Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Professor of Ninjutsu
Original	三代火影
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; retired former Hokage; battlefield commander
Status	Alive; remains involved in Konoha's affairs and wartime efforts after retirement 712
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

As Hokage, Hiruzen relied on support from Konoha's major clans and repeatedly postponed reforming the Hyuga clan's internal system because of political instability, wars, and recovery periods. With the Uchiha serving as a convenient target of village resentment, he had even less incentive to address the Hyuga issue. 514

During the escalating conflict between the Uchiha Police Department and Danzō, Hiruzen ordered Danzō's arrested men released but criticized Danzō for having them operate around the Police Department and Uchiha compound, warning that it would provoke an Uchiha backlash. 18 He later took Yan on the journey to the Daimyo's Mansion, repeatedly invoking the Will of Fire to test Yan's attitude toward the village. Hiruzen concluded that Yan did not share Shisui's devotion to the ideology, but accepted that Yan did not oppose Konoha. 28

A funding crisis forced Hiruzen to personally visit the Daimyo's Mansion under Kakashi and Anbu protection. He also summoned Fugaku after receiving surveillance reports concerning the Uchiha. 26 His relationship with the Daimyo deteriorated sharply when the latter began openly challenging him over Konoha's conduct. 28

Hiruzen eventually retired rather than continue influencing Konoha from behind the scenes under Tsunade's administration. Tsunade's succession loosened the restrictions placed on the Uchiha and expanded the Police Department's authority. 138 He later cooperated with Tsunade's restructuring measures, including arrangements affecting the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. 152

After Yan left Danzō in a vegetative state, Hiruzen became responsible for Danzō's care. The burden intensified his guilt over his longtime friend's actions and their consequences. 168

Seeking to restore the Sarutobi and Shimura clans' damaged reputations after the losses of his sons and Koharu, Hiruzen volunteered to lead Sarutobi clan ninja into the Land of Rain conflict. 252 He pursued Obito for revenge over Nine-Tails Night, but Obito's space-time ability repeatedly led him away without results. 258 263

The Land of Rain campaign inflicted severe losses on the Sarutobi clan, creating internal resentment toward Hiruzen and worsening the clan's financial strain. 276 277 Later, Yan recalled Orochimaru from the Iwagakure front and transferred battlefield command to Hiruzen, though Fugaku retained authority over the camp itself. 553

Hiruzen objected to Yan's unconventional rise as Sixth Hokage and to several of Yan's subsequent reforms, including the construction of a new Hokage Office Building. 598 689 Despite this resistance, he continued undertaking practical work for Konoha, organizing the locations and labor for four village shelters. 658

Personality

Hiruzen is nostalgic and exceptionally talkative about the Will of Fire. He used lengthy ideological discussions and stories of Kagami Uchiha to assess Yan's loyalty, though Yan remained largely unmoved. 28

His leadership is marked by caution, compromise, and an unwillingness to risk his remaining reputation. After repeated political failures, he adopted a more passive approach to crises, delegating the refugee problem to others rather than personally involving himself. 432

He remains protective of Konoha and his clan, but his attachment to past authority often makes him defensive toward Tsunade and Yan. He is particularly sensitive to the Sarutobi clan's decline and to policies that undermine the influence he built during his tenure. 343 692

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Mastery

Hiruzen is known as the Professor of Ninjutsu and retains strong command over Earth-nature chakra transformations even in old age. 658

• Used Earth Release capability to assist in the planned construction of Konoha's shelters. 658
• His skill with chakra transformations remains reliable enough for large-scale village construction work. 658

Telescope Technique

Hiruzen possesses a refined Telescope Technique used to observe events from afar. Yan recognizes that the technique has become increasingly sophisticated. 648

• Allows him to monitor unusual activity without immediately appearing in person. 648
• His surveillance of others can be noticed by skilled observers. 648

Command and Battlefield Experience

Even after retirement, Hiruzen remains willing to command and personally enter dangerous theaters of war. 252 553

• Volunteered to lead Sarutobi clan forces in the Land of Rain. 252
• Took over the Iwagakure front after Orochimaru's recall, though he lacked full authority over the camp. 553
• Targeted Obito during the Amegakure conflict, but failed to achieve results against Obito's space-time techniques. 258 263

Relationships

• Tsunade — His successor as Hokage. She accepts his guidance at times, but repeatedly warns him not to obstruct Yan or interfere with frontline arrangements. 149 253
• Shimura Danzō — His best friend and longtime political ally. Hiruzen is left responsible for Danzō after Yan reduces him to a vegetative state. 168
• Uchiha Yan — Initially monitored and tested Yan as a potentially unstable Uchiha; their relationship develops into open political friction as Yan rises in influence and becomes Sixth Hokage. 28 364 598
• Uchiha Fugaku — Uchiha clan head whose growing independence leaves Hiruzen increasingly sidelined after Tsunade supports the clan's reforms. 159
• Jiraiya — Brings Hiruzen intelligence about Nagato's Rinnegan and Danzō's involvement with Akatsuki; Hiruzen urges him to trust Shinnosuke's strength. 175
• Orochimaru — Former student. Hiruzen disapproves of Orochimaru's return to Konoha and later receives battlefield command after Orochimaru is recalled. 289 553
• Sarutobi clan — His clan benefited greatly from village resources during his administration, later becoming dependent on that support and suffering heavily from wartime losses. 148 277 712
• Shinnosuke Sarutobi — His son. Hiruzen expresses complete faith in Shinnosuke's ability to survive danger in the Land of Rain. 175
• Asuma Sarutobi — His son, whose death is later attributed to Yan's actions during the Nine-Tails incident. 754

Notable Quotes

“I am sure. At the same time, I will personally go to the Land of Rain and lead my clan's ninja into battle for the village.” 252

“I will not interfere with how anything at the front lines is arranged. I only hope to lead some people into the battlefield.” 253