Third

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Third (三代目)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Professor of Ninjutsu; “Grandpa Hokage”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konoha
Status	Active during the Uchiha assault on Konoha 232 234
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Appearance

The Third is an elderly man who commonly carries and smokes a pipe. He wears glasses and is sometimes seen in a conical hat; he also possesses battle armor, though he does not wear it during his mediation with the Uchiha. 18 66 224

• Usually portrayed with a pipe in hand.
• Wears glasses.
• Maintains an approachable, grandfatherly demeanor in public. 66

Personality

The Third presents himself as patient, approachable, and protective of Konoha’s younger generation. After observing Ruohuo defeat Kakashi, he regards both boys as part of Konoha’s future and seeks Sakumo Hatake’s assessment rather than treating the incident as a problem. 7

He favors guidance and de-escalation over Danzo’s harsher methods. He rejects the idea of forcing Chunin Exam candidates to torture information out of their comrades, insisting that they are “children of Konoha.” 25 He similarly entrusts Ruohuo to Orochimaru in hopes that the boy can help mend the widening divide between Konoha and the Uchiha. 18

Despite his conciliatory instincts, the Third is a capable political operator. He mediates directly between Fugaku and the Uchiha forces during the Danzo crisis, seeks to prevent open conflict, and later attempts to restrain Uchiha military activity as Ruohuo’s influence grows. 66 200

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Knowledge

Known as the “Professor of Ninjutsu,” the Third is recognized as Konoha’s foremost authority on shinobi techniques. Ruohuo specifically identifies him as the ninja world’s master of the largest number of techniques. 14

• Uses a Crystal Ball to observe events remotely, including Academy matches, the Chunin Exams, and field developments. 7 25 109
• Reviews intelligence rapidly and coordinates reinforcements during emergencies. 48 101
• Is considered a formidable combatant even in old age; Ruohuo measures his strongest techniques against the possibility of defeating him. 53 180

Leadership and Political Mediation

As Hokage, the Third manages conflicts among Konoha’s clans, elders, and military forces.

• Appointed Orochimaru as Ruohuo’s instructor to improve Uchiha–Konoha relations. 18
• Personally intervened to defuse the Uchiha confrontation over Danzo. 66
• Approved Ruohuo’s Anbu service and allowed his challenge for Uchiha leadership, despite doubting that Ruohuo could defeat Fugaku without Tailed Beast power. 113
• Later considered suspending Uchiha military activities and placing Orochimaru in charge of educating Ruohuo to prevent a rebellion. 200

Background / History

The Third first takes notice of Uchiha Ruohuo after witnessing his Academy fight against Kakashi through his Crystal Ball. Sakumo Hatake calls Ruohuo a genius who requires proper guidance, while the Third concludes that the village’s children are its future. 7

Ruohuo’s attacks on the Hokage Office and his unusual interpretation of the Will of Fire concern the Third, but he does not dismiss the child’s intentions. After Orochimaru describes Ruohuo as vigilant, decisive, and motivated by justice, the Third assigns Orochimaru to train him. He hopes the master–disciple relationship will help repair the strained relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan. 17 18

During Ruohuo and Orochimaru’s mission at Kannabi Bridge, the Third receives Orochimaru’s emergency message claiming that Ruohuo captured the Five-Tails. Initially unable to believe it, he nevertheless mobilizes Ino–Shika–Chō and Minato’s team as reinforcements. 48 The resulting confrontation leaves the Third with minor burns from Ruohuo’s Fire Style, after which he permits Ruohuo to explain the mission and the Five-Tails’ situation. 53

The Danzo incident places the Third between the Uchiha and Konoha’s leadership. He arrives at the Uchiha encirclement to negotiate, treats Fugaku as a reasonable counterpart, and promises an explanation for the Uchiha’s grievances. 66 Ruohuo, however, predicts that the Third will use Danzo’s apparent punishment to preserve Konoha’s credibility while still limiting Uchiha influence. 69

As Ruohuo gains authority, the Third increasingly struggles to contain him. He ultimately approves Ruohuo’s requests for graduation certificates, Anbu service, and a formal challenge against Fugaku, allowing the young Uchiha to become an Anbu guard under the codename Grey Wolf. 113 Following Ruohuo’s ascent as Uchiha clan head and the clan’s expanding military campaigns, the Third recognizes the danger of Danzo using the Uchiha as a weapon and considers placing the clan under Orochimaru’s supervision. 200

When the Uchiha begin their coordinated attack on Konoha, the Third witnesses the village come under assault from the Hokage Office. By the following stage of the conflict, he, Minato, and the remaining Anbu are cornered atop the Hokage Office Building while Ruohuo relays Orochimaru’s demand for a meeting at the Valley of the End. 232 234

Relationships

• Uchiha Ruohuo — Regards Ruohuo as a potentially vital bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha, but their relationship deteriorates as Ruohuo’s power and ambitions grow. 18 109 200
• Orochimaru — His disciple and trusted subordinate. The Third entrusts Ruohuo’s education to Orochimaru and later relies on him to manage the Uchiha problem. 18 200
• Shimura Danzo — Longtime political counterpart whose harsh methods repeatedly clash with the Third’s priorities, particularly over the Chunin Exams and the Uchiha. 25 66
• Uchiha Fugaku — Negotiates with Fugaku during the Uchiha–Danzo standoff and views him as a comparatively reasonable Uchiha leader. 66
• Asuma — His son; the Third worries about Asuma’s troubles at the Ninja Academy and attempts to speak with him as both Hokage and father. 123
• Hatake Sakumo — Consults Sakumo after Ruohuo defeats Kakashi and respects his judgment of the young Uchiha. 7
• Minato — Relies on Minato during crises involving the Five-Tails and later during Konoha’s conflict with the Uchiha. 48 223

Notable Quotes

“I am the Hokage, Danzo! I do not agree!” 25

“These children are all the future of Konoha.” 7