WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #62 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, “Run-In,” by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available in English from Viz Media.
In the Boruto manga, we've slowly discovered just how deadly Code is. Initially he was hidden away in Kara's lair, with Isshiki having him watching over the Ten Tails in a pocket dimension. But now Code has inherited the villain's will and has been powered up as a failed vessel, marking Naruto, Sasuke, Boruto and Amado for death after his mentor got killed. In Boruto #62, Code gets to flex these muscles of vengeance once more and in the process, sends a stern warning by crushing Konoha's most powerful shinobi.
This ninja isn't Naruto, who lost Kurama recently in the Isshiki war and is now severely de-powered. Sasuke lost his Rinnegan as well, while Boruto's body is still being warped in unpredictable manners by Momoshiki. It's actually Kawaki who has the most potential as a weapon of mass destruction, even if it's latent.
Amado told Konoha's science team as much, as he created Kawaki to become the perfect Ōtsutsuki host. Even with Isshiki gone, Kawaki can tap into power we've seen Kaguya and her species display, which is why Code initially wants him gone. However, knowing how much Eida desires Kawaki, Code has to hold back.
Still, it's a total beatdown when Code corners the teen in the woods outside Konoha. Kawaki wants to bargain, offering his life to save the Hidden Leaf by blaming himself for Isshiki's death. But Code isn't interested in absolution or forgiveness, using his teleportation bands, mutated arm and strength to break Kawaki.
Kawaki's not fast enough as Code ducks and dodges his energy blasts, and when he mutates his body, Code's Hulk-like hands are much stronger. He ends up brutalizing Kawaki's face, crushing his ribs and easily knocking air out of the kid at every turn -- Boruto has never made Kawaki look like such a rookie before. Code's even taunting him, joking how time in the village gained him weight and saying he's gone soft.
Code teases him about their training, angry that while he was flawed, Isshiki didn't recognize Code was superior, hence why he's damaging Kawaki's mind, body and soul. Code warns, though, that he knows the truth about his master's death and no matter what, those who had a hand in it will pay, and Konoha will ultimately burn. It leaves Kawaki frightened, bleeding out and helpless, as he realizes he can't save his new family anymore. Luckily, as Code's about to choke him out and teleport back to Eida, Boruto intervenes with a kick.
Boruto used the mental connection with Kawaki to rescue his 'brother,' but it feels temporary. It's heroic by Boruto, but this selfless act may indeed doom them as Code has been waiting for this showdown all along. And from the power he's displaying, Code may be too much for the Hokage's son to handle.
