Chapter 67: Perfect Vessel

As Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki arrived at the location, they were greeted by the sight of a wreckage of an airship. Strewn across the area were multiple bodies clad in black cloaks, catching their attention.

"This must be the place. Let's investigate," Boruto declared, his voice filled with determination as he leaped down from the elevated ground.

Sarada let out a sigh, exchanging a glance with Mitsuki before they followed Boruto's lead, gracefully descending to the ground below. However, before Boruto could even begin inspecting the airship, he abruptly stomped on one of the bodies' heads, causing a surprising chain reaction. The seemingly lifeless bodies suddenly sprang to life, revealing their true nature as robots.

Reacting swiftly, the trio effortlessly dispatched the robotic adversaries, their punches easily overpowering the feeble resistance.

With the immediate threat neutralized, they turned their attention back to the airship, only to find it devoid of any occupants. Confusion filled the air as Sarada voiced the question that lingered in their minds, "What should we do now?"

Boruto raised his index finger, a thoughtful expression on his face as he activated his Rinnegan, utilizing its unique ability to trace the events that had transpired. After a moment of focus, he confidently declared, "I've got it. Follow me."

With a shared sense of trust, they ventured deeper into the forest, their footsteps guiding them towards an unexpected discovery. As they delved further, their path led them to a concealed cave.

Inside, they were met with the sight of Konohamaru, his kunai at the ready, prepared for a fight. However, upon recognizing Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki, a visible wave of relief washed over him, evident in the sigh that escaped his lips.

"Boruto, lend me a hand in healing him," Konohamaru urgently requested, his voice filled with concern.

Without hesitation, Boruto stepped forward and utilized his healing abilities to restore the injured man to full health, his hands emanating a warm and soothing glow.

"I managed to find some valuable information in a black container. I was able to extract it. Let's head back so we can analyze the data," Konohamaru informed the group, his tone filled with a mix of excitement and determination.

Just as they were about to make their way out of the cave, their progress was halted by the sudden appearance of Ao at the entrance. His presence was met with a tense silence, anticipation hanging in the air.

"Care to enlighten me with all of—" Ao began, but before he could finish his sentence, Boruto swiftly materialized in front of him, launching a powerful strike that sent Ao crashing to the ground, rendering him unconscious.

Konohamaru's surprise quickly transformed into a smile as he remarked, "Good thinking, Boruto."

However, their momentary relief was short-lived as another figure emerged from the depths of the forest. Boruto's eyes lit up with a mischievous smile as he effortlessly tossed Ao's body towards his newfound comrade. Turning to his companions, he confidently declared, "You guys go back. Let me handle this guy."

Sarada and Mitsuki exchanged a knowing glance, understanding that the arrival of this new individual signaled a formidable opponent. They nodded in agreement, fully trusting Boruto's judgement.

"Let's go," Sarada stated in a serious tone, her resolve evident.

"But Bor—" Konohamaru attempted to interject, his concern evident.

"Trust him," Mitsuki interrupted, his voice filled with conviction as he lifted Ao's unconscious body onto his back.

Gritting his teeth, Konohamaru reluctantly accepted their decision and shouldered the weight of his exhausted friend. Together, they left the cave, creating a new pathway using Earth Release Jutsu, forging their way forward.

"You've shown great bravery, facing me head-on, just as I expected from the one who defeated Otsutsuki Momoshiki. Uzumaki Boruto, I hope you can entertain me with something interesting," the mysterious man taunted, his voice dripping with confidence.

Boruto responded with a sly grin, his words laced with a hint of amusement, "There's no need to ask, Kashin Koji, or should I say Jiraiya clone?"

Koji's eyes widened in shock, his surprise evident at Boruto's knowledge.

"Let's go all out, shall we?" Boruto declared, his voice filled with determination as he tapped into his full power. "Eight Gates: Gates of Death Open!"

In an instant, Boruto's entire body became engulfed in a dark, fiery red chakra, emanating an aura of immense strength and power.

Koji's caution grew as he recalled the devastating technique Boruto had just unleashed. He took a step back, preparing himself for what was to come.

The power that Boruto now possessed was far stronger than before, leaving Koji on edge.

"Don't even think about running away. I've only just begun," Boruto taunted, tilting his head to the side with a mischievous smirk.

With lightning speed, Boruto's body flickered, launching a powerful kick that sent Koji hurtling through the air, obliterating multiple trees and tearing up the ground in its wake. The sheer force of the attack was devastating, showcasing the true extent of Boruto's newfound strength.

The sound of destruction echoed through the air, catching the attention of the others who were desperately trying to escape. Mitsuki, however, noticed something peculiar amidst the chaos and quickly relayed his observation to the group. "Konohamaru-sensei, take care of this body. I've spotted something," he said, his voice filled with a sense of urgency.

"We must stay together," Konohamaru replied firmly, emphasizing the importance of unity in such dire circumstances.

Mitsuki, knowing the urgency of the situation, urged the others to go ahead without him. "You go first," he said, tossing Ao's body to Sarada, leaving the two of them responsible for carrying the individuals.

"Konohamaru-sensei, let's quickly send these people to safety and then regroup," Sarada suggested, her determination shining through her words.

"Agreed," Konohamaru nodded, fully aware of the need for swift action.

Mitsuki landed on a nearby hill, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. It was then that he noticed a partially destroyed robotic monster lying on the ground. Intrigued, he ventured further and stumbled upon an unconscious figure amidst the wreckage of another robotic creature.

