WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 178, "Our Fathers' Example," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Recent developments in the Boruto manga have suggested Naruto will die in the battle against Isshiki. If true, it would crush legions of fans who grew up on Masashi Kishimoto's character and his journey towards becoming the Hokage of Konoha, but it would be a believable end considering Isshiki is definitely the most powerful Ōtsutsuki ever.
However, rather than kill off Naruto for the sake of the narrative and the future of his village, the best move would be to simply depower the legend, thus creating and building on the potential for so many other characters to take starring roles without enduring the heartache of his death.
Separating Kurama, the Nine-Tails Fox, from him won't be easy, as it's been made clear, as far as we know, that he'd die if they were displaced from each other. But there's technology, science, the fact they've been bonded for decades; advancements in various jutsu techniques and scrolls that could help. Not to mention Naruto's new Bayron form, which can easily be retconned to allow him to separate from the Tailed Beast.
If that happens, it'd make a much more intriguing story as Naruto has always been at his best when he's at his 'weakest.' In a depowered form, as Hokage, we'd get someone digging deep and relying on his innate strength and powers, just like his dad, Minato, and also just like former trainers Jiraiya and Kakashi, bringing out the best in him. He could have a direct hand in deciding who'd be the next Chosen One to host Kurama, like Boruto, or even more likely, the Uchiha known as Sarada -- who is at the front of the queue.
This would also get Naruto to up his game based on his years of experience, proving he's the ultimate shinobi without his newest massive power-up. It'd also bode well for Boruto, who is currently in his dad's position when he was a kid and having to grind hard in his formative years. This highlights one important disparity that has been maintained in the sequel series: the current Naruto is overpowered compared to his children. A more human Naruto would therefore make for a better father and mentor to his son, as well as his daughter, Himawari. They would appreciate more of what they have on the inside rather than relying on Kurama, which would also see them harnessing the powers of Hinata's Byakugan clan, too, that we all know is tied to Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage.
This way, we'd get Naruto not as an elite ninja, but as someone a bit lower on the ladder who's willing to spend more time with his family and help them work harder to elevate themselves as a result. The Fox, for all its power, is really a burden as it pulls him away from them, but without it, Naruto would be free to help his kids and whoever the next Chosen One is.
In a sense, Kishimoto can still 'kill' Naruto in this way without actually killing Naruto, turning him into a Luke Skywalker figure watching over the next torchbearers. We know Boruto has always been intimidated by his dad's powers, so with this reverence out the way, there'd be relatability to mine. Ultimately, it would be an injustice to the story if Naruto dies. Keeping him alive but in a depowered form doesn't just make him a more interesting Hokage; it helps build a better world for Kurama, his kids and so many more.
