Hokage

Biodata

Officeholders

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — designated successor, not the eventual Lord Third: Tobirama initially named him during the retreat from Kumogakure. His succession was contested in Konoha and postponed after Tobirama returned; Tobirama ultimately selected Kagami instead 3 4 5 14.

Authority and Responsibilities

Village Governance

• Departmental leadership: The Hokage appoints officials and assigns responsibilities across intelligence, diplomacy, medicine, finance, and internal administration 16 28.
• Institutional reform: Kagami uses the office to mandate Academy attendance, reorganize military forces, and end the Uchiha’s exclusive control of the Military Police Force 18 19.
• Command precedence: Tokuma Hyuga explicitly acknowledges that the Hokage’s orders take priority over private orders from a clan leader 40.
• Public accountability: At his inauguration, Kagami accepts responsibility for the hardship of fallen shinobi’s families and makes their support a binding funding priority, including for the Hokage 27.
• Protection of subordinates: Kagami invokes the office’s superior authority to shield Hyuga Shizuya from Main Family retaliation. He threatens to hold every Hyuga present accountable if Shizuya dies, regardless of the explanation, without formally abolishing the Caged Bird system 40.
• Cultivation of future leadership: Kagami regards training the next generation and selecting qualified successors as duties of the Hokage. His assessment emphasizes balanced judgment and the ability to make difficult decisions for the village’s long-term interests 98.
• Meeting participation and representation: The Hokage determines which junior shinobi may attend leadership meetings and serve as senior officials’ representatives. Senju Bu defends Orochimaru’s participation in Danzō’s place on the grounds that Kagami authorized it 118.
• Removal and replacement of elders: Kagami forces Tokuma Hyuga to retire and appoints Shizuya, a Branch Family member and former Shadow Guard, in his place. The appointment overrides Tokuma’s expectations about his replacement and extends Branch Family representation into village leadership 156.
• Scientific patronage: Kagami entrusts Hiruko with the research institute, supplies battlefield-derived kekkei genkai samples, and supports research that enables ordinary shinobi to acquire artificial bloodline abilities 115 116.

Military Leadership

• Deployment authority: The Hokage orders mobilization and assigns commanders to threatened borders. Kagami sends Danzō and the Second Legion against Iwagakure while assigning Hiruzen to deter Sunagakure 36.
• Strategic direction: Kagami argues that the Hokage must possess enough strength to deter other nations rather than remain occupied solely with routine administration 22.
• Intelligence oversight: Under Kagami, Danzō coordinates information networks while Hiruzen’s Root conducts covert operations, including assassination and sabotage 16 31.
• Declaration of war: Kagami formally declares war on Iwagakure and assigns Danzō’s Northwest Second Legion to lead the border campaign, while ordering the remaining officials to maintain village departments and defenses 40.
• Limits on escalation: After the victory in the Land of Grass, Kagami orders Danzō to uphold the garrison agreement without further coercion or provocation. His stated objective is a stable border and time to strengthen Konoha, not an immediate world war 50.
• Full wartime mobilization: Following the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, Kagami places Konoha on a full war footing and orders preparations for conflict with Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure 84.
• Personal battlefield intervention: Kagami reinforces Konoha’s forces in the Land of Rain, raising their morale and halting Shukaku and Son Goku with the threat of his Mangekyō Sharingan. He then manifests a complete Susanoo over two hundred meters tall 135 136.
• Acceptance of surrender: Kagami receives the surrender of Hanzō, the Third Kazekage, and the surviving Iwagakure forces, declares the Second Shinobi World War over, and orders Konoha’s shinobi to collect their comrades’ bodies 137.
• Recognition of military service: Kagami publicly honors fallen and surviving shinobi at a victory banquet. Later, he bestows the title of the Sannin of Konoha on Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya for their wartime service 70 137.
• Postwar division of responsibilities: Kagami assigns Danzō external campaigns and the suppression of unrest while reserving overall balance and the settlement of major affairs for himself. He also directs Danzō to monitor summit security from the shadows 160.
• Military display: At the international gathering in Konoha, the village presents its artificial Steel Release and Swift Release formations in a grand military parade, demonstrating the military results of the administration’s research program to foreign leaders 163.

