Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Hiruzen remained a decisive force in Konoha’s government even while Namikaze Minato held the Fourth Hokage’s office. He supervised Minato’s work, bypassed him to grant Uchiha Genya a special jōnin examination, and was regarded by Konoha’s upper ranks as the person with real authority. 2 3 31

He viewed the Uchiha’s growing military strength as a severe internal threat. While fearing the damage an Uchiha coup could cause, he also sought to keep the clan tied to the Security Division and prevent them from expanding their influence through ordinary village missions. 12 23

During the Nine-Tails’ attack, Hiruzen mobilized Anbu and the Sealing Squad to evacuate civilians and contain the beast. The deaths of Minato and Kushina, followed by the Uchiha’s overwhelming show of force, left him politically weakened and unable to restore the previous balance of power. 36 42

His wife also died during the Nine-Tails Incident. Later, the destruction of his family’s standing became a central part of his personal collapse: he learned during his flight that his eldest son had been forced to commit seppuku and his daughter-in-law had hanged herself, and his hair turned completely white that night. 239

After Genya’s ascension to the Hokage position and Hiruzen’s fall from power, he became implicated in the Daimyo’s murder through Genya’s prepared illusion. The resulting four-billion-ryō bounty, the dissolution of the Sarutobi clan, and the deaths or disappearance of close relatives drove him into exile and eventually into Akatsuki. His bounty later exceeded five billion ryō. 215 239 241 447

Genya subsequently used Hiruzen’s notoriety to conceal Konoha’s own operations against nobles, presenting him as the perpetrator while Konoha intervened as their protector. Hiruzen later participated in the pursuit of the defeated Allied Shinobi Forces alongside Kabuto and White Zetsu, only to discover that further attacks on small nations had also been attributed to him. 285 476

His final confrontation with Genya ended in betrayal rather than a successful last stand. Kabuto used the reanimated Danzō to poison and incapacitate him, after which Hiruzen was brought back to Konoha. Genya refused Tobirama’s demand to dispose of him, maintaining that Hiruzen remained useful alive. 517 520

Appearance

By the time he became a fugitive, Hiruzen’s appearance had deteriorated drastically from prolonged pursuit and combat. Though only in his fifties, he appeared decades older. When the reanimated Danzō encountered him, he looked like a man in his seventies or eighties. 239 447

• Dry, withered white hair. 239
• Bloodshot eyes, wrinkles, and a face marked by grime and exhaustion. 239
• Often smoked a pipe while working in the Hokage Office. 2 31
• Later wore a slashed forehead protector after formally becoming a rogue ninja. 241 388
• Wore a tattered black cloak while hiding in the Land of Rice Fields. 239
• Retained armor he had worn since his youth until he discarded the section bearing Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God mark. 389

Personality

Hiruzen presents himself as a benevolent elder devoted to the Will of Fire, frequently invoking its ideals when addressing younger shinobi such as Genya and Shisui. 3 12 He is politically cautious and highly conscious of public legitimacy, often avoiding statements or actions that might expose Konoha leadership’s hostility toward the Uchiha. 17

His caution repeatedly turns into indecision. He shields Danzō despite mounting suspicion, fears the consequences of confronting powerful Uchiha directly, and later attempts to preserve his political influence through the Daimyo rather than open opposition. 48 50 81 112

His concern for stability also leads him to appease foreign pressure at the expense of Konoha’s own shinobi. During the Kumogakure dispute, he argues that the village cannot withstand another war and insists that the Hyūga hand someone over, provoking Hiashi’s condemnation. 85

His public moral objections do not always match his private decisions. Although he rejects Shisui’s proposal to use Kotoamatsukami on a fellow villager, he privately fears the technique’s ability to erase a person’s original will and passes intelligence about it to Danzō, hoping to turn Shisui’s power against Genya and Fugaku. 53

After losing the Hokage position, his allies, and the Sarutobi clan’s standing, Hiruzen becomes paranoid, resentful, and increasingly desperate. His hatred of Genya drives him to advocate for Akatsuki to attack Konoha and restore the former order. 103 239 350

