Baba Tesshin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Baba Tesshin (马场铁心)
Alias(es)	Baba; Mr. Tesshin
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Former Root operative; Uchiha Xuan's faction; Scarlet Eye Legion
Occupation/Role	Intelligence officer, field commander, and deputy commander of the Scarlet Eye Legion 72 141
First Appearance	Chapter 34 34

Background / History

Baba Tesshin initially operated alongside Xuan and Chiyo Saori during the conflict surrounding Old Ape, a dying Four-Tails jinchūriki. He openly feared Xuan's plan to turn Old Ape into a “mobile chakra node,” wishing to preserve the existing order and avoid the consequences with the major villages. 35

Despite this hesitation, Tesshin became an active agent in Xuan's wider strategy. He secretly provided an Akatsuki broker with a drop of Old Ape's blood and deliberately encouraged greater instability among the nations, believing chaos could give the Hidden Sand Village an opportunity to rise. 36

His past as a Root operative resurfaces when his mechanical prosthetic eye identifies Shimura Danzō and Root's Executors as the source of the Watcher System's forces. 52 75 He later commits himself completely to Xuan's cause, carrying out infiltration, battlefield support, propaganda, executions, and suppression campaigns without hesitation. 76 105 107 128

By the founding of the Scarlet Eye Empire, Tesshin serves as deputy commander of the Scarlet Eye Legion and enforces Xuan's program of severing clan identities and replacing them with imperial loyalty. 141

Appearance

Baba Tesshin is a burly, scarred shinobi whose imposing build is repeatedly compared to an iron tower. He carries himself as a heavily armed frontline warrior, though his prosthetic eye and intelligence work reveal a more technical side. 34 75 82 104

• Large, muscular build and weathered appearance. 34 88
• Face marked by knife scars. 74 104
• Mechanical prosthetic eye capable of detecting chakra anomalies, though it can overload under extreme power. 75
• Usually carries a long sword or katana. 63 65
• Has used a massive shield and custom shoulder armor in battle. 34 57

Personality

Tesshin is a direct, martial-minded operative who reacts strongly to threats against his allies and to the desecration of the dead. He can be impulsive: he charges the Sharingan altar in anger and is stopped by its force field, and he attacks Green Husk head-on despite the creature's regenerative abilities. 57 68

He is also capable of caution and tactical judgment. Tesshin warns Xuan about barriers, enemy pursuit, approaching Kage-level chakra signatures, and dangerous locations such as the Sin Bone Mound. 40 67 75

His loyalty to Xuan steadily becomes fanatical. Although he initially questions Xuan's methods, he later executes orders without delay, embraces the Empire's ideology, and suppresses dissent with cold efficiency. 35 76 102 128

Abilities & Skills

Magnet Release and Iron Sand Control

Tesshin uses Magnet Release to manipulate iron sand for mobility, tracking, stealth, and crushing force.

• Detects unusually violent chakra fluctuations through Magnet Release. 40
• Controls iron sand precisely enough to float Xuan's group above the ground without friction or sound. 51
• Pulverizes a Hidden Cloud elite badge by compressing it with magnetism and black iron sand. 46
• Uses a brass compass whose needle tracks a target rather than north or south. 40

Swordsmanship and Taijutsu

Tesshin is a durable close-range fighter with strong physical power and mastery of Hidden Sand sword techniques.

• Uses a massive shield to create a defensive ring of sand during an ambush. 34
• Severed a White Zetsu fungal tendril before it could capture Saori. 65
• Employs Sunagakure secret swordsmanship to cut White Zetsu nerve bundles and disrupt their command structure. 83
• Is described as renowned for taijutsu, though Xuan's repulsive domain can repel him with ease. 81

Fire Release and Field Concealment

Tesshin can erase a team's trail through destructive Fire Release.

• Vaporizes footprints, scent trails, and surrounding snow to establish a temporary safe zone for Xuan's analysis. 44
• Helps maintain operational secrecy during infiltration missions. 44 51

Intelligence and Infiltration

Tesshin serves as one of Xuan's principal scouts, couriers, and covert operatives.

