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 carried immense significance in the story, given 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 Seventh Hokage of the Village. After that came a long timeskip, which officially marked the beginning of the 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 interim leader of the village. However, Shikamaru might not stay as the Hokage for long. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's next arc could potentially remove Shikamaru from this position and fix everything that's wrong with the Hokage by making it an admirable and powerful position once again.
Boruto Made Shikamaru Nara The First Unworthy Hokage In The Franchise History
The Hokage is a position that was explained at the very beginning of the Naruto series. It was clearly stated that the strongest, most trustworthy, and most mature ninja of a village was the one who got to become the Hokage. Clearly, there's 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 at an administrative level, and above all, the individual must have the Will of Fire. The Hokage must also prioritize the ‘King,’ or the next generation, meaning that their primary job is to protect kids from killing themselves on the battlefield, which is the entire reason why Konoha was created in the first place.
Shikamaru Nara, while an admirable advisor and probably the best when it comes to being the right-hand of a leader, isn't the perfect fit for Kage. Shikamaru is too logical to hold the title of Kage and too weak. For the first time in the history of Konoha, the Hokage isn't leading from the front. In Naruto Chapter 653, which was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #49 on November 18, 2013, Naruto Uzumaki officially stated that being the Kage means to walk and lead 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 defended the village once against the threat posed by the Shinju and Code, throwing the young generation to the wolves every single time.
“To be Hokage means to endure that pain... to walk in front of everyone and lead by example... To be the one who destroys any obstacles and paves the way for everyone else. There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage! And no shortcuts to run away from it once you become one!” — Naruto Uzumaki, Naruto Chapter #653
This doesn't necessarily mean it's Shikamaru's fault. He's simply way too weak to hold on to the position of Kage, and he realizes that himself. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could officially fix that, as Shikamaru will come under immense scrutiny following the attempt on the life of the advisor to the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. While Shikamaru has been delaying accepting the position of Kage for way too long, it is about time that Konoha officially removes him and installs someone else that they deem worthy.
“My investigation on you isn't over. You better remember that! Don't think you can sweep this under the rug. After it all comes to light, we of the Land of Fire shall take whatever action is necessary. You best remember that!” — Kobu threatens Shikamaru’s position, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #31
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Why Shikamaru's Job Risk Sets Up A Better Hokage For Konohagakure In Two Blue Vortex
Shikamaru has slowly but steadily been coming under immense pressure as the Hokage of Konoha, and it is about time that this plot line leads to something significant. It is highly likely that, after what had unfolded recently in Konoha and his collaboration with the traitor Boruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru will be removed from the position of Hokage. If that were to truly happen, then it is likely that Konoha will elect a new Hokage, and this person is likely going to be none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi. Konohamaru is deemed to be more pliable by the village elders. He is one whom they think will bend to their will, and at the same time, he is also an important character in the grand scheme of things.
“My dream is to become the Hokage, just like Naruto!” — Konohamaru Sarutobi
While Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has not given Konohamaru his flowers, his taking on the position of Hokage is likely going to 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 any longer 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 edging closer, the only opportunity he will ever have to claim the position of Hokage is now. Shikamaru could potentially step aside, paving the way for Konohamaru to take on this position officially, and this is something that all of his fans want to see as well.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Konohamaru Could Become Konoha's 8th Hokage Within The Next Few Arcs
At the end of the previous arc, Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto set up a plot line where Shikamaru's position as Hokage came under official threat. This plot line is likely to see Shikamaru being removed from the position of Hokage, and when that happens, the only one that Konoha can really turn to at the moment is Konohamaru Sarutobi. This might not happen immediately in the upcoming arc of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, but it is slowly being built up, and it's something that all fans should keep an eye on.
If Shikamaru is taken into custody, then perhaps Konohamaru can get him out of a messy situation, and he could once again become an advisor to the village. After all, this is what Shikamaru is best at, 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 overarching plotline of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.
“No one sees me as me! Just who I am related to, and I hate it! But it'll be different when I become Lord Hokage, and that's gonna be real 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. Given that Sarada is said to become the Hokage by the end of Boruto, this might be the only opportunity that Konohamaru has to claim the title of Hokage, and it is something that we are 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.
