Kashin Koji officially becomes Boruto's Shikamaru in Two Blue Vortex chapter 16

Modified Nov 29, 2024 03:42 GMT

Kashin Koji officially becomes Boruto — Kashin Koji and Shikamaru Nara as seen in the Boruto manga (Image via Shueisha)

With the release of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 16, the manga officially saw Kashin Koji become the new Shikamaru in the sequel manga. Until now, fans had been trying to figure out Kashin Koji's role in the sequel series. Fortunately, the manga's latest chapter revealed the same, with a conversation between Kashin Koji and Shikamaru.

Shikamaru Nara was a strategist in Naruto, but with him being affected by Eida's Omnipotence Shinjutsu as well, the interim Hokage was no longer capable of performing the same role. That's where Kashin Koji comes in, as he is set to take over the strategist role in the sequel series.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Boruto manga.

How is Kashin Koji the new Shikamaru in Boruto?

Kashin Koji as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Kashin Koji, being a Jiraiya clone, is strong enough to be on the frontlines, fighting the sentient Divine Trees. However, with his newly manifested Prescience ability to observe all possible futures, his life had become far too significant to be put at risk.

This is also evident from how the Divine Trees have been looking for him. From the moment Mamushi found out that Boruto had an accomplice, the Divine Trees have been trying to track down the informant. With that, it is clear that the Jiraiya clone should stay on the sidelines during the upcoming conflict.

Jura and Mamushi as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Moreover, as explained in the manga's latest chapter, after learning about the future, Kashin Koji became a Singularity of Fate alongside Boruto and Eida. Upon assuming this role, he was no longer meant to affect the future directly but influence it from the sidelines by guiding the ones in the thick of it. This series of developments has seen the Jiraiya clone become a strategist in the Boruto manga.

As seen in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 16, Kashin Koji played this role perfectly as he instructed Shikamaru Nara about what he needed to do next to stop the Divine Trees.

Ryu and Matsuri as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

With Matsuri and Ryu set to invade the Land of the Wind, Koji instructed Shikamaru to send Konohamaru, Sarada, and Mitsuki to the Land of the Wind, to work alongside Yodo and Araya to defeat the two sentient Divine Trees.

On top of that, the Jiraiya clone also asked Shikamaru not to allow Himawari Uzumaki to step outside the Village Hidden in the Leaf. With Jura having set his eyes on her, her death was inevitable if she were to step outside the village.

Kashin Koji and Shikamaru as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Lastly, as deranged as it may sound, Kashin Koji asked Shikamaru not to engage with Jura. With the Divine Tree being interested in gaining knowledge, he was bound to enter Konoha to visit its library. Even in such a situation, the Konoha Shinobi were not to engage the enemy, as they had no hope of defeating the Divine Tree.

These instructions from Kashin Koji to Shikamaru prove that he is the new strategist in the Boruto manga. While it is true that, unlike Shikamaru, Koji's Prescience ability makes it easy for him to formulate a strategy, the roles they play are similar.