Dark crimson walls of flame surged upward, climbing along the surrounding stands of the arena.
Countless spectators—including Boruto himself—stared in shock as the barrier enveloped the battlefield.
Yuki glanced at the patch of sky still visible above the formation and thought:
I can't seal the top completely. Otherwise, Father and Master won't be able to see my performance. After the battle, they won't be able to point out my flaws.
"Uchiha Flame Formation?!" Naruto sprang to his feet.
In an instant, his mind was dragged back fifteen years—to that desperate battle beneath the blood-red moon.
Back then, Uchiha Obito had used this very technique to protect the revival of the Ten-Tails.
Its durability far surpassed the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Even the combined Tailed Beast Bombs of Gyūki and Kurama hadn't been able to break it.
"Whoosh!"
On the opposite side of the stands, Sasuke could no longer remain calm.
He landed beside Naruto and said grimly, "That's an Uchiha forbidden technique. Anyone who can use it is no ordinary person!"
"Naruto, stop this fight immediately and investigate her background!"
"No." Naruto clenched his fist, his mind rapidly regaining clarity.
"From what I've seen, she activated this barrier to protect the stands from Boruto's attacks."
"And Sasuke, did you see her eyes? She's taking this fight seriously."
"Even though Boruto is clearly violating the rules, she didn't call for a halt. She chose to respond with her true strength."
"Out of respect for her attitude toward battle, we can't stop this match."
Then his tone hardened.
"But—Uzumaki Boruto is disqualified from the exam for using prohibited ninja tools."
"From this moment on, regardless of the outcome, the winner is Yuki."
He slowly sat back down.
"As for her background and that suspicious Hidden Shadow Village, we'll investigate after the exam."
The commotion in the stands did not affect Yuki in the slightest.
Fully immersed in combat, she calmly offered Boruto sincere tactical advice.
"That scientific tool is powerful, but its flaws are obvious."
"If you want to hit a mobile opponent in an open field, you should prioritize restraining their movement first."
Boruto was shaken beyond words.
Compared to this powerful, upright girl before him, he felt unbearably ugly.
But once you cheat, there's no turning back.
Stopping now would only make him the biggest fool of all.
Dad didn't come down to stop me…
So he's allowing me to keep using it?
Honestly… I wish you would stop me right now.
Scold me like always.
Because even I know… I don't look like a ninja anymore.
Boruto raised his hand and removed his forehead protector.
After tying it up, he tucked it into his clothes.
Yuki asked in mild surprise, "What does that mean?"
Boruto replied, "Nothing."
"From now on, I'm not fighting you as a Leaf ninja."
"I'm fighting you as a son who will do anything to reclaim justice for his father."
Six.
"Whoosh!"
He activated the scientific ninja tool.
Without warning, a circular shadow formation spread beneath Yuki's feet.
She lowered her gaze.
"Oh. I can't move."
Boruto said, "That's Shadow Possession, cast by a Nara jōnin."
"You happened to be standing in a shadow, so you couldn't dodge it."
"And because of this tool's special release method, I don't need to use my own shadow."
"Yuki… no, Uchiha Yuki."
"Thanks for reminding me earlier how to use this tool more efficiently."
"You're strong. But you can't break free from this."
"And then?"
"You're immobilized now. I'll just use one attack and blow you out of the arena."
Six.
Another miniature scroll popped into his hand.
"Ah… this one?"
Even Boruto hadn't expected it.
"Click!"
He crushed the scroll.
"Crackle—!"
Purple lightning condensed in his palm, forming a blazing mass of electricity.
Yuki's eyes lit up.
"Father's signature move… Purple Lightning."
Boruto stared at the glowing lightning.
"With your Sharingan, you can see how dangerous this is, right?"
Yuki replied calmly, "The true power of a technique depends on its user."
Boruto shook his head and laughed.
"I've heard that line my whole life."
"But you can't move. You can't even form hand seals."
"How are you going to fight me now?"
"Oh, right. You have the Sharingan like Sarada."
"I'd better watch out for your genjutsu."
As he spoke, he closed his eyes.
"I've memorized the distance."
"I'll charge and hit you with Purple Lightning."
"If you surrender before I pierce you, I'll stop."
"And if I don't?" Yuki asked.
"I told you—I have a reason I can't stop!"
With that, Boruto rushed forward.
Each step felt like the ticking of a final countdown.
At that moment…
Uchiha Yuki closed her eyes.
Her thoughts returned to five nights ago.
Behind Hidden Shadow Village, in the mountains.
She had successfully cast the Uchiha Flame Formation.
Madara appeared and formally accepted her as his disciple.
After the ceremony, he placed his palm on her head.
A vast chakra poured into her.
Her body went numb, unable to move.
"Yuki," Madara said,
"I've refined my chakra, Hashirama's chakra, and senjutsu chakra into this gift."
"Consider it your initiation present."
"But the Yin Seal will only manifest after your power fully adapts."
"If you succeed, it will become yours forever."
"If you fail, it will dissipate."
Hot currents surged through her chakra pathways.
Her appearance began to change.
"Sister Samui's makeup… washed off after all…"
"I really don't suit makeup."
She raised her hand, released her tied hair, and let her black waterfall-like hair fall freely.
On the Kage platform, Naruto murmured in a daze,
"That face…"
"Buzz!"
As Yuki reopened her Sharingan, a deep crimson diamond-shaped mark appeared on her forehead.
"Beautiful," Madara said with a fierce smile.
"Once the Yin Seal manifests, it means you can already control that power."
Tōno's excited voice echoed through a loudspeaker.
"Everyone! You're about to witness a legendary moment created by my scientific ninja tools!"
"Boom!"
A violent chakra storm erupted.
Yuki's black hair flew upward.
"Whoosh!"
The shadow bind shattered under the overwhelming chakra.
"Aaaah!"
Boruto, charging with Purple Lightning, was blown backward.
"Uzumaki Boruto," Yuki said solemnly,
"You used my father's Purple Lightning."
"Then I'll respond in kind—with everything I have."
Her hair billowed. Her expression hardened.
She clasped her hands.
—Wood Release: Advent of the Flowering Tree World!
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