In the previous chapter: Boruto faced Saku in an intense fight and emerged victorious, surprising everyone present with his level of power. Now, with Boruto as the first finalist, the public's attention turns to the next fight: Sarada Uchija vs Shinki of the Desert .
Sarada walked out of the infirmary with a firm determination in her eyes. As she walked down the hallway that led to the stadium, her mind was focused on one goal: defeating Shinki. As she reached the exit, the crowd erupted in cheers of excitement, the atmosphere charged with anticipation. The stadium had been partially repaired, with a new concrete floor, but the walls still showed the cracks and damage from the previous fight, adding to the air of tension.
Sarada looked up and found her mother, Sakura, in the crowd. Her mother's unconditional support gave her strength, and with a confident expression, she walked to the center of the stadium, where Shinki was already waiting for her, as calm as ever. Their gazes met, and the air between them seemed to be charged with electricity.
At the Kages' pavilion, Chojuro commented:
—This fight looks interesting, don't you think?
Kurotsuchi, curious, added:
—I wonder what strength they will show to earn a spot in the finals against Naruto's son.
Naruto, with a nostalgic smile, replied:
—Gaara, doesn't this fight remind you of something from the past?
Gaara, staring at the stadium, nodded.
—The fight I had with Sasuke... I wonder what your daughter will show in this fight.
Darui, crossing his arms, intervened:
—I hope it's as exciting as the last fight.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Sarada's teammates were enthusiastically supporting her. At that moment, Saku slowly appeared, leaning on Mitsuki's shoulder. Seeing him, everyone turned around, and Shikadai asked:
—Are you okay, Saku?
Saku smiled weakly.
—I'm just tired.
His companions nodded, and Saku sat up with difficulty. Inojin, seeing his state, said to Shikadai:
—I think you should be grateful that you didn't make it to the semi-finals. You could have ended up worse than him, don't you think?
Shikadai looked at Saku, covered in bandages, and replied thoughtfully:
—I don't know... but I feel like I would have been in danger. Saku was able to withstand a bit of Boruto's power, and that's already quite a lot. Boruto is very strong, his jutsus have overwhelming power. Compared to us, we are weak.
Sighing, Shikadai added:
—What a bummer... We'll have to work a lot harder if we want to catch up with them. They're on another level.
Those who listened to Shikadai were left in deep thought, until Rock Lee's voice brought them out of their reverie.
—Let the fight begin!
The stadium filled with tension as Sarada and Shinki prepared for battle.
Shinki attacked with his iron sand, sending bullets towards Sarada. Sarada started to run, dodging the attack.
From his position, Shinki spoke:
—Surrender, Uchija. You are no match for me.
"I won't give up, I will defeat you," Sarada replied as she dodged the attacks.
"If that's what you want, then suffer," Shinki said, and the speed of his iron sand increased, launching more bullets more quickly.
Sarada activated her Sharingan to dodge the iron sand bullets that were coming her way. With an agile jump, Sarada managed to completely evade Shinki's attack, performing a flip in the air. At that moment, she took out a kunai with an explosive seal and threw it in Shinki's direction. When the kunai reached its target, it exploded with a bang:
—BOOM!
Sarada landed on her feet and watched the explosion, staring at the cloud of smoke that rose up. However, when the dust cleared, she was surprised to see that Shinki was unharmed, protected by his sand, which had formed closed hands around him like a shield.
Shinki moved his sand as rays of magnetism shot out, forming two large fists of sand. Shinki spoke:
—My defense is impenetrable, you won't be able to break it.
On the Hokage balcony, Naruto spoke to Gaara:
—So you have perfect defense. You remind me of someone.
Gaara sighed and replied:
—Iron Fists are both a defensive and offensive technique. It is the best technique Shinki has mastered.
Naruto became serious and looked towards the center of the stadium.
—Defensive and offensive then…?
In the center of the stadium, Shinki raised his hands towards Sarada and said:
—Kurogane no Konushi, iron fists!
An iron fist came towards her at high speed. Sarada dodged it with her Sharingan activated, jumping to another place, and the fist hit the ground with a rumble:
—BOOM!
But the other fist was closer to her, hitting her, causing her to fly towards the stadium wall.
—BOOM! —a mighty crash rang out, and a cloud of smoke rose.
The audience screamed with excitement for the fight, while Sarada's teammates looked worried. Chocho, who was eating chips, only said:
-It just can't be…
Elsewhere in the audience, Sakura exclaimed:
—No… Sarada…
From the Hokage Pavilion, Kurotsuchi commented:
—Looks like the fight is over. I thought they were going to show us a fight like the last one.
Naruto sighed and leaned back in his seat. Gaara just stared at the center of the stadium.
In the center of the stadium, Shinki spoke:
"I thought you would give me more of a fight, Uchija. I heard that your father fought mine, but now that I have defeated you, only the Hokage's son is left. Although, seeing your strength, I can say that growing up under the Seventh's supervision made you weak. The only strong ones are the Mokuton and the Seventh's son, but you do not live up to your family name. You are good for nothing without the Seventh. I will show my father that the sand is already higher than the leaf."
From one of the locker rooms, Boruto spoke with amusement:
—That guy is more arrogant than me, hahaha. But seeing how things are, I'll have to fight him in the finals... I'll tear off his arm so he doesn't say stupid things next time, hahaha.
At the stadium, Rock Lee, seeing Sarada's condition, was about to announce the result, but from where she was, stones rang out. Sarada slowly walked out of the hole in the concrete, bearing several wounds, as she looked at the ground and spoke:
—You insult us, but even you are not as strong as them. You just say meaningless things.
Shinki replied:
—Senseless things?
Sarada raised her head, glaring at him with her Sharingan activated, and spoke furiously:
—You don't know us well enough to talk about us. You insult our efforts as if they were nothing.
Sarada's eyes changed as the second blade of the sharingan appeared.
Everyone who knew a little about the Sharingan was surprised, even the Kages, and Kurotsuchi spoke:
—This is getting interesting.
Naruto smiled proudly, while Sakura from the stands only said:
—Sarada…
At the stadium, Shinki spoke:
—Why meet them, when seeing how they fight is more than enough to see how weak they are? Their efforts only make them look pathetic.
Sarada glared at him and replied:
—I will defeat you and show you that you should not underestimate the Leaf.
Sarada composed herself without taking her eyes off Shinki and added:
—My dream is to be Hokage, and I will not lose.
Shinki smiled sideways and said:
—You should surrender, but since you want to fight, I will crush you.
Sarada sighed as her Sharingan glowed in all its glory. Time seemed to slow down and more words from her father ran through her mind. "Sarada, the Sharingan has the ability to copy anything, even people's movements, but you must also copy the movement of the person's chakra. Keep that in mind, Sarada."
