Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-23788748-20140815034107/@comment-7292165-20140820150727

To be Hokage typically would need be a strong individual both ability and leadership wise. Rank could be a choice in the making but the only plausible reason someone won't reach the level of high rank even though they are are because of certain situations. Orochimaru was Anbu rank but as for Anko he took her in as her mentor he wasn't assigned a team. Kabuto later comes with him. Tsunade as far we knew was genin in rank but ability wise was around jonin when she left but a Sannin which again isn't ranked but classifies you as one of the strongest ninja Konoha produced at the time.