Perhaps a perk is the ability to shape the future of the ninja world. As Hokage, one can inspire the younger generation of ninjas. They can create new ninja academies or training programs. They also have the power to pardon or punish ninjas according to their deeds, which helps in maintaining law and order in the village.
One advantage is having great power. As the Hokage, you can lead the village, make important decisions, and protect your people. You get to use powerful jutsu and have a high status in the ninja world.
One possible reason could be that some elders in the village still have doubts about his past. For example, his connection with the Nine - Tails. They might fear that this could lead to instability in the village. Another reason could be political intrigue. There might be other powerful clans or individuals who want the position for themselves and manipulate things behind the scenes to deny Naruto.
The implications are vast. In terms of international relations, Naruto as the 1st Hokage might make the Hidden Leaf more open to other villages right from the beginning. His reputation for kindness and his willingness to forgive could lead to better diplomatic relations. Moreover, the training and education system in the village could be revolutionized. He might focus more on individual growth and moral values rather than just pure combat skills, which would produce a different kind of ninja compared to what we see in the original Naruto story.
A major consequence is how other characters react. The village elders might treat him differently, perhaps with more reverence or more suspicion. Also, his enemies might see him as an even greater threat. Naruto himself might also feel a greater sense of responsibility towards the village, as he is now connected to its founder in a very special way. This could lead to him making different decisions in battles and in the overall story arc.
It could be the First Hokage, Hashirama. Naruto would be amazed by his powerful Wood - Style jutsu and his ability to create the village. He could learn about the original ideals behind the Hidden Leaf from Hashirama.
Well, it depends on the specific fanfiction. Some fanfictions might explore alternate storylines where Naruto doesn't become the Hokage at all. Maybe he decides to pursue a different path in life, like focusing on being a teacher or an explorer. However, in a large number of fanfictions, he does achieve his goal of becoming the Hokage because it's such an iconic and desired outcome for fans who want to see his journey to the top in different ways.
Shikamaru is another possibility. He is known for his strategic mind. As Hokage, he could use his intelligence to make wise decisions for the village. He may not have the brute strength of Naruto or Sasuke, but his ability to plan and analyze situations would be invaluable in leading Konoha.
One reason could be the overwhelming pressure. Being Hokage means shouldering the safety and well - being of the entire village. Naruto might have realized that he can't bear that kind of stress forever. Another factor could be personal sacrifice. He may have seen how being Hokage has cost others in their personal lives and he doesn't want to go through the same. Also, he might have new dreams or goals that are not compatible with the role of Hokage, like exploring the world outside the village more freely.
There would be a group of people who understand his decision. They might have seen how much Naruto has sacrificed and how tired he must be. They would support him in his choice to step down and hope he can finally have some peace in his life. For instance, his close friends like Shikamaru might be among those who support his decision.