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The Boruto manga has been on a hiatus for three months, but it is finally making a comeback with chapter 81 in August. Boruto chapter 81 will mark the beginning of a new era for the series, as it will feature a time-skip after the events of the previous chapter.
The previous chapter of Boruto manga showed us the aftermath of Eida altering reality using her powers. While Sarada and Sumire were the only ones to not be affected by Eida’s powers, the others ostracize Boruto and start hunting him down.
Also, Kawaki’s sealing of Naruto and Hinata meant that there was currently a leadership void in Konohagakure. Eida convinces Shikamaru and others that Naruto was ‘killed’ by Boruto. This cataclysm ensured that things wouldn’t be same.
Naturally, one of the biggest changes that will be seen in chapter 81 is the new Hokage. After the “death” of Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru Nara has become the eighth Hokage.
The spoilers for Boruto chapter 81 show Sarada Uchiha arguing with Shikamaru in the Hokage office. The coat he donned more than confirmed his position as the leader of the village.
Sarada was bringing up the issue of Boruto’s innocence, however, Shikamaru refuses to hear her out. Sarada then revealed that she has always looked up to Naruto as her role model, and she is not sure if she can trust Shikamaru to lead Konohagakure in the same way.
Shikamaru’s appointment came as a surprise to many fans, as he was not the most obvious choice for the position. Naysayers pointed out his lazy attitude as a natural downside, while others said that he was not even close to Naruto or Sasuke as far as power scaling went.
These comments are understandable because the threat of Code looms over Konoha, and naturally fans would have expected a stronger character to take over. However, Shikamaru is a skilled strategist and a more capable leader than the other options at hand to be the eight hokage.
He is sure to do his best to protect Konohagakure in Naruto’s absence. Also, being the wise and cunning person he is, he would sure win over Sarada’s trust in no time too!
It is also interesting that Kakashi was not requested to be the acting Hokage. I guess that is because of the fact that everyone believes Naruto is dead, and they don’t realize that he would probably return sometime in the future.
Boruto chapter 81 further gave us a glimpse of Naruto and Hinata in the dimension where they are imprisoned. Since time doesn’t pass in this dimension, they have not aged one bit. Other than these two, Eida and Daemon are the only ones to not age in the manga (because they are androids, duh)!
The long awaited character designs of all the characters are also revealed in Boruto chapter 81. It’s safe to say that Ikemoto has done a good job giving all the characters a major glow-up, especially Sarada, Mitsuki and Kawaki.
Himawari’s new character design is also revealed in this chapter.
Other than Shikamaru being appointed as the eighth Hokage, the other major development in the chapter was Code attacking Konoha with his ten tails army, and Boruto’s appearance at the end as a savior.
This also sets the tone for a stand-off between Kawaki and Boruto.
I was hoping to see Sarada reveal her Mangekyou Sharingan powers, or maybe catch a glimpse of Sasuke in the chapter. But both of that did not seem to happen. Boruto chapter 81 spoilers are just a taste of what is to come in the next chapter. The series is now entering a new era, and it will be interesting to see how the characters and the story develop.
What are your thoughts on Shikamaru being the 8th Hokage. Let us know them in the comments section!!
Obvious choice.
Shikamaru was already kinda the Vice hokage and was able to Deal with many Situations better than Naruto. He ist an Realist and Not an idealist Like Naruto.
The conclusion of the Mitsuki Arc ist a good example. Naruto would have probaly congratulated Sarada and Boruto, even through they more or less committed treason. Shikamaru was the one WHO Said, they need to be punished