For <em>Naruto </em>fans, variants of the phrase “I’m gonna be the Hokage someday!” are as memorable and consistent as One Piece’s “I’m gonna be king of the pirates!” In this context, Naruto Uzumaki’s personal quest for acknowledgment from his home, the Hidden Leaf village that scorned him, leads him to become their champion and leader.
However, once Naruto became Hokage and began performing his duties in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the challenges of bearing such responsibilities started to surface. In his attempts to balance his shinobi career and family life, Naruto occasionally falls short as a responsible leader but continues to shine as the village’s protector.
Yet, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex has removed Naruto from the equation, placing Shikamaru Nara, his right-hand man, in the spotlight. This shift showcases the complex and nuanced mechanisms of being Hokage and the difficult choices that must be made. While Naruto excelled throughout his journey until he became Hokage, it is crucial to consider the reality of his fulfilled dream.
Naruto Faced a Difficult Reality as Konoha’s Seventh Hokage
While there are many issues with the Boruto sequel manga, it is accepted as canon with Masashi Kishimoto’s approval. This includes the disheartening reality of seeing Naruto struggle as a father when he famously sent a Shadow Clone in his place to attend his daughter Himawari’s birthday celebration due to being overwhelmed with Hokage duties.
This scene, most poignantly depicted in Boruto: Naruto the Movie and in subsequent manga chapters, illustrates Naruto’s poor decision-making regarding work-life balance. It contrasts sharply with the idealistic youth who resented figures like Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. While it is painful for Boruto to feel betrayed by his father in that moment, it also resonates deeply with Naruto fans.
Naruto’s greatest achievements, aside from his epic battle against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, are primarily showcased within the original run of Naruto’s manga and anime series before he assumed the role of Hokage. Itachi Uchiha famously advised Naruto in chapter #552 that becoming Hokage often follows after the village has already recognized and embraced their protector.
“Being Hokage is not about suddenly being recognized in your village, Naruto. Only those who are already recognized and admired will ever become Hokage.
-Itachi Uchiha, Naruto Chapter #552
In this context, multiple Hokages present difficult choices when viewed retrospectively. Kakashi never truly embraced the duties but led responsibly while Naruto matured into readiness for the position. Tsunade’s numerous flaws hindered her leadership effectiveness. Hiruzen’s decisions regarding Naruto’s upbringing tarnished his legacy, while Tobirama Senju was notoriously discriminatory towards the Uchiha clan.
The reality that Naruto faced as Hokage was that his past actions defined him as a hero, but his responsibilities and ultimate legacy would define him as Hokage. This unfortunately included periods of absentee fatherhood, diminishing combat abilities, and frustration with a Hokage’s workload. Naruto’s most significant accomplishments—saving his village multiple times—were largely achieved while he was still an outcast.
Boruto’s Konoha Has Moved on from Naruto
Konoha has emotionally accepted its new Eighth Hokage since Naruto Uzumaki’s disappearance. Although Naruto was the most powerful shinobi to assume this role, Shikamaru’s strengths lie not in raw power or chakra reserves but rather in his leadership skills and tactical insight.
Throughout Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, there are consistent depictions of Naruto feeling overwhelmed by the actual work involved in being Hokage—except during moments when the village looks to him as their ultimate protector. In contrast, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex portrays Shikamaru navigating the delicate balance of appeasing bureaucratic demands while secretly managing operations to safeguard the village.
Naruto is currently trapped in Kawaki’s Daikokuten alongside his wife Hinata—a prison created from Isshiki Ōtsutsuki’s powers that confines the Seventh Hokage within a pocket dimension until he is released. Despite Konoha facing challenges during this time, the manga illustrates that Naruto’s absence has not completely shattered the village.
Naruto Shouldn’t Resume as Hokage When He Returns
While there are numerous theories about what Naruto could achieve upon returning from Daikokuten in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, one thing he arguably should not do is reclaim his position as acting Hokage. Although he successfully reached this goal, achieving it has led to him embodying the Peter Principle—rising to a level of incompetence.
While he shouldn’t necessarily resume his official roles, Naruto will not lose his esteemed title after years of service. He remains included in the saying “Once a Hokage, always a Hokage,” a distinction thankfully not reserved for Danzō Shimura.
While Shikamaru is currently serving as interim Eighth Hokage, he is a worthy successor who deserves recognition on Hokage Rock.
As a devoted shinobi who loves and protects his village, Naruto will likely appreciate being free from these burdens. While Shikamaru occupies the role of interim Eighth Hokage (in a precarious position due to Lord Kobu’s ongoing investigation), he stands out as a deserving successor for a place on Hokage Rock.
Additionally, there are various potential future candidates for Hokage such as Konohamaru Sarutobi—Naruto’s beloved protégé—or Sarada Uchiha—the first non-problematic Uchiha aspiring for this role. Although Naruto has achieved his dream position, he was acknowledged by his home long before that moment—most notably after Pain’s assault. Ultimately, Naruto does not need this title to be considered a worthy hero.
-
- First Film
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Narito is a franchise spawned from Masashi Kishimoto’s manga series that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies and more follows young outcast ninja harboring demon fox spirit seeking become leader ninja village break stigma against him. Upon conclusion initial series expanded into following many series protagonists’ children returning faces.
‘data-modal-id=’single-image-modal’
data-modal-container-id=’single-image-modal-container’
data-img-caption='”‘>
”’‘src=https://’…’/>
‘‘
‘‘
‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘
‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘
[nospin]Here you can find the original article…’
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
‘‘
