Chapter 153:
"SpongeBob? What exactly is S.H.I.E.L.D. trying to pull?"
Although he'd promised Shunhi not to recklessly reveal himself, faced with the imminent danger threatening his grandson's life, Minato couldn't hold back any longer.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is interested in this so-called 'Vessel' you've mentioned," Kushina walked over and said.
"Two members of S.H.I.E.L.D.…?" As a jōnin of the Leaf, Konohamaru naturally knew of the organization, but that was the extent of it. He had no idea that SpongeBob and Patrick were double agents for S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Is that so? If S.H.I.E.L.D. is interested, we're more than willing to share intelligence on the Vessel," said Koji Kashin as he approached. "This is our first meeting. I go by Koji Kashin."
"Another face I've never seen before," Sarada remarked, eyeing him.
"Everyone, stay on guard," Shuyu warned, keeping a vigilant stance.
"Seems like you're more than just bodyguards for the Land of Water's daimyō," Minato said, staring at Koji.
Back when Ao had led the Kara Organization in talks with S.H.I.E.L.D., using the daimyō's name as a front, both Minato and Kushina had been present for appearances.
"I can only tell you that we're part of Kara. As for anything beyond that, it's up to my leader to decide whether or not to tell you, Mr. SpongeBob," Koji Kashin said as he formed hand signs. "But for now, since we've agreed to cooperate, shouldn't we focus on taking down the Leaf ninja first?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't work for free," Minato said coldly, eyes fixed on him.
"Is that so? Then just stand back and watch."
Minato exchanged glances with Kushina. After a silent moment, he nodded.
It wasn't just to lull Koji into a false sense of security—it was also a calculated move, so they could strike when Boruto was in real danger.
"Looks like this is it, then…" Konohamaru pressed a hand to his chest. "Honestly, I really didn't want to use this… Sealing Technique—Release!"
"As expected of a Leaf shinobi… Hmm, I'd like to say that, but—" Koji's voice trailed off as he instantly appeared beside Konohamaru and launched him flying with a kick.
"Konohamaru-nii!" In his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Boruto extended a chakra arm to catch Konohamaru mid-air.
"But your strength still isn't enough—especially when you're already injured."
Koji ignored the now-downed Konohamaru and slowly began walking toward Boruto.
"Sarada, get Konohamaru-sensei out of here," said Shuyu, taking up a battle stance. Sarada hesitated for a beat. "This level of battle… is beyond what you can handle."
It was harsh, but said out of genuine concern for her safety.
Sarada, ever rational, knew it was true. Compared to Boruto, who had returned from special training, and the prodigious Shuyu, she was clearly lagging behind.
Though it stung, she still carried Konohamaru away without protest.
"You two better make it back in one piece."
"We will. Don't worry, Sarada," Boruto said, locking eyes with Koji.
"Koji, need my help?" Ao asked.
"No. Just watch from the sidelines, Ao," Koji replied, glancing at SpongeBob and Patrick.
"Boruto—let's go!"
"Right!"
With Boruto's signal, he and Shuyu launched a pincer attack on Koji.
"Sealing Technique: Toad Swallow!"
A fusion of Earth Release and Lightning Release barriers—it could bind a target instantly.
For Boruto and Shuyu, it wouldn't hold him long—but even a moment was enough.
"Toad Oil Bullet!"
Taking advantage of that brief restraint, Koji used toad oil to slow their movements.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
"Crap!" The barrage of jutsu didn't give Boruto and Shuyu any time to dodge—they had no choice but to brace for it.
The Nine-Tails Chakra arms extended in front of them, blocking all the flame bullets.
"Summoning: Food Stall Smash!"
A massive toad descended from the sky above Boruto and Shuyu.
"Susanoo!"
A red Susanoo manifested around them, deflecting the descending toad.
"Susanoo, huh? What a troublesome ability… But to think you can use it at such a young age—kids these days really are something else," Koji said in a tone of genuine admiration. "Seems it's going to take more effort to deal with you than I expected. I'll let you off for now. Ao, let's go. We still need to search for the Vessel."
"If these two manage to grow stronger… maybe they really can defeat Jigen," Koji murmured to himself, inaudible to anyone else, as he turned away.
"Let's go too, SpongeBob," Kushina said softly, tugging at Minato, who was still staring at Koji's retreating back.
"…Yeah." Minato came to and nodded.
"Let's head out, Boruto."
"Mm."
Elsewhere, Sarada and Konohamaru found themselves face to face with a young punk sporting a flashy, rebellious hairstyle.
"You guys Kara's pursuers too?"
"Kara's pursuers? No, of course not. We're Leaf shinobi," Konohamaru replied, pointing at the Konoha forehead protector on his head.
"Konoha? Never heard of it. Get lost!"
Just as the boy barked those words, a cannon blast exploded nearby, sending up clouds of dust.
"So this is where you ran off to, Vessel."
They turned toward the voice and saw a grotesquely fat man with even more extreme mechanical modifications.
"So he's the Vessel Kara's been looking for…" Konohamaru murmured, eyeing the boy.
"What the hell is going on? Why do these enemies keep showing up one after another?" Sarada said, bewildered by the sudden appearance.
"A dumb pig like you can only manage a sneak attack."
When the smoke cleared, the boy—Kawaki—stood there unharmed.
"You'd best come quietly, Kawaki. Kara dispatched two of its Inner members just to bring you back. You're not getting away this time."
"Hmph. Idiot pig," Kawaki sneered.
"Even though I've been ordered not to kill you, making you suffer a bit is perfectly fine!"
With that, the fat man raised his modified cannon arm and launched another shot at Kawaki.
Kawaki reacted in an instant. In just a few heartbeats, he had already flanked the man.
The era of sharingan is over—now it's the age of tattoos.
Special black markings appeared on Kawaki's face.
"This ends now, dumb pig."
Grabbing the fat man's head, Kawaki unleashed a concentrated blast of energy from the black dot in his palm.
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslations.
3 new chapters are released daily—thank you for your support!
Powerstone Event: For every 50 powerstones, 1 chapter will be unlocked.)