Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-26704954-20160301064038/@comment-734582-20160306133304

I don't think the various Hokage team up. it's basically asking for a backstab.

Tobirama defeats Hashirama, no question there. The smarter, more cunning of the brothers would win this.

Actually both Danzo and Hiruzens flashbacks can both be true. Hashirama AND Tobirama are alive, showing that it was before the First War. It's doubtful these two elite ninja would give Hiruzen his trial by fire with the very first World War, making it likely this decision was then postponed to a more appropriate time.

Lastly, i think people ignore too much that "strength" and "power" are used fairly liberally in Naruto. Hashirama uses one Release, and has large reserves. Tobirama has a large arsenal of Jutsu. Hiruzen uses all five Releases, even concurrently. Minato has an Unstoppable Combo with Hiraishin/Rasengan. The Third Raikage had an unstoppable Combo with his Shield/spear. These people are strong for different reasons. Sasuke has lower reserves and less raw power than Naruto but beat him nevertheless and they eventually tied even though Naruto had significantly more chakra and raw power. Raw power isn't the argument to end all arguments. Strength is situational.

From what we know, at least two Hokage have the papers to defeat Hashirama. Hiruzen has versatility (and five releases) versus a one-release one-trick Hokage. Kakashi is kind of screwed out of this due to vagueness of his power. Tsunade is screwed out of this because of her supportive rather than powerhouse style.