Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Third Hokage-sama; “Old man”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; later the Ninja Alliance
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure; later a staff member of the Ninja Alliance’s Different World Rescue Office
Status	Reincarnated; former Hokage
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Background / History

Hiruzen leads Konoha as its Third Hokage, personally reviewing reports on promising young shinobi such as Lin Ke and approving Lin Ke’s early promotion to Chunin. He also rewards Lin Ke’s service in the Land of Rivers with two ninjutsu scrolls, expressing confidence that Konoha will rely on him in the future 25 36 54.

His administration is divided between his steady faction and Shimura Danzo’s militant faction. Although Hiruzen confronts Danzo over Root’s use of Tongue Severing Curse Seals on younger Konoha shinobi, he struggles to decisively remove his longtime friend and political rival because of Danzo’s support within the village 59 146.

After Lin Ke reports encountering Orochimaru, Hiruzen formally identifies Orochimaru as his former student and a rogue ninja of Konoha. He vows to kill Orochimaru himself should he reappear 77.

During the Konoha Crush, Orochimaru and the Fourth Kazekage take Hiruzen hostage and bring him to the rooftop battlefield. Lin Ke destroys the Four Violet Flames Formation to reach him, then shares a shadow-based power with Hiruzen that restores his hair, posture, and lost vitality 102 103.

Hiruzen later admits that his handling of the Uchiha clan tragedy was a failure born from excessive naïveté. He reveals that Itachi entered Akatsuki as Konoha’s spy, regrets that Lin Ke and Sasuke were exposed to Konoha’s darkness so young, and continues to place faith in the next generation despite Jiraiya’s doubts 111 125.

When Lin Ke returns with intelligence on Akatsuki and Danzo’s activities, Hiruzen treats the report seriously but again acknowledges the political difficulty of acting directly against Danzo. He also represents Konoha at the Three-Nation Summit concerning the Land of Rivers, refusing Sand’s demands for the return of its Jinchuriki, Sasori’s puppets, and access to the deceased Maki 146 181 182.

Following Itachi’s death, Hiruzen takes responsibility for Sasuke’s loss and chooses to offer concessions rather than publicly expose Itachi’s role as a spy. When Danzo dies, Hiruzen and Konoha’s leadership agree to use Lin Ke’s summoning technique to bring him back, allowing Danzo’s death to be officially settled as suicide 220 231 232.

When Senju Tobirama vanishes during a Space-Time Ninjutsu experiment, Hiruzen abdicates so Tsunade can become Fifth Hokage. He intends to sacrifice himself by opening the Death God’s stomach to free Minato and enlist his expertise in locating Tobirama 252.

After reincarnation, Hiruzen eventually serves the Ninja Alliance’s Different World Rescue Office, where his patient and gentle temperament is used to assist refugees from other worlds. Political pressure later drives him to take leave and travel through the post-apocalyptic World Number Three, where he works as a video-material collector for Utakata 351 385.

Appearance

Hiruzen is initially portrayed as an elderly Hokage in formal robes and a conical Hokage hat, frequently smoking a pipe. Lin Ke’s shadow technique temporarily restores his youthful physique; after reincarnation, he is later seen in a child-sized body 14 103 312.

• Wears the Third Hokage’s conical hat and formal Hokage robes while in office 14 77.
• Commonly carries and smokes a pipe 14 164.
• Uses a staff in battle 103.
• Regains black hair, a straighter posture, and a younger appearance after Lin Ke’s power affects him 103.
• Later manifests as a three-year-old reincarnation individual 312.

Personality

Hiruzen is gentle, patient, and deeply committed to protecting Konoha’s younger generation. He believes the older generation should bear burdens for children rather than demand that children sacrifice for the village, which shapes his unusual degree of trust in Lin Ke and Sasuke 111 125.

This compassion is also his greatest political weakness. He is repeatedly described as soft-hearted and finds it difficult to punish Danzo decisively despite Root’s abuses and Danzo’s continual challenge to his authority 59 146.

He is self-critical about Konoha’s failures, especially the Uchiha clan massacre. Rather than defend his past decisions, he calls himself a failed Hokage and accepts responsibility for allowing the situation to become irreparable 111 220.

Outside formal leadership, Hiruzen has a playful side. He jokes with Kakashi at the hot springs, indulges Jiraiya’s crude humor, and later uses Lin Ke’s visit as an excuse to escape Kushina’s anger 111 181 352.

