PROLOGUE
Sarada
I could never ever trust this boy. Nope. Never. No matter how many "family" gatherings we see each other at, no matter how friendly he seems, no matter how many "assignments" we get paired with each other with, I WILL NEVER TRUST UZUMAKI BORUTO.
His hobbies include pranking people and eating ramen, he isn't even skillful, in fact, he really, really, REALLY sucks at being a ninja. The only reason he's popular is because he's the son of the greatest Hokage in Konoha's history, Uzumaki Naruto. Boruto is seriously just a highly privileged boy and it's quite infuriating that no one seems to see or care aside for me, Uchiha Sarada. Everyone is basically being hypnotized by his fake confidence that resulted from his linage, not because of his own strength. The boy has Hyuuga blood in him too after all. Dobe! Shannaro!
Now, I have to get paired up with this blonde idiot in a "special" mission. Boruto seems excited about this so-called "special" mission the Hokage himself thought up. But seriously, how special can this mission be? We're not even genin yet. Not for another month. I am willing to bet all my money (which isn't much since I'm living off of my parents allowance) that this mission is actually us being sent away in a pretend mission to keep Boruto away from the village while the Kage Summit is in progress and I'm being dragged along with it so that it feels like a legitimate mission… I bet Hokage-sama is also sending Konohamaru-sensei as our "Jonin leader."
All I want to do is read my book or train, instead I'm stuck here beside Boruto as we wait to be let in into the Hokage's office. I let out a breath of frustration and play with my skirt as I notice Boruto punching the air with his stupid grin. I really don't know what this mission entails but I hope we get money because I would really like to buy a new book.
"Sarada, come on stop being so gloomy." Boruto says a little too enthusiastically to me. I glare at him, hoping this will notify the dobe that I do not want to converse with him right now. Nope. It does not work because he's too dense. "We're about to get a mission. How many people in the academy can say they got a mission before they turn genin? This is awesome! My dad is awesome and cool and I really cannot wait." He goes on with his excitement by punching the air harder. I suddenly hope we get an extremely lame mission just so I can see that stupid grin on his face die because his hyper energy is draining me.
"What kind of mission do you honestly think this will be?" I ask the dobe.
"I don't know. Maybe we'll be assigned to look for missing-nins"
"Will you listen to yourself? That's S-Class mission… we're not even genin. If that's what you are expecting, you will only be disappointed."
"Ok fine. I'm exaggerating but it's still pretty cool that we're getting a mission. It shouldn't matter what kind of mission it is. At the end of the day, we're still getting one which is an honourable thing to get as a ninja."
He is too optimistic, I can die from rainbows and flowers and cotton candy just listening to him. Though, he does make sense. No matter what kind of mission we're getting, it is still unheard of for academy students to be assigned a mission and yet, here we are, standing, waiting for direct orders from the Hokage himself. That is indeed an honourable thing to get for a 12 year old.
Boruto
It kind of sucks that I'm stuck with Miss Gloomy but it doesn't matter because I am getting a mission. People will think I'm being privileged as the Hokage's son but if they only knew how hard it is to gain my father's approval, they would realize why I feel great that he's trusting me with a mission. I don't care if the mission involves wiping cat bums, the fact remains the same: My father, Uzumaki Naruto, recognizes me as a ninja, not as his son nor as a prankster, but someone who can be entrusted with the wellbeing of everyone in Konoha and this is a big deal to me.
This is truly a big deal to me. So I should take it seriously. Suddenly, I don't feel like punching the air anymore as I let this fact sink in a bit more. I am getting a mission directly from not just the Hokage, but my father. If I perform well, maybe he'll train me when I become genin and then I can bond with him more. It's really what I have always wanted.
I should really take this more seriously.
I find my seat beside Sarada and decide to patiently wait to be let in the Hokage's office.
"What happened to you?" Sarada asks with a hint of concern in her voice.
"What do you mean?" I ask in return.
"Did you suddenly get drained of energy or something? You're suddenly quiet."
"Oh," I nervously laugh before starting again, "first day jitters, I guess."
"Funny, you don't quite strike me as a person who would have such feelings."
