Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Original Name	猿飞日斩
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Hokage; Konoha political and military leader
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 38

Background / History

Sarutobi Hiruzen serves as Konoha's Hokage and treats clan relations as a political priority. When he encounters Senju Nawaki alongside Hyuga Shuji and Hyuga Hiashi, he takes all three under his supervision; mentoring the Hyuga boys lets him demonstrate goodwill toward one of Konoha's major clans. 38 39

During the war against Sunagakure, Hiruzen personally joins the battle against Shukaku. He fights with the Adamantine Staff and is supported by his son, Sarutobi Shuichi, and his disciples. When Shuji is exhausted after suppressing the Kazekage, Hiruzen orders him to withdraw and recover. 125 126 127

After the war, he faces the practical burdens of rebuilding: settling enormous mission rewards, supporting Tsunade's medical-ninja program, and responding to Danzō's expensive Root Division. Though he initially resists Root, he ultimately permits it to continue because its resources have already been invested and its training may strengthen Konoha. 152 174 178

Hiruzen supports Shuji's pursuit of Sage Mode while repeatedly balancing it against Konoha's need for powerful active shinobi. He agrees to let Shuji train at Shikkotsu Forest after current obligations are fulfilled, later placing considerable faith in Sage Mode as a new direction for the village. 101 205 215 225

As threats from Nagato, Uchiha Madara, and the Ōtsutsuki emerge, Hiruzen increasingly relies on Shuji as one of Konoha's essential defenders. He refuses to pursue Madara after the attack on Konoha, prioritizing the village's security over a potentially reckless chase. 281 307 320

He eventually begins planning his retirement and succession, openly discussing the future Hokage with Shuji and later appointing Nawaki as his successor. 319 330 348

Appearance

Hiruzen is commonly seen in formal Hokage attire or within the Hokage's office.

• Wears the Hokage hat when appearing in public. 38
• Frequently smokes cigarettes or a pipe, often leaving his office filled with smoke. 38 174
• Habitually carries himself with his hands behind his back. 38

Personality

Hiruzen presents himself as genial and approachable, especially around younger shinobi, but often uses that demeanor to pressure or manipulate them. He embarrasses Nawaki over drinking and smoking, then uses the incident to place Nawaki, Shuji, and Hiashi under his supervision. 38

As an instructor, he motivates through comparison and competition. He publicly recounts Shuji's achievements to provoke Nawaki and Hiashi into training harder, while also recognizing the strain and potential of each student. 39 40

His leadership is tempered by caution. He is willing to compromise with Shuji over Sage Mode, accept Danzō's Root proposal when Konoha needs manpower, and abandon pursuit of Madara to keep Konoha protected. 101 178 320

Hiruzen is deeply invested in Konoha's future and its younger generation. Shuji's disappearance causes him visible concern, and he treats the development of Sage Mode and the cultivation of capable successors as vital to the village's survival. 307 309 319

Abilities & Skills

Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen fights using Enma transformed into an extending Adamantine Staff.

• Smashes through the Kazekage's massive Sand Flow Wall with the technique Staff: Gale! 125
• Uses the staff in direct combat during the battle against Shukaku. 125 127

Shadow Clone Technique

Hiruzen uses Shadow Clones for both training and administrative work.

• Has a Shadow Clone attempt to sense Natural Energy while he handles other matters. 243
• Creates duplicate intelligence scrolls for a leadership meeting. 354

Strategic Command

As Hokage, Hiruzen directs battlefield deployments, internal security, and long-term village development.

• Assigns major wartime deployments involving Tsunade, Jiraiya, Nawaki, Sakumo, and Orochimaru. 307
• Coordinates Konoha's response to rival-village alliances and chooses Sunagakure as the first strategic target. 205
• Plans a potential future department for Sage Mode practitioners, with Shuji as its first leader and Danzō as deputy. 307

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — Childhood comrade, Hokage's assistant, and persistent political rival. Despite frequent confrontations over Root, funding, and forbidden techniques, they continue to cooperate for Konoha's security. 171 178 192 204
• Hyuga Shuji — Tsunade's student and Hiruzen's junior in a personal sense. Hiruzen mentors him, entrusts him with sensitive missions, supports his Sage Mode training, and places great faith in his role in Konoha's future. 39 101 204 215
• Senju Nawaki — Former trainee under Hiruzen's supervision and later chosen successor. Hiruzen pushes Nawaki to improve, then appoints him Hokage. 38 39 330 348
• Hyuga Hiashi — One of the boys Hiruzen supervises alongside Nawaki and Shuji, partly to foster goodwill with the Hyuga Clan. 38 39
• Senju Tobirama — Hiruzen's former teacher. After Tobirama's return, Hiruzen remains deferential to his instruction and criticism. 39 354 357
• Tsunade — Former student. Hiruzen supports her medical-ninja initiatives and refers to Shuji as her student. 101 180
• Jiraiya — Former student who participates in the battle against Shukaku and later remains involved in Konoha's military planning. 127 307
• Orochimaru — Former student entrusted with Root training, research coordination, and resurrection-jutsu development. 181 205 355
• Sarutobi Shuichi — Hiruzen's eldest son, who appears beside him during the battle against Shukaku. 127
• Biwako — Hiruzen's wife, who hosts Shuji, Orochimaru, and Danzō during their discussion of resurrection research. 205
• Enma — His combat partner, capable of transforming into the Adamantine Staff. 125

Story Role / Major Arcs

Supervision of Nawaki, Shuji, and Hiashi

Hiruzen inserts himself into the boys' gathering, then personally supervises their training. He uses Shuji's rapid development to motivate Nawaki and Hiashi while strengthening ties with the Senju and Hyuga. 38 39

Second Shinobi World War

He commands Konoha during the conflict and personally confronts Shukaku. He recognizes Shuji's battlefield value and later advocates for rewarding Shuji's exceptional service, including captures, medical work, and antidote development. 125 127 152

Root Division Conflict

Hiruzen and Danzō clash over Root's establishment, financing, training standards, and control over powerful techniques. Their rivalry escalates into an open political contest, though both continue treating Konoha's defense as the ultimate priority. 171 178 192 204

Sage Mode Development

Hiruzen first delays Shuji's Sage Mode ambitions due to wartime necessity, then authorizes Shikkotsu Forest training and supports plans to make Sage Mode a broader cultivation path for Konoha. 101 205 215 281 307

Madara and Ōtsutsuki Threats

Hiruzen responds cautiously to the return of Uchiha Madara and later learns of threats beyond Madara. He keeps Shuji close to Konoha when possible, viewing him as central to the village's defense against future enemies. 307 318 320 350

Succession Planning

Recognizing the need for new leadership, Hiruzen announces his intention to step down after the war, consults Shuji about succession, and appoints Nawaki as the next Hokage. 319 330 348

Notable Quotes

“Whether as the Hokage or as an elder, how could I possibly stop my junior from becoming even more outstanding?” 101

“With him in the village, I'll feel more at ease.” 307