Third Hokage

Biodata

Background

Before becoming Hokage, Hiruzen followed his teacher into battle across the Shinobi World. He regards his later leadership as the continuation of that teacher’s trust, taking pride in the village’s successive generations of shinobi 20 21.

During the ongoing Second Shinobi World War, he oversees Konoha’s military affairs while managing tensions between Danzo, Root, and his student Tsunade. His initial interest in Nobuhiko comes less from the boy’s Academy ranking—which he considers inflated by weak competition—than from his written understanding of the Will of Fire 2 3 17.

Personality

Hiruzen is deeply invested in the Will of Fire and especially receptive to children who appear to embody it. Nobuhiko’s extravagant declarations of loyalty move him nearly to tears and secure an open invitation to seek training advice. He takes these performances sincerely, unaware that Nobuhiko is deliberately cultivating his favor 20 23.

His affection for his students conflicts with his reluctance to expose Danzo. When Tsunade questions whether Root has targeted Nobuhiko, he initially cannot bring himself either to deceive her or betray his old friend. Later, he punishes Root’s defiance but fabricates an explanation that protects Danzo from being identified as the mastermind 17 33 34 35.

He can be forceful when his authority is challenged, issuing lethal orders against disobedient Root operatives. Away from official business, he enjoys watching embarrassing situations unfold and uses his crystal ball to peep into women’s baths, much to Tsunade’s disgust 17 22 33.

Abilities & Skills

Ninjutsu Expertise

• Known throughout the Shinobi World as the Professor of Ninjutsu, having mastered all five basic nature transformations 19 28.
• Provides Nobuhiko with advice that helps him learn Exploding Water Colliding Wave and Water Fang Bullet 45.
• Recognizes Nobuhiko’s tactical skill from the report of his fight with Black Pig, particularly his integration of fast-casting ninjutsu and a binding seal 35.
• Restricts Nobuhiko to practicing Single Rashomon rather than Triple or Fivefold Rashomon because of his current physical condition 36.

Taijutsu and Staff Combat

• Fights Kushina while she maintains a two-tailed Nine-Tails chakra cloak, easily blocking her attacks with Enma’s staff form 41.
• Combines rapid counters, sweeping strikes, and powerful overhead blows; Kushina finishes the match exhausted and complains that she could not touch him 41 42.
• His performance leads Nobuhiko to judge his ninjutsu and taijutsu among the best in the Shinobi World at this point 41.

Summoning Technique: Enma

• Summons Enma, an upright ape who can transform into the Adamantine Staff 41.
• Uses Enma’s transformed state as his weapon against Kushina 41.

Memory Erasure

• Erases the Anbu and Sealing Squad members’ memories of Kushina’s chakra test after she and Nobuhiko leave 42.
• Performs the technique by forming hand seals, gripping his right wrist, and pressing his right hand to the ground with the command “Erase!” 42.

Equipment & Items

• Crystal ball — Used to peep into women’s baths. After Tsunade dismisses him from the children’s sparring session, he regrets not bringing it because he wants to see how Nobuhiko handles the aftermath 17 22.
• Pipe — Smokes while reviewing documents and later while reflecting on Tsunade’s suffering 2 43.
• Scroll of Seals — Controls access to the forbidden techniques recorded within it. Allows Nobuhiko to select one technique and unseals the instructions for Fivefold Rashomon 35 36.

Relationships

• Tsunade — His student. She entrusts Nobuhiko’s safety and instruction to him but makes clear that his tolerance of Danzo has damaged her trust. Her later psychological collapse prompts him to question his record as Hokage 17 43.
• Kihara Nobuhiko — A young shinobi he considers a promising inheritor of the Will of Fire. Hiruzen offers protection and instruction, while Nobuhiko privately distrusts him and uses displays of loyalty to secure support 20 24 33 35.
• Danzo Shimura — His adviser and old associate of several decades. Their bond deteriorates after Danzo disregards his warning against targeting Nobuhiko and Root refuses Hokage orders 3 33 35.
• Kushina Uzumaki — Encourages her friendship with Nobuhiko while supporting restrictions on dangerous missions outside the village. Later personally tests her two-tailed chakra cloak 20 21 41.
• Enma — His summoned combat partner, whom he calls upon to fight Kushina 41.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Advisers assigned to supervise the crackdown on Root, with the threat of confinement if they fail 33.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Keeping Nobuhiko out of Root

Hiruzen approves Nobuhiko remaining with Tsunade, hoping the boy’s presence can ease her grief over Nawaki. When Danzo demands permission to train him, Hiruzen refuses and explicitly orders him not to interfere. He rejects Danzo’s suggestion that Nobuhiko’s Senju ancestry makes him a threat to the village 2 3.

Tsunade later presses him for a firm guarantee of protection. He agrees to guide Nobuhiko and orders Anbu to intercept Root operatives who approach the boy, authorizing lethal force against anyone who persists 17.

Bringing Nobuhiko and Kushina Together

At Training Ground Three, Nobuhiko wins Hiruzen’s enthusiasm through exaggerated praise of the Hokage and the Will of Fire. Hiruzen promises regular guidance and asks him to befriend Kushina, whose isolation concerns him 20 21.

He also arranges their spar as a way to demonstrate that Kushina is not ready for dangerous missions outside Konoha. Watching the children fight, he names Minato, Nobuhiko, and Kushina among the village’s future mainstays 20 21.

Root Crackdown and Cover-Up

After surviving Black Pig’s ambush, a blood-covered Nobuhiko seeks help at the Hokage Building. Hiruzen promises justice, then attempts to interrupt the Anbu report before it exposes the attacker’s Root affiliation 32 33.

His subsequent orders impose substantial penalties on Danzo’s organization 33 35:

• Seal off Root and confine Danzo.
• Dispatch half of Root’s elite forces to the front, including 60 percent of its jōnin.
• Kill operatives who refuse to obey.
• Prevent Root from replenishing its ranks after obtaining its personnel register.

Despite these measures, Hiruzen and the Anbu commander construct a false account blaming Sunagakure. The fabricated motive is to abduct Nobuhiko and use him against Tsunade, whose medical work has countered Chiyo’s poisons 34 35.

Hiruzen secures Nobuhiko’s promise not to tell Tsunade or Kushina and offers one technique from the Scroll of Seals. Nobuhiko recognizes the deception but accepts the reward, choosing Fivefold Rashomon 35 36.

Kushina’s Chakra Test

Kushina and Nobuhiko obtain permission for a supposed sealing-jutsu test in the Forest of Death, concealing Kurama’s agreement to share chakra. Hiruzen attends with Anbu and a Sealing Squad prepared for an emergency 40.

When Kushina reaches a two-tailed cloak and challenges him, he summons Enma and comfortably withstands her assault. Afterward, he invites her to seek him out before attempting further progress, then erases the supporting personnel’s memories of the incident 41 42.

Dan Katō’s Death

Three months later, Hiruzen informs Nobuhiko that Dan Katō has been killed in action. He asks Nobuhiko and Kushina to meet Tsunade when she returns with Dan’s body and help her through her grief 42 43.

Privately, he reflects that Nawaki has died and Tsunade has been broken by repeated losses, developing a fear of blood during his tenure. He questions whether he has fulfilled his teacher’s trust 43.

Notable Quotes

“Don’t forget, I am the Hokage. Follow your orders, Danzo!” 3

“Good boy. If you ever have any questions about your training, come find me at the Hokage’s office anytime.” 20

“Teacher, am I really living up to the trust you placed in me?” 43