Hokage

The Hokage (火影, literally meaning: Fire Shadow) is the Kage of Konohagakure, a title bestowed on the village's leader. The Hokage is generally regarded as the strongest shinobi in the village. As of 106 AF, there have been six Hokage in the village's history.

## Overview

The Hokage position, established in the early days of Konoha by Hashirama Senju, a founding figure, involves the careful selection of a successor by the incumbent Hokage. In the unfortunate event of the Hokage's demise or incapacity, the next leader is chosen by the Land of Fire's daimyō, in consultation with the Konoha Council, the Jōnin Commander, and a representative from the Anbu. This choice undergoes scrutiny by Konoha's jōnin before confirmation. Notably, a former Hokage can resume office instead of appointing a new leader, a precedent set when the Fourth Hokage returned after the Fifth's passing. The Hokage's inauguration marks a significant Konoha event, attended by the entire village. During this ceremony, the new Hokage receives a ceremonial haori. Upon assuming the Hokage role, their visage is immortalized on the Hokage Rock, and they usually reside in the Hokage Residence. The Hokage's office is situated within the administrative section of the Academy.

Hokage bear the weight of Konoha's daily responsibilities, including tasks like assigning ninja missions and securing funding for village projects and personnel. Their presence is primarily within the village, with rare international travels reserved for crucial Konoha matters. Embracing the ethos of the Will of Fire, Hokage view Konoha as a unified family, with their chief duty being its protection. The workload is substantial, often leading retired Hokage to continue overseeing specific village sectors or advising the current leader upon request.

## List of Hokage

### First Hokage

Hashirama Senju 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 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.

Hashirama Senju served as Hokage for a remarkable twenty-two years, leaving an enduring mark on Konohagakure's history and the hearts of its people.

### Second Hokage

Tobirama Senju 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.

Tobirama Senju served as Hokage for a total of fourteen years, during which he left an indelible mark on the village and contributed significantly to its growth and development.

### Third Hokage

Yuan Gyōtō, belonging to the formidable Gyōtō Clan, served as the third Hokage of Konohagakure. A student of the first Hokage, he possessed the rare Kekkei Tōta, light release, overseeing an era of stability and peace. Despite his successful leadership, his distant demeanor left him less remembered in the hearts of the people compared to other revered Hokages.

Yuan Gyōtō's tenure as Hokage lasted for a total of fifteen years, during which he skillfully navigated the village through various challenges, contributing significantly to Konohagakure's prosperity and safety.

### Fourth Hokage

Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure. A disciple of the Second 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.

Initially holding the title for twenty-eight years, Hiruzen's leadership extended for an additional six years after the passing of the Fifth Hokage.

### Fifth Hokage

Minato Namikaze was the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure and the youngest Hokage in the village's history.. He was renowned all over the world as Konoha's Yellow Flash . He died during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack, sacrificing his life to seal a part of the Nine-Tails into his newborn son, Naruto Uzumaki.

He was only Hokage for just over a year.

### Sixth Hokage

Tsunade Senju is a descendant of first Hokage and the third, and is one of Konohagakure's Sannin. She is famed as the world's strongest kunoichi and its greatest medical-nin. The repeated loss of her loved ones caused Tsunade to later abandon the life of a shinobi for many years. She eventually decides that the Fourth is no longer doing a good job and becomes Hokage herself, where her skills prove invaluable to the village.

With an unwavering dedication to the village's welfare, Tsunade has held the esteemed position of Hokage for a decade, proving the depth of her leadership and the invaluable impact of her skills on Konohagakure. Although some believe that she doesn't think anyone else is good enough for the job...

## Trivia

* Hashirama intended for his co-founder, Madara Uchiha, to be the First Hokage, but the village's population instead selected Hashirama. Madara feared that Hashirama's selection was the first step in making the Hokage office an extension of the Senju clan's authority. Ultimately, all of the village's Hokage have a connection to a previous Hokage, which traces origins to the Senju in some way.
	+ The Second was the chief aide and younger brother of the First.
	+ The Third was the first's student who later worked under him and became his son-in-law.
	+ The Fourth was a student of the Second, and also later worked under him.
	+ The Fifth was one of the Fourth's students.
	+ The Sixth is direct family to the First and Second, and was a student of the Fourth.
* Orochimaru was a prime candidate to be the Fifth Hokage, but was passed over because he didn't embody the Will of Fire.
* Fugaku Uchiha's talents were considered comparable to Minato Namikaze and the Sannin, even viewed as a prime candidate to become Fifth Hokage. Despite this, his name was not even suggested. Many in the Uchiha Clan suspected this was due to the village officials not wanting the Uchiha Clan on centre stage.
* It's tradition that a Konoha shinobi's first mission is directly received from the Hokage.