Chapter 19:
One month later.
Ninja Academy.
Principal Iruka's office.
"It's really not peaceful yet. There are still a lot of people who believe the war isn't over."
Staring at the report on his laptop, Iruka let out a sigh.
"Our village has done pretty well, all things considered," Anko Mitarashi added, then turned to the person sitting on the couch. "Don't you think so, Naruto?"
"It's thanks to everyone's efforts."
Naruto replied with a smile.
Seeing the village at peace made Naruto genuinely happy.
"That's true. It's precisely because everyone in the village worked together that we have the peaceful Konoha we see today."
"I'm proud of that. If I had to name one concern, it would be you, as the Hokage."
"After all, you used to be quite the troublemaker."
Iruka chuckled, his laughter sounding like a snort.
Even he hadn't expected that the once problematic child would one day become the Hokage.
"So, what brings our busy Seventh Hokage to the Ninja Academy today?"
Anko put one hand on her hip and asked with a teasing tone.
It was hard not to sigh—indeed, gaining weight really changed everything. If only she were still the Anko of the past.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot."
"It's about the school trip."
"We've been in talks with the Land of Water for a while now, and we've finally reached an agreement."
"Starting this year, the Ninja Academy's school trip can be a bit more extravagant."
Naruto handed a stack of reports to Iruka.
"You're not going to the Land of Water for a mission?"
Anko looked slightly surprised. With her build and wide eyes, she looked a bit like a flounder.
"What do you think? Not a bad idea, right?" said Naruto.
In reality, this school trip had another purpose.
With the mysterious organization S.H.I.E.L.D. still an unknown factor, sending the Academy students to the Land of Water for a school trip was a questionable decision.
Moreover, the Hidden Mist Village had a past involving its Fourth Mizukage being controlled by a Mangekyō Sharingan. Coincidentally, S.H.I.E.L.D. had a member with a Mangekyō Sharingan.
Codename: Flaming Cloud Evil God, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and member of the Avengers.
So, the real purpose of this trip was to investigate the current Mizukage's situation. Sasuke would accompany them, of course, keeping his identity concealed.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. really had taken control of the current Mizukage, using the school trip as a cover would be the perfect way to throw them off.
Naruto didn't believe S.H.I.E.L.D. was currently planning to turn against Konoha.
After all, during the Shin Uchiha incident, Naruto had sensed a genuine goodwill from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deputy director, Husky.
"Yeah, going to the Land of Water does take some courage, but maybe it's time to take that step."
"A ninja must not lack courage."
As Iruka finished speaking, a breeze drifted in through the open window and tousled his hair.
"…Still not quite at Mitsuki's level,"
muttered a child who looked very much like Naruto, hiding outside the window.
"Boruto, what are you doing?"
Iruka opened the window and spotted Boruto.
"Everyone's been guessing that the principal wears a wig, so I came to check."
Boruto explained.
"That just now was Wind Style, wasn't it? I don't think that's been taught in class yet," Anko said.
Although Boruto didn't yet show signs of becoming someone like Naruto, compared to ordinary students, his talent was already impressive.
"Yep, that's right! Actually, I just came to show you all the new Wind Style I've been practicing."
"Don't be fooled by my appearance—I take pre-study and ninjutsu mastery seriously."
"Now that you've seen it, I'll be heading off."
Boruto quickly changed the subject, going along with Anko's words.
He wasn't exactly afraid of the Academy teachers, but his mom scared him.
If Hinata found out, he'd be in big trouble.
Boruto could never understand—why did everyone say his mom was gentle, when she was so terrifying?
"What are you doing, Boruto?"
Naruto also came to the window. Iruka and Anko made room for him.
"You idiot old man, what are you doing here?"
Boruto clearly hadn't expected his dad to show up.
"I'm here on official business, of course."
"And you—if you're going to pull a prank, you should at least do it more cleverly."
Naruto sounded a bit exasperated. He'd already seen several things Boruto could improve in his little prank.
"Shut up! You're in no position to talk, idiot old man!"
Boruto clearly wasn't accepting his father's lecture.
"What did you just say?!"
Naruto shot back.
"You heard me!"
Boruto snapped.
Once again, Naruto and Boruto launched into their usual father-son comedy routine in front of everyone.
But the outcome of going against one's father was obvious—there was no way a son could beat his old man.
As punishment for his prank, Boruto was gagged and hung from the classroom ceiling.
"What's wrong with this idiot?"
Sarada said as she looked at Boruto swinging back and forth from the ceiling.
