WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 178, "Our Fathers' Example," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
When the Fourth Great Ninja World War ended there were many casualties across all the nations. However, some good came from Kaguya's assault on the free world as they all continued to ally with each other, led by Naruto as Konoha's Hokage, so that when other threats rose up, there'd be a unified front to protect everyone again.
Unfortunately, because this war was so unforeseen -- thanks to the machinations of Obito, the Akatsuki, Madara, and eventually, the Rabbit Princess herself -- that with everyone scattered, few got to say goodbye to their loved ones before they perished. Luckily, some measure of closure has finally been garnered for two of Konoha's most senior shinobi in Episode 178 of Boruto: Shikamaru and Ino.
Both trained under Asuma's Team 10 and were shaken early on as teens after the Akatsuki took their mentor out. It got even worse when they found themselves plunged into a battle against Madara's resurrections and the Ten-Tails Beast itself. It was all part of Kaguya's plan to revive and rule the Earth, which culminated in bombs being spat out by the monster, destroying several regions.
One of them went towards the sensory perception headquarters where Konoha's ninja, such as Inoichi (Ino's dad) and Shikaku (Shikamaru's father), were strategizing based on intel collected from the field. They used chakra, military strategy and history to formulate plans and telepathically send the information to Naruto's legion, but that quickly ended when the bomb eviscerated them. Thankfully, they were able to send the last plan to their kids before their demise but it was an emotive and sentimental last communique; more about duty than a proper goodbye.
This haunted Shikamaru especially, and he became a bit more business-like and being cold towards his son, Shikadai, as his dad was to him. Ino, though, got warmer and grasped the idea of family more -- knowing she needed to appreciate her son, Inojin, as she never bid her dad adieu.
But in the anime's latest episode, when Ao comes to town, they receive an important confession. He's the sole survivor of the blast and his stories drastically alter their perceptions of what happened. Ao asserts that Shikamaru's concerns aren't valid, as the advisor to the Hokage thinks his dad, the sensory leader, didn't believe they could have executed the plan and got it done. He grew up knowing tough love alone, and this also impressed on Ino, who seemed to think their parents felt a win would only happen by sheer luck.
Ao assures them, though, the plan was not like this at all -- and their parents did love them. He assures them that in their last moments, both experienced ninja said they loved their kids and were so proud of them; they died knowing they'd win the day. And so, they didn't die in pain or fear. Instead, they spent their final seconds feeling relieved.
This causes Shikamaru and Ino to break down as they wish they had heard these sentiments from their parents' lips, but on this remembrance day, Ao urges them to follow through and honor that unwavering belief, especially with a new war with Kara ahead.
