The Naruto franchise had been on a roll for most of its run when it came to compelling villains with engaging stories, their arcs frequently satisfying with them feeling like a worthy obstacle to overcome each time. Generally speaking, aside from some bloat in the Fourth Great Ninja War, the only truly poor villain in the Naruto franchise was, by its end, Kaguya Otsutsuki, whose replacement of Madara Uchiha as the final villain felt forced, sending the series on a bizarre genre trajectory. But even then, the series is remembered fondly for far more memorable antagonists, although its sequel hardly always has the same grace.

Originally lacking a solid sense of direction, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations introduced more of a mixed bag of antagonists, from imposing overarching characters like Momoshiki Otsutsuki, to complex turns for underused legacy characters like Ao. Some were quite rewarding to follow, while others, like Isshiki Otsutsuki, were disengaging to follow, both underdeveloped and dispatched too quickly. But one villain who descended to the bottom of the Boruto barrel and overall Naruto franchise was Code, the last Inner of Kara. Despite sinking to unexpected lows in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Code may still have a massive role to play, as the latest chapters indicate.

The Naruto Franchise Propped Up This Villain For Months Only To Do Him Dirty

Looking at Boruto: Naruto Next Generations in retrospect, it feels surprising just how much time was spent building Code up as an imposing adversary. His first proper introduction in chapter #55 propped him up as the successor to the will of the Otsutsuki as seemingly appointed by Isshiki’s fading soul. He was a formidable opponent for even Boruto and Kawaki, his Claw Marks making him an especially slippery antagonist able to infiltrate even the highest office of Konoha. By chapter #70, Code’s limiter was removed by Dr. Amado, enabling enormous feats of power including, crucially, splitting up the Ten-Tails he was guarding into Claw Grimes.

Despite his achievements, though, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex showed Code’s growth coming to a halt in the timeskip, with Boruto essentially surpassing him, having his own high-mobility technique now with the Flying Raijin Jutsu. Moreover, Boruto’s Rasengan: Uzuhiko proved dangerous enough to throw Code off his equilibrium, preventing him from using Claw Marks to slip away like from regular Rasengan attacks, all while his Claw Grimes overtook various characters, became Divine Trees, and became comparatively far more dangerous. By Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter #15, Code was seen as the intruder, with Divine Tree Ryū catching him from his Claw Mark and forcing him out.

Fully outclassed and down one hand after a humiliating defeat by Jura, Code vows to kill Boruto and his comrades, in a deal with Jura to get the Chakra Fruit, to complete Code’s ascension as a new Otsutsuki. It’s here that Code becomes, at best, an enforcer, and at worst, a low-level henchman compared to Jura and his ilk, with Code only now resurfacing as of chapters #33-34. But as Koji Kashin’s Prescience lays out the possible futures depending on how Boruto addresses their reunion, it’s clear that Code is about to become far more important to the series once again.

Koji Just Tipped Off Code’s Next Move In Boruto, And It Could Be Catastrophic

Ahead of Boruto’s reunion with Code, Koji discussed that the White Karma-bearer would be lying in wait, and that a confrontation would be inevitable. Koji additionally suggested that, regardless of the possible futures ahead, Boruto should aim simply to kill Code, as it’s not only the first possibility, but it’s also the one with the fewest repercussions. But what’s more fascinating is the set of options, and what can be concluded from chapter #34’s results:

1. Boruto kills Kawaki, the most ideal option as it’s the only time they can predict encountering him for now.
2. Code retreats and goes after Sarada to use her as a bargaining chip to offer to the Divine Trees and draw out Boruto.
3. Despite agreeing to help them, Code may decide to ally with Boruto’s team, but this is the lowest likelihood.

Given that Boruto very much did not kill Code, with the last Inner instead ominously suggesting he already has set up a plan to take Boruto down, option #1 is basically squandered at this point. Code’s retreat, and his parting words, could very well imply his intent now to go after Sarada, who is in a vulnerable position.

Bringing Sarada to the Divine Trees is a dangerous prospect, as it’s uncertain whether their reliability and willingness to honor a petty agreement with Code will override, for instance, Hidari’s primary motivation to consume her. While they could hold Sarada hostage just long enough to draw Boruto out before they claim her for themselves, this opens up particularly chaotic possibilities, especially since it’d take a vastly powerful ally out of play for Boruto, and would effectively mean the death of the Uchiha clan. But in all likelihood, Boruto would still likely take the bait.

Code’s Motives Are Still A Mystery

Given there’s only one other Divine Tree remaining, Hidari, alongside their leader, Jura, these villains are at their most vulnerable point yet. While Sarada is also particularly vulnerable, she still can use her Mangekyo Sharingan, even if the blindness is quickly setting in. But, more importantly, Code would likely not accept serving the Ten-Tails he once had under careful control if there’s even a hint that Jura could double-cross him, thus opening option #3 for consideration. This would be the most obvious reason for him switching sides.

However, eliminating Jura would mean potentially taking out the Ten-Tails with him, dashing hopes of Code sacrificing Boruto to him to awaken the true Divine Tree, and claim his Chakra Fruit. If anything, he’d likely ally with Boruto, only to throw him to the wolves when convenient, if Koji’s third prediction presents itself.

But any of these possibilities are incredibly dangerous, obviously. Bringing Sarada to Hidari would easily at least suggest Hidari tries to consume her soon, a victory no Divine Tree has achieved yet. It’s unlikely given her prominence in the series, though. Moreover, Jura wouldn’t likely surrender the Chakra Fruit, the product of absorbing the planet’s chakra, until after he meets and consumes Naruto, who is currently trapped in Kawaki’s Daikokuten.

It’s therefore rather unlikely that Code’s next move will be exactly what Koji is predicting right away, unless Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is staging a massive Naruto return, or at the very least, a truly epic clash. But Code is back and injecting variety as the manga’s most unpredictable returning villain, which is an encouraging way to keep him in play for the series. After all, Koji did caution Boruto that, the more he leaves up to chance by not killing Code, the more possible futures could emerge once again, like with Mamushi.

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  First Film

  Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow

  Latest Film

  Boruto: Naruto the Movie

  First TV Show

  Naruto

  Latest TV Show

  Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

  First Episode Air Date

  
  October 3, 2002
  

  Cast

  Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei

  Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists’ children and returning faces.

  
  

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  Writer

  Masashi Kishimoto

  Writers

  Masashi Kishimoto

  Penciler(s)

  Mikio Ikemoto

  Inker(s)

  Mikio Ikemoto

  Colorist(s)

  Mikio Ikemoto

  Publisher(s)

  Viz Media

  Years after fleeing his village with Sasuke, Boruto returns to confront the dark changes that have occurred. With memories altered and Kawaki now seen as the hero, Boruto faces a world where he is the outcast. The two rivals must settle their differences as their Otsutsuki powers grow more dangerous.