Versus Momoshiki Arc

Known in the anime as the Chūnin Exams Arc, this Boruto: Naruto Next Generations storyline covers the first ten chapters of the manga and episodes 51 to 66 of the anime. It reworks the film Boruto: Naruto the Movie, spotlighting the Chūnin Exams held in Konohagakure and the eventual Ōtsutsuki invasion. The manga leads into the Mujina Bandits Arc, while the anime sits between the Byakuya Gang Arc and the Chōchō Arc, folding in redesigns and scenes cut from Kishimoto's original movie draft.

Investigating a train robbery, Team 7 and Konohamaru uncover a surviving White Zetsu inside an abandoned mine, a remnant thought wiped out in the Fourth Shinobi World War. Boruto's scientific ninja tool helps take it down, and the group finds a cavern of decayed Zetsu cocoons alongside ruins where Sasuke has scorched more of the creatures with black flames during his hunt for answers about Kaguya. Learning that Sasuke rivals his father in strength, Boruto grows curious about the man.

Elsewhere, Sasuke ventures into Kaguya's frozen dimension, watched from above by Momoshiki and Kinshiki, while their kinsman Urashiki petrifies the traitor Toneri on the moon and turns his gaze toward Earth. In Konoha, Boruto brushes off the Chūnin Exams until Sarada convinces him that passing will prove his strength. His resentment of Naruto's absence boils over on Himawari's birthday, when the Hokage attends only as a shadow clone.

When Sasuke arrives at the Uzumaki home, Boruto begs to become his student; Sasuke agrees only on the condition that the boy master the Rasengan, so Konohamaru takes over the lessons. Frustrated by his undersized Rasengan and hungry for recognition, Boruto accepts a forbidden gauntlet from the scientist Katasuke. Momoshiki and Kinshiki, meanwhile, ambush Killer B, drain his tailed beast, and press on toward Konoha for Naruto's fox.

The exams unfold across written traps, a capture-the-flag round, and single bouts. Boruto leans on the hidden gauntlet again and again, defeating rivals from other villages and even his friend Shikadai. He and Sarada ultimately reach the final against Gaara's son Shinki, where Boruto's cheating carries him to victory, only for Naruto to expose the tool before the crowd, strip his headband, and disqualify him. Humiliated and furious, Boruto lashes out at his father just as Katasuke tries to publicize the technology.

At that moment Momoshiki and Kinshiki storm the arena. Boruto's attacks vanish into Momoshiki's Rinnegan, and only Naruto and Sasuke's Tailed Beast Mode and Susanoo shield the children. Naruto blocks a colossal blast to spare the citizens but is captured and dragged to another dimension. Vowing a rescue, Sasuke gathers the five Kage, hands Boruto a scratched forehead protector, and, with Hinata's blessing, brings the boy along through a Rinnegan portal.

In the wasteland where a God Tree feeds on the captured Naruto, the Kage battle the invaders while father and son reconcile. Momoshiki devours Kinshiki to gain power, sprouts a third Rinnegan, and overwhelms everyone, pinning Naruto with black rods. On Sasuke's cue, Boruto lands a Rasengan that breaks the hold. Naruto then adds his own chakra to an enormous Rasengan, and with Sasuke's misdirection Boruto delivers the finishing blow, destroying Momoshiki. As his body crumbles, Momoshiki's spirit speaks to Boruto, marking his palm and warning that such power means he can no longer live as an ordinary human.

The Kage, Sasuke, and Boruto return to a battered Konoha, and the widespread damage forces the Chūnin Exams to be cancelled. Boruto apologizes to Shinki's team and mends fences with Shikadai, while Sasuke departs to track the still-loose Urashiki. Boruto tells Sarada he would rather follow Sasuke's path than chase the Hokage title, leaving that dream to her. A late-arriving Naruto brings home a cake to atone for the missed birthdays, and the two share a fist bump before returning to their duties, even as Urashiki quietly marks Boruto as a future threat.