Anna Karenina

Looks like the meeting with the Feudal Lord

is happening today as scheduled.

We had some unexpected interference.

But whatever. I'm gonna go notify the Boss.

It's time for the Mujina Gang to finally make its move.

Mr. Uzumaki, we've been expecting you.

Please, this way.

Lord Tento is waiting for you in the garden.

O-Okay…

This way.

You booked the entire hotel and the gardens?

Feudal Lords sure do things differently.

Oh, really?

Isn't this pretty standard?

It's not like we bought the place.

What an arrogant jerk!

Friends!!

Friends!! But never mind all that.

What was it called, the Shadow Clone?

Show me now!

The Feudal Lord Ikkyu Madoka personally asked for you!

Fine, guess I have no choice.

Watch closely, ya brat.

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

There's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 of you!

Real ninja are so cool!

You're definitely the son of the Hokage!

W-Well, yeah.

So, cool! So, cool!

Look at him laughing so genuinely…

He's still just a kid.

But you know, I hear the Hokage can make over a thousand clones.

Compared to that, this is pretty lame.

This mission might be tougher than I imagined.

Next, I wanna see that one!

What was it?

The one where you transform?

Oh, the Transformation Jutsu.

Right! That one!

Okay, sure.

All right… I'll just give him a little shock.

Transform!

Sexy Jutsu!

Followed by…

The Harem Jutsu!

How's this, ya brat?

So shocked, you can't talk, huh?

What? That's not the reaction I expected!

Well, that was fun, but I would've preferred a less flashy type.

Those sexy types come and go all the time at my house.

I'm tired of seeing them!

Precocious brat!

I bet you don't have any friends!

Huh?

Aren't you my friend, Boruto?

You're kinda dense, aren't ya?

What about my attitude makes you think I am?

Man, I'm just so glad!

I've always wanted a ninja friend

who was about the same age as me.

Are you listening to me?!

Look!

This is my Card collection.

What?

A-Amazing!

You even have the Con Exclusive Sharingan Mode Kakashi Hatake!

You practically have every card!

That's my binder of rares and above.

I have lots more.

You have so many, why you don't have one of Dad…

I mean, the Seventh Hokage?

I just haven't been able to get the card I really want.

It's really weird.

Tell me about it…

Wait, don't tell me–!

Y-You have it.

What, Boruto?

You want that card?

Want? That's an understatement.

This is the only reason why I keep buying them.

I've never seen the actual thing before, ya know?

Oh…

You want it?

Hey, man!

Do you even know how rare this is?!

It's super rare!

It's fine.

As long as I have my black card, I can get it again!

In exchange…

Will you teach me ninjutsu?

Huh?

I was thinking that I want to become a ninja too.

Well? If you'll teach me ninjutsu, that rare card is yours.

It's not a bad deal, right?

No thanks!

Huh? Why?

I'm the type who has to get what he really wants

by his own strength, no matter how hard it is.

Then, how about something else?

Just tell me anything you want. Okay?

Just teach me ninjutsu!

This guy just uses money to get his way!

C'mon, please!

You have nothing else to do anyway, right?

Fine!

But training's gonna be super hard!

Really? Yes!

All right!

Time to be really hard on him

and beat that attitude right outta him.

Cut the defense budget?

But it's essential that we continue to investigate

the ruins that Kaguya left behind.

Besides that, there are other things…

I know.

And I know that this peace is temporary.

I don't expect this situation to continue forever.

That's why I think it's important to focus more

on social services and education which we've never budgeted for.

But–!

Shikamaru.

Lord Ikkyu…

I always tell you to call me Ikkyu.

You're the only one around

that I can be totally at ease and honest with.

Ikkyu, whether you divert the budget to something else or not,

what we do will not change.

Naruto…

It's a shinobi's job to protect the nation, and its people.

Thank you for understanding.

Well then, I'll be leaving soon.

You're leaving already?

To be honest, I'd like nothing better than to stay

and talk with you a little longer…

But neither of us have the time, do we?

Oh, that's right!

Your son came with you this time.

Yes.

Usually, I spend so little time with him.

So, this was a way to make amends.

He's been obsessed with ninja because of something called Cards…

When he learned I was going to the Leaf Village,

he insisted on coming along.

On top of which, he asked that Boruto be his bodyguard.

I see.

He's a handful, but please ask him to be good to him.

I couldn't pay much attention to him,

so he grew up spoiled and a little out of control.

That's just how kids are, ya know?

FIRE I really hope that's true.

Aw man, no more!

Is it even possible to hit this? I don't believe it!

Do a better job teaching me!

I've been teaching you properly all this time.

Watch.

You don't just "throw" a shuriken.

You kind of "strike" them.

I wonder if it's something you can understand…

Strike rather than throw.

Aw man, why doesn't it hit already?!

It's not something that you can do right away.

Hey, why do you want to train to become a ninja?

Huh?

I got interested after I started collecting Cards.

I mean… Ninja are strong and cool!

Is that all?

Okay, I'm feeling this now!

Go!

I can't do this.

That was quick!

I can't hit anything!

Don't you want to become strong?

You want to be a cool shinobi, don't you?

Then show a little more dedication!

Shut up.

C'mon!

I hate this.

I knew it. He gave up.

Now do you understand

that things don't go the way you want so easily?

Well, let's call it a day.

What's the point of all this if we stop now?

I'm going to keep trying until I get it!

This kid–!

All right, I get it.

If you really want to do this, I'll stick with you until you get it.

Boruto!