The Naruto Hokage is the leader of Konohagakure and one of the most important positions in the Naruto story. The title represents responsibility, protection, and the Will of Fire, which is why becoming Hokage was Naruto Uzumaki’s greatest dream from childhood.
Across the Naruto and Boruto eras, Konoha has been led by some of the most powerful and influential shinobi in the series. Hashirama Senju founded the position, while later Hokage such as Minato, Tsunade, Kakashi and Naruto shaped the village during very different periods of its history.
This guide covers every Naruto Hokage in order, explains what each leader accomplished, and compares them by peak strength, signature abilities, leadership and lasting influence on Konoha.
Who Are the Naruto Hokage?
Konoha has had seven officially established Hokage, from Hashirama Senju through Naruto Uzumaki. In the current Boruto:
In the Two Blue Vortex storyline, Shikamaru Nara is serving as the Eighth Hokage on a provisional basis while Naruto remains absent from the village. Current official Boruto material continues to depict Shikamaru acting in the Naruto Hokage’s leadership role. Here is the complete Naruto Hokage list in order:
- Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage
- Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage
- Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage
- Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage
- Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage
- Kakashi Hatake, the Sixth Hokage
- Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage
- Shikamaru Nara, the Eighth Hokage, provisionally
Danzo Shimura is sometimes mentioned in discussions about the Naruto Hokage because he was selected as a candidate for the Sixth Hokage position while Tsunade was in a coma. However, he died before the appointment became official, so he is not counted among Konoha’s seven officially established Hokage.
How Many Hokage Has Konoha Had?
The answer depends on whether Shikamaru’s current provisional position is included.Konoha has had seven officially established Hokage in its history:
- Hashirama Senju
- Tobirama Senju
- Hiruzen Sarutobi
- Minato Namikaze
- Tsunade Senju
- Kakashi Hatake
- Naruto Uzumaki
In Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Shikamaru is serving as the provisional Eighth Hokage while Naruto is absent. This means you can accurately describe Konoha as having seven official Hokage and an eighth provisional Hokage.
Hokage in Order at a Glance
| Number | Hokage | Main Era |
| First | Hashirama Senju | Konoha’s founding |
| Second | Tobirama Senju | Early Konoha |
| Third | Hiruzen Sarutobi | Second and Third Shinobi War eras |
| Fourth | Minato Namikaze | Third Shinobi World War |
| Fifth | Tsunade Senju | Post-Third War |
| Sixth | Kakashi Hatake | Post-Fourth War |
| Seventh | Naruto Uzumaki | Boruto era |
| Eighth* | Shikamaru Nara | Boruto: Two Blue Vortex |
Shikamaru currently serves on a provisional basis.
What Does Hokage Mean?
The word Hokage literally means “Fire Shadow.” The title was created by Hashirama Senju after the founding of Konohagakure and became the name of the village’s highest leadership position.
The Hokage is responsible for much more than fighting. The position includes overseeing Konoha’s daily affairs, assigning ninja missions, handling village resources and funding, protecting the population, and making major decisions during times of crisis.
The Hokage also represents the Will of Fire, the philosophy that the people of Konoha should be treated as one family and protected by those willing to carry that responsibility.
This is why becoming Hokage is not simply a reward for being the strongest shinobi. Combat ability matters, but leadership, trust, experience and a willingness to protect the village are also important parts of the role.
How Is a New Hokage Chosen?
Under normal circumstances, the current Naruto Hokage selects their successor. However, if a Hokage dies or becomes unable to serve before choosing a successor, the process can involve the Fire Daimyo, Konoha’s leadership, the Jonin Commander, and an Anbu representative, with the eventual appointment requiring approval from Konoha’s jonin.
The series shows that the process can change depending on the circumstances.For example, when Tsunade was incapacitated, Danzo was selected as a Sixth Hokage candidate, but his appointment never became official.
Kakashi was also considered for the position during this period before Tsunade eventually recovered.Jiraiya was another unusual case. He was considered for the position of Fifth Hokage but refused the role and instead helped bring Tsunade back to Konoha.
Every Naruto Hokage, Ranked by Strength and Legacy
Ranking the Hokage is difficult because they lived in completely different eras and had very different abilities. For this list, each character is considered at their strongest canon version while they were a Hokage or when evaluating their overall combat ability, with strength, major techniques, leadership achievements, and influence on Konoha all taken into account.
1. Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage
Hashirama Senju was the founder of Konoha and the shinobi who first held the title of Hokage. Alongside Madara Uchiha, he helped turn the idea of rival clans joining together into the foundation of Konohagakure.
His combat ability was extraordinary even by the standards of the strongest shinobi in the series.Hashirama’s Wood Release allowed him to create enormous wooden structures and suppress tailed beasts. His immense chakra reserves and healing abilities made him exceptionally difficult to defeat, while Sage Mode pushed his power even further.
