"In the previous chapter: The first test of the Chunin Exams had ended, and Boruto had advanced to the second round."
Night had fallen on Konoha, and on the outskirts of the village, on a high spot overlooking the starlit landscape, a peaceful atmosphere reigned. There were two figures in that scene: Sasuke and Chojuro, who were silently observing the village. Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the distance, and they turned to find Gaara approaching.
"You're late," Chojuro commented, his tone slightly reproachful.
Gaara looked at him and calmly replied:
—You're the ones who arrived early.
Sasuke, keeping his gaze serious, asked:
—What did you want to talk about?
Gaara looked at both of them and, with a serious tone, replied:
-I've been attacked.
Chojuro was shocked, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Flashback.
A train could be seen speeding through the night landscape. Inside one of the carriages, Gaara was sitting with his eyes closed, enjoying a brief moment of tranquility sitting in one of the chairs. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked towards one of the entrances of the carriage, where a being was watching him with a mocking smile: Urashiki .
"There was a barrier," Gaara said seriously.
"That paper-thin thing," Urashiki replied , amused.
"So it was you who attacked the Hachibi," Gaara replied, his voice filled with disdain.
Urashhiki raised an eyebrow, looking disinterested.
—The Hachibi? Ah, that was the work of my companions. There was one of those inside you too... I think it was the Ichibi .
Without warning, Urashhiki threw his fishing rod at Gaara at great speed. Gaara tried to block it with his sand, but the tip of the hook stuck in his chest.
"I caught you!" Urashiki exclaimed , laughing.
Gaara used his sand to stop the fishing line, trying to stop the chakra from being drawn out of his body. However, Urashhiki pulled the line out, ripping Gaara's chakra out and into his palm.
"What a primitive method," Urashhiki commented disdainfully. "You call it guts, but it doesn't do much good."
"You!" Gaara screamed, his resentment palpitant .
Urashhiki stored his chakra and placed the fishing rod over his shoulder.
"Not that it matters," he said with amusement.
At that moment, a group of shinobi burst into the carriage from the other door.
"What's wrong, Kazekage?" they asked, eyeing the white-skinned being with distrust. "Who are you?"
Urashhiki, with a smile on his face, lowered his fishing rod and replied:
—Well… well, I've caught what I was interested in, so I'm off.
A portal appeared behind him, and with a movement, he was sucked back, disappearing from everyone's sight.
Gaara clenched his fists in fury as he saw that Urashhiki was gone.
End of flashback.
Sasuke was leaning against a tree, calmly watching Chojuro and Gaara, who were standing in front of him. After hearing the story, Sasuke spoke seriously:
—They are probably from the Otsutsuki clan.
"Like Kaguya?" Gaara asked, frowning.
Sasuke nodded.
—We are deciphering the scroll I brought from Kaguya Castle.
Gaara, keeping his tone serious, added:
—The assailant knew that Shukaku is no longer inside me.
Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment before speaking seriously again:
—Looks like we'll have to cancel the exam.
"But the five villages organized the exam together to symbolize the end of the conflict between them," Chojuro intervened, worried.
Gaara looked at him before answering:
"If we cancel the exam without knowing what their intentions are," he turned his gaze to Sasuke, "the Land of Fire and the Hokage will lose credibility."
Chojuro nodded and looked at Sasuke.
—That would cause problems with hard-line sectors in my country. I would prefer to avoid it.
Sasuke opened his eyes and, with a sigh of resignation, said:
—Politics is a pain. In that case, we'll have to speed up the deciphering of the scroll.
With those words, Sasuke disappeared in a Shunshin.
Chojuro let out a sigh and commented:
—Seriously… I wish we could get involved like him.
"You're right," Gaara replied.
After exchanging a few last glances, they both said goodbye and also disappeared in a Shunshin, leaving the place deserted under the moonlight.
At dawn the next day, the second stage of the chunin exam was about to begin. The genin stood on the terrace of an abandoned building, which showed the wear and tear of time with peeling paint and cracked walls. The tension could be felt in the air; everyone knew they were one step closer to becoming chunin.
In front of the genin stood Tenten, with a serious and defiant look, while a white flag fluttered behind her, moving with the wind that blew across the rooftop. The group that had passed the first test consisted of two teams from the Mist Village, one team from the Sand Village, another from the Lightning Village and one more from the Rock Village, the four teams from the Leaf Village plus a team that was represented by a single member, completing a total of ten teams.
The atmosphere was electric and the genin knew that this test would be a real challenge, more difficult than the previous one.
Tenten, with a serious expression, explained the next phase:
—In the second test you must capture the flag. Protect your flag and capture the enemy's! Understood?
The genin nodded, sensing the tension in the air.
"It'll be a three-on-three match," Tenten continued, "except for one confrontation."
He turned his gaze towards Boruto before looking back at the rest of the participants.
—That is, only half of you will pass.
The genin looked at each other with determination, aware of what was at stake.
"Everyone to your posts!" Tenten ordered.
In the blink of an eye, everyone disappeared in a Shunshin, and the stage was set for the first confrontation. Each side's flag fluttered atop the building, symbolizing the goal to be achieved in this test of skill and strategy: Konoha's Team 10 managed to prevail over the Mist Village team, securing their victory.
The next match pitted Team 15 against the team from the Land of Lightning, resulting in a victory for the representatives of Lightning. Next, Team 5 faced the team from the Sand Village, and after an intense exchange, the Sand emerged victorious.
Tenten can be seen in a room where there are many screens that were controlled by three shinobi, Tenten watched the teams in combat and spoke:
—It seems that several teams have already finished, only two teams are missing,
The next confrontation could be seen on the screens: Team 7 from Konoha against the triplets from the Mist Village.
In the scenario, Mitsuki and Sarada were hiding in the shadow of a building, carefully monitoring the enemy's position. Meanwhile, Saku remained at the base protecting the flag.
Mitsuki made a hand signal, and Sarada nodded before communicating through her device.
—Saku, be careful, I don't see the enemy anywhere.
"Don't worry," Saku replied firmly. "I'll protect the flag. You attack."
"We'll leave it to you, Saku," Sarada replied, confident in her partner's skill.
Saku smiled confidently, but soon the sound of footsteps echoed around. Alert, he turned his gaze and threw a kunai in a particular direction. One of the Mist genin appeared, dodging the weapon with agility before joining his brothers.
"Your surprise attack didn't work," Saku said with determination. "You better surrender."
The triplets laughed out loud.
"Hahaha! There's only one of you," they said as they performed a handstand. A cloud of smoke appeared, and when it dissipated, the three of them had multiplied into nine. "Wouldn't it be better if you just gave up?"
