Anna Karenina

Team 25

Lord Sixth!

What? Are you the only one here?

There's no one in the other rooms either.

Everyone's out investigating the bomb threat.

Oh, you mean that warning letter?

It wasn't just a prank?

We can't just ignore it.

Everyone's on it, so all other work has stopped.

What's this?

A complaint about Team 25 who was assigned to the post office.

Hmm.

Shall I go and look into this?

Is that all right? I mean, you're the retired Sixth Hokage.

FIRE I'll figure something out. Besides, I have some time on my hands.

It will do me some good to move around, you know?

All right.

POST OFFICE Excuse me!

Hako! I told you to clean up over here first!

Oh, but…

It's a problem if you don't do things according to the plan!

Hey, Houki! Move your hands, not your lips.

We've still got packages.

Hako won't listen!

Besides! It's dangerous to have them stacked so high!

It's fine.

W-Whoa!

Aw, see?!

Didn't I tell you to do things my way?!

What's going on here?

How many times has this been already?

– Our fifth time. – Hako!

Huh?

We're sorry! Apologize, Hako!

I'm sorry.

Renga, you too!

Sorry…

Seriously! If you mess up again, I'm going to ask for different genin.

Keep your mouth shut, Hako!

But he asked how many times…

Aw man! That's not the issue!

Well, it's your fault for giving us bad directions,

in the first place!

It's my fault?

I don't understand your orders, Houki.

You give out bad orders.

That's why we end up doing things our own way.

What do you mean by that?!

The problem is, you two don't do things the way I tell you to!

Ugh. Fine, okay.

Houki, you be careful too.

Me?!

Aw man, what the hell!

Got a minute?

Hey, aren't you that guy who was conducting career interviews

during the Academy graduation exams?

You're the journalist, Mr. Sukea?

I'm impressed that you remember.

I have a good memory.

What are you doing here?

Oh…

Lord Hokage asked me to see how Team 25 is doing.

I see.

So anyway, would you mind talking to me?

Thanks for your time, you're…?

Houki Taketori.

I saw you guys working back there.

Is it always like that with the other two?

Yeah, well…

Hmm.

Anyway, what you're wearing reminds me of someone.

Can you tell?

Ever since I was a kid,

I've been a big fan of Lord Sixth from the first time I saw him!

Was Lord Sixth that amazing?

With a sharp intellect, calm disposition…

Feared by other Villages,

the one who nurtured Lord Seventh, who saved the world!

The genius ninja, Lord Sixth, Kakashi Hatake!

Any way you look at it, he's a perfect ninja!

Can't complain with that much praise.

I'm not talking about you, Mr. Sukea.

I'm talking about Lord Sixth.

Oh yeah, that's right.

I want to become a perfect ninja like him…

Although it's kind of an overambitious goal.

That's why you're starting with appearances?

Hmm…

Well then, you've got to pull your comrades together

on this mission too.

Oh.

So, what's the problem?

You see…

We kept messing up.

So now, we're only assigned to D-rank missions.

Who is your jonin in charge?

Our jonin got injured on another mission and is recuperating.

Our team only gets D-ranked missions,

and due to the labor shortage, there's no one to fill in.

That's why I've taken charge of the team,

and I'm trying my best, but…

My team just doesn't get it.

Hako's a kunoichi who uses puppets.

She always goes off and does her own thing.

Renga only believes in brute strength.

They're both so selfish!

Which packages are slated to be delivered by 2 p.m. today?

Who are you guys?!

We're investigating the bomb threat!

Please show us!

What did you say?!

The packages for that delivery window are over there!

Found it! It's this one!

EXPLODE

EXPLODE

COUNTER

Boruto!

Hey, you're Houki!

LEAF CENTRAL POST OFFICE

Are you guys here investigating the bomb threat too, Houki?

Unfortunately, no.

What's going on?

I didn't hear anything about a mission like this.

Does this mean that a bomber's been sending explosives

in the mail?

Uh, yes!

Umm, Mr. Sukea?!

Long time no see.

Boruto, Sarada…how did you know that was the bomb?

Oh…

We figured out his hideout from the investigation thus far.

The perp took advantage of specified delivery windows

to mail out time bombs.

I see…

That's how they planned to set off explosives

at their preferred time and locations.

That bomb just now was set to explode at 1 p.m.

How were you able to tell which package was the bomb?

We found wrapping paper from a department store

as well as a note about home delivery windows at the hideout.

Obvious clues were left behind.

So, did you capture the perpetrator?

We almost had 'im, but he got away.

Shikadai, Iwabe and the others are in pursuit.

Iwabe and the others, too?

Yeah. All genin have been mobilized.

I see.

So this is where you were!

Seems like we're done for the day, huh?

Oh, yes. How did you know anyway?

You kept looking at your watch.

Just from that?

You're fighting with your wife, huh?

You'd better make up quickly so you can get that shirt ironed.

H-How did you know?!

Anyway, as a precaution, we've stopped accepting packages today.

We were supposed to start the afternoon processing,

but there's no work now.

POST OFFICE What about the packages we already sorted?

Those will be delivered.

LEAF VILLAGE CENTRAL POST OFFICE I wish we could get back to business as usual quickly.

We'll capture the perp right away.

So please wait a little while.

I'm depending on you!

Anyway, I'm very grateful that you prevented any harm!

As expected, Leaf Shinobi are exceptional!

LEAF CENTRAL POST OFFICE

LEAF CENTRAL POST OFFICE Are you okay with just going home like this?

We're the only ones who were left out of the investigation!

Aren't you frustrated?!

I don't think there's anything we can do about it.

Besides, what do you expect us to do in this situation?

We can't even see what's in store for us. How can we give it everything we've got?

It's all over if you give up on yourselves!

Optimism isn't the answer to all our troubles!

Forget it.

I can't listen to this. I'm leaving!

It might be good if we disband for the time being.

Damn it!

Well, that was heated.

I must say, genin these days are quite exceptional.

Huh?

I mean, your former classmates are investigating the bomb threat, right?

That's amazing.