Ao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ao (青)
Alias(es)	“Byakugan Killer” 57
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kirigakure
Occupation/Role	Squad captain; Jonin; later personal assistant to the Fourth Mizukage 33 57 256
Status	Deceased; killed by Zetsu during Kirigakure’s civil war 426
First Appearance	New Team 33

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Jonin	57	Promoted after adapting to his transplanted Byakugan; his squad’s repeated victories over Hyuga ambushes earned him the title “Byakugan Killer.” 57

Background / History

Ao was older than Mei Terumi and belonged to the generation active near the end of the Third Shinobi World War. At the beginning of his known service, both of his natural eyes were intact. 5 33

He became the captain of a Kirigakure squad consisting of Zabuza Momochi, Mei Terumi, and the newly assigned Qi Shuang. Though wary of Qi Shuang’s previous actions, Ao accepted him after reviewing the boy’s combat record against Uchiha Tai and recognizing his strength and judgment. 33

During a Kirigakure operation against Konoha, Ao led his squad in a raid aimed at the Hyuga Main Family. Following the mission, Qi Shuang arranged for a captured Hyuga Byakugan to be transplanted into Ao’s right eye. Ao accepted the decision rather than blaming his subordinates. 36 56

Third Shinobi World War

After mastering the transplanted Byakugan, Ao was promoted to Jonin. His squad became a frequent target of Hyuga ambushes, but his perception allowed them to avoid traps and eliminate attackers in return. This reputation led to the name “Byakugan Killer.” 57

Ao served as the overall commander of a surprise-attack unit operating alongside the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He used the Byakugan to locate hidden Konoha sentries, guide the force through weak points in Konoha’s defenses, and later lead its retreat after the Swordsmen suffered catastrophic losses. 62 74 80

He later led Kirigakure personnel supporting Iwagakure on the Land of Grass front. Ao remained wary of Iwagakure despite the alliance, warning his squad that alliances existed only while they remained useful. 82 84

Fourth Mizukage Administration

Following Karatachi Yagura’s succession, Ao was appointed the Fourth Mizukage’s personal assistant. His position gave him access to sensitive village intelligence, though he cautioned Qi Shuang against investigating matters involving the Three-Tails Jinchuriki and the Mizukage. 256

Ao grew concerned over the Kaguya Clan’s unrest and urged Yagura to take the threat seriously. Yagura instead dismissed the matter and delegated it to Ao and the other officials. 278

When Yagura returned from his confrontation with Itachi Uchiha behaving unusually, Ao suspected outside interference. He sought the opinion of senior officials before following the masked man Tobi’s instructions, demonstrating caution despite his loyalty to the Mizukage. 369

Capture and Death

Ao confronted Tobi after realizing that Yagura was likely under genjutsu. He activated his Byakugan and used Water Release: Azure Dragon Palm, but the attack passed through Tobi’s body. With Yagura unable to assist, Ao was captured by Tobi’s Sharingan. 373

While under genjutsu, Ao was interrogated about Rin Nohara’s remains. He revealed that Kirigakure had extracted the Three-Tails from Rin, implanted it into Yagura, and discarded Rin’s body in Blood Valley before Qi Shuang later recovered it. 386

Ao was imprisoned during the Hozuki Clan coup alongside Mei Terumi. After Mei developed a corrosive Kekkei Tōta capable of breaking their shackles, Ao used the Byakugan to guide their escape past the prison guards. 402 409 410

Ao was subsequently killed by Zetsu. Zabuza recovered his body, and Mei informed Qi Shuang of Ao’s death after Qi Shuang returned to Kirigakure. His death also rendered Kirigakure’s only Byakugan unusable. 426 439

Appearance

Following the Byakugan transplant, Ao was a one-eyed middle-aged man who wore an eyepatch over his right eye when not actively using the dōjutsu. 256 373

• His transplanted Byakugan was in his right eye. 373
• He was recognizable to former subordinates by his eyepatch and Byakugan. 398
• Tobi and Zetsu repeatedly impersonated Ao during the civil war, exploiting the trust associated with his appearance and position. 400 414

Personality

Ao was a measured and responsible commander. He prioritized survival and mission success over the aggressive instincts of his troops, choosing to evade pursuing Konoha forces rather than accept an unnecessary battle. 74

He was pragmatic about village politics and warfare. Ao warned his subordinates that allies could abandon one another when interests changed, and he remained suspicious of Iwagakure’s treatment of Kirigakure forces. 84

Ao also cared deeply for his squad. He accepted the Byakugan transplant as an act undertaken for his sake, later showed fatherly concern for Mei Terumi while they were imprisoned, and encouraged his former subordinates to operate independently when the village reassigned them. 56 205 409

Abilities & Skills

Byakugan

Ao’s transplanted Hyuga Byakugan was his defining combat asset and made him Kirigakure’s only known Byakugan user during his service. 57 439

• Detected hidden Konoha shinobi and guided allied units around defensive positions. 62 80
• Allowed Ao’s squad to avoid Hyuga ambushes and counterattack their attackers. 57
• Observed chakra abnormalities, including signs that Yagura was under external control. 404
• Could perceive the process of a person’s death. 71
• Helped Ao and Mei Terumi evade lax prison guards during their escape. 410
• Its sight had limits at long range; Ao could not identify the form of an opponent’s dōjutsu when the target was too distant. 135

Water Release: Azure Dragon Palm

Ao concentrated chakra into his palm and struck at an opponent’s meridians after locating them with the Byakugan. 373

• Used against Tobi after Ao recognized him as an enemy. 373
• Ineffective against Tobi’s phasing ability; the attack passed through him. 373

Command and Battlefield Analysis

Ao was an experienced field commander capable of managing both small squads and larger operation groups.

• Led Qi Shuang, Zabuza, and Mei Terumi as a four-person squad. 33
• Commanded a surprise-attack unit during the operation involving the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. 62 74
• Ordered his troops to disengage from unfavorable battles and used the Byakugan to chart safe withdrawal routes. 74 80
• Maintained operational secrecy, withholding mission details until disclosure was necessary. 59 82

Relationships

• Qi Shuang — Former subordinate and trusted squad member. Ao accepted him into the squad, accepted the Byakugan transplant arranged on his behalf, and later assisted his request for sensitive intelligence. 33 56 256
• Mei Terumi — Former subordinate whom Ao treated with protective, fatherly concern; they escaped imprisonment together during the civil war. 33 409 410
• Zabuza Momochi — Former subordinate in Ao’s original squad. Zabuza later recovered Ao’s body after his death. 33 426
• Karatachi Yagura — Ao served as Yagura’s personal assistant and became suspicious when the Mizukage’s behavior changed under Tobi’s genjutsu. 256 369 373
• Tobi — Enemy who captured and interrogated Ao, later impersonated him to manipulate Mei Terumi. 373 386 400
• Zetsu — Ao’s killer during the Kirigakure civil war. 426

Trivia

• Ao’s Byakugan was taken from a Hyuga Main Family member during the Third Shinobi World War; a Branch Family Byakugan would become useless if removed. 5
• Kirigakure had only one Byakugan during Ao’s service, making both him and his squad unusually conspicuous on the battlefield. 57
• After Ao’s death, Kirigakure no longer possessed a usable Byakugan. 439