Warning: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 17!!

The events of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #17 not only show how different this sequel is from Naruto in a positive way, but also how this new part is fixing a major issue that has often sparked criticism for both series: the lack of portrayal of traditional ninja tactics. However, the latest chapter of Boruto TBV proves that the series can still maintain the ninja aspect and take it a step above Naruto.

Although Naruto was never an accurate representation of real ninjas from feudal Japan, the change of focus of the series to chakra-based power, leaving aside the use of weapons such as kunai and shuriken, sparked divided opinions among fans, who claimed that in an attempt to present the ninja world's flaws and leveling up the scale of conflicts and power of the enemies, the series’ original setting was lost, which got worse in Boruto with the focus on the Otsutsukis and karma. Yet, Boruto TBV has brought back the more interesting traits of ninjas in its most recent storyline with the Divine Trees.

Shikamaru Shows Boruto TBV’s Manga is Focusing on Real Ninja Tactics Unlike Naruto

Boruto’s Story Is Getting More Intriguing with the Newest Chapter

With the retcon and introduction of the Otsutsukis at the end of Naruto becoming the main villains in Boruto, many fans claimed that the series went from battles between ninjas to fighting aliens, causing a clash of genres. However, Team 7's new stealth mission, following Shikamaru’s strategy to deceive the Divine Trees in Boruto TBV chapter #17, although flawed, as it could still backfire on them if they made a mistake while betraying the creatures, showed something that was lacking in the second half of Naruto’s manga: real ninja tactics and use of intel.

Due to Naruto’s more honest and straightforward personality, who preferred to face enemies head-on, the need for real-time intel was never a necessity in the story. However, Shikamaru studied the information he got from Kashin Koji along with their enemies' personalities and assigned Konohamaru to analyze the situation and, once they met the Divine Trees, act according to the intel he got, betraying them if circumstances required it. Moreover, this strategy shows several ninjas' natural traits, from stealth to environmental awareness, improvisation, betrayal, and gathering information on the enemy while trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Additionally, due to the evolution of the ninja world in Boruto with more marked politics, the Divine Tree represents a threat also to how Konoha is seen as a nation; this caused their fight to become a Cold War between two fronts, which shows why Shikamaru opted for this approach and how he expects Konohamaru’s team to do everything they need in order to accomplish the mission. This creates a new layer of intrigue in Boruto as the plot has evolved to only fighting strong enemies to focus on trying to discover their real intentions.

Boruto’s Story Has Already Set Itself Apart From Naruto

Boruto’s Manga Isn’t a Carbon Copy of Naruto but Has Gained Its Own Identity

While the ninja element has been believed to be lost in Boruto because of the tagline at the beginning of the story, “the age of the ninja is over,” Kishimoto and Ikemoto have brought it back stronger than ever thanks to the introduction of Omnipotence and characters like Amado and Kashin Koji. Due to the mysterious nature of Amado and Koji, as it isn't fully clear if they cannot be trusted, and how those who weren't affected by omnipotence, like Sarada and Sumire, have to gain intel while deceiving Eida, it is an exciting different approach from Naruto.

An example of how Boruto has differentiated himself from his predecessor is how he didn’t become stronger by training his karma power but by perfecting his own jutsu based on the use of tools, technique, and precision instead of raw power. This is also different from the type of training in the first part of Boruto’s manga, which was focused on strength and endurance, and also how Boruto overpowered Kawaki proves that skill and technique can overcome natural power.

Nevertheless, this storyline isn’t only refreshing for the series, but it shows how the authors may have been highlighting the ninja elements before the downfall of Konoha anticipated in the first chapter of the manga, which could lead to an even bigger impact than what was seen in Naruto, making it possible for Boruto to sur its predecessor, which only time will tell.