Sound Four


 * Name:
 * Leaders: Sakon and Ukon, Sasuke Uchiha (temporary), formerly Kimimaro
 * Members: Jirobo, Kidomaru, and Tayuya
 * Affiliation: Otogakure
 * Status: Inactive; all members deceased

The Sound Four were Orochimaru's elite bodyguards (Sakon and Ukon are counted as one entity due to their Kekkei Genkai). Each was given a cursed seal by Orochimaru. Kimimaro was a part of the group for a short time, since he was stronger than all four combined, thus renaming the group to Sound Five. However, an unexpected illness prevented him from participating normally. All five repeatedly refer to their opponents as "trash".

When Orochimaru sends the Sound Four to bring him Sasuke Uchiha, they are all systematically killed by Konoha ninja. Jirobo is killed by Choji and Kidomaru is killed by Neji, though the Konoha ninja suffer heavy injuries. Sakon almost kills Kiba and Tayuya almost kills Shikamaru, but both are stopped and killed by Kankuro and Temari respectively. Kimimaro, after being sent as back up, almost defeats Rock Lee and Gaara, but dies of an illness during the battle.

Abilities
As Orochimaru's bodyguards, the Sound Four were all talented with barrier and sealing jutsu. Shortly after their introduction during the invasion of Konoha, they use Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment to create a box-like barrier that causes anything that touches it to burst into flames. When the group later fetches Sasuke, they use the Four Black Fog Battle Formation and Dark Sealing Method to protect Sasuke from harm. As the group later rests, they set up a Barrier Encampment Method. Each member of the Sound Four also has a cardinal direction associated with them; this is probably a reference to their positions when performing jutsu as a group.

During the Sasuke Retrieval arc, Sakon is revealed to be the strongest member of the Sound Four while Jirobo was the weakest. Tayuya claims she's second strongest. Together the four, with the help of their cursed seals, were able to defeat Raido Namiashi and Genma Shiranui. When the group was still the Sound Five, Kimimaro was the strongest.

Trivia

 * The recurring symbol on the Sound Four's tunics is the yin-yang without the black parts. Because the black is missing, it represents imbalance, alluding to their evil natures and that of the seals, and preventing harmony in life.
 * Jirobo and Sakon (and Ukon) specialize in close-quarter combat, while Kidomaru and Tayuya specialize in long range combat. Kimimaro is balanced in both types.
 * Kidomaru was the only member to wear a Sound headband.
 * The Sound Four were playable characters in Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 4, but they only appeared with the Second Stage of the Cursed Seal.