Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi (猿飞日斩)
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Shinobi Hero; “Professor of Ninjutsu”
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Sarutobi Clan; Monkey Demon Clan
Occupation/Role	Konoha’s Third Hokage; cultivator; former political leader and reformer
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Qi Refining, First Level	18	Dispersed and reintegrated his accumulated chakra to rebuild his body, restoring his vitality and dramatically rejuvenating his appearance.
Qi Refining, Third Level	22	Reached while cultivating in a cabin near the Forest of Death, aided by the Shinobi World’s abundant spiritual energy.
Qi Refining, Sixth Level	29	His advancement slowed after entering this level; he began seeking medicinal herbs and other cultivation resources.
Qi Refining, Seventh Level	39	Advanced by refining pills from Flower Fruit Mountain’s spiritual herbs; described as approaching Elite Jōnin-level strength.
Foundation Establishment	97	Achieved before the resurrection of Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato; his appearance and presence became still more imposing.
Middle Foundation Establishment	142	Reached after several years of cultivation while Konoha expanded its political influence.
Core Formation	240	Broke through after law-power pills improved the compatibility between his soul and Hiruzen’s body. Core Formation grants power comparable to the Six Paths Realm and resistance to certain Ōtsutsuki rule-based techniques.

Background / History

The original Hiruzen was Konoha’s aging Third Hokage, publicly revered as the Shinobi Hero while privately burdened by regret, political compromise, and the physical cost of chakra use. His body had been worn down by war, hidden injuries, and the extraction of cellular energy to create chakra. He regretted failures involving Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto Uzumaki, the White Fang, and his own inability to restrain Konoha’s corrupt leadership. 1

Hiruzen died alone in the Hokage’s office from apparent heart failure. Three breaths later, his body revived after his soul vanished and was replaced by Sun Xiaolong, a cultivator from another world. Sun absorbed Hiruzen’s memories, chose to continue living under the name Hiruzen Sarutobi, and gradually became psychologically intertwined with the life and obligations of his new body. 1 2 6

Initially retaining Hiruzen’s office and authority for self-protection, the new Hiruzen began reversing the former Hokage’s policies. He recruited Orochimaru as his aide and intended successor, dismantled Root, removed Danzo Shimura and the elder council from power, and shifted Konoha toward more centralized reform. 3 10 13 15

After converting his chakra into nourishment for his damaged body, Hiruzen withdrew from daily government and pursued cultivation. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shikaku Nara assumed increasing responsibility for Konoha’s administration while Hiruzen travelled for spiritual medicines, ancient knowledge, artifact materials, and information about the Ōtsutsuki. 18 20 37 63

Appearance

Before his death, Hiruzen appeared prematurely elderly despite being only slightly past fifty: his hair was gray-white, liver spots marked his face, and his body carried the visible strain of a lifetime as a shinobi. 1

After beginning cultivation, he shed his aged skin, regained black hair and teeth, and developed a powerful, muscular physique. He subsequently appeared as a handsome, rugged man in roughly his thirties or forties, though his exact age became difficult to judge. 18 23 97

• Originally wore the red-and-white Hokage haori and a conical hat marked with the character for “Fire.” 1
• Has wheat-colored skin and a heavily muscled body after rejuvenation. 18
• His changed appearance was so extreme that villagers and even close associates often failed to recognize him. 19 33
• His presence became increasingly imposing after reaching Foundation Establishment. 97

Personality

The original Hiruzen was politically calculating and increasingly cynical. He believed peace could not endure in a world governed by power, hatred, and competing interests, and he prioritized Konoha’s stability even when doing so demanded moral compromise. His public image as an upright Hokage concealed a leader deeply entangled in clan influence and political maneuvering. 1 5

After Sun Xiaolong took over his body, Hiruzen became more decisive, independent, and willing to confront former allies. He retained the memories and emotional burdens of the original Hiruzen, but rejected his hesitation toward Danzo, Root, and the elders. 2 10 13

As a cultivator, he values longevity, self-reliance, personal freedom, and long-term growth over chakra’s rapid but damaging gains. He is pragmatic toward political power, yet increasingly favors trust and opportunity over repression—particularly in his treatment of the Uchiha Clan. 7 30 110

Abilities & Skills

Cultivation and Yin-Yang Body Refinement Formula

Hiruzen abandons conventional chakra cultivation in favor of spiritual energy, bodily refinement, alchemy, and artifact creation. His primary cultivation method is the Yin-Yang Body Refinement Formula, which develops an exceptionally powerful physique. 18 34 39

