Perhaps he would focus on his training and become a master of a new, unique form of jutsu. He might then open a dojo to teach the younger generation his skills, rather than aiming for the Hokage position. This way, he could still have a great influence on the ninja world.
Naruto could also choose to be a diplomat for Konoha. Since he has friends all over the world, he could use those relationships to strengthen bonds between different villages. This would be a significant role that doesn't require him to be Hokage. He would be like an ambassador, traveling between villages and promoting peace and cooperation.
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 possibility could be that Naruto focuses more on his training to become a super powerful ninja without the burden of being Hokage. He could travel the world, learn new jutsus from different regions, and form alliances with various ninja clans on a more personal level rather than as a Hokage.
One possible path is that Naruto becomes a traveling ninja, similar to Jiraiya. He could go around different villages and countries, learning new jutsus and making friends without the burden of leading a village. He might focus on spreading the message of peace in a more direct, personal way.
A really interesting plot could be Naruto traveling back in time to the era before he was born. He could meet his parents and other important figures in the village's history. This would give him a chance to understand the roots of the village better and also learn some new jutsu or strategies that he could bring back to his own time to make the Hidden Leaf even stronger as a Hokage.
Yes, there are likely many fanfics with that theme. The Naruto fandom is huge and creative, so it's common to find fan - made stories exploring different 'what - if' scenarios, like Naruto becoming the fifth Hokage. You can look for them on popular fanfic websites.
One possible fanfic could be about the 5th Hokage, Tsunade, facing a new and powerful enemy that the village has never seen before. This enemy could be a rogue ninja from a far - off land who has a special jutsu that can disrupt the chakra flow in the village. Tsunade would have to use her medical ninjutsu and combat skills to counter this threat and protect the village.
I really like 'Naruto: Hokage's Ascent'. It delves deep into the political aspects of being Hokage, which is not often explored in great detail in regular Naruto stories. It shows Naruto having to make tough decisions for the village, and the relationships between the different ninja clans are also well - portrayed.
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.
Sasuke could also be a possibility for the 6th Hokage in the fanfic. He has grown stronger over the years and his unique perspective on the ninja world could bring new ideas to the leadership of the Hidden Leaf. He might start off as a controversial choice but prove himself through his actions in protecting the village and making tough decisions.
Perhaps the Hokage has made a decision that Naruto believes will destroy the village's future. Like if the Hokage decides to sacrifice a large number of innocent villagers in order to achieve a short - term goal. Naruto, with his strong sense of justice, might see killing the Hokage as the only way to stop this madness.