Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Just Killed Off a Major Character (2024)

In the Boruto era, it's safe to say there weren't too many deaths that rocked the titular character. Granted, he was in his formative years, so it felt like Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto and Co. wanted to take some time with this. Building emotional connections would allow deaths to resonate more.

This is why fans were hurt when Kurama (the Nine Tails Demon Fox) perished when Naruto defeated Isshiki Ōtsutsuki after years of character development. Well, come the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex era, the stakes are much higher for Naruto's son and his friends. A lot has to do with Jura and the God Trees hunting certain targets. Unfortunately, there is one major casualty in Chapter 10, which will reverberate and change the landscape in a big way.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Kills Inojin

Inojin Suffers a Harrowing, Tragic and Painful Death

• Inojin Yamanaka debuted in Naruto #700 in 2014.
• Inojin later debuted in the Boruto anime in Episode #1 in 2017.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex #10 takes out Inojin. He's the son of Ino, who is responsible for the sensory net around Konoha. His father is Sai, one of the Hidden Leaf's most important field ninjas. In the Boruto era, Inojin worked with Naruto's son, helping him believe in himself. Along with Shikamaru's son, Shikadai, as well as Sarada, Chōchō, and Sumire, they kept motivating Boruto to be better.

Unfortunately, Inojin's loyalty costs him when he tries to flee on the eagle he conjures for Himawari. He knows Jura wants Naruto's daughter, so his hope is that they can outpace Jura. That doesn't happen. Jura blows up the bird and sends them careening to the Earth. Chōchō braces their fall with her expanding abilities, but soon enough, the more powerful Jura batters them. It leads to Jura using his Earth techniques to summon a spike. It rises up from the ground and impales Inojin. It's one of Boruto's most brutal moments.

It comes off like a Fatality from Mortal Kombat. It proves how merciless Jura is. He doesn't care that he murders a child. He's cold, calculating and lacking compassion. Nothing will keep him from getting his hands on Himawari. This portends more trouble down the line. Hidari, the other God Tree, is marking Sarada, so he may kill the other shinobi around to get to her. Either way, now fans know how far these hybrids will go to achieve their goals. Humans are insects to them; beings who must be crushed. If murdering more children amid the collateral damage is what it takes, then so be it.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Homages Neji's Murder

Inojin Confirms Selfless Heroism Drives the New Shinobi Era

• Neji's death arc in the Naruto manga spanned Chapters #613-615 in 2013.
• Neji died in Naruto Shippuden in Episode #364 in 2014.

What stands out about Jura killing Inojin is how much it nods to when Neji died protecting Naruto and Hinata in the Naruto Shippuden era. Neji shielded the heroes from the spikes the Ten Tails Beast threw out. As he was impaled, he beckoned them all to win the war and shape a better future. This is what Naruto worked hard to carve out as the Hokage. He understood the depth of Neji's sacrifice. It was a major domino, as it showed these teenagers the harsh reality of war. So much so, Boruto heard the legends and got to know "Uncle Neji" a bit in the Time Slip arc.

He heard so much about Neji's selfless persona. Inojin exudes that aura, yelling, battling and going all out to take care of Himawari. He does consider her a little sister. It's ironic, because Neji saw Hinata, not as a cousin in the Hyuga clan, but as a younger sibling, too. Neji might not have been as vocal. But his actions said it all. He knew the key to victory would be Naruto and Hinata. Inojin is too young to have this kind of forward-thinking, admittedly. All that's on his mind is saving Naruto's girl in the heat of the moment. This sets him up to be the new Neji — a warrior gone too soon. And whose bravery will be immortalized in the annals of the Hidden Leaf.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's Himawari Wants Justice For Inojin

Himawari Won't Like How Her Protector Died

Himawari is now a Jinchuriki because she has Kurama inside her. Well, a reborn, nascent form of the fox. It taps into her rage, allowing her to power up and break free from the dirt grip that Jura has. It homages the moments when Naruto lost his temper and rampaged with Kurama's chakra flowing through him. The teenage Naruto came off like a Hulk. No one could curb him. Himawari, though, seems more in control of her Kurama side.

In fact, the fox is communicating with her as it shares its power. It wants her to exact revenge. With Inojin's corpse right next to them, protruding up in the air, there is dark symbolism. Himawari has been a supporting character all along. She hasn't been in big arcs. But this changes things in a huge way. One would have assumed Boruto would be the one to be there when the first graduate of his era died.

Instead, Himawari is the one seeking vengeance against a villain with the power of the Ōtsutsuki tribe. Hopefully, as Himawari is turned loose, she maintains her sanity and logic. If not, Jura may capitalize on the emotional girl, devour her, and gain godlike chakra to become even stronger and deadlier. If he succeeds, the other God Trees may seek out these Tailed Beasts (the Bijuu) to eat them and level up as well.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Opens the Door For the Old Guard

Naruto's Colleagues Have Reason to Join the Battle

Inojin's death is sure to be the catalyst for the old guard to come into play. The seasoned, experienced warriors have been on the sidelines to let the new generation thrive. But Ino will want heads to roll. She had already lost her father to the Ten Tails. Sai could also come after his son's killer, using his scrolls and ink charms to attain recompense. Shikamaru, as the Eighth Hokage, lost his father as well to the Ten Tails. With Shikadai (his son) in the field, he may join as well. Staying inactive has done nothing.

His wife, Temari, along with warriors like Choji, Kakashi, and Sakura are needed. The new Konoha-nin are not capable of defeating these tyrants. Plus, the seniors wouldn't want them risking their lives. As Asuma told Shikamaru, the kids represent the village's "Will of Fire" mantra. That flame can only be kept burning once the youth is protected. It doesn't matter who's in political office, who's running a business, or who is at home. Naruto's crew have to assemble as a family and ensure no one else dies.

Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Killing Inojin Will Impact on Boruto

Boruto May End Up Blaming Himself

Inojin's death can create a ripple effect that nods to another Naruto murder. Fans will recall how Pain and the Akatsuki murdered Jiraiya when he slipped into their base to discern the truth about their mission. Naruto was left broken. He wasn't there to protect his master. That depression lasted for some time, handicapping him a bit when he ended up fighting in the Fourth Great Shinobi War. Thankfully, he had a support system to help him: friends and family.

Years later, Boruto is thrust into a similar spot. He's sure to feel guilty. His Karma mark malfunctioned, so he was hidden, recovering from his injuries. To know he wasn't there to save one of his best friends would crush him on the inside. The thing is, Boruto won't have that support system. He's a rogue and a fugitive. Only Ino and Shikamaru know he's not evil, but there's no telling if they'll survive this upcoming invasion. On top of that, Saskue is in a God Tree. He's comatose, so he'll be of no help.

Boruto has been working with Kashin Koji, but this Jiraiya clone has no clue who Inojin is, or what he meant to his charge. Thus, Boruto will be as isolated as ever, wrestling with the thought that if he isn't around, people will die. It could be Himawari or other friends. He's already lost so much after Eida's brainwashing. Kawaki has everyone thinking Boruto murdered Naruto and Hinata, but Boruto persevered. He kept faith he could beat sense into Kawaki, redeem his fallen brother, and reverse the spell.

But if more Konoha-nin from his class die, there's no telling how Boruto will react. He could get more aggressive and start thinking maybe he has to kill enemies. It's not in his nature, but it's what Sasuke and Koji would recommend. Or he could swallow the loss, bury it deep down, and put on a brave face. Whatever he chooses, losing Inojin is a dagger that he will have to carry for life. And one he will feel helpless about when he thinks of it. Again, it illustrates to Boruto how, as he grows older, peril will surround the places and people he loves.

Boruto

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Son of Naruto Uzumaki, Boruto, follows his father's footsteps along with his friends to become great ninja. Throughout all their adventures, Boruto is determined to make his mark in the ninja world and live outside of his father's shadow.

Release Date

April 5, 2017

Cast

Amanda Céline Miller , Robbie Daymond , Maile Flanagan , Todd Haberkorn , Colleen O'Shaughnessey , Cherami Leigh , Max Mittelman , Melissa Fahn , Stephanie Sheh , Billy Kametz

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

26

Studio

Pierrot

Franchise

Naruto

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Writers

Masashi Kishimoto

Number of Episodes

297

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Crunchyroll , Amazon Prime Video