• Converted his stored chakra into nourishment that restored his weakened body and erased much of his physical aging. 18
• Possesses immense physical strength even at lower cultivation stages; he could overpower Obito’s chains and force Obito to rely on Kamui intangibility. 34
• Uses spiritual medicines and refined pills to advance while avoiding reckless breakthroughs. 39
• Continues cultivating after reaching Foundation Establishment, eventually attaining Core Formation. 142 240
• His lifespan remains limited by the fact that he began cultivating in an aged body; he estimates roughly a century of life before further major advancement. 139

Spiritual Energy and Sage State

Hiruzen’s spiritual energy differs from chakra and cannot be sensed normally by shinobi without senjutsu training. He is described as permanently maintaining Sage Mode due to the purity of his natural energy. 29 37

• Uses spiritual energy to strengthen his soul and resist genjutsu. 9
• Maintains a chakra-less illusion technique capable of manipulating the perception of the Land of Fire’s envoy. 76
• His mana protects him from the deathly aura of the Pure Land, where chakra cannot safely protect living beings. 265
• At Core Formation, his spiritual power can resist or break certain Ōtsutsuki rule-based abilities, including time-freezing and space-time reversal techniques. 264

Golden Light Spell

The Golden Light Spell is Hiruzen’s principal protective technique during his early cultivation period.

• Forms a golden aura that protects his body and path. 34
• Interferes with Obito’s Kamui, preventing Hiruzen from being drawn into its dimension. 34
• Is stated to bypass Izanagi and purge Hashirama Cells from an opponent’s body. 26
• Counters dark or negative chakra-based forces, including Hiruzen’s anticipated use against Zero-Tails. 114

Talismans and Lightning Techniques

Hiruzen supplements his cultivation with talismans and spiritual-energy techniques.

• Used the Five Thunders Righteous Technique, Summon Wind and Rain to create a violent storm during his spar with Jiraiya. 77
• Controls black-and-purple lightning while riding Star Severer in flight. 77
• His Yang Thunder overwhelmed Jiraiya’s attempted Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan and severely injured Jiraiya’s right arm. 78

Ninjutsu and Summoning

Before abandoning chakra, Hiruzen was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu and possessed mastery of Five-Style Composite Ninjutsu. His father, Sasuke Sarutobi, was likewise renowned for the same discipline. 5 6

• Originally possessed all five elemental natures, unlike his sons Asuma and Shinnosuke. 5 6
• Uses Fire Release for practical tasks and combat, including cooking spiritual beasts and fighting a venomous bamboo pit viper. 18 39
• Has a long-standing summoning partnership with the Monkey Demon Clan. 5 37
• Can use the Reverse Summoning Technique to travel to the Monkey Demon Clan’s territory. 37
• His combat strategy emphasizes taijutsu, sudden strikes, and assistance from the Monkey Demon. 39

Alchemy and Artifact Forging

Hiruzen refines cultivation pills and forges magical artifacts from spiritual materials.

• Refines medicinal pills from herbs gathered in the Summoning World and distributes cultivation pills to trusted allies. 39 126
• Recognized the Star meteorite as a spiritual material that rejected chakra but reacted strongly to spiritual energy. 52
• Used the Craft Ninja Village’s ores and volcanic environment to forge Star Severer. 55 56
• Later planned to melt down the Sage of Six Paths’ ninja tools to upgrade Star Severer into a heavier saber. 146

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Star Severer — A top-grade magical artifact forged by integrating the Star meteorite into Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword. It can fly, channel spiritual energy, and produce destructive sword gleams, lightning, clouds, and mist. 56
• Kusanagi Sword — Orochimaru’s sword, lent to Hiruzen before it was reforged into Star Severer. 42 56
• Cultivation talismans — Used to activate weather-controlling and lightning-based techniques. 77
• Spirit medicines and cultivation pills — Refined from the Summoning World’s herbs to strengthen his body and advance his realm. 39 126

