After this chapter, mark your calendars! There will be SIX more chapters before we get into Shippuden so get excited! ^_^
Man, rewatching these old Naruto episodes is such a nostalgia rush!
In any case, let's get into the chapter! ^_^
The Seventh Hokage stared at his longtime friend turned chibi-fied.
"Kurama? What the hell is all this?" Naruto Uzumaki asked the once feared demon.
"Heh, you can thank that little brat of yours." Kurama chuckled though Naruto merely raised an eyebrow showing his confusion.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked with Kurama explaining everything to the world hero.
Once he processed everything, Naruto merely sighed while rubbing his forehead.
"That Boruto…..I can't believe he actually did it…." Naruto shook his head.
"I'm more surprised he got those teammates of his to go along with it." Kurama added.
"Yeah much less Orochimaru's brat." Kurama muttered with Naruto's mind wondering to one certain question.
"So how many memories have they seen?" Naruto pondered.
"Right now they finished viewing the events of you recruiting Hashirama's granddaughter to be the next Hokage." Kurama straightforwardly answered Naruto whose eyes widened in dread.
"Oh no….soon after….was when Sasuke left the village! Sarada…." Naruto was understandably tense as he was all too aware of their rather….flimsy relationship. Yes it had improved since the Shin incident but with some of the he did…like attacking him….would Sasuke's actions undo Sarada's respect for him?
Sensing Naruto's distress, Kurama exhaled, "Not to worry, Naruto. Remember, quite a few events happened before you and Sasuke went at it so I will show the little whelps that." Kurama reassured his host who blinked.
"You can really do that?" Naruto asked the Beast.
"Are you doubting my powers? After all, you had the balls to prefer that repulsive Shukaku over me!" Kurama growled at Naruto despite his tiny size making the world hero tense.
"C-C'mon! I just said that to make Hima happy!" Naruto tried reasoning though Kurama would hear none of it.
"You're lucky I didn't eat you up!" Kurama growled with Naruto sheepishly laughing.
"Kurama, you still mad at me?"
"Damn right I am!"
While Naruto tried reducing Kurama being pissed with him, a thought rang in his head.
"Boruto, Sarada…..you're gonna end up seeing a lot….but you can handle it. I know it!"
Meanwhile Team Konohamaru was finishing processing what they just finished watching.
"Man all that was awesome!" Boruto grinned.
"I know! But to think he almost died learning the Rasengan….." Sarada couldn't believe how drastic things were for Naruto. She wondered his heart hadn't suffered any long term negative side effects.
"It all worked for the best. It seems Lord Seventh really has a magic on turning people for the better." Mitsuki smiled.
"He sure does…." Boruto smiled thinking of Zabuza, Neji and Gaara.
"I wonder what's next?" Sarada wondered and as she said this, the foggy mist enveloped the three before they found themselves on they found themselves on the side of the road with Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade and Shizune.
"A Hot Spring?" Jiraiya asked.
"That's right. Just up the road here is a sweet little town with a beautiful resort." Tsunade confirmed as Shizune read a pamphlet.
"Hot Spring Resort….It says here that the hot springs here promote health and beauty." Shizune explained while reading.
"You know, after everything they went through, chilling in a hot spring would be something good for them." Boruto said.
"Yeah, even ninjas deserve a break now and then!" Sarada agreed, knowing not everyone could work 24/7.
"Or else we'd all wither into zombies." Mitsuki chuckled, making his teammates cringe at his morbid humor.
Naruto and Jiraiya however weren't as receptive.
"Forget it. We still have a long way to get home and everyone's there waiting for us!" Naruto argued against Tsunade and Shizune's idea of relaxing when Sasuke and Kakashi were in a coma.
"You know, for once I agree with him. We really ought to get going since the village could be in danger." Jiraiya added with Tsunade waving off their concerns.
"Oh lighten up, one day won't make a difference. Besides….I hear it's real popular with women and they've gotten mixed bathing~" Tsunade whispered in a sing song voice to Jiraiya.
"Oh god…." Sarada groaned, noticing the gleam in his eyes as Jiraiya suddenly walked forward.
"Hey! Where you going?" Naruto blinked with Jiraiya turning back with a blush.
"Well I got this kink in my….everyone deserves a break once in a while!" Jiraiya stammered out much to Naruto, Shizune and Tonton's dismay while Tsunade beamed.
