The technological development trajectory of the Naruto world is nothing short of perplexing.
During the Second Great Ninja War, it still resembled the Warring States period of an isolated island nation. Yet, in a mere thirty years, it leapt into an era that could be described as modern. Boruto's era was a full-fledged cityscape, a far cry from the ruins of war.
This unreasonable speed of development can only be attributed to the cycles of war and peace in the ninja world. Each period of conflict gave birth to a subsequent technological explosion during times of peace.
The carriage jolted along the uneven dirt road, its lack of a shock absorption system making every bump and jolt feel more pronounced. Inside, Itoshiki Furukawa's mind was far more unsettled than the mud beneath the wheels. The landscape outside blurred past him, but every detail of the mission replayed in his mind.
"Captain, what do you think Lord Hokage will reward us with this time?" Yuto broke the silence, his tone light with expectation.
"Reward?" Furukawa's voice cut through the moment of stillness, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "There will definitely be a reward. The mission was classified as S-rank, after all. But the greatest reward is that we'll all be returning to Konoha in one piece."
"Heh, that's true." Suzuki scratched the back of his head, eyes gleaming with excitement. "But still, we've done a hell of a job. Maybe we'll get a powerful secret technique as a reward."
"Promotion and wealth," Suzuki Yuto chimed in with a grin, "can't compare to going home and hugging your wife."
The carriage filled with laughter, but Furukawa's smile carried a hint of longing. His thoughts drifted to Tsunade's amber eyes and her radiant smile, a warmth rising in his chest.
"I wonder how Tsunade is doing now..." Furukawa murmured softly, almost drowned out by the rumble of the wheels over stones.
"Tsunade, Lord Tsunade?" Morikawa leaned forward eagerly. "Captain, are you very familiar with Lady Tsunade?"
"Yes," Furukawa replied quietly, his voice laced with an unspoken understanding.
His relationship with Tsunade was complex—at times it felt like the bond between siblings, yet there was something deeper, something more ambiguous, that stirred whenever he thought of her. Her bright eyes always made his heart race a little faster.
"I've heard that Lady Tsunade is Konoha's medical saint," Morikawa continued, eyes full of admiration. "With her around, the casualty rate can be reduced by over thirty percent. But I've also heard she has a terrible temper and throws people around whenever she gets mad."
Furukawa's eyes snapped up to meet his. "That's nonsense!" His voice was sharp, an edge of protectiveness seeping through. "Lord Tsunade is the kindest person I've ever met!"
Morikawa flinched under the intensity of Furukawa's glare, offering a sheepish smile and quickly falling silent.
The carriage fell into a heavy silence once again, the rhythmic sound of wheels on dirt the only noise filling the air.
Without a word, the caravan arrived at the border of the Land of Fire. Furukawa and his group of five parted ways with the caravan, quickly donning their ninja gear before heading for Konoha. Chakra flared beneath their feet as they raced through the trees, the branches swaying gently in their wake.
When they finally crossed into the gates of Konoha, dusk was settling in.
The setting sun cast a golden glow across the rooftops of the village, bathing the streets in warm light. Konoha was as lively as ever, bustling with the energy of its people, but Furukawa's sharp instincts immediately caught the undercurrent of unease.
"Why does it feel... off?" Suzuki murmured, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the scene. "Is there bad news from the frontlines in the Land of Rivers again?"
"You can disband and go back to your families," Furukawa replied, his voice low but firm. "I'll report to Lord Hokage. This mission will be officially complete after that."
His words barely registered as an ominous premonition surged in his chest, though he quickly tamped it down, pushing himself to move faster. The Hokage Building awaited.
Inside, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was in the middle of an intense discussion with several elders. When Furukawa entered, Sarutobi motioned for him to wait.
Though eager to return home to Tsunade, Furukawa stood patiently, his hands folded behind his back.
"Furukawa," Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke, his tone laced with weariness. "You and your team handled the mission exceptionally well. You successfully provoked the conflict between the Cloud ninja and the Rock ninja, gaining Konoha valuable time in the process."
