WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #58, “The Right Job for Idiots and Bastards,” of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available in English from Viz Media.
One of the most significant setbacks the Boruto manga seemingly corrected was that Sarada Uchiha became a key player. Her mom, Sakura, was often peripheral compared to Naruto and Sasuke, but Sarada transcended that. She became Team 7's leader after training with her dad to perfect her Uchiha eyes, eventually helping lead the teens to victory over the deadly Boro, one of Kara's elite assassins.
Sadly, in Boruto #58, rather than use her new role when Team 7's leadership is called into question, Sarada's biggest achievement is pushed aside so Naruto's son could hog the spotlight again and fight for the squad.
In Boruto Chapter 58, Kawaki decides to make a play for the captain's position, wanting training to be more combat-oriented rather than strategy and meditation. Sarada voices her annoyance, indicating that chakra control and the mind are just as important, but Kawaki ignores her, attacking Mitsuki and then the captain herself. Sarada avoids his moves, using shuriken and flames to slow him down.
However, rather than challenge Kawaki, Sarada hands the reins off to Boruto, who steps in to save her. It's insulting as he then goes on to beat a Karma-less Kawaki in a squash match. Of course, it's all done so Boruto could show he's using his Karma smartly, but given that we've seen him use his Rasengan and shadow clones time and time again, one has to wonder why Sarada wasn't allowed to stand up for her team.
The opportunity to assert Sarada as the bonafide leader of Team 7 by teaching Kawaki a lesson in respect was entirely missed. Not to mention a fight between those two would have been exciting to see. Kawaki would be an excellent test for her Sharingan and Chidori, but the story instead shifted to Boruto -- taking away from Sarada's role and seeing her rescued.
Sarada takes a backseat role, left frustrated by male machismo, which evokes memories of how Sakura was placed on the sidelines as a spectator at times. Having Sarada win would also have made significant strides as Naruto was watching. Plus, considering she plans to take over as Hokage someday, it simply feels like a more organic path for her. Not to mention it could have shown Konohamaru that Sarada has come a long way and is more than just a tactician.
Ultimately, Sarada was robbed of a crowning and authoritative moment, and hopefully, it doesn't happen again. Instead, it leaves a bad taste in readers' mouths that stymies her progress and overall development in a franchise that struggles to showcase its powerful women and undoes all the hard work that has differentiated her from the stigma that surrounds Sakura.