"That's not what you were saying a second ago!" Naruto spazzed out.
"Looks like he's on board." Mitsuki chuckled.
"Just gotta hit the pervert button." Boruto sighed, realizing how easy Jiraiya warmed to him once he showed the hermit his own version of Sexy Jutsu.
"Perfect, it's settled then! Let's go!" Tsunade cheered with the others begrudgingly following.
Once checking in, Naruto seemed to change his mood as he was having the time of his life.
"Cannonball! "Naruto dove into the hot springs, swimming like an excited Squirtle, soaking Jiraiya.
"I can't say I'm having much fun….it's just me and the knucklehead….when's the ladies coming?" Jiraiya sighed with Naruto getting out once swimming ran its course.
"That's enough for me, you getting out?" Naruto asked Jiraiya who sat up nice and tall.
"Not quite yet, I'm gonna soak longer. Anytime now." Jiriaya said like a bad ass as Naruto knew his intentions.
"Uh…huh…." Naruto deadpanned before shutting the door.
"Man I'd kill for a hot spring right now…" Boruto rolled his shoulders back.
"Same." Sarada sighed as Mitsuki smiled.
"How about we take a group trip to the Hot Springs once all these memories are over and done with?" Mitsuki suggested.
"Yeah! And we can bring Konohamaru-Sensei with us!" Sarada and Boruto were eager on that idea.
However when Naruto got back to his room, he noticed it was ransacked.
"What the hell!?" Boruto and Naruto exclaimed.
"Is it an enemy attack?" Sarada pondered.
"No, it can't be my dad." Mitsuki shot down that assertion.
As Naruto noticed his necklace was gone, he noticed a note that read, "If you want your necklace back, just pay us back the money you owe." Naruto read as he got even more puzzled.
"Wait, who does he owe money to?" Boruto turned to his teammates.
"You got me." Sarada shrugged with Naruto reading off the directions on where to meet the "Akagi Family".
"Who the heck do I owe money to!?" Naruto was just as puzzled before going off to the rendezvous point in a huff where two men with hats covering their faces awaited him.
"Wait, who are you, kid?" One of the men asked.
"I should be asking you that! I don't owe you any money! So gimme my necklace!" Naruto said with the taller of the two looking absolutely baffled.
"Wait, is this-"He pulled out Naruto's necklace much to his ire.
"That's it! Hand it over!" Naruto yelled summoning a hoard of Shadow Clones that kicked the stuffing out of the men but once everything was settled, the two men named Senta and Bunzo, explained how it was Tsunade they were after.
"Of course it'd deal with Granny Tsunade." Boruto snorted.
"She really does live up to her name of the 'Legendary Sucker', huh?" Mitsuki mused with Naruto putting his necklace back around his neck.
"Oh, so it's really Granny Tsunade who owes you the money?" Naruto had an epiphany.
"That's right….she's called the Legendary Sucker since she always loses and she lost in our village too…." Senta rubbed his bruises.
"We took her IOU and this is what she owes us…." Bunzo handed Naruto a paper listed Tsunade's debt with Naruto and Team Konohamaru looking at the paper.
"Oh my god!" Sarada nearly had a heart attack.
"You know how many video games you can buy with that!?" Boruto freaked out with Naruto's hair frazzling comically.
"Look at all those zeroes!" Naruto spat.
"My name is Senta and this is Bunzo. More than three years ago, the head of our family sent us out to collect the debt." Senta started dismally.
"We set out from Akagi Mountain knowing we couldn't come back without the money but the trail turned cold. We searched everywhere hearing rumors she was here or there. She has a reputation of being hard to find…" Bunzo looked down.
"But finally we came up with something. She was seen in the area heading towards this town." Senta said as a lightbulb went off for Naruto.
"And that's when we arrived with Granny Tsunade! But that still doesn't explain why you raided my room and tore it apart." Naruto pointed out with the two men looking sheepish.
"We heard she's a tough customer so we figured we just couldn't show up and ask her nicely." Senta waved his hand for "No".
"Yeah that would be a problem." Naruto agreed.
"But she's changed!" Sarada protested in defense of Tsunade.
"We heard the necklace was as precious to her as her life. We thought she'd pay to get it back." Bunzo said.
"Brilliant BUT…you found the necklace in my room remember?" Naruto pointed out as the two men looked down in shame.
