The shinobi pantheon of Naruto’s collective universe is loaded with powerful fights, with Sasuke Uchiha joining its hallowed ranks thanks to raw talent, genetic gifts, and ruthless determination. But by the time of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the old order has been disrupted, with Sasuke being significantly weakened. His status as the strongest living Uchiha could soon be in doubt.
Sasuke hadn’t done anything wrong, but ever since the loss of his Rinnegan in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations chapter #53 and the his arm from his final climactic fight in Naruto, it’s clear he is moving past his prime years. But fortunately, the Uchiha bloodline lives on, with Sarada finally ready to succeed Sasuke in Boruto.
Sasuke’s Successor Begins to Rise in Boruto
Sarada Uchiha has always had big shoes to fill if she hoped to become Hokage. It meant that she’d have to either match or exceed Sasuke’s and Naruto’s greatness to be strong enough to lead the village. While she demonstrated typical Uchiha techniques like the Chidori, Phoenix Flower, and Great Fireball jutsu, she lagged in one key arena.
Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan was only fully awakened and embraced by her in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #21. This unleashed the Orihume technique unique to Sarada, a parallel to Sasuke’s Amaterasu, trading undying flames for gravity wells capable of obliterating Divine Trees, the biggest current threat. This is the power Sasuke alluded to in chapters #5 and #21.
She will realize it eventually, as well as intuitively come to 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 only he and Sarada could handle; with the Claw Grimes having captured and consumed Sasuke, its Divine Tree offspring, Hidari, wants to consume Sarada. Defeating Hidari and retrieving his Thorn Soul Bulb will not only save Sasuke but will prove that Sarada is worthy to be the strongest Uchiha.
Aside from Sasuke willingly taking on Boruto as his protege, the events kicking off Boruto: Two Blue Vortex affected more than the young Uzumaki’s image. Boruto’s sudden ostracization and the clear and present threat to Boruto’s life triggered Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan to awaken before the timeskip, but her self-doubt held her back.
Sasuke has clearly seen better days by the time of his imprisonment in Boruto. He is down to one good arm and eye, with his Rinnegan taken away by an attack from Kawaki. To an extent, Sasuke has accepted his current predicament and is preparing the new generation to succeed him, especially considering Sarada’s dream.
Sarada Could Achieve Something No Uchiha Has Ever Done
The Uchiha clan has surprisingly 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 complete a series-first achievement. Sarada has voiced this ambition all along, with endearing moments like wanting to be on the Hokage Rock in Boruto episode #24.
To be Hokage is to hold the highest office in Konoha, demonstrating a connection to its people, with Sarada making her best case yet by burying the hatchet with her rival, Sumire. But it also means to be selected either by the sitting Hokage or committee decision, with Lord Eighth Shikamaru consistently recognizing her as the main prospective candidate.
Finally, even Sasuke advocates for Sarada to become Hokage, a position he could never attain, as it would be a better life than the one he had. He sees her potential and wishes for her to be recognized as Konoha’s champion. Sarada has time to hone more advanced jutsu or her Susanoo, but she has every chance to succeed Sasuke.
If becoming Hokage is my dream, I need 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 is ready to pass the torch in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. Sarada’s Mangekyo awakening was a symbolic coming-of-age moment where she cast away her doubts and obtained a devastating power wholly unique to her. Now it’s a question of how high she can go.
- Writer
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
