Naruto’s story concluded 11 years ago today, gathering millions of adoring fans with its underdog tale of an orphaned shinobi dreaming to lead his village. Yet, its legacy has begotten an occasionally-controversial sequel led by his son, Boruto Uzumaki, often maligned for its mishandling of classic characters. But one key antihero deserves a shot at redemption.
While some legacy Naruto characters like Sasuke may potentially sunset their contributions as main characters, others legitimately fit well into the current narrative. Who else but Sasuke’s former mentor, Orochimaru? As Boruto: Two Blue Vortex incorporates his presence, bringing Orochimaru into the mix wouldn’t just reinvigorate an underused character, it’d be an important step forward for the manga.
Boruto Needs to Properly Bring Orochimaru Back
While it’d be easy to dismiss this iconic return as fan service, Orochimaru appears currently as little more than an afterthought, yet he’s been crucial to the plot. Orochimaru’s hideouts have been crucial bases of operation for Boruto and Koji Kashin, first hinted by visible serpent-themed details in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #9 and directly confirmed in chapter #13.
But reincorporating Orochimaru aside from in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations’ anime could have meaningful consequences in Two Blue Vortex. While the Divine Trees are the current top villains, Boruto recently bargained with Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki to let him have his body if they can beat Jura. However, Orochimaru was allowed by Naruto to continue his research specifically against the Ōtsutsuki threat.
Orochimaru was allowed by Naruto to continue his research specifically against the Ōtsutsuki threat.
While Momoshiki would certainly use Boruto’s vessel for ill gains, Orochimaru’s research could unearth key weaknesses, such as the full extent of the abilities in Boruto’s Jōgan. The special eyes even have fans speculating on Reddit due to its potential alternate translations suggesting exorcist-like abilities. Orochimaru’s fascination with Kekkei Genkai, for instance, could help awaken these hypothetical latent abilities.
However, specific theories aside, Orochimaru’s role in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could be more than the conditionally-pardoned criminal who occasionally checks in on Mitsuki. With one of Konoha’s worst futures spelled out in chapter #1 of Naruto Next Generations, featuring Kawaki and Boruto awakening their Ōtsutsuki abilities, contingencies are needed to keep them in check.
Naruto’s Most Complex Antihero Could Be Handled Right This Time
While it was extremely fun and satisfying to see Orochimaru use the Edo Tensei to bring back all four previous Hokages in the Fourth Great Ninja War, it felt a bit surprising to see the change of heart. Wanting to see Sasuke’s path to the end aside, the move was largely still an act of self-preservation.
However, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has room for Orochimaru to do good. While Naruto kept Orochimaru at arm’s length, Shikamaru is Hokage now, and has been far more pragmatic with his strategies, as shown in his plot to use Konohamaru as a sort of honey trap against Divine Tree Matsuri. At Shikamaru’s disposal, Orochimaru could be a ruthless asset.
Orochimaru could and should be allowed to have his own motives once more. To defeat the Ōtsutsuki, especially if god-tier threats like Shibai were to present themselves, Shikamaru and Konoha might not turn away any help. After all, if Kawaki’s eventual declaration of the Shinobi Era being over is true, Konoha may need to think outside the box again soon.
- Writer
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Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
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Masashi Kishimoto
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