Mū in Naruto

During a period preceding the First Shinobi World War, Mū, the Second Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, and Ōnoki, his apprentice and future Third Tsuchikage, convened with Madara Uchiha following an alliance formed between their villages. Despite their esteemed positions, Madara brazenly asserted Konohagakure's dominance, insisting that Mū and Ōnoki should comply with any orders issued by Konohagakure.

This contentious encounter escalated into a heated battle, ultimately resulting in the defeat of Mū and Ōnoki at the hands of Madara. Subsequently, Mū accompanied the First Tsuchikage to the inaugural Five Kage Summit, where he assumed a vigilant position behind the First Tsuchikage, closely observing the unfolding proceedings. His presence symbolized Iwagakure's representation and contribution to the summit.

Throughout his life, Mū played a pivotal role in the development of Iwagakure's military capabilities. As the Second Tsuchikage, he spearheaded Iwagakure's ambitious campaign to acquire additional tailed beasts, already having secured the Four-Tails and the Five-Tails. This strategic pursuit of immense power and resources became a defining characteristic of Mū's era.

Furthermore, Mū harbored a deep-seated animosity towards Gengetsu Hōzuki, the Second Mizukage of Kirigakure. Their animosity eventually led to a fateful confrontation, where Mū and Gengetsu engaged in a final battle, resulting in the mutual demise of both Kage. This clash marked the tragic end of their long-standing enmity and left a lasting impact on the history of Iwagakure and Kirigakure.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation

In preparation for the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kabuto Yakushi utilized his reanimation jutsu to resurrect Mū, the Second Tsuchikage, along with three other deceased Kage. Their purpose was to serve as powerful assets and fight against the Allied Shinobi Forces. Once mobilized, Mū was assigned to approach the Fourth Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces.

Utilizing his unique ability to render himself invisible and undetectable, Mū stealthily advanced toward the location of the Fourth Division. However, to his surprise, his presence was detected by Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage. Impressed by Gaara's perceptiveness, Mū acknowledged his skill and was compelled to summon the Third Raikage, the Second Mizukage, and the Fourth Kazekage to aid him in the impending battle.

Amidst their reunion, a brief argument erupted among the resurrected Kage, as they reflected on the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Mū, curious about the nature of their resurrection, sought out Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, believing him to be responsible for their return.

He informed his fellow Kage that he could sense the presence of someone with a chakra signature similar to that of the Fourth Kazekage, backed by a sizable army. The Fourth Kazekage then revealed that Tobirama had been deceased for many years during his lifetime, but he knew of another individual capable of utilizing the same technique.

With their collective resolve, Mū and the other resurrected Kage relentlessly pursued the Fourth Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces throughout the night. Their relentless pursuit forced the opposition into a gradual retreat until eventually cornering them, setting the stage for a decisive confrontation between the resurrected Kage and the Allied Shinobi Forces.

As the battle between the resurrected Kage and the Allied Shinobi Forces intensified, Mū detected the approach of two individuals accompanied by a massive wave of sand, which threatened to engulf the Kage. However, the Fourth Kazekage swiftly countered the sand wave using his Gold Dust technique, nullifying its destructive force.

At that moment, Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage, appeared suspended above them, using his sand manipulation to create hand-shaped restraints to ensnare the resurrected Kage.

Despite being captured, Mū managed to escape the sandy restraints, sensing Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, above them. Mū greeted his old pupil, acknowledging that Ōnoki had lived a long life partly due to the teachings passed down to him. Utilizing the same technique that Ōnoki had employed, Mū unleashed a counterattack, resulting in a tremendous clash that created a massive crater in the middle of the battlefield.

Ōnoki, impressed by the strength displayed by his predecessor, affirmed that Mū's power had not diminished over time. Suspecting the formation of a shinobi alliance due to the diverse accumulation of chakra types from different villages, Mū was even more surprised when the existence of such an alliance was confirmed. What shocked him even further was the revelation that Ōnoki had joined the alliance.

