Twelve Guardian Ninjas
Requirements: Hidden Leaf Ninja, Chosen by Fire Daimyo, Related to the Third Hokage
The Twelve Guardian Ninja (守護忍十二士, Shugonin Jūnishi) were a group of twelve elite warriors who had left their village and had pledged their lives to protect the Fire Daimyō. The members are identified by the "Fire" kanji (火) marked loincloths they wear. A group which was formed before the start of the story, the Twelve Guardian Ninja have for a long time protected the daimyō. All the original members are dead, but the group continues to operate. About ten years before the start of the series, half of the original members began to believe that only the daimyō should lead the Land of Fire. To that end they planned a coup d'etat against the Hokage, and planned to later conquer the rest of the countries. Kazuma tried to remove the daimyō to replace him with a puppet daimyō, as the current daimyō didn't support the revolt, but he was stopped by Asuma before he could do so. The different ideals split the group in two, which led to a fight between them that only Asuma Sarutobi, Kazuma, and Chiriku survived. It would seem that, sometime before the group was disbanded, some underground organisation put a bounty on most of the members' heads. In the anime, Kazuma tried once again to destroy the Hokage and Konoha by resurrecting the four fallen loyal guardians. However, Asuma was able to stop and kill him. Chiriku was killed soon afterwards by members of Akatsuki, in order to collect the bounty on his head. Once they had collected the 30 million yen they were confronted by Asuma. After a prolonged battle, Asuma was killed too, but they were unable to cash-in on his 35 million bounty after Asuma's reinforcements arrived.
The Twelve Guardian Ninja (守護忍十二士, Shugonin Jūnishi) were a group of twelve elite warriors who had left their village and had pledged their lives to protect the Fire Daimyō. The members are identified by the "Fire" kanji (火) marked loincloths they wear. A group which was formed before the start of the story, the Twelve Guardian Ninja have for a long time protected the daimyō. All the original members are dead, but the group continues to operate. About ten years before the start of the series, half of the original members began to believe that only the daimyō should lead the Land of Fire. To that end they planned a coup d'etat against the Hokage, and planned to later conquer the rest of the countries. Kazuma tried to remove the daimyō to replace him with a puppet daimyō, as the current daimyō didn't support the revolt, but he was stopped by Asuma before he could do so. The different ideals split the group in two, which led to a fight between them that only Asuma Sarutobi, Kazuma, and Chiriku survived. It would seem that, sometime before the group was disbanded, some underground organisation put a bounty on most of the members' heads. In the anime, Kazuma tried once again to destroy the Hokage and Konoha by resurrecting the four fallen loyal guardians. However, Asuma was able to stop and kill him. Chiriku was killed soon afterwards by members of Akatsuki, in order to collect the bounty on his head. Once they had collected the 30 million yen they were confronted by Asuma. After a prolonged battle, Asuma was killed too, but they were unable to cash-in on his 35 million bounty after Asuma's reinforcements arrived.
Seven Swordsmen of the Mist
Requirements: Hidden Mist Ninja
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (霧の忍刀七人衆, Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū) is an organisation consisting of only the greatest blade wieldingshinobi of their generation that Kirigakure can produce. There can only be seven members at a time, hence the name. According to Suigetsu, the swords of the Seven Swordsmen are passed down from generation to generation. The members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the people who came from the Bloody Mist's graduation exams with the greatest battle skills. However, the members also had a great lust for power, which led several of them to defect and become missing-nin. Kisame Hoshigaki became a member after killing Fuguki Suikazan, who was revealed to be a traitor leaking information to the enemies, but Kisame later became the first of the seven to abandon Kiri after committing several unauthorized assassinations, and attempting to overthrow the government, then joining Akatsuki afterward. Zabuza Momochi would later defect as well after a failed coup d'etat and assassination attempt on the Mizukage. Before leaving however, he encountered a boy named Haku with a unique kekkei genkai and decided to take him along, as well as the Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu. Since then, the total number of the group gradually decreased, as the swords one by one fell out of Kirigakure's possession. Eventually, Kirigakure was left with only one sword, and Chōjūrō became the only member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist (霧の忍刀七人衆, Kiri no Shinobigatana Shichinin Shū) is an organisation consisting of only the greatest blade wieldingshinobi of their generation that Kirigakure can produce. There can only be seven members at a time, hence the name. According to Suigetsu, the swords of the Seven Swordsmen are passed down from generation to generation. The members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the people who came from the Bloody Mist's graduation exams with the greatest battle skills. However, the members also had a great lust for power, which led several of them to defect and become missing-nin. Kisame Hoshigaki became a member after killing Fuguki Suikazan, who was revealed to be a traitor leaking information to the enemies, but Kisame later became the first of the seven to abandon Kiri after committing several unauthorized assassinations, and attempting to overthrow the government, then joining Akatsuki afterward. Zabuza Momochi would later defect as well after a failed coup d'etat and assassination attempt on the Mizukage. Before leaving however, he encountered a boy named Haku with a unique kekkei genkai and decided to take him along, as well as the Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu. Since then, the total number of the group gradually decreased, as the swords one by one fell out of Kirigakure's possession. Eventually, Kirigakure was left with only one sword, and Chōjūrō became the only member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
Missing-nin
Missing-nin (抜け忍, nukenin; English TV "Rogue Ninja"; Literally meaning "runaway shinobi") are ninja who left their village without the intention of returning, often because they have committed criminal acts or to pursue other personal gains. The ninja village that they are from will often try to track them down and eliminate them. Several missing-nin (such as Zabuza Momochi) do not stop wearing their forehead protector, while others (such as Orochimaru) may discard them. Akatsuki members who do retain their headbands carve long, horizontal scratches across the symbol, to show they have rescinded their allegiances and rejected their villages. Kirigakure has a special hunter-nin task-force whose only objective is killing traitorous ninja. Not only is this done as a punishment for treason, but also to protect the secrets of the village, since it is possible to learn some of the village's techniques from the autopsy of their users. The ninja organization Akatsuki is composed mostly of S-class missing-nin, except for Nagato and Konan, who are the leaders of Amegakure. Most of the missing-nin throughout the series are antagonists.
