Naruto's resilience, which has taught fans profound life lessons.

Naruto's journey in the ninja-themed story centers on his relentless efforts to become the Hokage of Konoha village and earn recognition. His dream is rooted in the hatred he endured as a child. This determination not only drove him but also made him one of the strongest characters in the series. However, his portrayal in the sequel, Boruto, sidelines Naruto from the start and underplays his strength. Many fans overlook that this depiction aligns perfectly with his character, rather than portraying him as a savior figure like Gojo or All Might.

Naruto's True Desire Was Never About Strength

Naruto's Real Ambition Was to Gain Recognition

From the beginning, the Naruto series makes it clear that its titular protagonist's journey isn't about becoming the strongest, but about gaining recognition from others. This dream stems from his childhood, where he was ignored and hated for being the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Beast, Kurama. As a result, Naruto aspires to become the Hokage, the most respected position in his nation. He dedicates every ounce of his effort to achieving this dream, growing stronger along the way.

The first time Naruto comes close to realizing his dream is when he defeats Pain. Following this victory, he is recognized as a hero and savior by Konoha's villagers, solidifying his path toward becoming the Hokage. However, with the looming threat of war, Naruto continues growing stronger to protect his loved ones from the even greater danger posed by Madara. During the final war, Naruto (alongside the other of Team 7) befriends all the Tailed Beasts and defeats Kaguya, the true threat to the world, achieving this feat at just 16 years old.

Becoming the strongest at just 16 years old, it’s easy to misunderstand that Naruto’s journey is about continually growing stronger. However, fans often overlook that Naruto never sought strength for its own sake; his true desire was always to be recognized by others. Defeating Kaguya at 16 fulfills this dream to a large extent and solidifies Naruot's place as Hokage more than anyone in history. With the world’s greatest threat eliminated, Naruto has no further inspiration to pursue even greater strength. Thus, it is more accurate to the lore that Naruto is not as strong as fans anticipated in the sequel.

Naruto's Depiction In Boruto Is Completely Lore Accurate

Naruto Was Never Meant to Be a Savior Figure

One of the Boruto is how the sequel frequently sidelines Naruto and downplays his strength. The series attempts to justify this by introducing alien elements, which diminish the impact of two of the strongest Shinobi, Naruto and Sasuke. While fans are partially correct that the introduction of aliens renders Naruto less central and makes his strength obsolete, there is another reason why Naruto isn't the hero many envisioned.

After defeating Kaguya, the world of Naruto was left in a far more peaceful state, leaving the titular protagonist without any real need to grow stronger. Following Kaguya's defeat, Naruto embraces the simplicity and love he has always longed for. As Hokage, he dedicates himself to ensuring that no one in Konoha feels the loneliness he once endured. With no looming danger, Naruto’s focus shifts entirely to his role as a leader, making it easy to see why his training stalled. Since training was always a crucial part of his growth, Naruto’s sudden weakness is more consistent with the lore, especially when facing alien beings who were inherently powerful.

Naruto's desire to ensure that others never experience the loneliness he endured explains why one of the most unsatisfying scenes in the series, where Konohamaru clones Naruto’s appearance on the special day he becomes Hokage, is less significant than fans might have hoped. Naruto understands that holding the title is far less important than fulfilling the responsibilities it represents. Naruto fully embraces his role as Hokage, working every day to ensure that no one in his nation feels unloved and that everyone is given a fair chance at life.

That said, fans may still witness a heroic moment for Naruto, as the sequel, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, has hinted at numerous hidden details suggesting a final heroic moment.

Boruto Could Still Give Naruto A Heroic Moment Fans Long To See

Naruto's fight against Isshiki, where he loses his lifelong friend Kurama, serves as a poignant conclusion to his battles. With the introduction of even stronger villains, it’s difficult to envision Naruto making a significant contribution in the final arc. However, the reintroduction of Kurama in Boruto, a character fans had accepted as gone, opens the door for Naruto to reclaim his former strength. Alternatively, Naruto could achieve something even more profound, showcasing every ounce of his hidden potential.

Alongside Kurama, Naruto also possessed chakra from the other Tailed Beasts, and since it was never confirmed that this power was lost during the Baryon transformation, he might still tap into it. Given that Tailed Beasts are considered to have eternal life, Naruto could even regain Kurama's power once more. With fans eager to see Naruto back in action, Boruto has the opportunity to redeem his portrayal by granting him a final heroic moment in the series' climactic arc.

Another possibility for Naruto’s role in Boruto lies in mentorship. With Kurama's return, Naruto could guide his daughter, Himawari, who now wields Kurama's power. By teaching her to harness Kurama’s full potential, Naruto could take on the role of a mentor, much like All Might or Gojo, leaving fans with a sense of fulfillment as they see him as a teacher. Regardless of what unfolds, fans must accept that Naruto's portrayal in Boruto aligns with his character, as he never aspired to be the strongest but sought recognition, which he achieved at just 16.