Kawaki and his Misunderstood Love in Boruto Universe

The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations introduced Kawaki's character in a specifically dedicated story arc, as an abandoned teenager with special powers and similar marks as Boruto. The Seventh Hokage, Naruto, immediately took Kawaki in and raised him as his own son, making him an adopted brother to Boruto and Himawari. However, despite the love he developed for his new father figure and family, Kawaki's decisions made everything very complicated.

Kawaki's Upbringing Made Him Very Cynical

When we met Kawaki in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, we quickly learned that the teenager was far from normal. Not just his Kāma mark but his aloof and cold demeanor towards people around him. Of course, we later learn that Kawaki's father was a man named Kokatsu, a former Fourth Shinobi World War veteran who tried to forget the atrocities of the conflict by drinking himself to death. The alcohol abuse led the man to violent streaks against his son, Kawaki, who tried his best to appease his tortured father. However, that didn't work, and when a mysterious monk called Jigen offered to buy and take Kawaki away, Kokatsu immediately agreed and let him go.

This led to experiments and torture by the Kara clan, who wanted to create another vessel for another Ōtsutsuki member. Kawaki's escape led him to Konoha and the Seventh Hokage, who immediately saw himself in this unhappy teenager.

Naruto and His Leadership Filled With Love

Time and time again, Naruto proved that with love and kindness, one can achieve impossible things, even helping to save the world. His love was always his biggest strength; despite growing up as an orphan and constantly being rejected by the citizens of Konoha, he shared his love with everyone. With Kawaki, Naruto shared his fatherly love, like the one he has for his own children. After many struggles and making ways to fit in, Kawaki accepted love from Naruto and his newfound family, training with them and learning how to be part of the community. However, the threat of Ōtsutsuki and new dangers to Konoha and his adopted family, Kawaki let his feelings take over his common sense and decided to protect Naruto at all costs—even at the detriment of the whole world.

For more about Ōtsutsuki clan, read this dedicated page.

The Power of Love That Led Kawaki to Dangerous Decisions

The Ōtsutsuki threat impacted Kawaki in an enormous way, and after seeing that even the most powerful shinobi in Naruto could not singlehandedly defeat the aliens, Kawaki knew he had to do something. He vows to protect Naruto at all costs, even if he has to destroy his family by killing his son Boruto, who is now a full Ōtsutsuki. Kawaki vows to murder all Ōtsutsuki members, including Boruto, but before that, he needs to protect Naruto and Hinata—the teenager sends the couple to another dimension using his Space Time Jutsu and changes the reality. However, not before he tells them he loves them and respects them, making his love incredibly powerful but tragic at the same time.

Kawaki’s Love Is Pure but Raw in Every Sense of the Word

With the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga series, we learn after the time skip that Kawaki still 'holds' Konoha hostage by changing their memories and making Boruto the 'enemy of the state.' Just so he can defend Naruto from harm and make sure no one stands in his way to kill every Ōtsutsuki member. It seems childish, but that's actually how one can interpret Kawaki's love towards Naruto and his family. He loves like a child loves its parents, unconditionally and without any limits, leading him to make harsh and very dangerous decisions. This is why Kawaki's love is misunderstood: he never knew love before he met Naruto, and now he uses it for his immoral mission and goal just to save his family. Kishimoto did a great job creating a dynamic between Naruto and Kawaki, making their relationship a center point of conflict but also unconditional affection.