Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Akatsuki (undercover operative) 252 565
Occupation/Role	Former Third Hokage of Konohagakure; later an embedded Konoha spy within Akatsuki 165 220 565
Status	Alive; publicly regarded as a Konoha S-rank missing-nin during his infiltration mission 240 565
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background / History

Hiruzen resumed the Hokage position after the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice. By the time Uchiha Yushu emerged as a political force, Hiruzen's foremost goal was preserving Konoha's existing stability until a successor could take over. He considered Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and eventually Yushu as possible successors, but remained determined that the Hokage position would not pass to an Uchiha. 17 33

His long-standing approach was to restrain the major clans in order to strengthen identification with the village. This policy, alongside the expansion of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Utatane, and Mitokado clans, alienated many of Konoha's older shinobi clans. 26 52

During the conflict with the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen initially sought compromise without surrendering the Hokage's authority. He accepted Yushu's succession as Uchiha clan head and Military Police Force chief, while underestimating the political value of the Second Hokage's founding charter for the force. 21 23

His decision to lead Konoha personally against Kumogakure ended in defeat by the Fourth Raikage. Though he used the Five Style Great Combo Technique to counter Tailed Beast Balls, the battle left him gravely injured and permanently weakened, with Tsunade only able to stabilize his damaged chakra pathways and mobility. 97

After Yushu's overwhelming election as Fifth Hokage, Hiruzen stepped down and became increasingly isolated from Konoha's political center. He later accepted a mission to publicly defect and infiltrate Akatsuki alongside Itachi Uchiha. 165 220 235 252

Appearance

In his later years, Hiruzen is a short, visibly aged man with a hunched posture, deep wrinkles, age spots, and an increasingly frail voice. His physical decline becomes pronounced after his defeat by the Raikage. 97 114

• Often smokes from a pipe while working in the Hokage's office. 21
• Wears the Hokage's ceremonial robes in official settings. 33
• Changes into a black combat uniform and layered armor when entering battle. 33
• Carries the transformed Enma as a staff in combat. 206 566

Personality

Hiruzen is a calculating administrator whose decisions are consistently shaped by his belief that Konoha must be protected, even at the cost of personal integrity, clan trust, or individual lives. He is willing to compromise with opponents when open conflict would endanger the village, but remains deeply attached to the authority and symbolism of the Hokage office. 33 52 99

In political confrontations, he favors cordial language, procedural arguments, and delayed action over direct escalation. He can recognize Yushu's ability and value to Konoha, yet views Yushu's methods, public influence, and interpretation of the Will of Fire as threats to the village's proper order. 21 53 79

His age, battlefield defeat, and loss of influence expose the gap between his former reputation and his later capabilities. Despite this decline, he retains his resolve in battle and ultimately accepts the danger of infiltrating Akatsuki for Konoha's benefit. 97 220 252

Abilities & Skills

Five Nature Transformations

Hiruzen has mastery over all five basic nature transformations despite possessing no bloodline limit. 97

• Uses the Five Style Great Combo Technique to counter incoming Tailed Beast Balls. 97
• His broad ninjutsu repertoire earned him recognition as a Hokage-level combatant. 97
• Large-scale techniques severely exhaust him in his old age. 97

Enma Summoning and Staff Combat

Hiruzen can summon Enma, who transforms into an exceptionally durable staff for combat. 206 242

• Uses the staff to defend against Hiashi Hyuga's Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams Palm. 206
• Can sever the branches of the God Tree with staff strikes. 206
• His staff-based taijutsu is described as comparable to Tsunade's in raw force, though his aging body cannot sustain prolonged combat. 566
• Enma can revert to his original form to shield Hiruzen when he is unable to defend himself. 211

Tactical Judgment

Hiruzen is an experienced battlefield commander and political strategist.

