So... you can determine the destructive power of ten punds of C4 by shoving a cherry bomb in a mailbox? Terrible comparison, I know (sorry for sounding like a smartellic, just overexagerating and being silly, that's all)--but it's the same point all of the same. True, compare/contrast helps, but it can sometimes hide the truith.
Im gonna be honest...that went over my head. I lost the point you were making with that. :shrug:
Kages and shinobi rank aren't just about power. Shikimaru was twelve, surrendered his first battle at the exams, and used just one simple jutsu--yet he was the first to reach Chunin. Other people had shown that they posessed more chakra, a wider arsenal of jutsu, and a higher power level, yet they were second on the list at best. Kages are much more about quality than quantity. Kage level is more than just power.
Kakashi stated that Naruto surpased him, but do you think it was just because of one single jutsu that he learned? No, it was because he perfected a jutsu that even the fourth Hokage couldn't do. Learning Sage Mode, the Rasengan and all of its variants, as well as claiming the Kyuubi's chakra for himself isn't what made him surpass others. It wasn't power, but more than that: it was acomplishing those amazing feats. Those feats may have given him great power, but that wasn't the point. Shikimaru's intelect, Naruto and Rock Lee's determination, Sakura's support for her comrads--that's what made them surpass others. People have said that Tsunade wasn't on the same level as her two teamates simply becuse the only thing she had was streingth, healing jutsus, and a silly summoning--no, that wasn't it.
It's just like what Tsunde and Jyraiya tried to teach Orochimaru before he ran off: it's not about jutsus and power that make a person a true shinobi (especially a Kage)--but it's their quality. Power only scratches the surface, and Naruto has shown that to others. Was it evading the Raikage's last attack that allowed him to pass? No. Was it defeating Pain that caused Nagato to go see the truith and save Konoha? No. Was it Naruto learning the Rasengan that caused Tsunade to claim the title of Hokage? No. Is all of his powers and jutsu that makes Naruto a genuine Shinobi? No. It's his character, determination, Ninja way, and his talent for showing the truith to others. It's because he can beome the beast leader for Konoha nd guide them down the right path.
Itachi's last words to Naruto: A person doesn't become a Kage because people acknowlage them, they become acknowlaged because they're hokage.