Anna Karenina

The Cursed Forest

Good morning, Boruto.

Hey!

Did you hear?

We'll be undertaking a joint mission with Team 15 today.

Oh, that's unusual.

Well, no matter who we're teamed up with,

Team 7's gonna be the one to wrap this up quick!

I figured you would say that.

Something going on?

Is that a Peeping Tom? In broad daylight?

Why don't we scare him a little?

Hey, you! Peeping Tom!

Quit bothering people like that!

Huh?

Ow…

Looks like you were wrong.

I'm so sorry!

I didn't know you were studying birds!

It's okay.

I'm just glad the eggs are safe.

There, there!

You really like birds, don't you, Mr. Tosaka?

Boruto!

Could it be? Do you like birds too?

Huh? Me? No, not really.

I just had a feeling that you did!

Look at this nest!

I'm certain it's the egg of a Long-Winged Swift Pigeon!

You licked it!

Imagine, finding a super rare nest here, of all places.

How lucky!

He just licked it, right?

I want to observe everything, not just with my eyes and ears,

but with taste too.

After all, they say the tongue speaks louder than your mouth, right?

No, they don't!

There you go!

Just like before.

I'm sorry.

Is that species that rare?

The feathers on the tail of the Long-Winged Swift Pigeon is

a tad longer than an ordinary Swift Pigeon.

Is that all?

It may just be a slight difference,

but it's all written in their genes.

Genes…

You mean the things that make up chromosomes?

Genes determine the shape and behavioral patterns of all living things.

The long tail feathers,

the bird's instinct to return to its nest like this…

So, what you want to say is that

all this stuff is already predetermined before we're born?

For instance,

your hair and the color of your eyes,

your physical agility, and likes and dislikes… Everything.

But that's no fun.

That has nothing to do with my genes. I'm me, ya know!

You're very interesting.

Mind if I lick you?

No way!

So long, Mr. Tosaka.

Just make sure you don't do anything weird.

See you again, Boruto, Mitsuki!

We really got sidetracked.

I hope Sarada's not too upset.

Yup, she's mad.

Sorry!

Whatever.

As I mentioned earlier, this will be a joint mission with Teams 7 and 15.

That fine, but where's Big Sis Hanabi?

C'mon, it's Hanabi Sensei, got it?

You may be related to her, but she's our captain.

Okay, okay.

Hanabi is assisting the border patrol team.

It seems there's been an infiltration.

This time, I'll be leading both teams as captain.

What's our mission?

Well, your mission is to investigate

and try to find the cause of injured wildlife.

Injured wildlife?

In a village on the outskirts of the Land of Fire,

birds have been going into a frenzy and attacking people.

The entire forest is their natural habitat.

The request is to find the cause and stop it.

That's why the two teams are needed

to check out the extensive habitat, correct?

What? Hanabi Sensei gets to be in a real battle…

while we're taking care of birds?

No complaining!

She's right. Even small missions are worth our attention.

You tell him, Class Rep!

I keep coming across birds today.

Oh well, let's get going!

Okay! But before that…

We're specialists when it comes to ninjutsu,

but we're clueless when it comes to birds…

And so, a specialist who specializes in birds has been

"specially" chosen to accompany you.

That's a lot of "specials."

Here's Mr. Tosaka the ornithologist!

Hello!

Oh, Boruto!

Mr. Tosaka?

I see, the birds in this vicinity mainly subsist

on the berries of the Bullseye Creeping Vine…

That man's jabbing at bird poop!

At least he's only jabbing at it.

Huh?

I'm sure it's the Bullseye Creeping Vine…

But I think I need to look into this more closely.

What the—what is he doing?!

He has a habit of licking everything.

I was right!

Mr. Tosaka, let's hurry.

Oh! I-I'm sorry!

When it comes to birds,

– I become so engrossed! – H-He licked it...

He licked it!

You know, I think a mission involving animals is right up our alley!

We already have experience from that one mission.

Let's outdo Boruto and his team on this mission!

Stay alert.

We're approaching the village in question.

I don't hear any strange sounds, so far…

Actually, I think it's too quiet.

I don't hear a single bird chirping.

You're right. Something feels weird.

Stop!

Team 15 guard Mr. Tosaka, and stand by!

Team 7, come with me!

It's close!

Boruto!

I'm okay! Keep moving!

Who are you?!

We're from the Hidden Leaf.

We've come to save you.

Lightning Ball!

Damn it!

Cut it out already!

Damn it!

Why…all of a sudden?

Who's there?!

I guess you're not the caretaker of the birds…

Whoa!

What power!

What was that voice?!

Namida, stay focused!

Come on, monster!

Boruto!

I owe you one, Class Rep!

Awesome! When did you get so big?

Nue, it's okay now.

Thank you…

I was foraging for wild greens when I was suddenly attacked…

Is the village nearby?

I'll show you the way.