WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 230, "A Wish," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
In the Boruto anime, recent fillers provided key insight into Kawaki's upbringing in Konoha, adding mysterious context to his dark turn down the line. He's been struggling with the shinobi way of life, chiding his fellow peers while running afoul of Naruto and Shikamaru. Nevertheless, thanks to one heartbreaking mission, Kawaki finally got his dream job with the Hokage, however, it paints a very bittersweet picture.
After losing Mozuku on the mission to transport medication to the Land of Calm Seas, a despondent Kawaki was met by Naruto on Hokage mountain. The leader indicated, on the recommendation of Shikadai, Kawaki be made a genin as he's selfless and dedicated to helping humanity.
Naruto confirmed Kawaki's job would be as his protégé, accompanying him on important diplomatic missions, which left Kawaki feeling giddy on the inside. He's always wanted a father like Naruto and now, after the likes of Jigen having abused him, he has that as well as the perfect teacher. It'll give Naruto a chance to educate him more on the code that Boruto and the rest of the Hidden Leaf teens are abiding by.
It's easy to see Kawaki becoming more disciplined and evolving, while upping his move list too. He's already using flame techniques and shadow clones, so he could ask Naruto about the Rasengan and other tools to become the perfect mix of Sasuke and Naruto. Most of all, seeing as he still has Jigen/Isshiki's alien DNA in him, Kawaki may even surpass the other teens as his body is more powerful -- something Naruto can relate to given how strong he was with Kurama inside him.
But while it'll be heartwarming seeing Kawaki as Naruto's helper, it'll also be quite tragic because the series has already foreshadowed that, years later, an older Kawaki will wreck Konoha. He will destroy the village, and he's even been shown telling Boruto he enjoyed killing Naruto, which has left fans wondering if the villain in the flashforward is really Kawaki, or if he would be possessed by an external force.
Either way, watching Naruto and Kawaki bond will be cruel knowing what's to come because it'll mean Naruto will be backstabbed by the teen he's gone out his way for the most. He's shown him more love and affection than Boruto and Himawari as he knew Kawaki was at-risk and in danger of being a WMD, so to be betrayed by that kid will be tough to digest.
Naruto also went against his peers' advice, fully believing Kawaki would be a hero, so it's going to be harsh watching them become close only to crack apart at the seams. In addition, seeing Kawaki love Naruto so much, but then turn on him and the Hidden Leaf, won't be easy because it implies Kawaki will undergo something that shatters the concept of family he's searched his whole life for. Thus, he may be betrayed in the future by the Konoha-nin, fueling something monstrous inside him, which will ultimately prove Naruto was wrong about him.