Depending on the village leader's decisions, the missing-nin in question may be given leniency. The most prominent example is Sasuke Uchiha, who is not marked for death by the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, as a favor to Naruto Uzumaki, and is instead to be brought back as a Konohagakure citizen. However, according to Kakashi Hatake, a missing-nin is typically marked for death simply for defecting, and such mercy is rare.
Later, when Sasuke infiltrated Kumogakure and attempted to abduct their Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, then attacked the Kage Summit, the Five Kage elevated his status to an international criminal, meaning that he is a missing-nin now wanted on a global-scale.
Depending on the village leader's decisions, the missing-nin in question may be given leniency. The most prominent example is Sasuke Uchiha, who is not marked for death by the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, as a favor to Naruto Uzumaki, and is instead to be brought back as a Konohagakure citizen. However, according to Kakashi Hatake, a missing-nin is typically marked for death simply for defecting, and such mercy is rare.
Later, when Sasuke infiltrated Kumogakure and attempted to abduct their Jinchūriki, Killer Bee, then attacked the Kage Summit, the Five Kage elevated his status to an international criminal, meaning that he is a missing-nin now wanted on a global-scale.
Hunter-nin
Requirements: Chunin or Jonin of the Hidden Mist
Hunter-nin (追い忍, Oinin; English TV "Tracker Ninja") are a special team within Kirigakure's ANBU, given the specific duty of hunting down missing-nin. They could be seen wearing standard armoured ANBU uniform or, in some instances (such as Haku and Ao), a blue kimono with a striped, turtle-necked undershirt. They may also wear a mask with thin slitted eye-hole and a wavy design in place of the mouth, and their village symbol on the forehead. They kill their target, taking the head as proof, and then completely dispose of the body by using various methods, such as cremation or the summoning of wild carrion crows to devour the corpse. This is done in order to make sure the village secrets which a ninja's body holds — such as chakra types, herbs eaten, ninjutsu, special medicine, and kekkei genkai — will not be revealed to outsiders.
Hunter-nin are supposed to destroy the corpse at the very spot the body is lying; it is not to be moved after it is dead, and only the head is taken back to prove that the missing-nin is in fact dead. As a requirement, they must possess a thorough and intimate knowledge of human anatomy. Due to their reputation for utterly and completely obliterating the remains of their targets, they are code-named "The Undertaker Squad".
Early in the series, Haku poses as a hunter-nin as a ruse to rescue the supposedly killed Zabuza Momochi. Ao, as a true hunter-nin himself, demonstrated great skill in tracking, as his targets grew nervous enough to lay traps to stop him. In the anime, a squad of hunter-nin led by Tsurugi was sent to hunt down the rogue jinchūrikiUtakata.
Hunter-nin (追い忍, Oinin; English TV "Tracker Ninja") are a special team within Kirigakure's ANBU, given the specific duty of hunting down missing-nin. They could be seen wearing standard armoured ANBU uniform or, in some instances (such as Haku and Ao), a blue kimono with a striped, turtle-necked undershirt. They may also wear a mask with thin slitted eye-hole and a wavy design in place of the mouth, and their village symbol on the forehead. They kill their target, taking the head as proof, and then completely dispose of the body by using various methods, such as cremation or the summoning of wild carrion crows to devour the corpse. This is done in order to make sure the village secrets which a ninja's body holds — such as chakra types, herbs eaten, ninjutsu, special medicine, and kekkei genkai — will not be revealed to outsiders.
