Boruto Finally Raises the Gokage Threat: Five Kage-Level Power Explained
The “5 Kage” (also called the Gokage) are widely treated as the strongest shinobi class in the Boruto and Naruto ninja world—leaders who represent the five most powerful Hidden Villages. Traditionally, their combined authority and battlefield power were so overwhelming that matching them seemed nearly impossible. That perception was shattered during the Fourth Great Ninja War, when threats like Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha (after his Rinnegan transformation), and later the Ten-Tails and Kaguya Otsutsuki pushed the Kage far beyond what they could handle.
Now, about 15 years later in the Boruto era, the story has shifted. The 5 Kage have received a major power boost and are continuing to scale up in both strength and relevance. With the new Boruto-era developments drawing attention to Otsutsuki-level threats again, the series is set up so the Kage may soon rival the Otsutsuki themselves—something fans are likely to see play out as the plot advances.
Why the Kage Looked Outmatched in the Naruto Era
Early on in the Naruto series, the Kage were framed as the top tier of the ninja world—figures whose power was difficult to rival when compared to most shinobi. That narrative remained consistent for a long time, too. Even among the strongest antagonists in the Akatsuki, including Pain, Itachi, and others, their strength was often portrayed as roughly comparable to the Kage, with only small differences separating them at the time.
By the time the Fourth Great Ninja War arrived, that balance changed. The Kage were officially surpassed by high-end threats such as Madara Uchiha and Obito Uchiha, especially after Obito’s Rinnegan upgrade. Once the story introduced the concept of Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, the 5 Kage effectively became outdated. Their combined strength still couldn’t keep up with the scale of danger posed by those enemies.
“This will do just fine. Any less wouldn’t be a challenge for me. You Five Kage will be scattered along with your Paths!” — Madara Uchiha, Fourth Great Ninja War Arc
At the war’s peak, the 5 Kage were not operating on the level of decisive powerhouses. Instead, they were treated more like additional fighters during the push against the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki—an opponent whose strength was tied directly to the mightiest tailed beast. That contrast is part of what highlighted how far the Kage had fallen behind the top-tier threats.
Time passed, though. Decades have gone by since then, and in the newer Boruto era, the 5 Kage have strengthened dramatically. The series has also reinforced this idea through creator commentary and publication milestones, including Boruto Chapter #7, which officially released on November 7, 2016, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #49.
With Boruto’s Shinju-focused storyline edging toward its conclusion, the stage is set for the emergence of a new Otsutsuki-era power shift.
How Boruto’s Story Powers Up the 5 Kage in the New Era
From the start, Boruto presents the 5 Kage as significantly more dangerous than their older counterparts. A clear early example is Boruto Chapter #7, where the Kage take on Otsutsuki-class opponents directly in combat.
When the fight against Kinshiki and Momoshiki begins, Kinshiki is held back through a collaboration between two Kage—Kurotsuchi and Chojuro—supported by Sasuke Uchiha. The key takeaway is that these new-generation Kage can restrain an individual operating at Otsutsuki-level power, which signals a major leap in capability compared to the previous generation.
Chojuro: You’ve left yourself wide open!
Kinshiki: How dare you, you weaklings!
Chojuro: Bloody-Mist Blades: Bone Mutilation Justu!
Sasuke: Your turn, Tsuchikage!
Kurotsuchi: Leave this to me, Lava Release: Ash Stone Seal Jutsu! Leave this one to us. You take care of the other one, Sasuke!
— Exchange showing Chojuro and Kurotsuchi beating Kinshiki Otsutsuki, Boruto Chapter #7
A similar pattern shows up in the pressure tactics used against Momoshiki. Gaara and Darui apply enough force to keep Momoshiki from comfortably dictating the pace and push him into a corner. That directly reinforces their status as Kage-caliber fighters—especially when compared to the earlier Naruto-era Kage depiction. This moment is tied to Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Chapter #7.
It also helps that Naruto Uzumaki—described as one of the strongest shinobi ever—was among the Kage during that period. His presence adds weight to the idea that the new version of the 5 Kage is legitimate, not just symbolic.
Even so, the story emphasizes that the updated generation remains strong even without Naruto. Naruto is currently sealed away and has been replaced by Shikamaru, but the new Kage lineup still performs at a higher ceiling. Darui, for instance, is presented as far stronger than Lightning Ay, shown through his clashes involving Momoshiki and Kinshiki. The same idea applies to Kurotsuchi and Chojuro as well.
Gaara has also grown substantially since the Fourth Great Ninja War, making him a threat that can’t be underestimated. Still, the article’s central point is that all of this is only a preview—Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is expected to showcase an even bigger jump in capability from the next generation of the 5 Kage.
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The Next Generation of 5 Kage Will Operate Above Otsutsuki Level
In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, the story points toward a new generation of 5 Kage forming near the end of the overall arc structure. One of them is Sarada Uchiha, positioned as the main heroine of the series. Sarada’s power is described as strong enough to rival the Shinju and defeat them in direct combat, which is highlighted in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #21. That chapter is noted as officially released on April 20, 2025, and published as part of Volume #6.
Her strength is already portrayed as comparable—at least in some ways—to Kage-level and Otsutsuki-level threats. The article also stresses that she is not done growing, pointing to an ongoing Boruto arc update dated June 18, 2026, in V-Jump Issue #8.
“I’ve decided! I’m gonna become the Hokage, just like Lord Seventh.” — Sarada Uchiha, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Chapter #10
By the time Sarada becomes a Kage, the implication is that she will have fully mastered her dojutsu. At that point, she’s expected to be strong enough to rival elite Otsutsuki figures worldwide. Meanwhile, the other villages are also expected to have Kage who are far stronger than the current lineup.
Shinki—Gaara’s adoptive son—is identified as one such example. His potential is shown in the Land of Wind arc, where he is able to stand up to a Shinju on his own. The same expectation applies to whoever ends up replacing Kage in the other Hidden Villages: they’ll be stronger because they’ll need answers for even larger threats that are starting to surface.
Overall, the argument is that Boruto is pushing the 5 Kage upward in a major way. With Boruto Uzumaki and Kawaki supporting Sarada as Hokage, the new leadership of the ninja world is framed as the most capable it’s been in decades—possibly since the beginning of the ninja village system itself. That claim is tied to Naruto Chapter #625, officially released on April 15, 2013, in Issue #18 of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump.
What’s Next for Fans Waiting on the New Kage Era
Even with the future direction clear, the article’s caution is simple: fans will need to wait. The new generation of 5 Kage is still young, and their path to becoming full leaders includes a long chain of ordeals. Sarada and her allies still need to handle threats such as the Otsutsuki and Shinju, along with other dangers.
It’s also suggested that the ninja world may suffer total destruction at some point due to Kawaki, referenced in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Chapter #1 on May 9, 2016, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #21-22. So, the takeaway is that the series is building toward a new era, but the rise and establishment of it will take time.
Boruto: Two Blue Vortex continues with monthly releases, and Chapter #36 is expected to be available to read for free via Manga Plus and Viz Media on July 20, 2026.
