OKAY! I am SO SORRY this chap is two weeks late!
No excuse would justify my stupidity but in my defense, work and school was a huge bitch making me kinda forget and not to mention I got Army Wives Seasons 1-5 on DVD for Black Friday (I've also recently begun writing fanfiction for that show so check them out if you want!) and I was having SO MUCH FUN writing for that show so that also made me forget….
But okay! Madara can drop a meteor on me and we can be even? XD
I'm sorry!
ANYWAYS….
One more arc until we get to the one everyone has been waiting for, myself included hehe! ^_^
But anyways please enjoy this last intermission chapter!
"Okay….that was the funniest memory we saw in a while!" Boruto wiped a tear as his teammates were just as bemused.
"I know. It's so nice to see everyone acting back to normal again. Dad especially…." Sarada was happy to see her dad act like well….a kid. Something much needed after his encounter with his brother.
"It was nothing short of entertaining watching Master Sasuke be so expressive." Mitsuki mused although that just made Boruto question just what on earth made Sasuke want to leave the village?
It was something he was both anxious and dreading to see.
"Shoulda known Uncle Kakashi woulda had another mask under it." Boruto said in both humor and irritation.
"I wonder if they ever saw his real face?" Sarada wondered as she now felt curious about Kakashi's mask.
"Doubt it." Mitsuki snorted, making the team go into another laughing fit.
"What's next?" Sarada asked, speaking for everyone as the bluish-purplish mist enveloped the three taking them into the Academy where Team Seven stood at the mission desk awaiting their next mission.
"Ah….this is familiar…." Boruto smiled nostalgically remembering their mission to the Land of Waves.
"It's been so long….They've come a long way…." Sarada smiled remembering their inexperience in the beginning.
"But where is Master Kakashi?" Mitsuki wondered where Team Seven's sensei was.
"Typical late show." Boruto snorted as Naruto giggled in glee.
"Okay let's do it! Whatever the mission is, I'm psyched and ready to go!" Naruto excitedly beamed as Sasuke scoffed much to Naruto's chagrin.
"But where's Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura turned her head looking for any sign of a scarecrow lookalike.
"Some teacher, he's always late." Naruto deadpanned.
"Kakashi won't be here at all." The voice of Tsunade was heard as said Sannin entered the mission request room with Shizune and Tonton in tow.
"Wait what?" Boruto blinked, genuinely surprised.
"Remember due to dad's recent attack on the village, the village is stretched thin and they have to keep up the show that the Leaf is a force to be reckoned with." Mitsuki pointed out.
"But still to send Genin without their sensei." Sarada grimaced as the thought was just a recipe for disaster.
"I know but what can ya do?" Boruto sighed as Team Seven was surprised at the news of Kakashi's absence.
"Granny Tsunade! What's up?" Naruto greeted the new Hokage with his nickname for her.
"Stop calling me that, will you?" Tsunade said with annoyance as she sat down in front of the team.
"Uh…Lady Hokage? What's this about Kakashi-Sensei not coming?" Sakura was perplexed.
"You know our forces are stretched thin and all our Jonin are busy on other missions including Kakashi so you three will have to handle this one all on your own. It's a B-Rank escort mission and it's very important." Tsunade held a scroll containing the details of the mission in question.
"Of course it could develop into an A-Rank mission if you run into trouble." Tsunade said to the team.
"So who do we escort?" Sasuke asked.
"I don't know." Tsunade shrugged nonchalantly much to everyone's dismay.
"Huh?" Boruto and Sarada couldn't believe Tsunade's ignorance.
"Wait, hold on! What do you mean you don't know?" Naruto was surprised as Tsunade started reading the scroll to the team.
"For every four years, our neighbor the Land of Tea holds a dedication ceremony at the Great Todoroki Shrine and each time we're asked to escort a runner who will participate in the race that's part of the ceremonies. This year, the messengers who were bringing the request were attacked before they could get here." Tsunade explained.
"My god that's awful but that's nothing dad and the others can't handle." Sarada smiled.
"So much for just a simple race." Boruto half complained wishing they could get some R&R for once.
"Who attacked them?" Naruto asked the question for everyone.
"I'm sorry but I'm not following this story quite well." Sakura frowned with Tsunade closing the scroll.
"Well don't worry about that. When you meet boss Jirocho, he'll fill you in." Tsunade said with Naruto blinking in remembrance.
"When we meet Boss Jirocho? Ah, that gambling guy we met!" Naruto noted in realization.
"I remember him! This should make things interesting…." Boruto noted.
"That's all I know now no wasting time. They're expecting you in the Land of Tea by the end of the day so get moving!" Tsunade ordered the squad.
"Got it, you can count on us!" Naruto vowed with the team going off to get packed before going off to the Land of Waves.
As they walked to their destination, Naruto turned to Sakura.
"Hey, Sakura….you hungry at all?" Naruto asked his friend.
"Hmm…well maybe just a little." Sakura tapped a finger to her chin.
"He coulda asked dad." Sarada mused.
"Rivalries." Was all Mitsuki said as that was a good enough answer for Naruto.
"Good idea! And look, there's a tea house just up ahead!" Naruto practically jumped up and down before running ahead like a toddler on a sugar rush.
"Wait, Naruto!" Sakura tried yelling at Naruto to no avail before she and Sasuke shared a look, shrugged and followed after their blonde friend.
"Was that all dad's elaborate scheme?" Boruto snorted.
"Wouldn't doubt it." Sarada also snorted as all three Genin reached the tea shop where they sat at a table as an elderly woman took their orders while serving them tea.
"What'll it be?" The old woman asked the three.
"Some sweet bean soup!" Naruto excitedly pumped a fist.
"Some dumplings and you Sasuke?" Sakura answered before turning to her crush.
"Just some rice." Sasuke simply said with Naruto pumping a fist in the air.
"I hope we get some fighting in!" Naruto grinned with Sakura shaking her head.
"Don't you go making trouble, Naruto." Sakura sent Naruto a look of disapproval as Naruto waved his hands in defense.
"Just sitting around in the shade, sucking down some sweet bean soup. A ninja's life is pretty cushy." Team Seven turned to a young man around fifteen standing at their table. He had brown hair and a cloak over his outfit.
"Who the hell is this bozo?" Boruto blinked.
"Trouble no doubt." Sarada was a hundred percent sure.
"What'd you say?" Naruto growled obviously offended with the man smirking.
"I guess you Leaf Ninja don't get much action in the Leaf Village given how out of shape you look." The man smirked with that being the last straw for Naruto.
"What'd you say?" Naruto got out of his seat with the man ignoring him and turning to Sakura.
"Hey, where'd you come from, sweetie? Of course I didn't mean you." The man smiled.
"Oh…thank you…." Sakura awkwardly thanked with the man leaning down to her resting his hand in his palm.
"Hi there, I'm Idate Morino. So what do they call you?" The man asked, clearly flirting with Sakura.
"Morino…." Mitsuki said more to himself.
"This Idate clown better stay away from her!" Sarada growled getting as pissed as Naruto. She really didn't like this dude.
"You gonna punch him in the nose Sakura or do you want me to!?" Naruto rolled up his sleeve.
"Sakura, huh? What a beautiful name. Since fate has brought us together, what's say we talk about our future?" Idate winked making Sakura blush as this was more than enough for Naruto and Sarada.
"What future?" Sakura was taken aback.
"Oh you know the future where you give up this ridiculous ninja business and run off with me." Idate grinned as this set off the loose cannons known as Naruto and Sarada.
"Hey! Quit hitting on her or I'm gonna start hitting on you!" Naruto and Sarada simultaneously yelled as Sarada may have awakened her Mangekyou with how mad she was as Sasuke looked like he could care less with Idate scoffing.
"Don't worry, I was kidding around." Idate rolled his eyes.
"Sure you were." Sarada scoffed as Idate turned to Naruto.
"But the rest of it was no joke. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's ninja. You better go back to where you came from or there'll be trouble!" Idate spat.