"It didn't occur to us she would have given it away…." Senta muttered in embarrassment.
"But you…know her so well…..without that money….we can't go home…our wives and children will all be alone…." Bunzo and Senta took Naruto's hands.
"Please young friend, help us!" Both men got right in Naruto's face, making him tense.
"O-okay!" Making Naruto sweat drop as they hatched a plan of sending a ransom letter to Tsunade of her handing the money in exchange for Naruto's life.
"You think this'll work?" Bunzo was uncertain.
"Of course it will!" Naruto was confident in his plan.
"There she is!" Boruto pointed as it was indeed Tsunade.
"Boy am I glad to see you!" Naruto grinned.
"Stop right there! You know who we are, right?" Bunzo spat.
"You're a couple of errand boys for the Akagi family." Tsunade nonchalantly answered.
"Let's keep this simple, you're gonna hand over, every single penny you owe us." Bunzo threatened Tsunade with Senta glaring at the woman.
"Yeah or else we'll take care of your little friend here." Senta held the tip of his sword to Naruto's neck to look convincing with their display.
"Hurry! Give 'em what they want!" Naruto displayed puppy eyes although Tsunade's reaction was something….interesting.
"I could care less what happens to the kid."Tsunade shrugged much to everyone's dismay.
"What the hell did she say!?" Boruto, Sarada, Naruto, Bunzo and Senta all exclaimed simultaneously.
"Wait how can she say that!?" Boruto couldn't believe his ears.
"Yeah did she forget what they all went through? This can't be the same lady Tsunade!" Sarada said with Mitsuki saying nothing as Tsunade put a hand on her hip with an amused smirk.
"Well? What part didn't you understand? It doesn't matter to me what you do to him." Tsunade was nothing short of amused at the reactions she received.
"Why you….nasty old witch!?" Naruto exclaimed in disbelief as Tsunade tapped her chin.
"Actually now that I think about it, when I do become Hokage, I'll need people like him to serve me so I guess I'll save him." Tsunade put a hand to her hip with a smirk.
"Oh that's nice then." Sarada scoffed.
"What is with her, though? This can't be the same Granny Tsunade who nearly died protecting him from Orochimaru!" Boruto pointed out with the three sighing in relief.
"I knew you wouldn't let me down." Naruto gleamed as Tsunade reached into her jacket.
"This is all I've got at the moment but it'll have to do." Tsunade threw her wallet at the three.
"You won't mind if I check it out?" Senta skeptically picked up the wallet.
"I know I'm short but it'll at least cover the interest on the loan?" Tsunade offered as Senta rummaged through the wallet before slicing it in half with his sword, making it poof away.
"It was a fake!?" Sarada blinked before Tsunade took advantage of Bunzo and Senta being distracted before spitting needles at the two alongside knocking them away and going to untie Naruto.
"You're not gonna pay them what you owe?" Naruto asked.
"Shut up, it's none of your business." Tsunade growled much to Naruto's surprise.
"But they can't go home until you pay them back so what about them?" Naruto glared at Tsunade making Tsunade raise her eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" Tsunade wondered as Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"I've tried being sneaky but now it's time to use force!" Naruto spat before he, Bunzo and Senta all poofed away.
"They were clones the whole time?" Boruto blinked.
"Are you really surprised?" Mitsuki asked as Tsunade looked deep in thought before leaving.
"I knew she wouldn't quietly hand the money over but to be that mean about it?" Naruto shook his head as Bunzo and Senta turned to Naruto.
"What now?" Bunzo asked with uncertainty as Naruto looked undeterred.
"She's got this suitcase she carries with her so my guess is that's where she keeps her money." Naruto said as the three had a new goal, get Tsunade's suitcase.
Masquerading as Shizune, it looked like Naruto was actually able to do that but before the three could celebrate, Tsunade literally pulled it away with a fishing rod.
"Okay this is something out of a comedy." Mitsuki chuckled with Naruto getting fed up at Tsunade's selfishness.
"You're no Hokage…." Naruto started, taking Tsunade a bit off guard, "You've got no right to call yourself Hokage when you won't even pay back the debts you owe! Don't you get it? These men can't go back home without that money. They can't even see their families again! How can you do that to them!?" Naruto spat with disdain.
"Naruto…" Bunzo and Senta looked close to tears with Naruto defending them.
