Anbu in Naruto Series

The Anbu, also known as the Anbu Black Ops, are a group of highly skilled covert ninja operatives assigned by the village leader. They carry out specialized missions involving assassination and tactics. Unlike traditional ranks, the Anbu operate based on merit and experience, with team leadership and hierarchy determined accordingly. The squad leaders, known as Buntaichō, hold prestigious positions within the Anbu organization.

Overview

The Anbu organization is comprised of highly skilled shinobi selected based on their personality traits and abilities. They are scouted from a young age and chosen by the village leader, regardless of age, background, or previous rank. Once accepted into the Anbu, they undergo intense training, including studying the human body, and wear masks to conceal their identities. Anbu are frequently involved in important missions within and outside their villages, specializing in assassinations, infiltrations, tracking, surveillance, and interrogations. Their duties may sometimes lead them to lose their sense of kindness, and they are expected to self-destruct if severely injured to avoid capture. In Kirigakure, there is a specific branch of Anbu known as hunter-nin who track and eliminate missing-nin. While Anbu usually operate in squads, elite members may serve directly under their Kage. Anbu strive to keep their identities secret from the general population. In Konoha, Anbu and the Konoha Military Police Force share responsibilities in maintaining peace, sometimes leading to conflicts over jurisdiction. Konoha also had a secret police force called Root, whose members were trained to follow orders unquestioningly. Following the Fourth Shinobi World War, there were concerns about a decrease in funding for the Anbu, leading to certain individuals orchestrating security incidents to maintain their resources.

Uniform

Anbu members from different villages wear masks to hide their identities. In Konoha, they wear porcelain masks resembling animals, while Kiri Anbu wear masks with slits for eyes and the village's symbol. Sunagakure Anbu cover the lower part of their faces with cloth resembling turbans. The Prajñā Group from the Land of Woods wear oni-like masks. Hoshigakure Anbu use masks similar to Konoha's. Anbu also have standard uniforms consisting of black clothing, a gray flak jacket, arm guards, gloves, spiked sandals for mountainous regions, ninja pouches, and a spiral tattoo on their shoulder. Some wear black cloaks, and squad leaders may wear white cloaks. They typically carry a sword on their backs.