Hokage
Conquering the Multiverse, Starting with a Naruto Chat Group
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Hokage (火影) |
| Affiliation | Konohagakure (Konoha) 23 30 |
| Occupation/Role | Leader of Konoha; oversees ninja assignments, village defense, and diplomacy 1 2 22 37 |
| Current Holder | Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage 30 37 50 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 1, “An Encounter with the Sage, the Start of Training” 1 |
Known Holders
| Title | Holder | Documented significance |
|---|---|---|
| First Hokage | Hashirama Senju | Reanimated by Orochimaru and forced to fight Hiruzen; uses Wood Release, including a Wood Dragon and a forest that traps the Third Hokage 20 22. |
| Second Hokage | Tobirama Senju | Reanimated alongside Hashirama; praises Hiruzen for protecting the village before his soul is sealed 20 22. |
| Third Hokage | Hiruzen Sarutobi | Holds office at the story’s opening and dies defending Konoha during the Sand–Sound invasion 1 22. |
| Fourth Hokage | Minato Namikaze | Created the Rasengan, inflicted devastating losses on Iwagakure during the Third Shinobi World War, and died sealing the Nine-Tails 2 11 12 22. |
| Fifth Hokage | Tsunade | Accepts the position while protecting Naruto from Orochimaru, then returns to Konoha and conducts negotiations against the Akatsuki 30 33 37. |
History
Hiruzen’s Administration
Hiruzen approves Naruto’s special graduation arrangements and accepts Jiraiya’s decision to train him outside a regular genin team. He later assigns Naruto to accompany Team 7 on Tazuna’s escort mission and permits him to enter the Chunin Exams alone, making an exception to the usual three-person squad requirement 1 2 7.
His support also extends beyond official duties. After Anbu find Naruto living on the streets as a young child, Hiruzen gives him an apartment. Naruto comes to regard him as a grandfather and later credits him, alongside Iruka, with helping him find people to care about 5 23.
Sand–Sound Invasion
During the Chunin Exam finals, Hiruzen identifies the supposed Kazekage as Orochimaru, his former student. Orochimaru reanimates the First and Second Hokage to attack him, while Hiruzen prevents a third coffin from completing its appearance and summons Enma as the Adamantine Staff 20.
Unable to overcome the reanimated Hokage and Orochimaru, Hiruzen uses the Reaper Death Seal. He seals Hashirama’s and Tobirama’s souls but lacks the strength to take Orochimaru’s entire soul, sealing his arms instead. The technique costs Hiruzen his life, leaving Konoha without a Hokage 22 23.
Selection of the Fifth Hokage
Three days after Hiruzen’s funeral, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado offer Jiraiya the position. They cite the shinobi council’s unanimous vote and the need for a Sannin to replace Sarutobi. Jiraiya refuses, pointing to his intelligence network, other responsibilities, and his unsuitability for leadership; he recommends Tsunade instead 23.
Tsunade initially resists returning. Her decision changes after Naruto risks his life to protect her from Kabuto. She shields Naruto from Orochimaru, heals her own sword wound with Creation Rebirth, and declares herself the Fifth Hokage. She subsequently travels back to Konoha to take office 25 30 32 33.
Authority and Responsibilities
| Area | Demonstrated authority |
|---|---|
| Ninja placement and missions | Hiruzen approves Naruto’s mentorship arrangements, assigns missions, and receives Team 7’s report after the Land of Waves assignment escalates to A-rank 1 2 7. |
| Chunin Exams | The Hokage authorizes Naruto’s solo entry, explains the finals’ political purpose, and decides whether Sasuke’s delayed match should proceed 7 12 18. |
| Village defense | Hiruzen personally confronts Orochimaru and sacrifices himself to stop the reanimated Hokage and disable his former student’s arms 20 22. |
| Diplomacy and entry permissions | Tsunade evaluates foreign cooperation proposals. The proposed anti-Akatsuki agreement requires a Hokage’s or Raikage’s personal approval—or a designated escort—for entry into the other village 37. |
| Emergency operations | Tsunade ends Konoha’s unsuccessful search for Naruto after concluding that he has died 49. |
Councils and Exceptions
- Council involvement: The elders approach Jiraiya following council deliberations, while Tsunade must present the anti-Akatsuki agreement to the Elder Council before issuing an official response 23 37.
- Sannin travel privilege: An old rule established by Hiruzen allows the Sannin and their students to come and go freely. Jiraiya invokes it when Tsunade demands Naruto’s return, allowing him to take Naruto away for extended training without her permission 49.
- Succession-dependent diplomacy: Yugito’s mission to deliver the Raikage’s cooperation letter stalls during the vacancy. She eventually enters Konoha under the Sannin’s protection, but formal cooperation must wait until Tsunade takes office 25 27 33.
Anti-Akatsuki Cooperation
Tsunade accepts Kumo’s proposed terms and requests Sunagakure’s inclusion, noting its new peace treaty with Konoha and reparations for the invasion 37.
- Both sides may travel within each other’s territory, subject to restrictions on entering the villages.
- All intelligence concerning the Akatsuki must be shared.
- An attacked participant requesting aid must receive at least one squad from the other side.
- The agreement lasts until the Akatsuki is completely destroyed.
- Tsunade proposes Yugito as the official liaison between Konoha and Kumo 37.
Notable Quotes
“I'll be Hokage before you know it!”
— Naruto, after receiving his forehead protector 1
“Just like my grandfather and great-uncle, I won't hesitate to give my life to protect the people of Konoha. Because I am the Fifth Hokage!”
— Tsunade, while protecting Naruto from Orochimaru 30