"Oh yeah, wanna bet?" Naruto spat back as the two glared daggers at each other.
"Calm down, Naruto." Sakura tried reasoning with her friend.
"She's right, just ignore the punk. We don't have the time." Sasuke rolled his eyes at the spectacle in front of him.
"Get outta here, Sasuke! After what he said, don't you have any ninja pride!?" Naruto glared at Sasuke before turning to Idate only to realize there was no one there.
"Wait, he's gone?" Sakura darted her head right to left.
"How the hell?" Boruto was just as surprised.
"I guess he's faster than he looks!" Sarada was slightly impressed with Idate's speed.
"Gah I hate that! He gets in his little digs and leaves!" Naruto flailed his arms as the old lady returned.
"Thank you for waiting." The old woman put down Team Seven's orders before putting down two bills which Sakura noticed.
"Wait, why two bills?" Sakura looked at them curiously.
"Oh but your young friend said you'd pay for them." The old woman said in confusion.
"Ugh! I knew I shoulda flattened him when I had the chance!" Naruto was about to rip his hair out in frustration with Sakura looking like she was thinking the same.
"What a jackass!" Boruto looked at Idate's bill.
"Okay that settles it, I really don't like this guy at all." Sarada deadpanned as Sasuke put his head to the ground trying to listen for sound vibrations.
"That guy's crossed the line making fools of us! I'm gonna make him pay!" Naruto growled, slapping his backpack on before running off.
"We've gotta go, ma'am! The money's on the table, thanks!" Sakura was after Naruto with Sasuke, leaving the old woman absolutely confused.
"This kid's fast." Sasuke said.
"But who could he be?" Sakura pondered.
"Who cares? He's toast when I catch up to him!" Naruto promised as they ran to where Idate was dangling off a tree branch before managing to catch himself.
"Ha, serves you right!" Naruto smirked smugly at Idate who found himself surrounded on all sides.
"Did you really think you'd get away?" Sasuke glared at Idate who suddenly fell to his knees.
"I'm sorry! I couldn't pay the bill because all my money had been stolen….I saw you guys and didn't know what to do…" Idate groveled in front of the three looking rather pathetic.
"No….you're kidding…All your money…." Sakura frowned in sympathy.
"Well why didn't you say so?" Naruto's heart was coming out while Team Konohamaru looked relatively unconvinced.
"You believe this clown?" Boruto turned to Sarada with annoyed eyes.
"Nope." Sarada bluntly answered.
At that same time, a knife landed on the ground right by Naruto.
"Huh? What's this?" Naruto was about to pick it up as Idate noticed.
"Hands off, this is mine!" Idate spat before jumping off, dropping his façade.
"Wait, what're you doing?" Naruto noticed Idate removing the guards around his ankles.
"On your mark…get set….GO!" Idate said, dropping them, making a huge smoke cloud arise from where he once was.
"Holy shit! Those remind me of Uncle Lee's!" Boruto was amazed getting flashbacks to the chunin exams.
"After him!" Naruto said with Idate miles ahead of him.
"Give it up, idiots! You'll never catch me!" Idate yelled as Team Seven were nothing short of perplexed with Idate's speed.
"Is this guy for real?" Sakura could hardly believe her eyes with Team Seven actually needing to take a breath.
"I told you he's fast…." Sasuke had to catch a breath along with the others.
"If I see that jerk again, he better watch out….." Naruto grunted.
"Think they'll see that ass again?" Boruto asked his friends.
"More than likely." Mitsuki answered as Sarada sighed.
After catching their breaths Team Seven finally reached their destination with Jirocho waiting for them as they met with him in his abode.
"Welcome and thank you all for coming." Jirocho greeted the three.
"Happy to see he's doing well." Boruto smiled as Naruto knelt down while holding out a hand.
"I bid you my services and offer you my greetings. I have come from the Village Hidden in the Leaves which is also my place of birth. I was raised on ramen and hard work and given the family name of Uzumaki. But I'm known to everyone as-"Naruto introduced himself as to give a good first impression, something he wasn't quite adept at.
"As the knucklehead." Sasuke cut in.
"As the knuckleh-Hey! Very funny!" Naruto immediately caught onto Sasuke's doop making everyone laugh at their shenanigans.
"Some things never change." Mitsuki chuckled.
"Thankfully not." Sarada smiled, relieved that things were back to normal.
"You haven't changed at all, I see." Jirocho smiled with Naruto returning the gesture.
"Neither have you big guy." Naruto grinned.
"Watch it, Naruto!" Sakura advised Naruto not wanting him to get in any trouble though Jiraiya only laughed it off.
"No, the boy has spirit. I like that." Jirocho waved off Sakura's concerns.
"Now that we're done with the greetings, maybe we should get down to it. The Fifth Hokage said you would explain what you want us to do." Sasuke decided to get down to business.
"Alright then, you know about the dedication ceremonies held every four years?" Jirocho inquired.
"Not really." Naruto bluntly said as Jirochi waved the team down to sit.
"It all started long ago…The legend goes that in ancient times, there came a terrible storm. In desperation, the people dedicated the Ryuko jewels to the Great Todoroki Shrine. It worked, the storm subsided and now the ceremony's repeated every four years. At first, it was just a re-dedication of the jewels then it became a festival and eventually a race. But in recent events, what was once a friendly race has taken on a more troubling twist. For generations, Port Degarashi has been divided into two families; the Wasabi and the Wagarashi, two rival gambling organizations. Both families wanted control of the town which naturally led to disputes. These disputes became increasingly violent, sometimes resulting in all out battles with the townspeople getting caught in as a result. Finally, in an effort to end all the violence, our district leader called on both sides to get together and come to an agreement. Henceforth, control of the town would be decided not by street brawls but by competition." Jirocho began explaining the history of the Great Todoroki Shrine race.
"What kind of competition, exactly?" Sakura inquired.
"The race run every four years at the Great Todoroki Shrine Dedication Ceremony. Four years ago, the Wadarashi beat us soundly by hiring a ninja and we found out they've done the same thing this year. That's why we sent messengers to you, seeking your help. It was our way of leveling the playing field but before they could reach the village, they were attacked." Jirocho finished his recap tale.
"It's awful….you can't just have a fun competition without some jerks wanting to ruin things." Boruto grunted.
"Yeah, sounds like the chunin exams." Sarada agreed before Jirocho bowed his head to the team.
"I beg you…please lend our family your strength. If we lose again, it would mean the Wadarashi will control the town for four more years." Jirocho beseeched the three.
"I'm on the job!" Naruto pumped his chest with a grin with Sakura and Sasuke nodding in agreement.
"So who do we escort?" Sasuke crossed his arms.
"So that means you'll take the job?" Jirocho happily noted before clapping his hands, revealing the escort.
"You wanted to see me, boss?" The escort was revealed to be none other than Idate.
"THIS GUY!?" Naruto, Boruto, Idate and Sarada all exclaimed simultaneously.
"You have got to be kidding me." Sarada groaned.
"How ironic." Mitsuki laughed with Naruto and Idate glaring at each other with indignation.
"Oh you two already know each other? That makes things easier." Jirocho smiled though if he noticed the tension between Naruto and Idate, he didn't seem to show it.
With "introductions" out of the way both Naruto and Idate walked the town, clearly displeased with the other's presence.
"Boss Jirocho is a big man around here and he shouldn't have to bow down to a bunch of Shinobi wannabees." Idate scoffed.
"He can bow and scrape all he wants, there's no way I'm gonna escort a lousy cheapskate like you, anyways." Naruto turned his head with Idate replicating the gesture.
"Believe me, if I wanted an escort, it wouldn't be some snot-nosed runt who barely comes to my waist." Idate shot back with that being the last straw for Naruto as no one made fun of him for his height.
"Whoa, whoa, who you calling a runt, you ignorant hick!? I'm Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja who's gonna be Hokage someday!" Naruto pointed out with Idate scoffing.
"Ha! Big deal!" Idate rolled his eyes.
"It's a lot better than being the leader of a bunch of degenerate gamblers!" Naruto spat as it was now Idate's turn to get pissed.