He refuses to accept responsibility for his downfall, maintaining that Genya framed him for the Daimyo family’s massacre and interpreting the defection of his former allies and students as betrayal. This attitude further destroys his credibility within Akatsuki, where even Pain regards his judgment as unreliable. 351 386

Despite his bitterness, Hiruzen retains a painful attachment to his former teacher, Senju Tobirama. During their battle, calling Tobirama “Teacher” caused a momentary hesitation, while Hiruzen himself was visibly anguished at having to strike him. 391

After the invasion’s failure, Hiruzen remains determined to defeat Genya despite regarding Konoha’s strength as overwhelming. He is willing to contemplate forbidden methods and even the loss of his own soul to do so. 448

His refusal to acknowledge his broader failures coexists with personal remorse toward Danzō. During their reunion, he silently acknowledges regret over what has happened; when they later face Genya, he declares that he wronged Danzō and owes him his life. He even comes to believe that Danzō’s ruthlessness might have made him the better choice for Hokage, reversing the position he had maintained while in power. 33 447 516 517

Hiruzen also has a voyeuristic side. He routinely used the Telescope Technique to spy on the women’s bathhouse, and Jiraiya’s similar habits are attributed to his influence. 161

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Mastery

Hiruzen is described as a veteran Kage-level shinobi known as the “Professor of Ninjutsu,” with an extensive repertoire of techniques. 223 239

• His breadth of techniques makes him a dangerous opponent even in old age. 223
• He was considered capable of using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal if given the opportunity, and later prepared to use it against Tobirama before Obito intervened. 223 397
• His declining body and lack of knowledge about Mangekyō Sharingan techniques limit him against elite ocular-power users. 223 239
• Against Tobirama, he used Earth Release to reposition through the battlefield and combined Earth Dragon Bullet with Phoenix Sage Fire Technique to destroy several of Tobirama’s Shadow Clones. 390
• He could rapidly chain multiple elemental techniques and adjust his tactics against an opponent intimately familiar with his fighting style. 389 390
• Although familiar with the principles of Flying Thunder God and Impure World Reincarnation, he admitted he could not perform either technique. His knowledge of Impure World Reincarnation was limited to Tobirama’s incomplete version rather than Orochimaru’s improved one. 421
• He had memorized the forbidden techniques recorded in the Scroll of Sealing, including techniques he had never mastered in practice. He knew that Impure World Reincarnation could incorporate a control formula and proposed using it to command Madara. 421
• Used a Shadow Clone as a decoy in his bedroom and Earth Release to slip underground while under house arrest. 212
• Used the Body Flicker Technique to evade Tobirama’s advancing Water Release. 390
• Used chakra sensing to locate the Flying Thunder God formula concealed on his armor. 389
• Could use the Telescope Technique for remote observation. 161
• Again attempted the Dead Demon Consuming Seal when finally facing Genya, but Kabuto’s intervention prevented him from completing its hand seals. 517

Enma and Staff Techniques

Hiruzen’s summoning contract with Enma grants him a highly adaptable weapon capable of offense, defense, and battlefield control. 215 389

• Enma can transform into the Ruyi Staff, which Hiruzen used to launch Tobirama through several buildings and punch through his reanimated chest. 391
• He can use Enma’s staff form to create the Adamantine Prison Wall, a cage-like defense that withstood major Water Release attacks. 390
• Tobirama’s Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags eventually began breaking down the Adamantine Prison Wall and severely damaging Enma. 397
• The Ruyi Staff can extend rapidly during an attack, allowing Hiruzen to strike at range or deliver a powerful point-blank thrust. 390 391
• The Adamantine Prison Wall normally serves to imprison an enemy, but Hiruzen used it defensively to absorb the initial force of Tobirama’s Water Dragon Bullet attacks. Its gaps allowed water to enter after the main impact had been stopped. 390
• Enma ultimately released his own summoning during the explosive-tag assault, leaving Hiruzen directly exposed to Tobirama. 397

