I'm sure there are plenty of you who don't remember it, but this idea was inspired by another story called Naruto GX RPM. And it was a four-way crossover between Naruto, Power Rangers RPM, Sailor Moon, and Yu-Gi-Oh GX. It's personally one of my favorite stories, though I skipped the more mature parts of the story and mostly tried to read the more important aspects of its plot. But well, without further ado, on to the story, shall we!

*I don't own Naruto/Boruto the Next Generation, Yu-Gi-Oh GX, or Power Rangers Dino Thunder!*

Dialogue Key

"Dino Thunder, power up!" = Regular Speech

'Crowler really has it out for me, doesn't he?' = Someone's Thoughts

(Stardust Dragon [Dragon/Synchro/Effect] WIND [Level 8] ATK: 2500/ DEF: 2000) = Monster Card Stats

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" = Someone Yelling

A Long Term Mission Begins

In the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Boruto Uzumaki, the son of the Seventh Hokage and Hero of the World, Naruto Uzumaki, was scowling at the bane of every Genin Team's existence. A feline named Tora who had escaped from the Fire Daimyo's daughter, and seems to do so on a regular daily basis. Upon capture, Boruto suffered all the damage since his teammates, Sarada Uchiha and Mitsuki, didn't bother to help him catch the damn thing! His face was covered in Band-Aids, and even the metal plate of his headband has small scratch marks from that demon cat's claws.

But now, after having witnessed just how that cat is treated by an overly affectionate owner, there is one thing he can't help but say once the Fire Daimyo's daughter is out of hearing range.

"...That poor, miserable creature. No wonder it keeps running away like that."

"Yeah, I understand what you mean, Son. That cat's mother was the same way when I was your age and had to chase after it. ...And I myself have the tiny scars on my face to prove it..." Naruto admitted with a sheepish grin before lightly glaring at Sarada and Mitsuki, who were trying to look anywhere but at the Hokage. "And it seems that, like me, you too were left to carry out this mission on your own."

Sarada and Mitsuki still refused to look at the Hokage, knowing he would chew them out about this severely if they have him their real reason for not helping their comrade with the mission. No matter how demeaning the mission itself was. And the disappointed look that their sensei, Konohamaru, was giving the two of them certainly didn't help matters.

"Care to explain?" Naruto asked.

But both children know that it's not a request. And they can't even lie to the Hokage and just blame it on Boruto, like they originally planned, because thanks to having Kurama - the Kyuubi no Kitsune, sealed into him when he was a baby, the Seventh Hokage can read people's emotions like an open book. He'll know if they're lying no matter how good a poker face they have.

"Uh, well… that is… uh…" stuttered Sarada, unable to form the words.

"With all due respect, Lord Seventh, Sarada and I abandoned the mission, and by extension Boruto, because it was nothing more than a waste of our time and resources to chase after an escaped cat just to send it back to that… that… TORTURE." Mitsuki explained.

Nobody could really deny that what the Daimyo's daughter called cuddling, her cat would call torture.

"Therefore, in light of how our skills as ninjas are being wasted on such menial tasks, Sarada and I respectfully request a higher rank mission." Mitsuki requested with a slight undertone of arrogance.

"Well, request denied."

"What?! Why?!" Both Mitsuki and Sarada demanded.

"Well, three reasons. First: you three are just newly minted Genin ninjas. Barely out of your academy days. You must complete a certain amount of D-Rank missions before you're allowed to take any higher rank missions, which are normally low C-Rank, depending on your sensei and how far you've come along in your training." Naruto began explaining. "There's a system to how missions work, you know. Think of it as a power ladder. Newly minted Genin teams take on D-Rank missions until they gain enough experience, or their Jonin instructor seems them ready. Then they're allowed to take low C-Rank mission. Mid to high C-Rank missions are much more difficult, and hold a high chance of running into bandits and mercenaries that have been hired to kill the client. These missions are reserved for Chunin level ninjas. Next, there's the Jonin level ninjas. They take on some of the most difficult missions we have. Missions that have a high chance of having to fight Rogue Ninjas. These missions are classified as B-Rank and A-Rank missions. Lastly, there's the S-Rank missions, which are of the highest caliber mission a ninja can take. Only the ANBU, the Hokage, and the most powerful Jonin are allowed to take these missions, and even then they require a large group to complete due to the high death toll."

Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto was pleasantly surprised to see that his son was actually taking notes on this in a small notebook with the words "How To Be A Ninja (Becoming Hokage Not Included, Some Editing Required)" written on the cover. He doesn't know how Boruto got all of that to fit on the front cover of that tiny notebook, but didn't really see that as important. Not as much as the boy actually taking notes. It makes him proud to know that, while his son may hate the Hokage title and position due to friction it's caused in the family, he's still trying his best to learn all he can about being a serious ninja.

Naruto made a mental note to clock out early tonight and leave a few Shadow Clones to finish the paperwork so he could go home and spend some much needed quality time with his family.

But back to his lecture.

"Two: you both willingly abandoned, not only a mission, but your teammate, just because you felt your pride mattered more than completing the mission. If this had been a higher rank mission, say a high B-Rank or low S-Rank, not only would that set a bad image for Leaf Ninjas and lead to a potential loss in clients, but Boruto would have died in a desperate attempt to complete the mission and protect either the client or precious cargo. Remember this, Squad 7, 'those who abandon the mission objective are branded as scum. But those who abandon their friends and teammates are worse than scum'. Those are the words my sensei, Kakashi Hatake, said to me and my teammates when we became Squad 7 before you, and I still live by those words. You left Boruto to complete one of the most difficult D-Rank missions by himself because you felt as though retrieving a runaway cat was beneath you and your abilities."

Those words hit all three children hard. It made Sarada and Mitsuki really start to think about the potential consequences of their actions. Besides Boruto having his face clawed up by a scared cat.

"Now, reason number three is a less severe reason. I can't give you any higher ranked missions simply because we don't have any right now. There's hardly even been word of a purse snatcher in recent days. But I suppose it's best to enjoy these days of peace while we still can." Naruto explained as he narrowed his eyes in thought. "Call me crazy, but I've got a feeling that something bad is rising up over the horizon…"

Boruto actually nodded in agreement. He too shared his father's uneasy feeling. To him, a prolonged time of peace usually means something big is about to go down.

"Now, I'm afraid I can't let you two abandoning a mission, no matter how insignificant it seems, go unpunished. Especially since you also abandoned a comrade by doing so. You will both be put on a month long probation, taking only the missions to help clean the sewer system in Village Sector 42-Green. And the payment for this mission that would have gone to you and Mitsuki, Sarada, will instead be given to Boruto, as he was the only one of you who successfully captured Tora and brought her back to the Daimyo's daughter. Do I make myself clear?"

The payment part, the kids could handle. They both know that since they didn't do the work, they don't have to get paid. But the mission they have to do for their probation is what turned them both paler than ghosts. Sector 42-Green is the most disgusting sewer system in all of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, and is located in the Red Light District where, unknown to any of them, Naruto used to live. Those sewers are so filthy, the smell so bad, it's been rumored to kill an Inuzuka and their dog partner even if they have gas masks on!

And they're being forced to help clean that sewer, which is thought to be near impossible! Even Konohamaru visibly winced at this part of the punishment, knowing he'd have to stay to both supervise and help his students. Seeing that the boy and girl were too scared to answer right now, Konohamaru did for them.

"We understand, Lord Hokage. It shall be done."

"Good. Then Squad 7 is dismissed. Except for you, Boruto. I need to speak with you alone for a moment."

Boruto raised an eyebrow at this request, but stayed behind anyway as the rest of his squad left to both mentally prepare themselves for the torture they're about to be put through, and possibly to stew over their past mistakes.

"Whatever prank you think I pulled, it wasn't me, Old Man. I only heard about the exploding snakes in a can of jelly beans incident during the mission." Boruto said.

"Oh, I know. Your sister already confessed to that one." Naruto replied, having already heard about that particular prank. "Besides, that's not why I asked you to stay behind. The reason I needed you to stay is because I need you for a special S-Rank mission. One that I feel only you can accomplish."

