Last Updated on July 30, 2025 by Dante
If you ask most Naruto fans who was the best Hokage, they’d probably say Naruto, Minato, or Hashirama.
Those aren’t bad choices, but being the Hokage isn’t only about being the most powerful shinobi in your village.
You have to be a leader, a shrewd thinker, and a diplomat.
The Hokage not only runs the entire Hidden Leaf Village, but they keep the entire Land of Fire out of harm’s way from enemy lands.
That’s why I’m going to dig deep in this piece and explain who I think the best Hokage was.
But first, let’s get into the rubric for this exercise.
Who Was the Best Hokage: Rubric
| Category: | Description: |
| Leadership | How well did the Hokage run the village and act under pressure. |
| Conflict Resolution | What was the central issue of their term and how did they handle it? |
| Combat Abilities | How well did they act as a deterrent against enemy nations? |
| Diplomacy | How well did they negotiate against rival or enemy nations? |
Question: Who is the best Hokage of the Konohagakure?
Naruto Uzumaki ranked the highest on our rubric thanks to his unmatched power and ability to handle world-ending threats. However, when judging by leadership, diplomacy, and overall impact during their term, Tsunade was the most effective Hokage. She rebuilt Konoha after its darkest hour, formed lasting alliances, and led with strength and compassion. She is the best Hokage overall.
Table of Contents
1. Hashirama Senju
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | First Hokage, God of Shinobi |
| Feats: | Ended Warring States Period with Madara, Founded Hidden Leaf Village, Captured All Tailed Beats, Defeated Madara |
| Leadership Style: | Firm Pacifist |
Hashirama Senju was the co-founder of Konohagakure and the First Hokage, renowned as the “God of Shinobi” for his unmatched Wood Release and immense chakra reserves.
A visionary leader, Hashirama sought peace among warring clans and formed an alliance with Madara Uchiha to create the Hidden Leaf Village.
Though his ideals clashed with Madara’s, Hashirama remained devoted to harmony.
His legacy set the foundation for the Will of Fire. Despite dying young, his influence shaped generations of ninja and sealed his status as a legendary figure in shinobi history.
Let’s see how Hashirama fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Hashirama was a visionary leader who prioritized peace over dominance. He united warring clans to form the foundation of Konoha, promoting the Will of Fire as the village’s moral compass.
While his intentions were noble, his idealism sometimes clashed with practical governance. He handed power to the Uchiha too quickly and trusted Madara to follow suit, which backfired.
Though beloved, his leadership showed signs of naivety, especially in assuming peace could be sustained through shared ideals alone.
It’s no wonder why Tobirama sought to do things differently when he became Hokage, especially considering Hashirama bent over backwards for Madara and was still betrayed.
Conflict Resolution
The central conflict of Hashirama’s term was securing lasting peace among historically violent clans, especially between the Senju and Uchiha.
His solution was to build a neutral village and co-lead it with Madara, but when Madara rejected his offer, Hashirama was forced to fight and ultimately kill his closest friend (Madara survived but still).
This decisive act ended Madara’s immediate threat but laid the seeds for future strife. Hashirama chose peace, but at great cost.
Combat Abilities
Widely considered the strongest Hokage in raw power, Hashirama was a one-man deterrent. His unique Wood Release, massive chakra reserves, and Sage Mode gave him a mythical status even among later generations.
He defeated Madara and the Nine-Tails simultaneously, a feat that no one else could replicate.
In terms of sheer battlefield influence, Hashirama was peerless and made enemy nations think twice about confronting Konoha during his lifetime.
Diplomacy
Hashirama aimed for diplomacy first, often offering peace to rivals even when others disagreed.
He proposed equal power-sharing between clans, distributed tailed beasts to other villages to create balance, and tried to de-escalate tensions through empathy.
However, critics could argue that his approach lacked political foresight. While morally admirable, giving away tailed beasts later empowered Konoha’s future enemies.
The Tailed Beasts became a huge problem later, and it would’ve done Hashirama some good to set guidelines to their use as no one was in any position to disobey him.
Still, his commitment to unity over domination helped set the diplomatic tone for future Kage.
2. Tobirama Senju
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Second Hokage, Architect of the Leaf |
| Feats: | Created the Ninja Academy, ANBU, and Chūnin Exams; Invented Edo Tensei and Flying Thunder God; Led during First Great Ninja War; Died protecting his team |
| Leadership Style: | Pragmatic Strategist |
Tobirama Senju, the younger brother of Hashirama, succeeded him as the Second Hokage.
