"That's enough! You bunch of problem students—I've had it!"
Shino roared, his voice booming across the training field. The swarm of parasitic insects surrounding him reacted to his fury, spiraling into a black tornado that spun violently around him.
The students instinctively stepped back, their faces tight with fear and unease as they watched their usually calm teacher lose control.
"I'm finally free... just like these insects flying freely," Shino said, a strange sense of relief flickering in his voice.
Shikadai frowned, muttering under his breath, "So it's true—quiet people are the scariest when they snap."
"We'll have to stop him," Inojin said, pulling out a scroll from his pouch. He began forming hand signs. "Super Beast Imitating Drawing!"
"Stop me? With just a bunch of problem kids like you?" Shino sneered, his eyes glowing faintly crimson.
"Shino-sensei's a jonin," Shikadai analyzed calmly. "The rest of us are no match for him in a straight fight."
His gaze swept across Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki—but none of them looked afraid.
"Boruto... prepare to be baptized by pain!" Shino shouted.
He thrust both hands forward, and a storm of black parasitic insects surged toward Boruto like a living wave.
Without hesitation, Mitsuki stepped in front of Boruto and formed hand seals.
"Wind Style: Breakthrough!"
He inhaled deeply, then exhaled a powerful gust of wind that scattered the oncoming insects.
"Oh? You can use Wind Style?" Shino sounded almost impressed—before his tone turned cold again. "You think you can handle my insects with that level of jutsu? Don't underestimate me!"
More insects burst from his body, doubling in number and fury. They rushed toward Team 7 like a black tidal wave.
"As expected of an elite jonin from the Aburame clan..." Mitsuki thought silently. "I might have to use Sage Mode."
But before he could act, Boruto stepped forward, his expression calm and fearless.
"Sensei... I can feel your pain. But it's not enough."
"Huh?" Shino's sneer widened. "Let's see how you feel about this!"
He directed the swarm to attack from all sides.
"Boruto, watch out!" Sarada shouted.
"Don't worry," Boruto grinned. "I'm Pain, remember?"
As the insects neared, an invisible force exploded outward from Boruto's body. The entire swarm was blown back violently, unable to approach him.
"What—!?"
Shino's eyes widened, a dark premonition creeping into his chest.
[From Shino's emotions: +385 points]
[From Sarada's emotions: +53 points]
[From Shikadai's emotions: +39 points]
"What's going on? Why can't Shino-sensei's insects get close to Boruto?"
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Boruto raised his hand slowly and pointed at Shino. The repulsive energy flared again, distorting the air around him and sending shockwaves rippling outward.
The insects were swept away like dust in a storm, powerless against the force.
"This... this is impossible!" Shino stammered.
The madness on his face began to fade, replaced by raw disbelief.
The repulsive wave continued forward, forcing Shino to form a shield of insects.
Boom!
The two forces collided violently. Trees bent under the shockwave, leaves scattered in the air, and the ground cracked as if scraped by an invisible blade.
When the dust settled, most of Shino's insect shield had disintegrated. Countless insects lay motionless on the ground.
"That... was Shinra Tensei..."
[From Shino's emotions: +231 points]
"Boruto just used such a powerful jutsu!" Denki exclaimed, eyes wide.
"So strong!"
"Is that some kind of Kekkei Genkai?" Metal muttered, clenching her fists as determination flickered in her eyes.
Boruto smirked. "Still not perfect. I need more practice."
Just as everyone thought it was over, Boruto raised his hand again.
Shino instantly summoned another insect wall.
But instead of using repulsion, Boruto clenched his hand.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
Six golden chakra chains burst from his back, piercing into the ground before erupting around Shino.
Before Shino could react, the chains coiled around him, binding him tightly.
"Damn it—I can't break free!" Shino struggled, sending his insects to chew through the chakra chains.
But Mitsuki was already preparing another jutsu, his hands sparking with golden lightning.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Snake!"
A crackling serpent of lightning shot forward, striking Shino and his swarm. The insects shrieked as they were burned to ash, the smell of ozone filling the air.
"Sarada!" Boruto called.
"Got it!" she answered, rushing forward.
"Since you attacked Boruto, Sensei... take this!"
Sarada leaped high and threw a full-force punch at the bound Shino.
"I actually... lost to my own students..." Shino thought, powerless to move.
Boom!
Her fist connected. The ground split like shattered glass, dust exploding outward.
"Whoa! Sarada's amazing!"
"I hope Sensei isn't dead!" one of the students whispered.
At the center of the crater, Shino's body trembled. The wild chakra around him finally dispersed, and his usual calm began to return.
"That strange chakra... it's gone," Boruto said, sensing the change.
He turned slowly to look at the group of students behind him—his eyes narrowing when they landed on Sumire.
"Hmm... nice figure," Boruto thought, frowning slightly, "but that's not all there is to it..."