Combat Endurance

While fleeing the Land of Fire, Hiruzen survived repeated attempts on his life from bounty hunters and shinobi of multiple villages. 239

• Repelled numerous pursuers despite severe exhaustion. 239
• Survived an attack by Kumogakure shinobi using Black Lightning. 239
• Required soldier pills and outside supplies to sustain his escape. 239
• Endured a direct battle against the reanimated Tobirama, removing a section of his own marked armor to escape Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God ambushes. 389
• Continued fighting after Tobirama turned the surrounding area into a Flying Thunder God battlefield through pre-placed marks. 390
• Despite his deterioration, his strength and detailed knowledge of Konoha remained valuable enough that Akatsuki’s leadership tolerated his disruptive behavior. 374
• Was incapacitated by Kabuto’s chakra-targeting poison after being stabbed with a poisoned kunai, demonstrating that his endurance did not protect him from a carefully arranged internal betrayal. 517

Equipment

• Adamantine Staff (Enma) — Hiruzen wielded Enma in staff form; while under Genya’s illusion, he used it to fatally pierce the Daimyo. 215
• Ruyi Staff / Adamantine Prison Wall — Enma’s transformed staff form could strike with enough force to damage Tobirama’s reanimated body and form a defensive prison-like barrier. 390 391
• Pipe — Regularly smoked while overseeing affairs in the Hokage Office. 2 31
• Slashed Konoha forehead protector — Marked his break with Konoha upon joining Akatsuki. 241
• Marked armor — Hiruzen’s armor carried a Flying Thunder God formula placed by Tobirama decades earlier; Hiruzen tore off the marked section during their battle. 389
• Soldier pills — Used to sustain himself during his flight from bounty hunters. 239
• Tattered black cloak — Worn while hiding in the Land of Rice Fields. 239