Mū conveyed to his former disciple that only he had the ability to stop him and reminded Ōnoki that by seizing the opportunity presented by the post-war situation, they could secure the dominance of Iwagakure. These manipulative tactics deeply offended the Mizukage, the Raikage, and most significantly, Ōnoki. Realizing the consequences of his actions, Mū promptly isolated himself from the ongoing battle, knowing that he was now pursued solely by his own student, Ōnoki.

After an intense chase and several clashes, Mū, acknowledging Ōnoki's exhaustion, proclaimed that age had finally caught up with his former student. Vanishing from sight, he cryptically instructed Ōnoki to contact Gaara before meeting his own demise. However, Ōnoki, refusing to be underestimated, created multiple rock clones, ready to continue the battle.

As the fierce battle raged on, Mū took advantage of a mid-air moment to surprise Ōnoki from behind. However, Gaara's timely arrival and warning allowed Ōnoki to evade the attack, although he strained his back in the process. Mū prepared to unleash his devastating Dust Release technique upon them, faced an unexpected turn of events when Naruto Uzumaki joined the fight with his Planetary Rasengan technique.

Anticipating the attack, Mū effortlessly evaded Naruto's surprise assault. Naruto, believing his technique to be faster, teamed up with Gaara to coordinate their efforts. Together, they managed to catch Mū off guard, delivering a powerful blow that sent him crashing through a nearby rocky outcrop.

The impact with the ground left Mū vulnerable, and Ōnoki swiftly capitalized on the opportunity. Using his earth manipulation abilities, Ōnoki immobilized Mū's body, preventing him from escaping or continuing the fight.

As Gaara's sand encased Mū, sealing him away, the enigmatic ninja managed to utter a final remark to Ōnoki. He commented on Ōnoki's apparent contradiction of working effectively with other villages despite his previous disdain for them. Ōnoki, reflecting on his long life and changing perspectives, acknowledged the transformation he had undergone.

Just as the sealing process reached its climax, Mū attempted to deliver a warning, but he was swiftly sealed before he could finish his sentence. The true nature of his warning remained concealed until Mū emerged from the rubble, having regenerated from the injuries sustained during Naruto's powerful attack.

Mocking his former disciple's naivety, Mū revealed that he had cleverly split his body into two parts while obscured by the earlier assault. However, he found himself unable to remove the sealing technique that prevented him from reuniting with his other half.

Now driven by his determination to reunite and reclaim his full power, Mū began the arduous process of summoning "that" reincarnation. His weakened state extended the summoning time, even to the point where Kabuto had to summon additional reincarnated warriors to stall the waiting enemies.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax

After a tense period of summoning, Mū successfully completed the Summoning Technique. As the lid of the summoned coffin was violently blown off, narrowly missing him, Mū was taken aback by the figure that emerged from it. He expressed astonishment at the summoner's deep understanding of warfare, realizing that the person brought back through the reincarnation was none other than Madara Uchiha.

Walking side by side with Madara, Mū approached Gaara and the Fourth Division, where it became evident that an alliance had been formed in response to the ongoing war. When Madara questioned the unified appearance of the shinobi, all wearing forehead protectors marked with the kanji for "shinobi" (忍), Mū explained that it was a symbol of their alliance. However, he was unable to provide an answer when Madara inquired about the controller behind this collective force.

Taking advantage of the situation, Kabuto seized control of Mū's consciousness and used him as a vessel to communicate directly with Madara. As the battle recommenced, Mū narrowly evaded Gaara's attack and attempted to unleash a powerful Dust Release technique. However, due to his weakened state and divided form, the technique quickly dissipated, unable to reach its full potential.

Observing the unfolding conflict, Kabuto continued to speak through Mū, acknowledging Madara's impressive display of the Rinnegan and its formidable power, even in the face of the devastating impact caused by two colossal meteorites. As the battle raged on, Kabuto directed Mū to approach the remaining survivors of the Alliance, while providing Madara with a comprehensive overview of the current situation.

However, their renewed assault was met with resistance when Tsunade and A, who had just arrived on the battlefield, intervened. A powerful punch from A sent Mū flying, and Mei created a dense mist that shrouded the battlefield, obscuring visibility. Taking advantage of the chaos, Kabuto positioned Mū in front of Madara, but he was swiftly knocked away by an agile A.

