Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Shinobi Hero 3 8
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure 3 5
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konoha 3 5
Status	Deceased; defeated by Uchiha Yuji and subsequently subjected to a Yamanaka memory investigation 54 55
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen led Konoha during a period of war and escalating conflict with the Uchiha clan. Still in his prime, he was regarded as the powerful “Shinobi Hero” and possessed confidence in both his own combat ability and authority over the village. 3 4

When the Uchiha withdrew from the Military Police Force, Hiruzen chose to enter their compound personally and negotiate with Uchiha Yuji, despite Shimura Danzō's objections. Yuji's Mangekyō Sharingan trapped him in an independent space and exposed the depth of Uchiha resentment toward Konoha's marginalization of their clan. 3 4

Danzō's Root then attacked the compound, undermining Hiruzen's attempt at a peaceful resolution. Hiruzen stopped the Anbu and Root fighting himself, but could not command Root operatives, who followed Danzō alone. He watched Yuji kill Danzō despite attempting to intervene. 5 6

After Danzō's death, Hiruzen reassessed Yuji as a potential weapon capable of imposing peace on the shinobi world. Although his advisors warned that the Uchiha could not be trusted, he resolved to use Yuji as Konoha's “sharp blade,” even if that blade might ultimately harm its wielder. 8

Hiruzen continued to restrict the Uchiha politically. He rejected Yuji's requests for Uchiha members to enter the Anbu and become team-leading jonin, fearing that such positions would let the clan accumulate enough influence to challenge the Hokage faction. 17

As the Uchiha gained public support through low-interest loans and ninjutsu instruction for civilian ninja, Hiruzen attempted to preserve the Hokage administration's influence by matching their loan rates. He remained alarmed by the clan's growing popularity and political reach. 21 22

Following intelligence that suggested Hatake Sakumo and the Uchiha were aligned against him, Hiruzen sought to retain his hold on power. Rumors subsequently spread through Konoha accusing Sakumo of misconduct during the Land of Earth campaign, leading Yuji to challenge Hiruzen to a duel at the Valley of the End. 48 49 50

Hiruzen fought Yuji with prepared countermeasures, Enma, elemental ninjutsu, clones, and sealing techniques. Yuji ultimately defeated him after contracting the Death God. Hiruzen's memories were later examined by the Yamanaka Clan, and later accounts described his hidden actions as extensive crimes that damaged Konoha and its allies. 52 54 62 65

Appearance

In his prime, Hiruzen was a compact but powerfully built man with a straight-backed posture, sharp gaze, and constantly active chakra presence. He commonly carried and smoked a pipe. 3 4

• Wore the Hokage's conical hat while visiting the Uchiha compound. 3
• Wore old Warring States-era armor for his duel at the Valley of the End. 51
• Used a combat vest and carried shuriken in his ninja pouch. 51 53
• Fought alongside Enma's transformed Adamantine Staff. 51 52

Personality

Hiruzen presented himself as a leader committed to Konoha's unity and peace. He initially believed the Uchiha crisis could be solved through direct negotiation and insisted that Konoha's ninja were comrades who need not fight to the death. 3 5

He was also deeply distrustful of the Uchiha, following the teachings attributed to the Second Hokage. Even while recognizing Yuji's value to Konoha, he feared the political power the clan could gain through Anbu placements, leadership posts, or popular support. 8 17 22

His thoughts during the conflict with Sakumo and Yuji reveal a strong attachment to the Hokage position and a belief that Konoha remained under his control. Later disclosures from his memories portrayed a severe divide between his public image and his private conduct. 48 62

Abilities & Skills

Five Chakra Natures

Hiruzen possessed all seven chakra natures and was described as having reached the peak achievable by an ordinary ninja. 4

• Used the Five Elements: Great Barrage Technique to break down Yuji's third-stage Susanoo. 52
• Could rapidly switch between elemental techniques in battle. 5 52
• His broad elemental repertoire did not overcome Yuji's superior physical power and Mangekyō abilities. 52 53

Lightning Water Dragon Bullet

Hiruzen combined Water Release and Lightning Release into a dragon-shaped attack against Root operatives. 5

