Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩) |
| Alias(es) | Third Hokage; “Monkey,” as Shimura Danzō calls him 7 46 |
| Gender | Male 130 |
| Affiliation | Konohagakure; Sarutobi clan 10 132 |
| Occupation/Role | Third Hokage 10 173 |
| Status | Alive and still Hokage, though his authority is severely weakened 173 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 7 |
Background and History
Hiruzen initially resists Danzō’s demand to act against six-year-old Uchiha Sen, arguing that the child does not warrant hostility toward the entire Uchiha clan. When a Root operative’s attack on Sen brings hundreds of armed Uchiha to the Hokage’s office, Hiruzen summons Danzō and averts a clash by agreeing to compensation and protection for the clan’s young members 7 8 10 11.
In private, Hiruzen describes a longer-term plan: support Uchiha Fugaku’s rise and use the Will of Fire to bring successive Uchiha generations under the village leadership’s influence. He later agrees to Danzō’s proposal to use Sen against Kirigakure while arranging for his elimination 11 19. During the Second Shinobi World War, Hiruzen sends Danzō to the Kumogakure front after Danzō claims that everyone should serve where the village needs them. Hiruzen also fights on the front lines; after fracturing his hand in a fight with the Kazekage, he returns to Konoha and appoints the newly promoted Sen to command reinforcements for the Land of Earth front 46 47 76.
Sen’s exposure of Danzō’s human experiments brings their conflict into the open. Hiruzen threatens to treat the Uchiha Police Force’s defiance as rebellion, but backs down after Tsunade and Orochimaru—both his disciples—oppose an immediate assault and call for an investigation 124 125. Hiruzen and Danzō subsequently lure Sen to the Root base and attack him. Danzō revives their teacher, Senju Tobirama, to join the fight; after Sen overpowers Tobirama, Hiruzen accepts Sen’s demands rather than risk further casualties. The Uchiha gain autonomy within Konoha, and Hiruzen agrees to abdicate within two years 127 128 129 132.
Hiruzen remains Hokage but loses much of his practical authority. A Kirigakure delegation requests an audience with Sen at the Uchiha compound rather than conducting its business through the Hokage’s office 136. Later, Hiruzen confronts advisers Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura over their use of village funds, then accepts an offer from White Zetsu to help assassinate Sen despite an Anbu warning against trusting it. After Sen defeats Tobirama again and takes Danzō captive, Hiruzen retains his title while shinobi increasingly turn to Sen for leadership 166 170 173.
Abilities & Skills
Ninjutsu
- Uses Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld to trap Sen during their fight at the Root base 127.
- Combines Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique with Danzō’s Wind Style to intensify an attack on Sen’s Susanoo 128.
- Uses a Shadow Clone to address Sen and the Police Force while away from the village 121.
Enma and the Adamantine Staff
- Wields an Adamantine Staff associated with Enma; he extends and retracts it during his assault on Sen’s Susanoo 127 128.
- Uses the staff’s changing length to redirect his movement and pull himself clear when Sen turns his strike toward Danzō 128.
Equipment and Items
- Pipe — carried during discussions in the Hokage’s office and with village advisers 7 11 166.
- Crystal ball — displays an image of Sen walking home during a discussion with Danzō 7.
Relationships
- Senju Tobirama — Hiruzen’s teacher and predecessor as Hokage. Hiruzen turns to him for help against Sen but fears Tobirama’s judgment of his policies toward the Uchiha 11 129.
- Shimura Danzō — fellow student of Tobirama and longtime political partner. Hiruzen repeatedly objects to Danzō’s methods yet cooperates with him against Sen 7 11 127 129.
- Sarutobi Sasuke — Hiruzen’s father; challenges him over Tobirama’s revival and later stands between Hiruzen and Sen 130 132.
- Tsunade — disciple who sides with Sen after learning of the human experiments, leaving Hiruzen reluctant to order an attack 124 125.
- Orochimaru — disciple who stops Hiruzen’s order to attack and urges him to investigate the accusations first 125.
- Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura — longtime advisers whose handling of Danzō and use of village funds strain their relationship with Hiruzen 124 125 166.
- Uchiha Sen — initially a child Hiruzen defends from Danzō’s prejudice; later his chief political and military opponent 7 11 127 132 173.
Notable Quotes
“For Konoha, I would even sacrifice everything!” 166
“We were wrong. I agree to all your demands.” 132