Chapter 305: The Midlife King of Firepower
"So many people showed up."
Modern Boruto looked around and commented.
"Well, of course. It's a match involving the Hokage—no wonder there's a crowd."
Future Boruto replied.
"Welcome, everyone, to today's yo-yo competition! I'll be your referee and commentator—Captain Dragonfly! Competing today are the Blazing Fire Team, led by the Hokage, and the Shock Team, led by Sasuke! The rules are simple: each team sends one member per round, and the winner earns a point. The first team to reach two points wins! So, who will emerge victorious and take home the prize—the Peace Star? Let's find out!"
Captain Dragonfly shouted into the mic.
The crowd erupted with cheers, calling out support for Naruto and Sasuke.
"For the first match, Sarada, you're up."
Sasuke turned to Sarada and said.
"Mm."
Sarada nodded firmly.
"We can see that both sides have chosen their first competitors. Representing the Blazing Fire Team is Uzumaki Boruto, and representing the Shock Team is Uchiha Sarada!"
Captain Dragonfly announced into the microphone.
"Hmph, Sarada, I'm not going easy on you."
"Boruto, you've never beaten me—not once. This time won't be any different!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Sarada activated her Sharingan and threw her yo-yo without hesitation.
"Beautiful! Sarada goes in immediately with a Flash Spin! Looks like she's aiming for a quick win!"
"So you're trying to finish me off right from the start, huh? Tch—I'm not letting that happen, Sarada!"
"Wait a minute! Boruto is also using a Flash Spin right out of the gate—no, that's not it! It's Boruto's chakra! He's channeling his chakra through the string connecting the yo-yo to his finger, unleashing a technique that may not be a true Flash Spin, but mimics its effects! This is incredible! Not only does he have excellent yo-yo skills, but his chakra control is far beyond that of others his age. As expected of the Hokage's son!"
"I can't keep attacking—I've got to switch to defense!"
Staring at Modern Boruto in front of her, Sarada shifted tactics and launched her yo-yo again, switching from offense to defense.
"Using high-speed Flash Spin burns through a lot of stamina, doesn't it, Sarada? You won't last long. Just give up already."
Modern Boruto looked smugly at her.
"Now's my chance—Sharingan Genjutsu!"
"Crap!"
Naruto, watching from the stands, grimaced.
"Match over! The winner is Uchiha Sarada of the Shock Team!"
Modern Boruto snapped out of the genjutsu only after Captain Dragonfly's announcement brought him back to reality.
"Ugh! That's cheating, Sarada! You actually used genjutsu on me!"
"You were the one who let your guard down, dummy."
"Damn it! Hey, Kurama, why didn't you warn me?!"
Modern Boruto mentally confronted Kurama inside him.
"Hmph. Brat, why should I bother? Lending you my chakra is already a favor to your dad. Don't wake me for nothing."
"…Wait a sec! Kurama never talks this much! Sage Mode!"
As Modern Boruto reopened his eyes, the match was already entering the final phase.
"That was close, Sarada! You really hit me with genjutsu, huh?!"
"You saw through it…"
Sarada's face darkened. With her plan exposed, she was all but certain of her loss.
Her original intent was to make Boruto believe he had lost and give up prematurely. But to her surprise, Boruto pulled through at the last moment.
Having opened with a high-intensity Flash Spin, Sarada's stamina was nearly depleted. During one of her yo-yo maneuvers, she made a mistake and failed to catch the yo-yo on its return.
"I declare the winner of the first match: Uzumaki Boruto of the Blazing Fire Team! That's one point on the board! Now, onto the second round. From the Blazing Fire Team we have... oh? What's this? No real name? Understood… Ahem! Due to the Hokage's special request, the second Blazing Fire contestant will not be using their real name. In round two, Uzumaki Ningen from the Blazing Fire Team will face Uchiha Shuyu from the Shock Team! Contestants, please enter the arena!"
Although the major clans were already aware of Future Boruto's identity, Konoha's general public still had no idea he existed.
As for Uchiha Shuyu—of course, Future Boruto knew exactly who he was. That was Uchiha Itachi.
Known as the genius of the Uchiha clan, it was said that had he not died early due to a bloodline-related illness, Itachi might have surpassed even Uchiha Sasuke.
Against Uchiha Itachi, there was no such thing as being too cautious.
"Sorry, but I have to win this match."
With anything concerning Sasuke and Sarada, Uchiha Itachi always got especially serious.
As he finished speaking, Itachi revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"There it is! Shuyu from the Shock Team has activated his Mangekyō Sharingan! What kind of move will he unleash next?!"
Captain Dragonfly shouted with excitement.
"Amaterasu!"
Itachi's strategy was simple—since this was a yo-yo match, all he had to do was destroy the opponent's yo-yo. It was cheap, sure, but undeniably effective.
"Damn!"
Boruto tried to protect his yo-yo with Kurama's chakra, but the attack came too fast. It was clearly too late.
"What a stunning tactic! Not a single yo-yo move used—he wins simply by forcing Uzumaki Ningen of the Blazing Fire Team out of the match!"
Captain Dragonfly managed to keep his tone upbeat.
"Now, on to the third round—the one everyone's been waiting for! Uzumaki Naruto of the Blazing Fire Team versus Uchiha Sasuke of the Shock Team!"
"You're really playing it safe, huh, Naruto?"
Sasuke looked at the yo-yo in Naruto's hand, which was coated in Kurama's chakra.
"We Blazing Fire Team don't fall for the same trick twice! Let's do this, Sasuke!"
"Both Naruto and Sasuke are unleashing their signature yo-yo techniques!"
Captain Dragonfly announced.
"Here's a technique that combines yo-yo skill with ninjutsu—Kirin!"
Dark clouds gathered over Konoha, accompanied by thunderclaps.
"Celestial Nine-Tails!"
"Flash Spin! Both players have activated Flash Spin! Now this is what a proper yo-yo match should look like!"
Captain Dragonfly shouted, moved to tears.
As Naruto's yo-yo launched its final arc, the brilliant Flash Spin formed a glowing Nine-Tails that leapt into the sky toward the thunderclouds nurturing the Kirin.
"Trying to break through my Flash Spin early? Too late, Naruto!"
As Sasuke's words fell, his lightning Kirin collided with Naruto's glowing Nine-Tails.