Danzo

Biodata

Power Progression

Danzo’s documented power changes are losses rather than promotions or realm advancements.

Background / History

Danzo was a disciple of the Second Hokage, alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura. He repeatedly invoked his teacher’s hostility toward the Uchiha to justify eliminating the clan. He and Hiruzen also knew the Mangekyō Sharingan’s limitations through the Second Hokage’s research 18 29 35.

Before the main conflict, Danzo collaborated with Hanzō in the operation against the original Akatsuki that led to Yahiko’s death. Nagato and Konan retained a lasting hatred of him for his involvement 19 37.

Danzo also drove Shisui toward the events ending in his suicide and acquired one of his Mangekyō Sharingan. Hiruzen later reflected that Shisui had been a buffer between Konoha and the Uchiha, and that Danzo’s actions had intensified their conflict 4 33.

Appearance

• Bandaged left eye: Conceals Shisui’s transplanted Mangekyō Sharingan until Danzo is forced to surrender it 4 9.
• Bandaged right arm: Hides numerous implanted Sharingan; Setsuna exposes them after Feng Yao severs the arm 7 8.
• Missing arms: Loses his right arm to Feng Yao and later amputates his left because of Hashirama-cell rejection 8 29.

Personality

Danzo’s ambition centers on becoming Hokage and monopolizing the Uchiha’s power. During the first assault, he hopes to control Naruto with Kotoamatsukami and use the destruction of the Uchiha to secure the Hokage position. His desire for Sharingan repeatedly outweighs his fear, even after witnessing Feng Yao’s overwhelming strength 7 38 40.

He portrays the Uchiha as “inherently evil” while treating their abilities as assets that should belong to him. When his implanted Sharingan are exposed, he immediately claims to have collected them from battlefields “out of kindness.” He similarly justifies embezzlement as necessary for Konoha’s hidden operations 7 8 29.

Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Danzo prioritizes his own survival when confronted with superior force. He escapes under his subordinates’ protection against both Naruto and Setsuna, then uses Hiruzen as a shield before Feng Yao’s Perfect Susanoo 7 36 38.

Abilities & Skills

Transplanted Sharingan and Izanagi

Danzo’s right arm contains multiple Sharingan that he regards as essential to his survival 8.

• Relies on these eyes to activate Izanagi 8.
• Loses the arm before he can use its eyes against Feng Yao 8.
• Maintains additional Sharingan in nutrient-filled jars at Root headquarters; nearly several dozen are confiscated and returned to the Uchiha 9.

Kotoamatsukami

Shisui’s transplanted left eye gives Danzo access to Kotoamatsukami, described as an exceptionally powerful genjutsu 4.

• Plans to use it to control Naruto and obtain the Nine-Tails jinchūriki 7.
• Later considers using it during his defeat, but initially reserves it for Hiruzen 8 9.
• Does not successfully demonstrate it in the supplied events; Kakashi removes the eye during the confrontation 9.

Hashirama Cells and Wood Release

Danzo’s transplanted Hashirama cells provide Wood Release and support his physical abilities, but their stability depends on his Sharingan 15 36.

• His Sharingan and Hashirama cells previously maintained a balance 15.
• Losing his right arm also costs him Wood Release 15.
• The incomplete cells available to him have poor compatibility and risk turning against their host 15.
• Subsequent rejection forces the amputation of his left arm 29.

Wind Release

Danzo uses Wind Release: Great Breakthrough against Setsuna’s Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation 36.

• After losing his transplanted enhancements, even this exchange leaves him panting 36.

Suspended-Animation Technique

Danzo possesses a secret technique that briefly induces a state resembling death 11.

• Uses it to survive after stabbing his heart with a kunai 10 11.
• Initially, only Danzo and Hiruzen know the technique’s secret 11.
• Feng Yao recognizes the deception but deliberately leaves it unexposed 22.

Covert Operations and Command

Danzo directs Root and uses covert recruitment, financial dealings, and hired forces to pursue his objectives 8 15 29.

• Forcibly recruits talented members of Konoha’s clans, earning their resentment 8.
• Turns to orphanages after the clans stop supplying Root with personnel 15.
• Hires Akatsuki to attack Feng Yao and intends to eliminate the organization afterward rather than complete payment 35 40.
• His operational intelligence fails to account for Akatsuki’s cooperation with the Uchiha 36.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Failed Uchiha Massacre

Danzo prepares for the Uchiha’s destruction while Root and Anbu enter the clan compound. When none of his scouts return, he orders a direct assault. Seeing Naruto under Feng Yao’s control, he presents the situation as proof of rebellion and attempts to seize the jinchūriki 4 7.