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — Longtime comrade and political ally whom Hiruzen repeatedly protected; their partnership collapsed when Hiruzen came to believe Danzō was responsible for the Nine-Tails Incident. After Danzō was reanimated, Hiruzen recounted his downfall to him. They briefly found mutual understanding before Danzō learned of Hiruzen’s alliance with Obito, then set aside their anger to cooperate against Genya. 48 50 447 448 Earlier, Hiruzen’s declaration that Danzō would never become Hokage while he lived had provoked Danzō’s murderous intent. By their final confrontation with Genya, however, Hiruzen sought to sacrifice himself for Danzō and admitted that his old rival might have been better suited to the office. Kabuto then forced Danzō’s reanimated body to stab Hiruzen and block his escape. 33 516 517
• Namikaze Minato — Fourth Hokage whose authority Hiruzen heavily constrained while continuing to direct village affairs. 2 3 31
• Uchiha Genya / Xuanye — Political rival who repeatedly humiliated and threatened Hiruzen, forced his retirement, and later framed him for regicide. Hiruzen remains determined to defeat him even after Akatsuki’s failed invasion. 71 104 215 448 Genya continued exploiting Hiruzen’s reputation as a criminal to conceal attacks on nobles and small nations. After Hiruzen’s capture, Genya insisted on keeping him alive despite Tobirama’s objections. 285 476 520
• Jiraiya — Former student whom Hiruzen summoned back during the Fifth Hokage crisis; Hiruzen later felt betrayed when Jiraiya did not oppose Genya. 98 103 104
• Orochimaru — Former student who ultimately severed their teacher-student relationship, dismissed Hiruzen’s claims of innocence, and summoned Tobirama to confront him during the Akatsuki invasion. 386 387 Hiruzen had already ceased considering Orochimaru his disciple after he sided with the Uchiha. Orochimaru nevertheless retained some affection for him and had previously pleaded on his behalf, but would not place that attachment above his interests in Genya’s Konoha. 169 216 380 385
• Sarutobi Asuma — Hiruzen’s son, whom he recommended as a Guardian Ninja for the Daimyo; Asuma was left behind when Hiruzen fled the Daimyo Mansion and later became a wanted man himself. 115 215 239 Hiruzen secretly maintained contact with him during retirement and relied on his reports to identify the Daimyo’s abnormal behavior. Asuma then helped him approach the Daimyo at a banquet, inadvertently enabling Genya’s trap. 212 213 214
• Sarutobi Shinnosuke — Hiruzen’s eldest son, whose forced seppuku and the subsequent death of his wife were among the losses that broke Hiruzen during his flight. 239 365
• Senju Tobirama — Hiruzen’s former teacher and the Second. Reanimated by Orochimaru, Tobirama viewed Hiruzen’s rogue status and attack on Konoha as an unforgivable betrayal, leading them into a lethal master-disciple battle. 387 388 389 Even after Genya admitted engineering Hiruzen’s downfall, Tobirama considered removing his former students beneficial to Konoha. After Hiruzen was returned alive, Tobirama demanded his disposal and blamed his indulgence for enabling Danzō’s crimes. 474 520 521
• Yakushi Kabuto — Hiruzen correctly suspected Kabuto of being a Konoha spy within Akatsuki, but Kabuto publicly discredited him by invoking Hiruzen’s failed judgment and history. 351 Kabuto later confirmed the betrayal by controlling Danzō’s reanimated body and using it to poison Hiruzen. He cited revenge for Danzō’s role in the orphanage tragedy and Hiruzen’s complicity, while Hiruzen blamed him for Akatsuki’s failed invasion and the One-Tail jinchūriki’s capture. 517
• Obito Uchiha — Encountered Hiruzen while disguised as Danzō, then recruited him into Akatsuki. Obito later interrupted Hiruzen’s Dead Demon Consuming Seal and extracted him from Konoha through Kamui. When Obito revealed his identity, Hiruzen recognized him as Minato’s former student and confronted him over causing Minato and Kushina’s deaths during the Nine-Tails Incident. 240 241 397 398 420
• Uchiha Shisui — Initially regarded as a village-minded Uchiha whom Hiruzen hoped to keep aligned with the Hokage faction. Learning of Kotoamatsukami made Hiruzen fear him; he secretly sent information about the ability to Danzō, then regretted doing so after Danzō’s failed attempt alienated Shisui. He subsequently refused to declare Shisui a rogue ninja and hoped to preserve his neutrality. 53 59
• Hyūga Hiashi — Lost faith in Hiruzen after he sought to appease Kumogakure by requiring the Hyūga to surrender someone following the attempted abduction of Hinata. The dispute helped drive the Hyūga toward Genya’s faction. 85 94
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Political allies who remained with Hiruzen after most of his supporters abandoned him. Their clans’ embezzlement and repeated demands for protection increasingly frustrated him, and Genya’s audit exposed the vulnerability of their entire faction. 103 156 157 167
• Uchiha Madara — Hiruzen proposed using Impure World Reincarnation to summon and control him as a counter to Genya. When Madara later encountered Hiruzen among his allies, he was delighted that Tobirama’s chosen Hokage had become a rogue ninja. 421 462
• Tsunade — Former student whose refusal to support him Hiruzen counted among his disciples’ betrayals. She later publicly condemned him for attacks on small nations while deploying Konoha shinobi to expand the village’s protection and influence. 386 476
• Wife — Died during the Nine-Tails Incident, before the later destruction of the Sarutobi clan. 239

Story Role / Major Arcs

Uchiha–Konoha Power Struggle

Hiruzen initially attempts to contain Genya and the Uchiha through political pressure while preserving the Security Division’s restrictive role. His efforts fail as Genya forces concessions from him and exploits Hiruzen’s concern for his reputation. 17 20 23

He personally approves Genya’s promotion after the latter defeats Kakashi in his jōnin assessment. Although he publicly praises Genya as a future pillar of Konoha, the result frustrates his political calculations and establishes another young Uchiha talent beyond his expectations. 4