Outside of Sarada's thoughts, Shinki readied his iron fists and launched them at her at the same time. But Sarada appeared in front of Shinki before he could react. Shinki was shocked, but it was too late. Sarada punched him in the face, sending him flying to the other wall of the stadium.
—BOOM! —a powerful crash was heard.
Everyone, seeing how things had changed, shouted in excitement. The Kages were shocked, and Naruto stood up from his chair and exclaimed:
—That speed… is Boruto's. He copied it with the Sharingan.
Gaara was also surprised. Sarada's companions became excited and shouted.
Meanwhile, Boruto from the locker room said with amusement:
—Hahaha, look at that. He copied my speed. Not bad.
In the center of the stadium, Sarada was panting from exhaustion and looked down at her legs, which were shaking. She thought to herself, "My body isn't used to this speed. The wear and tear is too much." Sarada looked up and saw Shinki, who had a wound on his cheek and was embedded in the concrete, as iron sand dripped off his body.
Shinki walked out slowly, looked at Sarada and spoke:
—That hit wasn't bad. But it's not enough.
Shinki gathered his sand again, from which wings emerged, and rose into the air as he looked at Sarada.
"It's time to end this," he announced.
Sarada opened her eyes and said:
—It can't be... can it fly?
She became serious again. Shinki opened his arms and iron feathers shot out from his wings towards Sarada at full speed. But Sarada disappeared, and the iron feathers stuck into the ground. Shinki was surprised, but then he felt a blow to his back that made him crash into the ground with a loud bang:
—BOOM!
Sarada appeared on the ground again, but fell to her knees from exhaustion. Shinki flew out of the dust cloud and launched his feathers at Sarada again. She tried to stand up, but couldn't, and was hit, being thrown against the wall with another crash:
—BOOM!
Sarada slowly climbed out of the hole she was stuck in and fell to her knees. Her gaze remained fixed on the ground as she turned her head to look at Shinki, who was still in the air. Still panting from the pain and exhaustion, she thought to herself: "The speed I just used... I won't be able to repeat it. Besides, Shinki's sand could only be disabled with Raiton's chakra, but it has to be very powerful, like the attack Mitsuki gave him. I only have to try that technique, but my father warned me that I wouldn't be able to control it. It will have to be a precise strike."
With determination, Sarada struggled to her feet, trembling. She looked up and shouted:
—What's wrong, Shinki? Why don't you attack? This is your chance!
Shinki watched her from the air, keeping his expression serious, and replied:
—What are you planning, Uchija?
Sarada stared at him and declared with a lopsided smile:
—A single attack... to end it all.
"Any attack you have is useless. But try it, I want to defeat you in a crushing way," Shinki replied disdainfully.
Sarada lowered her head, still smiling. She closed her eyes, as if mentally preparing herself, then opened them again with a determined look. Her Sharingan glowed brightly as she began performing a series of hand seals. When she finished, she stretched her hand forward and shouted loudly:
—Chidori!
In an instant, electricity erupted around her hand, creating lightning that crackled and hummed with a distinctive sound. Chidori lit up the stadium arena, and spectators felt the air vibrate with the energy accumulated in Sarada's hand.
Naruto, from his spot on the Hokage balcony, opened his eyes in surprise and muttered:
—That technique...
Sakura also watched her with her heart racing, worried for her daughter's safety.
The Chidori glowed brighter by the second. Sarada felt the heat of the energy coursing through her arm. With a determined look, she raised her head, focusing her Sharingan on Shinki.
Boruto, sitting in the locker room, watched Sarada's fight on the TV screen in front of him. Watching Sarada form the Chidori in her hand, an amused smile spread across his face,
In the stadium, Sarada ran at high speed towards Shinki, moving like lightning. She leapt towards him with Chidori ready while Shinki, in the air, quickly fused the tips of his iron wings together, forming a sharp beak and shouting:
—Kurogane no Tsubasa!
The clash between Sarada's Chidori and Shinki's attack was immediate, creating an explosion of air that spread throughout the stadium. Sarada channeled all of her chakra into her technique, and Shinki's iron beak began to crack. Even though Shinki tried to increase his strength, it was insufficient. Sarada's Chidori broke through the iron defense, surprising Shinki.
As Sarada's Chidori faded to the limits of its power, she didn't waste the opportunity. She quickly closed in and, with a last-ditch effort, landed a powerful punch on Shinki's torso, the remnants of lightning still crackling in his body. The impact was brutal, sending Shinki flying with force until he crashed into the stadium wall with a deafening crash.
—Boom! —was heard as dust covered the place.
The audience watched in silence, awed by the power of the fight.
Sarada fell to the ground, propping herself up on one knee as she caught her breath. Her gaze remained fixed on the spot where Shinki had been thrown. A thought crossed her mind: "He was overconfident... His arrogance was his defeat." Despite her exhaustion, a slight smile of satisfaction appeared on her face.
Rock Lee approached the unconscious Shinki, checked his condition and, raising Sarada's hand, declared in a firm voice:
—Winner, Sarada Uchiha!
The stadium was filled with cheers and applause. From the stands, Sakura couldn't contain her excitement, jumping up and shouting with joy at seeing her daughter emerge victorious.
"That was amazing!" Chocho exclaimed, unable to take her eyes off the sand. "Sarada has become very strong."
Saku smiled, proud of his partner's performance. Sumire, for her part, clenched her fists, thoughtful. "Sarada, I trust you... Only you can help me get closer to Boruto again. If anyone can make him change, it's you," she thought with determination.
The atmosphere in the stadium was pure enthusiasm for Sarada's victory, with a sense of admiration towards the young Uchiha.
On the Hokages' balcony, Naruto commented with a wide smile:
—That was impressive... Sarada really put up a good fight.
Kurotsuchi, watching with interest, replied:
—It wasn't bad. He knew how to take advantage of the moment and turn the fight around.
Darui, arms crossed, added:
—That genin was overconfident. He lost because of his own arrogance.
Chojuro, with a slight smile, said:
—Still, it was amazing. Sarada imitated Boruto's speed.
Gaara thoughtfully added:
—That jutsu... Sasuke must have taught him.
Naruto nodded, a mix of pride and satisfaction on his face.
In the center of the stadium, Sarada stood firm as medics rushed to tend to both her and Shinki. Though exhausted, her posture reflected a mix of pride and relief at her victory. The cheers and shouts of support from the stands were deafening.
Meanwhile, in the locker room, Boruto watched the match from the television, his eyes fixed on the screen. With a thoughtful smile, he crossed his arms and muttered to himself:
—To think that Sarada made it to the finals... Not bad at all. I wonder how far she'll go.
