Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi 13
Alias(es)	Third Hokage (三代火影) 13
Gender	Male 83
Affiliation	Konohagakure 13
Occupation/Role	Hokage; Konoha's supreme authority over personnel, administration, finance, and military affairs 82
Status	Active 110
First Appearance	Chapter 13 13

Background / History

Hiruzen was a disciple of the First and Second Hokage, and his lifetime overlapped with Uchiha Madara's era. His knowledge of the Mangekyō Sharingan therefore predates the events of the Nine-Tails' Rampage. 55

During the Second Shinobi World War, he remained in Konohagakure to direct operations rather than personally lead the front lines. He judged that Konoha was prepared for a protracted conflict and needed time to convert its economic and institutional foundation into battlefield strength. 13 15

By the time Yuzuru and Shinnosuke returned to Konoha with their Scientific Ninja Tools, Hiruzen was in his early forties and still physically robust. 83

Appearance

Hiruzen is depicted as a robust man in his early forties who frequently keeps a pipe at hand while working in the Hokage's office. 82 83

• Carries an unlit pipe while reviewing reports. 82
• His office is consistently associated with the smell of tobacco. 83

Personality

Hiruzen presents himself as accessible and respectful toward capable subordinates. He rose to greet Yuzuru and Shinnosuke personally, praised their wartime accomplishments, and remained composed when he accidentally activated their Ninja Tool in his office. 83

He is also pragmatic about Konoha's strategic needs. He prioritizes testing and safeguarding new military technology, accepts responsibility for seeking support from the Land of Fire's Daimyō, and uses political arrangements to protect Konoha's interests. 84 85 100 110

Although he can be conciliatory, Hiruzen is willing to use internal incidents to test loyalty and expose wrongdoing. He knew of Yakushiji's crimes, intended to let the Uchiha clan demonstrate its loyalty by exposing them, and confirmed that Yakushiji would face execution. 110

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Mastery

Hiruzen is described as having mastered nearly all of Konoha's jutsu, giving him exceptional breadth of knowledge across ninjutsu disciplines. 84

• Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique — Its inventor; he can produce thousands of cloned shuriken for large-scale saturation attacks. 19
• Sealing Jutsu analysis — He can understand the principles of a complex Space-Time Sealing formula after examining it. 84
• Technical discernment — He immediately recognized that nesting a sealed space within another sealed space created complexity beyond ordinary calculation and design. 84

Leadership and Administration

As Hokage, Hiruzen personally directs Konoha's major military, political, and administrative decisions. 82

• Ordered Anbu to test the Scientific Ninja Tools before authorizing their broader use. 85
• Considered technical secrecy essential to preserving Konoha's wartime advantage. 82 84
• Rewarded Yuzuru and his partner with consultant positions and access to the Ninjutsu Library. 86 87
• Had Torifu Akimichi reorganize Konoha departments so they would answer directly to Hokage authority, a move understood to include restrictions on Danzō's Root. 76

Relationships

• Torifu Akimichi — Old teammate. Hiruzen is visibly grief-stricken when Yuzuru brings Torifu's body to him during the Nine-Tails' Rampage. 55
• Shimura Danzō — Subordinate and political rival. Danzō remains under Hokage authority, while Hiruzen's restructuring of village departments limits Root's independence. 76 82
• Orochimaru — Disciple. Hiruzen's status as Orochimaru's teacher is recognized by Konoha's Anbu. 22
• Tsunade — Disciple. During Sunagakure's poison attack, Hiruzen relies on her medical expertise and addresses her as his disciple. 98
• Yuzuru — Recognizes Yuzuru's contributions as both a shinobi and inventor, rewards his work, grants him Ninjutsu Library access, and later provides a letter to resolve his conflict with the Uchiha Military Police Force. 83 86 87 110
• Uchiha Clan — Uses the Yakushiji case to give the clan an opportunity to demonstrate loyalty to Konoha. 110

Story Role / Major Arcs

Second Shinobi World War

Hiruzen directs Konoha's overall war effort from the village, believing that the conflict will be long-term and that Konoha must endure until its accumulated resources can become usable military power. 13 15

Nine-Tails' Rampage

Hiruzen arrives at the center of the crisis with elite Anbu, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu. 54

When Yuzuru reports Torifu's death and claims Torifu's final message was “Mangekyō Sharingan,” Hiruzen immediately treats the information as significant evidence concerning the Nine-Tails' control. He then abandons the inquiry when the barrier falls, rushing to confirm the Fourth Hokage's condition. 55

Scientific Ninja Tool Project

After receiving the research report, Hiruzen summons Yuzuru and Shinnosuke to personally assess their Scientific Ninja Tools. 82 83

He tests the prototype himself, accidentally fires a Fire Release technique through his office window, then orders Anbu field testing and considers how to keep the technology secret. 83 85

Following favorable tests, he rewards the inventors with financial compensation, consultant roles, and permission to borrow Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu scrolls from the Ninjutsu Library. 86 87

Sunagakure Attack and Yakushiji Case

After Sunagakure's poison attack, Hiruzen visits Konoha Hospital to assess Tsunade's antidote progress. He later agrees to seek the Daimyō's support to preserve Konoha's supply lines. 98 100

When Yuzuru becomes implicated in the Yakushiji incident, Hiruzen forgives his unauthorized actions after weighing his merits against his faults. He confirms Yakushiji's execution and gives Yuzuru a letter that establishes his legitimacy before the Uchiha Military Police Force. 110

Notable Quotes

“Young people should not be so hasty.” 110

“I understand. I will seek assistance from the Daimyo.” 100