The Hokage is the title bestowed upon the leader of the Konohagakure village in Naruto. Wielding great authority and power, they're responsible for defending the village from any incoming threats and looking after its development at the same time. Naruto Uzumaki is serving as the Seventh Hokage of Konoha right now, but his reign can only last so long and there will be a time when the eighth Hokage will be expected to step up.
Strong and determined shinobi are already lined up to take the helm after Naruto Uzumaki, unsurprisingly. These characters listed could potentially become the eighth Hokage due to their value as allies, leaders, and strong warriors.
Updated on October 13th, 2021 by Claris Lam: The world of Naruto continues to expand as the story of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations continues to march onwards. Characters rise and fall, and the boundaries of what is possible in this fictional world continue to change, including new potential candidates for 8th Hokage.
15 Chocho Akimichi Has Heart & Determination
Chocho Akimichi has had the spotlight on her in Boruto more than her father ever did in Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden. Like her father, Chocho has a lot of heart and determination, and she has already been through several trials and tribulations so far in the Boruto story.
She proved herself as a stalwart ally to Boruto, and she's already mastered some of the Akimichi Clan's most powerful techniques. She is also a generally really likable character and could easily get allies on her side through her personality and determination.
14 Sai Has Been A Valuable Ally
Sai has remained an active shinobi throughout Boruto, and he's proven a valuable ally to Naruto as the Seventh Hokage. Sai has continued to hone his skills and is still a skilled warrior, and his ink creations continue to be a threat to anyone who might endanger Konoha.
Sai's lack of social tact was a problem for him in the past, but his ability to look at things coldly and logically could actually be a boon for a village leader.
13 Might Guy Would Be A Great Leader
Usually, the Hokage is renowned as a powerful shinobi capable of defending Konoha on his own if necessary. However, this needn't necessarily be the case. The Hokage needs to only be able to lead the village, and there are few more inspiring leaders in the Leaf Village than Might Guy.
That said, Might Guy was an incredibly powerful shinobi when he was active. He can also still defend himself while injured, and these injuries were sustained by the use of his own tremendous power. Might Guy could step in if needed, and he would be a great leader.
12 Orochimaru Is A Powerful Shinobi
This is doubtless one of the most wildcard possibilities out there, but it's technically possible. Orochimaru has undergone a vast shift in his moral compass. He's become an ally of the Leaf Village and has gone to great lengths to care for his clone/child, Mitsuki. Furthermore, viewers know that Orochimaru is a powerful shinobi, and he was able to lead his rogue band of Sound Ninja for a long time.
Orochimaru does not necessarily deserve to be the Hokage by any means, as he still has a lot in his past to answer for. That said, it is still technically within the realm of possibility if he could get the village to completely trust him.
11 Kawaki Has Power Through The Kama Mark
This is another longshot, but it's not anymore wild than Sasuke becoming the Hokage. Kawaki is a troubled young man, and he's not technically a shinobi— at least not yet. He has undergone ninjutsu training, and he has considerable power through the Kama mark.
In the flashforward, Kawaki is seen fighting Boruto over a destroyed Konoha, and Kawaki says that the age of shinobi is over. That is not a good look for a potential Hokage, but viewers technically do not know that Kawaki destroyed Konoha. Plus, again, Sasuke has done and said worse things, and he is still considered the "other" Seventh Hokage.
10 Shikamaru Nara Is Naruto's Advisor
Shikamaru is the advisor to Naruto Uzumaki, and he previously served the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi as well. With an awfully high intellect, few are as calculating and calm as he is. According to Kakashi Hatake, Shikamaru would make an able Hokage, even though he doesn't have strength comparable to the likes of Naruto Uzumaki, or Sasuke Uchiha.
As evident from a multitude of events, Shikamaru has always been at the top of every decision that Konoha has taken. Therefore, he is arguably the most likely candidate to replace Naruto Uzumaki as the eighth Hokage in the series if the need arises.
9 Konohamaru Sarutobi Has A Vast Arsenal Of Jutsu
Konohamaru Sarutobi is the apprentice of the Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki, and the grandson of Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He aims to become Hokage, and his drive comes from his idolizing of Naruto Uzumaki. Konohamaru has become an excellent shinobi over the years, and is, unquestionably, one of Konoha's strongest Jonin.