"That's Lord Seventh for you." Mitsuki smiled with admiration.
"Yeah, his heart really is bigger than his brain….." Boruto grinned as the scene continued.
"Well I won't serve that kind of Hokage, no way!" Naruto growled pulling out a kunai, "Hand it over!" Naruto threw the kunai at the fishing line catching the suitcase.
"Run!" Naruto threw the suitcase at Bunzo and Senta as the three ran into town with Tsunade tailing them, the entire scene looking nothing short of a spectacle.
"Don't look but I think she's gaining on us!" Naruto yelled before deciding to punch off Tsunade in her gut although he was shocked at the end result; Tonton appeared from the smoke.
"Tonton!?" Naruto blinked in surprise.
"Okay this really is something out of a spectacle." Sarada giggled.
"NARUTO! Hand over that suitcase right now or you'll be sorry!" The real Tsunade in surprise to Naruto, Bunzo and Senta.
"Give it to me quick!" Naruto snatched the suitcase from the men as all three ran through the town with Tsunade gaining on them.
"Stop this! You fools are making a spectacle of yourselves!" Tsunade warned as people in town were staring at the four.
"Well…she is chasing them…." Boruto blinked, really glad it wasn't him on the other side of a pissed Tsunade.
"We wouldn't be if you weren't chasing us!" Naruto yelled before summoning a hoard of Shadow Clones hoping to throw Tsunade off, pissing of the Sannin before she summoned her own Shadow Clones as Bunzo and Senta was stomped on with the chase lasting for ten minutes before Tsunade finally managed to catch up to Naruto with the Akagi finally managing to get their hands on Tsunade's suitcase. But upon opening it….
"IOUs…" Bunzo blinked.
"All of them….." Senta was wide-eyed before the two slumped down in defeat.
"Okay this is just a humorous tragedy." Mitsuki found the whole thing humorous.
"Yeah but I still feel bad for them." Boruto muttered.
"What is going on here? And right in the middle of town?" Tsunade asked with a raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip although she was clad in a different robe. Although she also had a middle aged man on her side.
"Wait! TWO Granny Tsunades!?" Boruto and Naruto exclaimed in dismay.
"What the hell is going on? So the Tsunade they dealt with was an imposter?" Sarada blinked as Tsunade looked at her imposter.
"And what the hell is going on here, Shizune? Out with it!" Tsunade wanted no BS with Shizune dropping the charade as she laughed sheepishly.
"Wait that was Shizune the whole time!?" Boruto was bug-eyed.
"Mitsuki you were right, this is a humorous tragedy…" Sarada sweatdropped as the man spoke up.
"You two are from the Akagi family?" The man asked.
"Boss Jirocho!" Senta and Bunzo exclaimed in surprise.
"You know this guy?" Naruto asked.
"You don't know him? He's a very powerful man." Senta pointed out.
"Powerful?" Boruto asked.
"Bunzo and Senta, right? I have a message for you." Jirocho said as everyone received quite a bombshell upon returning to the hot spring.
"I already paid my debt to the Akagi family a year ago." Tsunade said much to everyone's surprise.
"Oh….well…what do you know?" Shizune smiled in embarrassment.
"You were there, Shizune, remember?" Tsunade reminded her protégé who laughed nervously.
"I received a letter from the head of the Akagi family. I'll just read the relevant part. 'If you see Bunzo and Senta, tell them the debt has been paid and they're free to come home." Jirocho read much to the other side of the table's dismay.
"What a waste….I went to all that trouble and for what?" Naruto felt like he completely and utterly wasted his time.
"So you mean to tell me all that was a waste?" Boruto snorted.
"All's well that ends well, right?" Mitsuki chuckled with everyone ready to part ways upon sunset.
"Well, goodbye and good luck, guys!" Naruto smiled before turning and leaving with Shizune and Tsunade.
"So wait, if there was no money in that suitcase, why'd you care so much about getting it back?" Naruto asked Shizune who looked.
"Well, I didn't think it'd be such a good idea for everyone in the world to see all those IOUs. The Leaf might not be so eager to make her Hokage if they knew…." Shizune admitted in shame with Tsunade laughing.
"You worry too much, Shizune. Who cares if I ran up a little debt?" Tsunade shrugged.
"But that Jirocho guy said all that debt is paid!" Naruto grinned.
