Unraveling the Shocking Truth Behind Hashirama’s Untimely Death!

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This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Summary

  • Hashirama Senju was unbeatable in strength and power, making him the strongest Kage of his time.
  • The cause of Hashirama’s sudden and mysterious death remains unknown, possibly linked to his superior healing abilities.
  • Hashirama died young, just before the First Great Ninja War, leaving fans with unanswered questions about his demise.

In the anime Naruto, Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage of Konoha, is shrouded in enigma, captivating fans with his immense power. Yet, creator Kishimoto has only provided brief glimmers into the life of this colossally potent figure.

Althea the Fourth Great Ninja War provided viewers with a peek into Hashirama’s life, primarily focusing on his bond with Madara Uchiha. However, the events following their final confrontation at the Valley of the End were not comprehensively depicted in the narrative, leaving many details open to interpretation. One of the unresolved mysteries in Naruto is the demise of the First Hokage, which appears to have occurred under enigmatic conditions and continues to spark curiosity. Despite Kishimoto never explicitly explaining Hashirama’s death, he has subtly included clues within his story that, when pieced together, shed light on what befell the First Hokage.

The Immense Power Of The First Hokage Hashirama

  • Hashirama Senju Was Undebatable
  • Madara Uchiha Failed To Beat Him

Hashirama Senju, undeniably, was the most powerful Kage during his era, even being the first Kage ever. This is because Konoha, the very first ninja village in the story, was founded by him and Madara. As they united to bring an end to the Warring States Period, smaller clans followed suit, ultimately leading to a ceasefire. Together, they built the Village Hidden in the Leaves, or Konohagakure. Initially, Hashirama desired Madara to become the village’s leader (Hokage), but Tobirama prevented this from happening. This unfulfilled promise eventually led to Madara leaving Konoha and causing the Battle of the Valley of the End. In this battle, two of the strongest shinobi of their time, arguably two of the strongest ever, clashed again. This confrontation resulted in Madara Uchiha’s demise.

Tobirama, I warned you to not mistrust the Uchiha! — Hashirama Senju

In this time period, Hashirama Senju was essentially invincible. From the moment he was born, he possessed an incredibly potent Senju chakra, and to make things even more remarkable, he was a reincarnation of Asura. This double advantage made him extremely powerful. He commanded all five nature transformations with masterful control, making him a formidable opponent. His Wood Release, a unique Kekkei Genkai, was his main strength and allowed him to overcome even powerful adversaries such as Madara Uchiha.

To add to this, Hashirama boasted near-infinite chakra and appeared incapable of exhausting it. In addition, his regenerative abilities were flawless, as he rarely needed hand seals for healing, even when sustaining frequent damage. Simply put, Hashirama was a formidable opponent, with Madara being the only one who could possibly rival him in combat. However, following Madara’s demise, Hashirama essentially became invincible. Yet, astonishingly, he passed away at a relatively young age, leaving many Naruto fans perplexed.

When Did Hashirama Senju Die?

Hashirama Senju Died Before The First Great Ninja War

From an outsider’s perspective, Hashirama Senju, a towering figure in the ninja realm, remains shrouded in mystery concerning his demise. Oddly enough, the creator, Kishimoto, failed to enlighten us about it, which seems rather peculiar given Hashirama’s immense power. While many fans might have hoped for a more detailed account of his passing, at least we know that it occurred.

The storyline does provide some clarity, as it reveals the First Great Ninja War was ignited by numerous smaller conflicts, eventually escalating into resource-driven clashes among ninja villages.

Shinobi are people who endure to achieve their goals. — Hashirama Senju

Prior to the outbreak of the First Great Ninja War, Hashirama Senju attempted to prevent wars by dispersing the Tailed Beasts that he had gathered. This plan seemed wise initially, but it also had its drawbacks. For instance, Tobirama sought payment for the beasts, while the First Kazekage demanded Konoha territory and funds since he already possessed a Tailed Beast. For the most part, this strategy was effective, taking place before Hashirama convened the First Five Kage Summit, during which he was still alive.

Although ceasing smaller conflicts didn’t result in an end to all wars, Hashirama Senju understood this all too well. Despite his fervent desire for global peace, particularly for future generations, he was unable to prevent wars from arising. Tobirama Senju served as the Hokage during the First Great Ninja War, a position he held due to Hashirama’s appointment. Tobirama was also warned never to distrust the Uchiha, but he did so and this ultimately set in motion events that led to their alienation and eventual massacre. Tragically, Hashirama Senju passed away just on the brink of the First Great Ninja War.

How Did Hashirama Senju Die?

The Cause Of Death Is Unknown

Hashirama’s demise remains a mystery as Kishimoto never provided an explanation in his manga. Given Hashirama’s formidable strength, it’s unlikely he met his end through combat. If Madara couldn’t defeat him, it’s safe to assume no one else could at that time. However, Hashirama did die young, just a few years after the first Five Kage Summit. This sudden transition from Hashirama Senju to Tobirama as Hokage suggests an untimely death.

The most plausible explanation is that Hashirama’s own healing abilities led to his downfall. In Naruto, rapid mitotic regeneration significantly shortens a user’s lifespan. Although Hashirama doesn’t use hand signs for healing, his regenerative abilities are similar to mitotic regeneration. Years of abnormal cell splitting must have dramatically reduced his lifespan, leading to his early death. In essence, Hashirama didn’t perish in battle but was claimed by an illness or the consequences of his extraordinary healing powers.

Fans hope for more insight into Hashirama’s story if Kishimoto ever creates another Oneshot or provides some resolution regarding this mystery.

You can find Boruto, the latest manga series, published by Viz Media. Fans can read it officially and for free on both Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. Mark your calendars, as the next chapter of Boruto, titled “Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 19,” is due to be released on February 20, 2025.

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2025-02-26 00:34