His tone was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity in his gaze.
In the infirmary, Sakura worked with precision as she healed Sarada's wounds. Despite her professional approach, she couldn't hide the pride she felt for her daughter. With a warm smile, she finished applying the last of the healing and said,
—You did amazing, Sarada. You've proven yourself to be a true kunoichi.
Sarada, still recovering from the adrenaline of combat, looked at her with an exhausted but satisfied smile.
—Thanks, Mom. I knew Shinki would be a tough opponent, but… I had to give it my all.
Sakura watched her closely, noticing the tiredness in her eyes, but also the spark of determination she had always seen in her daughter.
"I know, and you did it." She stroked his hair gently. "Watching you wield the Chidori reminds me of Sasuke when he was your age. I'm sure he would be proud, too."
Sarada looked down for a moment, as if her mother's words gave her new motivation.
"Dad trained me for these moments. I can't let him down…or you," she replied, her eyes shining with gratitude.
Sakura, with a mixture of pride and excitement, added:
—You have nothing left to prove to me, Sarada. But I know that in that final… you will surpass yourself once again.
Sarada nodded, ready to face Boruto the next day.
Before they could continue their conversation, Rock Lee's voice was heard echoing through the hallway:
—The winners who advanced to the finals, please come to the center of the stadium.
"I'll be waiting for you outside the stadium," Sakura said, smiling softly as her daughter stood up. "Remember, I'm always with you."
Sarada smiled back at her mother and said a quick goodbye before heading down the hallway that would take her back to the battlefield. As she reached the stadium entrance, the sun was beginning to set, turning the sky a deep orange, almost red, creating a solemn atmosphere full of expectation.
As she walked towards the center of the stadium, her eyes met those of Boruto, who was exiting from the opposite end. With his hands in his pockets and a relaxed expression.
They both walked to the center of the stadium, where Rock Lee was waiting for them with a serious expression. And he spoke firmly:
—The finals will be held tomorrow. Konoha's Sarada Uchiha and Konoha's Boruto Uzumaki, make sure you're in top condition for that match.
Sarada, her eyes shining with determination, replied without hesitation:
-Yeah!
For his part, Boruto, maintaining his relaxed air, simply nodded.
After that, Boruto left the stadium, Sarada did the same, going out in search of her mother, who was waiting for her outside. Little by little, the stands emptied, with the public and the Kages leaving as well. The night passed quietly, but in a remote training place, Sarada was with her parents, Sasuke and Sakura, preparing for the next day.
Sasuke, with his usual calm and serious tone, spoke first: "I heard that you copied Boruto's speed, and tomorrow you will face him.
Sarada nodded, respect in her eyes: "Father, what do you recommend so I can win against him?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment before answering, "Long ago, in the past, a man tried to change the world on his own. He ignored the advice of others and sought power at any cost.
Sakura, at his side, was slightly surprised to notice Sasuke talking about himself. Sarada, intrigued, asked, "And what happened to that man?"
"He was badly injured," Sasuke replied, "but in the end, his friend saved him."
Sarada looked down, pondering her father's words, but Sasuke continued speaking: "Tell me, Sarada, why do you want to fight tomorrow?"
Sarada looked up, determined, and replied, "I want to win, I want to be one step closer to being Hokage... but I also want to fight Boruto."
Sasuke watched her carefully. "Why do you want to fight him?"
"I want to help him," Sarada confessed. "Something in my heart tells me to. I don't want him to be alone. I want to be his friend again."
Sasuke smirked, a rare expression for him, and spoke calmly, "Sarada, never give up on what you believe in. But if you want to beat Boruto, you'll have to master that speed completely."
Sakura, who had been silently watching the conversation, smiled proudly at her daughter's words. Sarada, hearing the determination in her father's voice, nodded firmly.
With that motivation, they began to train under the moonlight, as the night progressed.
The next day, the sun had barely risen when people were already beginning to congregate in one place: the stadium where the Chunin Exam finals would be held. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the stands were quickly filling up with spectators eager to see the final showdown.
The stadium, rebuilt after the previous matches, was buzzing with excitement. From every corner of the village, murmurs and comments about the two finalists could be heard. High up on the Hokage balcony, the Kages of the villages were gathered, watching the event unfold attentively.
Naruto looked around the stadium with a mix of pride and excitement.
"Today will be an interesting day," Kurotsuchi commented, with a slight smile as she looked out over the battlefield.
"Naruto's son and Sasuke's daughter..." Darui muttered thoughtfully. "This is going to be a good fight."
Chojuro, the Mizukage, intervened in his calm tone, "I wonder who will win. But if we talk about strength, Boruto has the advantage."
Kurotsuchi nodded. "That's true. Boruto has proven to be stronger than Sarada in several fights."
However, Darui added with a smile, "She should not be underestimated, though. In yesterday's fight, she was able to turn the situation around and win with her wits."
Naruto smiled as he listened to the conversations between his fellow Kages. Gaara remained silent, though his eyes remained fixed on the center of the stadium, analyzing every detail of the upcoming match.
The final was about to begin, and everyone present knew that the confrontation between Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha would be something to remember.
In the center of the stadium, a voice resounded loudly, drawing the attention of everyone present:
—Boruto Uzumaki and Sarada Uchiha, please come to the center!
Boruto and Sarada appeared, each at opposite ends of the arena, as the crowd erupted in cheers of excitement at the sight of the young opponents. They both looked at each other, Boruto with an expression of amusement, and Sarada with determination visible in her gaze. As they walked towards the center of the stadium, the tension in the air increased.
As the two reached the center, Rock Lee raised his hand, pausing before announcing excitedly:
—The Chunin Exam finals are about to begin! Konoha's Boruto Uzumaki vs. Konoha's Sarada Uchiha!
The stands erupted in cheers and applause as the match everyone had been waiting for finally began. In the stands, Sarada's teammates watched with bated breath.
"Who do you think will win, Shikadai?" Chocho asked, looking at her friend.
Shikadai looked at her thoughtfully before answering:
—It's hard to say, but Boruto will most likely win. He has more experience and a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
—So you think the same too —said Chocho, sighing—, but I want Sarada to win.
"Me too," Shikadai nodded. Then he turned to Saku, who was still wearing bandages from their recent fight, and asked, "Tell me, Saku, you fought Boruto. Do you think Sarada has a chance of winning?"
Saku looked at him with a serious expression before answering:
—She has a chance, but it's very small. Boruto has a lot of tricks up his sleeve that he hasn't shown. Sarada will have to analyze him perfectly if she wants to have a real chance.
