WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 217, "Decisions," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
In the Boruto anime, fans are finally getting to see Naruto cut loose against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki as the alien tries to claim Kawaki as his vessel. It's been a long time coming, with Sasuke and Boruto trying to help the Hokage out as well. Luckily, they've hidden Kawaki away in Konoha, undetectable with Shikamaru, Amado and co., but while Naruto's Baryon mode gives him the upper hand, it also turns out to be Isshiki's greatest asset.
This mode has given Naruto access to Kurama's full Nine Tails Demox Fox chakra, turning him into a veritable god. He's beyond the Sage of the Six Paths at this juncture, with even Sasuke shocked how powerful he is.
Baryon mode allows Naruto to move and fly at the speed of light, pummeling Isshiki with ease. However, the catch is once this chakra starts depleting, both Naruto and Kurama could die, which starts happening as he strikes Isshiki. Every hit damages Isshiki's body, meaning once he's drained first, he'll die and won't be able to find Kawaki. But as Naruto overexerts himself, coughing up blood, Isshiki gets an advantage in the race to see whose frame gives out first.
This handicap finds Isshiki landing vicious blows of his own, choking the Hokage as well. Sadly, as he grips Naruto, the amplified chakra locks him onto Kawaki. With Kawaki rocking a prosthetic hand that was imbued with Naruto's chakra, it acts like a beacon as Isshiki touches and senses the energy connection. It was tough for the villain at first but Baryon mode allows access to the signal like never before, with Isshiki then opening a portal and teleporting the kid in.
It's something Isshiki has been trying to do to his would-be host for a while in Boruto, and sadly, Baryon mode creates the bond inadvertently as Kawaki's arm deactivates due to Naruto's waning life essence. Naruto, though, beckons the kid to run as Isshiki tries to barter with the leader's body. Kawaki flees but Isshiki rains down his alien spears on the landscape in this hidden dimension Sasuke has taken them to, making it clear that if Kawaki doesn't eventually surrender, he will slaughter Naruto.
Isshiki corners Kawaki but as he chokes him, Sasuke works in a substitution jutsu to swap places. This doesn't bode well at all because Isshiki smashes Sasuke up, just like he did Boruto. A thunder-stomp to Naruto's chest has also left the Hokage brutally beaten and broken, and as Isshiki hovers in the sky and yells for Kawaki to come out, the poor kid realizes he's got no choice.
Naruto's chakra gift helped Kawaki assimilate into Konoha and feel whole again, but now, it's doomed them all. It's quite ironic as Naruto lost his hand too, and with no one to ask for advice and to help fight the alien, it does look like Isshiki's going to achieve his goal at long last as Boruto continues.