A brilliant strategist and pragmatic leader, Tobirama was responsible for many of Konoha’s core institutions, including the Chūnin Exams, the Academy, and the ANBU.
Though colder and more rigid than his brother, Tobirama prioritized stability and order, especially during turbulent times.
He was a master of Water Release and creator of several powerful jutsu, including the Edo Tensei, Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Flying Thunder God.
His policies shaped much of the Leaf’s structure and political philosophy, and he died in battle to protect his comrades.
Let’s see how Tobirama fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Tobirama was arguably the most productive Hokage in Konoha’s history.
As both Second Hokage and right-hand to Hashirama, he established the institutional backbone of the village: the Ninja Academy, Chūnin Exams, Police Force, and ANBU.
He believed in meritocracy, central control, and structure above all else. Though colder than his brother, Tobirama ran the village with sharp efficiency.
However, his leadership leaned authoritarian, and his policies often favored security over inclusion.
Nonetheless, Tobirama truly believed in the Will of Fire and sacrificed his life for the safety of Konoha.
Conflict Resolution
The core issue of Tobirama’s tenure was preventing another internal war, especially with the Uchiha clan.
Rather than trying to reconcile past wounds, he isolated the Uchiha by placing them in charge of the Police Force, giving them authority, but also placing them under watch.
He wasn’t necessarily malicious.
He was cautious, shaped by firsthand war trauma, but this decision deepened distrust and widened the gap. He told Sasuke that hatred breeds hatred, and while prophetic, it was also fatalistic.
Tobirama didn’t believe reconciliation was possible, only containment.
Now, there is some merit to Tobirama’s thinking. He killed many Uchiha in battle, namely Izuna Uchiha. On top of this, he watched Hashirma sympethize with Madara and get backstabbed.
He knew that the Uchiha weren’t driven by hatred, but rather by love. This made this incredibly unstable and dangerous, so he sought to give them a purpose and monitor them.
Tobirama didn’t have the empathy to deal with the Uchiha situation and wasn’t willing to forgive and move on. That was probably his greatest flaw.
Combat Abilities
Tobirama was a highly skilled shinobi, known for his speed, Water Release mastery, and deadly jutsu creation.
He invented techniques like the Flying Thunder God, Shadow Clone, and Edo Tensei, each later used by future generations to shape world events.
While not as overwhelming as his brother, Tobirama was a strategic powerhouse and deadly in combat.
He died leading a successful retreat during war, choosing to protect his team by becoming the decoy, solidifying his role as a battle-hardened tactician.
And make no mistake, he was the most powerful Shinobi during his time, sans Madara and Hashirama.
He took down Izuna who rivaled Madara, and died in a stalemate against Cloud Ninja said to been an entire regiment of S-class Shinobi.
Diplomacy
Tobirama’s diplomatic style was utilitarian. He didn’t believe all conflicts could be solved through trust or sentiment. His dealings with other villages were often transactional and calculated.
He preferred Konoha to act with strength and caution, rather than empathy or compromise. Unlike Hashirama, Tobirama didn’t aim to be loved, he aimed to be understood and obeyed.
Though this hardened stance protected Konoha, it also deepened cycles of resentment that outlived him.
Tobirama’s term occurred during the First Great Ninja War, sparked by competition between hidden villages for power, resources, and control over tailed beasts.
Though his brother distributed the tailed beasts with peaceful intent, it unintentionally upset the balance of power, leading to a cold war that escalated into open conflict.
Tobirama inherited that tension and responded with cautious diplomacy backed by military readiness. He recognized that trust between villages was shallow and easily broken.
Rather than seek broad alliances, he opted for strategic containment and intelligence gathering.
Ultimately, Tobirama died on the battlefield while serving as Hokage, making him the only one (besides Tsunade under different circumstances) to fall in active war.
He sacrificed himself to let his squad escape an ambush by the Hidden Cloud, demonstrating that his diplomacy came second to shielding his village through action.
His death marked the brutal reality of shinobi leadership during wartime: when talks fail, the Hokage leads from the front.
3. Hiruzen Sarutobi
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Third Hokage, The Professor, God of Shinobi (Manga) |
| Feats: | Mastered all five chakra natures; Trained the Legendary Sannin; Led through multiple Ninja Wars; Fought Orochimaru and sealed the First and Second Hokage |
| Leadership Style: | Philosophical Guardian |
Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as “The Professor,” became Hokage at a young age after Tobirama’s death.