• Delivers battlefield intelligence through puppet reconnaissance. 74
• Intercepts encrypted intelligence scrolls from messengers without harming them. 100
• Uses insect eggs hidden in ink to remotely intercept an observer's written report. 85
• Disguises himself as a refugee, wandering shinobi, monk, or other civilian cover identity when conducting operations. 36 125

Puppet and Formation Operations

Though Saori is the group's primary puppeteer, Tesshin can operate chakra-thread mechanisms and support large-scale formations.

• Commands specially modified puppets containing White Zetsu nerve clusters that act as chakra relays. 98
• Helps create seismic resonance for Xuan's false-god spectacle by detonating explosive-tag arrays at the designated heartbeat signal. 88

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Long sword / katana — his primary melee weapon. 63 65
• Massive shield — used during the canyon ambush. 34
• Mechanical prosthetic eye — detects chakra abnormalities and identifies information linked to Root. 75
• Brass compass — magnetically tracks a designated location or target. 40
• Black iron sand — used for stealth transport, crushing, and Magnet Release techniques. 46 51
• Custom shoulder armor — torn apart by Green Husk's claws. 57

Relationships

• Uchiha Xuan — Tesshin's commander and later emperor. He initially questions Xuan's treatment of Old Ape, but eventually follows orders with unwavering loyalty and reverence. 35 76 105
• Chiyo Saori — fellow senior operative and frequent mission partner. They coordinate warning nets, cover operations, battlefield formations, propaganda, and imperial enforcement. 44 88 105
• Old Ape — Tesshin objects to Xuan's plan to transform the dying jinchūriki into a chakra node, revealing his early discomfort with Xuan's methods. 35
• Root Tongue — Tesshin is ordered to transport Root Tongue to an abandoned altar and ensure the possessed remnant recites a specified account during Xuan's ritual. 76

Story Role / Major Arcs

Old Ape and the Four-Tails Incident

• Questions whether Old Ape should be returned to the village rather than used in Xuan's experiment. 35
• Secretly leaks a drop of Old Ape's blood to an Akatsuki broker to help destabilize the political situation. 36

Hidden Cloud Infiltration

• Tracks Hidden Cloud pursuit teams with Magnet Release and helps lead Xuan's group through the mountains. 40
• Assists in creating a hidden safe zone while Xuan analyzes forbidden Lightning Release techniques. 44
• Follows Xuan through the Thunder God's Hammer sanctuary and witnesses the destructive potential of Xuan's spatial fissure. 47 51

Moonshadow Forest and Root Revelations

• Protects Saori from White Zetsu remnants in Moonshadow Forest. 65
• Displays abnormal, obsessive behavior amid the forest's disturbances, prompting Xuan to inspect his chakra. 66
• Learns of Root's connection to the Watcher System and warns Xuan and Saori of approaching Kage-level enemies. 75

Divine Tree and White Zetsu Battles

• Is wounded by Green Husk while defending the group in the Divine Tree canyon. 57
• Supports Xuan and Saori against the White Zetsu Army, attacking its nerve bundles with Hidden Sand swordsmanship. 82 83
• Helps stage Xuan's god-like battlefield manifestation through planned seismic resonance. 88

Scarlet Eye Empire

• Posts Xuan's Crimson Eye Edicts at outposts and presents submission as the only alternative to becoming an example on an Edict Pillar. 105
• Leads black-armored troops in Blackstone Village, arrests alleged heresy organizers, and executes five ringleaders. 107
• Suppresses resistance to the destruction of old clan genealogies and surnames. 128
• Serves as deputy commander of the Scarlet Eye Legion at the Unified Naming Ceremony. 141

Notable Quotes

“Either kneel and receive our protection and food, or remain standing and become the next image on an Edict Pillar.” 105

“This humble monk has traveled far and wide, yet I have never heard of such a thing... This must be Spirit Communion Reversion!” 125