Sarutobi Hiruzen

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Sarutobi Hiruzen (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Hero of the Shinobi; Professor of Ninjutsu
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konohagakure; later former Hokage
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background / History

Sarutobi Hiruzen served as Konoha's Third Hokage. Once celebrated as the Hero of the Shinobi and the Professor of Ninjutsu, he personally experienced all three Shinobi World Wars; his senses remained sharp enough to detect lingering blood in the Uchiha compound, though age had reduced his combat strength. 9

Following Uchiha Mirai's restructuring of the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen visited the clan compound to investigate the Uchiha Police Force's unexplained absence. He initially approached Fugaku through indirect questions before directly confronting him about the force's inactivity. 9 He accepted the Guard Force's recruitment of non-Uchiha shinobi, but refused its requested authority to independently handle village threats, fearing it would become a second ANBU. 10 11

Hiruzen maintained Uchiha Shisui as an informant inside the clan, believing Shisui had inherited Kagami's Will of Fire. This intelligence network began to fail as Shisui's loyalty shifted toward Mirai. 11

As Mirai accumulated influence, Hiruzen became increasingly alarmed by both the Uchiha Clan's military growth and Mirai's political authority. He hesitated to attack Mirai directly because doing so could provoke an Uchiha uprising and devastate Konoha. 42 44 After Danzo's Root attacked Mirai, Hiruzen was forced to yield compensation to the Uchiha, including Training Ground Three and 300 million ryo. 46

Following Danzo's death, Hiruzen uncovered Root's human-experimentation records and Orochimaru's connection to them. At the former Root base, he found the Wood Release user Ko, renamed him Sarutobi Tenzō, adopted him as his grandson, and began training him personally. 67 68

Hiruzen later conspired with Kumogakure to assassinate Mirai outside Konoha, motivated partly by vengeance for Danzo. The operation contributed to the collapse of his relationship with Tsunade after she learned he had deceived her into supporting an assassination plot. 86 87 100

Declining health, political isolation, and the loss of clan support ultimately forced Hiruzen from office. Although he sought to prevent Mirai from becoming Hokage, Mirai won the election and became the Fifth Hokage. Hiruzen awakened three days later, accepted that his era had ended, and abandoned further sacrifices against Mirai. 108 110 112

Appearance

An elderly man with a wrinkled face, sunken eyes, and a habitual pipe clenched between his teeth. His age is repeatedly reflected in his declining physical condition and serious lung disease. 73 85 108

• Often maintains a gentle, grandfatherly expression during political discussions. 9
• His composure visibly breaks under pressure from Mirai and the Uchiha Clan. 46
• Suffers severe coughing fits and worsening lung disease late in his tenure. 108

Personality

Hiruzen is an experienced and calculating political leader who prefers indirect probing, negotiation, surveillance, and containment over open confrontation. During his visit to the Uchiha compound, he avoided mentioning the Police Force until after testing Fugaku with unrelated questions. 9

His caution often becomes indecision. He repeatedly rejects or delays Danzo's calls for immediate action against Mirai, recognizing that an assault could trigger an Uchiha revolt, but he later permits covert operations when vengeance and fear outweigh his restraint. 31 42 86

He remains deeply attached to Konoha's stability and to people he considers his responsibility, including Kakashi and Tenzō. However, his assurances do not always match his actions: after yielding Kakashi's Sharingan to Mirai, he still promised Kakashi that he would negotiate for its return. 73 His manipulation of Tsunade and failure to protect Naruto's welfare alienated former allies. 81 100

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Knowledge

Hiruzen is known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, a title reflecting his historical reputation and broad mastery of shinobi arts. 44

• Was formerly hailed as the Hero of the Shinobi. 9 44
• His age has caused a decline in his fighting strength. 9

Combat Senses

Having survived three Shinobi World Wars, Hiruzen possesses keen battlefield perception. 9

• Detected a faint smell of blood upon entering the Uchiha compound. 9
• Immediately circulated chakra and prepared for a hostile response. 9

Enma Summoning

Hiruzen can summon Enma when threatened. 9

• He prepared to summon Enma at the first sign of danger during his visit to the Uchiha compound. 9

Political Strategy and Intelligence Work

Hiruzen uses ANBU surveillance, informants, diplomacy, and factional maneuvering to preserve Konoha's leadership position.

