Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Shinobi Hero
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; commander of Konoha's ANBU
Status	Alive; still appears as the Third Hokage during Danzō's execution proceedings, despite promising to step down and accept punishment 168 193
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Recall of Uchiha Yunyan

Hiruzen recalls Uchiha Yunyan from the Twelve Guardian Ninja after receiving information about Yunyan's connection to the Fire Country Daimyō. He is concerned that an Uchiha with influence over the Daimyō could undermine the Hokage faction's political position. 1 7 8

When Root attempts to assassinate Yunyan during the transfer, Hiruzen neither directly arranges the attack nor intervenes to protect him. He learns of Danzō's operation soon afterward, but treats Yunyan's survival as a matter that does not seriously affect his own position. 9

Yunyan's return forces Hiruzen to confront Root's actions publicly. Hiruzen attempts to define the assassination as an internal Root lapse and argues that Konoha's stability requires compromise. He removes Danzō from Root leadership without removing him from office, temporarily assumes control of Root, and seeks to settle the matter through limited concessions. 12 13

Conflict over ANBU and Root

Hiruzen initially burdens Yunyan's ANBU application with procedural requirements, including written applications, background checks, examinations, and approval from the Hokage and three elders. Yunyan's Daimyō-backed recommendation prevents Hiruzen from delaying the matter indefinitely. 14 15

After granting Yunyan a month-long break, Hiruzen orders Kakashi Hatake to secretly monitor him. Kakashi's reports and Yunyan's discovery of the surveillance deepen Hiruzen's concern that Yunyan may be a Kage-level shinobi beyond his control. 15 20

Hiruzen later provokes Danzō into acting against Yunyan again. His goal is to use Root as a proxy to test Yunyan's strength while keeping Yunyan occupied with an internal threat. Yunyan observes this scheme through his Mangekyō Sharingan. 22 23

When Yunyan demands compensation for Root's repeated attacks, Hiruzen first offers an ANBU squad-leader position. He ultimately yields the Flying Thunder God Technique in exchange for Yunyan dropping the immediate matter of Danzō and Root. 38 39 41

Root Raid and Political Decline

During an attack on the Root base, Hiruzen deliberately delays his arrival. Upon witnessing what appears to be Danzō's death, he attacks the masked assailant in fury, summoning Enma and using the Adamantine Staff at full force. 76

During the Kumogakure diplomatic crisis, Hiruzen struggles against Dodai's pressure and refuses war out of fear of Konoha's weakened position. After being humiliated in negotiations, he punishes ANBU personnel for failing to prevent the delegation's disappearance, even while recognizing that the punishment is unfair. 103 108 109

Yunyan later confronts Hiruzen over his political legacy. Hiruzen admits that he was wary of Tsunade's Senju heritage, retained authority after Minato Namikaze became Fourth Hokage, and exploited the Nine-Tails incident to reclaim the Hokage's power after Minato's death. 129 130

Hiruzen ultimately recognizes that his political maneuvering cannot control Yunyan, whose superior strength allows him to reject Konoha's established power structure outright. 131

Danzō's Imprisonment and Public Trial

After Danzō is incapacitated by Yunyan's genjutsu, Hiruzen personally applies numerous sealing techniques to restrain him. He seals Danzō's chakra, mobility, senses, and speech, neutralizes Danzō's Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique, and orders his confinement in ANBU's deepest prison. 133

Under escalating pressure from Yunyan, Hiruzen also confines elders Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to their homes under ANBU surveillance. 149

At Danzō's public trial, Hiruzen publicly explains Root as a necessary shadow organization while acknowledging that such organizations can rot and endanger Konoha. As Danzō's testimony exposes Hiruzen's own conduct, Konoha's citizens turn against him and demand his resignation. 156 160 161

Hiruzen promises to step down and receive punishment for his actions. Although stripped of much of his authority, he remains present for the subsequent execution proceedings. 168 193

Appearance

Hiruzen is an elderly man with an aged voice, a slightly stooped frame, and visible fatigue after exertion. He is frequently depicted smoking a pipe while considering political decisions. 9 12 36 76

