The Sage Returns: Kishimoto Hints at Naruto’s New Power and a Major Shift in the Boruto Manga

The shinobi world, and its devoted fanbase, has been in a state of flux since the game-changing events of the Boruto series. The loss of Kurama and the subsequent sealing of Naruto Uzumaki by Kawaki left the legendary Seventh Hokage stripped of his most formidable power. For years, fans speculated on what the future held for the hero who was once the strongest ninja on the planet. Now, with the latest developments in the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga, creator Masashi Kishimoto has begun to reveal what may be Naruto’s new power level.

From Jinchuriki to Sage: A Hero’s Fall and Anticipated Rise

The devastating climax of the fight against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki saw Naruto and Kurama unleash the all-or-nothing Baryon Mode. This state, which functioned like nuclear fusion, granted them a temporary, god-like power boost that allowed them to defeat their formidable foe. However, this victory came at a terrible and irreversible cost: the death of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Kurama.

With Kurama gone, Naruto was left with a drastically diminished arsenal. His immense chakra reserves, while still substantial, were a fraction of what they once were. His most reliable fighting form became his Sage Mode, a state he mastered in the original series but which pales in comparison to his former Six Paths Sage Mode with Kurama’s power. This “nerf” was a deliberate narrative choice, designed to allow the new generation, particularly Boruto and Kawaki, to take center stage and face the series’ new Otsutsuki-level threats.

Decoding the Clues: The Next Evolution of Naruto’s Power

As the plot of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex escalates, the narrative has reached a point where Naruto’s return is not just desired, but necessary. The new antagonists, particularly the Ten-Tails’ clones like Jura, pose a threat that the current generation may not be able to handle on their own. While Naruto remains sealed in a pocket dimension, the manga has provided subtle yet significant clues about his potential comeback.

One of the most compelling theories, and one that aligns with the established lore, revolves around Naruto’s connection to the other Tailed Beasts. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, each of the Bijuu gifted Naruto a portion of their chakra. While his primary power source was always Kurama, this connection was never fully severed. It is highly plausible that Naruto, in his time of isolation, has been training to fully access and utilize the power of these other Tailed Beasts.

A new form that draws on this power could grant Naruto an entirely new skill set, including access to powerful elemental releases like Lava Style from the Four-Tails, Son Goku, or Magnet Style from the One-Tail, Shukaku. Such a transformation would not only give him a new, unique form but would also be a powerful thematic moment, showcasing his enduring bonds with all the Tailed Beasts.

Furthermore, Naruto’s mastery of Sage Mode has always been his most consistent and powerful technique without Kurama’s direct influence. It is not outside the realm of possibility that he has used his time in the dimension to perfect this ability, pushing its limits to create a new, even more potent version. This could mean a Sage Mode that is far more powerful and less reliant on external factors, allowing him to contend with the series’ strongest villains.

A New Chapter for the Uzumaki Legacy

The latest chapters of the manga have been particularly exciting, with the reveal of Kurama’s reincarnation and new jinchuriki, Naruto’s daughter, Himawari Uzumaki. This surprising turn of events, while seemingly sidelining Naruto, may actually be a setup for a powerful synergy between father and daughter in a future fight. With Kurama now in the hands of the next generation, Naruto’s inevitable return will be a testament to his own personal strength and not a rehashing of past powers.

This new direction is a testament to Kishimoto’s commitment to the story’s core themes. The series has always been about the new generation surpassing the old, and this latest arc seems to be the final step in that journey. Naruto’s new power will likely not be a repeat of his Kurama-fueled strength but something entirely new, rooted in his own abilities as a shinobi and his immense chakra reserves as an Uzumaki. This will not only make the character more compelling but also open up new avenues for him to interact with and mentor the younger generation.

While fans eagerly await the official reveal, the clues are clear: Naruto Uzumaki’s story as a fighter is far from over. He is not merely a retired hero but a legend who is about to make a powerful, and likely shocking, return to the battlefield.