Subsequently, Mū found himself pursued by Dodai and the Hokage Guard Platoon. Despite the relentless pursuit, Mū managed to elude his captors under Kabuto's guidance, while the battle between Madara and the Kage intensified.

As the effects of the Impure World Reincarnation began to unravel and the resurrected shinobi were released from their bindings, Mū's consciousness returned to him temporarily. However, his newfound clarity was short-lived as he suddenly found himself enveloped in a mysterious light, causing his physical form to deconstruct.

Shocked by the unexpected turn of events, Mū regained full consciousness just moments before his body started breaking down, and his soul was pulled back into the afterlife. In the anime adaptation, before ascending to the afterlife, Mū managed to convey a final message to his opponents. He urged them to inform Ōnoki that he must protect the future of the Shinobi Alliance, and only then would he be able to return and share the details with him.

Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes

Following the sealing of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki by Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, Mū, along with the other deceased Kage, was summoned from the Pure Land by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths. Their purpose was to assist Hagoromo and the current Hokage in summoning Team 7, the tailed beasts, and Madara Uchiha back from Kaguya's dimension.

Mū and the other Kage joined forces with Hagoromo and the Hokage, utilizing their combined power and knowledge to execute the summoning. Their efforts were crucial in bringing back the necessary individuals to restore balance and resolve the aftermath of the battle.

After fulfilling their role in the summoning, Mū, alongside the other Kage, had their souls returned to the Pure Land. They departed the mortal realm, their mission completed, and resumed their existence in the realm of the afterlife.

Mū possessed an extraordinary level of composure and remained unperturbed by his sudden reincarnation. His demeanor exuded calmness and collectedness, exhibiting no outward signs of agitation. Despite being brought back to life against his will, Mū displayed impeccable manners and took his time to recount the previous events to the other summoned Kage.

He addressed the one he had killed and who had also killed him with an honorific title, showcasing a surprising absence of ill-will toward him. In the anime adaptation, Mū's emotions took a slightly different turn. He expressed a stronger sense of anger towards the Second Mizukage, to the extent of grabbing him by the collar of his coat and issuing a threatening gesture.

Despite presenting himself with civility and respect towards his fellow Kage, Mū's actions revealed his unwavering dedication to the prosperity and dominance of his own village, Iwagakure. His primary focus was on securing the well-being of his village, regardless of the methods employed to achieve it. He emphasized the importance of seizing every opportunity that arose after the war, urging his disciple Ōnoki to exploit the post-war situation and swiftly claim the spoils to ensure Iwagakure's supremacy.

Mū's approach displayed a devious and somewhat merciless nature, characterized by his willingness to employ underhanded tactics and prioritize his village's interests above all else. This trait contributed to the Second Mizukage's deep-seated despise for him. Mū's actions, including teaching these questionable tactics to his student, played a role in tarnishing Iwagakure's reputation among the Five Great Shinobi Countries.

However, in a surprising turn of events depicted in the anime, Mū experienced a change of heart just before his soul returned to the afterlife. He recognized the significance of securing the future of the Allied Shinobi Forces and acknowledged Ōnoki's crucial role in ensuring their continued existence and stability. This newfound realization demonstrated a glimpse of redemption and a broader understanding of the greater good beyond the narrow interests of his village.

Despite Mū's reservations and priorities regarding alliances, he displayed a surprising willingness to aid the Allied Shinobi Forces, even while under the control of Kabuto. In a moment of urgency, as one of his halves was being sealed, Mū attempted to warn Ōnoki about his split existence. However, due to the constraints of the sealing process, his message failed to reach his successor, leaving Ōnoki unaware of the situation.

This act of attempted assistance showcased a glimmer of Mū's underlying concern for the well-being of the Allied Shinobi Forces, despite his personal beliefs. It highlighted his willingness to extend a helping hand, even in the face of control and imminent sealing, emphasizing a sense of duty towards the larger cause.

Mū's physical appearance is distinct and quite eerie. His entire body is enveloped in tightly wrapped bandages, which take on a dark grey color in the manga and a seaweed green hue in the anime. Only his violet-colored eyes and nose are visible, giving him an overall resemblance to a mummy.

