Chapter 376: Parting Sorrow
Konohagakure.
Scientific Ninja Tool Department.
A sudden explosion rang out, followed by a thick plume of smoke billowing into the air.
"Dr. Inuzuka, what just happened?!"
An Anbu ninja instantly appeared in front of the soot-covered Inuzuka Akita, asking urgently.
Adjusting the glasses on his nose, Inuzuka Akita's expression turned grave. "I need to see the Hokage. I have something important to report."
Hokage's Office.
Ever since Naruto disappeared, Boruto, as the Eighth Hokage, had been stationed in the Hokage's office almost constantly. Compared to Naruto's time in office, he was even more diligent.
Thankfully, Boruto was still young and had plenty of energy to spare.
"Come in."
Hearing the knock at the door, Boruto looked up and spoke. When he saw the woman who walked in, his brows furrowed slightly. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place her.
"Hokage-sama, I'm Inuzuka Akita, the head of the Scientific Ninja Tool Department."
Seeing Boruto's confused look, Akita immediately introduced herself, knowing he likely didn't remember her name.
After the appearance of the Kara organization and S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as the incident involving liquid-state robots, Konohagakure had begun placing great importance on scientific ninja tools.
However, after a string of powerful enemies emerged—enemies so strong that even the most advanced scientific ninja tools were ineffective—the village's enthusiasm for developing such tools gradually waned and returned to its former indifference.
"What brings you here?"
Even if scientific ninja tools weren't as prioritized as before, the fact that Akita had come to see Boruto personally meant something was definitely wrong.
"Well, actually… one of the scientific ninja tools defected."
"Defected?"
"This is the intel regarding the defection."
As she spoke, Inuzuka Akita handed Boruto the report.
Boruto's expression gradually darkened as he read through the contents.
The rogue unit was a taijutsu-type ninja puppet made from a special chakra-absorbing material. It could absorb chakra, store it, and then utilize it.
"When did this happen?"
"Just recently."
"I see. The village will take care of it."
With Boruto's Hokage order issued, the entirety of Konohagakure quickly sprang into action—even Shikamaru, who had already gone home to rest, was alerted.
"What's going on, Boruto?"
Shikamaru arrived at the Hokage's office, glancing at the increasingly busy Boruto.
"It's nothing major. One of the scientific ninja tools defected, that's all. It should still be inside the village, and I've already issued orders to report immediately if it's spotted."
After signing a document, Boruto replied.
"A scientific ninja tool defected?" Shikamaru walked over, picked up the document on the desk, and read it. "Why would a ninja tool suddenly defect?"
"I already asked Inuzuka Akita about that…" Seeing the confused expression on Shikamaru's face, Boruto sighed and gave a quick explanation of who Akita was before continuing, "According to her, there seems to be a malfunction in its operating algorithm."
The Uchiha Household.
Lately, Sarada had developed the habit of waking up early. It wasn't entirely by choice—because someone needed to prepare breakfast, Shuyu always got up early, and Tetsubaki would do the same under the pretense of helping just to steal some alone time with him.
To keep those two from being alone together, Sarada had been forced into the same early-rising routine.
At 4:00 AM, Sarada sat on the couch yawning, still groggy.
Ever since she scolded Shuyu last time, he hadn't used Amaterasu for cooking again.
"Sarada, didn't sleep well last night?"
Shuyu stepped out of his room and looked at her on the couch.
"No."
Sarada quickly shook her head.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded on the roof. As a seasoned ninja, Uchiha Itachi could tell from the rhythm and urgency that something significant had happened in the village.
"Is there a mission?"
Sarada looked up toward the roof and asked.
"Uchiha Shuyu, this is a mission from the Hokage."
An Anbu ninja instantly appeared inside the house, handed Shuyu a scroll, and vanished just as quickly.
Shuyu's expression turned serious as he stared at the scroll in his hand.
Sarada was curious but didn't ask. She knew that if she did, Shuyu would probably tell her the mission details—but that would put him at risk of violating shinobi regulations.
Disclosing mission information without authorization was a serious offense.
"If it's a mission, then go on and head out."
Sarada looked at him and said.
"But... breakfast—"
"It's fine. I'll handle it myself."
Seeing Shuyu hesitate, Sarada reassured him.
"…Alright."
In the end, Shuyu nodded. Sarada was important to him, but so was Konohagakure.
Shuyu vanished in a flicker, and Sarada yawned again, preparing to head back to her room and catch some more sleep.
"Hmm? Sarada? You're up?" Tetsubaki walked out of her room. After looking around and not seeing Shuyu, she asked, "Where's Shuyu?"
"He went out on a mission."
Sarada answered casually and returned to her room.
…
Shopping District, Konohagakure.
Sarada and Chōchō Akimichi sat on a bench taking a break.
"So, how are things progressing between you and Shuyu lately?"
Chōchō asked.
"Still the same as before. Shuyu's always taking care of me…"
"You can't keep letting him do everything. Sarada, you should learn to take care of him too. Once you're married, both of you need to support each other. That's the only way a marriage will last."
Chōchō shared advice she'd clearly picked up from some drama.
"Marriage and stuff… that's still a long way off… besides, I have no idea how to help Shuyu…"
Shuyu was a dependable guy—whatever needed doing, he'd do it.
"If he's always looking after you, it's obvious he likes you. But if he keeps giving and never receives anything in return, anyone would give up eventually."
"Huh?"
Sarada suddenly stared at Chōchō, a faint look of panic on her face.
"Sarada, you like Shuyu too, right?"
"Um… I don't hate him, I guess…"
Seeing Sarada's bashful reaction, Chōchō grinned and leaned in to whisper, "There's something only you can do for him…"
Sarada's face quickly turned bright red. She shoved Chōchō away in flustered protest.
"No no no! That's way too embarrassing!"
---
[Support me and read more on Patreøn at patreøn.com/craxx_real.]