Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-31337598-20180326183459/@comment-26107879-20180328073545

I wouldn't say Orochimaru was stronger than Jiraiya in part 1. That's overstepping it a bit. In fact, if anything, all evidence shows he was better. He was offered the Hokage position multiple times.

"Jiraiya was Hiruzen's preference for the position of Fourth Hokage, but he wasn't interested in the responsibilities. Hiruzen again wanted Jiraiya to become Hokage after the Fourth's death, but Jiraiya once again refused. After Hiruzen's death, the Konoha Council asked Jiraiya to assume the position once more. Jiraiya declines once again, feeling unworthy of the title for failing to save the Third or Fourth, and feeling that the Hokage's duties would cut into his "research" time." "