Capítulo 20: PART 6.
The crunch of the sand activated her senses, quickly pulling her out of the emotional whirlwind with Metal. Mirai, fresh out of mourning, was now in a state of alertness, her ninja skills fully functional, but still somewhat disoriented.
His eyes were fixed on the man who had appeared out of nowhere, with hair as blue as the sea and an intimidating presence that left everyone on the team on guard. The Chunin Sarutobi did not take her eyes off him, frowning determinedly.
"Who is that...? I don't recognize it." He doesn't seem to be from any ninja villages.
The man's presence in his safe area was concerning. How had he found them? What was he doing there?
Frowning, the man examined how little Mirai's team had managed to set up as shelters. Most of his companions were still inside, watching with alarm the unexpected visit.
Mirai was perplexed. Careful not to draw the stranger's attention, he firmly grabbed Tsubaki and Namida by the wrists, both of whom were visibly frightened and paralyzed.
"Go... Get behind... behind me."
Her attempt to sound calm failed, but the girls still crawled back.
Mirai was petrified. He broke out in a cold sweat and shuffled as he approached Metal.
The boy was in front of her, looking at the man. Only seeing his still figure did Mirai know that he was also stunned by the situation.
As she stood in front of Metal, positioning herself as a shield for the three behind her, Mirai examined the man who was several meters away.
The man didn't seem worried, but rather bewildered to find them in the middle of the desert.
Mirai noticed the object in her hand, peeking out from under the sleeve of her clothes. He recognized that weapon; I had faced someone who used it once. It was a bar, or rather, a dagger.
"Who are you?"
Mirai felt a chill run through her body as she heard her own words out loud.
Why was I so afraid?
His legs were shaking and his arms refused to respond. He couldn't reach his weapon...
The man, noticing her out of the corner of his eye, raised an eyebrow. When he turned completely to her, Mirai realized that he didn't show a shred of concern. He was calm, as if fear was a common thing for him.
Mirai could not see those hiding in the shelter, but she knew that most were alert to the man's movements.
"Namida is not well, and Tsubaki-chan left his katana in the shelter." She said to herself, gritting her teeth under the pressure. "Metal-kun is even worse. None of them can fight, and they are not close to the others to escape... I must protect the three of them if I have to fight."
A movement of the man made Mirai shudder. As the only reaction, he brought his fist in front of his face. None of his blades were on him, his body was unresponsive.
"What's wrong with me? Why am I so afraid...?"
"Hm."
The man, putting a hand on his chin, seemed to have come to some conclusion, as the bitter expression had disappeared.
"Travelers, Hmm..." He wondered. "It doesn't seem like you've had any luck with the weather, does it?"
As expected, none of the children responded to him.
"How rude." He muttered quietly, with no intention of being heard.
The moment was prolonged from the perspective of the Chunin. The man continued to examine and talk to himself. The previous threat still persisted, but the displeasure in the enemy's expression had disappeared.
It was as if he had confused his target.
"Anyway."
The blue-haired individual turned in the opposite direction. Mirai pursed her lips, determined not to miss a single movement.
The gunman was absorbed in his own thoughts. Therefore, Mirai did not rush, knowing that it could make the situation worse.
If he thought they were travelers, it was better that way. They would avoid a greater conflict.
He did not expect to meet a person from the past in the middle of the desert. And he bet that the other person didn't expect to run into ninjas from the future under those circumstances, either.
"Uh?"
The blue-haired man stopped his step.
His attention fell on the ground, where particles of sand floated in the opposite direction. If he looked closely enough, he could see a small layer of sand forming in the air, at the height of his ankles.
"That's it—"
Mirai exclaimed in her mind. He did the same, focusing his attention on his feet.
The sandstorm could arrive even earlier than expected.
"What bad luck." The man lamented. "I'd better leave before things get worse."
"¡...!"
The individual resumed his step, ignoring the glances that were directed at him.
Mirai felt everyone's hearts racing racing. The man was moving slowly and had not yet left the refuge area, which did not make her feel completely safe.
Mirai's heart was pounding, echoing in her throat. Each pulse echoed in his veins, as he swallowed hard, his mouth feeling drier than ever.
