Tanuki Shigaraki

was a researcher of Root.

Background
Some time after joining Root, Tanuki eventually became one of Danzō Shimura's most trusted followers. For one of his projects, he was put in charge of researching Hashirama Senju's cells to create Gozu Tennō — an ultimate weapon to further Root's own form of peace and order. Years later, when Danzō was killed, this resulted in Root being fully disbanded. Combined with the investigation of the division forced Tanuki to officially abandon his work. This, along with feeling that Konohagakure had betrayed Danzō, made Tanuki despise the village and he continued his work for the hope of "avenging" Danzō and Root. Eventually, he completed his work, creating the Nue. Eventually he died, but not before having trained his daughter, Sumire, into a capable ninja with the full knowledge of Gozu Tennō.

Personality
Tanuki was a true believer of the teachings that Root enforced. Believing in any means necessary to complete his mission, Tanuki was a driven and single-minded individual. However, despite Root's nature of no emotional attachment, this did not stop Tanuki from forming a family.

After Danzō was killed and Root was disbanded, Tanuki became very disillusioned. Blaming Konohagakure for the fall of his organisation, he abandoned all ties to his village. So driven for revenge, he dedicated years to completing his project and even putting all his hopes for it in the hands of his daughter.

Appearance
Tanuki was a tall man of light-complexion with shaggy black hair. He had a narrow jawline with pronounced cheekbones and face stubble. He wore a black kimono.

Abilities
While his skills are largely unknown, Danzō's utmost faith in Tanuki strongly implies that he was a very capable individual. As a scientific researcher, Tanuki was very intelligent, having solely created a powerful beast from the First Hokage's cells. He also was a very methodical and strategic man, having spent years training his daughter as a contingency for his revenge plan in case he could not do so himself. He was apparently very skilled in fūinjutsu, having placed the formula for Gozu Tennō on his daughter.

Legacy
Even after his death, Tanuki's rage towards Konohagakure seemed to remain, as his loyal daughter Sumire chose to finish his revenge plan.