Third Hokage

Biodata

Background / History

Hiruzen studied under the Second Hokage and later became Konoha’s Third Hokage. He trained Jiraiya and Orochimaru, and his command of five chakra natures earned him the name “Professor of Ninjutsu” 95 116 117.

On the night of the Uchiha massacre, Hiruzen and Danzō learned that the Sarutobi and Shimura compounds had also been attacked. At the burning Sarutobi estate, an assailant calling himself Tobi accused Danzō of arranging the attacks. Hiruzen rejected the claim, then went to the Uchiha compound, where Fugaku demanded an explanation for the slaughter and Sasuke’s death. Hiruzen concealed the High Command’s role until Itachi named him, Danzō, Homura, and Koharu publicly 3 4 8 9 10.

As clan leaders questioned Konoha’s leadership, Hiruzen suspended Danzō and placed Root under the Hokage’s direct authority. He later agreed to return the Uchiha’s former grounds. Public anger intensified when Minato’s former subordinates exposed Naruto’s neglect; Hiruzen admitted the matter had been mishandled and promised Naruto proper care 19 32 34 35.

Hiruzen decided to resign and sought to make Jiraiya the Fifth Hokage while remaining an advisory elder. The succession did not go as planned: the Daimyo appointed Uchiha En instead, and Hiruzen handed over the Scroll of Seals 36 95 97 98.

Appearance

An elderly shinobi with graying hair, Hiruzen wears the Hokage robe and hat at official gatherings and carries a pipe 16 35 115.

• Hokage attire — His robe is still in use when he enters the battle against Pain 115.
• Pipe — Frequently in his hand during meetings and confrontations 25 35 62.

Personality

Hiruzen often seeks to calm disputes and preserve Konoha’s stability, but his reluctance to acknowledge the High Command’s failures leaves him vulnerable to public challenges. He conceals its role in the Uchiha massacre, initially deflects questions about Danzō, and struggles to answer for Naruto’s living conditions 9 17 19 35.

He can still act decisively: he suspends Danzō when Root’s loyalty becomes a direct challenge to his authority. His final battle shows the protective resolve he believes he had lost in later life; he stays behind to open an escape route for fleeing shinobi 19 116.

Abilities & Skills

Five Chakra Nature Transformations

Hiruzen has mastered Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, and Lightning Release and is said to command more than a thousand jutsu 116.

• Battlefield use — He unleashes techniques of all five natures in succession against the Six Paths of Pain, destroying the Asura Path before it is restored 116.

Summoning and Staff Combat

Hiruzen summons Enma, who transforms into the Adamantine Staff and fights alongside him 115 116.

• Offense — Hiruzen uses the staff to strike Pain’s summons and clear a path through the battlefield 116.
• Defense — Enma forms the Adamantine Prison Wall, saving Hiruzen from Banshō Ten’in and shielding retreating soldiers. Pain’s full-power Shinra Tensei eventually shatters it 116.

Relationships

• Shimura Danzō — Old friend and political partner. Hiruzen suspends him over Root’s actions; their relationship later breaks into open accusations over the Uchiha massacre and Konoha’s crises 19 37 116.
• Jiraiya — Former student and Hiruzen’s preferred successor. Jiraiya resists the appointment but remembers him as both a demanding teacher and a caring mentor 36 70 125.
• Orochimaru — Former student. After Hiruzen’s death, Orochimaru prevents Sasori from taking his body for a puppet and carries it away 117.
• Enma — Summon and trusted combat partner, who defends him during his final battle 115 116.
• Uchiha En — Political adversary who presses Hiruzen for concessions, succeeds him as Hokage, and later leads Konoha’s assessment of his legacy 19 46 97 120.
• Naruto Uzumaki — The Fourth Hokage’s son. Hiruzen says concealing Naruto’s parentage was meant to protect him, but admits Naruto’s living situation was mishandled 34 35 70.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Uchiha massacre and aftermath — Hiruzen responds to attacks on three clans while trying to keep the High Command’s involvement in the Uchiha massacre from becoming public 3 4 9 10.
• Loss of authority — Challenges from En, the clan heads, and Minato’s former subordinates force concessions and lead Hiruzen to plan his resignation 19 34 35 36.
• Failed succession plan — Hiruzen nominates Jiraiya, but the Fifth Hokage appointment goes to En 95 97 98.
• Final stand — Hiruzen leads Konoha’s expedition against Akatsuki. When Pain routs the Allied Forces, he stays behind to protect their retreat and dies under Shinra Tensei 112 115 116.

Notable Quotes

“I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, am not dead yet!” 115

“Let me finish this life on my feet. I don't want to spend all of it being weak.” 116