"What, me? On an S-Rank mission?!" asked Boruto as he was thrown for a loop. "Didn't you just get through saying that those missions are reserved only for ANBU and the most powerful of Jonin?"

"Under normal circumstances, I would send an ANBU team or some Jonin to handle an S-Rank mission. But due to the nature of this particular mission, none of them are qualified to handle something like this. Especially since it pertains to a certain card game I know you love." Naruto explained as he held up a card depicting a dragon.

Boruto recognized the card right away. It's a monster card called Baby Dragon from a game called Duel Monsters. And now he understands why his dad needed someone young for this mission. Hardly any adults, and certainly none that are ninjas, play this game. And if they do, it's not often enough to keep their skills sharp. But still, he doesn't understand why his father is sending him to do this mission when there are surely others in his age group that would be considered better choices.

"Okay, I understand why you need someone young for this mission, but why me specifically?"

"First, I think a little explanation about your mission is in order. You know that there are other territories outside the Elemental Nations, right son?" Naruto asked, getting a nod from his son. "While our world focused more on our advancement in the use of Chakra and developing our ninja techniques, the world beyond the Elemental Nations advanced further in the realm of technology. They have tech that far exceeds our own, even though in this recent time of peace we've made technological advancements of our own. And instead of using ninjas to settle disputes, they use Duel Monsters to do so."

"Alright, alright, I'm following you so far." Boruto said.

"The fact of the matter is, in those other parts of the world, they've created special academies like our own ninja academies. But instead of using them to train warriors, they developed these academies to teach the next generation all they need to know about Duel Monsters so they can, perhaps, make a career out of playing the game and winning tournaments. In fact, the headmaster for one of these academies asked for you specifically." Naruto explained. "Keep in mind that this will be a solo mission. And your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to attend Duel Academy under the guise of being a student while keeping an eye out for a potential danger that the headmaster, Chancellor Shepard, has information about. Should you choose to accept it, you will have to try and keep up the guise of being an ordinary human boy. You must not allow your abilities as a ninja to be revealed if at all possible."

Naruto then got up from behind the Mission Counter and walked over to put a hand on his son's shoulder. The sixteen year old won't say it out loud, but he's missed the instances where his father would actually spend time with him and his family, even if it were just to give him a hug before leaving for work. Now, the man usually sends a Shadow Clone home while he stays at the office to do paperwork, and rarely ever spends time with Boruto, his mom, or his little sister, Himawari.

And that's why Boruto had begun pulling such ridiculously ludocrous pranks all the time while he was in the academy. He was so starved for attention from his father that he was willing to make a fool of himself just to get some form of attention from the man. Even if it was negative attention such as a harsh scolding and being clonked on the head.

"It's your choice, Bolt." Naruto said, using his son's old nickname. "None of us will think any less of you if you decline this mission. If you feel like you're not ready for an S-Rank mission, then that's okay. Part of being a good ninja is knowing one's own limitations, and when it's time to break past them. So, what do you say?"

Seeing the look in his father's eyes, Boruto knows exactly what the man's thinking. He believes in him. And for Boruto, if his family believes he can do it, then that's good enough for him.

"Alright, Lord Hokage. I accept this mission. When do I leave?" Boruto said.

"You'll leave for Domino City in three days time. Use that time to pack for a year long stay, as you'll be taking an entrance exam with the newest batch of students so as to not arouse suspicion amongst the students and staff. You'll also be supplied with some new cards to help improve your deck and increase your chances of getting into Duel Academy for your mission. Dismissed."

With a quick salute, Boruto turned on his heel and left the office. He needed to go straight home and pack for a very long mission.

'Boy, are Sarada and Mitsuki gonna flip when they hear about this!' he thought to himself with an impish grin.

*To Be Continued…*

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. What do you think of the punishment I gave to Sarada and Mitsuki? Was it perhaps too harsh? I don't know. But as you have seen, I've made those in Boruto's age group a little bit older than in canon, and they will be somewhat OOC.

Thank you all so much for reading. Don't forget to cast your votes on the poll on my profile. May the Force be with you, and have a great day, my Jedi, Gray Force User, and Sith friends.