"Give up," Saku replied, unfazed. "This isn't enough for me."
Enraged, the triplets ran towards him. Saku sighed, formed a hand seal, and muttered:
—Mokuton: Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu.
Wooden roots sprouted from his hand and advanced rapidly towards the enemies, trapping them and crashing them against a wall with a deafening crash: BOOM! The clones vanished, and the original triplets were knocked unconscious.
Saku put his hand to his ear and said:
—I'm done with the Mist genin. How are you guys doing?
At that moment, Sarada and Mitsuki arrived at the enemy base. The kunoichi observed the surroundings with her Sharingan, noticing that there were multiple false flags scattered around the area. After hearing Saku's communication, she replied:
—Understood, we are about to find the flag.
Activating her Sharingan, Sarada walked determinedly towards one of the flags, and as she took it, all the others disappeared.
"I got it!" he announced happily.
Saku smiled, and Mitsuki also showed a satisfied expression. Team 7 had successfully overcome the challenge.
Tenten watched from the surveillance room with her arms crossed and a thoughtful expression as she looked at the screens. With a curious tone, she commented to herself:
—It wasn't bad at all. A Senju and an Uchija on the same team, it was to be expected. Now only Boruto and the Earth Country team are left... I want to see why Boruto doesn't have a team. How strong is he? Show me.
On the screens, Boruto was seen standing next to his flag, which was gently fluttering in the breeze. With his hands in his pockets and his eyes closed, he seemed to be completely relaxed. Slowly, he opened his eyes, took his hands out of his pockets, and with a nimble movement, formed a hand seal.
—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu —he muttered to himself.
Three shadow clones appeared beside him, and Boruto, with a carefree tone, ordered them:
—Go and capture the flag.
The clones disappeared into Shunshin, as Boruto put his hands back into his pockets and closed his eyes once more.
Elsewhere, the genin of the Earth Country team were moving quickly between the buildings, confident and smiling. The team leader said arrogantly:
—This exam is a piece of cake. We only have to face one person. Easy.
As they ran through the hallway of one of the buildings, the three Boruto clones suddenly appeared in front of them in a Shunshin. The genin stopped in their tracks, watching the clones seriously before smiling confidently.
"That's all? Just some clones?" the leader said with a laugh. "Come on, let's finish them off and then we'll go for the real one. It won't be a big deal."
The three genin prepared to attack, but in the blink of an eye, a hand appeared in front of the leader's face and slammed him violently into the ground with a deafening crash.
—BOOM!
His companions quickly turned, amazed by the speed of the clone that had crushed their leader's head into the ground. Before they could react, the other two genin were launched into the air by a powerful kick, crashing into several columns of the building.
—BOOM!
Boruto's clones looked at the three now unconscious genin and, with perfect timing, disappeared in a Shunshin. The force of the impact had destroyed several columns, destabilizing the building, which collapsed in half with a loud crash.
—BOOM!
A cloud of dust rose, filling the air with debris and smoke.
At that moment, Boruto, who had kept his eyes closed all this time, slowly opened them and, with a slight smile, muttered to himself:
—Looks like it's over.
On the observation screen, clones could be seen appearing next to the enemy flag, with one of them raising it in victory.
Tenten, who had been following all the action, couldn't help but show a shocked expression. Seeing the building collapse, she reacted quickly and turned to the shinobi accompanying her.
—Go immediately! Find the genin who were in that building and get them out of there!
The shinobi nodded and, without wasting a second, disappeared in a Shunshin to carry out the order.
Tenten looked at the screen, wrote something down on a sheet of paper, and announced firmly:
—We already have those who have passed the test. The second phase has concluded.
Meanwhile, on a street in Konoha, Denki was surrounded by his companions. Chocho tried to cheer him up with words of encouragement, but the young genin's injuries were evident, although his spirit was still intact. At that moment, Saku appeared accompanied by Sarada and Mitsuki. Saku approached Denki with a worried expression and asked:
-How do you feel?
Denki forced a smile and replied:
—I'm fine... I tried hard.
His teammates offered him words of encouragement, trying to lift his morale.
On the other hand, Sarada separated from the group and walked towards Sumire, who was standing a little far away, staring at the ground in silence. Sarada stopped in front of her and, in a soft voice, asked:
—Are you okay, delegate?
Sumire looked up with eyes shining with unshed tears and replied in a broken, sad tone:
—I couldn't pass the test. I wanted to face Boruto... I wanted to talk to him. I felt like he would only listen to me as an equal.
Sarada lowered her head, processing her companion's words. Then, she looked up decisively and, without hesitation, stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
"Don't worry, Deputy. I'll take care of talking to him," Sarada promised with conviction.
Sumire closed her eyes and hugged her back, finding comfort in Sarada's words. Soon after, the other members of the same group noticed the scene and, moved, came forward to join the hug, surrounding Sumire with support and warmth.
Together they shared a moment of encouragement and comfort before returning to the rest of the group. With their spirits a little higher, they reunited with their companions and eventually all left the place, walking together towards the next stage of their path as shinobi.
Meanwhile, Boruto was still in the building, observing the place. He then looked up and watched as the sun set over the horizon, leaving another day behind. He silently thought to himself, "This is so boring. I should have left the village when I had the chance, but my father sent the shinobi to watch me, and the Sixth Hokage too. What a pain… I'm restricted in this village, I can't move as I please."
He sighed and continued to ponder, "When this exam is over, I'll be leaving no matter what. After all, Kuroshhi and Moku have already completed the first part of the mission." Boruto let out another sigh and muttered to himself, "There are only two more days left until this is over." He looked down at his hands, clenching them tightly, and said mumbling, "It's almost time for the day, I should bring them a gift… mmm … some flowers should do the trick," Boruto raised his head and disappeared in a flash of yellow.
Meanwhile, at the Uzumaki house, Hinata was preparing food as it was getting close to dinner time. Himawari approached her mother and, with a hopeful tone, asked:
—Mom, do you think Boruto- niisan will come today?
Hinata looked at her daughter, and with a hint of sadness in her voice, she replied:
—I don't know, Himawari...
Himawari lowered her head, dejected, but then raised it again and asked:
—Can't Dad find it?
Hinata closed her eyes for a moment before answering:
—Your father has not been able to find him. We can only wait for him to return when he is ready.
Himawari nodded sadly and walked over to the couch, deep in thought. Hinata watched her and as she continued with her dinner, thought to herself, "It's unbelievable that even Konoha's barrier can't locate him. We know he's in the village because of his chakra, but it's impossible to track him. Over these months, Naruto has tried to find him again and again, but has been unsuccessful, even now, they're still trying to crack the seal he placed on the Hokage building. Boruto, you keep pushing yourself into an abyss… As a mother, it pains me to see you like this. I wish you would find happiness."
