Chapter 49: Tournament Begin Part 1!

As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, its golden rays filtered through the windows of the building, casting a warm and radiant glow upon every surface. The sunlight danced and played, illuminating the rooftop with a gentle brilliance.

Blood trickled down Denki's forehead, a crimson stream contrasting against his pale skin, as he was sent hurtling through the air by Gaara's son. The impact was brutal, his body colliding with the nearby wall, leaving a shattered imprint of his presence.

Iwabe stood nearby, his body battered and bruised from enduring relentless attacks. His clothes were torn, revealing the marks of his valiant struggle. Each blow he had taken was a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience.

The one responsible for their current state of disarray was none other than Shinki, the adopted son of Kazekage Gaara. With his mastery over black sand, he had unleashed a barrage of devastating attacks, overwhelming Denki and Iwabe in their attempt to defend themselves.

However, just as Shinki was about to seize the red flag and claim victory in the test, an unexpected figure landed on the black sand, shattering it into a thousand fragments. The newcomer's presence was formidable, with fiery red skin and billowing red steam emanating from their body.

"Oi, what do you think you're doing?" Metal exclaimed, his voice laced with anger and concern as he surveyed the injured forms of Iwabe and Denki.

Shinki regarded Metal cautiously, his eyes narrowing as he observed the immense power radiating from the newcomer. Despite his caution, Metal's unwavering determination and protective nature were evident in his voice.

"Metal... we're alright," Iwabe managed to utter, his voice weary and exhausted from the intense battle.

Metal stretched his shoulders and cracked his neck, a determined glint in his eyes. His voice resonated with a newfound resolve as he addressed Shinki.

"Listen up, whoever you are. Prepare yourself, because I refuse to lose to anyone anymore," Metal declared, his words filled with unwavering confidence and determination.

Shinki's gaze hardened, his guard raised as he faced off against Metal. The tension in the air was palpable as the two adversaries locked eyes.

"You speak with arrogance for someone who stands alone," Shinki retorted, his voice tinged with a mix of caution and curiosity.

In the blink of an eye, Metal charged towards Shinki, catching him off guard. Shinki quickly conjured a shield of sand to defend himself, but Metal's strength was too much for it to withstand. With a firm grip on Shinki's neck, Metal delivered a powerful punch to his stomach.

"You better be grateful this ain't a real fight," Metal whispered, his words dripping with a mix of warning and confidence.

Shinki, wearing his sand armor, tried to withstand the blow, but it was no match for Metal's strength. He coughed up saliva and collapsed, unconscious.

Metal gently laid Shinki on the ground and muttered to himself, "I won't let anyone beat me except Boruto."

With Shinki out of the picture, Metal easily snatched the opposing team's flag, securing an effortless victory for his own team. It was clear that Metal had the upper hand and handling someone like Shinki was a walk in the park for him.

Tenten, the observer, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride welling up within her. The person she was cheering for with unwavering support was none other than Metal, a young shinobi who had come a long way since his training days.

"Looks like history didn't repeat itself this time," Tenten remarked with a hint of satisfaction in her voice. She turned to her dear friend, Lee, and spoke with admiration, "He's really made you proud, Lee-kun."

The composition of the winning team was largely the same as before, with one notable difference - this time, it was Metal's team that emerged victorious.

In the midst of these events, Boruto found his way back to his original training spot nestled deep within the Forest of Death. It was a secluded location, shrouded by towering trees and dense foliage, providing the perfect cover for his intense training sessions.

In front of him stood the Susanoo, a towering, muscular figure, albeit only its upper half was manifested. Over the years, Boruto had refrained from practicing this technique, fearing that Naruto or the other tailed beasts would sense his energy and discover his secret.

"I've missed you, Susanoo," Boruto confessed, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and determination. His gaze was fixed on the spectral warrior, a symbol of his hidden power and untapped potential.

With a renewed sense of resolve, Boruto declared, "Let's push this technique to the limits." His words echoed through the quiet forest, a testament to his unwavering determination and his quest to master the Susanoo.

The air around him crackled with energy as Boruto prepared himself for the intense training that lay ahead.

On the following day,

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the final exam commenced. The participants who had emerged victorious in the previous round were now set to face each other in a series of intense battles. The stakes were high, and the tension in the air was palpable, as each participant prepared to give their all in the fight for the ultimate victory.

A unique bracket system had been set up for the matches, with Metal being granted an exemption from the first round due to his exceptional performance in the previous round. His display of skill and power had left a lasting impression, earning him a well-deserved reprieve.

The order of the matches was announced, adding to the escalating excitement.

Yurui vs Shikadai

Denki vs Tarui

Sarada vs Inojin

Iwabe vs Mitsuki

Toroi vs Chocho

The audience eagerly awaited the start of the final exam, and among them was Boruto, who found himself seated next to his mother, Hinata, and his younger sister, Himawari. Boruto's presence in the crowd was not merely coincidental - he was there with a specific purpose in mind. He anxiously awaited the arrival of Otsutsuki.

As the first match was announced, the spotlight fell upon Yurui and Shikadai. The pairing seemed to be a mismatch from the start, as Yurui specialized in the unique Gum Candy Jutsu, which allowed Shikadai to manipulate shadows.

However, this advantage turned out to be a double-edged sword, as Shikadai swiftly exploited Yurui's technique and emerged victorious in a matter of moments. It was a crushing defeat for Yurui, leaving the audience in awe of Shikadai's strategic prowess and quick thinking.

