Chapter 21 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex marks a dramatic turning point in the plot. The story will pit Sarada Uchiha against Ryu, the human Tree God, in an intense battle. Armed with her newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan, the young ninja takes center stage in the fight, revealing unprecedented powers and confronting profound personal issues.
The revelation not only changes the course of the battle, but also adds new layers to Sarada's emotional journey. She will have to deal with loss, responsibility, and her desire to become Hokage.
The awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan and the weight of decision
The chapter begins with flashbacks that reveal Sarada's emotional state before the fight. In conversations with Chocho, Sumire, Boruto, and Naruto, she expresses her determination to protect the Hidden Leaf Village above all else, even though she doesn't consider herself a prodigy like her father or the Seventh Hokage. This sense of responsibility is what shapes her choice to act without hesitation on the battlefield.
The narrative also recalls the moment when Eida distorted reality using the Omnipotence Shinjutsu, switching Boruto and Kawaki's social positions. Sarada, one of the few who retained her awareness of the truth, confronts Sasuke and convinces him of Boruto's innocence. Sasuke's confirmation comes from the fact that his daughter has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, an ability that, according to him, only manifests through extreme mental trauma. Thus, indicating that something deeply disturbing has occurred.
The confrontation with Ryu and the debut of the “Oohirume” technique
With the dojutsu activated, Sarada returns to the present and faces Ryu. Even without full mastery of her new abilities, she demonstrates instinctive control by summoning black gravitational spheres that limit the enemy's movement. The battle intensifies when Mitsuki realizes that these spheres affect the environment, creating a gravitational pressure that prevents Ryu from reacting effectively.
In this scenario, Sarada reveals, through an internal monologue, her self-doubt and how weak her feelings for Boruto make her. However, she understands that accepting her emotions is part of the growth process. This epiphany gives her the strength to unleash her special technique, "Oohirume." The ability, a direct result of her Mangekyo Sharingan, defeats Ryu definitively, but comes at a price: Sarada faints, her eyes bleeding from the excessive use of chakra.
Sacrifices and Consequences: Yodo's Death and Boruto's Reaction
While Eida confirms Ryu's downfall, Kashin Koji notes that awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan was the true objective of the mission, even though it cost Yodo's life. This loss, he says, was essential for Sarada to reach her new level of power. For Boruto, however, justification isn't enough. He asks Koji if there's another way to achieve the same result without sacrifice, but receives only silence in response.
Overcome with rage upon learning that Koji foresaw Yodo's death and did nothing, Boruto demands to know if Konohamaru is safe. Unable to get a concrete answer, he immediately transports himself to the scene of the Flying Thunder God Technique confrontation. There, he finds Matsuri, whom he quickly eliminates, revealing that there is no longer room for hesitation in the face of so many losses.
Meanwhile, Koji is concerned about Boruto's impulsive actions and Jura, observing everything through his connection with Matsuri, detects the presence of Boruto Otsutsuki, suggesting that the plot still has much to reveal.
Sarada at the center of Konoha's future
Chapter 21 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex delivers an intense and emotionally charged narrative, placing Sarada at a decisive turning point for the story's future. By awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan and defeating a powerful enemy like Ryu, she demonstrates not only brute strength but also emotional development—a vital aspect for someone aspiring to become Hokage.
The loss of Yodo, the conflict with Boruto, and the uncertainty surrounding the methods employed in the war leave scars that will be explored in future chapters. In the end, what's at stake goes beyond battles: it's the legacy each character is willing to leave behind to protect what matters most.
The manga is available on the MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA .
