This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.
The Hokage is quite easily the most prestigious position to exist in the world of Naruto and Boruto. Simply put, the Hokage is the leader of Konoha, the strongest shinobi village to ever exist. It is the Hokage's responsibility to protect the village from any external threats, as well as to look after every single individual that lives there. At the same time, all the diplomatic affairs of the village are taken care of by the Hokage, and that goes to show how prestigious this position really is.
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Over the years, the Naruto series has seen multiple Hokage rise and fall, and currently this position is held by everyone's beloved Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. However, Naruto won't hold on to this position forever. After all, one of the most important parts of being Hokage is to learn to pass on the torch and inspire the next generation. From the next generation, the next Hokage is then chosen, and the cycle continues.
While fans have been confused about who the next Hokage will be for quite a long time, it appears that Kishimoto actually delivered the answer to this question long ago, around the timeskip of the Naruto series. It is only a matter of time before this new figure takes over as the leader of the village.
Naruto Uzumaki Cannot Be The Hokage In Boruto Anymore
- Naruto won't return before the end of Boruto
- Konoha can't stay without a Hokage for too long
Before one goes over who the next Hokage of Konoha is going to be, it needs to be understood why Konoha needs a new Hokage in the first place. Simply put, there are two main reasons why Konoha needs a new Hokage, and soon.
Listen, Boruto. The whole village is my family. Everyone here is mine to protect. — Naruto Uzumaki to Boruto
The first reason is that the writers of Boruto don't want Naruto Uzumaki to be actively involved in the plot. Unfortunate as that is, it is the truth of where Naruto Uzumaki stands as a character in the Boruto series right now. Naruto had all his powers stripped from him in the first part of Boruto, and then, towards the end of the series, he was sealed away by Kawaki. Since then, he has remained sealed and will continue to stay sealed.
3 years have already passed, and Konoha cannot continue without a Hokage. At the moment, Shikamaru holds the office as the unofficial interim Hokage, but he cannot push back on appointing the new Hokage for long. Even though he knows Naruto is alive, fans know very well that Konoha needs a new leader, and that is precisely why a new Hokage needs to be elected.
The second reason why Konoha needs a new Hokage is that Kishimoto has highlighted that Naruto Uzumaki will only return at the end of the Boruto series. As such, the already established plot lines of characters becoming the Hokage cannot be fulfilled if Naruto simply comes back and continues his role as Hokage.
That's not to say that Kishimoto can't do that. It simply means that other character arcs that have been slowly developed over the years will simply go to waste. As such, Konoha desperately needs a new Hokage, and by the end of the series, fans will most likely have seen not one but two different Hokage.
Kishimoto Has Already Set Up Konohamaru As Naruto's Replacement
- Konohamaru was set up by Kishimoto to become the Hokage
As things stand, Konoha has elected Shikamaru Nara as the unofficial Eighth Hokage, but quite clearly, he is not capable of doing this job by himself. Shikamaru's talents are best utilized as an advisor and a diplomat. He is not strong enough to be the Hokage, and he certainly does not inspire the next generation either. As such, once Konoha truly elects a new Hokage, which should be soon, Shikamaru should not be in the running. The only one fit enough to lead Konoha as the next Hokage at the moment should be Konohamaru Sarutobi.
I'm going to be the Seventh Hokage. Big bro Naruto is going to be the Sixth! — Konohamaru Sarutobi
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As fans know, Konohamaru is the grandson of the Third Hokage and from one of the most prestigious clans in the village. He is also quite powerful, but unfortunately, the Boruto series has done him nothing but a disservice. Konohamaru appears to be quite weak right now, which is the only thing going against him, as far as his taking the position of Hokage goes. That said, the Boruto series has shown fans time and again that all this can change in an instant.
Sarada was weak, but she received her Mangekyo Sharingan and became incredibly overpowered in an instant. The same could happen for Konohamaru, and if it does happen, he will be the next Hokage of the village because this is something that Kishimoto has already established in his original story. Fans should not forget that Konohamaru is the apprentice of Naruto Uzumaki, and at the same time, the grandson of the Third Hokage. He himself vowed to become the Hokage after Naruto, so Kishimoto should deliver on that promise sooner rather than later.
Sarada Uchiha Will Eventually Replace Konohamaru
- Sarada Could Become The Next Hokage Of Konoha
After Konohamaru Sarutobi, Konoha needs to see young blood take the position of Hokage, and finally, this position will go to Sarada Uchiha. As things stand, Sarada is likely to take the position of 9th Hokage of Konoha, becoming its second female Hokage, as well as the first Uchiha to take this position. Sarada has the right temperament for becoming Hokage, and she certainly has the strength to back it up as well.
I have decided. I will follow the path of Lord Seventh and become a ninja just like him. — Sarada Uchiha
Sarada is the perfect replacement for Naruto Uzumaki, even more so than Konohamaru himself. The only thing she has going against her at this point in time is experience and maturity. Sarada is not mature enough to become the Hokage at this point, and she certainly does not have enough battle experience. That will certainly change in the next few years, as she continues to fight powerful enemies in Blue Vortex, as well as learn the art of diplomacy from the best.
It is unfortunate that Sarada isn't old enough to take this position right now, or else she would already have been the Hokage of the village in the absence of the Seventh. As things stand, Konoha is in safe hands because the next generation is full of powerful and talented ninjas. Come the end of the Boruto series, Sarada should have fulfilled her dream of becoming the Hokage, with Boruto Uzumaki by her side as her protector. These two will lead Konoha to a new era of peace, and fans absolutely cannot wait to see that.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is the sequel to the original Boruto series, written by Mikio Ikemoto, and supervised by Masashi Kishimoto. The series follows the journey of Boruto Uzumaki, 3 years after the events of Omnipotence struck in the story. Boruto must now work to save the world from the perils it faces while dealing with his brother, Kawaki. Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 31 is set for its official release on February 20, 2026. The release time of the chapter is 10 AM EST/ 3 PM UTC. As always, fans can read the chapter officially for free on the Manga Plus and the Shonen Jump apps.