The Mysterious Contents of Orochimaru's Third Coffin in Naruto Revealed!

The anime series Naruto is renowned for its captivating storylines and unresolved enigmas. One particularly noteworthy mystery involves the undisclosed identity of the third ninja whom Orochimaru attempted to summon in his monumental battle with the Third Hokage during the chunin exam.

Numerous theories are circulating regarding the true identity of this third ninja. Some fans speculate that Orochimaru intended to summon Minato Namikaze, while others argue it was Madara Uchiha. Additionally, another popular theory suggests that it may have been an entirely different ninja, such as Mito Uzumaki, the wife of Hashirama Senju.

The identity of the third ninja that Orochimaru tried to summon in Naruto is still unknown, and creator Kishimoto has never officially confirmed it. The lack of confirmation has led to extensive debates and speculations among fans.

(Note: Spoilers from the Naruto series are included in this article.)

Naruto: Was it the Fourth Hokage in the third coffin?

3 Coffins that Orochimaru summoned in the Naruto series (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The enigma of the occupant in the enigmatic third coffin during Naruto's Konoha crush arc continues to ignite fervent debates among fans. One prevailing theory posits that it contained the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, as evidenced by the clear label on the coffin indicating his rank. However, the intricately woven narrative of this arc presents an alluring challenge to this conjecture.

Minato Namikaze occupies a singular position. Being a pivotal character in the Naruto series, his essence is ensconced within the Reaper Death Seal, a sacrificial act he undertook to safeguard the village and his son, Naruto, from the onslaught of the Nine-Tails.

This selfless act prevents him from being summoned conventionally, adding an air of mystery to discussions surrounding him. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, has gone to great lengths to prevent the emergence of the third coffin, deepening intrigue and building anticipation for its contents.

Minato Namikaze performing the reaper death seal while the nine tails attacks (Image via Studio Pierrot)

There has been speculation regarding the possibility that the third coffin was empty, and Orochimaru simply summoned it with the label "Fourth" to taunt Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Given that the first two coffins held Hashirama and Tobirama, the First and Second Hokage respectively, it naturally led to expectations that the third coffin would contain Minato Namikaze, also known as the Fourth Hokage.

However, due to the complexities of the plot and Minato's inability to be summoned conventionally, this theory presents a challenge. It is uncertain whether the labeling was an error by the writer or a deliberate maneuver to stimulate fan debate.

The anime showcases Madara Uchiha and Mito Uzumaki within this image, as depicted by Studio Pierrot.

Various speculations arise among fans regarding the concealed identity of the shinobi enclosed within the third coffin, suggesting the potential presence of formidable individuals such as Madara Uchiha and Mito Uzumaki.

Madara Uchiha, a powerful figure in the series, appears to be a favored option. Conversely, there are suggestions of Mito Uzumaki potentially being involved.

Being Hashirama Senju's spouse and the initial jinchuriki of the Nine Tails, Mito Uzumaki was undoubtedly a proficient shinobi. It is crucial to acknowledge that these are mere speculations lacking substantial evidence.

The cre­ator of the series, Masashi Kishimoto, has never officially revealed who Orochimaru tried to summon in that third coffin, fueling ongoing discussions and curiosity.