Was Naruto’s Worst Hokage Really That Bad?

Discussions among Naruto fans often revolve around who the poorest performing Hokage was, and a name frequently mentioned is Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Often referred to as The Professor or God of Shinobi, Hiruzen appeared to be an ideal leader in theory. With extensive knowledge of jutsus, his training of the Sannin, and leading Konoha through two significant wars under his command, one might expect him to be highly regarded. However, fans have consistently criticized him as being the worst Hokage ever due to various reasons.

Contemplating his reputation, I find myself questioning: Does Hiruzen Sarutobi truly warrant such a lofty title? To unravel this, let’s delve deeper into the nuances of his leadership. Certainly, he made choices that were questionable, but on the other hand, he accomplished feats no other Hokage has ever achieved. Was he as flawed as his critics claim, or are we unfairly judging a man who faced insurmountable challenges at every turn?

The Uchiha Massacre Happened Under Hiruzen’s Tenure

We’ll begin by discussing a significant event: the annihilation of the Uchiha Clan. As tensions escalated between them and the village, it became evident to Hiruzen that the Uchiha were contemplating a revolt. Despite his pleas for a peaceful settlement, he allowed Danzo and the village council to carry out their plan for this massacre.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen held the authority to prevent this outcome, but he chose not to. This choice had disastrous consequences for Itachi, who was compelled to perform a mission that haunted him throughout his life, and it also steered Sasuke towards a vengeful path. A wiser leader might have devised an alternative course of action that safeguarded the village and the Uchiha clan. Unfortunately, Hiruzen’s mistakes extended beyond this incident in the series.

Naruto’s Terrible Childhood Is Hard to Overlook

Recognizing that enclosing the Nine-Tails completely in its adult form was unattainable, Minato chose the greatest selfless act. He divided the beast’s energy into two halves, locking away the Yin half within himself and the Yang half inside his son. As he lay on his deathbed, much like any other parent, Minato had only one final hope: that Naruto would be safeguarded and cherished.

However, numerous fans contend that rather than safeguarding his wish, Hiruzen allowed Naruto to spend his childhood being shunned, isolated, and viewed as a beast. Most of Konoha were unaware of the facts surrounding his birth, and due to their lack of knowledge, they pushed him away and harbored resentment towards him. For years, he suffered emotional torment and neglect, all while the village leader, who had vowed to protect him, stood idly by and witnessed it unfold.

The Orochimaru Problem Festered Under the Third Hokage

An occasion where Hiruzen’s lack of intervention resulted in future complications was when the Third Hokage found out his previous student was performing unethical experiments on villagers in pursuit of immortality. Instead of confronting this escalating danger, Hiruzen’s affection for Orochimaru as a student held him back. This allowed Orochimaru to escape, leading to decades of turmoil as a consequence.

For a long time, Orochimaru aimed to devastate the village as a means of retaliation, ultimately resulting in the death of Hiruzen. This tragic event leaves viewers pondering if the Third Hokage had taken action sooner, both Hiruzen and the village of Konoha might have been spared from harm.

He Couldn’t Control Danzo

Not only was Orochimaru not the sole villain whom Hiruzen was unable to eliminate because of his personal sentiments, but it’s also worth mentioning that Hiruzen struggled to govern Danzo during his tenure as Hokage. Danzo was granted free rein over the sinister Root organization without any supervision from Hiruzen. This lack of oversight allowed Danzo to maintain a level of secrecy that was almost unparalleled, so much so that each member of the organization had a cursed seal on their tongue, silencing them if they attempted to discuss him or the organization.

Unrestrained authority gave Danzo the means to perpetrate numerous heinous acts, such as molding emotionless child soldiers and executing unauthorized killings. Yet, Hiruzen remained inactive despite being aware of these transgressions. A more competent leader would have either curbed Danzo’s power or eliminated him from his position altogether.

Don’t Forget About What He Accomplished

Let’s take a moment to recall the significant accomplishments of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, before we write him off entirely. At a tender age, he was personally chosen by Tobirama for the esteemed position of Hokage, and later earned the revered title of ‘God of Shinobi.’ This honor is bestowed upon individuals who have amassed an extraordinary degree of power.

The Professor title belonged to him due to his extensive mastery of every jutsu. His vast knowledge and years of experience were evident. Even in his advanced age, he demonstrated such immense power that Orochimaru acknowledged if Hiruzen Sarutobi had been ten years younger, he would have effortlessly triumphed over him in battle.

Notably, Hiruzen Sarutobi was Konoha’s inaugural shinobi leader during the post-Senju era and held this position for a typical duration. After the tragic loss of his illustrious successor, he assumed leadership duties again. Given his extended tenure as leader, there were ample opportunities for mistakes. However, Hiruzen’s term was not devoid of its advantages.

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Two Wars as Hokage

In another important detail that’s frequently overlooked, Hiruzen assumed the role of Hokage during the First Ninja World War, following Tobirama’s selfless sacrifice. He then guided Konoha through the Second and Third Ninja World Wars. After the third war, he chose to step down and signed a peace treaty that put an end to the hostilities. However, his tenure was tragically cut short when Minato, who became the Fourth Hokage, lost his life during the Nine-Tails’ assault on the village.

When Minato passed away, leaving the village without a leader, the people instinctively decided to bring Hiruzen out of retirement as they believed he could guide them effectively. This wasn’t because there were no other viable candidates, but rather due to their faith in his leadership abilities. And when his return brought about a time of relative tranquility and peace without any significant wars between major nations in the ninja world, it became evident that this trust was well-placed.

A Great Mentor

However, arguably Hiruzen’s most enduring impact stemmed from his role as a teacher and mentor. He personally tutored the esteemed Sannin: Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Via Jiraiya, his wisdom extended to Minato, and through Minato, it eventually reached Naruto. Though he directly imparted knowledge only to the Sannin, future generations of shinobi were indirectly influenced by his teachings.

He strongly adhered to the Philosophy of the Flaming Will, which posits that the village serves as a united family, and every ninja should safeguard it with love and devotion, emulating the protective traditions of their ancestors. Over numerous generations, this doctrine significantly influenced Konoha’s culture. However, Hiruzen wasn’t merely an educator; he also embodied his teachings in action.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

During the attack on Konoha, Hiruzen courageously confronted Orochimaru and the summoned spirits of Hashirama and Tobirama. In a selfless act, he opted to use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, fully aware that it would claim his life, in order to protect the village one final time. Despite being unable to complete the seal entirely, Hiruzen did whatever he could to thwart Orochimaru’s schemes.

Eventually, he successfully contained Orochimaru’s arms and passed away with a content smile, opting to give up his life instead of allowing Konoha to crumble. When resurrected by Edo Tensei later on, Hiruzen conceded his errors. He confessed that, despite the imperfections in his tenure as Hokage, he had consistently strived to act in the best interests of Konoha.

The Verdict

It’s undeniable that Hiruzen’s errors were indeed significant; the Uchiha massacre, Naruto’s overlooked upbringing, and his inaction against numerous threats demonstrate clear leadership shortcomings. However, it’s crucial to consider these faults in light of his achievements. As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen guided Konoha through two major conflicts, nurtured the Sannin, and fostered peace and stability within the village in the popular series Naruto.

At the close of the day, Hiruzen’s triumphs and shortcomings are deeply rooted in his humanity. His greatest mistakes originate from empathy, uncertainty, and the wish for conflicts to be resolved amicably rather than violently. Thus, instead of labeling Hiruzen as Naruto’s poorest Hokage, it might be more fitting to regard him as the most human one.

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2025-08-16 18:41