As most anime fans know, one of the main appeals of the the powerful of the Otsutsuki clan and their mission.

Even then, the series still has one big mystery regarding this imposing alien race, one that could explain more than just their early years on the planet: Kaguya betraying Isshiki. The Boruto manga has given fans many clues about this shocking event and solving them could help explain one of the franchise’s most controversial moments.

Boruto Already Explained How Isshiki Was Betrayed

Several s Hint at the Truth Behind This Event

Kaguya Otsutsuki, also known as the mother of all Chakra, made her first appearance during Naruto’s Fourth Great Ninja War, becoming the main antagonist of the arc after absorbing Madara. She was regarded as the most powerful character in the series, with abilities and techniques that challenged everything fans knew about the original story. The only reason why she was defeated was because she lacked fighting experience and was disoriented after being released from her seal. Because of this, it came as a shock to most fans to learn that Kaguya was never supposed to be a major villain.

Chapter #51 of the manga revealed that Kaguya did not arrive at Earth alone, as she was accompanied by her superior, Isshiki. The plan was for the duo to sacrifice the woman to the Ten-Tails, creating a Divine Tree that would absorb all the living energy of the planet for Isshiki by consuming the Chakra Fruit that would be created via this process. This ultimately never happened, as Kaguya betrayed Isshiki at the last second and was the one who ate the fruit, becoming the villain fans know.

It is known that the woman did so to prevent her ally from killing the planet, as she had grown attached to it over the years. What has never been explained is the means she used to defeat someone like Isshiki, who is among the strongest villains in the franchise. Despite this, the manga has subtly given fans hints that could help them figure out how Kaguya managed to defeat Isshiki, and it is far more complex than they imagined. Instead of a direct attack, the series implies the Ten-Tails was vital for the plan to succeed.

Isshiki Was Defeated by the Ten-Tails

Kaguya Facilitated the Beast To Eat Part of His Body

In chapter #35 of the Boruto manga, Sasuke uses his Rinnegan to teleport to Kara’s fortress, where the Ten-Tails was being kept. While there, he countered Jigen, who approached the beast looking to absorb more power. Before the vessel could approach, the Ten-Tails looked at him and attempted to take a bite, implying that the monster’s instincts forced him to attack any Otsutsuki. This, as well as the fact that Isshiki was depicted crawling on the ground without legs, could imply that Kaguya tried to have the Ten-Tails eat him in the past.

By comparing their power levels, there would be no way for the Mother of all Chakra to be strong enough to defeat someone like Isshiki by herself. It is possible that not even her full power would have harmed the man. But the Ten-Tails, being a creature of chaos and destruction, would have the strength to mortally wound him. When Kaguya betrayed Isshiki, she might have distracted him long enough for the Ten-Tails to reach him. The man was not fast enough to escape the beast, losing his lower half in the process.

Kaguya’s Future Proves the Ten-Tails Eat Isshiki

No Chakra Fruit Would Have Been Created Without an Otsutsuki

Isshiki’s injury is by no means definitive proof of him having been attacked by the Ten-Tails. However, given that a Chakra Fruit was available for Kaguya to consume to gain its powers, at some point behind the scenes, the method employed for its creation must have occurred. According to the Boruto manga, the only way in which this ancient treasure can be created is by having the most powerful Tailed Beast consume the body of an Otsutsuki and transform it into a Divine Tree. If Kaguya had been the one to destroy Isshiki’s lower half, there would have been no Chakra Fruit.

As such, the possibility of her being the one to, against all logic, defeat Isshiki in a fight becomes almost non-existent. It is far more likely that, confident in his abilities and strength, Isshiki did not see Kaguya as a threat. He lowered his guard, allowing the woman to strike first and push him near the hungry beast. The lower half of his body served as fuel for the Ten-Tails to transform into a weaker version of the Divine Tree, giving Kaguya the power to rule Earth.

This Theory Explains Why Kaguya Was Far Weaker Than Other Otsutsuki

​​​​​​​She Was Never Allowed To Eat an Entire Chakra Fruit

One of the most interesting facts about the Otsutsuki clan is their arbitrary hierarchy. According to the series, this ancient culture used to divide its into high and low rank , according to their power and status. Those who were not considered of the elite were the ones who sacrificed their bodies to allow their superiors to eat the Chakra Fruits. Kaguya, being a member of the lower class, was never given the chance to boost her abilities.

Moreover, the time when she was allowed to eat the fruit, it was not created by absorbing the power of a complete Otsutsuki, meaning it only had half the power. This would explain why, in comparison to other of her clan like Momoshiki or Isshiki, she has always been seen as weaker. Her defeat at the hands of Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura becomes much more reasonable, as she was far less experienced than the Otsutsuki the heroes fought during Boruto.