Isshiki Otsutsuki is one of the strongest characters introduced in the Boruto series. As the leader of the Otsutsuki clan, Isshiki possesses tremendous power that makes him seemingly unbeatable. However, there are a few characters who potentially have the strength to take on Isshiki alone and emerge victorious. In this article, we will analyze some of these characters and examine whether they can realistically defeat Isshiki one-on-one.
Naruto Uzumaki
As the protagonist of the Naruto series, Naruto Uzumaki is an extremely powerful shinobi. He has massive chakra reserves due to being the jinchuriki of Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox. Additionally, Naruto can enter Six Paths Sage Mode, which grants him enhanced sensory abilities, durability, speed, and strength. He can also use incredibly destructive jutsu like the Tailed Beast Bomb.
Against Isshiki, Naruto was able to land some hits and hold his own for a while in battle. However, Isshiki’s Sukunahikona and Daikokuten abilities allowed him to shrink and absorb any jutsu. He was also able to plant a Karma seal on Naruto, allowing him to drain his chakra. While Naruto has the power to challenge Isshiki, he most likely cannot defeat him alone due to Isshiki’s hax abilities.
Sasuke Uchiha
As Naruto’s lifelong rival, Sasuke Uchiha has power on par with Naruto. He has the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, allowing him to use abilities like Amaterasu, Susanoo, and teleportation. After receiving Six Paths chakra from Hagoromo, Sasuke can perform incredibly destructive jutsu like Indra’s Arrow. He also has masterful taijutsu skills and intellect.
In their fight against Isshiki, Sasuke was able to catch him off guard a few times with tricks like teleportation. However, Isshiki was ultimately able to overpower both Naruto and Sasuke together. While Sasuke has the destructive capacity to give Isshiki trouble, he lacks the hax abilities needed to counter Isshiki’s arsenal. Sasuke alone cannot beat Isshiki.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
As the mother of Hagoromo Otsutsuki and the previous holder of the Ten-Tails, Kaguya Otsutsuki is immensely powerful. She possesses the Rinne Sharingan, allowing her to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi and transport targets to separate dimensions. Kaguya can also fly, phase through attacks, and merge with the environment.
However, Kaguya was defeated by Naruto and Sasuke sealing her away. Isshiki is likely stronger than Kaguya since he is the leader of the Otsutsuki clan. While Kaguya has hax abilities on par with Isshiki, she most likely lacks the raw power to defeat him alone.
Hagoromo Otsutsuki
As the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki is arguably the most powerful figure in the Narutoverse. He possesses the Rinnegan and was the jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails. Hagoromo can use incredibly destructive jutsu and ninshu techniques like Chibaku Tensei and Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei. He also distributed his chakra to Naruto and Sasuke to help defeat Kaguya.
Due to his status as the one who originally sealed Kaguya, Hagoromo likely has the power to defeat Isshiki. However, we have not seen Hagoromo fight at full power. But given his legendary status and incredible feats, Hagoromo has the best chance of beating Isshiki alone if he were to be revived at full power.
Adult Naruto and Sasuke
The Boruto series takes place years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, meaning Naruto and Sasuke are significantly weaker than their peak versions during the war due to being rusty and losing Six Paths chakra. However, if Naruto and Sasuke were both to fight Isshiki at their absolute prime in adulthood, they would stand a good chance at victory.
Both of them would have full access to their Six Paths abilities, Naruto would be able to stack Kurama avatar modes on top of Sage Mode, and Sasuke would have perfect mastery of his Rinnegan. Together, their destructive capacity and hax abilities could overwhelm even Isshiki. Though they would suffer injuries, Prime Adult Naruto and Sasuke likely have what it takes to defeat Isshiki.
Momoshiki Otsutsuki
Momoshiki Otsutsuki invaded the shinobi world with Kinshiki and ate a chakra fruit, granting himself powerful abilities. He can absorb any ninjutsu and amplify it for redirection. He also becomes much stronger after absorbing Kinshiki. In the Boruto movie, Momoshiki is ultimately defeated by Boruto and Naruto.
Momoshiki was killed by a weakened version of Naruto and needed to absorb Kinshiki for more power. This implies that he is weaker than Isshiki overall. While he has abilities that can counter Isshiki like absorption, Momoshiki lacks the raw power and physical stats to defeat Isshiki in a 1v1 fight.
Ishikki Otsutsuki
Ishikki Otsutsuki invaded the shinobi world with Kaguya. After Kaguya betrayed him, Hagoromo and Hamura defeated Ishikki but could not kill him. Badly injured, Ishikki passed his Karma to Jigen and encoded his data into him as a vessel until he could be revived. Once revived, he is essentially unstoppable.
Ishikki possesses monstrous physical capabilities along with highly hax abilities like Sukunahikona, Daikokuten, and Karma. He was easily able to defeat Naruto and Sasuke together. The only reason he was “killed” by a weakened Naruto and Kawaki is because his body time limit ran out. At full power, Ishikki has no known equals among even Otsutsuki clan members. He cannot be defeated one-on-one by any known character.
Conclusion
Ishikki Otsutsuki is arguably the most powerful villain introduced in the entire Naruto/Boruto franchise. His combination of physical stats, battle IQ, chakra levels, and hax abilities make him unbeatable in a 1v1 fight against any known character while at full power. The only way he was truly defeated was by having his body time limit force him to perish against a weakened Naruto and Kawaki.
While the likes of Naruto, Sasuke, Hagoromo, and Kaguya can potentially give him a competitive fight, they each lack certain abilities needed to counter all of Ishikki’s hax. At his peak, Ishikki stands at the apex of the Narutoverse, and he cannot be beaten alone.