WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 221, "The Chūnin Exams Resume," now streaming on Crunchyroll, as well as discussion of suicide and self-harm.
In the Naruto series, one of the most sinister ideas with Konoha's shinobi -- and ninja in general during times of war -- was that people had to get left behind. This was seen with how Obito was abandoned, as well as Tobirama, as their teams couldn't risk others being killed too. It made the fraternity quite macabre, resulting in the darkest aspect of Kakashi's life. However, as the Chūnin Exam is redone in the Boruto anime. When the Hokage's son gets his new rival, this extreme rule is fixed in the most heartfelt way possible.
Now, some shinobi had heart in the field and didn't want to leave their brethren behind. This was seen with Kakashi's dad, Sakumo Hatake, who didn't abandon his allies. He turned back and rescued his comrades but the mission ended up failing, costing Konoha big time.
As a result, a large portion of the Hidden Leaf vilified the white-haired ninja -- worst of all, the very people he saved. It ended with the depressed hero taking his own life, which scarred Kakashi greatly. This stunned fans who thought of him as a prankster, not knowing the angst he hid under his mask. Kakashi would eventually heal, seeing how Naruto never gave up on the fallen.
The bad taste still lingered, but that doctrine of abandonment is washed away when Kaito Kawanami debuts. The blue-haired genin is slightly older than Boruto and his team has carried out more senior missions. However, he's condescending, pretending to be Boruto's friend, giving him handshakes and back-pats in a cheeky manner.
It comes to a head when Boruto rescues his victim during the exam from the Konoha forest. Kaito uses a spider-web-like jutsu to blindside, trap and incapacitate him, revealing he secretly planted a tracker on the hero before stealing the victim for himself. The rules allow this, but the shady Kaito ends up being scared by a bear and falling off a precipice. It's ironic -- corralling a bear was Boruto's first mission outside the village -- but when the victim tells him they need to speed off to the finish line to win the round, Boruto refuses.
Boruto jumps down and tends to Kaito, despite the jerk's protestation. Boruto admits he couldn't live with himself if he left a colleague behind. He then uses a shadow clone to tote both folks back to the judging point but by then, time has expired.
However, when the results are announced, Boruto's advanced to the next round with Naruto and Co. making it clear the archaic rules are gone. They actively encourage young warriors not to leave anyone behind, which would make Kakashi and his father proud. It's an official ruling now, which gains Boruto the respect of his peers and Kaito, as they know dangerous threats loom.
For more information on the warning signs and prevention of suicide, click here. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you live outside the U.S., click here for a list of international hotlines.
