He belongs on the top 10 list. I don't care where. But he is top 10 material.
Once again I will explain why he is so powerful. The third man to share the title "God of Shinobi" alongside 2 beasts (Hashirama Senju and the Sage)
- - He is often referred to as "History's Strongest" and a "Genius"
- 「プロフェッサー●[...]里にある全ての術を知り尽くし、かつそれらを自在に使いこなすことに由来。」
- Named "The Professor: [...] The origin [of this nickname] lies in him knowing thoroughly all the jutsu that exist in the village and also being able to use them easily at will.'
- Anyone who is trusted by Hashirama and Tobirama to protect the village during the wars is bound to be powerful. It's common sense that he is worthy of the title Hokage since it was given to him by 2 monsters of Hokages. Learning the skills and knowledge from the 1st and 2nd, Hiruzen was able to get the village through 3 Great Shinobi World Wars. Having the longest reign of Hokage. 40+ Years.
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-An Old 5% Hiruzen sealing both 25% Edo Hokages with clones in complete darkness. Don't care how weak the Hokages were. Hiruzen was in a far off worse condition to fight. This is an excellent feat.
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-A battle exhausted Hiruzen with a part of his soul left easily disarming Orochimaru and speed owned him behind his blind side to catch him in close range. You can easily see with these scans that Orochimaru was actually pushed to try at the last second and looked quite frightened. This is THE Orochimaru who without arms was playing around with 4 Tailed Naruto.
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Using these scans, It would be possible that if Orochimaru didn't have his Edos, he would have been easily killed by Hiruzen.
- While having the sword of Kusangi pierced through him, Hiruzen was still able to hold Orochimaru's soul with the Reaper for an 1 hour long showing extreme willpower!
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-Speed feats are beautiful keeping up with Hashirama and Tobirama at the same time.
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-The Hokages are easily praised by both Naruto and Sasuke. The statement obviously includes Hiruzen. By Sasuke's own admission. " Looks like they're not just talk after all" should be enough.
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Can use all of Konoha's non KKG techniques which includes the Ino–Shika–Chō with Kage Bunshins.
Despite many on the Base saying that he cannot, Manga disagrees as Orochimaru (Hiruzen student) states his ability for "Knowing and being able to use all the jutsu that exist in the Leaf"
This includes mastery over all 5 elements to a godly extent and mastery of all forms of shinobi combat.
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Proof. Here Hiruzen is clearly able to use the Inuzuka Clan's enhanced sense of smell as shown in this scan.
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Therefore proving that Hiruzen is able to use all the techniques in the village which includes the famous Ino–Shika–Chō which can be easily used by Hiruzen with clones. =D
-Prime Hiruzen can completely negate all Ninjutsu using Technique Neutralizer.
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Example of what would happen.
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-Kabuto who has spied in many various countries of the Shinobi world even said that he was the strongest out of the 5 Kage despite his old age!
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Danzo admitted inferiority to Hiruzen despite having the cells of Hashirama, Izanagi and Kotoamatsukami from the eye of Shisui.
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The Solo King believes in the 3rd's power to protect Sasuke. Only someone whom Itachi respects is enough.
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Manga Proof!
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Iruka, Ch.94
「三代目は 特に歴代の中でも最強�� �� �� �� �� � �言われポロフェッサーと呼ばれた�� �� �� �� �� �� ��だったんだぞ！」
"The sandaime, in particular, was a genius nicknamed the 'Professor,' and was called the strongest of all the Hokage".
What happened to Hashirama in this war? Fodderized by black sticks. Tobirama? Fodderized by black sticks? Minato? Fodderized by black sticks? Hiruzen? Only kage left and standing fighting. Kishi has him fighting some fodder statue because if he was to fight Madara he would have defeated him already and war over.
Hiruzen is the smartest. The Kage is the pillar of the village and protects the king (children of the future). Hiruzen saved all the konoha 11 and rest of alliance by countering that statues attack. Why? Because he know the kids will inherit the will of fire and hes not rushing off to play hero like the other Kages, he is the wisest, and the only one still standing. A real Kage protects its people. Hiruzen is doing just that.
He fodderized the good tree attacks with Enma. Other shinobi dying and getting sucked up, even Naruto.
