Hanabi had been gone for too long. The mission he sent his younger sister-in-law on was to check on the town that was supposedly destroyed a week ago. So why isn't she back yet? This wasn't like her at all. Someone like Hanabi should be able to handle this mission like a piece of cake. Especially considering the two elite jonin I sent as her subordinates. Ever since Naruto had married into the Hyuga family, he was always treated with the utmost respect and sympathy but it took some time for him to be treated like a true member (Hinata's father was particularly difficult). Hinata's younger sister however, had always treated like him an older brother. They fought like siblings but always made up like siblings. Naruto had come to view as younger sister and thus, always felt like he had protect her like one. "Shikamaru, wake up." He called to his second-in-command who was asleep against the wall of the hokage office.
"Mm. What?" Shikamaru replied groggily.
"Would you mind getting a search party together for Hanabi and her team?" Naruto asked. He didn't like to order his friends around.
"Yeah sure. I'll get right on that." Shikamaru still sounded half-asleep. "You sent her to that investigate that destroyed town right?"
"That's right. She should've been back by now."
"If she didn't run into any trouble of course." Shikamaru said. "If she ran into the perpetrators that could explain the delay in her return."
"All the more reason to send a party to find her. She'll probably pull my ears for worrying about her. But I'd rather suffer that than Hinata's grief if something happens to her sister and I didn't do anything about it." Naruto finished. He knew all too well how much Hinata cared for her sister. If anything happened to her, Hinata would do anything to save her. That woman really is too good for me.
"Fair enough hokage. I'll get a party together to find her." Shikamaru announced.
"Thanks Shikamaru." Naruto replied. He could just the picture the annoyance on his sister-in-law's face for worrying about her.
The routine was quite simple. Team Konohamru would split into pairs to patrol the town. It wasn't a very large town but it wasn't so small that newcomers could not get lost. Boruto and Mitsuki were in one pair leaving Sarada with Konohamaru-sensei. She didn't complain. She new that her and Boruto would end fighting if left alone together, and that Boruto was most comfortable working with Mitsuki. The two pairs would patrol the town quelling any arguments getting overheated as well as acting as distraction for the conspirators mentioned by Haru. Thus, the second for splitting into pairs was to for any member of the team (particularly the genin) to avoid facing the enemy alone. They would patrol the streets for an hour after the bell to declare the work days end would toll and then they would return to the rather luxurious room Haru showed them.
Sarada and the sensei were walking through an area where Sarada guessed shops and restaurants once stood. She could tell by the random shelves and charred stoves littered on either side street. There were simply to many for this to be a residential area. "It's quite disheartening. Isn't Sarada?" Her sensei said, practically reading her mind.
"It's also ironic." Sarada replied. "The two guilds came here to aid this town in recovering from one war. As soon as that was accomplished those same guilds began another war." Sarada said.
"Yeah. Of course we have to remember that an outside is what instigated it." Konohamaru-sensei said.
"But the guilds already had a rivalry. An outside party began this civil war by playing on the feelings hate between the guilds."
"Very good." Konohamaru's reply slightly surprised Sarada. Guess he was testing me. "The hatred between guilds is what led to the war. But that's no surprise. Every war that's ever occurred in history, hatred had some role to play in it." Konohamaru-sensei explained.
"That's kinda' like what my Dad says." Sarada said.
"Is that right?" Konohamaru-sensei sounded surprised.
"Yeah. He said 'Hatred is something everyone learns to do the second they learn to love. However, you mustn't indulge that hate no matter how easy it may seem, because it leads to nothing but grief.'" Sarada finished.
"He really said that huh?" Konohamaru's tone was beginning to get on her nerves.
"Yeah. You sound surprised." She asked sharply but not rudely.
"No. Of course not. He just doesn't seem like the kind guy to have a way with words like that." He replied his tone becoming likable again.
"I suppose not. He usually is pretty quiet, so for him to say something so poetic came as surprise for me too." The two of them continued walking. It was the second day on the job and neither pair had anything to report. It was surprisingly calm given that they'd just gotten out of a civil war. She assumed it was because the war didn't last too long. She had heard that casualties were surprisingly low, despite the number of injured. She assumed it was because of the police set in place by Haru. Of course right now many of those police were busy aiding the chief's investigation thus, they had to call ninja for security. "Say Konohamaru-sensei." she called up to the jonin.
"What's up Sarada?" He replied.
