The shinobi pantheon of Naruto’s The collective universe is full of powerful battles, with Sasuke Uchiha joining its hallowed ranks thanks to his raw talent, genetic gifts, and ruthless determination. But at the time of Boruto: Two Blue Vortices, the old order has been disrupted, with Sasuke significantly weakened. His status as the strongest Uchiha alive may soon be in doubt.
Sasuke hadn’t done anything wrong, but since losing his Rinnegan in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #53 and his arm from his final fight culminating in Naruto, it’s clear he’s beyond his prime. But fortunately, the Uchiha lineage endures, with Sarada finally ready to succeed Sasuke. Boruto.
Sasuke’s successor begins to develop in Boruto
Sarada Uchiha always had big shoes to fill if she hoped to become Hokage. This meant that she would have to match or surpass Sasuke and Naruto’s greatness to be strong enough to rule the village. Although she demonstrated typical Uchiha techniques like the Chidori jutsu, Phoenix Flower, and Great Fireball, she lagged behind in one key area.
Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan was only fully awakened and embraced by her in Boruto: Two Blue Vortices chapter #21. This triggered Sarada’s unique Orihume technique, a parallel to Sasuke’s Amaterasu, trading eternal flames for gravitational wells capable of wiping out God Trees, the greatest current threat. This is the power Sasuke alluded to in chapters 5 and 21.
She will eventually realize this and intuitively understand her abilities and what she is capable of.
-Sasuke Uchiha, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #21
Sasuke explained that he was training Boruto to handle a threat that only he and Sarada could handle; with the Claw Grimes having captured and consumed Sasuke, his offspring from the Divine Tree, Hidari, wants to consume Sarada. Defeating Hidari and retrieving his Thorn Soul Bulb will not only save Sasuke, but prove that Sarada is worthy of being the strongest Uchiha.
Aside from the fact that Sasuke willingly takes Boruto as his protégé, the events begin Boruto: Two Blue Vortices affected more than the image of the young Uzumaki. Boruto’s sudden ostracism and the clear and present threat to Boruto’s life triggered the awakening of Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan before the timeskip, but her self-doubt held her back.
Sasuke has clearly seen better days during his imprisonment in Boruto. He only has one healthy arm and one eye left, his Rinnegan having been taken away by an attack from Kawaki. To some extent, Sasuke has accepted his current predicament and is preparing the new generation to succeed him, especially considering Sarada’s dream.
Sarada could do something no Uchiha has ever done
Surprisingly, the Uchiha clan has never produced a Hokage. With past tensions such as between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, and later against the entire clan following Kurama’s attack, Sarada has the opportunity to achieve a first feat in the series. Sarada has always expressed this ambition, with endearing moments like wanting to be on Hokage Rock in Boruto episode #24.
To be Hokage is to hold the highest office in Konoha, demonstrating a connection to one’s people, with Sarada doing her best by burying the hatchet with her rival, Sumire. But it also means being selected either by the Hokage in session, or by decision of the committee, with Lord Eighth Shikamaru systematically recognizing her as the main potential candidate.
Finally, even Sasuke advocates for Sarada to become Hokage, a position he can never achieve, because it would be a better life than the one he had. He sees her potential and wants her to be recognized as Konoha’s champion. Sarada has time to perfect her more advanced jutsu or Susanoo, but she has every chance of succeeding Sasuke.
If becoming Hokage is my dream, I have to start by accepting myself.
-Sarada Uchiha, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #21
Whether Sasuke is permanently out of his prime is debatable, but he’s ready to pass the torch in Boruto: Two Blue Vortices. Sarada’s awakening of Mangekyo was a symbolic coming-of-age moment where she cast aside her doubts and gained a devastating power that is completely unique to her. It remains to be seen how far she can go.
- Writer
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
