No, I don't think that, Because i'm not stupid and I don't use abc logic in my arguments.. Neither do I think Hiruzen is the strongest ninja in the manga..
What do I think? The third surpassed his two sensei's, and is the strongest of the hokages.. And the third kazekage is the strongest of the kages as well, excluding gaara, since he has grown alot ..
Ninjas in Hiruzens time,, just like ninjas who called Minato the yellow flash, Just like ninjas who called sasori , sasori of the red sand.... Ninjas who would have known tobirama and hashirama.., All called HIruzen The strongest kage..
I don't know how much more simple and english I can put it
Sigh, some of the most hypocritical people I've ever seen exist here, and can't acknowledge it.... They will accept hashirama's , Hey, when the elders say they consider third kazekage the strongest kazekage, they even accept that..But when it comes to hiruzen
Woah, no way? /sigh
The day I completely disregard hiruzen's hype, I'll start saying ten ten > white fang