Chapter 380: Demon-Slaying Corps – Mitsuki
"What incredible strength..." Future Boruto, pinned to the ground by the petite Himawari, struggled to lift himself. "There's no other way. Since you've become a zombie... then I'll have to kill you here. I'm sorry, Himawari..."
Golden chakra surged from Future Boruto's body as he entered the second stage of Super Saiyan Mode, instantly kicking Himawari—who was on top of him—off to the side.
As Himawari scrambled to her feet, Future Boruto was already upon her, holding the Kusanagi Sword and ready to swing it down to sever her head.
Decapitating a zombie is the most effective way to kill it.
Even if the zombie was his own sister, Future Boruto didn't hesitate for a moment. In the apocalypse, he had already said goodbye to far too many familiar faces.
Despite her wide-open mouth and feral expression, tears streamed down Himawari's cheeks.
"Himawari..."
It was the first time Future Boruto had seen something like this—a zombie crying. He simply couldn't believe it. Taking advantage of his hesitation, Himawari lunged again, tackling him back to the ground.
Her small frame began to grow more robust, and her strength surged once again.
Footsteps crunching in the snow drew closer. From his position pinned in the snow, Future Boruto turned his head slightly and spotted a figure approaching, blade in hand.
The figure leapt into the air, slashing down toward Himawari.
"Kurama!"
"I've been ready, Lord Boruto!"
A powerful surge of Nine Tails chakra erupted from Boruto, enveloping both himself and Himawari, forming a protective barrier that blocked the incoming blade.
The impact scattered the snow into a blinding flurry, obscuring everything from view.
As the gust settled and the snowflakes slowly drifted back to the ground, both sides finally saw each other clearly.
"Mitsuki?!"
With one hand gripping Himawari's nape, Future Boruto pinned her down, his right knee pressing against her back. The Kusanagi Sword was stabbed into the snow beside him.
"How do you know my name?"
The person standing before him—Mitsuki, now a fully grown adult—looked at Future Boruto and asked.
"A clone of Orochimaru, huh..." Boruto's tone turned cautious as he eyed Mitsuki. "I'm Boruto. Uzumaki Boruto."
"...Then why are you protecting a demon?"
Mitsuki stared at Himawari, who struggled beneath Boruto's grip.
"She's Himawari. My little sister. She disappeared before, and I never imagined I'd find her here. Besides... I think she still has some of her sanity left."
"That's impossible. Once someone becomes a demon, they're nothing but a man-eating monster."
Mitsuki cut him off sharply.
"We can set Himawari's situation aside for now. But who are you really? A clone of Orochimaru?"
Boruto asked, eyes narrowed.
"I don't know who Orochimaru is," Mitsuki replied. "But you're right—I'm a clone." He glanced at Himawari. "Sorry, Boruto. I'm part of the Demon-Slaying Corps. It's my duty to cut off your sister's head."
Mitsuki raised his blade and charged straight at Boruto.
Two Nine Tails chakra arms sprouted from Boruto's back, pinning the struggling Himawari down.
With his only remaining right hand, Boruto pulled the Kusanagi Sword from the snow and met the attack head-on.
Steel clashed against steel, their blades ringing out in the quiet town. The sound of clashing metal echoed again and again.
In both battle experience and physical prowess, Mitsuki was on par with Future Boruto.
After a fierce exchange, the two combatants leapt back, putting distance between them.
Raising his sword toward Boruto, Mitsuki spoke: "Honestly, I'd love to invite you to join the Demon-Slaying Corps. You'd be an excellent ally in hunting demons. But first... I have to kill your sister. Issen!"
Snow whirled behind Mitsuki as he flashed forward in a burst of speed, straight toward Boruto like a streak of light.
Boruto was forced to activate his Rinnegan—only then could he barely track Mitsuki's movements.
"Chidori Stream!"
Lightning wrapped around Boruto's blade as the two charged at each other.
They crossed paths—each landing a slash across the other's chest.
"He actually kept up with me... If he weren't protecting his sister, he might've blocked that strike completely."
Mitsuki turned to face Boruto again. A gash was torn across his chest, but the wound had already healed, revealing pallid skin beneath the torn fabric.
Boruto was the same. With Kurama's help, his wounds healed quickly. He kept a wary eye on Mitsuki.
"..." Mitsuki sighed, then gave a small smile. "Well, fine. Boruto—take this."
He tossed a small section of green bamboo toward Boruto, but Boruto didn't catch it. He let it fall to the ground at his feet.
After all, he only had one hand. Reaching for the bamboo meant dropping his sword, and that wasn't an option in front of an enemy.
Boruto still didn't trust Mitsuki.
"...Put the bamboo in your sister's mouth. It'll restore her sanity—but only temporarily. She'll still need to eat."
Even without Mitsuki finishing the thought, Boruto understood.
Eating meant using her mouth. Once the bamboo was removed, Himawari would revert to a man-eating demon.
Boruto stabbed the Kusanagi Sword into the snow, crouched down, and picked up the green bamboo. The Nine Tails chakra arms brought the struggling Himawari before him.
"Himawari, calm down..." Boruto gently rubbed her head with the bamboo-holding hand. Sensing the familiar touch, Himawari gradually settled down. "It's okay, Himawari. I'll stay by your side. Everything's going to be fine. Now, open your mouth."
Guided by his soothing words, Himawari slowly opened her mouth.
"Incredible..."
Mitsuki looked on in amazement.
Boruto placed the bamboo in her mouth, fixing it in place. The light gradually returned to Himawari's eyes.
The chakra arms gently released her. She immediately threw herself into Boruto's arms, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Himawari..."
Boruto stroked her hair and then looked up at Mitsuki.
"Also," Mitsuki added, "you'd better find shelter before sunrise. Otherwise, your sister will burn up in the sunlight."
Burning alive, of course, meant certain death.
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