The academy's classmates listened attentively to Saku's words, nodding gravely as they turned their gaze to the center of the stadium.
Rock Lee stood in the center of the stadium, his expression serious and determined. His voice rang out with authority, silencing the eagerly awaiting crowd.
"The last one standing will be the winner," he announced. Then, he raised his arm, preparing for the start of the battle. "Begin!"
With a quick and decisive movement, Rock Lee lowered his arm, marking the official start of the fight.
Sarada activated her Sharingan to its fullest extent as Boruto attacked, appearing in front of her with a quick punch. Sarada tilted her head and raised her forearm to protect herself, feeling the fist graze her skin, but the force of the blow pushed her back. However, she didn't have time to recover as Boruto reappeared in front of her and threw another punch straight at her chest. Sarada blocked it with her forearms, but was once again pushed back.
Sarada quickly recomposed herself and attacked with everything she had, disappearing and reappearing in front of Boruto. She threw a punch that Boruto deflected with his hand. She followed up with a side kick, but Boruto blocked it with his knee. The two exchanged punches and kicks at breakneck speed, as spectators watched in excitement, though only a few could keep up with the fight.
During the confrontation, Sarada managed to grab Boruto's hand and made a sign with it. Boruto noticed and looked at her in displeasure, but Sarada followed up with a second sign, using her hand. Immediately, she jumped back and shouted:
—Katon: Endan no Jutsu!
A fireball shot out of Sarada's mouth towards Boruto. He quickly performed some hand seals and shouted:
—Doton: Doroku Gaeshi!
Slamming her hands into the ground, she created a wall of earth that stopped the fireball. The impact created an explosion that raised a cloud of dust into the air. Sarada watched intently at the spot where the jutsus collided, but a kunai with an explosive tag came flying towards her. Just as the kunai got close, it exploded with a loud "BOOM!", raising another cloud of dust.
Boruto emerged from the first cloud of dust and surveyed the scene, but when the second cloud cleared, he found only a tree trunk in place of Sarada. A substitute, Boruto thought. In that instant, he spun around and launched a spinning kick just in time to hit Sarada, who had appeared behind him, sending her flying into the stadium wall. However, upon impact, Sarada disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Boruto jumped to react, but it was too late. From another point on the field, Sarada shouted:
—Raiton: Raikyu!
Yellow balls of electricity surged out and flew towards Boruto at full speed. Boruto quickly responded, saying:
—Raiton!
An electric current appeared in his hand, which he used to block the electric balls. The clash created a loud thunderous roar, filling the field with sparks as the two jutsus collided.
When the lightning finally subsided, Boruto could be seen with his hand still charged with electricity. His jutsu had prevailed. He lowered his hand and the sparks slowly dissipated, as he looked at Sarada, who was watching him with determination in her eyes.
Boruto, amused, spoke with a smile.
—Not bad, but you won't beat me with this, Sarada. What else do you have?
Sarada didn't respond with words. Instead, she pulled out a kunai and prepared to continue the battle. Boruto, seeing her silence, smiled even more.
"So there are no words?" he said in a playful tone. "Fine, you just want to fight. Whatever you want."
Boruto started walking towards Sarada, and she stood firm, not moving from her spot. Quickly, Boruto made a seal with his hands and shouted:
—Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!
Several Boruto clones immediately appeared and rushed towards Sarada at high speed. With her Sharingan activated, Sarada was able to follow their movements and began a frantic fight, dodging and countering the clones' attacks. She managed to defeat several, but the overwhelming number of enemies began to take its toll.
Despite her efforts, Boruto's clones managed to land several hits. Punches and kicks impacted her body, wearing her down little by little. With determination and effort, Sarada managed to defeat the last clones, but her body already showed several wounds.
Boruto, who had stopped to watch his clones attack Sarada, resumed his pace and confidently approached. Sarada, still strong, looked at him and ran towards him, but in an instant Boruto appeared at her side. With a quick movement, he landed a strong punch in her stomach, lifting her off the ground a few centimeters.
Before she could react, Boruto grabbed her by the head and slammed her into the ground with a loud bang that echoed throughout the stadium, raising a cloud of dust. He straightened up, staring intently at the spot where he had hit Sarada, not looking away.
When the cloud of dust cleared, Sarada seemed unconscious, her eyes closed. But suddenly, she opened her eyes with the sharingan and stared at Boruto. To his surprise, Boruto realized too late: he had fallen into a genjutsu.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Sarada, still on the ground, kicked him in the chin, raising him a few centimeters in the air. She quickly got up and, with determination, threw a strong punch in his stomach that made him fly to the other side of the stadium, crashing into the wall BOOM! Raising a thunderous noise and raising a snowdrift of dust.
Sarada was exhausted from the effort, panting as she stared intently at the spot where Boruto had been crashed. The rocks shifted, and Boruto emerged from the rubble, holding his stomach and a drop of blood dripping from his mouth. With a serious look, he commented:
—I was careless, that hit wasn't bad.
Sarada, smiling defiantly, replied:
—In return, your blows don't hurt... it feels like I'm being hit by a child.
Boruto smiled as he stopped holding his stomach, wiping the blood from his mouth.
"So you can talk," he said, letting out a small laugh. "Hahaha."
Sarada stared at him and spoke:
—It's all fun for you, right, Boruto? You don't take this fight seriously.
Boruto, still smiling, replied:
—You're wrong. I'm taking this fight seriously, but it's just... this is fun.
Sarada watched him silently for a moment before asking:
—Boruto... what is your goal?
Boruto looked at her seriously for a few seconds before answering:
—My goal is to be the strongest. There is no more.
Sarada looked down, thinking.
—I see... I think I'm starting to understand you a little. Your actions make some sense now, though not entirely.
Boruto, losing his smile, said coldly:
—I don't care if you understand me, Sarada.
Sarada looked up, watching him intently.
—But I don't understand why you push others away, what are you afraid of, Boruto? You could have solved everything from the beginning, but you didn't want to.
Boruto, with a mix of frustration and disdain, replied:
—I just don't get it... You all are always a pain. That's why I didn't want to spend time with you. You think I should be like everyone else, but you're wrong. I'm not like everyone else, and I don't want to be.
Sarada opened her eyes slightly, surprised by his answer, but soon smiled.
—I understand... you are different. You don't expect anything from others, nor do you want them around, simply because that's who you are. That's your nature.
Boruto smiled again, though this time with a more somber tone.
—Your dream is to be Hokage, right? —he said as he stretched out his hand and a blue sphere of chakra began to form—. Rasengan.
