- Really ?! I thought we had to go as far as possible now…

- Well, we can't forever live on the ground. That trip by the onsen just drained all our finances.

- Is that the only reason you want to go there ?

Boruto fell silent for a bit, then sighed. Getting up, he snuggled himself in his tattered black cloak.

- It's been a while, I admit.

With the sun setting, the three of them skirted the domain until they came by the gardens, where a massive lake offered itself for contemplation. For shinobis, getting across was easy work, and soon they were deep within the grounds. Then, infiltrating the daimyo's summer castle seemed like a piece of cake since they had help from the inside. They hauled themselves onto the main suite's balcony as a starry night was setting on the estate, only to be stopped dead in their tracks. Filtering from the slightly open windows, women's laughs filled the air. Silly nonsenses, fed by a man's teasing voice. Looking upset, Boruto made a face, then quietly asked his comrades to bide their time. Though it seemed like forever, the two courtesans quickly went away, and the window slowly slid open to reveal the young daimyo's son.

- I thought I heard something. he said hauntingly.

- Like hell you did. rumbled Boruto.

Not waiting for any formal invitation, he passed the young lord and entered the luxurious quarters of a noble born. His two companions followed suit, somewhat less at ease than him, under the amused scrutiny of their host. While Boruto looked around, making sure they were alone, the daimyo's son closed the outer doors and extended his arms in welcome.

- Boruto, as always, you're a pain in the ass. Had you to come this very night, while I was with such exquisite company ?

- Oh shut up, that's every night for you.

- Fair enough. he admitted with an unashamed grin. Be at ease gentlemen, there are no Konoha shinobi hidden under the carpet.

Stopped dead in his tracks, Boruto turned to face his longtime friend, suddenly dropping his guarded expression and offering a wide smile. Two seconds later, both men were sharing a bear-like hug.

- Tento, you fucking princeling. I missed ya.

They all settled into the comfortable furniture, while Madoka Tento, first and only child to the Hi no Kuni Daimyo offered to open a bottle of sake to a bunch of renegade shinobis.

- Will you stay this time ?

- Afraid not. We're on a hunt.

- A slow one, or so I understand. No time to spend with your old friend, but plenty to woo peasant girls and tavern maids ?

- Oh give me a break.

- No, no, I've heard the tale several times now : the rogue shinobi with a gentle heart, protecting those in need while he travels the Fire borderlands ? I'm sure one of my tutors can find the story in the castle library. And now he has companions ?! That was most unwise.

The darkest tone put into the last words made Boruto flinch and his eyes briefly slid to Konohamaru, sitting opposite him. Since he said nothing, Tento pushed forward.

- Mitsuki is stealthy enough not to be noticed in your make-believe tale - which by the way is a perfect cover. But three of you is too much. Now you're a gang, or whatever those peasants will make out of you. Not to mention the Leaf didn't take it too kindly that you nicked one of their Jonin.

- I didn't nick him, he's not a thing to be owned ! growled Boruto.

- Isn't he ? pointed Tento with an ironic look to Konohamaru.

The Jonin refused to take the bait and looked away. Oblivious to all this, Mitsuki was refilling their cups, an idle smile on his lips.

- Your father was furious. Tento insisted, harsher.

- Like I care. He should have treated his shinobis better.

Coming to the conclusion that Boruto would not repent, Tento sighed and drank two sips before changing the subject.

- Why did you come here then ?

- We need money.

Even though they were friends for almost a decade, Tento was still taken aback by the Hokage's son's straightforward ways. Almost choking in his drink, he laughed.

- Protecting peasants is not very lucrative, is it ?

- Well, since you stay all day on your ass in this pretty castle, I guess you could participate in the effort.

- Now now, don't take it like this. I've got some cash somewhere here, I'll see you through. But it hurts knowing you only come here for my money.

Boruto suddenly seemed embarrassed, and way younger for it. The sight of it made Konohamaru smile just a bit, remembering what the young shinobi was like before all hell broke loose. On the wall, the young lord had a fairly wide collection of weapons on display, and in the middle of those was a single, most simple shuriken, hung in a frame like the most precious artifact. Tento owed his life to Boruto, and more besides. Sometimes he wondered how his father and the Hokage, mighty as they were, could not see where deeper allegiance laid.

- I'll get the money, I can see you're in a hurry.

- Tento, I…

- I'm just joking, Boruto, I know you'd stay if you could. Trust me, I don't want my father's guards finding you here ! The gods know I've got my share of silly tales.

- Yeah, thanks man.

- Or maybe I'll run away with you ?

He thought he could bear it, but the bewildered look on Boruto's face was too hilarious to behold, and Tento broke into another fit of laughing.