When the Boruto series removed Naruto from the main story, it kickstarted a series of dominoes that changed Konoha in a big way. Kawaki used Eida to rewrite reality, making people think Kawaki was Naruto's son and that Boruto murdered the Hokage. It created a new period with Kawaki as Konoha's "prince," running the village while hiding how he stored away Naruto and Hinata in a secret dimension.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex picks up on the drama three years later, with Konoha trying to kill Boruto. The military is also hunting Sasuke, who defected to mentor and protect Boruto. However, as Chapter #2 unfolds, while many would assume the Hidden Leaf would be in a state of disarray, it's actually better off in terms of order and structure.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Has an Impressive Chunin Squad
Code invades with the Claw Grime Army, using these Ten Tails clones to wreak havoc. He wants to draw Boruto out and believes mass causalities and collateral damage would be enough to lure Boruto into a fight. As the monsters attack, the young shinobi squad jumps into action to save their village. However, they're synced up and actually working in tandem pretty well—something Code didn't expect.
Inojin uses his giant eagle and aerial attacks pretty niftily. Chocho also smashes a ton of the monsters around, while Shikadai uses his Shadow Paralysis Jutsu to trap a ton of them, making the creatures easy targets. It sets up Kawaki to enter the fray and take a bunch out as well. The outstanding aspect is that this is an unprecedented shift in how the young shinobi operated. In Naruto's time, they weren't a well-oiled machine. It's why Konoha struggled to fight the Akatsuki, chase Sasuke's rogue squad, and then battle the army that Madara and Kaguya brought to life.
Sure, Konoha had the ANBU and other senior soldiers, but in those fights, they needed all hands on deck. Thankfully, Naruto was able to rally everyone when he was a teen in the Shippuden era. He used Kurama's power and got everyone to unite, including the other villages. The death toll was high, though. It's why when Naruto became Hokage, he didn't want a repeat of the bloodshed. That said, he failed to perfect the fire of youth and the weapons they could have been.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Highlights a Naruto Era Flaw
Now, one has to understand the road Naruto walked. He saw a lot of death and destruction as a kid. It's why he didn't want to plunge kids into a life of war too soon. He saw how it broke Sasuke, turned him against Konoha due to the loss of the Uchiha Clan, and even had Sarutobi Hiruzen (the Third Hokage) overseeing Itachi murdering his own people. Even Kakashi lost himself in the darkness a bit with the ANBU, becoming too harsh, even towards his own teammates.
Naruto wanted to change this, believing the younglings should be blooded in much later on. But that was a mistake because there were still threats existing that required the teens to be the second line of defense. The Otsutsuki aliens are a prime example, as they could destroy the world at the drop of a hat. When they came, though, Boruto, Naruto, and Sasuke were the only ones who could stop them. It's why Kawaki wants Boruto dead so Momoshiki can't be resurrected in Boruto's body.
It led to Kawaki ensuring Konoha has one main purpose: going the extra mile as a unified army. No matter who the enemy is. Kawaki has the new Hokage, Shikamaru, making the younglings more aggressive, proactive, and a squad that follows logic and evidence, not emotions. With a focus on one crew now—Boruto and Sasuke—they're a unit akin to the ANBU, and who in Naruto's time, would have been useful for tyrants of old. If Naruto's crew was this effective as teens, the era of peace they sought may have come earlier, and the likes of Asuma and Hiruzen might still be alive.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Shows Kawaki's Strength
That's not to say Naruto isn't a bad leader. He's passed down wisdom, compassion, and empathy. It's why Konohamaru wants to be Hokage, as well as Mirai and Sarada. But in this universe, something more than warmth is needed. Kawaki understands that, and while he's cold, he's instilled discipline beyond belief. So much so, that both generations of shinobi are working well with each other. It compounds that Naruto made Konoha too soft.
Naruto's flaw is why the aliens invaded and caused so much trouble. Naruto and his forces couldn't sense Momoshiki, Kinshiki, Urashiki, and Toneri. Not to mention, they had no response when Ishhiki and Kara hunted them. These villains all used Naruto's dream of peace to their advantage. Kawaki understands war and the necessary evils, however. This includes using the youth as sharp blades. It starts with a Boruto on the lam. He and Sasuke are the first test. Given Konoha's steeled up over the years and had no major incursions, it's proof Kawaki is doing something right with the new guard.
Ultimately, it's all about circumstances. Kawaki has a streamlined focus, so he can allocate and dedicate all resources efficiently. Given he was a child soldier, he understands the role the kids play. These shinobi are all way powerful, so he can't squander them. It's a cruel attitude and one Naruto would never abide by. But Kawaki doesn't care. He has a new home and a new family and doesn't mind risking the youth to save things. It's to clean the place up, and then create a window to bring Naruto and his wife back. In the end, he feels justified and whether readers agree, Kawaki is getting results with different eras of shinobi who are enjoying their new roles.
