Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hokage
Original Name	火影
Alias(es)	Hokage-sama
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Supreme leader of Konoha; oversees village security, administration, diplomacy, and shinobi operations
Status	Active office; the succession is documented through the Seventh Hokage 283
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Officeholders

Generation	Officeholder	Notes
First Hokage	Hashirama Senju	Later faced the Third Hokage while under external control during the Fourth Shinobi World War. 228
Second Hokage	Tobirama Senju	Developed major techniques including Flying Thunder God and advanced Water Release; later fought Qingyun while controlled. 228 230 231
Third Hokage	Hiruzen Sarutobi	Qingyun's mentor and predecessor; remained as an assistant after Qingyun's succession. 9 162
Fourth Hokage — first half	Qingyun	Formally succeeded Hiruzen after demonstrating overwhelming strength and receiving support from Konoha's leadership and the Feudal Lord. 162
Fourth Hokage — latter half	Minato Namikaze	Received the title from Qingyun after the Fourth Shinobi World War; their combined tenures are treated as one Fourth Hokage administration. 256 257
Fifth Hokage	Tsunade	Chosen after Minato stepped down; later transferred the office to Kakashi. 283
Sixth Hokage	Kakashi Hatake	Served for less than ten years before passing the office to Naruto. 283
Seventh Hokage	Naruto Uzumaki	Identified himself as the Seventh Hokage upon Qingyun's return to Konoha. 283

Selection and Succession

A Hokage candidate is expected to embody the Will of Fire, possess sufficient strength, earn the village's support, and demonstrate a substantial mission record. The Feudal Lord's approval, an appropriate age, and military merit are also considered necessary for succession. 72

Qingyun's appointment established the practical standard for the office: the Third Hokage sought approval from Konoha's advisors, higher-ups, civilians, and the Feudal Lord, then invited any remaining challengers to contest Qingyun's strength. No one stepped forward. 162

Minato's later succession was treated unusually. Qingyun relinquished the position after restoring peace, but designated Minato's tenure as the latter half of the Fourth Hokage's administration rather than a new generation. 256 257

History

Hiruzen Sarutobi's Succession Plan

As Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi identified Qingyun, Minato Namikaze, and Orochimaru as possible future successors. He ultimately favored Qingyun for his strength, maturity, public support, extraordinary mission record, and ability to manage village affairs. 37 72

Hiruzen personally trained Qingyun, tested him in repeated battles, and entrusted him with politically sensitive work involving the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha mission was explicitly intended to assess whether Qingyun could handle clan relations and the responsibilities of future leadership. 110 125

Qingyun's Appointment

After the war, Hiruzen announced Qingyun as his preferred successor. Danzo, Orochimaru, and some clan representatives objected, prompting Qingyun to fight Orochimaru to settle the dispute. 160

Following the challenge, Konoha's leadership formally approved Qingyun's succession as Fourth Hokage. His inauguration included a custom Fourth Hokage haori, the carving of his face onto Hokage Rock, and Hiruzen's transition into an advisory role. 162

Qingyun's Administration

Qingyun immediately consolidated authority by taking control of Root, removing its members' cursed seals, and absorbing the organization into the Shadow Division. 163 164

His administration expanded the Ninja Academy, created the Science and Technology Department and Ninjutsu Research Department, promoted trade with other villages, and developed Konoha Food Group convenience stores across the shinobi continent. 162 164

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Qingyun coordinated Kage deployments against resurrected predecessors and repeatedly entered battle himself when the Allied Shinobi Forces were threatened. 225 218

Later Succession

After the war, Qingyun passed the office to Minato so he could focus on training and preparing for future threats. 256

Following Minato's later resignation, the administration initially turned to Jiraiya, who instead brought Tsunade forward. Tsunade later transferred the position to Kakashi, who eventually passed it to Naruto. 283

Authority and Responsibilities

• Village administration — The Hokage makes final decisions on missions, clan affairs, diplomacy, construction, agriculture, and real-estate matters. 165
• Military command — The Anbu answers directly to the Hokage, while the Hokage can reform or reorganize village security institutions such as Root. 163 164
• Shinobi development — The office can direct Ninja Academy policy, approve educational reforms, and establish new research departments. 61 164
• Foreign relations — The Hokage negotiates with other villages, pursues trade agreements, and represents Konoha at major international meetings. 162 207
• Protection of Konoha — The Hokage is expected to defend the village and act for its continued development. 189

Administration under Qingyun

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Former Third Hokage; served as Qingyun's assistant after the succession. 162
• Minato Namikaze — Qingyun's personal guard and assistant before inheriting the latter half of the Fourth Hokage's tenure. 162 256
• Shisui Uchiha — Qingyun's assistant and a key participant in village reforms. 160 163
• Shikaku Nara — Appointed Hokage Advisor for his strategic and analytical ability. 163
• Danzo Shimura — Former Root leader whose authority was removed and whose organization was subordinated to the Hokage. 163 164

Symbols and Office

• The Hokage wears a distinctive hat and cloak; Hiruzen's attire included the Hokage hat, cloak, pipe, and small beard. 9
• Each Hokage receives a white haori bearing their generation title. Qingyun's cloak carried the designation “Fourth Hokage.” 162
• A Hokage's likeness is carved onto Hokage Rock following their succession. 162
• The Hokage's office serves as the command center for missions, Anbu assignments, village policy, and high-level meetings. 125 139

Notable Quotes

“I will lead Konoha and the entire ninja world to new heights.” — Qingyun upon becoming Fourth Hokage 162