The two most powerful ninja were easily defeated by the Boruto: Naruto Next Generation‘s big bad in the latest manga chapter. They were not just fighting any enemy. Their opponent was new Otsutsuki hiding in the vessel of Jigen.
The Otsutsuki clan are responsible for some of the biggest world-building elements in Naruto. Kaguya, the surprise big bad of Naruto Shippuden, was responsible for creating Ninjutsu and the tailed beasts. This clan, of which Kaguya is from, are the most powerful creatures in the Naruto universe and Boruto just proved that.
My prediction, from the last Boruto article, almost came true but Naruto subverted it, at least for the time being, with his selfless nature. Sasuke and Naruto went “all-out” but were easily defeated by this new Otsutsuki, whose plan was to kill Sasuke so Naruto will be trapped in a mysterious dimension. The explanation being that Sasuke can travel through dimensions and Naruto can’t. Naruto, though, has almost unlimited chakra so the Otsutsuki, with his diminishing chakra, would have a much harder time killing Naruto. The plan to kill Sasuke was his best option.
Naruto thought, with his altruistic nature we’ve come to love, convinces Sasuke to escape while Naruto is left trapped. This truly is the best option because there is still hope that Sasuke will save Naruto – that’s if Naruto can survive in this dimension.
That’s the cliffhanger. I, for one, think a rematch between Naruto and the Otsutsuki was so clearly foreshadowed that there is no way Naruto is dead just yet.
The latest chapter also established the Otsutsuki’s plan to take all the chakra in the world and further established the importance of the karma. The karma is the mark on Boruto and Kawaki, which was created by members of the Otsuksuki clan. It works as a vessel for Otsutsuki members and Jigen, the big bad’s current vessel, is breaking down. That makes Kawaki and Boruto possible targets as new vessels. It also makes me ponder a future where Boruto can somehow control the Otsutsuki inside him, that’s if he does indeed become a vessel. This would make Boruto surpass his dad and the rest of the world in power. Now that would be crazy.
While all of this is going on in the manga, the anime is actually getting exciting as well. Boruto and Shinki, Gaara’s son, are trying to protect Shukaku, Gaara’s tailed beast, from Urashiki, an Otsutsuki clan member who is trying to steal the tailed beast’s chakra.
This is exciting, and probably the best ark in Boruto history, but I still can’t wait for the anime to start following the manga. This manga fight will be a true spectacle if animated correctly.
It may take 10 years but I’ll be waiting.
