Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hidden Leaf Village
Occupation/Role	Hokage; village commander and administrator
Status	Active 85
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Hiruzen responds to the Third Kazekage's disappearance by issuing an S-rank mission to investigate the incident, gather intelligence for the looming war, and assess Kakashi Hatake for promotion. 1

After the mission, he recognizes Uchiha Mo's role in killing Baki and handles the captured Sand ninja through the Intelligence Division. He promotes Kakashi only to special jonin, deliberately keeping him under the chuunin establishment because he does not want a child leading a team into war. 7

When Shimura Danzo demands that Uchiha Mo and Shisui be transferred to Root, Hiruzen refuses to surrender either brother. His warning to Danzo later restrains Danzo from acting openly against them. 8 36

Hiruzen appoints Mo as a jonin instructor and allows him to lead Team 8, seeing the arrangement as a way for Mo to develop young ninja—including Hiruzen's son, Asuma. 11 14

Following Danzo's disappearance, Hiruzen permits an Intelligence Division investigation, but the evidence yields no explanation for the Root leader's vanishing. Root is subsequently merged into the ANBU. 48 49

During the Third Shinobi World War, Hiruzen convenes the village's jonin after Hidden Cloud declares war. He later promises Mo a reward for his battlefield achievements, personally gives him the Flying Thunder God technique after the deaths of Ebizo and Chiyo, and expands the Uchiha Police Force by another battalion. 49 67 81

As threats from Kirigakure and Hidden Stone intensify, Hiruzen orders the Uchiha clan to defend the Land of Whirlpools under Mo's command while sending Orochimaru to the Hidden Stone front. He privately acknowledges both the necessity of relying on the Uchiha and the limits of his own leadership. 84

Appearance

An elderly man with a lined face and cloudy eyes, Hiruzen is frequently depicted smoking a pipe behind the Hokage's desk. 7 8

• Wears the Hokage's hat and robes when presiding over major meetings. 49
• Usually carries a pipe, which he uses even during official discussions. 7 81
• His aged appearance contrasts with the sharpness he shows when confronting Danzo or managing village affairs. 8 81

Personality

Hiruzen is protective of young shinobi. He curtails Kakashi's promotion out of concern for the boy's safety, refuses Danzo's demand for Mo and Shisui, and arranges for Mo to instruct Asuma and the other members of Team 8. 7 8 14

He is pragmatic and politically cautious rather than openly confrontational. He recognizes the Uchiha clan's military value, but responds to their wartime service by strengthening the Police Force rather than granting the broader influence Fugaku seeks. 81

Hiruzen is also burdened by indecision and the pressures of command. During the war, he admits to himself that he cannot fully resolve the Uchiha issue or manage the village's mounting threats alone, even finding himself missing Danzo's presence. 84

Abilities & Skills

Hokage Leadership

Hiruzen directs Hidden Leaf's military, intelligence, promotions, and wartime deployments.

• Issued the S-rank investigation into the Third Kazekage's disappearance and impending war conditions. 1
• Determined Kakashi's special-jonin promotion and continued placement under the chuunin establishment. 7
• Personally summoned and rewarded prominent shinobi, including Mo. 67 71 81
• Assigned the Uchiha clan and Orochimaru to separate fronts when Hidden Leaf faced simultaneous threats. 84

Surveillance and Intelligence Management

Hiruzen uses a crystal ball to observe events within the village and relies on the ANBU and Intelligence Division for military and internal reports. 10 14

• Observed Team 8's training through the crystal ball. 14
• Had the captured Sand ninja delivered to Inoichi for intelligence extraction. 7
• Ordered an investigation into Danzo's disappearance when Root's testimony proved inconclusive. 48

Equipment / Items

• Pipe — regularly smoked while working in the Hokage's office. 7 8
• Hokage hat and robes — worn when presiding over the jonin meeting. 49
• Crystal ball — used to observe village activity and Team 8's training. 10 14

Relationships

• Shimura Danzo — longtime comrade and political rival. Hiruzen rejects Danzo's attempts to recruit Mo and Shisui into Root and warns him against taking improper action against them. 8 36
• Asuma Sarutobi — his son. Hiruzen indulges Asuma's request for a team arrangement but expects Mo's strict instruction to temper him. 10 11 14
• Uchiha Mo — a highly valued young jonin. Hiruzen recognizes Mo's strength, offers him an ANBU captain position, appoints him as a team instructor, rewards his war service, and entrusts him with the Flying Thunder God technique. 7 11 81
• Uchiha Shisui — protected from Danzo's Root recruitment alongside his brother. 8
• Uchiha Fugaku — leader of the Uchiha clan. Hiruzen praises the clan's wartime contribution but channels its expanded authority into the Police Force. 81
• Orochimaru — Hiruzen's prized disciple and a leading Hokage candidate. Hiruzen later dispatches him to command the Hidden Stone front. 49 84

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Third Kazekage Investigation — commissions the mission that sends Kakashi and Mo toward the Land of Rain–Land of Wind border. 1
• Kakashi and Mo's Return — evaluates the mission results, modifies Kakashi's promotion, and attempts to recruit Mo into ANBU. 7
• Root Conflict — denies Danzo control over Mo and Shisui, then remains unaware of the full circumstances behind Danzo's disappearance. 8 48
• Team 8 Formation — appoints Mo as a jonin instructor and monitors the team's early development. 11 14
• Third Shinobi World War — organizes Hidden Leaf's war response, rewards Mo's battlefield record, and grants him access to Flying Thunder God. 49 67 81
• Land of Whirlpools Deployment — sends the Uchiha-led force to repel Kirigakure while assigning Orochimaru to contain Hidden Stone. 84

Notable Quotes

“You may choose someone else, but I won't hand either of those brothers over to you!” 8

“You are still young. I cannot bear to have a child lead a team into battle.” 7