Naruto the Hokage?

Since the very beginning Naruto has wanted to be the Hokage. He has constantly proclaimed it to anyone that would listen, as loudly as he could, in case you weren't listening. But is this really the best job for him? Would Naruto, the Number One Knucklehead Ninja, really make a good Hokage?

First, let's consider why Naruto wants to be the Hokage in the first place. Since the very beginning he has wanted to be accepted by the villagers. Since Naruto is ambitious, he chose the highest position, to strive towards. Everyone accepts and loves the Hokage, so if he became the Hokage, then everyone would love and accept him. So the real goal is acceptance.

To a certain extent Naruto has already accomplished this goal. He has a large circle of friends, and he is valued as a powerful, skilled ninja. But he hasn't done very much that is visible, so chances are there are still a lot of villagers that fear and hate him for being the demon fox. But if Naruto were to save the whole village, and it was obvious that it was him, then the other villagers would at least accept him, even if they didn't love him. So he really has no need to become Hokage in order to fulfill the true motivation for choosing that gaol in the first place.

Even if Naruto does become Hokage (a real possibility, considering how determined he is) I really don't believe it is the best thing for him. When Tsunade became Hokage we saw what the job really entailed. It isn't all epic battles with high class shinobi. There is alot of paperwork for one. Tsunade complains about it, but she gets it done. Naruto would probably get it done, but he could never really be happy in a desk job.

Then you have to consider the personal qualities that make a good Hokage. In a philosophical sense, you need to have a love for the entire village, and consider every Konaha villager a member of your family. The 3rd did this, and it made him a great leader. Naruto is clearly a caring individual, but he cares for his friends, those people that he knows and loves. I don't know how much he could love hundreds of people who he may never meet. It takes someone very unique to love a whole community

Also, you have to decide how to allocate resources, decide which ninja are best for the job, consider how many ninja need to stay in the village, how many ninja are needed to solve a crisis miles away. It can get very complicated, and you have to make these decisions quickly. Naruto can think fast in battle, but clever battles techniques and complicated decisions that affect hundreds or thousands of people, are completely different. Not to mention the constant political struggles, with the Fuedal Lord and his subordinates.

Naruto may be maturing, but he will always be a man of action. No desk job where his mind matters more than his fists, will ever make him happy. But if Naruto is not the 6th Hokage, then two interesting questions are raised. Who would make a good Hokage, and what does Naruto get to be when he grows up?

The answer to the first question, is Nara Shikamaru. He clearly knows how to allocate resources, as Tsunade has often consulted him on that very issue. He might complain about it, but he is becoming less lazy. So he will either buckle down and do the paperwork, or more likely, come up with a clever way to avoid it, without shirking his true responsibilities. As for the philosophy, he may not have the heart of the 3rd, but he has learned from Asuma that he is less important, than the people. That alone is enough to be a loving leader.

As for the second question, Naruto would make a great teacher. He has mentored several children in his travels, most notably, Konahamaru. He has a lot of good experience, and there is a lot to be said for an enthusiatic teacher. Just look at Gai and Rock Lee for proof of that. So long as he can appreciate that no one will ever reach his level, he will make a fine sensei.

So in a nutshell, Naruto would be a terrible Hokage; Shikamaru would be a much better Hokage; and Naruto should be a teacher.