One of the most underrated aspects of Naruto was the ancient relics existing across the various lands. In the NarutoShippuden era, fans learned of the Uchiha tablet that informed what the likes of Madara and Obito would do. Plus, there were many forbidden scrolls the likes of Kabuto and Orochimaru uncovered in their attempts to meld science experiments with mysticism.
The Boruto era is no different. A key item is the Karasuki, an eons-old artifact that acts as the franchise's Time Stone. It made its first appearance in the Time Slip filler arc in the Boruto anime. And make no mistake, this item, if used properly, can be a serious game-changer down the line.
What is the Karasuki in Boruto?
Karasuki Has Immense Ethereal Power
The Karasuki's purpose wasn't known at first. When Ōtsutsuki Urashiki tried to invade the Hidden Leaf, Sasuke and Boruto assumed he was coming for Naruto's Nine Tails Demon Fox. However, Urashiki wasn't after Kurama directly. He wanted the Karasuki, which is also the entity's name. This was a robotic turtle that Konoha dredged up from the ocean. The plan was to study the item and learn its secrets. However, Urashiki already knew what it could do.
It was an Ōtsutsuki device from Urashiki's homeworld that allowed time-travel. The anime didn't reveal how it landed on Earth. But these exclusive fillers did have Urashiki charging it up with chakra he stole using his rod. His plan was to go back in time via what the turtle called a "temporal transfer." He wanted to attack and kidnap a vulnerable Naruto after Sasuke left Konoha. He could have then extracted Kurama from the boy.
Karasuki made it clear it has no allegiance. Sure, it is a sentient turtle, but it fulfilled one goal. Whoever fed it chakra would gain passage across the space-time continuum to wherever they wanted. Karasuki had a dry, blunt, and comical wit as it laid out the rules. It was very much a remix of Marvel's Time Stone, except it didn't rewind time; it granted passage across the timestream. It activated the transfer through a pocket known as the Void. Sasuke and Boruto rushed in and knocked Urashiki through the vortex, though, which enabled them to arrive a few days before Urashiki did.
Boruto, luckily, got ahold of the turtle, who had gone into sleep mode. However, Karasuki — independent and neutral in its personality — warned them not to tamper with the past. That would have created butterfly effects and possibly harmed the integrity of the future. Once the heroes protected young Naruto, killed Urashiki and ensured no one discerned their true identities, the turtle woke again. Coincidentally, being around Boruto and Naruto allowed Kurama's chakra to charge it fully. That allowed Karasuki to get the guys back to the present.
What Happened to the Time Stone in Boruto?
The Sentient Karasuki Was Left to Discover Its Purpose
As all parties discussed the journey home, Sasuke was relieved, knowing he used his Sharingan to erase people's memories. Karasuki, though, suggested that it had excess chakra from Kurama. Such is the power of a Tailed Beast or Bijuu. Kurama is the Kyūbi, after all, so he did possess godlike amounts of energy. With so much chakra in its system, Karasuki admitted it could take them to another timeline if they wanted. They just had to abide by the same rules.
However, the Konoha-nin didn't want the turtle to be a pawn again. Urashiki objectified it. It was also implied the other aliens from Urashiki's clan enslaved the relic and kept draining it to do their bidding. Sasuke and Boruto weren't that cruel, heartless or selfish. They saw a person, a character, someone who deserved to be free. Thus, once it dropped them off, they begged the Karasuki to go on its own mission of self-discovery across whichever timeline it wanted.
It could learn about people, the world and unlock whatever mysteries and knowledge its inquisitive mind was set on. The turtle was finally glad to be cut away from the Ōtsutsuki hegemony. Karasuki agreed, realizing it had more potential in this world than to just be a conduit. Karasuki gained a choice about how to live life on its terms. Sasuke knew a lot about this after he redeemed himself from his rogue days. Boruto also broke free from Naruto's destiny and was charting his fate. Therefore, Karasuki got advice from the best people around.
Boruto Can Use The Karasuki to Save the World
The Boruto Universe Will Be Filled With Death & Destruction
Now, there is a lot of destruction occurring in the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex era. Code and the Claw Grime are on the loose. Not to mention, Jūra and Hidari have already attacked the Hidden Leaf and battered Kawaki. Konoha is further doomed to be decimated when Kawaki and Boruto go to war, per the flash-forward that started this entire series. The point is, as Kawaki said, the age of shinobi will be razed.
But Karasuki could be the deus ex machina used if thousands of lives are lost, as portended. Karasuki could return to this timeline and offer Boruto a way back. Once Naruto's son finds the right point in the time-stream, he could sacrifice the present by tinkering and remolding things. It would speak to power and responsibility, while giving Karasuki a higher calling. That purpose is, of course, to be a hero. It can be used to stop Kurama from dying versus Isshiki, or even preventing Naruto from being imprisoned by Kawaki.
The Karasuki could be used to find the right moment where Boruto can work a Talk No Jutsu before Kawaki goes on a killing spree. Some might think it is a copout, but these time relics usually are. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has deployed this on a couple of occasions, whether with the time gem or Loki rebuilding the timeline. The point is, Karasuki is a Hail Mary play waiting to be used. If there is a cost to play god, well, that just adds more intrigue and mystique to the theme of consequences as the property evolves.
Boruto's Karasuki Can Remix Nagato's Pain Arc
Nagato Revived Konoha Magically With His Rinnegan
This sort of savior mode was used by creator, Masashi Kishimoto, already when Pain destroyed Konoha. A teenage Naruto convinced the Akatsuki leader, Nagato, to use his Rinnegan and undo this. There were no repercussions apart from Nagato dying. As a result, Karasuki already has a canvas to work with. Its mission could be resurrecting people or merely changing Kawaki's past where he was abused and sold to Isshiki to be weaponized. Rebirth doesn't have to be physically like the Pain arc.
It can be spiritual as well. In that sense, Karasuki changing life as fans know it would feel familiar. The turtle has a function, just like the Rinnegan did. There may be some controversy with loyalists who don't think fillers are canon. But they are, at least in the Boruto world. Ultimately, such an approach would bring Karasuki's life full-circle and help it atone for all the sins it helped the Ōtsutsuki agents of old enact across many worlds.
