The sky outside was a deep, pre-dawn indigo, the first hints of sunrise still hidden below the horizon. A hushed stillness blanketed Konohagakure, the usual morning bustle yet to begin. Inside a quiet room, likely a home office tucked away within the Uzumaki residence, Naruto stood by a dimly lit desk.
In his calloused hand, he cradled the small, green turtle, its shell smooth and cool against his palm. A wide, almost conspiratorial smile played on his lips.
"Absorb... just how much of my chakra will you take?" he murmured to the seemingly inert creature, his blue eyes twinkling with a mischievous curiosity. He had been channeling his energy into the turtle for the past six hours, a silent experiment conducted in the quiet solitude of the early morning.
Finally, he felt the subtle drain on his chakra cease. The turtle, which had been steadily drawing his life force, had seemingly reached its capacity. With a gentle sigh, Naruto placed the creature back inside the obsidian kettle.
It settled within the dark confines, appearing as still and lifeless as before it had begun its silent feast. Naruto frowned slightly. It was undoubtedly alive – he could sense its faint life signature – but its complete lack of movement after such an intense chakra absorption remained a perplexing mystery.
Leaving the office, Naruto walked softly down the hallway. He paused before a closed door, his gaze softening as he looked at the small, handmade hanging adorning it. Embroidered with delicate stitches was the name "HIMAWARI," accompanied by a cheerful little flower.
He gently pushed the door open and slipped inside. The room was bathed in the soft, indirect light filtering through the curtains, illuminating the peaceful form of his daughter sleeping soundly in her bed.
With quiet steps, Naruto approached a small bedside table and carefully placed the obsidian kettle beside her, ensuring it was within easy reach but wouldn't disturb her slumber. He lingered for a moment, watching her serene face, a tender smile gracing his own.
As Naruto turned to leave Himawari's room, the familiar voice of Kurama echoed in his mind. "Oi, Naruto. Why did you leave such a peculiar and potentially important creature in the care of the little one?" Kurama's tone held a hint of his usual gruffness, tinged with a sliver of curiosity.
Naruto chuckled softly to himself. "Well, Kurama," he responded mentally, his smile widening, "I've got a lot of work regarding the Chunin Exams waiting for me today. If it's under Hima's watchful eye, I can be sure she won't lose it." He pictured his daughter's careful nature and her fascination with unusual things.
Kurama let out a low mental chuckle. "Hmph. Trusting your chaotic little human. Bold of you, Naruto."
Continuing down the hallway, Naruto stopped before another door. This one bore a more hastily made hanging: "PAPA," scrawled in a child's handwriting, with a slightly lopsided drawing of a fishcake beside it.
A fond smile touched Naruto's lips as he gently pushed open the door and stepped inside, the click of the latch soft in the quiet house. The door then closed silently behind him.
The first rays of true morning light were beginning to filter through the curtains of Boruto's room, painting soft stripes across the floor. A steady, rhythmic snore filled the air, emanating from the figure sprawled face-down on the bed.
It was indeed Boruto, clad in a slightly rumpled pink t-shirt and grey lower, completely lost in the depths of sleep, one
arm flung out dramatically towards the floor.
Suddenly, the gentle quiet of the morning was broken by the soft slide of his bedroom door. Hinata stood in the doorway, her expression gentle but carrying a hint of gentle prodding. "Boruto... wake up." Her voice was soft, careful not to startle him.
"Didn't you tell me you had training to do with Konohamaru this morning?"
At the mention of Konohamaru and "training,"
Boruto's eyes burst open, his sleep-laden mind suddenly jolting into awareness. "Oh, man! You're right! I totally forgot about it!" he exclaimed, his voice still thick with sleep but laced with a growing urgency.
In a single, swift movement, he practically launched himself out of bed, his pink t-shirt riding up slightly. "Thanks, Kaa-chan!" he called out, already scrambling to get ready.
Hinata watched him with a fond smile, a soft, quiet laugh escaping her lips. "Hmm-hmm... so energetic in the morning," she murmured, shaking her head with a mixture of amusement and affection.
Then, her voice a little louder, she added, "You're welcome, Boruto. Come down and have breakfast before you go."
In the dining room, the scene was a little less energetic. Naruto was slumped over the table, his head resting on his folded arms, clearly still wrestling with sleep. His usually vibrant blonde hair was adorably messy. Boruto entered, his movements a stark contrast to his father's languor, and asked Hinata with a puzzled tone, "Hey, Kaa-chan, just what in the world happened to him, dattebasa?"
