Mirai's Adventures

The Nanadaime sat behind his slightly less messy desk, his bandaged fingers folded together. He looked in a much rosier, smiley mood than he did earlier that morning. Standing at attention before him were three of the Genin, and taller Chūnin, that he had called in.

Ever since she had stumbled out from her siesta and briskly had been briefed of her mission by an awaiting bird-mail, then began her sprint, the question that stuck to Mirai was why she had all of a sudden been chosen to lead this very capable team of Genin.

"First off, before we go over why we've decided to assemble you four, we will have to go over the background of the mission request." Naruto cleared his throat.

"The issuer of the request is none other than the big corporation: Konoha TV," said the Nanadaime, who looked at each of them, signifying the name's importance. "As all of you would know, they're the biggest broadcasting company in Konoha—also, the second biggest in the Land of Fire. Are any of you aware of the rumours that have been going around the town recently?"

"Rumours?" wondered Sarada, seemingly without a clue. The others looked as perplexed as Mirai felt, though Boruto had a finger to his chin, then a couple to his hair, seemingly searching for a lost glimmer of a thought in his memory bank.

"Oh yeah!" exclaimed Boruto, blue eyes wide. "Didn't mom say something about some creepy footage playing on the TV?" The Nanadaime, smiling, nodded.

"Correct, Hinata did. And that's exactly right. Apparently—and now evidently, as the mission request has just been received by us—there have been such incidents, of a foreign, unknown broadcast, playing over their TV network," said Naruto.

"Unknown broadcasts?" questioned Mitsuki, looking befuddled.

"What kind of broadcasts?" added Sarada.

"We don't know," answered Shikamaru from beside the window. He stood there in its shadow with the case files clasped in an arm. "The mission details are still vague, and the rumours don't culminate to anything substantial… there are, however, at least two common threads, based on the rumours, that link them mostly together. One, is that the reported incidents occur in the very late night, and secondly… there's a common theme of a 'white room' of sorts in the rumours, of varying descriptions, but without a doubt an ordinary room is being purported with a light colour, shown in the broadcast."

"A white room? That sounds… kind of spooky," Boruto said, curiosity piqued. With that, then and there, with the slight raising of hairs at the back of her neck, Mirai just ever so subtly started to not look forward to the mission.

"Wh-what do you think could be causing this?' she asked her Sensei. 'Do they suspect it to be the work of a group or a shinobi?" Why else would we be involved?

"Most likely it is the work of a hacker, and thus the mission we have is only D-rank level," said Shikamaru.

"A hacker?" wondered Boruto.

It seemed that most of the four young shinobi were confused at the foreign word, including Mirai. Upon noticing their similar expressions, the taller Nara scratched the back of his head and said, "A hacker is person who uses technology to gain unauthorised access to other technologies, to gather intel, but they may also have the ability to control those technologies. But, anyway, your mission isn't to deal with this hacker; we've got another team in mind for that once we've uncovered enough information. Please explain the rest of the mission, Hokage-sama."

"Yeah, rather we've got a different assignment for you guys. Konoha TV suspect that the incidents might be the work of a rival network. As you may know, there are only two networks that share a duopoly over our twenty-four–hour seven days broadcast industry, here in the Land of Fire, so, basically, they want us to investigate the other network. Hi Hōsō Kyōkai. That is the main objective of the mission request: to suspect if they are in any way tied to these incidents." Naruto paused for effect, smiling. "And because I've heard of that name before, quite recently in fact, the idea for this mission came into being…"

"Boruto."

"Yeah?" his son answered.

"Do you know what you're doing the day after tomorrow?"

Boruto eyes didn't blink, then he tilted his head to the side. "Umm… I've got that interview about our battle against Isshiki tomorrow, where I will have to go to…" As Boruto visibly made the connection, Naruto nodded his head.

"Oh yeah, so they are Hi Hōsō Kyōkai."

"Yes. And that's exactly when, and where your mission will begin. As soon as Boruto is having his interview. Listen up you guys…" The Nanadaime's head turned to Mirai.

"Mirai, your role will be guarding my son as he holds his interview within the Fire's studio tomorrow morning, along with the rest of Team 7."

Mirai found the request strange: wondering why a ninja such as the likes of Boruto needed bodyguards in the first place. "You'll be guarding him, but your real purpose is to gather intel through your observations and conversations with the people there."

Huh? "We want you to blend in and get to know the staff there through your conversational and interpersonal skills," added Shikamaru, with a wry smile. "Your role is just a bit of acting, and a bit of asking questions whilst bringing out the subject of the rumours."

Mirai, still surprised at the newness of such a mission, for her, had momentarily doubted her own capabilities. I'm a ninja, not a socialite.

But, in the end she found herself nodding with affirmation, understanding that that was her duty. "Sarada and Mitsuki. Through slipping in with clones, you will do your own covert intelligence gathering inside of their headquarters. That is the crux of the mission—so your part is most important." Both shinobi nodded, and Shikamaru stepped forward to hand them both paper files. They were maps of the building. "You too, Mirai." Shikamaru handed her a copy, which she then skimmed through very briefly.

"We're looking for any leads that connect them with these foreign broadcasts, or anything else of relevant interest," Naruto added, and the three of them gave an affirmative nod.

"What about me?" Boruto enquired about the map.

"And Boruto," said the blond's father.

