Masashi Kishimoto’s new Naruto manga, Shadow Rising, is set during the series’ largely untouched blank period between the Fourth Great Ninja War and Naruto becoming Hokage. Early artwork suggests Naruto is around 21, with Kakashi still Sixth Hokage.
01Summary
- 01Naruto: Shadow Rising was confirmed on 10 October 2026.
- 02The manga will be written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.
- 03It is set in the blank period, the roughly 15-year gap between the Fourth Great Ninja War and Naruto becoming Hokage.
- 04Early clues include Sakura holding baby Sarada and Naruto appearing to wear the Hokage hat.
- 05The story suggests Kakashi Hatake is still serving as the Sixth Hokage at the start.
02Why it matters
The series could finally fill in one of the least explored parts of Naruto’s timeline, which is likely to interest long-time fans. It may also clarify when Naruto actually becomes Hokage, something the story says has been uncertain for years.
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