Diplomacy and National Funding

• Inter-village negotiations: Tobirama receives the Third Raikage and oversees efforts to preserve peace after Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s rebellion 8 9 10.
• Relationship with the Fire Daimyo: Konoha supplies the Land of Fire’s military protection, while the Daimyo’s Office provides much of its operating and military funding 22.
• Resource negotiations: Kagami’s visit secures a ten-percent annual funding increase; his subsequent briefing also records border-resource tax revenue being directed to Konoha 23 26.
• Expanded national allocation: Five years into Kagami’s rule, the Fire Daimyo allocates Konoha three billion ryō, with the increased funding attributed to their close relationship. Survivor allowances and shinobi stipends consume roughly a third of that allocation 31.
• Economic pressure and its consequences: Kagami oversees the Angel Plan, which draws Sunagakure’s entire 860 million ryō treasury into the scheme. He subsequently consults Shikata about preventing the anticipated financial collapse from provoking a desperate war against Konoha 61 62.
• National support for covert operations: The Fire Daimyo funds the Angel Plan and supplies personnel through Land of Fire trading companies, linking the administration’s economic campaign to national backing 53 54.
• Proposed crisis containment: Shikata recommends reinforcing the southwest, publicly condemning the Angel Fund, and arranging a low-interest Fire Daimyo loan for Sunagakure. These are presented as recommendations rather than completed measures 62.
• Obligations to allies: Konoha’s historical alliance with the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki clan’s contributions to its sealing arts make the ally’s destruction a question of protection, credibility, and retaliation for the Hokage’s administration 62 83 84.
• Postwar negotiations: Kagami warns that the Land of Rain must pay for its actions and defers the Third Kazekage’s request to ransom the One-Tail rather than immediately agreeing to return it 137.
• International conference: Kagami orders Danzō to invite nations and ninja villages to an All-Shinobi World Conference in Konoha three months later. Hiruzen receives responsibility for organizing it, with Shikata as his deputy and the assembled leaders and elders forming a Conference Planning Group 156.
• Postwar accountability: Addressing the international gathering, Kagami emphasizes reconstruction and the need to bring wartime offenders to trial. He argues that jinchūriki should guide and restrain tailed beasts rather than use them to slaughter innocents, and notes that Konoha captured two jinchūriki during the war 164.

Succession and Legitimacy

Formal Process

• Konoha chooses its own Hokage, but the appointment legally requires the Fire Daimyo’s formal approval 22.
• The Daimyo must also be informed of the succession ceremony 22.
• Kagami governs before his formal inauguration, delaying the ceremony until the village’s departments are organized 20 22.
• The Daimyo recognizes Kagami as Lord Third during his visit to the capital and sends a representative to the public ceremony 23 26.
• Senior officials distinguish the succession ceremony’s political importance from mere formality: it reassures villagers and clans, strengthens the authority of new policies, and announces the transfer of leadership to the wider Shinobi World 22.

Political Acceptance

Hiruzen’s attempted succession exposes the limits of a predecessor’s nomination. Despite Tobirama’s battlefield appointment and Mito Uzumaki’s endorsement, clan leaders reject his accession amid accusations that he abandoned his teacher. Tobirama later confirms that Hiruzen withdrew on his orders, clearing the central accusation 3 4 5 8.

Kagami’s appointment produces a different divide: the Uchiha celebrate, while other clan leaders fear losing influence. Mito publicly recognizes his legitimacy, citing both Tobirama’s choice and Kagami’s military achievements. When opposition to his reforms becomes disorderly, Kagami reinforces his authority by revealing his Mangekyō Sharingan 14 17 18.

