Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen
Original Name	猿飞日斩
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; “Grandmaster” to Uchiha Chonhua 57 195
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure
Status	Active 196
First Appearance	Chapter 2 2

Background / History

Sarutobi Hiruzen was a disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and succeeded him as Hokage through a master-disciple lineage rather than familial succession. 2

During the First Shinobi World War, Hiruzen proposed the End-of-War Treaty. Its eventual implementation became a major symbol of the conflict’s conclusion and earned him widespread praise. 7

As Hokage, he views every Konoha resident—commoner and clan member alike—as comrades and family under his protection. He rejects the idea that the Uchiha should be judged solely by their clan’s history, seeking instead to integrate them into the village. 7 35 117

Appearance

In his early tenure as Third Hokage, Hiruzen is described as tall and robust rather than aged or frail. He is frequently seen working with a smoking pipe in hand. 7

• Tall, sturdy build during the period covered by the early story. 7
• Often obscures his expression behind pipe smoke while reviewing reports or considering difficult decisions. 7 55

Personality

Hiruzen is compassionate, paternal, and deeply invested in Konoha’s stability. He consistently frames his responsibility as protecting the entire village, including clans that others distrust, and sharply rebukes prejudiced calls for the Uchiha’s destruction. 7 117

His greatest weakness is his attachment to old comrades, particularly Shimura Danzō. Hiruzen repeatedly weighs justice against wartime necessity and personal loyalty, delaying action against Danzō even after Root’s attacks on Konoha shinobi become clear. 103 111 138

After Danzō’s disappearance exposes Root’s unchecked autonomy, Hiruzen changes course: he requires the division to report its operational arrangements and deployments directly to him. 148

Abilities & Skills

Telescope Technique

Hiruzen uses the Telescope Technique to monitor notable Konoha students, including Uchiha Chonhua.

• Observed Chonhua’s conduct, studies, and training over several years. 7
• Witnessed the destructive test of Chonhua’s Wind Style: Rasenshuriken remotely from the Hokage office. 55

Ninjutsu Knowledge and Instruction

Hiruzen possesses extensive knowledge of Konoha’s techniques and evaluates Chonhua’s original jutsu development with informed precision.

• Recognized Chonhua’s Chidori-derived techniques and Rasengan variants as exceptionally difficult, high-level ninjutsu. 33
• Explained the reflexes and space-time perception required for the Flying Thunder God Technique. 56
• Supervised Chonhua while he recorded the Flying Thunder God’s principles and offered further training guidance. 56 57
• Entrusted Chonhua with access to the Scroll of Seals after Chonhua openly explained the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken. 56

Political Leadership

Hiruzen combines formal authority with personal influence to protect favored personnel and shape Konoha’s institutions.

• Promoted Chonhua to jōnin despite his age, overcoming opposition from Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. 51
• Revised Tsunade’s proposal for expanded medical-ninja units into a more practical program emphasizing emergency care training and first-aid knowledge. 125
• Publicly accepted responsibility for the frontline failure to halt the campaign against Hatake Sakumo. 140
• Appointed Hatake Sakumo as Hokage Assistant following the Second Shinobi World War. 156 157

Relationships

• Senju Tobirama — Former teacher and Second Hokage; Hiruzen inherited the Hokage position through their master-disciple line. 2
• Shimura Danzō — Childhood comrade, advisor, and longtime political counterpart. Hiruzen’s loyalty to Danzō repeatedly conflicts with his duty to judge Root’s crimes impartially. 111 146
• Tsunade — Student. Their relationship becomes strained when Tsunade demands accountability for Danzō’s attempted assassination of Chonhua and other Konoha losses. 111 125
• Jiraiya — Student and trusted senior Konoha ninja. Hiruzen values Jiraiya’s judgment and his connection to Namikaze Minato. 3 149
• Orochimaru — Student entrusted with sensitive research, including the improvement of Impure World Reincarnation to investigate Danzō’s fate. 149 152
• Uchiha Chonhua — Grand-student and favored protégé. Hiruzen recognizes his talent early, promotes him unusually quickly, shares the Scroll of Seals with him, and later urges him to lead the Uchiha Clan. 7 51 56 111
• Hatake Sakumo — Trusted wartime commander appointed as Hokage Assistant after the war. 156 157
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Fellow senior officials whose suspicion of the Uchiha often clashes with Hiruzen’s more inclusive position. 117 148

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recognition of Uchiha Chonhua

Hiruzen notices Chonhua’s exceptional performance at the Ninja Academy, judging his evaluations even more impressive than Namikaze Minato’s. He values Chonhua’s humility, discipline, and choice to enter the Academy rather than remain solely within the Uchiha Military Police Force’s sphere. 7

He rewards Chonhua with the Shadow Clone Technique as the top student in his grade and continues to monitor his growth closely. 11

Trust, Patronage, and the Scroll of Seals

Hiruzen places Chonhua among Uchiha trusted to help contain a potential Nine-Tails sealing failure, emphasizing that the village requires the Uchiha’s strength and must honor their trust. 34 35

After witnessing Chonhua’s completed Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, Hiruzen is initially alarmed by its scale but is reassured when Chonhua reveals the technique’s principles without reservation. He then grants Chonhua access to the Scroll of Seals, where Chonhua chooses the Flying Thunder God Technique. 55 56

Hiruzen later breaks precedent to make Chonhua Konoha’s youngest jōnin, personally securing the necessary approval. 51 57

Second Shinobi World War

Hiruzen directs Konoha’s response to escalating regional conflict, dispatching forces to defend the Land of Whirlpools and later assigning Chonhua to the Amegakure front after Hanzo’s forces breach Konoha’s defenses. 20 58

Following Chonhua’s defeat of Salamander Hanzo, Hiruzen credits him with bringing the Amegakure war toward its end and calls him a pillar of Konoha’s future prosperity. 111

Uchiha Clan Succession

After Uchiha Shohei’s death, Hiruzen asks Chonhua to become the next Uchiha Clan Head, viewing his Mangekyo Sharingan and influence as essential to the clan’s future. 111 112

He backs Chonhua against internal pressure favoring Uchiha Fugaku, warns him about factional maneuvering, and expresses confidence in his ability to lead. 114 117

Conflict over Danzō

Hiruzen initially removes Danzō from his positions after Root targets Chonhua, apologizing to Chonhua and compensating him with a genjutsu scroll. 29

Despite mounting evidence and pressure from Tsunade and Chonhua, Hiruzen repeatedly hesitates to act decisively against Danzō, citing wartime conditions, procedural concerns, and the need for broader agreement. 103 111 138

When Danzō vanishes, Hiruzen becomes distressed and launches an investigation. He authorizes Orochimaru to improve Impure World Reincarnation in hopes of learning Danzō’s fate, later tightening his control over Root after its secrecy obstructs the search. 147 149 152 148

Later Reconciliation with Chonhua

After Chonhua returns from the Jashin Cult mission, Hiruzen worries that prolonged Mangekyo Sharingan use is damaging his vision. He urges Chonhua to rely more on his other techniques and asks him to restore their former grandmaster–grand-student closeness. 195

Notable Quotes

“Uchiha Madara is Uchiha Madara, and you are you. I will not let the mistakes of the past extend into the present.” 35

“They trust me as their Hokage, so naturally, I cannot let them down.” 35

“With Chonhua here, Konoha will surely continue to prosper!” 111