Naruto Finally Confirms Sasuke’s True Heir Is the Last Ninja You’d Expect

The main Naruto manga has been over since late 2014, but that hasn't stopped the franchise from carving out paths of succession for its greatest characters. While the simplest choice would be to make protagonist Naruto Uzumaki's son, Boruto, similar to his father with a new set of challenges, the Seventh Hokage's son always idolized one Naruto character more.

Spun out from a recent, high-profile promo boosting the sales of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex volume #7, the series laid out Boruto's grim fate, drawing its latest overt parallel between him and his sullen mentor. With the promo pushing greater surface visibility and resulting in strong sales, it's clear the readership is responding well, as the series unravels its dark threads.

Boruto's Fate Is a Dark Twist on the Original Naruto Plot

The Boruto: Two Blue Vortex volume #7 promo, which leads into the current arc in which Boruto must secretly gather his allies to fight a Divine Tree assault in their home, briefly summarizes the story as well as Boruto's predicament. Instead of a social outcast like his father was, the Omnipotence Arc's aftermath branded Boruto a traitor and murderer.

Boruto, all alone in the world, was taken in by Konoha by the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. Despite clashing with the Hokage's son, Kawaki Uzumaki, the two became good rivals and brothers, and Boruto gradually became accustomed to life in the village. However, in the midst of successive enemy attacks, Boruto suddenly betrays the village and kills Naruto. Will Konoha be able to capture Boruto, who killed the Hokage? A new battle between the ninja begins against this vicious traitor.

Aside from key sympathizers like Sarada, Eida, alongside secret collusion with leadership including acting Eighth Hokage Shikamaru Nara, Team 10, Konohamaru, Sumire, and Himawari, any open cooperation with Boruto is seen as forbidden. He is believed to have murdered Naruto, who is now not even called his father, stripped of his family name, and made an enemy of his home.

The Real Story

People's memories were actually rewritten, and Boruto has been framed for killing the Hokage. The thing that caused this was Eida's power known as "Omnipotence". Will people's memories return? Can they bring back the Seventh Hokage, Naruto? Can they protect the village of Konoha from a new threat? This is the story of Boruto, who was expelled from his village.

Translated and paraphrased for clarity from the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Volume #7 Promo Website

It's here that Boruto's postmodern nightmare is laid out. Given Boruto's admiration and respect for Sasuke Uchiha, the Supporting Shadow of Konoha, it's unsurprising that he has inherited Sasuke's teachable techniques, his sword, and even his vibe. Still, for those who understandably see Sarada Uchiha as her clan's true successor following Sasuke, it's important to clarify some key points.

Boruto Is Sasuke's Grim Successor, Not Naruto's

While Boruto certainly can't use the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan Eye, Sasuke was still able to teach the young prodigy everything he knew, calling him a quick study very much unlike Naruto. This exchange, laid out in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #5, cements Boruto's style as a mix of Sasuke's sword techniques and even Lightning Release in chapter #6.

Beyond techniques linking Boruto to Sasuke, in addition to other key figures like Minato with his special Flying Raijin spin, Boruto's predicament as an exile even bearing Sasuke's damaged headband wasn't even his choice. It's instead an even darker step than when Sasuke left Konoha as a genin.

Having always wanted to be Konoha's Supporting Shadow like Sasuke is to Naruto, Boruto pledged instead to protect Sarada, who, atop being the Uchiha's current only active member, sees herself as a successor to Naruto's role as future Hokage. Given Sasuke's imprisonment by the Claw Grimes, it's also hopefully not too late to help him brighten Boruto's path again.