A student of both Hashirama and Tobirama, Hiruzen mastered all five nature transformations and upheld their legacy.
He led Konoha through multiple crises, including the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, the Kyūbi attack, and the Uchiha downfall.
Though wise and compassionate, his reign is also criticized for passivity and political failures.
Hiruzen died during Orochimaru’s invasion, sacrificing himself to protect the village he devoted his life to.
Let’s see how Hiruzen fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Hiruzen’s reign spanned decades and multiple generations, making him the longest-serving Hokage.
His leadership was marked by compassion, stability, and philosophical grounding in the Will of Fire. He protected Konoha during three major conflicts and trained the Legendary Sannin, raising the next wave of powerful shinobi.
However, he struggled with delegation and allowed unchecked forces, like Danzo and ROOT, to gain influence behind the scenes. While not tyrannical or negligent, he hesitated to confront Konoha’s inner rot, preferring to keep peace rather than provoke more conflict.
In doing so, he preserved the village, but left cracks beneath its foundation.
But, Hiruzen inspired the generation that ultimately trained the Konoha 11. Without him, there is no Legendary Sannin. And without them, there is no Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
Conflict Resolution
Hiruzen inherited long-brewing internal strife, especially involving the Uchiha. Though he offered diplomacy and compromise, the clan’s growing resentment and Danzo’s interference accelerated the coup.
Many blame Hiruzen for the massacre, but the truth is more complex: the cycle of distrust began with Tobirama and was inflamed by forces beyond Hiruzen’s control.
I wrote about it before, but the Uchiha massacre was destined to happen from the start.
He opposed the Uchiha genocide but failed to stop it. He also couldn’t stop Danzo, who operated in the shadows despite being under Hiruzen’s command.
Still, his hands-off approach was rooted in faith, perhaps too much faith, in those around him.
This situation wasn’t as easy as killing Danzo. If Hiruzen did confront and arrest Danzo, there’s no telling what Danzo would’ve done to evade arrest.
Plus, Danzo did serve a purpose with running Anbu and ROOT. Plus, saying Hiruzen should have killed Danzo is fair despite all this. But, we should hold Naruto and Hashirama to the same standard.
Naruto wanted to save Sasuke even after he became an international criminal. Hashirama ignored multiple red flags with Madara and still tried to talk him down the ledge during their battle.
Still, Madara and Naruto did what they had to do, Hiruzen didn’t. He should’ve have incapacitated Danzo by using Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui as moles.
Then, when Root was contained, he should’ve took him down himself quietly and reached out across lines to the Uchiha. Again, the Uchiha likely would’ve rebelled anyway as Fugaku was dead-set on it.
Combat Abilities
Though often remembered as an elderly Hokage, Hiruzen in his prime was said to rival even Hashirama in power. He mastered all elemental releases and was proficient with nearly every jutsu in Konoha’s arsenal.
During the invasion of Konoha, even in old age, he fought both Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokage, sealing them away at the cost of his own life.
He may not have been flashy, but his sheer versatility and tactical brilliance made him a formidable deterrent during wartime.
The manga stated Hiruzen was called “God of Shinobi”. This is a plot hole Kishimoto never cleaned up, and Hiruzen is just one more beast we never got to see during his prime.
As the old saying goes, “Beware of old men in a profession where men die young”.
Diplomacy
Hiruzen’s diplomacy leaned toward pacifism and moral guidance. He de-escalated major tensions during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars and maintained alliances when possible.
After the Nine-Tails attack, he resumed his role as Hokage to ensure political continuity and village unity.
Critics argue he should have taken a firmer stance with Danzo or protected Naruto more directly, but the broader truth is this: Hiruzen governed during a volatile era and often chose the path of least bloodshed.
He believed the best diplomacy was stability, and even when it cost him politically, he stayed true to that ideal.
In my opinion, I think Hiruzen was incredibly indecisive. He was too weak-willed as he maybe tried to lean on both of his teachers while never making a sound decision.
He was great in war. He had no problem punishing Konoha’s enemies. Internally, he was weak and could never pick a side.
4. Minato Namikaze
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Fourth Hokage, Yellow Flash |
| Feats: | Turned the tide of the Third Great Ninja War; Defeated Obito; Saved Konoha from the Nine-Tails; Invented Rasengan; Sealed Kurama into Naruto |
| Leadership Style: | Calm Tactician |
Minato Namikaze, the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf,” was famed for his speed, tactical brilliance, and use of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As the Fourth Hokage, Minato led during the height of the Third Great Ninja War and was instrumental in turning the tide.
