NARUTO COLUMNS
05/13/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Kawaki's Birthday on 5/13! Looking Back on the Boy Who Bared His Fangs Against the Otsutsuki to Escape a Tragic Fate!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the boy who refuses to be a "vessel" and dedicates himself to the destruction of the Otsutsuki: Kawaki!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the boy who refuses to be a "vessel" and dedicates himself to the destruction of the Otsutsuki: Kawaki!
■Kawaki
・Birthday: May 13th (Taurus)
・Favorite Foods: Taiyaki
A Hollow Child
As a young boy, Kawaki is unloved by his father and endures much abuse at his hands. Eventually the man sells Kawaki to Jigen, who becomes his new father.
Though this spares him his father's cruelty, what awaits Kawaki is an even worse brand of hell.
Under Jigen's orders, mass human experimentation in order to implant a Karma is underway, and many young children are gathered for this purpose. After watching other children lose their lives to the Karma, Kawaki's turn arrives.
Under Jigen's orders, mass human experimentation in order to implant a Karma is underway, and many young children are gathered for this purpose. After watching other children lose their lives to the Karma, Kawaki's turn arrives.
His body turns out to be compatible with the Karma, allowing him to survive. However, it is far from a blessing.
What lies in store for him is harsh training for his role as a vessel, and eventually the curse of the Otsutsuki that a Karma brings. His body undergoes extensive modification, and he closes off his heart to those around him, compounding his misery.
As he spends his days in this unending nightmare, receiving neither friendship nor affection, an empty void seems to spread within him.
As he spends his days in this unending nightmare, receiving neither friendship nor affection, an empty void seems to spread within him.
Escaping from Kara
While he's being transported as the "vessel", the airship carrying Kawaki crashes.
He comes in contact with Team Seven who are nearby for a related mission, and meets Boruto Uzumaki, who possesses the same Karma mark as him.
He comes in contact with Team Seven who are nearby for a related mission, and meets Boruto Uzumaki, who possesses the same Karma mark as him.
After defeating a pursuer from Kara, Garo, Kawaki runs out of energy and Team Seven takes him to the Leaf Village to be put under protective custody. He is made a ward of the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, and begins living in the Uzumaki household.
"IT'S KAWAKI.
MY NAME, DAMMIT."
Filling the Emptiness
Thanks to his lonely upbringing, Kawaki is initially very guarded, and regularly clashes with Boruto. However, as they continue living under the same roof, things slowly begin to change.
The two of them are at loggerheads over Kawaki's breaking of a vase made by Himawari, but Kawaki proves the sincerity of his apology by going with Naruto to buy a replacement.
The two of them are at loggerheads over Kawaki's breaking of a vase made by Himawari, but Kawaki proves the sincerity of his apology by going with Naruto to buy a replacement.
His time in the village is a far cry from everything he's known.
Naruto, who once experienced isolation as the vessel of the Nine Tails, understands Kawaki's troubles and is able to become a source of support for him.
Naruto, who once experienced isolation as the vessel of the Nine Tails, understands Kawaki's troubles and is able to become a source of support for him.
Naruto's actions slowly open up Kawaki's heart, and he begins to change little by little.
In the midst of this, a member of Kara called Delta invades the village to take back Kawaki.
Naruto fights her to protect him, and has the upper hand until she attacks Himawari instead with a destructive beam.
Kawaki desperately shields her and Naruto from the attack, suffering heavy damage to his arm in the process.
Naruto fights her to protect him, and has the upper hand until she attacks Himawari instead with a destructive beam.
Kawaki desperately shields her and Naruto from the attack, suffering heavy damage to his arm in the process.
"I SAY WE'RE EVEN NOW...
...IN TERMS OF THAT VASE, EH..."
This helps mend the rift between Boruto and Kawaki, and a friendship begins to develop. Kawaki also asks Naruto to take him on as an apprentice, and his sharp sense for ninjutsu allows him to progress quickly.
During his training, he gets to know the other Konoha shinobi such as Shikadai and Inojin, and is accepted as one of their own.
Kawaki's empty heart is slowly filled, both with the familial love of the Uzumakis, and the friendship of the people of the Leaf.
He develops a particularly strong attachment to Naruto, who has played a key role in Kawaki's growth as a person.
During his training, he gets to know the other Konoha shinobi such as Shikadai and Inojin, and is accepted as one of their own.
Kawaki's empty heart is slowly filled, both with the familial love of the Uzumakis, and the friendship of the people of the Leaf.
He develops a particularly strong attachment to Naruto, who has played a key role in Kawaki's growth as a person.
He also grows close with Boruto, who agrees to work together with Kawaki to learn more about their Karmas.
These powers they both struggle with also serve to deepen the ties between them.
These powers they both struggle with also serve to deepen the ties between them.
"AT THIS POINT, YOU'RE TOO IMPORTANT TO ME TO LEAVE YOU BE...
RIGHT?
BRO!!"
In order to foil Kara and remove the Karmas, the "brothers" take aim at the organization's leader, Jigen!
Breaking from Fate
Making use of Kawaki's Karma, Jigen attacks the village to retrieve his vessel.
