Naruto Chapter 561

[Splash!]

I have always believed that the 1st hokage trumped all the others in general. But that's just my opinion and I don't think we ever got to see any of the current or past hokages at there prime go all out! Not even Tsunade but we have probably seen the most from Tsunade. I still think there is great potential in both the 3rd and the 4th for being a real match for the 1st hokage. But Madara seems to be toying with his enemies right now.... He summoned two massive meteors and yet I personally feel like hes toying around... I just get that feeling... That is the scary part and that the 1st and madara were involved in combat which apparently the 1st won? Yes the 1st may just be the strongest hokage.

I think the powers Madara received from the first are what allowed him to awaken the Rinnegan. Probably because of combining of the powers of the Uchiha and the Senju. Remember how those clans are supposed to be the descendants of the 2 sons of the sage of six paths. Although the 1st may have been stronger than EMS Madara, I don't think that's the case with Rinnegan Madara and his Meteor tossing abilities.

Maybe fake Madara hopes to cultivate a fresh pair of Rinnegans by having Sasuke and Naruto duke it out and combine the Uchiha and Senju powers from this generation.