All Hokage of Konoha (1–7): who they are, abilities and fate

Hokage - the highest title of the Village Hidden in the Leaves: «Fire Shadow», the leader and, as a rule, the strongest shinobi of Konoha. In the village's history, seven people have held this post, from founder Hashirama Senju to the main character Uzumaki Naruto. Let's break down what a Hokage is, how one becomes one, what idea stands behind the title, and go through each one: abilities, era, and how their reign ended.

Hokage (火影, "Shadow of Fire") - the head of Konohagakure and one of the five Kage, leaders of the great hidden villages.

Who is Hokage

Hokage - the leader of Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves in the Land of Fire. This is the highest military, political and moral authority of the village: he assigns missions, is responsible for defense and embodies its spirit. Konoha was founded first among the hidden villages and became a model for the rest.

Hokage - one of the Five Kage, the supreme leaders of the great villages:

Together, the five gather only at the Five Kage Summit, which any of them can convene in a crisis.

Symbolism: hat, robe, and the Hokage Rock

The position is recognizable at first glance:

• White haori (cloak) with the kanji «火影» on the back, which the new Hokage receives upon inauguration.

• Conical hat in red and white colors with the character «火» (fire) on the front, for official ceremonies.

• Hokage Rock - a cliff above the village, into which the faces of all Hokage are carved. According to Hashirama's idea, they «eternally watch» over Konoha; it is the main landmark of the village, by which it was recognized even among the ruins after Pain's attack.

How to become Hokage

Usually, the acting Hokage himself names his successor - a tradition that started with Hashirama, who named his brother Tobirama. If the Hokage dies or is incapacitated, a new one is chosen by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire with the advice of the Konoha Council of Elders, the Jonin Commander, and ANBU, and the decision is then approved by the village jonin. A special case: a living former Hokage has the right to return to the position, as the Third did after the Fourth's death.

"Will of Fire"

The title is based on the ideology of the 'Will of Fire' (火の意志), which Hashirama made the foundation of Konoha. Its essence: the village is one big family, and every shinobi loves, cherishes and protects it, like previous generations, even to the point of self-sacrifice for the future. The word 'Hokage' itself, 'Fire Shadow', refers to this flame, and at the Konoha cemetery there is a sculpture of fire with the characters 'Hokage'. One who denies the 'Will of Fire' finds himself in direct opposition to the village.

All Hokage of Konoha: From First to Seventh

Senju Hashirama - founder of Konoha together with Madara, the "God of Shinobi" and the sole possessor of Mokuton (Wood), with which he subdued the tailed beasts. He defeated Madara at the Valley of the End and established the "Will of Fire". How he died, the canon never revealed.

Tobirama Senju is Hashirama's younger brother. He created the village's institutions (the Academy, ANBU, chunin exams) and invented iconic techniques: Flying Thunder God, Shadow Clones, and the forbidden Edo Tensei. He died in the First Shinobi World War, covering his squad's retreat and appointing Hiruzen as his successor.

Sarutobi Hiruzen - "Professor", who ruled the longest (two terms). Teacher of the legendary Sannin trio: Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. Returned to the position after Minato's death and died fighting his former student Orochimaru and sealing his hands with the Shiki Fujin technique.

Minato Namikaze - the "Yellow Flash of Konoha", hero of the Third War and inventor of the Rasengan, who perfected the Hiraishin. Father of Naruto: on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack, he sealed half of the fox into himself, half into his newborn son, sacrificing his life.

Tsunade - Hashirama's granddaughter and one of the Sannin, the first female Hokage and the world's strongest medical ninja. During Pain's attack, she gave all her chakra to save the village's residents, nearly dying. Later, she voluntarily stepped down, passing the post to Kakashi.

Hatake Kakashi - the "Copy Ninja" with the Sharingan Obito, student of Minato and mentor of Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura). His reign became one of the most peaceful, after which he himself passed the title to Naruto.

Uzumaki Naruto is the jinchuriki of Kurama and the main protagonist of the saga, the embodiment of the «Will of Fire». He played a key role in the victory in the Fourth War and fulfilled his childhood dream, becoming the Seventh Hokage in the era of Konoha's prosperity.

Danzo: the candidate who never became Hokage

When after Pain's attack Tsunade fell into a coma, the daimyo temporarily appointed [**Danzō** Shimura](/character/shimura-danzo) as a "candidate for the Sixth Hokage". Officially, he never assumed the position. The head of the secret division Root, at the Five Kage Summit he was exposed for manipulation and soon died in a duel with Sasuke. The real Sixth Hokage became Kakashi, so Danzō is not listed in the canonical list of Hokage.

Ten Sharingan were implanted into Danzo's right arm, and Shisui's eye was implanted into his eye socket: more on this in the article about the Sharingan.

The Eighth Hokage and the Boruto Era

In "Boruto", the Eighth Hokage also appears. After Naruto was sealed away by Kawaki in another dimension, **Shikamaru** Nara was elected as the temporary head of the village. He himself considers his role provisional: the post formally remains vacant, and Konohamaru and Sarada Uchiha are tipped as future Hokages.