Correct me if I am wrong but did they retcon Omnipotense again?
Might as well go over my thoughts now.
Ch. 14
The cover panel this time is Kashin Koji in a very 2edge3me outfit. It's not a bad design, it's just that when everyone is K-Pop try-hardy, you get tired of seeing it. It comes off as something I'd write as fanfiction in middle school. However, his pants remind me of Lee's, so that's something.
We open with Boruto waking up in an interrogation room with Konohamaru. This is where I give some kudos as this chapter features a lot of him. It's nice to see Konohamaru actually have something to do. His new design gets to really shine here. He almost resembles a young Kakashi with his hair. His trademark scarf being a big feature of his outfit, along with his new coat. No idea what the plate and symbol on his arm is for. Anyone have any ideas? Honestly I think the design suits him, combined with his new Rasen Shield, he's taking some W's. However, this manga getting praise will not last. On a side note, how tall is Boruto supposed to be? Boruto is friggin TALL in these panels. He's as tall as Konohamaru. I think he's supposed to be 16. Which I guess he could just be a tall kid. I don't really have a frame of reference to know how tall he's supposed to be and whether this is on model or not, but it's just another observation I figured I'd point out.
We cut to Sakura in the hospital treating Inojin and....HOLY FUCK!!!!! Sakura, my girl, what did Ikemoto do to you? She looks TERRIBLE. What on God's green earth happened?!?!!?!?!!?? Her head is as big as her fucking shoulders. Her eyes aren't in alignment and she looks like she has a damn lazy eye. She looks like the bastard lovechild of Eida and Delta. Well...another character has been Ike'd. Bad art aside, she's surprised that Inojin is as stable as he is, and he'll make a full recovery. Ino is also here, watching over her son. Good mom. Don't see Sai there. Has Sai even appeared once yet?
We cut to Konohamaru starting the interrogation and asking what the Trees are. We cut again to Kawaki with Eida and Daemon, watching intently. Daemon laughs and taunts Kawaki as his secret is about to get exposed. Kawaki tries to play it off saying it doesn't matter, Total Ootsutsuki Death. Although Daemon roasting Kawaki will never not be funny. Another Kawaki Humiliation. But hey, at least now we know he's pathetic in every timeline. He says that even if he spills the beans about Naruto, it won't change the narrative that Boruto is a dangerous threat with Momoshiki inside of him and must be killed. However, he does want to know more about the trees.
We cut back to the interrogation and Boruto is explaining the trees. He tells Konohamaru that Matsuri is using Moegi as a base and that she's targeting him. Amado theorizes they want information and knowledge. Boruto mentions that they're being led by Jura who has no human base. He's a direct result of the Ten Tails. I'm not sure this is accurate, and I suspect later the twist will be that he does have a human base. Boruto says the planet will be saved if he can stop Jura. Everyone naturally asks Boruto how he knows these things which is when the interrogation goes south. He refuses to tell them his source as they asked him not to. The elders chime in, chastising him for refusing to cooperate, promising to kill him regardless of whether he tells them or not. God I hate these two. Why did they of all people get to live this long? Shinki gets off screened later but these two old hags get to live wayyyyyy past their due date?
They ask why he harmed Naruto. Before he can answer, we cut to Shikamaru who's contemplating? Or are they actually talking? It's hard to tell. He says if Boruto doesn't intend to kill Kawaki he'll have to stay a fugitive regarding Naruto for a bit longer. Either way he mentions Omnipotence but, it's already beginning to work it's magic as Shikamaru has completely forgotten the word and can no longer say it. He begins to second guess what Omnipotence was again and why he trusts Boruto. He's slowly losing his memory to Omnipotence. He comes to the conclusion through his own willpower that while he doesn't remember Omnipotence, he remembers choosing to believe Boruto is Boruto Uzumaki for some reason. He can't bring himself to understand why, but he places his faith in that belief. He resolves to save Boruto.
