Boruto, who had just struggled back to his feet after being blasted away by the chakra storm, froze in shock when he saw Yuki's transformed appearance.
"H-Her… she looks different!?"
"Boom!"
In the next instant, the ground roared.
Hundreds of massive trees burst violently from the earth. Their roots intertwined and writhed like seaweed, growing wildly like giant serpents.
In the blink of an eye, the entire Chūnin Exam arena was transformed into a vast forest ocean.
Swaying shadows swallowed Yuki's figure.
"What is this!? What is this supposed to be!? What are you, exactly!?"
Boruto's furious shout was drowned out by the thunderous advance of the trees.
"Wood Release!?"
On the Kage platform, the Five Kage shot to their feet in shock.
Naruto slammed both hands on the table, staring fixedly at Yuki's bare face on the battlefield.
That face overlapped perfectly with the smiling girl in the family photo he had once seen in Akira's home.
His pupils shrank sharply.
"That face… there's no mistake… it's her! It's his child!"
It was the first time the Kage had ever seen Naruto so shaken.
Darui asked in surprise, "Who is 'he'?"
"Sasuke clenched his fist and spoke for Naruto, his teeth gritted.
"Uchiha Akira."
"Uchiha Akira?" Darui suddenly realized. "Ah! That night, you specifically came to Cloud Village to ask me about him. Don't tell me…"
"There's no time to explain," Sasuke said grimly.
"Listen, all of you. Not long ago, Naruto and I fought Uchiha Akira together… and we lost."
Chōjūrō widened his eyes. "What!? You two together were defeated? Are you sure!?"
Sasuke had no interest in repeating that humiliation.
"We've seen photos of him with his family. We're certain now—"
"That girl using Tree World Descent… is Uchiha Akira's daughter."
Watching strange flowers begin to bloom on the massive tree trunks, Sasuke let out a bitter, incredulous laugh.
"No… this is Flower Tree World, isn't it?"
"That's enough! We have to capture her immediately!"
He was about to rush forward when a hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.
Sasuke turned and met Naruto's restrained gaze.
"Naruto, you—"
In a hoarse voice, Naruto said,
"Adult grudges have nothing to do with children."
"No matter what Uchiha Akira's intentions are in letting his daughter participate…"
"That's between us and him."
"Unless there's proof that she was involved in his actions, we have no right to touch her."
Sasuke clenched his fist.
"But Boruto—"
Naruto smiled reassuringly.
"Relax. No father would watch his child die."
"If that girl really intends to kill Boruto, I'll step in."
In the guest seats, Akira had been observing Naruto and Sasuke's interaction from afar.
Though he couldn't hear their words, he could guess most of it.
Naruto… with principles like yours… I'll give you an opportunity soon.
Even if it hurts a little.
His gaze shifted toward the distant sky, his voice dark.
"Uncle Madara. Obito. You've sensed it, haven't you?"
"Yeah. Perfectly clear."
"What's coming… has finally arrived."
"Looks like it's time to end this little role-play."
Akira's left eye flared with crimson light—the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Kaori, if we don't return on time, take the kids back to Peach Spring first."
—Borneas.
The overwhelming Tree World captured everyone's attention.
No one noticed that three figures vanished silently from the guest seats.
Kaori gently stroked Xiaoyue's head as she slept against her knees.
"The men are busy again~."
Samui rubbed her sore shoulders.
"Moments like this really test the women behind them~."
…Though honestly, sometimes I really want to cut off these two lumps of fat and burn them for Jin.
Let him enjoy them in the afterlife.
"Rooooaaaar!! I, Uzumaki Boruto, will never give up!!"
Even within the Flower Tree World, Boruto refused to surrender.
He roared as he swung Purple Lightning, hacking wildly at the advancing trees.
This technique—derived from Kakashi's perfected Raikiri after losing his Sharingan, later studied even by Akira himself—was an ultra–S-rank Lightning Release.
It was Boruto's only lifeline against this overwhelming forest.
High above, on a tree trunk fifty meters in the air, Yuki watched him dance amid lightning and shadows.
