Summary
- Enma was a powerful ally to the Third Hokage, known for his wisdom and transformation abilities.
- Enma shared a deep bond with Hiruzen, providing loyal support and insightful advice.
- Enma’s abilities, like his Adamantine Staff transformation, made him a formidable force in key battles.
Even if Naruto fans remember Hiruzen as the geezer who abandoned a young Naruto, for the people of Konoha, the Third Hokage was actually a legend known for his wisdom, knowledge and surprising strength. However, fans didn’t get to see his true strength until he summoned his long-time companion and personal summon, Monkey King Enma, in a fight against Hashirama and Tobirama. As it turns out, the Monkey King was more than just a summon—he was a powerful, battle-hardened ally with the ability to transform into an adamantine staff, making him an integral part of Hiruzen’s fighting style.
Enma’s design and abilities are heavily inspired by the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong, from Journey to the West. His staff transformation mirrors the iconic Ruyi Jingu Bang, a staff that could shrink and expand at will. Additionally, Enma’s name is a reference to Yama, the ruler of the underworld in Buddhist mythology, further emphasizing his wisdom and strength.
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The Bond Between Hiruzen and Enma
A Lifelong Companion
Hiruzen and Enma shared a deep-rooted bond that spanned decades. Enma’s first known appearance in Naruto (based on the timeline) came during the time when Hiruzen trained the Sannin—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, with Enma often questioning Hiruzen’s decisions, especially when it came to Orochimaru. Enma’s loyalty, however, never wavered, and he stood by Hiruzen in multiple battles, including the defense of Konoha against the Nine-Tails.
Enma was known for his blunt and pragmatic nature. Unlike Hiruzen, who was often guided by sentiment, Enma believed in decisive action. This was most evident when he urged Hiruzen to eliminate Orochimaru before he became a major threat. Enma’s instincts proved correct, as Orochimaru would go on to become one of the series’ most notorious villains.
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Enma never really let the Third Hokage forget that he had been right about Orochimaru, but at the end of the day, he was still unshakably loyal to Hiruzen. He was willing to go to great lengths to protect him, such as attempting to break Orochimaru’s neck in retaliation for injuring the Hokage. His sense of duty extended beyond just Hiruzen, as he also demonstrated a keen awareness of Konoha’s affairs, recognizing major threats immediately upon arrival—during the Nine Tails attack on Konoha, for example, Enma knew that the Nine Tails sealed in Kushina had be let out, and someone must have unsealed it on purpose.
Monkey King Enma’s Abilities and Combat Abilities
Enma was no ordinary summon—his sheer physical strength allowed him to briefly overpower the reanimated First and Second Hokage. His speed, reflexes, and martial expertise made him a formidable opponent in hand-to-hand combat.
One of Enma’s defining abilities was his Transformation: Adamantine Staff technique. By morphing into a staff as hard as adamantine, he became an indestructible weapon in Hiruzen’s hands. This transformation had several advantages:
|
Ability |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Extreme Durability |
The staff was nearly impervious to damage, allowing it to withstand even the mightiest of attacks. |
|
Extension and Expansion |
Enma could elongate himself at will, providing Hiruzen with a versatile weapon capable of sweeping wide areas or striking from a distance. |
|
Independent Movement |
Even in staff form, Enma retained mobility, producing eyes and limbs to maneuver or return to Hiruzen when necessary. |
|
Adamantine Prison Wall |
By cloning himself in his staff form, Enma could create a cage-like defense, effectively neutralizing powerful techniques, including Hashirama Senju’s Wood Release. |
Enma’s Key Battles In Naruto
Third Hokage vs Orochimaru
During Orochimaru’s invasion of Konoha in the Chuunin Exam Arc, Hiruzen summoned Enma to combat the reincarnated Hokage brothers. When Hiruzen attempted to seal away Orochimaru’s soul using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, Enma intervened, preventing Orochimaru from landing a fatal strike. Though Hiruzen ultimately perished, Enma ensured his final act was completed, vanishing with a final show of respect.
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Enma also played a role in defending Konoha from Kurama’s onslaught. His immense strength allowed him to push the tailed beast back, showcasing his raw power. And even after Hiruzen’s death, Enma made a brief return when the Third Hokage was reanimated during the Fourth Ninja War. He assisted in freeing Naruto from the Ten-Tails’ grasp and later helped destroy the tree form of the Ten-Tails alongside Hiruzen.
