Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter 66 of Boruto
There is no doubt among fans of Naruto that the series' best fight is its final one, leaving the sequel Boruto with big shoes to fill. That last fight between Naruto and Sasuke was so iconic because it was the culmination of the duo's complicated relationship and history. While it might seem impossible that anything could ever top that epic brawl, Boruto just found a way.
Ever since the very first pages of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations from Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto, readers have known that Boruto and his adopted brother Kawaki were destined for a big fight. With the introduction of the villainous Code, that fight is closer than ever. As Code has gained more and more power, Kawaki was left with little choice but to seek him out in order to protect Naruto. Boruto had snuck out just to follow Kawaki, leaving the two brothers alone to fight a threat that even the Seventh Hokage would have trouble with. Boruto tried to channel the power of Momoshiki to help, but soon lost all control of himself. Just as Naruto and Shikimaru arrive, Momoshiki forces Boruto to turn away from Code and face Kawaki instead.
Now, in chapter 66 of Boruto, readers get to see the battle between Boruto and Kawaki play out. With Code threatening Shikimaru's life if Naruto interferes, nothing can get in the way of the two brothers. Despite Naruto's pleas, Kawaki wastes no time in attacking Boruto. He begins by unleashing a barrage of rods, which Boruto dodges. He follows that up with a hail of rock shards and strange boxes falling from the sky, which Boruto is only narrowly able to avoid. Seeing that Naruto had accidentally distracted Kawaki, Boruto seizes the opportunity to try and land a Rasengan, though Kawaki deflects it. The two trade blows like that until Kawaki finally manages to pin Boruto to the ground, letting him take control of himself. Realizing that Momoshiki will always be a threat to his family, Boruto tells Kawaki to do what needs to be done. Kawaki doesn't hesitate to oblige, killing Boruto and scarring Naruto forever.
What immediately stands out most about the fight is just how phenomenal the art is. Ikemoto's linework makes every attack feel monumental and gives every landed hit have the proper weight. While all of that could also be said of Naruto's final fight with Sasuke, what elevates this fight is the characters. Naruto's final fight is weighed down by Sasuke's character arc. Naruto's desire to redeem his former friend and ally might be noble, but by that point readers had seen Sasuke do so many despicable things that fans were just as likely to want him dead as they were to want him redeemed. On the other hand, Boruto's fight is much more tragic. Boruto might be annoying to some, but he's still a good kid at heart. Kawaki's desire to protect Naruto is also admirable and makes him a likable character. The tragic end, with Boruto dead, and the knowledge that things will eventually get much worse only enhance things. It's hinted that Kawaki will kill Naruto, making readers wonder just how the series will get from this fight to that flash-forward.
It's undeniable that this fight wouldn't exist without that final fight from Naruto. It's even referenced, as the panel of Boruto and Kawaki charging at each other is highly reminiscent of the opening moments of Naruto and Sasuke's fight. Still though, what makes this fight work so well is that readers will probably care much more about Boruto and Kawaki's relationship than Naruto and Sasuke's.
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