How You Use It (episode)

Synopsis
The Konoha shinobi wait for Ao's attack, Mitsuki's snake acting as a scout. They discuss Ao's prowess, and plan to defeat him as shinobi. Mitsuki warns them of Ao's approach. Ao sees where they're hiding, and attacks Mitsuki, whose Lightning Release counterattack Ao absorbs. Mitsuki retreats and Konohamaru attacks with Fire Release. Ao notices their disregard for conserving chakra, and deduces they have a strategy. Mitsuki attacks while Ao is absorbing Konohamaru's attack, forcing him to dodge, allowing Sarada to land taijutsu hits. Ao's shinobi-ware is resilient, so he counterattacks Sarada. The three continue attacking with ninjutsu for him to absorb and dodge. Ao creates a greater Absorption Sphere to absorb all their attacks at once. Ao notes Boruto's absence, and determines him to be vital to their strategy. Boruto strikes from above with the chakra blade, which Ao blocks with his own. Before Boruto can retrieve his blade, Ao collects it and stabs him with it. Ao boasts of seeing through their strategy, but Boruto mocks him. He grips Ao's hands on the blade handle, Mitsuki wraps his arm around it so he can't let go, and the Boruto Ao stabbed disperses, a shadow clone. The chakra blade drains Ao's chakra, who uses his own tools to force Mitsuki to release him. The real Boruto attacks with a Rasengan, and uses the Jutsu Absorption Arm so his Absorption Sphere cancels out Ao's, allowing him to land the Rasengan. Boruto throws Ao's words about how to use tools back at him. Ao removes his absorption arm, destroyed by Boruto's attack. Konohamaru detects Ao's attack from above and pushes Boruto out of the way, being hit himself and knocked unconscious. They notice drones in the sky under Ao's control. Katasuke surmises they respond to Ao's chakra. Boruto comments on how un-shinobi Ao has become, and Ao is steadfast that Kara saved him and allowed him to transcend into a new existence. He denounces that not all shinobi can be powerful, which necessitated the search for new powers like he has. Boruto asks Sarada and Mitsuki to protect Katasuke and Konohamaru, and prepares to face Ao's drone strikes. He uses the arm to absorb some of their attacks. The drone strikes blocks the attacks he throws at Ao. Boruto throws himself at the drones, hopping between them, planting explosive tags to take them out. Some he destroys with electrified shuriken. Still in the air, Boruto strikes with Water Release, but Ao's drones evaporate the water. Boruto asks why Ao didn't return to Kirigakure, and Ao answers he was waiting for death as a shinobi. He couldn't stand no longer being a shinobi. Ao commends Boruto for pushing him so far, and the two resume fighting. Boruto attacks with shadow clones, but Ao is able to discern the original, since the jutsu can't replicate complex machinery such as scientific ninja tools. Sarada tries intervening, but Mitsuki has to pull her out of the way of the drone attacks. Ao prepares to stab Boruto, who disperses the shadow clone armed with the absorption arm. Boruto emerges from the rubble, and dodging Ao's attack, lands a Rasengan in his weaponised arm, destroying it and sending him against the abandoned building. Ao's drones crash down. Ao admits defeat, and when Boruto pulls out the screwdriver, Ao tries goading him into killing him. Ao thinks him naive for showing mercy. Boruto once again voices Ao's "how it's used" rationale, so even the tools Ao uses should be used for good. He tells Ao to live with the tools Katasuke gave him. Konohamaru regains consciousness, and wants to take Ao back to Konoha when they get reinforcements. Katasuke looks forward for the future of the genin. Ao notices and calls out to Koji, who summons a toad.