Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-3965545-20170209160500/@comment-734582-20170210104009

Gmanis41 wrote: I wouldn't have a problem with saying Hiruzen rivals someone like Hashirama if we were shown content that proves his power. If you actually look at the stuff Hiruzen does, then there's nothing that disproves he has power. Hashirama doesn't pull out a True Several Thousand Hands at every turn. Similarly, Hiruzen never pulled out serious jutsu at every turn.

Furthermore, the idea that the First and Second were revived the first time at a fraction of their power is entirely fan interpretation. Orochimaru was controlling both, why would he make Hashirama pull out a Giant Budda if that would destroy the barrier he put up? Why would Hiruzen destroy the barrier, since it was also protecting Konoha from annihilation? Sure they were later edo tensei'd again at greater power, but how strong they were when they fought Hiruzen was never explained or even implied. Gmanis41 wrote: Because the facts about Hiruzen's battle capacity are lacking completely. Which goes both ways: there's nothing to suggest how strong he actually is. He fought a smaller Several Thousand Hands, but all we saw of that was him using a few elements and then Karin destroyed the construct. Hiruzen was destroyed by Obito early in the fight, and spent most of the entire Juubi storyline apparently regenerating (as he's completely unseen).

As i said, Hiruzen's strength (Judging by his titles and what little we've seen) seem to lie in knowledge and versatility, which are immensely useful. But since it's not flashy, the fanbase automatically writes it off as weak. Same reason people consider Tsunade to be a weak hokage, because her strength isn't summoning 30+meter constructs.

Lastly, different Kage have different fighting styles and resulting strengths and weaknesses. Hiruzen's strength isn't like Hashirama's (large-scale jutsu spam). Doesn't mean he's weak. Tsunade's strength for example comes from literal strength and healing. It's the stuff you want on the battlefield, but it's not flashy so it's not appreciated by fans. But she did break a Susanoo, something other people like Gaara or the Raikage weren't able to accomplish.