Boruto: Konohamaru Adds an Intriguing Spin On Naruto's More Powerful Move (2024)

After the Boruto time-skip into Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, fans have witnessed new sides to many Konoha-nin. Shinobi like Inojin have become more militant to protect the Hidden Leaf from enemies like Boruto, Code and the Claw Grime. While others, such as Sarada, are more rebellious as she tries to prove Boruto isn't a villain -- Kawaki and Eida are, for brainwashing the region.

Interestingly, Konohamaru is another ninja who has become more devoted to the army. He thinks Boruto will attack and decimate the village, so he has been trying to lead the frontline. It ties into his Hokage ambition. The latest chapter expands on his dream, proving Konohamaru hasn't steeled up mentally, but physically as well.

Konohamaru Evolves the Rasengan

Konohamaru Makes Naruto's Most Powerful Move a Defense Mechanism

• Konohamaru debuted in the Naruto manga in Chapter #2 in 1999.
• Konohamaru debuted in the Naruto anime in Episode #2 in 2002.

The Rasengan is Naruto's most destructive move. It was passed down to him by Kakashi and Jiraiya. The latter -- the Ero Sennin (aka the 'Pervy Sage') -- actually worked on this chakra bomb years before with Naruto's father, Minato. They molded chakra into a bomb in the palm of their hands. Minato realized that he could mold nature's energy and his own in two different directions to perfect the bomb. Minato used it with aplomb back in his day, eventually teaching his student, Kakashi.

Naruto evolved it, using his shadow clones to create a bigger bomb. Boruto later advanced the technique, using smaller, deadlier sniping bullets, and an invisible Rasengan, to boot. Interestingly, when Naruto was in his prime as a teenager in the Naruto Shippuden era, he taught the move to Konohamaru. Remember, Konohamaru was the little tyke who followed Naruto all over Konoha and kept challenging his 'big brother' to duels.

Konohamaru wanted to be like his grandfather, the Third Hokage (Sarutobi Hiruzen), and lead the village someday. His plan was to do so after Naruto. Or if he could topple Naruto, maybe before. Konohamaru used the Rasengan when Pain invaded, which confirmed he was going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. As time passed, he saw Naruto as a proper mentor, lost his brash attitude, and worked as one of his generals once he took office.

Konohamaru helped Boruto retool his Rasengan, doing what Naruto did with him. Come the Two Blue Vortex era, Konohamaru illustrates that he has kept innovating. It's seen when he tries to attack the God Tree, Hidari. This villain wants to devour Uchiha Sarada, which opens him up to Konohamaru's Rasengan. However, Hidari counters and unleashes his own move: the lightning cutter, aka the Chidori.

This is the electric palm blade made famous by Kakashi and Sasuke. Luckily, Konohamaru improvizes on the fly and changes the chakra bomb into a shield. He calls it the Rasen-Barrier -- or more officially, the Wind Release: Spiralling Barrier. This nullifies the Chidori and cancels its energy. As it diminishes the current's flow, Konohamaru is pushed away by the shockwave. If he hadn't thrown this shield up, he would have gotten impaled in the torso, akin to when Kakashi killed Rin decades ago.

Konohamaru Has a Chance to Prove His Mettle

Konohamaru Deserves More Page Time

• Konohamaru's notable family members are his grandparents, Hiruzen and Biwaki of the Sarutobi clan.
• His uncle is the late Asuma, and his cousin is Asuma's tenacious daughter, Mirai.

Hidari does come off very intimidating. Apart from knocking Konohamaru away, he uses his teleporting bands to shock Sumire and Sarada out. He even uses the Uchiha flame jutsu to immolate a Hidden Leaf soldier. Boruto arrives, however, to save Sarada. He's holding his sister, Himawari, so it's safe to say his hands are full, literally.

