The protagonist of theNarutoseries, the titular Uzumaki heir, is among the greatest ninjas the Shinobi World has ever seen. Since he was young, the main character has proven himself to be a force of change, creating a better tomorrow for his village and the world. He is an incredibly powerful warrior, always ready to lay down his life for what is right.

Naruto is without a doubtone of the best Hokage in the history of the Hidden Leaf, and most people respect his authority without question. Moreover, he is perhaps the most powerful leader of Konoha as well, as proven byhis near-unbeatable Baryon Mode. This transformation, first introduced during the battle against Isshiki, has no equal in terms of rough strength and fighting abilities.

Naruto and Jiraiya in Sage Mode standing side by side. Behind them, the Toad Mountain can be seen.

Naruto’s Baryon Mode Far Surpasses His Predecessors

Not Even Hashirama Could Defeat the Seventh

The title of Hokage is only granted to the most powerful, respectable, and caring ninja of the Hidden Leaf. As the leader of the village, they must look out for the safety of the citizens, maintain peace, and put their lives on the line in case it is needed. Throughout the decades, many outstanding shinobi have carried the mantle, each powerful in their own right. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that Naruto, the Seventh Hokage, far exceeds the might of his predecessors.

While his Uzumaki heritage did grant him a superior Chakra reserve and vitality, it was his role as a Jinchuriki that gave him a major boost in power. Nowhere is this better exemplified than during his battle against Isshiki,one of the most powerful members of the Otsutsuki clan. To defeat this mighty alien conqueror, the Seventh Hokage was forced to use all his power,tapping into his and Kurama’s life force to gain a massive boost in power. This technique was named Baryon Mode, the most powerful of Naruto’s, and all other Hokage’s, transformations.

Naruto holds the brim of his hat as Hokage in Boruto

Naruto’s Sage Mode Might Not Be His Strongest Form, But It’s Secretly His most Important For One Big Reason That’s Easy To Miss

Naruto’s Sage Mode is his most important for one key reason that makes it stand out from all his other forms.

By converting the life energy of both characters into raw strength, the prowess of the Seventh Hokage became such that not even Isshiki stood a chance. Nonetheless, a power as great as this comes with dire consequences, such as the death of the Jinchuriki. The Uzumaki heir was ready and willing to die to save his loved ones. Yet, in a last act of partnership,Kurama sacrificed his lifeto give Naruto another chance to be with his family, culminating in one of the saddest moments in the franchise.

A comparison of Naruto’s Baryon Mode and the Will of Fire statue.

Naruto’s Willingness to Die Proves His Commitment to the Role

He Has Become an Excellent Hokage

Even though Kurama ended up sacrificing his life to save his old friend, Naruto did not know this would happen at the time. The Seventh was prepared to trade his life to prevent Isshiki from conquering Earth and killing his family. The fact that he did not hesitate to choose his village before himself speaks volumes of how great of a Hokage he has become. Naruto’s strength as the Hidden Leaf’s leader does not simply come from his superhuman abilities or the bond with his Tailed Beast, it comes from his heart.

He is the living embodiment of what a Hokage should be, someone who puts his responsibility above all else. Naruto knew that using Baryon Mode would kill him, taking him away from his family and friends. Still, he did not stop to think about the consequences, knowing that Isshiki could not be allowed to live any longer. He loves and cares for the villagers as if they were his family, something that all great Hokage have in common.

Naruto (2002)

Naruto’s Baryon Mode Brough the Will of Fire to Life

His Transformation Looks Almost Identical to the Village’s Symbol

Naruto’s Baryon Mode is not only his most powerful transformation to date, but also the physical embodiment of his commitment to the village. This was seen during episode #217 of theBorutoanime, in which his battle against Isshiki was animated. As the Seventh Hokage prepared to attack his opponent,his Chakra cloak took the form of a significant but often overlooked symbol, the Will of Fire. This philosophy, mostly attributed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, is based on the idea that the most powerful and experienced ninja should always protect the future of the village.

No matter the cost, the next generation of warriors who will protect the innocent needs to be secured, even if it means the older generations must sacrifice themselves. This small but powerful detail during a battle in which Naruto was ready to die for his people is the perfect example of how amazing the Seventh Hokage is. He has become something more than just a leader, he is a symbol of hope for the villagers, who know that the Uzumaki Clan head will always be there to protect them.

Baryon Mode is perhaps one of the most entertaining and significant transformations in theNarutofranchise. While it is unlikely that this form will ever be seen again, as Kurama wasmiraculously reborn inside Himawari, it remains an iconic part of the series. The fact that this form has now been used to symbolize Naruto’s greatness as a Hokage only adds to its brilliance.

Naruto

Cast

Naruto is an action-adventure anime series based on the manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The titular Naruto Uzumaki is a fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit sealed inside him, which once wreaked havoc on his village. Shunned by his community yet determined to earn their respect, Naruto dreams of becoming the greatest ninja, the Hokage. This series follows his journey through the Ninja Academy as he continues to train and grow, hoping to prove himself to his peers- and himself.