Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Third Hokage (Sarutobi Hiruzen)
Alias(es)	The Professor; “Grandpa Hokage” 10 39
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hidden Leaf Village
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; Konoha’s highest authority
Status	Active as of Chapter 50 50
First Appearance	Chapter 2 (Hokage Rock statue); Chapter 9 (in person) 2 9

Background / History

During the escalating conflict between the Hidden Leaf leadership and the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen is described as favoring negotiations over a massacre. The negotiations ultimately fail to prevent the tragedy, and Yun Xi regards Hiruzen’s delayed and insufficient intervention as part of the circumstances that enabled it. 15 20

As Hokage, Hiruzen keeps Danzo’s Root Division under surveillance through a Crystal Ball. Danzo’s unusual decision to summon the supposedly talentless Academy repeater Yun Xi prompts Hiruzen to obtain Yun Xi’s file and order Shiranui Genma to monitor him closely. 9

Appearance

Yun Xi pictures Hiruzen as an elderly, white-haired man in Hokage robes. In person, his calm presence and aura are powerful enough to make Yun Xi feel suppressed upon entering the Hokage Office. 10 39

• Elderly appearance and white hair. 10
• Wears the Hokage’s robes. 10
• Maintains a composed but intimidating official demeanor. 39

Personality

Hiruzen is observant, controlled, and deliberately difficult to read. When Yun Xi expects questioning about his connection to Itachi or the Uchiha crisis, Hiruzen instead asks why he has stopped attending the Ninja Academy. He accepts Yun Xi’s excuse and grants him leave, concealing that he already knows Yun Xi possesses unusual strength. 39 40

He shows concern for Yun Xi’s safety, particularly over Danzo’s interest in the boy and the possibility that Orochimaru has targeted him. However, his protection is covert and strategic: he deploys watchers, assigns Ibiki and Anko to Yun Xi’s security, and later orders every Konoha ninja of chunin rank or above to ambush around Yun Xi’s home. 9 41 49 50

Abilities & Skills

Crystal Ball Surveillance

Hiruzen uses a Crystal Ball to observe events and individuals across Konoha.

• Watches Root headquarters after learning that Danzo summoned Yun Xi. 9
• Observes Yun Xi’s fire-based technique near the Forest of Death. 40 41
• Cannot identify the technique, but considers whether it may be Yun Xi’s kekkei genkai. 41

Leadership and Intelligence Operations

As Hokage, Hiruzen directs Konoha’s intelligence and protection resources.

• Orders Shiranui Genma to investigate and report on Yun Xi after Danzo’s summons. 9
• Uses Anko Mitarashi as both messenger and contact for Yun Xi. 10 38
• Assigns Morino Ibiki to secretly protect Yun Xi due to concerns about Danzo. 41
• Mobilizes Konoha’s chunin-and-above ninja forces around Yun Xi’s residence after the deaths of his guards. 50

Commanding Presence

Hiruzen’s aura alone unsettles Yun Xi, who recognizes that the seemingly gentle Hokage is still the village’s highest-ranking authority. 39

Relationships

• Yun Xi — Watches him after Danzo’s interest becomes known, later discovers his hidden strength, and arranges covert protection. 9 40 41 49
• Shiranui Genma — Intelligence subordinate ordered to monitor Yun Xi and later summon Anko. 9 50
• Anko Mitarashi — Sends her to warn Yun Xi about Danzo, summon him to the Hokage Office, and protect him after Orochimaru’s attack. 10 38 49 50
• Morino Ibiki — Consults him on Yun Xi’s assessment and assigns him to secretly protect the boy. 40 41
• Danzo — Monitors Root’s activities and worries that Danzo may have discovered Yun Xi’s true capabilities. 9 41
• Orochimaru — His former student; Hiruzen recognizes the seriousness of the threat after Yun Xi reports corpses near his home and responds with heightened security measures. 39 49 50
• Uchiha Itachi — Hiruzen’s approach to the Uchiha crisis is described as negotiation-focused, though it fails to prevent the clan’s downfall. 15 20

Story Role / Major Arcs

Monitoring Danzo’s Interest in Yun Xi

After Genma reports that Danzo has summoned Yun Xi, Hiruzen reviews Yun Xi’s file and becomes suspicious of Root’s interest in an Academy student known as Konoha’s longest-serving dead-last. He orders Genma to keep Yun Xi under observation and report any abnormalities. 9

Hiruzen subsequently sends Anko to warn Yun Xi to remain at home and avoid drawing attention while Danzo is interested in him. 10

Hokage Office Summons

Hiruzen summons Yun Xi through Anko. Rather than exposing Yun Xi’s ties to Itachi or discussing the Uchiha situation, he questions Yun Xi’s Academy absences and permits him to take time away from school. 38 39 40

After Yun Xi leaves, Hiruzen reveals to Ibiki that Yun Xi is not as ordinary as his file suggests. The Crystal Ball footage of Yun Xi’s destructive Fire Style leaves Ibiki shocked and leads Hiruzen to arrange secret protection. 40 41

Response to Orochimaru’s Attack

When Yun Xi reports finding corpses near his house, Hiruzen immediately treats the incident as a serious challenge to Konoha’s authority. He listens closely to Yun Xi’s account, recognizes the danger implied by Orochimaru’s involvement, and assigns Anko as Yun Xi’s protector. 49 50

Hiruzen escalates the response by ordering all Konoha ninja of chunin level or higher to wait in ambush around Yun Xi’s home for further orders. 50

Notable Quotes

“This fellow Yun Xi is not as simple as he seems.” 40

“There is no issue with the child Yun Xi, but I am worried about whether that fellow Danzo has also discovered his strength.” 41