His most famous battle was against Madara Uchiha at the Valley of the End. Hashirama ultimately defeated Madara and demonstrated why he became known as the God of Shinobi.
His legacy goes beyond combat. Hashirama established the political and social foundation that later Naruto Hokage would inherit.
2. Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage
Naruto’s journey from an isolated academy student to the Seventh Hokage is one of the central stories of the entire franchise.
By the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto had access to enormous amounts of power through Kurama, Sage Mode, and Six Paths-related abilities. His battles against some of the strongest characters in the series placed him at a level far beyond his younger self.
Naruto’s strength was not limited to his chakra and jutsu. His ability to understand people and change their views became one of his defining qualities.
As Hokage, he continued the same philosophy that had guided him throughout his life: protecting the village and creating a future in which children would not have to experience the same loneliness and hatred that shaped his childhood.
His position as Hokage also represents the completion of the dream that began when he was a young ninja who simply wanted the people of Konoha to acknowledge him.
3. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage
Minato Namikaze earned the name Yellow Flash of the Leaf because of his incredible speed and mastery of space-time ninjutsu.
His signature technique, the Flying Thunder God, allowed him to instantly teleport between marked locations. Combined with his quick reactions and combat intelligence, this made Minato one of the most dangerous shinobi of his era.
He was also the creator of the Rasengan, a technique that later became one of Naruto’s defining abilities.Minato’s time as Hokage was short. During the Nine-Tails’ attack on Konoha, he sacrificed his life to protect the village and seal Kurama’s chakra into his newborn son, Naruto.
His legacy therefore combines exceptional combat ability with one of the most important sacrifices in Konoha’s history.
4. Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage
Tobirama Senju was Hashirama’s younger brother and the Second Hokage.While Hashirama focused heavily on bringing the clans together, Tobirama helped build the institutions that allowed Konoha to function as an organized village.
He is credited with creating or developing several important systems and techniques, including the Shadow Clone Technique and the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Tobirama was also a highly skilled Water Release user and a brilliant battlefield strategist. His experience fighting the Uchiha and other rival clans shaped his cautious approach to village security.
His policies toward the Uchiha remain one of the most debated parts of his legacy. At the same time, many of the institutions he helped establish continued to influence Konoha for generations.
5. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage
Hiruzen Sarutobi served as the Third Hokage and became one of the longest-serving leaders in Konoha’s history.He was trained by both Hashirama and Tobirama and later became the teacher of the Legendary Sannin: Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru.
Hiruzen was known for mastering all five basic chakra natures and for his enormous collection of ninjutsu. Even at an advanced age, he was able to fight Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokage during the Konoha Crush.
His leadership was complicated by difficult decisions involving Orochimaru, Danzo, the Uchiha, and Konoha’s political structure. These decisions continue to shape how fans interpret his legacy.
Regardless of those controversies, Hiruzen’s longevity, skill, and influence make him one of the most important Hokage in the series.
6. Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage
Tsunade Senju became the Fifth Hokage after years away from Konoha.As one of the Legendary Sannin, she was already an elite shinobi before taking the position. Her greatest strengths were medical ninjutsu, monstrous physical strength, and extraordinary durability.
Tsunade’s Strength of a Hundred Seal allowed her to store chakra over a long period and release it when needed. Combined with Creation Rebirth, this gave her remarkable healing abilities in battle.
As Hokage, Tsunade played a critical role during the invasion of Pain and later participated in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Her contribution to Konoha was not limited to combat. She also helped establish medical practices that improved the survival rate of shinobi during missions and wars.
7. Kakashi Hatake, the Sixth Hokage
Kakashi Hatake became the Sixth Hokage after the Fourth Shinobi World War.Before taking the position, he was already famous as the Copy Ninja Kakashi, largely because of the Sharingan he received from Obito Uchiha.
His Sharingan allowed him to copy and analyze many techniques, while Kamui became one of his most powerful abilities during the Fourth War.
During the final battle against Kaguya, Obito temporarily gave Kakashi access to both of his Mangekyo Sharingan. This allowed Kakashi to use abilities far beyond his normal limits, including a Complete Susanoo.
However, Kakashi’s value as Hokage was not simply about his battlefield power.He inherited a village recovering from the Fourth Shinobi World War and helped oversee Konoha during a comparatively peaceful period. His leadership helped create a bridge between the original Naruto era and the next generation.
8. Shikamaru Nara, the Eighth Hokage
Shikamaru Nara is currently serving as Konoha’s provisional Eighth Hokage in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex.Unlike Hashirama or Naruto, Shikamaru is not known for overwhelming destructive power. His greatest weapon has always been his intelligence.
His Shadow Imitation Technique allows him to restrict and manipulate opponents, but his real advantage is his ability to analyze situations several steps ahead.
