Danzo

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Shimura Danzō; commonly rendered as Danzo (团藏) 116
Alias(es)	“Darkness of the Ninja World”; Lingmu, his cover identity as the Third Mizukage’s shadow guard 94 294
Gender	Male 194
Affiliation	Formerly Konohagakure; Root/Ne; later secretly controls Kirigakure and Sunagakure 93 169 265
Occupation/Role	Former Hokage’s Assistant and Root leader; clandestine ruler of two Great Ninja Villages and instigator of the Third Shinobi World War 116 186 294
Status	Deceased; killed by Pakura 298
Missing-nin Classification	S-Rank, with a Konoha kill-on-sight order 169 170

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Acquired Three-Tomoe Sharingan	182	Obtained during the Second Shinobi World War. Conceals the transplanted eye beneath bandages over his right eye.
Kage-level strength confirmed	120	Identified alongside Orochimaru as a Kage-level powerhouse capable of meeting secretly without ordinary Jonin detecting them.
Zero-Tails implanted	165	Pain-White Zetsu secretly places the Zero-Tails inside him while he sleeps. Aosui uses him as an incubator; his growing hatred subsequently accelerates its cultivation 178 180.
Wood Style awakened through serum	186 201	Receives Aosui’s Wood Style Serum from a disguised Pain-White Zetsu. His awakening is confirmed when he uses Deep Forest Emergence against Nagato.
Sharingan evolves into Mangekyō Sharingan	268	The Zero-Tails’ Yin-attribute chakra strengthens his ocular power until the eye evolves. Unlocks Takemikazuchi, which temporarily weakens an opponent.

Background / History

Root and the Wood Style Experiments

With Hiruzen Sarutobi’s approval, Danzo establishes Root—also called Ne—under the cover of the Anbu training department. He turns it into a private army answering only to him. Recruitment draws on talented children from Konoha’s ninja clans and, especially, the Konoha Orphanage, whose subsidies he controls 81 93.

Danzo also secretly restarts Wood Style experiments with Orochimaru after Hiruzen halts the project because of its casualties. The ordinary subjects supplied for the experiments cannot withstand Hashirama Cells and die, prompting Orochimaru to demand better experimental material 35 94.

Following the Chunin Exam disaster involving Wu, Danzo blames Hiruzen for Konoha’s losses and uses Root’s limited manpower as an argument for expansion. Hiruzen agrees but explicitly forbids further interference with the ninja clans 81.

Conflict with Hirakawa Aosui

Hirakawa Aosui, also called Qingshui, funds the orphanage sufficiently to free it from Danzo’s financial control. Losing this recruitment source brings Danzo into direct conflict with him. Danzo’s attempt to recruit Aosui fails; he refrains from attacking the Shadow Clone sent to their meeting because doing so would risk exposing Root 93.

After Orochimaru initially refuses to assassinate Aosui, Danzo recalls Yakushi Nonō from the Land of Lightning. He sends her back to the orphanage to cultivate a relationship with Aosui, intending to make her a vulnerability he can exploit. He also intends to dispose of Nonō because she knows too many Root secrets 94.

Two years later, Danzo uses the Jonin Assessment to set a trap involving Nonō, Root operatives, and Takigakure’s Seven-Tails jinchuriki. Aosui and Nonō return with evidence of Root’s attacks, exposing the operation to Hiruzen 101 116.

Imprisonment and Continued Assassination Attempts

Hiruzen initially proposes removing Danzo as Root leader and placing him under house arrest. Pressure from Aosui, Nonō, Minato, and Tsunade results in a harsher sentence: all of Danzo’s positions are revoked, and he is confined to Konoha Prison under strict surveillance 116.

Imprisonment does not sever his control over Root. He secretly bargains with Orochimaru, offering research funding, Uchiha human-sacrifice materials, and an Impure World Reincarnation scroll in exchange for Aosui’s assassination. Root personnel are placed at Orochimaru’s disposal for the operation 120.

Danzo remains imprisoned for more than two years. Hiruzen declines the elders’ requests for his release after discovering that Konoha has become easier to manage without him. When Orochimaru’s attack on Aosui fails, Hiruzen nevertheless protects Danzo again, issuing what he calls a final warning 147 152 161 162.

Framing and Defection

Aosui then orchestrates Danzo’s downfall through Pain-White Zetsu. The infiltrator replaces a Root operative, implants the Zero-Tails in Danzo, and impersonates him to order Hiruzen’s assassination. It also summons Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu to the Root base 164 165 166.

The supposed Danzo who murders the two elders in front of Hiruzen is Pain-White Zetsu, not the real Danzo. The real man is still resting in his prison cell. The impersonator’s actions convince Hiruzen that his old friend has become irredeemable 169.

Pain-Orochimaru extracts the real Danzo from prison. When Anbu attack him, Danzo accepts that he must flee and escapes Konoha with Aosui’s controlled agents. Hiruzen declares him an S-Rank missing-nin and dispatches Hatake Sakumo to pursue him 169 170.