A blue sphere, slightly larger than usual, appeared in Boruto's hand, brimming with power. Boruto looked at it for a moment before continuing in a firm voice:
—Your dream is not bad, but compared to mine, it is far below.
Sarada, returning the smile, replied while performing several hand seals:
—We'll see about that. —And with determination, he exclaimed—: Chidori!
In an instant, electricity erupted around his hand, creating lightning that crackled and buzzed with a distinctive sound, into Sarada's hand which said.
"Let's see what is the best goal to achieve," he said firmly, preparing for the final confrontation.
Boruto ran towards Sarada at a surprising speed, while Sarada also launched herself at him, lightning coursing through her body. The clash of their techniques was devastating. The Rasengan and Chidori collided with a burst of pure power, creating an explosion so strong that it shook the entire stadium. Winds and lightning spread across the battlefield, destroying the ground around them.
Both shinobi continued to apply more force in their attacks, fighting to surpass the other, until the confrontation reached its peak.
BOOM!
The roar was deafening, shaking every corner of the stadium, as a giant cloud of smoke and dust enveloped the area. Much of the center of the stadium was destroyed, and spectators in the stands covered themselves with their arms to protect themselves from the strong wind that swept across the venue, leaving them breathless.
After the crash, a hush filled every corner of the stadium as the cloud of dust slowly dissipated. A moment later, someone flew out of the cloud, crashing into the stadium wall with a mighty rumble. BOOM! All the spectators were shocked and turned their gazes towards the place of impact. When the smoke cleared, Sarada could be seen embedded in the wall, with a swirling wound on her stomach.
Shock filled the stands. Spectators turned their gaze to the cloud of dust still floating in the air, from which Boruto emerged walking. He was holding his shoulder, from which blood was pouring out, dripping down his arm. Limping slightly, he approached Sarada. When he reached her, he released his grip on her shoulder, revealing a fully embedded kunai that had left a hole in her flesh.
Calmly, Boruto reached into his ninja bag and pulled out a three-pronged kunai. The spectators held their breath, thinking that he would end Sarada's life. However, Boruto threw the kunai to the ground in front of Sarada's feet and spoke:
—You have some of my respect, Sarada. You were able to trick me… but your strength is still not enough. Even so, you wounded me. That kunai I give you is in exchange for the one on my shoulder.
Boruto brought his hand to his own shoulder, grabbed the kunai's ring with his fingers, and yanked it out, not showing a sign of pain. Blood sizzled, staining the ground, as he put the bloody kunai away in his ninja pouch. He then placed his hand over the wound, and green chakra began to envelop it, healing the injury little by little.
Rock Lee, watching the conclusion of the match, announced from his balcony in a firm voice:
—Boruto Uzumaki, winner of the Chunin Exam!
The spectators burst into cries of excitement, thrilled after having witnessed such a fight. Boruto, still standing in front of Sarada, looked at her seriously. A memory flashed through his mind.
Flashback
The clash between the two continued with force until their attacks collided violently, pushing them back as a large cloud of dust enveloped the battlefield after the explosion. Boruto rolled several times on the ground before stopping. He stood up, brushing off the dust, and looked at his hand; his glove was burned and badly worn. With his breathing labored, he turned his gaze to the center of the explosion, where the dust was still thick.
Without hesitation, Boruto began to walk towards the epicenter of the explosion, shaking his head from side to side, searching for Sarada. Not sensing her presence, he crouched down, placing his hand on the ground to track her, but at that moment a high-pitched screech startled him. Before he could fully react, something emerged from the ground.
Sarada suddenly appeared, holding a kunai covered in lightning, and stabbed it into Boruto's shoulder. The pain surprised him, and when he looked closer, he noticed that on Sarada's body was a tag with a seal. Boruto, in a quick reflex, channeled his chakra and shouted:
—Rasengan!
With a swift movement, he launched the Rasengan at Sarada's stomach, sending her flying out of the cloud of dust and crashing violently into the concrete wall of the stadium.
End of flashback
Boruto looked at the tag Sarada was wearing on her chest, which had several seals on it, and thought to himself, "That tag was hiding Sarada's chakra... she was preparing to fight me. I can only think of one person who could have given her that tag, and that's Sasuke Uchiha. But that tag only works for a short time. What a problem."
The cloud of dust had cleared. Boruto turned around and began walking towards the center of the stadium, using one hand to heal his wound. The medics approached to tend to him, but he waved them off. Instead, they made their way to Sarada, who was lying on the ground, her eyes open but unable to move. The medics carefully placed her on a stretcher.
Sarada turned her head towards Boruto, looking at his back, and in a weak voice, she spoke:
—Boruto... I will defeat you in the future. Just wait... this is just the beginning.
Boruto turned his head slightly, looking at her from the corner of his eye, and with a slight smile, he replied:
—I'll be waiting for you.
Sarada smiled weakly and, addressing the doctors, asked them:
—I want that kunai handed to me.
The medics looked at each other, a little bewildered, but they took the three-pronged kunai that Boruto had left behind and handed it to her. As soon as Sarada held it, her eyes closed and she fell unconscious, exhausted from the battle.
At that moment, two people appeared next to Sarada in a Shunshin: they were Sakura and Sasuke, who looked worriedly at the state of their daughter. Boruto, who was still walking, looked at them out of the corner of his eye before directing his gaze towards the stands where his mother and sister were. Then, he looked back towards the center of the stadium and finally reached his destination.
On the Hokage's balcony, Kurotsuchi spoke:
—That fight wasn't bad. Sarada surpassed herself and managed to injure a strong opponent again. I'm sure she'll become a great shinobi in the future.
Chojuro added:
—They had a good fight.
Gaara, who had remained silent, finally commented:
—Although Sarada showed great improvement during the fight, Boruto defeated her in the end. Nevertheless, it was a good matchup.
Darui intervened:
—It was an interesting fight. I wonder what it will be like when they both grow up and become even stronger.
Naruto, with an expression of pride at his teammates' words, stood up from his seat and headed to the stadium to announce the winner.
Meanwhile, in the stands, Chocho commented:
—Sarada lost, but I have to admit she was impressive.
"I think it's best not to mess with Boruto in the future. He's… different from us," Shikadai said seriously.
—That's true, we better stay away. Who knows what he might do —Inojin added.
—Plus, he's proven that he doesn't need teammates to get things done, Shikadai continued.
Denki lowered his head and whispered:
—So we're leaving Boruto?
Saku, who had been listening to the conversation, intervened:
—Denki, I'll tell you this: the Boruto you knew no longer exists. This is the real Boruto. He doesn't want us to be close, and it's better this way.
Denki did not respond.
—Boruto is very strong, but I will catch up to him and defeat him —Metal Lee said with determination.
