A Lost Legacy

Prologue:

Boruto Uzumaki:

Just off the coast of the Hidden Cloud village, two or three kilometers away from the civilization, a large ship could be seen. It was massive, yet it appeared to be empty on the outside. It wasn't moving anywhere either, and was attracting the suspicions of one Boruto Uzumaki - who happened to be on a delivery mission from Sarada to the Tsuchikage. Looking out at the ship, it was only natural for his curiousity to get the best of him.

Upon receiving confirmation from the Tsuchikage that the ship didn't belong to the village, Boruto immediately set out to investigate. He found it strange for people to be out in the middle of the ocean, when warnings have been issued to each of the villages about the disappearances of several people.

Once he landed on the apparently abandoned ship, Boruto could sense strange energy radiating from somewhere inside. Approaching the vault door that led inside, Boruto paused for an instant, closing his eyes. He was completely unfamiliar with this energy - and it made it difficult for him to sense the chakra of anyone on the ship. Opening the door slowly, Boruto kept his sword in his hand, ready for anything. Once the door had opened, he started to walk into the ship.

It looked even bigger from the inside, Boruto thought to himself. He managed to find the storage room, which contained several massive boxes and crates. None of them were labeled, but he could tell they were heavy. Boruto continued to walk through the room, until he managed to find an open crate. Lifting the top off of it and throwing it aside, he lifted a brow upon discovering what was inside. Several medical supplies - syringes and other sorts - were contained within the crate. He found it to be strange, noting that these sorts of crates would at least be labeled fragile.

His thoughts were cut short upon hearing footsteps rapidly approaching him. Boruto turned around in time to see a masked figure, garbed entirely in black armor, attempting to strike him with their fist. Ducking below the attack and drawing his sword, Boruto struck the attacker with his shoulder, forcing them back. With sword in hand, the ninja studied his attacker. They wore light armor, to allow them to move quickly. Alongside several utility pockets, nothing else caught his attention besides the mask. It was completely faceless - and allowed for no way to see through. Their breathing could be heard, erratic and wild, much like an animal.

Boruto could feel the strange energy emitting from his attacker as it surrounded him. It was overwhelming, almost suffocating to him. Deciding not to focus on it, Boruto dashed forward and swung his blade toward the man before him. As the blade cut through the armor, Boruto tackled the attacker and forced them onto the ground. Slowly, the breathing stopped. Once it was silent, Boruto exhaled a sigh of relief, and reached for their mask. Slowly pulling it off, he nearly vomited at the sight.

Their face was completely mutilated, with the skin brought down over their eyes and mouth to prevent identification. There were also several black veins on their face, running from one side to the other. "Who could have done this?" He thought aloud, and slowly stood up. Grabbing his sword and sheathing it, Boruto was about to continue his investigation, when every light in the room shut off.

Suddenly, the breathing returned, and Boruto could sense he was being watched from all over. With the energy all around him, Boruto knew he'd gotten himself into a trap. As the lights turned back on, he looked around to find several of the creatures surrounding him. All at once, they charged at him. Boruto moved as fast as he could, dashing toward the exit and fighting his way through the horde of enemies. One of the creatures landed on his back, grabbing him and tackling him onto the ground. They proceeded to scratch at his back violently. "Shit!" Boruto groaned as he felt the weight of the creatures on top of him.

Having no other choice, Boruto reached for his pocket, allowing his explosives to run free. Forcing his chakra into the paper bombs, they were all shrouded within a cloud of smoke and ash.

The explosion was massive, shaking even the Hidden Cloud village. Everyone watched as the ship began to tilt, and explosions continued to burst from each side. They could hear the sound of combat, but couldn't see anything. Slowly, the ship sank into the ocean.

Boruto never came out.