The Shadow of the Mastermind
Seriously, Class Rep, thank you.
If you hadn't been there,
we would've…
You're exaggerating.
We're safe because Lord Hokage just happened to be nearby.
That was a blessing in disguise.
The workplace experience trips were my idea.
I'm really sorry.
Sensei, don't feel so bad.
Just learn from your failures!
Anyway, aren't all these incidents of people going wild
happening too often?
I can't really explain it, but…
When it happened to me, I had this awful feeling
of uncontrollable anger ballooning inside me.
Yes, it felt like I suddenly had a raging fever.
I've never heard of an illness like that.
Anyway, I wasn't badly hurt, so it's okay.
You hit your head, so you have to take it easy.
Hey, where are Boruto and the others?
They're not here yet.
But the Class Rep can rest better
without those noisy guys around—
Class Rep, you okay?!
Boruto.
Are you okay?
I'm fine!
Are you sure?
I'm not okay…
I totally…
Don't worry about me.
It's really just a graze.
I'm sorry, Class Rep!
If I'd been more on the ball—!
You're not responsible for this, Boruto.
No, you're wrong!
Come on…
You're scaring the Class Rep.
No, I just…
Come on, loud visitors are not allowed!
Don't blame yourself like that. It's not all your fault.
It's not that.
If I hadn't delivered the mail so carelessly…
we could have had all of today to patrol.
Then maybe we would've noticed
something happening at the water purification plant, right?
That's true, but…
Boruto.
Dad, what are you doing here?
We heard you rescued the Class Rep and the others.
Thank you.
You're after the Ghost too, right, Dad?
If you know something, let us in on it!
Ouch!
Now's not the time to be pulling on my ear!
Just come with me!
Oww! That hurts ya know!
What the hell…?
Look carefully.
That's…
The person who attacked your classmates.
The chakra in his body has been almost totally depleted.
Listen, it's sheer luck that you've been safe all this time
during these incidents, that's all.
This is no longer a matter for kids playing detective.
I know that!
No. You don't know the true horrors of battle.
First, graduate from the academy.
Then we can talk.
That's not fair!
Getting workplace experience…
That's all Boruto and the others were doing.
They were doing as they were told, by me.
Right, Boruto?
Shino, he's still a kid.
He's too young to be able to make that distinction.
Maybe so.
But there are times when a child can show us that
he can do more than an adult.
If he's treated like an adult.
Shino Sensei…
Furthermore…
As his teacher, I have a clear idea
of what Boruto can, and cannot do.
Since you're so convinced, I'll leave it up to you.
Sensei…
We'll solve this case, no matter what!
Don't take this the wrong way.
I don't recall telling you boys to solve anything.
Having said that…
You three saved me,
so I'm not going to treat you like children anymore.
Sensei!
We owe Sensei one now.
We can't let Shino Sensei lose face.
We'll take care of our on-the-job training first,
then catch that ghost.
But won't that Bureau Chief be mad at us?
I forgot about him…
If we're assigned menial jobs again,
we won't be able to do our patrol.
Are you still dilly-dallying around here?
You should have started your deliveries ages ago!
We can deliver the mail?
Thank Tayori.
He begged me to let you deliver the mail with him.
Tayori did?
Deliver carelessly again and,
even if this is workplace experience or what not, you'll be fired!
You have our gratitude, ya know!
You chose this job for an important reason, didn't you?
It's not a flashy job.
But if there's anything I can do, I'm glad to help.
Yes, yes! You'll be a great help!
Today, we'll be in charge of route #2.
It's different from the last time?
It may be called a village, but it's very vast.
Our postal system, is divided into four teams and every day,
we take turns delivering mail along four routes.
So, other than this route, the rest are blind spots.
But without Boruto's eye, we can't see the Ghost.
What are you talking about?
How's this?
No way, no way, no way.
We can't put that much distance between you.
Yeah, we have to be able to see you.
What?
Don't you know the saying, "where there's a will, there's a way"?!
There he goes with his can-do attitude.
What's impossible is impossible.
Exactly.
You're so useless!
Did you know? That's some boomerang effect.
POST OFFICE
POST BOX
We're sorry, Class Rep…
for leaving before you.
Don't worry about me.
Your fathers are here, right? Please go.
We'll come by to visit.
Let us know if you'd like anything!
Okay.
Okay, break's over!
Y-Yes.
But shouldn't we wait for Mitsuki to come back from shopping?
I wonder how far he went.
Mitsuki, come on!
Listen, Boruto…
No matter how impatient you get,
if a ghost doesn't show, it's not gonna show.
Just suck it up.
Boruto! Shikadai!
Mitsuki…
Looks like the Ghost's appeared again.
Where's the location?
Hey…
I'm going out for ramen. Want to join me?
I want to finish checking this today.
Sai…
Aren't you pushing yourself a little too hard?
