Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飛日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; Ninja Academy principal
Status	Alive; retired from the Hokage position after Orochimaru became Fourth Hokage 182
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Hiruzen oversees both Konoha and its Ninja Academy, treating the Academy’s students as the village’s future pillars. He takes particular interest in civilian-born geniuses, believing they can become ideal inheritors of the Will of Fire without clan loyalties competing for their allegiance. After reviewing First Grade Class A’s monthly results, he adds Namikaze Minato, Natsuki, and the other top-ten students to his observation list. 7

He approves Natsuki’s proposals to establish a Medical Ninja Training Class and require a medical ninja in every squad after Tsunade presents them to him. He also asks Tsunade to determine an appropriate reward for Natsuki’s contribution. 11

When intelligence confirms that Kirigakure and Kumogakure are preparing a joint assault on the Uzumaki Clan, Hiruzen organizes a rescue effort and considers relocating the clan to Konoha. The decision would protect an ally while also giving Konoha access to Uzumaki sealing techniques and greater security over jinchūriki matters. 51

During the wars against Sunagakure and Amegakure, Hiruzen repeatedly rewards exceptional merit, recognizes Natsuki’s growing importance, and promotes capable younger shinobi. After Hanzo’s death, he appoints Natsuki as captain of Anbu Fourth Squad and assigns him responsibility for Amegakure’s aftermath, deliberately denying Danzō control of the region. 92 133

After Natsuki exposes Root’s involvement in Genichirō’s attempt to create a second Hanzo, Hiruzen confines Danzō and bars Root from interfering in Amegakure. 137

Hiruzen later uses his own planned resignation to persuade the Land of Fire’s daimyo not to punish Hatake Sakumo for abandoning a mission to save his teammates. He then opens nominations for the Fourth Hokage. 179 Orochimaru ultimately wins the village and jōnin votes, receives the daimyo’s approval, and succeeds Hiruzen as Fourth Hokage. 182

Personality

Hiruzen is deeply committed to the Will of Fire and to cultivating Konoha’s next generation. He personally reviews Academy performance, values talent, and gives promising shinobi opportunities to grow through training, rewards, and promotion. 7 92 133

He is politically pragmatic despite his warm public demeanor. He recognizes the strategic value of the Uzumaki Clan, supports the public elevation of his students Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, and uses appointments to limit Danzō’s influence without provoking unnecessary internal conflict. 51 59 133 137

Hiruzen also shows favoritism toward his own lineage and trusted protégés. He views Natsuki as an extraordinary talent and a potential Hokage candidate, repeatedly granting him access, authority, and responsibilities beyond those normally given to someone of his age. 116 133 160 179

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Mastery

Hiruzen is regarded as one of Konoha’s most versatile shinobi, proficient across numerous disciplines and capable of countering similarly broad fighters. He is also considered one of the few ninja in Konoha with the fundamentals and creativity necessary to create new ninjutsu. 12 117

• His Lightning Release training insights are preserved in Konoha’s ninjutsu storage. 116
• He is described as highly proficient in a wide range of techniques, making him difficult for an all-round fighter such as Natsuki to overcome. 117
• His strength is sufficiently feared that an assassination attempt against him would endanger the attackers more than the Anbu assigned to protect him. 168

Leadership and Administration

As Hokage, Hiruzen directs Konoha’s military, intelligence, Academy, prison security, and wartime policy.

• Reviews Academy examinations and tracks promising students personally. 7
• Approves institutional reforms, including the Medical Ninja Training Class. 11
• Organizes military responses to threats against the Uzumaki Clan, Sunagakure, and Amegakure. 51 115 121
• Rewards shinobi according to merit and oversees pensions for families of those killed in war. 115
• Promotes Natsuki from Anbu squad captain toward commander-level authority. 133 160 165
• Begins the formal nomination process for his successor after negotiating Sakumo’s reprieve. 179

Relationships

• Orochimaru — Former student and eventual successor. Hiruzen promotes Orochimaru’s reputation during the war era and later oversees his succession as Fourth Hokage. 7 59 182
• Tsunade — Former student and trusted adviser. Hiruzen accepts her support for medical-ninja reform, relies on her battlefield leadership, and brings her into major political discussions. 11 115 179
• Jiraiya — Former student. Hiruzen encourages him to continue mentoring Minato and once viewed him as a potential successor alongside Tsunade and Orochimaru. 37 59
• Natsuki — Favored grand-disciple and rising political asset. Hiruzen monitors him from the Academy, rewards his achievements, entrusts him with sensitive information, and advances him within the Anbu. 7 116 133 160
• Namikaze Minato — Academy prodigy whom Hiruzen considers a major asset to Konoha. He identifies Minato’s reaction speed as potentially suited to the Flying Thunder God Technique and later includes him in high-level Hokage succession affairs. 15 179
• Shimura Danzō — Political counterpart and source of recurring conflict. Hiruzen blocks Root’s claim over Amegakure, punishes Danzō for unauthorized interference, and eventually sees Danzō’s influence challenged further under Orochimaru. 132 137 182
• Hatake Sakumo — Esteemed Konoha shinobi whose mission failure forces Hiruzen to balance village losses, the daimyo’s demands, and Sakumo’s life. Hiruzen secures the daimyo’s decision not to pursue punishment by agreeing to retire. 179
• Uzumaki Kushina — Konoha’s second Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Hiruzen entrusts Natsuki with supporting her emotionally and prepares containment barriers in case the Nine-Tails breaks loose. 116

Story Role / Major Arcs

Academy Observation

Hiruzen’s review of First Grade Class A establishes Minato and Natsuki as high-priority talents. Natsuki’s exceptional Will of Fire examination answers particularly impress him. 7

Medical-Ninja Reform

He approves the proposed Medical Ninja Training Class and the policy of assigning a medical ninja to every squad, allowing Tsunade to begin implementing the system through Konoha Hospital. 11

Uzumaki Clan Rescue

After learning of the planned Kirigakure–Kumogakure assault, Hiruzen decides to aid the Uzumaki Clan and pursue their relocation to Konoha. 51

Second Ninja World War

Hiruzen coordinates Konoha’s responses to Sunagakure and Amegakure, recognizes the achievements of Tsunade’s teams, and publicly honors Konoha’s forces after their victories. 92 115 121

Amegakure Administration Conflict

Following Amegakure’s defeat, Hiruzen appoints Natsuki to manage its affairs rather than granting Danzō and Root control. When Root attempts unauthorized experimentation involving Ibuse venom sacs, Hiruzen confines Danzō and removes Root from Amegakure affairs. 133 137

Hokage Succession

Sakumo’s failed mission and the daimyo’s anger force Hiruzen to negotiate a political compromise. He protects Sakumo by agreeing to step down, opens Fourth Hokage nominations, and presides over Orochimaru’s succession. 179 182

Trivia

• A textbook on the Successive Hokage and the Will of Fire devotes more than half of its content to Hiruzen. 2
• He is frequently depicted smoking a pipe while reviewing reports or considering political decisions. 15 160
• His speeches on the Will of Fire are highly popular with Academy children, though Natsuki finds them long-winded. 168