Naruto protects Kawaki from capture, but is captured himself as a result.
Naruto protects Kawaki from capture, but is captured himself as a result.
Naruto's condition is unknown, but Kawaki is able to use his prosthetic arm to sense the Hokage's chakra, and with Boruto's help he activates a space-time ninjutsu via their Karmas.
Along with Team Seven, he heads out to rescue the man he owes so much to.
Along with Team Seven, he heads out to rescue the man he owes so much to.
They find Boro, another Kara member, awaiting them.
Though not a match for him individually, the revamped Team Seven's members are able to bring him down by combining their abilities!
Though not a match for him individually, the revamped Team Seven's members are able to bring him down by combining their abilities!
Boro grows to an enormous size and begins rampaging, but is defeated when Boruto's Karma activates and Momoshiki Otsutsuki temporarily takes over his body. In the end, the group succeeds in rescuing Naruto and returns to the village.
At the same time, the Kara researcher Amado defects to Konoha.
While Amado is explaining the nature of the Otsutsuki, Kawaki's Karma suddenly goes haywire.
Driven into a corner by Amado and Koji Kashin's plan, Isshiki Otsutsuki is forced to use Jigen's body as a vessel and reincarnate in an incomplete form.
At the same time, the Kara researcher Amado defects to Konoha.
While Amado is explaining the nature of the Otsutsuki, Kawaki's Karma suddenly goes haywire.
Driven into a corner by Amado and Koji Kashin's plan, Isshiki Otsutsuki is forced to use Jigen's body as a vessel and reincarnate in an incomplete form.
Since Isshiki reincarnated in a different vessel, Kawaki's Karma disappears, and he loses consciousness.
Isshiki then appears in the air above the village, intending to implant another Karma into Kawaki in order to perform a complete reincarnation. Naruto and the others engage him in combat in another dimension, but before Isshiki's time runs out, he uses the chakra connection between Naruto and Kawaki's prosthetic arm to drag Kawaki onto the battlefield.
Kawaki attempts to avoid Isshiki, but is forced to come out when he takes Naruto hostage.
Isshiki then appears in the air above the village, intending to implant another Karma into Kawaki in order to perform a complete reincarnation. Naruto and the others engage him in combat in another dimension, but before Isshiki's time runs out, he uses the chakra connection between Naruto and Kawaki's prosthetic arm to drag Kawaki onto the battlefield.
Kawaki attempts to avoid Isshiki, but is forced to come out when he takes Naruto hostage.
Unwilling to stand by and let harm come to the man who took him in and treated him as his own son, Kawaki comes forward.
The Karma is once again implanted in him, but the markings immediately disappear without a trace!
"MIND TELLING US...HOW MUCH LONGER...
...YOU CAN CLING TO YOUR EXISTENCE? SECONDS?
HMM...MISTER OHTSUTSUKI?"
The Kawaki captured by Isshiki was in fact a Shadow Doppelganger, created by Kawaki using the technique taught to him by Naruto!
Using his own abilities, Kawaki is finally able to throw off the role of a vessel and break away from the fate laid upon him by the Otsutsuki.
Using his own abilities, Kawaki is finally able to throw off the role of a vessel and break away from the fate laid upon him by the Otsutsuki.
A New Power
Isshiki has been defeated, but Momoshiki Otsutsuki takes over Boruto's body and runs rampant. Sasuke and Kawaki fight back, allowing Boruto to regain control, and they all return to Konoha.
Back in the village, efforts to understand the Karmas and discover a way to erase Boruto's continue.
Kawaki trains hard, but comes to realize he's always relied on having a Karma, despite how much he resented it. Determined to get stronger, he swears to do whatever it takes.
Kawaki trains hard, but comes to realize he's always relied on having a Karma, despite how much he resented it. Determined to get stronger, he swears to do whatever it takes.
Though Isshiki is dead, a boy by the name of Code who bears a white Karma mark has inherited his will.
Code awakens the cyborg siblings Eida and Daemon, and plans to go after Kawaki by attacking Konoha.
Kawaki realizes his presence in the Hidden Leaf is a danger to both the village and Naruto, and agonizes over what he can do to protect them.
Code awakens the cyborg siblings Eida and Daemon, and plans to go after Kawaki by attacking Konoha.
Kawaki realizes his presence in the Hidden Leaf is a danger to both the village and Naruto, and agonizes over what he can do to protect them.
Hiding his chakra, Kawaki goes to confront Code alone, planning to offer his own life in exchange for a cessation of hostilities with Konoha.
Boruto senses his departure and chases after him, bringing three people who've all borne the burden of Karmas face-to-face on the battlefield.
Boruto senses his departure and chases after him, bringing three people who've all borne the burden of Karmas face-to-face on the battlefield.
Momoshiki manifests within Boruto during the battle against Code.
Naruto brings backup by following Boruto's chakra, but the Otsutsuki is a formidable foe.
It seems Momoshiki is about to defeat the Seventh Hokage when...
Naruto brings backup by following Boruto's chakra, but the Otsutsuki is a formidable foe.
