Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure
Status	Killed by Uzumaki Naruto's Scorch Release; later revived through Impure World Reincarnation 113 119
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Hiruzen covertly watched Uzumaki Naruto through a crystal ball and worried that the boy's hostile upbringing could turn him against Konoha. He regarded Naruto as a vital potential Jinchūriki and welcomed Naruto's connection with Hyūga Hinata because it gave him a bond within the village. 7 8

After personally seeing Naruto's dilapidated home, broken windows, bandages, and lack of food, Hiruzen abandoned his suspicion that Naruto was simply a delinquent. He concluded that Naruto had fought and taken money to survive, study, and protect Hinata. 10

Despite this sympathy, Hiruzen continued to treat Naruto as a political asset. He concealed Naruto's parentage and hoped Naruto's admiration for the Hokage would prevent betrayal; later, he and Danzō discussed using Hinata as Naruto's emotional restraint. 23 31 51

When the Uchiha clan became aware of Konoha's plans against them, Hiruzen agreed to remove Uchiha Shisui first. He arranged a mission that would give Danzō an opportunity to assassinate Shisui, whose Kotoamatsukami he considered a threat to the operation. 29

Following the Uchiha clan's destruction and Namikaze Menma's intervention, Hiruzen struggled to contain the political fallout, the escaped Uchiha, and the damage inflicted on Konoha. He later placed a bounty on Menma and unsuccessfully investigated his identity. 61 62 90

Hiruzen was deceived into believing that Senju Tobirama and Menma had killed one another. Impressed by Naruto's reported conduct during that mission, he promoted Naruto to Elite Jōnin and assigned him to Kakashi Hatake's team. 107

During the Chūnin Exam invasion, Naruto revealed himself as Namikaze Menma and confronted Hiruzen over Naruto's treatment, the Nine-Tails Attack, and the Uchiha clan's downfall. Hiruzen fought Naruto with Enma and multiple elemental techniques but was overwhelmed and killed by Scorch Release. 112 113

Orochimaru later restored Hiruzen alongside Hashirama Senju and Minato Namikaze through a high-level Impure World Reincarnation that allowed the revived Hokage to use nearly their full power. Hiruzen subsequently joined the battle against Naruto at the Valley of the End. 119 123

Personality

Hiruzen presents himself as patient and paternal, often describing Naruto as a kind child and initially opposing Danzō's demand to place him in Root. His concern, however, is repeatedly intertwined with preserving Konoha's control over the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. 10 23 48

He is politically calculating and willing to make ruthless decisions for village stability. He participated in the secret plan against the Uchiha clan, sought Shisui's removal, and considered Hinata a means to restrain Naruto through emotional attachment. 29 51

Hiruzen distrusts Danzō despite collaborating with him when expedient. He rejects Danzō's claim over Naruto, fears Danzō's ambitions, and becomes furious when Danzō's failures expose Sarutobi Asuma to danger. 23 61 70

Abilities & Skills

Elemental Ninjutsu and Shadow Clones

Hiruzen can create Shadow Clones and coordinate them to use multiple elemental techniques simultaneously. During his battle with Naruto, he employed Wind, Fire, Water, Lightning, and Earth Release in the Five Element Great Bullet Technique. 112

• Uses Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and Wind Release: Gale Palm. 112
• Uses Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet Technique and Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. 112
• Uses Water Release: Water Formation Wall to assist against Naruto's Scorch Release. 123
• His high-ranked elemental attacks proved unable to overcome Naruto's Sage Mode-enhanced Kekkei Genkai. 112

Summoning: Enma

Hiruzen can summon Enma, a powerful summon capable of transforming into the Adamantine Staff. 112 113

• Uses Enma's staff form for close-quarters combat. 112 113
• Relied on Enma's durability and striking power against Naruto. 113
• Enma was severely burned when Naruto used Scorch Release on the Adamantine Staff. 113

Reaper Death Seal

Hiruzen knows the forbidden sealing technique Reaper Death Seal. 113 123

• He considered using it against Naruto during their first battle but hesitated, allowing Naruto to seize the advantage. 113
• After his reincarnation, he attempted the technique again, but Naruto's shadow clones interrupted and countered it. 123

Political Strategy and Surveillance

As Hokage, Hiruzen commands Anbu operatives, handles village intelligence, and makes major military decisions. 20 29 90

• Monitored Naruto's condition through a crystal ball. 8
• Coordinated with Danzō on the Uchiha operation and Shisui's assigned mission. 29
• Organized outside support against Namikaze Menma, including contact with other villages and Akatsuki. 90

Relationships

• Uzumaki Naruto / Namikaze Menma — Naruto's guardian and the Hokage who concealed his parentage; Hiruzen tried to bind Naruto to Konoha through Hinata before Naruto exposed him and killed him. 23 51 112 113
• Shimura Danzō — Political rival and occasional co-conspirator. They disagreed over placing Naruto in Root but jointly planned action against the Uchiha clan. 23 29 61
• Sarutobi Asuma — His son and intended political successor; Hiruzen sought to position Asuma to inherit the Hokage title through clan support and influential students. 20 66 105
• Hyūga Hinata — Viewed by Hiruzen as Naruto's most effective emotional restraint and considered using the Caged Bird Seal to secure that leverage. 51 108
• Uchiha Shisui — A feared Uchiha shinobi whose Mangekyō Sharingan and Kotoamatsukami led Hiruzen to approve a plan for his assassination. 20 29
• Hatake Kakashi — A trusted shinobi who reported on Naruto's growth and accompanied Hiruzen during his visit to Naruto's home. 7 8 9
• Enma — Hiruzen's summoned combat partner and the user of the Adamantine Staff form. 112 113

Notable Quotes

“The bonds between people are often more precious than life itself.” 51

“Compared to Uzumaki Naruto, You are truly the enemy I fear most.” 23

Trivia

• Hiruzen confiscated Kakashi's copy of Icha Icha Paradise while discussing Naruto's alleged extortion of Konoha ninja. 7 8
• Naruto's improvised ramen-and-insect “bioweapon” drenched Hiruzen and Kakashi during their visit to his home. 9