His reign was tragically short-lived, ending when he sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails into his newborn son, Naruto Uzumaki, in order to save the village.
Despite his brief time in office, Minato remains one of Konoha’s most respected heroes and left a lasting legacy through both his jutsu and his son.
Let’s see how Minato fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Minato’s leadership style was calm, precise, and proactive. Though young when appointed, he earned the trust of the village and the elders with his intelligence and measured temperament.
In his short time as Hokage, he strengthened Konoha’s defensive systems and maintained morale after years of war.
His ability to stay cool under pressure was evident during the Nine-Tails attack, where he made rapid decisions that prevented total disaster.
Unfortunately, his tenure was cut short before he could implement broader reforms or long-term strategies. He showed great promise, but history had other plans.
Conflict Resolution
Minato’s defining crisis was the Nine-Tails attack, orchestrated by Obito under Madara’s influence.
Within minutes of realizing the village was under assault, Minato singlehandedly turned the tide, saving countless lives, protecting his wife Kushina, and sealing half of Kurama inside his newborn son.
His decision to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal wasn’t just about power, it was about trust in the next generation.
Though he couldn’t stop the attack entirely, his sacrifice preserved the village and ensured a future where the beast could become a force for good. It was tragic, but resolute.
The genius of the entire arc was Minato choosing to separate and seal Kurama’s chakra inside Naruto and himself. He literally thought of this while dying with his wife.
Combat Abilities
Minato was a legendary shinobi even before becoming Hokage. Known as the “Yellow Flash,” his use of the Flying Thunder God technique made him untouchable on the battlefield, to the point where enemy nations were ordered to flee on sight.
His intelligence and speed allowed him to overwhelm enemies before they could react.
Though not as physically dominant as Hashirama, Minato’s precision, reaction time, and sealing techniques made him one of the most dangerous combatants in shinobi history.
He was the perfect fusion of offense and control, fast, deadly, and surgical.
Diplomacy
Minato didn’t have time to fully develop as a diplomat, but what little we saw was promising.
He maintained peace through deterrence after the Third Great Ninja War and was respected by allies and elders alike. Unlike Tobirama or Danzo, Minato didn’t rely on fear, he relied on trust and results.
He was fair-minded, even-tempered, and believed in empowering others rather than controlling them.
His legacy was carried forward not through treaties or politics, but through the people who survived because of him.
Though often remembered for his calm demeanor and gentle nature, Minato was anything but soft.
During the Third Great Ninja War, he earned the title “Yellow Flash” precisely because of how swiftly, and lethally, he eliminated enemy forces.
He slaughtered entire squads in seconds without hesitation, using his teleportation-based assassination style with surgical precision.
In his battle with Obito, Minato didn’t hesitate to maim him and nearly kill him, despite the pressure of facing a man who called himself Madara.
Minato’s kindness didn’t come at the expense of strength; when it was time to act, he didn’t flinch.
Due to his reputation, Minato would’ve been an effective diplomat. Like Hashirama, enemy nations would’ve known not to try him.
5. Tsunade Senju
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Fifth Hokage, Legendary Sannin |
| Feats: | Rebuilt Konoha after Orochimaru’s invasion; Saved thousands during Pain’s assault; Established medical ninja system; Helped unite Shinobi Nations |
| Leadership Style: | Compassionate Commander |
Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin, became the Fifth Hokage after years away from the village.
A pioneering medical ninja and a symbol of strength, Tsunade revitalized Konoha’s healthcare system and introduced mandatory medical support on every squad.
Though emotionally scarred by the loss of loved ones, she found new purpose as Hokage. Her tenure saw the recovery of Konoha after the Orochimaru invasion and through the early years of the Akatsuki threat.
Tsunade is revered for her leadership, resilience, and raw strength, both physical and emotional.
Let’s see how Tsunade fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Tsunade inherited a broken village following the invasion by Orochimaru and the death of Hiruzen.
Despite having been absent from politics for years, she stepped up immediately and restored morale through strength and compassion.
She prioritized rebuilding infrastructure, reviving the will of the people, and implementing lasting medical reforms. Her leadership was emotionally grounded but also decisive.