The crowd erupted with a mix of applause and astonishment, recognizing the immense skill and tactical brilliance displayed by Shikadai.

In the second match of the final exam, all eyes were on Denki as he faced off against Tarui. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, as everyone wondered how Denki would fare against his opponent. However, what transpired next was nothing short of a disappointment for Denki's supporters.

From the very beginning, it was evident that Denki was outmatched by Tarui. Despite his best efforts, Denki struggled to land a single hit on his opponent. Each blow from Tarui seemed to effortlessly find its mark, leaving Denki reeling and unable to mount a counterattack. The crowd watched in disbelief as Denki's confidence waned with each passing moment.

The frustration in the air was palpable. Metal, who had been a vocal advocate for Denki's training, clenched his fists in anger. Even Iwabe, who had also urged Denki to put in the effort, couldn't hide his disappointment. It was clear that Denki had not taken their advice to heart and had neglected his training.

As the match came to an abrupt end, with Denki lying defeated on the ground, a hushed silence fell over the arena. The disappointment hung heavy in the air, mingling with the collective realization that Denki's lack of preparation had cost him dearly.

As the third match commenced, all eyes were fixed on Sarada and Inojin. The tension in the arena was palpable, as both shinobi prepared to showcase their skills. However, what unfolded next was a testament to Sarada's exceptional abilities.

Right from the start, it was evident that Sarada possessed a level of speed and strength that surpassed Inojin's expectations. With lightning-fast reflexes and precise movements, Sarada dominated the battlefield. Inojin found himself struggling to keep up with her relentless assault.

Inojin attempted to utilize his jutsu, hoping to turn the tide in his favor. However, before he could even complete the necessary hand seals, Sarada closed the distance between them in a blink of an eye. In a display of sheer power, Sarada delivered a single devastating punch, effectively ending the match in a mere three seconds.

The crowd erupted in astonishment, their cheers mingling with gasps of disbelief. Sarada's lightning-quick victory left no room for doubt - she was a force to be reckoned with. Inojin, though defeated, could only admire Sarada's skill and tenacity. It was a humbling experience for him, a reminder of the vast gap that existed between their abilities.

As Sarada stood victorious, the audience couldn't help but marvel at her talent and potential.

As Ino observed the intense battle between Sarada and Inojin, a deep sigh escaped her lips. With a knowing look in her eyes, she couldn't help but utter a simple yet profound statement, "Yeah, she is Sakura's daughter."

The anticipation was high as the fourth match of the tournament began, pitting Iwabe against Mitsuki. From the very start, it became apparent that Mitsuki possessed a deep understanding of Iwabe's weaknesses, and he wasted no time in exploiting them to his advantage.

With calculated precision, Mitsuki strategically targeted Iwabe's vulnerabilities, leaving him unable to mount any significant offense. Every move Mitsuki made seemed to effortlessly neutralize Iwabe's attempts to fight back, effectively locking him down both physically and mentally.

Mitsuki's agility and adaptability were on full display as he swiftly countered Iwabe's every move. His flawless technique and strategic maneuvers left Iwabe struggling to find an opening or an opportunity to retaliate. It was a masterclass in exploiting an opponent's weaknesses, as Mitsuki's relentless assault left Iwabe helpless.

Not only did Mitsuki limit Iwabe's ability to fight, but he also restricted his movements, effectively cornering him in the battlefield. With each passing second, Iwabe's frustration grew, as he found himself trapped in Mitsuki's web of tactics and strategy.

As the match reached its inevitable conclusion, it was clear that Mitsuki had emerged victorious. The one-sided beatdown he had delivered showcased his superior understanding of Iwabe's weaknesses and his ability to exploit them to their fullest extent. Iwabe, while undoubtedly a skilled shinobi, had been outmaneuvered and outmatched by Mitsuki's tactical brilliance.

The crowd watched in awe as Mitsuki's calculated approach and flawless execution secured him a well-deserved win.

The tension in the arena reached its peak as the final round of the bracket commenced, featuring an intense showdown between Chocho and Toroi. However, it quickly became evident that this match-up was anything but unfavorable for Chocho.

Toroi possessed a unique advantage with his electrifying punches, capable of paralyzing his opponents upon impact. This devastating ability posed a significant threat to Chocho, whose strength relied heavily on close combat exchanges. With every punch thrown by Toroi, the risk of paralysis loomed over Chocho, adding an extra layer of complexity to the battle.

Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Chocho displayed remarkable resilience and determination. She fearlessly stood her ground, refusing to back down in the face of Toroi's formidable power. The clash of their punches reverberated throughout the arena, showcasing the sheer force and determination of both combatants.

Chocho's unwavering determination allowed her to withstand the electrifying blows from Toroi. Though the exchange of punches was fierce, Chocho's endurance and unwavering spirit enabled her to endure the onslaught. However, Toroi proved to be equally durable, withstanding Chocho's counterattacks with unwavering resolve.

As the battle raged on, the crowd was captivated by the display of strength and resilience from both fighters. It was a testament to their indomitable will and unwavering dedication to their craft. Each blow landed with thunderous impact, showcasing the sheer power and tenacity of the combatants.

In the end, despite Chocho's valiant efforts, Toroi's durability proved to be the deciding factor. The match concluded with Toroi emerging as the victor, leaving Chocho to reflect on the challenges she faced in this unfavorable match-up. Nevertheless, Chocho's display of strength and determination earned her the respect and admiration of the crowd, solidifying her reputation as a formidable fighter.