Past
I'm so sorry, I don't have very much right now.
We're in a recession, after all.
Thank you...
LIQUOR STORE
Running errands for your father again?
You're so young, it must be tough.
Do you like goldfish?
You're my first customer since I got to this village!
I'll give you a good deal!
Aren't they beautiful?
Goldfish symbolize luck and growing abundance with money,
and they also repel evil spirits.
Oh, are you in the middle of an errand?
You're such a good kid! Did your dad ask you to do that?
You didn't want a goldfish?
I don't want one. I don't have any money.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked.
Oh yeah!
There's going to be a goldfish show
in the town at the foot of the mountain.
There will be all sorts of goldfish from all over the village.
It's fun just looking at them.
And of course, admission is free.
My dad will get angry if I'm late.
I'm sorry.
What a strange kid.
You mentioned that this is your first time
coming to this village, didn't you?
That kid lives with his dad, who's a drunk.
People say his dad used to be an outstanding shinobi back in the day,
but I doubt that.
No matter how much his dad beats him,
he works hard until he's drenched in sweat.
And then, his dad just spends all the money he makes on booze.
Poor kid.
If things are so tough for him, he should just run away.
Do you really think there's anywhere a kid that age can run to?
He's like those goldfish.
If he leaps out of the water, he'll die, just like that.
In the end, he has no choice
but to live his life in a tiny bucket.
I see...
I probably shouldn't have mentioned those things to him.
GOLDFISH
I'm home...
You're late! Where were you slacking off?
I wasn't slacking off.
Just give it here!
This it?
That damn shopkeeper...
He thinks he can shortchange you just because you're a kid.
Sorry, Dad. I'll buy lots more tomorrow.
Don't cut any corners!
May I please have dinner?
You don't even work hard, but you sure can eat.
Huh?
Hey!
You've been hiding something like this?
You can't even read.
You're an empty, hollow, good-for-nothing
who doesn't have a thing to your name.
Just try leaving this village!
You'll just become an easy target.
Don't trust strangers. Just believe what I tell you.
I'm telling you this for your own good.
Yes, sir.
As punishment for not listening to me...
You get no dinner tonight.
What?
Just go to bed already.
Good night, Dad.
LIQUOR STORE
If you got any complaints, go somewhere else.
Even though I'm the only liquor store in this village...
Oh, hello! Are you from this village?
There's a plague going around this region.
May we draw some of your blood
to test and see if you have any illnesses?
Hey, wait a minute!
That hurt.
S-Sorry...
Kawaki... Is your dad making you run errands again?
I-I'm in a hurry.
You sure have it tough taking care of your crazy dad.
Oh, that's right!
Your dad lost his mind in the war, didn't he?
Don't make fun of... my dad.
Huh?
There's nothing wrong with my dad!
My dad is a hero!
You guys don't know anything about him, so stop talking about him!
Quit yelling!
Stop that!
Or do you want to get hurt?
Let's go.
Get the hell out of here!
Thank you...
Here, clean yourself up.
I heard about your dad.
My childhood was kinda the same, so I get it.
But you know, nothing good will come out of enduring it.
Hey, want to sell goldfish with me?
We can carry these buckets around to various villages.
I'll teach you how to do this job from scratch.
I can't do that. I can't leave my dad all alone.
But still...
I need to hurry back home with his liquor.
Looks like the bottle's cracked...
Hey, are you all right?!
S-Sorry about that!
Why? Why?
Why is this happening?
Oh...!
I'm sorry, Dad!
I'll do it right tomorrow...
Damn kid!
Dad, I'll buy twice as much tomorrow!
You good-for-nothing!
Can't you even buy liquor properly?!
Stop, Dad!
Forgive me, Dad! I'm sorry!
Let me out, Dad!
Please... Please!
Shut up! You hollow idiot!
Let me out, Dad... Dad.
Who the hell do you think you are, coming at this hour?!
Apologies for coming by so late. Could you let me in?
I've never seen you before. What do you want?
I have a nice proposition for you.
Who is he, Dad?
That much money for this worthless kid?
What do you want with him?
That's none of your concern.
Answer me, Dad!
Who is that man? What's this about money?!
Hurry up and gather your things!
You don't belong here anymore.
What do you mean? This is my house!
Let me stay, Dad!
Didn't you hear me?
You're no longer part of this household!
I don't want that! I'll be a better kid!
I'll make lots more money! I'll buy you lots of liquor, so please—!
You good-for-nothing—!
Annoying brat!
Let's get on with this.
Once you give him up, you'll never get your son back.
Do you understand?
He's hollow and empty. He's got no worth...
Other than being my punching bag, that is.
I can't believe you'd spring big bucks for a brat like him.
Are you a god or something?
This is amazing!
This is a dream come true!
Lucky me! Lucky me!
I bet you've suffered a lot.
But that's over now.
I'm taking custody of you.
You did well, enduring...
So, don't worry.
From this moment on...
I am your father, Kawaki.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
Now... come with me.
Are you reluctant to leave?
Where are you taking me?
Asking me a question before answering mine?
You'll find out if you come with me.
What the matter?
Is this your first time leaving your village?
This is the only tunnel connected to your village.
It was difficult to find.
You're leaving your birthplace,
yet you're not taking any belongings with you?
Well, your life will change completely from today.
So, I guess there's no need to hold on to old things...
I've never owned anything.
Have you ever wanted anything?
No.
I'll think of the perfect present to commemorate our meeting.
My dad... that man, always told me...
never to trust outsiders.
That they're all out to deceive us.
He always used to say that I was a hollow and empty good-for-nothing...
So, why did you buy me for all that money?!
What are you gonna do with me?!
That's what I'd like to know as well.
What do you plan on doing with him?
And who are you?
I'm asking the questions here.
You're a trafficker, aren't you?
I can tell from your stench... that we're in the same business.
Anyway, I laid eyes on him first.
I was trying to get that dumb brat to trust me,
so I could sell him off, but you just had to interfere.
Hey, kid! Come over here.
You tricked me?
You seem to be under the wrong impression.
Why don't we talk things out a bit? What do you say?
Oh? Sounds good. Do you want to make a deal?
Go on ahead, Kawaki. Wait outside of the tunnel.
It's no use running away, kid.
It won't take long to capture you.
We're done talking.
He gladly withdrew.
That person was trying to—?
You seem to think that being empty and hollow is a bad thing...
That's not the case at all.
You have value, Kawaki.
A goldfish.
Hmm?
I wanted a goldfish.
Thank you for responding to my question.
In return, I shall answer one of yours.
Where we're going now,
there are many children around your age.
They're all from backgrounds similar to your own.
Where are we?
This is a safe place.
There's nothing to worry about.
Is that the last child, Jigen?
That's right.
Treat him courteously, Amado.
You can count on me.
I told you, didn't I, Kawaki?
There's nothing to be afraid of.
You are now one of my precious children.
I want you to accept me as your new father.
Once you do...
you'll no longer be hollow.
When you and I truly become father and son...
I shall give you a special present.
Where am I?
This is a safe place.
There's nothing to worry about.
I'll take him under my custody.
I'm against this.
It's much too dangerous, Naruto.
By holding the enemy's precious card in our possession...
It's very likely Kara's gonna make a move to take him back.
But that's exactly why I'm the most qualified for this, ya know.
Especially if they're strong.
Next time on Boruto: Naruto Next Generations:
COEXISTENCE
"Coexistence"
This is unprecedented!
Why have him be babysat personally by the Hokage?!