"Hey squirt, my boss is a great leader so watch your mouth!" Idate got in Naruto's face.
"Oh yeah? Would he sacrifice his life for his village like the Hokage would!? That's a leader!" Naruto challenged Idate who stepped ahead for the challenge.
"Are you kidding me!? He'd sacrifice his heart, his soul, his life and the souls of his children's children for all eternity!" Idate literally flailed around to prove his point.
"That's nothing! The Hokage would do all that in twice a day!" Naruto flailed his body with Naruto and Idate glaring bloody murder at each other before turning away, not caring they were making asses of each other.
"They're sure getting along." Mitsuki sarcastically mused.
"I'll say." Boruto rolled his eyes before turning to Sarada, "Hey Sarada, you believe in the multiverse theory?"
"Oh yeah….where anything can happen?" Sarada said.
"Yeah and in one of them, that Idate guy was your dad." Boruto guffawed before being cut off with a punch to his gut.
"Shut up!"Sarada growled as Naruto and Idate finally made his way to the harbor where Idate would take off.
"Whoa….I had no idea it was such a big deal…." Naruto was amazed with all the people in attendance, "So what kind of race is it?" Naruto turned to Sakura like he always did when he had a question.
"You know, the kind with a start and finish. Listen carefully and I'll explain. The starting point is here in the harbor of Degarashi. From here, the runners head for Modoroki Shrine which is the midpoint." Sakura explained, opening a map.
"They run over water?" Naruto blinked.
"Uh….No, Naruto. The leg of the race is done by boat. Anyway, the runners pick up the Ryoko jewels from Modoroki Shrine and the first one that gets them to the Great Todoroki Shrine wins. That's it as far as basic rules but anything goes; short cuts, dirty tricks, anything." Sakura finished her explanation.
"That's why hiring ninja to help you is okay too." Sasuke added.
"Sounds simple enough." Boruto shrugged.
"You know it's not gonna be that easy." Sarada pointed out.
"When has it ever been easy?" Mitsuki added with a laugh.
"Okay so where's the ninja the other side has?" Naruto asked.
"They're keeping a low profile but watch your step okay Naruto?" Sakura reminded Naruto how reckless he could be.
"Okay, okay." Naruto muttered with Idate turning to them.
"I don't care what you guys do but stay away from me." Idate said.
"What!?" Naruto was ready to go at it with this guy.
"I've got a race to run. I don't want you guys in my way!" Idate spat.
"In your way!?" Naruto was about to lunge at Idate with Sakura holding him back.
"Come on, can't we all just get along?" Sakura tried reasoning with the two who looked at each other in disgust.
"With him!? No way!" Naruto and Idate spat before turning away as the speaker ahead got started.
"The Great Todoroki Race is about to begin! Running for the Wasabi, Idate Morino!" The speaker said generating applause from the audience.
"Morino…Morino….doesn't that name kinda ring a bell?" Boruto looked to Sarada.
"It kinda does…." Sarada agreed with Mitsuki smiling.
"And running for the Wagarashi, Fukusuke Hikyakuya!" The speaker announced with Fukusuke reveling in the applause.
"Ugh he seems like such a prick." Sarada dislikes this guy probably more than Idate.
"Totally. Has he ever heard of dignity?" Boruto agreed with Idate and Fukusuke taking their marks.
"Runners…On your mark! Get set….GO!" The speaker said with both runners dashing off.
"Guess that means we oughta get going to!" Naruto said to his friends before everyone noticed something rather startling, Idate was running in the opposite direction.
"What the hell is he doing!?" Sarada couldn't believe the logic.
"Has he gone crazy!?" Boruto and Team Seven were on the same wavelength as they ran after Idate. Idate did want to win, right?
"Idate, what're you doing?" Sakura was trying to make sense on what he was doing.
"What's that idiot doing!?" Sasuke was surprised.
"Idiot! What the hell are you doing!?" Naruto yelled as Idate was hearing none of them as they all ended up in a forest with them jumping from tree branch to tree branch to try to catch up to Idate.
"We'll catch up to him soon enough." Naruto said.
"But it's too late. He won't win from this far from the port." Sakura pointed out.
"Who knows? He may have planned to come this way." Sasuke offered for an explanation.
"But what sense would that make?" Boruto asked with Team Seven wondering the same before they finally managed to catch up to Idate.
"Finally caught up with ya! Hey wait up!" Naruto yelled as he, Sasuke and Sarada all managed to catch up to the runner though Naruto was at his side.
"What gives? Why'd you run off like that?" Naruto asked Idate whose eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Will you shut up? I don't have to tell you anything, kid!" Idate spat as it was Naruto's turn to get irate.
"What's with the attitude!?" Naruto growled.
"I said shut up!" Idate ran off much to Naruto's annoyance.
"Wait, they've already been this way!" Boruto noticed how way too similar everything looked.
Sarada in response activated her Sharingan before gasping.
"It's a Genjutsu!" Sarada noted.
"Seriously? Ugh why can't things be simple?" Boruto sighed with Idate noticing the same.
"Great….now I'm in a Genjutsu…." Idate muttered before making a handsign.
"Release!" Idate ran off not even giving Naruto a chance to breathe.
"Wait, Naruto! Don't go that way!" Naruto heard the voice of Sakura in the air.
"What's going on here?" Naruto asked.
"It's a Genjutsu and that idiot has ran right into it!" Sasuke said.
"Oh damn, I'll go get him!" Naruto ran off in a hurry only to hear the voice of Idate screaming down a cliff.
"That idiot literally jumped off a cliff!" Sarada was about to rip her hair out in frustration and amazement.
"If he falls he would make a splat." Mitsuki morbidly pointed out with Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura looking just as stunned.
"I'll go down and get the moron. Can one of you two pull us up?" Naruto turned to his friends.
"Got it. Go get him." Sasuke nodded with Naruto getting rope wrapped around his ankles before he jumped and caught Idate.
"Just stay still I'll have them pull us up." Naruto said as they were getting pulled up.
"Man that was a close one." Sakura breathed a sigh of relief they got there at the right time.
"Someone put one Genjutsu on top of another. That takes a considerable amount of work." Sasuke grunted.
"You idiot! If you hadn't run off, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Naruto snapped at Idate who didn't appreciate Naruto's criticism of him.
"What!?" Idate was pushing against Naruto as they scuffle caused Naruto's weapons to drop out of his pouch.
"Ah no, my ninja tools!" Naruto was lost for words.
"Dumbass!" Sarada face-palmed talking more about Idate than Naruto. However when Naruto and Idate was pulled to safety, rather than showing the team some sort of gratitude, they were rewarded with disdain.
"Look I didn't ask for your help!" Idate scoffed at the three with Naruto fed up with him.
"Didn't need us? How about saying thanks for saving your life!?" Naruto really wanted to clobber this jerk who rolled his eyes in response.
"You only saved me because you're bound to. I have no need to thank you." Idate turned away.
Naruto was about to go another with Idate before Sasuke stopped him.
"Stop it, Naruto. He's right but look if you don't want to end up dead I suggest you stay with us." Sasuke directly told Idate who scoffed.
"What's this guy's deal? It's not all about the job with all ninja." Boruto said not believing how chill Idate was being.
"We'll definitely find out soon…." Mitsuki said with Naruto shaking his head deciding to focus on the mission at hand.
"But where're you going anyways? What happened to Port Degarashi?" Naruto asked Idate.
"What about it? I'm heading north from here." Idate was getting ready to leave.
"Wait, so does it mean it's faster that way?" Sakura wondered.
"That's right." Idate confirmed though Naruto was understandably unsure given Idate's behavior.
"But can we really trust this guy?" Naruto skeptically asked with Idate getting offended.
"That's the problem with all you ninja! Look at this time of the year, there are some pretty strong seasonal winds blowing hard across the sea. Back at the starting point, I noticed the clouds and could see the wind blowing at us. On top of that, there's a port to the north where the ocean current flows directly into Nagi Island. So yeah maybe you all should learn to use this more often." Idate smirked gesturing to his brain.
