Reaching the level of a Kage in Naruto is an awe-inspiring and challenging feat to achieve. Whether it’s the Kazekage watching over the arid Sunagakure or Hokage leading the protagonist-filled Konohagakure – these shinobi are typically battle-tested geniuses who are elevated to the top of their village through merit.
Each of the Five Great Shinobi Countries has a Kage in its hidden village. Minato Namikaze was the fourth Hokage of Konohagakure or Hidden Leaf Village. Known by allies and enemies as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf,” Minato is heralded as the fastest ninja of his generation. So, how did Minato — the father of the series’ hero, Naruto — earn Kage status?
The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wanted Minato to be his successor after the Third Shinobi World War. Minato proved an indispensable asset for the Hidden Leaf Village during the war with his speed and abilities. Minato was chosen over Orochimaru, Hiruzen’s untrustworthy pupil who would eventually desert the village and kill Hiruzen in a battle.
After realizing Orochimaru’s will was fueled by self-gain, Hiruzen asked the Yellow Flash of the Leaf’s sensei, Jiraiya — who also trained under Hiruzen — if he was interested in taking the village’s top spot. The legendary Sannin declined and threw out Minato’s name instead. During a meeting with the land’s emperor and village elders, Hiruzen announced he was retiring from his post. Root leader Danzo Shimura recommended that Orochimaru take Hiruzen’s place. However, the third Hokage rejected Danzo’s proposal and nominated Minato instead. Besides Danzo, no one else pushed back against Hiruzen’s wish, leading to Minato becoming the fourth Hokage.
Minato died protecting the Hidden Leaf Village from Obito Uchiha and The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon
Minato’s time as the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader quickly came to an end, however. Shortly after he donned his Hokage attire, Obito Uchiha attacked the village. During his assault, Obito extracted The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon from Minato’s wife, Kushina Uzumaki. And although he successfully resealed the Nine-Tails into Naruto, who had just been born, Minato and Kushina died that night.
Hiruzen resumed his title as Hokage after Minato’s death and would continue in the role until his death at the hands of Orochimaru years later. By the end of Naruto: Shippuden, two more names would become the Hokage. Tsunade, a Sannin like Orochimaru and Jiraiya, was elected as the fifth Hokage after her teacher’s passing. And after the Fourth Shinobi World War at the end of the series, Minato’s student Kakashi Hatake took over Tsunade’s position and became the Hidden Leaf’s sixth Hokage.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, the franchise’s sequel, features Naruto as the seventh Hokage.
