Anbu

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Anbu (暗部)
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Covert military unit handling assassination, classified operations, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and emergency wartime missions
Status	Active
First Appearance	16

Overview

The Anbu are Konoha’s masked covert operatives. Members conceal their identities through animal-themed masks and use codenames during missions; strength and obedience to orders are treated as fundamental requirements. 23 25

Their missions are conducted in secrecy and frequently involve lethal force. While other squads handle intelligence and protection, Sora Uchiha’s assigned unit specifically undertakes assassination and classified assignments. 26

Base of Operations

The Anbu base is concealed beneath Hokage Rock behind an unremarkable squat house set apart from nearby buildings. Its deliberately ordinary exterior and lack of nearby recreational areas help it avoid attention. 23

Inside, the base is built into the rock beneath the monument, with stalactites and damp stone surroundings. Despite its underground location, it has effective air circulation. 26

• The base has multiple entrances, allowing operatives to arrive from different directions without exposing a single access point. 23
• The facility is orderly and strict, though often nearly empty when most operatives are deployed. 23 102
• Members receive mission attire and masks before entering an operation. 120

Organization and Practices

Leadership

The Hokage leads the Anbu, although prospective members may be received directly by their assigned captain when the Hokage is occupied. 23

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Third Hokage and overall leader of the Anbu. He discusses assignments and Anbu deployments with Shinnosuke Sarutobi. 23 102
• Shin'nosuke Sarutobi — Elite Jonin, Hiruzen’s eldest son, and captain of Sora’s squad. 23
• Shikaku Nara — Temporarily gains authority to deploy Anbu captains while Hiruzen commands the front lines. 73

Codenames and Masks

Anbu members use codenames rather than personal names on missions. Their masks generally depict animals, with each operative’s design serving as a recognizable but concealed field identity. 23 90

Known codenames include:

• Seven — Sora Uchiha’s codename. 23
• Monkey — Kazuki Utsuki’s codename; wears a smiling fox mask. 25 103
• Eagle — Information specialist in Shinnosuke’s squad. 43
• Tiger — An operative with Special Jonin-level strength. 43
• White Fox — A new recruit assigned to work under Seven; wears a crying fox mask. 102 103

Operational Doctrine

• Operatives communicate through silent hand gestures during reconnaissance and combat. 70
• Members are expected to prioritize mission completion over emotions or personal attachment. 25 43
• Concealing one’s identity is mandatory; operatives are advised against using distinctive techniques that could reveal their clan or origin. 103
• Anbu members possess authority to direct ordinary Konoha ninja during missions when necessary. 86
• Missions may be issued through unconventional methods, including crows guiding operatives to a rendezvous point. 29

Recruitment and Training

Anbu recruitment emphasizes exceptional strength or specialized abilities. Sora Uchiha’s entrance assessment consisted of pursuing a masked operative at increasing speed; he was admitted after successfully keeping pace. 22 23

Minato Namikaze offered Sora three paths—Team 7, Daimyo protection, or the Anbu—because regulations required Chunin to operate in teams. Sora rejected the first two choices and chose the Anbu. 16

New members are assigned to a captain and may be placed under an experienced operative for familiarization with organizational rules. 23 26

Known Squads

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi's Squad

Shin'nosuke’s unit is described as one of the Anbu’s strongest squads and is assigned high-risk assassination and classified missions. It also has the highest mortality rate among Anbu squads. 26 70

Member	Codename	Known Role / Notes
Shin'nosuke Sarutobi	—	Captain; elite Jonin. 23
Sora Uchiha	Seven	Recruited at age twelve; later performs increasingly difficult and solo missions. 23 103
Kazuki Utsuki	Monkey	Senior operative and Sora’s mentor in Anbu procedures, swordsmanship, and Dance of the Crescent Moon. 25 63 65
Eagle	Eagle	Squad information specialist. 43
Tiger	Tiger	Special Jonin-level operative; later dies during a retreat operation. 43 68
Ame Hyuga	White Fox	New recruit assigned to Seven as a partner and trainee. 102 116

