Anbu

Biodata

Appearance

Anbu operatives conceal their identities behind animal-themed masks while carrying out missions.

• A Konoha operative wears an unspecified animal mask while confronting Uchiha Yan. 2
• Investigators at the Forest of Death wear fox and cat masks. 5
• An Anbu commander confronting Yan over the Cloud Village incident wears an eagle mask. 23
• After Yan consolidates authority, the Anbu's outer garments bear the Uchiha fan crest. 56

Organization

Konoha originally had only the Anbu. After Senju Tobirama's death, major clans placed their own personnel within the organization, turning the Hokage's private army into a field of factional competition. Sarutobi Hiruzen eventually reclaimed the Anbu, while Shimura Danzō took control of Root as the organization assigned to conduct work that could not be brought into the open. 10

The force is organized into squads and divisions. Its Second and Third Squads hold defensive zones, the Fifth Squad handles intelligence work, and the First Squad is later deployed on Uchiha Inabi's orders. 55 102

• Command structure — The Anbu answer directly to the Hokage; lower-ranking shinobi describe them as representatives of the Hokage's will. 26
• Operational culture — During the Chūnin Exams, operatives treat a teammate burned by the Four Violet Flames Formation as expendable, noting that casualties lead to frequent replacements. 32
• Root — Root is Konoha's parallel covert organization and historic rival in the village's internal power structure. 10

History

At the beginning of the story, Konoha's Anbu protect the Nine-Tails jinchūriki and intervene when Uchiha Yan tells Naruto that the village hates him. One operative attempts to stop Yan, only to be caught in his Three-Tomoe Sharingan genjutsu; Anbu captain Kakashi prevents the confrontation from becoming fatal. 2

The force investigates major disturbances but repeatedly faces information gaps. Fox- and cat-masked operatives inspect the aftermath of Yan's battle with Obito in the Forest of Death, identify evidence of a powerful Fire Release user, and ultimately find no usable leads. 5 Anbu also investigate an assassination attempt on Sarutobi Hiruzen, while the Hokage orders them to keep the incident from spreading. 12

During the Chūnin Exams, Sarutobi orders the Anbu to contain news of mutilated bodies near the exam grounds and removes Kakashi from the matter after he questions the decision to continue the exams. 26 When Orochimaru launches the Konoha Crush Plan, Anbu personnel respond to the Four Violet Flames Formation, attempt to assist Sarutobi from outside the barrier, and witness the Hokage's final battle. 32 35 36

Following Sarutobi's death, the Council of Elders attempts to take charge of the Anbu during the ensuing power vacuum. Their effort fails to restrain Yan, and several Anbu squads later refuse to recognize his transfer orders because they only acknowledge directives personally signed by the Third Hokage. 38 55

The Fifth Division is devastated in an attack attributed to Sunagakure, becoming a central pretext for Yan's war preparations. Within days, Yan places trusted Uchiha personnel throughout the Anbu, suppresses dissent through reassignment, and fully secures control over the organization. 56 57

Major Operations

Duties and Methods

Security and Protection

• Protect the Nine-Tails jinchūriki during assignments in Konoha. 2
• Guard the Chūnin Exam venue and respond to sudden barrier formations. 31 32
• Search for Orochimaru after his escape following Sarutobi's death. 37 38
• Escort and secure high-value prisoners and death-row inmates for Orochimaru's forbidden-technique rituals. 89

Intelligence and Containment

• Investigate battlefields, attempted assassinations, and unidentified infiltrators. 5 12
• Suppress sensitive information under Hokage orders, including the discovery of bodies near the Chūnin Exam grounds. 26
• Gather border intelligence, though the Fifth Squad withholds reports during its initial resistance to Yan's authority. 55
• Survey mines and deliver mission orders during Konoha's economic agreement with Akatsuki. 81 82

Enforcement Under Uchiha Yan

• Anbu who oppose Yan's leadership are reassigned to the border, while his loyalists are embedded throughout the organization. 56
• Agents enforce Konoha's control over rogue ninja: those who sabotage outsourced missions may be executed, have their bounties claimed, and have their deposits used to compensate employers. 85 99
• The First Squad abducts casino owners on orders that require only that the targets arrive alive and intact. 102

Relationships

• Sarutobi Hiruzen — The Anbu historically serve as the Hokage's directly controlled force; Hiruzen uses them for protection, investigations, and information containment. 10 12 26
• Shimura Danzō and Root — Root serves as the Anbu's covert counterpart, created amid Konoha's factional struggle and assigned work unsuitable for public exposure. 10
• Hatake Kakashi — An Anbu captain who intervenes in Yan's clash with an operative and later acts as an intermediary when squads resist Yan's orders. 2 55
• Uchiha Yan — Initially opposed by several Anbu squads, Yan later replaces dissenting elements with loyalists and brings the organization under Uchiha control. 23 55 56
• Uchiha Inabi — Commands the Anbu First Squad during the operation against casino owners. 102
• Konan and Akatsuki — Coordinate with Konoha Anbu during mine inspections in the Land of Rain under the Konoha–Akatsuki agreement. 81 82