She made bold moves, such as authorizing Naruto’s risky missions and personally handling village affairs during wartime. Even after falling into a coma following the Pain attack, her influence kept the village stable.
Tsunade earned the village’s trust and held it through crisis after crisis.
Tsunade is a legend for changing the stigma around Naruto from a village weapon and nuissance to just a young man with enormous potential.
Conflict Resolution
The central conflict of Tsunade’s term was the rise of the Akatsuki.
Unlike previous Hokage, Tsunade didn’t wait for the threat to reach Konoha, she proactively tracked Akatsuki movements and supported allied nations in taking them down.
When Pain attacked the village directly, Tsunade used all her chakra to activate Katsuyu and shield the villagers, saving thousands of lives at the cost of her own consciousness.
Though Kakashi and others were lost, she protected the heart of the village and paved the way for Naruto’s eventual victory. Her willingness to bear the consequences of every decision speaks volumes.
Combat Abilities
As one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade was a powerhouse in her own right. Her monstrous strength and medical ninjutsu made her nearly unkillable in battle, especially with the Creation Rebirth technique.
Jiraiya was adamant about not wanting to fight her, and Orochimaru fled on sight when she got serious and got wrecked when she finally woke up from her hemophobia.
Though not as versatile as Hiruzen or Minato, she was the most durable and physically dominant Hokage at the time.
She held her own against Orochimaru, led the charge in the Fourth Great Ninja War’s medical division, and maintained frontline utility even as she aged.
She even put up a great fight against Madara, as she was the only Kage who could physically hurt him.
Few Hokage could take as much damage and keep fighting, Tsunade made sure her presence alone could shift a battlefield.
Diplomacy
Tsunade did more for inter-village cooperation than almost any Hokage before her.
She established a crucial alliance with the Hidden Sand after the Akatsuki kidnapped Gaara, coordinated information sharing between the Five Great Nations, and was instrumental in forming the Allied Shinobi Forces ahead of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Her diplomatic work ensured Konoha didn’t fight alone anymore. She moved past old grudges and focused on mutual survival, gaining respect from even the most cynical leaders.
Unlike Hashirama and Tobirama, she wasn’t naive and she wasn’t bitter to the past.
Her legacy is about healing old wounds on both the battlefield and the political stage.
6. Kakashi Hatake
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Sixth Hokage, Copy Ninja |
| Feats: | Stabilized the world post-Fourth Great Ninja War; Maintained peace between nations; Modernized Konoha; Trained Naruto; Prevented new conflict |
| Leadership Style: | Measured Rebuilder |
Kakashi Hatake, the “Copy Ninja,” became the Sixth Hokage following the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Once known for his cold demeanor and Sharingan mastery, Kakashi matured into a thoughtful, level-headed leader who prioritized diplomacy and reform.
Though no longer possessing the Sharingan, his intellect and experience made him ideal for stabilizing Konoha in peacetime.
He oversaw reconstruction, modernization, and international cooperation, bridging the gap between the old era and the new.
Kakashi’s legacy is one of quiet wisdom, humility, and the belief that true strength lies in teamwork and understanding.
Let’s see how Kakashi fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Kakashi was the perfect Hokage for the post-war era: calm, intelligent, and unburdened by ego.
While he never craved the role, his ability to remain objective and focus on practical solutions made him an excellent administrator.
He led with humility, avoided excessive militarization, and helped Konoha transition into a more modern and peaceful era.
Under his leadership, the village rebuilt quickly and began integrating more peaceful policies and technology.
Though not flashy or power-hungry, Kakashi provided stability, arguably the most important trait in a post-conflict leader.
Conflict Resolution
Kakashi’s tenure came after the world-shattering Fourth Great Ninja War, so his primary conflict was the transition from chaos to peace.
He avoided unnecessary battles, quelled rogue factions, and helped reform the shinobi system alongside the other Kage.
He also played a key role in keeping Naruto grounded as he matured into his own leadership role. Kakashi was more about prevention than escalation. He resolved issues before they became wars.
And when conflict did arise, like with rogue remnants or growing tensions, Kakashi chose unity and dialogue over brute force.
Combat Abilities
Kakashi without the Sharingan is still a high-tier jonin, but during the war, when he briefly unlocked Double Mangekyō Sharingan, he was god-tier.
DMS Kakashi could use Kamui Shuriken and intangibility at will, making him virtually untouchable. That said, as Hokage, he no longer had that power, and most of his prime feats came before his term.
