Boruto 218 -
But in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations , titled "The Proud Failure," that legendary hero meets an end that isn’t glorious or sacrificial in the traditional sense—it is brutal, desperate, and deeply ironic.
It is Sasuke—the "genius" shadow—who saves the day. Using his last ounce of strength and the only trick Isshiki couldn’t predict (the Replacement Jutsu with a simple shuriken), Sasuke switches places with Naruto at the last second, allowing Kawaki to land the sealing touch. boruto 218
A masterclass in emotional storytelling and action animation. It is painful, frustrating, and absolutely essential viewing. It proves that Boruto is not a cash-grab sequel, but a somber meditation on legacy, aging, and the terrifying weight of a promise you can no longer keep. But in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations , titled
For over two decades, Naruto Uzumaki’s mantra was one of unshakable will: "I never go back on my word. That is my ninja way." Fans watched him transform from a lonely, ramen-obsessed outcast into the Seventh Hokage, the savior of the shinobi world. He was the hero who broke curses, befriended demons, and stopped a god. A masterclass in emotional storytelling and action animation
The Setup: A War of Gods The episode falls in the climactic arc of the Kara Actuation saga. Isshiki Otsutsuki—a far more ruthless and powerful foe than even Kaguya—has invaded Konoha. With Naruto’s Baryon Mode (unleashed in Episode 217) having failed to kill Isshiki, the situation is dire. Naruto’s life force is nearly depleted. Sasuke’s Rinnegan has been destroyed. The village lies in ruins.
Naruto can no longer maintain Baryon Mode. He reverts to his base form, battered, bleeding, and barely able to stand. Sasuke is a one-armed swordsman hobbling on a broken leg. Together, they throw everything they have—shadow clones, fireballs, chidori—at an enemy who simply shrinks, absorbs, or sidesteps every attack.
Yet here, that same stubborn pride is inverted. Naruto watches Isshiki raise a giant cube to crush his son. He screams for Kurama. But Kurama is gone (sacrificed to fuel Baryon Mode). He screams for help. None comes.