Alert: Potential Spoilers Ahead for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #21
More than two years have elapsed since Kawaki sealed Naruto, leading to Shikamaru stepping in temporarily. In the latest chapters of Boruto, the storyline has recaptured the significance of Naruto’s role as Hokage through Sarada’s journey. Currently, she takes center stage in the arc following her awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan during the showdown against the Divine Tree Ryu. Chapter #21 presents a reflective Sarada who contemplates her aspirations, deeply inspired by Naruto. However, this situation starkly contrasts the brutal evolution of the characters when compared to the Naruto series.
Unlike Naruto, who consistently seeks to aid others—including his adversaries—by appealing to their better nature, Sarada’s character evolution showcases a notable shift. While Naruto’s merciful tendencies often led him to grant redemption opportunities to those he fought against, Sarada exhibits a formidable resolve with her recently acquired abilities. Although her dream of becoming Hokage mirrors Naruto’s path, her ruthless approach in battle marks a departure from his ideals.
Sarada’s Approach to Justice Differ from Naruto’s
Introducing Sarada’s Ohirume: A Potent and Dark Skill
In Chapter #21 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan ability is introduced as Ohirume, named after the Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu. This connection emphasizes the power’s solar associations, which had been foreshadowed in the design of her Mangekyo Sharingan. Sarada wields this ability to create gravitational spheres resembling miniature suns, possessing a force she can manipulate at her discretion.
During her clash with Ryu, Sarada adeptly directed gravity to ensnare the Divine Tree within one of her formidable black spheres. The intensifying energy and Ryu’s exclamations of agony hinted at a concentration of power akin to that of the sun, which Sarada could amplify until it imploded, obliterating the Divine Tree without remorse.
This execution style is excruciatingly brutal, and Sarada’s unhesitating use of it against Ryu illustrates a significant deviation from Naruto’s leadership philosophy. She rejects the path of mercy, illustrating her willingness to employ all necessary means to protect those she cherishes—indicative of a Hokage who remains starkly different from her predecessor.
Sarada’s Leadership Style: A Divergence from Naruto’s Ideals
Boruto’s Villains: More Sinister than Ever Before
In the narrative context of Chapter #21, Sarada’s character is undeniably influenced by Naruto’s ideals of treating Konoha’s citizens as family. Nevertheless, her methods have exhibited a readiness to embrace more severe tactics, opposing Naruto’s commitment to compassion, even when faced with adversaries. This contrast becomes clearer when we consider Naruto’s minimalistic form of violence, with his only fatal act still sparking debate among fans.
Moreover, the villains in Boruto present a greater degree of malevolence than those encountered in Naruto’s timeline. Their motivations often lack depth or relatability, which diminishes any chance for audience sympathy. This trend aligns with creator Masashi Kishimoto’s anticipation of a tonal shift towards the darker side of storytelling in Boruto, as reflected in his reflection during a 2017 interview about the series.
“I wanted the start of the manga to be happy, but I also wanted to show that there’s a dark turning point in order to grab the reader’s attention.”— Masashi Kishimoto
As the storyline progresses, it becomes evident that the Divine Trees represent an unprecedented threat that necessitates their defeat to reclaim the harvested chakra of fallen warriors. This sets up a darker atmosphere for the series, compelling both Boruto and Sarada to adopt more brutal methods to emerge victorious. Consequently, fans can expect a series of intense and unforgiving confrontations as Sarada evolves into a distinct leader, markedly different from Naruto.
Source: Comicbook