in Boruto: Two Blue VortexThe protagonist’s recent escape from detention means that the only person capable of saving Konoha can now focus on saving his hometown, but it also reflects poorly on Konoha’s security services, especially the Eighth Hokage, Shikamaru. As the elders of the village have made clear, someone may need to take responsibility for this blunder, and all eyes are on Shikamaru. This means that It is perhaps time to choose a new HokageAnd an unexpected shinobi may finally get his time to shine.
in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #14, Shikamaru seeks out Mitsuki, Boruto’s former Team 7 teammate, to help unlock the chakra-inhibiting handcuffs placed on him after the battle with the leader of the Shinju, the fearsome and powerful Jura. The handcuffs prevented Boruto from making the hand signs he needed to perform his jutsu, leaving him at the mercy of his interrogators, Konohamaru Sarutobi and Ibiki Morinu.
Once free, Boruto quickly teleports out of harm’s way and beyond Konoha security’s reach – without providing his interrogators with any actionable information. Given that after three long years, Konoha finally captured Boruto, the man they believed responsible for Naruto’s alleged death, his escape dealt a significant blow to the investigation into Naruto’s disappearance and the effort to bring the culprits to justice.
Konohamaru has all the cards he needs to become the next Hokage
Shikamaru’s handling of Boruto’s return proved to some that he was far from Konoha’s smartest shinobi.
Given that Shikamaru’s decision to bring in Mitsuki ultimately facilitated Boruto’s escape, it is only natural for the authorities to Suspecting that the Eighth Hokage may have played a role in unlocking the handcuffs. This will especially be the case if word gets out that he was attempting the “personal use of ghost transmission jutsu”, and Ino may just discover this. Indeed, considering the widespread resentment towards Boruto for his actions against Naruto, if the authorities come to believe that Shikamaru is intentionally aiding and abetting Boruto, there could be trouble.
If this is the case, One of the leading voices calling for Shikamaru’s removal from the position of Hokage is likely none other than Konohamaru. After taking Boruto into custody in Chapter #13, Konohamaru led the interrogation efforts. As the Jonin who oversaw Team 7 during Boruto’s early years, Konohamaru has intimate knowledge of Boruto and his abilities—he’s even the one who helped Boruto develop his Rasengan. This familiarity led him to oppose Shikamaru’s decision to involve Mitsuki, a move Shikamaru claimed would make Boruto more cooperative.
Konohamaru was well aware of the strained relationship between Boruto and Mitsuki and strongly warned Shikamaru that bringing him in would be a mistake. Although the meeting between Boruto and Mitsuki unfolded exactly as predicted, namely with conflict, Konohamaru was puzzled as to how Boruto managed to break free of his handcuffs. Only he, Ibiki and Shikamaru knew the security code to unlock them. This left Konohamaru convinced that Boruto’s escape from the handcuffs was no accident or demonstration of his superior abilities.
Shikamaru’s note gives Konohamaru the chance to realize his dream
Konohamaru always wanted to become Hokage
Konohamaru could see this as The perfect opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming Hokage. Since he was a child, Konohamaru dreamed of being the Hokage after his mentor and idol Naruto. This dream was partly fueled by his lineage as the grandson of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Growing up, it was almost expected that he would one day serve in a leadership role in Konoha Village, and he internalized that expectation as his ambition. As a child, this often led to conflict as he constantly sought opportunities to prove himself worthy of becoming Hokage.
His antics led him to challenge his retired grandfather several times, seeking to draw attention to himself as the natural successor. Later, the same mindset drove him to repeatedly challenge Naruto – whom he decided to model himself after – as another way to prove himself worthy of becoming Hokage. Since dedicating himself to the goal of becoming Hokage and following Naruto’s path to success, Konohamaru’s growth as a shinobi has been nothing short of remarkable. If not for Naruto’s disappearance and Shikamaru’s sudden elevation to Hokage, Konohamaru could have been the one to succeed Naruto eventually.
Although Konohamaru probably considers Shikamaru a shinobi and his senior, he also respects his grandfather and Naruto – but still seeks to replace them. Konohamaru’s personal feelings do not cloud his judgment or diminish his ambition to become Hokage. In this situation, whether Shikamaru is willing to help Boruto Or just showing incompetence, the outcome is the same for Konohamaru: Shikamaru has proven himself unfit to lead, and the young shinobi may be the most suitable replacement.