Boruto's fear of Karma may be due to getting his own Jiraiya moment during the timeskip

The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations series introduced fans to the Karma seal, a power wielded by the Ōtsutsuki clan, which has instilled a sense of uneasiness and concern in the series' protagonist. For the young hero, the Karma seal represents a profound fear, likely rooted in a personal and distressing experience.

This experience bears a striking resemblance to the iconic "Jiraiya moment" from the original Naruto: Shippuden storyline, where a beloved character faced a harrowing ordeal.

Boruto's fear may stem from a traumatic incident that left an indelible mark on his psyche, akin to the emotional turmoil Naruto may have experienced during Jiraiya's encounter with the Nine-Tails. The parallels between these two pivotal moments hint at a profound connection, where the fear of a Karma wielder resonates with the dread and vulnerability Naruto grappled with during his time.

Disclaimer: This article is solely based on the author's opinion.

Boruto's potential traumatic experience with his Karma

A manga panel from chapter 9 of the manga series (Image via Shueisha)

In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Uzumaki Boruto has undergone a noticeable change in how he views the Karma seal. Instead of being casual or even curious about it as before in the previous series, the protagonist now feels a strong sense of fear and dread whenever his Karma is activated.

Fans witnessed this transformation when the Karma wielder faced off against Kawaki in chapter 9 of the manga series. As their Karma marks started to resonate with each other, the frog that accompanies Boruto warned him to get away from Kawaki or risk losing control. The protagonist then quickly fled from the battle, clearly worried about losing his grip on himself.

Frog warns the protagonist to keep distance from Kawaki (Image via Shueisha)

This drastic shift in his behavior suggests that something major must have occurred during the time skip period, an event that has severely shaken his confidence and trust in his own abilities to handle the Karma seal's power.

When Sasuke was captured and became a Shinju clone, Boruto would have been facing opponents alone. During this challenging time, a situation may have arisen where Momoshiki Ōtsutsuki gained complete control over him.

Possibly, in a desperate or despairing moment, the Karma wielder was compelled to unleash the seal's full power, inadvertently harming or even ending an innocent life. This traumatic experience would have left a profound emotional scar on his psyche, causing him to perceive the Karma seal not as a source of strength but as a perilous and uncontrollable force threatening to consume him entirely.

How Naruto almost killed Jiraiya in Naruto: Shippuden?

Boruto's potential trauma from the Karma seal shares a striking similarity with Naruto's experience during the "Jiraiya moment" in Naruto: Shippuden.

During the time-skip, Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, was Naruto's mentor. During training, Jiraiya deliberately loosened the seal containing the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra within Naruto to train the young ninja to control the unleashed power. However, Naruto struggled to maintain his composure, and the overwhelming force of the Nine-Tails' chakra caused him to nearly kill Jiraiya.

Jiraiya is badly injured after 4-tailed Naruto strikes him (Image via Studio Pierrot)

That training session led to disastrous results, leaving young Naruto shaken by realizing the devastation he could unleash. This was a stark warning about using power without proper control and discipline.

Similarly, Boruto may have faced a terrifying experience due to his Karma. The potent force he possesses could have slipped from his grasp, leading to unforeseen destruction. His current dread of the Karma seal likely stems from this personal, scarring event. It serves as a reminder that untamed power can have serious consequences.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from the anime series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

In the latest series, Uzumaki Boruto now feels uneasy about the Karma seal he possesses. His newfound fear and reluctance to use this power suggest he has experienced a significant moment, similar to Jiraiya's past struggles. The very force he sought to control has now disrupted his life and mind.

This parallel reminds fans that seeking power, no matter how tempting, must be balanced with wisdom, self-control, and understanding one's limits. Like Uzumaki Naruto before him, Boruto's journey will undoubtedly face challenges in navigating his extraordinary abilities. The lessons he learns along the way may ultimately shape him into the hero the Naruto universe needs.