"Who could this be?" Mitsuki wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious presence before him.

Boruto advanced towards Koji with a menacing stride, his determination evident in his piercing gaze. Koji, now on his feet with blood trickling from his mouth, couldn't help but acknowledge the immense growth in Boruto's strength within such a short span of time.

"I'm giving you a chance," Boruto stated firmly, his voice laced with a mix of authority and familiarity. "As a clone of my father's master, you can choose to continue this fight or simply forget that this ever happened."

Koji, realizing the gravity of the situation, weighed his options carefully before responding. "Forget about this ever happening," he declared, his words carrying a sense of resignation. In a flicker of movement, he vanished from sight, leaving Boruto to ponder the encounter.

Boruto closed his eyes briefly, contemplating the events that had transpired. When he opened them again, he found Mitsuki standing before an unconscious figure.

"Kawaki, huh?" Boruto mused, his eyes narrowing in recognition. Without hesitation, he flickered towards where Mitsuki stood, his curiosity piqued by the presence of the enigmatic individual.

Mitsuki, cautious yet intrigued, refrained from touching the unconscious body. However, within seconds, Boruto materialized beside him, his presence commanding attention.

"Aren't you going to deactivate that form?" Mitsuki inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Oh, my bad," Boruto chuckled sheepishly, his chakra receding as he powered down from his heightened state. He then knelt down and delivered a swift slap to Kawaki's face, jolting him awake.

Startled, Kawaki instinctively reached out to grab Boruto's neck, but his attempt was swiftly thwarted as Boruto caught his wrist in a firm grip. "Calm down," Boruto advised, his voice steady and composed. "There are still Kara members lurking nearby. Stay quiet."

Gritting his teeth, Kawaki was taken aback by both the unexpected slap and the sheer strength in Boruto's grip. Relinquishing his hold, Boruto stood up and issued a directive. "Follow me."

With the Konoha headband adorning Boruto's forehead, Kawaki had no reason to reject his invitation. Boruto exuded a sense of trustworthiness that resonated with him.

Mitsuki, concerned yet supportive, sought confirmation from Boruto. "Are you sure about this, Boruto?"

"Yes," Boruto affirmed, his conviction unwavering.

Out of nowhere, a sudden burst of energy was launched towards the ground, catching Boruto and Kawaki off guard. Reacting quickly, they both instinctively stepped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Before the assailant could utter a word, Boruto, displaying his impressive speed, teleported in front of the person and firmly grasped their face. With a hint of disdain in his voice, Boruto taunted, "Fucking dumbass"

In a swift motion, Boruto unleashed his Particle style, completely obliterating the individual, reducing them to nothingness. As Boruto turned around, he noticed a young woman with blonde hair sprinting towards Kawaki with alarming speed. Reacting instantly, Boruto teleported in front of her, effectively halting her advance and blocking her attacks, all while activating his Karma seal.

With a powerful spinning kick, Boruto sent the woman crashing into a nearby wall, neutralizing her threat.

"Karma? Who are you?!" Kawaki's curiosity got the better of him as he questioned Boruto.

Mitsuki, taken aback, couldn't help but express his surprise at the sight of the mysterious tattoo adorning Boruto's body. "Karma?"

Boruto, with a mischievous smile, removed his headband, revealing his striking Rinnegan. The revelation left both Kawaki and Mitsuki in a state of shock.

"I am a perfect vessel, just like you, Kawaki," Boruto explained, his voice filled with a hint of determination. "But that's not all. I am on my way to becoming an Otsutsuki."

Boruto's words resonated with the group, as they realized the gravity of his transformation. However, Boruto swiftly shifted his attention to Delta, who had been observing the scene with equal surprise. Without hesitation, Delta lunged towards Boruto, only to find herself caught by the neck with ease.

With a calm yet commanding voice, Boruto addressed Delta, "Looks like you need some reprogramming." Activating his Rinnegan abilities, Boruto began the process of altering Delta's loyalty. "Get some rest, Delta," he instructed.

Though Delta struggled against his grip, her efforts were in vain. Gradually, her eyes grew heavy, and she succumbed to sleep, completely under Boruto's control.

As he manipulated Delta's loyalty, Boruto contemplated his next move. 'Let's redirect her allegiance to Jigen, but with a twist,' he thought to himself.

It took approximately 20 minutes to reprogram Delta entirely, ensuring her unwavering loyalty to Jigen, but under Boruto's influence.

Boruto carefully lifted Delta's unconscious body onto his shoulder, his gaze shifting towards Kawaki. Concerned for his friend's safety, Boruto suggested, "We should make our way to Konoha. It's a safer place for you."

Kawaki, overwhelmed by the situation, instinctively activated his Karma seal and attempted to flee. However, before he could make his escape, Boruto swiftly incapacitated him with a precise strike to the neck.

Turning to Mitsuki, Boruto calmly requested, "Mitsuki, could you please carry him for me?"

Mitsuki, ever obedient, complied with Boruto's request and lifted Kawaki's limp form. Curiosity getting the better of him, Mitsuki couldn't help but inquire, "What did you do to her?"

Boruto, with a hint of mischief in his tone, replied, "I reprogrammed her."

Mitsuki's surprise was evident as he let out a sigh, momentarily forgetting that Boruto's actions often defied the norm.