Hinata snapped out of her thoughts and continued with dinner.
Meanwhile, at the abandoned factory, Boruto appeared and slumped into his throne, closing his eyes, mentally preparing himself for the next day.
The night passed in silence in the Leaf Village, but with the first rays of the sun, the bustle of the crowd filled the streets, heading to the stadium to witness the long-awaited individual fights. The atmosphere was lit up with shouts of excitement and enthusiasm as the genin, ready to face each other, prepared to demonstrate their skill and determination. Each fight would represent a crucial step in their careers as shinobi, and the anticipation was palpable in the air.
The Hokages sat in their respective seats, each accompanied by their personal advisor or bodyguard, who stood behind them. In front of each Kage, on the table, rested his hat, a symbol of his authority and power.
The genin taking part in the third test of the exam were lined up in the centre of the stadium where the individual battles would take place, waiting for the words of the person in charge of the test, Rock Lee. He was standing on a balcony, looking at the young people with a serious and energetic expression.
"The third test is a singles combat tournament," Rock Lee announced in a firm voice. "You won't be facing your teammates in the first round, but if you advance, you might face each other later on. There will be four rounds in total, including the final. Since there is one extra participant, we will draw lots that will allow one of you to advance directly to the semi-finals."
The genin exchanged surprised glances as Rock Lee pulled out a box with a hole in the top and held it up.
"You will draw a paper from this box," he explained. "Whoever gets the 'X' mark will automatically advance to the semi-finals."
Jumping nimbly, Rock Lee approached each genin, allowing them to take a paper from the box. After they all took one, he instructed them to open them at the same time.
—Whoever has the 'X', get out of line.
There was a moment of tension, and then, laughter echoed from the back.
—Hahaha, but how fun —Boruto was heard saying as he walked forward, showing the paper with the 'X' mark—. Even luck is on my side.
Rock Lee nodded firmly and declared:
—Boruto Uzumaki advances directly to the semi-finals.
The genin looked at him in disbelief and distrust, some thinking that it was only because he was the son of the Hokage that he received help and advanced. Boruto looked back at them, smiled with a superior expression and disappeared in a Shunshin.
Rock Lee, without wasting any time, returned to his spot on the balcony and raised his hand once again.
—Are you ready?! —he exclaimed.
"Yes!" the genin answered in unison, full of determination, before disappearing in a Shunshin and heading to the locker room.
Inside the locker room, the genin watched intently at the screen displaying the coliseum, and soon after, a giant screen in the stadium revealed the names of the first fighters.
Konoha's Saku Senju vs. Yurui from Kumogakure
Both of them positioned themselves in the center of the coliseum, ready to fight. Rock Lee looked at them intently and, raising his hand, slammed it down.
"Begin!" he announced energetically, starting the first fight.
Yurui charged at Saku with speed, drawing his sword with dexterity, while Saku, not far behind, ran towards him, wielding a kunai. The clash was immediate and fierce; the metallic sound of kunai against sword echoed throughout the coliseum, causing the crowd to hold their breath.
"It won't be that easy!" Yurui shouted, pressing his sword against the kunai with all his might.
"We'll see about that," Saku replied with a defiant smile, pushing with equal intensity.
They both stepped back and, in the blink of an eye, they were back at each other, throwing a series of quick, precise strikes. Sword and kunai clashed again and again, creating sparks with each impact. The tension in the air increased with each second.
Suddenly, Yurui pulled away and smiled confidently.
—It's time to end this.
A ball of blue gum shot out of his mouth and inflated rapidly. Saku, alert, jumped back and threw a kunai at the ball. Upon impact, BOOM! The gum exploded with a loud bang, and a cloud of blue smoke enveloped the area. Saku was sent flying by the explosion, but managed to steady himself in the air and land on his feet, watching the cloud of blue intently.
As the cloud cleared, Saku saw that the battlefield was covered in gumball bombs that had spread everywhere. His expression tensed while Yurui smiled confidently. The bombs began to move and surrounded Saku, slowly approaching.
"I won't let them catch me that easily," Saku muttered, making a series of hand seals.
Mokuton: Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu (Silent Wood Binding Technique)
Wooden roots sprouted from his hand, darting between the rubber bombs and catching Yurui's foot. Surprised, Yurui made the bombs collide with each other, causing a series of explosions that blew the wood apart. BOOM! The boom echoed throughout the stadium, and a cloud of dust and color rose up, covering the field.
Yurui, taking advantage of the confusion, jumped back and landed on the stadium wall. However, at that instant, some wooden branches emerged from the same wall and grabbed him, completely immobilizing him. With a violent pull, they slammed him against the wall, generating a loud bang, BOOM!, knocking him unconscious instantly.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the cloud of dust cleared. Saku stood in the center of the arena, making a hand seal and breathing deeply. He had won the first match.
Rock Lee, seeing this, raised his arm and announced:
—First match, winner: Saku Senju of Konoha!
Cheers and shouts of excitement filled the stadium, celebrating their village's victory. Meanwhile, on the Hokages' balcony, the Kages discussed the match.
Chojuro, the Mizukage, commented:
—That genin from your village, Darui, wasn't half bad. Does the rubber serve as a catalyst when chakra is passed through it?
Darui nodded.
—Yes, it's interesting, isn't it?
Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, added, looking at Naruto:
—And to think you would recover the Senju blood for Konoha.
Naruto brought his hand to his head, smiling a little awkwardly.
—Well, I wouldn't put it that way, hahaha...
Kurotsuchi looked at him curiously and asked:
—There's something I want to ask you, Naruto. My genin didn't pass. They were defeated by your son, the one who teams up solo. Why is he participating in these exams?
Naruto stopped smiling and turned his gaze to the center of the stadium.
—It's hard to explain, but... let's say it's a whim of mine.
Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow.
—A whim?
Naruto nodded.
—I'm glad Boruto went straight to the semi-finals. If he had faced weaker genin, he could have killed them.
Gaara, who had been listening silently, intervened:
—What are you talking about, Naruto?
"Let's wait for his fight and see what he's capable of," Naruto replied seriously.
The Kages exchanged glances, intrigued, and nodded silently.
The stadium screen changed, displaying the names of the participants in the upcoming match: Shikadai Nara of Konoha vs. Yodo of the Arena .
Meanwhile, in the stands, Ino, Sakura and Temari were watching the fights.
Ino smiled and commented:
—This reminds me of our exam.
Sakura looked at Temari and added:
—That's when we met you.
