'Boruto': [SPOILER] Nearly Defected From Konoha
08/31/2017 10:32 pm EDT
Warning! Spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations' 22nd episode lie below!
The Naruto franchise is no stranger to rogue ninjas, and another high-profile fighter nearly joined the list this week. Boruto: Naruto Next Generation's new episode saw Sarada Uchiha consider living a life on the run, and it's only thanks to Naruto Uzumaki that she stayed.
The anime is currently working through its 'Naruto Gaiden' arc, and Sarada's wish to learn about her heritage came to a head this week. After arriving at one of Orochimaru's lairs, Sarada breaks away from Naruto and Sasuke to locate Suigetsu. The two ninja have never met before, but Sarada knows the assassin from a picture she found hidden in her home. And, to little surprise, the Uchiha demands Suigetsu perform a DNA test on her.
Sarada has been on a mission to learn about her parentage for awhile now, and Suigetsu gives her an answer she can't refute. When the man runs a test on Sarada and Karin's blood, the DNA test reveals the two are a match. The news comes as a shock to Sarada, and it made the girl consider a life as a rogue ninja.
Boruto follows Sarada as she talks with Naruto who happened to listen in on Suigetsu's reveal. The Hokage tries to calm the young Uchiha, but she refuses to listen. The girl does not think her family ties are enough to keep her around, and Sarada hints at her desire to leave Konoha.
The anime is far less direct with its defection threats than the actual 'Naruto Gaiden' manga. The girl straight-up tells Naruto her plans to leave Konoha during her impassioned speech.
"I'm gonna continue on my journey all alone. I don't think I'll be returning to Konoha or the village. Well, then, thanks for everything!" she tells Naruto.
Of course, the Hokage wasn't ready to let the girl go so easily. The manga and anime explore how Naruto persuades Sarada to stick around by reminding the girl of the love she has for Sakura. Sarada relents to helping Naruto and Sasuke rescue her mom, and manga readers know why the decision is a wise one. After all, the Uchiha discovers Suigetsu botched her DNA test on accident. Sakura is very much Sarada's blood mother, and the girl will learn how similar she is to the pink-haired ninja as she grows older.
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