Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-28869806-20150430170122/@comment-734582-20150503130223

BlueLantern1995 wrote: Tobirama is the most underrated Hokage in my opinion. Practically all the things we take for granted about Konoha(the academy etc.) were established by him. Sure he wasn't a perfect Hokage but none of them ever were.

Hiruzen also is grossly underestimated. He practically singlehandedly instilled the Will of Fire into the generations under his rule. Ruled for over 30 years successfully through 2 World Wars. Managed to keep Danzo in check for most of the time and died protecting the village.

Yes, i think two things are overlooked a lot: Tobirama was the man behind the man (hashirama) and ensured that his ideas were actually practical. He could've handled the Uchiha better, but that's in hindsight. The Uchiha could've been more forgiving with all this themselves, but in stead of going with the more village-based honor rather than clan honor, the Uchiha clung to their clan honor. They're as much at fault as Tobirama for their trouble.

Hiruzen's magus opus is actually the current generation of ninja, taking great trouble, time and energy to teach people the will of fire, to value the village over one's clan, and to work together. He completed the vision of the First. Besides, though Orochimaru was his biggest mistake, Kakashi made clear that it's not easy to kill your own pupil. But Kakashi seems to have a million times more darkness in his heart to draw such strength from than Hiruzen ever had. Not to sound wrong, but Kakashi's already killed someone close to him. Also, Danzo was necessary for Hiruzen. It's made clear that their combined effort is what kept Konoha great: Hiruzen the light and Danzo the dark. He could've kept a tighter leash on Danzo, but it's likely that Danzo only would've made his Hokage move sooner.

I agree that, had the Uchiha taken more time, they would almost naturally have gotten an Uchiha as Fourth or Fifth Hokage, with Itachi and Obito as great candidates.