Ino, with a mocking tone, said:
—Back then, you were very unfriendly.
Temari calmly replied:
—I've forgotten about that.
"You still are," Ino replied, remembering the past.
Sakura changed the subject and pointed out:
—It must be difficult for you, since Shikadai will be facing someone from the Arena.
Suddenly, Temari stood up and, with a shout, said to her son:
—If you lose, you'll be out of games! Go all out!
Ino and Sakura couldn't help but smile at Temari's reaction, remembering how passionate she has always been.
Meanwhile, at the stadium, Rock Lee raised his arm and shouted energetically:
—Begin!
The match between Shinki's Yodo and Shikadai began immediately. Both displayed impressive skill and strategy, drawing the audience into the intensity of the battle. Yodo used his sound technique to disorient Shikadai, while Shikadai, true to his Nara style, responded with cunning, looking for any opportunity to trap his opponent with his shadow technique.
After several exchanges of blows and techniques, Shikadai managed to anticipate Yodo's movements, expanding his shadow at the right moment and trapping her. Unable to move, Yodo had no choice but to surrender.
"The winner is Konoha's Shikadai Nara!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.
Shikadai relaxed his posture and let out a sigh of relief, having once again demonstrated his clan's signature wit.
After the match, Shikadai left the arena and headed to the locker room, where his teammates were waiting for him with proud smiles.
Meanwhile, on the stadium screen, names began to scroll, announcing the next match: Sarada Uchija of Konoha vs. Tarui of Cloud Village.
Sarada briefly said goodbye to Shikadai and Saku, looking at them with determination.
"Give me three seconds," he said confidently, and his companions were amazed at his confidence.
Both opponents stood in the center of the stadium, ready for battle. Rock Lee raised his hand and shouted:
—Begin!
In an instant, both of them ran towards the center, a palpable energy in the air. Tarui threw a powerful punch, but Sarada nimbly dodged the attack, counterattacking with her own fist. The power of the blow was such that it sent Tarui flying into the wall BOOM! causing a deafening roar upon impact.
"Winner, Sarada Uchija!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Sarada raised her fist in triumph and shouted:
—Take that!
Sakura, from the stands, proudly echoed her gesture, smiling at her daughter as the crowd cheered her victory.
Sarada walked with a determined step towards the entrance of the hallway that would take her to the locker room after her match, feeling the adrenaline of her victory still flowing through her. Meanwhile, the stadium screens moved, announcing the next match: Inojin Yamanaka of Konoha vs. Araya of the Arena.
Inojin walked past Sarada clapping his hands.
Inojin arrived at the center of the stadium and while his opponent was in front of him
Rock Lee, with his characteristic energy, raised his hand and shouted:
—Start!
The match began with both genin in positions, ready to show off their skills. After an intense exchange of blows and techniques, Araya managed to overcome Inojin, resulting in his victory.
"The winner, Araya of the Arena!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd cheered the outcome of the fight.
Inojin arrived at the locker room with his head down, disheartened by his defeat. His teammates looked at him with empathy, trying to offer words of encouragement, but he only sighed, feeling the weight of defeat.
Meanwhile, on the big stadium screen, the names of the next fighters appeared: Toroi vs. Mitsuki. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as Rock Lee announced the start of the match.
Mitsuki, with his usual calm, positioned himself with confidence. Toroi , determined, launched his initial attack, but Mitsuki dodged it with agility, responding with quick and precise movements. After an exchange of techniques, Mitsuki managed to dominate the fight and, with an impressive final move, his victory was declared.
"Victor, Mitsuki!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd erupted in cheers, impressed by the young shinobi's prowess. Mitsuki, satisfied, returned to the locker room, feeling that each battle brought him one step closer to his goal.
Following Mitsuki's victory, the stadium screens moved, displaying the next match: Konoha's Chocho Akimichi vs. Shinki of the Arena. The crowd held their breath as the two adversaries positioned themselves, ready for the showdown.
"Begin!" Rock Lee shouted energetically, starting the fight.
Chocho, confident in his strength, launched an attack, trying to surprise Shinki with a series of powerful blows. However, Shinki, with his usual calm, protected himself with his sand and iron.
With overwhelming force, Shinki defeated Chocho.
"Winner, Shinki!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd erupted in applause and cheers.
At that moment, Chocho's companions, Inojin and Shikadai, ran towards her to help her. They carefully lifted her up, supporting her on their shoulders as they guided her out of the coliseum.
"You did a good job, Chocho," Shikadai said with an encouraging smile.
—Yeah, don't worry, we all have tough days —Inojin added, trying to cheer her up.
Chocho smiled weakly, grateful for her friends' support, as together they headed to the locker room to rest and prepare for the remainder of the exam.
Meanwhile, on the Hokages' balcony, Darui commented:
—So that was the last fight of the first round. It wasn't bad.
Kurotsuchi, arms crossed, added:
"That Iron Arena kid has potential, Gaara. Looks like you have a good seed there. Meanwhile, Konoha has a Senju…" he sighed. "We didn't even pass the first exam."
Naruto smiled awkwardly, while Gaara let out a soft sigh without saying a word.
In the center of the stadium, Rock Lee took the microphone and announced:
—Take a break! The second round will begin shortly.
Shikadai, who was standing at the entrance to the locker room, was watching the big screen while thinking to himself, "What a pain."
Saku approached him from behind and said with a smile:
—This will be our first time fighting, Shikadai.
Shikadai turned around, looking at him, and replied:
—I hope we have a fair fight, Saku.
Saku smiled even wider and nodded.
-I hope so.
Saku and Shikadai faced each other in the center of the arena, the atmosphere becoming tense and expectant. Both remained motionless, analyzing their opponent's movements. The crowd remained completely silent, eagerly awaiting the first attack.
Suddenly, Saku broke the stillness, charging towards Shikadai with surprising speed. Shikadai was not far behind, maintaining his usual calm and accurately performing a series of hand seals.
—Kagemane no Jutsu! —he exclaimed, spreading his shadow across the ground, seeking to catch Saku.
The shadow moved forward quickly, but Saku, with a confident smile, deviated to the right with an agile movement.
"I knew you would try that," he said as he kept his distance, watching the shadow's movements. "But it won't be enough to catch me."
Shikadai, unfazed, calmly replied:
—We'll see about that.
Saku, without wasting any time, performed hand seals and struck the ground. Immediately, thick wooden branches emerged from the ground at breakneck speed, heading towards Shikadai.
—Mokuton: Sashiki no Jutsu! —Saku shouted, sending the piercing branches towards his opponent.
