Chapter 290:
"Because you're so obsessed with the power of the Rinnegan, you're not proficient in other jutsu—especially not in taijutsu. And that's your weakness, Pain."
After entering Super Saiyan mode, Future Boruto looked at Deva Path Pain and spoke.
"His hair standing up like that... surprisingly makes him look kinda cool. But how did he do that...?"
Naruto squinted as he observed Future Boruto.
"It's the stimulation from chakra," Hinata replied, activating her Byakugan while supporting Naruto, her eyes fixed on Future Boruto.
"So that's how it is..."
Naruto scratched his head and gradually fell silent. Hinata's feelings for him—he now understood them completely. But in the end, he still liked Sakura a little more.
"Such speed!"
Deva Path Pain was astonished. He was completely overwhelmed by Future Boruto's attacks.
If he couldn't react, there was no way he could use Shinra Tensei.
And Future Boruto's Super Saiyan mode just so happened to boost his taijutsu.
"Pain, you've already lost."
"Lost... huh? But at this range, Chibaku—"
Before he could finish speaking, Deva Path Pain, lying on the ground, was swiftly stabbed in the throat by Future Boruto's Kusanagi sword.
"Is it over, Naruto...?" Hinata asked while still supporting him.
"No, it's not over yet... Hinata, step back for now."
"But Naruto, your body..."
"Don't worry. My recovery is really fast. You, on the other hand, should hurry and find a medical ninja to treat your injuries."
Naruto smiled at her reassuringly.
"Okay, Naruto."
As he watched Hinata walk away, Naruto turned to Future Boruto and said, "Thanks."
"...Hanabi, let's go," Future Boruto said to Hanabi, ignoring Naruto.
"Huh? We're not staying, Boruto?"
"No."
"Geez, what's the rush..."
Though she was clearly displeased, Hanabi still followed him.
"Hanabi..."
Hinata, who was receiving treatment from Sakura, called out as she saw her sister walking away.
"Big sis, I'm heading off. Don't worry—I'll be fine as long as Boruto's with me."
Hanabi called back to her sister as she left.
Watching the backs of Future Boruto and Hanabi, Naruto turned his gaze back toward Deva Path Pain lying on the ground, then entered Sage Mode.
"Still not waking up? I can sense it—this one isn't your true body. Take me to the real one..."
---
Akatsuki Base.
"Pain has failed," Future Boruto said to Tobi.
"Is that so? But then why did I hear... that it was you who killed him?"
Tobi's mask revealed a Sharingan eye as he looked at Future Boruto.
"Because he tried to kill Hanabi."
"..." Tobi fell silent. It was well known within the organization how much Future Boruto cared about Hanabi. "In any case, you still killed Pain. Since you're capable of that, you should have no trouble capturing the Nine-Tails either."
"If it's just a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra..."
"Hey! When are we going to kill Danzō?!"
Sasuke barged in and directed the question at Tobi. Behind him were Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo.
"Don't be so impatient, Sasuke," Suigetsu said, trying to calm him down.
"Don't worry, Sasuke. I'll keep my promise. Besides, Danzō is an eyesore to us as well." After reassuring Sasuke, Tobi turned to Kisame. "Also, Kisame, I want you to recruit someone. Zetsu will take you to him."
---
"Boruto, why are you following me instead of going after the Nine-Tails?"
Kisame glanced back at Future Boruto and Hanabi as they followed him.
It would be a lie to say Kisame wasn't nervous.
First he supported Sasori—Sasori died. Then he did missions with Deidara—Deidara died. He helped Itachi stall Sasuke—Itachi died. He went with Deva Path Pain to the Leaf to capture the Nine-Tails—Pain died.
When he thought about it all, Kisame couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"I need Zetsu to provide me with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki's location," Future Boruto replied.
---
Cave.
"Didn't expect you to actually find me."
Kabuto, wearing a cloak, looked at Kisame, Future Boruto, and Hanabi as they approached him.
"A former spy under Sasori... a traitor to Akatsuki..."
"No need to be so hostile, Kisame. Besides, I think you need my help more than you realize..."
"What, you planning to rejoin Akatsuki, traitor?"
"You've got it wrong, Kisame..." Kabuto said as he slapped the ground with both hands, summoning a row of coffins. "This isn't about rejoining as a subordinate. I'm proposing a partnership between equals."
"This is..."
Kisame, gripping Samehada, stared at the row of coffins in front of him.
"The Impure World Reincarnation—an outlawed technique known only to the Second Hokage and Orochimaru. Including me, only three people in history have mastered it. And I've surpassed even them. This is just a small demonstration, a taste of what I'm capable of. The real show's still to come... Haven't you ever questioned the identity of that 'Uchiha Madara'?"
"This is..." Kisame looked at Kabuto. "Where did you find that?!"
"You don't need to know that. So, do I qualify to be your equal now?"
"What are you really after?"
"Honestly, nothing too sinister. I simply want to uncover the true essence of ninjutsu." Kabuto spread his hands. "I want Uchiha Sasuke. I want to understand why Lord Orochimaru was so obsessed with him."
"...I'll agree to that," Tobi said as he emerged from the Kamui space. After Zetsu saw that Kabuto had summoned a coffin with Uchiha Madara, he immediately notified Tobi. Thanks to the Kamui space, Tobi had made it in time from Sasuke's side. "But only after my plan succeeds. Until then, you're not to meet Sasuke. And starting now—I'll be watching you."
"Heh... I'd expect no less from 'Uchiha Madara.' Always thinking several steps ahead," Kabuto said mockingly.
But the real Uchiha Madara was lying in one of the coffins. So who exactly was this man impersonating him?
Kabuto licked his face with his tongue—a habit he'd picked up since transplanting Orochimaru's cells. His demeanor, too, was starting to resemble Orochimaru's more and more.
"Come with me," Tobi said to Kabuto. Then he turned to Future Boruto and Kisame. "You two—go find the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki together."