When they reached the clearing, Konohamaru was the first to join in the fun - and the silliest of all. He dropped his backpack under the first tree he saw, tore off his shirt and ran towards the river. With an exaggerated leap, he landed on his back in the water, splashing everyone.

  The girls screamed; the boys complained; only Mitsuki laughed at the scene.

  Gradually, the group began to organize itself, sorting out bathing suits and distributing belongings. All except Shin, who preferred to keep watch near the backpacks.

  - You've been on guard long enough, you idiot - Boruto teased, poking him with the tip of a kunai he'd taken from his pocket. - Stop playing the hero and come have some fun.

  - No, it's okay, Boruto. Go on. I'm tired, I'll organize lunch.

  - Oh, right. You're not even a Chuunin yet, are you? - Boruto crossed his arms behind his head, closing his eyes with a smug smile. - I bet this mission pace is taking its toll on you.

  - That must be it,” Shin replied, out of patience, as he rummaged through his bag and his sister's in search of chestnuts.

  Hanami, already dressed in shorts and a bustier, looked at her brother and realized that he hadn't even changed. She waited for the group to move away and approached discreetly.

  - What is it, brother?

  Hanami knew Shin like no one else. Every expression on his face had a meaning, and that one in particular was worrying.

  - I'm sure we're being followed, Hanami.

  She clenched her jaw, the muscles in her body stiffening at the same moment.

  - Talk to the brother, Shin. This is very serious.

  - I don't have any concrete proof, just a feeling. But we're not fools, I know that if there is an attack, everyone will be prepared... except you. I just need you to pretend that nothing is happening. Go and play normally. If I come near, keep an eye out.

  Hanami hesitated, but nodded.

  - All right.

  Saying that, she left and walked down to the river, where the others were already diving. Mitsuki, on the other hand, was sitting on the edge, just watching. Hanami tried to distract himself, but couldn't relax.

  Five minutes later, an icy tightness formed in her stomach.

  She looked in Shin's direction.

  And then, without a second thought, he took off running.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Seeing Mitsuki nearby, she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along.

  His face was filled with despair.

  - What's wrong? Hanami! Hanami! - Mitsuki tried to ask, in vain, being dragged away by the girl.

  - Hurry, Mitsuki!

  Shin barely had time to drop the bag of fruit he was holding in his lap. Seeing his sister and Mitsuki running towards him, he reflexively pulled out a Kunai and stood up quickly - only to find himself facing a paralyzed ninja, a weapon raised above his head, ready to strike a blow.

  He looked back and saw Hanami trying his best to maintain the Shadow Jutsu. Mitsuki, sensing the imminent danger, launched his snakes around Shin, pulling him away at the last second. Six Kunais sank into the ground where he had been a moment before.

  The relief was short-lived. In a matter of seconds, they were surrounded by around ten ninjas. They fought as best they could, striking with knives and dodging between enemy attacks.

  When Sarada, Boruto and Konohamaru arrived, they saw an immense wave of earth rising into the air, a devastating Jutsu conjured up by one of the opponents.

  - Rasengan! - The dark orb spun in Shin's palm before crashing into the wall of earth, shattering it to pieces. Boruto stopped where he was, surprised.

  So it was true. The unknown boy really did have the same Jutsu as him.

  But there was no time to think about it. One of the enemy ninjas held a scroll aloft and shouted something to the others. In an instant, they all retreated and fired into the forest.

  Hanami and Shin paled.

  - They've taken the scroll! - The thought came as a shock. Without hesitation, the brothers ran after the red-clad ninjas.

  Boruto and Konohamaru set off after them, but the captain soon intervened, blocking their path.

  - Let them go! - Konohamaru ordered. - Now!

  - But...

  - That's an order!

  The brothers looked at each other, hesitated, but obeyed. Konohamaru was the captain. Even if they didn't understand, they knew they had to follow orders.

  The return journey was silent. The group gloomily prepared to continue their journey. They had lost the scroll. The objective of the mission. How would they move on now?

  They walked in heavy silence for almost an hour. The formation seemed instinctive: Konohamaru and Sarada in the lead, followed by Mitsuki and Hanami. Boruto and Shin in the rear.

  Shin noticed that no one was talking. Team 7 must have been devastated. But what bothered him most was the absence of new orders, of a plan to recover the scroll. The main mission had been compromised, and yet... nothing.

  The walk stretched on until Boruto, out of nowhere, shouted:

  - Whew! We've stopped here, brother Konohamaru.

  - It's about time,” said the captain, halting their steps. The group, almost without realizing it, formed a circle around him. - We'd have another hour to walk, but this place is more suitable for resting. Tomorrow we'll cover the delay.

  He began to distribute tasks:

  - Set up the tents. Hanami, please build a fire in the center. The rest of you, sit around it.

  They obeyed. As he scratched the ground with a stick, Konohamaru threw the question into the air:

  - Impressions?

  - They were low-class ninjas - Sarada began, with a serious expression. - They couldn't have been officially sent by Earth Country, as they tried to make it look with those uniforms and bandanas. They were terrified by my Fireball, as if they had never seen anything like it before. How is that possible?

  - Excellent observation, Sarada. But who would care if we believed they were elite ninjas? - Konohamaru commented, with a watchful eye.

  - Here it is, sensei - Mitsuki appeared with a snake, which “vomited” the scroll. Hanami and Konohamaru made disgusted faces, but Konohamaru was the one who caught it.

  - You were right, Mitsuki. There couldn't be a safer place. It was an excellent tactic.

  - But how could anyone know about our trip? - Boruto asked, with a thoughtful expression. - For me, that's the real mystery.

  - Keep good records, Boruto,” Konohamaru said, with a wry smile. - After all, you're the one who's going to write the report this time.

  - Argh! - Boruto grumbled, grinding his teeth. He hated writing reports and, even more, being the one to deliver them to his father.