Chapter 211: When a Ninja Faces a Crisis of Trust (Part 2)
"Shikamaru, Sasuke, I'll be counting on you two to watch over the village while I'm gone."
Wearing the Hokage's cloak and hat, Naruto stood at the village gates and addressed Sasuke and Shikamaru, who had come to see him off.
"Don't worry, Naruto. But… are you really going with just four others this time?"
As Shikamaru spoke, his gaze drifted toward the four standing beside Naruto—Shuyu and Sarada to his left, and Tentō and Shinki to his right.
Since this operation was being led by the Kage from each village, Konoha naturally could only send Naruto, their own Hokage.
"It's enough. We're going up against Kara this time—bringing more people wouldn't really make a difference," Naruto said with a smile. "Oh, right—Shikamaru, I left the scroll to Mount Myōboku in the office. Don't forget to regularly send food supplies over."
The food in Mount Myōboku was practically inedible by any normal standard—no one in their right mind would want to eat bugs. Yet in the future timeline, Boruto would not only eat insects there but savor them.
After all, in a zombie-ridden future, having something—anything—to eat was already a stroke of luck.
"Sasuke, let's head back."
As Naruto led the group of five ninja into the distance, Shikamaru turned to Sasuke beside him and said.
"Yeah."
Sasuke nodded.
Inside Konoha Village.
Might Guy had left his wheelchair and was exercising—head down, feet up, performing a handstand.
"Guy-senpai!"
"Huh? And you are…?"
Might Guy raised his head to look at the ninja with cloudy eyes who had just run up to him.
"I'm from the Hyūga clan—Hyūga Hei. Guy-senpai, the Sixth Hokage is looking for you."
"Kakashi's looking for me? Don't tell me… he wants a rematch! Kakashi, wait for me! I'm on my way!"
Might Guy pushed off the ground and took off running at incredible speed using only his hands.
"Wait for me, Guy-senpai!"
Hyūga Hei followed close behind, pushing the wheelchair.
Hatake Residence.
"Kakashi! Kakashi!"
"Coming, coming..." Dressed in pajamas and yawning, Kakashi opened the door to find Might Guy—seated in a wheelchair—waiting at the entrance. "Guy? What are you doing here?"
"You're way too slow, Kakashi…"
Guy grumbled in frustration.
"I lost track of time reading last night, so..."
Kakashi explained, letting out another yawn.
"Hmm? Is that so… Oh, right—Kakashi, how about we go on a trip?"
"A trip?"
"Yeah, I know this one place—the hot springs there are amazing."
Guy nodded earnestly.
"Really...?" Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "But the shinobi world's pretty unstable right now. And with your leg..."
"It's fine, Kakashi. You'll be there to protect me, right? Besides, it's still within the Land of Fire."
"...Alright then. Give me a moment to get ready."
Closing the door, Kakashi began rummaging through his darkened room—curtains drawn, light barely filtering in—as he searched for his ninja gear.
"Seriously, where did I throw that pack… Ah, found it... Guy..."
"You're finally ready, Kakashi. Let's get going."
Seeing Kakashi step out with his Leaf forehead protector in place, Guy called out to him.
"Yeah, let's head out."
Kakashi nodded.
A little distance from the village gates.
Kakashi was pushing Guy's wheelchair when they happened to run into Mirai Sarutobi—who looked strikingly like Shisui.
"Sixth, Guy-senpai, where are you two headed?"
Mirai asked curiously.
"Oh, it's you, Mirai. Well… we're just heading out for a bit."
"Huh? Just the two of you?"
Mirai tilted her head in confusion.
"Yeah. Why?"
Kakashi nodded.
Ninja gear... Leaf forehead protector... Jōnin uniform… Could it be—these two are on some secret mission?!
Realizing this, Mirai quickly said, "That won't do! The Sixth Hokage leaving the village without guards? Let me come with you!"
"Well..."
"Please, Sixth! I promise I won't be a burden!"
Mirai looked up at Kakashi with hopeful eyes.
"By the way, Mirai—how's your training with the chakra blades going?"
Kakashi suddenly changed the subject.
"Uh… Shikamaru-sensei gave them to me a while ago, but I'm still not very skilled with them..."
Mirai answered, a bit dejected.
"That was your father's specialty. With chakra so similar to Asuma's, there's no way you won't be able to master them."
Kakashi reassured her.
"Yes, Sixth. Thank you for the encouragement. I'll do my best!"
Reinvigorated by Kakashi's support, Mirai straightened up.
"Let her come with us, Kakashi. Besides, having one more person is never a bad thing."
Might Guy smiled at Kakashi.
"Alright then."
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes!"
Mirai's excitement caught both Kakashi and Guy's attention.
"Sorry… I should be more composed."
Mirai apologized sheepishly.
As a chunin, Mirai had only ever taken on B-rank missions. She hadn't had much exposure to A-rank, let alone S-rank missions. So it was only natural for her to get excited—especially when she'd be carrying one out alongside the Sixth Hokage.
The three left the village together, but because they had to take care of Guy, their pace was relatively slow.
"This breeze feels really nice, doesn't it, Kakashi?"
"Mhm." Pushing the wheelchair, Kakashi nodded. "Hey, remember two weeks ago when we did that handstand push-up contest on the training stumps? You slipped and slammed your stomach into the stump—you ended up puking and lost to me..."
"Is that so...? Hahahahaha! Now I remember! I wasn't in top form that day…"
Guy chuckled from his wheelchair.
Watching the two of them chat so casually, Mirai couldn't help but think this didn't feel like an S-rank mission at all—it looked more like a vacation.
No, no… Mirai shook her head, thinking to herself, this must be a relaxation exercise before the mission. Everyone always says tension leads to mistakes. As expected of the Sixth—the voice of experience. Alright! I've got to relax too...
She took a deep breath, calming both her mind and body.
"Kakashi, it's just up ahead."
Guy said from his wheelchair.
"Is that so…"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes, looking at the silhouette of a village emerging in the distance.
S-rank mission…
Mirai, still taking deep breaths, instinctively held her breath.