Root

Biodata

Background / History

Root operated from an underground base under Danzo Shimura's command. Its personnel functioned as Danzo's hidden agents, carrying out actions he could not openly attribute to Konoha, including surveillance of the Uchiha Clan and covert assassinations. Danzo regarded Root as necessary “darkness” for protecting Konoha, while using it to pursue his own power and control. 4 29

After Uchiha You arrested Shimura Takuma, Danzo arranged for You to be sent to the Land of Water with three Root operatives disguised as ANBU. Their assignment was a staged escort mission intended to isolate and kill him outside the village. 4 8 9

The operation failed when You killed the three operatives and publicly questioned their identities upon returning to Konoha. The incident exposed Root's use of false ANBU identities and placed Danzo under political pressure. 10 23 24

Root later attempted to seize Shisui Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan. Danzo lured Shisui to a secluded meeting, deployed Root agents and a barrier, and demanded his eye; You's intervention left multiple Root operatives dead or crippled and enabled Shisui to testify against Danzo. 32 34 35

Despite Danzo's suspension and the ordered review of Uchiha-related archives, Root withheld its core records and continued preparing a “final solution” against the Uchiha Clan. Danzo restored his damaged arm with Hashirama Cells and mobilized Root's jonin for the planned extermination. 35 44 46

Organization and Methods

• Disguised deployments — Root operatives could wear ANBU uniforms and masks to conceal their actual chain of command. 8 23
• Conditioned operatives — Agents were trained to suppress emotion and obey orders absolutely; failed agents were prepared to use sealing-based self-destruction rather than be captured. 9 10
• Surveillance network — Root monitored the Uchiha Clan Grounds, tracked Police Force patrols, and maintained hidden routes and observation points around the district. 26 27 30
• Specialized equipment — Recovered Root evidence included cursed tongue seals, non-ANBU kunai, exclusive poison needles, Shimura code markings, and tactical records for countering the Sharingan. 26
• Secret archives and research — Root maintained restricted files containing surveillance records, political operations, experimental material involving Hashirama Cells, Sharingan research, and evidence tied to past Konoha crimes. 44 52 62
• Political deniability — Danzo used Root to conduct actions outside official channels, while the Hokage's administration struggled to publicly acknowledge or investigate the faction's activities. 23 24 44

Uchiha Massacre Night

Root's final operation against the Uchiha Clan began with infiltrations into the clan grounds. Its squads expected an unprepared purge, but the Uchiha had evacuated vulnerable members, prepared genjutsu and explosive traps, organized combat squads, and fed Danzo false intelligence through Itachi. 50 51 52

The first and second Root squads suffered heavy losses to traps, Fire Release formations, and Uchiha counterattacks. Root's main force then entered the center of the clan grounds after Danzo was led to believe that You's Mangekyō Sharingan had been depleted. 51 52

Instead, Danzo and his remaining forces entered a prepared encirclement involving Uchiha elites and Akatsuki. Pain, Kisame, Kakuzu, and Sasori joined the battle after Root's main force was committed, while Root's treasury and archives were infiltrated. 52 54

Root collapsed after its operatives were overwhelmed by the Uchiha counterattack and Akatsuki intervention. Danzo's defeat and execution ended the faction's leadership; the Third Hokage subsequently ordered Root's dissolution. 54 61 63 66

Relationships

• Danzo Shimura — Founder and leader. He used Root as his personal clandestine apparatus, directing its surveillance, assassination attempts, Sharingan seizures, and attack on the Uchiha Clan. 4 29 46
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Root operated within Konoha's political system but was not openly equivalent to regular ANBU. Hiruzen tolerated and struggled to restrain Danzo's actions before ordering the faction disbanded. 23 35 66
• ANBU — Root personnel impersonated ANBU during covert operations. After Root's dissolution, ANBU was assigned to take over and review its remaining personnel. 8 23 66
• Uchiha Clan — Root subjected the clan to extensive surveillance, targeted Uchiha Sharingan users, and attempted to exterminate the clan; the Uchiha ultimately dismantled Root's main force. 26 35 50 54
• Akatsuki — Pain, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Kisame aided the Uchiha counterattack and entered Root facilities to seize records, research, and treasury assets. 50 52 54