After escaping Naruto’s transformed attacks, Danzo attacks Feng Yao with a kunai. The weapon snaps against Susanoo, and Feng Yao kicks him away before severing his right arm with a follow-up attack using Kamui 7 8.

Setsuna exposes the arm’s Sharingan before Konoha’s assembled clans. Their anger forces Hiruzen to order the return of Root’s stored eyes, followed by Shisui’s Mangekyō. Feng Yao then demands Danzo’s death for attacking the Uchiha and stealing their kekkei genkai 8 9 10.

Feigned Death and Root’s Decline

At Hiruzen’s order, Danzo publicly stabs himself through the heart. He later awakens at Root headquarters through suspended animation. Hiruzen allows him to continue leading Root but tells him he can no longer appear publicly—a restriction Danzo sees as the destruction of his Hokage ambitions 10 11.

The public account claims that Danzo attempted a coup and was killed by Hiruzen. Meanwhile, Root’s elite personnel have been devastated, the clans refuse further recruitment, and its funding has been redirected to compensate the Uchiha 11 15.

Renewed Attack on the Uchiha

Danzo urges Hiruzen to strike first, citing Feng Yao’s contact with Naruto as evidence of another possible coup. He presents a plan involving Hanzō and a hired assassin organization, claiming to have negotiated Hanzō’s fee down from one billion to five hundred million ryō. His private thoughts reveal that he has embezzled roughly one hundred million 28 29.

Danzo and Hiruzen commit Konoha forces after Akatsuki attacks the compound, only to discover that Akatsuki and the Uchiha are coordinating their resistance. Assigned to fight Setsuna, Danzo is overwhelmed and flees while Root members block his opponent 32 35 36.

Uchiha Departure and Aftermath

When Feng Yao announces the Uchiha’s departure, Danzo urges the village to kill them as deserters. Feng Yao instead manifests a complete golden Susanoo and razes the Sarutobi and Shimura compounds, killing thousands of their clan members. Danzo survives, sheltering behind Hiruzen as the confrontation ends 37 38.

After the Uchiha settle in Amegakure, Danzo demands Anbu and funding to hunt them down. Hiruzen refuses to risk another confrontation. Danzo also reveals that Root’s laboratory has been infiltrated and that the two billion ryō associated with the Akatsuki operation and Root’s startup funding have been lost 40.

Relationships

• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Fellow disciple and longstanding political partner. Hiruzen helps conceal Danzo’s survival but repeatedly restrains his anti-Uchiha campaigns and asserts his authority as Hokage 11 15 40.
• The Second Hokage — Teacher whose hostility toward the Uchiha Danzo repeatedly cites as justification for exterminating them 18 29 33.
• Uchiha Feng Yao — Principal adversary. Severs Danzo’s arm, exposes his stolen Sharingan, and forces his public downfall; Danzo responds with repeated assassination and extermination schemes 8 9 10 29.
• Uchiha Shisui — Source of Danzo’s stolen Mangekyō Sharingan. Danzo’s actions contributed to Shisui’s death and the collapse of a potential bridge between Konoha and the Uchiha 4 33.
• Uchiha Setsuna — Longstanding enemy who exposes Danzo’s Sharingan-covered arm and later defeats him in combat 7 8 36.
• Root — His covert organization. Its members repeatedly risk their lives to protect him, but his campaigns inflict catastrophic losses on its personnel and resources 8 15 36 40.
• Hanzō — Former collaborator in the operation that caused Yahiko’s death. Danzo later claims to negotiate another joint operation with him, unaware that Hanzō is already dead 19 29 40.
• Nagato and Konan — Enemies who hold him responsible, alongside Hanzō, for Yahiko’s death 19 37.
• Orochimaru — Researcher whose Hashirama-cell expertise Danzo considers seeking after losing his transplanted powers. Danzo regrets having exposed him earlier 15.
• Jiraiya — Political critic who blames Danzo for persecuting the Uchiha; Danzo, in turn, disparages Jiraiya while privately welcoming his lack of interest in becoming Hokage 29 36 37.

Notable Quotes

“The Uchiha and the Sharingan can only be controlled by me, Danzo!” 7

“These were left behind on the battlefield by the Uchiha Clan. I merely collected them out of kindness!” 8

“Hiruzen, you’ll regret this!” 15 40