Root

Biodata

Background

Root operates beneath Konoha under Danzō's command. Its members wear masks and carry no identifying marks; they are trained to execute orders without questioning their purpose. 9

The organization had access to extensive surveillance records on Uchiha Lieyang, including his friends, businesses, public statements, mission habits, and private meetings with members of the Uchiha Police Force. Danzō regarded Lieyang's network of relationships as evidence that he was building independent influence within the village. 7

Organization and Methods

• Root operates from an underground base beneath Konoha. 9
• Members conceal their identities with masks and unmarked clothing. 5 9
• It deploys organized squads with jōnin captains and elite operatives. 9 12
• Its missions employ coordinated ambushes, underground Earth Style attacks, ninja-tool barrages, close-combat traps, and battlefield investigation. 9 11 12
• Root gathers and preserves evidence, including sealing recovered material for later confirmation. 5
• Its agents can use summoning scrolls and messenger beasts to transmit battlefield intelligence to headquarters. 12

Story Role / Major Arcs

Investigation of the A-Rank Mission Failure

After a forest fire destroyed the site of Takeno Sota, Ayakawa Yukina, and Uchiha Lieyang's mission, Root joined ANBU in examining the scene. Its investigators found evidence of Earth Style and Parasitic Destruction Bugs, then prioritized locating Lieyang despite all three shinobi being missing. 5

Danzō argued that Lieyang's disappearance, Fire Style traces, and the loss of his teammates were sufficient grounds to treat him as a defector. Hiruzen Sarutobi instead demanded an investigation and instructed Root to bring Lieyang back for interrogation if possible. 6 7

Hiruzen's order granted Root access to Lieyang's past records, authority to seize his businesses, interrogate people close to him, deploy trackers throughout the Land of Fire, and act directly against him. Danzō privately intended to recover Lieyang's Sharingan and brain even if he was killed. 7

First Pursuit Squad

Danzō sent two Root squads—seven masked shinobi led by two jōnin captains—with orders to bring back Lieyang's corpse and eyes. Their intelligence described him as a Three-Tomoe Sharingan special jōnin whose abilities centered on Fire Style, Wind Style, genjutsu, throwing weapons, and Shadow Clones. 9

The squads attempted an underground ambush, followed by a coordinated barrage of hundreds of kunai. Lieyang detected their positions while blindfolded and redirected their attack with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. 9 10

Root's assessment deteriorated further when Lieyang used Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique, displayed overwhelming taijutsu, and employed rapid one-handed Earth Style. The squad's captain and remaining members were killed during the battle. 10 11

Flowing Moon Squad Investigation

A later Root squad discovered the Flowing Moon Squad annihilated at a battlefield marked by Earth Release, underground movement, explosive tags, ninja-tool collisions, and intense taijutsu. The dead included Captain Flowing Moon, a jōnin skilled in close combat, assassination, and battlefield command, along with three elite members. 12

Unable to reconcile the battlefield with Lieyang's existing intelligence file, the investigating captain concluded that Lieyang had been aided by at least one elite shinobi from another village. Root headquarters received the report, and Danzō ordered the investigation to continue. 12

Relationships

• Danzō — Root's leader; directs its investigations and assigns its elimination missions against Uchiha Lieyang. 6 9 12
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Authorized Root to investigate Lieyang, while ordering that he be captured for interrogation when possible. 7
• ANBU — Cooperated with Root at the burned mission site, though the two groups searched separately and shared limited information. 5
• Uchiha Lieyang — Primary pursuit target; Root received authority to capture or kill him and suffered multiple squad losses during the hunt. 7 9 12
• Flowing Moon Squad — Root squad led by the jōnin Flowing Moon; wiped out during the pursuit of Lieyang. 12

Trivia

• Root's initial intelligence on Lieyang omitted his Water and Earth chakra natures, Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, exceptional taijutsu, simplified hand seals, and one-handed seal casting. 10 11 12
• Its investigators interpreted the destruction of the Flowing Moon Squad as evidence of outside assistance, rather than accepting that Lieyang could have achieved it alone. 12