Ao in Naruto

Ever since he was a child, Ao fought on the battlefields. He defeated a Hyūga clan member during the Third Shinobi World War, took one of their Byakugan and implanted it into his right eye socket.

Before the Fourth Mizukage was killed, Ao detected the genjutsu that the Fourth was put under through his Byakugan. Much later, he encountered Shisui Uchiha, and was forced to retreat after learning his abilities.

When Kirigakure received an invitation from Konohagakure and Sunagakure’s collaboration of hosting the Chūnin Exams, Ao insisted on not paying attention to it, as he assumed the event was designed to showcase Gaara as the new Kazekage. It was ultimately decided that the Kiri-nin would not participate in the event after Mei threatened Ao’s life after misinterpreting his words as an insult to her marital status.

Five Kage Summit

Ao sets off with Chojuro to escort the Fifth Mizukage to the Five Kage Summit, scheduled at Land of Iron. Along their way to the Land of Iron, Ao constantly scolds Chojuro for his indecisiveness.

During the meeting of the Five Kage, Ao sat behind the Kiri curtain and paid attention to their meeting. Ao noticed Shisui’s chakra emitting from Danzo Shimura's right eye through his Byakugan and he pointed out that Danzō confiscated Shisui’s Sharingan, who was someone Ao fought in the past. Soon after, Ao moves to defend the Mizukage as Zetsu appears in the meeting. The Raikage instructs Ao to keep watch over Danzō before he sets off to tail Sasuke Uchiha. When Danzō states that he cannot frequently use the mind controlling technique, Ao says that he is unsure of Danzō’s statements and that he can no longer be trusted.

Ao is the first one to notice Sasuke as he reaches the meeting room. After Danzō escapes, Ao follows him after telling the Mizukage that he was leaving the Akatsuki to her. Later, Ao is trapped by Zetsu’s Spore Technique on his way, but manages to free himself from it. Soon after, he gets trapped by Fū Yamanaka’s Mind Pullet Switch Cursed Seal.

Later, the Mizukage and Chōjūrō arrive and save him. Mei saw through Fū’s deception when he tried to trick her into removing the seal on Ao’s eye. She punched Ao in the face for calling her an old hag.

On their way back to Kirigakure, they are informed about the approval of the Shinobi Alliance. Ao is relieved to hear the news of Hoshigake Kisame falling into the hands of Killer B. Later, he is seen ordering the Kirigakure shinobi to gather all ninja tools available in preparation for the war.

Fourth Shinobi World War

Ao was appointed as the captain of the Sensory Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces. He insisted that Inoichi create the barrier which the Sensory Division would be using. After the war broke out, he appreciated Muta Aburame’s skill of tracking down the enemy underground and shifted their barriers downwards to track the enemy's location.

Ao uses his sensory abilities to track the revived shinobi on the battlefield, after hearing that a large number of enemy forces are heading towards the First Division. He discovered that the enemy consisted of revived shinobi, who were infamously strong during their lifetimes. He reported about the presence of the Gold and Silver Brothers from Kumogakure in the battlefield, who had the immense chakra reserve of the Nine-Tails Fox.

Later, Ao senses the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path summoned in the battlefield. He identifies it as a “gargantuan mass of chakra”. During the night, when enemy spies entered their ranks and murdered the shinobi forces, it was surmised that the enemy was using an illusion on the shinobi causing them to act this way. Ao stated that Itachi Uchiha has the capability to do such a thing, but also that it would be impossible for him to control so many people at once.

The next day, Ao detects a new presence; that of Madara Uchiha on the battlefield near Gaara’s Division. He reports the death of numerous shinobi from the Fourth Division, after a tremor is felt at the headquarters.

Later, he senses the battle between Tobi, Naruto and Killer B. He informs the HQ about Killer B transforming into Eight-Tails and that he was still being pressured. Soon, he felt different as he could feel something else on the battlefield. He then reported to Shikaku that the four men there were battling a masked Madara. After the Sensing Water Sphere is distorted, Ao follows through on Shikaku’s order to monitor the situation.

Later, when the Shinobi Alliance were battling the Ten-Tails, Obito, and Madara Uchiha, Ao alerts everyone in HQ about the Ten-Tails’ changed form and wondered why the beast was firing off multiple Tailed Beast Bombs in other directions. Ao confirmed that the direction of the fourth attack was directly headed towards the HQ. Ao and the others immediately resolved to perform their duties until the end and relayed one last strategy to the Shinobi Alliance before the attack reached HQ.

Ao managed to be the sole survivor of the Ten-Tails’ fatal attack on the Allied Shinobi Forces’ HQ, though he was left severely wounded. He was found under the debris by the Logistical Support and Medical Division. He spent many years in a coma after his treatment in the Konoha hospital.

New Era

While equipped with an advanced prosthetic left leg and arm, Katasuke credited Ao’s speedy recovery to his own strong conviction, ultimately allowing Ao to resume living a normal life, though he chose not to return to Kirigakure, nor to keep up to date with its affairs.

Ao turned his back on the shinobi world, believing that they’d repeat the mistakes of old. He betrayed Konoha, stealing scientific secrets for the Kara terrorists, and after killing Mugino, he tried to kill the new Team 7 to retrieve the Vessel for Jigen.