"What do you remember about the 4th great ninja war?" She asked.
"Well I didn't actually participate in the war since I was just a genin at the time. So I'm not sure how much I can tell you."
"You can just tell me whatever know. I'd like to hear it from someone other than my mom who mostly talks about what she did, or from my dad who hardly says any thing at all about the war." She knew she'd get the runaround asking her parents. She wasn't sure why they didn't go into specifics, but guessed that they must have their reasons.
"Well alright. Most of chunin and jonin were sen out on duty during the war. And they all also got special headbands that said 'ninja' on them-" He continued talking about how he and his teammates took charge of the genin and set up village patrol and how he repelled a invasion of ruffians with his newly completed rasengan. Eventually he came to speak about the veterans' return.
"When everyone returned I was shocked by how many people had died. Most were people I didn't know, but considering how short the war was, the number of deceased frightened me. More than that though was that these were the people my grandpa lived and died and protect." Konohamaru had a hint of sadness in his voice.
"If you could, could you tell how my parents were after the war?" She asked.
"Well, your mom was said to have sustained injuries but given her skill with medical ninjutsu I only saw her with minor wounds. Your father on the other was missing his left arm, and the would-be seventh hokage was missing his right. It was a huge shock really." He explained.
"Do you know how exactly my dad lost his arm?"
"He lost it during the fighting." He sounded hesitant.
"I know that. But what were the exact circumstances? I mean I always heard my dad was a prodigy at my age. So his skills during the war had to be at least jonin level. For him to lose his arm like that, it would've taken someone of legendary power." She contemplated what enemy could've possibly taken her father's arm. Why didn't his father take vengeance for it either, like he did for his clan? "Come on sensei, you have to know." She pleaded.
"I'm sorry Sarada. I'm afraid your father will have explain the loss of his arm to you." He sounded both apologetic and regretful.
"And I'm afraid he may not tell me at all." Sarada was growing desperate.
"I'm afraid you just might be right."
"Then please tell me." Sarada tried to keep her tone as calm as possible. "You know what happened don't you?"
"Yeah, I do. But I still can't tell you. I'm truly sorry."
"Out of respect for my father?"
"No. Out of respect for you. It's a debt Sarada. This is something that must come directly from your father, it's something your father owes you. I won't take that away from you." Konohamru finished. Sarada didn't know exactly what her sensei meant. Something Dad owes me? Sarada couldn't begin to comprehend what could be so important and personal, that it couldn't come from anyone else. Had her father blown his own arm off so his pride depended on it? That can't be it. Dad keeps secrets to protect me, not out of pride. Could it be related her Uncle? It does make the most sense. Could it be connected to the reason the seventh lost an arm? All these questions flooded Sarada's brain. She thought she was going to drown in all these questions. Suddenly, she felt hand on her shoulder. "It's okay Sarada. No one's perfect including your father and the seventh. But one thing you must always remember no matter what is that your father loves you more than anything." Konohamaru-sensei's words were calm and sincere. Though it did little to ease the ocean of questions in her mind, it did make waiting for answers easier.
"-And that's how my sticky glue prank worked." Boruto finished telling his story as they patrolled the streets.
"I'm surprised the hokage nor Lady Hinata pummeled you afterwards." Mitsuki stated.
"Yeah, that was second best part of the whole thing. The best part was watching my dad trying to get the glue out of his hair." Boruto laughed. Mitsuki lightly chuckled alongside him. "Of course, mom grounded me right afterwards, but it was worth it." Boruto and Mitsuki's laughter began to die out.
"So, what did the seventh do afterwards?" Mitsuki questioned.
"My dad? Well, I thought he was gonna add a few more weeks on to my grounding, but after my mom left he scolded me about how immature and stupid it was to pull all the time, and also about what poorly thought out my prank was. That I could do better than that."
"That's interesting. You and your Dad do have a special connection don't you?"
"Well, we were better connected before he became hokage. Now we just don't think on the same wavelength anymore." Boruto was slightly depressed.
"Of course now that you're a genin you'll get to see him more." Mitsuki said.
"Yeah, but not as father and son, but as superior and subordinate. That's not the kind relationship I want." Boruto finished. He honestly wasn't sure what kind of relationship he wanted anymore, he wanted his dad. "Let's talk about something else." Boruto announced.
"Like what?" Mitsuki replied.
