Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-26388300-20150713054023

Hiruzen, "The Professor": in his prime the Third Hokage was considered to be a virtuoso shinobi, understanding every jutsu that Konoha offered. Even in old age he was capable of matching the kage-level criminal Orochimaru in combat, with the latter reckoning that had Sarutobi been ten years younger he wouldn't have stood a chance. His elemental mastery surpasses even his master Tobirama. Some have called him the greatest kage of his time.

Onoki, "The Fence Sitter": as the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki is a masterclass shinobi. He was able to match Mu in combat despite the Second Tsuchikage being considered the greatest in the village's history. User of kekkei tota and proficient in many elemental jutsus, Onoki has proven himself worthy of his title, with Madara reckoning the Tsuchikage as the most dangerous of the five kage he dueled.

At their primes, which of these two kage win in a deathmatch? 