Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-26005711-20150704102606/@comment-734582-20150721111335

Minato 87 wrote: He didn't win because he lost his life, and Oro was alive after that battle. Yes, he stopped Oro, but if we count the result, then Oro wins, because he lost hands, but Hiruzen lost life, and later Oro broke the seal. Yet by the time the seal was broken, his threat to the village was gone. Hiruzen wasn't going to live much longer anyway. Again: from a strategic point of view he won. Hiruzen achieved most of his goals while Orochimaru succeeded at none and was in fact set back significantly. War isn't about whether you lose a life here or there, it's about achieving your goals. Considering orochimaru raised the Hokage from the dead and then allowed them to give a significant contribution in defeating Madara, i'd say Hiruzen's actions where an overwhelming success.