Warning: SPOILERS for episode #286 of Boruto.Sasuke's Story, the Naruto sequel centered on Sasuke and Sakura, just ended with the franchise's most emotional death in years. At the end of his adventure in the land of Redaku, Sasuke has to say farewell to his new friend and companion, Meno the dinosaur, who sadly returns to be a fossil after the technique that reanimated him is dispelled.
The Boruto anime has recently adapted Sasuke's Story - The Uchiha and the Heavenly Starlight, a spinoff based on a light novel that is also currently being adapted into a successful manga. Episode #286 of Boruto concludes this short but entertaining adventure, with Sasuke and Sakura finally able to defeat Zansul and his army of dinosaurs resurrected through a variant of the Edo Tensei jutsu. However, with the technique dispelled and the spirits of the beasts returning to the afterlife, Sasuke has to say farewell to Meno, the dinosaur he befriended and swayed to his side. It's a surprisingly emotional moment that has moved the feelings of many viewers.
Sasuke And Meno's Farewell Is The Most Emotional Naruto Moment In Years
Sasuke is certainly not known for showing his emotions, but during this adventure he has also learned how to let go of his feelings. Mostly, Sasuke realized how much he cares about Sakura, but the Uchiha has also shown genuine concern for Meno and his fellow dinosaurs, trapped by an even more cruel form of Edo Tensei. While the human resurrected with this jutsu in Naruto could not feel pain, the Redaku version does not have this effect. Sasuke was moved to pity seeing Meno suffer for a wound he caused, and freed him from the technique first, gaining an effective and awesome sidekick during the rest of the battle.
Sadly, Sasuke did not get to keep his dinosaur companion for too long, as Meno's spirit was rightfully returned to the afterlife, but not before the two shared an emotional farewell. It's a shame, as many fans were hoping to see Sasuke's awesome dinosaur sidekick appear in Boruto too. The Naruto franchise did not have many important characters die, and almost none since Boruto started (with the notable exception of Kurama). Certainly, no one was expecting that the saddest moment in the franchise in years would happen between Sasuke and a dinosaur.
Sasuke's Story was overall a pretty good Naruto spinoff/sequel. The simple, self-contained story made it easier to follow, and it left room for character development for Sasuke and Sakura. Their relationship surely looks more solid and better fleshed out now than it appeared in Boruto. The only thing that fans will regret from this story is that they'll likely never get to see Sasuke's dinosaur best friend, Meno, again.
Boruto is available on streaming on Crunchyroll.