Root

Biodata

Background / History

Root was controlled by Shimura Danzo, one of Hidden Leaf's elder advisors. Though publicly described as an ANBU subordinate training institution, it functioned as a covert force whose authority was said to be little weaker than ANBU's own. Its purpose was to handle operations kept out of the public eye. 39

Danzo sought to recruit Uchiha Mo and Uchiha Shisui into Root because of their exceptional talent. Hiruzen Sarutobi refused to hand either brother over, regarding Root as an inappropriate place for them. 8

Root later attempted to summon the brothers directly through three masked operatives. Mo refused and incapacitated two agents with Sharingan genjutsu, forcing the remaining operative to retreat and report to Danzo. 34 36

Danzo continued pursuing Shisui, arguing that Hidden Leaf required “roots” working in darkness. Mo repeatedly rejected him and prevented Danzo from abducting Shisui. 38 39 Danzo subsequently cooperated with Orochimaru in an attempt to obtain Sharingan, with Mo as the intended target. 40 44

After surviving Root's ambush alongside Orochimaru, Mo infiltrated Root's underground base using Invisibility. He assassinated Danzo, discovered Orochimaru's hidden laboratory within the base, and then killed Danzo again after learning that Izanagi had negated the first assassination. 44 47

Danzo's disappearance triggered a major internal investigation. Root's sensory coverage had detected no intruder, while the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals on its members gradually vanished after his death. The investigation ultimately produced no conclusive culprit. 48

Organization & Operations

Authority and purpose

• Officially, Root was a subordinate training organization of ANBU. 39
• In practice, it carried out covert and morally questionable work for Hidden Leaf. 39
• Danzo justified its existence as necessary “darkness” supporting the village's visible prosperity. 38
• Its members were conditioned to obey orders and feared Danzo's authority. 36 46

Personnel structure

• Root squads generally consisted of three members, similar to ANBU squads. 44
• Elite or specialized squads could include sensory ninja, though Root lacked enough sensory operatives to assign one to every unit. 44
• Members used animal masks and armored uniforms; known codenames include Dog and Tiger. 34 47
• Root shinobi bore Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals, which were believed to prevent betrayal until the seals disappeared following Danzo's death. 48

Base

• Root operated from a concealed underground base beneath Hidden Leaf. 36 44
• The base contained offices, dormitories, changing rooms, training grounds, sensory personnel, and Orochimaru's hidden laboratory. 44 45
• Most internal rooms notably lacked doors, making conventional intrusion controls unusually limited. 44
• During the investigation into Danzo's disappearance, Root's sensory network covered the base continuously but still failed to detect Mo's infiltration or escape. 46 48

Known Personnel and Associates

• Shimura Danzo — Root's leader and an elder advisor of Hidden Leaf; pursued Uchiha Mo and Shisui for recruitment before being assassinated by Mo. 8 45 47
• Orochimaru — Danzo's covert collaborator; received Root support and used a laboratory hidden within the Root base. 40 44 45
• Aburame Ryoma — Root operative tasked by Danzo with summoning Orochimaru. 40
• Dog — Root operative who unknowingly received orders from Mo while Mo was disguised as Danzo. 47
• Tiger — Root operative associated with Dog and implicated in the silence surrounding Danzo's disappearance. 47 48
• Uchiha Mo — Root's principal adversary; rejected recruitment, defeated its operatives, infiltrated its base, and killed Danzo. 34 44 47
• Uchiha Shisui — A recruitment target due to his talent and youth; protected from Root by Mo. 8 38 39

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of the Uchiha brothers

Danzo initially demanded that Hiruzen surrender Mo and Shisui to Root for training. Hiruzen refused, while Danzo continued seeking ways to bring Shisui under Root's control. 8 38

Conflict with Uchiha Mo

Root's direct summons and Danzo's later recruitment attempt both failed. Mo humiliated Root's agents, openly rejected Danzo's authority, and made Shisui's protection his priority. 34 36 38 39

Orochimaru operation

Danzo enlisted Orochimaru to target Mo and acquire Sharingan. Root operatives supported the ambush and maintained the Four Violet Flames Formation during Mo's battle with Orochimaru. 40 42 43

Danzo's assassination and dissolution

Mo infiltrated Root unseen, assassinated Danzo twice, impersonated him long enough to issue orders, and escaped with evidence from the base. Danzo's unexplained disappearance destabilized Root and preceded its merger into ANBU. 44 49