Ao (episode)

Synopsis
Konohamaru is suspicious of the empty container, and copies data from it. Mugino recognises one of his assailants as a subordinate of Victor's, and is attacked by an automaton. Mugino urges Konohamaru to run as more automatons appear. In Konoha, Sasuke reveals he hasn't discovered any worthwhile information about Kara, much to everyone's surprise. They speculate their headquarters must be underground, and recall that Kara also has ties to the seal in Boruto's hand. Katasuke arrives, further stoking Boruto's disdain for scientific ninja tools. Naruto reaffirms their and Katasuke's worth as supports for the Hokage, and assigns Team 7 to escort Katasuke and the prosthetic to another lab. Boruto walks away, and Naruto requests Sarada and Mitsuki to keep an eye on Boruto's seal. Despite Shikamaru's concern, Sasuke is certain Boruto will come around about the mission. Sarada understands Boruto's feelings about scientific ninja tools, but wants to live up to the expectations of receiving a mission straight from the Hokage. Mitsuki explains that while he's always tied his choices to Boruto's, he'll be part of this mission even if Boruto isn't, and that this isn't any tool, it's Naruto's hand, which plays a part in protecting the village and everyone in it. He adds that with Kara making moves, he can't afford to let Sarada face the danger alone. Boruto is convinced, as Mitsuki thought he would. Amado does maintenance on Jigen, who is still concerned about uncovering the traitor responsible for the crash. Amado is confused, so Jigen explains that while Victor did try to steal the vessel, someone else had the ship crash. His agreement to an unnecessary move was a bait to draw them into action. Amado asks how he knows it wasn't Victor. Jigen felt the vessel being moved through the Kāma before the ship crash, something Victor couldn't have done. Ever since discovering the vessel, Jigen had been worried something would happen. Amado takes Jigen's words as an order to investigate the other Inners, which he confesses will be troublesome. Team 7 and Katasuke take the Thunder Train for their mission, where they find Ao. Katasuke introduces Ao as one of his patients, though neither can remember the last time they met. Sarada notes Boruto's diligence in carrying the prosthetic, but Boruto reaffirms his disdain from scientific ninja tools. Sarada points out the games and computers he enjoys are also fruit of scientific developments. Katasuke add that while scientific ninja tools are the launch pad, most of the technology developed ends up with civilian applications. Katasuke offers to adjust the wrist of Ao's prosthetic arm. Ao says that old habits from active service die hard. Boruto is surprised to learn Ao was a shinobi, and Mitsuki asks which village he is from. Ao answers he's from Kiri, and is likewise surprised to learn Boruto has visited it as part of a school trip, noting how much it has changed. Ao credits him being alive to scientific ninja tools, and when Boruto is still lukewarm about them, he takes the screwdriver Katasuke is using on him, and comes close to stabbing Boruto. He points out that they're not inherently good or bad, it all depends on how they're used. Team 7 and Katasuke depart, having arrived at their station. From the bench behind him, Koji Kashin addresses Ao. As an Outer, he expected Victor to be the one to reach out to him, only to learn he's dead. Koji asks why he went to see Katasuke. Ao says he'd kill Katasuke if he remembered anything, Koji praising the skill with which Ao placed him under genjutsu and extracted information about the scientific ninja tools from him. Koji tasks him with retrieving the vessel and killing anyone that interacted with it. Ao warns it's likely to get dramatic. Konohamaru helps Mugino, who tells him to abandon him. Konohamaru refuses, and says help should be on the way. Koji leaves him a box with intel and weapons, though he believes Ao might not even need them. Sarada notices Boruto's more positive disposition, which he credits to Ao, who he wants to meet again. Ao considers seeing combat again for the first time in sixteen years.