"Oh….that's pretty smart." Boruto blinked.
"Yeah too bad he's an arrogant prick." Sarada deadpanned, her dislike of Idate not simmering with the crew going to the North.
"I can smell salt in the air!" Naruto pointed out.
"It's the ocean." Sakura noted with the group coming to a port where there were boats near the ocean.
"What's that across the ocean?" Naruto noticed the boats.
It's the halfway point, Modoroki Shrine." Idate explained with him running to a nearby shack where an old man came out after Idate knocked on the door.
"Old Man? I'm gonna need you to lend me that boat." Idate asked hopefully.
"Of course, you can have that one over there. It's the best one I got." The old man smiled at Idate who smiled back gratefully.
"Thanks a lot old man!" Idate was grateful.
"Of course. Just make sure you don't lose to the Wadarashi. Jirocho has done a lot for me over the years." The old man pleaded with Idate who looked nothing short of confident.
"I may be an underdog but I won't lose." Idate assured the old man as the look in Naruto's eyes changed as the memory flashed to the fight against Neji.
"People called me a failure! I'll prove them wrong!" Naruto spat at Neji before the memory flashed to the present.
"Huh…turns out they're more similar than we thought…" Boruto blinked.
"That's a running motif in these memories I've noticed." Mitsuki chuckled with everyone boarding the boat and contributing in the sailing in what way they could.
"Hey Naruto, what do you think?" Sakura walked over to Naruto.
"About what?" Naruto blinked in confusion at the question.
"About Idate. I mean he's not just some ordinary guy. The level of speed he runs at is extraordinary. He's probably received some kind of special training." Sakura pointed out to Naruto.
"What kind of training?" Naruto wasn't quite on the same thought-length.
"It's possible he may have spent some time in one of the Hidden Villages." Sakura reasoned.
"That makes sense….He's way too fast to be an ordinary civilian." Sarada put a hand to her chin in thought.
That thought just made Naruto laugh.
"Oh get real! That blockhead could never be a ninja!" Naruto guffawed at the thought of Idate being a ninja.
"Look who's talking! Last time I checked you were the reigning king of stupid!" Sakura spat.
"A title he keeps to this day." Boruto laughed as Naruto looked quite proud of that title.
"I did make it to the final rounds of the Chunin exams after all!" Naruto smiled, remembering his victories over Kiba and Neji. Surprisingly this got Idate's attention.
"Wait did you say chunin exams?" Idate looked genuinely surprised.
"That's right! And I made it to the finals and had we not gotten interrupted, I woulda been a Chunin!" Naruto said in pride with Idate losing his surprise.
"Yeah well whoever your proctor was must've been a huge pushover. Sounds like they lowered their standards!" Idate said before realizing he said too much.
"Ding, ding, ding! So he was a ninja!" Boruto laughed.
"But was he a Leaf ninja?" Sarada wondered.
"I see now…." Sakura had a knowing smile, making Idate turn around in embarrassment.
"I remember now….Idate Morino…" Sasuke was putting two and two together.
"Wait, Morino? Wasn't he the proctor of the first exam?" Sakura asked getting Idate's attention.
"Wait, my brother? He's alive?" Idate actually turned to the three.
"Brother!?" Boruto and Sarada asked.
"I….don't really see the resemblance…." Sarada blinked.
"I figured it out from the moment I heard his name." Mitsuki shrugged in amusement.
"And you didn't think to say anything?" Boruto glared at his friend who laughed in response.
"Yeah why wouldn't he be alive?" Naruto was puzzled with Idate at a loss for words.
"I wonder if he has something to do the way Idate is now." Boruto wondered.
"But with that Genjutsu forest and these Morinos, it kind of reminds me of the chunin exams." Mitsuki pointed out.
"Huh….you're right." Boruto blinked but before anyone could reminisce further, an arrow found itself embedded in the boat.
"That's…not good." Boruto said with the group looking just as surprised.
"What now?" Naruto looking around for the source.
"It's an ambush." Sasuke looking to the distance.
"And there's more coming!" Sarada pointed to arrows falling from the sky with the team deflecting them.
"Sakura, take care of Idate." Sasuke ordered Sakura.
"Maybe we should run?" Sakura suggested as Sasuke shook his head.
"It's too late for that." Sasuke countered as hooks became lodged in the side of the boat.
"Definitely too late for that." Sarada gulped.
"What is this? Some pirate attack from On-"Boruto was about to question as Sasuke turned to Naruto.
"Get started on the ropes. I'll cover you." Sasuke ordered but before Naruto could get to work, he realized he was missing something crucial.
"Ugh! I just had to lose my gear!" Naruto groaned before realizing Idate was holding his knife from earlier.
"Hey lend me that will you?" Naruto turned to Idate who held it away from him.
"Forget it, you imbecile. This is more precious to me than my own life. No way I'm giving it to you." Idate held it away from Naruto who had no patience for this BS.
"C'mon, we don't have time for this!" Naruto tried reasoning with the older boy.
"Get away from me you idiot!" Idate was having none of it with Naruto fidgeting with Idate before a generous offer was handed his way.
"Hurry up already, you knucklehead!" Sasuke kindly gave Naruto his kunai.
"Heh, well that was easy!" Naruto grinned, hoping that was the end of it.
"What's his deal with that knife?" Boruto asked more to himself than anyone.
"Ah, more!?" Sakura was taken aback with clones arriving all over the ship.
"Don't worry Sakura, only one of them of real!" Naruto reassured Sakura.
"Wait, those looks like those clone guys from the Chunin exams!" Boruto noticed their outfits.
"But where's the main one?" Sarada remembered Oboro.
"He should show himself soon…" Mitsuki's eyes narrowed.
"Naruto, Sakura! Only one of them isn't a Shadow Clone!" Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
"Idate you should stay behind us." Sakura advised Idate who glared at her.
"No way, I'm trusting a bunch of ninja!" Idate scowled with Naruto scowling at him.
"Look pal, beggars can't be choosers!" Naruto argued as one of the clones tackled and attacked Naruto which revealed to be a Shadow Clone which the real one made short work.
But before anyone could celebrate, it started to "rain".
"Rain? No…it's…oil?" Sakura noticed how thick and black the "rain" was. Sasuke was about to blow it away with a fireball but Sakura stopped him.
"Can this get any worse?" Boruto couldn't believe how 0 to 100 things had gotten.
As if to mock him, a flaming arrow was thrust into the ship, making it flurry around in flames.
"Uh…it did get worse!" Sarada went wide-eyed although Idate looked lost almost in a trance.
"What's with him?" Boruto asked in concern.
"It may have to do with Master Ibiki and his disdain to ninja…" Mitsuki said as he and Sarada looked just as concerned.
"What're we gonna do Sasuke?" Sakura was at a loss on what to do.
"We dive into the ocean and swim to Nagi Island." Sasuke surmised kicking away a clone.
"Right, that makes the most sense." Sakura agreed before she turned to Idate.
"Do you know how to swim?" Sakura asked Idate.
"O-of course…." Idate hesitantly answered.
"Okay then, you go first. We'll cover you and we can use the smoke to escape." Sakura said before Idate backed up.
"You can forget it! You three probably wanna use me as a decoy…and use me to escape!" Idate was nothing short of paranoid.
"What're you talking about? Don't be ridiculous!" Naruto tried to reason with Idate who didn't want to hear.
"I said forget it, I don't trust ninja!" Idate yelled.
"Get out of here, we don't need you getting in our way!" Sasuke said as those words seemed to stir something within Idate as Sakura saved him from getting impaled with senbon needless.
Thankfully to combat oncoming clones, Sakura took the pillar from the boat and sung it around the clones.
"Whoa! And that was before she trained with Granny Tsunade!" Boruto was amazed with her strength before remembering how she lifted a log when Naruto and Sasuke were out.
"That's my mom after all!" Sarada beamed in pride with Sakura holding her arm.
