In Naruto, the Five Kage are the recognized leaders of their respective villages, and the Hokage is the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village. Only the strongest and most skilled Leaf ninja can become Hokage - which is why only a handful of individuals have officially held the title. Every Hokage has left behind a lasting legacy, but they have all had slightly different fates.
Several Hokage died in battle, which is not surprising since the ninja world is a violent place. That being said, their souls now reside in the Pure Land, which is essentially Naruto's version of heaven. A few Hokage have been able to retire, and they are currently enjoying their free time. The Current Hokage is presumed dead, but he is actually sealed elsewhere.
9 Hashirama Was The Leaf Village's 1st Hokage, And His Soul Is Now At Rest
First Appears in "Naruto Episode 69, "Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!"
The Hidden Leaf Village was founded by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, but it was Hashirama who became the village's First Hokage. He possessed the Wood Release kekkei genkai, and his own Sage Mode. Hashirama was the only person to ever beat Madara in combat, and he could defeat a Tailed Beast single-handedly. The exact cause of Hashirama's death is still unknown, but it happened before the First Ninja War.
Hashirama was resurrected by Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush arc, where he battled the Third Hokage. The fight ended when his soul was sealed within the Reaper Death Seal Technique. His soul was freed during the 4th Great Ninja War - where he helped to subdue the Ten-Tails. He also helped to summon Team 7 from Kaguya's dimension. When the war ended, his soul was finally able to rest in the Pure Land.
8 Tobirama Died During The First Ninja War As The 2nd Hokage
First Appears in Naruto Episode 69, "Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!"
Tobirama Senju is Hashirama's younger brother, and he was named the Second Hokage prior to Hashirama's death. He was a master with Water Release, and he created powerful techniques like the Reanimation Jutsu and Flying Thunder God Technique. Tobirama's speed allowed him to overpower the visual prowess of the Sharingan.
Tobirama was killed by Kinkaku of the Hidden Cloud Village during the First Ninja War, but he was resurrected decades later to fight the Third Hokage. Like his brother, his soul was sealed, but he was freed during the Fourth Ninja War. Tobirama used his skills to help fight Obito Uchiha - who was the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki at the time. He helped to bring Team 7 back from Kaguya's dimension, and his soul was now in the Pure Land.
7 Hiruzen Died As The 3rd Hokage After Fighting Orochimaru
First Appears in Naruto Episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Moments before his death, Tobirama named Hiruzen Sarutobi the Third Hokage. He held the title for a record-breaking 42 years, and he is the only Hokage who participated in all four ninja wars. Other than Hashirama, Hiruzen is the only ninja who received the "God of Shinobi" title. Hiruzen sacrificed himself during the Konoha Crush arc when he used the Reaper Death Seal to stop his two predecessors.
He also sealed Orochimaru's arms in the process. Orochimaru released Hiruzen's soul during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and he helped to fight the Ten-Tails and its Jinchuriki. He then defended the Allied Shinobi Forces from Tobi's wooden buddha. After bringing Team 7 back, Hiruzen's soul was able to rest in the Pure Land.
6 Minato Died As The 4th Hokage During The Nine-Tails Attack
First Appears in Naruto Episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Minato is Naruto's father, and he was named the Fourth Hokage after the Third Ninja War. He perfected the Flying Thunder God Technique, and in doing so, he became the fastest ninja in history. He defeated Obito while the Nine-Tails was attacking the Leaf Village, and he sacrificed himself to seal half of the Tailed Beast's chakra inside of Naruto.
Minato's soul was trapped inside the Reaper Death Seal, but he was freed by Orochimaru during the Fourth Great Ninja War. He got to fight alongside his son during the war, and he was able to save Naruto's life by giving him the other half of the Nine Tails' chakra. Before joining Kushina in the Pure Land, Minato was able to say goodbye to Naruto.
5 Tsunade Retired As The 5th Hokage Shortly After The 4th Great Ninja War
First Appears in Naruto Episode 83, "Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!"