Tobirama’s consideration of Kagami combines personal trust, military reputation, and the possibility of reconciling the Uchiha with Konoha. He tells Hiruzen that Kagami’s standing after the Land of Lightning battles exceeds his own, but retains a safeguard by instructing Hiruzen to act if the Uchiha threaten the village 7 14.

By the confrontation with Iwagakure, Kagami’s leadership wins emphatic support from the assembled shinobi and clan representatives. Shikata resolves that the Ino-Shika-Cho clans should stand behind him, while Kagami’s protection of Shizuya strengthens Branch Family faith in the office 40.

Kagami’s popularity later affects battlefield decisions directly. Shinobi trapped with Sakumo explain that they are covering his escape because he is the Hokage’s disciple and they do not want Kagami to suffer his death. By Nawaki’s youth, Kagami’s public-benefit policies have earned him standing comparable to Hashirama’s, or even greater, in villagers’ hearts 95 111.

Following the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha’s senior leadership unites behind the goal of eliminating rival village power and unifying the Shinobi World under Kagami. This political alignment places personal loyalty to the Third above deference to the daimyo, but does not itself establish a revised legal appointment process for the office 155 156.

At the summit, Konoha’s ordinary shinobi, Anbu, civilians, and senior officials all rise to salute Kagami when he appears. The coordinated display of respect impresses the foreign attendees with the extent of his authority 162.

Prospective Successors and Aspirants

No Fourth Hokage is formally appointed in the available developments. Kagami cultivates Sakumo as a possible successor, but later reassesses his readiness and considers the Sannin’s suitability. Nawaki also aspires to the Fourth’s position, while Minato subsequently becomes Kagami’s third disciple without receiving a formal succession designation 30 98 111 124.

History

Founding and the First Two Hokage

Hashirama founded Konoha alongside Madara and negotiated its defense-and-funding arrangement with the Fire Daimyo. His overwhelming strength served as a deterrent against rival nations. After Hashirama’s death and Madara’s departure, Tobirama carried the village’s leadership burden and developed institutions including the Academy and Anbu 4 17 22 35.

The Land of Lightning Succession Crisis

In Konoha Year 20, Tobirama and his six Shadow Guard members were pursued after peace talks collapsed in the Land of Lightning. Danzō was assigned to cover the retreat, and Kagami stayed with him. Tobirama subsequently remained behind himself and named Hiruzen the next Hokage, but Kagami and Danzō returned to help him defeat the pursuers 1 2 3.

Hiruzen reached Konoha believing his missing comrades had died and uncertain of Tobirama’s fate. The resulting succession dispute ended without his accession. Tobirama returned alive, postponed the question, and later used his final words to entrust the office to Kagami, asking his students and the clans to support the new leader 4 5 14.

Consolidation and the Land of Grass Campaign

Kagami establishes new departments and reforms before completing the ceremonial and national recognition of his succession. His public inauguration combines welfare commitments with the announcement of senior appointments, linking the new Hokage’s legitimacy to both popular support and a functioning administration 16 17 22 23 26 27 28.

The subsequent Iwagakure confrontation culminates in Konoha’s victory at Broken Cloud Gorge and a permanent garrison agreement in the Land of Grass. Kagami instructs Danzō to preserve the settlement without unnecessary escalation. Iwagakure withdraws its forces from Blackstone Fortress, while Sunagakure adopts a cautious policy in response to Konoha’s expanding influence 40 50 51.

Kagami later hosts a grand banquet after the campaign’s troops return. He leads a memorial observance for the dead, praises Danzō, Hiruzen, and the other contributors, and joins the village’s shinobi in celebrating victory and the approaching new year 70.

