severed cleanly. But your arm..." Naruto said, glancing at the stump of Future Boruto's arm.
"Yeah, that arm of mine was eaten by zombies long ago," Future Boruto said as he attached the scientific ninja tool arm and adjusted to its weight. "This level of chakra consumption… Only a Jinchūriki could handle it."
"Anyway, I'll be counting on you two for this mission—Boruto, and you as well, Jar Merchant."
After all, this was a mission personally issued by the Hokage. He had to show the proper respect. Besides, without the Jar Merchant accompanying them, there'd be no way to obtain the Wind Eagle Armor.
Of course, the main reason was that the Jar Merchant was just Shunhi's tool.
"Got it, Dad. Don't worry. In the future, the Jar Merchant and I go on missions together more than once," Future Boruto said, glancing at the Jar Merchant standing to the side.
Future Boruto knew a few things about the Jar Merchant. For instance, in the future, he had been bitten by a zombie once—but didn't get infected. That's because, according to what the Jar Merchant had said at the time, he was a clone created by Hydra.
As the two figures disappeared from Konoha, Shikamaru smiled and said to Naruto, who was still gazing into the distance, "Don't worry, Naruto. That future Boruto is far stronger than you are now."
Naruto gave a somewhat sheepish smile. "I just feel bad… Boruto must've gone through a lot in the future…"
In mid-body flicker, Future Boruto suddenly came to a halt, scanning his surroundings.
"What's wrong, Boruto?"
The Jar Merchant also stopped on a tree branch and asked.
"Someone's following us…" Just as Future Boruto looked around, he suddenly vanished.
"It's me, it's me, Boruto!" came a familiar female voice from the bushes behind them.
"That voice… Is that Hanabi?" the Jar Merchant murmured. Moments later, Hanabi stepped out from the bushes and approached Future Boruto.
"Sorry, Jar Merchant. Looks like Hanabi-nee-san is coming with us to the Land of Wind too," Future Boruto said. After traveling this far, there was no way to send her back. As the Hyūga clan's next heir, there weren't many people who could restrain Hanabi anyway.
Even if they sent her back to Konoha, she'd probably just sneak out again.
"Pleased to be working with you, Jar Merchant," Hanabi said, greeting him.
...
The closer they got to the Land of Wind, the more eerie things felt.
After an entire day and night of high-speed travel, the three finally arrived at the outskirts of Sunagakure.
"I'm exhausted…" Hanabi gasped, bending over and panting. She looked at the two in front of her, both of whom looked totally fine. "Seriously, are you two not tired at all?"
"Mm." Future Boruto nodded. "You just have to train your body to get used to it."
"Get used to it, huh…" Raised under the Hyūga clan's protective wing, Hanabi couldn't really relate to what he meant.
"The Kazekage's office is just up ahead," the Jar Merchant interjected.
Kazekage's Office
"Welcome. Naruto has already told me about you—Boruto from the future, and the Jar Merchant from Hydra…" Gaara's gaze finally settled on the girl beside Future Boruto. "I believe you're from the Hyūga clan…"
"Yes, Lord Kazekage. I'm Hanabi Hyūga," she nodded in greeting.
"Strange… Naruto didn't mention the heir to the Hyūga clan coming along as well."
"Actually, she snuck out on her own," the Jar Merchant explained. "Probably going through a rebellious phase…"
"Lord Kazekage, what's the situation with the zombies in the Land of Wind?" Future Boruto cut to the point.
"They're mostly under control now. These zombies aren't that strong— even a genin can take down two or three of them easily."
"Don't let your guard down. In the future, these zombies evolve, and their infection rate skyrockets. Even a jōnin will turn if bitten."
"The key is eliminating the zombies at the source. We must find Gray Wolf," the Jar Merchant added.
"But so far, we haven't found any trace of Gray Wolf," Gaara said, clearly frustrated. After all, it was Orochimaru—a master of stealth and deception—even if it was just one of his clones, he hadn't left behind a single clue. "In any case, on behalf of the Land of Wind, thank you for your support. I leave the rest in your capable hands."
Traveling with the Konoha group was Evilmoku.
"Gray Wolf, you sure have a lot of clones."
Evilmoku looked at the Gray Wolf clone in front of him.
Ever since acquiring Evilmoku's body and realizing the power of the Exotic Beasts, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki had developed a certain respect for S.H.I.E.L.D., which could cooperate with them.
"Evilmoku, according to the plan, while the Fire Daimyō is heading out with the Flame Shadow Crystal to negotiate with the Water Daimyō, we'll take that opportunity to attack the Wind Daimyō. While Armor Warriors are the natural enemies of Exotic Beasts, one Armor Warrior alone is no match for you."
"Understood." Evilmoku nodded. "I'll head to the Wind Daimyō's mansion now…"
"And bring back some of the Wind Daimyō's genetic material. I want to know if a clone of the Wind Daimyō can transform into an Armor Warrior," said the Gray Wolf clone.
"Got it, Gray Wolf."
With that, Evilmoku vanished into black mist.
"…The zombie data is nearly complete. Time to resume work on the time machine. Hmph. He doesn't even know what Green Green Grassland is—definitely a fake. Daring to claim that I, the great Gray Wolf, am the clone? Does he even know how smart I am? So what if he can catch sheep all the time—just wait. Dear, once I bring you back to Green Green Grassland, I promise you'll have lamb to eat every single day…"
The clone of Gray Wolf wiped a tear from his eye. Every time he thought about Red Wolf staying by that fake Gray Wolf's side, his heart ached.