• Uses a pipe while deliberating over Root and Yunyan. 12 36
• His aged body strains after a full-force Adamantine Staff strike. 76
• By the public trial, he appears exhausted, pale, and markedly diminished by the collapse of his authority. 128 150 168

Personality

Hiruzen carefully maintains the image of a gentle, benevolent Hokage. During his first meeting with Yunyan, he uses warm inquiries about Yunyan's health, missions, strength, and the Daimyō to conceal his attempt to assess Yunyan's loyalties and influence. 10

He is politically calculating and strongly protective of his authority. He relies on Danzō and Root for actions he cannot publicly undertake, while also controlling Danzō through his status as Hokage. His preferred methods are surveillance, compromise, proxy action, and political balance rather than direct confrontation. 12 21 22

Under pressure, Hiruzen becomes increasingly indecisive and defensive. He delays responding to the Root crisis, redirects frustration onto subordinates during the Kumogakure negotiations, and struggles to respond when Yunyan exposes his past decisions. 76 103 128

After his conduct becomes public, Hiruzen grows resigned and accepts that his political path has failed. He acknowledges the consequences of his actions and promises punishment rather than attempting to preserve his public standing. 131 168

Abilities & Skills

Hokage Authority and Political Manipulation

As Hokage, Hiruzen commands Konoha's ANBU and exercises authority over Root and the village's elder system.

• Orders Kakashi to secretly monitor Yunyan after granting him leave. 15 20
• Temporarily assumes control of Root after relieving Danzō of its leadership duties. 13
• Uses Danzō's hostility toward Yunyan to provoke further Root action and evaluate Yunyan's strength indirectly. 22 23
• Personally orders Danzō's total sealing and imprisonment once Danzō becomes politically untenable. 133

Summoning Jutsu and Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen summons the Monkey King Enma, his longtime battle companion. Enma can transform into the Adamantine Staff, Hiruzen's primary weapon in serious combat. 76

• Launches a full-force descending staff strike against the masked attacker at Root. 76
• The missed strike collapses a broad section of ground and shakes the underground Root base. 76
• Yunyan assesses Hiruzen as still Kage-class, though diminished from his prime and unlikely to win a fight to the death against him. 76

Sealing Techniques

Hiruzen is proficient in complex sealing techniques and uses them to neutralize Danzō completely. 133

• Seals Danzō's chakra and body to prevent movement. 133
• Seals Danzō's five senses and tongue, preventing perception and speech. 133
• Detects and neutralizes Danzō's Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique. 133
• Reapplies sealing techniques when Danzō protests at the public trial, returning him to unconscious confinement. 168

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Pipe — Used while thinking through political decisions and negotiations. 12 36
• Adamantine Staff — Enma's transformed form and Hiruzen's principal combat weapon. 76

Relationships

• Uchiha Yunyan — Political adversary and uncontrollable subordinate. Hiruzen recalls him from the Twelve Guardian Ninja, surveils him, uses Danzō to probe him, and eventually yields the Flying Thunder God Technique under pressure. 8 20 22 39
• Shimura Danzō — Old friend, Root leader, and executor of actions Hiruzen cannot openly perform. Hiruzen repeatedly restrains Danzō politically before ultimately sealing and imprisoning him. 12 21 40 133
• Kakashi Hatake — Trusted ANBU subordinate. Hiruzen assigns Kakashi to monitor Yunyan, report on his movements, and deliver the Flying Thunder God Technique scroll. 15 20 41
• Enma — Summoned battle companion whose transformation into the Adamantine Staff supports Hiruzen's strongest shown attack. 76
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura — Konoha elders whose authority Hiruzen had previously reduced; he later confines them under ANBU watch as the political crisis worsens. 88 149
• Minato Namikaze — Former Fourth Hokage. Hiruzen admits he resisted relinquishing authority after Minato's succession and sought to regain full power after Minato's death. 130
• Tsunade — Former disciple. Hiruzen admits that he was wary of her Senju name and the Senju Clan. 129
• Hyūga Hiashi — Clan head who privately informs Hiruzen about the missing Kumogakure delegate during the diplomatic crisis. 104

Notable Quotes

“I am the Hokage!” 22

“Everyone, rest assured. I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will certainly receive sufficient punishment in addition to stepping down.” 168