Suddenly, a loud bang brought them all out of their reverie. And it was not for the better.
The blue-haired man also looked surprised, staring at the ground as he wondered why the sand beneath his feet was shaking.
The Genin behind Mirai were panting in fear. She turned to protect them, not looking away from the enemy or the others watching from the shelter.
"An earthquake? Why just now...?"
"Hell... what happens now?" The other man complained. "This day has been complete shit."
The shaking lasted only a few seconds before coming to an abrupt stop.
Mirai readjusted to face the would-be enemy, remembering the Sixth's advice and moderating her gaze. Being too active and flashy could be harmful in anonymity.
At the time, she wasn't alone. It was best to avoid a conflict, but to remain alert to any possible attack.
"What happens to you now?" She wondered, frustrated by the gunman's indifferent attitude. "Why did you stop? What are you waiting for?"
"So you're here, man!"
A voice rang out loudly, right behind Mirai and the children.
The Sarutobi froze, her eyes widening to the fullest. Someone had arrived unannounced, and she hadn't noticed it at all.
"Heavens, we've been looking for you everywhere!"
Mirai slowly turned towards the direction of the voice.
The owner of the voice appeared to be a young man, dressed similarly to the blue-haired man, but with hair of a dark purple hue.
This man seemed to be younger than the first.
"I was busy with my own business, don't meddle!" The first man replied, as he began to walk away. "I'm upset enough to deal with you right now."
"Huh?"
As the first man walked away, the second turned his attention to Mirai carefully. The ninja hid her trembling, swallowing hard as the second man approached her direction.
When he was a few steps away, Mirai stepped forward among the Genin who trembled in his place. She stood in front of them just at the moment when the dark-haired man came face to face with her.
He was taller than Mirai, with dark eyes that matched the tone of his hair. His expression showed a growing disgust at meeting Mirai's red eyes.
Although she tried to hide her fear, she was clearly scared.
"Was he interrupting something?" He began.
"They're just kids." His companion replied, pausing to stare at him. The dark-haired man examined Mirai closely. "Come on, we have work to do."
"Wait a moment."
Those words rang like a sentence in Mirai's ears.
The taller man brought his index finger and thumb up to the young ninja's chin, raising his gaze with his hand. Mirai stood tall, ready to protect the children hiding behind her with palpable fear.
She struggled not to swallow audibly, aware that it would be a sign of her fear.
The dark-eyed man had already come to a conclusion, and Mirai wasn't sure she was ready to face it.
"Hey!" The man examining Mirai called out to his blue-haired companion. The jet's eyes shot up at Mirai's. "Since when do simple children wear Konoha uniforms?"
His companion seemed shocked by the dark-haired man's doubt. Alarmed, he turned to demand an explanation, but before he could react, Mirai grabbed his arm, applying a chokehold and lifting him onto his back.
With no time to defend himself, the dark-haired man was thrown in the opposite direction of the shelter, leaving a trail of sand in his wake.
Within seconds, Mirai pulled herself together after her attack, but she felt something cold pressing against her neck, and a hot breath in her ear.
"Calm down, girl. I was just highlighting something curious." The blue-haired enemy spoke in a harsh, contemptuous tone. "You see, I didn't recognize you by that ugly thing you're wearing. Konoha's uniforms are usually more... Striking. But yours? Tell me something, are you really from Konoha?"
"¡...!"
Mirai held back a gasp, her mind locked and she couldn't think about her next move. Any rash action could endanger the children, and even their own death could lead them to a fatal fate.
"What should I do, what should I do, what should I do?!"
"Come on, answer!" The man behind her growled, his grip on the gun indicating his intentions to hurt her.
From her position, Mirai watched as the man she had knocked down rose from the ground, shaking the sand from his clothes and muttering something she couldn't hear.
The world was blurring before his eyes.
"Is this my end?" The three Genin he was protecting were motionless beside him. None dared to intervene, aware of the danger it posed to Konoha. "Am I going to die here?"
A repetitive, faint noise was rapidly approaching from behind. Before Mirai could react, something metallic and pointed passed right in front of the enemy's face behind her, forcing him to retreat.
