It’s Time Naruto Said Goodbye to Sasuke Uchiha

With 26 years and an incredible, bestseller manga, multiple game-changing anime, movies, and video games, and even sequel stories, Naruto hardly needs much introduction. While its titular protagonist might be sealed away, his greatest rival, Sasuke Uchiha, is left in a different state of limbo in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. Trapped by the Divine Trees, Sasuke’s situation isn’t good.

While the Konoha shinobi have freed others ensnared by their Divine Tree counterparts like Shinki and Moegi, even Sasuke’s return doesn’t mean a triumphant ascent back to the top. Sasuke may not be dead in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, but the story has consistently shown him training the new generation to succeed him, especially as his key assets fade.

Sasuke Will Not Be Free Anytime Soon

First shown to be trapped by the new Divine Tree threat in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #4, there have been glimmers of hope for Sasuke’s return, only for them to be dashed by years of waiting since then. With his Divine Tree counterpart, Hidari holding the Thorn Soul Bulb needed to free him, Sasuke is helplessly trapped for now.

Knowing what fans know now, had Boruto and Sarada successfully retrieved Hidari’s Thorn Soul Bulb in chapter #12, Hidari would be permanently gone, and they’d be able to free the trapped Uchiha. However, now that the story has shifted toward freeing others, with chapter #27 hinting at Mamushi as the next target, fans are prepared for a long wait.

This is, to some extent, by design. Sasuke’s ensnarement is easily the most compelling so far, so making fans wait the longest for his return makes the greatest deal of sense, however frustrating that may be. But even Sasuke’s return won’t mean a revival of the Naruto glory days for its most beloved missing-nin.

The Return of Sasuke Will Be Bittersweet

While it’s less likely that Sasuke will outright die, it’s probable that he’ll fade into more of a background role as Kakashi had assumed in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Returning Sasuke will make for an emotional reunion like between Konohamaru and Moegi, sure, but he’s far less of a dominant player in the Naruto world now.

A revitalized Sasuke would still be missing his Rinnegan, an injury from Boruto: Naruto Next Generations #53, although down the road it seems there are enough Otsutsuki from whom he could get another, albeit more slowly. But Sasuke’s not just significantly depowered; he’s knowingly trained the new generation of shinobi to inherit his skills.

In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #5, Sasuke had trained Boruto to inherit his Uchiha style, imparting every skill he could feasibly teach barring raw talent and Kekkei Genkai. Yet, even then, Sasuke acknowledged Boruto as a genius, believing there was nothing for him to learn and for Boruto to seek out new masters, like Koji Kashin.

Sasuke even recognizes he’s no longer the most exciting young Uchiha, with his daughter, Sarada, recently awakening her Mangekyo Sharingan and unleashing her potential. He had remarked on her abilities before as well. Should Sasuke return, it won’t likely be as a savior, but as a shinobi superseded by the new generation.

The Naruto Universe Is Letting Sasuke Pass the Baton

Before even the plot of Boruto began, Sasuke had joined the Fourth Great Ninja War while pledging to Konoha’s villagers he once betrayed that he’d become Hokage. It was immediately dismissed, given his previous actions, and his eventual duel with Naruto settled who would actually lead the village. Since then, Sasuke atoned for his sins and assumed a new role.

Sasuke’s new role in Boruto effectively became investigating and protecting against external threats, including the Otsutsuki. In addition to being a surprisingly cute father to Sarada, Sasuke has been a fascinating parental figure/mentor to Boruto while the boy’s dad faced significant work-life balance challenges.

But in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, this status quo has changed. Sasuke accompanied a fleeing Boruto, branded by Konoha as a threat thanks to Eida’s Omnipotence. Boruto is clearly being propped up to take on Sasuke’s old responsibilities, while Sarada’s ambitions to become Hokage are far less problematic, and more feasible, by the day.

None of this definitively says Sasuke won’t have another meaningful moment in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, but the story certainly indicates he’s far from the star he once was, should he return. But as Boruto takes up Sasuke’s sword, the Naruto icon has done a fine job ushering in the new era of shinobi, unless Kawaki gets his way.

Writer

Masashi Kishimoto

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto