Chapter 247:
"Sasuke, everyone else is here."
Yamato led the group over in a flustered state. Each of them wore expressions of mild terror, clearly still shaken by the recent zombie encounter.
"Mm." Sasuke glanced over the group before his gaze settled on Yamato. "Yamato, I'm going to send all of you to a safe alternate dimension. Once the situation in the Hidden Leaf Village is resolved, I'll bring you back."
"Got it." Yamato nodded, then pointed to the collar around his neck. "By the way, Sasuke, is there any way you can remove this thing from my neck?"
"What is it?"
"A scientific ninja tool that detects chakra. If we use chakra, it'll explode."
Yamato explained the situation to Sasuke.
"I can help with that."
A tall woman stepped out from the crowd and spoke up.
"And you are…?"
Yamato looked curiously at the tall woman wearing glasses who had just stepped forward.
"My name is Inuzuka Akita. I was once Dr. Katasuke's assistant." She introduced herself to Yamato, then turned toward Sumire Kakei and added, "And this is Sumire Kakei—she's currently my student."
"So you really know how to remove this thing from my neck?"
Yamato asked urgently. With Dr. Katasuke's betrayal of the village and defection to S.H.I.E.L.D., along with Amado's recent abduction by a mutant beast shortly after arriving in the village, the Leaf's research into scientific ninja tools had come to a halt.
"Yes, but I'll need the proper tools. The only good news right now is that this device won't explode on its own just because S.H.I.E.L.D. has control of it."
As she spoke, Inuzuka Akita tapped the collar around her own neck.
"I see…"
Yamato looked a bit disappointed.
"Let's get going."
Sasuke opened a dimensional portal. The alternate space where he planned to send them was a location he had discovered years ago during an investigation outside the village.
It was free of danger, with ample fruit trees and water sources—an ideal place for human survival.
Once everyone stepped into the portal, only Yamato remained.
"Well then, I'm off, Sasuke."
"Mm."
After Yamato entered the portal, Sasuke was left alone in the space. He shattered the earth-style barrier in front of him, revealing a pile of blackened, charred remains so disfigured they were unrecognizable.
This was the top level of the Deep Sea Prison—and also its entrance.
Naruto lay sprawled on the ground, the aura of the Nine Tails visibly weakened.
"So strong… Mitsuki…"
Naruto struggled to his feet and stared at Mitsuki.
Fearing the total destruction of the facility, Naruto had held back from using his full power—he hadn't summoned the Nine Tails.
"Naruto, stop holding back. Even with my help healing your body, if this keeps up, you'll suffer permanent damage."
Kurama's voice echoed inside Naruto.
"No, Kurama… Sasuke hasn't shown up yet. And if I summon you now, this entire prison will sink to the bottom of the sea."
Naruto panted heavily, eyes locked on Mitsuki.
Mitsuki stood silently, head lowered, gently cracking his knuckles. Then he suddenly charged at Naruto.
"Naruto, watch out!"
"Got it, Kurama!"
Naruto raised his arms to block—
"Amenotejikara!"
In an instant, Naruto and Sasuke switched places.
"Sasuke! You're here!!"
Naruto was clearly startled by the sudden change in position, but quickly reacted with joy.
"Susanoo!"
A towering, purple armored giant erupted around Sasuke, forcing Mitsuki back.
"Sasuke, have the villagers been evacuated?"
Naruto rushed to Sasuke's side.
"Mm." Sasuke's face was grim as he replied, "But there was an unexpected incident. The appearance of zombies caused the deaths of some villagers, who then turned into more zombies."
"What?! Zombies?!"
While Naruto was saddened by the casualties, the more pressing issue was the zombie outbreak—and preventing it from spreading across the ninja world.
The apocalyptic future Boruto had described was still vivid in Naruto's memory. He even continued to have nightmares about it, waking in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.
"Thankfully, we're surrounded by ocean. If the seawater cuts them off, the zombies shouldn't be able to reach land."
Sasuke spoke while looking at Naruto, awaiting his response.
"Yeah, I guess that's all we can do… But Mitsuki…"
Naruto looked at Mitsuki. If they went through with this plan, the rampaging Mitsuki might be buried here as well.
"…Let's do it, Sasuke."
"Armored Susanoo!"
The massive Nine Tails, now clad in Susanoo armor, appeared on the battlefield, enveloping both Sasuke and Naruto.
Wielding a massive purple katana, the Nine Tails leapt high into the air, broke through the ceiling, and slashed straight down.
Not just the building, but even the sea itself was momentarily cleaved in two. Towering waves surged upward in the aftermath.
"Sasuke!"
"Susanoo!"
Responding to Naruto's call, Sasuke acted immediately after Naruto dispelled the Nine Tails.
The fully manifested Susanoo appeared, complete with wings on its back—capable of flight.
As the structure began collapsing into the ocean, Mitsuki lost his footing, stumbling slightly. His four tail-like protrusions bent against the floor, launching him high into the air with a burst. This allowed him to avoid being crushed by the falling prison—but since he couldn't fly, he ultimately plummeted into the sea.
"Looks like Mitsuki should be fine. Let's head back, Sasuke."
Naruto glanced toward the spot where Mitsuki had landed in the water and spoke to Sasuke.
"Mm…"
Sasuke felt a wave of fatigue from his chakra and eye technique expenditure.
Land of Water, Hidden Mist Village
"The Nine Tails… and Susanoo… I can't believe Naruto and Sasuke actually destroyed the Deep Sea Prison…"
Ekim muttered to himself as he read the intelligence report that had just reached him.
"Next, I suppose those two will try to reclaim the Hidden Leaf from S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Ekim!"
A deep voice suddenly rang out. Ekim immediately stood from his chair, stepped forward, and dropped to one knee.
"Lord Black Emperor."
"Ekim, you're going to the Hidden Leaf as well. While S.H.I.E.L.D. and the village are locked in battle, destroy those two Light Armor suits for me!"
"Yes, Lord Black Emperor. I promise I will complete the mission."
Ekim bowed his head respectfully.