Mirai put her hand to her neck, as the children's exclamations grew louder.
"Mirai-san!"
"Mirai-san, are you okay?!"
"Sarada!"
The last scream made her turn in alarm towards the shelter.
The man, his hand on his bleeding cheek, turned in the direction of the Shuriken that had wounded him had come from. Sarada, outside the shelter, held two Shuriken in her trembling hands. The screams of her friends echoed, urging her to stop.
The Uchiha were known for their skill in handling the Shuriken, and Sarada demonstrated talent even without the use of her eyes.
"Sarada-chan!"
"Was it you?" The man asked with increasing fury. "Was it you who threw that Shuriken?"
Sarada could barely respond, reasserting her dominance over the Shuriken.
"I see. So that's what you're looking for."
The blue-haired man wiped the blood from his cheek with his forearm, interpreting the attack as the start of a fight.
"Mirai-san, back off!" Tsubaki shouted next to him.
Regaining her composure, Mirai pulled out one of her blades and crouched down, ready to fend off the next attack.
The second man, armed with needles, was just as dangerous as his companion. Mirai frowned, aware that if one of those needles reached her, she would be immobilized.
In one swift move, he spun on his feet and kicked the enemy to buy some time.
"Iwabee-kun!"
"Got it!" The dark-haired man replied with determination, pulling out his bar firmly.
Mirai and her opponent were trading blows, with him trying to drive the needles into the Chunin's body. However, she took advantage of her second blade to cut the needles precisely, the clanging sound echoing through the air.
On the other hand, Iwabee hit the ground with his bar, causing a rock to form at the tip. With coordinated movements, he threw the rocks towards the enemy, but the enemy dodged them easily. It was as if they were executing an improvised choreography, every movement calculated and fluid.
The stampede of children managed to dodge the first man thanks to Iwabee's quick distraction. They all had a clear objective: to be as close as possible to their captain.
As a last escape route, Iwabee momentarily stopped the rock throwing and hit the ground with his bar, causing a rock base to rise and throw him into the air.
His opponent, with his forearms raised, watched from below as the dark-haired man circled twice in the air before landing on the other side, along with his team.
"Get away from Mirai-san!"
Wasabi didn't wait for additional instructions and took out his own summoning scroll from his Shinobi bag. With quick movements, he made the call of his ability, and the presence of the beast was already reflected in his eyes filled with anger.
Young Chunin lunged on all fours towards the dark-haired man, who was shocked by the attack, but managed to dodge it at the last moment.
Now they were two-on-one, and one of them was a half-cat girl who used her own claws and fury to inflict damage on the enemy.
After a minute or two of fighting, the enemy's movements suddenly stopped.
The man squirmed to his feet as Mirai and Wasabi jumped away from him. Under his feet, a shadow stretched until he was lost in the group of children.
There was a young man from the Nara clan. Mirai recognized him by the skill so characteristic of his clan, in addition to the hand seal that was usually made in that position to increase the shadow under the body.
"So they're from Konoha." He let go of the jet with effort.
The man's attention was interrupted by a shout from the rear of the squadron. Mirai turned around with both blades in hand and shuddered at the sight of the scene.
Iwabee lay on the ground, barely moving, while a few feet in front of him stood the first man. His long face and blue hair shone in the new darkness, as the sand rose from the ground.
He had Sarada, putting his arm just above her neck and squeezing her tightly as he lifted her off the ground. The lone Uchiha was trying to break free from his grip, desperately searching for air amid the screams of her companions.
"Sarada!"
"Damn!! Let go of Sarada!!"
Boruto's growl echoed throughout the desert. His pent-up rage, along with the pain of having lost everything, had exploded. The person who had grown up with him and shared his misfortune was being choked by a powerful arm.
However, despite his overflowing rage, his body did not respond to him. He was clear about what he wanted to do: jump on that man and strangle him with his bare hands. But her legs trembled at the sight of the man's evil eyes.
Those eyes, they were the same as those of all the people in the village. An unjustified thirst for blood.
"Jh!"
Sarada gasped hard, resisting the grab. It was a clear warning to those who dared to go one step further.