• Reads the implications of the Second Hokage's Military Police Force charter immediately, based on decades of Hokage experience. 23
• Measures the Uchiha Clan's strength and intentions by observing Danzo's unauthorized operation against them. 33
• Delegates village affairs to Koharu while personally commanding Konoha's forces against Kumogakure. 91
• Plans to use the Reaper Death Seal as a last resort against Orochimaru and the revived Hokage. 242 248

Limitations

• His strength had been declining for more than two decades by the time of the Root–Uchiha conflict. 33
• The Raikage's assault shattered his body and left lasting damage to his chakra pathways and back. 97 211
• After extended travel and combat, he lacks the stamina to maintain his former level of taijutsu. 566

Equipment / Items

• Enma — Summoned partner who transforms into Hiruzen's combat staff. 206 242
• Pipe — Frequently used while reviewing documents or speaking with subordinates. 21 23
• Combat armor — Layered armor worn over a black fitted combat uniform during emergencies. 33
• Camera — Taken to his battle with Kumogakure in hopes of recording a display of his prowess; it instead recorded his defeat. 97

Relationships

• Uchiha Yushu — Political rival and eventual successor as Fifth Hokage. Hiruzen repeatedly attempts to contain Yushu's influence, but later cooperates with him in an undercover mission against Akatsuki. 21 165 220 565
• Danzo Shimura — Longtime adviser and rival. Hiruzen tolerated Danzo's operations but resisted his attempt to seize Naruto; after Danzo's death, Hiruzen regretted the collapse of trust within Konoha's leadership. 5 22 47
• Tobirama Senju — Former teacher. Hiruzen seeks his revived teacher's explanation for the creation of the Konoha Military Police Force and the balance between the Hokage and Anbu. 21 240 248
• Itachi Uchiha — Covert partner in the Akatsuki infiltration operation. Hiruzen fights beside him against Orochimaru and the revived Kage. 237 242 252 565
• Asuma Sarutobi — His son. Asuma's actions against him during the Sarutobi Clan conflict later earn public recognition. 196 227
• Tsunade — Former student who treats his near-fatal injuries after his defeat by the Raikage. 97
• Hiashi Hyuga — Bitter enemy who holds Hiruzen responsible for Hizashi Hyuga's death. Hiruzen attempts to reason with him rather than immediately retaliating during their confrontation. 206
• Utatane Koharu — Fellow adviser entrusted with Konoha's minor affairs when Hiruzen leads the war against Kumogakure. 91

Story Role / Major Arcs

Uchiha–Hokage Power Struggle

Hiruzen orders Yushu's transfer to the border after the Root incident, then clashes with him over the Uchiha Clan's authority over the Konoha Military Police Force. While he maintains a civil façade, he works to prevent Yushu from gaining the Hokage position. 5 21 53

Danzo's Fall

When Danzo attacks the Uchiha compound to seize Naruto, Hiruzen waits to assess both Danzo's operation and the Uchiha Clan's strength before intervening. Danzo's eventual death leaves Hiruzen confronting a strengthened Uchiha Clan and an increasingly unstable leadership structure. 33 47

Wars with Kirigakure and Kumogakure

Hiruzen refuses Kirigakure's demand that Konoha surrender Yushu and Shisui, choosing to prepare for war rather than sacrifice village shinobi. He later commands Konoha against Kumogakure himself, only to be defeated and severely injured by the Fourth Raikage. 54 91 97

Loss of the Hokage Position

Yushu's political support eventually overwhelms Hiruzen's attempt to nominate Jiraiya as a rival candidate. Hiruzen accepts the outcome, with the Sarutobi Clan abstaining as Yushu becomes the Fifth Hokage. 163 165

Akatsuki Infiltration

After leaving Konoha under the cover of defection, Hiruzen travels with Itachi and is recruited into Akatsuki by Pain. Their true mission is later revealed when Yushu publicly confirms that both are Konoha spies. 227 235 252 565

Notable Quotes

“Both of you, shut up! Naruto will not withdraw from school. I will increase the Anbu forces around Naruto. The jinchuriki is not something you should concern yourselves with. Watch your positions. I am Konoha's Hokage!” 22

“If the Raikage can do it, why can't I?” 91