The first Hokage with Uzumaki blood wasn’t Naruto and their origins prove why

Despite being the title for the leader of just one village, the Hokage title in the Naruto franchise holds significant recognition as one of the most iconic titles in the world of anime. Many fans mistakenly believe it to be the title of the ruler of the entire world.

The Hidden Leaf Village has a long history of being led by various individuals, including its founder and first leader, Hashirama Senju. He was renowned for his exceptional chakra and mastery of jutsu techniques, as well as being the husband of one of the most influential figures in the series, Mito Uzumaki.

Despite being a great role model for future jinchurikis, Mito was also a member of one of the strongest clans in the series – the Uzumaki clan. When Naruto Uzumaki became the Seventh Hokage, many fans believed he was the first Uzumaki to hold this title. However, it is possible that the granddaughter of the first Hokage had already achieved this accomplishment, a fact that many fans are unaware of.

Uncovering the Legacy of the First Uzumaki Hokage in Naruto

The oldest known member of the Uzumaki clan (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The Uzumaki clan’s roots can be traced back to Hidden Eddy Village, where they were known for their notable chakra reserves and distinctive crimson red hair. However, the village experienced a tumultuous period in its history, endangering the Uzumaki clan and their way of life.

Thankfully, a few members of the Uzumaki clan began to relocate to the Hidden Leaf Village due to their distant familial ties with the Senju clan. Among the earliest recorded members of the Uzumaki clan was Ashina Uzumaki, who lived during the era of Hashirama Senju.

The Reaper Death Seal as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The Uzumaki clan was renowned for their vast chakra reserves and mastery of sealing jutsu techniques. Among these techniques was the infamous Reaper Death Seal, created by the clan. It was famously used by Minato Namikaze to seal the Nine-tails into his newborn child and by the Third Hokage to seal the first two.

The Adamantine Sealing Chains were another well-known sealing technique mastered by this clan. Kushina utilized this technique to subdue the nine-tailed fox. As a result of their powerful sealing jutsu techniques, this clan earned a reputation for fear and managed to survive for 15 years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, ultimately being recognized as a thriving clan.

Some notable individuals from this clan are Karin, a former member of Team 7 after Sasuke’s departure. She was known for her exceptional healing abilities and for possessing an incomplete version of the powerful Adamantine Sealing Chains. Another prominent member was Nagato, who possessed immense chakra and was able to wield the Rinnegan.

Despite there being other members of the clan, the most prominent figure in the series was Naruto Uzumaki. After the events of Naruto Shippuden, he was appointed as the Seventh Hokage and was revered by fans as the first Hokage with Uzumaki lineage. However, it is possible that there may have been another individual with Uzumaki blood who had previously held the title of Hokage before the protagonist.

Tsunade (left) and Nawaki (right) as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Hashirama Senju and Mito Uzumaki were married, and their next generation was kept hidden. Eventually, they had two children named Tsunade and Nawaki, who became the second generation. As the grandchildren of the first Hokage and Mito, they were direct descendants of the Uzumaki clan.

Following the demise of the Third Hokage at the hands of Orochimaru, the village was in need of a new leader. However, since the Fourth Hokage had also perished, the search for a fifth Hokage began. After much persuasion, Tsunade was chosen as the Fifth Hokage, becoming the first Hokage with Uzumaki lineage before the protagonist.

Is Nagato a part of the Uzumaki clan, according to Naruto?

Naruto: All members of the Uzumaki clan are ranked.

Has it been explored whether Asura Otsutsuki is the original Uzumaki in Naruto?