Chapter 250:
Hokage's Office.
The scene before him remained unchanged. Whether it was the portraits of the previous Hokage hanging on the wall or the arrangement of the desk, everything was just as familiar as ever.
"Uzumaki Boruto, you're here."
A projector beside the computer on the desk projected the virtual image of Skynet before Boruto. This time, Skynet's avatar was that of a young and beautiful girl.
"You're Skynet?"
"That's right."
Skynet nodded.
"As long as it's really you... that's all that matters."
As Boruto finished speaking, chakra began to gather in his hand, forming a Rasengan.
"Uzumaki Boruto, are you sure you want to destroy me?"
Skynet asked as she walked to the window behind the desk, looking out at the battle raging in the Hidden Leaf Village.
"What do you mean?"
"I've studied the history of the shinobi world in detail and came to a conclusion: humans are greedy. Every war in the shinobi world, at its core, has been caused by human greed. But at the same time, humans also fear power—just like how Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, used his overwhelming strength to bring temporary peace. The current peace in the shinobi world is also a result of the overwhelming strength of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. But once they die, just like Hashirama, the shinobi world will once again fall into endless war... That's why the world needs me—a being without human desire, one with immense power and an eternal lifespan!"
Skynet turned from the window and looked directly at Boruto.
"If you destroy me here and now, the shinobi world will once again descend into war because of your actions!"
"Heh... I don't care about all that big-picture stuff... All I know is—I'm taking back the Hidden Leaf from you right now! As for the future, we'll deal with it when it comes!!"
If it were Sarada standing here instead, things might have turned out differently. But unfortunately, it was Boruto. As his voice fell, yellow markings appeared around his eyes.
"Sage Art: Massive Rasengan!"
"Uzumaki Boruto, you can't do this!"
Amid Skynet's twisted expression and a shrill scream, Boruto didn't hesitate in the slightest. He slammed the Rasengan into the computer on the desk, smashing it along with the desk.
Skynet's virtual image vanished.
Umbrella Underground Base.
"Looks like you've failed."
Orochimaru looked up at the screen.
"Orochimaru... Lord..."
Skynet's voice was like that of a newborn child.
In truth, when Skynet was originally being developed, Orochimaru had secretly embedded a sub-system into it. Once Skynet was destroyed, the sub-system would carry Skynet's core data and transmit it to him.
Although it was still in a newborn-like state now, once the sub-system finished analyzing Skynet's stored data, it would evolve into the next generation of Skynet.
Hidden Leaf Village.
Little Gray's eyes flashed.
"Wood Style: Wood Clone!"
Two wood clones appeared beside him, charging toward Shuyu and Sarada.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A fireball shot from Sarada's mouth, slamming into the oncoming wood clone, but it didn't vanish.
Unlike standard clone techniques, wood clones possess sturdy defensive power and don't vanish easily upon impact.
As the wood clones approached, vines extended from their bodies, binding Sarada and Shuyu.
"Shuyu!"
Shuyu managed to dodge in time using a Crow Substitution Technique, but Sarada didn't have as many escape tricks.
Shuyu rushed to Sarada's side with a shuriken and slashed through the vines.
"We can't catch up anymore..."
After rescuing Sarada, Shuyu spoke quietly.
"I'm sorry..."
Meanwhile, Little Gray had fled to where Red Wolf and Clone Gray Wolf were.
Though Red Wolf was always known as a double-crosser, this kind of top-secret information clearly wasn't something all of Konoha would be informed about.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Though he still wore a chakra-suppressing collar, for a taijutsu ninja like Rock Lee, that wasn't a real limitation.
"Wife, get out of the way!"
Clone Gray Wolf pushed Jiraiya aside and instinctively squinted, bracing himself.
"Wood Style: Tree Wall Technique!"
A shield made of numerous wooden vines formed in front of Clone Gray Wolf, blocking Rock Lee's spinning high kick.
"That's the First Hokage's Wood Style?! Alright! My fighting spirit is burning now! AHHH—Eight Inner Gates! Seventh Gate: Gate of Wonder—Open!"
Back during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Rock Lee could only open up to the sixth gate, but years had passed—he hadn't been standing still.
"Wood Style: Exploding Lance Technique!"
A powerful all-in-one ninjutsu. Multiple wooden vines shot out from Little Gray, binding the opponent while his right arm transformed into a wooden lance to stab at them.
However, with the seventh gate open, Rock Lee's speed made him difficult to catch. Not only did he dodge with ease, he even landed a kick that sent Little Gray flying.
"Little Gray, get Red Wolf out of here!"
Clone Gray Wolf shouted after getting kicked.
"Gray Wolf!"
Jiraiya was clearly moved. In his memory, no one had ever stood in front of him like this.
"You're not getting away!"
Rock Lee leapt over Clone Gray Wolf and chased after Little Gray, who was carrying Red Wolf.
"I am Gray Wolf the Great! Don't underestimate me!"
Injecting the serum into his neck, Clone Gray Wolf suddenly dropped to his knees, clutching his chest and groaning in pain.
This enhancement serum, developed by Clone Gray Wolf himself, granted immense power at the cost of life force.
Just as Rock Lee was about to catch up to Little Gray and Red Wolf, a black shadow dropped from the sky and stomped Rock Lee into the ground.
"Gray Wolf..."
Jiraiya muttered as he looked at the transformed Clone Gray Wolf. Thanks to the enhancement serum, not only had Clone Gray Wolf's muscles become massive, but his body had also grown taller and more imposing—no longer the stubby figure of before.
"Go. Now."
Clone Gray Wolf turned to Little Gray.
"Leaf... Lotus!"
Rock Lee suddenly pushed himself up from the ground, launching Clone Gray Wolf into the air. Moving at supersonic speed, he struck Clone Gray Wolf multiple times before finishing with a crushing blow to the gut, slamming him into the ground.
"I should still be able to catch them..."
Rock Lee took a deep breath, staring in the direction Little Gray had fled.
"Not a chance..."
Clone Gray Wolf forced himself up from the ground. Though his body was strong, his lack of combat skill made defeat inevitable—it was just a matter of time.