The ground creaked as branches surged forward, seeking to surround Shikadai. He leapt back, dodging the first ones, but more branches appeared to block his escape. With a swift movement, Shikadai extended his shadow once more, wrapping around the branches to deflect them.
"Not bad," he commented as he landed with agility, although he barely had time to recover.
Saku gave no respite. He struck the ground again, summoning more branches that sprang up from all sides, closing the space around Shikadai.
"Gotcha!" Saku exclaimed, his Mokuton enveloping the area.
Shikadai knew he didn't have much time. He quickly activated an advanced technique:
" Kageyose no Jutsu!" he shouted, and several shadows spread out in different directions, grabbing the branches before they could catch him.
The shadows tightened their branches and for a moment managed to stop the attack, but Saku was not willing to give in.
"It's not enough," Saku said, tightening his grip on the branches, which began to break Shikadai's shadows.
Shikadai retreated further and further, but he kept his focus, waiting for the right moment. Finally, when it seemed there was no escape, he smiled slyly.
—You're mine now.
The shadows he had been spreading throughout the fight quickly coalesced into a single point, taking Saku by surprise. Unnoticed, Shikadai's shadow had already reached his feet.
—Kagemane Shuriken no Jutsu! —Shikadai exclaimed, throwing a shuriken that amplified the shadow possession technique, completely immobilizing Saku.
The air froze. Saku, trapped, smiled slightly, impressed by his opponent's strategy.
"Don't underestimate me, Shikadai," Saku murmured, as a light breeze picked up.
Suddenly, small wooden branches emerged from his own shadow, breaking the connection of Shikadai's technique with a crack. Shikadai stepped back in surprise, barely having time to react.
—Mokuton: Daijurin no Jutsu! —Saku shouted, and gigantic branches sprouted from his arms and advanced with unstoppable force.
The branches wrapped around Shikadai before he could move. Despite trying to use his Kagemane to free himself, the branches held him firmly, closing off any possibility of escape.
"The winner is Saku Senju of Konoha!" announced Rock Lee, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Saku approached his trapped companion and dispelled the branches, allowing Shikadai to fall gently to the ground.
"It was a good fight," Saku said, extending a hand.
"Yes, it was," Shikadai replied with a weary smile, taking his companion's hand. "But what a problem…"
The two retreated together, with the mutual respect that had been born from the battle, while the crowd continued to celebrate the impressive spectacle they had just witnessed.
From the Hokage's balcony, the Kage watched with interest.
"It wasn't a bad match," Gaara commented, his voice calm. "You'll make great chunin in the future."
Naruto nodded proudly.
"They have a lot of potential," he added, satisfied with the performance of the youngsters.
Shikamaru, seeing that his son had lost, simply sighed.
"That boy..." she murmured, though a slight trace of pride was reflected in her eyes.
For her part, Temari smiled and said firmly:
—Not bad, son. Today I'll cook what you like.
Meanwhile, Shikadai slowly walked down the stairs and sat down, still feeling the fatigue of combat. Moments later, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw his comrades approaching. Without hesitation, they sat down beside him and began to cheer him on, giving him words of encouragement and support.
"Don't worry, Shikadai. You did amazing," Inojin said, patting him on the shoulder.
—Yes! Next time you will definitely win — Chocho added, smiling widely.
Shikadai smiled slightly and looked up at the sky, letting out a sigh.
"Yeah, I guess that was a good fight," he muttered, feeling grateful to have his friends around.
In one of the locker rooms, Boruto was alone, sitting at the back of the locker room in front of him, a few meters above there was a television that broadcast each of the fights. While he watched the fight between Shikadai and Saku develop on the screen. He watched each movement carefully.
As the fight ended, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. Resting his elbow on one knee, he let out a small laugh.
"It wasn't bad at all..." he muttered to himself, without taking his eyes off the screen. "But I know Saku was holding back."
He leaned back, crossing his arms, staring at the ceiling.
—I hope that when the time comes for us to face each other, you've fully recovered your chakra... —he thought, his eyes shining with anticipation—. It would be very boring if you don't fight with all your might.
With one last look at the screen, Boruto closed his eyes for a moment, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.
While that was happening on the stadium screen, the names began to move: Sarada Uchija vs Araya de la Arena.
They were both in the center of the stadium, and Rock Lee gave the order:
—Begin!
The match began immediately, and Sarada quickly realized that her opponent, Araya, was not who he seemed to be. Every movement was clumsy and stiff, which aroused her suspicions. Activating her Sharingan, Sarada scanned the arena with precision until she detected Araya's true location, who was cunningly hiding on the roof of the stands.
Without hesitation, Sarada gathered her chakra and launched a powerful lightning ball attack towards their hiding spot, destroying part of the ceiling. The crowd held their breath as the real Araya fell to the surface, shocked and out of options. Flustered and outmatched, he raised his hand in surrender.
"Sarada Uchija is through to the semi-finals!" Rock Lee announced.
Sarada, with a triumphant smile, raised her fist proudly, although her body showed several cuts from the fight. Saku and Mitsuki approached her.
"Well done, Sarada," Saku said with a smile.
"It wasn't bad how you defeated the puppet. That big fireball was impressive," Mitsuki added.
"Well, I don't quite have it down, but it turned out to be useful," Sarada replied modestly. "But now it's just you, Mitsuki. The final will be Team 7's."
—Don't hold back, Mitsuki —Saku commented—. Show him what you're capable of.
Saying goodbye to their friend, Sarada and Saku left the stadium, and Sarada went to where her mother was to heal her. After healing her, she returned to the stadium to watch her partner's fight.
Meanwhile, on the stadium screen, the names moved once again, revealing the upcoming match: Mitsuki vs. Shinki. Both were already positioned in the center of the arena, ready for combat.
—Begin! —Rock Lee shouted.
The fight started with Mitsuki launching a gust of wind, which Shinki blocked with his iron sand. Wasting no time, Shinki counterattacked, but his attack only pierced through one of Mitsuki's snake clones. The battle continued with both showing off their skills, exchanging attacks with intensity.
In a moment of pause, Shinki and Mitsuki had a conversation and Shinki's last words were:
—Show me your true power, Mitsuki.
Mitsuki was silent for a moment, considering his words. He was about to unleash his full power, but seeing his companions watching him from a distance, he understood that there was something more important than strength. There was something he valued more: his bond with them.
At that moment, Shinki launched his final attack, and before he could reach it, Mitsuki raised his hand.
"I surrender," Mitsuki declared, just before being hit.
Rock Lee stepped forward and announced:
—The winner is Shinki!
The crowd cheered as Mitsuki stood calmly and satisfied, knowing he had found something far more valuable than a victory.
