Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Shinobi Hero 8
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure 8
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; wartime commander and negotiator 65 81
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

During the buildup to the Second Shinobi World War, Hiruzen opposed Shimura Danzō's attempt to target the Uchiha clan. He emphasized that the Uchiha were Konoha's own force and cited Uchiha Kagami as a trusted former teammate; when Danzō persisted, Hiruzen asserted his authority as Hokage and prohibited action against the clan. 3

Before the Land of Rain campaign, he mobilized Konoha's vanguard and planned to accompany the main army, personally entering battle only if Salamander Hanzō moved. Uzumaki Mito's public endorsement carried enough weight that Hiruzen agreed to train Uchiha Xiao and invite Mito's relatives to Konoha. 8

After Konoha's victory in the Land of Rain, Hiruzen recognized Xiao's strategic value and gradually accepted the Uchiha clan's support. The clan's nighttime visit and gift for his son, Shinnosuke, formalized a political alignment that strengthened Hiruzen's standing among Konoha's major clans. 25 30

As Sunagakure prepared for war, Hiruzen tested clan loyalties, adopted Tsunade's medical-ninja proposal after Xiao's tactical arguments, and appointed Danzō commander-in-chief with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Xiao as deputies. 35 36 37

When the Sand front required greater strength, Hiruzen personally led reinforcements, leaving Hatake Sakumo to defend Konoha. He later fought the Third Kazekage directly while coordinating with Jiraiya and Enma. 65 71 72

Following the war, Xiao convinced Hiruzen that refusing reparations would undermine Konoha's interests. Hiruzen abandoned his initial pursuit of benevolent prestige, negotiated compensation from Sunagakure, and saw the resulting wealth and mission allocation celebrated by Konoha's ninja. 80 81 83

Appearance

In his prime, Hiruzen is depicted as an imposing Hokage who commonly smokes a pipe and wears formal Hokage attire or combat gear depending on the situation. 8 30 35

• Keeps a pipe at hand during private deliberations and meetings. 3 29
• Changes into formal kimono to receive politically important guests. 30
• Wears combat gear when preparing to deploy with Konoha's army. 8
• Maintains an upright, authoritative bearing in the Hokage's office. 35

Personality

Hiruzen is decisive and forceful in his prime. He rejects Danzō's anti-Uchiha arguments, uses the authority of the Hokage without hesitation, and threatens military punishment for insubordination during wartime. 3 37

He is also politically perceptive. He recognizes the value of Uzumaki Mito's endorsement, understands the significance of the Uchiha clan's allegiance, and deliberately tests which clans will publicly support his administration. 8 30 35

Despite his authority, Hiruzen listens to capable subordinates. He accepts Xiao's analysis of medical-ninja deployment, relies on Xiao's battlefield counsel against Sunagakure, and revises his postwar policy after being challenged over reparations. 36 69 80

His desire to be viewed as benevolent initially leads him to consider forgoing compensation from Sunagakure. He ultimately acknowledges that a Hokage must defend Konoha's material interests rather than pursue reputation at the village's expense. 80

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu and Combat

Hiruzen is a Kage-level combatant capable of confronting the Third Kazekage and directing the battlefield while fighting. 65 71 72

• Uses Shadow Clones in a composite technique to destroy the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand Spikes. 71
• Employs smoke screens and Fire Release for counterattacks. 71
• Performs Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, launching a dragon-shaped torrent of fire. 72
• Deflects the Third Kazekage's long-range Iron Sand attacks with Enma transformed into a staff. 72

Enma Coordination

Hiruzen fights alongside Enma, directing him to restrain opponents and then wielding him as a weapon. 71 72

• Orders Enma to transform into wooden beams that form a cage around the Third Kazekage. 72
• Uses Enma's staff form to block repeated long-range attacks. 72
• Continues coordinating with Enma after Enma is injured in battle. 71

Leadership and Diplomacy

As Hokage, Hiruzen combines political management with wartime command. 35 65 81

• Tests clan allegiance by requiring leaders to formally announce their arrival at meetings. 35
• Appoints Danzō as commander-in-chief while maintaining civilian and military discipline through explicit military-law threats. 37
• Personally leads reinforcements when the Sand counteroffensive becomes imminent. 65
• Keeps silent at the opening of negotiations with Sunagakure, forcing the opposing delegation to reveal its position first. 81
• Approves Xiao's proposal to share the Uchiha Police Force's authority among other clans, reinforcing village-wide control over the institution. 95

