The Hokage title represents the strongest ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village. But how do the seven Hokage compare? Let’s rank them from weakest to strongest, analyzing their abilities and accomplishments.
7. Kakashi Hatake (Sixth Hokage)
Why Lowest?
Kakashi’s placement is controversial but logical. During his Hokage term, he no longer possessed the Sharingan. His power was significantly reduced from his war arc peak.
Abilities During Term
- All five chakra natures
- Perfect chakra control
- Exceptional tactics and intelligence
- 1000+ copied jutsu (though execution limited without Sharingan)
Note: War Arc DMS Kakashi is arguably the strongest, but he never had those powers as Hokage.
6. Tsunade Senju (Fifth Hokage)
Strengths
- Monstrous strength: Can shatter landscapes with punches
- Medical ninjutsu: The greatest healer in ninja history
- Hundred Healings: Near-immortality regeneration
- Summoning: Katsuyu the slug
Weaknesses
Tsunade lacks versatility. Her combat approach is straightforward—get close and punch. Against ranged or sealing specialists, she struggles. She’s also psychologically damaged from past trauma.
5. Tobirama Senju (Second Hokage)
The Inventor
Tobirama created most jutsu that define Naruto’s world:
- Flying Thunder God: Teleportation (later mastered by Minato)
- Edo Tensei: Reanimation of the dead
- Shadow Clone Jutsu
- Water Release mastery: Created water from chakra
Combat Style
Tobirama was the fastest ninja of his era. His battle pragmatism (some call it ruthlessness) made him deadly. He died fighting 20 elite shinobi to save his team.
4. Minato Namikaze (Fourth Hokage)
The Yellow Flash
Minato earned his epithet through unmatched speed:
- Perfected Flying Thunder God beyond Tobirama
- Created Rasengan
- Sealed Kurama into Naruto
- Defeated the Masked Man (Obito) while protecting Konoha
War Arc Feats
Reanimated Minato with Kurama chakra (Nine-Tails Chakra Mode) could:
- Teleport entire armies
- Compete with Six Paths users briefly
- Create Kurama chakra constructs
3. Hiruzen Sarutobi (Third Hokage)
The Professor
Hiruzen’s ranking is debated, but in his prime, he was stated to be the strongest Kage. He mastered:
- All five chakra natures
- Every jutsu in Konoha (earning “Professor” title)
- Monkey summoning (Enma the Adamantine Staff)
- Reaper Death Seal
Orochimaru Fight
Even at 69 years old, weakened Hiruzen fought Orochimaru and two reanimated Hokage simultaneously. He sealed Orochimaru’s arms, crippling him for years.
2. Hashirama Senju (First Hokage)
The God of Shinobi
Hashirama’s power defined an era:
- Wood Release: Unique kekkei genkai, city-sized constructs
- Sage Mode: Perfect natural energy control
- Bijuu suppression: Could control all Tailed Beasts
- Regeneration: Healed without hand seals
Key Feats
- Defeated Madara Uchiha + Nine-Tails
- Captured all Tailed Beasts and distributed them as peace offerings
- His cells remain valuable centuries later
1. Naruto Uzumaki (Seventh Hokage)
Why Naruto Is Strongest
Naruto’s power as Hokage includes:
- Six Paths Sage Mode: God-tier abilities
- Perfect Kurama cooperation: Unlimited chakra
- Truth-Seeking Balls: Erase matter
- All Tailed Beast chakra access
- Massive attack scale: Mountain-destroying minimum
Baryon Mode (Boruto)
Naruto’s ultimate form sacrificed Kurama for power that surpassed the Otsutsuki. Even without it post-Kurama, he retains Sage Mode and massive reserves.
Final Ranking
- Naruto Uzumaki
- Hashirama Senju
- Hiruzen Sarutobi (prime)
- Minato Namikaze
- Tobirama Senju
- Tsunade Senju
- Kakashi Hatake (Hokage-era)
Related: Complete History of the Uchiha Clan