WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Chapter #52, “Baryon Mode,” of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations by Masashi Kishimoto, Mikio Ikemoto, Ukyo Kocachi, Mari Morimoto and Snir Aharon, now available from Viz Media.
With Boruto foreshadowing Naruto's death via his Baryon mode, many fans are wondering what would happen to Kurama. We know the Tailed Beasts dissipate into the ether, but they can be pulled back, similar to Isobu after it left Rin. However, it can also be sealed into someone else.
The likely candidate is, of course, Boruto, as it just feels like a natural fit given he's the protagonist of the Boruto series and Naruto's son. Many would also love to see him host a more mature and fatherly Kurama but, honestly, that's way too obvious -- and repetitive. Boruto's personality isn't all that different from his dad's, and he wouldn't be much further from his father's influence as a result of it. Instead, the next vessel for the Nine-Tails should be Sarada.
Now, while Sarada still aims to be the first Uchiha to become Hokage, this could be a landmark move as she'd also be the first to host Kurama. Usually, it's Hashirama or Kushina's bloodline that would wield the fox, but the Sharingan can tame it too, as seen with Madara and Obito's manipulation in the past.
Sasuke also connected to the beast in the spirit realm and tamed it, so it stands to reason once his daughter evolves as a shinobi, she could do the same as well. What makes her a perfect match is the pairing would create a much more intriguing dynamic as something completely new. Sarada's maturity and support system place her far away from the like of Naruto's and having Sasuke mentoring and learning with her would help him grow as well since he hasn't really had more interactions with the Kurama since the one time.
It'd also be new to see Kurama mending fences with the Uchihas as they used him as a weapon. Right now, the manga's all about Boruto building towards Kawaki and Isshiki, so this swerve gives Sarada more importance. Seeing as Sakura's a medical expert, she too can be given more agency in helping Sarada and Kurama understand their true nature. It'd grow Sakura's relationship with her daughter, and make Kurama even more powerful than when embedded in Naruto.
After all, we don't know what Sarada's Sharingan is truly capable of and, as her eyes develop, she'd become a shinobi unlike any other. With her eyes, both she and Kurama could become more powerful, leveling up like never before. There's also a lot of history Kurama could teach her about the sins of her clan and help rear the ultimate Uchiha. We already saw Naruto's Fox mode combining with Sasuke's chakra golem, the Susanoo, so imagine if Sarada could manifest both from the inside.
There's even a chance Sarada might break bad someday if her dad's vilified for his war crimes, flipping the franchise on its head if she and Kurama ever go rogue. That said, Kurama needs fresh chemistry and having him as a teacher for such a promising student, rather than being an Uzumaki pet, would be just the breath of fresh air the series needs.
