Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; “Hokage Grandpa”
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure
Status	Deceased; his funeral was held after his sacrifice. He is later seen alongside Orochimaru and four Hokage shadows under unexplained circumstances 76 91 163
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background and History

Return as Hokage

Following the death of Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze during the Nine-Tails incident, the retired Hiruzen resumed the Hokage position to protect Konoha during a period of instability. His responsibilities included calming victims, investigating the Nine-Tails' appearance, arranging care for Minato's son Naruto, and managing the Uchiha Clan's concerns 2.

When Shimura Danzō pushed for a wanted order against the Uchiha over the Nine-Tails incident, Hiruzen publicly stated that he trusted the clan. This reassured Uchiha Shisui, who still regarded him as a dependable leader at the time 2.

Conflict with the Uchiha Clan

After Uchiha Jinghuo used Susanoo to pursue Danzō over Shisui's stolen eye, Hiruzen initially ordered Jinghuo's capture. Once Danzō's use of a Sharingan became credible, however, Hiruzen ordered that Danzō be found and later ordered his arrest and a search for the stolen Sharingan 10 11 12.

Hiruzen prioritized preventing the Uchiha conflict from escalating into a village-wide disaster that Kumogakure, Iwagakure, or other nations could exploit. He warned Danzō that if another Uchiha disappeared, Danzō would be required to appease the clan regardless of his personal guilt—effectively making him expendable for Konoha's stability 19.

Although he treated Shisui as a cooperative intermediary, Hiruzen subjected him to constant ANBU surveillance and made his residence the center of Konoha's monitoring of the Uchiha Clan 19. His attempts to contain the clan ultimately failed as Jinghuo challenged his authority, publicly accused him of plotting to destroy the Uchiha, and forced repeated concessions 28 29.

Declining Authority

After Danzō's death, Jinghuo demanded that Root be placed under Uchiha control. Hiruzen, politically weakened and unable to oppose the Uchiha directly, lost a major instrument of authority 31.

Jinghuo later pressured him into appointing the Sarutobi Clan to lead the Police Force. Hiruzen initially objected over the appearance of nepotism, but village pressure compelled him to accept the appointment 37. When the Sarutobi Clan quickly withdrew out of fear of sharing the Shimura Clan's fate, Hiruzen sought another clan to assume the role and selected the Hyuga Clan for its Byakugan and rivalry with the Uchiha 38.

Hiruzen also tried to re-establish influence over the Uchiha by discussing their relocation and encouraging Shisui's potential as a future Hokage. He eventually concluded that Shisui was only the public clan head and that Jinghuo held the clan's true authority 51 52.

Death

During Orochimaru's assault on Konoha, Hiruzen confronted his former student while Orochimaru unleashed Manda and summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju through Impure World Resurrection 65.

Severely wounded but resolute, Hiruzen used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to restrain the reincarnated First and Second Hokage. Jinghuo later arrived and created a massive gorge in an attack that seemingly killed Hiruzen 68 69. Konoha subsequently referred to his death as a sacrifice, and his funeral was held before the election for the Fifth Hokage 76 91.

Appearance

An elderly man who commonly smokes a pipe, Hiruzen presents himself as a calm, approachable grandfatherly figure. Under pressure—particularly when confronted with accusations concerning the Uchiha—his composure can give way to visible anger and ferocity 2 28.

• Frequently seen smoking a pipe 21 33
• Maintains a gentle, kindly expression when dealing with subordinates and civilians 2 24
• Appears increasingly aged and exhausted as his control over Konoha deteriorates 29

Personality

Hiruzen is politically perceptive and skilled at influencing others through gentle persuasion rather than Danzō's direct coercion. He understands the importance of public sentiment, clan interests, and Konoha's vulnerability to foreign intervention 12 19.

His commitment to village stability also makes him ruthless. He is willing to sacrifice Danzō, monitor Shisui, pressure clans into village service, and suppress information that could destabilize Konoha 19 37 38. This pragmatism clashes with his public image as a benevolent leader and eventually contributes to the villagers' loss of faith in him 102.

Despite his failures and political compromises, Hiruzen considers Konoha's people his family and remains determined to protect the village until his death 68.

Abilities & Skills

Dead Demon Consuming Seal

A secret sealing technique Hiruzen uses during his battle with Orochimaru.

• Manifested an invisible Shinigami hand from his body 69
• Restrained Hashirama and Tobirama Senju and began pulling out their souls 69
• Used as a final sacrifice while already sustaining numerous wounds 68

Combat Ability

Hiruzen remains a formidable combatant despite his age.

• Personally confronted Orochimaru during the attack on Konoha 65
• Continued fighting while wounded and under pressure from attacks in the darkness 68
• Was regarded in Konoha as the “strongest Hokage” during Orochimaru's invasion 65

Political Strategy

As Hokage, Hiruzen relies on negotiation, pressure, surveillance, and clan balancing to maintain Konoha's internal order.

• Publicly reassured the Uchiha while privately placing Shisui and the clan under surveillance 2 19
• Used the Police Force appointment to shift responsibility between the Sarutobi and Hyuga Clans 37 38
• Handled diplomatic negotiations with Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, amid the dispute over Gaara 63
• Attempted to cultivate Shisui as a possible successor and counterweight to Jinghuo 52

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — Fellow Konoha leader and long-standing source of instability. Hiruzen condemned Danzō for stealing Shisui's eye and was prepared to sacrifice him to prevent an Uchiha uprising 18 19.
• Uchiha Shisui — Formerly a loyal subordinate whom Hiruzen trusted and tried to guide. Their relationship deteriorated after Shisui became clan head and was placed under surveillance 18 19 52.
• Uchiha Jinghuo — Political and military adversary whose actions steadily undermined Hiruzen's authority, seized Root, and ultimately preceded Hiruzen's death 31 69.
• Orochimaru — Former disciple. Hiruzen pursued him after his human experimentation was exposed, then fought him during the attack on Konoha 3 65.
• Uzumaki Naruto — The son of Hiruzen's grand-disciple Minato. Hiruzen checked on Naruto personally, restricted his contact with the Uchiha, and was known to him as “Hokage Grandpa” 22 24.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Hokage Advisors who worked alongside Hiruzen but became frightened when his readiness to sacrifice Danzō revealed the limits of his loyalty to his allies 19.

Legacy

After Hiruzen's death, villagers reconsidered his leadership upon learning of Konoha's past concessions and his role in targeting the Uchiha Clan. Their reverence for the Third Hokage shifted into disappointment and resentment 102.

Notable Quotes

“Even if you kill me, this pillar will not break. I am a man who inherited the will of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage! I am the Third Hokage!” 68