—But Sarada was able to hurt him. That surprised me, he's become very strong —Mitsuki added, impressed.
Saku smiled and said:
—There's a reason she's our team leader and partner.
"Don't think so much, we'll catch up with you," Shikadai said, smiling.
"We won't wait for them," Saku replied with a smile.
Iwabe added with a determined air:
—We won't give up either.
While the others were still deep in conversation, Sumire remained silent, staring at Boruto's back. She clenched her fists and thought to herself: I won't leave you alone, Boruto. You helped me, and even if it was just a whim, I will return the favor.
In another section of the stands, Himawari exclaimed excitedly:
—My brother is very strong! He is the winner of the exam!
Hinata nodded with a smile, but deep down, she felt worried. The image of her son pulling the kunai out of his shoulder without showing a sign of pain seemed disturbing to her. In her thoughts, she muttered to herself:
—Boruto...
After a moment, Naruto arrived at the center of the stadium, while Sakura and Sasuke continued to tend to Sarada. Sakura continued to heal her daughter's wounds with concern, but at the same time, she felt pride for the effort she had shown in combat.
Boruto lowered his hand from his shoulder and observed how his wound was now completely healed. He sighed deeply and turned his gaze towards his father, who was already approaching him with firm steps. The atmosphere was tense, and the excitement of the previous fight still hung in the air.
But suddenly, everything came to a standstill.
The spectators' movements froze; even the wind seemed to stop in its tracks. Boruto and Naruto's eyes widened, sensing a strange energy coursing through the place. Instinctively, they both looked up and what they saw left them stunned.
High in the sky, two strange and unfamiliar looking figures were floating. One of them was on the shoulder of the other and the being on the other's shoulder spoke in a deep voice:
—I finally found you.
The figures began to slowly descend from the sky, and one of the spectators shouted:
-What's that?
The beings landed on the ground, raising a cloud of dust with their arrival. The smaller being, who was on the other's shoulder, jumped up and stood firmly on his feet.
Sasuke, who was standing behind Naruto and Boruto, reacted quickly:
—Boruto, move them! —he exclaimed loudly.
Boruto came out of his state of surprise, and upon hearing Sasuke, he glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, nodding quickly. With agility, he performed a series of hand seals and said:
—Hiraishin: Shuzoku Ido!
In a flash, Boruto disappeared along with Sarada. Naruto, shocked, watched his son's sudden action. From the stands, Hinata and Himawari also disappeared in a flash.
In a flash, Boruto disappeared along with Sarada. Naruto, shocked, watched his son's sudden action. From the stands, Hinata and Himawari also disappeared in a flash.
One of the beings observed what happened and commented:
—What an interesting technique... a spatial power. But how problematic.
The spectators watched the newly arrived beings with curiosity, while on the Hokage's balcony, Gaara stood, looking seriously at the invaders, and muttered to himself:
—They are allies of that man...
The being who had spoken earlier activated his Byakugan, veins visible around his eyes. Looking at Naruto, he calmly uttered:
—You... Are you from the same clan as Kaguya Otsutsuki?
The shorter being replied, disinterested:
—I'm going to capture that inferior being that just left. I need to know more about its technique.
He looked around and added, speaking to his companion:
—There are too many inferior beings in this place.
"Shall we clean up first?" the tallest one asked in a monotone.
The shortest one nodded:
—Yes, let's clean up.
The larger being raised his hand, and claws of red energy with white hues emerged from his fingers. He then violently swung his hand towards the ground, causing a loud rumble.
—BOOM!
The impact caused a shockwave that pushed Naruto back, forcing him to protect himself with his forearms. The stadium shook, and cracks began to form, spreading rapidly as the structure crumbled. Terrified spectators began to run, screaming and seeking shelter. Chunin and Jonin acted immediately, destroying parts of the roof that were about to fall to prevent injuries, while Gaara moved quickly to stop the debris with his sand.
The other Kages also intervened, helping the villagers escape. The smaller being began to walk towards Naruto with a cold and imposing expression.
Seconds earlier, on a hill far from Konoha, Boruto appeared in a flash alongside Hinata, Himawari, and Sarada. Hinata, surprised, looked around, as did Himawari, but Boruto wasted no time. He made a hand seal and a clone appeared next to him.
—Protect them and contact Kuroshhi —Boruto ordered his clone.
Hinata approached Boruto urgently and asked:
—Boruto, what's going on? Where are we?
—I took them out of Konoha. I need you to take care of Sarada —Boruto answered seriously.
—Why did you take us out of Konoha?! Who were those beings? —Hinata insisted, increasingly worried.
Boruto glanced at her and replied:
—I don't know who they were, but they're dangerous. Their chakra is comparable to my father's and Sasuke's, maybe even more so. I have to go back to check it out.
"Take me with you, Boruto," Hinata asked, determined.
"No. You will stay here," Boruto replied firmly.
Hinata didn't want to listen to him and started walking back to Konoha, but Boruto quickly performed several hand seals. Suddenly, Hinata was paralyzed. Boruto approached her and explained:
—I've placed a suppression seal on you. You won't be able to move.
Hinata glanced at him, trying to speak, but couldn't. Boruto, without wasting any more time, threw several three-pronged kunai around them, forming a circle, and performed more seals. Then he declared:
—Fuinjutsu: Genjutsu no Sekai! (Sealing Art: Escape from Reality)
A dome-shaped barrier rose above them, and Boruto continued:
—They won't be able to detect them here. But I know you won't stop, so...
Boruto looked into his mother's eyes, and her right eye changed, activating her Doujutsu. Hinata, surprised, tried to use her Byakugan, but before she could do anything, she was knocked unconscious. Boruto caught her with his arms and laid her down on the ground, then stood up.
"You won't remember anything..." Boruto murmured to his mother.
He then looked at Himawari, who was staring at him without knowing what to say, and knocked her out as well. Turning to his clone, he ordered:
—Send them to Kuroshhi if Konoha is destroyed. If not, return them to Konoha with the Hiraishin and make sure to heal Sarada.
The clone nodded, and in a flash, Boruto disappeared, returning to the battlefield.
Meanwhile, at the stadium, the shinobi were working quickly to help the civilians out of the area. In the center of the field, the larger being launched a direct attack at Sasuke. However, Sasuke nimbly dodged it, jumping to the side. Elsewhere in the stadium, Naruto was keeping his eyes fixed on the second being when suddenly, Boruto appeared beside him. They both looked at the being in front of them.
Naruto, worried, turned to his son and said:
—Boruto, this place is dangerous. Get out of here.