What is that supposed to mean? Before I could even ask her, Shikamaru walks out of my father's office.
I thank him as he let us in, I have been in this room many times but nothing can quite explain the feeling I am currently having. I basically grew up in this room. This is where I get sent to after every prank I did, my father has scolded me here many times in the past, he has also told me stories of his childhood here, but all those times, I felt how I should: as his son. There is something strange in the air now, as if it is denser. I am walking in the Hokage's office, not my dad's, as if they are two different people. I don't know what he wants from me but I know it is not for me to simply behave because he could tell me that over the dinner table. Whatever it is he wants from me is important.
He has his back towards us as he looks out of his window with a great view of Konohagakure. Sarada sits on the chair facing my father's desk and I sit beside her. Chairs don't usually exist for guests. Ninjas usually stand there as they are given orders. There must be a lot of explaining to do for this mission.
"Uchiha Sarada and Uzumaki Boruto." Father says our names with such firmness that whatever doubt I had prior about the magnitude of this mission is erased. But really, what mission are two academy students worthy of receiving. Sarada let her presence known by addressing my father. I should do the same but how do I acknowledge him? "Father" sounds highly unprofessional in the circumstance we are in and "Hokage-sama" sounds foreign to my mouth.
"Yo!" Wow. Pathetic. I resulted to saying yo. I glance over to Sarada who is staring at me disapprovingly. Thanks, partner, I feel reassured. Reassured that I'm an idiot.
My father however only chuckles and faces us. He proceeds to sit on his chair and stare at us momentarily. I wait for a few moments until I could no longer keep my curiosity.
"So," I start saying slowly, "Why are we here?"
My father relaxes a little and smiles. "Boruto and Sarada, you two are expected to graduate from the academy next month, am I correct?"
Of course he's correct, when is my father ever wrong? Nevertheless, both Sarada and I nod.
"Unfortunately," he says, "this mission cannot wait that long. You two will take your genin exams this day next week. I suggest for both of you to use this week wisely as failure is inexcusable. You are both dismissed."
Huh? Sarada and I look at each other in confusion. This conversation ended a lot faster than I have anticipated. He didn't even ask if we have any questions. We waited all morning to hear about the mission but all we got is an order to pass our genin exams because it's imperative for the "mission." WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MISSION?!
"What exactly is the mission?" Sarada asks in a much more professional manner than I would have if she had not asked before me.
"If you would like to know, then pass your genin exam next week." My father answers indifferently, which annoys me.
"What do you mean? Why can't you tell us now? This is stupid, father!"
"Boruto!" Ah, that is what I would call the "father tone" it is the kind of tone he uses when I'm about to get grounded and it always works because I find myself shutting up. "You may become a genin a lot earlier than the rest of your class. Realize that this opportunity is very rare so don't waste it. You are both dismissed."
I realize this opportunity very well but I don't like being confused. Nevertheless, I stand and bow my head and turn around. Sarada follows suit. Just as we walk to the door, my father stops us.
"I almost forgot," he starts to say, "You two have access to the Hokage library. I suggest you study the scrolls in there as your genin exam will be… very different from any genin exams in the past."
I would love to ask him what he means by it but his back is once again towards us, his subtle way of telling us to not even try because he will not be explaining further. I bid my farewell and Sarada and I walk out his door.
"Father." I hear Sarada say surprisingly. Very rarely does Sarada say the word as her father very rarely comes home but right outside the door is the very formidable Uchiha Sasuke. I am not aware that he's scheduled to come home and judging by Sarada's expression, she isn't notified either.
Sarada
"Father." I don't like feeling confused and I am very very confused right now. A direct order to pass the genin exam a month prior to graduation, a mission that I still know nothing about, and now my father is standing outside the door of the Hokage.
He smiles at me warmly and tells me to wait for him. I nod and sit on my original spot outside the Hokage's office. Surprisingly, Boruto joins me in the wait. There is light laughter and exchange that could be heard between our fathers and then suddenly… nothing. Sound proof seals. It isn't uncommon for them to use it. My father always does S-class missions after all. However, it is unusual for them to use it at my father's homecoming. His homecoming never involves mission talks so there is never a use for such seals until now. What exactly is going on and what do I and Boruto have to do with any of it?