The Land of Whirlpools Crisis

In Konoha Year 32, the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools divides the Hokage’s senior leadership. Danzō and Sakumo have already intervened with two thousand shinobi, forced the attacking forces to withdraw, and secured the release of captured Uzumaki. Nearly a hundred survivors, including those sheltered earlier, are subsequently settled in Konoha 82 83.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Senju Bu, and Setsuna demand retaliation, while Hiruzen warns that a wider war would endanger Konoha’s hard-won stability and cost many lives. Danzō and Setsuna attack his standing and interpretation of the Will of Fire. Kagami resolves the dispute by ordering full preparations for war against Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure 83 84.

Wartime Succession Concerns and Academy Inspection

After reviewing the Riftwind Valley battle report, Kagami questions whether Sakumo’s reluctance to accept battlefield sacrifices makes him ready for greater responsibility. He continues considering future Hokage candidates rather than formally naming a successor 98.

Kagami then visits the Ninja Academy, emphasizing that students must train to protect Konoha and their families rather than rush unprepared into battle. During the inspection, he encourages Kushina’s and Minato’s Hokage ambitions and explains the office’s connection to service and generational protection 98 99.

Kagami subsequently encourages Nawaki’s ambition to become Hokage and considers ways to strengthen him. He later takes Minato as his third disciple and entrusts him with studying Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God Technique, continuing his personal cultivation of promising younger shinobi 111 124.

Artificial Kekkei Genkai Research

Under Kagami’s patronage, Hiruko develops methods of reproducing bloodline abilities through secret techniques, cell grafting, and chakra-mark modification. He reports stable templates for Steel Release, Swift Release, and other kekkei genkai, presenting an artificial bloodline army as a means of making Konoha strong enough to unify the Shinobi World 115.

The initial modifications succeed for all participating shinobi. Ordinary ninja gain enhanced steel-like defenses or extraordinary speed, and the recipients publicly credit the Hokage and Hiruko for their new opportunities. The project also provokes resistance from Tokuma, who warns that dangerous experiments would make the Hokage answerable to the affected families; Orochimaru and other supporters defend the administration and accuse Tokuma of protecting inherited clan privilege 116 118.

Victory in the Second Shinobi World War

Kagami personally enters the Land of Rain battlefield to reinforce Konoha’s forces. His arrival alarms Hanzō, renews his subordinates’ resolve, and stops the fighting between Shukaku and Son Goku. His subsequent manifestation of a complete Susanoo reveals the extent of the Third Hokage’s personal military power 135 136.

Hanzō apologizes and surrenders Amegakure, the Third Kazekage surrenders Sunagakure, and the surviving Iwagakure shinobi submit without requesting Rōshi’s return. Kagami declares the Second Shinobi World War over, orders the recovery of Konoha’s dead, and honors Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya as the Sannin of Konoha 137.

Kagami later returns to Konoha with Matatabi, the Two-Tails, as his Summoning Beast. His Shadow Guard meets him at the gate, and the village welcomes him with cheers celebrating the war’s outcome and his leadership 151.

Postwar Leadership and the International Conference

After the war, Konoha’s senior leadership rallies around unification of the Shinobi World. Hiruzen, departing sharply from his earlier opposition to escalation, proposes killing the visiting Kage and rapidly conquering their villages. This is his proposal during the discussion, not an account of an executed operation 155 156.

Kagami orders an All-Shinobi World Conference to be held in Konoha three months later and delegates invitations, planning, and security responsibilities. After the planning meeting, he compels Tokuma’s retirement and replaces him with Shizuya, bringing a Hyuga Branch Family member into the village’s elder leadership 156 160.

At the summit, Danzō and the Third Raikage halt a confrontation involving Hanzō and Kakuzu before Kagami appears in his Hokage’s Haori. Konoha’s attendees rise in respect, and the subsequent military parade displays the artificial Steel Release and Swift Release formations to the assembled foreign leaders 162 163.

Kagami’s address turns from the war’s conclusion to reconstruction and accountability. He condemns the reckless use of jinchūriki to kill innocents and identifies Konoha’s capture of two jinchūriki as part of the postwar situation 164.

