Third Hokage

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi 51
Alias(es)	Third Hokage (三代火影); Professor of Ninjutsu; “Monkey,” used by Hashirama 51 86 146
Gender	Male 51
Affiliation	Konohagakure; Sarutobi Clan 50 51
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage; teacher of the legendary Sannin 86
Status	Deceased; dies defending Konoha during the Konoha Crush 152
First Appearance	His likeness appears on Hokage Rock in Chapter 3; he appears personally questioning Shisui in Chapter 15 3 15
Successor	Uchiha Itachi, secretly Madara Uchiha reborn, becomes the Fifth Hokage 145 156

Background / History

Return to Office and Early Distrust

Hiruzen resumes the Hokage position after Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki die during the Nine-Tails’ attack. The weakened village subsequently relocates the Uchiha to a barren peripheral settlement under Danzo’s plan, worsening their isolation and distrust of Konoha’s leadership 12.

Itachi’s exceptional Academy performance draws Hiruzen’s attention, but his interest initially includes concern about the child’s loyalty. He and Danzo question Shisui about whether Itachi could eventually threaten the village, then use Shisui to monitor and test him. Hiruzen reassures Shisui that he considers the Uchiha part of Konoha and will not act against them unless they rebel 15 16 18.

Unlike Danzo, Hiruzen welcomes the possibility of an Uchiha Hokage as a means of reconciliation. Nevertheless, his authority is increasingly strained by Danzo’s independence and the discovery that his former student Orochimaru has experimented on villagers. Orochimaru is ultimately expelled from Konoha 18 19.

Opening Communication with the Uchiha

After Itachi becomes a chunin, Hiruzen arranges a private meeting outside the village. Itachi explains the clan’s resentment, distinguishes Fugaku’s peacekeeping efforts from the hardliners’ demands, and warns that continued suspicion could provoke rebellion. Hiruzen proposes making him a messenger to Fugaku and sends a confidential letter seeking direct dialogue 50 51 52.

Hiruzen offers Itachi an ANBU position, but accepts his refusal after Itachi argues that remaining an ordinary ninja will preserve his credibility with both sides. Reconciliation also serves Hiruzen’s political interests: cooperation with the Uchiha would help counter Danzo and Root’s growing influence 51 52.

Before the mission to protect Shinhiko Kōzuki, Hiruzen tests Itachi’s judgment about war and professional duty. Satisfied, he tells Kazuhiko that he hopes Itachi can eventually become Hokage, continue his ideals, and prevent another internal crisis. His choice of escort reflects his limited options: Kazuhiko is the only available ninja he trusts completely who is strong enough for the assignment 60.

Reconciliation and Renewed Authority

Hiruzen becomes more openly protective of the Uchiha after the escort mission. When Danzo and the senior advisers repeat accusations against the clan, he demands evidence and questions whether Konoha mishandled the Nine-Tails’ aftermath 79.

He then places Naruto in Fugaku’s household, initially using Shisui and ANBU guards to observe the arrangement. Seeing Naruto genuinely happy with Sasuke, Hiruzen ends the surveillance and rejects Danzo’s threat to retrieve him through Root. He insists that the Fourth Hokage’s son must not be treated merely as the Nine-Tails’ vessel 81 85.

Hiruzen directs additional resources toward the Uchiha and personally apologizes for their relocation. Although he offers to restore their original home, the clan prefers not to move again. He instead approves Itachi’s proposal to rebuild the Military Police Force headquarters in central Konoha and restore the clan’s central patrol rights 86 87.

His support extends to Itachi’s career. He proposes a jōnin promotion, supplies a classified ninjutsu scroll, and later learns that Itachi has mastered Flying Thunder God. Hiruzen sees the technique as both a way to reduce jōnin casualties and a foundation for his chosen successor’s reputation 89 93.

Removal of Danzo and Institutional Reform

After Danzo’s attempt to assassinate Itachi, Hiruzen leads a force into Root’s headquarters. He bypasses its sensory barrier, which he designed himself, and orders the attackers to kill anyone who resists 107 108.

Hiruzen strips Danzo of Root, imposes a restriction preventing him from using ninjutsu while Hiruzen lives, and removes his authority over village affairs. Danzo retains the title and treatment of a senior adviser but falls under Uchiha surveillance. Itachi receives immediate control of Root, while Hiruzen gains oversight of all its operations 108 109.

Hiruzen approves Itachi’s subsequent reforms: ending Root’s brutal training and brainwashing, integrating its children into Konoha’s ordinary shinobi system, and abolishing the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. He also authorizes recruitment of non-Uchiha into the Police Force, delegates recruitment to Fugaku, and confirms Itachi’s jōnin promotion 109 110.

His foreign policy remains focused on stability. He mediates between the Kazekage and the Land of Wind’s daimyo, arranges a friendly Kumogakure exchange, and approves the Kirigakure alliance secured by Itachi 45 54 127.

Final Battle and Succession

Forewarned of Orochimaru and Sunagakure’s invasion, Konoha prepares to turn the Konoha Crush against its planners. Although the original plan has Hiruzen and Itachi confronting Orochimaru together, Hiruzen chooses to remain inside the Four Violet Flames Formation alone. He returns Itachi’s Flying Thunder God kunai, deliberately relinquishing an immediate rescue option 145.

Hiruzen names Itachi the Fifth Hokage and intends to hold Orochimaru while his successor protects the village. Fighting with renewed aggression, he overwhelms Orochimaru with close combat, chained elemental attacks, and Enma’s Adamantine Staff. Orochimaru creates distance and summons the First and Second Hokage through Impure World Reincarnation; Hiruzen prevents a third coffin from fully emerging 145 146.

