Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi
Alias(es)	Third Hokage (三代目火影)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konoha; later serves as Qingyun's assistant after the succession 162
Status	Alive; remains notably healthy in later years 285
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background / History

Hiruzen is the son of Sarutobi Sasuke and a student of the First and Second Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju. His father later confirms that Hiruzen became Hokage 66 228.

As Third Hokage, Hiruzen takes Qingyun as his disciple and recognizes his extraordinary potential early. He intervenes when Danzō challenges White Fang's team over a delayed mission, protects Qingyun from Danzō's recruitment attempt, and arranges instruction for Qingyun, Minato, and Yoshihime 22.

After testing Qingyun in battle, Hiruzen becomes his regular sparring partner. He analyzes Qingyun's strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing stamina, chakra growth, and fighting in ways that capitalize on one's advantages 24 27. His long experience with ninjutsu and taijutsu makes him a valuable instructor even against Qingyun's unusual Devil Fruit powers 27.

Hiruzen gradually prepares Qingyun for succession. He identifies support from the Feudal Lord, sufficient age, public approval, mission accomplishments, and political judgment as requirements for becoming Hokage 72 125. He later entrusts Qingyun with resolving Konoha's Uchiha problem as a direct test of his leadership potential 125.

Following Qingyun's performance and the approval of Konoha's leadership, Hiruzen formally appoints his disciple as the Fourth Hokage. He steps down and remains at Qingyun's side as an assistant 162.

Appearance

Hiruzen is an elderly man with a small mustache who commonly wears the Hokage cloak and smokes a pipe. When preparing for serious combat, he wears armor and carries the Adamantine Staff formed by Enma 23 48 110 228.

• Small mustache 48
• Frequently seen with a pipe 23
• Wears Hokage robes in office and armor in battle 23 110 273
• Fights alongside Enma in Adamantine Staff form 25 228

Personality

Hiruzen is observant, analytical, and deeply invested in the growth of Konoha's younger generation. Rather than judging Qingyun solely by raw power, he studies the boy's combat habits, identifies weaknesses, and provides tailored guidance on training and battle strategy 27.

He is fair-minded in his administration. During the postwar distribution of rewards, he promotes and rewards shinobi based on contribution rather than clan background 160. He also supports Qingyun against Danzō's objections, seeing Qingyun's strength, public support, and commitment to the village as assets rather than threats 92 162.

Though his younger self favored force and hardline policies, Hiruzen later adopts a softer approach to governance after concluding that strength alone cannot solve every problem 27. He is nevertheless willing to risk his life for Konoha, preparing to use a fatal sealing technique when Hashirama and Tobirama attack under enemy control 228.

Abilities & Skills

Multi-Nature Ninjutsu

Hiruzen employs Earth, Fire, and Wind Release in rapid succession, using their interactions to counter opponents and strengthen his attacks 25.

• Earth Style: Earth Flow River — floods the battlefield with mud to disrupt an opponent's movement 25.
• Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet — launches a large fire dragon at range 25 110.
• Wind Style: Great Breakthrough — intensifies his Fire Release and counters Qingyun's Lightning Style 25.
• Earth Dragon Bullet Technique — intercepts Qingyun's Water Dragon Bullet through anticipation and fast hand seals 110.
• Composite Ninjutsu: Earth Dragon Flame Flow — forces Tobirama back during the Fourth Shinobi World War 228.
• Fire Style: Great Flame Technique — identified as the Sarutobi Clan's ultimate Fire Style technique 239.

Clone and Shuriken Techniques

Hiruzen combines deception, projectile control, and clone techniques to create pressure from multiple angles.

• Uses a giant shuriken attached to steel wire to alter its trajectory around defenses 110.
• Uses Shuriken Shadow Clone to turn one weapon into a barrage of smaller shuriken 110.
• Employs Shadow Clones during combat 110.
• Uses an Earth Clone to deceive Hashirama and Tobirama while avoiding their coordinated attack 228.

