Naruto’s Best Romance Is Now the Biggest Casualty of Boruto’s Worst Betrayal Yet

The carefully-kept order once restored by Naruto Uzumaki has seen itself crumble in his three-year absence, with Boruto: Two Blue Vortex still feeling its after-effects. With his home village torn between a tribunal investigating collusion with Boruto, and those learning his true story and the real threat to their home, one Naruto couple's resilience will face a major test soon.

Naruto's Best Couple Has a Major Communication Issue

As Mamushi's attack was on the horizon in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Sai Yamanaka joining Kobu's investigation into Shikamaru had troubling previously-explored implications for his marriage with Ino. With Ino having previously helped Shikamaru secretly coordinate with Boruto, only to back out when she found it unethical, trouble was coming no matter what.

Now, with Sai discovering Inojin is working with Shikamaru and Boruto as of chapter #30, and even agreeing, hesitantly, to help in chapter #31, he and Ino have taken two starkly different paths on the subject. There's not been any communication on the matter, and despite the mission's sensitive nature, it could be seen as a mutual betrayal of trust.

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While it's potentially a better situation for the pair that Sai is now cooperating as well, Ino's opinions on the matter will surely be a source of conflict for the two in future chapters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. The idea of Sai refusing to cooperate and interrogating Shikamaru, and learning of his wife's initial compliance is probably worse, though.

Given Sai's decision, and his motivation, Ino is certainly in a position to understand. Sai is looking out for his son, who has been effectively dragged into this mission by manipulating his feelings for Himawari. While Ino may have disagreed with Shikamaru's operations before, circumstances have changed, especially with the mission going forward.

Sai Takes on an Uncertain Mission in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

After Shikamaru's interrogation goes sideways with Inojin possessing Kobu and bringing him away, Sai gets the truth out of him. In chapter #30, Sai even noticed Inojin give himself away while possessing Kobu, accidentally calling Sai "Dad" before leaving. In pressing Shikamaru on this, Sai learns it's another secret op like in the Land of Wind, and agrees to cooperate.

The details of Sai's role in the plot to root out Mamushi are unclear as of the end of chapter #31. But with him rushing to the roof with Shikamaru to see Boruto just as he saves Kobu from being killed by the multiplying Divine Tree, Sai's quickly understanding Boruto isn't the enemy at hand.

However, Sai may easily take issue with the means Boruto's group is using to achieve their ends, namely, Koji's ruthless decision to have the boy possess Kobu, giving him the choice of having the Daimyo's representative hurl himself from a rooftop, or be mauled by Mamushi. Either option would pain Inojin a traitor to the village, which would be a big problem.

If anything, this latest addition to the group may put others on a collision course with Koji Kashin, who was behind a lot of the tougher decisions made in the series so far. Koji will use his Prescience to guide the events as much as possible. However, the Jiraiya clone will eventually have to answer for his deeds in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, and Sai might be the one demanding them.

Writer Masashi Kishimoto

Writers Masashi Kishimoto

Penciler(s) Mikio Ikemoto

Inker(s) Mikio Ikemoto

Colorist(s) Mikio Ikemoto

Publisher(s) Viz Media