Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hiruzen Sarutobi
Original Name	猿飞日斩
Alias(es)	Third Hokage; Lord Hokage
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Third Hokage of Konoha
Status	Deceased; killed by Orochimaru during the Konoha invasion, but later appears among the revived Five Hokage 257 290
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Background / History

Early tenure and distrust of the Uchiha

As Hokage, Hiruzen inherited Senju Tobirama's vigilance toward the Uchiha clan. Liu Feng's emergence as an Academy genius concerned him not because of the boy's talent, but because he was Uchiha; Hiruzen hoped Liu Feng would prove as loyal to Konoha as Kagami Uchiha had been. He privately regarded the young prodigy as a potential threat from the outset. 6

After observing Liu Feng's Chunin assessment through the Telescopic Jutsu, Hiruzen judged him to be at least Elite Chunin level and possibly Special Jonin level—already stronger than Orochimaru had been at the same age. He remained troubled by the prospect of such a gifted Uchiha. 22

Second Shinobi World War

When Sunagakure declared war, Hiruzen ordered Hatake Sakumo to lead 3,000 Konoha ninja against the invasion. As the conflict expanded, he personally entered the field against Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Amegakure forces. 41 46

Liu Feng's destruction of the three enemy villages' supply lines gave Konoha an opening, but Hiruzen initially delayed a counteroffensive and instead sent ceasefire proposals, fearing that even a successful attack would not solve Konoha's larger strategic disadvantage. After the enemy demanded Liu Feng in exchange for peace, Hiruzen rejected the demand and committed to an assault. 51 53

Facing a worsening battlefield, Hiruzen abandoned Konoha's camp, trapped the remaining supplies with explosive tags, and led a surprise assault on Sunagakure. He personally suppressed Shukaku long enough for an Uzumaki sealing squad to contain the One-Tail. 64

Break with Liu Feng

Hiruzen's distrust of Liu Feng escalated as the Uchiha prodigy's power and influence grew. During Konoha's crisis against Kumogakure, he returned from the front to request Liu Feng's support, only to be forced into an agreement granting Liu Feng five billion ryo and twenty percent of Konoha's future revenue. Liu Feng's revelation of the Mangekyō Sharingan made clear that Hiruzen lacked leverage in the negotiation. 62

He later sought to limit Liu Feng's prestige by sending Hatake Sakumo, rather than Liu Feng, to confront the Third Raikage. The decision was influenced by Danzō's warning that further Uchiha victories could threaten Hiruzen's position as Hokage. 86

Hiruzen also opposed Liu Feng's possession of the Five-Tails and covertly encouraged division between Liu Feng's faction and the traditional Uchiha leadership. He secretly retained Kagami Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan after denying its existence to Danzō. 99 100

Uchiha–Konoha conflict

Hiruzen surrounded the Uchiha and Uzumaki compounds when Liu Feng's faction prepared to leave Konoha. He mobilized Konoha's elite forces while excluding Uchiha and Uzumaki ninja whose loyalty he considered uncertain. 120

Konoha was overwhelmed by the Uchiha and Uzumaki elites, including several Susanoo users. When Liu Feng unveiled his Perfect Susanoo and destroyed the Hokage Building and Hokage Rock, Hiruzen accepted defeat. 121 122

To spare Konoha from immediate destruction, Hiruzen agreed to surrender the entire Sarutobi clan as compensation for Uchiha casualties. He ultimately killed his own relatives, including Asuma Sarutobi, before Liu Feng devastated Konoha with the Great Spiraling Ring. Hiruzen escaped through Reverse Summoning. 122 123

Later leadership and death

Despite Konoha's losses, Hiruzen continued directing its military resistance against Kirigakure. After repeated defeats, he accepted that Konoha could not prevail and submitted a letter of surrender to Kirigakure. 147 160

He later sought cooperation with Liu Feng and Kirigakure when Konoha's interests required it, including joining their attack against Iwagakure and Sunagakure forces. 170

Following the Third Shinobi World War, Hiruzen pursued peace with Iwagakure and announced his intention to resign as Hokage. Minato Namikaze was subsequently elected Fourth Hokage. 190 192

After Minato's death, Hiruzen resumed power in Konoha. He later opposed Uchiha Fugaku's attempt to lead the remaining Uchiha out of the village, choosing military suppression rather than reconciliation. 201 231

During Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha, Hiruzen fought Orochimaru alongside reincarnated Hashirama and Tobirama. He attempted to use the Reaper Death Seal, but Liu Feng disrupted the technique; Orochimaru then killed him. 254 256 257

Appearance

Hiruzen is depicted in Hokage robes when confronting the Root Organization. In his prime, his gaze and bearing are intimidating enough to unsettle experienced clan leaders; in later years, he is described as visibly aged and exhausted. 16 108 242

