Naruto: Examining the Mistakes of the Third Hokage

In the world of Naruto, Hokage are the most respected of all. So far, there have been 8 Hokage in Konoha, including Shikamaru, who is acting Hokage in the wake of Naruto’s disappearance in the Boruto series. One of the most prominent figures in the series was the third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen Sarutobi was revered as strong, respected for his wisdom, and admired for his extensive knowledge of ninjutsu.

He was known for his unwavering dedication to protecting the village and its people. However, like any leader, he is not without his flaws. Despite his admirable qualities, the Third Hokage made several mistakes that significantly impacted both the village and Naruto. But, what were the mistakes?

Timeline of the Third Hokage

Hiruzen Sarutobi, born into the noble Sarutobi clan, rises to become the Third Hokage, guiding Konohagakure through times of peace and conflict, mentoring renowned ninja, sealing the Nine-Tailed Fox inside Naruto Uzumaki, confronting Orochimaru to protect the village, and ultimately sacrificing himself in battle to safeguard Konoha’s future.

Early Life and Training

Hiruzen Sarutobi is born into the Sarutobi clan, one of the noble families of Konohagakure. He grows up during a period of relative peace in the village. Hiruzen undergoes rigorous ninja training, mastering various ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu techniques. He shows exceptional talent and becomes a prominent ninja in the village.

Becoming Hokage

During the First Shinobi World War, Hiruzen is appointed as the Third Hokage by Tobirama before his death. He takes on the responsibility of leading the village during a time of growing threats and instability. Hiruzen serves as a mentor to several prominent ninja, including Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade. Before the start of the series, he officially steps down as Hokage and retires from the position after his successor, Minato Namikaze, is appointed as the Fourth Hokage. During the attack by the Nine-Tailed Fox, Hiruzen Sarutobi aids Naruto’s parents, Minato and Kushina Uzumaki, by coordinating the village’s defenses and supporting them in their efforts to protect the village.

Hiruzen also plays a crucial role in sealing the Nine-Tails inside Naruto Uzumaki, which was a decision made by Minato and Kushina to save the village and ensure the safety of their son. The decision to hide the truth about Naruto’s status as the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki is made to protect him from the stigma and potential danger associated with being a host of such a powerful and feared creature. Hiruzen, along with Minato and Kushina, chooses to keep this information secret to safeguard Naruto’s well-being and allow him to live a relatively normal life in the village. After Naruto’s parents death, Hiruzen becomes Hokage again.

The Akatsuki, Death, and the Fourth Great Ninja War

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, faces the emerging threat of the Akatsuki organization, led by Orochimaru. Recognizing his past mistakes in allowing Orochimaru to escape, Hiruzen confronts him. Despite his efforts to stop Orochimaru, Hiruzen is fatally wounded but remains determined to protect the village. In his dying moments, Hiruzen seals Orochimaru’s arms to prevent further harm, passing away with a smile, knowing he did his best to safeguard Konoha.

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Despite his death, Hiruzen’s legacy continues during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Reincarnated along with other deceased Kage, Hiruzen plays a crucial role in the battle against the formidable foe, Madara Uchiha. Alongside his fellow Kage and Team 7, Hiruzen helps save the world from destruction.

The Mistakes of the Third Hokage

From not properly addressing the Uchiha clan to neglecting Naruto, the Third Hokage has made plenty of mistakes. These would all vary in significance, but here are some of the most notable throughout the series.

Failure to Address the Uchiha Clan Crisis

Despite signs of growing unrest within the Uchiha clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi failed to effectively address their grievances and discontent. This failure to acknowledge and resolve underlying issues ultimately led to the Uchiha clan’s rebellion against the village, culminating in the tragic massacre orchestrated by Itachi Uchiha.

Mishandling Orochimaru’s Threat

Hiruzen’s leniency towards Orochimaru, a former student turned rogue ninja, proved to be a grave error with far-reaching consequences. Despite Orochimaru’s blatant intentions to undermine Konoha’s security and stability, the Third Hokage hesitated to take decisive action against him. This allowed Orochimaru to continue his nefarious schemes unchecked, ultimately leading to catastrophic events such as the invasion of Konoha during the Chunin Exams. Hiruzen’s failure to confront Orochimaru’s threat directly contributed to the village’s vulnerability and suffering.

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Lack of Preparation for Akatsuki Threat

Despite intelligence reports indicating the growing threat posed by the Akatsuki organization, Hiruzen failed to adequately prepare Konoha for the impending danger. The Third Hokage’s leadership shortcomings became evident as Akatsuki orchestrated devastating attacks and successfully captured Jinchuriki from various villages, including Konoha. Hiruzen’s failure to devise a comprehensive strategy to counter Akatsuki’s activities left Konoha vulnerable and exposed to significant losses, highlighting his inadequacies as a leader during times of crisis.

Neglecting Naruto

Perhaps the biggest mistake of the Third Hokage was his treatment of Naruto. While he clearly cared for him, not enough was done. As the village’s Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki faced ostracism and loneliness from the villagers due to the fear and stigma associated with the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within him. Despite being aware of Naruto’s plight, Hiruzen failed to provide the necessary support and guidance to nurture the young orphan’s emotional well-being. This neglect left Naruto vulnerable to feelings of rejection and isolation.

Additionally, Hiruzen’s failure to shield Naruto from the village’s hostility and prejudice exacerbated the young ninja’s struggles. Despite knowing the challenges Naruto faced as the Nine-Tails’ host, the Third Hokage did little to intervene or mitigate the negative treatment Naruto endured from the villagers. This lack of protection further isolated Naruto and hindered his integration into the community, hindering his development and fostering resentment towards Konoha’s leadership.

While the Third Hokage of Konoha possessed great wisdom and leadership, he made plenty of mistakes. However, no one is perfect, and all Hokage made mistakes, including Kakashi, Tsunade, and even Naruto himself. However, despite his imperfections, the Third Hokage cared deeply about his family and the village, including Naruto. He dedicated his life to serving and protecting the Village Hidden in the Leaves and served as a mentor for Naruto, who eventually became Hokage. In the end, his legacy highlights the complexities of leadership and the enduring impact of compassion and dedication.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Naruto

A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi’s journey as he goes from his town’s outsider to its hero.

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