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The [[District of Columbia]], the [[national capital]] of the [[United States]], was formed in 1790 from 100 [[square mile]]s that were [[cession|ceded]] to the federal government by the [[U.S. state|states]] of [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]].
{{msg:spoiler}} ''This page in particular contains (and should only contain) spoilers up to the latest episodes of the anime released, or a bit beyond that at most.''
'''Retrocession''' is defined as the reversal of a [[cession]], returning land to the entities to which it originally belonged. The 32 square miles originally ceded by Virginia were returned to Virginia in 1847, and some have proposed that the remaining 68 square miles, or most of them, be returned to Maryland.
==Naruto Characters==
The universe of the [[anime]] series (and [[manga]]) [[Naruto_(manga)|Naruto]] is a home to the following [[characters]]:
== Virginia retrocession ==
===Aburame Shino===
Almost immediately after the "Federal City" was laid out north of the [[Potomac River]], the residents south of the Potomac in [[Alexandria County, D.C.]] began petitioning to be returned to Virginia's jurisdiction. Over time, a movement grew to separate [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] from the District for several reasons:
Shino is a cool, collected, confident [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] who is quite mysterious and always wears [[sunglasses]]. He (along with [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]] and [[Naruto characters#Inuzuka Kiba|Kiba]]) belongs to Genin team 8, led by [[Naruto characters#Yuuhi Kurenai|Yuuhi Kurenai]]. As a part of Aburame clan tradition, at birth Shino was infused with a special type of [[bug]]s which feed on his [[chakra]] and in return attack and do other tasks as he commands.
* Alexandria was an important port and market in the [[Atlantic slave trade]]. There was increasing talk of [[Abolitionism|abolition]] of slavery in the national capital, and Alexandria's economy would suffer greatly if slavery were outlawed.
* There was an active abolition movement in Virginia, and the pro-slavery forces held a slim majority in the [[Virginia General Assembly]]. (Eighteen years later, in the [[American Civil War]], the most anti-slavery counties would secede from Virginia to form [[West Virginia]].) If Alexandria and Alexandria County were retroceded to Virginia, they would provide two new pro-slavery representatives.
* Alexandria's economy had stagnated as competition with the port of [[Georgetown, Washington, D.C.|Georgetown, D.C.]] had begun to favor the north side of the Potomac. The [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal]] was already helping Georgetown take more business from Alexandria, and the canal was still being extended.
* Alexandria's residents had lost representation and the right to vote at any level of government.
After a referendum, voters petitioned Congress and Virginia to return the area to Virginia. By an act of Congress on [[9 July]], [[1846]], and with the approval of the Virginia General Assembly, the area south of the Potomac (39 square miles [101 km²]) was returned, or "retroceded," to Virginia effective in [[1847]].[http://www.citymuseumdc.org/gettoknow/faq.asp]
===Akado Yoroi===
Yoroi is a part of the three-men team of [[ninja]]s from the [[Naruto geography#hidden sound village|Hidden Sound Village]] posing as ninjas from the [[Naruto geography#hidden leaf village|Hidden Leaf Village]], along with [[Naruto characters#Yakuushi Kabuto|Kabuto]] and [[Naruto characters#Tsurugu Misumi|Misumi]]. He possesses the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines|advanced bloodline]] of [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Energy Absorption|Energy Absorption]]. The name "Akado" means "a red armor" and "Yoroi" means "an armor" as well. This may be taken from a group of elite soldiers of Tokugawa Ieyasu who dressed in the red armor to instill fear to the enemy's heart.
The retroceded land was then known as [[Alexandria County, Virginia]], and now includes a portion of the [[independent city]] of [[Alexandria, Virginia|Alexandria]] and all of [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington County]], the successor to Alexandria County. A large portion of the retroceded land near the river was an estate of [[George Washington Parke Custis]]. It would be passed on to his daughter and her husband, [[Robert E. Lee]], and would eventually become [[Arlington National Cemetery]].
===Akamaru===
Akamaru is [[Naruto characters#Inuzuka Kiba|Kiba]]'s Nin-[[dog]] and a useful companion in the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam. Akamaru's heightened [[senses]], such as smell and hearing, along with Kiba's power to communicate with him, make him a powerful tool for gathering and sharing information; he can also sense high amounts of [[Chakra]] so he can warn Kiba of a powerful enemy. Akamaru and Kiba almost always attack together and often use [[Naruto jutsus#Juujin Bunshin no Jutsu|Juujin Bunshin no Jutsu]] (Human Beast Clone Technique) to confuse their opponents.
