harleyscars Chapter 13, Class 7
Chapter 13, Class 7
Kakashi's tone became serious, and he continued, "However, it seems that you are not very self-aware. It is probably because after the battle in the Land of Waves, you have become complacent and arrogant. Even your usual training is so lazy."
Kakashi used the tactic of the thief crying "stop thief!" to turn the tables on them.
"Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto, the three of you go train. As for Boruto, you come with me." Kakashi then assigned training content to the three of them.
Naruto looked disappointed when he heard Kakashi's arrangement. He had been looking forward to training with Boruto today and learning some new ninjutsu.
Naruto said anxiously, "Huh? But Boruto is supposed to train with me today. Kakashi-sensei, where are you taking Boruto? Can we go after our training?"
But now that the duck that was almost in his mouth was about to fly away right before his eyes, how could Naruto be willing to accept it?
Kakashi noticed Naruto's resentment and explained, "I'm sorry, Naruto, this is the Third Hokage's decision," implying the importance of this arrangement.
Upon hearing that it was the Third Hokage's request, Naruto immediately gave up, saying, "Since it's something the Third Hokage instructed, then there's no other way. Boruto, you can go with Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto deeply respected the Third Hokage, a kind and gentle old man who had been very good to him.
When he felt lonely and helpless, his grandfather, the Third Hokage, put aside his busy official duties and took the time and energy to play with him.
They didn't distance themselves from me just because I was considered a calamity by the villagers. Instead, they provided me with material assistance, making me feel the warmth of home and the care of my elders.
Boruto was puzzled, wondering why the Third Hokage had suddenly sought him out.
Then Boruto suddenly remembered that he was still considered an "outsider" in this world, and it wasn't surprising that the Hokage of Konoha would see him.
......
Soon after, Kakashi led Boruto to the Hokage's office.
Kakashi pointed to the heavy wooden door and said softly to Boruto, "This is the Hokage's office, Boruto, please go in."
Boruto noticed that Kakashi didn't seem to intend to follow him into the Hokage's room, so he asked anxiously, "Kakashi-senpai, aren't you coming in with me?"
"The Third Hokage found you, not me, so why should I get involved?" Kakashi replied with a smile.
Just as Boruto was about to press further, a soft popping sound of smoke rang out, and Kakashi's figure blurred in the smoke before disappearing completely, leaving Boruto alone standing in front of the Hokage's office.
Boruto tried to stop him, but Kakashi had already disappeared. He couldn't help but complain to himself, "Please wait a minute, I... really! Kakashi-senpai, you're so irresponsible of you to leave me here all alone."
Boruto felt a chill run down his spine. What was going on? He had never actually seen the Third Hokage alive before; he had only seen him in photographs.
However, judging from those photos, the Third Hokage seemed to be a kind and approachable old man, and also the grandfather of Konohamaru's older brother. He probably wouldn't make things difficult for me, which calmed Boruto down a bit.
Boruto took a deep breath to calm himself down, then reached out and gently knocked on the heavy wooden door.
"Please come in." A gentle voice came from inside the Hokage's room.
Boruto cautiously pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, entered, and went straight to the point, asking, "Third Hokage, may I ask what brings you here today?"
When faced with Boruto's question, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not immediately give an answer. Instead, he slowly stood up from his seat and walked towards Boruto.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked up to Boruto, his hand, bearing the marks of time, gently stroking Boruto's cheek, a hint of emotion in his eyes.
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying an indescribable emotion: "They look so alike, so incredibly alike, it's as if they were carved from the same mold."
When Boruto heard what Hiruzen Sarutobi said, he thought that Hiruzen was comparing him to Naruto like everyone else.
Boruto was unaware that in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, his face was gradually overlapping with the image of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Boruto felt Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand stroking his face, and he couldn't help but ask softly, "Third Hokage, what are you doing...?"
Boruto's voice broke Hiruzen Sarutobi's reverie, pulling him back to reality from his memories of the past.
A kind smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. He gently withdrew his hand from Boruto's cheek and said in a gentle tone, "I heard from Kakashi that you played a very crucial role in your safe return from the mission to the Land of Waves."