Hunter-nin are supposed to destroy the corpse at the very spot the body is lying; it is not to be moved after it is dead, and only the head is taken back to prove that the missing-nin is in fact dead. As a requirement, they must possess a thorough and intimate knowledge of human anatomy. Due to their reputation for utterly and completely obliterating the remains of their targets, they are code-named "The Undertaker Squad".
Early in the series, Haku poses as a hunter-nin as a ruse to rescue the supposedly killed Zabuza Momochi. Ao, as a true hunter-nin himself, demonstrated great skill in tracking, as his targets grew nervous enough to lay traps to stop him. In the anime, a squad of hunter-nin led by Tsurugi was sent to hunt down the rogue jinchūrikiUtakata.
Medical Ninjas (Medical-nin)
Requirements: Medical Training
Medical-nin (医療忍, iryō-nin) are ninja who specialize in medical treatment and use of medical-oriented jutsu, to heal others. Becoming a medic-nin requires high intelligence and excellent chakra control. A medic-nin is trained to avoid getting injured in any way, for the reason that if they are injured, then there would be nobody to heal the other members of their team. Medic-nin accompany other ninja on high ranking missions to increase the success rate of the mission and overall survival rate of the squad.
Medical-nin (医療忍, iryō-nin) are ninja who specialize in medical treatment and use of medical-oriented jutsu, to heal others. Becoming a medic-nin requires high intelligence and excellent chakra control. A medic-nin is trained to avoid getting injured in any way, for the reason that if they are injured, then there would be nobody to heal the other members of their team. Medic-nin accompany other ninja on high ranking missions to increase the success rate of the mission and overall survival rate of the squad.
ANBU Black Ops
Requirements: Picked by Kage
The ANBU (暗部, Dark Side), short for Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (暗殺戦術特殊部隊, Special Assassination and Tactical Squad; English Version: ANBU Black Ops), take orders directly from the Kage, performing special high-level missions, such as assassinations and torture. The ANBU usually work in teams formed to the requirements of the mission, ensuring maximum success. The shinobi in the ANBU are hand-picked by the Kage; chosen for their individual capabilities and special skills. Age, gender, background, or previous rank bear no weight in this decision. They wear their mask even in their own village, for their identity as an ANBU agent is to be known only by the Kage and village elders. The ANBU wear porcelain animal masks in order to distinguish themselves from normal shinobi and to conceal their identities. They also have standard uniforms consisting of black and gray armor, metal arm guards, and a signature spiral tattoo on their shoulder (left shoulder for male ANBU members, and right shoulder for female ANBU members, to determine gender between the ANBU members). Some ANBU wear black cloaks over their standard uniforms, and squad leaders may wear white cloaks. All ANBU carry katana, which are usually strapped to their backs
The ANBU (暗部, Dark Side), short for Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai (暗殺戦術特殊部隊, Special Assassination and Tactical Squad; English Version: ANBU Black Ops), take orders directly from the Kage, performing special high-level missions, such as assassinations and torture. The ANBU usually work in teams formed to the requirements of the mission, ensuring maximum success. The shinobi in the ANBU are hand-picked by the Kage; chosen for their individual capabilities and special skills. Age, gender, background, or previous rank bear no weight in this decision. They wear their mask even in their own village, for their identity as an ANBU agent is to be known only by the Kage and village elders. The ANBU wear porcelain animal masks in order to distinguish themselves from normal shinobi and to conceal their identities. They also have standard uniforms consisting of black and gray armor, metal arm guards, and a signature spiral tattoo on their shoulder (left shoulder for male ANBU members, and right shoulder for female ANBU members, to determine gender between the ANBU members). Some ANBU wear black cloaks over their standard uniforms, and squad leaders may wear white cloaks. All ANBU carry katana, which are usually strapped to their backs
Enemies
Sasuke Uchiha
Sasuke was a lovely child, kind and outgoing until the Uchiha massacre. Since than, Sasuke went crazy, necame cold and ruthless and had one goal: To kill his elder brother, Itachi. He developed a close friendship with the other members of Team Kakashi. That bond broke when Sasuke left the village, in search of power. When he found out that the Leaf's Elders forced his brother, Itachi to destroy the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke went mad with fury. He planned to kill every last children in the Hidden Leaf. Sasuke is the only survivor of the Uchiha Clan, and still proudly wears the symbol on his clothings. He will kill if anyone talks bad about his brother and is disgusted towards outsiders who have the Sharingan. He had joined the Akatsuki, an organization of S-Classed Ninjas, but shortly left after his failed attempted ta capturing the 8-tailed beast. After receiving his Mangekyō Sharingan, Sasuke proved capable of holding his own against at least two Kage and their bodyguards, before being weakened to the point of exhaustion due to his battle with the other Kage and their bodyguards. His chakra seems foul and he never loses his cool. He has also provened to be a master swordsman.
