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It’s hard for fans not to notice the missingNarutocharacters inBoruto. Kakashi Hatake, who made his mark in the original series, remains missing in action, despite the conflict that is currently happening in Konoha. While some fans expect to see Kakashi appear shortly after Naruto and Sasuke are sealed and turned into a tree, theBorutomanga has yet to reveal what keeps Kakashi busy all this time.
Kakashi is not the only one who’s missing in the Boruto manga. EvenTsunade is out of reach, leading fans to wonder where these relevant Naruto characters are. Two of the former Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village are nowhere to be found, even though they were once on the front frontline protecting everyone from harm. Do they still care about Konoha? Is Ikemoto planning something major for these characters?
What’s the Current Situation in Konoha?
Omnipotence and Jura’s Threat
While Kakashi often appears in theBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsanime as a consultant like Might Guy, he has never appeared in theBorutomanga. Since he retired from his post as Sixth Hokage, he enjoys his time visiting hot springs, away from the noise and chaos of the village. However,Kakashi is deeply missed in theBorutomanga, especially now inTwo Blue Vortex, at a time when Konoha needs him more than ever.
As of writing, the entire Hidden Leaf, except for Sarada and Sumire, isaffected by Eida’s omnipotence. People’s memories were altered, believing that Kawaki is Boruto and vice versa. They branded Boruto as Naruto’s killer, treating him as a fugitive. It’s unknown whether Kakashi was also affected, considering he’s nowhere to be found, but there may be a slim chance he’s only waiting for the perfect opportunity to appear and create a difference.
“This time, I’ll protect them… and the world!"—Kakashi
In addition,Konoha is at risk of destructionbecause of the Human God Trees. Since Jura is pursuing Himawari, likely due to Kurama, it may only be a matter of time before the rest of his kind attack the village. If Boruto fails in killing Jura, there’s a strong chance he will go find Himawari next, potentially leading to an all-out war in Konoha. Perhaps this setup could be the best time to reintroduce Kakashi, but that remains a speculation for now.
Where Is Kakashi?
As mentioned, Kakashi is still nowhere to be found in theBoruto: Two Blue Vortexmanga. No one knows where he is or what keeps him busy, making his location a huge mystery for fans to figure out. Even Naruto and Shikamaru never mentioned his name once inTwo Blue Vortex, almost as if his presence had vanished. Fans can only catch a glimpse of Kakashi through his Hokage portrait, which remains on display in Naruto’s office.
“In the end, the next generation always ends up surpassing the old generation”—Kakashi
There are so many theories regarding Kakashi’s whereabouts. Some fans think Ikemoto might be afraid of drawing Kakashi, explaining his absence, while others believe he’s out birdwatching, enjoying his retirement life. Some fans have even considered thathe might be Shibai Otsutsuki, watching everything unfold in Konoha from a different planet, though of course this theory is unlikely to be true.
When Will Kakashi Appear in Boruto?
Ikemoto Confirms Kakashi’s Boruto Debut
No one, except for Ikemoto or Kishimoto, knows when Kakashi will appear in theBorutomanga. Most likely, before Kawaki and Boruto face each other in what seems like their final showdown in the ruins of Konoha, Kakashi may appear. As long as Konoha is still safe from enemies, Kakashi may not return. Perhaps he’ll only need to appear when Konoha faces total destruction. For sure, his entrance will excite the many fans who have been waiting for hisBorutomanga debut for the longest time.
The good news is that Kakashi is sure to debut in theBorutomanga. As revealed by Ikemoto, he teased aboutKakashi’s possible major role in the Boruto manga. Whether he will be a guide to Sarada, who has recently awakened her Mangekyo Sharingan, Ohirume, in Sasuke’s absence, or assume the role of Hokage again, it will be difficult to confirm for now. Regardless, fans should continue to anticipate Kakashi’s appearance in theBorutomanga.