Hidari is set to fight Boruto, but Boruto's initial target, Jura, is still around. While many would assume Boruto would take both on, or that Kawaki may put aside their feud and help, this is a chance for Konohamaru to get his Naruto moment. Kawaki isn't experienced enough, and honestly, the God Trees already dispatched him easily. If Boruto is distracted with protecting innocents, Konohamaru can step up and take on one of the warriors. Is he Naruto-lite? Yes, but we are yet to see what other offensive and defensive moves he conjured.

Not even Naruto showed such adaptability with the Rasengan. This is a chance for Konohamaru to have another jaw-dropping moment like with the Pain brawl. People do underestimate him, and as evidenced from when the very human Might Guy and Rock Lee fought stronger enemies with godlike abilities, no one should deem Konohamaru an underdog. In the three years since, he could have improved his shadow clones, worked on his Sage Mode, and become what Naruto is, minus the Nine Tails Demon Fox.

Konohamaru entering the fray and manhandling a God Tree would shock many, but it would feel organic to his arc. He was meant for greatness. Fans just haven't really seen the breadth of it as yet. This would do justice to that era of shinobi who didn't get fleshed out well as they aged, with the series jumping to Boruto's generation. People like Konohamaru deserve their rub and this is the ideal fight to throw him into the limelight. Even if he doesn't win, it'll show that, like Naruto, a shinobi putting in the hard work does reap results.

Konohamaru Fighting the God Trees Would Showcase His True Power

Konohamaru Can Show His Worth As a Future Leader

Now, there are many benefits to be derived from giving Konohamaru his shine. Firstly, it will spruce him up as an ambitious ninja wanting to lead. He's every bit as selfless as Naruto, so by showing up and showing out, Konohamaru will prove he is next in line to be the Hokage. This can add friendly drama and rivalry down the line, as Mirai is in the same shoes. She has been placed more in the spotlight as she works with Kakashi, giving Konoha two viable candidates. They're both in the Sarutobi bloodline as well, so it affirms this family will always breed leaders.

Secondly, Boruto prides itself on doing the unexpected. Therefore, it can become even more unpredictable by having Konohamaru display more of his glow-up. He has been wasted as an ancillary character, admittedly. But a scrap here could promote him from secondary support to a pole, primary position in the Konoha hierarchy. He has said he was born to be a star, so it's about time to let him prove his fortitude.

Thirdly, Konohamaru can become an even bigger inspiration to the younglings. Sarada, Mitsuki and Boruto trained under him in Team 7, but it feels like they are the ones in main focus and who look better in battle. If Konohamaru excels and makes a statement, especially a successful one, Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto can now place him on a pedestal and have the new batch wanting to work with him more.

When the dust settles after this God Tree invasion, Himawari would be a great candidate. Himawari has a Kurama, so she will need someone on the level of Jiraiya, her father or Kakashi to assist her. Konohamaru is just that. He can start by protecting her here, paving the way for Boruto to do more heavy-lifting versus these Ōtsutsuki-like entities.

Ultimately, the timing is basically now or never. There is no bigger window of opportunity to have Konohamaru show his mettle. Two Blue Vortex must strike while the iron is hot. Fans have learned Konohamaru has a lot more in his arsenal, so he should unleash it all. There is no better enemy to do so against. The God Trees are as deadly as they come. But amid the collateral damage and casualties, Konohamaru can finally back up what he always said: he is meant to be a legendary shinobi.

Boruto

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Son of Naruto Uzumaki, Boruto, follows his father's footsteps along with his friends to become great ninja. Throughout all their adventures, Boruto is determined to make his mark in the ninja world and live outside of his father's shadow.

Release Date

April 5, 2017

Cast

Amanda Céline Miller , Robbie Daymond , Maile Flanagan , Todd Haberkorn , Colleen O'Shaughnessey , Cherami Leigh , Max Mittelman , Melissa Fahn , Stephanie Sheh , Billy Kametz

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

26

Studio

Pierrot

Franchise

Naruto

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto

Number of Episodes

297

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Crunchyroll , Amazon Prime Video