"Please….hurry….on…." Sakura pleaded with Idate finally getting the memo to finally swim away. Thankfully Naruto and Team Seven managed to get from the burning boat soon after but Naruto and Co. soon found themselves wrapped up underwater by the same ninja from before with Oboro restraining Naruto who tried a Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Heh, what good with those do you? They may work on dry land but down here, water clones rule. In any case, I know which one is real and I'll keep holding on until you run out of breath." Oboro gloated, assured his victory was all but secured.
"This guy just loves hearing himself talk." Boruto rolled his eyes, wishing this clown was disposed of during the exams.
"Ugh can Lord Seventh just get rid of this guy already?" Sarada agreed in annoyance.
Naruto grunted before making a hand gesture to his clones down below before they held their hands out together in a circle before a huge Vortex-like Rasengan came from their hands.
It was so huge it resembled a tornado.
"Whoa look how powerful that looks!" Sarada was amazed at the power displayed.
"That just goes to show how far Lord Seventh has come with the Rasengan since the memory with Lady Tsunade and dad." Mitsuki smiled.
"Ha! How you like them apples!?" Boruto gloated, hoping this was the end of Oboro.
"Hopefully that's the end of him."Sarada voiced the thoughts of her teammates, watching Oboro get swept away by the current.
As the team got back up, Sakura was out while Sasuke and Naruto were fine.
"Oh no, mom!" Sarada was no doubt worried for her mother.
"She did get swept up in a whirlpool…" Mitsuki pointed out as Naruto was quick to retrieve Sakura and get her to safety. Seeing that Sakura was still unconscious, Naruto saw no other viable options rather than CPR.
"Oh my god…." Sarada covered her mouth to keep from breaking out in a fit of laughter.
"That face!" Boruto guffawed not even bothering to hide his laughter as Naruto's CPR face as Sakura woke up, seeing Naruto mere inches from hers.
Needless to say, Sakura was less than pleased before Naruto found his face literally in the sand no less than five seconds later.
"What're you crazy!? You perv!" Sakura roared, clearly pissed it was Naruto rather than Sasuke who tried to give her CPR.
"Glad to see some humor again!" Boruto grinned with Sasuke shaking his head at the antics of his teammates.
"Come on, we're wasting time we haven't got. We need to find Idate." Sasuke said before starting off to continue to the destination in mind.
"Huh? Oh right." Sakura chilled out before following soon after.
"C-coming…." Naruto was still out.
"They're not even gonna help him!?" Boruto sweat-dropped.
"One for all." Mitsuki chuckled.
"And all for one." Sarada deadpanned.
With Naruto up, the team eventually reached Idate but what they found was no doubt troubling. Idate was flat on his back barely conscious with a green haired man standing over him.
"Idate!" Boruto yelled in surprise and concern.
"Is he?" Sarada's heart-dropped.
"No….he's hanging on…" Mitsuki surveyed over his body.
"But who's that guy?" Boruto glared at the man as Team Seven was disturbed at Idate's state.
"You rat….Are you in charge of those Rain Ninja?" Naruto glared at the man who tilted his head calmly.
"Apparently they weren't up for the job. In a contest against Genin, it looks like the Leaf Village is stronger. But Genin are no match against me." The man turned his nose up at Naruto and Sasuke as Sakura ran to Idate's side.
"Well let's find out!" Naruto growled, lunging at the man who easily dodged the blows of the two boys before jumping in the sky and swinging him umbrella down, summoning a just of wind, knocking Team Seven off their feet.
"Whoa! What kind of umbrella is that!?" Boruto was amazed at the power displayed.
"Some kind of chakra gust?" Sarada surmised.
"And that's not it." Mitsuki's eyes narrowed as the man touched down in front of the kids.
"About what I expected. No more of a challenge than Idate really." The man drawled in mock disappointment before pulling out two handfuls of senbon needles, "Better not waste any of my chakra." The man threw them at the team who were careful to dodge but still got hit regardless.
"U-ugh…Needles…." Naruto groaned as the feeling hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Needles that deliver a deadly poison. No matter how strong you are, you have one foot in the grave." The man boasted.
"Oh hell…" Boruto cursed.
"Yeah, like we haven't heard that before…." Naruto tried standing, tired of this clown before stumbling to one knee.
As this happened, a booing crowd was heard.
"Fukusuke must have reached Modoroki Shrine. The last thing you all will hear, all your plans going up in smoke." The man arrogantly smirked assumed of his victory before body-flickering away.
"That guy just loves hearing himself talk…" Boruto sighed.
"We have more important stuff to worry about! They're all poisoned!" Sarada pointed out.
"Not to mention this is before Master Sakura learned Medical Ninjutsu…" Mitsuki said.
"That guy's gonna pay…" Naruto glared at the area where the man once was.
"Naruto, Sasuke….take this." Sakura pulls out a small bottle.
"What do you mean?" Naruto blinked in surprise.
"What is it?" Sasuke was also curious.
"Lady Tsunade gave them to me. It's some kind of antidote or something." Sakura explained.
"Ah! That makes sense!" Boruto snapped his finger, happy there was a way out.
"Thank God for Lady Tsunade." Sarada smiled as everyone took a pill as Idate was given one before the team made their way to a nearby cave to wait off until Idate awakened.
Thankfully after sometime, Idate stirred awake.
"Thank god…." Sarada put a hand to her chest in relief.
"Yeah…" Boruto smiled as he and Mitsuki would no doubt tease Sarada about this later.
"He's wakin' up!" Naruto smiled in relief with Sakura at his side.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Sakura tried looking over Idate.
"W-what happened to Aoi?" Idate darted his head from right to left.
"He's gone. So that's that character's name?" Sasuke asked Idate who looked away although unlike earlier where it was in anger, this time, it was akin to shame.
"Who is that guy? Do you know each other from somewhere?" Sakura asked with Idate surprisingly answering.
"He was a sensei I knew back in my Leaf Village days." Idate started off his explanation.
"What? You're from the Leaf Village?" Naruto asked perplexed.
"Talk about bombshell…." Boruto muttered.
"Well how else would he know Master Ibiki?" Mitsuki asked.
"After he betrayed the Leaf Village, he became a Jonin for the Village Hidden in the Rain." Idate added on as he tried sitting up.
"Wait, Amegakure?" Sarada was surprised along with Team Seven just as surprised.
"Whoa back up!" Naruto definitely needed some more context behind Aoi with Sakura at his side.
"Hey, take it easy…." Sakura tried sitting Idate down before noticing the knife in Idate's hand, "What's that knife you're holding?" Sakura remembered it from earlier as Idate looked at it before gritting his teeth.
"Damn! All that training…all that work….all for nothing!" Idate felt as if the race was now all but lost. But Naruto failed to see it that way.
"You're giving up kind of easy, aren't you? That's no way for a Leaf Ninja to talk!" Naruto criticized Idate's pessimism with Idate shaking his head.
"You've got the wrong guy. I haven't thought of the Leaf Village since I walked away from it…." Idate looked down dismally much to the surprise of Team Seven and Konohamaru.
"Walked away from the village?" Sakura blinked.
"Wait…he's a rogue ninja?" Boruto was at a loss for words.
"That would explain why he has no visible headband…." Sarada surmised.
"It hit me hard when I failed the first exam. I didn't know what to do….but that's when Aoi found me…..he convinced me I could pass if I stole some items but the bastard revealed he was just using me…..And when he said I would be imprisoned if I stayed….I never saw the Leaf Village again after that day." Idate admitted his whole tumultuous history with his former teacher.
"What a bastard….." Boruto really hated this clown.
"When you think about it….it's no different than when that Mizuki rat tricked Lord Seventh with that Scroll of Sealing…" Sarada looked down.
"Wow….you're right….I Never thought of it like that." Boruto admitted with Naruto being uncharacteristically quiet.
"Nothing works…..And I've never been of any use to anyone….But even when I was no good….Boss Jirocho still put his faith in me and look what I've done….." Idate squint his eyes shut as everyone's hearts went out to him.
