Hokage

The Hokage (火影, Fire Shadow) are the leaders of Konohagakure. They are generally the strongest in the village, although ideology and renown plays a large part in their being chosen for the position.

Five shinobi have gained this title so far.

After being apointed, they are given a mansion to live in, and later on, have their faces carved out in the stone wall behind the mansion that so far, after the begining of Part II, have all five Hokages carved into.

First Hokage
The First Hokage (火影初代, Shodai Hokage, First or Founding Fire Shadow), also known as Hashirama Senju, was the founder of Konoha, the older brother of the Second, and the grandfather of Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha and Nawaki, Tsunade's kid brother. His full name was Hashirama Senju. The First was famous for his Mokuton (木製解放, Wood Release) jutsu, an ability to mix earth and water manipulated chakra to create the new element: wood. By converting chakra into life force, he was able to create actual trees. This ability also granted him power to control Bijuu, bending them to his own will. He saw the people of Konoha as a part of his own family, and his legacy takes a firm root in the village.

He was originally the leader of the Senju clan of the Forest. In his early years, after fighting him constantly, he allied with Madara Uchiha, and the two of them founded Konoha. Later on, he came to disagree with Madara over the policies of the village. This conflict resulted in the battle with, and defeat of, Madara Uchiha at the Valley of the End.

It is later revealed that Orochimaru had implanted the First Hokage's DNA into sixty test subjects in an attempt to gain access to his Mokuton techniques and ability to control bijuu, producing Tenzo (later given the code name Yamato). However, he lost track of the test subjects and didn't realize that one had survived.

He is later revived from the dead by Orochimaru using Impure World Resurrection to fight the Third Hokage during the invasion of Konoha arc. His soul is eventually sealed into the stomach of the Death God by the Third Hokage, along with his brother and Orochimaru's arms.

In manga 336 is stated that he has fought with Kakuzu, the outcome of the battle is still unknown.

Second Hokage
The Second Hokage (二代目火影, Nidaime Hokage; Literally meaning "Second Fire Shadow") is the younger brother to the First Hokage and Tsunade's great-uncle. As the brother of the First, the Second Hokage was a member of the Senju Clan of the forest. He is also the former teacher and team leader of the disbanded Team Senju. He is greatly known for his abilities with Suiton Ninjutsu being able to use high level water jutsu with no water source nearby.

Third Hokage
The Third Hokage (三代目火影, Sandaime Hokage; Literally meaning "Third Fire Shadow"), otherwise known by his surname Sarutobi (猿飛). His given name is unknown, however his surname, inspired by Sarutobi Sasuke, means "jumping like a monkey", further supported by his Summoning Technique which summons an ape. His mentors the First and Second Hokages also nicknamed him "Monkey" (猿, Saru). Masashi Kishimoto originally planned for the Third Hokage to be a dog, but eventually dumped the idea for being "too weird".

Fourth Hokage
Minato Namikaze, mostly referred to as the Fourth, graduated from the Academy at the age of ten and would go on to become the student of Jiraiya. There he was taught the Summoning Technique and signed the contracts with the Toads. Minato mastered the technique, being the only person to fully control Gamabunta, a feat not even his sensei could do. His skills would further grow with the development of his own jutsu, the Rasengan (although he did not live long enough to complete it) and Flying Thunder God Technique.

After attaining the rank of Jonin, Minato was given direction of his own team, which consisted of Kakashi Hatake, Rin and Obito Uchiha. Along with Kakashi, Minato's reputation greatly increased during the Third Great Ninja War, where his skills earned him the moniker of Konoha's Yellow Flash.

Later on, he became the Fourth Hokage (Yondaime Hokage). However, he is most famed for is his defeat of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. When the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked Konoha, Minato rushed to the village, where he and Gamabunta faced off against the Tailed beast. Near the end of the battle, Minato made the ultimate sacrifice: using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, he sealed the demon fox into his newborn son, Naruto, in exchange for his own life. His dying wish was that Naruto be viewed as a hero, and not the container of the demon fox, a request most of the villagers did not honor.

Fifth Hokage
The Granddaughter of the First and one of the "Legendary Three Ninja" (伝説の三忍, Densetsu no Sannin) Tsunade is also known as the "Legendary Sucker" for her love of gambling. During her first appearance, because of her love for gambling, her assistant Shizune is seen carrying around a briefcase filled with I.O.Us (I Owe You). Also she is a brilliant Medic-Nin, whos skills is known far and wide.

After the Third died and Jiraiya declined being given the title of Hokage, he thought that Tsunade might be a more apropriate fit, and also speculated that her Medic skills would be of good use to heal the wounded ones from the previous invasion.

After a long journey which included teaching Naruto the Rasengan, and encoutering Orochimaru and Kabuto in a difficult fight, Tsunade finally agrees to become Hokage.