Administration Under Kagami

Senior Officials

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Root commander and Hokage Advisor, publicly described as second only to the Hokage 16 28. Later commands the First Shinobi Army on the western front, with Sakumo as his deputy 94 97. Receives responsibility for organizing the postwar All-Shinobi World Conference and explains Konoha’s artificial kekkei genkai formations during the military parade 156 163.
• Shimura Danzō — head of Intelligence and Foreign Affairs 28. Commands the Northwest Second Legion and leads Konoha’s armed intervention to recover Uzumaki captives 40 82. Handles conference invitations and covert oversight; Kagami subsequently defines his broader responsibilities as external campaigns and the suppression of unrest 156 160.
• Utatane Koharu — head of the Medical Department 17 28.
• Shikata Nara — Chief Hokage Advisor and head of Finance 28. Advises Kagami on the strategic consequences of the Angel Plan and Konoha’s historical obligations to the Land of Whirlpools 62. Appointed Hiruzen’s deputy for organizing the international conference 156.
• Tokuma Hyuga, Uchiha Setsuna, and Senju Bu — appointed Elders, representing three influential clans 28. Tokuma is later forced to retire and replaced by Shizuya 156.
• Shizuya Hyuga — former Shadow Guard member from the Hyuga Branch Family, appointed to replace Tokuma in the elder leadership 156.
• Hiruko — entrusted with the research institute and later identified as Director of the Konoha Scientific Research Department. Leads the development and modification of the artificial kekkei genkai troops 115 116 163.

Relationship with the Uchiha Clan

Kagami’s accession initially represents a major gain in status for the Uchiha, whose elders had previously urged him toward seizure of village power. Before becoming Hokage, he rejects coups and assassinations in favor of legitimate succession, clan unity, and improved relations with other villagers 6 14.

Kagami later accepts the Uchiha clan leadership from the aging Rei while remaining Hokage. He also accepts responsibility for guiding Rei’s orphaned grandson Fugaku in clan loyalty, village obligations, and leadership. This combines village and clan responsibilities without establishing a new Hokage succession 61 62.

More than a decade into Kagami’s rule, Setsuna regards the Uchiha’s representation in the village’s core leadership as ample compensation for losing most of their former control over the Military Police Force. He takes particular satisfaction in the positions held by Kagami, himself, and Shadow Guard captain Tsukiyama, and comes to view Tobirama’s choice of successor favorably 117.

Protection and Shadow Guard

• Tobirama’s Shadow Guard: Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, Kagami Uchiha, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Torifu Akimichi 1.
• Kagami’s Shadow Guard: Uchiha Tsukiyama, Hyuga Shizuya, Senju Genichi, and Hayama Shirakumo 21.
• Duty hierarchy: Kagami orders his guards to place the village first, the Hokage second, and their clans third 21.
• Commoner inclusion: Hayama’s appointment challenges a tradition in which the position usually went to clan members or the Hokage’s disciples 21.
• Anbu support: Anbu operatives serve within the Hokage Office, deliver summons, and relay urgent orders 15 21 34.
• Complementary capabilities: Tsukiyama specializes in close-range assault, Shizuya in Byakugan reconnaissance, Genichi in elemental combat and medical ninjutsu, and Hayama in Wind Release and swordsmanship 21.
• Protection during travel: The four guards escort Kagami to the Fire Daimyo’s capital and defend him against Kakuzu’s assassination attempt on the return journey. Kagami intervenes with Susanoo when the threat escalates 22 23 24.
• Protection from clan retaliation: Kagami’s warning to the Hyuga Main Family explicitly safeguards Shizuya’s service to the Hokage against conflicting clan commands 40.
• Personal devotion: During the artificial kekkei genkai dispute, Hayama asks permission to kill Tokuma for insulting the Hokage and draws his sword before being ordered to stand down 118.
• Postwar reunion: The four guards meet Kagami at Konoha’s gate and reproach themselves for not accompanying him to battle. Kagami reassures them, promises to take them next time, and stops Hayama from attempting seppuku 151.
• Transition into administration: Shizuya is subsequently described as a former Shadow Guard member when Kagami appoints him to replace Tokuma in the elder leadership; no replacement guard is identified in that appointment 156.

