Boruto -Naruto Next Generations- – 44

“Shikadai’s Doubts”

「シカダイの迷い」 (Shikadai no mayoi)

Troubles with Robin Hood

 
The Byakuya Gang continue running amok, to the extent that genin are put on recon duty, while every shinobi above the level of chunin has been mobilised. However, there has been a significant shift in the dynamic to which the Byakuya Gang’s crimes are perceived. Disillusionment is hardly limited to impoverished villages on the fringe. Sympathy cones from even those residing within Konoha, indicating widespread popular discontent. When Shikadai openly throws shade at Denki for being wealthy, who doesn’t have a single friend stick up for him, one can gather that rich people aren’t held in high regards by the populace.
 
Contrary to the aforementioned responses, Boruto strongly expresses a different viewpoint that he stubbornly adheres by. Rather than condoning any stealing, or exhibiting anger towards the rich, he takes to blaming the Hokage for not doing nearly enough to bridge the wealth inequality. Is it fair to point the finger like that? Yes, Naruto could be doing a better job. But without an efficient governmental infrastructure in place to help him handle various aspects of rapid economic expansion, he’s been left to do a monumental task on his lonesome. Is it entirely his fault? Not necessarily. No Hokage before him had to deal with these kind of problems, and as a result, the concept of a systematic government is an idea which hasn’t been devised in terms of dealing with these issues. If I had to guess, the shinobi’s conception of pride is a massive stumbling block when it comes to delegating various tasks among a select body of capable individuals. This preconceived cultural responsibility of a Hokage taking upon everything is deeply ingrained into Naruto’s mindset, as well as every other citizen, meaning that it will be a long time before people start considering alternatives. Until some sort of ninja constitution is drafted up, a separation of powers is unlikely to take place.
 

Shikadai and Ryogi

 
My enjoyment for the interactions between Shikadai and Ryogi far exceed the intense bond forged between Boruto and Kagura. So far, it’s been much more intellectual in its inclination, where they pick up on subtle cues from each other. There’s no way that Shikadai wouldn’t know that Ryogi is a part of the Byakuya Gang. Incidentally, I think there’s no way that Ryogi would start dropping significant hints without an ulterior motive, specifically to sway Shikadai into joining his cause. To some extent, I would say it has been somewhat effective. Why else would Shikadai hold back against giving pursuit, even if it meant defying his mother’s orders?
 
But despite his doubts, I don’t think Shikadai will betray the village without properly assessing the Byakuya Gang’s true cause. It has been hinted that the leader of the mercenaries has ulterior motives beyond simply helping the poverty-stricken villagers, and I also reckon that he’s exploiting Ryogi for his ice release. Much like what Boruto did for Kagura, this unexpected friendship should probably serve as a pivotal point, that could shake up Ryogi’s brainwashed outlook.
 

Concluding Thoughts

 
Last week, some readers raised the point that Naruto doesn’t have the power to bring economic relief to impoverished villages. I was quite busy, and didn’t get the time to properly address those comments, so I will take the opportunity to draft an appropriate response that lays out my reasoning behind such claims. In a post-war age, fraught with rapid economic expansions, the role of a Hokage has greatly changed. Even in the original series, the Daimyos are something of a figurehead of power who don’t actually hold much of it. That much was made clear in Shippuden’s Five Kage conference, where the kages were noticeably calling the shots, with minimal interference from the daimyos.
 
But let’s draw some parallels from Japanese history, the source that Boruto presumably derives its inspiration. Emperor Akihito was a puppet of the military during the Second World War, and the monarchy’s influence has greatly diminished since then. After which, the government took charge and oversaw the increasing rate of modernisation, an occurrence which has also happened in Konoha. Naruto has taken on a role akin to being a Prime Minister, and his task has evolved beyond simply being a military leader like his predecessors. As such, it would seem that additional responsibilities have fallen upon his shoulders, that extends to managing the Land of Fire as a whole. To me, this is evident where Boruto criticises his father in this episode for being an inefficient leader for failing to adequately ensure an even distribution of wealth – suggesting that these impoverished villages should fall under Naruto’s administrative ambit.
 
Rather than being a short-term problem concerning rogue thieves, this is symptomatic of a much more serious issue that could bear heavier implications in the future. I doubt that a socio-economic trouble on this scale can be resolved in a short span of time. So it will be interesting to see a continuation of this underlying theme, even after the Byakuya Gang are dealt with, and how it might play into the development of Boruto’s overarching story.
 

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