Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Hokage of Konohagakure
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Appearance

Hiruzen is a man in roughly his fifties with visible signs of age but a robust physique. He wears Hokage robes and a conical Hokage hat, and is frequently seen smoking a pipe in his office. 7

• Aged facial appearance.
• Retains a strong, healthy build.
• Wears the formal robes and hat of the Hokage.
• Keeps a pipe and uses a crystal ball for the Telescope Technique. 7

Personality

Hiruzen seeks peace within both Konoha and the wider ninja world. He is concerned that the Uchiha Clan has become alienated through suppression by Danzō and the elders, and openly acknowledges that his own indulgence toward Danzō contributed to the problem. 7 17

Although generally gentle and conciliatory, Hiruzen is decisive when his authority is challenged. He repeatedly rejects Danzō's demands to exclude, arrest, or recall Uchiha Aoba, maintaining that the Uchiha are members of Konoha and that Aoba should be guided rather than treated as a threat. 7 30

He is also capable of self-doubt. Aoba's rapid rise and Mangekyō Sharingan awaken his fear that another Uchiha Madara could emerge, but Hiruzen ultimately chooses to place his trust in Namikaze Minato and Aoba. 30 32

Background / History

When Sunagakure invaded Konoha’s border, Hiruzen swiftly appointed Orochimaru as frontline commander and ordered reinforcements to support a defensive counterattack. The Uchiha Clan later answered his call by deploying fifty shinobi to the Sunagakure front, suffering heavy losses by the war’s end. 1 5

Following Uchiha Aoba’s performance in the Sunagakure war, Hiruzen approved Fugaku’s recommendation to promote the twelve-year-old to Jonin without an examination. He then personally recruited Aoba into the Anbu and placed him under Namikaze Minato’s command. 7 8

Hiruzen’s decision was political as well as military: he intended Aoba to become a bridge between Konoha and the increasingly isolated Uchiha Clan. He later disclosed to Minato that he planned to resign after the war and appoint Minato as the Fourth Hokage. 17

During Iwagakure’s military buildup, Hiruzen convened Konoha’s elders and clan heads, confirmed the threat of invasion, and ordered reinforcements to assemble under Minato’s organization. 21 22

After Konoha’s victory over Iwagakure, Hiruzen supported an alliance rather than demanding reparations, describing the decision as a means to preserve peace. He also recognized Aoba as the war’s greatest contributor, allowed him to select a forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals, and formally entrusted him with helping Minato reconnect the Uchiha Clan to Konoha. 31 32

Leadership and Political Decisions

• Appointed Orochimaru to lead Konoha’s response to Sunagakure’s invasion. 1
• Approved Uchiha Aoba’s promotion to Jonin without requiring a Jonin examination. 7
• Recruited Aoba into the Anbu and assigned him under Namikaze Minato. 7 8
• Authorized an S-rank mission to investigate the Dragon Vein instability in Rōran. 8
• Ordered the mobilization of Konoha forces in response to Iwagakure’s buildup. 21 22
• Chose Minato as his intended successor and planned to abdicate after the war. 17 32
• Pursued an alliance with Iwagakure despite Konoha’s victory and the absence of reparations. 31
• Granted Aoba permission to choose a forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. 32

Relationships

• Namikaze Minato — Hiruzen’s chosen successor for the Fourth Hokage position; he entrusts Minato with guiding Aoba and handling Konoha’s relationship with the Uchiha Clan. 17 30 32
• Uchiha Aoba — A young Uchiha Jonin whom Hiruzen promotes, recruits into the Anbu, and regards as a potential bridge between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. 7 17 32
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime political counterpart whose distrust of the Uchiha repeatedly clashes with Hiruzen’s efforts to integrate Aoba and the clan. 7 21 30 31
• Uchiha Fugaku — Uchiha Clan head who reports Aoba’s wartime merits and recommends him for Jonin promotion. 5 7
• Jiraiya — Former student who supports Aoba’s reward after the Iwagakure war, while criticizing Hiruzen for taking a political gamble on him. 31 32
• Orochimaru — Former student and initially a potential Hokage candidate; Hiruzen becomes disappointed by Orochimaru’s lack of commitment to village affairs. 1 17 21

Story Role / Major Arcs

Sunagakure War

Hiruzen initiates Konoha’s military response by placing Orochimaru in command. He later receives Fugaku’s report on Aoba’s achievements and approves Aoba’s promotion to Jonin. 1 5 7

Anbu Recruitment and Rōran Mission

He recruits Aoba into the Anbu despite Danzō’s objections, assigns him to Minato, and dispatches Minato’s team on the S-rank Rōran mission. After their return, he investigates their unexplained memory gaps and credits the Dragon Vein’s influence. 7 8 17

Iwagakure War

Hiruzen organizes Konoha’s response to Iwagakure’s troop buildup and authorizes Minato to lead reinforcements. After receiving reports of Aoba’s Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, he fears Aoba could follow Madara’s path but chooses to trust Minato’s guidance. 21 22 30

Succession and Uchiha Reconciliation

Hiruzen reveals his intention to step down and make Minato the Fourth Hokage. He asks Aoba to support Minato and serve as a liaison who can bring the Uchiha Clan back into Konoha’s “embrace.” 17 32

Notable Quotes

“I am the Hokage, and I will never regret my own decisions!” 7

“The Uchiha are Konoha’s Uchiha, and Uchiha Aoba is also a member of Konoha.” 30

“Let the clan return to the embrace of Konoha.” 32