"What exactly is going on?" Boruto asks to no one in particular, as if reading my mind.
"I don't really know but if we pass our genin exam next week, we'll know." I answer him, not sure where my confidence went. Under normal circumstances, I would have no doubts about my abilities to pass the genin exam but apparently, our exam will be very different from previous genin exams and I'm suddenly not so sure about myself.
"We will pass it! I doubt it will be easy considering how we have to study scrolls but we will pass it because… it's the only option we have." Boruto answers with a grin in his face. For once, I am thankful for his optimism because no words can describe how much I need it at the moment.
We plan on meeting each other the next day to go through the scrolls. If we know anything about our fathers, it is that teamwork is everything. We don't know what the test includes but it definitely involves us working as a team.
Do I trust Boruto? I still think he's a spoiled brat but he and I share a goal and for now, I guess I should trust him.
Over the course of the week, Boruto and I train as hard as we could to prepare ourselves in the unknown test. Finally the day arrives and I am even more nervous now than I was the week prior. It doesn't help that Boruto is more nervous than me. I need to calm down and as much as I hate to admit it, I need Boruto to help me feel calmed down but he can't do that when he isn't calm himself. Despite myself, I find my hand hold his as we stand outside the Hokage's office.
"We're going to pass." I tell him.
"I hope we do." He replies, a little shaky. I give him a small smile. In my brain I want to say me too but one of us need to be certain, if we're a team, one of us has to be extra strong when the one is feeling weak or else we will lose.
"We will, because there's no other option." I say, mirroring his statement the week prior.
The door opens and I hold unto him tighter. I suddenly don't want to take this exam a month earlier than everyone else. I just want to crawl back into my bed. Who cares if we become genin a month earlier than everyone else, this kind of stress is making me age 5 years ahead anyway, so technically, I'm losing here. Boruto tightens his hold on me too and smiles. He starts walking inside while basically dragging me with him. Pff, so much for being strong, Sarada. But Boruto seems to understand that for today, we're a team and we must be strong in the areas that the other is weak. We can't be weak at the same time, or else we will lose.
My father is in the room as well. I didn't get the chance to talk to him much during the week. He has been busy all week with the Hokage and I have been busy training with Boruto. Father eyes our clasped hands and swiftly, Boruto let go. A wise decision, I must say but I find myself miss the warmth it held as my nervousness begins to creep in again. The Hokage laughs and motions for us to sit down. Everything feels like déjà vu only we feel a lot more stressed and nervous than excited.
Boruto and I find our seats and wait patiently for our instructions. It is as if the Hokage and father are purposefully delaying their comments to punish us. It isn't fair. This is not how you treat your own children but I have always suspected that they're sadists. In fact, our fathers probably became friends because they both realized they are sadists and that one day, when they have children they can prank them this way. Though, I doubt my father was ever a prankster. I am convinced, however, that he has a more twisted mind than Uzumaki Naruto. Their partnership may be good for the ninja world but it's a disaster for their children.
Silence. How much longer are we staying silent? When are they giving instructions. Is this part of the test? Ninjas are supposed to be extremely quiet after all, so are they testing us in our ability to stay still and quiet because if they are, I don't know how much longer we have until Boruto gives in and starts yelling at everyone. I try to take a glance at him, hopeful that he gets the message and continue to shut up. To my surprise, he is staring straight at his father's eyes with furrowed eyebrows. Boruto is dead serious right now and I have no reason not to be. I stayed silent as well.
The Hokage starts laughing and my father hands him two hitai-ate.
"So," the Hokage starts to speak, "you two pass!"
Huh? I am starting to think the Hokage is an even bigger idiot than Boruto. What does he mean we pass? We haven't even done anything!
"What do you mean we pass?" Boruto asks, confusion visible in his voice.
