"Sarada, what are you talking about?" Boruto asked, confused.
"I said, you should spend time with Sumire tomorrow. You still don't understand?" Sarada replied.
"Sarada, what are you thinking about all day?"
Boruto didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He hadn't expected Sarada to suddenly make such a strange request.
"Look, Sumire is home alone every day. I'm worried she'll be lonely, so why don't you..." Sarada began.
"Sarada, that's too fast. Let's take it slow," Boruto said tactfully, shaking his head.
"Alright..." Sarada muttered, a little disappointed.
"However..." Boruto hesitated.
"However what?" Sarada asked curiously.
"However, if you two are together, I won't object," Boruto said with a mischievous grin.
"Together? You..."
Sarada froze for a moment, and then her face turned crimson. She punched Boruto in the chest. "You wish!"
Boruto laughed and pulled her into a hug. After some playful teasing, the two finally calmed down.
The next morning, outside the Hokage Residence, Boruto waved goodbye to Naruto, Hinata, and Himawari.
"I'm heading out!"
"Bye, big brother!" Himawari called, waving her small hand happily.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, Boruto's already a Genin," Naruto said with a nostalgic smile.
Hinata nodded gently, her eyes filled with warmth. "Yes. He's grown up so much. He'll keep getting better."
Just then, Shikamaru appeared in front of Naruto. "Seventh Hokage, time's up."
"No time to rest, huh?" Naruto sighed.
"You wanted to see him off, and I already rearranged things so you could. Don't push your luck," Shikamaru said with a smirk.
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Shikamaru." Naruto patted his shoulder.
"There are seven meetings today, plus the drills. Be ready," Shikamaru reminded.
Naruto sighed again. "Can't be helped. Hinata, I'm heading out." He vanished in a flash with Shikamaru.
At the Ninja Academy, Shino stood at the podium.
"Next, we'll be forming three-person squads," he announced. "These teams will rely on each other's strength and trust. In real missions, teamwork will determine your survival."
He began reading the team assignments:
"Denki Kaminarimon, Metal Lee, Iwabe Yuino — Team Five."
"Wasabi Izuno, Sumire Kakei, Namida Suzumeno — Team Fifteen."
"As expected, I'm not on the same team as Boruto..." Sumire muttered, glancing at him with faint disappointment.
"Nara Shikadai, Inojin Yamanaka, Akimichi Chocho — Team Ten."
"Ino–Shika–Cho again? How troublesome," Shikadai sighed.
Finally, only Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki remained.
"This is tradition. It's all prearranged," Boruto thought.
"Boruto Uzumaki, Sarada Uchiha, Mitsuki — your team number is Team Three," Shino announced. "Your leader will be Konohamaru Sarutobi."
"Team Three? Not Team Seven?" Boruto frowned.
"It's not Team Seven," Mitsuki echoed.
"Shino-sensei, why isn't it Team Seven?" Sarada asked directly.
"The number Team Three was chosen by the Seventh Hokage himself," Shino explained.
"Oh, Dad decided it? Maybe it's to honor the Three Legendary Ninja?" Boruto guessed.
"Then, Shino-sensei, can we change it to Team Seven?" Sarada pressed.
Shino sighed. "I can't decide that. You'd need to file a petition and get Hokage approval."
"That's such a pain! Sarada, let's just go straight to my dad!" Boruto grabbed Sarada's hand and stormed toward the door, Mitsuki following behind.
Konohamaru and Shino exchanged helpless smiles.
Konohamaru secretly hoped they'd succeed. After all, Team Seven was a legendary name — one that had produced two Hokage.
Outside Konoha Village, Naruto stood wearing his Hokage cloak, surrounded by six Leaf shinobi.
"Come on, try to stop me," Naruto said with a smirk.
The six ninjas formed hand seals, and six purple beams shot into the sky, forming a massive barrier around him.
"Alright then... let's see if this can handle my next move." Naruto clapped his hands together.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
The ground cracked open as a massive wooden dragon surged upward, wrapping around Naruto before slamming violently into the barrier.
The purple light trembled, cracking under the force until it shattered with a thunderous bang. The six shinobi were blown backward.
Inside Naruto's mind, Kurama spoke up.
"Naruto, what's the point of learning Wood Release? I could've broken that barrier myself."
Naruto smiled slightly. "I know your power is immense, Kurama. But what I'm after now isn't just strength. It's control — growth."
"Hmph, suit yourself," Kurama grumbled, though he stayed quiet afterward.
Elsewhere, Mirai Sarutobi stood in the path, blocking Boruto's group with her sword drawn.
"No one passes without permission!"
"It's Sister Mirai. I need to see my dad — are you sure you want to stop us?" Boruto said calmly.
Mirai's tone stayed flat. "My orders are clear. No one approaches the Hokage."
Boruto sighed. "How troublesome... Guess we'll have to fight."
"Leave it to me, Boruto," Sarada said, charging forward.
"Hmph. Coming alone? Looks like you're underestimating me," Mirai said coldly, forming hand seals.
"Let me show you my Genjutsu!"
But the moment Sarada met her gaze, the world around Mirai twisted into darkness.
Her surroundings warped and melted, and her consciousness began to blur.
"This is... Genjutsu?" Mirai gasped in shock.
She never expected Sarada's illusion to be so strong — nor that she'd fall for it so easily.
...
Author's Note:
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