Hokage

Biodata

Known Holders

History

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tenure

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi promoted the Will of Fire and encouraged Naruto to seek recognition through becoming Hokage. He viewed Naruto as Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and a vital “human weapon,” believing Naruto's power had to remain aligned with the village's established ideals. 17 28

Hiruzen resisted Kakashi Hatake's proposal to institutionalize teamwork and trust in ninja training, arguing that the existing system required preservation and careful consideration. His private view was that Konoha required ninja to function as tools rather than independent people. 44

His political standing unraveled after Danzō's crimes were exposed and Naruto openly challenged Konoha's leadership. Naruto condemned Hiruzen for compromises surrounding Sakumo Hatake, the Uchiha massacre, Hizashi Hyuga's death, and Naruto's own isolation as a jinchūriki. 84 105 106

Following the Konoha Crush Plan, Hiruzen lost the confidence of villagers, shinobi, Anbu, and Root personnel. He signed Naruto's promotion to chūnin and recognition as a Hokage candidate as Konoha's political balance shifted away from him. 102

Naruto Uzumaki's tenure

Naruto became the Fifth Hokage after Konoha's upheaval and used the office to pursue a new political order. He rejected the idea that shinobi should be disposable tools or sacrificial pawns, arguing that civilians and ninja should live with equal dignity. 106 143

Under Naruto, Konoha began applying ninjutsu to infrastructure, construction, agriculture, technological research, and military production rather than treating combat as a shinobi's sole function. 122 123

His administration expanded Konoha's influence through alliances, reforms, direct military operations, and the Daimyo Purge Plan, with the stated objective of unifying the ninja world under a new nation. 168 173 213

Governance and Policies

Hiruzen Sarutobi

• Maintained Konoha's traditional ninja training and assessment system despite Kakashi's proposed reforms. 44
• Relied on the Land of Fire's Daimyo for Konoha's financial support and treated the Daimyo with formal deference. 83
• Assigned Jiraiya to investigate Naruto's abilities and intentions while preserving Hiruzen's public image as a benevolent mentor. 72
• Defended the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird system as a protective measure for weaker Byakugan users. 105

Naruto Uzumaki

• Supported abolishing the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird curse mark and its Main Family–Branch Family hierarchy. 103 104
• Established Konoha's Scientific Research Department to develop and mass-produce advanced chakra-based ninja tools. 123
• Directed Konoha shinobi to use Earth Release and other ninjutsu for roads, buildings, irrigation, and public works. 122
• Used research into Sky Ninja technology, kunai launchers, chakra-conductive weapons, and aerial fortresses to reshape Konoha's military capabilities. 123 145 167
• Accepted Sunagakure's surrender while preserving its alliance with Konoha, partly due to Gaara's change in outlook. 112
• Coordinated the Daimyo Purge Plan to remove daimyo and nobles while rapidly securing ninja villages and territories before hostile coalitions could form. 168 180 213

Story Role / Major Arcs

Trivia

• Hiruzen repeatedly framed becoming Hokage as Naruto's sole proper goal, while Naruto had already held the office in previous time loops. 17
• Naruto became Hokage at approximately thirteen years old, startling figures such as Tsunade and Akatsuki members. 120 143
• Naruto often governs remotely through Shadow Clones, allowing him to oversee several occupied territories and operations simultaneously. 122 213