Compared to other Hokage, he’s the weakest in raw ability, yet still stronger than most shinobi.
Despite losing the Sharingan, Kakashi proved in Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky that he was still an elite combatant.
He singlehandedly stopped a hijacking on a massive airship, defeated multiple rogue shinobi, and created a new signature jutsu: Purple Lightning, a versatile alternative to Chidori that doesn’t rely on visual tracking.
He even outmaneuvered a lightning-style terrorist midair—all without his former eye techniques. The novel reinforced that while Kakashi may have lost the Sharingan, he never lost his edge.
What he lacked in overwhelming power, he made up for with experience, precision, and high-level jutsu versatility.
Diplomacy
Kakashi was a natural diplomat. His calm demeanor, credibility as a war hero, and deep understanding of all five nations made him an ideal mediator.
He helped solidify the Allied Shinobi Forces into lasting cooperation, built stronger ties with the other Kage, and oversaw a period of unprecedented peace.
He wasn’t emotionally reactive, and his reputation commanded respect without intimidation.
More than anything, Kakashi used his influence to de-escalate global tensions, laying the groundwork for Naruto to inherit a truly unified shinobi world.
7. Naruto Uzumaki
Hokage Profile:
| Title: | Seventh Hokage, Hero of the World |
| Feats: | Defeated Kaguya, Momoshiki, and Isshiki (Pain, Sasuke, etc); Maintained global peace; Reformed the shinobi system; United all five nations; Balanced power with humility |
| Leadership Style: | Empathetic Protector |
Naruto Uzumaki, the once-shunned orphan turned hero of the Hidden Leaf, fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming the Seventh Hokage.
A master of Shadow Clones, Sage Mode, and Kurama’s chakra, this ramen-loving ninja played a pivotal role in ending the Fourth Great Ninja War and defeating Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
As Hokage, he worked to unite all nations, promote peace, and reform the shinobi system.
He balanced immense power with compassion, earning universal respect.
Despite his turbulent youth, Naruto became the very embodiment of the Will of Fire, protecting everyone like family and leaving behind a legacy of hope.
Let’s see how Naruto fares in our rubric:
Leadership
Naruto grew into the role of Hokage with time, thanks in part to Kakashi’s mentorship. Once impulsive and reckless, he matured into a balanced, thoughtful leader who genuinely cares for every villager.
He maintained peace during the Boruto era’s early years, ushered in new technologies, and handled global politics with surprising poise.
However, like Minato, he tends to shoulder burdens alone, which sometimes distances him from his family, most famously sending a Shadow Clone to his daughter’s birthday.
Hilariously, Naruto doesn’t get any flack for that despite being Hokage during a time of peace, unlike Sarutobi who literally had no time for Naruto.
Still, he’s present when it matters most, and his leadership style is deeply empathetic and loyal.
Conflict Resolution
Naruto’s biggest challenges as Hokage have come from the Ōtsutsuki clan.
He handled Momoshiki’s and Isshiki’s invasions with near-perfect judgment, balancing diplomacy, tactical planning, and raw power when needed.
He fought side-by-side with Sasuke to repel god-tier enemies and was willing to sacrifice Kurama to protect the world. These were global-level threats that dwarfed traditional shinobi wars, and Naruto rose to the occasion.
However, aside from these major arcs, Naruto hasn’t faced the internal political turmoil or inter-village warfare that earlier Hokage dealt with, meaning his conflict record, while impressive, isn’t as tested across different fronts.
Combat Abilities
Naruto is, without question, the most powerful shinobi in history.
His mastery of Kurama’s chakra, Sage of Six Paths powers, Rasengan variants, and tactical use of Shadow Clones make him unstoppable. During his peak, he rivaled gods and won.
Even without Kurama (post-Baryon Mode), he’s still formidable due to his experience and other abilities. He was a walking deterrent to global conflict for years.
However, by the time of his later Hokage years, his focus had shifted from raw combat to legacy-building and parenting, making his combat record more front-loaded than consistent throughout.
Diplomacy
Naruto’s diplomacy is rooted in sincerity. He builds bridges not by clever manipulation or political leverage, but by raw honesty and emotional intelligence.
He convinced enemies like Gaara, Nagato, and even Obito to see a better path, and carried that same approach into peacetime. As Hokage, he built strong ties with other villages, helped form a council of Kage, and promoted open dialogue between nations.