"Well I don't know. Say I never got to hear much about your parents."
"You didn't?" Mitsuki reply slightly annoyed Boruto.
"Of course not. You always give me the runaround when I ask you about them. I understand if it' too painful to talk about it, but you can at least tell me that much." Boruto waited for Mitsuki's response as his eyes shifted between both sides of streets. Both sides that were being reconstructed both by hired workers and the townspeople.
"Alright." Mitsuki finally began. The moment of truth is here. "My mother died when I very young you see. There was an accident." Mitsuki usually casual tone sounded slightly lamentful.
"Oh, I'm sorry. What about your father?"
He's still alive, but I haven't seen him years."
"Why's that? He out on a job or something?"
"Nope. I simply choose not to have anything do with him." Mitsuki's tone became casual again. Boruto was caught of guard by it. He simply chose not live with is dad after his mom died? Boruto couldn't swallow that. It was nonsense. Boruto wanted to snap at Mitsuki but Mitsuki spoke up first, "it's not like hate him or anything. In fact I'm actually quite fond of him. But it seemed logical that he and I go our separate ways."
"That makes no sense. You're father and son. What does your dad do anyway?" Boruto was learning about his friend's family for the first time. He wanted to know more.
"I suppose you can call him doctor, but it's not like he works out of a clinic or anything."
"Then what kind of a doctor is he?"
"A rather effective one. He uses rather unorthodox procedures, but their impressive nonetheless." Mitsuki sounded as casual as ever. Boruto began to think that something wasn't right with all this.
"Where did he learn to be a doctor?" Boruto questioned.
"I heard he taught himself, when he used be ninja." Boruto replied.
"Your dad was a ninja? Why isn't he one anymore?"
"He chose not to be one anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean." Boruto was getting annoyed by Mitsuki's answers. He couldn't understand how he could treat such matters so casually
"Exactly that. He decided being a ninja no longer interested him so he left his village."
"He just up and left? You can do that? What do you mean it no longer interested him?"
"Yes, yes, and he wanted to do something other be a ninja for a village." Mitsuki answered all three of Boruto's questions in a single sentence. Efficient as ever huh, Mitsuki?
"Alright so how good of a ninja was your dad?" Boruto decided Mitsuki could at least tell him this much.
"A very good ninja. He still trains as a ninja but doesn't usually fight much. If you want an estimate of his power, I would say, he's at least as powerful as a kage." Mitsuki was still causal while Boruto's jaw dropped.
"Wait you're kidding right?" Boruto stammered. "That's just- how?."
"I know it sounds boastful. But I'm not lying, you'd be able to feel his overwhelming power just by standing in his presence." Mitsuki didn't sound like he was lying. In fact he never lied, he simply doesn't always tell the whole truth.
"What do you mean he's at least as powerful as a kage? Isn't that the highest ranking?" Boruto questioned. He wanted to know more of what this ninja's supposed power was like.
"By 'a kage' I was referring to it a singular sense. In truth his full power would allow him to compete effectively with multiple kage." Mitsuki explained. "But don't misunderstand. He as access to countless ninja abilities and his sheer chakra prowess is overwhelming, but it's his intelligence that really allows him to be as dangerous as he is." Mitsuki finished. There was a pause. Boruto was astonished. Every member of Team Konohamaru had the blood of kage-level ninja flowing through them. He wondered if his own father knew of Mitsuki's parentage. He would have to know about a ninja as powerful as Mitsuki just described. He was still puzzled by why someone of such power would stop being a ninja, but realized that Mitsuki would tell him that he chose not to be a ninja anymore. That was almost incomprehensible to Boruto.
Boruto heard a scream behind. He and Mitsuki turned to see three workers bleeding on the ground and a man in dark hood fleeing from the scene by running along the walls. A ninja. "C'mon Mitsuki. Let's catch this guy." Boruto called out to his friend, Mitsuki put a hand on his shoulder,
"you help the workers, I'll take the guy in the hood." Mitsuki said to him.
"No way. This is our job remember. The doctors will take care of 'em." Sure enough there three doctors already on the team. Mitsuki simply sighed, in what Boruto guessed (or hoped) was resignation as they gave chase to the man in the hood. This is my chance to show my stuff. He and Mitsuki threw several shuriken at their quarry only for him to knock their shuriken out of the air with several of his. All right, I get to go all out. Shadow Clone Jutsu! Three Borutos instantly appeared. The dark hooded jumped to the ground and got into a fighting stance. Boruto and his launched themselves at the enemy. All of them were swiftly blown back by a series of impressive kicks. Boruto grunted as got back on his feet. He realized this man would not be easy to beat. Mitsuki landed beside him. "You alright Boruto?" Mitsuki asked concerned.
