WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations #41 by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto and Ukyo Kodachi, on sale now.
Boruto's Team 7 has undergone its most deadly trial recently in the manga, thanks to the arrival of Boro. With Naruto imprisoned by Jigen, Boro's been keeping watch for Kara, ensuring the Hokage of Konoha can't get out. This has turned Team 7 into a Suicide Squad, using Boruto and Kawaki's cursed Karma seals to teleport into the hidden dimension.
However, it's not gone according to plan as Boro is proving to be a lot to handle. As the youngsters try to cope, one major change is made in the game plan. It's the appointment of Sarada as the official captain in Boruto #41.
Team 7 usually follows Boruto once they're not overseen by their mentor, Konohamaru, but the established order has been shaken up with Kawaki coming on board to make it a four-man team for the mission. Usually, Konoha's shinobi operates in groups of three, but all hands on deck are needed to free Naruto from Boro's clutches. The way they got whipped, however, it's clear changes were needed after the first bout, leading to Mitsuki making the big call.
Sarada was the one who ordered the retreat initially so they could regroup and Mitsuki (Orochimaru's offspring) realizes she's actually the best one to call the shots. They need order, maturity and responsibility, and just like her dad Sasuke, Sarada is a master tactician. In fact, strategy has always been a strength of her Uchiha ancestors. Mitsuki knows her composure and ability to see everything will be key.
The latter factor is actually quite literal thanks to her ocular jutsu, the Sharingan. Sarada's been powering up lately and upgrading at a rate even her dad's impressed by. She actually uses her eye to deduce the mist Boro's been using to poison them is actually a virus created by scientific ninja tools and this convinces Mitsuki to nominate her. Only Boruto has a minor issue, as he loves being at the forefront, but in this case, even he knows Sarada should be the center of attention as commander.
Boro's also a master of the elements and her fire techniques are best set to counter his moves, too. But most of all, it's the Sharingan which gives her the edge as she can map Boro's attacks and defensive moves to the tee. She's a tad shocked to be given the role, but in the second bout, we see someone as badass as Sasuke is.
She's definitely her dad's daughter and when she also unleashes the might of her mom, Sakura, all of Team 7 takes notice. Even Boro's stunned at the powerhouse this tiny girl has become. It's serendipity, it seems, because her lifelong dream has been to become the next Hokage so by taking the reins here, we just may be looking at the first big statement on this ambition in the field.
The Naruto franchise didn't give agency and leadership to many of its female characters apart from Tsunade as the Fourth Hokage so it's a breath of fresh air to witness Sarada stepping up to the plate like this. Sakura was also underused in the Shippuden days so her daughter making waves is quite fitting; giving the Naruto Universe the injection of woman power it has lacked over the years. More to the point, it's also a great story move as it adds fuel to the rivalry she has with Boruto. We can see this pushing both of them to evolve and outdo each other in the future.