The Hokage Mess in Naruto/Boruto is real
The whole Hokage madness in Konoha after the war is just insane, okay? So, one day, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha decide to build the village of Konoha to put an end to the conflict—which doesn't really work out, but hey. Hashirama wants Madara to become the First Hokage, but the villagers vote for Hashirama instead. Believing the Uchiha are being oppressed, Madara takes off and basically kicks off the First Shinobi World War... If he hadn't done that, he could have become the Second Hokage and liberated the oppressed Uchiha; instead, Tobirama Senju becomes the Second Hokage and proceeds to oppress the Uchiha. Yet, shortly before dying in the war, he passes the position to Hiruzen Sarutobi because Hiruzen passes the test while Danzo Shimura fails it—so Danzo doesn't become Hokage. Danzo wants to wipe out the Uchiha because he believes they want to destroy the Senju. That’s how far the feud had escalated; the war between the Uchiha and Senju continues just as before, only now it’s happening within a shared village where new clans—like the Hyuga and others who had nothing to do with the original conflict—are suddenly dragged right into the thick of it...
Meanwhile, many people are dying as the world war enters its second and third phases; amidst this turmoil, talented new shinobi emerge who aspire to become Hokage. Nawaki Senju—Tsunade’s brother—dies in the war, so he cannot become the Fourth Hokage; the same applies to Dan Kato, who also perishes in the conflict. Kushina Uzumaki wishes to be the first female Hokage but never gets the chance because she harbors the Nine-Tailed Fox within her. Tsunade, the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, would have been a prime candidate, but she is traumatized by the deaths of Dan and Nawaki; understandably, she declines the position of Fourth Hokage. This brings us to Jiraiya, who simply refuses the role, leading Danzo Shimura to propose Orochimaru. Danzo actually wants to be Hokage himself but faces opposition from Hiruzen and the village elders, prompting him to suggest Orochimaru instead. Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan attempts to have Fugaku Uchiha—father of Itachi and Sasuke—become the Fourth Hokage, but this does not come to pass. Ultimately, the choice falls on Minato Namikaze, as he is not evil like Orochimaru and has helped many people during the war. It is remarkable that so many candidates are proposed or deemed capable of the Hokage role while the war rages on and Hiruzen shoulders the entire burden.
However, when Minato dies saving the village from the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha clan attempts to nominate Fugaku Uchiha as the Fifth Hokage; this fails because the clan is suspected of having let the Nine-Tails into the village. Consequently, Danzo cannot nominate himself either, so he proposes Orochimaru instead—but since Orochimaru has gone rogue and is conducting experiments, that plan also fails. Meanwhile, Obito has been saved by Madara and wants to become Hokage to bring freedom to the village (Madara himself cannot take the role because his body is not fully restored), but this is naturally out of the question, so he remains in the background for the time being. Hiruzen Sarutobi takes over, but after his death, the question of succession arises again. Danzo wants to nominate himself, but the village elders recommend Jiraiya once more; he declines again and goes to find Tsunade. If Tsunade were to refuse, Kakashi Hatake would be an option, given that he was the Fourth Hokage's student. Furthermore, Itachi attempts to gain control of the village—so, theoretically, he could have become Hokage had he managed to neutralize Danzo—but because he had to flee from Danzo and is now considered a rogue ninja, that is not possible; ultimately, Tsunade is found and becomes Hokage...
