I want you to analyze this guy.
Deep inside Ryuchi Cave is giant snake named Garaga
that's been giving me trouble.
Bring me Garaga's Reverse Scale.
I got it.
When I bring it back,
you better listen to what I have to say…
Garaga lives in the harshest recesses of Ryuchi Cave,
in a nest teeming with giant snakes.
You still wanna go?
Of course!
Umm, what's a Reverse Scale?
I heard it's a scale that grows differently than the rest,
on the underside of a dragon's chin…
You know the old saying, right?
When you touch that scale, a dragon gets really angry!
But do snakes have them too?
Well, since this place is called Ryuchi—"land of dragons,"
I wouldn't be surprised
if the giant snake that lives here has one.
That's right, during that one class back at the Academy…
Konohamaru Sensei summoned a weird frog, right?
Maybe this is similar?
Does that mean we'll be facing
a weird snake along those same lines?
C'mon. It's no big deal.
It's just like a game.
You take down a monster to acquire an item.
That's all there is to it.
You are so nonchalant!
But we have to find this Garaga
or we won't be able to proceed at all.
Right!
So, we'll find him real quick and get what we need in a snap…
and then we'll find Mitsuki—
Hey, wait!
What is this?!
Was this track made by a crawling snake?
Isn't it way too wide?
If a snake did this, it'd have to be ridiculously big…
Don't tell me Garaga did it…
W-What is this?
Doesn't it look like something went wild?
Remember what the White Snake Sage said…
Garaga lost one eye during a battle long ago!
Ever since then, he's been a real pest
that goes into a frenzy all over the place.
He needs to be taught a lesson, or it's hopeless.
It seems like he definitely could have done this.
Incurring Wrath
What? Stone stairs?
Incurring Wrath
He's here!
Are you okay?!
Oww…
What are these?
Statues?
There are some here too!
Why are there so many statues of snakes?
Damn it…they scared me!
C'mon, let's go.
Wait a sec!
Doesn't all this feel really creepy?
What?!
Oh, it's just a wall…
Hold on!
That wasn't there a minute ago.
You're right.
This could be bad…
What's going on here?
It can't be!
No way…
One eye!
Damn it, he's gonna come for us…
I'm not feeling this right now!
Shadow Paralysis Jutsu!
It's not working, he's too big!
That's…the Reverse Scale!
Sarada, get away!
Sarada!
Sarada, over here!
Who would have thought another one would come out…
What do we do?
We've got no choice but to retreat for now!
No objections here!
I've just returned.
Moegi… So, you're alone?
Well…
Shikadai and the others ended up going with Boruto.
They left this behind.
KNIGHT
I see…
So, he went along with 'em.
I've no doubt that Shikadai has come to the same conclusions
as we have about this case.
And after seeing Boruto,
something bothered him about Mitsuki's departure.
That's probably why he went along.
What was it that bothered him?
Well, that I don't know…
He's finally stabilizing.
Judging by his condition,
he'll regain consciousness very soon.
Yurito.
What is it?
Could you deliver this report to Lord Seventh?
To Lord Seventh? Got it!
You don't have to rush.
All right!
The chunin hasn't regained consciousness yet?
We'd better get some fresh intel soon,
or I won't be able to hold back those two elders.
Sorry, Granny Tsunade.
Under normal circumstances, this issue could have been
something that would put the Hokage's position at risk…
Thanks to your keeping them at bay,
we've avoided creating unnecessary chaos for the village.
Damn it,
try putting yourself in my place, listening to them complain…
I haven't heard the end of it since!
Excuse me!
What is it, Yurito?
Sakura asked me to bring this to you.
I see. Thanks.
I'll be leaving now.
This is good news.
The chunin's close to regaining consciousness.
Maybe now, we'll get more details
about the way Mitsuki left the village.
Yeah.
Ino peered into his memories
right up to the point where he got knocked out.
We should be able to get more clues from him.
All right then.
I wonder what kind of info we'll find…
Who knew it was gonna be that huge?
And with two of them,
how are we supposed to get the Reverse Scale?
What's the matter, Sarada?
Huh? Well…
– Huh? – Huh?
That blue snake earlier…
It was like…it was trying to protect me…
Huh? There's no way!
Monsters like that don't have a conscience.
Yeah, you're right.
Anyhow, we have to think of a way to get that Reverse Scale.
What's that?!
It can't be!
That's him!
Damn it! If that's the case…
Hold on.
Hey, Sarada?!
Did you…protect me just then?
Hey!
You are Lady Sarada, aren't you?
I wondered if the day would come when I could meet you.
I am a Summoning Snake
who has pledged loyalty to Master Sasuke.
I am Aoda.
To my dad?!
You can talk?
And he's super polite!
Aoda, you trash!
You've got some nerve getting in my way!
I'll kill any human that comes near me…no matter who it is!
I understand.
So to track this person down,
you must acquire Garaga's Reverse Scale.
What's the matter?
I was just thinking that ordinary means won't work…
I know! Could you help us, Aoda?
