Boruto's General Intelligence
First off Boruto has been said to be a prodigy, talented and even a genius by numerous people in verse and even the narrator in the novels.
Before entering the academy, at age 7, Boruto could use the Jonin-level technique Shadow Clone Jutsu and could instantly make 3 clones off the rip. Although he is the son of Naruto, the most proficient user of this technique, he was not taught it by him and figured it out on his own at such a young age, a testament to his talent. [1] [2]
Boruto can solve advanced problems with his methods even though he doesn't pay attention in classes. When Shino gives him an even harder question far above his classes' level, Mitsuki's explanation is enough for Boruto to understand instantly.
Without studying or cheating like the rest of his class, Boruto still managed to get a perfect score for the final exam to graduate.
In the Academy, Boruto learned both Wind and Lightning Styles. He constantly used both with his ninja tools and shadow clones, creating his combination Jutsu, which he named
Boruto Stream.
[1] [2]
This is impressive as Jonin are usually expected to use at least 2 Nature transformations, whereas Boruto does this in the academy. By the time he becomes a Genin and the Chunin Exams roll around, his skills are arguably Jonin level, and he has also picked up Water Style, all without any real training. [1] [2]
For a shinobi to utilize any jutsu, they must possess well-rounded scientific knowledge and must know every aspect contributing to said jutsu, excluding some exceptions. So, for Boruto to use Wind, Lightning, and Water styles, he must understand all three elements.
When Sasuke tasked Boruto with learning the Rasengan so that he could become his student, He managed to do so in only a few days (three days, if I'm counting correctly).
At first, it looks incomplete, as it's small and vanishes. Still, Boruto actually went a step further and added a Nature Transformation, unconsciously creating an S-rank Vanishing Rasengan jutsu instead of replicating the A-rank Rasengan jutsu. This is something that even Kakashi and Minato couldn't achieve, and they're both once-in-a-generation prodigious talents. However, this is the only type of Rasengan Boruto could create at that point.
By the next arc, which doesn't take place too long after the Chunin Exams, Boruto has learnt how to create a normal regular sized Rasengan and even do it one-handed. And he has even learnt how to create a regular-sized Vanishing Rasengan one handed as well. [1] [2]
[3] [4]
Boruto later creates, in record time, another Nature Transformation Rasengan using wind style. The
Wind Style: Rasengan.
He also made the
High Compression Rasengan instead of the Giant Rasengan since he lacked the chakra reserves. Instead, he went the other way, further compressing and condensing the Rasengan to its limit to increase its power in his own way.
In the future, he creates
Rasengan: Uzihiko, which utilises his chakra, the planet's rotation and orbit, plus the corresponding centrifugal and other forces.
He also creates his own version of
Flying Thunder God jutsu in the future using the Otsutsuki's ability to traverse dimensions—all this without access to Karma to help him.
When told about his future findings and creations in the present,
he goes on to immediately replicate and master these techniques in under two years, which indicates his understanding of the science behind them.
Boruto's Combat and Strategic Intelligence
In the Academy, Boruto sparred against Hanabi, and she compared his skills to those of an adult even though he did not have a Byakugan to make full use of the Gentle Fist. His use of clones alongside his incomplete Gentle Fist fighting style forced Hanabi to use
Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation against him at 7 years old.
In Episode 37,
During his Academy Graduation, Boruto not only led his class but also devised three different plans, utilising the skills and abilities of his classmates. Two of these plans secured wins over Anko and Konohamaru, two Jonin with years of experience and accolades, and they also enabled them to rescue their captured classmates without casualties.
His final plan managed to ensnare Kakashi, a world-renowned prodigy, strategist, and former Hokage who continues to hone his strength to this day. Although he could not grab the bell in time, Kakashi acknowledged his plan and passed the class.
This showcases that Boruto was already Chunin level even in the academy, as this entails the ability to balance risk and sacrifices on a mission, among other things.
Something Kakashi agrees with when he almost gets the bell from him singlehandedly.
Boruto posed such a threat to Shikadai, Shikamaru's son, who inherited his father's 200 IQ and his mother's strength that he had to plan countermeasures with his far wiser and more experienced father and train with both parents to counter Boruto in their fight during the Chunin Exams.
For Shikadai to go to his father even though he knows everything about Boruto and isn't a slouch in his regard, should imply that Boruto can't be too far behind in terms of battle IQ.
Team 7, most importantly Boruto, was able to trick Ao into grabbing the Chakra Sword, and stab Boruto with his own. Unbeknownst to him, he had stabbed a shadow clone, and Mitsuki came in and wrapped his arm around Ao's hand, making him hold onto and keep holding on to the blade and thus draining him of his energy enough to slow him down.
In the same chapter, Boruto uses his own chakra absorption gauntlet to cancel out Ao's, which lets his Rasengan make contact with Ao and deal significant damage to his chakra absorption gauntlet and render it useless.
Boruto also tricked Ao into thinking his clone was the real deal by putting the CAG (Chakra Absorption Gauntlet) on it, while Boruto hid underneath him and cut him nearly on two with the Chakra Blade after tricking Ao.
In Episode 207,
While being punched away by Boro, Boruto saw Sarada charging in with the Chidori. He instantly calculated how long it'd take for her to reach him and Boro and made a quick plan to help her succeed.
He used smoke bombs to draw Boro's attention and made a Vanishing Rasengan in the smoke before landing. By acting helpless, he tricked Boro into striking. He caught him by surprise when the Rasengan became visible again and destroyed his arm so Boro couldn't use his jutsu to move his core. Boruto then backflipped at the perfect time for Sarada to hit Boro with the Chidori and rip the core out.
