Summary
The absence of Naruto and Sasuke from the current Boruto storyline allows the series to focus on the next generation of shinobi and develop their characters. Despite initial backlash from readers, the decision to leave out Naruto and Sasuke in the manga allowed for a deeper exploration of the new characters and their abilities. The upcoming battles in Boruto, which will not involve Naruto and Sasuke, show the progression of the series and highlight Boruto’s growing role as protagonist.
Warning: Spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex #4. Fans may understandably want to see more Naruto And Sasuke IN Boruto, but removing them from the current plot is the best possible development for the series going forward because it means it can finally focus on the next generation of shinobi instead of relying on the characters has more reputation. Ironically, this move comes after Boruto dropped the Naruto Next Generations part of his moniker at the start of Two Blue Vortex.
Although much more popular and important in the anime, Sasuke and Naruto are by comparison largely relegated to the margins of the manga, while other shinobi of their generation don’t even appear, like Kakashi and Tsunade. This allowed the subsequent series to focus more on its namesake – the next generation of characters after Naruto – despite reader backlash.
Despite this trend, Boruto’s big battle against Isshiki is primarily a battle between Naruto and Sasuke. The brief focus on the heroes of the previous series left the impression that the next generation of ninjas would have no role in the most important battles.
This is the only way for Boruto to truly become the next generation after Naruto
Therefore, it makes sense that the next big battle in Boruto won’t include Naruto and Sasuke. Until recently, the series had only confirmed that Naruto would not be present, both from the infamous opening scene and when Kawaki officially sealed Naruto and Hinata in another dimension in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #78. But in chapter #4 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex by creator/supervisor Masashi Kishimoto and artist Mikio Ikemoto, Sasuke is confirmed to be trapped inside a tree.
With the assumption that Boruto can only free Sasuke after defeating the humanoid Divine Tree and gaining new self-awareness, Sasuke obviously will not participate in the fight against them, along with Naruto. This development shows the fascinating pace of development throughout Boruto. Sasuke and Naruto initially played huge roles in the initial Otsutsuki invasion and then the series’ first major battle against Isshiki/Jigen, and now they will be absent from the subsequent battles and perhaps even greater than against the four Divine Trees. If Boruto’s role in the fight against Isshiki/Jigen was effective, one can only imagine how much more effective it will be in the battles to come.
Naruto & Sasuke may have roles beyond the two blue tornadoes
Of course, if Boruto continues after Two Blue Vortex, the series will have to confront Naruto and Sasuke again after they survive their latest difficult situations. It would be a fascinating image and a perfect development if Sasuke and Naruto returned but still chose or not to help Boruto and his generation fight the next major threat facing Konoha. It certainly helps that Boruto’s new design and overall personality fit much better with the compelling main characters. Hopefully this optimistic role is just the thing Naruto And Sasuke will apply in the future Boruto if this is truly a series about the next generation.
Read Boruto: Two blue tornadoes chapter #4 of Shonen Jump or Manga PLUS.
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