On October 28, 2022, fans can read Naruto: Konoha’s Story: Steam Ninja Scrolls: The Manga for free on the VIZ Media website! Natsuo Sai has adapted the light novel of the same name, written by Sho Hinata.
The story’s placement is debatable, but it was animated in Boruto: Next Generations, from episodes 700-710. The novel was initially advertised as the first in the Naruto Light Novel Project.
But due to a lack of new material, it was later re-branded as the first in the Naruto Shinden series.
So what is Naruto: Konoha’s Story: Steam Ninja Scrolls?
Kakashi and Guy have put in the work, and now that Naruto is holding a Kage Summit, it’s time our favorite sensei took a vacation. But because Kakashi is a former Hokage, and Guy still needs a wheelchair, Naruto assigns them a bodyguard.
Mirai Sarutobi, daughter of Asuna, has been guarding Naruto for a while. She’s honored to protect such legendary figures and assumes the mission is an S-rank.
Only to discover this vacation is mostly a trip to several hot springs and the fulfillment of one of Kakashi’s dreams. To visit the location where the movie adaptation of Icha Icha Paradise!
Mirai has no idea what the books are about. And despite being happy for Kakashi, Guy is too embarrassed to explain the plot.
Our group encounters several familiar faces from the Leaf Village throughout the trip. And wind up dealing with ghosts, dog vs. cat arguments, and trying to get Mirai to relax.
And she’s also the tie-breaker for the arguments and is expected to help with some of the hijinx. But it’s the ending that will encourage long-time fans and new fans alike to pick up the rest of the Shinden series.
Remember Hidan?
Sadly, he’s not back, but we do encounter new Jashinists! I wish we had Hidan since he’s technically still alive.
It would be amazing to see one of the best villains in Naruto return, even if they turn it into a meme for fans to enjoy. During their journey, word of kidnapped girls and a hot spring that lets you see the dead abound.
But when Mirai encounters a young woman who recently lost her mother, she decides there might be more to the rumors. There’s also a mysterious “other matter” that Kakashi and Naruto discuss over the phone, but it’s not revealed during the Steam Ninja Scrolls.