WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #51 “Sacrifice,” of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Ukyo Kocachi, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available from Viz Media.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is on the verge of killing off Naruto and, potentially, Sasuke. Isshiki has proven that he is an opponent that neither Naruto nor Sasuke can defeat on their own, but Boruto reveals that he knows Isshiki’s plan to resurrect the Divine Tree requires him as a sacrifice and threatens to kill himself. Unfortunately, Isshiki still gains the upper hand on the shinobi, and his overwhelming strength leads Naruto down a path of desperation in the manga's latest installment.
Boruto Attempts a Sacrifice to Stop Isshiki
In past chapters, Sasuke questioned Boruto’s devotion to the village and tried to get him to understand what it truly means to become a shinobi. Now that Boruto knows Isshiki needs him as a sacrificial pawn, he decides to try and take his own life to derail the plot to revitalize the Divine Tree. Although Boruto’s intentions are sincere, his commitment to killing himself isn't as convincing, and Isshiki easily stops him, breaking Boruto's limbs to make sure he doesn’t try anything funny.
The theme of sacrifice is really prevalent in Chapter #51, but the attention of who is going to die shifts from Sasuke to Naruto. Sasuke is not afraid to die for his village, but Boruto’s sudden suicide attempt shocks him. Even Naruto coming in at the end in his desperation mode surprises him. Sasuke isn't acting as stern as he normally does, and it almost seems like he's not prepared to see those around him become sacrifices for his safety.
Kurama Offers Naruto a Power-Up
Just when it seemed Naruto had no more new techniques, Kurama comes from behind with a new ace-in-the-hole Nine Tails transformation. Just before this revelation, Naruto tells Kurama that he is prepared to die in order to defend the village from Isshiki. Naruto is not someone who throws in the towel so soon, but Isshiki is an other-worldly villain, and he has no idea how to defeat him. Kurama, aware of Naruto’s desperation, tells him that he might have a “thing” that will grant him the power to stop Isshiki, but at the cost of his own life.
Kurama’s offer is strange, but Naruto’s will to defend the village proves why he is the Hokage. After Kurama completes his hand signs, Naruto takes on a new form of the Nine-Tails Mode. His cape takes on the shape of the tails, and he grows some chakra horns that resemble Isshiki’s. It’s still unclear exactly what the new form is, but it might be similar to Might Guy’s Eight Inner Gates. But just like how Naruto saved Guy from death after opening the Eighth Gate, maybe someone will be able to do the same for Naruto.
It will be interesting to see how the fight pans out, especially once everyone finds out that the Hokage is going to die no matter what the outcome. Kurama’s release of his latent power must be on a level never seen before, and the Tailed Beast has probably been amassing chakra throughout the years for this very moment. Sasuke is going to play a big role as well because the shadow Hokage isn’t going to allow his best friend to die so willingly. Naruto’s new form also raises the question, do the other Jinchuriki have the ability to achieve a similar form?
Naruto seems like the only one with the right mindset for the end game. He knows the village is in good hands if he’s gone, and will leave it up to Sasuke to continue protecting the village, given that Naruto actually succeeds in defeating Isshiki before dying. Many things could still happen, but the stage is set for everyone’s favorite knuckle-headed Hokage to shine one last time, believe it!