Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飛ヒルゼン) 11
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Teacher Sarutobi 26 27
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure 36
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure; later retired from the position 36 61
Status	Retired; succeeded by Tsunade as Hokage 61 115
First Appearance	Chapter 11

Background / History

Hiruzen was the teacher of Jiraiya and Orochimaru. He once intended to make Orochimaru the Fourth Hokage, and Orochimaru's eventual betrayal remained a painful failure for him. He retained affection for his former student and initially believed Orochimaru was not inherently evil. 12 26

He repeatedly rejected Danzō's proposals to kill Sasuke after the Uchiha clan's destruction and secretly arranged protection for the surviving boy. He also faced pressure from Danzō and the elders to eliminate Ye Fan because of his Uchiha descent, but refused to permit it. 11 37

Hiruzen later admitted that his authority had been usurped by Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu. The conspirators leaked Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki through bribed guards, while Hiruzen was reduced to a puppet Hokage amid their internal power struggle. 54

Personality

Hiruzen initially seeks compromise and trusts long-standing allies even when their actions warrant suspicion. He believed Danzō would never betray Konoha and continued to see conscience in Orochimaru despite his crimes. 11 26 31

The invasions of Konoha force him to confront the consequences of that leniency. Root's absence during the crisis destroys his faith in Danzō, and he becomes unusually forceful in asserting Hokage authority. 31 36 37

He ultimately accepts responsibility for his failures, explicitly acknowledging that he wronged Minato, Naruto, and the Uchiha clan. 56

Abilities & Skills

Hokage Authority and Leadership

Hiruzen commands Konoha's Anbu and intervenes directly in major village crises.

• Ordered Anbu to protect Chūnin Exam participants while he confronted Orochimaru. 25
• Ordered Jiraiya to defend Konoha while he remained behind to confront Orochimaru and the resurrected Hokage. 27
• Publicly stripped Danzō of Root leadership, barred him from Konoha's high-level decisions, and declared that he could never become Hokage. 36
• Supervised the purge and execution of ninja involved in Danzō's coup. 60 61

Enma and the Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen summons Enma, who transforms into the Adamantine Staff for close-quarters combat.

• Used the staff against Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword; their clash destroyed surrounding trees and vegetation. 28
• Continued fighting after Orochimaru pierced his arm and severely reduced his combat ability. 29

Ninjutsu Knowledge

Orochimaru recognizes Hiruzen as a “ninja scholar,” though Hiruzen is unfamiliar with the immortality of Impure World Reincarnation bodies. 29

• Identified Orochimaru's forbidden Impure World Reincarnation immediately upon seeing the coffins. 27
• Recognized the Four Violet Flames Formation as a powerful barrier technique and understood that the Anbu outside could not break it. 27

Major Arcs

Ye Fan's Return and the Chūnin Exams

Hiruzen initially regards Ye Fan's immense strength and Uchiha heritage as possible threats to Konoha's hard-won peace. Jiraiya argues that Ye Fan should be cultivated as an asset to the village instead. 11

During Orochimaru's attack, Hiruzen confronts his former student inside the Four Violet Flames Formation. He is trapped while Orochimaru revives Hashirama and Tobirama, then suffers a severe arm injury during their duel. 27 29

One-Tails Riot and Danzō's Fall

After arriving late to the One-Tails crisis, Hiruzen discovers that Root contributed no defenders to Konoha. This confirms that Danzō abandoned the village during an invasion in hopes of benefiting from Hiruzen's presumed death. 31 36

At the subsequent leadership meeting, Hiruzen denounces Danzō, permanently denies him the Hokage position, removes him as Root's leader, and demotes him to an ordinary jōnin. 36

When Danzō, Homura, and Koharu attempt to suppress Ye Fan in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen stops them and reasserts that they remain subordinate to the Hokage. 37

Reckoning with Konoha's Past

Ye Fan confronts Hiruzen over the Uchiha clan massacre and Naruto's childhood suffering. Hiruzen reveals that Homura and Koharu leaked Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, and that his own political weakness allowed the village's leadership to be manipulated. 40 54

He accepts that his accomplishments do not erase his failures and initially names Jiraiya as his desired successor. 56

Abdication

Following Danzō's death and the suppression of his coup, Hiruzen publicly recognizes Ye Fan, Jiraiya, and the Hyūga clan for stabilizing Konoha. 60

He abdicates as Third Hokage, citing his age and need for rest. Tsunade becomes the new Hokage, while Hiruzen later accepts her instruction to leave village affairs to her. 61 115

Relationships

• Jiraiya — Former student. Hiruzen trusts Jiraiya's loyalty and relies on him in Konoha's defense; Jiraiya later becomes deeply disappointed by Hiruzen's past leadership. 12 27 58
• Orochimaru — Former student and once Hiruzen's intended Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen confronts him during the Chūnin Exam invasion despite lingering regret and attachment. 12 26 28
• Shimura Danzō — Long-time political associate whose inaction during Konoha's invasion convinces Hiruzen that he has betrayed the village. Hiruzen removes him from Root and bars him from becoming Hokage. 31 36
• Ye Fan — Initially viewed with caution due to his Uchiha heritage and extraordinary power. Hiruzen later protects him from the elders, but faces Ye Fan's anger over Konoha's past crimes. 11 37 54
• Naruto Uzumaki — Hiruzen failed to protect Naruto from the consequences of his Jinchūriki identity being leaked. He later admits that he wronged both Naruto and Minato. 31 54 56
• Sasuke Uchiha — Hiruzen secretly protected Sasuke when Danzō advocated killing him as the last Uchiha survivor. 11
• Tsunade — His successor as Hokage. Hiruzen accepts her leadership and agrees to retire from active village governance. 61 115
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Senior advisors who helped usurp Hiruzen's authority and leaked Naruto's identity. 54

Notable Quotes

“I've wronged Minato, I've wronged Naruto, I've wronged the Uchiha Clan...” 56

“Achievements are achievements, and mistakes are mistakes!” 56