Anbu

Biodata

History

Service under Hiruzen Sarutobi

The Anbu initially operated as Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct force. When Sarutobi Hiogo led a revenge squad against the Uchiha clan despite the Hokage's prohibition, five or six Anbu attempted to block his advance; two withdrew to notify Hiruzen while the remainder held their ground. Hiogo killed three Anbu during the confrontation. 16 18

Under Captain Shinnosuke Sarutobi, the organization escalated its conflict with the Uchiha Police Force. Anbu operatives allowed a Kirigakure spy to escape after Aoki and Yamikaze were critically injured, then accused the Police Force of obstructing their operation. Shinnosuke demanded Qianyu's squad be disbanded and its members interrogated as suspected spies. 22

Fugaku Uchiha prevented his subordinates from being taken by voluntarily entering Anbu custody himself, reasoning that the Anbu could not treat the Uchiha clan head as they might ordinary Police Force members. 23

Anbu Prison Incident

Uchiha Qianyu stormed the Anbu prison to uncover the conspiracy against Aoki and Yamikaze. He killed two guards, coerced an Anbu leader into identifying seven conspirators, and killed the Kirigakure spy involved in the scheme. Qianyu later counted ten deaths from the raid in total. 25 26 29

The prison's defenders used hidden weapons, elemental ninjutsu, barriers, and coordinated attacks, but Qianyu's Sharingan allowed him to evade their assault and identify the responsible operatives. 25 27

After Qianyu killed Shinnosuke Sarutobi, the Anbu detained him with the Seal of Law and Quadruple Heavy Seal. Qianyu had secretly used his Mangekyo Sharingan's Kuyebi to create a loophole in the seals, enabling him to break free later. 32 34

During his second prison rampage, Qianyu killed imprisoned criminals and Anbu guards, including prison guard captain Kenpei Aburame. Kenpei's loyalty to his post was undermined by his involvement in the prison's abuses. 39 40

Organization

Leadership

Facilities and Methods

• Anbu personnel commonly operate in distinctive masks; their identities and assignments are concealed even when acting within Konoha. 4 16
• The Anbu prison is protected by layered sealing barriers designed to prevent inmates from using chakra, ninjutsu, or escaping through its walls. 27 34
• The Seal of Law blocks chakra flow and prevents ninjutsu and genjutsu, while the Quadruple Heavy Seal suppresses physical strength and taijutsu. 34
• The prison was used to house both ordinary criminals and individuals targeted by the Anbu's political authority, including Qianyu. 34 35

Reorganization

Qianyu condemned the old Anbu as a private army serving the Hokage rather than a proper village institution. He retained covert work as a necessary function, but ordered Kakashi to rebuild the organization without its former secrecy and exclusivity. 121

The reformed Anbu recruited suitable personnel from Konoha's clans instead of relying on selectively cultivated loyalists. The Hyuga were recognized as valuable reconnaissance candidates, while Aburame shinobi—previously drawn heavily into Root—were able to join openly for covert missions. 121 123

Kakashi's reformed force included former subordinates such as Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao, alongside recruits including Mitarashi Anko, Namiashi Raidō, Yamashiro Aoba, Shiranui Genma, and Tada Iwashu. The organization continued secret missions but became a regular department operating alongside Konoha's other institutions. 123

Relationships

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — The original Anbu answered directly to the Third Hokage's orders; Qianyu later criticized this arrangement as turning the unit into Hiruzen's private army. 16 121
• Uchiha Police Force — The two organizations repeatedly clashed over jurisdiction and the treatment of Uchiha personnel, culminating in the framing of Aoki and Yamikaze and Qianyu's prison assault. 18 22 25
• Uchiha Fugaku — The Anbu detained Fugaku for interrogation after Shinnosuke accused the Police Force of interfering with its operation; Fugaku was later released in exchange for Qianyu's custody. 23 33
• Kakashi Hatake — Initially an Anbu squad captain involved in the investigation of the Uchiha incident, Kakashi became the captain responsible for the organization's reformation. 32 121 123
• Root Organization — The Anbu and Root were separate Konoha covert forces; Qianyu's later reforms specifically enabled Aburame shinobi to serve in Anbu rather than disappear into Root. 121

Later Deployments

• Kakashi led Konoha's Anbu reinforcements during Kirigakure's search for the reborn Three-Tails, contributing Sharingan perception and ninja-hound tracking alongside Kirigakure sensory specialists. 188
• During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kakashi commanded Anbu drawn from multiple villages as a mobile surprise-attack and reinforcement force, supported by elite fighters including Might Guy. 200