Quote Originally Posted by Abdula
Actually I think that the hokage having to choose his replacement or who he wants to be the next hokage was mentioned early on in the series. I think it was when Sarutobi was fighting Orochimaru.
Except when the die unexpectedly, which seems to happen often?

Quote Originally Posted by Abdula
Another reason the fourth could have been chosen instead of those guys is because the kage have traditionally been young ninjas. Well not necessarily young ninjas but ninjas in their prime or at their peak.
Except Tsunade?