bubblegum princess

chapter fifty four

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the end of the beginning:
A FULLY PLEDGED GENIN !
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━━･ ✶ ･━━

"Sorry it took us a bit too long, Lord Kaizen," Boruto said as he and his three clones approached, their steps echoing slightly against the quiet terrain. The golden hue of the rising sun illuminated the figure of Kaizen, who sat on a boulder, casually fiddling with a silver ring hanging from a thin necklace. His movements were calm, almost detached.

Kaizen glanced up, his red eyes glinting in the light. "It's good that you're addressing me properly," he remarked with a faint smirk, rising fluidly from the boulder with an air of authority. His tall frame cast a long shadow over the group, the tension in the air palpable.

He then tilted his head, his usual small grin firmly in place. "What is it this time? From what Lord Sixth told me, you're far worse than someone he knows."

Boruto chuckled, brushing off the veiled insult. "I'm gonna prove myself here and now!" He flashed his signature smirk, his eyes glinting with determination as he squared his stance. The first rays of sunlight crept higher into the sky, casting an almost theatrical glow over the scene.

Kaizen hummed, his voice low and steady. "You've got guts, I'll give you that." His tone was unreadable, but his body shifted, preparing to engage.

Without waiting, Boruto lunged forward, his four clones flanking him on either side. The force of his attack was fast and precise, a testament to his growing skills. Kaizen raised his forearm with practised ease, blocking the punch as if it were an afterthought.

Boruto didn't let up. His kicks and punches came rapid-fire, his clones joining in unison to try and overwhelm Kaizen. But Kaizen moved with an almost lazy grace, deflecting every strike with minimal effort. "Not bad," he murmured, stepping back slightly, the force of Boruto's blows pushing him to adjust his footing. "But not good enough."

Boruto gritted his teeth, frustration beginning to seep into his strikes. "We'll see about that!" he growled, his movements becoming sharper, more aggressive.

Kaizen smirked, his calm demeanour unshaken as he met each attack head-on. "You're eager. I admire that. But eagerness without discipline..."—he sidestepped a particularly forceful kick and lightly tapped Boruto on the back, sending him stumbling forward—"is just chaos."

Boruto huffed, steadying himself as he turned to face Kaizen again, his clones regrouping beside him. "We're not done yet," he said, his voice steady despite the sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.

Kaizen's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Good. Show me what you've got, boy."

Boruto's punches came relentlessly, each strike carrying a fiery determination. Kaizen, however, remained composed, evading or blocking each one with practiced ease. In a swift motion, Kaizen punched one of Boruto's clones, sending it dissipating into smoke, and followed it up with a sharp kick to Boruto's stomach. The force sent the boy stumbling backward, his breath hitching as he dropped to one knee.

Kaizen tilted his head, his tone almost mocking. "I believe four was your limit, right?" he asked with a smirk, straightening as he prepared for his next move. He leaped into the air, aiming a decisive punch at Boruto, when a flicker of movement caught his attention.

Mid-air, Kaizen felt a presence close behind him. He turned sharply, catching Boruto's fist just before it could land. His eyes widened slightly, his smirk faltering as he realized the unexpected strength behind the boy's punch. His hand trembled faintly as he held Boruto's fist in place, gritting his teeth in mild surprise. "Not bad," he muttered, twisting Boruto's arm with calculated precision and hurling him to the side.