Chapter 279: Three Years Later
Letting go of money that was already within reach? That just wasn't in Kakuzu's nature.
The Wind, Lightning, and Fire-element masks of Earth Grudge Fear gathered at his right hand. After a brief charge-up, they fired a terrifying chakra cannon at Orochimaru, who had transformed into the colossal Yamata no Orochi.
Due to the sheer size of his transformed body, Orochimaru had no time to dodge and could only take the full brunt of Kakuzu's attack.
The massive Yamata no Orochi wasn't as tough as it looked. After taking the hit, it immediately collapsed. Its enormous body rapidly deflated, eventually leaving behind nothing but a discarded snakeskin.
At the same time, unnoticed by anyone, a small white snake slipped into the underbrush and vanished.
"Looks like this mission's a bust," Kisame said with a smirk, glancing at Kakuzu's darkened expression.
"Damn it!" Kakuzu growled, glaring at the Future Boruto who was shielding Hanabi. "Why didn't you step in during the fight with Orochimaru?"
"I had to protect Hanabi," Future Boruto replied calmly.
"Hey, hey, Kakuzu—cool it. Attacking a fellow member of the organization is strictly against the rules," Kisame reminded him.
"I'm well aware," Kakuzu replied. "But while Boruto's part of the organization, that Hyūga girl isn't. If I'm not mistaken, the Hyūga clan's Byakugan fetches a pretty high price on the black market."
Because of the Caged Bird Seal, Byakugan was extremely rare on the black market. Rarity drove value, and as such, the Byakugan could fetch even higher prices than the Sharingan.
Kakuzu placed his right hand behind his back, and using the special ability of Earth Grudge Fear, detached his hand and forearm, connecting them with a dense web of black threads.
His right hand snaked underground from behind his back, and emerged from the earth behind Hanabi, who was hiding behind Future Boruto. It seized her ankle.
With a sharp pull, Kakuzu's hand yanked Hanabi into the air.
"Aaaahhh!" Hanabi screamed as she was hoisted skyward.
"Rasengan!"
In a blur of motion, Future Boruto appeared in front of Kakuzu, Rasengan in hand, and slammed it into Kakuzu's abdomen.
"Earth Style: Earth Spear!" Kakuzu hardened his body to block the Rasengan, then swung his left fist at Future Boruto. "I may not be allowed to kill you—but you're about to learn what it means to respect your elders!"
A claw of the Nine Tails emerged from behind Future Boruto and blocked Kakuzu's punch. In the same moment, Future Boruto entered Super Sage Fox Mode.
"Sage Art: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan!"
With a surge of chakra pouring into his palm, the previously small Rasengan instantly grew massive, forcing Kakuzu to stumble backward.
Simultaneously, Future Boruto infused his left hand with Wind Release chakra and channeled it into the Kusanagi Sword, sharpening it to a deadly edge. He hurled it into the air, slicing cleanly through the dense black threads that connected Kakuzu's right forearm and hand. Hanabi, still airborne, plummeted down.
Future Boruto leapt into the air, catching Hanabi with both arms. As he did so, the pressure on Kakuzu from the Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan disappeared.
"You bastard—I'll never forgive you!"
The black threads at Kakuzu's severed forearm regenerated, reconnecting with the detached hand.
"You're the one who should be asking for forgiveness," Future Boruto said coldly. He landed next to the Kusanagi Sword still embedded in the ground, holding Hanabi in his left arm while pointing the sword at Kakuzu with his right.
"Water Style…" Kakuzu had just begun forming hand seals when a bolt of lightning shot out from the Kusanagi Sword, straight at him.
"Lightning Style: Chidori Sharp Spear!"
The lightning pierced through Kakuzu's heart.
After staggering for a moment, Kakuzu collapsed.
"Is… is he dead?" Hanabi asked softly as she clung to Future Boruto, staring at Kakuzu's fallen body.
Suddenly, the body on the ground turned into a log.
Future Boruto immediately spun around, but by then, Kakuzu was already behind him, kunai in hand, thrusting toward Hanabi.
To protect her, Future Boruto used his left arm to block the kunai.
"Boruto! Are you okay…?" Hanabi looked at his left hand, now impaled by Kakuzu's kunai, her voice full of concern.
"I'm fine," Future Boruto replied, then kicked Kakuzu away.
"So fast…" Uchiha Itachi, watching with his Three Tomoe Sharingan, silently observed.
Future Boruto twisted his left hand off with his right and casually discarded it. After all, it was just a scientific ninja tool.
"Your left hand…?" Hanabi asked.
"Don't worry. I lost my left arm a long time ago. This is just a replacement," he reassured her.
"Hey, you two, that's enough," Kisame said, stepping in between them.
Kakuzu, now standing again, had a charred hole where his heart used to be—it was clear he hadn't evaded the Chidori Sharp Spear.
"Tch." With a grunt of annoyance, Kakuzu gave up on continuing the fight. Not only had they failed to capture Orochimaru, but he had also lost a heart. No matter how he looked at it, this mission had been a loss. "You guys go on ahead. I'll revive Hidan, then take care of some other things."
What he meant, of course, was finding a new heart to replace the one Boruto had destroyed.
...
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
After years of relentless money-making, the Akatsuki finally gathered enough funds to begin the Tailed Beast capture operation. Future Boruto and Hanabi had also successfully integrated into the organization.
Another Akatsuki group video call was underway.
"It's time to begin the Tailed Beast capture plan," said Tendō Pain, his voice devoid of emotion. "Deidara and Sasori will take the One-Tail. Kakuzu and Hidan will handle the Two-Tails. Tobi and Zetsu will capture the Three-Tails. The Four-Tails goes to Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki. The Five-Tails will be handled by Boruto and Hyūga Hanabi. I'll personally take care of the Six- and Seven-Tails. Konan will remain stationed in Amegakure."
"Huh? Are you sure it's a good idea to send Tobi to capture the Three-Tails?" Hanabi asked skeptically, looking at him.
"Hanabi-chan, don't underestimate me! I'm actually super strong, you know!" Tobi said proudly, thumping his chest.
"Really? I always thought you were just the errand boy of the Akatsuki," Hanabi said with a shrug.
"Tobi, if you run into danger, don't forget to retreat. I'll settle things for you afterward," said Deidara.
"I'm touched, Senpai! Are you worried about me?"
"I just don't want to lose the idiot who keeps me entertained," Deidara replied flatly.
"Hanabi, be extra careful on this mission," Konan advised.
"Don't worry, Konan-nee. Besides, I've got Boruto protecting me—I'll be just fine," Hanabi replied with a smile. Over the past three years, the two—being the only women in the organization—had quickly become close friends.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Everyone, proceed with your assignments," Pain said, ending the call.
...
After the call, Hanabi, dressed in her Akatsuki cloak, stepped out of the cave and stretched. Then she called out toward the inside: "Hey! Boruto, hurry up already!"