Chapter 251:
Konohagakure.
With the elimination of Skynet, the continuous output of liquid robots came to a halt.
"Looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. failed..."
Evilmoku muttered as he looked around at the ninjas gradually closing in on him.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s failure was something he simply couldn't comprehend. But what puzzled him even more was that, up until now, not a single member of S.H.I.E.L.D. had appeared—almost as if they didn't care about losing control of Konohagakure.
Still, Evilmoku didn't particularly care whether Konohagakure remained under Naruto's control or fell into the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. His mission this time was solely to take advantage of the chaos and destroy the Flame Dragon Armor and the Wind Eagle Armor.
"Kawaki, wake up!"
With both arms raised in defense, Future Boruto was struggling to block the Imperial Armor's relentless assault.
Even after mastering the new Super Sage Fox Mode, Future Boruto was clearly having a hard time against the Imperial Armor.
"Boruto!"
As the situation in the village gradually came under control, Naruto and Sasuke were finally able to come to his aid.
"Boruto, are you alright?"
Naruto caught the midair Boruto, who had been kicked away during a brief opening in the Imperial Armor's attacks. He asked with concern, while Sasuke stood in front of them with the Kusanagi sword drawn, watching the Imperial Armor cautiously.
"I'm fine..."
Future Boruto climbed out of Naruto's arms and responded.
"Naruto, Sasuke," Shikamaru said as he leapt down from the rooftop to join them. "For some reason, it looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. has given up on Konohagakure."
"Yeah." Naruto nodded and looked at the Imperial Armor and Evilmoku standing behind it. "That being the case, our final enemy is probably this Ability Beast in front of us."
Although S.H.I.E.L.D. appeared to have abandoned Konohagakure, the Ability Beast and the Imperial Armor before them weren't going to be easy to deal with either.
"Dad, Uncle Sasuke, I need you to stall him for a bit. I'm going to prepare a jutsu I learned in the future."
Future Boruto stared straight at the Imperial Armor.
Naruto nodded and looked at Sasuke's back. "Sasuke?"
"Got it."
With that single response, the two of them simultaneously charged toward the Imperial Armor.
The Imperial Armor raised its right hand to block Sasuke's vertical slash from the Kusanagi sword. At the same time, Naruto circled to its left and struck with a Rasengan.
Through tight coordination, Naruto and Sasuke launched a continuous barrage of attacks, managing to briefly suppress the Imperial Armor.
Meanwhile, Future Boruto closed his eyes. The golden chakra aura surrounding him gradually faded. His body relaxed, and he slowly floated into the air.
"Shikadai, look!"
Sarada pointed at Future Boruto rising into the air.
"Boruto..."
Hanabi struck down a liquid robot and took a moment to look up at Future Boruto, murmuring to herself.
Everyone in Konohagakure—Shikadai, Inojin, Chōchō, the rescued Tsunade, Hiashi Hyūga, Hinata, Himawari, and the others—turned their attention to the airborne Future Boruto.
"Imperial Armor, take him out first!"
Evilmoku, sensing something ominous, pointed to Future Boruto and barked an order at the Imperial Armor, which was still engaged with Naruto and Sasuke.
The Imperial Armor disengaged, spun the dial on its belt, and projected five glowing seals before it. As it passed through the Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth seals, it created five corresponding clones.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Not to be outdone, Naruto summoned five hundred shadow clones.
The five hundred shadow clones mingled with the five elemental clones. Meanwhile, both Naruto and the Imperial Armor's true bodies held their positions, observing one another.
It quickly became clear: not even five hundred shadow clones could match those five light-element clones. One by one, Naruto's clones were wiped out until finally, he couldn't hold back anymore.
"Sasuke, let's go!"
"Right."
They stood side by side, exchanging a glance. Each extended a hand—Naruto's left and Sasuke's right. A black Rasenshuriken spun to life between them.
This was a combination jutsu born from Naruto's Rasenshuriken and Sasuke's Kagutsuchi—used once during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had named it: Scorch Style: Halo Gale Jet Black Arrow Zero Style.
"Zen Seal!"
The Imperial Armor brought its hands together in a vertical clasp over its belt, instantly freezing time around it.
Even though Sasuke, with his Rinnegan, was also immobilized, he could still sense the frozen time.
It wasn't just Naruto and Sasuke—time had stopped across the entire ninja world. Only the Light Armor could move freely.
"You okay?"
Shinki pulled Tentō away from the frozen Ability Beast.
"What's going on?"
Tentō collapsed to the ground, panting and completely unconcerned about his armored warrior image.
"No idea." Shinki shook his head and looked toward the Imperial Armor. "But it's probably caused by that armor over there."
The Imperial Armor slowly approached the frozen Naruto and Sasuke, raised both hands toward their abdomens, gathered power—and then struck, sending both flying as time resumed.
Naruto groaned in pain on the ground. "You okay, Sasuke?"
"Yeah."
"Damn it... what the hell is going on..."
"Time stop... the enemy can freeze time..."
As Sasuke tried to get up, the Imperial Armor instantly reappeared in front of him and stomped on his chest, pinning him to the ground.
"Sasuke!" Naruto glanced at Sasuke's pained expression, then looked up at the Imperial Armor. "Kawaki, snap out of it! That's Sasuke!"
The Imperial Armor gave Naruto a quick glance, then pressed down harder on Sasuke's chest.
"Kawaki..."
"Naruto, if you don't want to die, stop talking. He's probably being controlled. But it seems like he still remembers you a little. That's why he hasn't attacked you."
Kurama's voice echoed from within Naruto.
At that moment, Future Boruto—still floating midair with his eyes closed—suddenly opened his eyes and raised his hands high above his head. Golden chakra began to gather between his palms.
"Imperial Armor, stop him now!"
Evilmoku shouted toward the Imperial Armor from a distance.
Hearing the command, the Imperial Armor looked up slowly. With a kick, it sent Sasuke flying and crouched low to launch itself toward the airborne Boruto.
"Boruto... my chakra's almost gone..."
Kurama's voice from within Boruto sounded weak and drained.
"Damn it..." Future Boruto stared down at the incoming Imperial Armor and shouted, "Everyone, raise your hands! Lend me your chakra!"