A Tricky Assignment

Back in Konoha, Naruto praises Team 7 for their work in the Land of Water, already briefed by Chojuro, and Katasuke marvels at how Boruto's willingness to risk his life to end the fighting has lifted the village's standing. Shikamaru reports the Funato have lost much of their sway and now sit under Kirigakure's watch. At Funamushi's grave, Gokai vows to raise Kobuna into someone the man would have admired, and the boy resolves to grow strong enough to shield those around him. Jibiki, still shattered by Isari's death, and Araumi both languish in prison. When Boruto asks after Ikada, Naruto says Chojuro made no mention of him, and he and Shikamaru suspect the former commander will be charged.

Boruto argues that Ikada was the one who halted the bloodshed, and that punishing him regardless could rekindle the war, while Kawaki counters that Araumi turned the Chakra Cannon on both of them and finds Boruto's view naive. Their debate over the cycle of hatred and revenge sends Kawaki storming off, where he crosses paths with Team 5; Iwabee reads his mood as the aftermath of a fight with Boruto, and Denki has to keep tempers from flaring by invoking Kagura's hopes, though Kawaki dismisses them as naive too.

In Kirigakure, Misuno delivers damage reports that will take Chojuro's people a long recovery to overcome, and the two note the heavy loss of life, including the daimyo's son. With the daimyo demanding severe punishment for ringleaders Araumi and Ikada, Chojuro worries about further inflaming Funato sympathizers and concludes the Land of Water's overly rapid modernization created the strain behind the whole conflict.

Chojuro spares Ikada from imprisonment in gratitude for ending the war, instead placing him under Kajiki's surveillance, and halts the Shinonome Project to rebuild popular support, which eases tensions among most Funato backers. Naruto, relating to Boruto's turmoil from his own past, urges the boy to mend things with Kawaki. Mitsuki senses Kawaki was conflicted during the argument and credits Boruto's influence for Kawaki sparing Araumi. When Sarada tries to reconcile the two, they brawl instead; rather than intervene, Naruto lets them tire themselves out and then treats them to ramen while sharing Chojuro's decision.

The episode falls within the Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations and is based on the Boruto manga. It aired in Japan on 26 June 2022 and in English on 14 November 2023. The opening theme is GOLD and the ending theme is Twilight Fuzz. Buntan and Kyoho's visit to Kagura and Hebiichigo's graves closes out several of the arc's personal threads.