"Yeah. Let's just take this bastard down!" Boruto said it like battle. St that, Mitsuki sent a sharp jet of water from his mouth at the man in the hood. Their enemy held out his hand which met Mitsuki attack head on, and after some struggling Mitsuki's jutsu vanished. Boruto and Mitsuki's jaws dropped. It's wasn't dispersed or else there would be water droplets all over the place. Nor did his attack evaporate or there would be steam. It just vanished. The man in the hood withdrew his hand and as he did so, he grunted as his arm was in pain. "Impressive boy." Their enemy spoke up, "You're quite skilled for your age. but I didn't come here for you, I came here for Boruto Uzumaki." Their enemy finished.
"And what the hell do you want with me?" Boruto asked, very confused.
"Well nothing anymore, anyway. From our brief exchange, it's clear you won't do so I'm out of here now." The hooded man replied.
"Hold it!" Mitsuki called out. The hooded man ignored Boruto's friend and disappeared in puff of smoke.
"What was that?" Boruto asked no one in particular.
"No doubt one of the conspirators behind the guild war. We should probably go report this to Konohamaru-sensei. WE should also go checked on the injured we left behind." There was a certain sharpness sentence. Boruto guessed Mitsuki wasn't happy about chasing after this man, instead of helping the injured workers. Boruto did feel guilty about leaving the workers behind as did Mitsuki now that the fight was over. "Say Mitsuki." Boruto called to his friend that began to walk away.
"Yeah?" Mitsuki replied back.
"I'm sorry." Boruto wasn't sure what else to say.
"I understand Boruto. But I don't think I'm the one you should be apologizing to." Mitsuki spoke in a matter-of-fact manner. Boruto guessed that Mitsuki had dropped the anger over their situation quite quickly. He always did say holding a grudge was too strenuous for him. Boruto envied his friend for his ability to stay calm in most situations. His mind quickly went to the possibilities of what Konohamaru-sensei would say to him.
. . .
"Are you proud of yourself?" Konohamaru-sensei's tone wasn't loud nor angry. He seemed genuinely curious as to what Boruto's line of thinking was. Boruto however, simply stared at his feet, not sure what to say. "Boruto, one of the men died from his injuries, one will never walk again, and one will need to eat through a straw." Konohamaru-sensei sounded more sad than anything. "Honestly, I'm not sure how much of a difference you could've made had you stayed by their side. But we'll never know now will we. If you could've saved them or not." Boruto didn't say anything back. He couldn't. "And Mitsuki." The sensei said as he turned to his white-haired student. "I'm surprised you ran with Boruto. I figure that you would've thought of staying behind. Care to tell what you analysis of the situation was?"
"Wait sensei it wasn't his-"
"I was talking to Mitsuki." Konohamaru-sensei said cutting Boruto off.
"It's okay Boruto." Mitsuki began calm as ever. "I was thinking that Boruto going after the assailant was dangerous so I accompanied unsure of what I could've done for the injured workers. I realize it wasn't the best decision but it was all that came to me." Mitsuki finished.
"Well, if nothing else you could've helped carry them to a place where they could get medication. Or you could've applied first-aid on the spot."
"I understand sensei."
"I know you do. Now Boruto, we came tot his town as security, not hitmen. Haru himself stated that he doesn't want us pursuing these attackers." He said to Boruto with an almost father-like sternness.
"Maybe not. But more people will keep getting hurt if we don't catch these guys." Boruto said, trying to rationalize his actions now.
"I don't disagree with you, but leaving injured civilians, is simply counter-productive. WE should be saving lives that are currently in danger instead of lives that aren't even in danger yet." Konohamaru-sensei said. Boruto was glad he didn't use the rules scold him.
Boruto opened his mouth to say something back but Mitsuki's hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to the sensei's side and only just noticed Sarada standing there looking more sad than anything. What happened to her? Boruto guessed it wasn't his business. The sensei sided then spoke again. "We are going to go and apologize to the families of the attacked men. All of us."
"Wait sensei, Me and Boruto should be the ones to go." Mitsuki spoke up.
