Third

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi 36
Alias(es)	Third; “strongest Hokage”; “Shinobi Hero” 18 36
Gender	Male 36 40
Age	In his fifties during the current events 43
Affiliation	Konohagakure, Land of Fire; Sarutobi Clan 36 40
Occupation/Role	Former Hokage overseeing Konoha after the Fourth Hokage’s death; preparing to formally resume the office 4 36 38
Status	Alive; arranging his reinstatement and reconstruction assistance from the daimyo 38
First Appearance	Mentioned by comparison in Chapter 2; first shown directly at the memorial ceremony in Chapter 36 2 36

Background / History

Leadership After the Nine-Tails’ Rampage

After the Fourth Hokage dies during the Nine-Tails’ attack, Hiruzen temporarily resumes control of Konoha. He and the village high command suspect Uchiha involvement because the beast appeared to have been controlled by the Sharingan 3 4 8.

Hiruzen orders the Uchiha to remain within their compound for a week without permission to leave, officially describing the restriction as protection. Anbu report Uchiha Hui’s unauthorized departure to him. He subsequently summons Fugaku through Shisui and permits the clan to leave freely and participate in rescue efforts, although the investigation remains ongoing 3 4 8.

When rumors accuse the Uchiha of planning a coup, Hiruzen prevents their further spread. However, he offers no opinion at the leadership meeting where Danzō proposes relocating the Uchiha compound for reconstruction. Fugaku opposes the proposal and worries that Hiruzen’s accommodating attitude toward Danzō could eventually allow it to proceed 33 34.

Return to Office

At the delayed memorial ceremony on November 1, Hiruzen commemorates the victims and speaks about defending the village and loved ones. He announces that he will ask the daimyo to let him resume the Hokage’s duties until a successor emerges. His announcement reassures much of Konoha but unsettles several clan leaders, particularly Fugaku 36.

Danzō privately reacts with anger. Hui expects an assassination attempt and advises Fugaku to protect Hiruzen as a way to earn his trust and improve the Uchiha’s political standing. These remain expectations and proposed strategies in the supplied chapters, not completed events 34 36 37.

By his meeting with Hui, Hiruzen has decided to visit the daimyo’s residence to finalize his return and request additional reconstruction aid. Meanwhile, Fugaku proceeds with expanding the Military Police Force before receiving Hiruzen’s authorization 38 50.

Meeting Uchiha Hui

Hiruzen summons Hui after he rescues Kurenai Yuhi and kills two Kirigakure spies. He thanks Hui for protecting a fellow villager and preventing potential intelligence losses: Kurenai’s father had commanded Konoha’s genin and chunin. As a reward, he gives Hui a Fire Release ninjutsu scroll 38.

The meeting also serves to assess Hui’s sudden rise. Hiruzen has received reports about Hui identifying an earlier spy, repeatedly seeking sparring partners, and improving rapidly. After Hui leaves, he asks Shisui for an assessment and orders him to monitor Hui more closely 38.

Appearance

• Elderly appearance: Already looks like an old man in his twilight years, although Hui notes that he is younger than the Hiruzen he remembers from the original story 36.
• Voice: Described as aged and weary when he receives Hui in his office 38.
• Pipe: Keeps a smoking pipe beside him and uses it during and after the meeting 38.

Personality

Hiruzen presents leadership as a duty to protect others, even at the cost of one’s life. His memorial speech moves Hui despite the latter’s distrust of village leadership; Hui acknowledges that Hiruzen has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Konoha 36.

His conciliatory tendencies draw criticism from the Uchiha perspective. Hui considers him beneficial to most villagers but “too nice,” while Fugaku recognizes his longstanding willingness to accommodate Danzō. This contrasts with his concrete intervention against the coup rumors 18 33 34.

He combines public recognition with private caution. Although he praises and rewards Hui’s rescue of Kurenai, he remains concerned enough about Hui’s changed behavior and strength to order continued observation 38.

Abilities & Skills

Shinobi Strength

Hiruzen retains a formidable reputation despite his age 36 43.

• His celebrated titles include “strongest Hokage” and “Shinobi Hero”; these are reputational descriptions, not documented power-system advancements 18 36.
• Hui judges that his fighting strength has not yet declined as drastically as it will in later years and believes he should still be capable of facing Fugaku 43.
• Fugaku himself dismisses Hui’s concern that he might attack Hiruzen, questioning Hui’s understanding of their respective strength 43.

Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet

Hiruzen is identified in Hui’s recollection as one of the technique’s best-known proficient users 45.

• Gives Hui a scroll teaching the technique as a reward for rescuing Kurenai 38 45.
• The technique is substantially more powerful and harder to learn than Hui’s existing Dragon Fire Technique 45.

Administration and Intelligence Oversight

Hiruzen directs Konoha’s response to its post-attack instability 3 38.

• Issues movement restrictions and receives Anbu reports concerning the Uchiha 3.
• Uses Shisui to assess and monitor Hui’s development 38.
• Reports four captured foreign spies during the preceding week, with Hui’s two kills bringing the total identified cases to six 38.
• Plans negotiations with the daimyo over reinstatement and reconstruction funding 38.

Relationships

• Uchiha Fugaku — Clan leader with whom he negotiates Uchiha participation in relief efforts. Fugaku initially trusts him to contain the rumor campaign but fears the consequences of his return to office 8 18 34 36.
• Uchiha Hui — Rewards him for rescuing Kurenai, then orders closer surveillance of his rapid improvement and changed temperament 38.
• Shisui Uchiha — Anbu subordinate who delivers his summons and reports directly to him about Hui. Shisui hopes service beside Hiruzen can help bridge the clan–village divide 4 38.
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime companion and influential elder. Fugaku sees Hiruzen as highly accommodating toward him, while Danzō bitterly resents Hiruzen’s planned return 34 36.
• Asuma Sarutobi — Son; his connection to Hiruzen gives him considerable social standing among village ninja 40.
• Second — Teacher. Hui associates Hiruzen’s approach to the Uchiha with the policies inherited from his predecessor 8 18.

Notable Quotes

“Ninja are those who fight to defend their village and their loved ones, even at the cost of their lives!” 36

“I will submit a request to the daimyo. As the Third, I will take up the duties of Hokage once more and protect Konoha until a new Hokage emerges!” 36