Relationships

• Orochimaru — Former disciple and principal political successor. Hiruzen prevented his defection, appointed him Hokage’s aide, and entrusted him with Konoha’s administration; Orochimaru later became his closest collaborator in reform, science, and preparation against the Ōtsutsuki. 3 15 63
• Jiraiya — Former disciple. Their relationship remains teasing and competitive; Hiruzen decisively defeated Jiraiya in a public spar to demonstrate the difference between cultivation and conventional Sage Mode. 15 77 78
• Tsunade — Former disciple. She resents Hiruzen’s former failures, particularly his delayed action against Konoha’s corruption, but gradually accepts his transformation and continued concern for the village. 24 42
• Danzo Shimura — Childhood comrade, political rival, and former ally. Hiruzen dismantled Root, exposed Danzo’s forbidden modifications, and rejected his ambition to become Hokage; their later relationship becomes less openly hostile after Danzo turns toward restoring the Shimura Clan. 10 26 68
• Shinnosuke Sarutobi — Eldest son. Hiruzen is stern and controlling toward him, but seeks to prevent the future death of Shinnosuke and his wife. 6 43
• Asuma Sarutobi — Younger son. Their earlier conflict drove Asuma from Konoha, though their relationship improves after Hiruzen’s rejuvenation and withdrawal from power. 5 20
• Biwako Sarutobi — Deceased wife, killed during the Nine-Tails Uprising. 6
• Miki Xiaoai — Cultivation student and admirer who openly seeks to become Hiruzen’s wife; she eventually moves into his room within the Sarutobi residence. 47 49 68
• Itachi Uchiha — Disciple. Hiruzen accepts Itachi as a student in a major gesture of trust toward the Uchiha Clan, though Orochimaru provides much of Itachi’s practical teaching. 49 116
• Shisui Uchiha — Uchiha prodigy whom Hiruzen supports as a bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan. 18 32
• Naruto Uzumaki — Son of Minato and Kushina. Hiruzen intervenes when Naruto is neglected as an infant and arranges proper care for him. 9 14
• Monkey Demon — Long-standing summon and comrade. Their clans share a historical alliance, and the Monkey Demon later guides Hiruzen to the Summoning World. 37 39
• Zisu — Slug summon and contracted subordinate. Hiruzen teaches her Foundation Establishment cultivation and relies on her aid in artifact work. 86 146

Story Role / Major Arcs

Death, Transmigration, and Konoha Reform

Hiruzen’s death allows Sun Xiaolong to inherit his body, memories, title, and political obligations. Rather than immediately fleeing Konoha, he chooses to reform it from within by retaining Orochimaru, confronting Danzo, abolishing Root, and removing Homura and Koharu from power. 1 3 10 13

Uchiha Reconciliation

Rejecting the former leadership’s fear-based treatment of the Uchiha, Hiruzen encourages inclusion, seeks to give the clan hope of producing a Hokage, and openly argues that trust is more effective than persecution. His support helps transform the Uchiha into celebrated defenders of Konoha. 7 30 32

Chakra Abandonment and Rejuvenation

Hiruzen disperses all of his chakra to reconstruct his damaged body, emerging younger, stronger, and physically transformed. Although he publicly appears to have become a chakra-less non-ninja, he is secretly developing cultivation abilities beyond the shinobi system. 18 24

Conflict with Obito

Hiruzen identifies Obito as the masked man behind the Nine-Tails Uprising and confronts him after Obito investigates his cabin. He uses the Golden Light Spell and body refinement to pressure Obito, then relies on Orochimaru, Fugaku, and Shisui when his own early-stage techniques prove limited. 33 34

Cultivation Travels and Star Severer

Hiruzen travels through the Summoning World, Star Ninja Village, and Craft Ninja Village in search of spiritual medicines and forging materials. He seizes the Star meteorite, acquires rare ores, and reforges the Kusanagi Sword into Star Severer. 39 52 54 56

Revelation of the Shinobi World’s History

Hiruzen reveals to Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade that chakra originated with the Ōtsutsuki and the Divine Tree, while his own power comes from an ancient immortal legacy predating chakra. He frames Konoha’s reforms as preparation for the Ōtsutsuki’s eventual return. 63

Ascendance Beyond Conventional Shinobi

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Hiruzen defeats Jiraiya’s Sage Mode with sword flight, talismans, and heavenly lightning. His display causes Konoha’s clans to reconsider him as a force comparable to the world’s greatest legends. 77 78

Core Formation and the Pure Land

Upon reaching Core Formation, Hiruzen gains the confidence to enter the Pure Land and confront the Sage of Six Paths. He criticizes the Sage’s failed ideal of universal peace, informs him that Konoha will release Kaguya, and leaves the Sage alive as a potential asset against future Ōtsutsuki threats. 240 265

Notable Quotes

“At this moment, he was Hiruzen Sarutobi!” 2

“Hatred can only bring back hatred. Only trust can bring back trust.” 110

“Jiraiya, let me show you what true Sage Mode is!” 77