Boruto says Hinata and Naruto are still alive in a safe place. Again, he refuses to say where and the Elders get pissed. Ibiki gets ready to do some real interrogating. We cut to Ino who's being contacted by Shikamaru. He tries to beg Ino for help. But she refuses, Omnipotence already taking it's toll on her. Ibiki begins to beat the shit out of Boruto before Shikamaru stops him and asks them to use Mitsuki instead. He's brought in despite Konohamaru's protests. We cut to Eida again, and she tells Kawaki that Boruto seems to be protecting his place in the village to Daemon's dismay.
Mitsuki arrives and Shikamaru hands him something. He reminds him that this is a mission. Konohamaru briefs Mitsuki and Boruto asks if he's still searching for his sun. He bursts into a rage and slams Boruto against the wall. He undoes his shackles and tells him where his stuff is. Boruto teleports off and grabs his things. Konohamaru however, isn't fooled but rather confused how Mitsuki got the lock code for the shackles.
We cut to Shikamaru in his office, Sarada shows up asking about the interrogation. He says Boruto escaped. Before they can discuss anymore, they get a call from the sand village. Kankuro tells Shikamaru they need help. Gaara has been attacked and Shinki is now a tree. The fifth tree is born and it resembles Shinki. Kankuro also has a new design. It's fine.
My big complaints this chapter boil down to a few things. The art is the easy one. I aired my complaints about Sakura, but Boruto also has his own issues. The big problem of Boruto's accessories are becoming apparent. Why did Ikemoto do this? There's at least a few panels where they do Boruto's full design with all of his accessories. He looks so busy and his pins look like friggin Ash's Gym Badges from Pokemon. It's absolutely ridiculous.
The other thing is Shikamaru's little gambit here. It's great seeing Shikamaru being smart again, and not an ass hole, but this isn't the genius moment everyone thinks it is. The reality is, the story cheats a little here. Shikamaru choosing Mitsuki for this job if baffling. Sure he was desperate but it doesn't narratively make sense. The audience knows Mitsuki would go along with it. However, Shikamaru has no reason to believe Mitsuki wouldn't straight up kill Boruto. If anything, Mitsuki should be the LAST person he chooses to free Boruto. Sure, you could argue he's so likely to kill him, everyone would believe it. But, there was never any conversation between Mitsuki and Shikamaru to indicate his change of heart. Sure, he was present during Mitsuki's fight with him but he didn't hear the whole conversation and he didn't know if Mitsuki wouldn't remain steadfast. Maybe Omnipotence would make Mitsuki forget the incident too. Bottom line is, he took a risky gamble and Ikemoto kind of cheated to make this all happen.
Omnipotence was reconned before to make you forget about Omnipotence little by little until you eventually forget entirely. You eventually just forget what you forgot, so it's non-existent in your head. It looks like willpower can delay this process to some degree. I'll give them credit here, the juxtaposition between Shikamaru forgetting, and Ino having already forgotten is a nice touch. We got to see exactly how Omnipotence makes you forget, plus how rapid the effect is. Remember, it's only been a couple of days since Shikamaru learned the truth. Maybe a week if I'm being generous, but likely a lot less. Better chapter than usual though on the whole. It's not perfect, but I'm not going to bash them as hard when they're showing and not telling, for once.
Edit: Spoke too soon. Gaara and Shinki losing off screen sucks and I forgot to talk about it. I can understand not wanting to retread Deidara vs. Gaara again but Gaara is popular. This could've been a chance to bring him back in the story. Maybe make him go through the same thing Naruto went through when he was rescuing Gaara. It could be a nice little arc. Maybe Gaara mentors Boruto a bit about having monsters inside of you. Wasted opportunity. I hope they'll rectify this in the future and take the chance they're given. I doubt it, but it'd be nice.
Edit 2: This is for the Elders who refuse to die. Ass holes, what if Boruto is telling the truth and Naruto and Hinata are alive you fucking dipshits? What are you going to do if you kill Boruto and he's the only one who knows where they are? To their knowledge he IS the ONLY person who knows where they are!!! And your bright idea is to kill this person? These two are ass holes.
Edit 3: Ibiki...You have handcuffs on Boruto they can only release via a code. A code you know of. You know how these devices work. Boruto doesn't break the cuffs. He releases them. You're a jailer. You should know the difference between a pair of broken cuffs and a pair of released ones. Konohamaru noticed. Why didn't you? NVM, this chapter is still dumb.
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