She couldn't help smiling faintly.
"Not his own technique… but he uses it decently."
"He really is talented. He just lacks proper guidance."
At the waiting area entrance below the wall, the Flame Formation had sealed everything off.
Sarada, seeing Boruto struggle through the barrier with her Sharingan, tried to rush out—
Only to be tightly bound by Mitsuki's snakes.
"Mitsuki, let me go!"
He said sternly, "Sarada, that barrier contains terrifying Fire Release. Touching it will trigger backlash. You won't save him—you'll die first."
"I don't care!"
"If we don't do something, Boruto will die!"
Mitsuki was just as anxious.
But stopping Sarada from doing something reckless was the only thing he could do now.
His gaze darkened.
If this continues… I'll have to knock her out.
Just as he was about to act, a calm voice sounded behind him.
"Uchiha Sarada, why are you doing something so foolish?"
Sarada turned around, tears shimmering in her two-tomoe eyes, glaring at Feng.
"You think I'm being foolish?"
Feng replied calmly,
"In the Chūnin Exam, as long as no one surrenders, even death is permitted."
"All participants signed death waivers. That's a ninja's resolve."
"Boruto may be cheating, but he's still protected by the rules."
"He could surrender at any time, yet he refuses."
"That's his choice. Why interfere?"
"Because he's my irreplaceable partner!" Sarada cried.
"I can't just watch him die!"
Feng asked quietly, "If he dies… will you take revenge on that girl?"
The thought made Sarada's shoulders tremble.
But she choked out,
"No… revenge wouldn't make sense."
"I think I'd hate myself for the rest of my life."
"Why?" Feng asked.
Sarada sobbed,
"I hate myself for being blind!"
"For not realizing he'd been hiding that thing on his arm!"
"For not noticing his struggles!"
"For not stopping him in time!"
"I was so close to him… and I saw nothing!"
"If he dies… I'll never forgive myself!"
As her tears fell—
"Buzz!"
The two tomoe in her eyes spun.
The third tomoe completed itself.
Feng saw what he wanted.
A wistful smile touched his lips.
So this is… the bond between companions.
You've learned what love is.
And someday, when you lose it…
He raised his head and smiled brightly.
"Relax. Uzumaki Boruto won't die."
"Huh?"
Feng continued casually,
"He's the Hokage's son. No way Naruto would let him die."
"That's one."
"Second—my sister, Uchiha Yuki, isn't like that reckless guy."
"She knows exactly where to stop."
"So don't worry~."
Mitsuki stared deeply at Feng.
He did that on purpose…
Guiding Sarada's emotions to complete her Sharingan.
Uchiha Feng…
He's far deeper than I thought.
"Crackle!"
After cutting through another massive root, the Purple Lightning in Boruto's hand finally dissipated.
Kneeling among shattered wood, he gasped for breath.
Looking at the still-growing forest, he clenched his fist.
"No… I haven't lost…"
"My tool still has 150 techniques!"
"If I release them all… I might still have a chance!"
"Enough paying tribute to Father," Yuki said softly, forming seals.
"It's time to end this."
"Click!"
All around, sealed flower buds bloomed at once.
Poisonous pollen spread through the air.
Within the Flower Tree World, this was unavoidable judgment.
Holding one's breath was useless.
The pollen would still enter the nose with the airflow.
Even a trace was enough to incapacitate Boruto.
His vision blurred.
Dizziness overwhelmed him.
"Damn… I can't… move…"
He staggered forward a few steps and collapsed.
He no longer had the strength to even touch his tool.
"So… this is it?"
"How pathetic…"
"Cheating with everything I had… only to be crushed by real strength."
"Is there any ninja more miserable than me?"
"I'm sorry, Dad… Mom… Himawari…"
"I'm sorry, Sarada… Mitsuki… Konohamaru-sensei…"
"I'm sorry… everyone…"
Uzumaki Boruto, drowned in regret and self-mockery, lost consciousness.
"It's over," Yuki said softly, standing up from the tree.
Her eyes darkened.
She raised two fingers in a seal.
"Then… next…"
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