Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 36 was officially released on July 20, 2026 in Shueisha's V-jump Jump Issue #9, and it was one of the most significant chapters we've seen in the story in recent months.
Not only did this chapter set up major battles against the likes of Shinju Jura and Hidari by successfully showcasing the kidnapping of Sarada Uchiha, but it also showcased the first glimpse of Konoha's new official 8th Hokage, thanks to Kashin Koji's Prescience vision. Although it's a very small detail that only a few fans would have caught, Boruto has now lined up Naruto Uzumaki's true successor as the 8th Hokage, and this is something we absolutely cannot wait to fully develop. As it appears, Konoha's 8th Hokage is none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi, which was officially confirmed in the new vision of Prescience that Kashin Koji received.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36 Gives First Glimpse Of 8th Hokage Konohamaru
At the beginning of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 1 August 20, 2023, Shikamaru Nara was revealed to be the 8th Hokage of Konoha, but shortly after it was confirmed to us that he was not the permanent Hokage of the village. In fact, he had refused to take this position permanently and was convinced that he was not suitable for the job. At the same time, Shikamaru was also aware of the fact that Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage, might not be dead yet and that there was more to his disappearance than had been made public. For all these reasons, Shikamaru Nara never became the official 8th Hokage, and it was also confirmed to us that he had delayed accepting this position officially for years.
“It's been three years, the period you appointed yourself. Stop arguing and accept the position of 8th Hokage formally. You are weakening our position, not only within the Land of Fire but with the other villages as well.” — Konoha Elders to Shikamaru
Now, on July 20, 2026, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36 has officially canceled his resignation from the position of 8th Hokage. Kobu, who works for the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, has officially orchestrated the process for the dismissal of Shikamaru as Hokage, which was confirmed this month. Based on his knowledge, Shikamaru has teamed up with Boruto Uzumaki, which should lead to his dismissal from the position of Hokage. This in itself makes Shikamaru a traitor in the eyes of Fireland, and his dismissal may not be the only thing coming his way.
“Aiding a traitor is a serious crime. It would be no different for the accomplices, but for now, as the leader, the Hokage must be held accountable immediately. I've already submitted a report to the Lord Daimyo, so it's only a matter of time before we get his approval to relieve Shikamaru Nara as Hokage.” Kobu confirms that Shikamaru's dismissal is coming, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #36
While Shikamaru's dismissal is likely to happen at some point, that alone is not enough to declare Konohamaru as the 8th Hokage. The confirmation that Konohamaru would be the next Hokage of the village comes through Kashin Koji's Prescience vision, which happened at the end of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36. In this vision, it was officially confirmed to us that Shikamaru was relieved of his position as Hokage and was seen cooking alongside Jura. Likewise, in the Hokage office, we could see Konohamaru Sarutobi wearing a cape with flame marks on it, and we all know that this is the Hokage cape famously worn by all the former Kagers in the village. In other words, through this Prescience vision, we now have official confirmation of the fact that Konohamaru Sarutobi will be the eighth Hokage of the village, which is something we are eagerly waiting to see.
Why Shikamaru Nara will be removed as Hokage soon
Shikamaru Nara's resignation from the position of 8th Hokage was long overdue. Ever since he started teaming up with Kashin Koji and Boruto Uzumaki, his position has been under a lot of scrutiny, especially considering all the extra information he gained through Boruto. The Land of Fire, as well as the Konoha elites themselves, would never stand for this. As such, his dismissal from the Hokage position was set in stone right from the start. The fact that he was never officially announced as the 8th Hokage was another indicator that he would not hold onto this position for long, and that is exactly what has happened.
“The only culprit that could have helped Boruto and freed him is Shikamaru Nara. There has to be something, some definitive evidence to prove it, and I swear I will find it.” — Kobu wants to take out Shikamaru, Boruto: TBV Chapter #36
Since Shikamaru's dismissal from the Hokage position is already lining up, we should also take into account that his plot line does not end here. Shikamaru Nara will either leave the village or at least be removed from office, giving him plenty of time to work alongside Jura. As was clearly seen in Kashin Koji's Prescience vision, Jura and Shikamaru cooked together, and this means that a kind of friendship can develop between these two individuals. It appears that Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto are lining up an intriguing role for Shikamaru Nara that takes him away from the Hokage office and puts him in a direct confrontation with Jura. Knowing Shikamaru, his intention could be to trick Jura or to buy some time for Konoha to gather enough power to take him down once and for all. Either way, we can't wait to see what further developments Shikamaru's storyline will yield Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.
Naruto's days as Hokage are officially over in Boruto
With Konohamaru Sarutobi officially lined up as the next Hokage of Konoha in the latest Prescience update by Kashin Koji, we can now say with certainty that Naruto Uzumaki will never reign as Konoha's Hokage again. Naruto is already out of the village and has been for quite some time. We also know that he will not be returning to the position of Hokage anytime soon after being sealed in Boruto Chapter 77 on January 19, 2023. This was also confirmed in the series prologue, which was revealed to us in Boruto Chapter 1. With Naruto not returning anytime soon and Konohamaru Sarutobi the 8 Hoge's Hoge's 8 is officially announced as Hoge's 7. now officially obsolete and will be shot aside.
This isn't all bad though, as it allows Naruto Uzumaki to spend more time on the battlefield once he returns. He will no longer be stuck in an office with paperwork and will be allowed to roam the world, just like Sasuke Uchiha. Together, the two can fight against the greatest threats that we have seen in the Ninja world.
All the latest chapters of Boruto by Mikio Ikemoto, supervised by Masashi Kishimoto, are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
