Yes. Yonbi means "four tails"; Son Goku is his proper name.

What exactly is Lava Release (Yoton)?

A kekkei genkai combining Earth Release + Fire Release, producing lava (magma, molten rock).

Does Roshi survive the extraction?

No. As with most hosts, the extraction of the tailed beast causes his death.

Was the Four-Tails reanimated via Edo Tensei?

No. It is the jinchuriki (including Roshi) who were reanimated, then forced to manifest their tailed beasts.

Is Son Goku connected to Son Goku (DBZ)?

Only the same source in mythology (Sun Wukong). In Naruto, Son Goku has an identity of his own (monkey + lava).

Does Son Goku appear in Boruto?

Yes, but only very briefly. Freed at the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, he now lives as an independent tailed beast: in the Boruto anime, he is seen gathered with the other tailed beasts at the moment they sense the disappearance of Kurama's chakra, sacrificed against Isshiki Otsutsuki. A share of his chakra also remains within Naruto, but no arc is devoted to the Four-Tails himself.

Son Gokū (Yonbi) : Le démon à quatre queues dans Naruto

Son Goku (Four-Tails): The Four-Tailed Monkey in Naruto

September 14, 2025

1710 words | Reading time: 9 min

Tailed Beast

Four tails, red-brown fur, and lava for an arsenal. Son Goku, the Four-Tails (Yonbi), was born from the chakra of the Ten-Tails individualized by Hagoromo Otsutsuki. His Lava Release (Yoton), his Tailed Beast Bomb (Bijudama) and his extraordinary stamina are detailed here, as is his relationship with his jinchuriki Roshi and his role during the Fourth Great Ninja War, backed by canon clarifications. Pride, distrust, and respect: a personality as striking as his giant-monkey silhouette.

Son Goku is the Four-Tails (Yonbi, 四尾), one of the nine tailed beasts in the world of Naruto. Created when Hagoromo Otsutsuki (the Sage of the Six Paths) split the chakra of the Ten-Tails, he stands out for his simian appearance, his mastery of Lava Release (Yoton) and a fierce pride.

Origins: From the Sage of the Six Paths to Modern Times

Like his peers, Son Goku is born when the Sage of the Six Paths separates the chakra of the Ten-Tails to preserve the balance of the world. He names each beast and forms a bond with them: Son Goku refers to the Monkey King (Sun Wukong), a direct nod to his nature.

Over the centuries, the exploitation of the tailed beasts by humans feeds the distrust — sometimes the hostility — of the Four-Tails, who refuses to be reduced to a weapon.

The giant monkey, arms spread, wrists caught in heavy chains; a tiny human figure stands in front of him — Centuries of exploitation at human hands: that is where the Four-Tails' distrust comes from.

Appearance and Abilities

Distinctive Design

Son Goku appears as a giant monkey with red-brown fur (sometimes leaning orange depending on the adaptation), with four tails, horns, and a powerful jaw. His build recalls an orangutan: massive, muscular, and made for impact.

Powers and Techniques

Lava Release (Yoton) — kekkei genkai Earth Release + Fire Release: magma blasts, molten rock, terrain shaping, and incandescent protection.
Tailed Beast Bomb (Bijudama): the devastating energy orb unique to the tailed beasts.
Strength/Stamina: colossal physical power, regeneration, and vast chakra reserves.

Clarification: Scorch Release (Shakuton) has no connection with Son Goku; it is a different kekkei genkai (used notably by Pakura). Do not associate it with the Four-Tails.

A giant monkey with red fur, horns on its head and four tails at its back, mouth wide open — Red fur, horns, four tails, and an orangutan build: the Four-Tails is made for impact.

Roshi: The Jinchuriki of the Four-Tails

Roshi, a shinobi of Iwagakure(the Hidden Stone Village), hosts Son Goku for years. A traveler and a stubborn one, he seeks harmony with the beast rather than domination, and wields a highly accomplished Lava Release (with partial transformations possible).

Capture by the Akatsuki

Roshi is ultimately defeated and captured by the Akatsuki (in the manga, Kisame claims credit for the capture). The extraction of the Four-Tails causes the death of Roshi and the sealing of Son Goku inside the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (Gedo Mazo).