Shinki looked at him seriously and said:
—You disappoint me. Why did you do it?
Mitsuki calmly replied:
—I want to stay with my companions in this place. That's the reason.
Shinki, without another word, turned around and walked out of the place, leaving Mitsuki to his thoughts in the center of the stadium.
Shortly after, his companions approached, worried about him.
"Are you okay?" Saku asked, with a worried expression.
Mitsuki looked at them for a moment and, seeing their faces, smiled.
"I'm counting on you," he said, his voice full of confidence.
With determination, Mitsuki began to walk towards where she could heal, feeling the unwavering support of her friends by her side.
Sarada and Saku looked at Mitsuki curiously, exchanging glances and shrugging their shoulders. At that moment, Rock Lee jumped down from the balcony and energetically announced to the audience:
—That concludes the second round. We'll move on to the semi-finals!
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, excited for the next phase of the tournament. Saku and Sarada turned to look at Rock Lee, feeling the adrenaline in the air.
On the Hokages' balcony, Darui commented:
—So, it's finally getting fun. We'll see who will be the winner and move on to the final.
Kurotsuchi nodded and added:
—You're right, Darui. It will be interesting to see the upcoming fights.
Gaara, watching seriously, said:
—I hope these are fights that show the future of the new generation.
Choujuro, with a smile, said:
—It's very lively here. I wonder what else they'll show us besides what we've already seen.
Naruto proudly added:
—I hope they are fights where we can see the fruits of their training.
Rock Lee, without missing a beat, continued:
—I ask you to look at the screen. The names of the next opponents will be displayed.
Saku and Sarada became serious, while Shinki, in the hallway to the locker room, and Boruto, with a smile, watched the screen through the television.
The screen began to display the names: Uzumaki Boruto, Sabaku Shinki, Uchija Sarada, and Senju Saku. Everyone was expectant, and the names began to move. Finally, they stopped on two of them.
—Boruto Uzumaki of Konoha vs. Saku Senju of Konoha! —the screen announced.
An overwhelming silence fell over the stadium for a moment, followed by a surge of excitement as the next match would be between an Uzumaki and a Senju.
Sarada looked at Saku and asked:
—Are you ready, Saku?
With a defiant smile, Saku replied:
—Don't worry, Sarada. I'll win this fight.
Sarada smiled back and said:
—See you in the finals, Saku!
Metal Lee continued:
—The second fight will be between Uchija Sarada and Sabaku Shinki.
Sarada looked back at Shinki, who looked back at her seriously. They both remained silent for a few moments, until Sarada looked at Rock Lee, who said:
—Since we know who will fight, we will take a short break before the fights.
Sarada and Saku, standing in the center of the stadium, began to walk to rest a bit before their next confrontation. Meanwhile, Shinki turned around and walked into the hallways, preparing himself for what was to come.
In the stands, Hinata and Himawari watched expectantly. Himawari exclaimed:
—Look, Mom! It's my brother who's going to fight! I wonder how strong he is. I'm so excited!
Hinata smiled, though a slight concern showed on her face as she thought about her son.
"Boruto!" he muttered, remembering his son's determination and talent.
Meanwhile, in the locker room, Boruto was sitting, staring at the screen with a confident smile. Seeing who he was due to fight, he muttered to himself:
—I hope it will be an interesting fight.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, enjoying the moment. After the allotted time to rest, Boruto opened his eyes, stood up, and began walking towards the exit, opening the door. With his hands in his pockets, he headed down the hallway.
When he reached the exit, he came across a figure leaning against the wall. Looking at him, he decided to continue on his way, but the person spoke:
—Wait, Boruto. I have something to tell you.
Boruto stopped and, without turning to look, asked:
—What do you want, Kakashi-sensei?
Kakashi replied seriously:
—I just want to wish you luck in your fight, and pass on a few words from the Hokage.
Boruto turned slightly, keeping his tone carefree:
—Thank you, Kakashi-sensei, for the luck you give me, but I don't need it... And what did my father say?
Kakashi continued:
—He sent word that if you don't use Hiraishin while fighting, he'll do whatever you ask. But only if you win without using it. He also mentioned that no matter what you choose, he loves you and wishes you luck.
Boruto started walking again and commented:
—I'll fight with everything. And thank you for the luck I don't need. Tell him that.
Kakashi sighed and started walking in the opposite direction.
Boruto arrived at the entrance of the stadium, and as he crossed the threshold, he was momentarily dazzled by the light. Once his eyes adjusted, he looked up into the stands, where the crowd was cheering and clapping. He continued on his way to the center of the stadium.
A few minutes earlier, Saku emerged from the locker room, greeted by his teammates, who offered him motivation and support for his upcoming match. With a smile, Saku made his way down the hallway, where he met someone special.
—Grandma Tsunade! You'll see my fight! I thought you wouldn't be here.
Tsunade smiled and replied:
—I came quickly because I wanted to see your fight, but I didn't expect to get to the best part: you're going to face Boruto!
Saku nodded confidently and said:
—Yes, Grandma Tsunade. I will face Boruto and I do not plan to lose. I want to defeat him.
Tsunade smiled again, with an encouraging look, and said:
—If you want to defeat him, you can't hold back. You have to give it your all; Boruto is strong.
Saku nodded seriously, determined to do his best, and began walking towards the center of the stadium. Tsunade looked at him proudly and then disappeared in a Shunshin.
Meanwhile, in the locker room, Mitsuki and Sarada were watching television. Sarada commented:
—I think I'll watch the fight more closely.
Mitsuki replied:
—Okay, I'll go with you.
Sarada walked out of the room, followed closely by Mitsuki, both ready to witness the exciting showdown that was coming. They walked until they reached the entrance of the hallway that connected to the stadium, and they could see how Boruto and Saku were already positioned in the center of the place, ready for combat.
On the Kages' balcony, Kurotsuchi watched Naruto with an intriguing smile and commented:
—We will finally see your son in action, Naruto.
Naruto looked at her, nodding calmly, though his eyes held a glint of anticipation. He then turned his gaze back to the stadium, where the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and prepared himself to watch what would undoubtedly be a memorable fight.
In the center of the stadium, Boruto kept his hands in his pockets, while Saku, with a serious expression, stared at him. Rock Lee, who was acting as referee, announced:
—Begin!
The crowd's hustle and bustle immediately faded, and an expectant silence filled the stadium. Boruto and Saku didn't move, remaining motionless as they watched each other, sizing each other up. Finally, Boruto broke the silence with an amused smile.
—I thought you would attack first, Saku.
Saku, without losing his seriousness, replied:
—I also thought you would be the one to make the first move.