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — Longtime comrade and closest political partner. Hiruzen values Danzō's loyalty and military capability, but rebukes his prejudice against the Uchiha and later pressures him to work with Xiao. 3 37 49
• Uzumaki Mito — Respects her legendary status and political influence; agrees to her requests when she publicly supports Konoha's war effort. 8
• Uchiha Xiao — Trusted strategist and political ally. Hiruzen recognizes Xiao as the architect of the Land of Rain campaign, seeks his counsel in war and diplomacy, and praises his loyalty to Konoha. 38 69 80
• Tsunade — His student. Hiruzen supports her medical-ninja proposal and accepts her relationship with Xiao as politically beneficial rather than problematic. 36 69
• Jiraiya and Orochimaru — Students and battlefield allies; Hiruzen appoints them as Danzō's deputies and coordinates with Jiraiya during the war against Sunagakure. 37 71
• Hatake Sakumo — Entrusts Sakumo with Konoha's defense during his absence, despite Sakumo's recent mission failure. 65
• Sarutobi Biwako — Wife. At home, Hiruzen is portrayed as a playful husband rather than the stern public Hokage. 95
• Sarutobi Shinnosuke — Eldest son and Academy student; Hiruzen accepts a set of Uchiha-provided ninja tools on his behalf. 30
• Enma — Loyal combat partner who assists Hiruzen against the Third Kazekage. 71 72

Story Role / Major Arcs

Land of Rain Campaign

• Delivers the prewar address that inspires Konoha's forces and contributes to his reputation as the Shinobi Hero. 1 8
• Receives Uzumaki Mito's endorsement and agrees to train Uchiha Xiao. 8
• Reunites with Konoha's victorious forces after the defeat of Salamander Hanzō and expresses satisfaction at their success. 24
• Identifies Xiao's humility and strategic talent, revealing to Danzō that Xiao devised the decisive Land of Rain strategies. 38

Sunagakure War

• Establishes a coalition of Konoha clans and appoints Danzō commander-in-chief. 35 37
• Publicly thanks the Uchiha clan after it commits two hundred jōnin, three hundred chūnin, and five hundred genin to Konoha's war effort. 49
• Appoints Xiao and Nara Rokumei as vice-commanders for the nearly eight-thousand-ninja force. 50
• Leads thousands of reinforcements to the front after Xiao warns of a Sand counteroffensive. 65
• Holds the Third Kazekage in battle, preventing him from returning to reinforce Sunagakure. 69 73
• Arrives with Danzō to stop Xiao's Susanoo rampage, though Tsunade is the one who successfully brings Xiao back to his senses. 75

Postwar Governance

• Changes his policy on Sunagakure reparations after Xiao and Danzō argue that Konoha must protect the interests of its clans and soldiers. 80
• Leads Konoha's delegation in negotiations with Sunagakure. 81
• Appoints Danzō as Chief Hokage Advisor following the war. 87
• Approves Xiao's restructuring of the Konoha Police Force and appoints him its chief. 95
• Supports the Hyuga clan after Xiao rescues one of its main-family members from Kumogakure's plot. 106
• Initially seeks to defuse Kumogakure's diplomatic challenge, then adopts a firm stance when the envoy continues to threaten Konoha. 111

Notable Quotes

“Enough! Danzo! I am the Hokage! Keep your petty thoughts to yourself! For now, the Uchiha are not to be touched!”
— Sarutobi Hiruzen to Shimura Danzō 3

“If anyone disobeys orders or acts recklessly, they will be dealt with by military law—no mercy!”
— Sarutobi Hiruzen appointing Danzō commander-in-chief 37

“What was a Hokage? A leader who fought for the interests of the Land of Fire and Konoha.”
— Hiruzen reconsidering his stance on reparations 80

Trivia

• Hiruzen considers Xiao a potential student after Xiao credits the Hokage's Academy teaching for his own outlook. 102
• He privately approves of Xiao and Tsunade's relationship, viewing an Uchiha–Senju union as advantageous under the changed political circumstances. 69
• The Hyuga clan formally pledges itself to Hiruzen after Xiao rescues a main-family member and Hiruzen refuses to punish him. 106