Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Professor of Ninjutsu 1 34
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; Kizaru's personal teacher; later a member of the Council of Elders 23 222 230
Status	Alive 447
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Rise to the Hokage position

Tobirama Senju selected Hiruzen as his preferred successor after Hiruzen volunteered to stay behind during their squad's retreat. Tobirama valued Hiruzen's mastery of all five elemental chakra transformations and his comparatively peaceful temperament over Danzō's more militant outlook. 260

Hiruzen initially lacked universal support when he inherited the Hokage title. Mito's backing and Danzō's support through the Shimura Clan helped secure his position; for more than a decade, Hiruzen and Danzō cooperated as Konoha's respective “light” and “dark” to consolidate military and financial authority. 7

Taking Kizaru as a disciple

Hiruzen recognized Shimura Kizaru as an extraordinary, well-rounded prodigy whose development could shape Konoha's future. Though he first considered assigning Orochimaru or Tsunade, he ultimately decided that Kizaru required his own personal instruction. 15 23

As Kizaru's teacher, Hiruzen provided personally compiled introductory scrolls on Genjutsu and Sealing Techniques. He advised Kizaru to prioritize his Kekkei Genkai, while respecting Kizaru's reasoning for studying other disciplines as counters to specialist opponents. 33 He later identified Kizaru's Rasengan as an A-rank technique and proposed combining it with chakra nature transformation to improve its lethality. 34

Retirement and continued service

As Kizaru's accomplishments and reforms increasingly supported Konoha's prosperity, Hiruzen came to recognize his own growing reliance on his disciple and concluded that it was time to relinquish the Hokage position. 220

Hiruzen formally stepped down when Kizaru was inaugurated as the Fourth Hokage, entrusting Konoha to his former student. 222 Kizaru subsequently appointed him to the three-seat Council of Elders. 230

After confronting his attachment to old relationships and his past complacency, Hiruzen renewed his commitment to village service by accepting responsibility for establishing a cultural school for Konoha's civilians. 305

Appearance

Hiruzen is frequently depicted with a pipe, which he smokes in both official and private settings. 1 33 197

• Carries a pipe as a habitual accessory. 1 33
• Wears loose, casual loungewear while relaxing at home. 197
• Often maintains a calm or smiling expression even during tense political discussions. 33 121

Personality

Hiruzen is a caring and encouraging teacher who values Konoha's younger generation. He deliberately avoided pressuring Kizaru, first strengthening their relationship with instructional gifts before offering guidance, and he treated Kushina's safety and health as especially important. 33 130

As Hokage, he is politically perceptive and capable of decisive wartime planning. He considers diplomatic consequences, village economics, logistics, and long-term stability before committing Konoha to major actions. 56 95 110

His greatest weakness is sentimentality toward old comrades and established relationships. This led him to shield Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu despite their corruption, for which Tobirama harshly reprimanded him. Hiruzen acknowledged the failure, accepted Kizaru's authority over the matter, and later supported Kizaru's far-reaching plan to reform the Shinobi World. 264 265

Abilities & Skills

Comprehensive Ninjutsu Mastery

Hiruzen is known as the “Professor of Ninjutsu” for his breadth of shinobi knowledge and balanced capabilities. 23 34

• Mastered all five elemental chakra nature transformations. 260
• Possesses broad proficiency in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. 23 43
• Correctly evaluated Kizaru's incomplete Rasengan as A-rank solely through observation. 34
• Proposed incorporating chakra nature transformation into the Rasengan's further development. 34

Leadership and Strategy

Hiruzen is an experienced administrator, military planner, and negotiator.

• Assigned Danzō, the Sannin, and Konoha's logistical forces to distinct roles when preparing for threats from the Land of Rain and Land of Lightning. 56
• Trusted Kizaru to defend against Kumogakure alone after weighing the military and political risks. 56
• Refused to send reinforcements during Kizaru's border campaign, relying on his disciple's ability to resolve the crisis. 72
• Successfully persuaded Ōnoki and the Third Raikage to consider a ceasefire and attend a Five Kage Summit. 256
• Entrusted Kizaru with the politically sensitive task of handling the Uchiha Clan after recognizing his disciple's exceptional social skills. 121 122

Story Role / Major Arcs

Second Shinobi World War

Hiruzen organized Konoha's response to threats from the Land of Rain and Kumogakure, assigning Danzō to lead Anbu operations, placing the Sannin in frontline roles, and allowing Kizaru to independently confront the Land of Lightning. 56

Following Kizaru's capture of the Third Raikage and Matatabi, Hiruzen defended his decision to trust his disciple despite objections from his advisors. 72

After Konoha's victory, he publicly celebrated the war's outcome, which strengthened both his prestige and the standing of the Hokage faction. 93

Village Reform and Succession

Hiruzen initially hesitated over Kizaru's proposed medical and research reforms because specialized squads could reduce Konoha's mission workforce and revenue. After Kizaru addressed those concerns, Hiruzen agreed to bring the proposal before the village leadership. 95

He increasingly treated Kizaru as his successor, warning the two advisors that Kizaru would likely inherit the Hokage position within four to seven years. 175 He later directed Kizaru to build support among influential clans and Jonin ahead of his succession. 203

Council Elder and Political Reckoning

As a Council of Elders member, Hiruzen supported Kizaru's wartime administrative restructuring and helped advise the Fourth Hokage on preparations for conflict. 230

Tobirama later confronted Hiruzen over his favoritism toward Homura and Koharu. Though cleared of personally participating in their corruption, Hiruzen accepted responsibility for failing to judge them impartially. 264 265

Hiruzen initially opposed Kizaru's proposal to overthrow feudal lords and nobility and establish a unified nation governed by law, fearing worldwide conflict. After hearing the argument, he agreed to support the plan. 265

Relationships

• Tobirama Senju — Former teacher who selected Hiruzen as Hokage; later reprimanded him for allowing personal feelings to compromise justice. 260 264 265
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime friend, political ally, and ideological rival. They helped consolidate Konoha's power together, but repeatedly clashed over Danzō's extremism and treatment of the Uchiha. 7 15 146
• Shimura Kizaru — Personal disciple and chosen successor. Hiruzen deeply trusts Kizaru's judgment, ultimately handing him the Hokage position and taking pride in being known as his teacher. 23 121 222 447
• Tsunade — Former student and one of Hiruzen's proud Sannin disciples; she openly challenges his decisions when she believes Kizaru is being endangered. 56 367
• Jiraiya — Former student and member of the Sannin. Hiruzen considers him, Tsunade, and Orochimaru his pride. 94 367
• Orochimaru — Former student whose research ambitions Hiruzen initially supported, but whom he was later ordered to arrest after the discovery of illegal human experimentation. 94 279
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Advisors and old friends whom Hiruzen protected too leniently when their corruption was exposed. 264 265
• Sarutobi Asuma — Hiruzen's youngest son; Hiruzen is shown relaxing and teasing him at home. 197

Notable Quotes

“As a teacher, isn't it only right to provide for a student's needs?” 33

“I believe in Kizaru!” 121