"No…just the Akagi one…." Shizune deadpanned.
"Stop being such a worrywart!" Tsunade giggled before Tonton oinked at her.
"Wait, we forgot something?" Tsunade cocked.
"Wait….where's Old Man Jiraiya?" Boruto just noticed Jiraiya was MIA.
"Don't tell me….they left him behind!" Sarada noted before all three kids started laughing.
"That is so mean…." Sarada wiped a tear from her eye.
"To be fair, they were busy." Mitsuki pointed out.
And as Jiraiya was fished out of the Hot Spring, the group finally returned back to the Leaf Village.
"About time we returned! I missed this place!" Boruto felt like kissing the ground.
"I know, I was feeling rather Homesick." Mitsuki mused with Naruto jumping around, happy to be back home.
And as he ran to the Hokage office upon entering, he got quite the surprise.
"Hey! Long time no see!" Both boys said simultaneously.
"I missed that squirt!" Boruto laughed.
"I hope he's okay…" Sarada frowned in concern remembering how distraught Konohamaru was at Hiruzen's funeral.
"By the way, did you see some nasty old lady walking through here? Actually, she's not old looking but all the same…." Naruto muttered much to Konohamaru's confusion.
"No, why?" Konohamaru was confused.
"She's the new Hokage and everyone's making a big fuss about her." Naruto said much to Konohamaru's disbelief.
"H-Hokage…." Konohamaru muttered before tears welled up in his eyes before he ran off, "It's not true!"
"Huh?" Naruto was confused at Konohamaru's action.
"So he's not over it….but that's to be expected…." Boruto looked sorrowful.
"He's no older than ten after all…" Sarada didn't wanna imagine the pain Konohamaru was going through.
After twenty minutes Tsunade finally made her way out of the Hokage office.
"I could use a drink…." Tsunade sighed with Naruto relieved to see her.
"Not so fast, grandma! Aren't you forgetting something?" Naruto tried keeping his cool as both Tsunade and Shizune shot him puzzled looks.
"Sasuke, Kakashi-Sensei and Bushy Brows!" Naruto spat as Tsunade snorted.
"Oh right, I DID forget." Tsunade smirked not really feeling any guilt.
"Wow." Boruto sweat-dropped.
"Hey, if it isn't Naruto!" The three turned to Shikamaru walking up with his dad, Shikaku.
"Uncle Shikamaru!" Boruto grinned.
"Shouldn't you be stuffing yourself right now?" Shikamaru asked.
"What about you? Shouldn't you be asleep during this time or day?" Naruto muttered as Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"Haha, very funny. My dad asked me to come with him but wouldn't say why." Shikamaru said as Naruto noticed Shikaku bow his head to Tsunade.
"Hey….do they know each other?" Naruto noticed Shikaku's gesture.
"Greetings my lady." Shikaku amiably greeted the Sannin.
"You're that kid from the Nara clan? I hope you're taking care of those deer since I made good medicine from their antlers." Tsunade smiled in remembrance with Shikamaru at a loss as to who Tsunade was.
"Who's the chick and why is she talking to my dad like she's his boss?" Shikamaru whispered to Naruto.
"Oh that's the new Hokage. And she's actually in her fifties." Naruto pointed out much to Shikamaru's disbelief. However as Tsunade started to leave, Naruto realized that was his cue to leave.
"Oops! Gotta go! Oh yeah maybe next time I can show you my super killer technique!" Naruto waved to Shikamaru before the group made their way to the Leaf Hospital. The first on their "Heal List" was Sasuke.
"I'm happy to see mom again!" Sarada beamed before her smile sagged as her eyes landed on her comatose smile.
"D-dad…." Sarada wasn't used to seeing her dad so….frail….nor did she enjoy seeing it.
Sensing her trouble, both of her teammates put their hands on her shoulders.
"Hey, remember Granny Tsunade's gonna take care of things…." Boruto reassured Sarada with Mitsuki nodding.
"Yes, that is why she's here after all." Mitsuki added as Sarada's smile returned.
"Thanks guys…." Sarada was grateful for her team as Tsunade knocked on Sasuke's hospital door upon entering.
"May I come in?" Tsunade gently asked as Sakura was confused.
"Uh…who are you?" Sakura curiously cocked an eyebrow before blushing, being taken aback by Tsunade's beauty.
