Mr. Kotaro! What happened?!
They got us.
They cleaned out all of the jewels in the safe.
The case that you guys solved was just a diversion to distract us.
Damn it!
Seems like it's the work of these guys
who call themselves noble thieves.
The Byakuya Gang?
They've been active in several other villages here and there.
They leave no trace and they're anonymous.
I'm about to investigate the inside of the safe.
Let me come with you!
You really shouldn't!
It's too cold in there without appropriate clothing.
I'm trained to endure stuff like that, so I'll be fine!
So cold!
It's kept at minus 20 degrees in here.
If the temperature goes up even one degree,
the alarm is programmed to go off.
–It's near impossible to steal things in here – Hey, open the door!
– without the sensors picking you up. – Hey, guys! Lemme out!
Which means this was probably an inside job.
I'm investigating from that angle, but…
I hope Boruto's okay…
He's probably shivering in there.
The Byakuya Gang Surfaces!
First, let's cheers to the successful
The Byakuya Gang Surfaces! clearing of the tunnel!
You did such an amazing job, Metal!
I think I've realized that I'm good at digging holes too!
Well, you even put holes in the Great Stone Faces.
Oh, but…back then…
I got so nervous, but I didn't do it purpose!
Are you thinking about the Byakuya Gang again?
It's been five days already.
I don't feel like celebrating until I catch those bastards.
Konohamaru Sensei warned you not to take any action on your own.
But it makes me so frustrated!
Hey, what are noble thieves?
Noble thieves steal from the rich to give to the poor and needy.
No matter what the excuse, stealing is stealing.
Right, Sarada?
I'm trying to read my book.
Oooh, scary.
Shikadai, what do you think?
Well, people have their reasons, you know?
There's more to things than what we see with our families at home,
and what they teach at the Academy…
And as we start going on missions,
maybe that's a reality we'll start facing.
Not that I know, but…
So, what does that mean?
It means you can't just look at things in black and white.
You sound like a retired old man…
Talking as if you've seen it all already!
True. I can't believe you're the same age as us…
Right?
Come on, enough already.
Never mind me.
I just want to go with the flow and not stand out.
I'm not like you.
I never feel like poking around into unnecessary stuff.
Seriously?
I can't wait see more action.
Anyway, can you leave me alone?
I'm busy.
What're you doing?
Shogi. This is shogi.
Dad said if I figure out this shogi strategy…
he'd give me some money.
Damn it, it's such a drag!
Each piece is a character?
Yeah, you could say that.
What kind of items do you get to use?
You see, this doesn't have levels or ultimate moves.
What? Sounds boring.
Oh…
Why don't you move this here?
The Gold General can't move diagonally or backwards.
You mean, the moves are decided?
You're bothering me, so shut up.
I…think I figured it out.
Figured what out?
Just come!
They're always so impetuous.
Where do they get all that motivation?
They're in the springtime of their youth!
Think so?
Huh? You're leaving too, Shikadai?
Yeah.
I'm stuck…
so I'm gonna try moving to another spot and rethink things.
Do you know what this is?
A flower?
The correct answer is "a frozen flower."
I found it in front of the bank safe.
I was thinking,
how does a flower that was outside the safe get frozen?
Then I remembered something.
WATER—WIND—ICE Ice Style?
WATER—WIND—ICE You mean, an Ice jutsu?
FIRE WATER— WIND EARTH — LIGHTNING You know that we use five styles of ninjutsu…
Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning, and Wind, right?
An Academy lesson, right now?
But there are other styles of jutsu in the world.
Jutsu passed on only to certain clans, called Kekkei Genkai.
Is that like the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan?
Yeah.
And the Ice Style seems to be a rare jutsu
used by shinobi whose roots are in the Land of Snow.
I'm starting to see what you're getting at.
Maybe that Ice Style user is able
to bring his body temperature down to minus 20 degrees, right?
You're pretty sharp.
That's why the thermal sensors in the safe didn't go off.
And if the suspect used the Ice Style before he entered the safe,
it would explain why the flower got frozen…
We have to let Mr. Kotaro know right away—
Hold it!
Did you forget?
Missions that involve confronting shinobi are B-ranked.
But we genin are only allowed up to C-ranked missions.
