The afternoon sun slanted over the Ninja Academy's training grounds, casting long shadows across the field.
The students had gathered for their group combat training — teams of three facing off against each other. The air buzzed with excitement and tension.
"The next match: Nara Shikadai, Yamanaka Inojin, and Akimichi Chocho versus Uzumaki Boruto, Uchiha Sarada, and Mitsuki," announced Shino Aburame, his voice calm but carrying authority.
A cheer rose from the sidelines.
"This is gonna be good! Ino–Shika–Cho versus Boruto's team — no way I'm missing this!" Iwabe shouted, his fists clenched in excitement.
"Why does it have to be Boruto again…" Shikadai muttered with a sigh. He looked toward Shino half-jokingly. "Sensei, can we just surrender?"
Shino shook his head slowly. "Shikadai, the meaning of battle isn't just winning or losing. It's about learning and growing through the fight. If you always retreat from a strong opponent, you'll never surpass your limits."
"What a drag…" Shikadai groaned, scratching his head. But he stepped onto the field with his teammates regardless.
On the other side, Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki were already waiting.
"Shikadai, I'm sorry, but I'll have to make you feel some pain today!" Boruto declared dramatically, transforming himself with a henge into Tendo Pain.
"Here we go again…" Shikadai said with a helpless smile.
"Ridiculous! A bag of rice—" Boruto started, but Shikadai cut him off.
"—Feel the pain, Boruto!" Shikadai finished mockingly, stealing Boruto's line.
"Hey! You stole my line! That's cheating!" Boruto protested.
Shikadai smirked, thinking to himself, He always says something dramatic before a fight. Like it's going to boost his power or something.
"Alright, formation," he said aloud, turning serious. "Stick to the plan."
At his signal, Inojin unfurled his drawing scroll.
"Ninja Art: Super Beast Imitation Drawing!"
A large ink-painted flying insect came to life, flapping its wings and soaring straight toward Boruto's team.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Sarada shouted, weaving hand seals and spitting a blazing fireball that collided midair with the creature.
The explosion sent steam and embers across the field. Both attacks canceled each other perfectly.
"Whoa! That was a full-on Great Fireball Jutsu — a C-rank technique! Sarada's amazing!" Denki exclaimed from the sidelines.
But Inojin wasn't done yet. "It's not over!" he called out, quickly sketching again. Two more ink insects shot forward, hidden in the smoke.
As Boruto's team prepared to counter, the insects suddenly exploded — splattering ink everywhere.
They dodged instinctively, but failed to notice the shadows stretching beneath them.
In the next instant, black tendrils snaked out along the ground, binding their movements tightly.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
"Whoa, that's the legendary teamwork of Ino–Shika–Cho!" Iwabe shouted. "Their coordination's perfect!"
Boruto struggled but smirked. "Not bad… but not enough."
Shikadai's eyes narrowed. He's not panicking at all. That's never a good sign.
"Chocho, now!"
"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"
Chocho's right arm swelled to enormous size and slammed down toward Boruto's trapped team like a giant hammer.
But just before impact — boom! — an invisible repulsive force erupted, blocking the strike effortlessly.
Chocho's hand froze midair, unable to break through no matter how much strength she used.
"What the—what kind of jutsu is that?!" Inojin shouted, stunned.
Shikadai frowned. Is that the same ability Boruto used against Shino-sensei last time? Even my Shadow Possession can't hold him down…
[Emotional Progress Log Updating…]
Akimichi Chocho: +43
Nara Shikadai: +52
Yamanaka Inojin: +47
Boruto adjusted the strength of his repulsion slightly — and with a wave of his hand, Chocho was blown backward, rolling several meters across the ground. Dust flew up in her wake.
"Chocho! You okay?!" Inojin called out in alarm.
"Ow… what kind of jutsu is that? He was caught in your shadow, Shikadai — and he didn't even use hand signs! That's just broken!" Chocho groaned, rubbing her head.
Boruto raised his hand again and pointed straight at the trio.
Shikadai could feel the pressure in the air. Even my shadow technique can't restrain him… This power's unreal.
"In the face of overwhelming strength," Boruto said in his Tendo Pain voice, "tactics are meaningless."
"You've already proven your teamwork. But now… feel pain. Accept pain!"
"Shinra Tensei!"
For a moment, Shino tensed, imagining the destruction that jutsu could cause — but instead of devastation, glowing diamond-like chains burst forth, snaking around Shikadai, Inojin, and Chocho, binding them tightly.
The tide had completely turned.
Boruto's team, once trapped, was now free — while Ino–Shika–Cho were helplessly restrained.
"Alright, that's enough!" Shino stepped forward, raising his hand. "The match is over. Excellent work, all of you."
Boruto snapped his fingers, and the diamond chains dissolved into light.
Shikadai and his teammates stood up, brushing themselves off, frustration clear on their faces.
Boruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Guess we went a little overboard, huh?"
Mitsuki walked up beside him, smiling faintly. "It ended before I even got to move."
He looked over at Shikadai and said softly, "So this is what you call… winning effortlessly?"
Shikadai sighed, resigned. "What a drag…"
The students laughed, the tension fading into warm afternoon sunlight — another day of lessons and rivalry in the ever-evolving world of Konoha's next generation.