Kazekage

The Kazekage (風影, literally meaning: Wind Shadow) is the Kage of Sunagakure, a title bestowed on the village's leader. The Kazekage is generally regarded as the strongest shinobi in the village. There have been eight Kazekage in the village's history.

## Overview

The Kazekage position was created after the formation of Suna by Reto, the village's founder, which was the second of the five Kage to emerge. Unlike most Kage, the Kazekage position is hereditary, with only people from the Kazekage Clan ever being Kazekage. If the occupant of the post die or reported missing after a long period of time, the next Kazekage is chosen by the Suna Council from the clan. Once the duties of the position are assumed, they usually move to the Kazekage's Office.

Throughout history, the Kazekage have earned a reputation for being feared and respected around the world, due be responsible for keeping Suna on an even footing with the other villages despite its small size. However, the Kazekage title is sometimes considered cursed, as all the Kazekage, excluding the current, have met untimely deaths at the hands of assassins; the village's affairs are decided by the Suna Council in the interim between Kazekage. Full-bodied statues of all the former Kazekage are kept in council's meeting chambers.

## List of Raikage

### First Kazekage

Reto Kazekage, born Reto Higashi, was the First Kazekage who founded Sunagakure in the Land of Wind, and was said to have gathered all the desert-dwelling shinobi under his control with his overwhelming power. Reto, the visionary leader of his clan, orchestrated a pivotal transformation by rechristening the Higashi Clan as the Kazekage, concurrently establishing the Kazekage as a hereditary position. This strategic move marked a departure from the clan's traditional focus on Fūinjutsu, redirecting their efforts toward intricate scheming and astute leadership under Reto's guidance. As with all of Kazekage who came after him, Reto died an untimely death at the hands of assassins, a fate that many people considered to stem from the lineage of the Kazekage being cursed.

### Second Kazekage

Shaman Kazekage was the Second Kazekage of Sunagakure. During the reign of his older brother Reto, Shaman was the first to research the jinchūriki with the intent of controlling Shukaku. Upon Reto being assassinated, Shamon succeeded him and became Kazekage. During his reign, he focused all his efforts on strengthening Suna's military power through the use of puppets as a replacement for shinobi. Shamon took advantage of the surrounding desert terrain and the village's development of new ninjutsu, and developed a way for shinobi to fight with multiple partners. As a result of his military expansion, Sunagakure achieved ground breaking advancement. Shamon would later be killed at the hands of assassins, a fate that many people considered to stem from the lineage of the Kazekage being cursed.

### Third Kazekage

Takezo Kazekage assumed the role of the Third Kazekage in Sunagakure unexpectedly, following the untimely demise of the first and second Kazekage. Seiji Kazekage, who was the Clan head at the time, declined the elders' wishes to ascend to the position, leading to the surprising appointment of twelve-year-old Takezo as Kazekage. Although his youth initially shocked many, the first decade of his reign saw Takezo under the influence and control of the council, grooming him for the responsibilities of the role.

One of Takezo's notable accomplishments occurred when he successfully led the country through the challenges of the First Shinobi War, showcasing a level of strategic prowess and leadership beyond his years. This accomplishment, achieved when Takezo was 34 years old, demonstrated his ability to navigate complex military and political landscapes, solidifying his position as a capable Kazekage. Despite being the longest-serving Kazekage, Takezo, like his predecessors, met a tragic fate, succumbing to an assassin's attack.

### Fourth Kazekage

Ōsei Kazekage was the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure. As a leader, Ōsei was known for his strategic acumen and a keen sense of diplomacy. One of Ōsei's notable achievements was the successful negotiation of crucial trade agreements, contributing to the economic growth of Sunagakure. His diplomatic efforts not only secured valuable resources for the village but also strengthened its position on the international stage. Like his predecessors, he was killed by assassins.

### Fifth Kazekage

Koshiro Kazekage was the fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Ōsei's assassination, which some suspected Koshiro to be involved in due to their well-known discord, paved the way for Koshiro's ascendancy to the position of Kazekage. It was common knowledge that Koshiro harbored ambitions of becoming Kazekage, and his leadership style reflected a departure from the diplomatic tact of Ōsei.

Koshiro's rule coincided with the tumultuous period of the Second Shinobi War, which presented Sunagakure with significant challenges. While Ōsei had prioritized diplomacy and economic growth, Koshiro shifted the focus towards strengthening Sunagakure's military capabilities. He took a more aggressive stance in response to the escalating conflicts, adopting a philosophy that emphasized the necessity of military might to ensure the village's survival. He was killed by the missing-nin Reone Miyazaki.

### Sixth Kazekage

Masaru Kazekage was the Sixth Kazekage of Sunagakure. By studying the jinchūriki of Shukaku at the time, he ingeniously replicated its sand-manipulating abilities. Combining his innate magnetic chakra with iron powder, Masaru developed the formidable Iron Sand technique. Regarded as the most powerful Kazekage in the village's history, his reign came to a tragic end when he fell victim to the missing-nin Sasori Kazekage's lethal actions.

### Seventh Kazekage

Renowned for his ability to use Gold Dust, Rasa Kazekage was the Sixth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Faced with financial constraints imposed by the Land of Wind's daimyō, Rasa strategically shifted Sunagakure's focus to enhancing the quality of its ninja. To showcase the village's value, he made the decision to entrust the sealing of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, within his youngest son, Gaara, intending for Gaara to become Suna's ultimate weapon.

Rasa's tenure as Kazekage was characterized by the challenge of managing Shukaku's frequent rampages, exacerbated by the imperfect sealing that kept the beast in a perpetual state of aggression. Additionally, the treatment of Gaara, whose emotions fueled Shukaku, presented ongoing challenges. Ultimately, Rasa met his demise at the hands of the rogue ninja Orochimaru Yasha.

### Eight Kazekage

Gaara Kazekage is the Eighth Kazekage of Sunagakure. Gaara faced a prolonged deliberation by the Elders before assuming the position. Despite being the sole volunteer, doubts lingered about Gaara's suitability for the role. However, driven by his desire to safeguard the village and its inhabitants, Gaara accepted the responsibility, aiming to dispel the lingering fears within the community.

His commitment extended beyond Sunagakure's borders, as Gaara actively sought to foster positive relationships with Konoha, emphasizing diplomacy and collaboration between the two villages.

## Trivia

* Three of the eight Kazekage were killed by three different Akatsuki members.
* The position is seen as cursed due to all the assasinations, and the amount of Kazekage there have been compared to other Kage.