Mitsuki’s decision to leave Konoha is one of the most important moments in his early Boruto: Naruto Next Generations character arc. Unlike a conventional rogue ninja, Mitsuki does not abandon the Hidden Leaf because he hates the village or wants to become its enemy. Instead, he leaves because he is struggling with a deeply personal question: does he genuinely choose his own path, or are his feelings and actions simply the result of being created by Orochimaru?
After mysterious beings from the Land of Earth contact him, Mitsuki travels away from Konoha to discover what having a “will” truly means. His disappearance worries Boruto and Sarada, who refuse to believe that their teammate has simply betrayed them. The journey eventually forces Mitsuki to confront his identity, his connection to Boruto, and what it means to make a choice for himself.
Why Mitsuki Leaves Konoha and What He Wants
Mitsuki’s departure begins when he receives information connected to artificial humans created in the Land of Earth. Because Mitsuki himself was created by Orochimaru, the existence of other artificially created beings makes him question whether his own personality and choices are truly his. He therefore decides to leave Konoha and travel with the group to learn more about his origins and understand what gives a created person an independent will.
His goal is not simply to escape Konoha. Mitsuki wants an answer to the question of what his life should mean when he was deliberately created rather than born naturally. His relationship with Boruto becomes especially important because Mitsuki has come to view Boruto as the person who gives direction to his life, but he needs to determine whether that connection is something he chose for himself. This makes his journey as much about self discovery as it is about the conflict surrounding the Land of Earth.
Boruto and Sarada eventually pursue Mitsuki because they believe their friend needs help rather than punishment. Their journey brings them into the conflict involving Ōnoki, Ku, and the artificial humans, eventually forcing Mitsuki to choose where his loyalty truly lies. When Team 7 reunites, Mitsuki fights alongside Boruto and Sarada against Ku, demonstrating that his connection to them is something he actively values.
Mitsuki ultimately returns to Konoha, but his disappearance changes how he understands himself. The experience teaches him that being created does not mean he lacks the ability to make meaningful choices. His decision to follow Boruto becomes more significant because it is no longer simply something imposed on him by his origins.
This idea becomes even more important later in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. After Eida’s Omnipotence alters everyone’s memories, Mitsuki believes Boruto betrayed Naruto and begins treating Kawaki as his “sun.” Yet when Boruto confronts him, Mitsuki cannot bring himself to kill his former teammate, suggesting that the bond he developed with Boruto remains stronger than his altered memories suggest.
