Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (卑留乎)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; “Professor of Ninjutsu”; “Strongest Hokage”
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Anbu (formerly)
Occupation/Role	Hokage; Ninja Academy principal; Anbu squad captain
Status	Fugitive and wanted by the allied nations after defecting from Konoha with Orochimaru 302
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Wood Release Kekkei Genkai	253	Successfully fused Hashirama’s Cells by using Watanabe’s cells to moderate their otherwise uncontrollable life energy. He subsequently sought to fuse further Kekkei Genkai. 253

Background / History

Hiruzen succeeded Tobirama as Hokage after Tobirama sacrificed himself during the First Shinobi World War. To end the conflict quickly, Konoha prematurely graduated Academy students and sent them to the battlefield, a policy later remembered as a source of concern for the next generation. 253

As Hokage and Ninja Academy principal, Hiruzen monitored promising students closely. He was impressed by Watanabe’s resilience against Tsunade and considered him a potential talent, while also recognizing Tsunade’s political importance as Hashirama’s granddaughter. 6

With the Second Shinobi World War approaching, Hiruzen discussed early graduation with Danzō. Though Danzō urged immediate preparation, Hiruzen initially stated that he would consider the proposal. 7 He later selected Orochimaru and Jiraiya as his disciples rather than Watanabe; Mito concluded that this choice was intended partly to restrain Tsunade and preserve multiple candidates for future Hokage succession. 43

Hiruzen later served under Uchiha Chiri alongside Watanabe and Hyuga Rei. During the Amegakure mission, he protected the Uzumaki clients after Watanabe and Rei departed, hiding them in a sealed cave and refusing to abandon them despite his fear for Chiri’s safety. 60 88 89

Personality

Hiruzen is politically minded and highly conscious of Konoha’s balance of power. He fears the consequences of concentrating too much authority in Watanabe’s hands, particularly after Watanabe became both the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki and Anbu Minister. 159 His desire to preserve peace can become excessive: he was prepared to cede territory, pay reparations, and surrender Hyuga Rei to avoid war with Sunagakure. 237 243

He is deeply insecure about his commoner background and perceived lack of strength. Chiri’s acceptance of him as a student gave him a sense of purpose, and he developed intense, unrequited feelings for her. 60 89 232 His jealousy of Watanabe increasingly affected his decisions, though he initially remained fiercely loyal to Watanabe when Black Zetsu tried to turn him against his friend. 231

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Proficiency

Hiruzen is reputed to understand and use every ninjutsu existing in Konoha, earning the titles “Professor of Ninjutsu” and “Strongest Hokage.” 6

• Used Great Fireball: Five Element Conflagration against Watanabe during their battle for the Hokage position. 248
• His broad knowledge of ninjutsu made him a capable instructor and administrator of Konoha’s military forces. 6 159
• Despite his reputation, he was regarded as only a Special Jonin while serving as an Anbu squad captain, which undermined his authority with subordinates. 230

Earth Release

Hiruzen can use Earth Style for terrain manipulation and survival.

• Used Earth Style: Earth Splitting Technique to break apart a massive boulder concealing the cave where he had sheltered Uzumaki Heiji’s group. 88
• Applied practical judgment in choosing and concealing the group’s refuge during the Amegakure pursuit. 88

Wood Release

After losing the Hokage position, Hiruzen pursued forbidden experimentation to gain greater power.

• Fused with Hashirama’s Cells and acquired Wood Release. 253
• Used Watanabe’s cells as a medium to reduce the violent life energy of Hashirama’s Cells to a level a human body could absorb. 253
• Planned to combine Wood Release with Dust, Explosion, Scorch, Magnet, Storm, Lava, Boil Release, and Shikotsumyaku. 253

Leadership and Political Strategy

Hiruzen led Konoha through major military and political crises, but his methods often created conflict.

• Served as the Hokage and principal of the Ninja Academy. 6
• Oversaw Anbu operations through Sarutobi White Stone and attempted to retain emergency control over the organization after Watanabe’s appointment. 165 170
• Proposed placing the Uchiha Clan under lethal Anbu surveillance following Madara Uchiha’s return. 166

Equipment

• Adamantine Nyoi-bo — Used against Watanabe during their confrontation, but Watanabe seized control of it and used it to batter Hiruzen into the ground. 248
• Pipe — Frequently used while reviewing reports, deliberating political matters, or meeting subordinates. 6 159 165

Relationships

• Watanabe — Former classmate, comrade, and political rival. Hiruzen admired Watanabe’s potential, promoted him within Anbu, and initially refused to betray him; their relationship collapsed after Hiruzen’s compromises with Sunagakure and Watanabe’s subsequent removal of him from power. 6 159 231 248
• Uchiha Chiri — Jonin instructor and the object of Hiruzen’s unrequited affection. Her support for Watanabe became a major source of Hiruzen’s jealousy. 60 101 232
• Danzō Shimura — Political associate and frequent counterpart in Konoha’s security affairs. They discussed early graduation, shared involvement in Hashirama Cell research, and differed over Watanabe’s growing influence. 7 159 252
• Orochimaru — Hiruzen’s disciple and later an Anbu captain under Watanabe. Orochimaru collaborated with Black Zetsu and ultimately disappeared alongside Hiruzen. 43 159 231 302
• Jiraiya — Hiruzen’s disciple and later an Anbu captain appointed by Watanabe. 43 159
• Tsunade — A prospective disciple whom Hiruzen wished to train, but Mito refused to allow it. Tsunade resented his decision not to take Watanabe as a disciple. 6 50 226
• Sarutobi White Stone — Hiruzen’s eldest son and former Anbu deputy minister. 237 254
• Mito Uzumaki — An elder who had watched Hiruzen grow up and acknowledged both his major contributions to Konoha and his personal flaws. 43

Story Role / Major Arcs

Amegakure Escort Mission

As part of Chiri’s squad, Hiruzen was assigned to protect the Uzumaki clients while Chiri fought Hanzō and Watanabe returned to assist her. He chose to remain with the clients rather than flee, successfully preserving their lives through concealment and caution. 60 88 89

Anbu Appointment

Watanabe appointed Hiruzen as one of six new Anbu squad captains after taking control of the organization. Hiruzen’s promotion reflected Watanabe’s trust, but his status as a Special Jonin left him feeling inferior to the other captains. 159 230

Uchiha Crisis

Following Madara Uchiha’s return, Hiruzen advocated lethal surveillance of the Uchiha Clan. His position directly conflicted with Watanabe’s efforts to reconcile Konoha and the Uchiha under Chiri’s leadership. 166

Removal from the Hokage Position

Hiruzen agreed to concessions demanded by Sunagakure, including the surrender of Hyuga Rei. Watanabe and the Anbu rejected his decision, demanded his abdication, and defeated him in battle. Chiri was subsequently named the Fourth Hokage. 240 243 248 249

Forbidden Research and Defection

After his downfall, Hiruzen used Hashirama’s Cells and Watanabe’s cells to gain Wood Release, seeking a path to power through the fusion of multiple bloodline abilities. He later vanished with Orochimaru, leaving Watanabe a letter promising revenge; the allied nations issued warrants for both men. 253 302

Notable Quotes

“Watanabe is my comrade and close friend, how could I possibly want to kill him!” 231

“Compared to that, sacrificing just one person is already the best outcome.” 237