Upon hearing this, Naruto retorted:
"Hmph, I'm the one who's going to defeat you!"
Just then, Kakashi's deep, sharp deadpan eyes fixed tightly on Naruto, and with a trace of doubt and curiosity, he asked:
"By the way, Naruto, how on earth did you learn the Rasengan?"
Naruto met Kakashi's gaze and replied:
"Pervy Sage taught me."
Hearing this answer, Kakashi nodded in understanding, though he still seemed to harbor some lingering doubts.
At that exact moment, Boruto, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly raised his hand, pointed upward, and shouted loudly:
"Is that Lord Jiraiya?"
"He's right there."
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn, and they all looked in the direction Boruto was pointing.
However, they strained their eyes looking for a long time, yet found nothing at all—only emptiness.
Before long, a slight rustling sound came from behind an iron drum, and a figure slowly emerged.
Following that, the person leaped gracefully and landed lightly right in front of everyone.
Taking a closer look, it was indeed Jiraiya.
At this moment, he wore his signature cheeky grin and called out loudly:
"Ah, what a coincidence! I never expected you all to be here."
Then he added with a chuckle:
"I just came by to see if there are any new writing materials I can use."
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya before him, his expression turning somewhat grave.
Kakashi said in a serious tone:
"Master Jiraiya, don't you think it's a bit too early to teach the Rasengan to Naruto?"
"After all, given his current strength and experience, he can hardly master such a powerful technique fully."
"Are you trying to make him kill Sasuke?"
Faced with Kakashi's questioning, Jiraiya put away his smile and looked at him earnestly as he replied:
"You're one to talk, Chidori..."
However, just as Jiraiya was about to continue, Sasuke suddenly interrupted him from the side.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he stared fiercely at Kakashi before him, filled with rage. His voice dropped so low it felt as though it could crush everything, and he coldly demanded:
"What gives you the right to say that?"
"Just because he learned some stupid Rasengan, you think he's capable of killing me?"
Sasuke's words exploded in the air like a thunderclap, laden with challenge.
Hearing this, Naruto curled his lip, tilted his nose up high, and said with utter disdain:
"Hmph, isn't it obvious enough?"
"That's just how it is—my strength is above yours!"
Furious beyond measure, Sasuke radiated a chilling aura, lowered his voice, and roared:
"If you've got the guts, let's have another match! I'll definitely kill you this time!"
Before the words had even faded, he violently threw his right punch, hurtling straight toward Naruto like a cannonball.
At that instant, a figure flashed swiftly, and a strong, sturdy hand firmly caught Sasuke's aggressive fist.
No matter how hard Sasuke struggled, he simply couldn't break free from that seemingly slender yet rock-solid palm.
That person was none other than Boruto.
With an impassive expression, Boruto gave a gentle push forward, causing Sasuke to lose his balance and stagger backward a few steps before barely steadying himself.
Yet Sasuke refused to let it go. Glaring fiercely at Boruto, he roared:
"Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong! Get out of my way!"
Immediately afterward, Sasuke adjusted his stance and lunged at Naruto once more like a fierce beast.
But Boruto was even faster. With a swift kick, he accurately struck Sasuke square in the abdomen.
The blow sent Sasuke flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Boruto stared intently at the fallen Sasuke, who was unable to get up, and muttered inwardly:
"Master, I'm sorry."
"This time, no matter what, I cannot sit by and watch you walk down the wrong path and make the wrong choice."
With a resolute and determined gaze, as if having made up his mind, Boruto whispered softly:
"This time, let me help you become stronger."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Sasuke gritted his teeth against the searing pain in his abdomen, using his hands to push himself up from the ground bit by bit.
Though his physical condition was abysmal, his fighting spirit had not diminished in the slightest.
Boruto watched Sasuke struggling to his feet and slowly said:
"If you can successfully force me back even a single step—"
"Then from this day forward, I will never say another word about this matter, nor will I ever interfere again."
Hearing these words felt like a sharp blade piercing straight into Sasuke's heart, causing his blood to surge to the point where he almost spat a mouthful of blood.
Being looked down upon by Naruto was one thing, but now even a complete stranger dared to mock him so audaciously?
Consumed by rage, Sasuke rapidly formed hand seals.
In the blink of an eye, crackling bolts of electricity gathered and condensed like silver serpents in the palm of his hand.
Instantly, Sasuke raised the gleaming, lightning-charged Chidori high and lunged with unstoppable momentum straight toward Boruto's chest.
Yet, unexpectedly, faced with Sasuke's ferocious and lethal onslaught, Boruto closed his eyes without the slightest hesitation, seeming entirely devoid of fear toward the impending danger.
Seeing this, Sasuke's fury burned even brighter. The Chidori in his hand let out a roar, carrying boundless malice as it shot straight at Boruto.
Crack!
The ferocious attack was just about to strike Boruto.
Suddenly, the unexpected happened.
Boruto, who had kept his eyes closed the entire time, struck out with lightning speed, precisely grabbing Sasuke's rapidly lunging wrist.
Then, Boruto's arm burst with immense force, instantly unleashing a powerful surge of energy that effortlessly hurled Sasuke spinning through the air.