Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-25531508-20140923043228/@comment-9782468-20140923235553

I think Hiruzen really was stronger than Hashirama.

For one, Hiruzen said he was the strongest out of the team Tobirama was leading, when Tobirama was right there. And Tobirama didn't dispute it.

Madara said that Tobirama rivalled himself when they were both alive, so Hiruzen was stronger than Madara too (only in life though).

And come on, Hiruzen held his own with the other Hokage as a 69 year-old man. that's gotta stand for something right? Even at that old, he spearheaded the fight against Guruguru too. The guy was a beast.

He even defeated Orochimaru (albeit dying in the process) When Orochimaru attacked Konoha; right after fighting both his predecessors! (Albeit they were weakened).

I think he was the most powerful back in the day. Not to mention he knew every Ninjutsu known to Konoha (unless I'm mistaken). That's why they called him the Professor.