Tsunade was named the Fifth Hokage shortly after Hiruzen's death. She is the granddaughter of Hashirama, and she was trained by Hiruzen. She is still considered the strongest medical ninja in the world, and she mastered the art of Mitotic Regeneration - which makes her unkillable for a brief period of time. Tsunade used her medical skills to save many lives during Pain's assault.
She also led the Five Kage when they fought Madara Uchiha. Tsunade decided to retire after the Fourth Ninja War, but she remained Hokage for a full year until her successor was ready. During the events of Boruto, Tsunade seems to be enjoying her retirement by going on various trips, but she continues to advise and help the Leaf Village whenever she can.
4 Danzo Died After Becoming The 6th Hokage Candidate
First Appears in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 32, "Return of the Kazekage"
Danzo never became Hokage, but he was named the presumptive Sixth Hokage when Tsunade was incapacitated. He was part of the Second Hokage's squad, and he was in charge of his own Anbu division. Danzo protected the Leaf Village from the shadows, but his actions ultimately led to the Uchiha Massacre and the creation of the Akatsuki.
Danzo represented the Leaf Village at the Five Kage Summit - where he was caught trying to manipulate the other Kage with Shisui Uchiha's Sharingan. Sasuke attacked the summit because he wanted to kill Danzo. Their battle was epic, but it ended in Sasuke's victory. In his final moments, Danzo activated the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique to destroy his body so Obito could not acquire Shisui's eye.
3 Kakashi Was The 6th Hokage For Over A Decade, And He Is Now Enjoying Retirement
First Appears in Naruto Episode 3, "Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?"
Kakashi Hatake is a true ninja prodigy who was trained by the Fourth Hokage. After acquiring Obito's Sharingan, Kakashi became known as the Copy Ninja, and he went on to lead the third division of the Allied Shinobi Forces. He was named the Sixth Hokage when Tsunade retired, but it took him a year to assume the title.
Kakashi does not have a Sharingan anymore, but he is still one of the ninja world's best fighters. He decided to retire after about twelve years, but he continues to help train the next generation of ninja. Kakashi can still fight if he needs to, but he spends most of his time relaxing. He even went on a trip to visit the filming location of the Make-Out Tactics movie.
2 Naruto Is The 7th Hokage, And He Is Currently Being Held In Another Dimension
First Appears in Naruto Episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Naruto became the Seventh Hokage when he was just 27, but he missed his inauguration because he was accidentally knocked out by his daughter, Himawari. He is a perfect Jinchuriki who has defeated powerful ninja like Gaara, Sasuke, and Pain. Naruto does not get to spend much time with his kids because of his responsibilities, but he does try. As Hokage, Naruto has maintained the fragile peace that the ninja world has achieved. He was willing to sacrifice himself in order to protect the Leaf Village from Momoshiki Otsutsuki.
He basically adopted Kawaki and protected him from Kara. He even risked his life against Isshiki Otsutsuki. Naruto lost Kurama during the Isshiki fight, but he is still quite strong. Kawaki decided to kill Boruto because he possesses Otsutsuki DNA, but he knew Naruto would not be okay with it. For that reason, Kawaki sealed Naruto and Hinata in a different dimension. Most of the world believes Naruto is dead, but he is still in the dimension in suspended animation.
1 Shikamaru Currently Serves The Leaf Village As The Interim 8th Hokage
First Appears in Naruto Episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Shikamaru is one of the smartest ninja in history, and he advised both Kakashi and Naruto when they were both in office. When Naruto went missing, Shikamaru was forced to lead the village. Many consider him the Eighth Hokage, but he has not officially accepted the title.
For two years, Shikamaru believed that Boruto killed Naruto, but he now knows that Naruto is still alive. He also knows that Ada altered everyone's memories with her Omnipotence ability. Even with this knowledge, Shikamaru is still skeptical, but he is now willing to hear Boruto out instead of killing him on sight.
