WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 177, "The Iron Wall's Sensing System," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Boruto has been all about legacy, with a new generation following in their parents' footsteps after the Great War against Kaguya and her minions. We've seen Boruto living in the shadow of the Hokage, Sarada struggling under Sasuke and Sakura and Mitsuki grappling with the path laid down by the sinister Orochimaru. Now, the anime looks at another young shinobi in Inojin, the son of Sai and Ino. But while his future suffers a major blow, he's actually much better for it. He doesn't have to stick to predestined fates anymore.
Inojin joins the sensory perception team to catch spies infiltrating Konoha's borders. They're building a chakra barrier so Inojin is brought in given his sensory skills, passed down from Ino and her family. However, seeing as he hasn't used it in a while or experienced excitement at honing this aspect of his ninja craft, well, he sucks.
It's only when Sai tells the kid about legacy and how important this unit, especially how his grandfather Inoichi was crucial to the alliance in the Kaguya war, Inojin steps up and uses his powers to catch a criminal who was copying Konoha's chakra and sneaking into the village. He doesn't get a passing grade, as he should be way above his skill-set. Without this passion in him, Ino admits this unit isn't for her son. In a heartfelt conversation, she doesn't want him bound by her past, freeing him up to carve out the future. She just wants him to have a life of his own, making his choices, which is something her generation wasn't afforded.
While it's disappointing, it takes the pressure off Inojin and allows him to pick what he's really best at. He used his unique drawing jutsu to make creatures that gave him extra eyes when they came to life, so he's clearly taking after Sai. The thing is, he melded Ino's powers well, once can he harness and balance both, Inojin will be a force to be reckoned with. This rejection actually will allow him to focus more on being a Ranger, as his abilities are meant more for roaming rather than being part of a home security system. It's a blessing in disguise because as seen with various gangs like the Mujina bandits and the Byakuya, Inojin is an offensive soldier meant to be on the frontlines.
Ino's Yamanaka clan was more defensive but this means he'll have the best of both worlds when he's realized his full potential. More so, he exposed a big flaw in the barrier so clearly, once he focuses on his strengths, working the scrolls and drawings, he'll get better and be the ninja they all know he can be. As he conjures beasts, even Boruto is in awe. Given Inojin's rapport with these offensive warriors, he really does belong there with them rather than as part of a surveillance unit.
