The Chūnin Exams final tournament in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is the third stage of the selection process and is designed to test the remaining genin in direct combat. Unlike the earlier stages, which emphasize teamwork, strategy, and survival, the final round focuses heavily on individual fighting ability, decision making, and adaptability. The matches take place in a large arena with the Five Kage and other spectators watching the young shinobi compete.
The tournament begins with one on one elimination matches between the finalists. Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, Shikadai, Shinki, and other genin are placed into individual matchups, with each fighter needing to defeat their opponent to advance. However, the tournament does not follow a completely normal bracket because the matches are ultimately disrupted by Momoshiki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki.
How the Chūnin Exams Final Tournament Works
The third round begins after the genin successfully complete the previous stages of the Chūnin Exams. Rock Lee serves as the proctor, while the Five Kage attend the event as important observers. The remaining participants are paired for individual battles, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate the qualities expected from a potential chūnin.
The opening matchups include Boruto vs. Yurui, Shikadai vs. Yodo, Sarada vs. Tarui, Mitsuki vs. Toroi, Inojin vs. Araya, and Chōchō vs. Shinki. The winners continue through the tournament as the number of competitors is gradually reduced. This structure makes the final stage more focused on individual performance than the team based challenges from earlier rounds.
The tournament also allows the young shinobi to showcase techniques they developed during their training. Boruto relies on his ninjutsu and tactical abilities, Sarada demonstrates her Sharingan and physical combat skills, while Mitsuki uses his unusual abilities to compete against powerful opponents. The fights are intended to reveal how well each genin can adapt when they cannot rely entirely on their teammates.
Boruto’s match against Shikadai becomes especially important because Boruto is pushed into a difficult situation by Shikadai’s Shadow Paralysis techniques. Instead of accepting defeat, Boruto secretly uses the Scientific Ninja Tool known as the Kote, violating the rules of the examination. Naruto notices what happened and disqualifies his son, turning the tournament into a major turning point for Boruto.
The tournament is eventually interrupted before its planned conclusion when Momoshiki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki attack the arena. The invasion forces Naruto, Sasuke, and the other Kage to abandon the examination and confront the Ōtsutsuki threat. The disruption means the anime’s original final tournament does not produce a conventional champion, although the battles reveal which young shinobi are beginning to show the qualities needed for promotion.
