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TheNarutoseries is laced with tragedies, whether it’s the several massacres that have taken place throughout the history of the shinobi world, or the depressing backstories of every major character. However, many of these tragedies that have taken place inNarutocan oddly be traced back to the actions (or inactions) of one particular character — Hiruzen Sarutobi. Asthe third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen had the utmost power at his disposal, yet he failed to utilize his authority in a meaningful way.
From the maltreatment of the Uchiha to Naruto’s lonely childhood, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s inaction is clearly the reason behind these and many other tragedies. If Hiruzen had taken quick action and neutralized these threats, the future of Konoha would have surely turned out drastically different. Despite being known asthe God of Shinobiand being dubbed the “Professor,” Hiruzen failed to put his strength and wisdom in his leadership, leading to several tragedies ensuing.
Hiruzen’s Pacifist leadership
Hiruzen Failed to Take Action Against Threats
Hirzen’s reign over Konohaas the third Hokage was marked by troubles, some that largely stemmed from his inability to take action against potential threats. Hirzen is known for being a wise character, as he was initially given the moniker of “Professor”. This meant that he took a more passive approach to leadership, and he opted for peace over war and instability. However, his pacifist nature led to growing turmoil that went unchecked because Hirzen instead wished to deal with any threats through peace and diplomacy.
This led to elements such asDanzo Shimura taking root in Konoha, and eventually undermining his power and authority. Orochimaru is another example who took advantage of Hirzen’s soft-hearted nature. Knowing that Hirzen had a soft spot for his former pupil, Orochimaru exploited his warmth to conduct dangerous experiments within Konoha. Despite being aware of these growing issues within Konoha, Hirzen failed to take action against any of them, making this Hiruzen’s biggest flaw as Hokage.
The Uchiha Massacre
Hiruzen Sarutobi Failed to Quell the Uchiha’s Rebellion Peacefully
One of the foremost tragedies that came about Hiruzen’s inaction isthe Uchiha Massacre, an event that single-handedly shaped the entirety of Naruto’s premise. This event was crucial for propelling Sasuke down the path of hatred and evil, though it also significantly weakened Konoha’s own military might. While this tragic event was bound to take place, it’s clear that it came about as a result of Hiruzen’s indecisiveness with Danzo and his silence on the matter of the Uchiha.
But Hiruzen… we can no longer stop the Uchiha. Which means we must stop them as fast as possible to avoid chaos… including the children who know nothing.
Hiruzen was aware of the maltreatment that the Uchiha clan was facing, along with the scrutiny that Danzo had put on them. However, he remained silent on the matter and did nothing to quell theUchiha’s doubts and their plans for rebellion. Instead, he took the backseat and let Danzo go ahead with a plan of massacring the entire Uchiha clan. In a way, Hiruzen Sarutobi is complicit in the Uchiha Massacre, deeming him a direct cause of this grave tragedy. To make matters worse, Hiruzen approved the plan himself and used Itachi, the Uchiha’s own prodigy, to massacre them in the dead of night.
Naruto’s Tragic Childhood
Naruto Became an Outcast Due to Hiruzen’s Neglect
Naruto’s tragic childhoodhas been etched into the minds of every single Naruto fan, largely owing to the incessant flashbacks that showcased his plight during his younger years in Konoha. While it initially seemed that Naruto had no one to take care of him and was left to his own devices, it was later revealed that Minato Namikaze had left Naruto in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s care. Hiruzen promised Minato that he would take good care of his child, which naturally makes sense considering Naruto is the child of the Fourth Hokage.
However, Hiruzen failed to take care of this measly task, as he left Naruto, a mere child, to live by himself without any sort of guardianship. Moreover, he also hid the fact that Naruto is the son of the fourth Hokage, leading to the entire village detesting him and isolating him even more. It’s safe to say that Naruto’s neglect in his early years shaped much of his personality, and the pain that he had to endure further added to his misery.
It’s safe to say that Konoha got lucky considering Naruto ended upinheriting the Will of Fireand chose to side with them, as he could’ve easily swayed to the wrong side due to the maltreatment he had to endure throughout his early years. Despite knowing Naruto’s grim condition and loneliness, Hiruzen did nothing to give him a better childhood and failed to honor Minato’s legacy.
Allowing Orochimaru to Escape Konoha
Orochimaru Became a Threat to Konoha Due to Hiruzen’s Indecisiveness
Orochimaru is arguably one ofNaruto’smost iconic villains, and during the early years of Naruto’s airing, Orochimaru had become a name synonymous with evil itself. However, the origins of this villain were revealed later down the line, and it was showcased that Hiruzen Sarutobi was aware ofOrochimaru’s heinous experimentsand vile nature. He even discovered Orochimaru’s lab, where he conducted dangerous experiments on Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Orochimaru… I thought this day would eventually arrive.
Upon discovering his experiments, however, Hiruzen chose to let Orochimaru escape. This largely stems from his soft-heartedness towards his former pupil. However, Hiruzen knew the risks of letting Orochimaru go, as he was aware that he would eventually become a massive threat to Konoha’s safety. This came to passduring the Konoha Crush, when Orochimaru invaded the Hidden Leaf Village under the guise of the Kazekage.
However, Hiruzen stood by and did nothing, instead letting Orochimaru escape and continue his evil deeds. This allowed Orochimaru to become a major threat down the line, as he not only became Hiruzen’s killer, but also a major antagonist who shaped and influenced Sasuke’s entire persona.
Inability to Suppress Danzo
Hiruzen Failed to Control Danzo’s Actions
WhileNarutohas plenty of intriguing villains that have shaped the narrative, one particular character has continuously remained in the backdrop, posing as an ally to Konoha itself. Danzo Shimura is a notorious name, as he is arguably one of the most hated characters in all of Naruto. Initially serving as Hiruzen’s advisor, Danzo eventually formed his ownsecret foundation called Root.
This foundation was beyond the Hokage’s authority, as not even Hiruzen could question the actions of Root. Moreover, Danzo even attempted to assassinate Hiruzen Sarutobi, believing that he was too weak and soft-hearted, and he would eventually become a threat to Konoha’s safety. Despite being aware of the assassination attempt on his life by Danzo, Hiruzen decided to forgive him, without stripping him of his powers and authority.
Danzo repeatedly went against Hiruzen’s decisions and disregarded his actions, yet Hiruzen continuously forgave him and allowed him to continue to hold the same power and authority that he did before. Such inaction and indecisiveness against Danzo led to several tragedies in Konoha, whether it was the Uchiha Massacre orDanzo’s plotting against the original Akatsukithat led to Obito taking over the organization. Allowing Danzo to stay in such a high position of power is arguably the greatest tragedy that came about Hiruzen’s inaction, as it served as a precursor to several other events inNaruto.
