In the latest chapter of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the narrative plunges into even more ominous depths. Boruto has entered into a perilous agreement with the spirit of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, allowing him to wield extraordinary power in his struggle against the formidable Shinju. This pact, however, places Boruto’s life and soul in jeopardy, echoing a pivotal moment from the original Naruto series.

In the past, Naruto Uzumaki joined forces with Kurama to thwart Madara Uchiha during the Fourth Shinobi World War. Although Boruto’s current predicament bears a resemblance to his father’s, the implications are far more dire. Unlike Naruto, who discovered an ally in his monstrous counterpart, Boruto might be orchestrating his own downfall.

The connection between Boruto and Momoshiki serves as a shadowy reflection of Naruto’s rapport with the Nine-Tails. Initially adversaries, Naruto and Kurama eventually found commonality. Kurama, once consumed by hatred due to being treated as a mere weapon by humans, transformed when Naruto extended kindness. Their alliance, grounded in mutual respect, emerged as a powerful emblem of hope and redemption, particularly during the climactic moments of Naruto Shippuden.

Boruto’s Momoshiki Problem Puts a Dark Twist on Naruto & Kurama

The bond between Boruto and Momoshiki acts as a dark mirror of Naruto’s relationship with the Nine-Tails. Naruto and Kurama started as bitter enemies, but eventually found common ground. Kurama was a creature of hatred because humans treated him like a weapon. Once Naruto showed him kindness, the beast changed. Their partnership, built on mutual respect, became the ultimate symbol of hope and redemption throughout the finale of Naruto Shippuden.

However, the Otsutsuki are fundamentally different from the Tailed Beasts. Momoshiki is an alien parasite who views humans as nothing more than cattle. He does not have a tragic backstory or a reason to care about Earth and the humans inhabiting it. His link to Boruto is hostile, and his only goals are his own rebirth and Earth’s destruction. He has no emotional weaknesses Boruto could exploit with Naruto’s signature Talk no Jutsu. This makes the stakes much higher for the current protagonist. He faces a monster that cannot be reasoned with, leaving no room for a happy compromise.

In this scenario, Boruto’s deal to allow Momoshiki to take over his body in exchange for the power to defeat the Shinju is a massive gamble where he loses even if he wins. While there is the possibility that Otsutsuki could go against his nature and have a change of heart, so far, the series suggests that won’t be happening. The Otsutsuki are biologically programmed to consume worlds to achieve godhood. By tapping into their power, Boruto is not making a friend or a partner. He is intentionally letting an enemy take over his body just to stop a more immediate threat.

The risk levels also show a major gap between the two generations of heroes. Naruto risked losing control to a beast he could eventually talk to, while Boruto faces the extreme threat of losing his entire existence. There is also a difference in approach and motivation. Naruto’s motivation was saving the world through unity and understanding. But Boruto is driven to save the world through a lonely, permanent sacrifice. He is practically choosing to sign his own death certificate for a better future for the ones he loves.

Boruto Quietly Teases Naruto’s Last Goodbye

Studio Pierrot

Boruto‘s story seems to be hinting towards a tragic conclusion for the protagonist. Although it should be noted that Boruto’s deal with Momoshiki does solve a major plot problem regarding his conflict with Kawaki. Kawaki is currently obsessed with killing every Otsutsuki to protect Naruto. If Boruto becomes a full Otsutsuki, Kawaki’s desire to kill him stops feeling so villainous since it saves the entire world from Momoshiki’s return.

However, this setup raises questions about Kawaki’s strength. Previously, Kawaki has struggled to keep up with the new villains in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. He was also clearly weaker than Boruto before his latest power-up, even when Boruto was avoiding using his Karma mark. If Momoshiki takes over Boruto completely, the resulting power might be too much for Kawaki to handle.

Additionally, even if Kawaki doesn’t try and face Momoshiki alone, there are few characters who could actually be an asset in such a fight. Sarada, Sasuke, and Naruto are the main powerhouses that come to mind. While Sasuke might be freed from his tree prison once Boruto defeats the Shinju, it is unlikely that Kawaki would allow Naruto out of Daikokuten before the threat of the Okutsuki has been neutralized. Without one of the strongest characters with previous experience fighting the Okutsuki, there are no guarantees the Shinobi would actually be able to defeat Momoshiki once he takes over Boruto.

This creates a terrifying scenario where Boruto is putting everything on the line with very little backup. Although he likely knows this risk better than anyone else and might not even be planning on Kawaki winning the final fight. Instead, Boruto may be planning to use his sheer will to hold Momoshiki back just long enough to end his own life. This would be a massive departure from his father’s path. Naruto always found a way for everyone to survive, but Boruto seems ready to accept a bad ending for himself.

Boruto Officially Replaces Sasuke Uchiha as Shadow Hokage

Boruto’s growth in the timeskip shows how much he differs from his father. Naruto changed the world by talking to his enemies and finding peace through empathy. But Boruto is taking a much darker and more pragmatic approach. He is not trying to save Momoshiki or change his mind. Instead, he is using the monster’s power as a tool. He accepts that his life and identity are the price he must pay to win.

By making this deal, Boruto is fully embracing the role of the Shadow Hokage. And this sacrifice calls back to another beloved character who was willing to be the villain if it kept his loved ones safe: Itachi Uchiha. Like Itachi, Boruto is sacrificing his future to ensure the village survives and that Sarada and Himawari can live in a world without the Shinju. This is the ultimate shinobi sacrifice.

This willingness to sacrifice himself also makes it clear that Boruto has moved beyond the classic hero archetype. He is a shinobi who operates in the darkness and accepts the consequences of his actions. While Naruto was the light that everyone followed, Boruto is the shadow that ensures the light can keep shining. If his path leads to his death, it will be one of the most selfless acts in the history of the franchise.

Release Date

2017 – 2023-00-00

Network

TV Tokyo

Directors

Yusuke Onoda, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Michita Shiraishi, Youichirou Aoki, Shigetaka Ikeda, Taiki Nishimura, Rokou Ogiwara, Mitsuo Hashimoto, Hikaru Sato, Akira Shimizu, Norihiko Nagahama, Takashi Asami, Hodaka Kuramoto, Kiyomu Fukuda, Yoji Sato, Masatoyo Takada, Hazuki Mizumoto, Natsumi Yasue, Hideaki Ōba, Masaaki Kumagai, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Shigenori Kageyama, Nanako Shimazaki

Writers

Masaya Honda, Atsushi Nishiyama, Hideto Tanaka, Touko Machida, Kyōko Katsuya, Kiyomune Miwa, Ukyo Kodachi, Masahiro Okubo

• Yuko Sanpei

  Uzumaki Boruto (voice)

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  Cocoro Kikuchi

  Uchiha Sarada (voice)