Boruto glanced at him without saying anything, his cold and calculating gaze focused on the being before them. Before they could react, the enemy disappeared from their sight. Naruto and Boruto quickly looked around, searching for any sign of movement, but found nothing. Suddenly, Boruto disappeared in a flash just as a powerful kick from the being, aimed at him, struck Naruto. Naruto was not so lucky; the attack hit him squarely, knocking him back into the stadium wall with a deafening crash.
—BOOM! —The force of the impact raised a dense cloud of dust and debris.
The being, unfazed, turned his gaze towards the stands, where Boruto had reappeared. He stared at him and commented disdainfully:
—You're fast. That technique of yours is interesting, but you're still an inferior being.
From the stands, Boruto watched the being with a serious expression. He thought to himself:
"I couldn't sense his speed... only when he was already on top of me. If I hadn't used Hiraishin, that kick would have reached me. It's troublesome."
Despite the situation, Boruto remained silent, analyzing his opponent's every move. Meanwhile, Naruto, who had crashed into the wall, was getting up at full speed. Wasting no time, he attacked the being with a series of rapid strikes. However, the enemy dodged each attack with ease, as if Naruto's movements were nothing more than simple games.
Naruto, frustrated, jumped back to put some distance between them. Just then, Sasuke appeared at his side, ready to join the fight.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the stands, a third being abruptly appeared. It was immediately attacked by the Kages of the Arena and the Mist, who did not hesitate to surprise it. The being, seeing itself momentarily outmatched, flew out of the stadium, and the Kages followed it, taking the battle to new, clearer terrain.
Boruto, watching from the stands, thought to himself:
"So there are three of them... but it seems the Kages will take care of the third one. Then, I'll focus on these two. I want to see what they're capable of first. Besides, it seems they've already evacuated everyone else."
Meanwhile, in the center of the stadium, the being that seemed to be the leader slowly raised his hand towards Naruto and Sasuke, as if preparing to attack. However, before he could do anything, his body suddenly froze, as did his companion. A dark shadow ran over both bodies, completely immobilizing them.
From the stands, Shikamaru maintained his firm stance, one hand forming a seal as he controlled his shadow. With his typical calm, yet determined expression, he said out loud:
—It's over.
The smaller being, visibly upset, spoke with contempt:
—What nonsense is this?
With his right hand, which revealed a Rinnegan in the palm, he activated his ability effortlessly and absorbed the shadow that kept him trapped. Shikamaru fell to the ground on his knees, in disbelief at what had happened.
"He absorbed it!?" he muttered, unable to believe what he was seeing.
Boruto opened his eyes, but didn't make any movement, remaining silent as he watched the scene.
The smallest being spoke:
—Kinshhiki.
The large being, holding an imposing red and white energy axe, floated towards his companion who called out to him.
Sasuke, who was next to Naruto, spoke seriously:
—It's them, Naruto. Kaguya's scroll spoke of their arrival.
Naruto frowned, taking on a more alert stance.
—So he created the White Zetsus to confront them...
Sasuke nodded.
—Their target is the chakra fruits. They've come for Kurama and the chakra of the Bijuu you have.
Naruto was shocked by this revelation.
From the other side of the stadium, the being spoke with an arrogant smile:
—I see you know a lot. My name is Momoshiki Otsutsuki. I belong to the Otsutsuki Clan, like Kaguya.
Kinshhiki, his protector, also spoke:
—I am Kinshhiki Otsutsuki, your protector.
Naruto, with a stern look, asked:
—What is your goal?
Momoshiki responded with a wider smile.
—You... You possess the most powerful chakra. With your chakra, I will be able to plant the Divine Tree again.
Naruto opened his eyes in surprise.
—The Divine Tree?
Momoshiki nodded, pleased with the reaction.
—Our mission is to complete Kaguya's work, recover the chakra fruit and restore the Divine Tree.
Sasuke intervened with a firm voice:
—Why do you want to revive the Divine Tree, Otsutsuki?
Momoshhiki replied arrogantly:
—That's obvious. We'll use it to create 'Tan', extend our life and gain more power.
Boruto, who was listening attentively from the stands, smiled maliciously.
"So these are the Otsutsuki... But how interesting. And the Divine Tree... It seems that I already have something to do in the future to grow."
In the center of the battlefield, Naruto replied seriously:
—So it's some kind of pill? You just have to consume the "Tan"...
Momoshhiki, enjoying the attention, raised his hand, showing a small burgundy-colored sphere, and explained:
—Just by eating this, you gain true power instantly, without any effort.
Naruto replied with contempt:
—So they are like cheats, doping to gain power.
Boruto, who was still paying attention to the conversation, sighed to himself.
"What a hypocrite... If you had the chance, you would take it without hesitation. You would use it to protect others, but in the end, the only difference is what you use it for. Everything else is the same. That's why I don't like you."
Naruto continued speaking:
—If they just limit themselves to using tools and pills, there's nothing authentic about it.
Boruto smiled in disbelief at his father's words and thought.
"Do you really think that makes you better? You talk like effort is all that matters, but at the end of the day, everyone wants power. You just want yours to protect others, but that doesn't make you any different. You just choose a different cause. Authentic? Please... Power is power, no matter how you get it."
Momoshhiki, hearing Naruto's words, sighed indifferently and spoke, with a haughty smile:
—I didn't expect anything more from lesser beings. They are just food. Come, Kinshhiki.
With those words, Momoshiki began to rise into the sky, while Kinshiki nodded and followed him, ascending with him. The air seemed to become thicker with his presence in the firmament, as if the weight of his power oppressed everything around him.
Once in the air, Momoshiki stopped, in his right hand which held the burgundy sphere, the "Tan", he ate the tan in one bite and then. He raised his left hand towards the sky, and from his palm emerged multiple techniques that he had absorbed before, including a Bijudama, which began to grow at an alarming rate.
"Behold my 'Takami Musubi no Kami (Exalted Deity Musubi)'," he declared in an imposing voice. "I can unleash the techniques I absorbed with even greater power."
The massive Bijudama grew to a colossal size, casting a gigantic shadow over the destroyed stadium.
Elsewhere, the fight between Gaara and Chojuro vs Urashhiki was taking place. "(Note: This fight is like the original since Boruto hasn't changed much of the story yet.)"
Back at the stadium, Momoshiki turned his hand towards Naruto, launching a powerful fire attack in the form of a giant bird, with an arrogant smile on his face. The attack hit directly, causing a massive explosion that resounded with a deafening boom: BOOM! The explosion destroyed a large portion of the stadium, leaving rubble everywhere.
Boruto, who was on the other side of the stands, covered himself with his forearms to protect himself from the impact and the fragments flying through the air. A dense cloud of dust rose, blocking everyone's vision.
