The office smelled like ink, scrolls, and a man trying not to collapse under twenty tons of paperwork.
My father—no, the Hokage—didn't even look up when I stepped inside. He was hunched over his desk, scribbling something on a document like it personally offended him.
"Dad."
He blinked, looked up, and forced a smile. "Oh, hey. Boruto. What brings you here?"
I crossed my arms. "I want a mission."
Naruto's expression shifted.
Not confused. Not surprised. Just… tense.
"You're not a genin yet," he said calmly, setting his brush down. "Academy students don't get missions. You know that."
I didn't back down.
"I know. But I'm not just an academy student."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I've been training under Kakashi for two years," I said. "You know what I've learned. You even said I'm ahead of the curve."
Naruto leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his chest. "You're strong, Boruto. No doubt. But this isn't a game. Missions aren't sparring sessions or bell tests. They're messy. Real. People die."
"I'm not asking to lead a squad or take on some rogue ninja," I shot back. "Just a simple mission. Something quiet. An escort job. I just… I want to see what the world is really like."
For a moment, he didn't answer.
He just stared at me. Not as a Hokage. But as a father.
"You want to know what Kakashi said?" he asked suddenly.
I nodded.
"He said you're clever. Calm. That your growth was… remarkable." Naruto's gaze softened. "But he also said that once you step into the real world, everything changes. And it's not easy going back."
"Then let me take one step," I said. "I'm not asking to graduate early. I'm not asking to become a ninja. Just one mission. As your son… I want to grow stronger. As your subordinate… I need experience."
There was a long silence.
Naruto looked out the window of his office, toward the Hokage Monument in the distance. His own face carved into the stone, weathered by rain and time.
"I used to hate this office," he muttered. "I thought it would be all glory. Turns out it's mostly meetings, complaints, and signing papers till your hand cramps."
I blinked. "…You okay?"
He smiled slightly. "Yeah. Just remembering when I was like you. Hungry for missions. Ready to prove myself."
"Then you understand."
"I do," he said softly. "That's why it's hard."
Another pause.
Then finally, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…Fine. But listen carefully."
My eyes lit up.
Naruto fixed me with a sharp, authoritative glare—Hokage mode engaged.
"You are not to act unless instructed. This is strictly an observation mission. You will stay close to the team, follow orders, and report everything back. No lone hero stuff. Understood?"
I nodded. "Understood."
"And you're not going alone," he added. "I'll assign two chunin to the mission, and one of my personal ANBU will monitor from the shadows. You won't know who, and that's on purpose."
"Wait… seriously?"
"This is me compromising. Don't push it."
I smiled. "Thanks, Dad."
Naruto stared at me for a second, then leaned back with a heavy sigh. "You're growing too fast…"
---
Naruto pressed a button on his desk, summoning one of his ANBU.
Within moments, a figure appeared silently on one knee—dark cloak, porcelain mask, presence like a ghost.
"Lord Seventh."
Naruto didn't even look at him. "Find two chunin capable of handling an escort mission. Civilian caravan heading east, minor village sector. Include an academy student as an observer. Keep it quiet."
"Yes, sir."
Naruto added, "And assign one of our personal ANBU to shadow the mission. Discreetly."
The masked shinobi gave a slight nod and vanished in a flicker of chakra.
---
As I turned to leave, Naruto called out behind me.
"Boruto."
I paused.
"I'm letting you take this step because I trust you. Don't make me regret it."
I didn't say anything for a second. Then, over my shoulder—
"You won't."
---