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The following article contains spoilers for Naruto and Boruto.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortexhas focused on the Shinju clones for a while, with a thrilling battle between Boruto Uzumaki and Jura happening now. However, the story will probably soon move on to another arc. Code would make a great villain for the next arc, or perhaps Kawaki will have his time in the spotlight before the story moves on to Code and then the Otsutsuki clan.
Kawaki has been a controversial character for some time. Many fans who used to like him started to hate him inBoruto: Two Blue Vortexbecause of his attitude toward Naruto and Boruto and because he allowed things to turn into the worst possible scenarios. However, precisely because Kawaki has become such a difficult character, his arc is a promising one.
Did Kawaki Regress in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex?
Kawaki was introduced in the first chapter ofBoruto: Naruto Next Generations(Boruto: NNG), and the story focused more on him from chapter 24 to chapter 55 in the original manga — Kawaki’s arc makes up a good portion of the manga. However, since the anime contains a lot of original content, Kawaki’s Arc happens much later in the adaptation, from episode 188 to episode 220. Prior to the story, he had an abusive father called Kokatsu (from an unknown clan). When Jigen offered to buy him from his father, Kawaki was brought to Kara, where they experimented on him as a potential vessel for Isshiki Otsutsuki, and that’s how he got his Karma seal.
After Team 7 found him and saw his seal, which was identical to Boruto Uzumaki’s Karma mark, they decided to take him to Konohagakure. Because of his past, Kawaki was hostile toward most people. However, the five Kage decided that Naruto should watch over him while he lived freely in Konoha. Despite Kawaki’s initial disagreements with Boruto and the Uzumaki family, Naruto takes care of Kawaki as if he were his own son. Thus, Kawaki’s arc inBoruto: Naruto Next Generationsfocuses on his growth as a shinobi and a person. After years of abuse, he learns what love is while helping in the battle against Kara. However, later events made it clear that he still has a lot to learn.
Kawaki Still Has a Lot to Learn
While Kawaki may have learned about love, he still needs to learn more about forgiveness. Hekilled Boruto once inNNGto prevent Momoshiki from taking over his body. However, Momoshiki healed Boruto — and this made Kawaki angry and afraid that Boruto would eventually be possessed by Momoshiki. Thus, in Kawaki’s mind, Boruto is a threat to Earth, and must be killed. After revealing his intentions to Naruto and Hinata, he sealed them away to protect them.
Since he would become a vessel for the Otsutsuki clan, his fear of Boruto becoming a full Otsutsuki and destroying the Earth is understandable. The series seemingly follows the “love makes you evil” trope with his character, so he has a lot of potential, even though many fans think he has already crossed the line.
Kawaki’s Relation to the Otsutsuki Clan
Kawaki would serve as a vessel for the Otsutsuki clan. This is his only known relationship with the clan. He knows that the Otsutsuki are predatory colonizers who will destroy Earth to obtain a Chakra Fruit and become more powerful. For this reason, he wants to kill every Otsutsuki, including Boruto, whom he now considers one of them. He wants to protect Naruto and his family, which suggests that Kawaki has a toxic understanding of love — perfect for a character who will probably get a second arc (and natural for someone who was abused so many times).
Love is actually amajor driving force inBoruto. Naruto and Hinata tried to save Kawaki out of love. Because of love,Kawaki sealed his adoptive parents away. Eida uses Omnipotence to help Kawaki because she is in love with him. Sarada awakened the most overpowered Mangekyo Sharingan jutsu because of her love for Boruto. Jura wants to prove that Boruto is weak because of human love. In one way or another, it seems everything inBorutorevolves around love and human emotions. The story is making its point about what true love is, and, more importantly, what itisn’t. Kawaki’s arc will definitely delve into that.
A world without Lord Seventh has no worth to me!
— Kawaki
For now, Kawaki’s recklessness will probably lead him into trouble in the story soon. Additionally, there is a good chance that infusing his Karma into Akebi will turn her into an Otsutsuki — some even believe thatShibai will return through Akebi. If Akebi becomes an Otsutsuki, Amado will certainly do everything he can to prevent Kawaki from killing her, which will lead to further complications.
Finally, although many fans would rather Kawaki be a “nobody” who ended up becoming strong,the story could use the limited information about his parents to create a plot twist. From this perspective, it wouldn’t be surprising ifBoruto: Two Blue Vortexdelves deeper into Kawaki’s past and reveals that he is also somehow related to the Otsutsuki. He could be another descendant of the clan, like most of the main characters in the series.
Should Kawaki Be Redeemed?
Many fans already believe that Kawaki has gone too far and doesn’t deserve redemption. Although that may be true and a great approach, it doesn’t seem to be where the story is leading. Kawaki was abused his whole life until he met Naruto. While abuse is not an excuse for his bloodthirstiness and his actions, it would be pointless to leave him no redemption at this point. Many compare Kawaki to Sasuke, but he actually feels more like Itachi: he did horrible things to his family because he was convinced he was saving everyone. In this case, though, there’s still time to change things.
Thus,as clichéd as it may sound, Kawaki will likely have his redemption arc. There is room to reveal more about him and, of course, toshow Kawaki’s new powerful jutsu. He is an antagonist for now, but the franchise is clearly pointing to the Otsutsuki clan as the final bosses.Boruto: Two Blue Vortexis just beginning, but there are many possibilities, and Kawaki’s story could be one of the most emotional and revealing in the franchise, whether he lives or dies.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortexis available toread on MANGA Plusin English and other languages.