"Sakura! Hey! She's gonna fix Sasuke up just you wait!" Naruto grinned, happy to have kept his promise with all the hell he went through.
"Naruto…." Sakura blinked as Tsunade noticed all the flowers Sakura left showing she was a frequent visitor of Sasuke's.
"You must be the one Guy-Sensei told me about….Please….if you can save Sasuke…" Sakura bowed as Tsunade laughed off Sakura's modesty.
"I'll see what I can do." Tsunade winked as she immediately went to work on Sasuke, healing him as the color returned to his skin.
In no time, Sasuke was up as he sat up, clearly disoriented.
"Sasuke!" Naruto was no doubt happy to have his rival back up as Team Konohamaru shared Naruto's relief.
"Happy to have him back!" Boruto pumped.
"The gang's back together." Sarada wiped her eyes, happy to have her dad back as tears came to Sakura's eyes before embracing him tightly.
"Sasuke!" Sakura cried in happiness as Sasuke was too out of it to notice her.
Naruto's gaze fell before he left the room.
"Dad? What was that about?" Boruto tilted his head as Sarada sighed.
"It's probably the moment he found how much mom liked dad…." Sarada rubbed her head.
"Love….is complicated…." Mitsuki noted.
"True that…." Boruto rubbed the back of his head with Tsunade noticing the same thing as a small smile came to her face.
"C'mon, there's still one more!" Naruto said as it was Kakashi's turn to get healed.
Although it wasn't nearly as emotional as Sasuke.
"Disgraceful! To be taken out by two punks like that? And here I thought you were supposed to be powerful." Tsunade scrutinized Kakashi who deadpanned.
"Sorry to disappoint…." Kakashi sighed.
"Wow as harsh as ever." Boruto snickered.
"Alright! Now one more and you're all done!" Naruto pumped his fist as Guy nearly ripped the curtain behind Naruto.
"Yes, right next here!" Guy looked like a starving dog as Naruto realized something.
"Oh! I gotta meet Iruka-Sensei! Later!" Naruto ran to his favorite eatery with Naruto meeting Iruka who both entered Ichiraku.
"This was worth the wait!" Naruto eagerly chowed down as Iruka looked at Naruto before noticing something.
"Naruto, you know? You've sure come a long way since you were a kid trying to earn one of those." Iruka pointed to his head making Naruto gasp in remembrance as the memory flashed to the night before Naruto graduated.
"Wow….he's sure right. It has to have been at least a year by then…." Sarada couldn't believe how much has happened since Naruto became a ninja.
"He's grown a lot…" Boruto wistfully smiled.
"And he's gonna continue to grow." Mituski reminded as Naruto guffawed happily.
"I'm glad you noticed! Aren't you glad you gave me this headband? I bet I'm a super ninja now!" Naruto giggled with Iruka smiling before looking away.
"I wouldn't get so carried, Naruto. You still have a long way to go so try not to get a swelled head." Iruka scolded in a mock scold voice.
"Why do I feel that wasn't meant to be as harsh as it was supposed to be?" Sarada giggled.
"Listen, Naruto. The Leaf Village is up against the wall since we lost the Third Hokage as well as many of our best Shinobi. Our strength is down to less than half with all our latest missions." Iruka explained.
"Wow…I had no idea how shitty things were…." Boruto blinked in disbelief.
"That war was devasting after all…" Mitsuki replied feeling a degree of guilt for what his father did.
"Huh? Turn 'em down if you don't have the manpower." Naruto offered with both Iruka and Teuchi shaking their heads.
"Use your head! Turning down missions will be telling the world we're weak. That means everyone has to pitch in, even the walking wounded like Kakashi-Sensei." Iruka rationalized.
"Huh….you're up against it all right…." Naruto casually slurped up more noodles.
"This concerns you too hot shot! You may have to fight battles you're not ready for yet." Iruka nearly snapped though Naruto didn't look too worried.
"Well how can you expect me to fight on an empty stomach!" Naruto laughed as Team Konohamaru and even Iruka couldn't stop their own laughter.
"Well he already fights on an empty head so what's the difference?" Boruto teased as the scene shifted to morning time as Naruto ran down the streets.
"Hey, it's Uncle Lee!" Boruto smiled.
"But why is he still on crutches? I thought Lady Tsunade was working on him?" Sarada pondered.