"Poor guy…." Sarada frowned as whatever hatred she had for him fizzle away.
The memory suddenly flashed to the night of Naruto's third failure.
And that's why you will never be accepted in this village! Even your beloved sensei hates your guts!" Mizuki jeered as he reached for the Shuriken on his back/
"Die Naruto!" Mizuki yelled as he threw the Shuriken at Naruto who could only fall back as he slowly saw the weapon fly towards him, seemingly frozen in fear.
"NARUTO! GET DOWN!" The voice of Iruka-Sensei yelled as Naruto put his arms behind his head, not knowing how that would help but was seemingly ready to accept his death. After all…it's not like too much of anyone would miss him…
However…he opened his eyes as something wet and sticky hit his cheek. The metallic smell was blood….but not his blood…Iruka's blood…..
"….W-why?" Naruto managed to find his voice as Iruka bit his lips.
"Because…we're the same…..when I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me. They just forgot I was there. My grades dropped. I became the class clown. I just wanted them to see me and to know my name. My schoolwork wasn't good enough to get their attention so I did crazy things and I had to pay for it….It was hard…I know that's how you feel Naruto….You feel lonely and it hurts inside….and I could have been there for you more. I let you down…I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer like that. No one should have to be alone like that…" Iruka sobbed through his words as the memory returned to the present.
"They really are two of the same…." Boruto frowned.
"It's saddening. If Lord Seventh never met Master Iruka, he may have became as disillusioned as Idate." Mitsuki said with Idate continuing to belittle him.
"I'm worthless….everything I do is worthless…." Idate started to break down in tears as that was enough for Naruto.
"Stop it! You idiot! You just said it, you've still got one person who believes in you, right? That's all anyone needs! Don't you even think of quitting! C'mon up on your feet!" Naruto tried pulling Idate on his feet much to Sakura's dismay.
"Start it Naruto, he's still too weak." Sakura tried advising Naruto to not be too rough only for Sasuke to stop her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Sakura, leave them." Sasuke advised Sakura.
"The other worker's already reached Modoroki-"Idate tried arguing with the kid grabbing his collar, looking ready to hit him.
"Don't you even think of quitting! Boss Jirocho's waiting for you now pull yourself together!" Naruto got right in Idate's face before throwing him off.
"You quit now and you're gonna ruin the biggest chance of your life? C'mon! Show them what you've got!" Naruto finished his pep talk with Idate looking at him silently before his eyes narrowed in determination.
"Okay….I'll do it but I'll need your help, Naruto." Idate said with everyone smiling at Idate's answer.
"That's what I wanna hear!" Boruto pumped his fist in his palm.
"Always coming through with his words." Sarada giggled at Naruto's "Talking Jutsu" as that was all Naruto needed to hear.
"Alright then! I'll carry you now let's go!" Naruto cheered, taking Idate atop his back before making his way to the goal.
"Hey, Naruto? I appreciate the help but don't think I'll trust you or anything." Idate said with Naruto, Boruto and Sarada all scoffing in annoyance.
"Is he still on that bullshit?" Boruto couldn't believe after everything, Idate still had a stick up his ass.
"Yeah! Some consistency would be nice." Sarada rolled her eyes with Mitsuki looking bemused.
"Hey…I…was wondering….was there a tenth question or something that came out of nowhere?" Idate darted his eyes.
"Huh….oh yeah…it was weird….like it all determined whether you wanted to answer it or not…." Naruto looked down.
"Fun memories." Boruto snorted.
"Yeah….it got thrown at us too….so what were you all hit with?" Idate asked Naruto whose gears were turning in his head.
"Uh….it was hard at the time. He explained it to us but I didn't get it…" Naruto sighed.
"All I knew is I trusted my brother and he failed me…but the least I could do is get him to explain himself….All this time I still haven't figure it out." Idate's eyes looked longing in remembrance.
"Makes me wonder what happened between them…." Sarada was curious as to what happened between the two brothers. It was partly to do with her father and uncle.
"And that's when Aoi tricked you?" Naruto asked the former Leaf ninja.
"That's right…." The runner looked down as the two reached Modoroki Shrine.
"Alright, finally made it!" Boruto grinned.
"Although it looks like the other guy already arrived." Mitsuki pointed to one of the jewels being gone.
"Oh crap. I wonder how far away he is…." Sarada sighed.
"Alright, finally here. You can take a break if you want." Idate jumped off Naruto's back.
"Wait, you don't need me anymore?" Naruto felt kind of offended.
"Well of course. I can't have you run the whole race for me. I have to win on my own two feet or I haven't won at all." Idate said before running off and working through the pain before getting the orb.
"Well….he does have a point." Mitsuki shrugged.
As Naruto and Team Konohamaru followed, they noticed Fukusuke running forward across a bridge.
"Hey, he's not that far!" Boruto smiled as before Idate stepped one toe across the bridge, a harsh electronical show literally pushed Idate back.
"Oh hell." Boruto cursed as the source was none other than Aoi.
"Well, what a surprise. I have to admit, I didn't think you'd make it this far." Aoi smugly greeted his former student.
"And that sword! It radiates lightning?" Sarada was amazed before Aoi used said sword to cut the straps to the bridge or rather former bridge was it fell to the ocean.
"Bastard!" Boruto cursed as Idate tried getting the man to stop only to get knocked away by the sword again.
"Why bother? No one is a match for the Blade of the Thunder Spirit, a sword wielded by the Second Hokage himself." Aoi bragged.
"Phew…fancy name." Boruto whistled at the name.
"But did you hear that!? The Second Hokage used it!?" Sarada was in disbelief.
"But you'd know since you stole it, Idate." Aoi looked it over before looking at Idate.
"Wait, he stole a weapon of the Second Hokage and Lord Seventh stole a super powerful sealing scroll? It's official, the security of the Leaf really sucks." Boruto snorted.
"Seriously….these unskilled kids just waltz in and take what they want. What a joke." Sarada sweat-dropped.
But before Aoi could attack Idate, he protected himself from….mud balls?
"Mud balls? What is this, a playground fight?" Aoi was unamused at the source being obviously Naruto.
"Sorry but I didn't have kunai on me. But you're gonna need more than an umbrella for what I throw at ya next!" Naruto smirked at his introduction.
"Mud balls. Of course it'd be him." Boruto snickered as that was totally a Naruto thing.
"Alright! Charge!" Naruto launched Shadow Clone after Shadow Clone though they were cut like silly putty by Aoi's sword.
"One more time!" Naruto charged a Rasengan at Aoi that he blocked with his Thunder Sword before pushing it away much to the surprise of everyone watching.
"Wait it actually deflected the Rasengan." Sarada was in complete disbelief at the sword's durability.
"Well…to be fair it was a weapon of the Second Hokage." Mitsuki tried making sense.
"Yeah but the Rasengan was created by the FOURTH Hokage!" Boruto countered as Naruto skid across the ground though Aoi was far from done.
"Ninja Art Sendon Shower!" Aoi shouted as senbon needles erupted from his umbrella before they pinned Naruto's legs to the ground.
"I guess I should have told you, the Blade of Thunder Spirit can cut through anything. It even cuts through chakra as if it was water." Aoi pointed out matter of factly.
"Talk about hax." Boruto snorted.
"Run, Naruto!" Idate tried warning Naruto only for Aoi to turn his sword on him.
"I won't underestimate you again so this time I'll make certain you're actually dead." Aoi was ready to off Idate with Naruto struggling to get to his feet.
"Hey, what're you wasting your time with him, for? Your fight's with me!" Naruto spat with Aoi turned to him in amusement.
"Still at it, huh? Defending and look out for each other? What pathetic nonsense. Only a pathetic weakling depends on others. For a man like that, it's just easier to run away. But you'd know that, wouldn't you Idate? After all, that's what you did after you stole the Blade of Thunder Spirit?" Aoi tilted his head as the color drained from his face no doubt remembering the events of what happened to caused him to go rogue in the first place.