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise, Boruto quickly waved his hand in denial: "Kakashi-senpai is exaggerating. Regardless of whether I was present or not, Kakashi-senpai and the others were able to return safely."
Upon hearing Boruto's answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi burst into laughter. He praised, "Haha, Boruto, it seems you are not only exceptionally strong, but also humble. These are important qualities for becoming an excellent ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his desk, took a bag from the drawer, turned around, and handed the bag to Boruto, who was standing in front of him.
Boruto took the bag from Hiruzen Sarutobi. He felt the bag was heavy and curiously weighed it in his hand. Then he asked in confusion, "Is this... money?" He could feel the weight inside the bag, which was obviously not a small amount.
Boruto, holding the money bag in his hand, looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with a puzzled expression and asked, "Third Hokage, what is this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and explained to Boruto, "This money is a reward and compensation from the Land of Waves. Although you are not yet a formal ninja of our Hidden Leaf Village, as a ninja village, we always adhere to the principle of fair rewards and punishments. Your performance in this mission deserves this reward, which is an acknowledgment of your contribution."
Boruto accepted the bag of money and thanked the Third Hokage, saying, "Thank you." With this money, he could temporarily alleviate his predicament of being penniless.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Besides the mission reward, there's also some personal spending money in this. I heard you're currently living at Naruto's house, so I think you might need some extra expenses."
“Naruto’s life is quite tough. Besides his daily expenses, he also spends some of his money on paint, so Naruto basically has no savings. I’m afraid he can’t afford to support both of you.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly at the thought of Naruto always spending money on paint, feeling a headache coming on.
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Boruto couldn't help but wonder, "Why would Dad buy paint? Does he also graffiti on the Hokage Rock like me?"
Boruto shook his head slightly, dismissing the unrealistic idea, thinking that his dad probably wouldn't do such a thing... right?
"While this money may not be enough to solve all the problems, it can at least temporarily alleviate your financial pressure. Next, you will need to accumulate funds by completing more tasks."
Seeing that he had laid the groundwork enough, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment before revealing his purpose.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared directly at Boruto: "Actually, the reason I called you here today is to have you join Kakashi's team—Team 7. And Kakashi has already agreed. What do you think?"
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was ostensibly seeking Boruto's opinion, he had actually already made a decision to include Boruto in Team 7, led by Kakashi, and was merely informing Boruto of it.
Boruto looked somewhat bewildered. He had suddenly become a ninja of the same generation as his father, although he was still in Team 7, just like before.
Boruto was still in a daze even after leaving the Hokage's room.
......
Naruto was practicing hard on the training field, sweating profusely. When he saw Boruto walking over, he immediately stopped what he was doing and quickly went to meet him.
He asked anxiously, "Boruto, what did the Third Hokage want with you? Why didn't Kakashi-sensei come back with you?"
Sasuke and Sakura, on the other side of the training field, noticed Naruto and Boruto's interaction and stopped their training to listen to what was going on.
Boruto gets annoyed at the mention of Kakashi, and says with dissatisfaction, "Kakashi-senpai saw me off at the door and then disappeared. I wonder where he is now reading 'Make-Out Paradise'."
Boruto continued, "Furthermore, from now on, I will be joining your Team 7. The Third Hokage told me that Kakashi-sensei already knows about this and has already agreed."
Upon hearing Boruto's news, the three of them reacted in different ways.
Upon hearing Boruto's words, Naruto's face immediately lit up with a bright smile. He excitedly patted Boruto on the shoulder and said, "Really? That's great! Now we can train together and complete missions together!"
Sakura didn't care, as long as no girl joined Team 7 and tried to steal Sasuke from her. Then she thought that Boruto joining might help her keep Naruto in check and stop bothering her and Sasuke's time together.
A smile appeared on Sakura's face. She touched the corner of her mouth, finding no drool, and then fell deeply into her own fantasy: Sasuke...
Sasuke stood to the side, his expression somewhat uncertain, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.