Boruto was one of those who backed down in fear. The sudden loss of a companion was still a living nightmare that stalked him from the shadows.
What could he do? Seeing Sarada's anguished face split his soul in two. His chest tore as he saw how the girl, still struggling against the grip, opened her eyes in his direction.
An Onyx color, whose brightness faded when it merged with Boruto's memories. The burning village would suddenly emerge in his mind, and the figure of his uncle Sasuke would appear as if it were an apocalyptic dream.
His master's lips moved, reminding him of the words that had been deeply etched in Boruto's mind.
How could he keep that promise if he couldn't even move now?
"Let's destroy them here and now!" The dark-haired young man was screaming, fighting against Shikadai's shadow control. "His uniform is not the same as Konoha's! But they are from there, there is no doubt! They are another anomaly!"
Mirai's left eye did not lose sight of the dark-haired man. Her iris narrowed, catching every detail carefully.
In a matter of seconds, Mirai put into practice one of the most important lessons she had learned: analyzing the enemy.
He mentally reviewed recent events.
"Travelers?"
"A question. An uncertainty in the face of the unexpected that interrupted a clear objective."
Mirai closed her eyes, going over the clues and studying the enemy's movements and words.
"They're just brats. Walking, we have work to do"
"Underestimation. An order. He confirmed his suspicions and continued the search for his target."
As if the world around her was slowing down, Mirai took advantage of the momentum of her left foot. He leaned his body forward, maintaining his balance as he prepared to run.
Every stride he took resonated strongly, marking every detail he had observed in the men's conversations.
"Are you really from Konoha?"
"A threat. Confirmation of its origin."
"I didn't recognize you for that ugly thing you're wearing. Konoha's uniforms are usually more striking."
"A description. Difference between her outfit and Konoha's standard. "Konoha's Uniforms are not like that."
"They're another anomaly!!"
"Anomaly... something that doesn't fit."
Mirai's presence merged with the atmosphere. The sand rose from the ground, obstructing the view. Masterful in wind control, Mirai did not take her eyes off her target as she advanced over the sand.
He acted quickly. When she saw the enemy tightening her grip on Sarada, Mirai threw one of her blades accurately.
The weapon slammed into the enemy's dagger, resounding metallicly, and stabbed into the sand, away from Mirai now.
Seizing the slightest opportunity as the enemy readjusted after the clash, Mirai lunged forward.
Mirai approached the enemy, crouching nimbly and turning on her feet to dodge another blow from her weapon. This time, she used her forearms as a shield to protect her face, now positioning herself to the side of the enemy, ready to counterattack.
"These people know who we are. They call us "Anomaly. They could have been here looking for people like us."
"What the hell?!"
An explosion of sand a few meters away captured everyone's attention. The powerful detonation staggered them, blanketing them all in sand and disrupting the combat for a few moments.
That brief lapse was enough for Mirai. As a cloud of sand began to circle them, he recalled his life in Konoha as he watched Sarada struggle to breathe.
"Take care of my will to fire."
"You're like your father. You could become Hokage!"
"Those children are important. They are harmless at this time."
"I'm afraid of dying being a Lee."
"We are all a juicy target for the most powerful."
"I must protect them, even if I have to give my life in return!"
"Mirai!"
Shikadai's scream could not stop her.
A flaming, blue energy manifested on the surface of the Sarutobi's blade. It was the same blade his father had wielded in his days as Shinobi, the same one with which he had lost his life.
His chakra focused on the weapon. Although not yet an expert in this technique, Mirai put all her strength into her right arm, gathering momentum with a muffled scream, taking advantage of the enemy's distraction.
A diagonal cut tore the skin on the man's arm. He let out a shriek of pain as the burning wound spread, blood gushing from the torn skin.
Sarada fell to the ground, on the verge of falling to her knees, but Mirai grabbed her by the collar of her clothes and threw her toward where the rest of her squad was. The Uchiha rolled on the ground and was caught by her teammates.
Mirai watched her squad, lungs screaming for rest and their insides burning. Seeing their petrified faces was the worst scenario she could imagine after escaping Konoha alive. She had accepted this ending, but she could not be at ease if her sacrifice did not ensure the well-being of the children.
