Boruto: The Mystery Surrounding Moegi's Wood Release (2024)

Synonymous with the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, Wood Release has maintained a revered status throughout Naruto’s narrative. However, this reverence has begun to fade as the franchise continues to introduce new users of this rare Kekkei Genkai, and Moegi Kazamatsuri is the latest user in Boruto’s lineup. It was initially believed that Hashirama Senju was the only ninja in history to have naturally awakened this power, with all other users stemming from the use of Hashirama’s DNA.

Moegi’s Wood Release breaks this long-held belief, as she is neither a Senju descendant, nor does she possess Hashirama’s DNA. Since the Boruto series never expanded on this matter, fans remain in the dark as to how Moegi awakened this power in the first place. However, a few plausible explanations could possibly unravel this mystery, explaining how an exalted power such as Wood Release ended up in the hands of a mere side character.

What We Know About Wood Release So Far

Despite being a Kekkei Genkai in possession of several characters in the series, Hashirama Senju is the only shinobi to have naturally awakened Wood Release. Every other character with Wood Release has gained power through artificial means, all linking back to Hashirama’s cells. The exact details of how Hashirama Senju awakened the power aren’t known either, as it was never exactly revealed whether Wood Release is a Senju Clan Kekkei Genkai. However, being a Senju would certainly increase the possibility of manifesting the power, primarily due to their vitality and life force.

Wood Release is a result of combining Earth and Water Release, yet simply possessing these two nature transformations isn’t enough to awaken the power of Wood Release. It has been speculated that Hashirama had access to the power due to his status as Asura’s reincarnation, yet this theory is proven false merely due to the fact that Hashirama is the only reincarnate with this power. Since there isn’t a clear source of the technique, it can be inferred that Wood Release can manifest in shinobi with Water and Earth Release, though the probability would be next to impossible.

How Did Moegi Gain Wood Release?

Since Wood Release isn’t exactly confined to one bloodline, nor is it passed down through tutelage (such as Dust Release), the ability can manifest at random in a shinobi who possesses the necessary nature release. This could explain Moegi’s case, especially since there aren’t any clear explanations for her Kekkei Genkai.

Some speculate that her case could be similar to Yamato's, with her power being a result of experimentation. However, experimentation with Hashirama’s cells was halted long ago, and Moegi is too young to be a victim of Orochimaru’s experiments. A few plausible theories could explain the perplexing mystery of Moegi’s Wood Release, though a clear conclusion can only be reached once the Boruto series reveals its own explanation.

Moegi’s Wood Release Could Stem From Senju Lineage

While Moegi doesn’t belong to the Senju Clan, it is still possible for her ancestry to be mixed with the Senju. Despite initially making up a majority of the Hidden Leaf, the Senju eventually disappeared as they all merged into other clans to strengthen the village. One of Moegi’s forefathers could have likely been a part of the Senju Clan, resulting in her gaining Senju genetics.

Since nothing is known about Moegi’s own clan or her lineage, this explanation could possibly be the answer to her Wood Release. The explanation isn’t too far-fetched either, especially considering how the Senju Clan no longer exists despite being the original founders of the Hidden Leaf Village. However, being a Senju isn’t the only prerequisite for awakening Wood Release, meaning other variables could be at play.

Moegi Can Use Wood Style Through Yang Release

While there are five basic nature transformations, two more exist outside this system — Yin and Yang Release. Since Yang Release creates life, it is a necessary component in using Wood Release alongside Earth and Water Release. With Yang Release being an extremely rare nature transformation, shinobi will never be able to attain Wood Release through simply possessing Earth and Water style.

Moegi is likely capable of using Yang Release, and combining it with her other two nature transformations resulted in Wood Release. Possessing Yin-Yang Release isn’t out of the ordinary either, as the Akimichi Clan is known to possess Yang Release for their Partial Expansion Jutsu. Moegi likely possesses Yang Release in conjunction with Earth and Water Release, granting her the rare ability to wield Wood Release.

The Implications of Moegi Possessing Wood Release

The source of Moegi’s Wood Release might not be concrete, yet Boruto has made her power canon, meaning it isn’t merely a detail passed along in filler content. With Moegi being a mere side character with minimal screen time in the series, it makes no sense for such a revered power to be in her possession.

Moegi’s new-found power seems to be a case of hasty writing, especially since this power has never been discussed in the series. Even if there are plans to use her power to drive the plot forward, granting such a technique to a side character only diminishes its significance. With almost ten characters now possessing this Kekkei Genkai, both artificially and naturally, Wood Release is no longer a coveted power confined to a select few, taking away its initial profundity in the narrative.

Boruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

Boruto

Animation

Action

Adventure

Release Date

April 5, 2017

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto