Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 252 Pre-Battle Preparations

Upon hearing Boruto's detailed explanation, Shino Aburame felt a surge of warmth in her heart, instantly dispelling all her gloom and making her overjoyed.

As expected, there were still people in Konoha who paid attention to him and understood his strengths and interests. A rare smile appeared on Shino Aburame's face at this moment.

Hearing Boruto describe Shino's hobbies, dietary restrictions, and other details so clearly, Naruto couldn't help but laugh and say, "Boruto, you really know Shino well."

As soon as Naruto finished speaking, he suddenly felt a chill. When he looked up, he saw a pair of resentful eyes staring intently at him. He couldn't help but shiver, and his face fell.

Shino said sullenly, "Naruto, you should get to know me better, so that others won't think I'm just an accessory to missions."

Naruto readily agreed, nodding repeatedly: "...No problem, Shino...I will definitely get to know you well."

Boruto watched the scene unfold before him quietly, a slight smile playing on his lips, and replied softly, "It's nothing. I just genuinely feel that it's wonderful to have companions who support each other, to be able to accompany each other and grow together."

At this point, Boruto maintained a smile on the surface, but his mood seemed somewhat downcast, unnoticed by Rock Lee and the others at the table.

I wonder how things are over there...

Gradually, in Boruto's eyes, the figures of Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, Rock Lee, and others in front of him became blurred, and in their place appeared the images of their children.

Those familiar yet somewhat unreal faces seemed to have traveled through time, revealing what their future might look like.

If I grew up there and reached this age, I would probably sit around a shop with my friends like this, eating, drinking, chatting, and talking about life... right?

Soon, Boruto's thoughts were interrupted by a burst of cheerful laughter and conversation.

Choji raised his drink again: "That's right! We went through such a terrible mission together and survived. That's really amazing!"

"Come on! Let's toast to this precious friendship and shared memories..."

"oh!!!!!"

......

Meanwhile, on the other side of Konoha Village, Sasuke, along with Karin, Jugo, and others, were in a deep forest preparing for their battle against Itachi Uchiha.

Sasuke Uchiha walked forward expressionlessly, but his hands were clenched tightly. His final showdown with Itachi Uchiha was just around the corner, a moment he had waited for far too long.

Sasuke was filled with mixed feelings, a complex mix of emotions that defied description.

Shuiyue, who was behind her, was replenishing her body with water while complaining, "Ugh~ I've reached my limit, I really can't walk anymore, let's rest for a bit."

At this moment, Shuiyue's voice was clearly tired and languid, as if she had exhausted all her strength to say just that one sentence.

Upon hearing Suigetsu's complaint, Karin immediately turned around and impatiently scolded, "If you keep dawdling like this, we'll never reach our destination."

Faced with Karin's anger, Suigetsu responded nonchalantly, "I'm sorry, but I'm not like you. I'm very fragile."

Karin pushed up her glasses and said angrily, "What? You might as well just evaporate like that, you water monster."

She was extremely annoyed by Shuiyue's attitude; his constant complaining and dawdling along the way had made her lose all patience.

Sasuke was already used to this. He stopped and said calmly, "We're here."

Then, Sasuke walked straight into a dilapidated village without hesitation.

Seeing this, the others stopped arguing and quickly followed behind Sasuke.

......

Shuiyue looked around at the severely damaged buildings and muttered to herself, "It feels really suspicious. How come there's a stronghold in these ruins? I've never heard of this before. This is the first time I've ever heard of it."

Jugo and Karin nodded in agreement, clearly unaware of the situation.

Sasuke, who was walking ahead, turned his head slightly and explained in a calm tone, "This place has nothing to do with Orochimaru. It's a weapon shop that our Uchiha clan often visits. We're preparing for battle here."

Jugo nodded: "Every path looks the same, it's really easy to get lost here." He found the complex terrain somewhat tricky; it was clearly a maze designed to prevent outsiders from entering.

Karin nodded slightly: "It's such an uncomfortable place. The air feels like it's frozen, and it's hard to breathe."

Just as the group was talking, a sudden flapping sound broke the silence.

This instantly put everyone on edge, causing them to look around warily. Jugo reacted quickly, appearing in front of Sasuke and protecting him from behind.

At the same time, a crow was circling above them, its wings making a faint, yet jarring, sound as they cut through the air.

Sasuke looked up and immediately recognized it as the crow kept by Itachi Uchiha. He then signaled to everyone to calm down and stretched out his arm to let the crow land steadily on it.

After the crow steadied itself, it tilted its head, and a red light flashed in its eyes.

Immediately afterwards, the crow on Sasuke's arm turned into feathers and disappeared into the air.

At the same time, the surrounding environment was also covered by a strange blood-red color, as if entering another world.

Suigetsu, Jugo, and Karin vanished without a trace in an instant, leaving Sasuke with only endless red and silence in his vision.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, already understanding that this was Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu residing in the crow's eyes, but he did not choose to resist it.

As the illusion deepened, the previously dissipated raven feathers condensed again and slowly took shape.

At this moment, in Sasuke's eyes, the black feathers had transformed into the image of Itachi Uchiha, whose expression remained as calm and composed as ever.

Not long after, Itachi Uchiha looked at Sasuke in front of him and said in a low voice, "Sasuke... huh? You've come."

Sasuke appeared unusually calm upon seeing Itachi Uchiha, as he knew it was just a genjutsu.

......