He gasped as he felt himself being grabbed by the back of his vest collar. The enemy violently pulled him, turning her around to be face to face with the teenager. Her mind exhausted or blank, Mirai prepared to hit her opponent again with the blade, but he lifted her off the ground by grabbing her by the collar of his vest.
The man lifted her into the air, so much so that Mirai could almost see her head if she were allowed to. He was short of breath, and his blade fell to the ground as the lack of oxygen began to affect his brain. She could only frown and grab the man's wrist with her hands.
"YOU THINK YOU'RE VERY STRONG, DON'T YOU, BRAT?!2 The man spat, madness reflected in his face and sweat sliding down his face. Mirai's attack had affected him. "NOW YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY ME THIS." Do you know what the price is for hurting me...?"
"Gh...! Gah!"
Mirai stifled a scream, unable to breathe from the hand that obstructed her air. Their eyes widened, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. His mouth followed the same pattern, and those watching the scene from afar could only watch as the Chunin's feet twisted, as if in doing so he was looking for salvation.
The entire squad was perplexed by the scene unfolding in the distance, mouths open and unable to lift a finger.
"It's the end of it."
The second man's voice echoed darkly behind the group.
Stunned, they turned to watch Shikadai's paralyzing shadow fade beneath the man's feet. Despite Nara's efforts to maintain his technique, he gave up when the man stepped forward.
A cold, mortuary silence enveloped them all.
"You should be thankful that your purpose is only to drain your Chakra." He told them, calming them at the thought of a ruthless attack on the young ninja. "But I can't say the same about you. You will die by my hand."
Every step he took was a warning to the children. Danger was literally in front of them, and only a few took the initiative to put themselves on guard, hesitating while keeping their minds set on the state of the greatest of all.
Hoki was the first to position himself in front. He didn't seem to be prepared for combat, but the enemy wouldn't wait for him to be ready.
However, suddenly, the first man let out a loud gasp that took his companion by surprise. He turned his attention away from the children to watch closely as his companion lifted Mirai by the neck.
What he couldn't see was what alarmed the blue-haired man.
As he absorbed the teenager's Chakra, he felt her body go numb and a stabbing pain invade her muscles. Numbness prevented her from letting go of Mirai, and as time passed, the Sarutobi's arms fell limp beside her.
Unconsciousness took over her body.
Among the man's constant complaints, a flash emerged on the unconscious face of the Chunin who was being strangled.
He frowned, pain radiating from the depths of his being. With his face tense with suffering, he noticed how a figure, tiny and shining, formed on the forehead of the young woman.
It was like a drawing made of stars. A crescent that highlighted its presence, as if it were shining underwater on a starry night.
"What the hell is that...?" The man exclaimed, puzzled.
"Hey! What's going on?" The dark-haired one asked, confused.
The man grabbed his arm, trying to free himself from the force that imprisoned him. The glow on the teenager's forehead intensified, until an electric shock activated the enemy's senses.
"Damn it!" He shouted as he regained consciousness, releasing his grip on the young woman.
Mirai fell backwards to the ground with a forceful blow.
"Mirai!"
"Mirai-san!"
"Neechan!"
Everyone shouted his name, looking carefully at the unconscious body of the Chunin. To his regret, there was no movement or response to his calls.
Curses rang out in whispers, as panic echoed the children's faces.
The sandstorm engulfed the desert, its roars and calls blending in the wind, causing children to cover their eyes as they were pushed backwards by the force of the natural phenomenon.
Unbeknownst to the young men, the same light that had appeared on Mirai's forehead now shone on theirs. A lunar glow, beautiful but discreet.
Boruto shielded his face with one arm, grasping Sarada's wrist with his other hand. She did the same, her hair fluttering wildly in the wind.
But suddenly, the tingling of the sand stopped, even in the middle of the storm. Sarada dared to open her eyes partially, without letting go of Boruto's hand.
In amazement, he watched as figures emerged from the storm, forming columns around them. They wore only rags as pants and wore stone masks. The circle they formed opened up as they moved towards the group of children.
