"Class Rep, do you have any clues?" Boruto asked Sumire, who shook her head in confusion.
Sumire also had no idea why she was immune to the Divine Technique Omnipotence. It couldn't be that she was an Otsutsuki or had Otsutsuki genes, right?
"We're lacking information right now. We don't even know what ability the enemy used, so it's hard to draw conclusions." Sasuke didn't want to dwell on unanswerable questions.
"Sensei, what should we do now?"
"We need to leave the village immediately."
"Huh?"
"Don't get it? Until we find a way to restore everyone's memories, staying in the village will only make us targets for everyone."
"Right! I understand."
Boruto handed the sword back to his teacher, Sasuke. Then he approached Hinata's body, removed his tattered cloak, covered his mother's body, and knelt, bowing deeply.
"Mom, I'm sorry!"
"I'll definitely protect my little sister and save Dad!"
"Wait for me. After this is over, I'll find a way to bring you back!"
Boruto stood, wiping his tears, then picked up the unconscious Himawari beside him, preparing to follow his teacher.
But Sasuke stopped him.
"Put her down. Only you, me, and Kawaki need to leave. The others stay in the village."
"Why? My sister will be in great danger if she stays in the village…"
"Do you have a way to restore Himawari's and the others' memories?"
"I… not yet, but I'll definitely find a way!"
"Then wait until we do. With her distorted memories, following us on the run will only be more dangerous! Next, we'll face pursuit from all of Konoha, maybe even the entire world… In this situation, you might not even ensure your own safety—how can you protect Himawari?"
"What about Sarada and Class Rep?"
"They all have to stay in the village…"
Sasuke was cold, not because he didn't want to protect his daughter and the others, but because he knew taking them on the run would be more dangerous.
If he took Sarada, wouldn't he take Sakura? If he took Sakura, wouldn't he take her parents? If he kept taking people, he might as well pack up the entire village and take it with him!
Beyond this possibility, until he found a way to counter the enemy's Divine Technique and restore everyone's memories, taking them wouldn't help. It would only restrict his movements, putting them in greater danger!
It was safer for them to stay in the village. After all, only Sasuke, Boruto, Naruto, and Kawaki had their memories manipulated; the others, including Sarada and Sumire, were seen as Konoha comrades, not enemies, in the eyes of Mitsuki and others.
Sasuke had confirmed this from Shikamaru's and Mitsuki's memories.
There was another path: forcibly subduing all of Konoha. Even if the entire village united now, they were no match for Six Paths Sasuke. Unfortunately, this path wasn't viable for now.
Subduing Konoha by force would cause many casualties, which Naruto would never accept.
Relying on genjutsu, Sasuke's genjutsu was indeed powerful, but it wasn't Infinite Tsukuyomi. It couldn't control hundreds of thousands of people in the village at once.
The uncontrolled Konoha villagers would keep attacking Sasuke, overwhelming him. That was the enemy's goal!
Not only did they want to make Sasuke and the others enemies of Konoha, but they also held the entire village hostage.
So cruel!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"I understand! They're safer in the village…"
The transformed Boruto no longer acted recklessly, understanding his teacher's choice was the best. Forcing Sarada and the others to flee would only endanger them…
"No! Boruto-kun, I want to go with you, I…"
Sumire grew anxious. Hearing that Boruto and the others would leave her behind, she became afraid.
She wasn't scared of the dangers of fleeing; she was terrified of losing Boruto's light forever. Living in a foreign hell where everyone's memories were manipulated was worse than wandering with Boruto and the others!
"Your name's Sumire, right?"
"Yes, Sasuke-sama! I…"
Facing Sasuke, Sumire's newfound courage waned slightly. Sasuke, seeing her affection for Boruto—reminiscent of Karin's for him—said:
"To help Boruto, staying by his side isn't the only way."
"After we leave the village, we'll need someone in the village to gather information and support us discreetly."
"That way, we can find the enemy's weakness in the future and a way to restore everyone's memories."
"And this task is best suited for you and Sarada."
"Do you understand?"
Hearing Sasuke's persuasion, Sumire nodded dazedly, then gradually grew resolute.
Yes! As long as she could help Boruto, she'd do anything!
"I understand!"
"To help you all, I'm willing to stay in the village. I'll do my best to gather information!"
Sumire looked at Boruto, speaking with conviction fueled by love. For Boruto, she could do anything!
"Good."
"Listen carefully."
"Next, you and Sarada will be spies in the village with your original memories, so your main goal is to not let anyone notice your oddity!"
"I've sealed Mitsuki's memories. Now, besides us, no one knows about you and Sarada's anomaly."
"Remember, you must pretend your memories are manipulated too, showing the same hatred toward me and Boruto!"
"Especially when facing someone named Uzumaki Code—he's surely a pawn pushed by Otsutsuki Isshiki. Don't let him see through your act!"
"Then, while ensuring your safety, gather as much enemy information as possible."
"This is yours and Sarada's mission, an extremely dangerous S-Rank mission!"
While assigning the mission, Sasuke gave instructions. His clone also brought the unconscious Sarada to Sumire's side.
Sasuke even activated genjutsu to privately inform Sumire of key points to note as a spy. He shared critical details from the manipulated memories he'd extracted from Shikamaru and Mitsuki, urging her to take care of Sarada.
After all, Sasuke knew his daughter's stubbornness mirrored his own, trusting only her logic. Without someone to hold her back, she'd likely run from the village to chase them. Sumire needed to watch her.
Though both were young, there were no better options now. If they worked together, they might blend in safely. Sasuke knew the enemy too well—those arrogant Otsutsuki underestimated even him, let alone paying attention to other Konoha ninjas…
"I promise to complete this mission!"
Sumire nodded firmly, instantly feeling more motivated. She felt the village's safety and Boruto's future rested on her shoulders, both pressuring and inspiring her.
"Class Rep, take care of yourself!" Boruto said gently.
He understood that being a spy in the chaotic Konoha was undoubtedly a difficult and challenging task.
"I will."
"Wait for me. I'll definitely come back!"
Boruto clenched his fists, bidding farewell with resolute determination.
"Mmm!"
Sasuke sensed more Konoha ninjas approaching, so he didn't delay. He grabbed Boruto, carried Kawaki, and opened a dimensional portal.
With that, he took them both and instantly left Konoha Village…