"It could be harder for him compared to Master Sasuke and Master Kakashi since they were in comas." Mitsuki offered.
"Hey, Bushy Brows! How you doin'?" Naruto asked, happy to see his friend.
"Oh Naruto, good morning." Lee bowed.
"Morning. So did Granny Tsunade check you out? What'd she say? It's a good thing she's here since the village is in trouble and we'll need all the help we got! So you better get back on your feet!" Naruto beamed as Lee looked down.
"…Why do I feel like she didn't have that good of news…?" Boruto frowned.
"Because Master Gaara messed him up pretty bad…but she had to have found something!" Sarada reassured Boruto.
"Yeah….after all he was back on his feet by the time I went back!" Boruto smiled.
"Naruto! Come quick!" Moegi and Udon ran to Naruto looking quite distressed.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Naruto noticed how upset the two kids looked.
"It's Konohamaru! He's locked himself in the Hokage office!" Moegi alerted Naruto.
"Huh?" Naruto and Lee looked to each other in confusion.
"Wait what? Why?" Sarada asked with Boruto gasping in realization.
"….Isn't it obvious? It's because he misses his grandpa…." Boruto said with Sarada looking sadly.
"Oh…..And having him be replaced would be quite upsetting after a short time following his death…" Sarada somberly noted.
As Naruto and Co. ran to the Hokage Tower, they noticed a disheveled looking Izumo and Kotetsu standing at the old office of Hiruzen Sarutobi with a frustrated looking Tsunade and Shizune by them.
Knowing Tsunade's temper, Naruto ran to her.
"Granny Tsunade, just let me handle him!" Naruto pleaded with Tsunade not wanting Tsunade to pummel Konohamaru as she turned her head up.
"A friend of yours? Fine, I want him out by the end of the day." Tsunade walked off with Shizune in tow.
"Oh this should be interesting." Mitsuki crossed his arms in amusement.
"Totally." Boruto snorted.
"Hey, Konohamaru!" Naruto tried knocking on the door only to get radio silence.
"Hey, I know what we can do! You wanna get some Ramen? All you want on me! Steaming hot with lots of barbecued pork with tons of eggs and those crunchy things on top!" Naruto grinned only to still be met with nothing.
"Hey will you at least say something?" Naruto was starting to get fed up with how difficult Konohamaru was being.
"Okay! SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!" Konohamaru said in a mock cheerful voice making Team Konohamaru laugh, especially with Naruto's angry face being the icing on the cake.
"No kid's gonna talk to me like that! Get outta there or I'll drag you out!" Naruto was pissed.
"Yeah, yeah, just try it!" Konohamaru spat, pissing off Naruto even more.
"You little!" Naruto threw his body against the door only to get a head full of tin pans hit his skull.
"Naruto…." Udon and Moegi were quick to help him as this made Team Konohamaru laugh only harder.
"Okay I'm sorry but this is too funny!" Sarada had to wipe her glasses.
"After those earlier grittier memories, some humor is quite refreshing." Mitsuki chuckled as Naruto was back on his feet.
"C'mon, will you at least tell me why you're in there? Maybe I can help." Naruto offered.
"Please, Konohamaru?" Moegi whimpered as this only seemed to annoy Naruto more.
"Okay I tried being sympathetic but now it's time to use force! Sexy Jutsu!" Naruto transformed into his trademark jutsu.
"What the hell can that do!?" Sarada was just sick of that jutsu.
"I get the feeling that jutsu may come in clutch later…." Boruto deadpanned as he was still ignored.
"Oh c'mon, you want me to freeze to death out here!?" Naruto spat.
"You have no clothes on idiot." Sarada growled as Naruto ended the jutsu before summoning a hoard of Shadow Clones as they lunged at the door before he had a hoard of pepper bombs rain upon him, leaving him in a literal mess.
"You okay, Naruto?" Moegi asked.
"Yeah…except I feel like a complete idiot…." Naruto muttered.
"As you should." Boruto snorted enjoying this memory.
"What're you gonna do now?" Konohamaru was ready to see what Naruto would do next.
"You little…..okay if that's how you wanna play it…." Naruto rolled his sleeves.
"This room is the Third Hokage! No one can use it but him!" Konohamaru yelled with his voice full of disdain with Naruto calming down.
"….So that's it…." Naruto's eyes softened.
