I've said this many time before, but no matter how shitty and dreadful the early stage of Boruto was , as long as there's potential I can live with it. Atleast it gives me something to look forward to. What matters more to me is the post movie event since we've reached the bargain into unknown territories that can determine whether Kodachi is competent enough to write good story. Ao was portrayed menacing at first and he was set up to be truly promising as villain but Unfortunately with this chapter, it is likely that the potential completely dashed away which ultimately does not live up to the payoff that can make up with horrible pacing and buildups upon buildups .
It doesn't matter how good or consistently the fight was, Ao was implied dead in this chapter which is complete waste. The Byakugan, His connection to Mizukage (Chojuro) that was supposed to give contrast to the Hidden Mist arc with politics and bloody mist regime linking events to the Kara , and Sharing common goal as the former right hand man and interest with Boruto.
Everything was thrown out to the window. I don't care if there's no seal or joagan, I don't care if Boruto SOLOS!!
I thought as long as they can take the time to fulfill and execute the story correctly in the next chapter afterward then I'll be fine with it. BUT NO! The unexpected event is that Ao is dead!
How anticlimactic. Therefore all this buildup was for nothing which makes me lose faith for the series because that mean Kodachi doesn't know how to fulfill and meet the requirement with these IMPORTANT plotpoints.