Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-2245550-20160501144337/@comment-734582-20160502223411

X29 wrote: So therefore, making Itachi the Fifth may not be the best decision indeed. The decision itself isn't bad, it's very likely he would've been Fifth Hokage material. The problem is that this decision would have to be made at a time that he wasn't ready for it, that the village wouldn't fully accept it, and that even the Uchiha themselves may see it more as a political gesture than the gravitas this position deserves.

If Danzo hadn't gone behind Hiruzen's back, it's possible the situation would've been delayed enough for Itachi's capacities to shine. Or perhaps Shisui, he would definitely get respect from the other villages but seemed to lack that at home (though he obviously died young and well before he could distinguish himself for the village)

Alternatively, it's possible that Itachi would've gotten so deep in this mess that he would change forever and loose his ways. He was already snapping at the clan after Shisui's death, so it's questionable how long he would've maintained his composure.

As a closing thought, if Obito hadn't attacked Konoha, the situation would definitely have been better for Konoha and the Uchiha, and the odds of an Uchiha Hokage would've improved massively. Sure, it wouldn't cure the village of all suspicion but it's clear the hatred and pain of the Ninetails attack was aimed at the Uchiha, and since Sarutobi had no evidence either way the most likely culprits would be blamed. Without that the situation would not have been so pressing and the drastic measures would not have been taken, giving time for our potential candidates to to become actual candidates.