Naruto and Sasuke Return to the Spotlight in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha remain two of the most central figures in the Naruto universe—and now, in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex as well. Even though they’re foundational to the franchise’s identity and still loved across generations of fans, both characters have been kept out of the spotlight around the timeskip so the next wave of shinobi could grow into their own power.

In Boruto Chapter 77, the story confirms Naruto’s status as Kawaki seals him using Daikokuten. Sasuke, meanwhile, is transformed into a Tree by a Claw Grime during the timeskip. Now, after three years of waiting in-universe, the series is finally setting them up to come back—something the manga has been steering toward after the Mamushi arc. That post-arc push is officially tied to June 18, 2026. With Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 36 scheduled for July 20, 2026, the narrative focus is shifting toward the long-awaited return of these Konoha legends.

Post-Mamushi Arc Puts Sasuke and Naruto’s Comeback on the Track

After the death of Shinju Mamushi in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter 33, released on April 20, 2026 in V-Jump Issue #6, the return of Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha feels closer than ever. The current stretch—the Post-Mamushi arc—kicked off in Chapter 35, which released in V-Jump Issue #8 on June 18, 2026.

This arc begins a fresh confrontation involving the final Shinju still standing, with Code also showing up as part of the larger conflict. On the protagonist side, the story appears to revolve especially around Boruto Uzumaki, Sarada Uchiha, and Kawaki.

Boruto: Sarada, I want you to let them capture you. He’ll probably take you straight to their base. Don’t worry, though—I’ll reach you fast using the symbols I just gave you.

Sarada: Got it… a reverse trap.

— Boruto and Sarada’s featured moment in the new Hidari arc, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #35

When Boruto: Two Blue Vortex launched, it seemed like Naruto and Sasuke’s return would have to wait, since the Shinju threat loomed over everything. But most of those enemies are already gone now, and the next arc is positioned to target Shinju Hidari. As the Shinju are being eliminated one by one, it creates a clean opening for Masashi Kishimoto and Mikio Ikemoto to finally bring Naruto Uzumaki—and then Sasuke Uchiha—back into the main story.

The reason both characters were sidelined earlier was tied to the idea of letting the next generation grow, develop, and unlock greater power. In many ways, that goal has already played out: Boruto, Sarada, and Kawaki are portrayed as strong in their own right—arguably even stronger than Naruto and Sasuke at comparable points. With that in mind, the story doesn’t necessarily need to keep the older legends off-screen anymore. They can return, take part in set-piece battles, and use experience to support the next generation as the plot tightens.

That’s exactly why the Post-Mamushi arc—beginning on June 18, 2026—is being framed as a direct route toward the eventual return of both Naruto and Sasuke, starting with Sasuke.

The Rinnegan is often treated as a near-divine kind of power, but in this stage of the Boruto era it’s also portrayed as weakened and overtaken by a newer Kekkei Genkai.

Why Sasuke’s Return Seems Set Up After the Next Fight Against Hidari

The first comeback is expected to be Sasuke Uchiha, largely because Hidari is the one likely to be defeated during the Post-Mamushi arc of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. In Chapter 35, Hidari and Jura fall into a discussion about love again. For the first time, Jura tells Hidari that he would feel intense sadness if he had to live in a world without him. That’s presented like a major “death flag” for Hidari, and it also signals a power shift for Jura—his strength rising as a result of losing love.

Hidari: You could’ve collected their Thorn Soul Bulb if you wanted. So why didn’t you? Or—why did you bring me back?

Jura: That’s a fair question. I never really thought about it before. But right now, when I tried to picture a world where you weren’t in it, I felt sadness.

— Foreshadowing for Hidari’s death, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #35

Once Hidari is killed, the manga effectively clears a path for Sasuke’s return. The plan implied here is straightforward: Sasuke is trapped inside the Tree, so by taking Hidari’s Thorn Soul Bulb and forcing it into that Tree, the Uchiha will be able to come back after three years of waiting. At the same time, Jura gets a major power-up, which would set up Sasuke for a big role in later arcs—helping pave the way for Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage of Konoha, to return as well.

“Sorry, you’ll have to wait a bit longer, Master Sasuke.” — Boruto Uzumaki fails to save Sasuke, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #4

Naruto’s Return Looks Linked to Jura and Kawaki

With Sasuke positioned to return by the end of the Post-Mamushi arc, Naruto’s situation is more complicated. In a practical sense, Naruto might not come back until the very end of the Boruto story—after the showdown between Kawaki and Boruto. That possibility was teased in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Chapter #1, released on May 9, 2016, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #23.

Still, Jura—described as the strongest among the Shinju—already knows where Naruto is and that he’s alive.

“A while ago, I visited Konoha and was shocked to hear that the Seventh Hokage had died. But when I looked into your eyes, I was convinced that Naruto Uzumaki is still alive, wasn’t he?” — Jura confirms Naruto’s status, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Chapter #24

After Hidari’s death triggers Jura’s power-up, a direct confrontation between Jura and the Seventh Hokage seems likely. There’s even a possibility that Jura will try to free Naruto Uzumaki with the intention to consume him—meaning Naruto’s return could begin in the fallout from Hidari’s defeat. In other words, the series is opening a narrative door for Naruto to come back during the arc that follows Hidari’s fall.

What Kawaki’s Words Might Actually Mean

Even with the implication that Naruto doesn’t return until the end of the Kawaki-vs-Boruto conflict, the wording used by Kawaki isn’t perfectly clear. Kawaki only says he will send Boruto to the same place as the Seventh, without explicitly confirming whether the Seventh is still there. That could mean Kawaki intends to move Boruto into the Daikokuten dimension where the Seventh Hokage once was.

For now, all that’s left is waiting chapter by chapter. But with each new installment, Naruto and Sasuke’s return feels increasingly close. Sasuke’s return looks like it could land before the current arc ends, while Naruto’s comeback is expected to follow in the subsequent arc—finally bringing both of the franchise’s most beloved shinobi back into the center of the story.

The latest chapters of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex by Mikio Ikemoto and Masashi Kishimoto are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.