Madara Uchiha
Madara co-founded Konohagakure, alongside the Senju clan, as leader of the Uchiha clan, and later after his defection; Akatsuki. When first introduced, he poses as Tobi (トビ), Deidara's partner in Akatsuki. Before the era of ninja villages, Madara was the most gifted member of the Uchiha clan. Even by his clan's standards, Madara's chakra was unusually strong. He grew up in constant competition with his younger brother, Izuna Uchiha. In their efforts to surpass the other, each gained their own Mangekyō Sharingan. With the power of the Mangekyō the two brothers took control of the clan, with Madara acting as its leader. Under his leadership, the clan conquered all they came across. Because of the never-ending series of battles of the time, Madara eventually began to suffer from overuse of the Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving him blind. In order to regain his sight he took Izuna's eyes for himself, granting him an "eternal" Mangekyō Sharingan with which he led the Uchiha to prosperity. Over the years, the Uchiha had constantly fought with the equally powerful Senju clan. To bring an end to the constant fighting, the leader of the Senju, Hashirama Senju, approached the Uchiha with an offer of peace. Although Madara never wanted peace with the Senju, the rest of the Uchiha wished to end the fighting, and Madara had no choice but to accept. The Senju, the Uchiha, and all the clans they had conquered came together to form the village of Konohagakure. Against Madara's wishes, the villagers selected Hashirama as the village's First Hokage. Madara feared that Hashirama would oppress the Uchiha, and tried to rally support for challenging his leadership. Rather than help him, however, the Uchiha turned their backs on him, believing he only desired more power. Abandoned by his clan, Madara left the village, later returning in order to challenge Hashirama in battle. They fought at the site that would someday be called the Valley of the End, where Madara used the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox against Hashirama. Control of the Nine-Tails was ultimately taken from him and Madara was believed to have died. Despite appearing to have been defeated and gravely weakened, he was somehow able to acquire a sample of Hashirama Senju's flesh to aid him in his future goals. Madara discovered that Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, would be going into childbirth, causing the seal keeping the Nine-Tails contained within her to weaken. Madara found where Kushina was being kept, killed her ANBU bodyguards and midwives, and took her son, Naruto, hostage. Naruto's father, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, took Naruto back from him, in doing so separating himself from Kushina and allowing Madara to flee with her. As the seal was about to break, Madara used his Sharingan to put the Nine-Tails under his control. Since Kushina survived the extraction, Madara tried to have the Nine-Tails kill her. Minato arrived in time to save her and retreat. Madara, uninterested, summoned the Nine-Tails into Konoha and ordered it to destroy the village.
Minato soon afterwards arrived to help in the village's defence. Before he could contribute much or even tell anyone what had happened, Madara located him and tried to use his space–time jutsu to send him away and prevent further interference. Minato was able to use his own teleportation jutsu to escape, but Madara pursued him. The two began fighting and Minato struggled to successfully strike Madara. After several failed attacks, Minato was able to hit Madara with the Rasengan and brand him with a seal for his Flying Thunder God Technique, allowing him to teleport to Madara whenever he wanted. He then used a Contract Seal on Madara to remove the Nine-Tails from his control. Wounded and deprived of his best weapon, Madara fled, stating that the Nine-Tails would be his again someday and that he still had other plans.
A few years later, Madara infiltrated Konoha to try and rekindle the flames of war. He was found by Itachi Uchiha first, who convinced Madara to spare the village in exchange for helping to wipe out the Uchiha clan for deserting him decades earlier. Madara complied, training Itachi and providing assistance. Itachi never truly trusted Madara, however, and kept an eye on him for the rest of his life.
Minato soon afterwards arrived to help in the village's defence. Before he could contribute much or even tell anyone what had happened, Madara located him and tried to use his space–time jutsu to send him away and prevent further interference. Minato was able to use his own teleportation jutsu to escape, but Madara pursued him. The two began fighting and Minato struggled to successfully strike Madara. After several failed attacks, Minato was able to hit Madara with the Rasengan and brand him with a seal for his Flying Thunder God Technique, allowing him to teleport to Madara whenever he wanted. He then used a Contract Seal on Madara to remove the Nine-Tails from his control. Wounded and deprived of his best weapon, Madara fled, stating that the Nine-Tails would be his again someday and that he still had other plans.
A few years later, Madara infiltrated Konoha to try and rekindle the flames of war. He was found by Itachi Uchiha first, who convinced Madara to spare the village in exchange for helping to wipe out the Uchiha clan for deserting him decades earlier. Madara complied, training Itachi and providing assistance. Itachi never truly trusted Madara, however, and kept an eye on him for the rest of his life.