"That would be most appropriate, but as a team we inadvertently end up sharing in each other's failures. I suppose it's only fitting if we own up to them like a team." The sensei explained.
Boruto was glad he and Mitsuki wouldn't have to face them alone.
"However, you two will be doing most of the talking." Konohamaru-sensei's announcement made him quiver to his bones. "We will discuss the assailant you two faced with Haru afterwards when he returns from his investigation."
"Wait is that why we're not talking about it right away?" Boruto asked his voice having regained it's usual energy.
"I'm afraid so. The truth is, as ninja we need to embrace are mistakes and their consequences in order to overcome them, but you simply cannot atone for everything. I simply thought we should go and apologize this time we all know the full effects of the mistakes we make." The sensei's statement surprised him. Shouldn't they own up to mistakes every time you make one? Should you try to atone for what you've done? These were things that Boruto thought should be obvious, but he guessed his sensei was doing this to teach his new team a lesson about making mistakes as ninja.
. . .
It was the most depressing experience ever. The first family was on the of man who died. They were generally forgiving but Boruto could tell that there was much more they wanted to say. The family of the man who would never walk again, simply desired vengeance for what had been done. Boruto couldn't tell if they meant the man's assailant or the two Boruto and Mitsuki. The last family the man who would no have to eat through a straw were the most resentful. They didn't hold back in their hate. Boruto couldn't say anything the entire time experience, except apologize his heart out. Mitsuki and Konohamaru-sensei formally apologized and offered their condolences, but it was clear that they were as clueless as Boruto when it came to giving a heartfelt apology. Mitsuki in particular had an air about him that was giving off the expression that this whole venture was extraneous to him. Boruto didn't understand why Mitsuki would feel that way, since he had been the most vocal about remaining behind to help them. Perhaps he'd come to term with their failure easier than Boruto. It didn't matter though since no matter how they felt it would not change those three would feel.
They entered Haru's tent and immediately spoke to him about the assailant. "A man in dark hood huh?" Haru said after Mitsuki had described the man. Boruto wasn't able to speak.
"That's correct sir. He appeared to be ninja given his skills. But most interesting was his ability to completely nullify my ninjutsu with his bare hands. Though it did seem strain him a little. " Mitsuki explained.
"I see. so we really are dealing with some troublesome foes it seems. What do you make of this Konohamaru?" Haru said addressing their sensei.
"Well I'm certainly curious about this man's ability. If he had simply blacked it with is hand I'd understand, but the doesn't seem to be the case. According to what Mitsuki described his attack hadn't been blocked but truly nullified to nothingness." Konohamaru-sensei explained.
"I'm sorry to have had to put in danger like this." Haru's comment angered Boruto. Why was worried about them when he should be concerned to his workers who were attacked? "In my investigation, I found a secret bunker underground containing several of this dark hood that match your description. Of course I find it hard to believe that we found him with our skill. I believe it was left there on purpose. Leading us on towards something." Haru explained.
"May I make a suggestion Haru?" Konohamaru-sensei.
"Of course. Any suggestion from you would be taken into deep consideration." Haru replied courteously.
"I believe I should take my genin team back early. And in exchange I will send an elite squad of chunin and jonin to this town in our place. Judging by this man's abilities, it is not an enemy to battled by a genin squad."
"I'll take you word for it, and thank you for your service. I will have your pay ready in just a moment." Haru pulled out a checkbook scribbled something down and handed it to Konohamaru-sensei who seemed surprised at the reward.
"This is a handsome amount of cash your giving us for staying for only two days."
"The little help that you've given us made a huge difference. Now we're one step closer to solving this mystery. So thank you all."
"Don't mention it." Konohamaru-sensei replied. "We'll be on our way then. Good luck."
"And to you as well." Haru said. With that Team Konohamaru took their leave of the young golden-haired chief. Boruto feeling guiltier than ever. All that guy was concerned about was his stupid investigation. Doesn't he care about his own people. Though Boruto quickly realized he had no right to be feeling that way. He turned to look at Sarada who'd been quiet the whole. He guessed that she had something important on her mind. Mitsuki seemed to be as nonchalant as ever. As if the events of their brief stay in the town had little effect on him. Boruto realized he was the only left with any guilt. Why doesn't any one else feel guilty? He followed his team back to their lodgings to pack their things and return home. Maybe seeing his own family would help to ease his mind.