Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Professor of Ninjutsu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; former Hokage and senior adviser
Status	Alive
First Appearance	53

Background / History

Sarutobi Hiruzen led Konoha as its Third Hokage. Although regarded as frail in old age, he had maintained his position after the Second Hokage died in battle, restrained Danzō’s ambitions, and was reputed to have possessed the strength to execute Orochimaru when his human experiments were uncovered. His prolonged work and concern for Konoha are stated to have aged him prematurely. 289

During the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen acknowledged that the Nine-Tails attack had created deep distrust. The clan had been excluded from the battle, monitored around the clock for six years, and increasingly isolated despite no proof being found against them. 219

He directly intervened when Danzō’s Root moved against Uchiha Ye Han, deploying Hokage-controlled Anbu and warning Danzō that Root’s autonomy existed only within limits Hiruzen permitted. 206 After Ye Han and Itachi helped repel Orochimaru’s attack on Konoha, Hiruzen decided to improve the Uchiha clan’s treatment and restore Ye Han as a captain directly under the Hokage’s Anbu, with the right to attend council meetings. 299 300

Hiruzen later announced Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage, stepping down while remaining involved because her political foundation in Konoha was still shallow. 324 348 Even after retirement, he continued to advise Tsunade on the political limits of Hokage authority and the importance of maintaining a single dominant leader. 3054

Appearance

Hiruzen is depicted as an elderly man with a beard who frequently carries and smokes a pipe. Despite his aged, stooped appearance, he can move with considerable speed in combat. 289 1420 2419

• Wears Hokage robes while acting as Konoha’s leader. 1420
• Commonly seen smoking or tapping ash from a pipe. 244 1078
• Summons a white-haired monkey with a wooden forehead protector in battle. 2419

Personality

Hiruzen is patient, politically perceptive, and strongly committed to Konoha’s stability. He prefers gathering information and preventing escalation before acting, as demonstrated when he urged restraint concerning the Uchiha clan and attempted to defuse the Land of Lightning’s demand for the Two-Tails jinchūriki. 219 1420

His tolerance has clear limits. He is willing to confront Danzō, reject foreign intimidation, order counterattacks after civilian casualties, and personally appear during crises rather than hide behind subordinates. 206 289 1741 2089

He places great value on nurturing successors. Hiruzen recognizes potential in Ye Han, Mirai, Minato, Kakashi, and other young shinobi, but his concern that talented pupils may become dangerous is shaped by Orochimaru’s betrayal. 244 1366 1584 1720

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Knowledge

Known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, Hiruzen possesses extensive theoretical knowledge and can instruct others in practical ninja techniques. 1723

• Explained that long-range Body Substitution requires the user to sense chakra placed in the replacement object. 1724
• Taught Mirai Earth Release techniques, including an Earth Wall Technique that produced a three-meter-high rock wall on Mirai’s first attempt. 1746 1747
• Recognized the limits of his own knowledge in sensory-type ninjutsu rather than pretending mastery. 1724

Earth Release

Hiruzen is particularly skilled in Earth Release and uses it as part of his instruction to Mirai. 1746

• Can demonstrate Earth Release techniques for training purposes. 1746 1747
• His prepared defensive technique for Mirai was identified as one of the basic Earth Release techniques Hiruzen handles best. 1746

Summoning Technique

Hiruzen can summon a white-haired monkey companion during battle. 2419

• Used the summon while evading a sudden Wood Release assault. 2419

Leadership and Diplomacy

As Hokage, Hiruzen directs Konoha’s Anbu, convenes its senior officials, assigns high-rank missions, and makes succession decisions. 75 206 322 324

• Ordered Konoha’s defense and counterattack measures after Cloud ninja attacks caused civilian casualties. 1741
• Attempted to avoid war with the Land of Lightning while refusing to surrender a jinchūriki Konoha did not possess. 1420
• Selected Tsunade as Fifth Hokage despite Danzō’s opposition. 324
• Favored trust over coercion when Anbu feared Mirai’s growing strength, warning that “sand slips away faster the tighter you grasp it.” 2598

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Pipe — regularly used while working, thinking, or meeting with subordinates. 244 1078
• Hokage office and direct Anbu force — exercises authority over the Anbu directly loyal to the Hokage. 206

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — longtime political rival and Root leader. Hiruzen allows Root to operate only within his stated limits and repeatedly opposes Danzō’s attempts to remove or control valuable Konoha shinobi. 206 1721 2733
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura — fellow senior officials and advisers. They debate Tsunade’s succession, Root’s conduct, and the response to Mirai’s crimes. 2733 2812 2813
• Tsunade — former student and chosen Fifth Hokage. Hiruzen trusts her with succession while continuing to support her during her early administration. 324 348 3054
• Uchiha Ye Han — direct Anbu captain and prospective successor whom Hiruzen repeatedly tries to guide politically. He values Ye Han’s achievements but criticizes his impulsiveness when friends or family are involved. 206 244 322
• Namikaze Mirai — disciple in later events. Hiruzen accepts Mirai as a student, teaches him ninjutsu and leadership, and remains protective of him even while recognizing the danger posed by his growing power. 1723 1748 2598
• Namikaze Minato — successor candidate whom Hiruzen considers exceptionally capable in intellect, character, and combat potential. He entrusts Konoha’s future to Minato before sending him to the Land of Earth battlefield. 1143 1366 1372
• Sarutobi Asuma — Hiruzen’s youngest son, noted for his sharp observation during Mirai’s lesson. 1592
• Orochimaru — former disciple whose human experiments and eventual defection left Hiruzen wary of placing blind faith in talented students. 289 1720

Story Role / Major Arcs

Root Conflict and Uchiha Tensions

Hiruzen restrains Danzō’s Root from killing Ye Han, confronts the village’s deteriorating relationship with the Uchiha clan, and investigates renewed activity by the masked man connected to the Nine-Tails attack. 206 219 235

Konoha’s Political Reforms

After Ye Han’s defense of Konoha against Orochimaru, Hiruzen improves the Uchiha clan’s standing, restores Ye Han’s Anbu authority, and presides over the decision to appoint Tsunade as Fifth Hokage. 299 300 324

Akatsuki Crisis and Allied Shinobi Response

Though retired, Hiruzen remains part of Konoha’s inner leadership during the Akatsuki threat, receiving Jiraiya’s intelligence and relying on Ye Han’s strength to protect the village. 348 352

Mentor to the Next Generation

In later events, Hiruzen mentors Mirai, evaluates the talents of Kakashi and Minato, and prepares Konoha’s younger generation for escalating wars. 1584 1723 1748

Retirement and Konoha’s Internal Crisis

Following Mirai’s destruction of Konoha’s headquarters and the death of a Hokage aide, Hiruzen acknowledges his exhaustion and agrees that Tsunade should assume greater authority. He approves a high-level wanted order for Mirai while objecting to needlessly involving Konoha’s other clans in the pursuit. 2811 2813