While not a politician by training, his authenticity won people over. He’s not Tobirama or Kakashi in terms of shrewdness but few leaders in any era have had his level of universal trust.
Even Tobirama who called him a fool began to respect Naruto as he saw the latter’s sincerity actually working during wartime.
Disclaimer: The Shadow Hokage – Sasuke Uchiha’s Role
While Naruto serves as the public face of the Hidden Leaf, Sasuke Uchiha plays a critical, and often overlooked, role in maintaining global balance during Naruto’s term.
As the unofficial “Shadow Hokage,” Sasuke operates beyond village borders, monitoring threats like the Ōtsutsuki, rogue shinobi factions, and dimensional anomalies.
His presence alone serves as a deterrent, much like Madara briefly did after Konoha’s founding, when he confronted other nations to prevent conflict.
Unlike Madara, however, Sasuke remains loyal to Naruto’s vision, ensuring no one gets “funny ideas” about challenging the Leaf. His quiet sacrifices and unmatched tracking ability help Naruto maintain peace without overwhelming force at home.
Hokage Evaluation (1–10 Scale Per Category)
Here is how every Hokage fares based on our rubric:
| Hokage | Leadership | Conflict Resolution | Combat Abilities | Diplomacy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashirama | 8 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 32 |
| Tobirama | 9 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 29 |
| Hiruzen | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 28 |
| Minato | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 32 |
| Tsunade | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 34 |
| Kakashi | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 31 |
| Naruto | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 35 |
Final Rankings – Best Hokage by Composite Score
| Rank | Hokage | Total Score | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naruto | 35 | Naruto stands at the top not just for being the strongest Hokage, but for balancing raw power with empathy and a deep sense of duty. He handled god-level threats like the Ōtsutsuki while stabilizing a peaceful world. Though his term lacks the political complexity others faced, he’s answered every call, earning universal trust as both protector and symbol. |
| 2 | Tsunade | 34 | Tsunade inherited a broken Konoha and rebuilt it from the ground up. She created reforms that lasted generations, protected the village during the Pain assault, and unified nations in preparation for the war. She’s proof that strength and compassion can coexist in leadership. |
| 3 (tie) | Hashirama | 32 | The founder of Konoha laid the blueprint for everything, but his idealism occasionally backfired. He was a god-tier deterrent and a hopeful unifier, but struggled to anticipate how power would be manipulated after him. |
| 3 (tie) | Minato | 32 | A near-perfect Hokage in every category, but incomplete. He handled the Nine-Tails attack flawlessly, died a hero, and left behind tools for the next generation. With more time, he could’ve been the greatest. |
| 5 | Kakashi | 31 | The post-war bridge. Kakashi stabilized the world, guided Naruto into leadership, and prevented new conflict through intellect and diplomacy. His only drawback is his limited combat power as Hokage, but he never needed it. |
| 6 | Tobirama | 29 | A brilliant and practical leader who shaped the modern village system. However, his trauma-driven handling of the Uchiha laid the groundwork for future strife. Tactical genius, but politically short-sighted. |
| 7 | Hiruzen | 28 | The longest-serving Hokage and a gifted ninja, but his failure to check Danzo and ROOT weakened his legacy. Still, his compassion, sacrifice, and philosophical steadiness kept the village together during dangerous transitions. |
My Final Thoughts
Ranking the Hokage isn’t about assigning blame or chasing popularity. It’s about examining what each leader inherited, how they responded, and the legacy they left behind.
Some, like Naruto and Tsunade, thrived in turbulent times with grace and power.
Others, like Minato, shone briefly but brightly. Hashirama built the dream. Tobirama tried to protect it, sometimes with too much force. Kakashi brought the calm after the storm.
But the truth is, context matters. Hiruzen inherited a web of problems that began long before his reign. He tried to lead with kindness in a world that rewarded ruthlessness.
Tobirama could’ve navigated politics better, but Madara’s betrayal changed the landscape forever.
And Kakashi?
He may rank lower in raw power, but he led like a veteran quietly, capably, and with dignity.
In the end, each Hokage carried a different weight. Some carried it in war. Others carried it in peace. All of them, in their own way, held the village together.
Dante is the creator behind Brand Anime, a hub for anime fans, gamers, and Genshin Impact adventurers. A lifelong anime watcher and seasoned gamer, Dante shares in-depth guides, creative editorials, and gameplay strategies based on years of firsthand experience. Dante also streams and records every week on his YouTube channel King Retro (@kingretro-w8e)
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