Sasuke and Sarada is the title of episode 21 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, and it is the episode where the Uchiha father and daughter finally meet on screen. It does not go well. Sarada has grown up asking where her father is and when she finally finds him, Sasuke mistakes her for an enemy.
This guide explains what happens in the episode, why Sasuke had been away for so long, and how the bond between Sasuke and Sarada changes in the stories that follow, including the Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga. Spoilers for the Naruto Gaiden arc and for Two Blue Vortex are marked in each section. The Two Blue Vortex details cover chapters up to chapter 37.
Sasuke and Sarada (Boruto Episode 21): Quick Facts
- Episode: Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, episode 21, Sasuke and Sarada
- Original air date: August 23, 2017
- Arc: The episode belongs to the Sarada Uchiha arc, which runs from episode 19 to episode 24. Episodes 19 to 23 adapt the manga Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring.
- Is it filler? No. Episode 21 adapts the canon Naruto Gaiden story, which Masashi Kishimoto wrote about Sarada’s family, her questions about her parents and what it means to be an Uchiha.
- Lead voice cast (Japanese / English): Sarada, Kokoro Kikuchi / Cherami Leigh. Sasuke, Noriaki Sugiyama / Yuri Lowenthal.
What Happens in Boruto Episode 21 (Spoilers)
Sarada follows Naruto to meet her father after a photo of Sasuke’s old teammates, including a woman with glasses like hers, makes her wonder whether Sakura is really her mother.
The reunion goes badly. Sasuke sees her Sharingan and treats her as a possible enemy, then gives her very little when she confronts him about never being around. She storms out.
Naruto asks her to give Sasuke one more chance, but Shin Uchiha attacks soon after. One of his creatures goes for Sarada, and Sakura is teleported to Shin’s base in her place. Sarada, Sasuke, Naruto and Chocho now have to work together to rescue her.
The episode covers the reunion and Sakura’s capture, but it does not settle Sarada’s questions. Those answers come later in the arc, covered below.
Why Was Sasuke Away From Sarada for So Long?
Sasuke’s investigation into threats connected to Kaguya Otsutsuki kept him away from Konoha for long periods, and the details of the mission were top secret. Sakura kept reassuring Sarada that her father loved her and would come home once the mission was done but she gave vague answers about what he was doing and avoided his past.
The result was a childhood without a father at the dinner table. Sarada watched her friends spend time with their fathers and wanted the same from Sasuke.
Episode 21 shows the cost of that secrecy. Although his work was meant to protect the village, his limited communication left Sarada with unanswered questions about her father.
Key Moments That Define Their Bond (Spoilers)
The rest of the arc, up to episode 23, is where the relationship starts to change. Three moments stand out.
The DNA test mix-up
Desperate for proof, Sarada persuades Suigetsu to run a DNA test. The sample he uses is what he takes to be Karin’s umbilical cord, and the result adds to her confusion. The truth is simpler: Sakura is Sarada’s mother, and Karin only has a connection to the birth because she helped and kept the cord.
Naruto’s lesson about family
After Sarada says she will leave Konoha because her family is not related to her by blood, Naruto tells her that family is defined by love, not blood.
This conversation settles her doubts about Sakura. It also leads her to admire Naruto, and she decides she wants to become Hokage. If you want the history behind that goal, see our guide to every Konoha Hokage in order.
Because we have you and the forehead poke
When Sarada asks how Sakura can be sure her feelings are connected to Sasuke’s, Sasuke answers that it is because they have Sarada. It is the clearest sign in the arc that he sees her as proof of his bond with Sakura.
Before leaving the village again, he also pokes Sarada on the forehead, a small gesture that makes her very happy. Fans often compare it to the way Itachi treated Sasuke when they were young, though the story does not spell out that link.
How the Bond Between Sasuke and Sarada Changes Over Time
| Stage | What the relationship looks like |
| Naruto Gaiden (episodes 19 to 23) | Sarada and Sasuke begin as near strangers and start rebuilding their bond. |
| Boruto manga | Sasuke listens to Sarada’s plea to trust Boruto. |
| Boruto: Two Blue Vortex | The Hidari storyline brings Sasuke’s connection to Sarada back into focus. |
Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan (Boruto Manga Spoilers)
In the Boruto manga, a wish by Kawaki makes everyone believe Boruto killed his father. Sasuke is affected by it too and is prepared to go after Boruto. Sarada, afraid for Boruto’s life, appeals to her father, and the strength of that fear awakens her Mangekyo Sharingan. Sasuke takes her words seriously and sides with his student.
In Two Blue Vortex chapter 21, a flashback revisits Sasuke’s conversation with Boruto about Sarada’s Mangekyo Sharingan. It adds context to Sasuke’s decision to trust Boruto after Sarada’s plea. For a father who once left his daughter with no explanation, it is a notable change: he now acts on what she tells him.
Hidari and Sarada (Two Blue Vortex Spoilers)
In Two Blue Vortex, Hidari is a Divine Tree created from Sasuke’s chakra, and he takes on Sasuke’s appearance. In chapter 37, Hidari wants Sarada for himself, while Code, who captured her, wants to use her as bait to lure Boruto.
Some writers read Hidari’s interest as a sign of how much Sarada matters to Sasuke, and others see it as hinting at his regret over not being present in her life. Both readings are interpretations. The manga has not confirmed either one.
Our Take: Why Episode 21 Still Matters
The episode works because it lets both sides be reasonable. Sasuke stays quiet because of his work and Sarada has every right to feel abandoned. In our reading, the story does not fix this with a long explanation.
It waits until the rest of the arc, where the two fight on the same side and Sasuke gives her one honest line. That is why this awkward first meeting matters: it is the starting point that later chapters, from the Mangekyo awakening to the Hidari storyline, can be measured against.
Where to Watch and Read
- Anime: Episode 21 is part of the first season of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Streaming rights differ by country, so check which service carries it in your region.
- Manga: Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring is the source story. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapters are published through the official MANGA Plus and VIZ platforms.
- Story order: If you are unsure where Gaiden and Boruto sit in the larger story, our Naruto timeline lays out the order from Naruto through Boruto.
Conclusion
Episode 21 is where Sasuke and Sarada meet, and it sets up everything that follows. Sasuke’s secret mission explains his absence, but not the hurt it caused.
By the end of the Gaiden arc, a few small moments begin to repair the relationship, and the Boruto manga shows that repair paying off when Sasuke listens to his daughter. If you are following the story, the next thing to watch is how the Hidari storyline in Two Blue Vortex develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sasuke leave Sakura and Sarada?
Sasuke left on a secret mission to find and stop threats linked to Kaguya Otsutsuki. He kept the details from Sarada, and Sakura was also vague about them, so Sarada grew up with many unanswered questions about him.
Does Sasuke care about Sarada?
Yes, though the story shows it more through actions than words. In the Gaiden arc he tells Sarada she is the proof of his bond with Sakura, and he pokes her on the forehead before leaving. In the Boruto manga, he trusts her judgment about Boruto.
Who are Sarada’s parents, and is Karin her mother?
Sarada is the only child of Sasuke and Sakura Uchiha. Karin is not her mother. Sarada’s resemblance to Karin and the DNA test in the Gaiden arc caused the confusion, but Sakura is her mother.
Is Boruto episode 21 filler?
No. It adapts the Naruto Gaiden manga and is part of the canon story.