Legacy and the Will of Fire

• Generational responsibility: Tobirama describes the Will of Fire as a flame passed between generations when entrusting Konoha to Kagami 14.
• Practical protection: Kagami treats healthcare, bereaved-family support, and shinobi allowances as concrete obligations of the office rather than ceremonial ideals 17 27 31.
• Access to succession: Kagami tells his Shadow Guard that even a commoner could someday become Hokage 21.
• Mentorship and political lineage: Kagami’s recollection of the original storyline emphasizes how family ties and teacher–student connections shaped its Hokage succession. He regards his disciple Sakumo as a potential future leader, but does not formally designate him as successor 30.
• Protection beyond clan status: Kagami declares that every shinobi defending Konoha is his comrade, whether born to a prominent clan or an ordinary family. His intervention for Shizuya connects this principle to the office’s authority over clan leadership 40.
• Contested interpretation: During the Uzumaki crisis, Hiruzen invokes peace and the prevention of needless casualties, while Danzō and Setsuna invoke loyalty, dignity, and retaliation. Setsuna’s assertion that only a Hokage may speak of the Will of Fire is a partisan rebuke, not an established rule of the office 83.
• Command responsibility: Kagami’s later assessment of Sakumo holds that compassion must be balanced with rational judgment and the willingness to accept necessary battlefield sacrifices 98.
• Teaching the next generation: Kagami explains to Academy students that each generation protects the next and that the convictions of the dead continue through their successors. Kushina and Minato consequently begin understanding the Hokage position as a responsibility to others rather than merely personal recognition 99.
• Expanded opportunity: Successful artificial kekkei genkai modifications allow commoner-born and previously mediocre shinobi to acquire powers formerly dependent on inheritance. The recipients credit the Hokage and Hiruko for changing their prospects 116.
• Unification as a long-term objective: Kagami connects the cultivation of stronger village talent to his eventual plan to unify the Shinobi World. After the war, this aim gains unified support among Konoha’s senior leadership 111 155 156.
• Judgment by future generations: When Danzō praises Tobirama’s choice of successor, Kagami responds that future generations will judge whether the decision was right. He instead emphasizes complementary leadership responsibilities as the means to secure lasting peace and stability 160.

Symbols and Public Recognition

• Hokage Rock: The carved faces of Hashirama and Tobirama overlook Konoha during the succession discussions. Setsuna later smiles at Tobirama’s image because he approves of the Second’s choice of Kagami 7 117.
• Ceremonial clothing: Tobirama wears a white Hokage Robe when formally receiving the Third Raikage. Kagami appears at the later summit in the Hokage’s Haori, whose hem bears gilded patterns 9 162.
• Public ceremony and salute: Kagami’s inauguration draws an enthusiastic crowd of villagers and shinobi. At the later summit, the assembled Konoha attendees stand and formally salute him as Lord Hokage 26 162.

Notable Quotes

“From this day forward... you are Konoha's Lord Third.”
— Tobirama Senju appointing Kagami 14

“My fellow villagers, the Will of Fire has never been mere words. As of today, I, Kagami Uchiha, formally take office as Hokage.”
— Kagami Uchiha at his inauguration 27

“Tell me, in Konoha, whose authority is greater: the Hokage's or a clan head's?”
— Kagami Uchiha asserting command precedence 40

“Besides, have you ever been Hokage? And you dare spout lofty talk about the Will of Fire here!”
— Uchiha Setsuna rebuking Hiruzen during the Land of Whirlpools debate 83

“Whether Lord Tobirama's decision was right or wrong doesn't matter. Future generations will judge that.”
— Kagami Uchiha discussing his succession with Danzō 160

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