Naruto Uzumaki > Hashirama Senju
Disclaimers:
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.
Manga Publishers: Shueisha Inc. & Viz Media, LLC . Anime Producers: Studio Pierrot & TV Tokyo.
All images are properties of their respective owners and are used herein strictly for illustration purposes only.
No part of this theory may be posted elsewhere without permission. The author reserves the right to modify accordingly, depending on recent events of the manga and/or for purely speculative development. Please be guided that these only aim to explore possibilities and do not seek to prove/disprove anything.
Status: 08 April 2013 - 10 November 2014.
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.
Manga Publishers: Shueisha Inc. & Viz Media, LLC . Anime Producers: Studio Pierrot & TV Tokyo.
All images are properties of their respective owners and are used herein strictly for illustration purposes only.
No part of this theory may be posted elsewhere without permission. The author reserves the right to modify accordingly, depending on recent events of the manga and/or for purely speculative development. Please be guided that these only aim to explore possibilities and do not seek to prove/disprove anything.
Status: 08 April 2013 - 10 November 2014.
Wind > Wood
The Five Elements in Chinese Philosophy and in Naruto (overcoming cycles), respectively:
… Fire > Metal > Wood > Earth > Water > Fire …
… Fire > Wind > Lightning > Earth > Water > Fire …
Super-imposing the above cycles will give:
… Fire > Metal/Wind > Wood/Lightning > Earth > Water > Fire …
Wood is a kekkei genkai attributed almost solely to Hashirama Senju (other capable of this likely have cells from Hashirama transplanted into them). Based on Chinese Philosophy, Wood is inferior to Metal.
In Naruto, however, Metal does not exist as a primary element so far. The closest element to parallel its abilities is Wind.
One feature individuals with Wind chakra nature try to imagine is to split their chakra into two and grinding them as if to produce a blade in between. The finer and sharper, the better. Wind is said to be unrivaled in power and can cut and sever anything in its path.
It may be recalled that when Sasuke trained with Lightning, he thrust Chidori against Earth (Lightning is superior to Earth).
Naruto, on the other hand, trained with Wind by cutting leaves.
Prior to this, Asuma demonstrated how his Wind chakra-infused blade have been able to cut through a boulder (Earth).
Much later, Naruto trained by cutting the waterfall (Water) created by Yamato.
These by no means mean that Wind is also superior Earth and Water. The significance of these is that Wood is a combination of Earth and Water. The ability to cut Earth and Water may indirectly mean the ability to cut Wood.
Since the 4th Shinobi War, it has been implied that Naruto may be among the strongest Wind users.
Hence, based on elemental affinities they are best associated with, Naruto > Hashirama.
*More details about the Five Elements may be read here: Naruto x Sasuke: Bonds.
Fanning the Fire: Wood versus Wind
There are actually two cycles involving the Five Elements. The cycle shown previously and one more often used in Naruto is the overcoming cycle. It is the cycle which depicts the superiority/inferiority of one element to another.
The other cycle is the generating cycle. It is the cycle that depicts the support one element gives another. Using the super-imposed elements, the generating cycle may appear as:
… Fire → Earth → Metal/Wind → Water → Wood/Lightning → Fire…
Hashirama, representing Wood, fans the Will of Fire.
When Naruto was first told that his Wind chakra nature is superior to Sasuke’s Lightning nature but inferior to the Fire nature, he nonchalantly retorts that Wind makes the Fire stronger. This may also be correct, albeit having a more scientific basis. Wind supplies oxygen which is needed in the combustion of Fire.
Therefore, based on who fans the Fire vigorously, Naruto = Hashirama.
Reign over Tailed Beast
There are only a number of people known to control the tailed beasts. Hashirama was able, and so can Naruto.
The difference being that Hashirama used force to control a tailed beast with, for example, ninjutsu.
Naruto need not control the tailed beasts. Naruto and Kurama exhibit mutual concession (this may also be implied in his relationship with the other bijū). Naruto and Kurama are a team.
Hence, reigning over tailed beast(s), Naruto > Hashirama.