Chapter 23 of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, officially released on June 19th, marks a significant turning point in the battle against Jura and reinforces a narrative thread that has been building for months: Kawaki, despite protecting Naruto, does not share the same ideals as the former Hokage. The temporary alliance between Kawaki and Boruto sparks discussions among readers, mainly due to the symbolism involved and the contrast between the characters' motivations.
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The confrontation with Jura exposes the complexity of the relationship between Boruto and Kawaki
The chapter resumes the intense battle against Jura, who had held a clear advantage up to that point. Kawaki's unexpected arrival changes the course of the fight and creates a rare alliance with Boruto, who had already foreseen multiple catastrophic futures based on Kashin Koji's visions. The apparent cooperation between the two young men is strategic, but carries more tension than genuine trust.
Despite fighting alongside Boruto, Kawaki makes it clear that his goals are not aligned with those of the protagonist. The presence of the forehead protector, a traditional symbol of loyalty to the Leaf Village, on his head is ambiguous. While some readers interpret the gesture as a sign of reconciliation, Kawaki's firm stance in protecting only Naruto shows the opposite.
Kawaki acts out of personal loyalty, not shinobi ideology
Naruto always carried an ideal that went beyond protecting his loved ones: he believed in caring for everyone in the village, including those who didn't directly belong to the Leaf Village. Kawaki, on the other hand, even when facing dangerous enemies like the Shinju, seems motivated solely by the desire to keep Naruto safe, even if it means making decisions that the Hokage himself would never approve of.
The biggest proof of this remains the fact that Naruto and Hinata are still imprisoned by Kawaki's decision. This not only shocks those who follow the series, but also reinforces the chasm between the worldviews of the two characters. For Naruto, freedom and dialogue have always been above force. For Kawaki, isolation seems to be the only way to preserve what he considers important.
The fight reinforces the differences between traditional techniques and technological modification
Another aspect addressed in chapter 23 is the contrast between fighting styles. While Boruto continues to refine his skills based on ninja training and strategies, Kawaki increasingly relies on technological tools and body modifications. The use of scientific resources to fight highlights not only a practical difference, but a philosophical one.
Although technological tools have long been integrated into the ninja world, Kawaki makes them his primary foundation, something that sets his path apart from ninjas like Naruto, Sasuke, and other veterans of the previous era. This raises a question: to what extent can Kawaki's path be considered part of the shinobi tradition?
Expectations for the next chapter: rupture or reconciliation?
With Jura's retreat becoming increasingly likely, the chapter's ending leaves open the possibility of a new direct confrontation between Boruto and Kawaki. The growing tension between the two deepens, and the brief alliance seems only to postpone the inevitable. The author plants clues about future plot twists that should impact not only the narrative but also the very ideological structure of the Boruto universe.
Chapter 23 not only delivers action and character development, but also prompts the reader to reflect deeply on what it means to be a true shinobi. While Boruto tries to carry on the legacy left by Naruto, Kawaki forges his own path, and perhaps there is no turning back.
