Shimura Danzou

Overview

Shimura Danzou is a major supporting character in the series NARUTO. He is an elder of Konohagakure and the founder and leader of Root, a covert branch of the ANBU organization. Known by the moniker Darkness of the Shinobi, he commands significant political influence comparable to the village advisors. Working from the shadows to handle dark tasks that official leadership avoids, he operates as a hardline pragmatist dedicated to maintaining and protecting the village at any cost.

Appearance

Shimura Danzou is an elderly man with short black hair, black eyes, and visible facial scars. He relies on a walking cane in daily life. His right eye and right arm are continuously covered under heavy bandages. Beneath these bindings, he hides a stolen Sharingan in his right eye socket and a modified right arm embedded with multiple Sharingan eyes alongside cells from Hashirama Senju, kept under a heavy restraining brace.

Personality

Shimura Danzou is a secretive, ambitious, and uncompromising hardliner who prioritizes the safety and supremacy of Konohagakure above all else. Believing that a shinobi must embrace cold self-sacrifice, he willingly executes immoral operations, assassinates threats, and places binding curse marks on his subordinates to maintain absolute secrecy. His harsh philosophy is driven by a deep-seated rivalry with Sarutobi Hiruzen and an inflated view of his own authority, leading him to justify any sacrifice under the guise of protecting the village.

Abilities

Shimura Danzou utilizes powerful Wind Release jutsu, including Vacuum Wave, Vacuum Serial Waves, Vacuum Sphere, Great Vacuum Sphere, Vacuum Blade, and Wind Wave. Through Hashirama Senju's cells, he can perform Wood Release such as the Great Tree Forest Technique. His right arm contains multiple Sharingan, enabling him to use the forbidden Uchiha technique Izanagi to repeatedly alter reality upon taking fatal damage. His stolen Mangekyou Sharingan grants access to Kotoamatsukami for mind manipulation. Additionally, he employs curse seals like the Eradication Tongue Print, summons Baku, and carries the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique.

Background

Originally an aide to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Shimura Danzou later created the covert Root division. Over the decades, he manipulated events across the ninja world, forming a secret alliance with Hanzo of the Salamander that caused the downfall of Yahiko's Akatsuki, and orchestrating the recruitment of Kabuto Yakushi. He engineered the Uchiha clan massacre by issuing the order to Itachi Uchiha. Following Pain's attack on the village, Danzou secured an appointment as the candidate for Sixth Hokage. During the Five Kage Summit, his attempt to manipulate Mifune using Kotoamatsukami was exposed by Ao. Fleeing the summit, he was cornered by Sasuke Uchiha and ultimately committed suicide using the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing Technique.

Relationships

Sarutobi Hiruzen was Shimura Danzou's childhood friend and lifelong rival, serving together as the village's light and dark authorities. Danzou respected his mentor, Tobirama Senju, under whom he served as a confidant. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were his former teammates who supported his political standing. He forced Itachi Uchiha to slaughter his clan while acknowledging Itachi's resolve, which ultimately made him the prime target of Sasuke Uchiha's vengeance. Subordinates like Sai, Yamanaka Fuu, and Aburame Torune were controlled strictly through Root's binding curse seals. He also forged shady backroom deals with Orochimaru and Hanzo of the Salamander.

Trivia

Shimura Danzou's ninja registration number is 000272. His favorite foods are hijiki and genmaicha, while his least favorite food is warabimochi. His preferred motto is indomitable. Among his hobbies are viewing fine paintings and writing in his diary. In the seventh official character popularity poll, he placed 43rd with 54 votes.