Anna Karenina

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE LOCATION

As you can see, Boruto,

you are generally performing exceedingly well.

Although, I do notice that you sometimes don't take the lessons seriously.

Aw, come on…give me a break!

I can't believe this child!

Yet, I doubt if it will affect your current prospects.

So, Boruto, what kind of shinobi do you want to become?

Huh? What kind?

Yes. What do you want to do?

What do you want to become?

Huh? Well…

I thought about it,

and there isn't anything I want to do in particular as a ninja…

– Huh?! – Huh?!

What?! What are you saying at this point?!

You know graduation exams are coming up, don't you?

He's right, Boruto.

Well, in any case, I just entered the Academy

figuring I'd rile Dad up a little.

After that—

"In any case"?

I'll make something happen.

I'm "exceptional," right?

I think I'll breeze through the graduation exams too.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE SCHEDULE BORUTO UZUMAKI WASABI IZUNO HAKO KUROI SAYU JOUGE GEN KATSUGI SARADA UCHIHA INOJIN YAMANAKA NITORA TAKE JAY JAY

Thanks for your hard work with today's conferences!

Anko Sensei.

You look kind of exhausted.

Well…

Students these days… How do I put this…?

They're really not being conscious

about why they want to become ninja.

The first on the list being that problematic genius,

Boruto Uzumaki?

He's got real talent.

But there are barriers that skill alone can't overcome.

CHO-CHO AKIMICHI BORUTO UZUMAKI SHIKADAI One of them being, the graduation exam…

The Parent Teacher Conference

The Parent Teacher Conference I'm telling you,

my mom was such a drag!

Seems like you had a tough time!

How was your conference, Denki?

Good.

Dad was super happy when I said out loud

that I'm going to become a shinobi!

Oh?

And I'm gonna cast off the title of "repeater," once and for all!

I swear I'm gonna become a shinobi like Lord Hokage.

Yeah, you can do it, Iwabe.

Is becoming a shinobi really that big a deal?

Of course.

A famous shinobi is kind of like a national hero!

You'd be in high demand for commercials!

RECOMMENDED BY THE TOP BREEDER NINJA PERFECT DOG DAYS See?

RECOMMENDED BY THE TOP BREEDER NINJA PERFECT DOG DAYS

There are also a lot guys like Kagemasa

who star in movies and TV after they retire.

You feel the same way too, don't you, Boruto?

Huh? Me?

SEVENTH HOKAGE

No…

I'm not really interested in that.

I mean, is becoming a shinobi

something to get so motivated about?

What?

That's—?!

You inspired me to enroll in the Ninjutsu Department!

I wish you'd reciprocate the same level of excitement as me, Boruto!

I don't know how to respond to that.

He says all that but he still gets good grades.

Talk about unfair…

Yeah, definitely!

GRADUATION EXAMS Well, talking about the future is nice and all…

GRADUATION EXAMS But we've got graduation exams closing in on us.

There are two parts, right?

The written exam and the practical application exam.

The graduation exam…

Oh yeah, it's a written exam, huh?

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM ACADEMY But what's the practical application exam about?

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM ACADEMY Basically, it tests your practical skills.

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM (PASS) ACADEMY Basically, it tests your practical skills.

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM (PASS) ACADEMY Back when I failed, it was on wall climbing.

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM (PASS) ACADEMY If I didn't fail the written the exam,

EMPLOYMENT- UPPER EDUCATION - GENIN GRADUATION WRITTEN EXAM (PASS) ACADEMY I would have cleared it, no problem.

I heard back in the day, you passed

if you could do the Clone or Transformation Jutsu.

The Transformation Jutsu?

If that's all, it would be easy.

What?!

By the way, who are the proctors?

It's gotta be Shino Sensei and Anko Sensei.

Whoever they are, it's probably gonna be easy.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Depending on the proctor,

only half, or worst case, no one becomes a genin.

I've heard there were previous years like that.

What? Sometimes the whole class fails?!

I guess this means we won't know until we take the test.

So, does that mean we're all gonna get scattered?

– Bye! – So long!

Thanks!

Graduation exams… genin…huh?

RECORDING HD Hey, you're a student here, aren't you?

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD Hey! Who are you, old man?

Old man? That's harsh.

I'm Sukea, a freelance reporter.

Oh, you mean like a journalist?

Yeah…

I'm here to do a story on Academy students

preparing to take the graduation exams.

I want to hear how passionate they are,

what their dreams for the future are.

RECORDING HD Huh? A story? That sounds interesting.

RECORDING HD I'll be glad to help!

Oh!

Over here!

I'll gather up some guys who're still on campus.

Actually, I wanted to interview you first.

But, that's okay…

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD Why do you want to become a shinobi?

RECORDING HD Naturally, to become a strong man like my dad!

RECORDING HD I want to see how far I can go.

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD Hey, are you recording this?!

RECORDING HD Uh… I'm Metal Lee, nice to meet you!

RECORDING HD M-My dreams are—!

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD I'll get to draw stuff I like,

RECORDING HD and I'll make more money than being an ordinary artist.

RECORDING HD I guess I'll be able to put my hobby into practical use.

RECORDING HD Well, it's a drag,

RECORDING HD but I'm trying to live up to my parent's expectations.

RECORDING HD And also, I really wouldn't mind being a ninja.

RECORDING HD My goal is to become the Hokage.

RECORDING HD So first, I have to become a worthy shinobi,

RECORDING HD one who is acknowledged by everyone.

RECORDING HD Is that good?

RECORDING HD I…want to become a ninja!

RECORDING HD I don't plan on becoming a ninja.

RECORDING HD I'm going back home after graduation

RECORDING HD to take over the family temple.

RECORDING HD I'm going on to intermediate courses

RECORDING HD in the general middle school curriculum.

RECORDING HD When we had career week,

RECORDING HD the jobs other than ninja that I tried seemed fun too, so…

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD Huh? Are you recording?

RECORDING HD Isn't the camera too far to the right?

RECORDING HD Yes, come closer!

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD Yeah, that's the angle!

RECORDING HD Hey, what are you recording?!

Well now… After listening to everyone,

this year's class is full of strong personalities.

Hmm? What's the matter?

Oh, nothing.

I was just thinking how everyone's got

some pretty solid ideas about their future.

And there were even some students

who've decided not to become ninja too.

Yeah…

I just assumed everyone was gonna become a ninja.

By the way, why did you enter into the Academy?

RECORDING HD

RECORDING HD I…I just wanted to get back at my stupid old man.

And was this the only place you could do that?

If I followed the same path as my dad,

and I did better than him…

I thought everyone would have seen that I'm better than him.

Anyway, I've got to get going, ya know!

I'll help if you want to do more interviews tomorrow!

See you, Mr. Sukea!

Boruto, finish up your game.

What?

Here!

Hey Mom, what made you decide to become a ninja?

Huh?

When I was a child,

it was just something that was expected.

Not just for me, but for your late Uncle Neji as well.

If you were born a Hyuga,

you were destined to be a shinobi.

Really? Sounds pretty tough.

Your grandfather was very strict back in those days.

Our grandpa?

I'm so glad you're here, Boruto!

I can't picture him being like that.

Time has changed many things.

Today, becoming a shinobi isn't everything.

I was surprised at the conference.

But if you decide not to become a shinobi,

I think that's fine too.

Mom…

Both your father and I want you

to choose your own path in life.

You say that but…

You might feel that way,