The sun was shining. Birds were chirping. And I was walking beside Sarada Uchiha, the undisputed best girl of this generation.
Okay, don't call me a pedophile. Let's get that out of the way first.
I know how this sounds — a grown-ass otaku who got isekai'd into a five-year-old's body, now crushing on a fellow five-year-old. But hear me out! She's cute. She's kind. She's smart. And in the manga, she literally falls for Boruto. Which means… win-win, right?
Besides, she's the only one with a functional Sharingan and personality, unlike that class rep girl whose name I always forget. Was it Sumire? Yeah. Didn't she turn out to be a villain or something? I can't remember if it was a demon thing or some revenge arc, but I'm not risking it. I've watched enough anime to know pink-haired girls with soft voices and trauma are secretly ticking time bombs.
"Boruto."
Huh?
"Boruto."
I blinked, snapping out of my monologue. Sarada was frowning at me like I just drooled on her glasses.
"What are you daydreaming about?" she asked, adjusting those signature red frames of hers.
"Nothing. Just… contemplating life," I said, vaguely philosophical and totally not imagining shipping charts in my head.
"Contemplating life?" she raised an eyebrow. "At five?"
"Hey. Some of us mature early," I said, grinning.
She shook her head and kept walking. I followed, still thinking: Yeah, I can work with this. Maybe in ten years, we'll be Konoha's new power couple. Sasuke and Sakura, but without the childhood trauma and emotional repression.
We reached the Academy building, its towering structure just as nostalgic as it was in the anime. Stepping inside, all heads turned.
And I mean all.
The moment we entered the classroom, it was like walking into a press conference.
"Whoa, it's Boruto!"
"He's the Hokage's son, right?"
"Wow, he looks so cool!"
"Do you think he knows a Rasengan already?"
I swear, it was like I had paparazzi following me. So this is what it's like to be Naruto's son, huh? Funny, in the anime they kinda treated Boruto like just another kid. I never really got that. The dude's literally the heir to the ninja throne — a celebrity kid — but was somehow ignored?
Not on my watch.
I smiled and waved politely, channeling my inner Itachi Uchiha. Calm. Cool. Collected. A man of few words and fewer fumbles.
Maybe I should go see Kakashi-sensei after this. If anyone can teach me the way of the chill, it's him.
A few familiar faces popped up in the crowd — Denki, Iwabe, Inojin, and of course, Shikadai. Future partners in crime. Or mischief. Or failed missions, depending on the plot arc.
Just then, the classroom door slid open and in walked our sensei.
"Good morning, everyone! Take your seats!"
Generic Teacher-kun, with his forgettable design and disposable screen time. Poor guy. Hope he has good retirement benefits.
"I'm glad to see everyone here! Today, we'll be doing introductions!"
Here we go again. The anime introduction scene. Cue the personality reveals and character development foreshadowing.
One by one, they stood up.
"I'm Inojin Yamanaka. I like drawing, and I hate people who smudge my ink. I guess I'm... neutral about everything else."
Bro sounds like a passive-aggressive Instagram filter.
"I'm Shikadai Nara. I like napping. I hate responsibility. Being here is already a drag."
Respect.
Sarada stood next. "I'm Sarada Uchiha. I want to be Hokage someday."
That line always hits. Classic rival-to-protagonist energy.
When it was my turn, I stood up slow and confident.
"I'm Boruto Uzumaki. Son of the Seventh Hokage. I like ramen, sleeping in, and making my own path. That's it."
Boom. Mic drop.
The rest of the class clapped. Some even cheered. Sarada gave me a curious side glance — half impressed, half suspicious.
We finished up class without incident.
As we walked out, Shikadai walked up beside me, hands in pockets like a 40-year-old tax accountant.
"Yo, Boruto. You're acting kinda different today."
I shrugged. "Trying to be better."
He raised a brow. "Better how?"
"Just... better." I flashed a casual smile and started walking faster.
"Wanna hang out?"
"Got stuff to do at home," I lied, already mentally planning my next move.
---
When I got home, Hinata greeted me at the door like the walking embodiment of motherhood.
"Welcome back, Boruto! How was your first day?"
"It was good, Mom," I said honestly. "I didn't mess anything up. Yet."
She laughed, brushing my hair. "I'm glad to hear that. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Cool! I'll be back in a bit!" I shouted, already halfway out the door.
"Be careful, sweetie!" she called after me.
I ran through the streets of Konoha, soaking it all in. The market stalls. The warm air. The smell of dumplings and grilled fish. This really was the Naruto world. But this time… I could do it right.
"Hey, young lord! Want some sweet buns?"
"Fresh melons, on the house, Boruto-sama!"
I smiled and waved, politely declining. "Thank you! Maybe next time!"
Whispers followed me as I passed.
"He's really polite today…"
"So different from usual…"
"I always knew he had his father's heart!"
Mission: Become Likeable — progressing smoothly.
Eventually, I reached the one place I knew I had to go: Ichiraku Ramen.
And guess who was sitting there, sipping soup like he owned the place?
"Yo, Kakashi-jii-san," I said, slipping onto the seat beside him.
He glanced over, eye smiling. "Boruto, huh? Fancy meeting you here."
"I could say the same."
"What brings you here? Not skipping class already, are you?"
"Nope. I want to ask you something."
"Oh?"
"I want you to train me."
He blinked. Then smiled. "Oh ho? The Hokage's son wants me to train him?"
"Yup. Dad's always busy. And you're... not."
"Hah! Fair enough," he chuckled. "Well, I suppose I've got nothing better to do these days. I taught your dad and Sasuke once too. Might as well see if you live up to the legacy."
My heart beat faster.
"Come on," Kakashi said, standing up. "Let's see what you've got, Boruto-kun."
---
We arrived at Training Ground 3, the classic field of destiny.
Kakashi pulled out two bells from his pouch.
"Oh god," I said. "Are you serious?"
"Dead serious," he said, grinning. "If you want to be better — prove it."