Those Like-Minded

Inojin drops by Himawari's home with a jar of her favorite honey, and on his way out Koji reaches him through a toad. Reading the shift in the boy's face, Koji confirms that Inojin loves Himawari and that he would do anything to keep her safe. Because their aims line up, Koji brings Inojin to his hideout by Reverse Summoning and introduces himself as someone defending the planet from the looming danger. There Inojin also meets Boruto, who reassures him, yet finds there is no way for him to leave the place.

At the Human God Trees' lair, Hidari catches Jura wiping away a tear over a novel; Jura admits the invented tale somehow reached his heart, which Hidari likens to the emotions Jura felt from Matsuri during her run-in with Konohamaru. Breaking his silence, Mamushi says he means to devour Ada out of a hunger for control and her superior genetic makeup, dismissing love entirely, though he argues their kind should flourish, and Jura muses this could teach them about love.

In Konohagakure, Koji contacts Shikamaru telepathically through Inojin's cooperation, a link hidden from the Sensory Division, just as Shikamaru heads to a summoned council session. Koji warns that Shikamaru risks losing the Hokage seat and promises to coach him. At the meeting Shikamaru meets Konohamaru, Sai, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the daimyō's aide Kobu. Koharu raises the Land of Wind mission, and Kobu conveys the daimyō's doubts about Shikamaru's authority, hinting at penalties beyond budget cuts. Shikamaru defends his choices without naming the source of his intelligence, prompting the elders to suspect Boruto is feeding it, and rumors that he schemes with the Human God Trees. Konohamaru speaks up for Boruto, but the councilors brand him an unforgivable criminal, and Kobu, convinced a mole hides in the leadership, orders Sai to take Konohamaru in for questioning.

Afterward Inojin frets over the rules they broke by eavesdropping, while Boruto and Koji insist such cunning is required against the enemy. Koji presses Boruto about his standing with Momoshiki and gets a deliberately vague reply, each accusing the other of hoarding secrets. Koji reveals Mamushi will reach Konoha in one week to target Ada. At the safehouse, Ada questions whether Sumire and Sarada are truly under her enchantment, since real victims could never openly discuss loving someone else in front of her. As Daemon advances and Sarada activates her Mangekyō Sharingan, he darts behind the pair and grips both by the neck, warning that any move is meaningless if she dies before she can make it.

Koji recruits Inojin through his love for Himawari and brings him to his hideout, where Inojin cannot escape. Mamushi declares his intent to consume Ada for control and her genetics. Shikamaru faces the Konoha Council, defends his decisions without revealing Boruto as his source, and Konohamaru is hauled off for interrogation after defending Boruto. Koji warns that Mamushi will strike Konoha in one week to claim Ada. Ada deduces that Sarada and Sumire are immune to her power, and Daemon seizes both by the throat.

The chapter falls within the Mamushi Arc and was compiled into the seventh Blue Vortex volume. It appeared in V Jump during November 2025.