The Final Lesson!

Boruto finds Shino unsettling, and Shikadai tries to smooth things over by apologising for whatever landed them in trouble. Still seething, Shino unleashes his insects, which impress Mitsuki by snaring his kunai in webbing. Boruto alone can make out the shadow spectre riding Shino, whose swarm begins consuming everything around them. Shikadai's shadow cannot pin so many bugs, and several start siphoning Boruto's chakra before Mitsuki scatters them with wind and hauls his friend clear. The trio slip away behind a smoke screen and, hidden, weigh their choices while Shikadai notes their teacher's skill and killing intent.

With the insects blanketing the forest, escape looks impossible, so the students hatch a plan around a telling detail: the swarm shies away from water. Mitsuki, whose motives Shikadai has grown to distrust, is chosen as bait, and Boruto insists on making amends for pushing Shino over the edge. Their exploding tags fail, but Mitsuki reaches through the stream to drag Shino underwater. When Shino sends out aquatic insects, Mitsuki's lightning forces the shadow spectre out of him. Both boys begin to drown from spent chakra, and Shino, nearly drained himself, dives in and pulls them out atop a summoned giant insect. Apologies pass in both directions once everyone is safe.

Shino reports the whole incident to Naruto afterward. Both Naruto and Shikamaru agree the strange possession warrants a proper investigation and ask Shino to lend his help with it.