Chapter 235:
"Also, the Great Toad Sage already said that Future Boruto's training would end today."
As Lady Shima's words fell, a powerful wave of chakra erupted throughout Mount Myōboku.
Future Boruto, who had been sitting with his eyes tightly shut, suddenly opened them. His yellow hair stood on end, the Nine Tails' chakra cloak wrapped around him, and his eyes took on a cross-shaped pattern.
He had perfectly fused Super Saiyan Mode, Nine Tails Chakra Mode, and Sage Mode together—this was Super Sage Fox Mode!
Everyone used the Body Flicker Technique to instantly gather at the place where Future Boruto was training.
"So strong!"
New Hope couldn't help but mutter as he stared at Future Boruto, whose body radiated golden chakra.
Even without fighting, just being near him was enough to be pushed back by the intense waves of chakra emanating from Future Boruto. If he had even the slightest intent to kill, these waves would instantly turn into deadly weapons.
"Hey, Boruto, is this what you'll look like in the future? That's insanely cool!"
Tentō nudged the present-day Boruto beside him, his face filled with awe.
As Future Boruto gradually reined in his power, the intense pressure bearing down on everyone slowly dissipated.
"Boruto, your training is complete."
Shikamaru wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke to Future Boruto.
"Uncle Shikamaru?" Future Boruto looked toward Shikamaru, then glanced at Sasuke with a slight frown. "Uncle Sasuke, why are you here? Did something happen in the village?"
Having endured the apocalypse of the ninja world, Future Boruto was no longer the innocent boy he once was. He clearly understood that with the current state of the ninja world, Sasuke wouldn't have the time to come to Mount Myōboku just to check on his training.
"Yeah," Sasuke nodded.
"Boruto, here's what's going on…"
After Shikamaru finished explaining everything, Future Boruto's expression grew increasingly grim. In his mind, images of Naruto, Hinata, Himawari, and Hanabi began to surface.
"I understand."
Future Boruto nodded slightly as he spoke, then turned to Fukasaku and Shima.
"Um… Boruto, I hope you can understand Mount Myōboku's decision…" Fukasaku seemed a bit nervous.
Although Future Boruto, like Naruto, had trained at Mount Myōboku, the trials of the apocalyptic era had left him with more of a Sasuke-like demeanor. This aura was especially pronounced upon hearing that his family and Hanabi were in danger—it was a cold, indifferent vibe much like Sasuke's.
More importantly, however, was the sheer power Future Boruto had demonstrated, which left the two sages feeling genuine reverence.
Although Sage Mode was highly renowned in the ninja world, it wasn't exactly rare in the three great sage regions. In fact, Mount Myōboku had more users of Sage Mode than the rest of the ninja world combined.
Even though Naruto had once fused Nine Tails Chakra Mode with Sage Mode into a new Sage Fox Mode, if a battle were to take place at Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku and Shima combined could probably still put up a fight.
But Future Boruto was different. He had fused three modes. Within Mount Myōboku, aside from the long-inactive Great Toad Sage, there was likely no one who could match him. Even if the Great Toad Sage did act, the result would probably be mutual destruction. And at that point, Mount Myōboku would undoubtedly fall behind the other two sage lands.
"No, I'm just grateful to you for taking care of me during this time," Future Boruto said. Then he turned to Shikamaru. "Let's go."
Konoha Village.
Burger Shop.
"Hey, don't you think the village's been a little weird lately?"
While sipping his cola, Shikadai casually asked.
"Huh? What's weird about it?" Inojin replied absently while playing his handheld game console.
"Hmm… I think the village has gotten kind of weird too. Like, all the handsome guys seem to have disappeared." Chōchō, having already finished her burger, grabbed a handful of fries and stuffed them into her mouth.
"Sigh… is it just my imagination?" Shikadai sighed, frowning.
"Nope, I feel it too. Things have definitely gotten strange around here."
A bright, feminine voice chimed in, and the three of them looked up at once.
"Hanabi-sensei!" Chōchō said excitedly, quickly giving up a seat for Hanabi, who was carrying a tray with a burger and soda.
"Hanabi-sensei, you think the village is acting strange too?" Shikadai asked, looking puzzled.
In truth, what first made Shikadai suspicious was his father, Shikamaru.
Although he still came home regularly, he'd started sneaking out late at night. What was even weirder was that the normally lazy Shikamaru—who hated doing chores—would now immediately step in whenever Temari got upset.
Even while grumbling about how troublesome it was, his expression betrayed none of that annoyance. Temari often joked in private that Shikamaru had changed genders.
"Well… it just feels like the frequency of ninjutsu being used in the village has dropped a lot. You don't even see anyone practicing in the training grounds anymore," Hanabi said. "Even the Body Flicker Technique, which people used all the time, is hardly seen now."
What really triggered Hanabi's sense that something was wrong was how more and more Hyūga clan members had stopped showing her the respect they once did.
As the heir to the Hyūga clan, Hanabi had always carried herself with the proper grace and presence, and she'd consistently been the subject of chatter. Yet lately, the discussions around her had noticeably quieted. While that might seem like a good thing, the suddenness of it all struck her as unnatural.
"When you put it that way, yeah… the village has gotten pretty strange," Inojin said as he put down his console, dipped a fry into ketchup, and took a bite.
For a ninja village to go without people using ninjutsu? That was odd.
"Should we investigate this?" Hanabi asked the three genin in front of her. "I have a feeling… this isn't something simple."
"Hmm…" Though it sounded troublesome, Shikadai still nodded. After all, Temari had been constantly scolding him about Shikamaru supposedly "turning into a woman."
"Sounds kinda fun. I'm in," Inojin added.
"Well, if you two are in, I guess I'll join too," Chōchō said as she sneakily snatched one of Inojin's fries and popped it into her mouth.
"Hey! That's my fry!"
"Oh, come on, it's just one!"
As Chōchō and Inojin bickered again, Shikadai stroked his chin and muttered, "Even if we want to investigate, where should we start…"