Jiraiya: The Most Deserving Hokage Candidate in Naruto Universe
When it comes to discussing the character of Naruto who could have been the Hokage but never became one, Jiraiya is the first name that comes to mind. In fact, Jiraiya was deemed worthy of becoming Hokage several times, but he always declined the offer. However, Jiraiya is unquestionably deserving of the position. Here are five reasons why Jiraiya should have been the Hokage.
1. Equal in Strength with Tsunade and Orochimaru
When it comes to strength, Jiraiya can be considered equal to Tsunade and Orochimaru. Usually, a Kage has considerable power, and if Tsunade can become Hokage and Orochimaru can be a strong candidate, so can Jiraiya. Additionally, Jiraiya took on Akatsuki singlehandedly and managed to kill two members, Itachi and Nagato, which is a testament to his strength.
2. A War Hero with Countless Success
All three of the legendary Sanin have participated in the Ninja World War, and they have all gained invaluable experience in their missions. Jiraiya, in particular, has completed many missions, and he is credited with 1,839 missions, of which 614 were rank A and 138 were rank S. It is significantly more than the number of missions Tsunade completed, which was 1,256.
3. Reputation and Intimidation
To become Hokage, a person must have a reputation that is well-known to Daimyo, the leader of the allied ninja villages. Jiraiya stands out in terms of reputation since he finished more missions than Orochimaru and Tsunade did combined. Additionally, the name Jiraiya is likely to intimidate anyone who dares to try and harm the village.
4. Follows the Priniciple of “Will of Fire”
Jiraiya is a follower of the “Will of Fire,” a principle that Hokages and elite Konoha shinobi uphold. The primary principle of this tradition is that the village is a family, and every loyal shinobi should love, protect, and fight for their village. Jiraiya has demonstrated and embraced this principle from the beginning, and his deeds are evidence of it.
5. Kind-Hearted but Firm
Every previous Hokage of Konoha shares this characteristic- they are usually kind-hearted but can be firm and severe when required. Jiraiya’s kindness is evident, but he’s not hesitant to make tough choices or sacrifices if they are necessary for the greater good. He once threatened to kill his love interest, Tsunade, if she ever goes against Konoha’s interest.
6. Intelligence and Espionage Network
Jiraiya’s espionage network reached five of the larger ninja countries, which is impressive. He was a skilled spy master who could detect and manage potential threats to Konoha internally and externally. Moreover, his intelligence was remarkable, and he could quickly deduce the truth behind the Pain’s Six Paths and recognize Sasuke as an intruder from the future.
In conclusion, Jiraiya had all of the necessary qualities for becoming the Hokage. He was strong, experienced, respected, and loyal to Konoha’s Will of Fire. Jiraiya would have provided significant value to Konoha as Hokage, and it’s a shame to see he never got to fulfill that role.
