The Hokage's position in the world has always been incredibly important Naruto. From the beginning, the Hokage was described as the most powerful and trusted ninja in the entire village who protects everyone. Konoha has seen many Hokages over the years, with Naruto Uzumaki being the last official Hokage and Shikamaru standing in as the temporary Hokage in his absence.
Now 10 years after it started Boruto series, Konoha is moving towards officially appointing a new Hokage and abolishing the Shikamaru Nara. The plotline was already established with Kobu's involvement in the Mamushi arc of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, and with the start of a new arc, Shikamaru faces a grave threat as Konoha prepares to elect an entirely new leader.
Boruto: The Two Blue Vortex officially sets up Shikamaru's dismissal from the Hokage position.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes Chapter 35 started a new arc on June 18, 2026. This chapter revealed a lot about the politics that were happening in the background of Konoha. While Shinju is the primary focus and big battles are on the line, Konoha is experiencing a drastic change that not enough fans are noticing.
Since Kobu was directly involved in the Konoha interrogation in the previous arc, this conspiracy slowly but surely leads to the dismissal of Shikamaru Nara. Previously, Shikamaru was appointed as the Eighth Hokage of Konoha after Naruto Uzumaki's death was confirmed. However, he did not fully accept this position, and as far as he was concerned, he considered it only a temporary position. That said, Shikamaru couldn't deny this position forever, and Konoha couldn't wait for him forever either.
Shikamaru: Sai, take Lord Kobu to the medical unit.
Sai: Hold me.
Kobu: What were they?
Shikamaru: They were Shinju. Now, do you understand? They have to be dealt with, stat. Please let me do my job.
Kobu: Do what you have to do. But, my research on you is not over, Shikshamaru Nara. Don't think you can sweep it under the rug.
– Kobu shows a deep distrust of Hokage Shikamaru, Boruto: The Two Blue Vortex Chapter #31
Slowly but steadily, everything seems to be building towards the village electing a new Hokage, and the new post-Mamushi arc that continues on July 20, 2026 is definitely going to address that. Kobu is already suspicious of Shikamaru Nara. If the Daimyo of the Land of Fire agrees with him, then Shikamaru is stripped of his position as 8th Hokage and potentially arrested. What's more, Konoha will be getting an entirely new Hokage, and there is a strong possibility that this number will be none other than Konohamaru Sarutobi.
Why Konoha is about to get a new Hokage in the upcoming arc of Two Blue Vortex
Konoha is getting a new Hokage for two main reasons. The first is an established plot point, which isolates Shikamaru Nara as a hidden leaf traitor and puts him in a difficult situation, thereby creating an exciting and intense story around this beloved character from the Naruto series. The second and more important reason why Konoha gets a new Hokage is that it directly ties into the dreams of some of the new generation characters like Konohamaru Sarutobi. For a long time, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex pushed back the dreams of these characters, and with many people competing for the same spot, some had to be left behind.
“There is no shortcut to becoming Hokage. Remember! If you want to be Hokage, beat me first!” — Naruto Uzumaki dreams of the Hokage in Konohamaru, Naruto Chapter #2
For example, Sarada Uchiha and Konohamaru both wanted to become Hokage, but if Sarada became the next Hokage, Konohamaru would never be able to fulfill his dream. In order to create the best conditions for things to flow, Shikamaru removing Nara from office is the best way to make Konomaru the next Hokage and then follow him with Sarada Uchiha.
“Lord Seventh once brought back my father, who had become a rogue and committed all kinds of crimes. He became a Genin and became Hokage. My role model is Lord Seventh, not you.” — Sarada declares her goal in Shikamaru, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #2
So, one should hope in the next few chapters for the story to continue this exciting story regarding Shikshamaru Nara's dismissal from the position of Hokage. In the absence of the likes of Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha a new leader for Konoha will finally be chosen to lead the village rightly. We are all incredibly excited to see this plot line progress. Hopefully, Mikio Ikemoto and Masashi Kishimoto will deliver.
Perfect candidates for the 8th Hokage position of Konoha
Konoha currently has several candidates that can be said to be the best for the position of Hokage. For one, there is Sakura Haruno, a protégé of Tsunade Senju, the 5th Hokage of Konoha. Sakura is smart and powerful enough to lead the village as Hokage, but she will not be given this important job. Boruto series, especially given her status as the wife of the alleged traitor, Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke himself will likely return soon at the end of the ongoing arc focused on Hidari, but once again, his traitorous status will never allow him to become Hokage of the village.
“Being Hokage is not about being known in your village. Only those who are admired and known can become Hokage.” – Itachi Uchiha
In the absence of Shikamaru Nara, Konohamaru Sarutobi is the only jonin Konoha trusts and respects enough to install as the 8th Hokage. As such, Konohamaru would have to be the next Hokage of the village, and unlike Shikamaru, he wouldn't be the unofficial Hokage or the one sitting until Naruto arrived. In Konohamaru's case, his position is going to be permanent, and he is definitely going to lead Konoha into a new era. With this new status, Konohamaru is expected to receive a significant power-up in the future as he deserves more of the spotlight. After all, a Hokage couldn't be as weak as he was now, and he had to be strong enough to fight the likes of Otsutsuki. In the future, we can only hope that Mikio Ikemoto and Masashi Kishimoto provide a major power-up when it comes to Konohamaru Sarutobi, and hopefully, things will line up for this character, and he will redeem himself in the future.
All chapters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, written and illustrated by Mikio Ikemoto under the keen supervision of Masashi Kishimoto, are available to read through Manga Plus and Viz Media. The manga's upcoming chapter 36 is expected to be released on July 20, 2026, at 11 AM EST.
