In Naruto, the Raikage is the leader of the Hidden Cloud Village, and they are usually considered the village's strongest ninja. To become Raikage, a ninja needs to be extremely strong and highly skilled, but they also need to have a keen intellect and a tactical mind. The Cloud Village has existed for more than a century, but only five ninja have held the Raikage title.

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Certain Raikage reigns have been more memorable than others, but each Raikage has left their mark on the village. Naruto is set in a very dangerous ninja world - where major conflicts break out regularly. The Cloud Village has participated in several of these conflicts, and as a result, most of the Raikage died during battle. Fortunately, at least one Raikage got the chance to enjoy retirement.

1 A, The First Raikage, Founded The Hidden Cloud Village

Died During the First Great Ninja War

The First Raikage founded the Hidden Cloud Village, and he did this by bringing all of the ninja clans in the Land of Lightning together. The Yotsuki Clan were especially loyal to his cause, and they were rewarded with land in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. Unfortunately, much of this valley was destroyed during the fight between Killer B and Sasuke. It is believed that the First Raikage ordered Kinkaku and Ginkaku to capture the Nine-Tails - a mission that ultimately failed. During the first Five Kage Summit, he was outraged when the Kazekage demanded 30% of the Land of Fire's fertile land instead of paying for a Tailed Beast.

Hashirama Senju bowed his head to stop the infighting and pleaded with the other Kage to resolve the matter peacefully. The First Raikage then told Hashirama that strong leaders should not bow like that. The First Raikage was not intimidated by his counterparts, which implies that he believed he could hold his own against them. That being said, his true power is still a mystery. He led the Hidden Cloud Village up until his death - which occurred on the battlefield during the First Great Ninja War. The First Raikage believed that the village's protection was paramount, and he managed to pass that will onto his successor before his death.

2 A, The Second Raikage, Tried To Build Peace With The Other Villages

May Have Died During An Attempted Coup

The Second Raikage guarded his predecessor during the first Five Kage Summit. His loyalty was undeniable, and other nations held him in high regard because of it. Not much is known about the Second Raikage's strength, but he was certainly powerful. That being said, he was known more for his intellect and political mind rather than his combat prowess. The Second Raikage believed that peace was the best way to protect his village, so he attempted to build relationships with the other villages.

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Prior to the Second Great Ninja War, the Second Raikage met with Tobirama Senju - the Second Hokage. Together, they agreed to a formal alliance, but the celebration was short-lived. Kinkaku and Ginkaku ambushed the treaty ceremony and attempted to kill both Kage. The coup was not successful, but Tobirama barely survived the attack, and it is not clear if the Second Raikage died. In any event, the Second Raikage died way before the Third Great Ninja War. His soul briefly returned to the Ninja World during the Fourth Ninja War, when the Sage of Six Paths summoned the souls of the previous Kage to bring Team 7 back from one of Kaguya's dimensions. His soul now rests in the Pure Land.

3 A, The Third Raikage, Is Considered The Strongest Raikage In History

Died In Battle During The Third Great Ninja War

The Third Raikage served longer than both of his predecessors combined, and most people still consider him to be the strongest Raikage in history. This implies that he is the strongest ninja that the Hidden Cloud Village has ever produced. The Third Raikage possessed natural superhuman strength, speed, durability, and endurance. He could enhance all of those physical attributes with Lightning Release Chakra Mode. While using this mode, the Third Raikage could fight a rampaging Eight-Tails to a standstill, and he could cut off all eight of the Tailed Beast's tails with a single attack.

The Third Raikage was a calm and level-headed person, but he was a beast on the battlefield, and he valued the lives of his comrades. During the Third Great Ninja War, the Third Raikage fought an army of 10,000 enemy ninja by himself to make sure his allies could escape. He fought the opposing force for three straight days until he finally died from exhaustion. He was resurrected by Kabuto during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and he tore through the Allied Shinobi forces until Naruto arrived. After being sealed, his soul was used to free Team 7, and he was able to rest in the Pure Land once again.

4 A, The Fourth Raikage, Led The Cloud Village Into The Fourth Great Ninja War

Retired After The War Due To His Missing Arm

The Fourth Raikage Cloud Village's Raikage Clan. He is the son of the Third Raikage, but he did not inherit any of his father's superhuman physical traits. A was stricter than his father, and he would sacrifice allies if it meant protecting the village. According to him, no high-profile Cloud Ninja went rogue during his reign. He was also the Raikage who ordered Hinata's kidnapping - which is known as the Hyuga Affair. Like his father, the Fourth Raikage could use Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but his version focused on speed rather than strength. When Minato died, the Fourth Raikage was considered the fastest ninja in the world because of this chakra mode.

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He was fast enough to counter the abilities of the Mangekyo Sharingan, and he was strong enough to break through an incomplete Susanoo's armor. He lost his left arm while fighting Sasuke, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. He was named the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces, and he fought valiantly against Madara during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Sometime after the war ended, the Fourth Raikage decided that it was time to retire since he only had one arm. He passed the title to his right-hand man, and he has been enjoying retirement for at least a decade now.

5 Darui, The Fifth Raikage, Took The Mantle After The Fourth Great Ninja War

Currently Leads The Hidden Cloud Village As Raikage

Darui was the Fourth Raikage's right-hand man, and he was personally trained by the Third Raikage. He possesses the Storm Release kekkei genkai, and he can use Black Lightning - a special type of lightning that the Third Raikage passed down to him. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Darui led the 1st Division into battle against the White Zetsu army, and he personally fought a resurrected Kinkaku and Gingaku. Given his experience and combat skills, Darui deserved to be named the Fifth Raikage. He is the only Raikage who possesses a name other than "A."

Darui assumed the position sometime after the war, and he has been the Raikage for more than a decade. Thanks to his leadership, the Hidden Cloud Village has experienced a prolonged period of relative peace. When Momoshiki and Kinshiki Otsutsuki captured Naruto, Darui and the other Kage agreed to go rescue him. They suppressed Kinshiki, but they were all knocked out by an empowered Momoshiki. Compared to the other current Kage, Darui seems to be the most laid-back, but he has continued to train. Thanks to that training, Darui's taijutsu skills are now comparable to Naruto and Sasuke's.

Naruto: Shippuden

Action

Adventure

Release Date

February 15, 2007

Studio

Pierrot

Number of Episodes

500