Adding to his enigmatic appearance, Mū dons a plain black headband in the manga (dark blue in the anime), devoid of any distinguishing symbols or markings. He pairs this with simple black pants, while his feet, also heavily bandaged, remain bare as he eschews footwear.

It's important to note that after being subjected to the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation technique by Kabuto Yakushi, Mū undergoes a transformation. His eyes take on black sclerae and his irises turn white, signifying the influence of the technique.

During his lifetime, Mū, the Second Tsuchikage, was often seen wearing the standard attire of Iwagakure, his village. This included a flak jacket adorned with Iwagakure's emblem, which he would typically wear over a black or dark-colored outfit. Mū also wore the forehead protector of Iwagakure, a metal plate engraved with the village symbol, tied securely around his forehead.

One distinctive feature of Mū's attire was the single-sleeve outfit that draped over his left arm. This asymmetrical garment was unique to Iwagakure and set him apart from other shinobi. It added a touch of individuality to his appearance, emphasizing his high rank and status as the Second Tsuchikage.

In addition to his usual attire, Mū was often seen carrying two swords that were strapped to his back. The swords had slender handles and were also wrapped in bandages, adding to the mysterious nature of his character. These swords were likely an integral part of Mū's combat style and represented his skill and proficiency as a formidable shinobi.

However, during the first Kage Summit, where Mū accompanied the First Tsuchikage, he opted for a more casual outfit. Instead of his typical shinobi attire, Mū wore a kimono, a traditional Japanese garment.

Mū, the Second Tsuchikage, possessed immense power and skill as a shinobi, making him a formidable force on the battlefield. His abilities were showcased by his notable accomplishment of defeating the Second Mizukage, although it came at the ultimate price of his own life.

Before ascending to the position of Tsuchikage, Mū had already established himself as a highly capable shinobi. He was chosen to serve as the bodyguard of the previous Tsuchikage, highlighting his exceptional skills and the trust placed in him by his village. This role as a bodyguard showcased his dedication to protecting the Tsuchikage and his willingness to put his life on the line for the sake of his village.

Intelligence

Mū possessed exceptional intellect and analytical skills, demonstrating a keen understanding of various techniques and their underlying mechanisms. He showcased his astuteness by quickly discerning the exact method used to locate his position, even without prior knowledge of the specific technique employed against him. This ability to analyze and deduce allowed him to formulate counterstrategies and effectively evade detection.

Furthermore, Mū displayed a deep level of comprehension and insight into his rival's abilities. He was able to decipher the intricate workings of the Steaming Danger Tyranny technique, a technique used by his adversary. This level of understanding allowed him to pass on valuable information to his student, who later speculated about the source of this knowledge. Mū's capacity to dissect and comprehend complex techniques showcased his analytical prowess and ability to extract valuable information from his observations and experiences.

Nature Transformation

Mū possessed an extraordinary mastery over all five elemental nature transformations, a feat accomplished by only a select few shinobi throughout history. This remarkable skill allowed him to manipulate and control the elements of fire, water, lightning, earth, and wind with great proficiency, giving him a diverse range of offensive and defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, Mū possessed a kekkei tōta, an advanced and exceptionally powerful form of kekkei genkai. His kekkei tōta was the Dust Release, a unique combination of fire, earth, and wind natures. With this ability, Mū could merge the three elements and unleash devastating techniques that reduced his opponents to nothing more than mere dust.

The Dust Release was so potent and destructive that it could disintegrate targets down to a molecular level, making it an incredibly lethal and formidable technique. The potency of Mū's Dust Release techniques was so formidable that it compelled the leaders of the Allied Shinobi Forces to summon Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, specifically to counter him on the battlefield.

Mū's mastery of Dust Release made him a significant threat, as he declared that the sheer number of enemies would not matter due to the nature of his techniques. Even when faced with the nearly entire Fourth Division, Mū's confidence stemmed from his ability to annihilate opponents with his powerful Dust Release attacks.

However, while Mū was in his split state, where he divided himself into two duplicates, his power was halved, and he was unable to utilize Dust Release techniques. This limitation prevented him from unleashing the full extent of his devastating powers during this state.

