'Boruto: Naruto the Movie' spin-off pushed back due to 'The True Legend of Itachi' adaptation?

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Last year's "Boruto: Naruto the Movie" has proven a big a success for the franchise and fans have since clamored for a sequel or spin-off, to which series creator Masashi Kishimoto responded by stating that it is possible. However, a new report from The Bitbag indicates that this may be pushed back due to a different project.

Originally reported by Anime News Network, the "Naruto" spin-off novel "Itachi Shinden" ("The True Legend of Itachi") will be adapted into an anime and will utilize both the "Vol. 1: Glory Volume" and "Vol. 2: Dark Night Volume" of the original novels and combine them into one series.

The problem is that since the "True Legend of Itachi" adaptation will launch this coming March, the "Boruto" spin-off or sequel may be delayed for several months as the former will involve not only Kishimoto but the same staff responsible for adapting the "Boruto" film from its original manga format.

"The True Legend of Itachi" focuses on the tale of Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha's late elder brother. The "Glory Volume" focused on telling the tale of a four-year old Itachi and his journeys through the Ninja Academy while the second volume revealed his struggles and motivations to assassinate the whole Uchiha clan save for Sasuke.

In the original "Naruto Shippuden" manga and anime, it was later revealed that every move Itachi did, no matter how cruel or villainous in nature, was all due to an elaborate plan that would help save the world, including his younger brother Sasuke. 

This will be the first time that Itachi's story is told in any format other than the original manga that was released last year as part of Kishimoto's spin-off series. 

With that said, fans speculate that the "Boruto: Naruto the Movie" spin-off or sequel may enter production soon and will be released before the end of the year or at least by early 2017.