His vast arsenal of Jutsu and impeccable judgment are some of the things that would make him a great Hokage. Although not the best candidate, he's certainly going to be in the running for the spot of the eighth Hokage in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
8 Sasuke Uchiha Is Naruto's Only Equal In Battle
Also known as the "Other Hokage," Sasuke Uchiha is an exceptionally powerful shinobi, being the only one capable of matching Naruto Uzumaki in battle. He boasts incredible command of his Jutsu, along with a keen intellect as well. Sasuke might have been against the notion of peace and unity among the Five Nations at one point, but right now, he's certainly trying to uphold it with all his might.
There are few better candidates for the eighth Hokage spot in the village than Sasuke Uchiha. After Naruto getting sealed by Isshiki Otsutsuki, we might as well see the rise of Sasuke as the interim Hokage of Konoha.
7 Sakura Haruno Surpassed Tsunade Senju
Sakura Haruno is one of the members of the former Team 7 and a tremendous medical ninja. Being the apprentice of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju, Sakura is certainly not a Kunoichi to be underestimated. Despite being subject to a lot of hate, Sakura is actually a suitable candidate for the seat of the eighth Hokage.
By adulthood, Sakura has managed to surpass Tsunade Senju as a ninja, and if Tsunade was capable of leading the village as a Jonin, so can Sakura Haruno. She has everything that a smart leader should possess in the bag, and under her, Konoha would definitely prosper.
6 Moegi Kazamatsuri Is A Master Of Water & Earth Release Ninjutsu
Moegi Kazamatsuri was once a member of Team Ebisu and over the years, she's risen to the rank of a Jonin. Although she hasn't been focused on much, and her skills remain a mystery, it is known that she's a master of Water Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu.
Added to that is the fact that, somehow, Moegi is capable of using Wood Release as well, which no other shinobi other than Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, could use naturally. As such, Moegi could well be one of Konoha's strongest Jonin ever.
5 Mirai Sarutobi Possesses The Abilities Of Both Her Parents
Mirai Sarutobi is the daughter of Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, and the granddaughter of Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. She possesses the abilities of both her father and her mother, and therefore, wields the potential to surpass them both.
Furthermore, Mirai has been chosen by Kakashi Hatake as his personal bodyguard on more than one occasion, which speaks volumes about her dependability and skill. Although she's just a Chunin right now, Moegi is definitely going to grow to be a great Kunoichi, and, hopefully, also someone who could lead the village one day.
4 Sarada Uchiha Rivals Her 8th Hokage Teacher
The daughter of Sasuke Uchiha, Sarada is a Kunoichi carrying tons of potential. Wielding the strength of both her mother and her father, Sarada is definitely one of the ninjas who could grow up to be Hokage someday. Sarada believes in her abilities to the fullest and even rivals her own teacher, Konohamaru Sarutobi for the spot of the eighth Hokage.
Although she isn't as powerful as a Hokage should be, she has lots of room to grow, and it won't take her long to become the strongest of her generation if she keeps training her skills rigorously.
3 Boruto Uzumaki Is A Prodigy With Immense Talent
The son of Konohagakure's Seventh Hokage, Boruto is the protagonist of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. He's described as a prodigy who possesses an immense talent. Even before graduating from the Academy, Boruto displayed skills comparable to that of a Chunin.
With the Jougan and the Karma at his disposal, he's on the path to becoming a strong and dependable ninja. Although he doesn't aim to become a Kage, there's a lot of room for his character to develop along the way, he could end up becoming the eighth Hokage as well, just as Mitsuki thinks he will.
2 Shikadai Nara Wields Shadow Manipulation & Wind Release
Shikadai Nara is the son of Shikamaru and Temari Nara. Being a member of the Nara clan, it isn't hard to guess that he possesses a high intellect. Despite lacking strength, Shikadai has previously defeated the likes of Boruto Uzumaki in combat, displaying his vast array of skills in the process.
Along with his father's Shadow Manipulation Jutsu, Shikadai also wields the ability to use Wind Release, making him doubly special. He is, undoubtedly, one of the few from the next generation who could grow up to be a Kage at some point in time.
1 Mitsuki Is Considered The Perfect Being
An extraordinary creation of the Sannin Orochimaru, Mitsuki is often described as the perfect being. Despite his young age, he possesses a skill that far surpasses an average Jonin, which speaks volumes about his capabilities. Although he doesn't seem to be interested in being Hokage, Mitsuki is well on his way to finding himself.
Down the road, he could potentially want to become Konoha's leader and there's no denying that he has all the tools to become the eighth Hokage if he chooses to aim for the position.