Close-up of the monkey's head: its red fur is covered with glowing spots, and a tiny human figure floats in front of its forehead — The extraction of the Four-Tails kills Roshi; the beast itself ends up sealed inside the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

The Fourth Great Ninja War: Canon Clarification

It is the deceased jinchuriki (including Roshi) who are reanimated via Edo Tensei — not the tailed beasts themselves.
Obito then controls these reanimated hosts (chakra receivers, Rinnegan) and forces their full transformations in order to pit their tailed beasts against the Allied Shinobi Forces.
In battle, Naruto removes the control rod from the Four-Tails, communicates with him, receives a share of his chakra and, in a defining moment, Son Goku reveals the name of the Nine-Tails: “Kurama”.
Later, the tailed beasts are freed then used as weapons once again (Madara) before the final resolution.

Do not confuse: Son Goku is not "resurrected by Edo Tensei"; it is Roshi who is, and who is then forced to manifest the Four-Tails.

Personality: Pride, Distrust, Respect

Fierce pride: refuses submission.
Distrust of humanity: the product of a long history of exploitation.
Respect for sincerity and moral strength: an openness toward Naruto.

The giant monkey's fist moves toward a tiny human figure standing on the water in front of him — His pride does not yield to force, but it does answer sincerity.

Themes & Narrative Impact

Reconciliation is possible: breaking the hatred/exploitation cycle through understanding.
A critique of exploitation: tailed beasts as weapons call the ethics of the villages into question.
Naruto's legacy: by carrying a share of the chakra of all nine beasts, the hero becomes a decisive meeting point against Madara and then Kaguya.

Cultural References

The name Son Goku refers to Sun Wukong (the Monkey King, Journey to the West). The coincidence with Son Goku from Dragon Ball comes from the same mythological source; in Naruto, the Four-Tails has an identity of his own (simian + lava).

Techniques & Key Moments

Lava Release on offense: magma blasts, molten rock, terrain reshaped into lava.
Tailed Beast Bomb: the heavy artillery of the tailed beasts.
Confrontation under control: a show of power against the Allied Shinobi Forces.
Bond with Naruto: removal of the control rod, gift of chakra, mutual trust.

The Tailed Beast Bomb, the heavy artillery of the tailed beasts, condensed before firing.

Postwar and Boruto

The tailed beasts regain their freedom. Son Goku keeps a spiritual bond with Naruto (who holds fragments of the chakra of all nine beasts). The example of the Four-Tails shapes the new generation: favor partnership over exploitation.

Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Name / Alias	Son Goku (also known as Yonbi, 四尾 — "four tails")
Nature	tailed beast born from the chakra of the Ten-Tails, individualized by Hagoromo Otsutsuki
Appearance	Giant red-brown monkey, horns, powerful jaw, 4 tails
Affinities / Arsenal	Lava Release (Earth Release + Fire Release, lava), Tailed Beast Bomb, strength & stamina, regeneration
Jinchuriki	Roshi (Iwagakure, mastered partial transformations)
Capture	Defeated by Kisame (Akatsuki) • Extraction → sealed inside the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path
Ninja War	Roshi reanimated (Edo Tensei) and controlled by Obito • Naruto removes the Four-Tails' control rod and receives his chakra
Personality	Fierce pride, distrust of humanity, respect for sincerity
Themes	Reconciliation, a critique of exploitation, Naruto's legacy
Postwar status	free tailed beast, spiritual bond with Naruto (chakra fragments)

FAQ

Son Goku = Yonbi?
— Yes. Yonbi means "four tails"; Son Goku is his proper name.
What exactly is Lava Release (Yoton)?
— A kekkei genkai combining Earth Release + Fire Release, producing lava (magma, molten rock).
Does Roshi survive the extraction?
— No. As with most hosts, the extraction of the tailed beast causes his death.
Was the Four-Tails reanimated via Edo Tensei?
— No. It is the jinchuriki (including Roshi) who were reanimated, then forced to manifest their tailed beasts.
Is Son Goku connected to Son Goku (DBZ)?
— Only the same source in mythology (Sun Wukong). In Naruto, Son Goku has an identity of his own (monkey + lava).
Does Son Goku appear in Boruto?
— Yes, but only very briefly. Freed at the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, he now lives as an independent tailed beast: in the Boruto anime, he is seen gathered with the other tailed beasts at the moment they sense the disappearance of Kurama's chakra, sacrificed against Isshiki Otsutsuki. A share of his chakra also remains within Naruto, but no arc is devoted to the Four-Tails himself.