The position of Hokage was first introduced in Naruto Chapter 1 of the September 21, 1999 issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump #43. Since then, this position has been of immense importance in the story, given that it was the goal of the protagonist Naruto Uzumaki. In Naruto Chapter 700, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump #50 on November 10, 2014, Naruto Uzumaki officially became the seventh Hokage of the village. Then came the long timeskip that officially marked the beginning 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 was officially assumed by none other than Shikamaru Nara, who is the interim leader of the village. However, Shikamaru might not stay as Hokage for long. The next arc of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex could potentially remove Shikamaru from this position and fix everything that is wrong with the Hokage by making him an admirable and powerful position again.
Boruto made Shikamaru Nara the first unworthy Hokage in franchise history
Hokage is a position that was explained at the very beginning of the Naruto series. It was clearly stated that the strongest, most trusted, and most advanced ninja in the village was the one who became Hokage. It's clear that being Hokage means more than just being strong. A person must be more than capable of understanding what it means to run a village on an administrative level, and above all, they must have the Will of Fire. The Hokage also has to favor the “kings” or the next generation, meaning their primary job is to protect the 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 when it comes to being the leader's right hand man, is not ideal for the Kage. Shikamaru is too logical to hold the title of Kage and too weak. For the first time in Konoha history, the Hokage is not leading from the front. IN Naruto Chapter 653, which was published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #49 on November 18, 2013, Naruto Uzumaki officially declared that being a Kage meant walking and leading from the front so that he would never have to step on the corpses of his fallen friends. Shikamaru Nara is the complete opposite. Not once has he defended the village from the threat posed by Shinju and Code, throwing the younger generation to the wolves each time.
“Being Hokage means enduring the pain…going ahead of everyone and leading by example…Being the one who destroys any obstacles and paves the way for everyone else. There are no shortcuts to becoming Hokage! And no shortcuts to get away from it once you become one!” — Naruto Uzumaki, Naruto Chapter #653
That doesn't necessarily mean it's Shikamaru's fault. He's just too weak to hold his own as a Kage, and he realizes it himself. Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes could officially fix it, as Shikamaru comes under immense scrutiny after an attempt on the life of the Tierra del Fuego Daimyo's advisor. 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 isn't over with you. You better remember that! Don't think you can sweep it under the rug. When it all comes out, we of Fireland will take all necessary measures. You better remember that!” — Kobu threatens Shikamaru's position, Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes Chapter #31
Boruto officially confirms the new power-up for Sasuke Uchiha
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Volume 8 has officially confirmed a major upgrade for Sasuke Uchiha from the timeskip.
Why does Shikamaru's work risk setting up a better Hokage for Konohagakure in the two blue vortexes
Shikamaru is slowly but steadily coming under immense pressure as the Hokage of Konoha, and it's about time this storyline leads to something significant. It is highly likely that Shikamaru will be removed from the position of Hokage after what happened recently in Konoha and his collaboration with the traitor Boruto Uzumaki. If this were to actually happen, it is likely that Konoha will elect a new Hokage and that person will likely be none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi. The older villages find Konohamaru more compliant. He's the one they think will bend to their will, and he's also an important figure in the grand scheme of things.
“My dream is to become Hokage, just like Naruto!” — Konohamaru Sarutobi
While Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes he didn't give Konohamaru his flowers, his assumption of the position of Hokage will likely put him in the spotlight and make him grow stronger with every enemy he faces. Konohamaru simply cannot hide behind the coats of the younger generation anymore and would be forced to grow stronger with them. It should also be noted that Konohamara's dream is to become the Hokage of the village, and with Naruto and Sasuke getting closer to returning, the only chance he will ever have to gain the position of Hokage is now. Shikamaru could potentially step down and pave the way for Konohamaru to officially take over the position, and that's something all of his fans want to see as well.
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Konohamaru could become the 8th Hokage of Konoha within the next few arcs
At the end of the previous arc, Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto created a storyline where Shikamaru's position as Hokage became an official threat. In this storyline, Shikamaru will likely be removed as Hokage, and when that happens, the only person Konoha can really turn to at this point is Konohamaru Sarutobi. This may not happen right away in the upcoming Boruto: Two Blue Vortex arc, but it is slowly building and is something that all fans should be on the lookout for.
If Shikamaru is taken into custody, then maybe Konohamaru can get him out of his predicament and he could become the village advisor again. After all, this is what Shikamaru is the best at and 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 the opportunity to grow stronger and become more important to the overarching plot of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.
“No one sees me as me! Only who I'm related to and I hate that! But when I become Lord Hokage it will be different and it will be soon!” — Konohamaru Sarutobi, Naruto Chapter #2
He will also see his dream come true, which is the main plot line that Kishimoto himself set up in the story long ago. Since Sarada is rumored to become Hokage by the end of the year Borutothis may be the only opportunity Konohamaru has to become Hokage, and it's something we're all anxiously awaiting.
Mikio Ikemoto's Boruto: Two Blue Vortex's New Arc continues on June 20, 2026 in V-Jump Issue #8.
