The anime series Naruto highlights how internal conflicts within a community can pose a significant threat. The feud between Denzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konoha, almost destroyed it from the inside. As the leader of ANBU root, Denzo had the authority to act as he pleased, and unfortunately, the elite of Konoha, including Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, could do little to stop him. Though everyone shared a love for Konoha, they had different perspectives on protecting the village, leading to an unavoidable difference of opinion. Sadly, this tragedy could have been prevented and anticipated during Sarutobi’s leadership.
In the sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the story continues with internal conflicts plaguing Konoha. Naruto’s eldest son, Boruto, carries the karma of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, an enemy of humanity on Earth. Despite being part of the alliance that won the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Otsutsuki clan has not been entirely extinguished. Its member, Isshiki, reincarnated into a human body named Jigen and became the leader of an organization called KARA. However, Jigen’s body was not a suitable vessel for long, and so he needs a new one, leading to the emergence of Kawaki, who is being groomed as Jigen’s replacement. Hence, Kawaki bears the same karma mark on his palm as Boruto, who is also predicted to become Momoshiki’s vessel.
With Amado and Koshin’s assistance, Kawaki escapes and is eventually saved by Konoha. He decides to stay with Naruto and becomes Boruto’s brother and teammate. Unfortunately, the manga version of Boruto indicates that Kawaki and Boruto will clash. Kawaki, who seeks revenge against the Otsutsuki clan, believes that Boruto, who is predicted to become Momoshiki’s vessel, needs to be eliminated. Kawaki’s violent approach is similar to Denzo’s, who prioritizes force over negotiation. Therefore, if Kawaki’s behavior goes unnoticed or is not handled appropriately, it could become problematic for Konoha in the future.
In conclusion, internal conflicts pose a significant threat to Konoha’s stability in both Naruto and its sequel Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. While the conflicts take different forms and involve different characters, they both highlight how disagreements can escalate and become dangerous. It is crucial to address internal conflicts early on and handle them appropriately to prevent tragedies and maintain stability.