"Teamwork." My father is the one who answers, "It goes beyond missions, in fact training is where it must be built. You two prove that you understand such fundamental by training together. Two strong individuals does not simply make a great team. You two can be the weakest individuals but together, be the strongest team. Likewise, you can be the strongest individual but together, you can be the weakest team. Skills can easily be acquired by training hard, but attitude and chemistry is not something you can learn from others. If you don't have the natural will to help your teammates, you are not fit to be genin, but all week, you two have shown us that you both have such ability."
"I still don't understand, so us learning those scrolls was just a trap?" I ask my father.
"You can look at it that way," this time, it was the Hokage who answers, "but you learned a lot from those scrolls, did you not?" I nodded. "Then it wasn't just a trap. Listen, You don't learn many techniques from the academy, most of it you will learn through missions with your genin team, which you will now learn with your first mission. But first let me introduce you to your genin teacher: Konohamaru."
I could almost laugh. I've known we would be paired up with him.
"Now, for your mission." Here it is, the mission. What exactly is our mission? "You are to visit Konoha from 20 years ago."
He says it with such a straight face, it almost sounds like he just asked us to catch the neighbourhood cat. It is official, the Hokage is an even bigger idiot than Boruto. In fact, the Hokage is crazy and I cannot believe we are entrusting the wellbeing of the entire village to this man. He wants us to travel… to the past?
"Huh?" Boruto asks. I cannot tell if he is speechless or blanking out.
"It's not impossible, in fact, I have already made it extremely easy for you both by going there myself and notifying Sandaime." The Hokage answers.
"How exactly did you do that?" Boruto asks while I still cannot find words in my mouth.
"Seals" his father replies simply, "I have been working on it before you two were even conceived but I never found use for it until now."
Until now? I finally found my voice and asks, "What exactly is the nature of our mission?"
The Hokage shifts his attention to me. He smirks and places sound proof seals by his door and windows. "I must be honest with you two. This isn't much of a mission as it is an escape. This is more of Konohamaru's mission, S-class in fact." At this, Konohamaru-sensei nods and Hokage-sama continues, "Ultimate peace is never going to be possible as long as man exists. It has been brought to our attention that you two are targeted. We can't hide you without causing suspicion. We can't give you a mission unless you are genins either. Do you understand now why failure in the genin exam was inexcusable for you both?"
"So, you could have just passed us?" Boruto suggests. Something tells me that he isn't very pleased with the idea that this isn't even a real mission. Just as I expected, this mission is only a front, though I was not expecting it like this.
"Idiot! As if I would allow that so easily." Hokage shakes his head but continues on, "You two will create the illusion that you are going into a mission but in reality, you are to be hidden."
"Why exactly are we being targeted? And who is targeting us?" I ask.
"Unidentified missing nins that I came across with in my travels and as to why you are targeted," my father answers, "simply being our children is reason enough."
"What about Himawari?" Boruto asks a little loudly. He has always been protective of his younger sister.
"Himawari will be safe. It is a lot easier for us to protect one child than protect all 3 of you." Boruto's father answers, "However, you two are legitimate genins now and are expected to train while you are away."
"How are we to remain concealed?" I ask.
My father hands us a scroll. "This is a list of jutsus that you will need to help conceal yourselves."
I want to cry as he hands me the scroll. How long are we suppose to stay in the past? What if it takes too long. I will miss my family and I know Boruto will miss his as well. My father hugs me and whispers something in my ear. "You will meet me in your travels. A lot younger and a lot meaner but I am there and so will your mother. Our previous selves will not know who you are but the bond of family is a lot stronger than that. Do not forget this. A quick peck on my forehead and the next thing I know I am seated in the same room except I'm across an old man.
"Grandfather." I hear Konohamaru-sensei whisper in his spot behind us. I do not know when it happened or how, but sometime during my goodbye to my father, my new sensei says hello to his grandfather.
A quick glance at Boruto reveals something I never thought I'd see from his eyes, tears and fear. I don't know how his goodbye went with his father but I do know that as of today, him and I are officially a team. I grabbed his hand because when you're a team one of us has to be extra strong when the one is feeling weak or else we will lose.
Sandaime smiles at us and says, "I see that Naruto is still the number one most unpredictable ninja of Konoha. This should be fun."
I am beginning to think every adult in Konoha are sadists because I do not know how "this" could be "fun."