"It's incredible isn't it? That someone would actually lay down their life for the likes of you. You could've returned to the village and gotten help but that would mean facing up to your guilt, isn't it? So instead you just up and left. You didn't even have the excuse that Ibiki was dead because he was alive, wasn't he? I have to give him credit for surviving the torture and the fire as well as taking back the forbidden scroll all without telling me what I wanted to know." Idate cracked his neck before aiming his sword at Idate's chest, "What I can't get over is that he did it all for you, his worthless little brother. Someone who's betrayed his own village and have only thought of himself and who trusts no one. Not even your own brother who would have given his own life for you but you don't even trust him, do you? You don't even trust your own village to go back to them and admit what you've done. You trust no one and no one trusts you." Aoi practically snickered at Idate's enraged expression although Team Konohamaru weren't too far off with Naruto struggling to get onto his feet.
"This bastard….I would love to sock him in that dumb face of his!" Boruto growled.
"Lord Seventh….Mom….Dad….c'mon show this joker who's boss!" Sarada spat wishing she could punch him.
"You learned from the best. I couldn't have asked for a better student. As a reward, I will kill you quickly!" Idate threw his sword down but before it could hit its target, Idate was moved to safety. It didn't take a rocket scientist to guess the cause.
"Mom and Dad are here!" Sarada breathed a happy sigh of relief.
"About time." Boruto snickered.
"Hey guys!" Naruto smiled.
"Don't sweat it, Naruto. Just leave this clown to me." Sasuke glared at Aoi as Naruto managed to sit up.
"Heh, this clown is tougher than you think!" Naruto teased Sasuke as Aoi scoffed at the Uchiha Avenger.
"It doesn't matter how many of you there are, you'll never defeat me. I'm Aoi of the Rain and I wield the Blade of the Thunder Spirit." Aoi arrogantly bragged with Sasuke activating his Sharingan in response.
"Is that so? Perfect. The Blade of the Thunder Spirit versus my Chidori. Alright, let's see which one is stronger!" Sasuke charged at Aoi with Chidori in hand as he clashed the Jutsu against Aoi's sword only for it to be deflected.
"No way! It repels even Dad's Chidori?" Sarada couldn't believe her eyes.
"Talk about haxed." Boruto was just as much in disbelief.
"The Sword was used by the Second Hokage after all…." Mitsuki reminded his friends as Sasuke was shocked before clashing his kunai against Aoi's sword.
"I see the stories are true. I heard the last of the Great Uchiha Clan was a hopeless loser unworthy of his family name." Aoi smirked as something changed in Sasuke's eyes before he was flung aside like a common house fly.
"That bastard! How can he say something like that!?" Sarada growled as her Sharingan activated in rage.
"Scum like him are the scourge of the earth." Mitsuki replied with disgust evident in his voice.
"Sasuke!" Sakura yelled in alarm.
"Run Sakura! He'll kill us all! He'll show no mercy!" Idate tried advising against Team Seven taking on Aoi.
"No way! We'll never abandon you! We have sworn to protect you so you can trust us, Idate!" Sakura argued.
"You tell him! This creep is definitely going down today!" Boruto cheered as it was fairly obvious given the events of history.
"Hmph yes but back to the matter at hand; Idate and his little friend." Aoi gestured to Naruto before Sasuke scrambled to pick himself back up.
"Take it back….Take back what you said…." Sasuke growled his bangs, covering his eyes.
"Dad…." Sarada worriedly clasped her hands together.
"What're you talking about?" Aoi asked in complete indifference which only served to piss off Sasuke more
"I'm warning you….don't mess with me. I'm Sasuke….of the Hidden Leaf….the last…OF The UCHIHA!" Sasuke roared, summoning a Chidori literally manifesting his anger, charging at Aoi with his Chidori slammed into Aoi's sword with the sheer force actually causing a crack in the blade that no one but Mitsuki noticed in the flash of light caused by the collision.
However this gave Aoi an opening as Sasuke was suddenly held in the air by pure lightning.
"Dad!/Uncle Sasuke!/Sasuke!" Sarada, Boruto, Naruto and Sarada all yelled in horror before Sasuke was thrown to the bridge behind Aoi.
"Sasuke, get up!" Sakura ran to Sasuke on the bridge trying to nudge him awake.
"It's a long way to the bottom of the sea." Aoi gingerly raised the blade to the ropes of the bridge.
"Bastard!" Boruto cursed with Idate trying to help.
"No, leave them alone!" Idate tried running to their aid only to get knocked back as Aoi cut the ropes, sending Sakura and Sasuke down to fall below.
"MOM! DAD!" Sarada was horrified at the screams of her future mother.
"Don't worry, Sarada. We know they survive this ordeal." Boruto reminded his friend as Sarada sighed.
"Yeah…but sometimes it's hard to remember…." Sarada rubbed her hair as Naruto finally managed to stand, plucking out all the needles from his legs.
"Hate to break it to you but poison won't work on me! Now you're gonna pay for what you did to my friends." Naruto growled with Aoi chuckling.
"Take it easy, no need to feel all left out. You'll be joining them soon enough." Aoi tilted his head.
"How kind of him." Sarada rolled her eyes.
"Kick his ass already, dad!" Boruto cheered with Naruto glaring at Aoi.
"I wouldn't be so sure if I was you! Sasuke and Sakura are counting on me to help them!" Naruto spat.
"Hmph, forget about it. They were dead once they hit rock bottom." Aoi bragged at his handy work before brandishing his sword as some noticed something off about it.
"Hey wait, is that a crack?" Boruto pointed in realization as Aoi's sword as a small crack at the end of it.
"It must've been caused by dad's Chidori!" Sarada remembered back to when Sasuke's just clashed against the sword.
"So that means all Lord Seventh has to do is use his Rasengan to take him down." Mitsuki surmised.
"I hope he figures it out…." Boruto said with Naruto summoning a hoard of shadow clones as Aoi cut through all of them like butter with Naruto forming a Rasengan.
"No, Naruto! That won't work against him!" Idate advised Naruto as the sword literally cut through Naruto's attack.
"You're no better than that Uchiha failure. Really is there anyone in the Leaf who's not an idiot?" Aoi snorted.
"I'm so sick of this clown. Can Lord Seventh defeat him already?" Sarada was fed up with this Aoi clown.
"Same. I hope dad sends HIM tumbling down that bridge." Boruto was just as annoyed.
"Just shut up…..I will save them." Naruto was slowly picking himself back up.
"Oh stop. Do you actually believe they're still alive?" Aoi mocked Naruto.
"I won't abandon my friends. I won't give up! I haven't forgotten my answer to the tenth question!" Naruto vowed, atop his feet once again.
"Wait what does that have to do with anything?" Boruto was taken aback.
"That was so long ago…" That felt like a lifetime to Sarada.
"What are you even talking about?" Aoi quirked an eyebrow with Naruto grunting in defiance.
"One more time, Rasengan!" Naruto yelled trying to break Aoi's sword but to no avail.
"You little fool….You still don't get it, do you? You have no chance at winning." Aoi bragged as Naruto glared at the rogue.
"Damn it…." Naruto cursed as he then noticed the crack in Aoi's sword and realized it was caused by Sasuke's Chidori.
""Alright, he noticed it!" Boruto pumped his arm.
"Now all he has to do is aim and connect." Sarada nodded.
"You're still not done yet?" Aoi was getting fed up with Naruto as Naruto jumped back on his feet.
"Shut up!" Naruto growled before summoning a group of Shadow Clones around him.
"This is it. Sasuke gave me this chance so I won't waste it!" Naruto had a Shadow Clone gather chakra in Naruto's hand.
"Gotta do something…." Idate's eyes darkened.
"What is he planning?" Sarada happened to hear Idate's comment.
"Hopefully it'll help…." Boruto said.
"This is borderline ridiculous….I've always hated people who don't know when to quit." Aoi's face contorted in rage.
"And I've hated assholes who get in the way of good people." Boruto countered shooting his right middle finger.
"This is it!" Naruto said as two clones launched at Aoi as he cut through them like a slice of cake with smoke covering the ground in front of Idate.