Boruto let out a soft laugh and said:
—I've heard things about you. They say you saved some people in the Land of Mist and helped your companions. A real hero, huh?
Saku kept his gaze fixed on Boruto, not showing any emotion.
—And they told me that you were someone incredible —he replied—, that we would get along well.
Boruto raised an eyebrow, his smile fading, replaced by a sneer.
"That we would get along?" he repeated with irony. "What a big lie."
As the two continued their exchange, their teammates watched from the stands in silence, attentive to every word and movement. Saku stood his ground and asked:
—So, it's impossible for us to get along?
Boruto's gaze turned cold and his words fell like ice.
—You're the kind of person I dislike the most, Saku.
"Why?" Saku asked, puzzled.
—Because you look for friends to feel happy about yourself. People like you… I just don't like them.
"That's not true!" Saku exclaimed, raising his voice for the first time.
Boruto sighed disdainfully and muttered:
-Right arm.
Before Saku could even process what he had said, a kick of astonishing speed, connecting directly with Saku's right side. Saku's body was thrown forcefully towards one of the stadium walls,
—BOOM!
Crashing down with a loud bang that echoed throughout the place. The wall shook and cracked from the force of the blow, leaving Saku embedded in the concrete, dust rising around him. Boruto slowly lowered his leg, his expression impassive, as if the attack had been nothing out of the ordinary.
The spectators in the stands gasped, and after a brief moment of astonishment, a roar of excitement and applause erupted from the crowd. Boruto's speed and power were overwhelming, and few could keep up with his movement.
Sarada and Mitsuki watched the scene, completely shocked. Sarada's eyes widened in disbelief, and her father's words echoed in her mind:
—Sarada, if you ever get a chance to watch Boruto fight, activate your Sharingan. Maybe you can learn something.
Waking up from her reverie, Sarada activated her Sharingan, focusing completely on Boruto and Saku, determined not to miss a single detail of the fight that had just begun.
On the balcony of the Kages, the silence was overwhelming. No one spoke a word; the speed and strength Boruto had demonstrated left them stunned. Naruto's expression remained serious, his eyes fixed on his son.
Meanwhile, in one of the locker rooms, Shinki had his eyes wide open, clearly shocked. In the stands, Boruto's teammates couldn't utter a single word. The tension was palpable, and Sumire, on the verge of excitement and uncertainty, clenched her fists tightly, biting her lip.
On the other side of the stands, Himawari, with a radiant smile and shining eyes, couldn't contain her excitement at seeing her brother's incredible strength.
—Mom, Mom! Look how strong my brother is! —she exclaimed excitedly.
But Hinata didn't share her daughter's joy. Worry was evident on her face. The strength and ferocity Boruto was displaying frightened her, as she couldn't help but wonder how far her son's limits went.
Saku, still in pain and covered in dust, slowly climbed out of the gap his body had left in the wall. His eyes were fixed on Boruto, determined not to be intimidated. But before he could move, he heard Boruto's words:
-Head.
Instinctively, Saku tilted his head to the side, and in that instant, a loud boom echoed through the stadium: BAM! A cloud of dust rose up, enveloping the area.
Heart racing, Saku glanced sideways and saw in amazement that Boruto's foot had slammed right where his head had been moments before, embedded deep into the wall, causing all the concrete around them to crack.
The crowd fell silent, taking in what had just happened, as Saku regained his balance and prepared for the next attack. Boruto, with the same confident smile as always, took his foot off the wall and slowly lowered it, his eyes fixed on Saku, as if he was waiting for him to react.
Saku, after stabilizing himself, jumped to another place, performed several hand seals and exclaimed:
—Mokuton: Daisoju !
Giant roots sprouted from his arm, connecting to the ground and moving underground. The ground creaked as the branches moved forward, and Boruto, noticing this, jumped. But at that instant, huge roots emerged from the ground to catch him in mid-air. Boruto, at an impressive speed, moved between the branches, dodging them and gaining more and more height. Quickly, he formed a seal with his hands and shouted:
—Katon: Endan no Jutsu!
A fireball shot out from Boruto's mouth and headed straight for Saku. Saku reacted instantly, causing more roots to emerge from the ground to form a shield. The fire hit the branches, causing a loud crash. BOOM! A cloud of dust rose up, and Boruto stood on one of the branches, staring at the impact site.
Suddenly, new roots emerged from the ground, trying to grab him. Boruto pulled out a three-pronged kunai, imbued it with Futon chakra, and began to cut through the branches, jumping between them with great agility and speed. The cloud of dust dissipated, and Saku held his hand in jutsu position as he watched Boruto. The battlefield filled with tree roots as Boruto moved through them at astonishing speed.
Boruto watched Saku as he ran through the roots emerging from the ground. Without wasting any time, he increased his speed and nimbly jumped towards the stadium wall. Using chakra on his feet, he stuck to the wall and, after stabilizing himself, he performed a series of hand seals with precision, slamming his hands against the wall and shouted:
—Doton: Gaeshi Doroku ! (Earth Release: Earth Wall).
A sturdy earthen wall emerged from the rampart, and Boruto stood upon it, providing an elevated base. From there, his eyes turned to Saku, as the branches advanced rapidly, seeking to catch him. With determination, Boruto made more hand seals just as the roots were about to reach him. He threw his body back forcefully, preparing for the counterattack as he shouted:
—Katon: Karyuu Endan! (Fire Release: Dragon Flame Fire Bullet).
He threw his body forward and a fire dragon shot out of his mouth, destroying all the roots that came near. The fire advanced fiercely towards Saku, who opened his eyes when he realized the danger. The flames consumed everything in their path, burning the roots that Saku had summoned. However, Boruto did not stop there. He sent more chakra, intensifying the fire until it turned a whitish color and increased in temperature.
From the stands, the heat was so intense that spectators covered their faces to protect themselves. The shinobi present were astonished by the magnitude of the attack. Even on the Hokage's balcony, the gazes of the Kage reflected surprise. This fight did not seem to be at the genin or chunin level; it was a confrontation worthy of experienced jounin.
When Boruto finally stopped sending out chakra, the jutsu died down. The battlefield was covered in embers and ashes; the branches burned and the concrete blackened by the intense heat. Boruto, with a confident expression, adjusted his posture by putting his hands in his pockets and smiled. However, his smile faded for an instant, only to return with greater force.
— Hahahaha ... — Boruto laughed , enjoying the power he had just unleashed.
When the dust cleared, the spot where Saku stood was empty. For a moment, the entire stadium fell silent, waiting to see the outcome of Boruto's attack. Suddenly, a wooden cocoon emerged from the ground. Slowly, it opened, revealing Saku inside.