• Wears the Hokage's ceremonial robes during official interventions. 108
• Uses Enma's transformed Adamantine Staff as his principal weapon in battle. 73 153
• His physical condition declines over time, particularly after repeated wartime injuries. 154 155

Personality

Hiruzen is a pragmatic leader whose strongest priority is Konoha's survival. He can be patient and cautious to the point of hesitation, as shown when he declined to exploit Liu Feng's destruction of enemy supplies immediately. Yet, when he commits to a course of action, he can be decisive: his surprise assault on Sunagakure involved abandoning Konoha's own camp and risking all remaining forces. 53 64

His long-standing suspicion of the Uchiha shapes many of his decisions. He repeatedly treats powerful Uchiha—including Liu Feng, Fugaku, Shisui, and Itachi—as threats that must be monitored, contained, or politically weakened. 6 99 225 231

Hiruzen is also willing to make severe personal sacrifices for Konoha. He agrees to the destruction of the Sarutobi clan and kills his own family to preserve the village, an act that demonstrates both his devotion to Konoha and his moral ruthlessness. 122 123

Abilities & Skills

Fire Style

Hiruzen is a capable Fire Style user who can threaten high-level defenses with powerful techniques.

• Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet — Damages Uchiha No's Susanoo, though the construct regenerates due to Hashirama-cell enhancements. 153
• Great Flame Bullet — Used against Kushina during Konoha's war with Kirigakure, but countered by her Water Wall. 154

Enma and the Adamantine Staff

Hiruzen summons Enma, who can transform into the Adamantine Staff.

• Uses the staff as both a weapon and a defensive tool. 73 153
• The staff's durability allows it to clash with weapons such as the Kusanagi Sword. 153
• Even when Kushina strikes the staff rather than Hiruzen directly, the impact breaks both of his arms. 154

Sealing and Barrier Techniques

Hiruzen employs sealing and barrier techniques against threats beyond ordinary shinobi.

• Temporarily suppresses Shukaku so an Uzumaki sealing squad can seal the One-Tail. 64
• Participates with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Danzō in the Four Red Yang Formation to contain Mikoto's Susanoo. 148
• Attempts the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru after concluding that he cannot win by conventional means. 256
• The Reaper Death Seal is interrupted when Liu Feng's Truth-Seeking Orb strikes the Shinigami manifestation. 256

Battlefield Command

Hiruzen is an experienced wartime commander capable of coordinating Konoha's strongest assets.

• Assigns specific opponents to Sakumo, Danzō, and the Sannin during the assault on Sunagakure. 64
• Orders retreats when continued battle would lead to unacceptable losses. 150 152
• Mobilizes Konoha's major clans and elite ninja when facing Kirigakure's invasion. 147
• Uses terrain, supply lines, traps, and surprise attacks as strategic tools rather than relying solely on direct confrontation. 64 152

Relationships

• Uchiha Liu Feng — Initially a watched Uchiha prodigy, later Hiruzen's most dangerous political and military rival. Their relationship deteriorates into coercive negotiations, open war, and lasting hostility. 6 62 120 123
• Shimura Danzō — Longtime ally and adviser whose extremism Hiruzen sometimes restrains. Hiruzen nevertheless conceals information from him and tolerates him because Danzō knows compromising secrets. 53 100 109
• Tsunade — Former student whose trust in Hiruzen collapses after she suspects his role in the Senju clan's decline and his protection of Danzō. Hiruzen later declares her a rogue ninja after her assault on Root. 76 108 109
• Orochimaru — Former student. Hiruzen acknowledges Orochimaru's talent but ultimately faces him as an enemy during the Konoha invasion; Orochimaru kills him after the Reaper Death Seal fails. 254 256 257
• Jiraiya — Former student and trusted battlefield ally. Hiruzen repeatedly deploys Jiraiya in major conflicts and later asks him to help address Naruto's resentment toward Konoha. 150 248
• Minato Namikaze — Hiruzen supports Minato's elevation to Fourth Hokage and later relies on his Flying Thunder God Technique for reconnaissance and battlefield support. 192 293
• Naruto Uzumaki — Minato's son and Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki. Hiruzen regrets neglecting Naruto but also has Kakashi surveil him and considers replacing him if he becomes openly hostile to Konoha. 204 242
• Uchiha Fugaku — Hiruzen refuses to allow Fugaku and the Uchiha Branch Family to leave Konoha, believing another Uchiha departure would destroy his authority as Hokage. 231
• Uchiha Itachi — Hiruzen permits Itachi to confront Fugaku, protects him from Danzō after the massacre, and relies on him to infiltrate Akatsuki as a spy. 231 232

Notable Quotes

“If we fail, I'll take responsibility.” 64

“Naruto, if you truly hate Konoha, then I cannot keep you alive.” 242