The position of Hokage was first introduced in Naruto Chapter 1 on September 21, 1999 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #43. Since then, this position has had a huge importance in the story, considering that it was the goal of the protagonist Naruto Uzumaki. In Naruto Chapter 700, which was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #50 on November 10, 2014, Naruto Uzumaki officially became the village's Seventh Hokage. After that came a long time jump, which officially marked the beginning of Boruto era.
Right now, in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Naruto Uzumaki is no longer the Seventh Hokage of the village. Instead, the position of Hokage has been officially taken over by none other than Shikamaru Nara, who is the temporary leader of the village. But Shikamaru might not stay as Hokage for long. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's next arc could potentially remove Shikamaru from this position and fix everything that is wrong with the Hokage by making it an admirable and powerful position again.
Boruto made Shikamaru Nara the first unworthy Hokage in franchise history
The Hokage is a position that was explained at the beginning of the Naruto series. It was clearly stated that the strongest, most reliable and most mature ninja in a village was the one who got to be Hokage. There is clearly more to being a Hokage than just being strong. The person must be more than capable of understanding what it means to run a village on an administrative level, and above all, the individual must have the Will of Fire. The Hokagen also has to prioritize “The King”, or the next generation, meaning their primary job is to protect children from killing themselves on the battlefield, which is the whole reason Konoha was created in the first place.
Shikamaru Nara, while an admirable advisor and probably the best at being a leader's right hand man, is not a perfect fit for the Kage. Shikamaru is too logical to hold the title of Kage and too weak. For the first time in Konoha's history, the Hokage is not leading from the front. IN Naruto Chapter 653, released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #49 on November 18, 2013, Naruto Uzumaki officially stated that being a Kage means leading from the front so that he would never have to step on the corpses of his fallen friends. Shikamaru Nara is the exact opposite. He has not once defended the village against the threat of Shinju and Code, throwing the young generation to the wolves every time.
“Being Hokage means enduring that pain… walking in front of everyone and leading by example… Being the one who destroys all obstacles and paves the way for everyone else. There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage! And no shortcuts to escape from it once you become one!” — Naruto Uzumaki, Naruto Chapter #653
This doesn't necessarily mean it's Shikamaru's fault. He is simply far too weak to hold onto the Kage's position, and he realizes it himself. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could officially fix it, as Shikamaru will come under immense scrutiny after the attempted assassination of the advisor to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. While Shikamaru has delayed accepting the position of Kage for far too long, it is time for Konoha to officially remove him and install someone else they deem worthy.
“My investigation of you is not over. You should remember that! Don't think you can sweep this under the rug. When it all comes to light, we in the Land of Fire will take whatever action is necessary. Remember that best!” — Kobu threatens Shikamaru's position, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #31
Boruto officially confirms a new power up for Sasuke Uchiha
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Volume 8 has officially confirmed a major power-up for Sasuke Uchiha from the timeskip.
Why Shikamaru's Job Jeopardy Makes a Better Hokage for Konohagakure in Two Blue Vortex
Shikamaru has been slowly but steadily coming under immense pressure as Hokage of Konoha, and it's about time this action led to something significant. It is highly likely that after what recently unfolded in Konoha and his collaboration with the traitor Boruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru will be removed from the position of Hokage. If that were to really happen, then it is likely that Konoha will elect a new Hokage, and this person will likely be none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi. Konohamaru is considered more compliant by the village elders. He is someone they believe will bend to their will, and at the same time he is also an important character in the big picture.
“My dream is to become Hokage, just like Naruto!” —Konohamaru Sarutobi
While Boruto: Two Blue Vortex hasn't given Konohamaru his flowers, his assumption of the position of Hokage will likely put him in the spotlight, forcing him to grow stronger with each enemy he takes on. Konohamaru simply cannot hide behind the coats of the younger generation anymore and would be forced to grow stronger with them. It must also be remembered that it is Konohamaru's dream to become the Hokage of the village, and with Naruto and Sasuke's return approaching, the only opportunity he will ever have is to claim the Hokage position now. Shikamaru could potentially step aside and pave the way for Konohamaru to officially assume this position, and this is something that all of his fans want to see as well.
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Konohamaru may become Konoha's 8th Hokage within the upcoming arcs
At the end of the previous arc, Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto set up a storyline where Shikamaru's position as Hokage came under official threat. This storyline will likely see Shikamaru removed from the position of Hokage, and when that happens the only one Konoha can really turn to at the moment is Konohamaru Sarutobi. This may not happen immediately in the upcoming arc of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, but it is slowly building up, and it is something that all fans should keep an eye on.
If Shikamaru is taken into custody, maybe Konohamaru can get him out of a messy situation, and he can once again become an advisor to the village. After all, that is what Shikamaru does best, and he will continue to serve the village in the best way possible. Meanwhile, this move will do wonders for Konohamaru as well, as it will give him an opportunity to grow stronger and become more important to the overall plot of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.
“No one sees me as me! Only who I'm related to, and I hate that! But it's going to be different when I become Lord Hokage, and it's going to be really soon!” — Konohamaru Sarutobi, Naruto Chapter #2
It will also see him fulfill his dream, which is a major plot line that Kishimoto himself set up long ago in the story. Considering Sarada is said to be Hokage at the end of Borutothis might be the only opportunity Konohamaru has to claim the title of Hokage, and it's something we're all eagerly waiting to see.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's New Arc by Mikio Ikemoto continues on June 20, 2026, in V-Jump Issue #8.
