Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continues at a drastic pace, with its 38th chapter being officially released on October 20, 2026. With each passing chapter, the world of Naruto and Boruto undergoes massive changes, and the recent chapters have seen Konoha at the receiving end of quite a few of them.
Perhaps the biggest and most shocking change in the entirety of the Boruto series was delivered in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 38, where it was officially announced that Shikamaru Nara was going to be removed from the position of temporary Hokage. In the same chapter, it was also confirmed to us that Konohamaru Sarutobi was going to be made the 8th Hokage of Konoha. While Shikamaru held office in Naruto’s absence, it was still Naruto Uzumaki who stood tall as Konoha’s legendary 7th Hokage. By announcing Konohamaru as the next Hokage, it is now officially confirmed that the strongest Hokage in the history of Konoha is being replaced while he remains sealed away in the dimension of Daikokuten.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Confirms Naruto Will Never Be Hokage Again
Naruto Uzumaki is quite easily one of the most popular characters in the entire anime world, and much of that comes down to his incredible grit and determination with which he aims to become the Hokage. Right from the beginning of the Naruto series, we saw the protagonist of the story aim for the title of Hokage. Through sheer determination, he eventually ended up achieving this title in chapter 700 of the series on November 10, 2014, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 50.
Sasuke: I will put an end to myself!
Naruto: You dying isn’t going to solve anything. If you’re willing to go that far, then help me instead!
— Sasuke and Naruto decide to build peace, Naruto Chapter #699
Naruto Uzumaki achieving this legendary title went to show that through hard work and determination, he could achieve anything in the ninja world. Fans all over the world were incredibly excited to see Naruto live out his dream in the Boruto series. Unfortunately, little did they know that Mikio Ikemoto, the creator and writer of Boruto, had different plans for him altogether. Naruto Uzumaki’s fall from grace was surprisingly orchestrated by Ikemoto in Boruto. Not only was he stripped of the powers of Kurama permanently, but at the same time, he was also sealed away in the dimension of Daikokuten. Naruto was also declared dead to the ninja world in the release of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Chapter 79 on March 19, 2023, in V-Jump Issue 5.
“The Seventh died at Boruto’s hands. That’s what you’ll tell them! Got it?” — Kawaki spreads the news of Naruto’s death, Boruto Chapter #79
Now, in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 38, it has officially been confirmed that Shikamaru, who was holding the position of temporary Hokage, is being dismissed from his role permanently. Konoha is choosing a new permanent Hokage in the form of Konohamaru Sarutobi. In other words, Naruto Uzumaki has officially lost his position as Konoha’s Hokage and will now be pushed to the sidelines, never to take his important role in the Hokage office ever again. This is a disappointing blow to all the fans of the original series and the true main character of the franchise.
Kashin Koji: Kobu has plans to oust you from the Hokage seat and install Konohamaru Sarutobi as your Successor.
Shikamaru: He means to make Konohamaru the Hokage?
Kashin Koji: For the sake of appearances only. In reality, Kobu means to take control of Konoha himself. Konohamaru will only be the figurehead to gain support of the Konoha public. A puppet regime.
— Koji reveals Konohamaru’s 8th Hokage ascension, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #38
Konoha’s New Hokage Is Konohamaru Sarutobi
Konohamaru Sarutobi was always anticipated to be Konoha’s next Hokage after Naruto Uzumaki, but few expected his character to be handled as badly as it was in the Boruto series. In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Konohamaru was involved in one main battle, which was against Ao, an Outer of Kara, and in this battle, Konohamaru disappointed largely. He was not involved in any other fight in the series, and in Two Blue Vortex, his involvement has been rather limited as well. On top of that, Konohamaru has continually disappointed on every single occasion in Boruto and has been shafted by Mikio Ikemoto for the likes of Kawaki and Boruto Uzumaki time and again. Sadly, this character is now being made Konoha’s 8th Hokage, and the fact that he is being given the most prestigious position in the entire series goes to show how low the series has fallen.
“If they can take you out and get rid of Boruto, even better. Then, with these so-called threats gone, they’ll gain ample justification for dismantling the Shinobi Villages, citing them as needless military Strength.” — Kashin Koji explains the upcoming destruction of ninja villages, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #38
While Konohamaru would have made a brilliant Eighth Hokage if his character was developed further, he is now being made a puppet Hokage, as confirmed in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 38 on October 20, 2026. The Land of Fire intends to completely dismantle Konoha, and to do that, Konohamaru Sarutobi’s dream of becoming the Hokage is being sacrificed by Mikio Ikemoto, unfortunate as that is. In other words, not only is Naruto Uzumaki’s dream of being the Seventh Hokage being sacrificed, but so is Konohamaru’s dream of becoming a worthy eighth Hokage of the village.
“When someone talks about me or is calling me, all they ever see is the Hokage’s grandson. Nobody sees me as me. That’s why I want to become the Hokage!” — Konohamaru reveals his dream to become Hokage, Naruto Chapter #2
Why Naruto’s Return Will Power Him Up Further
With Naruto Uzumaki officially losing the title of Hokage forever, fans all over the world are understandably disappointed, but that doesn’t mean Naruto doesn’t have any role to play in the Boruto series. Right now, Naruto Uzumaki remains sealed away in the dimension of Daikokuten, as was once again confirmed with the release of chapter 38 of Two Blue Vortex. That said, his return is now edging closer. The ongoing post-Mamushi arc of Boruto, which awaits the release of the 39th chapter on November 20, 2026, is focusing on Sasuke Uchiha and his return after three long years of absence. Immediately after, the series will likely turn its attention towards Naruto Uzumaki and facilitate his comeback as well.
Perhaps after he does come back, Mikio Ikemoto will carve an exciting role for him to take on in the series. It must be remembered that Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has largely fixed many fan complaints with the first part of the story, and Naruto Uzumaki’s character arc could take an exciting turn in the future. Perhaps upon his return, Naruto Uzumaki will be powered up even further and be sent on different missions once again alongside his son, Boruto Uzumaki, and the other next-generation ninjas. Perhaps Mikio Ikemoto can redeem his writing once again by doing justice to the legendary characters of the Naruto series. We will all have to patiently wait for their comeback and see how the story of Boruto eventually wraps up.
All chapters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex by Mikio Ikemoto, supervised by Masashi Kishimoto, are available for fans to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.