Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 18 Kabuto the Pharmacist

Not long after Boruto stepped out of the Konoha Ninja Academy, a man wearing round-framed glasses, who was not particularly tall but gave off a capable air, suddenly appeared in front of him and blocked his way.

The newcomer adjusted his glasses, looked Boruto up and down, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "You seem to be a new face. Nice to meet you. Please allow me to introduce myself first—my name is Kabuto Yakushi."

Boruto stared at Kabuto Yakushi in front of him, knowing in his heart that he would become the director of an orphanage in Konoha in the future. He was a very powerful medical ninja, and Boruto had seen him a few times when he was interacting with his father.

"Hello, I'm Boruto Namikaze, Naruto's friend," Boruto replied politely.

However, the moment Kabuto heard the name "Hiroto Namikaze," a strange glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"Oh? So it's Boruto... So, are you also here to participate in the Chunin Exams of Konoha?" Kabuto Yakushi asked Boruto softly.

"The Chunin Exams in Konoha? When are they going to be held?" Boruto looked completely bewildered, clearly unaware of the matter. "Kakashi-sensei didn't mention anything about it to me..."

"Huh? You didn't know? The Chunin Exams will be held in Konoha soon. Not only will our village's ninjas be showing off their skills, but elite ninjas from major villages like Sunagakure, Amegakure, and Otogakure will also be participating in the Chunin Exams!"

Kabuto paused, sighed slightly, and continued, "Alas, I am also one of those who came to participate in this Chunin Exam, but to my shame, I have failed the Chunin Exam six times in a row... three or four years. I am still just an insignificant genin from Konoha."

"It's truly a complete failure. Perhaps it's because I'm too weak that I've ended up in this situation." Kabuto Yakushi shook his head helplessly, a bitter expression on his face.

He slowly spread his hands, as if declaring his powerlessness to Boruto.

Boruto was shocked when he heard Kabuto's confession. Even this powerful ninja who would become the director of an orphanage in the future had failed the Chunin Exams for several years in a row. Just how difficult were the Chunin Exams in this era?

Could he also follow in his footsteps, failing to break through for several years in a row, and ultimately becoming a perpetual genin? The thought sent a chill down Boruto's spine.

Boruto couldn't help but shudder at the thought that he might fail the exam for many years in a row and become a perpetual genin.

After Boruto chatted with Kabuto for a while, he realized it was getting late and Naruto would probably be back soon, so he said goodbye to Kabuto.

Kabuto gazed thoughtfully at Boruto's departing figure. Namikaze... Boruto? It seems there's an unexpected surprise on his way back to Konoha.

Kabuto then disappeared into the shadows, preparing to begin gathering information about Boruto Namikaze.

......

Several days have passed since Boruto began investigating the Nine-Tails' rampage; time has slipped away unnoticed.

Life these past few days seems to have been much the same as usual, with everything proceeding at its usual pace.

It's nothing more than practicing ninjutsu daily and eating Ichiraku Ramen three times a day.

Because of eating Ichiraku Ramen day after day, Boruto has recently started trying to avoid Naruto whenever it's mealtime, running as far away as possible.

Unfortunately, Naruto knew the layout of the village like the back of his hand; his familiarity with it was almost outrageous.

His Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is like a carpet search, omnipresent, leaving Naruto nowhere to hide.

Whenever Boruto tries to sneak away, he can always sense Naruto's shadow clones waiting quietly in some corner, and he can't fly away even if he grows two wings.

At this moment, Boruto's heart was filled with longing for Rai Hamburger.

However, reality is cruel; Boruto's current era does not have Rai Hamburger, a regret that makes him feel extremely lost.

He started to think to himself that perhaps he should let his dad try some new foods.

......

At this moment, Boruto and Naruto, as usual, have successfully completed their daily training tasks and assigned work.

"I'm so tired today, I feel like I've used up all my energy." Naruto said, stretching as he did so, a weary smile on his face.

"As expected, only a big bowl of ramen can truly fill my stomach and restore my strength." He turned his head and looked at Boruto with expectant eyes. "Let's go, let's go to Ichiraku Ramen." With that, Naruto eagerly pulled Boruto towards Ichiraku Ramen.

Upon hearing Naruto's suggestion, Boruto immediately stopped and grabbed Naruto, a stiff but polite smile on his face: "Naruto, I'd like to try something different today."

Naruto looked at Boruto with a surprised expression, his mouth slightly agape and his eyes revealing a hint of confusion: "Huh? Why? Ichiraku Ramen is so delicious! If I could eat Ichiraku Ramen every day like this, it would be the greatest happiness in life." He muttered, completely puzzled by Boruto's thoughts.

Boruto's lips twitched slightly as he listened to Naruto's words. He thought to himself, "Your expectations of life were really low before, you were so easily satisfied." However, on the surface, he maintained a smile and tried to explain his point of view to Naruto in a rational way.

“Think about it,” Boruto said patiently, his voice gentle and rational. “Eating the same thing all the time gets boring, doesn’t it? Trying different foods can add fun and novelty to life. Besides, they say that short separations are for better reunions…”

Boruto coaxed Naruto with sweet words and made grand promises, and after a lot of effort, he finally succeeded in persuading Naruto.

Just as the two of them were looking for a new store, Naruto noticed something was wrong.

Naruto slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the villagers who were whispering among themselves. Then he approached Boruto and asked softly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Have you noticed that the way they look at us seems a little different than before?"

After hearing this, Boruto also looked around, but still shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "Really? I feel like it's still the same as always."

Just then, an older woman selling apples noticed them and walked straight towards them.

With a broad smile, the woman shoved two large, red apples into Boruto's arms, saying enthusiastically, "These apples were just picked today, they're so fresh! If you don't mind, you can take them."

Seeing this, the roadside vendors followed suit. In the blink of an eye, the two were surrounded. Faced with the villagers' sudden enthusiasm, Boruto was momentarily flustered and at a loss.