Anna Karenina

Boruto, don't be in such a hurry!

I'm not in a hurry.

Orochimaru's research lab is guarded by jonin,

so we can't just approach carelessly.

Yeah…

It's all over if we get caught, okay?

Hey, about Mitsuki's snake…

Will we really find out more just by asking this Orochimaru guy?

Probably.

I think asking him about the snake is the quickest route.

As soon as we learn something,

we're gonna go and look for Mitsuki.

Okay!

Wait for us, Mitsuki!

The Other Side of the Moon

The Other Side of the Moon Disappeared?

The Other Side of the Moon …Mitsuki has?

The Other Side of the Moon Yes, and…

he didn't just disappear.

He attacked the guards at the gate and ran away.

I see…

You seem to want to express surprise,

but hiding anything won't be to your benefit.

Oh? Are you implying that

I'm the one pulling the strings from the shadows?

If that's the case, why would I do such a thing?

Well, it's been quite a while since I arrived here

to keep an eye on you.

There've been no problems during that time.

But, we just can't overlook this issue.

Yamato, you should know by now.

My goal is to unlock the truth about all the things in this world.

I have no other interests—

In any case…

If he contacts you, let me know.

This is for Mitsuki's sake as well.

Who would have ever thought this would happen?

FIRE Naruto, I get the gist of your point.

However…

I cannot accept it.

From this data,

we don't even know if this Mitsuki is a human child, right?

Why did you ever allow him in the village?

And by your discretion alone?!

Without a doubt, we acknowledged that Orochimaru posed a danger.

However…

We believed his research will prove useful to the village in time.

Naruto, is that true?

Even so, he should have consulted with us first.

Acting on your own like this is…

He probably thought you'd oppose if he brought it up, right?

Well…

I agree with you all.

Kakashi Sensei!

He was definitely reckless,

but I think Naruto has a point too.

The Hokage is the guardian of the village.

Surely, he wouldn't do anything that wouldn't be to its benefit?

Kakashi…

And, our role is to help the Hokage.

What we must do now is not criticize what has occurred,

but help him find ways to resolve it.

Isn't that so?

FIRE That kid… Ever since he came to the village,

Mitsuki's attended the Academy diligently,

and has worked hard on his missions with Boruto and Sarada as a Leaf shinobi.

That's why I want to believe in him.

I want to believe Mitsuki.

Then we have no choice…

Searching for Mitsuki is our top priority.

The situation will only worsen if we waste time like this.

Tsunade, you're so—!

Aren't you being too easy on Lord Seventh?

Lord Seventh?!

It seems Boruto and Sarada haven't returned home!

Yeah!

Okay!

I'll send the search party for Mitsuki

toward the direction of the setting moon.

Boruto and Sarada have probably gone after Mitsuki too.

Yeah…

Shikadai would know what Boruto is thinking.

So, Team Moegi should—

Konohamaru!

Please let me go as well.

Boruto, Sarada… and Mitsuki too.

This involves Team 7. It's my team's problem.

Konohamaru, I know how you feel, but—

Why did you keep quiet about Mitsuki?

You're well aware, aren't you, Lord Seventh?!

Orochimaru is not only a heinous criminal

who brought disaster upon this village,

he's…

He's the one who killed your grandpa.

So why did you place Mitsuki on my team?

Mitsuki is important to me,

and I trust him as a member of Team 7, but…

Listen, Konohamaru.

If you had known about Mitsuki before this,

would anything have changed?

It's only natural that you can't forgive Orochimaru,

but Mitsuki didn't do anything.

Just because he's the son of your sworn enemy

doesn't make it reasonable to hate him, right?

I know that too!

It's because I know, that—!

I wanted you to get to know Mitsuki

without any of that getting in the way!

But having you find out now, like this…

is something I truly regret.

Then please…

Let me go too!

Konohamaru…

Calm down.

Personal feelings are forbidden on a mission.

I'm sorry, but this time I can't let you go.

It's so unlike Sarada go off on her own like this, right?

I think she probably couldn't stop Boruto.

No, what if Sarada's the one who came up with the idea…?

There's no way.

Hey, what do you think, Shikadai?

Do you think Mitsuki is involved in this incident?

Shikadai?

That's not the problem right now.

We have to stop Boruto and Sarada…

before the hunters become the hunted.

Damn it, what a drag…

Sorry to keep you waiting.

As you're already aware,

we must bring Boruto and Sarada back at all costs!

– Right! – Right!

So he came back, after all…

After him!

Mitsuki used to live here?

Where are you, Orochimaru?

Mitsuki!

This can't be…

Don't move.

Sneaking in…

What a naughty kid.

You must be…

Boruto, correct?

Nice to meet you.

A-Are you Orochimaru?

It's Lord Orochimaru.

And I'm Suigetsu.

What is this?

He looks just like Mitsuki…

Yes, that's right.

Each and every one of them here are Mitsuki.

What?!

The Mitsuki I entrusted to the Hidden Leaf Village

is also one of my experiments.

Huh? Experiment?

What is going on?!

Isn't Mitsuki your child?

Of course, he's my son.

I heard…that he disappeared.

How can you be so calm? Aren't you worried?!

There's no need to worry.

If anyone gets wind of what he is,

the curse mark that I implanted inside of him

will automatically activate, and he will self-destruct.

So there's no need to worry

that the secrets of my research will be revealed.

That's not what I'm asking you about!

Curse marks, secret research…

Mitsuki is not a thing!

How can you call yourself a parent?!

What's so funny?!

It's nothing…

Anyway, Boruto…