Throughout Naruto’s long and tumultuous history, the role of Hokage has been a symbol of strength, wisdom, and unshakable resolve. While characters like Hashirama, Minato, and Naruto have rightfully held the title, there were many others who, despite never ascending to the seat of the Hokage, demonstrated all the qualities worthy of it. Some were held back by fate, others by personal choices, and a few simply lived in the wrong era. This list explores ten Naruto characters who could have taken on the mantle of Hokage, had the winds of destiny blown a different direction.
#1: Itachi Uchiha
Itachi was a prodigy who became a Chūnin at 10 and joined the ANBU at 11. His intelligence, calm demeanor, and strong sense of duty made him an ideal leader. Despite being labeled a traitor, Itachi secretly protected Konoha by preventing a civil war through the massacre of his own clan, choosing village peace over personal loyalty. He lived as a rogue ninja and Akatsuki member, all to shield his brother and maintain Konoha’s stability. His deep empathy and strategic brilliance showed Hokage-level maturity, and his famous quote—“You don’t become a Hokage to be acknowledged by everyone. The one who is acknowledged by everyone becomes a Hokage”—perfectly captured his values. Had Itachi lived in a more peaceful time, his leadership, wisdom, and sacrifice could have made him one of the greatest Hokage the village never had.
#2: Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru may not have the raw power of a Hokage, but his intellect, calmness under pressure, and unmatched strategic mind make him a standout candidate. As a child, he was lazy and unmotivated, but his potential became evident during the Chūnin Exams. His ability to think ten steps ahead and outmaneuver stronger opponents proved he had the mind of a leader. After Asuma’s death, Shikamaru matured quickly, taking on more responsibility and guiding his friends with wisdom beyond his years. He was instrumental during the Fourth Great Ninja War, acting as the chief strategist for the Allied Shinobi Forces. His leadership directly influenced key victories and minimized casualties, earning the trust of leaders from all villages. Following the war, Shikamaru became Naruto’s right-hand advisor, effectively acting as the brain behind the Hokage. His level-headed approach to politics and diplomacy would have served Konoha well in peacetime. Though he never pursued the title, he’s exactly the kind of person who could’ve stabilized the village in times of crisis.
#3: Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi actually became the Sixth Hokage after the war, but he was a prime candidate long before then. With a legacy as the Copy Ninja and a track record of leading Team 7, his experience in both combat and mentorship stood out. He held deep personal pain from the losses of Rin and Obito, which shaped his worldview and deepened his empathy. Kakashi was respected across all villages, and his cool-headed decision-making made him a natural leader. He never sought power, and that humility made him even more fit for the job. His tenure as Hokage was during a time of rebuilding and transition, and he quietly brought stability and peace. What makes Kakashi especially Hokage-worthy is his humanity. He wasn’t the strongest, but he knew how to protect what mattered. His years of experience, intelligence, and emotional growth earned him the title in name—and in spirit—even before it was official.
#4: Jiraiya
One of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya had the power, knowledge, and charisma to become Hokage, but turned it down. He believed his flaws and wanderlust made him unsuitable, but in truth, his heart and wisdom would’ve made him an excellent leader. Jiraiya trained some of the most important shinobi in history—Minato, Naruto, and even Nagato. He understood war, peace, and the struggle of ideals better than most. His dedication to Konoha never wavered, and he often worked behind the scenes to protect it from global threats. Despite his playful nature, Jiraiya carried the weight of his failures and used them to fuel his vision for a better world. His dream of peace, combined with his ability to inspire, could’ve made him a unifying Hokage. In another life, he might have accepted the role—and changed the world even sooner.
#5: Sasuke Uchiha
Sasuke’s path was dark and violent, but after redemption, he became one of the most powerful and insightful shinobi in the world. While he never wanted the Hokage title, he expressed a desire to protect the village from the shadows, calling himself the “supporting Hokage.” Sasuke’s understanding of pain, justice, and the flaws in the shinobi system made him uniquely suited to lead. He experienced betrayal, isolation, vengeance, and ultimately growth. These experiences gave him a hardened but clear-eyed vision of what peace required. His later life was spent traveling and solving threats before they reached the village, sacrificing recognition for action. With his power, experience, and deep understanding of Konoha’s political history, Sasuke could have easily taken the Hokage mantle—if only he wanted it.
#6: Tsunade
Tsunade did serve as the Fifth Hokage, but her candidacy could’ve come much earlier. After the death of Nawaki and Dan, she became disillusioned with the shinobi world. However, her medical expertise, strength, and lineage made her one of the most qualified candidates even before her appointment. When she did return, Tsunade revived a broken village after the attack by Orochimaru. She restructured Konoha’s medical systems and trained a new generation of medics, including Sakura. Her Will of Fire, born from pain and perseverance, helped her guide the village through some of its darkest times. Even if she had taken the role sooner, her blend of compassion, experience, and raw strength would have served Konoha well. Her resilience was her greatest asset—proving that true leadership can rise even from the ashes of loss.
#7: Neji Hyuga
Neji was born into the branch family of the Hyuga clan and was initially trapped by fate and bitterness. But after his fight with Naruto, he began to reshape his beliefs and work toward a better future, both for himself and the clan. He became one of Konoha’s most promising young leaders before his untimely death. Neji had the discipline, strength, and intellect to become Hokage. His Byakugan made him nearly unmatched in reconnaissance and close combat. More importantly, he was respected by both peers and elders alike. He exemplified change, breaking through the barriers of his clan’s strict hierarchy. If he had lived, Neji might have reformed the Hyuga from within and extended his leadership to the entire village. His arc—from fatalist to visionary—mirrored the journey of a true Hokage, making his loss all the more heartbreaking.
#8: Konohamaru Sarutobi
As the grandson of the Third Hokage, Konohamaru grew up wanting to earn the title through his own merit. Trained directly by Naruto, he inherited both the Will of Fire and the Rasengan. Despite being seen as a comedic character early on, he matured into a capable and determined shinobi. Konohamaru’s journey is one of steady growth. He became a respected Jōnin and team leader, guiding the next generation with care and discipline. His admiration for Naruto and desire to follow in his footsteps gave him a strong moral compass. Though he hasn’t reached Hokage status (yet), his long-term development, loyalty, and values point him in that direction. With time and more experience, Konohamaru could very well lead Konoha into the future.
#9: Yamato
Yamato, a former ANBU operative and the host of the First Hokage’s DNA, was one of the few capable of controlling Naruto’s tailed beast chakra in his early days. Calm, composed, and highly skilled, Yamato quietly became a trusted and stabilizing presence in Konoha. He often took on missions that required delicate handling, including training Team 7 and monitoring threats tied to Orochimaru and Danzo. His wood release abilities made him a unique and powerful asset, while his balanced, pragmatic demeanor made him ideal for leadership roles. While he lacked political ambition or flashiness, Yamato could have been an effective wartime Hokage—firm, calculated, and deeply loyal to the village. He’s one of Konoha’s most underrated protectors.
#10: Fugaku Uchiha
Fugaku, Itachi’s father and the former head of the Uchiha clan, was once a serious candidate for Hokage before Minato was selected. As a war veteran and leader of the Konoha Police Force, he commanded respect and wielded considerable influence. While he became entangled in the clan’s brewing resentment, there’s evidence he desired peace more than war. According to Itachi, Fugaku had the Mangekyō Sharingan, a rare power that few ever saw. He even considered stepping down from the rebellion for the sake of his sons. Fugaku was a man caught between tradition and reform. In another timeline—one where trust between the Uchiha and village wasn’t broken—he might have become Hokage and helped heal a divided Konoha from within.
