TV-Series
Description
Asuma Sarutobi is a jonin-level shinobi from Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village, and the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. As a member of the prestigious Sarutobi clan, he is also the uncle of Konohamaru Sarutobi. In his younger years, Asuma had a disagreement with his father over differing principles and left the village to pursue his own path. During this time away, he became a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, an elite group tasked with protecting the feudal lord of the Land of Fire. It was during this period that he developed a strong friendship with a monk named Chiriku and accumulated a bounty of thirty-five million ryō on the black market, a fact he seemed to take personal pride in. He eventually returned to Konoha and resumed his duties as a jonin, becoming the leader of Team 10, which consisted of Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka.
In terms of personality, Asuma is typically laid-back and often avoids getting involved in matters unless absolutely necessary. He is almost always seen smoking a cigarette, a habit he maintains unless something is seriously troubling him, such as the death of his father. Despite his relaxed exterior, he cares deeply for his students, even if he jokingly refers to them as a slacker, a glutton, and a loudmouth. He often uses bribery, particularly the promise of food to motivate Choji, to get them to perform tasks. He is also a strategic thinker who enjoys playing strategy board games like Shogi or Go with Shikamaru, who consistently beats him. It was Asuma who first recognized Shikamaru's genius-level intellect, noting his IQ was over two hundred. A significant part of his personal life is his long-standing romantic relationship with fellow jonin Kurenai Yuhi, which is hinted at throughout the series through their frequent time spent together. The truth of their relationship is confirmed in the second part of the story when it is revealed that Kurenai is pregnant with Asuma's child.
Asuma's role in the story is primarily as a mentor and a strong supporter of the Will of Fire, the belief that love for the village and protecting the next generation is the core of a shinobi's duty. He leads his team through various missions, including the Chunin Exams, and later plays a crucial role in the search for the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu. His development is most evident in his relationship with his father. While he initially clashed with Hiruzen and felt detached from the village, after the Third Hokage's death during the invasion of Konoha, Asuma comes to understand and respect his father's sacrifices and feels proud to be a member of the Sarutobi clan.
As a combatant, Asuma is a highly talented and powerful warrior. His primary weapons are a pair of trench knives, which are made of a special metal that easily conducts chakra. His chakra nature is Wind Release, which he uses in conjunction with his knives in a technique known as Flying Swallow. By channeling his wind-natured chakra into the blades, he can extend their reach and cutting power, allowing them to easily slice through rock or iron. He is also proficient in Fire Release techniques, most notably the Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning, where he exhales a cloud of superheated ash and gunpowder that can be ignited to cause a massive explosion. In the anime, he is also shown to be capable of using the Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder, a defensive technique from the Fire Temple that manifests a chakra spirit to protect the user.
His most notable confrontation is his final battle against the Akatsuki member Hidan. With the help of Shikamaru, Asuma manages to decapitate Hidan, only to discover his opponent is immortal and can be reattached by his partner, Kakuzu. Hidan then activates his curse ritual, linking his body to Asuma's so that any damage Hidan inflicts on himself is transferred to Asuma. To complete the ritual, Hidan stabs himself in the heart, inflicting a fatal wound on Asuma. Mortally wounded, Asuma shares his final words with his students, urging them to become strong and entrusting Shikamaru with the protection of the king, which he reveals is not a political figure but the next generation of children, including his own unborn daughter with Kurenai. Following his death, Asuma is later reanimated by Kabuto Yakushi during the Fourth Great Ninja War to fight against the Allied Shinobi Forces. He is confronted and eventually sealed by his former students, Team 10, after they manage to subdue him.
In terms of personality, Asuma is typically laid-back and often avoids getting involved in matters unless absolutely necessary. He is almost always seen smoking a cigarette, a habit he maintains unless something is seriously troubling him, such as the death of his father. Despite his relaxed exterior, he cares deeply for his students, even if he jokingly refers to them as a slacker, a glutton, and a loudmouth. He often uses bribery, particularly the promise of food to motivate Choji, to get them to perform tasks. He is also a strategic thinker who enjoys playing strategy board games like Shogi or Go with Shikamaru, who consistently beats him. It was Asuma who first recognized Shikamaru's genius-level intellect, noting his IQ was over two hundred. A significant part of his personal life is his long-standing romantic relationship with fellow jonin Kurenai Yuhi, which is hinted at throughout the series through their frequent time spent together. The truth of their relationship is confirmed in the second part of the story when it is revealed that Kurenai is pregnant with Asuma's child.
Asuma's role in the story is primarily as a mentor and a strong supporter of the Will of Fire, the belief that love for the village and protecting the next generation is the core of a shinobi's duty. He leads his team through various missions, including the Chunin Exams, and later plays a crucial role in the search for the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu. His development is most evident in his relationship with his father. While he initially clashed with Hiruzen and felt detached from the village, after the Third Hokage's death during the invasion of Konoha, Asuma comes to understand and respect his father's sacrifices and feels proud to be a member of the Sarutobi clan.
As a combatant, Asuma is a highly talented and powerful warrior. His primary weapons are a pair of trench knives, which are made of a special metal that easily conducts chakra. His chakra nature is Wind Release, which he uses in conjunction with his knives in a technique known as Flying Swallow. By channeling his wind-natured chakra into the blades, he can extend their reach and cutting power, allowing them to easily slice through rock or iron. He is also proficient in Fire Release techniques, most notably the Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning, where he exhales a cloud of superheated ash and gunpowder that can be ignited to cause a massive explosion. In the anime, he is also shown to be capable of using the Welcoming Approach: Thousand-Armed Murder, a defensive technique from the Fire Temple that manifests a chakra spirit to protect the user.
His most notable confrontation is his final battle against the Akatsuki member Hidan. With the help of Shikamaru, Asuma manages to decapitate Hidan, only to discover his opponent is immortal and can be reattached by his partner, Kakuzu. Hidan then activates his curse ritual, linking his body to Asuma's so that any damage Hidan inflicts on himself is transferred to Asuma. To complete the ritual, Hidan stabs himself in the heart, inflicting a fatal wound on Asuma. Mortally wounded, Asuma shares his final words with his students, urging them to become strong and entrusting Shikamaru with the protection of the king, which he reveals is not a political figure but the next generation of children, including his own unborn daughter with Kurenai. Following his death, Asuma is later reanimated by Kabuto Yakushi during the Fourth Great Ninja War to fight against the Allied Shinobi Forces. He is confronted and eventually sealed by his former students, Team 10, after they manage to subdue him.