Root


 * Name: also known as ANBU: Root Division.
 * Affiliation: ANBU, Konohagakure
 * Leader: Danzo
 * Known members: Sai, Hyō, Shin
 * Status: Active, though officially disbanded

The Foundation is a Konohagakure ANBU training department that was founded by Danzo. They carry out missions that Danzo believes will benefit Konoha. Unlike normal ANBU, they carry a tipless Tanto instead of a Katana. This is an extremely strict group, since Danzo trained the members to lose their emotions. Each member has a codename and never reveal their true name.

Infiltrating Orochimaru's Hideout

 * Assigned to: Sai

Danzo assigns Sai to Team 7, which goes on a mission to find Sasuke Uchiha. During the course of the mission Sai approaches Orochimaru, Sasuke's benefactor, on Danzo's behalf. He offers to have the Foundation work together with Orochimaru in destroying Konoha. When Orochimaru accepts and takes Sai back to his hideout, Sai's true mission begins: to kill Sasuke as a traitor to the village. Sai, having befriended teammate Naruto Uzumaki, was unwilling to complete this task.

Conquer Konoha

 * Assigned to: None yet (Presumed all)

During Pain's attack on Konoha, Danzo keeps the members of the Foundation from helping in the village's defense, hoping that Pain's actions will allow him to take the title of Hokage. How they plan to do this is unknown. Sai is the only member known not to be among the group, as he is with Anko Mitarashi and Tenzo hunting for Kabuto Yakushi.