Root’s Destruction and the Kirigakure Takeover

Danzo plans to hide at Orochimaru’s base in the Land of Fields and continue pursuing Wood Style. His gathered Root forces restore his confidence, but Sunagakure and Iwagakure intercept the group. Further fighting against Kumogakure leaves him injured, and he abandons Pain-Orochimaru to escape 173 174 176 178.

Kitsuchi’s pursuit destroys the remaining Root force as its members sacrifice themselves for Danzo. Cornered by multiple factions, Danzo threatens to detonate explosive tags. Black Zetsu and White Zetsu intervene, enabling him to fake his death and disappear from the pursuers’ attention 179 180 181 198.

Black Zetsu warns him that the Orochimaru accompanying him was Aosui’s controlled puppet. Danzo accepts an alliance aimed at defeating Aosui and seizing Kirigakure. He subdues Karatachi Yagura with Sharingan genjutsu, preserving him as a useful Kage-level puppet rather than killing him 181 182.

Initially controlling only the Third Mizukage and part of the Anbu, Danzo expands his hold until he becomes Kirigakure’s effective ruler. He restricts access to the Mizukage’s office and plots to eliminate the influential elder Genji through a trap involving Terumi Mei’s graduation examination 183 186.

Rain Country and the Two-Village War

Danzo travels secretly to the Land of Rain to seek Hanzo’s support. After observing Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, he first considers turning them into new Root operatives. Seeing Nagato’s Rinnegan changes his priority to stealing the eyes 194 195 197.

He persuades Hanzo to ally Amegakure with Kirigakure against Konoha, then exploits the trio’s connection to Jiraiya to portray them as potential traitors. During the resulting ambush, Danzo reveals his Wood Style, but Nagato overwhelms the attackers with his Rinnegan abilities. Danzo’s abandonment of his ally ends the partnership 199 200 201 206.

Black Zetsu forbids further interference with Nagato but agrees to help Danzo seize Sunagakure, provided he brings both controlled villages into war against Konoha within a month. White Zetsu replaces guards and elders to facilitate the takeover; Danzo personally places Chiyo and Ebizo under genjutsu. Sunagakure eventually falls under his control alongside Kirigakure 206 207 208 265.

Danzo continues pursuing powerful eyes throughout the war. He sends Pakura into the Land of Rain to obtain Nagato’s Rinnegan and arranges an ambush on Fugaku Uchiha to seize his Mangekyō Sharingan. The latter plan fails, costing Kirigakure the Seven Ninja Swordsmen 219 235 252.

During another attempt to take Nagato’s eyes, Danzo activates his own newly evolved Mangekyō Sharingan against Aosui’s Shadow Clone. Aosui removes Takemikazuchi’s weakening effect with Izanagi, frustrating Danzo’s previously unrevealed trump card 266 268 270.

Exposure and Death

At the four-Kage conference, Aosui and Pakura expose Danzo’s identity as Lingmu, the Third Mizukage’s shadow guard. They reveal that Sunagakure, Kirigakure, the war, and the conference have been manipulated by him. The Fourth Raikage and Ōnoki nevertheless continue their alliance against Aosui 294.

Danzo opens the battle with Wood Style while his controlled Kazekage and Mizukage join the other Kage against Aosui. Pakura pursues Danzo separately, survives his Takemikazuchi-assisted Wind Release attack through Izanagi, and counterattacks 295 296.

Near death, Danzo attempts Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing to take others down with him. Pain-Orochimaru stops the technique and retrieves the Zero-Tails from his body. Pakura then kills him 298.

Appearance

• Bandaged right eye: Conceals his transplanted Sharingan, later evolved into a Mangekyō Sharingan 182 296.
• Gloomy expression and head bandages: Identifying features when he travels with Mist ninja to the Land of Rain 194.
• One-armed during his flight: Described as having one arm while escaping Kitsuchi after the battles that devastate Root 179.
• Concealing disguises: Alters his appearance to meet Hanzo and wears a black raincoat during a later attempt to seize Nagato’s eyes, keeping his survival secret 198 266.

Personality

Danzo considers himself the only person capable of leading Konoha to its greatest heights. His desire to become Hokage drives his rivalry with Hiruzen and his hostility toward Aosui. After his defection, his claim that everything is “for Konoha” gives way to a desire to destroy the village: he regards Konoha as having betrayed him, rather than acknowledging his own betrayal 81 100 195.

Ruthless recruitment, disposable experimental subjects, and the exploitation of Nonō illustrate his willingness to sacrifice others for power. His own survival takes priority over every alliance; he explicitly feels no regret about abandoning Hanzo and would make the same choice again 93 94 206.

Despite his arrogance and violent temper, Danzo can act cautiously. He delays attacking Aosui because of political consequences, studies Nagato’s unfamiliar Rinnegan abilities before intervening, and plans Fugaku’s ambush around the danger of Aosui’s reinforcements. Dependence on stronger collaborators repeatedly forces him to suppress his anger 93 197 206 235.

