WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 196, "A Binding Force," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
It's taken a while for Naruto's son to really show he belongs in the big leagues in Boruto. A lot of it had to do with him cheating and using scientific ninja tools early on during the Chunnin Exams, and since then, his progress has been a bit slower as he tortured himself over not wanting to get stronger in the traditional way, by harnessing chakra and whatnot.
However, despite all that drama, Boruto has gotten over his mental block and really is ready to become one of Konoha's elite shinobi.
He's displayed immense skill in the past, especially against Momoshiki, Kinshiki and the Mujina Bandits, but in Episode 196, Boruto goes toe-to-toe with Naruto. The last time they fought, Naruto used his prosthetic arm and easily beat him, but Boruto's a bit more prepared this go-round.
They're training to show Kawaki what a sparring session is like in the Hidden Leaf, and just how ninja become experts in the Land of Fire. Both father and son vow not to hold back, with Naruto encouraging Boruto to use the Karma mark, which Kawaki activates for him. The battle quickly gets intense as the Hokage struggles with Boruto's "Thunder Arrow" -- a lightning-style blast akin to Sasuke's Chidori. Naruto has no choice but to use a shadow clone to take the hit and, after the massive explosion, Naruto believes he's got the upper hand, only to find himself fighting Boruto's clone. As Boruto takes advantage of the opening, Sarada, Mitsuki and Kawaki note how much stronger he's become.
Boruto's taijutsu is lightning-fast as well, and it's not often Naruto has trouble with hand-to-hand combat -- the two of them duking it out brings to mind how Naruto and Sasuke fought each other in the original series. The fight ends with Naruto sussing out the real Boruto and putting him on his butt. Despite this, Naruto's still impressed, indicating that he can sense Boruto's movement and strategies, noting he's much smarter now. Naruto makes it clear that Boruto shouldn't chalk it up to the Karma increasing his power -- he really is a better fighter.
Watching the fight lights a fire under Sarada to train and level up under her dad, although Mitsuki is concerned that Boruto's developing too quickly. Meanwhile, Naruto isn't worried at all and tells Boruto to keep it up. Kawaki spots them doing the "unison" handshake -- a mark of respect after fights -- to wrap, and realizes that with discipline and respect, he too could become as good as Boruto.
He doesn't show it on the outside, of course, but he's as impressed with Boruto as Naruto is and can't even bring himself to insult him as Naruto heaps on the accolades. Naruto knows he wasn't as skilled at that age, so it's fair that he's so proud to see his son not just catch up but surpass the pack entirely.
