Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244

Buntan’s Revenge

I called Episode 243 the worst episode of the Funato pirates arc. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244 was far better. It may not have included any action, but it didn’t need to. Just the fact that this episode focused heavily on Buntan was enough for it to be good.

As I’ve been saying for weeks now, Buntan is by far the most interesting member of the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen. She has a good design, is related to a previous wielder of her blades, and is more complex than the others, including Shizuma.

This week, we finally learned the truth behind why Buntan, Hebiichigo, and Kyouho were left behind during Shizuma’s prison break. As it turns out, they didn’t stay behind by choice at all. All three of them were intentionally left there against their will.

Buntan talking about Shizuma to Hebiichigo from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244
Buntan talking about Shizuma to Hebiichigo

The plan Shizuma originally told to Buntan involved leaving Hebiichigo and Kyouho behind. He claimed this was because the smaller the group, the easier it would be to escape. But, once the time came for the plan to be carried out, Buntan found herself poisoned and left behind as well.

It seems that Shizuma planned to sacrifice all six of his former comrades. So, how three of them still managed to escape with him is still unknown. Perhaps they were sacrificed later on and are now dead. We really have no information about what happened after they escaped.

At this point, Buntan’s goal is to track down and kill Shizuma for his betrayal. Specifically, she’s mad that he betrayed her. She wasn’t thrilled about leaving Hebiichigo and Kyouho behind in the prison, but she still went along with that plan.

Releasing the Curse Mark

I don’t remember getting Seiren’s subordinate’s name in an earlier episode, but it’s now confirmed to be Funamushi. Funamushi is the one leading the elite Funato squad through the mountains to attack the Hidden Mist Village while they’re distracted fighting the Funato’s main force on the seas.

In order to allow Buntan, Hebiichigo, and Kyouho to go all-out in the upcoming battle, Kagura decides to release their curse marks. He claims that he’s done this because if he dies, their curse marks would kill them too. And he wants them to be able to continue to fight — and survive — even if he doesn’t make it.

While that’s probably not a lie, especially the part about wanting them to survive, I don’t think it’s the whole truth. By releasing them from their curse marks, Kagura is also showing that he trusts in the hopes that it will convince them to stay and fight with him.

Buntan listening to Kagura from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244
Buntan listening to Kagura

That’s nice and all, but what I care about is what Buntan says in response. She says that Funamushi should be a strong opponent and that she can’t wait to go all-out against him. Does this mean we’re going to get a major fight between Buntan and Funamushi soon? I certainly hope so.

Honestly, I think I’d rather have Buntan vs. Funamushi as the next big episode rather than Boruto & the gang fighting the main members of the Funato clan. I’m way more interested in seeing a Buntan fight animated well than a fight against Isari, Tenma, or Araumi (I’m assuming Seiren is down for the arc).

We’ve seen Funamushi use his leech summoning technique. But, I wonder what else he can do. Considering his name (船虫 / ふなむし) is a reference to a marine isopod as well, I’m guessing he’s like a Land of Water version of Shino Aburame.

Hebiichigo Runs Away

Hebiichigo is a difficult character to pin down. I’ve been flip-flopping throughout the entire arc regarding whether or not I think she’s going to betray the others, mainly Kagura. And the way this episode ended made it seem like she’s back in the betrayal camp.

It doesn’t seem like she’s going to betray her former comrades by helping out the enemy. But it’s heavily implied that she’s using the upcoming battle as an opportunity to escape. She says she doesn’t believe they stand a chance against Funamushi’s squad and so would rather escape with her life.

That statement from her seemed a bit odd to me. As a member of the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wouldn’t you think Hebiichigo would be more confident in her abilities? If she’s just going to run away, I don’t really think she deserves to wield her ninja blade.

Hebiichigo looking down on the village from the anime series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244
Hebiichigo looking down on the village

However, with all of that said, I’m not actually convinced that Hebiichigo is running away from the battle. Instead, I’m predicting that she’s faking her escape so that the others don’t end up following her. And the reason for doing this is she’s planning to go into battle alone so that the others don’t get hurt.

Hebiichigo’s specific ninja blade is fairly good at taking on multiple opponents at once. She can use it to lay traps and she can use it to sew her opponents together. In either case, the outcome is the same: the movement of the Funato squad will be severely restricted.

Maybe Hebiichigo really is attempting to flee. If that’s the case, I’m going to be pretty disappointed in her. This is a great opportunity for her character to get some development. Fleeing would throw that opportunity away, leaving her as an underwhelming character.

Conclusion

What do you think of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Episode 244? Do you think the other three members of the New Seven Ninja Swordsmen successfully escaped with Shizuma? What’s the fight you’re most anticipating in this arc? And do you think Hebiichigo is actually running away? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of Episode 245 is available now.

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