When Genya becomes commander of the Konoha Guard Force, he demands that the Security Division’s size and budget be tripled. Hiruzen objects to the expense, but approves the expansion after Genya presents a collective resignation letter, preferring the financial concession to allowing the Uchiha to leave the division. 23

Danzō’s Exposure and Fall

Hiruzen intervenes to prevent the Hyūga from examining Danzō’s concealed right eye, openly protecting his ally during the investigation into the Nine-Tails Incident. This decision destroys his credibility when the jōnin and Anbu turn against him. 48 49 50

After Shisui reveals Kotoamatsukami, Hiruzen privately sends information about it to Danzō, hoping its power can be appropriated to control Genya and contain Fugaku. Danzō’s attempt instead ends with his memories altered and Shisui alienated. Hiruzen refuses to declare Shisui a rogue ninja and decides to approach him personally in the hope of keeping him neutral. 53 59

He is present when Genya executes Danzō, leaving him unable to save his decades-long friend or prevent the Uchiha from taking Root’s legacy. 70

Kumogakure and the Hyūga Dispute

Following the death of the Kumogakure envoy who attempted to abduct Hinata, Hiruzen promises an investigation but gives way to the remaining envoys’ threats of war. He tells Hiashi that Konoha cannot endure further turmoil and that the Hyūga must hand someone over, leading Hiashi to accuse him of betraying his own village’s shinobi. 85

After Hiashi refuses, Hiruzen’s faction spreads rumors and encourages the Hyūga Main Family elders to press for Hizashi’s sacrifice. Rather than stabilizing his position, these actions deepen the Hyūga’s hostility and help bring the clan into Genya’s camp. 94

Loss of the Hokage Position

Genya uses evidence of Hiruzen’s past dealings with Root to threaten him into stepping down. Hiruzen ultimately abstains during the Fifth Hokage election and formally yields the office to Genya. 71 106

Before settling on Jiraiya as his preferred successor, Hiruzen privately approaches Kakashi about becoming Fifth Hokage, but Kakashi refuses. Hiruzen later recalls Jiraiya in an attempt to prevent the office from falling to the Uchiha. 51 77

Genya further pressures him with evidence from Danzō’s laboratory, demands compensation for the victims’ families, and orders that the election be held within three days. Hiruzen’s request to preserve Danzō’s reputation is rejected, and his hope of installing Jiraiya collapses as the latter refuses to provoke a confrontation with Genya. 97 103 104

Conflict with the Fifth Hokage

After Genya’s election, Hiruzen tries to undermine him through the Land of Fire Daimyo and financial pressure. Genya discovers these efforts, retaliates against the Sarutobi, Mitokado, and Utatane factions, and leaves Hiruzen increasingly isolated. 112 114 115 157

Hiruzen’s loyal escorts initially restrict the news reaching the Daimyo, allowing him to encourage the noble’s hostility toward Genya. He later offers Asuma for service among the Twelve Guardian Ninja, giving his family a direct connection to the Daimyo Mansion. 112 113 115

Genya’s financial audit exposes extensive embezzlement by the old guard’s clans. Hiruzen recognizes that the Sarutobi clan’s own affairs cannot withstand scrutiny and tells his allies to prepare to repay what they took. Genya then gives him five days to return the funds, accepting property and goods at market value, and orders him, Homura, and Koharu to retire outside Konoha afterward. 157 168

Regicide and Exile

Genya’s prepared illusion causes Hiruzen to assassinate the Daimyo during a public banquet. Hiruzen escapes the mansion but becomes a rogue ninja with a four-billion-ryō bounty, while the Sarutobi clan is dissolved and his family suffers the consequences of the accusation. His bounty subsequently rises above five billion ryō. 215 239 447