Hiruzen uses the Reaper Death Seal against the summoned Hokage and exhausts his remaining strength sealing Orochimaru’s hands. He dies smiling, certain that Konoha’s immediate crisis has ended and confident in its future under Itachi 152.

Raido later confirms his designation of Itachi during the succession meeting. That endorsement becomes a central source of legitimacy for Itachi’s appointment despite Jiraiya’s opposition. Hiruzen remains deceased and is not among the Hokage Orochimaru later reincarnates 154 156 250.

Appearance

Hiruzen is elderly, with visible signs of the strain imposed by his return to office 60.

• Nearly white beard and facial age spots — become pronounced between his private meetings with Itachi 60.
• Hokage attire — wears the office’s robes during formal meetings 50.
• Battle gear beneath his robes — revealed when he discards his hat and robe to fight Orochimaru 145.

Personality

Hiruzen presents a calm, kindly manner, but his warmth coexists with political caution. His initial scrutiny of Itachi’s clan loyalty alienates Shisui, while his willingness to tolerate Danzo’s expanding power leaves him increasingly insecure about his own authority. Madara and Shinhiko criticize him as indecisive; those judgments reflect their perspectives rather than the full extent of his abilities 15 16 51 60 63.

His preference for peace does not eliminate his capacity for decisive action. Koharu and Homura interpret his defense of Naruto as the return of his former resolve. He later removes Danzo through a carefully negotiated settlement and accepts responsibility for the Uchiha’s mistreatment and Root’s abuses 85 86 108 109.

At the end of his life, Hiruzen places Konoha’s future above his own survival. He treats confronting Orochimaru as both a teacher’s responsibility and an opportunity to make amends for past mistakes, deliberately clearing the way for a younger Hokage 145 152.

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Expertise

• Known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, with a reputation extending throughout the Shinobi World 86.
• Supplies Itachi with a classified scroll containing Flying Thunder God; the passage does not establish that Hiruzen himself can perform the technique 93.
• Uses Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to force Orochimaru’s third reincarnation coffin back underground 146.

Fire and Earth Release

• Fire Dragon Flame Bullet — launches flames during a close-range assault 145.
• Earth Flow River and Earth Dragon Bullet — follow in rapid succession, preventing Orochimaru from recovering between attacks 145.

Summoning and Staff Combat

• Summons Monkey King Enma, described as his strongest comrade 145.
• Wields Enma’s Adamantine Staff against Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword 145.
• Maintains enough pressure to deny Orochimaru an opening for hand seals and lands a staff strike that makes him cough up blood 145.

Barriers, Surveillance, and Restrictions

• Creates Root’s sensory barrier and later opens a breach through it during the raid 108.
• Observes events through surveillance jutsu carried by Shisui and Naruto’s ANBU guards 81.
• Places a restriction on Danzo that prevents ninjutsu use while Hiruzen remains alive 108.

Reaper Death Seal

• Seals the souls of the reincarnated First and Second Hokage 152.
• Uses his last strength to seal Orochimaru’s hands; the battle ends with Hiruzen’s death 152.

Political Strategy and Mentorship

• Trains the legendary Sannin and evaluates Itachi through questions about loyalty, warfare, duty, and motivation 15 60 86 87.
• Uses Uchiha reconciliation to reduce internal tensions and counter Root’s influence 51 94.
• Removes Danzo’s practical power while preserving an outwardly restrained settlement that grants the Uchiha meaningful concessions 108 109.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Adamantine Staff — Enma’s transformed form and Hiruzen’s principal weapon against Orochimaru 145.
• Shuriken — combined with shadow clones to interrupt Impure World Reincarnation 146.
• Flying Thunder God kunai — supplied by Itachi as a rescue link; Hiruzen returns it before his final stand 145.

Relationships

• Uchiha Itachi / Madara Uchiha — progresses from a monitored prodigy to mediator and chosen successor. Hiruzen trusts his stated ideals without knowing his reborn identity or wider ambitions 15 51 60 145.
• Shimura Danzo — old friend and former political partner whose growing independence undermines Hiruzen’s authority; ultimately stripped of power 60 85 108.
• Uchiha Fugaku — establishes direct communication with him, entrusts Naruto to his household, and authorizes broader Police Force recruitment under his direction 51 85 110.
• Naruto Uzumaki — prioritizes his chance to experience a loving home and rejects Danzo’s treatment of him as merely a vessel 81 85.
• Kazuhiko Sarutobi — trusted clansman tasked with watching, mentoring, and protecting Itachi 50 60.
• Shisui Uchiha — direct subordinate used to investigate Itachi and later oversee Naruto’s initial placement with the Uchiha 15 16 81.
• Orochimaru — former student whose experiments and attack on Konoha culminate in Hiruzen’s fatal confrontation with him 19 145 152.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade — former students and fellow members of the Sannin alongside Orochimaru 86 139.
• Tobirama Senju — former teacher; Hiruzen thinks of following his example by sacrificing himself for later generations 152.
• Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado — senior advisers and old comrades who recognize his renewed authority and later uphold his successor’s appointment 85 107 156.
• Monkey King Enma — summoned combat companion who becomes his Adamantine Staff 145.

Notable Quotes

“Isn't it a good thing that Itachi dreams of becoming Hokage? His talent is outstanding. If he makes contributions to the village, then letting him become Hokage might mend the rift between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha.” 18

“That is not something you need to concern yourself with, Orochimaru. Today, I will make amends for my past mistakes.” 145

“Orochimaru, I believe I taught you that anything can happen until it's over!” 145