Hiruzen Sarutobi

Biodata

Background / History

Tenure as Hokage

Hiruzen was appointed Hokage on the battlefield by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. His decades in office established authority throughout Konoha, with residents and ninja becoming accustomed to his leadership 15 34.

He previously relinquished the position to Minato Namikaze, whom he had favored as a successor for his abilities and temperament. After Minato died during the Nine-Tails’ attack, Hiruzen resumed office to stabilize the village 17 29.

Uchiha Massacre and Root’s Dissolution

Following the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Hiruzen dismissed Shimura Danzō and ordered Root disbanded. Most former Root members entered the ANBU, although many continued secretly serving Danzō 3.

Hiruzen later confronted Danzō over carrying out the massacre without authorization. He acknowledged that he had not rejected Danzō’s plan, but insisted that he had ordered him to wait because the situation might still have been resolved. Their dispute ended with Hiruzen threatening to act against any interference in the Hokage succession 18.

Reassigning Shihōin Naraku

Hiruzen transferred control of the Medical Emergency Response Unit to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, assisted by Danzō’s subordinate Yashiro Ao. He appointed Naraku deputy head of the Medical Department and deputy commander of the ANBU, assigning thirty-seven personnel to him while leaving the Corpse Disposal and Animal Care units under his supervision 1.

The reassignment also limited Naraku’s control over the Medical Department’s revenue and connections. Hiruzen placed numerous former Root members under him and assigned him dangerous ANBU work 4. Nevertheless, he supplied the method for removing the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal, enabling Naraku to begin freeing selected subordinates from Danzō’s control 5 13.

After Naraku helped disrupt a Sunagakure–Iwagakure transaction, Hiruzen praised the acquisition of chakra metal. He also recognized an opportunity to exploit Sunagakure’s shortages in future trade 12. He subsequently approved funding for ANBU improvements and Naraku’s proposed medical reforms, despite recognizing that both would increase Naraku’s influence 15 19.

Choosing a Successor

Hiruzen announced his intention to retire, citing his age and the emergence of a new generation. With Jiraiya and Tsunade absent from Konoha, he considered Naraku and Kakashi Hatake as prospective Fifth Hokage candidates. The elders supported Kakashi, while Shikaku Nara favored Naraku because Kakashi remained burdened by past losses 17.

The selection was tied to Naruto Uzumaki’s future supervising teacher: Hiruzen regarded a close relationship with the Nine-Tails jinchūriki as essential for a Hokage. He assigned both candidates to guard Naruto temporarily so that he could assess them 12 23.

Although Naraku possessed the strength, experience, prestige, and connections required for office, Hiruzen worried that nobody would be able to restrain him once he became Hokage 19. When Naraku requested leadership of the Medical Department and stopped regularly visiting Naruto, Hiruzen interpreted this as a refusal of candidacy. He chose Kakashi as Naruto’s future teacher, while retaining the option to select another candidate later 34.

Naruto’s Treatment and Training

Hiruzen concealed Naruto’s identity as the Fourth Hokage’s son and prohibited others from approaching him. Naraku challenged these restrictions after discovering Naruto’s isolation and poor living conditions. Hiruzen defended his decisions through his authority as Hokage rather than offering a detailed explanation 23 24.

He nevertheless maintained a grandfatherly relationship with Naruto, sharing meals and helping him improve his tree-climbing practice. He also ordered the ANBU to look after Naruto’s meals 30 34. Although privately determined that the jinchūriki would graduate, he refused Naruto’s request to bypass the Academy examination after mastering tree climbing 12 34.

Training Ground Nineteen Incident

Hiruzen watched Naraku and Kakashi’s spar through his crystal ball, initially hoping it would help Kakashi overcome his emotional difficulties. Naraku’s overwhelming performance and Fire Release version of the Rasengan surprised him 40 41.

When the battle’s explosions alarmed Konoha, Hiruzen ordered ninja to maintain order, reassure residents, and explain the situation to the daimyo and nobles staying at the convalescent home 42. Afterward, he required Naraku to pay for restoring the training ground and undertake missions once Kakashi’s condition stabilized. Danzō considered the punishment too lenient, while the elders defended Hiruzen’s decision. Hiruzen also removed Kakashi from the ANBU 47.