Saku fell to his knees on the ground, panting and coughing, visibly exhausted from the effort. Despite his exhaustion, he had managed to protect himself, although he could barely stand after the intense exchange. Saku looked at Boruto, who was on the rampart, atop his earthen wall, with a smile.
"Are you giving up, Saku?" Boruto asked with amusement.
Saku slowly stood up and answered, looking at the ground:
—I'm not going to give up.
Boruto continued speaking with amusement:
—What are you holding on to, Saku? In this exam you don't need to make it to the finals, you don't need anything.
Saku replied:
"You talk a lot." He looked at Boruto and continued, a small smile on his face. "You always push us away… I wonder if you feel lonely, Boruto. Hahaha…"
Boruto's smile disappeared, and he spoke coldly:
—I wanted to give you a chance to surrender, since if we keep fighting, it will be difficult for me not to kill you. It would be a problem for me... with the Hokage. But seeing as you are so motivated, I will be a little more serious. I hope you hold out.
Saku became serious and prepared himself.
Boruto took his hands out of his pockets and thought to himself, "I thought about ignoring my father, but well, why not? Fighting without the Hiraishin... it's best not to show too much. After all, I haven't used it during combat."
Out of his thoughts, Boruto jumped off the dirt platform and landed on the ground, starting to walk towards Saku calmly. Saku looked at him seriously, waiting for his move. Boruto stretched out his hands with a bit of force, and from his sleeves he pulled out a three-pronged kunai in each hand. Saku pulled out a kunai, but quickly noticed something and jumped back, though it was too late. Blood came out of Saku's shoulder due to a cut from Boruto.
In Saku's mind there was only one thought: "I only saw it out of the corner of my eye... that speed, damn it!" Saku pressed his hand against his shoulder, where blood was flowing.
Boruto spoke:
—You were able to see me. It wasn't bad, but you're too slow.
Saku held his shoulder and fell back to his knees. In an instant, Boruto appeared beside Saku and, with a kick to the head, slammed him into the ground, a loud bang resounding.
"BOOM!" was heard, raising a cloud of dust. Boruto, serious, stood in his place, sighed and put away the three-pronged kunai. Then, he crouched down and lifted Saku's head.
Saku glanced at him as blood ran down his face. Without hesitation, Boruto slammed his head into the ground again, causing another rumble:
—BOOM! —The cloud of dust rose again as Boruto held Saku's head by the hair.
Everyone watching the fight was shocked and a little scared of the blond. Sarada, seeing the brutality of the scene, tried to run towards her teammate, but Mitsuki stopped her.
Hinata was terrified by what she saw, while Himawari, a little fearful, couldn't understand why this wasn't her loving brother she knew.
Naruto stood up and said firmly:
—The winner is Boruto Uzumaki!
Rock Lee, who was the referee, came out of his stupor and announced:
—The winner is Boruto Uzumaki!
Boruto let go of Saku's head and stood up. Without looking back, he started walking out of the place. Sarada and Mitsuki ran towards Saku, while the medics rushed over with a stretcher. They quickly laid Saku down on it and started walking to take him to the medical area, while his friends accompanied him with worried expressions.
In the Hokage Pavilion, the atmosphere was tense. The Kages watched in disbelief at what had just happened on the battlefield. Kurotsuchi was the first to break the silence.
"Naruto, what was that?" she asked, surprised. "Your son has no compassion. Now I understand why you said it was better for him not to face normal genin."
Naruto, who had been standing and watching the fight from his spot, sat back down in his chair, keeping silent. He knew this conversation was inevitable.
Darui intervened in his usual calm, but serious tone.
—That genin called Saku is strong, he was able to perform jutsus of great magnitude. But it was not enough... Your son's speed and strength were overwhelming.
Chojuro, with a worried expression, joined the conversation.
—I have the feeling that Boruto didn't even show his full power.
Naruto continued to say nothing, his face showing a mixture of uncertainty and concern. He didn't know how to explain what had happened. Then, Gaara, who had remained silently watching until that moment, spoke in a more severe tone.
—Naruto, tell me what's going on. Why did you put such an experienced ninja in the chunin exams? Your son could easily kill the others if he wanted to.
The Hokage looked down, unable to find the right words to respond. He knew the other Kages' concerns were valid, but he still had no clear explanation for Boruto's behavior.
Meanwhile, in the stands, the atmosphere was different. People were murmuring amongst themselves, impressed and somewhat uneasy about what they had just witnessed. Hinata, worried, hugged her daughter Himawari tightly, trying to calm the anxiety she felt.
In the center of the stadium, Rock Lee addressed the audience with his energetic voice.
—As you can see, the battle has left the field too damaged to continue with the next fight —he explained with a forced smile—. Therefore, we will take a short break for repairs. You can go get something to eat and wait for the next fight. Don't miss it!
The crowd slowly began to disperse, though the tension was still palpable in the air.
In the infirmary, Tsunade was concentrating all of her medical skill on healing Saku's wounds. Sarada and Mitsuki watched, their faces filled with concern. Several minutes passed before Tsunade finished and finally turned to them.
"He'll be fine," he said calmly. "I've already treated his wounds, he's just unconscious. Sarada, you should prepare for your next fight."
"I'll wait for him to wake up," Sarada replied firmly.
Tsunade sighed and prepared to leave the room, but just before she left, she glanced at Mitsuki out of the corner of her eye, sensing a strange feeling emanating from him. Without saying anything else, she left the room.
Not long after Tsunade left, Saku began to wake up. He slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, a little disoriented.
"Where am I...?" he asked, his voice weak.
Sarada and Mitsuki quickly approached, and Sarada responded with relief in her voice.
—Saku, you're in the infirmary. Are you okay?
Saku looked at her sadly and let out a sigh.
—So... I lost.
Sarada looked down, her voice full of sincerity.
—Yes, Saku. Boruto defeated you.
Mitsuki intervened, trying to cheer him up.
—But you showed incredible power. Don't be discouraged, Saku.
Saku covered his eyes with his arm, trying to process the defeat. Sarada clenched her fists and spoke with determination.
—I promise you, Saku. I will take revenge on Boruto and defeat him, no matter what it takes.
Saku smiled lightly, finding comfort in her words.
—I trust you, Sarada.
Sarada nodded confidently, her gaze reflecting firm determination.
—The time for rest is over, it's time for my fight. I'll make it to the finals, don't worry.
With those words, Sarada turned around and walked out of the infirmary, ready to face her next opponent. Her gaze was filled with determination. She knew that she not only had to win for herself, but also for the promise she had just made to Saku. Nothing would stop her on her path to victory, one step closer to becoming Hokage.