WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #53, “That's Reality,” of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Ukyo Kocachi, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available in English from Viz Media.
Boruto Chapter #53 has changed the game big-time for Naruto and Konoha. Thanks to Kawaki's smart thinking and use of the shadow clone to intercept Isshiki's Karma mark, the alien's been killed and the shinobi from the Land of Fire no longer have to worry about his plan for the God Tree's revival.
However, the heroes don't have much time to bask in the glory of victory, because just as they set their sights on the future in the Boruto manga, the titular hero attacks Sasuke and takes out his Rinnegan eye. It's a savage assault and as Naruto and Kawaki stand shocked over the wicked turn, it's clear this isn't Boruto -- it's Momoshiki reborn.
While the Boruto series has revolved around trying to stop Isshiki from being reborn in Kawaki, it's also been trying to figure out how to stem Boruto's possession, too. Since Boruto: Naruto the Movie, despite defeating Momoshiki and Kinshiki, the former met Boruto on the astral plane and implanted the mark, promising to return someday.
Boruto has been tapping into that power to fight Isshiki and Kara's terrorists, but it's weakened him mentally. This has allowed Momoshiki, bit by bit, to have a stronger grip on the teen, and now, it's come full-circle. Just as Sasuke's interrogating Naruto, querying the repercussions of his new Baryon mode, Boruto leaps at Sasuke, stabbing him in the eye with a kunai. From the marks on his face, Momoshiki has taken control, admitting he didn't think the heroes would be able to defeat his fellow Ōtsutsuki.
For some time, we wondered if Momoshiki could rival Isshiki and if they got along at all, but all that's out the window, now. Momoshiki makes it clear he has an easy path to conquering the world again because with Isshiki gone, he can lay claim to Earth once more. Seeing as Boruto has Naruto's blood, Hinata's DNA, and can harness the Byakugan and even Kurama's energy, Momoshiki has the perfect vessel. And the heroes know this, which worries them as Sasuke's damaged badly.
Sasuke played a big role in fighting Momoshiki in the past and the villain knows that the Rinnegan is something that has to be decommissioned. It'll affect Sasuke's Susanoo, his teleporting and so many other aspects of his game, and with Naruto also weakened drastically, all that's left is the inexperienced Kawaki. Sure, Sasuke can still tap into his Sharingan but he's also drained after the Isshiki brawl. Seeing as he lost his hand when he fought Kaguya, he's been left at a permanent disadvantage anyway, but if anyone can compensate, it's him.
Still, we won't get to see him using the resurrection jutsu now that the Rinnegan has been stabbed, and this leaves us wondering who else can help out against Momoshiki. He hates Konoha with a passion and finally has the opening to carry out the death and destruction he initially planned on, and all while wearing Boruto's skin.
