Danzo

Biodata

Background / History

Danzo once had a son whom he dearly loved, but the boy died on the battlefield during the war. He subsequently took pride in his nephew, Hokoku Shimura, also called Baoguo, whose academy performance made him a promising member of the clan. Danzo resides in a spacious, luxurious courtyard residence within the Shimura Clan compound 9.

Danzo is responsible for repeated interference with the Uchiha-run Konoha Military Police Force and for pushing the Uchiha Clan’s grounds progressively toward the village outskirts. Despite his hostility toward the clan, he seeks to recruit its talented members when they could benefit Root 20.

Appearance

• Uses a cane for support 28 36.
• Has a bandaged right arm 28.
• Arrives at the public inquiry into Root’s assassination attempt accompanied by several masked Root ninja 36.

Personality

Danzo places strategic gain above personal grievances. When Baoguo asks him to punish Obito for winning their academy sparring match, Danzo instead focuses on recruiting the young Sharingan wielder. His public praise of the Uchiha contrasts with his private disgust toward Fugaku and his intention to extract benefits from the clan 9 20.

His willingness to overlook insults ends when he feels manipulated. After Obito accepts three months of gifts without joining Root, Danzo orders his assassination and demands that his Sharingan be recovered. He is similarly ruthless about experimental research, telling Orochimaru that he does not care which methods are used 28.

Although affectionate toward Baoguo, Danzo ultimately uses his nephew as a scapegoat. He blames the failed assassination on the boy, then persuades him to accept responsibility by promising advanced ninjutsu and personal instruction 37 45.

Abilities & Skills

Root Command

• Directs masked operatives to recruit prospective members, deliver gifts, and arrange covert assassinations 10 22 28.
• Has access to elite jōnin; the three operatives deployed against Obito are reported to possess elite-jōnin strength and measures intended to counter the Sharingan 37 41.
• Root’s compartmentalized command structure obstructs investigation: captured operatives know their immediate superior only as a masked captain 35.

Political Manipulation

• Uses praise, gifts, and promises of favorable employment to court Obito 10 11 20.
• Secures the release of the three Shimura men involved in Baoguo’s attack after arranging an apology and promising punishment 20 21.
• Deflects responsibility for Root’s assassination attempt onto Baoguo, with Hiruzen allowing the explanation to stand publicly 37.
• Keeps Baoguo uninformed about the assassination, limiting what the boy can reveal when questioned 45.

Experimental Research Oversight

• Collaborates with Orochimaru on transplanting the First Hokage’s cells into children in an underground chamber behind the Shimura compound 28.
• Presses for a workable transplant before Hiruzen’s investigation advances 28.
• Recognizes Wood Release when a surviving child produces branches that break through his tank. The passage does not establish that Danzo himself gains Wood Release 28.

Relationships

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Political rival and old companion. Both seek to recruit Obito, but Hiruzen protects Danzo after the assassination attempt because of their longstanding bond and Danzo’s role in handling dirty work 9 21 37.
• Hokoku Shimura / Baoguo — Nephew whom Danzo initially cherishes as a promising successor to his deceased son. Danzo disciplines him over the attack on Obito and later makes him take responsibility for Root 9 20 45.
• Obito Uchiha — Recruitment target who becomes an assassination target after joining Minato’s team. Obito later vows to kill Danzo if he attacks the Uchiha again 28 38.
• Uchiha Fugaku — Opposing clan leader. Fugaku brings the Shimura dispute before Hiruzen and later argues that the Uchiha lack sufficient evidence and power to bring Danzo down 18 19 38.
• Orochimaru — Research collaborator. Danzo’s demands for faster results provoke Orochimaru’s anger, forcing Danzo to acknowledge that he has been too impatient 28.
• A and B — Root subordinates entrusted with approaching Obito and later arranging his elimination and the recovery of his Sharingan 10 28.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Attempted Recruitment

Learning that Obito has awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan at eight or nine years old, Danzo refuses Baoguo’s request for revenge and sends two Root ninja to recruit him. Obito tactfully postpones his answer while accepting their gifts, and Danzo continues sending presents throughout the following three months 9 10 20 22 28.

When Baoguo independently sends three Shimura adults against Obito, Danzo intervenes at the Hokage’s office. He forces his nephew to apologize, praises Obito’s potential, and obtains Hiruzen’s agreement to close the matter 15 20 21.

Research Breakthrough and Assassination Order

During an inspection of Orochimaru’s cell-transplant experiments, Danzo discovers that one child has survived and manifested Wood Release. Shortly afterward, he learns that Obito has joined Minato Namikaze’s team. Concluding that Obito has deliberately strung him along and entered Hiruzen’s faction, he orders A and B to make the boy disappear discreetly and bring back his eyes 28.

Failed Assassination and Cover-Up

Obito defeats the three attackers and publicly presents two bodies outside the Hokage Office Building. A former Root member identifies them as elite jōnin Yamanaka Kine and Shimura Yuri. Confronted before the villagers, Danzo denies knowing what happened and attributes the attack to Baoguo’s grudge 33 34 35 36 37.

Hiruzen accepts this explanation rather than punish Danzo. The cover-up alienates Obito from the Hokage’s directly controlled divisions and angers the Uchiha leadership, though Fugaku rules out confrontation without stronger evidence 37 38 41.

During the chūnin exams, Obito interrogates Baoguo with the Sharingan. The boy reveals that Danzo had him confined to take responsibility for Root without explaining the incident, confirming to Obito that Baoguo was merely a scapegoat 45.

Notable Quotes

“Baoguo, a man who wants to achieve great things must not get hung up on trifles.” 9

“Wait! Bring me Obito’s Sharingan! And make sure this is done discreetly enough that no one finds out.” 28