Furukawa gave a slight nod, though inwardly he felt a twinge of discomfort. The weight of what they'd done wasn't lost on him, but there was little time to dwell on it. Konoha's peace had been secured for now.
"I'm glad to hear it, Lord Hokage," Furukawa replied, his voice steady. "Is there anything else we can assist with?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave him a tired but grateful look. "For now, you've earned your rest. However, we may have more work ahead soon. Stay ready."
Furukawa nodded again, but the lingering sense of unease remained, gnawing at the back of his mind.
"Lord Hokage, have Yun Ren and Yan Ren really started fighting?" Itoshiki Furukawa asked, his voice calm, though his mind was already consumed by thoughts of something else.
"Yes," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his eyes momentarily flickering with a hint of satisfaction. "Just as you were returning, the two sides broke into large-scale conflict along the borders of the Land of Taki and the Land of Frost."
A wave of relief washed over Itoshiki. He could almost feel the weight lifting from his shoulders. But that fleeting relief did little to chase away the unease swirling inside him.
But then, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted, his posture sagging slightly as he drew in a deep, weary breath. The light from his pipe wavered as he exhaled, his voice turning quieter. "There is something else you must know. During your mission, Tsunade departed for the front lines of the Land of Rivers."
The mention of Tsunade's name immediately sent a sharp pang through Itoshiki's chest. "The Land of Rivers?" he repeated, his voice unintentionally betraying his concern. "What happened? Why is she there?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze dropped, his words heavier. "Senju Nawaki…" His voice trailed off as if he couldn't bear to say more. "Nawaki fell in battle. He died while on a mission. I… perhaps I should have listened to your warning and been more vigilant."
The world seemed to tilt beneath Itoshiki's feet. Nawaki is gone. The thought struck him with the force of a thousand blows. He had warned the Hokage, had tried to push for more caution, but the inevitable had still happened. Senju Nawaki is dead.
"It's true," Sarutobi Hiruzen continued, his words laden with regret. "Tsunade has already rushed to the Land of Rivers to handle Nawaki's funeral."
Itoshiki felt a cold wave of dizziness sweep over him. His mind conjured Tsunade's face—bright, strong, and full of life. And now? He could only imagine her grief-stricken, standing over her brother's grave. The thought knotted his stomach.
"Damn it!" he cursed under his breath, his fists tightening until his nails dug into his palms, his body trembling with restrained anger and helplessness. "I should have been there. I should have insisted on joining the front lines. I should have been there for her!"
"Enough, Itoshiki!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was sharp, cutting through his frustration. "This is not your fault. The responsibility lies with me, not you. War is cruel. We can't predict everything."
Itoshiki exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. His emotions threatened to overrun him, but he knew this wasn't the time to dwell on blame. Tsunade needed him, and that was all that mattered now.
"Lord Hokage," Itoshiki said, his voice suddenly steady, but a fire burned in his eyes. "I need to go to the Land of Rivers. Tsunade... she needs me now more than ever."
Sarutobi Hiruzen studied him for a long moment, as if weighing the decision. Itoshiki's resolve was clear, and after a quiet breath, the Hokage finally nodded. "Alright, Itoshiki. You have my permission to go. But remember, you are a ninja first. You have your mission."
"Understood," Itoshiki responded, bowing sharply before turning on his heel.
Without a moment's hesitation, he left the Hokage's office. There was no time to go home, no time to gather his things, no time for anything but the immediate need to reach Tsunade. His heart pounded in his chest, a surge of guilt and desperation driving him forward.
Tsunade... I'm coming. The thought echoed in his mind like a mantra, a promise to himself. He had failed once by not being there sooner. He wouldn't fail her again.
Itoshiki's chakra flared, his feet barely touching the ground as he sped through the village, his thoughts consumed by Tsunade's grief. She's alone now. She needs someone. She needs me.
His body burned with the need to reach her, to be there for her in a way no one else could. It didn't matter how exhausted he was, how much distance lay between them—he would reach her. Because Tsunade needed him. More than ever.
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