Sarutobi

[Smyles]

Sarutobi

The Sarutobi clan (猿飛一族, Sarutobi Ichizoku) is an influential clan from Konohagakure. It has produced several notable members who have held positions of high authority, such as Hokage, and membership in the Twelve Guardian Ninja. All known members have also been observed devotees of the Will of Fire.

After Konohagakure's formation following the Era of the Warring States, the Sarutobi were amongst the first set of clans to ally themselves with the Senju and Uchiha-founded village, alongside the Shimura clan. Not much is known of this clan but, in order to strengthen the unity between the Akimichi, Nara, and Yamanaka clans, it has become a tradition that one of the Sarutobi give each of the members of the current Ino–Shika–Chō trio special earrings when they swear their oaths. Several members were also seen during the Fourth Shinobi World War in the battle against Madara, Obito Uchiha, and the Ten-Tails. They used the Fire Release: Great Flame Technique to quickly dry the quicklime which was covering the beast.

The Sarutobi are famous for their high willpower, and exceptionally strong shinobi. All the members which have been shown fighting — with the exception of Konohamaru who has only done so in the anime — have displayed the ability to use Fire Release nature transformation. The members of this clan seem to be able to easily master high-level techniques, as Hiruzen became revered as the "God of Shinobi" (忍の神, Shinobi no Kami), and Konohamaru managed to learn A-rank techniques, such as the Rasengan, as well as B-rank techniques such as the Shadow Clone Technique, at a young age.