With Tsunade in a coma, Danzo sees his opportunity: Kakashi Hatake had previously been deemed too young and is closely associated with the Nine-Tails, Sasuke Uchiha has gone rogue, and there is no one left to stop him. However, Danzo is killed by Sasuke just as the conference for the Fourth Great Ninja War is approaching. Obito Uchiha suddenly wants to become Hokage and rebuild everything from scratch; Sasuke Uchiha wants to start a revolution and become Hokage to "purify" the spilled Uchiha blood (or something similar); and Naruto Uzumaki still aims to become the greatest Hokage. Yet, because Naruto also harbors the fox spirit, the choice ultimately falls on Kakashi Hatake—as he is the only remaining student of the Fourth Hokage and there are hardly any other high-ranking Jonin left alive. Meanwhile, however, Tsunade wakes up and resumes leadership of the village and command over the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Once the ordeal is over and peace has been restored, there are only two candidates for the title of Seventh Hokage—two individuals who defeated not only a world war but also an extraterrestrial threat, thereby saving the world: Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. However, since Sasuke Uchiha was a rogue ninja, the choice falls on Naruto Uzumaki. Kiba Inuzuka also makes an attempt, but unfortunately has no luck, as Naruto is celebrated as a hero
After Naruto is put out of commission by Kawaki, Shikamaru temporarily takes over as the Eighth Hokage; however, there are other potential candidates—such as Konohamaru Sarutobi, Sakura Haruno, and Kiba Inuzuka—since Sakura was the Fifth Hokage Tsunade’s student and Kiba Inuzuka still aspires to the role. Although Konohamaru Sarutobi is the Third Hokage’s grandson and the Seventh Hokage’s student, he is still too young, so the choice fell on Shikamaru. Yet, now that Lord Kobu and the elders view Shikamaru as a traitor, we might see a new Eighth Hokage appointed from among the same group: Konohamaru Sarutobi, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, or Kiba Inuzuka. Since Konohamaru works closely with Shikamaru Nara, he would likely be ousted as a traitor too, ruling him out; Sasuke is currently a tree—and thus unavailable—plus he was a rogue ninja anyway; that leaves Sakura Haruno and Kiba Inuzuka. Sakura Haruno would most likely take over as the Eighth Hokage if Shikamaru Nara is dismissed, as she did not collaborate with him, is the Fifth Hokage’s student, and oversees the medical division; furthermore, she stands a better chance than Kiba Inuzuka, given that she could potentially deal with the tree situation. Kiba Inuzuka probably won't become Hokage—poor Kiba—though he *could* still make it; after all, the villagers view him as a police hero who looks out for the village, which might give him an edge, especially since he doesn't work closely with Shikamaru. However, there are complications: since they all grew up alongside Shikamaru and fought together, the elders and Lord Kabu might not trust them—with the exception of Sakura. Hinata could have been Hokage, but she’s out of the picture, just like Naruto. That leaves Hanabi Hyuga—a Hyuga, a shinobi, and Kawaki’s aunt (according to Omnipotence)—who is powerful and could therefore be chosen as the Eighth Hokage. Then there’s Shino; as a strong fighter and Academy teacher, he knows how to deal with the Daimyo and Lord Kabu. He isn't entangled in Shikamaru’s affairs or military matters, which makes him a potential candidate. Yet, the issue of the shared past with Shikamaru applies here too. Ino, Sai, Temari, Shikadai, and Choji certainly won't be chosen, given their close ties to Shikamaru—and the same goes for Inojin and Chocho.
Sarada Uchiha is currently being held captive by Code, so she cannot become the Eighth Hokage. This makes Hanabi Hyuga—who, according to Omnipotence, is Kawaki’s aunt—and Sakura Haruno—who fought alongside Naruto and Sasuke—the most logical choices for the role. As for the others, such as those in the Anbu, they will likely be sidelined; Ibiki might be appointed by the village elders and Lord Kabu since he does not work directly with the others, whereas Moegi and Udon likely won't be considered, given their potential collaboration with Konohamaru. Finally, there is the possibility that Kawaki himself becomes the Eighth Hokage, since the elders—due to Omnipotence—view him as the Seventh's son.
Once things return to normal and all the battles are over, the 9th Hokage will be appointed—since the 8th might step down again. This suggests that Sakura Haruno, Konohamaru Sarutobi, or Kiba Inuzuka could be candidates (perhaps even Sasuke, though who knows what might happen). Then, once that generation’s era ends, the final 10th Hokage will be chosen from among Sarada, Boruto, or possibly Konohamaru again. Kiba might be an option too, provided he still wants the job—though you really have to feel sorry for Kiba, given that he lacks the special bloodlines the others have...
What are y'all thinking?