It seems Momoshiki is about to defeat the Seventh Hokage when...
...it is revealed that Amado restored Kawaki's Karma while treating his right arm!
His desire to save Naruto awakens this new power and Kawaki goes up against the Otsutsuki with a new form of Karma reconstructed to be purely a weapon!
His desire to save Naruto awakens this new power and Kawaki goes up against the Otsutsuki with a new form of Karma reconstructed to be purely a weapon!
Kawaki's Resolve
Using his newfound strength, Kawaki goes toe-to-toe with Momoshiki to defend Naruto.
Boruto is able to regain consciousness, but the two boys realize Momoshiki's power is uncontrollable.
Although they consider each other brothers, both can see only one solution, and they are determined to carry it out.
Boruto is able to regain consciousness, but the two boys realize Momoshiki's power is uncontrollable.
Although they consider each other brothers, both can see only one solution, and they are determined to carry it out.
Kawaki doesn't waver as his attack pierces through Boruto, killing him.
However, Momoshiki uses part of the Karma to revive him, turning Boruto into a complete Otsutsuki.
And although Code retreated, he later reappears in the Hidden Leaf and forces Amado to remove the limiter placed on his abilities.
Shikamaru's quick thinking during this encounter drives a wedge between Code and the cyborg siblings, bringing them over to Konoha's side.
The Revamped Team Seven is assigned to surveil Eida and Daemon.
However, Momoshiki uses part of the Karma to revive him, turning Boruto into a complete Otsutsuki.
And although Code retreated, he later reappears in the Hidden Leaf and forces Amado to remove the limiter placed on his abilities.
Shikamaru's quick thinking during this encounter drives a wedge between Code and the cyborg siblings, bringing them over to Konoha's side.
The Revamped Team Seven is assigned to surveil Eida and Daemon.
During this mission, Kawaki realizes Momoshiki is still present within Boruto.
To this young man who used to consider himself a "walking corpse", the Seventh Hokage was like a breath of life. Filled with overwhelming devotion toward Naruto, Kawaki is committed to protecting him...at all costs.
Before taking action, Kawaki visits the Uzumaki residence to confess his intentions.
To this young man who used to consider himself a "walking corpse", the Seventh Hokage was like a breath of life. Filled with overwhelming devotion toward Naruto, Kawaki is committed to protecting him...at all costs.
Before taking action, Kawaki visits the Uzumaki residence to confess his intentions.
"I'LL DESTROY THE OHTSUTSUKI.
EVERY LAST ONE.
USING THEIR OWN POWERS...TO ROOT THEM ALL OUT."
He has decided he must kill Boruto once more, despite him being Naruto's son and like a brother to Kawaki.
Hardening his heart, he seals Naruto and Hinata in another dimension, and leaves to find his target.
Hardening his heart, he seals Naruto and Hinata in another dimension, and leaves to find his target.
Kawaki Uzumaki
Dead-set on exterminating Momoshiki once and for all, Kawaki confronts Boruto.
Their Otsutsuki powers clash, and though the Leaf ninja who arrive as backup manage to restrain Kawaki, he escapes thanks to Momoshiki briefly taking over Boruto.
Kawaki then runs into Eida, who came to the battlefield to aid him. He confides in her, sharing painful feelings that he has never before spoken aloud.
Their Otsutsuki powers clash, and though the Leaf ninja who arrive as backup manage to restrain Kawaki, he escapes thanks to Momoshiki briefly taking over Boruto.
Kawaki then runs into Eida, who came to the battlefield to aid him. He confides in her, sharing painful feelings that he has never before spoken aloud.
"WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN...A COMPLETE NOBODY..."
"A STRANGER...
...WHO NO ONE WOULD MOURN IF THEY DIED...
AN OUTSIDER, JUST LIKE ME!"
Eida's power goes out of control due to her earnest desire to grant Kawaki's wish, and a light envelops the world...
Her Omnipotence has allowed Eida to make his dream a reality, twisting fate by reversing Kawaki and Boruto's positions.
He is no longer Kawaki the outsider, but the Hokage's son: Kawaki Uzumaki.
Although Boruto flees the village accompanied by Sasuke, Kawaki remains determined to find and kill him.
He is no longer Kawaki the outsider, but the Hokage's son: Kawaki Uzumaki.
Although Boruto flees the village accompanied by Sasuke, Kawaki remains determined to find and kill him.
And thus, three years pass...
Code attacks the Hidden Leaf, utilizing Claw Grimes that wield the Ten Tails' power.
The monsters' attacks seem to turn people into trees, and in the midst of this chaos, Boruto returns to the village.
Code attacks the Hidden Leaf, utilizing Claw Grimes that wield the Ten Tails' power.
The monsters' attacks seem to turn people into trees, and in the midst of this chaos, Boruto returns to the village.
Kawaki's quest to single-handedly rid the world of the blight that is the Otsutsuki is far from over.
That's all for Kawaki's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on his tenacity and devotion!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on his tenacity and devotion!
Article and Composition: Ayano Kobayashi (Caramel mama)