The trap follows Hiruzen’s attempt to reverse his political defeat by exposing Genya’s control over the Daimyo. Through secret reports from Asuma, he notices that the Daimyo’s decisions consistently benefit Konoha despite his verbal hostility toward Genya. Hiruzen leaves a Shadow Clone behind to escape house arrest, approaches Asuma, and obtains his help reaching the next banquet. 212 213 214

When Hiruzen appears before the Daimyo, a Transcription Seal activates Mirror Flower, Water Moon. Under the illusion, he kills nobles and guests with Enma’s staff and pierces the Daimyo’s chest. On discovering what has happened, he tries unsuccessfully to save the dying noble and insists that Genya controlled him, but the arriving guardians attack. He drives them back and flees, leaving the injured Asuma behind under suspicion of complicity. 214 215

Akatsuki Recruitment

Obito finds the exhausted Hiruzen and offers him a place in Akatsuki. Hiruzen accepts, slashes his forehead protector, and embraces the Eye of the Moon Plan as a possible escape from his despair. 240 241

Within Akatsuki, he becomes one of the most vocal advocates for an immediate assault on Konoha and the capture of Genya. 350

Scapegoat for Konoha’s Expansion

Genya uses Hiruzen’s established notoriety to justify Konoha’s seizure of control throughout the Land of Fire. He orders some shinobi to pose as rogue attackers targeting nobles while others conduct rescue and garrison missions, with Hiruzen designated as the supposed mastermind behind the violence. 285

This manufactured threat allows Konoha to present itself as the nobles’ protector while extending its military presence across the country. Hiruzen’s alleged crimes thus continue benefiting Genya even after Hiruzen has fled the village. 285 287

Akatsuki Internal Conflict

Hiruzen immediately identifies Kabuto as a probable Konoha agent after Kabuto enters Akatsuki under the cover of having ambushed Orochimaru and freed Hidan. However, Kabuto ridicules Hiruzen’s record of judging people, and Pain dismisses Hiruzen’s warning while reaffirming his own authority as Akatsuki’s leader. 351

His continued attempts to behave as an elder authority, along with his fixation on clearing his name and retaking Konoha, leave him distrusted and disliked even among fellow rogue ninja. 351 374

Nagato, Konan, and Obito all develop poor opinions of him because he repeatedly tries to win over members and influence the organization’s decisions. His remaining combat strength and knowledge of Konoha are major reasons they continue tolerating him. Their dislike also contributes to the failure to investigate his accurate warning about Kabuto. 374

Akatsuki Invasion of Konoha

During Akatsuki’s invasion of Konoha, Orochimaru confronts Hiruzen and finally rejects his former teacher’s excuses regarding the Daimyo’s death and his loss of power. Orochimaru then uses Impure World Reincarnation to summon Tobirama, deliberately exposing Hiruzen’s rogue status to his former teacher. 386 387 388

Hiruzen enters the village alongside Hiruko. When Orochimaru offers Hiruko a place in Konoha, Hiruzen warns him that the village will never accept a returning rogue ninja, fearing that a defection would leave him isolated before he can reach Genya. Hiruko declines to participate in the ensuing master-disciple battle and begins looking for a chance to flee. 380 387 388

Tobirama attacks Hiruzen through an old Flying Thunder God mark placed on his students’ armor. Hiruzen removes the marked armor section, summons Enma, and fights Tobirama with Earth and Fire Release combinations, the Adamantine Prison Wall, and the Ruyi Staff. 389 390 391

As Tobirama’s Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags begin destroying Enma’s defense, Hiruzen resolves to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and take Tobirama with him rather than allow Genya to exploit Tobirama’s power. Obito interrupts the sealing attempt and forcibly extracts Hiruzen through Kamui, preserving his life after Akatsuki’s invasion collapses. 397 398

Aftermath and Reunion with Danzō

Following Akatsuki’s defeat, Obito brings Hiruzen out of the Kamui Dimension. Without his mask, Obito is recognizable to Hiruzen as Minato’s former student. Hiruzen confronts him over releasing the Nine-Tails and causing Minato and Kushina’s deaths. When the group considers forbidden means of rebuilding its strength, Hiruzen admits that he cannot perform Flying Thunder God or Impure World Reincarnation. 420 421

