Shikamaru's plan in Boruto utterly kills all suspension of disbelief

Modified Dec 24, 2024 08:30 GMT

Shikamaru and Konohamaru as seen in Boruto anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

With the release of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 17, the manga saw Konohamaru's team join forces with Yodo and Araya to take down Matsuri and Ryu and collect their Thorn Soul Bulb. However, unlike the normal means that would have seen the Shinobi fight the sentient Divine Trees, the manga saw the Shinobi following Shikamaru Nara's devious plan.

While the plan is good and much more efficient than fighting the sentient Divine Trees face-to-face, it is very risky. The entire plan was made using the foundation that the Divine Trees weren't inherently evil. This was a fact known to Kashin Koji but not the Shinobi. Hence, a lack of disbelief utterly killed all the suspense.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Boruto manga and reflects the author's opinion.

How did Shikamaru's plan kill the suspense in Boruto chapter 17?

Konohamaru Sarutobi and Shikamaru Nara as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

As revealed in Boruto chapter 17, Shikamaru Nara had instructed Konohamaru, Sarada, and Mitsuki on how they had to collect Matsuri and Ryu's Thorn Soul Bulbs. Unlike the normal method that would have seen the Shinobi face off against the sentient Divine Trees, Shikamaru wanted them to be friends with their enemy and backstab them later.

This plan was made based on the fact that the sentient Divine Trees were inherently not evil. This meant that the Shinobi could get close to them if they were to approach them with friendly intentions. With that in mind, as long as the plan was executed well, the Shinobi could collect the Divine Trees' Thorn Soul Bulbs without conflict.

Konohamaru, Sarada, and Mitsuki as seen in the Boruto manga (Image via Shueisha)

However, the fact that ruins this development is that Shikamaru only created such a plan because he was informed about the sentient Divine Trees' nature by Kashin Koji. Hence, the only two people who really believed the plan could work were Koji and Shikamaru, meaning that Konohamaru, Sarada, and Mitsuki should have been doubtful and hesitant to execute the plan.

Nevertheless, Shikamaru's plan proceeded too easily in the manga chapter. Even if Konohamaru and Mitsuki questioned its viability, they only did so before they began executing it and not during.

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

Most importantly, Konohamaru was taking the lead role in the plan. He was already alone with Matsuri and seemingly supposed to take her down all by himself. Regardless, fans were left clueless about how he felt about the plan while executing it. He should have been more opinionated and doubtful about the plan's chances of success. Unfortunately, none of it was depicted in the manga chapter.

This was also the case with Sarada and Mitsuki. While it was okay that the manga did not reveal how Yodo and Araya felt about the plan, Sarada and Mitsuki were taking a major risk by leading Ryu away from Matsuri. Regardless, when Ryu said that he was planning to kill all the Shinobi he was going to run into, the Shinobi's emotions weren't depicted.

Sarada, Mitsuki, and Ryu as seen in the Boruto manga (Image via Shueisha)

This moment should have validated Sarada and Mitsuki's doubts about the plan. Instead, the manga chapter saw the Shinobi continue the plan with no hesitance.

Such internal dialogue would have effectively made the chapter more interesting to read. All these moments are very suspenseful. However, the manga does a poor job of depicting it. Hopefully, the next chapter gives fans a better idea of how the characters feel while following Shikamaru's devious plan of backstabbing the sentient Divine Trees.