Gandalf was by no means the least of the istari. I remember reading in UT that when the vala said he would be the last of the original istari (3), Manwe's wife said third but not last, and also in of Istari in UT, it is said that Cirdan, seeing Gandalf's purpose and that his power was greatest (as well as Celeborn and Galadriel seeing), gave him the ring and wanted him to be the head of the council. I think that he was always the most powerful and most true to his purpose. Also, he did not desire to leave Valinor, and so stayed longest. There wzs no attempt at concealing or tricking Sauron, but this happened as a result of Gandalf's desire to remain in Valinor. Also, Sauron did not "go after" sauremon, but ensnared him (as well as denethor) when they looked into the palantiri.
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Say my name and I'm gone, who am I?
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