If you're gonna be a sucker and report this,
we'll totally be left out of the loop.
So, you're saying we should pretend we don't know this?
You got a complaint?
I like your idea.
Then it's decided.
So? Can you figure out their whereabouts?
I don't have a clue.
Then don't get our hopes up.
It's too hard with just this.
Shino Sensei might know something about Ice Style.
If we go to him,
he'll figure out that we're trying to take on the shinobi.
Well? Do you have anyone else in mind?
I just might…
But he's kinda strange.
Today is the day when I'll take a giant step in ninjutsu research!
– Wha—? – Uh-huh…
Oh, how embarrassing…
I was experimenting with going through a wall…
but it seems I'm still a ways off.
How do you know him?
He hangs around my dad.
He does "weird research,"
and invites himself over to the house a lot.
Come on, young master…
I just have passion.
But you see, every time he comes, he slips me the newest game software.
Speaking of which, Young Lord, I got a hold of another one!
What? No kidding! Really?
Young Lord?
Hey, Boruto…
Oh yeah, we wanna ask you something.
Do you know about Ice Style?
Last time…
Paper Bomb?!
I found it in my dad's room!
Looks like fun, eh?
And? What're you gonna do with it?
Just watch…
Don't move…!
Ouch!
Don't pull stupid pranks!
I'll go get some ice, so wait here.
PAWN
Let's go.
Yeah.
Absolutely. By using the Ice Style, it's possible
to sneak into a safe without triggering the sensors.
Just as we thought.
A gang of thieves who use the Ice Style?
How interesting.
Got any ideas about where guys like them might hang out?
I'm not sure if this is any help, but…
But one place does come to mind.
I didn't know there was a place like this in the village.
I'm not surprised that you don't know, Young Lord.
There are many sides to a place where people gather.
There are so many interesting things.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
This village has a black market where items
that can never be made public are bought and sold.
Due to the nature of my work, I check it out sometimes…
And I found a peculiar posting.
This is a message board strictly for those who wish to barter secretly.
It's not just graffiti?
See this right here?
It seems to be looking for a buyer for the jewels that you're searching for.
The trade is set for tomorrow afternoon.
It's probably the perp.
Then let's pretend to be the buyer and ambush them!
Damn Byakuya Gang!
I'm gonna get 'em for sure!
Oh… Here's the part I've been looking for!
Here too!
The elusive Kagemasa Limited Edition Doll is on sale here, Young Lord!
Damn it…
This strategy doesn't work either.
I'm really in a rut.
I can't think it through all by myself.
Hey…
You dropped this.
PAWN Oh…
That's right, I was missing a piece.
Thanks!
Sure.
I watched you save the boy earlier.
Oh, back then?
That was kinda embarrassing…
Saving someone is embarrassing?
Don't try to bait me.
You're playing such an ancient game.
Don't you have friends instead of playing by yourself?
Are you always this way?
What do you mean?
I guess by making snide remarks,
it doesn't hurt if people don't like you.
Yup, you're right.
Each piece can only make certain moves, right?
You're gonna say it's boring, right?
No. I think it's pretty interesting.
They say shogi without pawns is a loser's game.
But even the weakest-looking pawn must never be overlooked.
Every pawn exists to protect the King,
and is only there to serve his purpose, right?
Well, that's the name of the game.
Checkmate…right?
Are you kidding me?
I'm stuck.
How do I get away?
You're…the King?
Well, if the King is taken, it's game over.
So, you're right.
So, I'm a pawn?
A pawn who makes it into enemy territory is called an upstart,
and gets promoted to a Gold General.
So it turns into another piece?
Not just the pawn. The Silver General, the Knight…
They can all become Gold Generals.
I see…
Okay…checkmate.
Hey, seriously?!
No do-overs, right?
Yeah, but…
What's that? The Rook?
You have the Rook?!
The Silver General.
Time to quit!
I can't even see the pieces.
Yeah, it's gotten so dark.
I'm always getting beaten by my dad…
So today was kinda fun.
You father's that good?
What does he do?
He's an aide to the Hokage.
I see…
You can have this.
Are you sure?
I have more at home.
Practice hard.
And…if you want, let's play again tomorrow.
Okay.
I'm home.
Oh, you're back unusually early.
