What Happened to Shinki in Boruto?

What happened to Shinki in Boruto? Taking a look at the status of Gaara’s adopted son in the anime and manga series.

What Happened to Shinki in Boruto?
What Happened to Shinki in Boruto? (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Boruto is a direct sequel to the original Naruto series. Therefore, it has a good mix of characters from the previous installment as well as new ones. Some of the newer characters have been quite impactful. For example, the likes of Kawaki and Momoshiki have been integral to the plot’s progression. Kishimoto and Ikemoto are known for putting the characters on the sideline. One such character who was sidelined in the manga is Shinki. He is Gaara’s adopted son and a powerful shinobi from Sunagakure.

Fans who haven’t been keeping up with the manga have one question in particular – what happened to Shinki in Boruto?

Shinki was quite active during the earlier stages of the anime and manga series. He played important roles in various missions and even treated the audience to some delightful fight sequences. Furthermore, Gaara took him under his wing and helped him perfect the use of Iron Sand. The Magnet Release is an interesting Kekkei Genkai that only a handful of people possess. This translates to a unique fighting style utilizing plenty of long-ranged attacks.

He was sidelined in the manga for quite some time since he wasn’t particularly important in the grand scheme of things. However, he has resurfaced in the Two Blue Vortex installation of the manga series. Let’s trace Shinki’s activity in the manga and see what the writers have in store for Shinki in the Boruto series.

Shinki During Earlier Parts of Boruto

Shinki in action as his Iron Sand is activated
Shinki in action as his Iron Sand is activated (Image via Studio Pierrot)

As mentioned earlier, Shinki was quite active during the earlier parts of the series. One of Shinki’s most impactful moments includes his participation in the Chunin exams. This is one of the most important milestones for any budding shinobi because this exam determines whether or not one can join the shinobi forces of Konohagakure. This is a grueling exam that has claimed the lives of many in the past. In fact, one might remember Gaara’s kill streak in the original series. Bodies dropped like flies, and Gaara was a maniacal killing machine.

However, all that changed, and the current Chunin exams weren’t anywhere nearly as scary. However, the fight involving Shinki and Mitsuki in the anime had the entire fanbase hyped.

Following that, he even took on Sarada and Boruto during the final stage of the Chunin exam. He managed to defeat Sarada Uchiha. However, Boruto overpowered Shinki by using the shinobi gauntlet. Shinki was powerful enough to fend them off at the same time and lost to Boruto only because he had an unfair advantage. Furthermore, Shinki was important in missions involving the likes of Urashiki Otsutsuki and Deepa. He was instrumental in safeguarding people from these threats.

Shinki’s Current Whereabouts in the Boruto Manga

Who Are The Shinju’s Targets In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
Shinju – the God Tree entities who gained sentience (Source: Shueisha)

Shinki is quite relevant in the current installation of the manga series. Nobody anticipated his return in the manga. The only change that fans could notice was his appearance. His hairstyle has changed, and he exhibited physical growth owing to the three-year time skip. He was last seen helping Gaara fight a horde of God Tree entities. These entities are called Shinju, and they have taken over Konohagakure. It’s quite clear that Shinki has a great deal of adoration and respect for his adoptive father.

Shinki decided to create an opening for Gaara to escape during an ambush. Therefore, he decided to use one of his strongest moves – Magnet Iron Grain Seal Palm. This creates a sphere of Iron Sand which seals an individual. As long as Shinki is alive, the seal will remain as it is. This creates a protective layer that is impenetrable, saving Gaara from the humanoid God Tree entities.

Did Shinki Defeat the God Tree Entities?

Shinki's Shinju clone as seen on the left (Image via Shueisha)
Shinki’s Shinju clone as seen on the left (Image via Shueisha)

No, Shinki couldn’t take on the God Tree entities who were present at the scene. In fact, he saved Gaara and used his ultimate technique as a last-ditch effort to save his adoptive father. One of the God Tree entities managed to seal him. Furthermore, the entity in question gained sentience. The resulting Shinju was called Ryu. While we don’t know much about his target, it’s clear that he and the other Shinju are searching for Boruto. Jura, the leader, has chosen the protagonist as his target. He intends on devouring Boruto, which is why Matsuri and Ryu are on the lookout.

Ryu and Matsuri made contact with Sarada, Konohamaru, and a few shinobis from Sunagakure. It’s clear that Matsuri has romantic feelings for Konohagakure. She sealed Moegi, and in the process, gained a similar outlook towards the shinobi in question. The mission is to separate Ryu and Matsuri. Following that, they need to extract the Thorn Soul Bulb to undo Shinki’s seal.

Will Shinki Be Pivotal in Boruto’s Progress?

Team Shinki as seen in the anime
Team Shinki as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

No, it’s quite unlikely that Shinki will be important to the progression of the plot. Fans will certainly see him appear in the manga, as the seal needs to be undone. However, there is a high chance that he might be sidelined once the Shinju are dealt with. The current arc will feature plenty of action involving Ryu. It’s clear that the Shinju are incredibly powerful and that Konohagakure will have to put everything on the line to defeat them. Jura is the main threat as there isn’t a single person in the village who can take him on. Fans are eager to see how Kishimoto plans to thwart someone like Jura in the manga series.

Conclusion

Shinki is alive, but a God Tree entity has sealed him. Konohagakure and Sunagakure are working together to find a solution to this. Konohamaru is currently leading a mission to save Shinki and his adoptive father Gaara. Ryu and Matsuri are the two Shinju entities who are standing in their way. They must be quick, silent, and precise as this mission needs to be completed before Ryu and Matsuri alert Jura for reinforcements.


Looking For More?

Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!