• Shattered an earthen wall before striking Root ninja. 5
• Discharged lightning from the dragon's mouth to paralyze targets. 5
• He deliberately reduced its power to incapacitate rather than kill. 5

Earth Release

Hiruzen could rapidly raise a thick earthen wall for defense. 5

• Created a barrier immediately after leaving Yuji's Mangekyō space to block surrounding flames. 5
• Used terrain manipulation to separate combatants during the Root–Anbu clash. 5

Clones and Tactical Combat

A battle-hardened shinobi, Hiruzen used deception, clones, and prearranged sealing measures to counter Yuji. 52

• Created Water Clones to evade Yuji's direct strikes. 52
• Used three Shadow Clones to surround Yuji. 52
• Prepared sealing runes on Enma's staff that temporarily prevented Yuji from teleporting. 52
• His planning and experience allowed him to prolong the duel, but his techniques were ultimately insufficient. 52 53

Enma and the Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen fought in partnership with Enma, who could transform into the Adamantine Staff. 51 52

• Used the staff as an extending spear-like weapon. 52
• Coordinated with Enma's transformed body to seize Yuji's arm. 52
• The staff carried sealing runes designed to restrict Yuji's spatial movement. 52

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Pipe — Hiruzen frequently smoked while reviewing intelligence and administrative work. 3 8 48
• Adamantine Staff — Enma's transformed form; used as Hiruzen's principal weapon in the duel. 51 52
• Warring States armor — Worn at the Valley of the End. 51
• Ninja pouch and shuriken — Used at the opening of his duel with Yuji. 51

Relationships

• Uchiha Yuji — Political adversary and eventual killer. Hiruzen initially sought negotiation, later intended to use Yuji's strength for Konoha, and finally accepted Yuji's challenge to a duel. 4 8 50 54
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime associate and Root leader. Hiruzen understood Danzō's ruthlessness but was unable to control Root during its attack on the Uchiha compound. 3 5 6
• Enma — Combat partner who transformed into the Adamantine Staff and assisted Hiruzen during the Valley of the End duel. 51 52
• Mitokado Homura — Advisor who opposed Hiruzen's plan to use Yuji as a weapon and later argued that Hiruzen's memory-derived information should remain sealed. 8 55
• Utatane Koharu — Advisor who shared the traditional distrust of the Uchiha and objected to Hiruzen's plan to rely on Yuji. 8
• Hatake Sakumo — Konoha shinobi whom Hiruzen came to view as a potential threat when intelligence suggested Uchiha support for his candidacy as Hokage. Sakumo later succeeded him as Hokage. 48 55
• Orochimaru — One of Hiruzen's disciples; later acknowledged that his teacher had committed many wrongs. 62

Story Role / Major Arcs

Uchiha Police Force Crisis

Hiruzen confronted the Uchiha's withdrawal from the Police Force, personally entered their compound, and attempted to settle the dispute peacefully. Danzō's Root intervention transformed the situation into open violence and ended with Danzō's death. 3 4 5 6

Use of Yuji's Power

After witnessing Yuji's strength, Hiruzen decided that Yuji could become Konoha's decisive weapon against external enemies. He nevertheless continued limiting the Uchiha clan's access to political and military authority. 8 17

Declining Political Control

The Uchiha's public loan program and ninjutsu education initiative threatened Hiruzen's influence among civilians and smaller clans. He responded by offering competing loans through the Hokage administration. 21 22

Conflict with Sakumo and Yuji

As reports and rumors weakened Sakumo's standing, Hiruzen faced growing suspicion that he was manipulating village politics. Yuji openly confronted him and invoked the Seal of Reconciliation to arrange a duel. 48 49 50

Duel and Death

Hiruzen met Yuji at the Valley of the End beneath Hashirama's statue. Despite deploying elemental barrages, Water Clones, Enma, and sealing preparations, he was defeated after Yuji gained the Death God's aid. 51 52 53 54

Notable Quotes

“I am the Third Hokage of Konoha.” 5

“I am the Shinobi Hero—Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage who leads Konoha to bring about peace once more!” 8