Abilities & Skills

Wind Release

• Vacuum Blade: Infuses a kunai with Wind Release chakra, creating a blade sharp enough to cut through the rock coating Kitsuchi’s fist 176.
• Great Breakthrough: Overpowers Yahiko’s Water Severing Wave 266.
• Vacuum Serial Waves: A powerful cutting attack used to finish weakened opponents; Wind Release remains his preferred combat method even after acquiring Wood Style 296.

Sharingan and Genjutsu

• Uses his transplanted right-eye Sharingan to immobilize Yagura with an iron-spike illusion and subsequently control him 182.
• Places Chiyo, Ebizo, and Pakura under genjutsu as part of his domination of Sunagakure 208 265.
• Knows Izanagi, which sacrifices a Sharingan to negate unfavorable reality. His limited supply of eyes prevents him from using it freely 235.

Mangekyō Sharingan: Takemikazuchi

• Temporarily reduces an opponent’s strength; the degree and duration depend on the strength gap between Danzo and the target 268.
• Requires an interval of at least one hour before it can be used again on the same target 270.
• Produces visible bleeding during its use against Aosui 268.
• Its imposed weakening can be removed with Izanagi, as Aosui demonstrates 270.

Wood Style

• Deep Forest Emergence: Produces trees that restrain targets and drain their chakra. Danzo’s version is weaker than Hashirama’s original technique 201 270.
• Wood Clone: Withstands a powerful Earth Spear-enhanced punch from Aosui without being destroyed 268.
• Cutting Spikes: Transforms a Wood Clone into wooden spikes to counterattack Nagato 201.
• His Wood Style is assessed as roughly comparable to Yamato’s, rather than Hashirama’s, and is repelled by Nagato’s Almighty Push 197 201.

Sealing and Emergency Techniques

• Uses Self-Karma Curse Seal while cornered by the Third Raikage, Sakumo, and Kitsuchi 180.
• Activates an unidentified hidden power to heal himself during the same confrontation 180.
• Attempts Reverse Four-Symbols Sealing at the end of his life, but Pain-Orochimaru prevents its completion 298.

Intelligence and Organizational Control

• Builds Root into a private force through recruitment, harsh training, and absolute obedience to his commands 93.
• Investigates Aosui’s background and relationships to identify potential leverage 93 94 195.
• Combines Sharingan control with White Zetsu’s infiltration and impersonation to seize village leadership structures 182 207 208.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Kunai: Used as the base for Wind Release: Vacuum Blade 176.
• Sword: Wields a blade against Aosui while coordinating with Kisame 268.
• Smoke bombs: Used to escape pursuers 179.
• Explosive tags: Threatens to detonate them when cornered rather than submit to capture 180.
• Impure World Reincarnation scroll: Provides it to Orochimaru as payment for Aosui’s assassination 120.
• Wood Style Serum: Receives it from Pain-White Zetsu posing as a member of his research team 186.
• Zero-Tails: Secretly implanted inside his body as Aosui’s cultivated asset; extracted before his death 165 298.

Relationships

• Hirakawa Aosui / Qingshui — Principal enemy. Aosui frees the orphanage from Danzo’s control, exposes his assassination attempts, and later manipulates him through Pain bodies and the implanted Zero-Tails 93 116 164 165.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Friend of several decades and political rival. Hiruzen repeatedly protects him before imprisonment; Pain-White Zetsu’s framing finally prompts a kill-on-sight order 116 161 169 170.
• Yuruma Ryoma — Trusted Aburame subordinate and bodyguard. Carries out sensitive orders and monitors Orochimaru on Danzo’s behalf 93 120 147.
• Yakushi Nonō — Root operative he exploits to target Aosui. Danzo intends to eliminate her because of her knowledge of Root’s secrets; she helps expose his operation 94 116.
• Orochimaru — Research partner and contracted assassin, bound to Danzo by mutual interests rather than trust 94 120 147.
• Pain-Orochimaru — Aosui-controlled corpse initially mistaken for the real Orochimaru. Helps Danzo flee Konoha, monitors him, and ultimately retrieves the Zero-Tails 169 181 298.
• Black Zetsu and White Zetsu — Conditional allies who enable his apparent death and village takeovers. Black Zetsu treats him as a replaceable instrument against Aosui 181 183 206 207.
• Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu — Old colleagues who repeatedly seek his release. Their deaths at the hands of his impersonator are attributed to him 147 166 169.
• Hanzo — Temporary ally against Konoha and Jiraiya’s students. Their partnership collapses after Danzo abandons him 199 206.
• Nagato — Target of Danzo’s repeated attempts to steal the Rinnegan 197 219 266.
• Kisame Hoshigaki — Undercover asset within Akatsuki, ordered to exploit the Rain Country conflict to seize Nagato’s eyes 259 268.
• Pakura — Initially controlled through genjutsu; later pursues and kills him after receiving intelligence from Aosui 265 296 298.
• Utakata — Thoroughly brainwashed loyalist who protects Danzo during Pakura’s attack 296 297.

Notable Quotes

“Everything I've done is for Konoha...” 81

“Only I can be the strongest Hokage, surpassing the First Generation!” 100

“But this works out perfectly; eyes like the Rinnegan should belong to me!” 197