Hey, c'mon! You sure about that?
If we let down our guard,
he might just bite our heads off from behind.
Surely you jest.
I have no interest in eating humans.
You heard me?!
I'd like to ask you one thing.
I can see that you don't have a Reverse Scale.
Is Garaga the only one who has one?
No.
Usually snakes with a violent temperament like Garaga have one.
Though they do become mild mannered
once their Reverse Scale is taken.
Lady Sarada, it's too dangerous to continue.
I believe it's best not to engage Garaga.
Huh? Why?
Let's just say he's dangerous.
All the snakes who live here in Ryuchi Cave despise him.
None will go near him.
See? Snakes are snakes, after all.
They're nothing but trouble—!
How rude!
I shall escort you to the exit.
And I shall protect you until you reach the Hidden Leaf Village.
Wait, Aoda.
I explained earlier why we can't go home yet.
Please, help us.
We just have to get Garaga's Reverse Scale somehow!
Lady Sarada…
KNIGHT
What's the matter, Shikamaru?
Well…
I was just thinking through some things.
Shikadai figured something out on his own.
That's why he went with Boruto…
And yet, according to the chunin's memory,
everything points to Mitsuki being guilty.
Yeah, that's why I'm working off of that assumption
in my orders to the shinobi.
But what if…
What if Mitsuki was being targeted by someone?
What are you saying will happen?
The matter of Mitsuki's birth is the highest of classified secrets
in this village, known only to us.
And your point is?
Access to such sensitive data…
is limited only to those who are authorized to freely enter this room.
THUNDER BURGER
I wonder if Boruto and Sarada will make it back safely?
The village is under strict guard.
If we leave on our own, we'll be treated like rogue ninja.
Uh…
If they're caught by the trackers, will they be killed?
Hey, they wouldn't go that far, no matter how serious it is.
He's right!
They'll just be brought back and punished, right?
Sumire… What's the matter?
I was just wondering if there was anything we can do…
It's definitely frustrating…
Iwabe…
I mean… I feel like just leaving the village right now.
But…
But our mission is to guard the village at this moment.
If someone attacked our shinobi, who knows what else might happen?
Yeah, you're right.
I guess we have to focus on our mission, right now.
Don't worry!
Boruto and the others will handle this somehow.
Right, Class Rep?
Yes! You're right!
Well, I'm going home to get a change of clothes.
I'll leave him in your hands.
Yes, understood!
Did you forget something?
Oh, Yurito!
Where is Sakura?
She just left. You didn't see her?
Nope.
Would you like to leave a message?
No, it's fine.
I heard he'll be waking up soon.
It would be great if he can provide new information.
Yes, I really hope so.
Everyone in the village is so on edge!
It would be great to resolve this soon.
Sorry to have bothered you.
No, thank you for providing security, Yurito!
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
– Oh! – Oh!
Hinata, did you need to see Naruto?
Yes… I just brought him a change of clothes.
I see…
I was going home to get a change of clothes too.
Seems like I'm gonna be here for a while, so…
Hinata?
I'm so sorry, Sakura…
It's Boruto's fault for getting Sarada involved.
When they're brought back, she'll be punished too.
Sarada's responsible for her own actions.
You don't have to agonize over that.
Sakura…
They're full-fledged ninja now.
They're doing this, totally aware that
they're putting their titles as genin on the line.
You're right.
They went off knowing full well what the consequences would be.
And all we can do is pray for their safety.
Ugh!
Where are they now, and what are they up to?
Let me make it clear that I am only cooperating
because Lady Sarada orders it.
I am in no way your ally.
Oh, is that right?
Anyway, I just hope you got the details of our plan down.
Boruto!
I'm sorry!
It's fine.
I just wonder what Master Sasuke will say if he finds out about this?
The keys to this strategy are Cho-cho, Boruto, and you, Aoda.
We're counting on you guys.
– Right. – Got it!
Okay, let's go!
Bring it on!
Who are you?
Whatever, it's fine by me!
Huh?! No way!
So fast!
I-I can't breathe…
Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll!
Think you got me?
I'll crush you!
Damn it! A jutsu like that…
won't work on me!
Let me go!
If the three of us can hold him down somewhat,
it will buy them some time.
It's up to you two!
Right!
Okay!
All right… Now I can grab it!
Sarada!
I got it!
You…
You think you can just come in and mess with me on my own turf?
Don't you…come near me!
Ack! Gross!
Huh? Huh?
Cho-Cho!
You bastard!
How dare you do that to Cho-Cho!
I'm gonna grind you all… into mincemeat!
Garaga! How dare you do that to Cho-Cho!
You're not gonna get away with this!
Huh?
You guys wanna be turned into stone too?
Don't play dumb!
Damn it. We can't just escape and leave things unfinished!
Next time on Boruto Naruto Next Generations:
"A Fierce Enemy: Garaga's Ferocious Attack!"
I'm gonna definitely take your Reverse Scale!
A FIERCE ENEMY: GARAGA'S FEROCIOUS ATTACK!