Appearance

• White hair and a deeply wrinkled face, reflecting his advanced age 1 12.
• Slightly clouded eyes; he also complains that his eyesight is deteriorating 17 28.
• White robes, worn during his contemplation of Konoha from the Hokage Building’s rooftop 34.

Personality

Hiruzen presents a warm, approachable public image. Ordinary residents greet him affectionately and regard him as a leader who protects their comfortable lives. With Naruto, he adopts the manner of a kindly grandfather, listening to his stories and praising his progress 30 34.

His private decisions are strongly shaped by political control. He limits Naraku’s access to institutional resources, weighs whether a successor can be kept in check, and treats emotional influence over the Nine-Tails jinchūriki as a requirement of leadership 4 12 19. When challenged over Naruto’s treatment, he invokes his position rather than debating the policy 24.

He supports passing responsibility to younger ninja but remains hesitant about particular successors. His affection for old comrades also complicates decisive action: after threatening Danzō, he admits to himself that age has made him softhearted 17 18. He is especially frustrated by his students’ departures and dismisses Jiraiya’s search for the Child of the Prophecy as an excuse to avoid responsibility 29.

Abilities & Skills

Telescope Technique

Hiruzen uses a crystal ball to observe people remotely, and has frequently employed the technique to monitor Konoha 23.

• Watches Naraku and Kakashi during their assignment to guard Naruto 23.
• Observes their conversations closely enough to react to Naraku’s boast about defeating him 25.
• Follows the battle at Training Ground Nineteen from his office 40 41.

Teaching

His instructional ability is widely recognized through his training of the Sannin 30.

• Gives Naruto practical reminders about tree walking, accelerating his improvement 30.
• Evaluates prospective instructors through observation and direct questioning 23 28 29.
• Approves Naraku’s use of Might Guy’s perseverance as an example to encourage Naruto 26.

Administration and Political Management

Hiruzen exercises authority over senior appointments, ANBU assignments, departmental funding, and village emergency responses 1 15 42.

• Recognizes the benefits of Naraku’s medical reforms despite lacking his specialist expertise 19.
• Uses appointments and the distribution of responsibilities to balance competing interests 1 4.
• Coordinates public reassurance and ninja deployment when the sparring match causes village-wide alarm 42.

Equipment / Items

• Pipe — Frequently smokes while working, thinking, and speaking with subordinates; taps it against furniture during discussions 1 17 29.
• Crystal ball — Medium used for the Telescope Technique 23.
• Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal unsealing scroll — Provides this to Naraku upon request 5.

Relationships

• Shihōin Naraku — A talented member of his political faction whom he promotes and considers as a successor, while fearing the concentration of power around him 1 19.
• Kakashi Hatake — ANBU commander and prospective successor. Kakashi previously rejected Danzō’s assassination order against Hiruzen; Hiruzen later selects him as Naruto’s future instructor 3 34.
• Naruto Uzumaki — Calls him “Grandpa Hokage.” Their affectionate relationship coexists with Hiruzen’s restrictive policies toward him as the Nine-Tails jinchūriki 12 24 30.
• Shimura Danzō — Former close friend and comrade turned political rival. Hiruzen suppresses his ambitions and refuses to restore his authority while he continues pursuing the Hokage position 15 18 47.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Senior advisers involved in medical administration and succession discussions; both defend his handling of the training-ground incident 1 17 47.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru — His former students. Orochimaru’s defection and the other two’s prolonged absences leave him disappointed and without his preferred succession options 17 29.
• Minato Namikaze — Successor whom Hiruzen remembers as exceptionally capable and dependable; Minato’s death brought him back into office 17 29.
• Asuma Sarutobi — His son, a Konoha ninja who uses chakra-metal blades 10.

Notable Quotes

“I am the Hokage. These decisions stand.” 24

“There will be a new Hokage. If I catch you pulling anything again, don't blame me for disregarding our old friendship!” 18

“In my whole life, Minato was the only one who never made me worry!” 29