I wanna be home to have dinner with my family once in a while.
Dad…
So you're finally serious about learning it, huh?
That's not it…
You look happy.
Did something happen?
Not really…
Anyway, can you teach me some new board tactics?
Let's see…
It's a little too soon to teach you Climbing Silver.
Don't be stingy.
By the way, I hear Boruto's up to his old tricks again.
Beats me.
I saw him and Mitsuki earlier with
some weird-looking clothes they bought.
With stuff like that, he's just like his old man.
I see, this is…
Climbing Silver uses frontline soldiers to breakthrough enemy territory.
When I was still a snot-nosed brat…
Dinner's ready!
Sacrifice is the price you pay
to protect the King from an opponent who is better than you.
Oh…
Dinner is ready…
When I was your age, I hated tactics like this.
But one day, my Sensei…
D-Dad!
I said…dinner's ready, damn it!
Right on time.
The gold is in here.
I brought the gold as promised.
So let me see the goods you brought.
Toss the bag over.
First, the jewel.
We can cancel this, you know.
Sarada, now!
Boruto Uzumaki of Team 7…is here!
Don't make a fuss, and hand over that jewel.
Huh?!
Wind Style: Wind Scythe Jutsu!
Don't move.
If you do, that man will die.
Paper Bombs!
I-I was being threatened, that's all!
Looks like the Byakuya Gang really likes to play dirty.
Same goes for you,
why would kids like you side with the rich?
Huh?
Taking from the rich, to give to the poor and needy.
That's our noble mission!
You steal from people and you call it noble?!
The rich themselves are thieves,
who've stolen happiness from the poor, for their own greed!
That's just an excuse!
I guess it's too hard for a spoiled Leaf brat to understand, after all.
If you want the jewel that much, you can have it.
Let's go after him!
Isn't it weird?
Why didn't he use the Paper Bombs?
I dunno…
But these frozen tracks…
It's like he wants us to follow him.
You think it's a trap?
Even if it is, we've got to go!
Looks like some apparatus to draw water.
I wonder if it's broken?
Here too.
Don't let your guard down.
Something's weird.
Hey, did a guy in a scary mask just pass by?
My legs!
Damn it!
Take a good look around you, Boruto Uzumaki.
This village is high above ground.
Can you understand how precious water is here?
The only way to get water is to draw it
from the river below with a water wheel!
What are you talking about?!
But the water wheel broke down from use.
As a result, the villagers must walk three hours one way
just to get drinking water.
You live without a care in the world in the city,
I bet you can't even begin to imagine this.
Why don't they fix the water wheel?
Do you think a poor village like this can afford the cost of fixing it?!
I'll let you in on something interesting.
The jewels are no longer in my possession.
What do you mean?
The water wheel's working!
Do you get it?
The jewels that were just locked away in the safe,
became the funds to repair the village water wheel!
Will we run out of water again?
Everything will be okay.
Take them back if you can, Boruto Uzumaki!
What's wrong, Boruto?
Here you are!
I told you not to act alone!
Big Bro Konohamaru…I…
About that jewelry heist…
The losses will be covered fully by insurance.
So, don't worry about it anymore.
I'll do better next time.
Listen, Boruto…
You don't have enough mission experience under your belt
to get depressed over one or two failures.
Don't forget that.
You're late.
You planned to use the jewels as a lure
to get money from foolish rich people?
All I wanted was to be like you and save lots of people.
Yet you failed.
Your desire is noble…
But don't be impatient.
My next plan is already in the works.
We're following the strategy you came up with.
I have guard duty. Excuse me.
He's gotten arrogant too.
Oh…
Huh?
Hey, are you alone?
Do you need a playing partner?
It's okay. I'm waiting for someone.
Oh yeah?
Sorry I bothered you.
I shoulda asked his name at least.
Hey! You're that guy from—!
Wait!
We can't.
We don't have authorization to engage!
You guys, lend us a hand!
I'll engage them.
You can just use jutsu to create diversions!
Don't you think we should just keep an eye on the situation?
Next time on Boruto Naruto Next Generations:
"Shikadai's Doubts"
If you do that, when push comes to shove,
you'll end up letting the most important thing pass you by.
SHIKADAI'S DOUBTS