Caution: spoilers ahead for Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Code is now the main villain of the Naruto franchise - here's everything you need to know about this formidable new character. Premiering in 2017, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has featured plenty of nefarious ninja, but Kara provided the Naruto sequel series with its first true big bads. At the organization's head sat Jigen, later identified as Isshiki Otsutsuki. Coming to Earth as Kaguya's travel companion, Isshiki shared her goal of turning the planet's population into a tasty chakra fruit, but needed a fresh human vessel to achieve that. Thanks to Naruto Uzumaki's Baryon Mode and Kurama's sacrifice, the apocalypse was averted.

But a fresh catastrophe is never far away in the Naruto franchise, and Boruto wasted no time introducing its next main villain - Code. The flame-haired youngster debuted as just another member of Isshiki's Kara crew but, unlike the others, was never showcased in battle. The reason for this becomes clear in Boruto episode 219. The last Kara villain still alive (and loyal), Code was guarding the Ten-Tails throughout Naruto and Sasuke's fateful battle against Isshiki, and remains oblivious to his master's death. The ghost of Isshiki then appears, and entrusts Code with his evil Otsutsuki will, establishing Kara's sole survivor as Boruto's new main villain.

Related: Naruto: Every Tailed Beast & Jinchuriki In The Series

Code's Backstory In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Code smiling in Boruto

Boruto hasn't yet revealed where Code came from initially. His backstory begins as one of Jigen's potential vessels, identified as a rare human capable of holding an Otsutsuki's power. From this, we can surmise Code was already special upon joining Kara, and potentially hails from a renowned bloodline (although Kawaki proves this isn't necessary). While most vessel candidates died upon coming into contact with Karma, Kawaki alone proved worthy. Code, meanwhile, had a unique reaction, surviving the process, but unable to serve as Isshiki Otsutsuki's vessel. This means Code won't ever transform into Isshiki. Instead, receiving Karma triggered an unexpected, monumental power-up in Code's body, pushing his power past even Jigen's.

Code's Powers In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Code in Boruto

Because of his extreme loyalty and devotion to Jigen's cause, Code allowed his strength to be restricted through Amado's technology, sparing Jigen's fragile ego. Previous Boruto episodes have shown how Amado's modifications enhanced the other Kara members - Delta's stretchy legs and lasers, Boro's poison gas, Kawaki's regenerating claw arms, etc. Code received similar gifts from Amado, and these have been partly revealed in the Boruto manga. Code's hands turn into razor-sharp talons, and he uses studded black bands (similar to the one across his face) as a means of transporting from place to place instantaneously. Code can move anywhere another band has been laid - even just individual body parts - and his reliance on this technique suggests his White Karma isn't capable of space-time ninjutsu in the same way Boruto's regular Karma is.

For Delta, Boro, and even Kawaki, the modifications made by Amado yielded drastic improvements. Delta could go head-to-head with Naruto, and Boro almost destroyed Boruto's Team 7. According to Amado, however, Code would actually be stronger without his scientific tools. Currently, Code is running at the typical Kara level, a little stronger than Delta and Boro. Unleashed, however, the raw Otsutsuki power within his White Karma would apparently make Code the strongest villain seen in Boruto thus far.

Code's Goal In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

For the time being, Code's goal seems identical to Isshiki Otsutsuki's: use Earth's population to produce a chakra fruit and complete the will of the Otsutsuki. Now, however, there's a personal vendetta against those who killed Isshiki - Naruto and Boruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and especially Kawaki, who Code was jealous of already for being chosen as Isshiki's vessel. There's clearly more to Code's backstory and powers in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, but there's little doubt he'll be occupying the main villain berth for the foreseeable future.

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