This was demonstrated particularly well during his battle with Hidan. Rather than trying to overpower Hidan directly, Shikamaru designed a strategy around Hidan’s abilities and weaknesses and used preparation to control the fight.
As Hokage, that same intelligence has become even more important. Current Boruto: Two Blue Vortex material shows Shikamaru making strategic decisions for Konoha while dealing with increasingly dangerous threats.
Shikamaru never originally dreamed of becoming Hokage. His willingness to accept responsibility when Konoha needed a leader is one of the most fitting developments in his character arc.
Naruto Hokage Comparison Table
| Hokage | Greatest Strength | Defining Jutsu or Ability | Main Era |
| Hashirama Senju | Wood Release, Sage Mode | Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands | Konoha’s founding |
| Tobirama Senju | Speed, tactics, Water Release | Flying Thunder God | Early Konoha |
| Hiruzen Sarutobi | Versatility and ninjutsu mastery | Reaper Death Seal | Second and Third War eras |
| Minato Namikaze | Speed and space-time ninjutsu | Flying Thunder God, Rasengan | Third Shinobi World War |
| Tsunade Senju | Medical ninjutsu and physical strength | Creation Rebirth | Post-Third War |
| Kakashi Hatake | Tactical skill and Sharingan techniques | Kamui | Post-Fourth War |
| Naruto Uzumaki | Tailed Beast chakra and Sage powers | Six Paths Sage Mode | Fourth War and Boruto era |
| Shikamaru Nara | Intelligence and strategy | Shadow Imitation Technique | Two Blue Vortex |
Who Could Become the Next Hokage After Shikamaru?
The identity of Konoha’s next permanent Hokage has not been established.One character who naturally enters the discussion is Konohamaru Sarutobi. He has wanted to become Hokage since childhood, partly because he admired Naruto and partly because of his connection to his grandfather, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His story also gives him a direct connection to the previous generation of Konoha’s leadership. If you want to explore how Konohamaru developed from Naruto’s young rival into an experienced shinobi, our breakdown of Konohamaru’s journey covers his story in detail.
There is also an interesting connection between Konoha’s leadership and Team 7. Kakashi became the Sixth Hokage, while Naruto eventually became the Seventh, making them two members of the same team’s extended leadership history. Our guide to Team 7 covers how that team developed and why it became so important to the village’s future.
Why Is the Hokage So Important in Naruto?
The Naruto Hokage represents much more than political authority.Hashirama created the position because he wanted Konoha to become a place where rival clans could live together.
Tobirama built institutions to strengthen the village. Hiruzen tried to preserve its traditions through multiple generations, while Minato and Tsunade protected Konoha during periods of extreme danger.
Kakashi guided the village during its transition into a more peaceful era, and Naruto fulfilled the dream that had defined his entire childhood.
Shikamaru’s role adds another perspective. His story shows that being Hokage is not necessarily about wanting power or glory. Sometimes leadership means accepting responsibility when the village needs someone to step forward.That is what makes the Hokage title so important throughout the Naruto story.
Conclusion
The history of the Naruto Hokage is closely tied to the story of Konoha itself. From Hashirama’s vision to Naruto finally achieving his childhood dream, each Hokage shaped the village in a different way.
With Shikamaru serving as the provisional Eighth Hokage, Konoha has entered a new chapter. His story also reminds us that being Hokage is not only about power, but about having the judgment and determination to protect the village when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Naruto a Hokage?
Yes. Naruto Uzumaki became the Seventh Hokage after the Fourth Shinobi World War and eventually fulfilled the dream he had pursued since childhood.
Who is the current Hokage in Naruto and Boruto?
In the current Boruto: Two Blue Vortex storyline, Shikamaru Nara is serving as Konoha’s provisional Eighth Hokage. Naruto remains the Seventh Hokage but is currently absent from the village. Current official material continues to show Shikamaru acting in the village’s leadership role.
Can Sasuke become Hokage?
Sasuke has never officially become Hokage.Although he is one of Konoha’s most powerful shinobi, Sasuke chose a different role after the Fourth Shinobi World War. He works from outside the village and protects Konoha in ways that complement Naruto’s position as Hokage.
This is why Sasuke is sometimes described by fans as the Shadow Hokage, although that is not an official Hokage title.
Why didn’t Jiraiya become Hokage?
Jiraiya was considered for the position of Fifth Hokage, but he declined.Instead, he helped locate Tsunade and encouraged her to return to Konoha and take the position.
Jiraiya’s preference for traveling, gathering information, and working independently made him reluctant to take on the administrative responsibilities of Hokage.
How many Hokage are there in Naruto?
Konoha has had seven officially established Hokage: Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, Minato, Tsunade, Kakashi and Naruto.
Shikamaru Nara is currently serving as the provisional Eighth Hokage in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, so he can be included when discussing the current leadership of Konoha.
