Summary

Shikamaru and Tobirama, as Hokage, are both strategic geniuses with impressive intellects.
Both faced controversy for their divisive leadership styles and decisions.
Shikamaru and Tobirama handle threats cautiously, showing pragmatic approaches as leaders.

The position of Hokage has remained a coveted title throughout the Naruto series. The title is normally passed down to the strongest shinobi in the entire village. However, this convention was broken after Shikamaru Nara was chosen as the 8th Hokage in the Boruto series. Since Shikamaru isn't exactly known for his strength, many question the decision to deem him the Hokage in Boruto. Still, it's worth noting that his reign is reminiscent of another Hokage during the early days of Konoha — Tobirama Senju.

Initially serving as the advisor to the First Hokage, Tobirama Senju became the Second Hokage of Konoha after Hashirama died some time after creating the Hidden Leaf Village. While most viewers fawn over Tobirama as the Second Hokage, it's worth noting that Shikamaru and Tobirama share many parallels as Hokage, a fact that further deems Shikamaru a plausible choice for the position of Kage. From being strategic powerhouses to having a similar leadership style, Shikamaru and Tobirama have much more in common than viewers might think, and Shikamaru's reign in Boruto has further proven this statement.

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Strategic Powerhouses Of Their Times

Shikamaru and Tobirama Are Respective Geniuses Of Their Eras

The most common element in Shikamaru and Tobirama's characterization is their genius intellect, an aspect that separates them from the rest of the shinobi in Konoha. Tobirama Senju was known as the genius of Konoha, as he was the pioneer of several new forbidden techniques, and his research was pivotal to the advancement of ninjutsu. Moreover, many of Konoha's policies that came about during the first Hokage's reign were a result of Tobirama's genius, as he was the brains behind most of Konoha's new regulations, since he was the Hokage's advisor.

Shikamaru initially served a similar position during Naruto's reign, and his characterization is more or less similar to the Second Hokage. He was known to be the smartest Shinobi in all of Konoha, largely due to his IQ that exceeded over 200. Throughout Naruto, his genius intellect has been put on display, whether it was the fight against Akatsuki, or his one-on-one battle in the Chunin exams. Shikamaru has always led with his intellect, and it has proven to be quite useful for him.

Many fans state that Shikamaru was never the best choice to be Hokage, considering he lacks the raw power, especially compared to the previous Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. However, it's worth noting that Tobirama was in a somewhat similar boat, considering he was never exactly known for his strength, especially compared to his predecessor, Hashirama Senju. However, he served as an excellent Hokage owing to his genius intellect, a fact that sets the stage for Shikamaru to prove his potential as Hokage as well.

A Reign Marred By Controversy

Both Characters Remain Highly Divisive

Another common aspect that runs parallel between Shikamaru and Tobirama’s reign as Hokage is the controversy and divisiveness that surrounds their leadership style. Tobirama is known to be one of the most divisive Hokage in Konoha's history, a fact that stems from many of his policies that were centered on suppressing the Uchiha Clan. Whether it's his decision to scrutinize them for their past actions during the Warring States Era or to keep a close eye on them even after Konoha’s establishment, or his actions to criticize them, his actions directly contributed to the growing detest towards the Senju among the Uchiha.

Tobirama’s policies made the Uchiha feel excluded from the village’s affairs, which eventually led to the coup d'état and the resultant Uchiha massacre. Moreover, Tobirama became even more divisive and controversial after his research into ninjutsu and forbidden techniques was brought to light. He was the progenitor of several forbidden ninjutsu, some that were even used to wreak havoc in the Shinobi world later on. The Reanimation Jutsu is a prime example of a technique that is purely evil and goes beyond all human logic. It was later used by Orochimaru and then perfected by Kabuto to be used as a weapon of war against the shinobi world.

Naruto probably wouldn't take this route... But I'm not him.

Shikamaru is in a similar boat as his policies and leadership style are also rather grim. A prime example of controversial leadership is his decision to deal with the Shinju clones by lulling them into a false sense of safety and then annihilating them. This kind of strategy goes against everything that Naruto believes in. He willingly chose to take this route to deal with the threat, even stating that Naruto would never choose this course of action.

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Shikamaru also sent Konohamaru on a deadly mission, despite being fully aware that he would most likely die in the ordeal. With no other choice, Shikamaru had to make this decision for the greater good of Konoha. While many compare these actions to Danzo, it's worth noting that Shikamaru isn’t power-hungry like the former, and all of his decisions stem from his desire to protect Konoha. However, there’s no denying that Shikamaru has taken a rather cold-blooded route of dealing with these threats. With such a calculating and dark persona, Shikamaru’s leadership parallels Tobirama quite evidently.

Treading With Caution Against Potential Threats

Shikamaru and Tobirama are Known to Deal With Threats Cautiously

Shikamaru 8th Hokage boruto two blue vortex 7

Shikamaru and Tobirama might not be identical characters, yet one common trait that the two possess as leaders is their practical approach to threats to Konoha. Their level-headedness and calculation persona shine through in their cautiousness in dealing with unknown potential threats. Tobirama's detest of the Uchiha is a prime example of his pragmatic ways of dealing with the potential threat of their resistance. Even though it may have seemed harsh to others, Tobirama kept surveillance of the Uchiha to ensure that the threat of their uprising remained minimal. While his skepticism of the Uchiha may have been unjust, it was still rooted in his experiences of fighting their clan.

I wanted to channel the Uchiha's power into something that could be of help to the village. However... If they ended up destroying themselves for the sake of the village, that cannot be helped.

Shikamaru has played a similar role as Hokage, as he has maintained a practical and discrete approach to any potential threats. This is evident from the fact that Shikamaru kept Kawaki under strict surveillance, despite his memories being altered by Omnipotence. Due to the effects of the Shinjutsu, Shikamaru should have trusted Kawaki, entirely believing that he is the actual son of Naruto Uzumaki. However, Two Blue Vortex reveals that Shikamaru has kept his caution with Kawaki. This goes to show that Shikamaru treads with caution with any potential threats, even if they may not cause harm in the present.

Shikamaru also refused to indiscriminately attack Boruto, instead opting to hear him out. Despite Boruto being branded as the killer of Naruto Uzumaki, Shikamaru still reasoned with him and questioned the possibility of Boruto’s side of the story being true to some extent. Any other character would have refused to listen to Boruto, instead believing their own altered memories. Shikamaru, on the other hand, considered the possibility of his own memories being altered, a trait that showcases his genius. Shikamaru has dealt with the Shinju Clones in a similar way, as he refused to let his guard down even after Jura showed no interest in attacking the Hidden Leaf Village. Shikamaru’s tact and caution clearly parallel Tobirama’s shrewdness and genius as Hokage.

Boruto is available to read via Viz Media.

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