Since Naruto officially concluded, creator Masashi Kishimoto has remained actively involved in several notable projects. He wrote the mini-series Naruto Gaiden, continues to supervise Boruto, and most notably released the Minato one-shot manga in 2023, following the conclusion of the Naruto Global Popularity Poll.

That one-shot was met with overwhelming praise so much so that fans immediately began asking whether more character-focused stories could follow.

Last year, when asked directly about the possibility of creating additional one-shots, Kishimoto revealed his interest in writing a story centered on Uchiha Itachi.

As one of the most beloved characters in the entire Naruto franchise, bringing Itachi back even briefly would be a massive moment for fans and a significant boost for the series’ legacy.

Although Kishimoto has not yet decided what kind of story he would tell, his comments suggest the idea is very much alive.

“Yes, I want to do more one-shots, but I’m taking my time thinking about it,” Kishimoto said. “I actually look at the character rankings voted by readers. Minato was number one. Second was Itachi… I say this half-jokingly, but you never know.”

This statement alone has reignited widespread speculation that Itachi Uchiha may soon return in an official manga release.

Itachi’s character remains one of the most emotionally complex and iconic figures in Naruto. Despite his death, fans continue to debate his motivations, sacrifices, and untold experiences.

A dedicated one-shot could explore:
– Itachi’s time in the ANBU
– His inner conflict before the Uchiha massacre
– Unseen moments with Sasuke
– Events between major arcs never shown in the original series

Such a story would not only satisfy longtime fans but also reinvigorate the Naruto brand at a time when enthusiasm has waned.

In addition to Itachi, Kishimoto has expressed interest in creating more manga content whether that be:

  • A sequel or prequel to Naruto
  • Standalone one-shots for key characters
  • An entirely new manga series

Many fans, however, hope he will return to Naruto without involving Boruto, which has been criticized by a large segment of the fanbase.

There is still a vast narrative gap between the ending of Naruto and the beginning of Boruto a timeline filled with untapped storytelling potential.

According to speculation, Kishimoto may be considering one-shots focused on select fan-favorite characters such as: Uchiha Itachi, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto or Uchiha Sasuke.

Among these, an Itachi-focused story appears the most likely and the most impactful.

Many fans agree that the Naruto franchise is in need of a creative “reset.” A powerful, character-driven one-shot starring Itachi could be exactly what the series needs to regain momentum.

Sources: GameK