Sasuke Uchiha is one of the most complex and powerful characters in the Naruto franchise. With his continuous evolution from Sharingan to Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (EMS), and later the Rinnegan, Sasuke's power rivals even the gods of the shinobi world. But the big question remains: When exactly did Sasuke surpass each of the Hokage? Let’s dive deep into the series and analyze Sasuke’s progression compared to each Hokage, one by one.
Important Note: This blog considers anime, manga, and canonical novels while avoiding any fanon overhyping. It also respects power scaling within its timeline.
1. Hashirama Senju – Sasuke With Rinnegan
Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, is a monstrous shinobi known for his unparalleled regeneration and Wood Release. As the man who defeated Madara Uchiha and controlled the tailed beasts, Hashirama set the bar extremely high.
Sasuke Uchiha only surpasses Hashirama after receiving the Six Paths chakra and awakening his Rinnegan.
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Why not EMS Sasuke? While powerful, EMS Sasuke was still struggling against Madara’s reanimated body, which was only a shell of his true power. Hashirama fought Prime Madara with the Nine Tails.
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Rinnegan Sasuke was capable of fighting on par with Six Paths Naruto, using powers like Amenotejikara (space-time teleportation), powerful Chidori attacks, and controlling multiple tailed beasts with Chibaku Tensei.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Hashirama only after gaining Rinnegan powers.
2. Tobirama Senju – Rinnegan Sasuke
Tobirama, the Second Hokage, was a strategic genius and creator of powerful techniques like the Flying Thunder God (FTG) and the Edo Tensei. His FTG was specially designed to counter Uchiha abilities like the Sharingan.
While EMS Sasuke is immensely strong, Tobirama’s speed and versatility give him the upper hand in certain scenarios. However:
Sasuke with the Rinnegan surpasses Tobirama without a doubt.
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Even if Tobirama can teleport and use explosive tags or spirit-based ninjutsu, the Rinnegan gives Sasuke too many tools: precognition, teleportation, planetary devastation, and more.
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Tobirama’s impressive speed could help him survive for a while, but the power gap is evident.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Tobirama only after acquiring the Rinnegan.
3. Hiruzen Sarutobi – EMS Sasuke (At Minimum)
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was known as "The Professor" for his mastery over all elemental jutsu. Prime Hiruzen was hyped up but never shown in action—an unfortunate downside to power-scaling him accurately.
EMS Sasuke is more than enough to surpass Hiruzen.
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Without the Reaper Death Seal and assuming Prime Hiruzen only had his demonstrated arsenal (elemental jutsu, Enma the Monkey King), he wouldn't be able to handle Perfect Susanoo or Amaterasu.
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Even in the war arc, EMS Sasuke’s feats put him far above anyone who could only use conventional jutsu.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Hiruzen at the EMS stage.
4. Minato Namikaze – Rinnegan Sasuke
Minato, the Fourth Hokage, was renowned as the Yellow Flash, the fastest shinobi of his era. He had Flying Thunder God, Sage Mode, and was the vessel of Kurama for a brief time.
Sasuke only surpasses Minato after acquiring the Rinnegan.
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EMS Sasuke struggles to keep up with teleportation speeds. Without intel, Minato could mark Sasuke and end the fight in a few decisive strikes.
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Rinnegan Sasuke, with his Amenotejikara, can finally counter teleportation and match Minato's high-speed maneuvers.
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Additionally, his chakra reserves and AoE attacks are far more devastating than Minato's arsenal.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Minato at the Rinnegan stage.
5. Tsunade Senju – EMS Sasuke
Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, is more of a tank than an all-out attacker. With her monstrous strength, healing factor, and regeneration (from her Byakugou Seal), she withstood hits from Madara Uchiha.
However, EMS Sasuke still surpasses Tsunade.
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Sasuke’s speed, range, and intellect allow him to exploit Tsunade’s slower combat style.
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Even if she can regenerate, she cannot defend against Amaterasu, Genjutsu, or Perfect Susanoo slashes.
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She fought Madara as part of a team. Alone, she couldn’t handle what Sasuke can dish out.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Tsunade with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
6. Kakashi Hatake (Hokage Version) – EMS Sasuke
Kakashi, the Sixth Hokage, had lost his Sharingan and Kamui by the time he took the seat. His biggest nerf was losing his signature hax ability.
Sasuke with EMS easily outclasses Hokage Kakashi.
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No Kamui means Kakashi is limited to Purple Lightning and tactical jutsu, which wouldn’t do much against Perfect Susanoo.
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Kakashi is still brilliant and powerful, but Sasuke’s power output, chakra reserves, and Dojutsu advantages are overwhelming.
✅ Conclusion: Sasuke surpasses Hokage Kakashi with EMS.
7. Naruto Uzumaki – Never Fully Surpassed
Naruto, the Seventh Hokage, is Sasuke’s eternal rival. While they both received Six Paths powers, Naruto has access to all the tailed beasts, massive healing, and unrivaled chakra reserves.
Sasuke comes close, but never truly surpasses Naruto.
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At best, Sasuke equals Naruto during the final battle in the Valley of the End.
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Since then, Naruto’s power has continued to grow—until the Baryon Mode fight, where he lost Kurama.
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Even post-Kurama loss, Naruto still has massive physical strength, Sage Mode, and battle IQ.
❌ Conclusion: Sasuke never fully surpasses Naruto.
8. Shikamaru Nara – Curse Mark Sasuke (Beginning of Shippuden)
Shikamaru, the Eighth Hokage (unofficial in Boruto), is a tactical genius, not a frontline warrior. In terms of power, his abilities don’t scale to high or even mid-tier Kage levels.
Sasuke, at the beginning of Shippuden (with Curse Mark), already surpassed Shikamaru.
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Shikamaru's Shadow Possession is limited in power and speed.
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Unless given prep time, Shikamaru is vulnerable to quick and decisive attacks from CM Sasuke.
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Sasuke at this stage had Chidori variants, speed, durability, and was already a threat to Itachi.
✅ Conclusion: Curse Mark Sasuke already surpassed Shikamaru.
9. Sarada Uchiha – Not Yet
Sarada, Sasuke’s daughter, is still developing as a shinobi in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. While her growth is promising, she’s nowhere close to surpassing her father.
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She has awakened her Mangekyō Sharingan and shown maturity in battle.
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However, she hasn’t achieved any form of Susanoo, Rinnegan, or Six Paths scaling.
❌ Conclusion: Sarada has not surpassed Sasuke at any point in the timeline—yet.
Final Thoughts: Power Evolution of Sasuke
| Hokage | When Sasuke Surpassed |
|---|---|
| Hashirama Senju | Rinnegan Sasuke |
| Tobirama Senju | Rinnegan Sasuke |
| Hiruzen Sarutobi | EMS Sasuke |
| Minato Namikaze | Rinnegan Sasuke |
| Tsunade Senju | EMS Sasuke |
| Kakashi Hatake | EMS Sasuke |
| Naruto Uzumaki | Never fully surpassed |
| Shikamaru Nara | CM Sasuke |
| Sarada Uchiha | Not yet |
Conclusion
Sasuke Uchiha's journey through the ranks of power is one of constant growth, suffering, and redemption. While his power scaling can be tricky, especially with limited feats for some Hokage, it's safe to say:
➡️ He surpasses most Hokage by the time he gains the Rinnegan.
➡️ Only Naruto remains his true equal—or superior, depending on perspective.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into Sasuke's power journey, make sure to bookmark the blog and share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you're a fan of Naruto, stay tuned for more deep analysis on your favorite characters.
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