WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #52, “Baryon Mode,” of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Ukyo Kocachi, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available from Viz Media.
With Naruto's supposed impending doom lurking on the horizon after the Boruto manga's reveal of Naruto's Baryon mode, the Naruto fandom has been in an uproar for candidates who could become the next Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Former jinchuriki have required large amounts of chakra or chakra control to maintain the seal holding the tailed beast in, as well as a relative relation to a Kage, if nothing else than for political reasons.
Some assume that his son, Boruto, is the obvious choice to be the next Nine-Tails jinchuriki but there are other ninja that could step up to the plate. Here are five shinobi that would make a better jinchuriki for Kurama than Boruto.
Konohamaru Sarutobi
The Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru Sarutobi is one of Naruto's only students with a similar disposition to his master. Konohamaru is also quite intelligent, inheriting his grandfather's immense talent with different chakra natures and knowledge of a variable number of jutsu. One thing he lacks, though, is a decent amount of chakra.
Unlike the Uzumaki Clan with their large chakra reserves, Konohamaru is from the Sarutobi Clan with only the amount of chakra, probably, as Kakashi. That being said, he is as skilled as the Sixth Hokage, plus the guts of the Seventh. Adding that to the will of fire burning strongly within him makes Konohamaru a decent candidate to be the next possible vessel for Kurama.
Karin Uzumaki
A member of the Uzumaki Clan, Karin can omit chakra chains from her body just like Kushina, Naruto's mother, and the Nine-Tails jinchuriki before him. In several ways, Karin resembles Kushina in not only chakra abilities and bloodline but also personality, as well. With the potential for longevity in the role, Karin would probably become a jinchuriki exactly like Kushina, becoming able to keep the Kyuubi contained indefinitely.
However, her psyche is less compatible than others and her current allegiance to Orochimaru makes her a somewhat questionable choice. That being said, Karin does still have some loyalty to Sasuke and Sarada to an extent. So, if either of them were in close proximity they would likely be enough to keep Kurama under control as well. Though she is most likely a candidate that hardliners would choose as a deterrent, Karin is theoretically qualified for the job.
Sarada Uchiha
Sarada has the same growth potential as her Uncle Itachi in terms of both her skills as a shinobi and as a future candidate for Hokage. She is as reckless and tenacious as Sakura and has the same tendency to overdo things as Sasuke, but that's also what makes her well-suited to deal with Kurama's sarcastic nature.
Sarada also cherishes bonds with others after growing up with a single parent and the sole heiress to the most infamous clan in the world. As the sharingan's successor, she does have the ability to control the Kyuubi with a genjutsu if she really had to.
But having inherited Sakura's kindness as well, Sarada would most likely prefer to befriend him just as Naruto did before her. Sarada also has her mother's advanced chakra control so she can maintain a powerful sealing jutsu that needs to be preserved over a long period of time.
Himawari Uzumaki
While not a shinobi yet, Himawari has all the qualifications to be an optimum jinchuriki candidate for both her lineage and temperament. With Himawari's unending compassion and adorableness, she would instantly be able to befriend Kurama like she already has with Shukaku. Additionally, it is clear that Himawari already has the fox's respect, seeing as she knocked him for a loop at the ripe age of three after first awakening her Byakugan.
She has an incredible level of potential and natural talent as a shinobi and a jinchuriki, and like both her parents, she is immeasurably kind. While occasionally losing confidence in herself like Hinata did when she was younger, Himawari also inherited Naruto's unyielding optimism and determination. Her Uzumaki Clan genes mixed with possible Otsutsuki bloodline traits stemming from her Hyuga half make Himawari a uniquely suited individual -- and a very cute one at that!
Shikadai Nara
At first glance, Shikadai seems like a strange choice to be a Nine-Tails jinchuriki. However, as Gaara's nephew, he does have some chance to have biological compatibility with a tailed beast. As far as personality goes, Shikadai is as brilliant as Minato, if not more so.
Similar to how Kurama had a begrudging admiration for Minato, Shikadai's intelligence, as well as his loyalty to family, friends and nation, would most likely spark a similar companionable relationship with the Nine-Tails as it did with the Fourth Hokage.
As far as a tailed beast transformation goes -- if they did have the same cohesive relationship Kurama had with Minato -- Shikadai could become one of the most powerful shinobi in the Naruto universe, though he would most likely think it way too troublesome to do so.