The men of old recoiled, cursing as the sand lacerated their eyes. The children, on the other hand, only felt the force of the wind thanks to the shield formed by the masked men.
"What's going on?!" Boruto exclaimed when he realized what was happening.
"They... they're manipulating the sand!" Sarada shouted, her eyes fixed on the approaching column of men.
As they watched as Mirai's unconscious figure became clearer within the circle of men, Sarada and Boruto shuddered. They were about to run towards it when a creak stopped them in their tracks.
The ground was beginning to give way under his feet, forming cracks everywhere. His companions had also noticed the change, sinking into a tense silence, only interrupted by the ominous sound of cracks.
The sand disappeared, leaving only remnants on a rocky, cracked surface. Confusion took hold of them.
"What's going on?!" Tsubaki shouted, her voice filled with panic.
"I'm scared!"
"The ground is breaking!"
"All together!!" Hoki tried to stay calm, but his voice trembled. "Don't separate us under any circumstances!"
More cracks rang out, louder than before, drowning out the screams of his companions. The ground gave way once more, making them stagger and shriek as they fell into a dark unknown abyss, dust blinding their visions and the world trembling around them.
Their stomachs churned as they experienced the forces of gravity, and their screams mingled in the air. It all culminated in a shocking blow when he reached the ground.
The last sound that resounded was that of the smaller stones falling, followed by the abrupt closing of the stone roof above them.
The ground that had opened up beneath their feet was sealed, leaving them in complete darkness and depriving them of the faint moonlight that barely filtered through.
(~~~)
Meanwhile, confusion and tension gripped the ancient ninjas of Konoha.
In the Land of the Wind, more precisely in the hospital of the Sand Village, a huge black cloud hung over the building. Expressions of concern were evident on the faces of those present, and the anxious conversations of the nurses filled the air.
The Ino-Shika-Chou trio watched in disbelief what was happening outside. Through the windows, they could only see the darkness that enveloped the outside.
Gaara walked past his brothers, ignoring the questions they threw at him. He had received the message from the Hokage and was almost certain that what was happening now was related to him.
When he reached the sleeping child's room, he went to the window to look out over the black sandstorm that surrounded the entire building.
"You've completely covered the hospital!" He heard someone exclaim behind him. "It's like black sand!"
"Kazekage-sama!"
"Gaara! What are we going to do?!"
Gaara did not ignore the questions thrown at him, but he did not answer any of them either.
With his arms folded, he glanced sideways at the bedridden boy.
There were too many coincidences to overlook.
(~~~)
"Saturo-sama!"
"Please help us, Saturo-sama!"
"Help!"
In the royal palace, ninjas shouted from their positions. The nearest servants recoiled in fear as a green light shrouded the ninjas crying out for help.
Some tried to resist the kidnapping, but unknown force always prevailed.
All of the men, including the few remaining Trozani ninjas, were being dragged from within the walls of the royal palace.
Team Kakashi stopped, shocked to see some kind of green light, as big as a door, blocking their way.
On the other side, Kakashi suddenly showed up. At his side, the second king of the city.
Saturo couldn't believe what he was seeing. In front of him, he could see how his subordinates were kidnapped, hearing their cries for help.
"Gah! Saturo-sama!" A ninja exclaimed in the middle of the corridor.
His feet drifted farther and farther off the ground, extending his limbs toward his king in a desperate attempt to avoid capture. But the portal sucked him in, his body disappearing before the eyes of the five spectators as he continued to cry out for help.
The king tried to come to his rescue, but to no avail.
"Help me! Saturo-sama!"
The green light absorbed the ninja's existence, up to his fingertips. The only thing that remained of him were the strands of his hair that faded into thin air.
In the royal palace, a funereal silence took over the place.
Saturo was paralyzed.
"The parchment... has been opened."
His trembling voice echoed in the white-haired man behind him.
An atmosphere of terror enveloped the entire palace. The whispers of the servants, incredulous and terrified, echoed like a nightmare in Naruto's ears.
The Uzumaki, pale as paper, could scarcely murmur to himself.
"It's the same as in Konoha..." He swallowed hard. The cold took hold of his fingers. "It's... the same spatio-temporal Jutsu."
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