[Discussion] Should Danzo Be Considered The Sixth Hokage?

[BryanSk8]

Or just another Hokage candidate?

The answer to this dilemma, in my humble opinion, is yes. Yes he should.

Now most would say that Danzo was only "Hokage Candidate".
But I would counter this by saying it would be more appropriate
to call Danzo something like Hokage Pro Tempore or Acting Hokage
and since Danzo was the Sixth Person to act as Hokage
(Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, Minato, Tsunade, Danzo)
that would make him the Sixth Hokage at least Sixth Hokage De Facto
but maybe not Sixth Hokage De Jure. In other words in practice
Danzo WAS Hokage but legally speaking it remains indecisive.

The reason why Danzo cannot be only practically speaking
Hokage Candidate is because Danzo held and used the power
of Hokage and furthermore was recognized as Hokage.

1. Danzo issued a legal decree to eliminate Sasuke--

Of course Danzo has tried to kill Sasuke before via Sai Shaft
but that was done "off the record" and quite possibly illegally
though the legal status of The Foundation's actions is shaky ground.
However after Danzo became the Sixth Hokage de facto he gave
orders to Konoha to hunt down and kill Sasuke. This is something
that only a Hokage can do. Therefore Danzo was Hokage.

2. Kakashi warned Naruto not to argue with Danzo about the
decree as Danzo could land Naruto in prison--

This shows that Danzo had the legal power to imprison Naruto.
Again this is a power only the Hokage can truly wield.
That isn't to say there aren't other people enforcing the law
but if Danzo wasn't Hokage there's no way he could imprison
Naruto legally for disagreeing with him. Danzo is therefore Hokage.

3. Kakashi, a jounin, specifically called Danzo Hokage

Kakashi has a lot of say. He's one of the Commanders of the
Shinobi Alliance. If Kakashi calls Danzo Hokage then so do I.

4. The reason Danzo did not imprison Naruto

Was not due to any legal restraints as there were none with
him being Hokage but rather because Naruto was just that
popular. Legally Danzo could restrain Hokage but not practically

5. Naruto leaving the village was Illegal

This is evident from the fact that Kakashi told Sai Shaft to not
report Naruto's absence to the Hokage (Danzo) and Sai Shaft's
hesitation. Of course Sai Shaft is loyal to Danzo but that
wouldn't explain Kakashi's secrecy. Kakashi, Yamato and
Naruto had to be sly about Naruto leaving the village because
technically they were breaking the law. Danzo's law. Hokage law.

6. Omoi, a Cloud Ninja recognized Danzo as Hokage

Omoi is awesome. But he's also an outsider. This shows
that on an international level Danzo was considered Hokage.

7. Danzo legally read Raikage's letter to the Hokage about Sasuke

Danzo could not have done this without being Hokage.
Shizune recognized Danzo as Hokage and had no choice
but to let Danzo not only read but take actions upon it

8. Danzo went to the Kage meeting as Hokage

9. Danzo was recognized by the 4 other Kage as Hokage

10. Akatsuki recognized Danzo as Hokage and Sasuke specifically
targeted the Hokage (Danzo).


Now what about Kakashi?

Kakashi is harder to say because he was never elected Hokage
by the Fire Lord. Kakashi was recognized as Hokage by Gaara
though. However because Kakashi is cool and called Danzo
Hokage I shall refer to Kakashi as the 7th Hokage.

and Danzo as the Sixth.

Well your thoughts?

 

[bigfatloser]

was his face carved into the mountain? No? Then he shouldn't be considered the 6th hokage as that would get confusing.

 

[DocThao]

he was never selected by the Jonins to be Hokage just appointed as interim Hokage due to Tsunade's "absence"

much like the 3rd after the 4th died . . . he wouldn't be consider as both the third and fifth Hokage, just the third

 

[Megamkfan]

No I don't think he should because he was only a "temporary hokage/hokage candidate."

 

[Bogard]

He said himself he never really manage to become Hokage, so why trying to contradict him when himself knows it?

 

[BryanSk8]

Technically speaking Danzo was partially the 6th... What makes it hard to officially give him the title is that the Jonins never got to vote...

His short term rein doesn't disqualify him, afterall, president william henry harrison only lasted 23 days as the 9th president of the US...but was still considered the ninth..

As long as Danzo's face isn't engraved amongst the 5 hokage moment of Konoha, he is not quite... but for all reasons I gave, he can be addressed as the 6th Kokage.

All things being equal... that is, if he didn't "shisui" Mifune, that responsibility of 6th wouldn't have been taken away from him even with the revival of Tsunade.

 

[Dissonant Values]

I think of Danzo as more of a Regent, so no I don't think we could consider him the actual Hokage since he was never "sworn in" so to speak.

 

[guiltybird]

They will never carve Danzo's face on the Hokage cliff, so he's really not.

 

[Sweet Heat]

All of your reasons are sound and well argued, but I think the most pressing reason Danzo is hokage is simple. The Fire Daimyo selected Danzo as Hokage. His decision is crucial, the Fire Nation houses Konoha. And clearly pays the bills, just ask the Sand village about military cutbacks. Similar to modern political era, the civilian leadership(daimyo) controls the military(shinobi).

Sure, the jonin had to "vote" for Danzo as of yet, but it was already realized as a strictly formal level(see Sticky's recitation of all the powers already granted to Danzo). Perhaps the jonin coudl have rejected Danzo, but that would be little more than a vote of no confidence and the daimyo could probably reject it if he so chose.

Kakshi on the other hand was never selected by the daimyo-- he almost did, but sadly Tsunade recovered. Kakashi also never handled any real responsibilities. At best Gaara recognized Kakashi as a spokesman for Konoha to convey messages.

Danzo is the sixth hokage. Kakashi was nothing.

 

[BryanSk8]

All of your reasons are sound and well argued, but I think the most pressing reason Danzo is hokage is simple. The Fire Daimyo selected Danzo as Hokage. His decision is crucial, the Fire Nation houses Konoha. And clearly pays the bills, just ask the Sand village about military cutbacks. Similar to modern political era, the civilian leadership(daimyo) controls the military(shinobi).

Sure, the jonin had to "vote" for Danzo as of yet, but it was already realized as a strictly formal level(see Sticky's recitation of all the powers already granted to Danzo). Perhaps the jonin coudl have rejected Danzo, but that would be little more than a vote of no confidence and the daimyo could probably reject it if he so chose.

Kakshi on the other hand was never selected by the daimyo-- he almost did, but sadly Tsunade recovered. Kakashi also never handled any real responsibilities. At best Gaara recognized Kakashi as a spokesman for Konoha to convey messages.

Danzo is the sixth hokage. Kakashi was nothing.

^ This.

Thanks Sweet :3