Hinata chuckled softly as she arranged some dishes on the table. "Your Tou-chan didn't get enough sleep last night, Boruto."
Just then, Himawari skipped into the dining room, a picture of morning cheer in her bright yellow nightdress. With a playful glint in her eyes, she tiptoed over to her father and whispered directly into his ear, in a sweet, mimicking tone, "Naruto-kun... It's time to wake up."
Naruto's eyes snapped open, a look of utter surprise on his face as he saw his young daughter perfectly imitating his beloved wife. A soft blush crept up his cheeks as he realized the playful trick. Himawari, pleased with her success, giggled and took a seat opposite him and next to Boruto, a wide, mischievous smile on her face. Naruto, still slightly flustered, instinctively rubbed his ear, trying to regain his composure.
Boruto, completely bewildered by the exchange, simply shrugged and went to help Hinata finish setting the table. Naruto, wanting to steer the conversation away from his momentary embarrassment, cleared his throat. "So, Hima," he began, trying to sound casual, "did you notice anything new in your room this morning?"
Himawari's eyes widened with sudden excitement. "Oh! You mean my new little friend! Papa, you could have told me there was another one! They look exactly the same!"
Naruto's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "No, no, Himawari, that... that's a special item related to Hokage business. I specifically entrusted it to your care, so please don't... annoy it."
Himawari's cheerful expression turned to one of shock. "You mean... it's alive?"
Naruto nodded seriously. "Of course. That's why it's important."
Hinata, her gentle brow furrowed with concern, looked at Naruto. "Dear, are you sure it's alright to leave such an important thing in Hima's care?"
Naruto smiled confidently at his wife and then at Himawari. "Of course. I know my daughter is perfectly capable of taking care of important things." He winked at Himawari, reassuring her.
Himawari beamed at her father, clearly pleased with the trust he placed in her. The slightly unusual start to the morning faded as the aroma of breakfast filled the air, and the family began to eat.
A comfortable, familiar rhythm settled over the dining table, punctuated by the clinking of chopsticks and the soft murmur of conversation.
Once breakfast was finished, Boruto, a renewed sense of purpose in his steps, grabbed his headband. "Alright, gotta go, Kaa-chan, Tou-chan, Hima! See ya later!" He gave a quick wave and headed towards the door, his mind already focused on mastering the Rasengan.
He made his way through the familiar streets of Konoha, his destination the training grounds located just beyond the road that ran behind the ancient Naka Shrine.
It was a secluded clearing they often used, far enough from the village center to allow for more intense training without causing any accidental damage or attracting too much attention.
The morning sun was now fully risen, casting long shadows as Boruto hurried towards his rendezvous with Konohamaru.
_TRAINING GROUND_
Boruto stood in the clearing behind the Naka Shrine, a look of utter disgust contorting his young features. He let out a long, exaggerated sigh that seemed to carry all the weight of his current frustration. In one hand, he listlessly held a water balloon, its fragile surface reflecting the bright morning sun.
Konohamaru, standing opposite him with his own water balloon held aloft, tried to inject some much-needed enthusiasm into the training session. "Where did all your get-up-and-go vanish to? Come on, Boruto, just try again! Watch me, then do it like this, kore!"
He held the water balloon in the palm of his outstretched hand, demonstrating with exaggerated slowness for Boruto's benefit.
Boruto watched him with a distinctly unimpressed expression. "I know... I know. But 'like this' isn't working 'like that' at all, dattebasa. It's just that 'this' isn't acting 'likethat.' This means 'this' thing in 'this' hand."
He punctuated his confusing statement by gesturing emphatically with the water balloon.
Konohamaru's brow furrowed slightly. "You don't have to mock me by repeating my words, kore!"
"No, I'm not repeating you," Boruto retorted, his tone equally exasperated. "My last 'likethat' was referring to 'allthis' in my hand, dattebasa." He gave the water balloon a frustrated shake.
A vein throbbed visibly in Konohamaru's temple. "Quit saying 'this'...!"
"Now look who's talking!" Boruto shot back, mirroring Konohamaru's annoyance. They stood there for a moment, a silent battle of irritated stares waged between them, each still clutching their respective water balloons.
Finally, Boruto's frustration boiled over. "Why are we even using water balloons?! Isn't there a better way to do this?!" He punctuated his outburst by abruptly throwing the water balloon onto the ground, where it burst in a small splash, the water spreading quickly into the dusty earth.