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Knowledge

Hiruzen possesses extensive knowledge of Konoha’s ninjutsu and is regarded as someone who has studied the village’s techniques. Lin Ke consults him for advice on countering Space-Time Ninjutsu, while Hiruzen also personally approves and distributes ninjutsu scrolls 54 164.

• Assesses the extreme difficulty of techniques designed to restrict Space-Time Ninjutsu 164.
• Grants Lin Ke Summoning Jutsu and Earth Release-related scrolls following his Land of Rivers service 54 55.
• Explains that possessing a technique such as Flying Thunder God does not guarantee the skill or Chakra capacity to use it effectively 164.

Staff Combat

During the Konoha Crush, Hiruzen uses his staff to disperse the Fourth Kazekage’s Quicksand Gold before it can engulf Lin Ke 103.

• Protects Lin Ke during the rooftop battle against Orochimaru and the Fourth Kazekage 102 103.
• Remains capable of fighting despite his advanced age and weakened condition 102 390.

Political Leadership

As Hokage, Hiruzen handles promotions, mission assignments, diplomatic negotiations, and disputes among Konoha’s factions 36 115 181.

• Finalizes the team sent to welcome the Land of Wind mission, appointing Hyuga Hiashi as leader with Kakashi and Lin Ke as members 115.
• Rejects Sand’s attempt to acquire Konoha-held strategic assets during the Three-Nation Summit 182.
• Entrusts Lin Ke with sensitive missions and supports his role as a bridge between Konoha and Sand 125.

Equipment

• Hokage hat and robes — his standard official attire 14 77.
• Pipe — frequently used while working or discussing village affairs 14 164.
• Staff — used to counter the Fourth Kazekage’s Quicksand Gold during the Konoha Crush 103.

Relationships

• Lin Ke — A trusted young shinobi whom Hiruzen promotes, rewards with ninjutsu scrolls, and repeatedly protects from political exploitation. Hiruzen believes Lin Ke can help repair mistakes made by the village 36 54 125.
• Shimura Danzo — Lifelong friend, rival, and leader of Konoha’s militant faction. Hiruzen opposes Danzo’s methods but repeatedly hesitates to break with him completely 59 146 222.
• Senju Tobirama — Former teacher. Tobirama is broadly satisfied with Hiruzen’s efforts but considers him indecisive and takes control of Konoha’s administration after being summoned 222 223.
• Orochimaru — Former student turned rogue ninja. Hiruzen retains regret over Orochimaru’s fall and promises to kill him if he resurfaces 77 111.
• Jiraiya — Former student and potential successor. Hiruzen urges him to trust the younger generation and repeatedly attempts to persuade him to accept the Hokage position 111 190.
• Tsunade — Former student whom Hiruzen draws back into village affairs by assigning her leadership of the Medical Team; she later succeeds him as Fifth Hokage 190 252.
• Uchiha Itachi — Hiruzen reveals that Itachi infiltrated Akatsuki as a spy and regrets his inability to avert the Uchiha tragedy 111 220.
• Uchiha Sasuke — Hiruzen attempts to address Sasuke’s resentment toward Konoha and offers concessions after Itachi’s death 111 220.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura — His longtime advisors. They often push harsher policies, while Hiruzen restrains them and retains final authority over major decisions 59 125 220.
• Sarutobi Biwako — His wife. After reincarnation, Hiruzen decides that they should divorce and pursue separate lives 272 387.
• Sarutobi Asuma — His son, who later tracks Hiruzen down and persuades him to return from his leave in World Number Three 385.

Notable Quotes

“If Orochimaru appears... I will kill him with my own hands.” 77

“The tragedy of the Uchiha clan is an irreparable loss caused by my excessive naivety.” 111

“Lin Ke, I am a failed Hokage.” 111

“Tomorrow, I will abdicate and Tsunade will take over as the Fifth Hokage.” 252

Trivia

• Hiruzen considers replacing the Hokage Office desk with a lower one after needing to lean forward to meet Lin Ke’s eyes during Lin Ke’s Chunin promotion 36.
• He is called “the Monkey” by those familiar with him, including his fellow Konoha elders 220 223.
• After reincarnation, he chooses to seek a more self-directed life, concluding that his original life had largely been spent fulfilling other people’s expectations 387.