• Planted Uchiha Shisui as an informant within the Uchiha Clan. 11
• Ordered additional ANBU monitoring around Naruto due to Mirai's contact with him. 31
• Used a sensory-focused ANBU unit under Katō Taka to monitor Mirai and relay intelligence to Kumogakure. 87
• Coordinated with Kumogakure in an attempted assassination of Mirai. 86 88

Relationships

• Uchiha Mirai — Political adversary whose rise steadily undermines Hiruzen's authority; Hiruzen ultimately fails to stop him from becoming Hokage. 44 70 108 110 112
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime political counterpart. They disagree over handling the Uchiha, with Danzō favoring elimination and Hiruzen favoring caution; Danzō's death drives Hiruzen toward revenge. 11 31 86 112
• Uchiha Shisui — Hiruzen's informant within the Uchiha Clan, selected because of his connection to Kagami and perceived loyalty to the Will of Fire. 11
• Uchiha Itachi — Hiruzen once viewed Itachi as a village-friendly prodigy and intended to recruit him into the ANBU, but Itachi grew distant and contemptuous of him. 9
• Sarutobi Tenzō — Adopted grandson and Wood Release student; Hiruzen initially regarded Tenzō as a potential counter to Mirai. 67 68 112
• Tsunade — Former student whose trust in Hiruzen collapses after she learns he deceived her into aiding an assassination scheme. 100
• Jiraiya — Former ally who confronts Hiruzen after learning of Naruto's hardships and Hiruzen's deception. 81
• Hatake Kakashi — ANBU subordinate whom Hiruzen comforts after the loss of his Sharingan, despite having already conceded the eye to Mirai. 73
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura — Fellow senior advisors who participate in discussions on the Uchiha crisis, Danzō's death, and Hiruzen's eventual resignation. 11 62 86 108

Story Role / Major Arcs

Uchiha Guard Force Reforms

Hiruzen investigates the Uchiha's withdrawal from Police Force duties and negotiates over Mirai's proposed reforms. He permits outside recruitment but denies the force expanded autonomous authority. 9 10 11

Escalating Conflict with the Uchiha Clan

He attempts to contain Mirai through surveillance, political pressure, and concessions, but Mirai's succession as Uchiha clan head and the clan's growing strength leave Hiruzen increasingly isolated. 42 44 46 59

Danzō's Death and Tenzō's Adoption

After Danzō's death, Hiruzen discovers Root's crimes and adopts Ko as Tenzō upon discovering his Wood Release. He personally trains Tenzō while hoping the boy can counter Mirai. 67 68 78

Kumogakure Assassination Plot

Hiruzen accepts Kumogakure's offer to cooperate against Mirai, dispatching ANBU surveillance to prepare an ambush after Mirai leaves the village. 86 87 88

Loss of the Hokage Position

Tsunade's disillusionment, Hiruzen's illness, and widespread clan dissatisfaction lead to demands for a new Hokage. He is pressured to step down, fails to prevent Mirai's victory, and later accepts that continued resistance would only cause needless sacrifices. 100 108 110 112

Trivia

• Hiruzen's pipe is repeatedly present during meetings, negotiations, and visits to hospitalized subordinates. 73 85
• He reacts with intense excitement upon witnessing Tenzō produce Wood Release, calling it the power Hashirama Senju used to pacify an age of war. 67
• He initially believes Tenzō's Wood Release could suppress Mirai, but abandons that hope after witnessing Mirai stop Tenzō's attack with one finger. 68 110 112