Konohamaru's expression softened slightly, a touch of reverence entering his voice. "It took Yondaime-sama three years to develop this jutsu... and half a year to master it." He then held his own water balloon in the palm of his hand, focusing his chakra.
The water inside began to swirl and undulate violently, the balloon stretching and contorting in response to the raw power being channeled into it. "It's an A-rank jutsu in difficulty," Konohamaru explained, his eyes fixed on the swirling water.
With a final surge of chakra, the balloon burst perfectly, the water erupting outwards in a controlled explosion. "Did you think it could be learned so easily? Here." He offered Boruto another water balloon.
Boruto reluctantly took the offered balloon, his earlier annoyance still evident in his slumped posture and the lack of enthusiasm on his face.
He held it limply in his hand, the weight of the failed attempts and the daunting difficulty of the jutsu clearly weighing him down. With a loud, frustrated yell, Boruto threw his head back and shouted, "Hahhhhhh!!"
The afternoon sun blazed down on the dusty training grounds behind the Naka Shrine. Hours had bled into each other, marked solely by Boruto's increasingly frustrated attempts to manipulate his chakra within the fragile confines of the water balloon.
Each throw, each strained concentration, ended with the same disappointing thud as the balloon landed intact, mocking his efforts. Sweat plastered his blonde hair to his forehead, and his black jacket clung damply to his back.
Konohamaru, his own initial enthusiasm having waned slightly, wiped a bead of perspiration from his temple with the back of his hand. "Alright, Boruto," he sighed, a note of finality in his voice. "That's enough for now. We need to wrap it up. Don't forget, we've got a mission scheduled for this afternoon."
Boruto's shoulders slumped with a mixture of exhaustion and defeat. "Yeah, well, after all that... I definitely need a serious break." The image of the stubbornly unburst balloons seemed to linger in the air around him.
As Boruto began the weary trek towards home, Konohamaru's voice echoed across the clearing. "Two hours from now, Boruto! The Hokage Office!"
Boruto turned back, offering a tired thumbs-up, his usual energetic grin absent. The thought of rest and the distraction of a mission were now his primary focus.
With a heavy sigh, he started walking, the path towards his house feeling longer than usual under the weight of his failed training. He needed to recharge, both physically and mentally, before whatever the next task held in store.
Boruto finally reached his house, the familiar two-story structure a welcome sight after the frustrating training session. He pressed the doorbell, the gentle chime echoing within.
The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Himawari, her bright smile radiating warmth. "Welcome back, Onii-chan!" she chirped, her usual cheerful self.
"I'm home," Boruto mumbled, his voice laced with exhaustion as he stepped inside, kicking off his sandals and sliding into his house slippers.
As he did, he noticed a collection of unfamiliar footwear lined up neatly in the genkan, far more than usual. "Hey, Hima," he asked, his curiosity piqued, "is someone else here?" Himawari nodded enthusiastically, her hairs bouncing.
Boruto moved quietly towards the living room, a sense of mild intrigue building within him. Peeking around the corner, he saw Naruto sitting on the couch, his Hokage haori draped over his shoulders even indoors. Sarada was seated in an armchair opposite him, her expression serious as she seemed to be in conversation with Naruto.
"Sarada, what is she doi—" Boruto speaked in a hushed tone. Then a voice came from behind "Yo... Boruto." Boruto whipped around, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Waaaahhhh!!...Mitsuki! When did you get here?" He hadn't sensed his teammate's presence at all.
Mitsuki offered his usual enigmatic smile. "I have been here the whole time, Boruto."
Boruto sighed, a familiar acceptance washing over him. "Well, as expected from you."
Just then, Naruto's voice, a clear and authoritative tone, drifted from the living room. "Boruto, come here."
"Coming!" Boruto replied, a sense of anticipation now replacing his weariness. He and Mitsuki joined Naruto and Sarada in the living room, wondering what had gathered them all together.
The three members of Team 7, along with the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, settled into the familiar setting of the living room. Boruto, still slightly bewildered, leaned towards Sarada and whispered, his voice hushed, "Hey, Sarada, what are you and Mitsuki doing here?"
Sarada, adjusting her glasses, whispered back, her brow slightly furrowed in thought, "I don't know exactly. But Mitsuki and I were both summoned here by Nanadaime-sama."
Boruto frowned, his confusion deepening. "But why? Just like this? It sounds weird, especially since we have a mission lined up, right?"
Sarada nodded, her expression serious. "Apparently, Lord Seventh summoned us because our mission has been changed."
Hearing this, Boruto, who had been sitting on the edge of the couch, shot to his feet, his voice rising in surprise and slight annoyance.
