The Boruto Manga Resurrects Sasuke's Most Important Relic

The Boruto manga just revived Sasuke's most important shinobi relic, which might just save Boruto from a dark fate.

In Naruto, Sasuke's headband was an iconic relic, a symbol of how the shinobi world was filled with injustice. He left a scar across the Konoha symbol, which indicated he no longer followed the village's ways and was now a rogue ninja, committing crimes to tarnish Konoha's reputation. It also served as notice he'd return one day to attack it.

Luckily, as much as he and Naruto feuded in their teens, they patched things up after Kaguya's defeat and a brawl that left both without a hand. The two matured to lead the village. In Boruto Chapter 49, Sasuke's headband appears once more, but this time, it's Boruto who gives it significant meaning.

It was a big deal seeing Sasuke sully the headband because he no longer had love for the village. Konoha used the Uchiha Clan and then the Third Hokage had Itachi kill them off, including Sasuke's parents, which is why he wanted to murder his brother in revenge. Weighing all this, he turned his back on Konoha and that headband would become the stuff of legend, as Naruto also realized Konoha made mistakes in the past and turned ninjas into weapons of mass destruction.

This isn't the first time Boruto has been gifted it. When Naruto was kidnapped by Momoshiki and Kinshiki, Sasuke gave him the headband as he recognized his potential. It became more meaningful to Boruto than even Naruto's iconic jumpsuit, because Sasuke was the first person to tell Boruto he could go on to become Konoha's most powerful shinobi, acting like the father figure Naruto should have been.

Boruto gave it back, but now he needs inspiration once more as Isshiki comes to destroy the village. The alien wants Kawaki in exchange, which is why Naruto heads out to fight him. But Sasuke makes it clear they'll need Boruto's help, even if it means he has to tap into Momoshiki's power with the Karma mark. Boruto's scared Momoshiki might take full control of his body. While Sasuke confesses he'll kill the boy if that happens, this relic acts as a totem that'll (hopefully) keep him tethered to the light.

Sasuke gives him his headband when he asks, all so Boruto could hold onto hope for the future and also so that the kid will survive and return it in person. Sasuke knows it's Boruto's True North, and once he can remember his compass, he'll come home. It's a very touching moment, and Boruto feels safe and complete with it. It reminds him he can change destiny and maybe he isn't fated to be possessed by Momoshiki after all. And as for Sasuke, it's a personal testament that powerful tools such as himself and Boruto can be pointed in the right direction with proper guidance.