"Yeah?"

"You are not permitted to engage in this mission beyond your role of participating in the interview, nor are you permitted to use any ninjutsu," he said rather strictly.

"Huh, why not?" Mirai found such a thing strange too.

"Your role is to just conduct the interview, and act as a vehicle of entry so everyone can handle their part of the mission," said Naruto. "And you know why… Sorry Mirai," his voice trailed just as his expression changed and he scratched the back of his head. It seemed very un-Hokage like, but very much Naruto-like to her. "Your mission is also to make sure Boruto follows his orders."

Sarada snickered at the request. Mirai, with a smirk, nodded knowing that it wasn't going to be the easiest of tasks. The younger blond, who was the centre of attention, didn't complain, but nor did he look very pleased either, with his mouth turned away and shaped like a duck's.

"Well, I guess it's fine—for now," Boruto groaned out.

"Indeed," said Naruto.

Mirai knew Boruto enough to find his reaction quite strange, but more so were the prohibitions given to him. Maybe it's something to do with the battle against Isshiki, which I'm not privy to?

"With that, there's one more item I need to discuss," Naruto's eyes fell on Mirai's, and not moving from them, did a sweat bead start to fall from the back of her neck.

"There will be another bodyguard, watching over the whole proceedings of the mission. They'll be in the shadows and their main duty is to watch Boruto; and this will be at all times, whether or not the mission is live. They are above jounin level. Mirai-san, you may wonder why Boruto needs so many bodyguards, and I know you won't ask for the reasons. But we will inform you of them with the success of this mission. For now, consider this a trial to see if you four work well as a team, with Mirai-san taking the injured Konohamaru-san's place as leader."

She hummed in affirmation, standing at attention. The others looked in agreement with the Nanadaime's orders.

"Any other questions?" With that, the minutes on the clock ticked by as other various details of the mission were explained, and soon the new team was dismissed by the Hokage.

"Mirai-chan, wait a moment," called out Shikamaru. The dark-haired teenager stopped at the doorway. Turning, she walked back to where Naruto and her sensei still stood. "Just wanted to say—make sure that you're giving it your all for this mission, okay? Even though it's D-rank."

"Of course, I always do," answered Mirai feeling a little prideful, and confused.

"I know you do. That's all; good luck, and do your best."

"Sensei, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Why was I selected to lead this team, if you don't mind me asking?" Mirai still couldn't shake this feeling, of not being worthy enough to be taking on such a role. She couldn't hide the face of doubt from her teacher.

"Why do you ask?" he fired back.

"Hey, I asked first," said Mirai, a little too casually. Recognising the place she was in, she backpedalled. "Sorry, but… I just don't understand why I qualify to be the leader of this group of chuunin, jounin or even above level of shinobi?" She felt she was giving an honest appraisal of her feelings.

"Well, you're just like them. Young and talented. If you clean up your jutsu transitions, chakra abilities, and sharpen your senses, as well as develop a killer instinct, and sign your contract at the Saru Kingdom, I'd say you'd comfortably qualify as at jounin level," said the advisor. Well, that's a lot of things actually. "And I think, that's partly due to my tutelage, because you think like a jounin. But not all of it came from me, like your formidability with a knife in close quarters, and your innovative-thinking and reflexes. You should have more confidence in your abilities, Mirai-chan."

"Yeah… But—"

"And there are other reasons for it," he added with more seriousness. "You are well-known in the Fire as a shinobi specialising in bodyguarding, so your presence won't raise much suspicion to those who may be alerted. Secondly, we are running short of jounin, so we want Chūnin like yourself filling those roles wherever we can. And lastly, but most importantly—simply put, we think you group of four or five will make a great team, perhaps one day in the future. Each one will likely bring various benefits to the group. That is all." His smirk had returned.

Well, that explains that; I'm not going to get much else from him. Mirai also wondered why her Sensei's smile always seemed so wry to her. Like, there always was a nuance of planning behind the things he'd say, similar in style to that of the rehearsed play-by-play moves of a shogi master, which her Sensei was. She felt that if he wasn't setting her up for something training-related, he would speak nonchalantly or disinterestedly. And she thought he probably liked setting her up with challenges. That was the genius nature of Shikamaru-sensei, her uncle, and she learnt to appreciate the style, and, ultimately, the guidance he has provided to her.

"Thank you, Sensei." She bowed her head, feeling sincere in it. "I'll try my best."

Without a forward glance, Mirai flashed out of the Hokage's office in an instant, whilst Naruto watched on. "Do you think this D-rank mission would be a problem for her?" he asked the Nara.

"Not in the slightest. I wasn't lying when I said that the girl is special—and this is not just my favouritism talking," he chuckled. "She is one of two kunoichi with the highest ceilings in all of Konoha, the other being Sarada. In terms of their abilities, and access to genes and jutsu. Truly, I reckon she could take the mantle of Hokage someday, if she'd ever desire it, and work desperately enough for it…"

"Really?" said the current Hokage. "I mean, it wasn't easy getting this." He picked up his red and white ceremonial hat from the long box behind his desk, and peeked at its insides. "Also, I'm sure that Sarada was pleased to hear about all of what you said before."

"Exactly." Shikamaru chuckled, and then shared a knowing glance with Naruto. 'Really, my one hope is that her new teammates would sooner recognise the fact."