Chapter 311:
Land of Water — Capital City.
The once bustling and lively capital had vanished, replaced by a silence as cold as death. Zombies roamed the streets, and the surviving humans hid themselves away, covering their mouths tightly and struggling not to make a single sound.
The Daimyō's Mansion.
As the origin of the zombie outbreak, the Daimyō's mansion was, ironically, now devoid of a single zombie.
"Thanks to Gray Wolf, I've been able to collect this much Shadow Energy. Don't worry—Shadow Emperor has already agreed. You'll be given some of the Shadow Energy for your research."
As Evilmoku spoke, he pulled out a jar in front of Gray Wolf Clone No. 2. Inside it swirled a mass of Shadow Energy, floating like a dark storm cloud.
"This is Shadow Energy…?"
"If you inject Shadow Energy into a living creature, it'll turn into a Mutant Beast. But with such a small amount, even if you use it all, the resulting creature won't be very powerful."
"That's fine. This much is already enough for research." Gray Wolf Clone No. 2 said as he took the jar of Shadow Energy and stored it away. "By the way, how's it going with Mitsuki?"
"It's going to take some time to separate Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki and Momoshiki. But don't worry—once they're split, I'll send Mitsuki back."
Evilmoku replied.
"There's one more thing. Though the Land of Water has been completely overrun, Kirigakure has managed to mount an effective counterattack."
...
Kirigakure.
"Everyone's chakra is completely depleted," said Kagura, his face dirtied and far removed from his usual handsome appearance, as he came over to Modern Boruto. "There must be at least ten thousand zombies."
"Left side! The zombies are forming a human ladder on the left!"
Hearing the shout from the left, Modern Boruto and Kagura quickly rushed over.
"Sage Art: Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
With a boost from natural energy, a powerful gust of wind blasted out from Boruto's hands, scattering the zombies who had started stacking themselves up.
"Over here too!"
Thanks to having Kurama inside him, Modern Boruto still had some chakra left.
After several dashes back and forth, Modern Boruto finally dropped out of Sage Mode.
"The sun! The sun is rising!"
Hearing the cheers, Modern Boruto turned toward the east. It was the first time he'd ever been so happy to see the sunrise.
As sunlight poured down, the zombies beneath Kirigakure scattered, fleeing into the shadows to escape the light.
After a grueling night of battling zombies, the people gradually began to see Modern Boruto—who had been issuing commands—as their leader.
Shizōma clenched his fists tightly as he watched everyone place their trust in Boruto, then turned and walked away.
"You all did great. Rest for the morning, and we'll resume preparing to defend against the next wave of zombies in the afternoon."
Shizōma's Residence, Kirigakure.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Shizōma vented his fury. "Everyone in this village actually listens to someone from another village! Damn it!"
Like the Daimyō of the Land of Water, Shizōma had been working wholeheartedly for the sake of the nation, wanting to restore its former greatness.
"Hehehe…"
"Who's there?! Who's laughing?! Come out here!"
Hearing what sounded like someone mocking him, Shizōma lost all rationality and scanned the room wildly.
"It's me, Kanpō Shizōma."
A black mist gathered in front of him, coalescing into the face of Evilmoku.
"Se-Seventh Mizukage?!"
"You seem rather upset, Shizōma."
Clenching his fists, Shizōma roared, "You're the one who turned the Daimyō into a zombie! You're the one who turned the Land of Water into this living hell!"
"It wasn't me, Shizōma. You've been deceived," Evilmoku replied calmly. "In truth, the zombies were a weapon the Daimyō of the Land of Water intended to use to wipe out the other four nations. But Konoha sent Shuyu and Sarada, who unlocked the sealed zombies in the Daimyō's mansion earlier than planned, causing the Daimyō to get infected himself."
"Why should I believe you?!"
"You don't have to. But Shizōma, can you really just stand by and watch someone from the Land of Fire command our people here in the Land of Water?" Evilmoku coaxed. "Even if all the zombies are eliminated, by that point, the Land of Water will have become part of the Land of Fire. Shizōma, this nation needs you. Now that the Daimyō is dead, why shouldn't you become the new Daimyō?"
"Me…?"
"Believe in yourself, Shizōma. Besides, I'll help you," Evilmoku said, transforming into black mist that flowed out two jars. "One holds Shadow Energy. The other contains an arm infected with the zombie virus. Inject a small amount of Shadow Energy into yourself—not enough to make you a Mutant Beast—and you'll gain great power and immunity to zombie attacks. As for the arm, use it to prepare food for others. Once consumed, they'll become zombies."
"I'll accept the Shadow Energy, but the zombie-infected arm…"
"Shizōma, do you really think the other great nations will pass up the chance to take the Land of Water at its weakest? You need zombies to fight for you. And once you become Daimyō, the Land of Water won't disappear. In the shinobi world, population is the cheapest resource."
After a moment's hesitation, Shizōma picked up both jars.
...
"Meat? Shizōma, where'd you get this meat?" asked Hebime, another member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, staring at the meat in the pot. "Didn't Kagura say we're supposed to pool all the food and share it equally?"
"I hid this in secret. Come on, dig in."
Shizōma replied.
"Well, don't mind if I do," said Oniyuzu Ichirōta.
Shizōma smiled, staring at the five before him.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Kurokama Fumitane suddenly clutched his throat, eyes rolling back as his face twisted in pain.
"Hey, Fumitane! What's wrong?!"
Just as Onomichi Hassaku stepped forward in concern, he too grabbed at his throat. As if triggered in unison, all six present—except for Shizōma, who hadn't eaten—began to seize up, eyes going white and faces contorting in agony.
One by one, they collapsed, appearing lifeless.
Moments later, Kurokama Fumitane's twisted body rose from the floor, followed shortly by the other four. They opened their mouths and began emitting hoarse, bestial growls.
Shizōma, the only human left in the room, stood before his five zombified comrades, untouched and unscathed.
The five zombies wandered out, eventually walking straight through the front gate of Shizōma's residence.