Chapter 294: Uchiha Madara vs. Future Boruto
"I've been waiting for you, Hashirama!"
Leaping down from the Ten Tails' head, Uchiha Madara wore a strangely delighted expression as he looked at the approaching Senju Hashirama.
"We don't have time to deal with you now!" Hashirama turned his attention to the Ten Tails. "Hokage, get ready!"
"Tobirama, Hiruzen, I need you both to come to me."
As soon as he spoke, Minato activated his Nine Tails Chakra Mode.
"You already placed the markers in advance, huh..."
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato teleported Tobirama and Hiruzen to two other positions. The four Hokage each took a cardinal point, encircling the Ten Tails.
"Begin! Ninja Art: Four Red Yang Formation!"
This technique, dozens of times stronger than the Four Purple Flame Formation, could only be performed by four Hokage working in unison.
The Four Red Yang Formation, executed by the combined efforts of the four Hokage, imprisoned the Ten Tails.
"Now it's my turn..." Hashirama entered Sage Mode. "Sage Art: Shinsu Senju Veritable Gate—Seal Ten!"
Ten torii-like structures crashed down from the heavens, pinning the Ten Tails' ten tails to the ground, restricting its movement.
"Looks like it's already begun."
Future Boruto, in Super Saiyan Mode, landed beside Hanabi, with Sasuke arriving right after, landing in front of Naruto and Sakura.
"Since you're here, start gathering chakra. While the Ten Tails is immobilized, we'll all attack together and finish it off!" Hashirama instructed.
"Right! Let's do this together!" Naruto said from the center.
"Boruto, where have you been these past few days?" Hanabi asked, looking at Future Boruto.
"Whatever it is, let's talk after the war. Just keep yourself safe." As soon as he spoke, Future Boruto used Instant Transmission and reappeared beside Hashirama. "Uchiha Madara isn't going to let us deal with the Ten Tails that easily. I'll handle him."
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then..." Hashirama nodded.
"...Kid, showing up alone in front of me—do you want to dance too?"
Madara folded his arms across his chest, gazing at the Future Boruto now standing before him.
Boruto said nothing. Silently, he entered Super Sage Fox Mode—
A fusion of Super Saiyan Mode, Sage Mode, and Nine Tails Chakra Mode.
"This aura..." Madara lowered his arms, his expression turning serious. "You're clearly no arrogant fool. Fine, let this be my warm-up before fighting Hashirama."
"Kurama, this is Uchiha Madara at his peak—stay sharp."
"Understood, Lord Boruto."
In a flash, Future Boruto appeared in front of Madara and launched a side kick, which Madara effortlessly blocked.
"No matter how fast you are, speed means nothing in front of my eyes!"
"Eternal Mangekyō, huh..." Boruto locked eyes with Madara. "He's not the only one with ocular powers!"
"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
A colossal wave of fire spewed from Madara's mouth.
"At this range, you don't stand a chance of dodging!"
Though only a B-rank jutsu, when unleashed by Madara, it was no weaker than an A-rank technique in scale.
Boruto hurled the Kusanagi Sword into the air.
"Amenotejikara!"
Activating his Rinnegan, he instantly swapped places with the airborne sword.
"Rasengan!"
When Madara saw the sword now embedded in the ground before him, his seasoned combat instincts kicked in—he immediately looked up.
"At this range, you don't stand a chance of dodging!" Boruto echoed Madara's words as he plummeted from the sky with a Rasengan in hand. "I'll give you your own line right back!"
"Hmph. I don't need to dodge."
Madara swung his fan. It absorbed Boruto's Rasengan, then converted and released the chakra as a Wind Style blast, sending Boruto flying through the air.
"He can absorb ninjutsu..."
Boruto stabilized himself midair and landed steadily, analyzing Madara.
"Hey, kid. Where did you get your Rinnegan?"
"..."
Boruto didn't answer. Instead, he charged straight at Madara—if ninjutsu was ineffective, then he'd use taijutsu.
In the desolate future ninja world, Boruto had honed more than just his ninjutsu—his taijutsu was sharp too.
"Not talking, huh? No matter. Your Rinnegan will be mine in the end," Madara said, preparing for a taijutsu fight.
Though he had the edge with ninjutsu, Madara's Uchiha pride wouldn't allow him to bully the weak—just like how he once spared a young Ōnoki. Besides, Boruto was missing an arm.
Fighting one-handed, Boruto's taijutsu was marked by agility and evasion. Every strike was followed by an immediate retreat, denying his opponent the chance to engage.
"Your ninjutsu and taijutsu are both impressive—more than worthy of praise. I didn't expect the current ninja world to still produce someone on par with me and Hashirama," Madara said after another exchange. "No helping it—I guess warm-up time is over. Kid, now you'll see the full might of my taijutsu at its peak!"
This was the Madara who once overwhelmed ten thousand ninja with pure hand-to-hand combat.
His speed and strength became overwhelming. It was as if he could predict Boruto's every move. Every time Boruto tried to fall back, Madara was already there with a follow-up strike.
"Your skills are excellent, and your battle experience is impressive... but your fighting style is far too rigid!"
Rigid—yes, that was Boruto's one true flaw. To have reached this level, Boruto had undoubtedly fought countless battles. But all his enemies were the same: predictable, undead husks. That had forged a rigid combat style.
Madara's final blow sent Boruto flying. At that moment, Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"Lord Madara, I've found the Rinnegan that Obito had hidden."
"Good. Just in time. I've lost interest in playing around anyway." Madara glanced at Zetsu, who was holding up the Rinnegan with both hands.