Hiruzen proposes using Impure World Reincarnation to summon Madara and applying a control formula to ensure his obedience. However, he has only memorized Tobirama’s incomplete technique and cannot cast it himself. Black Zetsu directs Hiruzen and Obito to seek revival methods and additional allies while he pursues Orochimaru’s improved version. 421

Hiruzen later reunites with a reanimated Danzō and tells him how Genya became Fifth Hokage, how the Daimyo’s death made Hiruzen a wanted criminal, and how their former allies and families suffered. Danzō initially responds with anger, then softens at the sight of Hiruzen’s losses. Their reconciliation falters when Hiruzen reveals his alliance with Obito, but they agree that Genya is their immediate common enemy. Hiruzen believes Konoha has grown too powerful for them to confront by ordinary means and contemplates resorting to forbidden techniques, potentially even summoning Madara. 447 448

Fourth Shinobi World War and Renewed Framing

Hiruzen is present among Madara’s allies after the latter returns. Madara recognizes him as Tobirama’s chosen successor and takes pleasure in discovering that he has become a rogue ninja. 462

After Madara severely wounds the Four Kage and routs the Allied Shinobi Forces, Hiruzen and Kabuto pursue the retreating army with White Zetsu. Meanwhile, regenerating human-bomb attackers strike Daimyo and nobles in several small nations. Tsunade publicly condemns Hiruzen and dispatches Konoha shinobi to protect the targeted countries, while staged attacks inside Konoha help divert suspicion from the village. 476

When Hiruzen learns that he has been blamed for the bombings, he accuses Genya of framing him again. Danzō agrees, recognizing the same pattern of manipulating events and public blame that had contributed to his own downfall. 476

Kabuto’s Betrayal and Capture

When Hiruzen and Danzō finally face Genya, Danzō initially offers to cover their retreat with the Reverse Four-Seal Technique and asks Kabuto to take Hiruzen away. Hiruzen refuses, pushes Danzō behind him, and declares that he owes his old comrade his life. He urges Danzō to survive by any means necessary and continue resisting Genya. 516 517

Hiruzen then prepares the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, intending to take Genya down with him. Before he completes the hand seals, Kabuto forces the reanimated Danzō to stab him with a poisoned kunai. The poison prevents Hiruzen from using chakra, and Danzō’s body moves to block his escape. Kabuto openly confirms his betrayal and explains his desire for revenge over the orphanage tragedy and Hiruzen’s complicity in Danzō’s actions. 517

Hiruzen realizes that his original suspicion of Kabuto was correct and identifies him as the spy behind the failed invasion of Konoha and the One-Tail jinchūriki’s capture. He further concludes that Kabuto helped guide their side into the Fourth Shinobi World War so that Madara would cripple the other nations, Hiruzen would bear the blame for Impure World Reincarnation, and Genya would reap the benefits of conquering the weakened world. 517 518

Hiruzen is subsequently brought back to Konoha alive. Tobirama furiously questions why Genya has returned with his disgraced students and wants Hiruzen dead, but Genya insists that he still has uses and cannot be allowed to die yet. Tobirama remains especially hostile toward Hiruzen, regarding his long protection of Danzō as the foundation that enabled their crimes. 520 521

Notable Quotes

“Enough! Danzō! I am the Hokage!” 20

“We cannot declare Shisui a rogue ninja. Shisui is an excellent ninja, and a descendant of Kagami.” 59

“Leader, you’ll regret this!” 351

“You have fallen this far. Do you think you still have any room to choose?” — Obito to Hiruzen 240

“Teacher, forgive me. After we descend into hell, I will explain everything to you slowly.” 397

“No, Danzo. I'm the one who wronged you. I'm the one who dragged you down. I owe you my life!” 516

“Uchiha Genya, the day has finally come when I can face you. I've been looking forward to this day all along.” 517

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