Chapter 102:
It had already been a month since Mitsuki joined S.H.I.E.L.D., and during this time, the organization had completely vanished from sight, as if it had never appeared in the ninja world at all.
"Naruto, this is a new movie being sold by the Jar Merchant in the village—it's related to Mitsuki." In the Hokage's office, Shikamaru reported to Naruto. "Right now, all the Anbu in the village have been dispatched to track down the Jar Merchant."
Having an unknown outsider loitering in the village always left people feeling uneasy.
"Hmm, let's put aside the matter of the Jar Merchant for now. What's more important is that the village's routine patrols must not be neglected. Also, we need to tighten the inspection of people entering and exiting the village," Naruto said, taking a moment from his busy workload. "By the way, Shikamaru, how has Boruto been lately?"
"Boruto? I heard he's been training hard. Honestly, ever since Mitsuki left the village to join S.H.I.E.L.D., Boruto has changed a lot."
"Has he?" Naruto chuckled softly. "Shikamaru, do you have any suggestions for Boruto and Sarada's new team member?"
"Logically speaking, the most suitable candidate to join Boruto and Sarada's team would be Uchiha Shuyu."
Not only was Shuyu exceptionally gifted, but they were already acquainted with both Boruto and Sarada. There would be no resistance from the two, making Shuyu the ideal choice.
"But Shuyu is already a Chūnin." Naruto frowned and asked, "What has Shuyu been up to lately?"
As Konoha's prodigy, even though Naruto was constantly busy as Hokage, he still made time to check in on Shuyu's situation whenever he could.
"Due to being so young, Shuyu is currently serving as an Anbu trainee, helping out with simple tasks. It's meant to lay the groundwork for Shuyu's future official entry into the Anbu."
"I see... Shikamaru, let's go ahead and play that new movie."
Ever since Mitsuki joined S.H.I.E.L.D., Boruto had been training relentlessly to bring him back. Until one day, he found the Jar Merchant who had been peddling movies on the street.
"Hey! Jar merchant, what the hell is this?!"
Boruto stormed into a dim alley where the Jar Merchant had set up his street stall.
"It's a movie, of course," the Jar Merchant replied, spreading his hands. "What else could it be? This is a brand-new release. Guaranteed to be good—or no refunds."
"That's not what I meant. Why is Mitsuki in the movie?!"
The film, titled Konoha Ghoul, told the story of a Konoha youth named Mitsuki who was accidentally transformed into a flesh-eating monster.
If the villagers found out that Mitsuki was portrayed as a flesh-eating monster, he might never be accepted by them again.
That was exactly why Boruto had come to confront the Jar Merchant.
"Of course he's in it—he's the main character. Oh, I get it! You're here to collect Mitsuki's actor fee on his behalf, right? Well, no way you're getting any money. But, I can give you a piece of intel for free."
"Huh? What kind of intel?"
"You've heard of the Holy Grail legend, right?"
"The Holy Grail legend... what's that?" Boruto asked in confusion.
"Simply put, somewhere in this world, there's a shiny golden cup. If you obtain it, you get one wish."
Boruto was gradually drawn in. The idea of a wish-granting artifact was a temptation no one could ignore. "Jar merchant, hurry up and tell me—where is the Holy Grail?"
"It only appears when the Holy Grail War begins."
"So how do I join this Holy Grail War?"
Boruto looked at the Jar Merchant with anticipation. If he could obtain the Holy Grail, he could wish for Mitsuki to return.
"What a coincidence, what a coincidence... I just so happen to have a pass to the Holy Grail War right here. And since you're one of my VIP members, I'll sell it to you for just 100,000 ryō," the Jar Merchant said, immediately slipping into his sleazy salesman persona. "I'm telling you, 100,000 ryō is a bargain for a shot at making your wish come true. It's a steal!"
This was actually a system item Shunhi had recently drawn—unfortunately, the only useful one: a mistakenly summoned young Naruto (from the past).
Having long accepted his abysmal luck with draws, Shunhi had racked his brains trying to figure out how to make money from this item. Human trafficking was definitely out of the question. Even he couldn't stoop that low.
"Are you sure this is a real Holy Grail War pass?"
Boruto looked at the Command Seal that had been drawn on the back of his right hand, his face full of doubt. After all, the Jar Merchant had literally just painted it on. And 100,000 ryō wasn't exactly pocket change—it was all the money Boruto had painstakingly saved over a week of frugal living and completing missions.
"Don't worry, I never scam people," the Jar Merchant said, for once putting on a serious expression. "Each Holy Grail War consists of seven Masters and seven Servants forming seven teams. Each team holds one Dragon Ball. While protecting their own, they must compete for the others. The first to collect all seven can summon Shenron to make a wish."
"...Isn't this supposed to be about the Holy Grail?" Boruto was increasingly convinced he'd been duped and was ready to beat the refund out of the Jar Merchant at any moment.
"Ahem, same thing, more or less. You summon Shenron, make a wish for the Holy Grail, and then use the Holy Grail to fulfill your wish." In truth, Shunhi was just making things up. There were no Dragon Balls, no Holy Grail. Even if a wish could be granted, it sure wasn't going to be Boruto's.
"Anyway, let's not worry about that now. Let me give you your Servant." He handed over a piece of paper with a magic circle drawn on it. "At midnight tonight, lay this on the floor and drip some of your blood on it—that's it."
Of course, it wasn't really necessary. But for the sake of atmosphere, they had to go through the motions.
"You better not be tricking me. So when does the Holy Grail War start?"
"As soon as all seven Masters are gathered. Then it'll begin."
Could be six months. Could be a year. Maybe even ten. In any case, the timing was entirely up to Shunhi.
Naturally, Boruto—just as thickheaded as his father Naruto—never thought of that. After eating a dinner without Naruto at home, he immediately returned to his bedroom to await the arrival of midnight.
"...It's time."
Lying in bed, Boruto's eyes snapped open. He carefully climbed out of bed, spread the paper with the magic circle on the floor of his room, and prepared the ritual.
"...I wonder if I need some sort of incantation or hand seals... but the Jar Merchant didn't say anything, so I guess not," he muttered, trying to reassure himself.
He waited through the night.
Nothing happened.
Boruto felt like a complete idiot.
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslations.
3 new chapters are released daily—thank you for your support!
Powerstone Event: For every 50 powerstones, 1 chapter will be unlocked.)