"What?!"
Naruto, who had been observing them with a knowing look, turned towards his son, his blue eyes calm. "Boruto, is something the matter?"
Before Boruto could launch into a series of questions, Sarada swiftly reached out and gently pulled him back down onto the couch. "Just be patient, Boruto.
We're waiting for Konohamaru-sensei to arrive." Boruto, still a little agitated but trusting Sarada's level-headedness, mumbled a reluctant, "Okay..."
Just then, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. "Ding-dong."
From Boruto's perspective, the sound of the doorbell was followed by the distinct sound of the front door opening. He heard a polite, masculine voice greeting his mother. "Good afternoon, Hinata-san."
His mother's gentle reply followed. "Good afternoon, Konohamaru."
Then, Konohamaru's voice, a little closer now, asked, "Is Naruto-nii-chan around?"
"This way, Konohamaru," Hinata responded, her voice indicating she was leading him further into the house.
A moment later, Konohamaru entered the living room, his voice clear and respectful as he addressed Naruto. "Good day to you, Nanadaime-sama." Despite their close personal relationship, the sight of Naruto seated, clad in his Hokage haori, commanded a certain level of formality. The white cloak, with its crimson swirl, symbolized his authority and position.
Naruto gestured towards an empty spot on the couch. "Have a seat, Konohamaru."
Once Konohamaru was settled, Naruto turned his attention to Team 7, his expression becoming more serious.
"So, Team 7, the reason I've gathered you here is because I need to assign you a new mission. The reason I'm briefing you at my home is... well, I'm currently examining something rather peculiar. According to what I've learned, it needs to be activated by a specific means, but so far, it's remained dormant. To figure out how to activate it, your task is to go to where OROCHIMARU is currently residing."
The name 'OROCHIMARU' hung in the air, eliciting visible reactions from the young genin.
Boruto's eyes widened in shock and a hint of apprehension. This would be his first face-to-face encounter with the legendary, and infamous, Sannin. All he knew of Orochimaru came from the unsettling images on his SHINOBI cards.
Sarada's expression turned thoughtful, a flicker of unease in her eyes. Having met Orochimaru before, she knew him to be a deeply enigmatic and unpredictable individual, his thoughts and motives perpetually shrouded in mystery.
For Konohamaru, the mission carried a heavier weight. The thought of willingly seeking out the man who had murdered his grandfather, the Third Hokage, was undoubtedly difficult. Yet, he maintained a stoic silence, his respect for Naruto's position as Hokage overriding any personal feelings or objections. Voicing dissent against the Hokage's orders was unthinkable.
Mitsuki, however, offered a small, almost imperceptible smile. This mission presented an opportunity for a reunion with his parent, a prospect that seemed to hold a quiet significance for him.
Naruto leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over Team 7. "So, your task is straightforward. You will travel to Orochimaru's current location and inquire about the whereabouts of any forbidden scrolls he possesses. Your priority is to retrieve all of them and bring them back here to me, to this very place. Ideally, I'd like this mission to be completed within today."
Team 7 exchanged determined glances and stood up in unison, a silent acknowledgment of the task. Naruto remained seated on the couch, his expression a mix of concern and trust.
"I expect you all to exercise extreme caution during your encounter with Orochimaru. Be on your guard at all times. Konohamaru,"
Naruto's gaze focused on his former student, "I'm entrusting their safety to you. Look after them."
The three genin and their sensei stood up and bowed their heads respectfully. As they turned to leave, Hinata's gentle voice stopped them. "Mitsuki, Sarada and Konohamaru, please, won't you join us for some lunch before you go?"
Sarada waved her hands dismissively, a polite smile on her face. "Oh, no, Hinata-san, please don't trouble yourself. My Mama will likely be waiting for me."
Himawari, her eyes wide and pleading, stepped forward. "Sarada-san, please? It would make me really happy if you stayed!"
Sarada's resolve softened at Himawari's earnestness. "Well... alright. Just for you, Himawari-chan." A small smile also touched Mitsuki's lips at the invitation.
Meanwhile, within Sarada's mind, a silent, internal scream echoed. 'Waaaaahhhh!! How did I end up having lunch with the Nanadaime-sama?!' A blush crept up her cheeks, which she quickly masked with a polite smile.
The impromptu lunch was a surprisingly comfortable affair. Soon, the table was cleared, with everyone, including the genin, helping Hinata tidy up. It was during this casual clearing that Naruto called Konohamaru over.