Momoshiki stood in the air, a satisfied smile on his face as he looked at the destruction he had caused. But as the cloud of dust began to dissipate, his expression changed as he saw what had happened.
At various points in the stadium, clones of Naruto in Kyubi Chakra Mode could be seen, protecting the civilians. Each clone had created an energy, which enveloped and protected the crowd from the attack. Naruto, with a look of determination, spoke firmly:
—This village is my home, and its people are my family. I won't let you hurt them.
Meanwhile, in the center of the stadium, Naruto and Sasuke stood their ground. Naruto had summoned Kurama's head in his Chakra Mode, which protected them both.
Momoshiki, with a twisted smile, waved his hand again, launching a lightning attack that struck Naruto directly. The boom echoed throughout the stadium, BOOM! , and the sky lit up with a blinding white flash. Boruto, who was watching from another point, barely managed to cover himself with his forearms again, but the intensity of the attacks did not stop.
Momoshiki, with obvious sadism, continued to launch more elemental attacks. Fire, lightning, water and wind were unleashed towards Naruto's clones, who were protecting the few civilians left in the stadium. Each attack was more devastating than the last, and debris from the stadium flew in all directions, turning the place into a field of total destruction.
Boruto, seeing the situation, disappeared in a flash using the Hiraishin, moving away from the chaos as the stadium continued to collapse. Naruto, for his part, was at his limit. With his hands stretched out forward, he sent Kurama's chakra to protect the civilians with everything he had, but the effort was beginning to take its toll. Despite his power, Momoshiki's continuous bombardment was hindering his ability to maintain the defense.
Sasuke, who was standing next to Naruto, raised his hand and spoke seriously:
—Use my chakra. If you are defeated, everything will be lost.
Kurama's head, already glowing with golden chakra, was covered by a purple armor, Sasuke's Susanoo, which reinforced the defense. Naruto nodded gravely.
"Good," he replied, concentrating his chakra even more.
But Momoshiki didn't stop. He kept attacking with a maniacal grin, trying to destroy the energy protecting the civilians so he could reach them. The stadium was in complete chaos, with elemental attacks flying everywhere, breaking what was left standing and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
"Let's see how much longer you can last!" Momoshiki shouted, laughing maniacally.
The entire stadium was in total chaos. Momoshiki's laughter echoed in the air as he continued to launch his attacks without stopping, enjoying the destruction he caused.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Chojuro and Gaara continued their fight against Urashhiki, eventually managing to force him to retreat, though not without difficulty.
Back at the stadium, Naruto and Sasuke were still holding out, but the tension was palpable. Momoshiki, laughing uncontrollably, continued to enjoy the show, launching attack after attack.
—HAHAHA! How fun! —Momoshhiki shouted, while chaos reigned around him.
After a brief silence, Momoshiki stopped his attacks and the dust covering the stadium began to dissipate, revealing the critical state of Kurama's head, still covered by the Susanoo armor, which had suffered severe damage.
"I see you've lasted quite a while," Momoshiki said, his expression mocking. From his right hand he pulled out more "tan" and ate it in one bite. Then, he directed his left hand at the gigantic Bijudama floating above him, expanding it even further. The sphere grew until it was the size of the stadium itself, and black and red rays began to come off of it, destroying what little remained of the structure. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Explosions rumbled, crumbling everything around them.
"It's over!" Momoshiki shouted excitedly as he aimed the monstrous Bijudama at Naruto and Sasuke. His laughter was frenzied. "HAHAHA! Don't die, fox!"
Naruto slowly lowered his arms, looking determinedly at the impending destruction.
"Sasuke, get out of here," he said without hesitation, looking at the approaching Bijudama. "Take care of the civilians."
Sasuke glanced at him, knowing what that gesture meant. Naruto gave him a confident smile in return.
"I understand," Sasuke replied, ready to do what is necessary.
Naruto quickly put his hands together, and spoke in a firm voice:
—Kurama, I hope you're ready.
From inside Naruto, Kurama nodded, showing a fierce smile as he clasped his hands together as well.
"We won't hold back. We're going all out!" the big fox growled.
At that moment, Naruto released all of his chakra. The clones scattered around the stadium put their hands together, sending more chakra into the protective barrier. Nine gigantic chakra tails began to emerge around what was left of the stadium, enveloping the gigantic Bijudama. Naruto concentrated all of his power while Kurama emerged from the ground and began to hold the Bijudama with his colossal chakra hands.
BOOOMMMM! What was left of the stadium disappeared in the midst of the explosion of power. Kurama used his tails to form an energy barrier, preventing the massive sphere of destruction from being fully released. The now trapped Bijudama began to glow dangerously, but Naruto and Kurama held it back.
From the branches of a tree in a distant position, Boruto watched the spectacle. Although he tried to put his hands together to make hand seals, he stopped. Without further ado, he put his hands in his pockets and remained silent, watching as the battle raged.
In Konoha, the enormous chakra dome formed by Kurama's tails could be seen from every point in the village. The blinding glow grew more and more intense. The inhabitants, on the verge of panic, shouted desperately:
—Seventh! Enough! Escape!
The shinobi continued to evacuate the civilians, but everyone looked towards the stadium with fear and worry. The intensity of the chakra and the magnitude of the Bijudama threatened to overflow.
Finally, the Bijudama could hold out no longer. BOOM! The explosion was contained by Kurama's barrier of tails, which absorbed the full impact. Although the detonation was immense, it did not escape the protection created by Naruto and Kurama. The sky above Konoha briefly lit up, but the explosion did not breach the barrier. The village was saved, at least for the moment, thanks to the protection of the Seventh Hokage.
After the explosion, the stadium was left in ruins, turned into a huge crater. Dust and debris scattered everywhere, and in the center of the crater lay Naruto, unconscious, surrounded by the marks of battle and consumed chakra.
Boruto, from his position in the branches of the tree in the distance, watched his father collapsed on the ground. His eyes narrowed, his gaze cold and calculating, as he considered his options. He prepared to use the Hiraishin and appear near Naruto, but just before he moved, he stopped.
At that instant, the Otsutsuki, still in the air, moved swiftly. Momoshiki and Kinshiki descended and grabbed Naruto from the ground, lifting him up as if he were a mere trophy. With a triumphant smile, Momoshiki looked around, satisfied by the devastation caused. Without another word, a portal appeared, dark and distorted, and Momoshiki and Kinshiki stepped through the portal, disappearing.
The empty crater, without Naruto, and the Otsutsuki already far away, remained like an echo of the fierce battle that had shaken Konoha minutes before. Boruto, without further ado, disappeared in a flash, leaving the place empty and desolate.