The Chūnin Exams were underway, and Boruto was doing his best to prove himself. With the entire village watching and his father, the Seventh Hokage, busier than ever, the pressure weighed heavily on him. Every match mattered—not just for his rank, but for his pride.

But this year’s exams were different. Among the competitors was a mysterious new student, Seji. From the moment he appeared, everyone knew he wasn’t like the others. His presence carried a quiet intensity, and rumors spread quickly. Some said he had invented forbidden jutsu on his own. Others swore he had mastered multiple styles—sand manipulation, great fireball techniques, and strange abilities no one had ever seen before.

Seji’s skill in taijutsu alone put most genin to shame, but what unsettled the crowd most was his dōjutsu. Somehow, he possessed the Byakugan, yet he rarely used it. Instead, he fought with a black blindfold tied around his eyes, as though limiting himself out of choice—or mercy.

Mercy, however, wasn’t always guaranteed. During the early rounds, Seji occasionally went too far. Opponents who stood against him were not just defeated, but left broken. A few were carried away on stretchers, and whispers began circulating that he had killed before. Seji never explained himself. In fact, he barely spoke at all. His silence, combined with his overwhelming power, made him a figure both feared and respected.

Now, Boruto was set to face him. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, torn between excitement and unease. Boruto clenched his fists, his nerves tightening. He knew he had to give it everything he had—because Seji was no ordinary rival. He was an enigma, and perhaps the most dangerous opponent Boruto had ever encountered.

That night, Boruto sat in the Hokage’s office, staring at the floor while his father finished signing a scroll. When Naruto finally looked up, he saw the worry in his son’s eyes.

“Dad…” Boruto muttered, his voice low. “What if I can’t beat him? What if I end up like the others? Seji’s different. He doesn’t hold back.”