Taijutsu and Battle Experience

Hiruzen is an experienced close-range combatant able to rapidly transition between taijutsu and ninjutsu. He closes distance while Qingyun is defending against shuriken, suppresses him in close quarters, and exploits openings with Explosive Tags 110.

• Reads opponents' established combat patterns and predicts follow-up techniques 110.
• Adjusts tactics when direct exchanges become unfavorable, shifting to long-range elemental attacks against Qingyun's Chakra Enhanced Strength 110.
• Treats full-strength spars as practical evaluations of a shinobi's limits rather than ceremonial tests 110.

Enma and the Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen fights with Enma, who can transform into the Adamantine Staff. The staff can extend in length, allowing Hiruzen to attack at range or use it as a platform for repositioning 25.

• Uses Enma's staff form to defend against Hashirama's Wood Release 228.
• Combines the staff's reach with agile movement and elemental ninjutsu 25.

Sealing Resolve

When overwhelmed by the controlled First and Second Hokage, Hiruzen prepares to use an unnamed sealing technique that would cost his life. He is interrupted by the arrival of the Three Legendary Sannin before using it 228.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Enma / Adamantine Staff — Hiruzen's transforming combat partner and primary weapon 25 228
• Hokage cloak — worn while performing official duties 23
• Battle armor — worn for his full-strength fight with Qingyun and later village defense 110 273
• Pipe — commonly used during conversation and reflection 23

Relationships

• Qingyun — Disciple and chosen successor. Hiruzen trains him, evaluates his readiness for leadership, supports his promotion to Jonin, and formally appoints him Fourth Hokage 27 92 125 162.
• Danzō Shimura — Longtime rival and political counterpart. Hiruzen repeatedly restrains Danzō's attempts to undermine or eliminate Qingyun; their relationship is compared to that of rivals and partners 22 92 163.
• Sarutobi Sasuke — Father. Sasuke recognizes Qingyun as Hiruzen's student and learns that his son became Hokage 66.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju — Teachers. Hiruzen faces them during the war after they are controlled by the enemy, using an Earth Clone to survive their attack 228.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru — His three disciples, collectively known as the Three Legendary Sannin. They reinforce Hiruzen when he is cornered by Hashirama and Tobirama 228.
• Minato Namikaze — A leading Hokage candidate alongside Qingyun. Hiruzen arranges for Jiraiya to instruct Minato and later relies on Minato to assist Qingyun's administration 22 125 165.
• Uchiha Fugaku — Hiruzen views Fugaku's clan position as a major factor in Konoha's succession politics and assigns Qingyun to build trust with the Uchiha Clan 125.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Qingyun's Early Development

Hiruzen observes Qingyun and Minato's early-graduation challenge, seeing Qingyun's fighting spirit and being reminded of his younger self 9. He subsequently becomes Qingyun's mentor, personally testing and training him while keeping Anbu protection around him during recovery 22 24 27.

Succession Planning

Hiruzen openly identifies Qingyun as the most promising future Hokage candidate and outlines the political requirements Qingyun must satisfy before succeeding him 72. He supports Qingyun's Jonin promotion against Danzō's opposition and assigns him difficult political work involving the Uchiha Clan 92 125.

Fourth Hokage Succession

After Qingyun proves his strength and gains the backing of the village, its advisors, and the Feudal Lord, Hiruzen announces him as Konoha's Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen then transitions into an assistant role to support the new Hokage 162.

Fourth Shinobi World War

Hiruzen is assigned to counter the reanimated First and Second Hokage alongside the Fourth Raikage. He survives their initial attack through an Earth Clone, prepares a life-sacrificing sealing technique, and is reinforced by the Three Legendary Sannin 225 228.

Otsutsuki Attack

In his old age, Hiruzen returns to battle when Konoha is attacked during the Chunin Exams. He puts on his armor and joins Danzō in defending the village 273.

Notable Quotes

“Remember your strengths, consider your weaknesses, and by playing to the former while shoring up the latter, you will always be able to defeat your opponents.” 27

“In this battle, I am Konoha ninja Hiruzen Sarutobi, not the Third Hokage. Let me fight you as a ninja, standing on equal ground!” 110