Third Hokage

Biodata

History

After two unexplained explosions in Konoha, the Third Hokage orders an Anbu investigation and surveillance of Kakashi and other former subordinates of the Fourth Hokage. He also improves Naruto’s living conditions while privately resolving to keep the village’s Nine-Tails jinchūriki under his control. Knowing Naruto struggles with the Clone Technique, he makes it the graduation test, intending to place Naruto in the Anbu for training if he fails 2 4 6.

When Naruto steals the Scroll of Seals, the Third orders a search and watches him through a Crystal Ball. Naruto’s subsequent display of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique secures his graduation; the Hokage approves of Iruka’s bond with him and plans to place him on a team. Later, concerned by Naruto’s near loss of control, he and Kakashi agree to keep observing him while giving Team 7 a C-rank mission 6 7 18.

During the Chunin Exams, the Third learns that Orochimaru is in Konoha and sends Anbu to search for him. He proceeds with the exam despite the suspicious deaths of many candidates in the Forest of Death 37. When Orochimaru attacks, the Third faces him and the reanimated First and Second Hokage. He sacrifices his life using the Reaper Death Seal to seal the two former Hokage and Orochimaru’s hands, leaving his former student unable to use ninjutsu 47.

Naruto later reanimates the Third, initially using a White Zetsu as the sacrifice, and binds him so he must watch Asuma fight Hidan and Kakuzu. After Asuma survives that encounter, Naruto releases the reanimation and summons the Third again using Asuma’s body. The Third remains subject to Naruto’s control; he is later forced to attack the Sarutobi clan during Naruto and Sasuke’s assault on the Sarutobi and Shimura compounds 131 136 164.

Personality

The Third presents his decisions about Naruto as protection and training, but privately considers control of the jinchūriki essential to Konoha. He defends his conduct in office by saying that everything he did was for the village. His composure falters when Asuma, his only surviving son, faces Hidan’s unfamiliar killing technique 4 132 136.

He grieves over Orochimaru’s path yet resolves to stop him, even at the cost of his own life 47. After being reanimated, he grows largely silent about his decisions as Hokage, including when Sasuke confronts him over the Uchiha massacre 145.

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu and combat

• Uses an Earth Clone, Earth Flow River, Earth Dragon Bullet and Fire Dragon Bullet against Orochimaru; the latter two are one of his favored combinations 47.
• Multiplies thrown shuriken with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique 47.
• Summons Enma, who transforms into a staff and helps him restrain Orochimaru 47.

Reaper Death Seal

• Creates two Shadow Clones to seal the reanimated First and Second Hokage while he targets Orochimaru 47.
• Mortally wounded by Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword, he can seal only Orochimaru’s hands before dying 47.

Relationships

• Naruto Uzumaki — Konoha’s jinchūriki, whom the Third tries to monitor and control. Naruto later reanimates and humiliates him in retaliation for his treatment 4 131 136.
• Asuma Sarutobi — His only surviving son; the Third fears for him during the fight with Hidan. Naruto later uses Asuma’s body to reanimate him 132 136.
• Konohamaru — His grandson 8.
• Orochimaru — His former student and eventual killer. The Third seals Orochimaru’s hands during their final fight 47.
• Danzo — A fellow Konoha leader whose use of implanted Sharingan disturbs the Third 155.
• Sasuke Uchiha — Attacks the reanimated Third after hearing Naruto’s account of Konoha’s role in the Uchiha massacre; the Third’s body regenerates 145.

Notable Quotes

“Everything I did was for Konoha! I would die for Konoha!” 136