However, after a soul-stirring speech from Boruto, Ao finds redemption thanks to a heroic act. But sadly, he doesn’t get to bask in the afterglow as he gets brutally murdered by Kashin Koji as he summons his giant toad to crush Boruto. Ao performed a water jutsu which washed away Boruto but ultimately squashed half of Ao’s body.

Ao embodied the conventional male traits of being composed, self-assured and harsh. According to him, men must be tough and determined. His upbringing during the era when Kirigakure was referred to as the “Village of the Bloody Mist” appears to be the root of this mindset. Despite his fussing, Ao did appear to be friendly with Chōjūrō as he offered to buy him dinner as good luck in the upcoming war.

New Era

Ao had grown bitter and disillusioned with the Shinobi world, since he believed that he had no further use because of his disability and also because of the current peaceful era after surviving the Fourth Shinobi World War. He still appeared to be mellow and at peace with his glory days behind him, grateful to even be alive. He had been loyal to Kirigakure in the past, but had not visited the village since the war’s end. Ao also appeared to have a more combat-hungry mindset, as seen by his excitement in engaging in combat for the first time in sixteen years.

Following his loss at the hands of Boruto Uzumaki, the young genin’s pity, his advice to use the resources at hand wisely, and continued recognition of Ao as a valuable living person struck a chord with him. This seemed to restore his former Shinobi pride. Ao used ninjutsu to defend Boruto from an attack intended to kill him and the Konoha-nin.

Ao was a middle-aged man with blue hair that had been messed up. His right eye was hidden by an eye patch that concealed his Byakugan and his left eye was blue. He wore a talisman in each ear that was written twice on each side with the kanji for the lowly verb “to hear”. When his Byakugan is threatened, these talismans respond, and they will defend it from anyone, including themselves. He also wore the standard striped gray suit with a green haori with white trimmings that stopped halfway down and a forehead protector. He wore the typical Shinobi Alliance outfit with a Kirigakure flak jacket over it during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

New Era

Ao’s face was lined with wrinkles, and he had aged significantly in the sixteen years since the Fourth Great Shinobi War. He was dressed in a pinstripe turtleneck shirt, pinstripe slacks, and a black suit jacket. He lost his Byakugan in the Ten-Tails attack. Also, he had experimental cybernetic prosthesis for his left arm and leg. His right ear, cheek and eye were covered by a craniofacial prosthetic, and the right half of his face was severely disfigured. His right wrist and the back of his right hand both bore severe scarring. He had taken off his forehead guard.

Ao was an exceptional tracker and had extensive knowledge of the human body. He also had impressive speed and reactions. His prowess was great enough to survive a fight with Shisui Uchiha, a dreaded Shinobi who was regarded as a genius. Even in old age, his abilities were highly regarded. He was viewed as being mighty enough on his own, to not need additional weapons. He is shown to be fast and striking with blazing speed, catching his foes off guard. He also had advanced taijutsu prowess.

Ninjutsu

Ao could perform Water Release and create a vortex of water. He could also use Yin and Yang Release to perform genjutsu, as he was capable of controlling an individual for an extended duration of time.

Body Modifications

Ao transplanted one of his eyes with the Byakugan after defeating a Hyūga. With the Byakugan, he could distinguish chakra colors of certain individuals and find out if any individual was under the influence of genjutsu. Along with multiple physical injuries that he received during the Fourth Shinobi World War, one of them was the loss of his Byakugan.

Ao’s body could endure a cave collapsing on top of him once it was altered by Shinobi-Ware. Additional improvements to his altered body include the use of a fire release bullet firing mechanism lodged in his chest and the addition of a double-sized sword below his left arm, known as a “Style Three Shinobi Gauntlet”.

Bukijutsu

Ao used Scientific Ninja Tools of the condenser variety that Koji Kashin had provided. He carried a minigun that could shoot Fire Release Bullets in fast succession as well as four Mirror Drones that he could use his chakra to manipulate and fire potent chakra blasts. He also took one of Katasuke’s gauntlets that can create an Absorption Sphere to absorb incoming jutsu. He also wielded a prototype Chakra Blade before being forced to set it aside owing to the excessive chakra consumption.

Sensory Ability

Ao was a proficient sensor-type shinobi. With his sensory skills, he detected various threats during the Fourth Shinobi World War and relayed the information to everyone. He was able to create an immense Sensing Barrier with the help of Inoichi, which allowed him to monitor multiple events during the War. He can also sense natural energy with his sensory skills.

Ao is a playable character in the following video games:

1. Naruto Mobile
2. Naruto Shippūden : Ultimate Ninja Blazing
3. Naruto : Shinobi Collection
4. Naruto : Shinobi Collection Shippū Ranbu
5. Naruto : Ultimate Ninja Online

Q. Does Ao still have his Byakugan in Boruto?

A. No, Ao lost his Byakugan among the other injuries he received during the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Q. How did Ao survive after the Ten-Tails attack at the HQ?

A. It is not known how Ao managed to live after the Ten-Tails attack. He was found under a pile of debris after the conclusion of the War.

Q. Who kills Ao?

A. Ao was killed by Kashin Koji.