I don't want to hear that coming from you.
Even if the Foundation is connected to these incidents,
it's got nothing to do with you.
You don't have to feel responsible.
Anyway… I'm gonna go get some ramen.
Naruto…
If someone from the Foundation is involved,
I want to help him quickly.
Because he doesn't have to be bound to a misguided ideology…
the way I was.
Damn it! Late again!
This is the fifth time.
It always occurs just a little off the route we're on.
And it happened again. Why is that?
It's almost like… they know our moves.
Boruto… Your hunch could be right.
It's amazingly way off.
Looking at this, I get a feeling we're being watched.
You mean, by the Ghost?
Right now, we're just speculating.
But if you're right, in order to erase the blind spots…
we have to go around every route at the same time.
Damn it!
If only I could make shadow clones like my dad!
I figured that, so…
I called for help.
I don't like being called "help."
Personally, I'd prefer to be called "Lord Savior."
You seem to be sneaking around and having fun.
After the Class Rep got hurt, we can't just sit by idly.
But…
what about your workplace experiences?
We finished our report ages ago.
We're not like you guys.
So, what are we supposed to do?
Tell us your plan!
In that case…
I want all of you to split up and cover every postal route.
And if anything strange happens, let us know immediately.
How do we notify you?
Iwabe, did you bring that thing I asked about?
Oh yeah, I got ‘em from the fireworks factory.
How are they?
Perfect.
If anything happens, fire this instead of a smoke signal.
Hey, this is starting to feel like a real operation!
Guys, I'm counting on you.
Leave it to us.
Right! Let's move out!
– Yeah! – Okay!
Hey, hey!
What's the meaning of this?!
I let them have one more chance
and the minute I turn away, this happens!
What do young people think rules are these days?
Oh my! I always tell them to be careful in separating these.
What's this doing here?
It's no wonder deliveries get delayed…
Huh? Is someone here?
The stamp is crooked.
The ink on the recipient's name and address is too light.
How many times must I remind people
to keep the postal code inside the lines?!
I do my job with utmost care and dedication!
And yet…
This one too…and this…and this!
I'm sick and tired of this job!
We finally found you!
How did you know?
It's simple.
Once we figured out that our moves were being monitored,
it had to be a person manipulating the Ghost.
So, we made them believe that
our friends were positioned on every route
and that the entire village was being watched.
Which means the only blind spot left is right here, the post office.
There you have it.
And you appeared just as we expected.
Bureau Chief!
I don't know what's going on, but we can go after him, right?
Yeah.
Once we capture him, things will become clear.
We're gonna end this today!
We were waiting for you.
This is bad.
Yeah, and it's dangerous for Mr. Komame
being forced to use a crazy jutsu like that.
We'll go for him all at once!
Boruto!
Earth Style: Mud Wall!
Thanks.
If we can't get close, we can't do anything.
Weren't you all about the spirit of organization and neatness?
A worthless job like this deserves minimal attention.
Who cares if I mess up!
Mr. Tayori!
It's dangerous. Come back!
I-It's not worthless!
There's someone waiting anxiously for every piece of mail!
That's why… That's why we must never cut corners!
Okay!
We can do this!
We did it.
We're not done yet. Don't let down your guard!
Can you see something?
N-No, nothing…
I won't let you get away!
What's that?!
Was that…what you guys were pursuing, Boruto?
It's too fast.
I'm gonna die.
You're not getting away!
Where's the masked guy?
I don't know.
I thought I caught up to him, but…
Umm…
– We lost him. – Can you help me?
Inojin!
We don't know
– how to walk on water yet, so… – Inojin, can you hear me?
Bureau Chief!
Your hat is crooked.
Pardon me.
Looks like we don't have to worry about him.
Boruto.
I'm sorry, he got away on our side.
I'm sorry.
No, same here.
But it provided us with some results.
It turns out someone is manipulating the Ghost.
I don't want to think it, but whoever it is,
they could be close to us…
Close to us?
Okay then…
Let's finish up our work!
Work?
Take a look around!
If we don't do something today, we might get yelled at!
Oh well, what the heck…
C'mon, don't just stand there.
We have to hurry, guys, or this won't end!
POST OFFICE Why us too?!
POST OFFICE It's fine. Let's join in. Come on, this is a race!
The negative chakra of the weak-hearted
opens the door created by the Hashirama Cell…
and becomes the nourishment that will awaken Nue.
The time for our dearest wish to come true draws near…
If being Hokage means sacrificing the ones closest to you,
there's no need for one here!
I'll never abandon my friends!
I'll make you realize that by doing what you can't do, Dad!
Those feelings of yours will enfold everyone around you.
Hey Boruto, I hesitated telling you this but…
Why so sudden?
Next time on Boruto Naruto Next Generations:
"Boruto and Mitsuki."
There's something that I have to tell you today.
BORUTO AND MITSUKI