On July 20, 2026, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex finally published chapter 36 in Shueisha's V-jump Issue #9. Needless to say, this was a chapter filled with tons of exciting information for all of us to enjoy. While Boruto: TBV Chapter 36 didn't give us a major battle or confrontation, it really did a lot to build up to them. At the same time, the lesson about Boruto series, as well as exciting character arcs, were expanded upon by creators Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto. This chapter was so packed that it is one of the very best chapters of the whole thing Boruto: Two Blue Vortex series.
Among the many things confirmed in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36, we finally have confirmation that the series is saying goodbye to Hokage Naruto Uzumaki forever. Previously, we had theorized that Naruto Uzumaki would never return to lead Konoha as the Seventh Hokage, and now the Boruto series has confirmed this for us. This does not mean that Naruto Uzumaki is dying. It simply means that when he returns, he will no longer be Hokage, and Konoha will have officially moved forward with a new leader in Konohamaru Sarutobi.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36 confirms Shikamaru's upcoming dismissal from Hokage position
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36 was absolutely huge on the politics of Konoha. This series has paid a lot of attention to building village politics from the very beginning, and now it all culminates in Konoha electing a new Hokage. The build up to this began when Shikamaru Nara officially confirmed that he had rejected the position of Hokage for quite some time. For three years, Konoha had been trying to make Shikamaru the new Hokage after the death of the 7th Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. Yet, for one reason or another, Shikamaru delayed this title. Originally, Shikamaru had asked for three years before officially accepting the position, and now that three years are up, he is still trying to find excuses because he knows in his heart that there is a way Naruto Uzumaki can come back.
“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 confirm Shikamaru's reluctance to become the 8th Hokage.
That said, things are now officially out of his hands since Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36, officially confirmed on July 20, 2026, that he will be relieved of his duties as Hokage. Such a decision can only be made by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and Kobu, who has conducted his own investigation of Shikamaru Nara, has already sent the order to him for approval.
What's important to remember is that Konoha eventually goes through with Shikamaru's dismissal. This was clearly seen in the Prescience vision of Kashin Koji Two blue Vortexes Chapter 36, where Shikamaru was seen away from the Hokage office cooking with Jura. For a Hokage to do that clearly means he is no longer part of the office. Finally, this exciting plot line that has been building slowly for the last few years will now come to fruition. When Konoha's unofficial Hokage is relieved of his duties, the village will turn to a brand new Hokage, who was also officially shown in the Prescience vision of Kashin Koji on July 20, 2026. This person is none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi.
“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 Shikamaru's removal from Hokage, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #36
How Kashin Koji's vision confirmed Konoha's new 8th Hokage
In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36, Kashin Koji's Prescience ability was officially upgraded by none other than Amado. By shortening the interval between the visions he receives, Amado made this ability stronger than ever before. At the end of the chapter, Koji got his first vision since this upgrade, and in this comprehensive vision we could see that the plan to have Sarada act as bait was going to fail. Along with it, in one of the filmstrips, we could see Konohamaru Sarutobi highlighted next to the Hokage cape in the Hokage office.
“There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage. Remember that! If you want to be Hokage, beat me first!” — Naruto Uzumaki competes with Konohamaru for the position of Hokage, Naruto Chapter #2
This confirms to us that, after the dismissal of Shikamaru Nara, who was also seen away from the village in his vision, Konohamaru takes on the duties of the 8th Hokage in the future. This makes perfect sense, considering that Konohamaru himself wanted to be the Hokage of the village ever since Naruto Chapter #2, which was officially released on October 11, 1999. After Shikamaru, he is probably the only one who can take this position in Konoha. The only problem with Konohamaru taking the position of 8th Hokage is that he is far too weak, but Boruto: Two Blue Vortex will likely fix that by giving him a significant power-up in the future. Of course, we absolutely can't wait to see it.
Konohamaru will be succeeded by Sarada Uchiha as Hokage
The overall plot line for Boruto the series faced quite a few problems in terms of the Hokage succeeding Naruto. This is because Naruto Uzumaki was still quite young, and there were two characters with the goal of becoming Hokage, they are Konohamaru and Sarada. Fans weren't quite sure how Kishimoto would manage to make everyone Hokage and do justice to Naruto at the same time. Now the way is clear for all of us to see. Naruto Uzumaki was sealed away Boruto Chapter 77 in the Daikokuten dimension on January 19, 2023. He will remain there, and at the same time, Konoha will elect Konohamaru Sarutobi as the official Hokage after the dismissal of Shikamaru Nara. Konohamaru will then lead as Hokage for quite some time. In the future, likely at the end of the story, Sarada Uchiha will officially rise to take the position of 9th Hokage.
“Lord Seventh once brought back my father, who had gone rogue and committed all sorts of crimes. He became Hokage while still a Genin. My role model is Lord Seventh, not you.” — Sarada shows her desire to become Hokage as Naruto, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #1
This way, everyone who had the dreams of becoming Hokage will officially get to take this position, and fans will also see the return of Naruto Uzumaki at the end. Naruto will no longer be the Hokage of the village after this development, but he will become an active ninja again and be allowed to roam the world freely, embarking on various missions and once again showing his strength on the battlefield.
All new chapters of Mikio Ikemoto's Boruto: Two Blue Vortex series, overseen by Masashi Kishimoto, are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.
