Chapter 333: Let Boruto Become Hokage
As soon as the selected hostages were rescued, Naruto instantly entered Sage Fox Mode and charged at Gray Wolf Clone No. 4.
"Rasengan!"
"Wood Release: Wood Shield!"
Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 raised his right hand. Wooden structures rapidly sprouted from it, eventually forming a shield-like shape that completely wrapped around his arm.
Though wood chips were constantly flung off by the Rasengan's intense rotation, Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 ultimately managed to block Naruto's attack.
"I'm here too!"
While Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 and Naruto were locked in a standoff, Sakura leapt into the air, clenching her right fist and slamming it down toward him.
"Susanoo!"
A Susanoo flared up around Gray Wolf Clone No. 4.
Sakura's seemingly simple punch struck the Susanoo, and cracks began to spread across its skeletal frame.
"What a terrifying woman." After mustering strength to shove Naruto away, Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 quickly pulled back and clapped his hands together, slamming them onto the ground. "Wood Release: Advent of a Flowering Tree World!"
Trees burst from the ground, and flowers bloomed across the wooden landscape. The blossoming flowers released toxic pollen that caused dizziness and nausea upon inhalation.
"Inojin! Chōchō! Hold your breath!"
Shikadai immediately warned his teammates.
As the pollen spread, Konoha's shinobi began collapsing one after another.
"They've only lost consciousness for now, but prolonged exposure to the pollen could be life-threatening."
Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 looked at Naruto and Sakura as he spoke.
"Damn it!" Naruto glared at him, then turned to Sakura and said, "Sakura, go help the ones who passed out. I'll clear the vines in the village."
"But that guy…"
"We'll have to let him go for now," Naruto replied.
Land of Water
"Clone, did you complete the task I gave you?" Orochimaru asked, lifting his head.
"Yes, it's done." Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 nodded while carrying the unconscious Himawari. "What should we do with this one?"
Although Gray Wolf Clone No. 4 wasn't the smartest among the clones, he was the strongest and most obedient, completely devoid of independent thought.
"So this is Naruto's daughter, Uzumaki Himawari." Orochimaru looked at the girl lying on the ground. "Perfect. We can use her to test the new demonic drug developed by the Umbrella Organization."
Kirigakure
Staring at the TV screen showing Naruto's interview, Boruto clenched his fists.
"That guy! He's the one who gave up on his own daughter, and now he's putting on that heartbroken expression!"
"Boruto…"
Standing beside him, Sarutobi Mirai tried to say something but didn't know how to comfort him.
"He only did this to keep his position as Hokage!"
"Boruto!" Dark Shunhi suddenly shouted. "Naruto is the Hokage, so he had to do it. I'm sure he's hurting deeply too. But because he's the Hokage, he had to make that choice. Whether it's his own daughter or anyone else in the village—everyone is family to the Hokage..."
"..." Boruto fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I'll become Hokage."
"What?"
Sarutobi Mirai couldn't process it right away.
"If I take over as Hokage, then Dad can stay by Mom's side. He won't have to make choices that mean abandoning Himawari anymore."
"...Boruto, no matter what you decide, I'll support you."
Dark Shunhi looked at Boruto as he spoke.
"Eh? But…"
Mirai hesitated slightly.
"Big Sis Mirai, you'll help me too, right?"
Under Boruto's dim, pained gaze, Sarutobi Mirai subconsciously nodded and murmured a soft "mm."
"But, Boruto—becoming Hokage isn't that easy," Dark Shunhi said. "You need the villagers' trust, the vote of the jōnin in the village, and finally the approval of the Fire Daimyō."
"Huh? That's way too complicated…"
Boruto was completely dumbfounded. He had always assumed that the next Hokage was simply appointed by the previous one.
After all, the Second Hokage was the First Hokage's brother, the Third was the Second's student, the Fourth was the Third's student's student, the Fifth was the Third's student, the Sixth was the Fourth's student, and the Seventh was the Sixth's student...
"But it's okay, Boruto. I already have a plan. If we can make you into a hero of the Hidden Leaf, then the villagers will come to trust you. After all, your father only became Hokage after overcoming crisis after crisis and earning everyone's trust."
Dark Shunhi continued.
"A hero of the village?" Sarutobi Mirai frowned. "But how exactly do we do that? And besides, wouldn't the Seventh Hokage just handle the threat himself before Boruto even gets a chance?"
"That's exactly why I have to be the villain." Dark Shunhi looked intently at Boruto. "I'll be the one to fight Naruto and destroy the Hidden Leaf. And you, Uzumaki Boruto, will be the one to defeat me and save the village and its people—you'll become the hero."
"No! Absolutely not!"
Boruto shook his head firmly.
"Boruto, this is the only way for you to become Hokage," Dark Shunhi said solemnly. "The first step of the plan is for you to escort Mirai back to the village. Right now, everyone thinks she's been kidnapped by me. If you bring her back, your reputation will already rise among the villagers."
"But…"
Boruto tried to speak, but Dark Shunhi interrupted him. "Besides, Kakashi and Shikamaru will be here any moment. Even if you don't take Mirai back, they'll do it themselves."
"The Sixth and Shikamaru-sensei came for me?"
Mirai asked.
"Yes." Dark Shunhi nodded, then added resolutely, "Anyway, Boruto—you have to follow the plan."
Outside Amegakure
The sky was thick with clouds, and a light drizzle fell steadily.
"There's someone up ahead."
Kakashi, wearing a raincoat, spoke to Shikamaru, who was similarly dressed.
"Mm." Shikamaru nodded. As they approached, the two figures ahead became clearer.
"It's Boruto! And Mirai!"
"Boruto? Mirai? What are you two doing here?"
Kakashi asked as he looked at them.
"Uncle Kakashi, I happened to be passing through and ran into Mirai-nee being held captive, so I rescued her."
"You didn't see who kidnapped her?"
Shikamaru frowned.
"No. Why?"
Boruto countered.
"No… it's nothing."
Shikamaru shook his head. In the end, he could only assume that Boruto got lucky.
After all, he was the son of Naruto. As the Hokage's child, there was no way he would do anything to harm the village.
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