A Wish

Synopsis
Mozuku leads Kawaki through the shortest route to the Land of Calm Seas, hoping to intercept Kurobane, who he reveals in an Anbu in service of the daimyō. He apologises for splitting his team, but Kawaki explains they were never his team. Shikadai takes an injured Chōchō back to Konoha. Konohamaru updates Naruto and Shikamaru that all the recently murdered boys were from the Land of Calm Seas. Believing it to be related, Naruto orders reinforcements, recalling that Team 7 is also out on a mission. Finishing the mission, Mitsuki receives the order, recalling that Boruto's intuition was right. Shikadai stops to let Chōchō rest, and they're approached by Boruto and Sarada, who decided to check on them after seeing the suspicious shinobi around the same area of their mission. Shikadai tells Boruto that Kawaki left with the client. Kawaki and Mozuku catch up to Kurobane. Mozuku tries appealing to him as a Land of Calm Seas citizen, but Kurobane thinks a shinobi should do only as ordered by their employer. He casts a fog from which several clones appear. When Kawaki's attacks go through them, Mozuku believes they might be genjutsu, but is unable to break through it. Kurobane explains the fog is created from ambient moisture, including their own body moisture, which will leave them as dried husks. Kawaki is hit by a real blade, which he has to dodge as he continues to dry up. He determines that since the real sword is moving unnaturally, the real Kurobane must be controlling it nearby. He disperses some of the fog with a Fire Release, revealing blood threads, which he uses to aim an energy blast at the real Kurobane. He dodges it, but is hit by Kawaki, clearing the fog. Kawaki collects the medicine package, but Kurobane recalls his blade with blood threads. Mozuku protects him with his own body, and tells Kawaki he's the only one who can get it back. Kurobane sends his blade at Kawaki again, but Boruto arrives, breaking it with a Rasengan. He attempts to escape, but is stopped by Shikadai. Kawaki pummels Kurobane and checks on Mozuku. He asks Kawaki to deliver the medicine to his nation in his stead, his sensei being in a nearby checkpoint. He gives him his money, his thanks, and dies. Kawaki takes the medicine, Boruto and Shikadai go with him. They come across more pursuers, so the two stay behind to deal with them while Kawaki goes on ahead. Kawaki reaches the checkpoint, and Mozuku's sensei asks about him, recognising the package. An enemy appears and holds a kunai to him, asking for the package. Kawaki hands him the empty box and defeats him, giving its actual contents to Mozuku's sensei. He mourns Mozuku's death and Kawaki informs him Mozuku's body is in the forest. He thanks Kawaki and leaves. Boruto and Shikadai arrive, and three go back to Konoha as it begins to rain. Kawaki blames his disobedience for Mozuku's death, thinking himself unfit for being a shinobi, despite Shikadai pointing out there are always unforeseen circumstances. Kawaki passes out. Back in Konoha, while they can't directly intervene with the Land of Calm Seas daimyō, they can organise aid relief with the medical-nin. Boruto informs Naruto that Kawaki and Chōchō are doing better. Sarada visits Chōchō, and tells her how Kawaki is doing. Boruto and Mitsuki visit him, bringing him a bag full of taiyaki, and are concerned about him after they leave. Kawaki leaves the hospital and runs into Shikadai, who takes him to the Konoha Cemetery. He shows his grandfather's grave, and tells how everyone there died for the village. Shikadai explains that as team-mates, they share the joys, sorrows, pain together, and that as team captain, the mission was his responsibility. They have to move forward because they're alive. Later, Naruto checks on Kawaki, who wants to keep trying at being shinobi no matter how long it takes. Naruto tells him that based on Shikadai's report, despite his issues, he can carry out missions as a genin, so he won't take another exam because he passed. He'll accompany Naruto on missions. He points out that Mozuku gave his life for his country, and asks what is a shinobi exactly. Naruto says he'll have to work out that answer himself. Kawaki is committed to never make the same mistake again and get stronger.