Looking back over Konoha's history, several Hokage had been called the "Strongest Hokage."
The Third Hokage was among them.
Beyond that, he also bore titles such as "Professor of Ninjutsu" and even "The God of Shinobi."
To summarize just how formidable the Third Hokage truly was in one sentence:
He was the direct disciple of both the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and had mastered every ninjutsu that existed in Konoha—excluding kekkei genkai and certain secret jutsus.
Mastered.
Just think about it.
Even Hagoromo—a shinobi practically blessed with an absurd learning ability—had only grasped a limited number of jutsus so far.
Viewed from that angle alone, the Third Hokage truly deserved the title God of Shinobi.
As for being the strongest Hokage, however… that was more debatable.
Especially once someone as utterly broken as the First Hokage entered the picture, that particular title started to sound a bit like a joke.
Still—not the strongest did not mean not strong.
On the contrary.
He was exceptionally strong.
Judging purely by formal evaluations and recorded parameters, the Third Hokage was an extraordinary shinobi. Even at sixty-nine years old, long past his prime, his scores in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Intelligence, and Hand Seals all remained at maximum.
Only Strength, Speed, and Stamina had declined significantly due to age.
That was the Third Hokage at sixty-nine.
So what about the Third Hokage now—just past fifty, still firmly within his peak years as a shinobi?
Simply put—
This was a man who could very well score near-perfect marks across the board.
And that wasn't all.
He was also a shinobi who possessed mastery over all five basic chakra natures.
In the application of combined elemental ninjutsu, the Third Hokage stood at the pinnacle. Across the entire shinobi world, there were few—if any—who could rival him.
Five elements.
That was one of Hagoromo's own long-term goals.
Even Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin and the Third Hokage's prized disciple, once described him like this:
"If he were ten years younger, he could kill me instantly."
Whether that was playful exaggeration or blunt truth was unclear—but it was entirely plausible.
During the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars, the Third Hokage was undeniably a figure capable of intimidating the entire shinobi world.
And now?
His chakra reserves were abundant. High-level jutsus could be unleashed freely.
And this version of the Third Hokage was about to step onto the battlefield—
Not as a rear-line commander.
"Before Sunagakure has time to fully redeploy and reinforce their defenses, within the next three to five days, we will launch a full-scale assault across their entire front."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage pointed to a large hanging map.
His finger traced what appeared to be a casual line—but it clearly marked Konoha's projected invasion route over the coming days.
"Our strategic objective is to breach into the Land of Wind and force the Kazekage to sign a ceasefire."
"Hokage-sama," Minato Namikaze spoke up, "isn't the timetable a bit rushed?"
Minato had primarily been active on the Iwagakure–Kumogakure front, where Konoha faced the greatest pressure. However, after Kushina's crisis, he had temporarily transferred here.
Coupled with the Hokage's determination to end this front decisively, Minato had remained.
His concern wasn't unfounded.
Launching a large-scale offensive immediately after redeployment did seem hasty.
But the Third Hokage disagreed.
"You're not wrong," he said calmly. "The risk exists. However, opportunity waits for no one. Our preparations may not be perfect, but all critical aspects have been addressed."
"At present, we can commit approximately five thousand shinobi. At most, Sunagakure can only match us numerically."
"This is a prime opportunity. If we wait until we are fully prepared, the enemy won't be idle during that time either."
"In terms of overall strength, the enemy is weak, and we are strong. Now is the moment to strike."
"I understand," Minato said, nodding without further objection.
The Third Hokage on the battlefield was entirely different from the one who sat behind a desk in Konoha.
"And furthermore," the Hokage continued, "overall command of this operation will be entrusted to Tsunade."
"…Me?"
Tsunade froze, visibly startled.
"No matter how you look at it, shouldn't you be the one in command? Third—what about you?"
Konoha followed a centralized leadership system. In terms of experience, authority, and prestige, battlefield command should naturally rest with the Hokage himself.
"Because once the battle begins," the Third Hokage said evenly,
"I will personally lead the first assault echelon and break into the enemy ranks."
Silence fell.
Tsunade, Minato, and the others exchanged stunned looks.
Had they misheard?
The Hokage—abandoning command duties—to personally charge the front lines?
No one doubted his combat strength.
But leading the charge was not part of a Hokage's job description.
More importantly—it was dangerous.
On a chaotic battlefield like that, even the slightest accident could be catastrophic.
Frankly speaking, the success or failure of this campaign mattered far less than the Hokage's personal safety.
"Hokage-sama, this is too risky," Minato urged.
"For such a crucial battle, Sunagakure will commit everything they have. If you're on the front line—"
They all remembered how, upon learning Kushina's identity as a Jinchūriki, the enemy had thrown themselves at her without hesitation.
Multiply that fanaticism tenfold—
That was how desperately they would target the Hokage.
"Precisely because this battle is so important," the Third Hokage replied firmly,
"that I must act personally—to crush the enemy as quickly as possible."
His tone made one thing clear.
This was not a proposal.
It was a decision.
This wasn't about playing the hero.
The Third Hokage could unleash large-scale, high-destruction ninjutsu capable of instantly disrupting Sunagakure's formations, crippling their ability to counterattack in the very first exchange.
That, in turn, would preserve as much of Konoha's fighting strength as possible.
Konoha wanted to defeat Sunagakure and end the war—
Not fight until both sides were destroyed.
The elite forces led personally by the Hokage—including his direct ANBU—represented Konoha's final mobile reserve.
Every life preserved mattered.
One fallen shinobi might be tolerable.
But a hundred?
Konoha needed a spear—
A spear that could pierce the enemy lines in an instant.
And that spearhead…
Was the Third Hokage himself.
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