"Heh, that's enough heroism for one day, don't you think, Idate?" Aoi grinned darkly before charging Idate, intent on spearing him like a pig.
"Over here pal! We're not done yet!" The voice of Naruto rang overhead before the real Naruto collided the Rasengan with Aoi's blade and unlike earlier, it actually worked in cracking the sword.
Taking advantage of Aoi's surprise, Naruto slammed his jutsu into Aoi, sending him careening down the bridge.
"Yes! He did it!" Sarada was happy Aoi was done with.
"How you like them apples asshole!" Boruto gloated happy Aoi got his just desserts.
"That was incredible." Idate had no doubt gotten over his disdain for ninja throughout everything he, Naruto and the others went through.
"Yeah w-Sakura!" Naruto and Idate ran over the end of the bridge hoping Sakura and Sasuke was still alive.
"Naruto! Idate! Sasuke and I are alright!" Sakura waved to her friends.
"She's okay." Idate smiled in relief.
"Hold on, I'll get ya outta there!" Naruto vowed.
"You idiot! You still gotta finish the race." Sakura reminded Naruto.
"Yes but the bridge is…." Mitsuki's eyes rolled to the side.
"What the heck do we do about this?" Naruto remembered what Aoi did to the bridge with Idate jumping up.
"Just leave it to me. If I cut this rope we'll be on the other side in less than two seconds." Idate twirled himself on the remaining rope of the bridge.
"Ah, that's smart." Sarada nodded.
"Yeah we can do that." Naruto smiled with Naruto jumping to Idate's side.
"You know I've never thought that highly of myself before. But even when I didn't, Boss Jirocho always had faith in me. That never happened before….no one ever trusted me with anything. And that's why I wanted to win this race no matter what but it turns out just wanting it wasn't enough. There were so many times I had doubt but whenever that happened, you guys risked your lives for me, no matter how useless I became. Naruto, thank you and I'm sorry. I should have trusted you guys from the beginning." Idate apologized for everything with Team Konohamaru's respect for Idate sustaining itself.
"Heh, I'm happy he's came to the light." Boruto grinned.
"Yep!" Sarada chirped.
"Well what're you telling me this now for? Save that stuff for after you reached the finish line!" Naruto grinned.
"Right." Idate smiled.
"I'm happy he's okay." Sarada smiled with Boruto and Mitsuki sharing mischievous looks.
"Wait, what about all that hate stuff you said earlier?" Boruto snickered.
"S-shush!" Sarada blushed.
"Yeah I thought he was your worst enemy." Mitsuki added fuel to the fire.
"Shut up!" Sarada growled.
"Maybe she's crushing on him. They'd have a cute future together!" Boruto guffawed as that was enough for Sarada as she rewarded him with a kick to the head.
"How cute was that!?" Sarada growled with Naruto and Idate following Idate's plan with it working before Idate managed to catching up with Fukusuke at the final area.
With determination in his face, Idate trailed on not just intending on catching up with Fukusuke but winning the race as a whole. He owed it to Jirocho after everything.
"W-what the!?" Fukusuke was nearly lost for words at the speed of Idate. He thought Aoi had taken care of him.
"I'm not giving up! Not until the end of the end!" Idate vowed before catching neck to neck with Fukusuke.
"I'm not losing, you little runt!" Fukusuke was literally taken aback by Idate's speed.
"My god…looking at all this running is making me exhausted." Sarada huffed, watching in the audience with her friends.
"Yeah….Hey, how can we run and walk all this distances yet not feel anything?" Boruto wondered.
"Probably because these aren't our real bodies." Mitsuki theorized.
"Works for me." Boruto shrugged in acceptance alongside Sarada as they both seemed satisfied with that answer.
"You can do it! Idate!" Jirocho smiled at the sight of the boy he loved like a son as that seemed to be the final push he needed as Idate managed to push through Fukusuke as he finally reached the finish line, winning the race.
"He did it!" Boruto jumped up and down like an excited toddler.
"I knew he could do it." Sarada beamed.
"I knew it would all work out in the end." Mitsuki nodded with a smile as Naruto and co. eventually reaching the finish line and happily watching Idate being celebrated as the winner.
Although not all good things were meant to last.
"Hold on, that's enough." The head of the rival family approached everything.
"Kyuroku?" Jirocho raised an eyebrow.
"It seems this kid rode on the back of a hired ninja part of the way which is a violation." Kyuroku had a smirk as Jirocho and Idate looked in dismay with Naruto gritting his teeth.
"What'd you say?" Naruto growled, clenching his fist.
"I have proof. Just take a look." Kyuroku displayed a picture of Naruto carrying Idate atop a hill.
"They have to make it here using their own strength which is the rules of this race. This boy must be disqualified henceforth Fukusuke Hikyakuya of the Wagarashi family is the winner." Kyuroku announced.
"T-that's a load of crap!" Sarada couldn't believe her ears.
"I hope dad socks that ugly smirk off his old face!" Boruto grunted as Naruto looked like he was considering that.
"It can't be…." Jirochi gasped in horror.
"But wait, I-"Idate tried defending himself although Kyuroku would hear none of it.
"I'll hear none of your excuses. Jirocho, I want the Wasabi family to disband immediately." Kyuroku ordered but before anything could sink in, it seemed there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
"Just a moment. There is no such rule so stop talking nonsense." The Lord of everything walked to the bickering family.
"B-but my lord?" Kyuroku was taken aback.
"But what? Are you suggesting I let the Wagarashi win simply because you wish it?" The Lord questioned, adding to Kyuroku's fear.
"N-no, of course not!" Kyuroku felt himself about to soil himself out of fear.
"Perhaps the reason you want to win so badly is because you've accepted hordes of illegal brides?" The Lord questioned with Kyuroku sweating bullets.
"You ignoramus. From this day forth the Wagarashi family is no more." The Lord ordered with them reluctantly agreeing.
"Haha Karma's a bitch!" Boruto laughed.
"Good really triumphs over evil." Sarada smiled as time passed with a ship for the Leaf Ninja to return home arriving.
"Hard to believe this is all over." Sarada smiled as a familiar person was at the top of the ship.
"Hey, it's Ibiki!" Boruto blinked.
"Whoa, talk about bombshell." Sarada was stunned though none were more surprised than Idate.
"Big brother?" Idate was shocked at seeing him for the first time in three years.
"Where is the wounded?" Ibiki ignored Idate.
"Over here." Naruto pointed to Sasuke on a stretcher.
"Okay, let's get him up here." Ibiki said with Naruto nodding.
"Um….excuse me?" Sakura approached Ibiki.
"What is it?" Ibiki asked.
"Oh….never mind." Sakura shook her head as she wanted to see Idate and Ibiki hash things out but decided she would leave it to them as it wasn't her place.
"Big Brother!" Idate yelled as all of Team Seven were on the ship.
"Big brother, hold on!" Idate called out as Ibiki turned his back to him.
"Who're you? Only one person called me that and he died three years ago." Ibiki turned his back to Idate to simply say that before making his way as Team Konohamaru saw the smile on his face.
"He looks so proud of him." Boruto smiled.
"I get what he meant in doing that but I wish they could have talked it out." Sarada smiled albeit sadly.
"He is right although. That Idate is dead which gave birth to a new life for him." Mitsuki said with everyone wishing their respective goodbyes.
"Naruto! Thanks again!" Idate ran as the ship slowly left.
"Idate! Next time I see ya maybe we can spar a little!" Naruto promised.
"That should be interesting." Mitsuki chuckled as light filled the memory with the bluish-purplish mist surrounding the memory.
But as the memory encased the memory, Sarada couldn't help catch the angry glare Sasuke sent Naruto.
And it worried her.
Little did she know it was only a prelude of things to come…
Once again I apologize for being over two weeks late with this chapter and writing for Army Wives while not saying anything BUT better late than ever, right? XD
At least next chapter is the Sasuke Retrieval Arc which I am very excited for coming February 7th as a way to start the new year so HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ^_^