"I heard he tried to prank the principal this morning and got caught by the Hokage. That's his punishment."
Sitting beside her, Uchiha Itachi replied.
Since entering the Academy, Itachi had begun his intelligence-gathering. Incidents like this—more gossip than secrets—were easy enough to pick up.
"So stupid… How can the Seventh Hokage have such a dumb kid?"
Sarada muttered under her breath.
"Everyone quiet down. I'm going to explain the details of the upcoming school trip," Shino Aburame said.
Back when the Academy first started, Shino had once been defeated by this group of students who didn't even count as Genin yet. Although he had been holding back—no, flooding them with mercy—the students didn't know that.
Because of that, Shino had already lost much of his authority as a teacher in their eyes.
"E-Everyone, please be quiet," class rep Sumire Kakei said nervously. The class finally calmed down.
Shino coughed awkwardly before continuing, "This will be the Academy's first school trip outside the village, and it's very meaningful. The destination is the Land of Water. I hope you'll all be extra cautious during the trip."
As soon as Shino finished, murmurs filled the classroom again.
Chōchō Akimichi propped up her chin. "The Land of Water, huh? When I hear that, I think of the ocean and seafood."
For Chōchō, the most important part of a school trip was the delicious food.
"If we're going to the Land of Water, I guess I'll need to buy a swimsuit."
Sarada mumbled to herself.
"The Land of Water… Is this really okay?"
Uchiha Itachi muttered too, still remembering that place once known as the Bloody Mist Village.
"You'll be representing the village, so to ensure your safety, if anything happens, the trip will be called off immediately."
"Now then, we need to choose a student representative for the school trip. Any volunteers?"
The classroom instantly went quiet—only the muffled sounds from Boruto hanging from the ceiling could be heard.
"Teacher, I think Boruto Uzumaki is perfect for the role."
"Boruto is cheerful and energetic—the heart of the class. I think he'd be a great choice."
Sarada suddenly raised her hand.
Hearing Sarada's voice, Boruto's expression changed dramatically—not from hanging upside down too long, but from the betrayal.
Sarada's proposal was unanimously approved by the class. And since Boruto was gagged and couldn't object...
With everyone except Boruto in agreement, and the principle of majority rule, Shino finalized the decision—Boruto would serve as the school trip committee representative.
"Alright then. Boruto Uzumaki will be the school trip rep. Everyone except those on cleanup duty today can head home early to prepare for tomorrow's trip."
Those on duty today were Sarada, Boruto, Shikadai, Denki Kaminarimon, and Namida Suzumeno, plus Iwabee Yuino, who was waiting for his friend Denki to finish cleaning.
"Isn't Kirigakure basically farmland? Is there even anything to do there?"
Shikadai asked, a bit concerned.
"Don't worry! Even if I don't know what it's like there, I'll definitely make sure everyone has a great time!"
Boruto was full of enthusiasm.
"Don't get too carried away. That place was once known as the Bloody Mist Village. It's not so simple."
Iwabee suddenly spoke with a serious tone.
"Iwabee, what's wrong?"
Denki asked, clearly concerned. It was his first time seeing his friend look so grim.
"I'm fine. Anyway, if danger shows up, I'll beat the enemy to a pulp."
"Denki, I'll wait for you outside the school."
Iwabee said, putting on the air of someone with a deep, mysterious past, and left the classroom.
"We're almost done cleaning anyway. Let's go."
Shikadai put down his broom.
...
"I'm back."
Thirteen-year-old Uchiha Itachi returned to his shop, using the Grandma Knock Technique as he entered.
[Grandma Knock Chatroom]
Uchiha Itachi: Tomorrow we'll be heading to Kirigakure in the Land of Water for the school trip. That'll be the time to kidnap Denki Kaminarimon.
Uchiha Shunhi: Very good.
Uchiha Itachi: Will anyone else from the organization be assisting me?
Uchiha Shunhi: No. He's just a kid who doesn't even count as a Genin—you can handle it alone.
Uchiha Itachi: Understood.
[Uchiha Itachi has left the chatroom]
Over the past month, Itachi had been reporting everything about S.H.I.E.L.D. to Shunhi via the Grandma Knock Chatroom.
As for the Kaminarimon Company's young heir, it had taken Itachi less than a week to gather all the necessary intel. The only reason he hadn't made a move was because Denki had stayed inside the village all this time.
Now, at last, he had the perfect opportunity to kidnap Denki Kaminarimon.