"You were right, Boruto…." Sarada lost her humor as Boruto sighed.
"I'm his grandson so it's my duty to defend it…." Konohamaru sounded close to tears with Naruto shaking his head.
"Hey, you runt! This is no time for all that! The village's in danger!" Naruto tried reasoning with Konohamaru again who had enough.
"Oh who cares!? This stupid village can burn to the ground for all I care!" Konohamaru spat much to everyone's shock.
"Okay that's going way too far!" Sarada noted with the look on Naruto's face showing he thought the exact same.
"That's it, you just crossed the line!" Naruto was ready to blow the door down with his Rasengan only for Tsunade to literally boot Naruto out of the way. While everyone feared the worst for Konohamaru, it turns out all Tsunade was after was a book which she wordlessly took.
"Well….that could have gone worse for Sensei." Mitsuki chuckled with everyone else staring at Tsunade's retreating back in confusion.
"But if he really wanted to, he could have used the Rasengan from the start…" Sarada sweat-dropped.
With Konohamaru freed, Naruto took him and the two went to the Leaf Memorial Stone.
"So here's the thing, Konohamaru. The village is in a lot of trouble right now. We've gotta pull together because we're down to half our strength." Naruto began after the two prayed.
"Yeah, yeah in case you forgot, I'm the one who told you that, remember?" Konohamaru scoffed as Naruto flinched in embarrassment as Team Konohamaru chuckled.
"Oh well….we also can't turn down missions because that'd be telling the world how weak we are!" Naruto tried awkwardly saving himself as Konohamaru rolled his eyes.
"Yeah and Iruka-Sensei already told us that too." Konohamaru scoffed again, stumping Naruto making Team Konohamaru again chuckle.
"Well, what is it? Is it that you don't like Grandma Tsunade?" Naruto asked.
"No! That's not it at all!" Konohamaru argued.
"Than what's it all about?" Naruto blinked.
"Pretty soon no one's gonna call me 'Honorable Grandson' anymore. I'll just be plain Konohamaru…." Konohamaru looked down as Naruto was all the more confused.
"And what's wrong with that?" Naruto was lost.
"You don't get it! Pretty soon everyone's gonna forget about the old man and toss him in the closet like an old shoe….." As Konohamaru was close to tears with everyone processing his admission.
"Oh….I see now….." Sarada looked at the kid version of her sensei with a sad frown.
"Yeah….I thought the same when I thought dad died….like he was gonna be yesterday's news…." Boruto looked down.
"At least in modern times we can see that didn't happen thankfully." Mitsuki smiled reassuringly.
"What? You're crazy to think people will forget the old man!" Naruto argued.
"And I say you're wrong!" Konohamaru spat back.
"And how can you say that?" Naruto was getting annoyed.
"Because you are." Konohamaru turned his head as Naruto was fed up.
"That's it! We're gonna go to Granny Tsunade and make her swear an oath that the Leaf will never forget the Old Man. Then we'll do the same with everyone in the village." Naruto vowed much to Konohamaru's disbelief.
"Well, that's one way to do it!" Boruto laughed.
"You gotta start from somewhere." Sarada added as the two left to go find Tsunade. But upon coming to a local bar, they heard, "I am the Fifth Hokage, after all!"
"What's she talking about?" Boruto asked.
"You got me." Sarada shrugged as Konohamaru's eyes lit up before going off.
"Wait, where are going? Don't you wanna see, Granny Tsunade?" Naruto asked.
"Nope. I'm not just the Grandson of the Third Hokage but Konohamaru of the Hidden Leaf!" Konohamaru beamed before jumping off.
"Huh?" Naruto was lost.
"What's all that about?" Boruto asked with Mitsuki smiling.
"Isn't it obvious? It's the process of him moving on." Mitsuki explained.
"And he's getting back to the old Konohamaru-Sensei." Sarada grinned with Boruto finally getting it.
"Oh…I see." Boruto smiled with Tsunade's inauguration happening days afterwards.
It was a very happy occasion with a revived Kakashi and Sasuke in tow and everything seemed to go back to normal.
Don't you guys just love recharge chapters!? ^_^
That's what we need after Wano! XD
But yeah in another chapter, we'll be in a certain Retrieval Arc! ;D
But we gotta get through the next chapter coming Nov. 30th! ^_^
Til then, Happy Halloween! ^_^