Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-25531508-20140923043228/@comment-25152328-20140924131205

Like others have stated, I think Hiruzen may be underrated simply because we've seen him fight once and he lost. But mind you, that person he lost to was Orochimaru, who could take on Naruto's four tailed form while he was in the pains that come before he can reincarnate. Hiruzen was at least 25 - 30 years past his prime (died at 69, prime is considered to be over at 40 ish.) Lets also not forget that he was trained by Hashirama and Tobirama Senju, and had no Kekkei Genkei like Hashi and his fire style was weak to Tobirama's water style, and he still could hold them off, beat them multiple times, and then seal them both at the same time while getting rid of Orochimaru's arms (probably his entire soul if he didnt get stabbed by that sword at the end. Point is, Hiruzen is a monster.