After Tiger’s death, the squad operates with only Shinnosuke, Monkey, Eagle, and Seven during an infiltration of the Iwagakure main camp. 70 Kazuki’s later death leaves Sora and Eagle as the only surviving members of their earlier team composition. 95

Operations

Iwagakure Supply Convoy Ambush

Sora’s first Anbu mission takes place at Lycoris Flower Shore in the neutral Land of Grass. Shin'nosuke’s squad ambushes an Iwagakure supply convoy, with Shin'nosuke engaging the enemy Jonin while Seven eliminates reconnaissance ninja Shisui. 24 25

The operation succeeds, disrupting Iwagakure’s supplies and earning Sora praise for his speed and efficiency. 26

Tsunade Rescue

Anbu operatives investigate explosions and Takigakure activity in the back mountain while pursuing clues connected to Tsunade’s location. Tiger secretly follows the blood trail into a cave, assassinating a Takigakure ninja to delay further interference. 43 46

During the operation, Sora uses Karasu Tengu against Kakuzu, but the technique severely damages his vision. 45

Iwagakure Main-Camp Reconnaissance

Shin'nosuke’s four-member squad infiltrates the Iwagakure army camp to identify enemy high-level combatants before a major battle. The team silently eliminates five patrolmen, then divides to survey separate sectors. 70

Seven identifies three Jonin, twenty-two Chunin, numerous Genin, and Kitsuchi’s presence before evading Kitsuchi and pursuing Iwagakure Anbu. 70

Mount Kōmori and Kikyo Mountain Operations

During the conflict around Mount Kōmori and Kikyo Mountain, the Anbu conduct rescue, elimination, and support operations amid the broader war. Seven is dispatched to rescue Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Raiden after they are ambushed by Pakura. 77

Following Kazuki’s death, Seven retrieves his body from Konoha’s refrigeration area using his Anbu authority. 91

Amegakure Investigation

Shin'nosuke assigns Seven and White Fox to secretly investigate a conflict involving Hanzo and an unknown force in Amegakure. Konoha fears that the hidden power could affect the ongoing war. 116

The pair travel covertly and later change into Anbu uniforms before entering the active phase of their mission. 116 120

Iwagakure Supply-Line Raid

As Konoha’s manpower becomes strained, Anbu operatives are deployed individually across the front. Seven responds to Might Guy’s distress signal, kills two Iwagakure Chunin, and then targets an enemy supply convoy to prevent supplies from reaching the battlefield. 147 148

During the raid, he uses a large explosion as a signal for allied forces to strike the convoy while he distracts Jonin Murata. 149 150

Internal Risks and Casualties

The Anbu’s mission tempo intensifies during wartime, with operatives often completing one assignment only to be immediately sent on another. This rapid deployment improves members’ combat ability but causes significant casualties. 26 68

Kazuki describes the organization as his final destination, contrasting it with Sora’s future beyond the Anbu. He accepts that he may die in service and refuses to let Sora expose a costly trump card to save him. 63

The organization’s secrecy also fosters distrust. Sora concludes that a mission involving Kazuki and Baki may have been arranged to test whether he possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, with delayed rescue intended to force him to reveal it. 61

• Tiger dies while covering a retreat. 68
• Kazuki Utsuki dies during the rescue mission involving Pakura and Baki. 90 91
• Anbu deaths are treated with disturbing indifference by some Konoha guards, who state that it is “normal for Anbu to die.” 90

Trivia

• Sora joins the Anbu at twelve years old, an age that draws notice from other members. 23 25
• Sora’s mother asks him to leave after he collapses twice within a short period, but he explains that the Anbu is not an organization one can leave freely. 64
• Hyuga clan members are considered difficult to integrate into Anbu because their Gentle Fist style can expose their identity, though White Fox demonstrates that it is possible. 104