Anna Karenina

It seems a medical ward employee's wooden tag is missing.

Hey… This isn't gonna turn into a lockdown, is it?

The wooden tag went missing three days ago.

Soon after, Kokuri was attacked by a man in an inmate's uniform.

This isn't a coincidence.

This means the guy who attacked Kokuri

could have stolen the wooden tag, huh?

Start the lockdown!

Close off all the cell blocks and search for the wooden tag!

No prisoner will be allowed out until it's found!

Aw man, there goes what little free time we already had left.

You've gotta be kidding me!

Boruto!

Hey, guys! I need to confirm something.

Sorry, but I'm gonna need to check your belongings.

Huh?

What are you talking about?

Someone in here has the wooden tag.

Yesterday morning, Kokuri was attacked in the medical ward

by someone wearing an inmate's uniform.

What about it?

Hold on and listen until I finish.

Earlier you just heard from the guard that

a staff member reported their wooden tag was lost three days ago.

Maybe the perp who took the wooden tag

is the same one who attacked Kokuri.

You're saying the one who attacked me

is the same guy who stole the wooden tag?

No way!

Is it even possible to steal a wooden tag?

I think it's possible.

Remember, three days ago when Boruto collapsed,

and staff from the medical ward came to get him?

Maybe it happened then.

True.

But, if so…

That time, all the cells were shut except ours.

All the other prisoners were all in their cells.

In other words…

The assassin who stole the wooden tag and attacked Kokuri is in this cell!

The Criminal Targeting Kokuri

Don't say stuff like that, Boruto!

Don't worry, just calm down.

Leave this to Mitsuki and me.

I don't like this one bit.

You're accusing me of being the perp.

Why am I under suspicion?

W-Well, we don't know who's associated with Tsukiyo, so…

Tsukiyo?!

You mean, Tsukiyo, the one who's in solitary?!

Kokuri's life is being targeted by Tsukiyo of the Mujina Gang.

You're saying this guy was involved with Tsukiyo

more than we first thought?

Yes. Since Tsukiyo is in solitary and can't take any action,

it might be why he's targeting Kokuri through an accomplice.

Hold on a minute!

Even if that's true, why are we the only suspects?

Where's your proof that you're not working for Tsukiyo?

Boruto is not the perp!

He came here just to protect me!

Protect you?

How do you know each other?

We're friends!

Friends?

Yeah, they're my friends!

When they found out that Tsukiyo was targeting me,

they decided to protect me.

I never heard about that.

'Cuz I never told you.

Is that how it is?

You guys put yourselves in such danger

just to be in the same cell as your friend?

Hearing it out of the blue like that, it's hard to believe.

No, I believe Boruto's story.

He's risking his life for Kokuri's sake.

That's more than enough proof.

I believe you, Boruto!

Thanks!

We're going to start the search!

If anyone is caught hiding the wooden tag,

all cellmates will be considered accomplices.

All occupants of the cell will be sent to solitary,

not just the perpetrator.

And all sentences will be extended!

If you don't want that to happen, hand over the perp!

Start with Building One!

Yes, sir!

There's no way I'm going to solitary!

That will mean even less free time!

My term is almost up too.

I'm not gonna get my sentence extended.

If I'm sent to solitary, I'm definitely gonna die!

We'd better do something quick.

Yeah. Let's settle this before things get worse.

Fine, I'll cooperate.

Guess I have no choice.

Are you going to go question Tsukiyo?

I'm assigning a guard for you.

There's no telling what he's thinking.

Is he that dangerous?

Ordinarily, members of notorious gangs like the Mujina,

are kept separated to prevent collaboration.

If I had known about Kokuri too…

You couldn't help it.

Kokuri himself kept his ties to the Mujina Gang a secret.

You're right.

In any case, you must be on your guard with that man.

Yes.

Kokuri, you didn't see your attacker's face?

No.

I had my back to the entrance, and it all happened so quickly.

You too, Boruto?

Yeah. I heard some noises,

so I followed the doctor and the guard to Kokuri's room…

and the attacker was already gone.

What an idiot.

Everything was in place, but he couldn't kill his target.

Kamata, are you the perp?

No way!

I'm just saying I wouldn't mess up like that.

Anyway, we'd better hurry before Benga and the others get here.

This is bad.

Hey! All this is happening because of you.

S-Sorry!

And by the way, why is Tsukiyo after you?

If he wants you dead,

you must've done something pretty bad.

Uh, well…

I'd keep my mouth shut, if I were you.

This guy's weak, but he's conniving.

He'll jump at anything that's profitable to him.

If you let a secret slip, who knows how he'll use it.

What?!

Huh?

You're dead!

Try it, if you can.

You're all bark and no bite.

You just bluff and can't even fight.

He doesn't look like an assassin at all.

No, this guy gets gutsy when he's in a favorable position.

Guys like him will stab someone in the back without thinking twice.

Why you—!

You better watch yourself.

Anyway, let's check out everyone's belongings.

The guards are gonna be here soon.

You're right.

Do whatever you want.

Kedama, you too, okay?

Be careful with him.

This guy looks like he doesn't care,

but he's a coward who'll betray you behind your back.

Got it.

Okay then, I'm going to check all the bunks.

That's about the only place where we can hide things.

Fine, search to your heart's content.

Hold it!

Don't be ridiculous!

You expect me to let you search where I sleep?!

What now?!

Didn't you just say we could do whatever we want?

This is different.

There's no way I'm gonna let anyone search through my bunk.

Aw man! This is ridiculous.

It's just gonna be a quick look.

Nope. No way!

Why are you against this?

You got something you don't want us to see?

Why are you looking at me like that?

The way you're acting, it's wrong not to suspect you.

Oh, yeah!

You always go to see Haie the guard, don't you?

What?!

That's got nothing to do with this.

I don't know about that.

I mean, maybe you're contacting Tsukiyo through Haie?

Quit grasping at straws, you country thief!

What did you call me?

I know about you.

You bragged about being the lone wolf in your village.

But you got caught the instant you went to a Great Nation.

Why you—!

Oh, and I just remembered.

Yesterday, during recreation time,

didn't you head for the medical ward?

I was watching you.

While you were walking,

you kept looking around to see if anyone noticed.

Did the country thief who pretended to be a lone wolf

decide to become Tsukiyo's lap dog?

Shut up!

So, what's the real story?

I was heading for the cafeteria.

I didn't go to the medical ward that's beyond it.

Can anyone back that up?

'Course not.

There's no one you can trust in Hozuki Castle.

Which means, we can't trust what you say either, right, Mr. Kamata?

Huh?

Quit trying to trip me up.

Yeah, there is someone.