Tendo Pain — or rather, Boruto in disguise — held the wooden sword in one hand and slowly walked toward Kagura, who stood poised above the water.
Kagura gripped his own sword with both hands, unmoving, as steady as stone.
Each of Boruto's steps came with a cold, echoing murmur, "Feel the pain. Think about the pain. Accept the pain. Understand the pain."
The Kirigakure students in the stands began whispering.
"Just walking up like that? That's too disrespectful to Kagura! Who even is this kid?"
"I heard he's the Hokage's son. Just arrived from Konoha today."
"The Hokage's son? What's with the creepy pain speech then?"
The crowd's murmurs were a mix of curiosity and irritation.
To them, Kagura wasn't just anyone — he was a prodigy who had become a Chunin at ten years old and the chosen successor of the Twin Blades Hiramekarei.
Seeing him treated so casually by Boruto felt unfair.
Yet, even though Boruto's steps were slow, each one radiated a calm confidence.
This pressure... I've only felt this before when sparring with Lord Chojuro, Kagura thought, gripping his sword tighter.
The atmosphere grew tense — the stillness before the clash.
"Shikadai," Inojin whispered with a smirk, "how many rounds do you think it'll take to decide the winner?"
Shikadai leaned back, thinking. "Hard to say. It's swordsmanship, and we've never seen Boruto use a blade before... but his strength is ridiculous. If he went all out, he might end this in one move."
The battle began in a flash.
Boruto moved first, his figure blurring as he swung the wooden sword in a perfect arc toward Kagura.
"So fast!"
Kagura's eyes widened as he raised his sword just in time — clang!
The sound of impact thundered across the training ground.
The water beneath their feet exploded upward, sending a shimmering curtain of droplets into the air.
The crowd gasped.
"I couldn't even see him move!"
"The Hokage's son is that fast?"
Whatever contempt they had before was instantly replaced by awe.
As the water curtain settled, both Boruto and Kagura came back into view — the wooden swords in their hands shattered into pieces, leaving only the handles.
Kagura's hands trembled slightly from the force. Not only is his speed greater than mine… even his strength surpasses me.
Boruto grinned. "The wooden swords are too fragile. Let's change them."
He tossed aside the broken handle.
A black rosary suddenly appeared in his palm, which glowed and transformed into two pitch-black blades. With a flick of his wrist, he threw one toward Kagura.
Kagura caught it instinctively. "Nice sword!"
He examined the weapon — unpolished but emanating a deep, heavy aura.
"Even without a visible edge, I can feel how powerful it is."
Up on the viewing platform, Chojuro's eyes narrowed.
When did he summon those? I didn't even see a hand seal or scroll unseal… they just appeared out of thin air.
Boruto twirled his sword lightly, sending ripples through the water beneath him.
"Alright, come on then."
Kagura inhaled deeply and readied his stance, "I'll do my best, Boruto."
The two lunged simultaneously.
Kagura moved first, cutting across the water in fluid, dance-like movements.
Each slash carried precision — the product of countless hours of Mist sword training.
Boruto evaded smoothly, leaping lightly on the waves, moving as if the water itself carried him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their black swords clashed again and again, sparks flying and waves bursting beneath their feet.
The crowd held their breath — the scene looked like two dark comets colliding above a glowing ocean.
Chocho munched on potato chips as her eyes sparkled. "Kagura really is the only man worthy of me — to be able to hold his own against Boruto this long."
Her shameless comment drew laughter from everyone around her.
But among the Kirigakure students, the mood was tense.
"The Hokage's son is so strong… Kagura's starting to fall behind."
They weren't wrong. As the battle dragged on, Kagura's breathing grew heavier.
His grip trembled slightly with each impact, and his steps across the water began to falter.
Boruto, however, was still composed, his movements relaxed — almost teasing.
Then, in an instant, Boruto vanished from sight.
Whoosh!
He reappeared in front of Kagura, his sword slicing down like lightning.
Kagura barely raised his blade to block, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward across the surface — ten meters, then fifteen — before he managed to stop, panting heavily.
"No form, no rhythm… just pure speed and power," Kagura gasped, dropping to one knee. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he fought to stay upright.
Boruto stood calmly, sword resting on his shoulder, watching him without attacking.
From the stands, the Kirigakure students began shouting:
"Kagura, get up!"
"Don't give up!"
"Fight back!"
The sound of their cheers echoed across the training ground.
Kagura looked toward the viewing platform — Chojuro was watching, his expression firm but encouraging.
Lord Chojuro is watching me… I can't lose like this.
With renewed determination, Kagura pushed himself to his feet.
Seeing this, Boruto's classmates couldn't help but smile. Even they joined in with the Mist students.
"Come on, Kagura!" someone yelled.
Boruto blinked, looking at his classmates in disbelief.
"Hey, hey, what the hell? You're cheering for him now? You're supposed to be my team!"
Shikadai chuckled. "Sorry, Boruto. We kinda want to see you get humbled for once."
"Humbled?" Boruto smirked. "You'll be waiting forever. Because I am Tendo Pain. I am God. I am invincible."
The crowd laughed — but before anyone could respond, two clear voices rose above the noise at the same time.
"Boruto, come on!"
Boruto paused — then smiled faintly. "Two's enough."
From the stands, both Sarada and Sumire had shouted for him at once.
Their eyes met for a brief second before Sumire blushed and quickly looked away, unable to meet Sarada's gaze.