Anbu

Biodata

Background / History

Following Orochimaru's defection, Anbu agents detained Uchiha Yatsuhashi and more than a hundred of Orochimaru's former subordinates for screening. The detainees were held in an Anbu prison while the village investigated possible accomplices and spies; even released suspects remained under secret Anbu surveillance. 2

Anbu personnel also operated amid competing loyalties within Konoha. Uchiha Shisui, for example, served both as an Anbu loyal to the Hokage and as an Uchiha clansman, monitoring Yatsuhashi while reporting his findings to the Hokage. 3

Minato Namikaze later recruited Yatsuhashi into the organization to place him under Hokage protection and remove the stigma of being an Orochimaru remnant. Yatsuhashi was assigned to Kakashi Hatake's Team 6. 15

Organization

Appearance

Anbu members conceal their identities with animal masks and operate from concealment, often appearing without warning. 2

• Animal masks muffle wearers' voices and conceal their faces. 2
• Members use specialized uniforms; Yatsuhashi selected an Eagle Mask upon joining. 16
• Their movements and identities are treated as confidential during missions; Kakashi reprimanded Might Guy for calling an Anbu member by name in the field. 35

Duties and Operations

Internal security and surveillance

Anbu detained and screened individuals connected to Orochimaru after his defection, then secretly monitored those released from custody. 2

Shisui was ordered to monitor Yatsuhashi as a suspect and to report both his interrogation and subsequent discussion with Fugaku to the Hokage. 3

Covert missions

Team 6's first recorded mission under Yatsuhashi's membership was the investigation and rescue of children missing across the Land of Fire, whose disappearances were linked to Orochimaru. 16

Kakashi and Yatsuhashi later provided covert protection for Hiruzen Sarutobi during his journey to the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace. 34

Combat and large-scale response

Anbu joined the Uchiha Military Police Force in Minato's operation against Root. While the Uchiha secured the perimeter, Kakashi's team infiltrated Root's archives to obtain evidence. 22

Minato personally led a large Anbu force into Root's base, surrounded Danzo, and ordered his arrest. 23

During the Daimyo Palace conflict, Ao's elite Anbu squad fought Guardian Shinobi blocking Hiruzen's path, while other Anbu subdued the remaining Lightning Style formation corners, detained surviving Guardian Shinobi, and secured the area after Kazuma's defeat. 37 42

Known Members

• Kakashi Hatake — Captain of Anbu Team 6; recruited and supervised Yatsuhashi. 15 16
• Uchiha Yatsuhashi — Team 6 member; selected the Eagle Mask. 15 16
• Sano Yuji — Initial Team 6 member; secretly worked for Danzo and was exposed as a traitor. 16 18
• Uchiha Shisui — Anbu member and Uchiha clansman tasked with monitoring Yatsuhashi. 3
• Ao — Anbu Captain who protected Hiruzen and led elite Anbu during the Daimyo Palace operation. 34 36 37
• Sarutobi Shinnosuke — Identified as Anbu Captain Ao. 38
• Aburame Tatsuma — Anbu-associated operative who received Danzo's order to pursue the original purge plan. 4

Relationships

• Hokage — Anbu is the Hokage's direct-controlled force; Minato personally assigns missions, recruits members, and deployed the organization against Root. 15 16 23
• Root — A hostile internal counterpart under Danzo. Root manipulated missions, planted Sano Yuji in Team 6, and became the target of Minato's extermination operation. 7 18 22
• Uchiha Military Police Force — Cooperated with Anbu during Operation Extermination, with the police force securing Root's perimeter while Anbu infiltrated. 22
• Guardian Shinobi — Engaged Anbu during the Daimyo Palace conflict; surviving members were captured by Anbu following Kazuma's defeat. 37 42

Trivia

• Anbu masks can be selected by their wearers; Yatsuhashi chose an Eagle Mask because he considered it easier to speak through and less likely to fog up. 16
• Anbu membership gave Yatsuhashi authority over ordinary jonin within Konoha's hierarchy. 25
• The Anbu attempted to intercept Root's special death missions after Danzo acted independently, but arrived too late to prevent most of the deployed teams from being wiped out. 11