Naruto: 5 Worst Kage, Ranked

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In the world of Naruto, becoming a Kage – the leader of your village – is considered the highest achievement. It’s a position reserved for the most powerful and skilled individuals, who must also be able to lead their people through times of peace, conflict, and war. While many Kage have been forces for good, or incredibly powerful ninja like Naruto himself, some have left behind complicated legacies marked by sadness and remorse.

As a huge fan of the ninja world, I’ve always thought it was fascinating that the strongest ninja aren’t always the best leaders. There’s so much more to being a good Kage than just being powerful! So, I wanted to talk about a few Kage who, well, let’s just say they caused some serious problems – whether on purpose or because they made some really bad calls.

5. Darui

It’s Hard To Imagine Him In The Role Of The Raikage

  • The Fifth Raikage

Darui is a key member of A’s team and a very capable ninja. He proved his strength in the fight against Kinkaku and Ginkaku, playing a crucial role in defeating them. Despite his skills, the Raikage position demands immense power, and it’s a role that requires someone exceptionally strong.

It’s surprising to see him become the Fifth Raikage, as many believe he wasn’t strong enough to earn the position. Considering how many fans dislike Boruto, it’s understandable why they struggled to accept him as the new leader.

4. Rasa

A Horrible Father Who Allied With The Wrong Person As The Kazekage

  • The Fourth Kazekage

Although Rasa likely wanted what was best for his village, his choices ultimately made him a disliked character. A prime example is how he treated his son, Gaara, turning him into a test subject by sealing the Shukaku spirit inside him. Rasa’s decision to subject Gaara to intense trauma as a child, and then to dismiss him as a failure when it understandably affected his mental state, demonstrates a pattern of poor judgment.

To make matters even worse, he joined forces with Orochimaru, hoping to boost his village’s power, but he failed to recognize Orochimaru’s evil nature. This led to his quick death at Orochimaru’s hands, who cleverly deceived everyone while launching a devastating attack on Konoha.

3. Yagura Karatachi

Manipulated By Obito And Turned Kirigakure Into The Bloody Mist

  • The Fourth Mizukage

Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, being controlled by Obito really highlights how ineffective he was as a leader. While Obito was a powerful enemy, Yagura’s defeat was embarrassing – he was easily manipulated and ultimately lost his free will.

Yagura’s rule over Kirigakure earned the village a terrifying reputation as the Bloody Mist, known for its brutal graduation exam where young ninja fought to the death. While it’s understandable that Yagura faced difficult circumstances as the Fourth Mizukage, many believe his lack of strength was the main reason Kirigakure eventually fell from power.

2. Hiruzen Sarutobi (Especially Toward The End Of His Reign)

A Great War-time Kage, But Far Less Effective During Peace

  • The Third Hokage

Hiruzen Sarutobi is perhaps the most difficult leader to evaluate. He served as the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader for over 40 years, and unlike other leaders from that era, we don’t just see his successes. We also witness how some of his choices led to disaster. His failures, particularly his inaction, allowed someone like Danzo to rise to power and almost become Hokage. Hiruzen should have dealt with Orochimaru much earlier, before he became a major threat, and he also failed to prevent the downfall of the Uchiha clan. Furthermore, Hiruzen inadvertently isolated Naruto, and Naruto’s eventual success happened despite, not because of, his Hokage’s actions.

Hiruzen successfully guided the Hidden Leaf Village to victory through three major wars. He was a reliable leader during those times, and the village flourished under his leadership. However, as he aged, past errors began to weigh on him and the village, making him hesitant and indecisive. This ultimately left a complicated legacy, with many believing his actions caused more harm than good.

1. Special Mention: Danzo Shimura

A Power-Hungry Individual Who Had No Business Being In Contention To Become The Hokage

  • The Sixth Hokage Candidate

Danzo is a widely disliked character in the series, largely because his devotion to Konoha led him to authorize terrible acts, such as ordering the massacre of the Uchiha clan by the ANBU. Many fans find it ironic that someone so obsessed with power was ultimately a rather ineffective leader, making his potential as Hokage seem laughable.

Danzo was on track to become the Sixth Hokage, but his attempt to control the Five Kage Summit backfired. His deception was quickly exposed, forcing him to flee before Sasuke found him. Even using the powerful Izanagi wasn’t enough to win, proving how truly weak and ineffective he was, which many people were glad to see.

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2025-12-25 22:06