Konohamaru sat beside him on the couch, and Naruto began to speak in a low, private tone, his Hokage haori now discarded and folded neatly beside him.
Boruto, though curious, couldn't make out the words, sensing the conversation was more informal between the two.
Finally, it was time for Team 7 to depart. Mitsuki, Sarada, and Konohamaru stood at the gateway, with Boruto and Himawari seeing them off.
"Alright, everyone," Konohamaru said, addressing his team, "let's meet at the Konoha gate in two hours."
Mitsuki and Sarada nodded in understanding.
With a final wave to Boruto and Himawari, the three shinobi dispersed, each heading in a different direction to prepare for their mission.
As soon as the door closed behind Mitsuki, Sarada, and Konohamaru, Boruto headed straight for his room. A sense of purpose, finally overriding his earlier frustration with the Rasengan training, filled him as he began to gather his ninja tools for the upcoming mission.
He carefully checked the sharpness of his kunai, his brow furrowed in concentration as he counted his shuriken.
Just then, the door to his room creaked open, and Himawari skipped in, her hands playfully hidden behind her back. Boruto glanced up, noticing the mischievous glint in her bright blue eyes. He sighed, trying to maintain his focus on his preparations.
"Say, Onii-chan," Himawari began, her tone light and teasing. "Can you tell me one thing?"
Boruto's eyes flickered towards her, but his hands continued to sort through his kunai and shuriken. "Hmm? No, you tell me one thing first," he countered, not fully turning away from his task.
Himawari raised a single eyebrow, her mischievous smile widening. "Oh? And what would that be?" Boruto finally turned to face her fully, a playful suspicion in his own eyes. "Why are you giving me that weird smile, huh?"
Himawari giggled, her voice bright and cheerful. "'Cause I'm really happy!"
"Happy about what?" Boruto asked, a hint of curiosity creeping into his voice. Himawari hopped onto his bed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Look!" she exclaimed, revealing her hands. In each palm rested a small, green turtle, identical in every way. "I have two of them now! Same same!"
Boruto blinked, a little startled. "Hey, Hima! Tou-chan said not to annoy it! Where's its kettle? The one it was kept in?"
Himawari shrugged, her smile unwavering. "I put it away. I wanted both of them to match, you know? Twin turtles!" She held them up proudly. "So, Onii-chan, can you tell which one is mine? Nope, right?"
Boruto squinted at the two identical turtles. "Maybe... this one?" he guessed, pointing to the one in her left hand.
"Wrong answer!" Himawari chirped triumphantly. "Heh heh! You weren't watching it really closely yesterday, that's why you don't know!"
A slight blush crept onto Boruto's cheeks. "Hmph. You just know because you see them all the time," he mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.
Himawari giggled again, her eyes full of innocent teasing. "Onii-chan's a little embarrassed, isn't he? Heh heh heh!"
The peaceful afternoon sun streamed through Boruto's window, casting a warm glow on their playful exchange, a moment of lightheartedness before the upcoming mission and the day which caused everything to end.
---
QUIZ QUESTION :
Given Boruto's frustration with the Rasengan training, the impending mission to Orochimaru to retrieve forbidden scrolls, and the mysterious turtle in Himawari's room, what is the most likely immediate complication or turning point Team 7 will face in the next chapter (Chapter 35, assuming "Kettle's Secret" is 34)?
a) Team 7 will encounter significant resistance or a trap set by Orochimaru while trying to retrieve the scrolls.
b) Boruto's inability to perform the Rasengan will directly hinder the team's progress or put them in danger during the mission.
c) Himawari will inadvertently reveal something significant about the mysterious turtle, potentially alerting someone to its importance.
d) The forbidden scrolls will contain information directly related to the creature Sasuke found and brought to Konoha.
Please share your answers in the comments down below!
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Dear Readers, as we move forward, you might be curious about Naruto's unusual interest in the small turtle and the significance of the obsidian kettle. Please know that these details will become clearer as the story unfolds.
The sudden change of mission for Team 7, involving the retrieval of forbidden scrolls from Orochimaru, is indeed crucial to the events that are about to transpire. Keep in mind the weight and history associated with Orochimaru and the nature of 'forbidden' knowledge.
Also, pay close attention to the seemingly minor details, such as Himawari's observation about having 'twin' turtles. Sometimes, the smallest things can hold the biggest secrets.
Boruto's ongoing struggle with his training is not just a side note; it will likely have implications as the challenges ahead intensify.
Thank you for your continued engagement with the story. The pieces are beginning to move in ways that will have significant consequences.