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Hokage Monument. The First Hokage at the far left
The Hokage (火影, literally meaning: Fire Shadow) are the leaders of Konoha. They are generally the strongest in the village, although ideology and renown plays a large part in their being chosen for the position.
Five shinobi have gained this title so far.
After being apointed, they are given a mansion to live in, and later on, have their faces carved out in the stone wall behind the mansion that so far, after the begining of Part II, have all five Hokages carved into.
List of Hokages
First Hokage
Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, founder of Konoha and expert in wood manipulation jutsu.
Main article: Hashirama Senju Hashirama Senju (千手柱間, Senju Hashirama) was a member of the famed Senju clan. He himself was hailed as the "God of Shinobi" for his unmatched ninja prowess. Hashirama sought peace for the shinobi world, and to that end founded Konohagakure with his clan, his childhood friend and rival: Madara Uchiha and the Uchiha clan. He would later become the First Hokage (初代火影, Shodai Hokage, literally meaning: First or Founding Fire Shadow) of Konohagakure. Although he was not able to achieve peace during his lifetime, his legacy and vision for the world would continue to shape the village and the entire shinobi world even after his death.
Second Hokage
Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, younger brother of the First Hokage and a master of water manipulation jutsu.
Main article: Tobirama Senju Tobirama Senju (千手扉間, Senju Tobirama) was a member of the renowned Senju clan, who, together with his elder brother and the Uchiha clan, founded the first shinobi village: Konohagakure. Throughout his lifetime, Tobirama would work tirelessly to achieve political stability and implement the institutions that made the village system work, thus ensuring Konoha's continuity and prosperity. After his brother's death, he would earn the title of Second Hokage (二代目火影, Nidaime Hokage, literally meaning: Second Fire Shadow).
Third Hokage
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, a.k.a The Professor
Main article: Hiruzen Sarutobi Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飛ヒルゼン, Sarutobi Hiruzen) was the Third Hokage (三代目火影, Sandaime Hokage, literally meaning: Third Fire Shadow) of Konohagakure. A disciple of the village's two previous Hokage, Hiruzen was a powerful ninja, hailed as a "God of Shinobi". Though he was only ever directly the teacher of the Sannin, generations of Konoha shinobi benefited from his wisdom during his lifetime.
Fourth Hokage
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, a.k.a Konoha's Yellow Flash
Main article: Minato Namikaze Minato Namikaze, mostly referred to as the Fourth, graduated from the Academy at the age of ten and would go on to become the student of Jiraiya. There he was taught the Summoning Technique and signed the contracts with the Toads. Minato mastered the technique, being the only person to fully control Gamabunta, a feat not even his sensei could do. His skills would further grow with the development of his own jutsu, the Rasengan (although he did not live long enough to complete it) and Flying Thunder God Technique.
After attaining the rank of Jonin, Minato was given direction of his own team, which consisted of Kakashi Hatake, Rin and Obito Uchiha. Along with Kakashi, Minato's reputation greatly increased during the Third Great Ninja War, where his skills earned him the moniker of Konoha's Yellow Flash.
Later on, he became the Fourth Hokage (Yondaime Hokage). However, he is most famed for his defeat of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. When the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked Konoha, Minato rushed to the village, where he and Gamabunta faced off against the Tailed beast. Near the end of the battle, Minato made the ultimate sacrifice: using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, he sealed the demon fox into his newborn son, Naruto, in exchange for his own life. His dying wish was that Naruto be viewed as a hero, and not the container of the demon fox, a request the villagers did not listen to.
Fifth Hokage
Tsunade, Konoha's Fifth Hokage, master of medical ninjutsu and wielder of supernatural strength.
Main article: Tsunade The Granddaughter of the First and one of the "Legendary Three Ninja" (伝説の三忍, Densetsu no Sannin) Tsunade is also known as the "Legendary Sucker" for her love of gambling. She is also often called the "Queen of Slugs" as she can summon huge slugs in battle. During her first appearance, because of her love for gambling, her assistant Shizune is seen carrying around a briefcase filled with I.O.Us (I Owe You). Also she is a brilliant Medic-Nin, whose skills are known far and wide.
After the Third died and Jiraiya declined being given the title of Hokage, he thought that Tsunade might be a more appropriate fit, and also speculated that her Medic skills would be of good use to heal the wounded ones from the previous invasion.
After a long journey which included betting Naruto couldn't complete the Rasengan by the end of the week, and encountering Orochimaru and Kabuto in a difficult fight, Tsunade finally agrees to become Hokage.
Trivia
- All of the former Hokage have been sealed away in the stomach of the Death God summoning. The Fourth was sealed when he sealed the demon fox inside of Naruto, while the First and Second were sealed when Orochimaru resurrected them and the Third sealed them away, and the Third was sealed when he gave his life to seal Orochimaru's arms.
Sources
- First Official Data Book (秘伝・臨の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Rin no Sho Character Official Data Book)
- Second Official Data Book (秘伝・闘の書キャラクターオフィシャルデータBOOK, Hiden: Tō no Sho Character Official Data Book)
- Jump's 2nd Great Hero Book's Mini Data Book (秘伝・翔の書オフィシャルキャラクターデータBOOK mini, Hiden: Shō no Sho Official Character Data Book mini)
- Naruto manga chapters and anime episodes