Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Sarutobi Clan
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure; later a retired former Hokage
Status	Alive; politically marginalized after Namikaze Mirai's reforms 128 139
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Hiruzen was serving as Konoha's Third Hokage when Namikaze Mirai returned after being missing for three years. Mirai's reappearance alarmed him: Hiruzen remembered Mirai as an unruly and politically disruptive force during the Third Great Ninja War, and feared that Minato's younger brother could erode his influence within the village leadership 2.

He initially rejected Danzō's calls for a preemptive attack on Mirai. Hiruzen recognized both Mirai's strength—stated to be no weaker than Minato's—and the danger of harming Naruto's uncle while Naruto was still unable to control the Nine-Tails 3 13. Nevertheless, he kept Mirai, Naruto, and the Uchiha under close scrutiny, including plans to groom Itachi as an Anbu informant within the clan 10 42.

When Mirai publicly revealed Naruto to be Minato and Kushina's son, Hiruzen confirmed the truth. He admitted that the Nine-Tails had been sealed inside Naruto, then accepted responsibility for the harm caused by the concealment and agreed to pay one billion ryo in compensation to the Namikaze Clan 24.

Hiruzen's authority declined sharply amid disputes with Mirai. He supported the plan to surrender Hyuga Hizashi's body to Kumogakure to avert conflict, defending it as Hizashi's embodiment of the Will of Fire; Mirai denounced the decision as cowardice 37. His alarm deepened as Mirai gained Uchiha backing, amassed influence through wartime victories, and drew support from Konoha's clans and jōnin 38 75 83.

After Danzō's destruction of Root and repeated use of stolen Sharingan for Izanagi came to light, Hiruzen unsuccessfully sought to spare his old friend. He ultimately stepped aside and allowed Mirai to kill Danzō rather than escalate the conflict further 57.

Hiruzen attempted to counter Mirai's bid for the Hokage position by bringing Tsunade back to Konoha and positioning her as a Fifth Hokage candidate. He also took personal interest in the Wood Release user Yamato, renamed him Tenzo, and intended to develop him into a figure comparable to Hashirama 58 61 62. These efforts failed when Mirai's supporters forced Hiruzen to resign; Hiruzen formally passed the Hokage hat to Mirai during the Fifth Hokage's inauguration 84 85.

In retirement, Hiruzen and the remaining old guard looked to the Fire Daimyo and Asuma for political support against Mirai's new administration 91. He later made a final stand against Mirai's plan to abolish the One Country, One Village System, summoning Enma to fight the Fifth Hokage. Mirai defeated him almost immediately, and Tsunade's intervention spared his life 127 128. The subsequent reforms stripped the Sarutobi Clan of much of its former authority, leaving Hiruzen and his faction on the political fringe 139.

Appearance

Hiruzen is depicted as an elderly man with a wrinkled face, grayish-brown eyes, and a heavily weathered appearance. He is frequently seen smoking a pipe while working in the Hokage Office.

• Often appears fatigued, hunched, or visibly aged during periods of political strain.
• Commonly keeps a pipe clenched between his teeth.
• Wears the Hokage's hat during his tenure as village leader.

Personality

Hiruzen presents himself as calm, benevolent, and measured, particularly when speaking as Hokage. He repeatedly prioritizes avoiding immediate catastrophe: preventing another Nine-Tails incident, avoiding war with Kumogakure, and preserving Konoha's institutional stability 13 37.

His caution often becomes indecision. He hesitates to confront Danzō, fears Mirai's rising influence, and favors compromise even when other leaders view the result as unjust or humiliating 37 50. He is deeply attached to Konoha's history and symbols, most clearly seen in his emotional response to Tenzo's Wood Release and its connection to Hashirama 58.

Though protective of the old political order, Hiruzen is capable of remorse and concession. He acknowledges Naruto's parentage publicly, agrees to compensation for Minato's inheritance, and eventually yields both Danzō and the Hokage position when resistance would cause greater damage 24 57 85.

Abilities & Skills

Summoning Jutsu

Hiruzen can summon Enma, who can transform into the Adamantine Staff during combat.

• Summoned Enma when confronting Mirai's force at Konoha's entrance 127.
• Used Enma's staff form to block Mirai's strike.
• Enma was hurt by the impact, while Hiruzen was swiftly overwhelmed and incapacitated by Mirai 127.

Hokage Administration

As Third Hokage, Hiruzen directed Konoha's Anbu, handled village intelligence, and managed major diplomatic and internal crises.

• Received Anbu intelligence on Mirai, Naruto, and Uchiha activity 2 10 42.
• Opposed Danzō's proposed assassination of Mirai due to Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and Mirai's strength 3 13.
• Organized the effort to bring Tsunade back to Konoha as a potential Fifth Hokage candidate 61.
• Intended to train Tenzo as a major Konoha asset after discovering his Wood Release 58 62.

Relationships

• Namikaze Mirai — Political rival and eventual successor. Hiruzen feared Mirai's power, Uchiha connections, and ambition for the Hokage seat; Mirai forced his resignation and later defeated him during Hiruzen's resistance to reform 2 38 84 127.
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime friend and fellow member of Konoha's old guard. Their approaches to Mirai differed sharply; Hiruzen tried to negotiate for Danzō's life but ultimately allowed Mirai to execute him 3 13 57.
• Uzumaki Naruto — The Nine-Tails jinchūriki whose safety and instability were a central concern to Hiruzen. He confirmed Naruto's identity as Minato's son and accepted financial responsibility for his mistreatment 13 24.
• Tsunade — Former student and preferred candidate for Fifth Hokage. Hiruzen summoned her back through Tenzo's Wood Release, and Tsunade later saved his life after Mirai defeated him 61 62 128.
• Hatake Kakashi — Anbu subordinate under Hiruzen who reported on Mirai and Naruto's move to the Uchiha compound. Kakashi later aligned with Mirai during Hiruzen's removal from office 42 84.
• Sarutobi Asuma — His son, positioned with the Fire Daimyo as an envoy and potential source of political leverage after Hiruzen's retirement 91 93.
• Yamato / Tenzo — A former Root child discovered with Wood Release. Hiruzen renamed him Tenzo and sought to nurture him as Konoha's second great Wood Release wielder 58 62.
• Enma — His summoned partner. Enma objected to Hiruzen's final confrontation with Mirai but was unable to prevent his defeat 127.

Notable Quotes

“This is for Konoha.” 37

“As the Third Hokage, I absolutely cannot allow you to drag the village into an abyss of ruin!” 127