511 Naruto the Flame-Flame Fruit

"Fire Fist!!!"

The move had basically become the Asakawa Family's signature. When Shinichi used it, it looked a bit raw, lacking Kiyosuke's crushing pressure, but the power was still overwhelming. Everywhere it passed, Reduchi's bombs detonated one after another.

Reduchi instantly panicked. His combat experience was nowhere near his father's.

No, wait—he just had to dodge it.

That was what he naively thought. He shifted his body aside, successfully avoiding the incoming Fire Fist—only for the flaming pillar to suddenly explode in the next second. Fire burst in all directions across the arena. Reduchi was blasted off his feet and thrown to the ground, his whole body scorched and beaten up.

"Hahaha!"

Kiyosuke burst into loud laughter. His son's ability wasn't the same as his—delayed detonation was something Shinichi developed himself. He could apply it to every technique, which meant every one of his attacks could become a bomb.

Every strike forced the enemy to keep their distance. And if they couldn't… well, they could only wait for death.

"Reduchi!" Deidara jumped down and scooped up his son. The boy was only unconscious, not severely injured anywhere. He let out a breath of relief. Reduchi slowly opened his eyes.

"Dad… my game console is gone."

"Forget it, I'll buy you the newest one when we get home." Deidara was already a father now, no longer the reckless, wild man he used to be. Only after having a family did he understand their importance. As long as his son was fine, nothing else mattered.

Carrying his son, he left the arena. Shinichi was declared the winner.

The first elimination round was canceled. Those advancing were Konoha's Shinichi, Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, Shikadai; Sunagakure's Shinki and Araya; and Kirigakure's Terumi Aoi.

This Terumi Aoi was from Terumi Mei's clan. She had just graduated this year and immediately entered the Chūnin Exams. Her strength was decent. She inherited Lava Release, though unlike Terumi Mei, she didn't inherit two kekkei genkai—only one. Still, her beauty was no less than Mei's when she was young, and she looked a bit like Yuka.

She had visited Terumi Mei in private before. By relation, Mei was her first cousin once removed.

Thanks to her solid strength, she reached the second round of the final stage of the Chūnin Exams, where her opponent was… Shinichi.

A battle between cousins drew a lot of attention. But it started quickly and ended even faster. Terumi Aoi threw everything she had at him, but nothing worked. Shinichi knocked her unconscious with a sneak attack, leaving her defeated with regret.

Shinichi earned his place in the semifinals.

And his opponent was… Shinki.

As dusk approached, he and Shinkii stood on the arena stage. Facing Shinki, Shinichi was on full alert.

Shinki wore a thick cloak formed from black sand iron. It looked heavy, but in reality it hovered lightly around him, controlled by Magnet Release with almost no weight.

"Son of Konoha's Asakawa Kiyosuke… I hope your strength doesn't disappoint me." He had originally planned on having a thrilling battle with Mitsuki, but the boy had decided to hide his power and forfeit. So now, he could only turn to Kiyosuke's son.

"Yeah?" Shinichi shrugged.

"Fighting someone like you feels like it's going to be annoying."

He sighed, lifted his hand, and flames surged up from his palm.

"The Kazekage's adopted son, huh? Then let me see just how strong you really are."

In the next instant, he flashed forward, appearing right in front of Shinki. His fist, wrapped in blazing fire, struck out. Black sand iron formed a giant hand that caught the punch.

"Is that all?" Shinki sounded disappointed. He thought the child raised by Kiyosuke—who his father always praised—would be far stronger than this.

Father… someone like this… a village like Konoha… it's not worth your respect.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Snakes shot out from Shinichi's sleeves, opening their jaws to bite Shinki. Sand iron rose to form a wall, blocking them. Then countless small black iron hands extended, grabbing the snakes and crushing their spines.

"The same technique that Mitsuki uses… but it won't work on me."

Shinki's expression didn't change.

In front of him, Shinichi said, "Is that so? Looks like I'll have to use my trump card."

He quickly put distance between them. One massive fireball after another shot from his hands. Shinki simply had sand iron block them, then condensed it into a huge fist that slammed into Shinichi and sent him crashing into the ground.

Shinichi stood up and charged straight toward him.

"Watch closely. This is my trump card."

Flames erupted violently from his entire body. Anyone who recognized that move widened their eyes in shock.

"Dear, didn't you not teach Shinichi that move?" Terumi Mei asked.

"I didn't teach him… but that doesn't mean I never explained the principle." Kiyosuke rubbed his forehead.

"Honestly, if you break it down, this move is technically a C-rank jutsu. But using it is S-rank difficulty. Apart from me and Shinichi, no one else can learn it. I mentioned it to him before. Looks like he figured it out himself. Hah… as a father, it's a bit deflating."

"You—are you sure he won't kill his opponent?"

This was a match. Killing someone would be a huge problem.

And this opponent was the Kazekage's adopted son. If he died, that'd be even worse.

"He won't. He's controlling his chakra output well. It's not enough to kill someone… though it might not break through the defense." Kiyosuke whispered.

The next second, a violent explosion tore through the arena. When the smoke cleared, a massive black sphere stood in the center. Shinichi walked out and knocked on it.

Dong, dong—solid and scorching hot.

Its durability exceeded everyone's expectations. Shinichi didn't seem bothered.

"Pretty tough. No wonder Dad said you were a pain. But this is all I need."

Flames roared skyward, wrapping the entire iron sphere. The temperature spiked instantly. The sphere began to glow red.

A figure burst out—it was Shinki. He couldn't endure the heat any longer and was forced to escape.

"Fire Fist!"

The flaming punch struck him, sending him flying.

Shinichi pressed the attack. He leapt into the air and kicked Shinki—only for Shinki's body to burst into iron sand.

"A sand clone?"

Just as he turned his head, a massive arm reached out and crushed him.

Flames shot everywhere. Shinichi reformed behind Shinki, and his body exploded outward.

The blast launched Shinki through the air. He fell unconscious instantly, losing his qualification.

"Winner: Konoha's Asakawa Shinichi!"

"Beautifully done, son!" Kiyosuke cheered with pride.

Next was Boruto versus Sarada.

Their battle began. The two knew each other's styles inside and out, clashing evenly at first… until Boruto pulled a grandpa move and decided to cheat.

He used a Scientific Ninja Tool to take the win.

Kiyosuke just smiled silently.

So then, how will you fix your relationships after this… Boruto?