Mū's mastery over the Earth Release allowed him to use Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique, using which he could make his own body incredibly light, granting him the ability to achieve flight.

In addition, Mū possessed exceptional skills in Water Release. With this elemental affinity, he could conceal his presence completely, rendering himself undetectable by conventional means. His ability to hide his chakra and physical form was so profound that he earned the moniker of the "Non-Person" or "Null-Man." While employing this technique, Mū became virtually invisible, as if he had no physical existence or discernible chakra signature.

This remarkable camouflage ability made it exceedingly difficult for enemies to locate, track, or detect him, providing Mū with a significant advantage in stealth and evasion. Furthermore, Mū had proficiency in Yang Release, an advanced nature transformation that focuses on life force and vitality.

Sensory Perception

Mū possessed exceptional sensor abilities, making him a highly skilled shinobi in detecting and discerning chakra. His sensory prowess allowed him to perceive chakra signatures over considerable distances, extending up to several kilometers. This heightened sensory perception granted him a significant advantage in battle, as he could gather crucial information about his surroundings and the movements of his opponents.

One remarkable aspect of Mū's sensing ability was his aptitude for recognizing chakra similarities among close relatives. He could distinguish the chakra signatures of individuals who shared familial connections, allowing him to identify blood relatives or members of the same clan. This skill showcased his fine-tuned perception and attunement to the intricacies of chakra.

Additionally, Mū demonstrated the ability to differentiate between chakra emanating from different populations. This unique skill enabled him to discern the distinct chakra characteristics associated with various shinobi villages or even specific bloodlines. This capability granted him a deeper understanding of the composition and origins of chakra, further enhancing his tactical awareness and decision-making in combat.

Mū's exceptional sensory abilities, coupled with his quick reflexes, allowed him to evade techniques that proved challenging even for other Kage. He could anticipate and react swiftly to attacks, including those aimed at his blindside. This heightened perception and reflexive agility made it difficult for opponents to catch him off guard and ensured his survival in dangerous situations.

Ninjutsu

Mū possessed a unique ability to divide himself into two duplicates, allowing him to evade lethal attacks. By splitting himself, he could create two identical copies, effectively reducing his power by half but increasing his chances of survival. This technique served as a remarkable defensive maneuver, enabling him to escape dangerous situations by sacrificing some of his overall strength.

Despite sustaining heavy damage, Mū displayed impressive physical strength. He demonstrated the ability to lift massive rocks off his body, showcasing his formidable physical prowess and resilience. This strength, coupled with his tactical acumen, allowed him to endure and recover from devastating blows, emphasizing his durability and tenacity on the battlefield.

Furthermore, Mū was observed wielding a pair of swords during his lifetime, suggesting proficiency in kenjutsu, the art of swordsmanship. While the extent of his swordsmanship skills is not extensively explored, the presence of the swords implied that he had training and competence in close-quarters combat. This additional skill set further augmented his versatility as a shinobi, providing him with options for both long-range and melee engagements.

Here is a list of the techniques that Mū showcased in the series:

• Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique

• Dustless Bewildering Cover

• Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique

• Fission Technique

• Sensing Technique

In addition to the Naruto manga and its anime adaptation, Mū appears in other media formats of the Naruto franchise as well.

Mū made his debut in the gaming category with the release of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3. He is a playable character in the following games:

• (To Ōnoki) "After the conflict ends, an alliance becomes a squabble over spoils of war. The victor there becomes the new dominant power."

• (Before returning to the afterlife) "Tell Ōnoki he must secure the future of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Only then can he come and tell me about it."

• The name Mū (無) can be interpreted as "nothingness" or "non-existence," possibly alluding to his ability to become invisible.

• His appearance, with bandages and his techniques, may be a reference to Griffin, the main character of H.G. Wells' novel "The Invisible Man."

• Despite utilizing the Dustless Bewildering Cover technique, which manipulates water, Mū is not listed as a Water Release user in the fourth databook.

• Mū is the only Tsuchikage who is not known to be related to any of the other Tsuchikage.