Boruto Light Novel 4

Part 2 (Squid)

Sorry for the wait! I was touching up a story on my other account that elaborates on the events concerning Sarada in Chapter 80... I recommend checking it out if you're caught up with the manga! 

.  .  .

Just before lunch, the students kicked back and relaxed at the beach. People were scattered here and there in their multicolored swimsuits, enjoying the ocean and various water sports available for their leisure. Food stalls lined the surrounding area. Amongst the tourists, the academy students played an intense game of beach volleyball, others amusing themselves by splashing around in the water.

Sarada sat alone on the seashore, staring out at the waves as they came and went, admiring the vast expanse of ocean. As she listened to the repetitive relaxing sound, she felt as though the waves were somehow coursing through her. Washing over her.

She surrendered her mind and body to the waves and water, and a distinct calm seeped into her heart. Just like when she was small enough to be held in her mother and father's arms, the gentle waves gave her the calm and peace of having all of her insecurities and pain washed away.

If she could have her way, she'd stay for longer. But that wish couldn't be granted by the strict school trip schedule. Her time at the beach was a mere extension of their rest break. After lunch, the students were going to attend a small ceremony at The Mist's Memorial Park.

From the beginning, the time she was allowed to spend on the beach wasn't long at all. And to further her reason not to stay any longer, her stomach was protesting her decision to remain still.

I wonder if I should have brought myself a snack, or at least purchased one on the way here...

Her eyes drifted to the food stalls. No no no. It's almost time to eat... You can't have a snack now. You'll just have to wait. Patience, she mentally muttered to shake the hunger off.

And in that moment, something with a heavenly scent was right next to her face.

"Eh?!"

On the stick was grilled squid on a skewer. And the one holding it out to her was Boruto. He was munching on a grilled squid of his own.

"What is this?"

"Squid. It's good."

"No, that's not what I meant..."

"I got a free extra from the stall guy."

Boruto lowered himself down and sat next to her. But he still didn't answer her question. All she knew was that he was in a good mood. Probably because the stall guy was nice enough to give him a free squid.

Geez. He gets along with everyone no matter where he goes. Sarada looked at him with a complicated gaze. But Boruto paid no mind to her stare and continued talking.

"The scenery is nice, the people are nice... This is a really nice place."

"Boruto, I know Auntie Hinata has scolded you for talking with your mouth full before..." As it happened, she'd actually seen it with her own two eyes.

"You're not gonna eat this?" he asked nonchalantly.

This guy... Doesn't he know that he'll get full if he eats before lunch? What's going to happen when he can't eat all his food later and gets hungry again?

"Like I said, I..."

At that moment in time, Sarada's stomach chose to reveal her hunger on its own.

"..."

Blush bloomed across her cheeks. Looking straight down, Sarada extended her hand in Boruto's direction. "I'll take it." Those three sparse words revealed every single one of her true feelings.

"Ah, this is good..."

"Right?" His words were filled with elated pride, cheeks filled with squid.

Sarada didn't really think it was necessary for him to take so much pride in the taste of a skewered snack, but her complicated thoughts were soon melted by the delicious taste of the food he'd offered her.

Now feeling the same emotion behind the happy smile on his face, Sarada nodded her head in agreement.

"I'm glad you like it." The voice that said those words was rather unexpected. Boruto and Sarada turned to find Kagura standing behind them. "To be honest, I wasn't sure if the simple foods in this village would suit your tastes."

Kagura smiled in their direction. It seemed that he was happy that their positive impression of the food was genuine.

"We don't have anything but mountains and forests at home. The food here is seriously delicious!"

At Boruto's opinionated statement, Sarada nodded her head in agreement once again. It was more than delicious enough to satisfy her angry stomach.

Boruto patted the spot next to him, motioning for Kagura to come sit. He lowered himself down between the two of them and breathed out a sigh of relief.

"I see."

Just like the students at the academy were nervous about taking a trip to a foreign country, Kagura was likely nervous about welcoming and accommodating foreign tourists as well.

"One day, I want to visit Konoha," said Kagura, staring off into his imagination.

"There's nothing out there. Just rural countryside," replied Boruto.

"Up until a few years ago, there wasn't anything here either."

"Really?" Sarada took this as a surprise. She thought that since the Land of the Mist was already this developed, it had always been that way.

"That's right. It used to be a poor fishing village whose only feature was the sea breeze... And it wasn't just this place. The whole country was poor," Kagura said, looking out at the scenery. "Around the time Chojuro came to power, it all changed. Now, everyone is able to live life abundantly." He smiled like a seasoned adult.

"Kagura-san, you must like the village as it is now a lot, don't you?" Sarada asked.

"Yes... That's why we can never go back to the age of being called 'Village of the Bloody Mist.'"

Village of the Bloody Mist. That was what Iwabe called it, and what Chojuro spoke about previously. The same words were now uttered by Kagura.

Sarada knew that this peaceful village was once called by a different title. She knew that if they took prisoners of war, they would never see their home country again. They were tortured, their techniques stolen, and then they were eliminated. No one could get in, and no one could get out. It was one of the most secretive and trustless places in the nation.

In the era of the fourth Mizukage, Terumi Mei's predecessor, a strict caste system was established. The ruling was so strict and the punishment so severe that even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen tried to go rogue.

Sarada finally understood some of the reasons behind Kagura's lonesome expressions. He was thinking about what the village used to be, and not what it was now. Initiating the change must have been difficult. And just because some things changed didn't mean everything was suddenly different. There must have been memories he was still holding onto from the past.

Sarada herself still hadn't forgotten the days when she wondered whether or not she was truly loved. It was embarrassing to think about now, but perhaps the day would come when she would look back on that time and reminisce. Perhaps that was what it meant to change.

. . .