== Proposed Maryland retrocession ==
===Akane===
Akane is a [[bully]] from the [[Naruto geography#The Wave Country|Wave Country]] that steals [[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]]'s pet [[dog]] [[Naruto characters#Pochi|Pochi]]. Akane teases Inari before finally throwing Pochi into the sea and forcing Inari to follow. Unfortunately, Inari cannot [[swimming|swim]], which is what drew [[Naruto characters#Kaiza|Kaiza]] to save him while Pochi, who Akane renamed "Shooting Star", swam to safety. When Inari regains consciousness, Kaiza says that he has "given Akane a good talking to".
It has been proposed that the remainder of the District be given back to Maryland. Retrocession would take a simple act of [[U.S. Congress|Congress]], though it is generally accepted that Congress would not take such a step without the approval of Marylanders and Washingtonians via referenda. Currently, there is little support for retrocession, though some see it as a solution to the twin problems of [[D.C. voting rights]] and [[D.C. home rule]].
===Akimichi Chouji===
Chouji, a [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]], belongs to Genin team 10 along with [[Naruto characters#Yamanaka Ino|Ino]] and [[Naruto characters#Nara Shikamaru|Shikamaru]]. He is a great [[food]] enthusiast and is almost always found eating something or other; he is usually indifferent until either the opportunity for food introduces itself or he is provoked with his great taboo- derogatory words ridiculing the [[obesity|spatially developed]]. ([[political correctness|heh]]) The name "Akimichi" means "the road in the season of fall" and "Chouji" means "A butterfly (Chou-)" and "the second son (-ji)" added together. Notice that slim Ino has a name meaning a "boar" and plump Chouji is "a butterfly".
Such a move, according to some, would be [[constitutional]] if at least the part of the District that contains the main offices of government (the National Capital Service Area) were to remain in the District officially; the [[U.S. Constitution]] requires a national capital "not exceeding ten Miles square", but does not specify a minimum size for the District. However, it is unclear if the Constitution even requires the creation of a District to begin with; after all, the country did not have such a district until Washington was founded. If it does, then such a move would require, as a technicality, the repeal of the [[Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution|23rd Amendment]] due to there being no citizens of such a district. The only residents of such a rump district would be the [[First Family of the United States|First Family]], who vote in their hometown (plus, possibly, some [[homeless]] people).
===Ami===
Ami is a young girl that attended the same Ninja Academy as [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]] and [[Naruto characters#Yamanaka Ino|Ino]] when they were young. During one of the lessons, where the girls were being taught about [[flower arrangement]]s, she bullies Sakura. However, Ino, who was picking flowers with Sakura, defends Sakura and throws a bunch of what she tells Ami are [[poison]]ous [[flower]]s in her mouth, telling her that she mistook her mouth for a vase. Ami panics and runs away, terrified- but in actuality, only the [[root]]s of the plant Ino used are poisonous.
The remainder of Washington would become a city in Maryland, allowing residents to vote for Maryland's Congressional delegation like any other resident of the state, as well as in state elections.
===Baiu===
A short, stubby Ninja, he and his team-mates, Sigure and Midare, confront [[Naruto characters#Gaara of The Desert|Gaara]] in the [[Naruto geography#Forest of Death|Forest of Death]]. Not much is known about him, except that he also carries several [[umbrella]]s on his back and also, interestingly, what appears to be an [[oxygen]] tank. Gaara uses [[Naruto jutsus#Sabaku Kyuu no Jutsu|Sabaku Kyuu]] ([[Sand]] [[Coffin]]) followed by [[Naruto jutsus#Sabaku SouSou no Jutsu|Sabaku SouSou]] (Sand [[funeral]]) to kill him (and his two team-mates).
=== Arguments for retrocession ===
===Baki===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] level Ninja, Baki is a Shinobi from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sand Village|Hidden Sand Village]]. The [[Sensei]] of [[Naruto characters#Gaara of The Desert|Gaara]], [[Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]], and [[Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]], he seems to have confidence in the ability of all of his team members, although he comments on Kankuro not taking the battles seriously enough. Not much is known about him at this point, but the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam isn't the only reason Baki and his team are in Leaf Village.
Proponents like the Committee for the Capital City feel such a move would be of financial benefit to Washington; the city would be relieved of burdens not shared by other American cities such as running a [[prison]] system and a [[Department of Motor Vehicles]], and it would finally be free from the veto power of the [[United States Congress]]. Maryland would benefit from the prestige of being the home state of the national capital of the world's [[superpower]] and would gain additional tax revenue. Congress would benefit from no longer having to scrutinize the decisions of the city government; committees overseeing DC government have traditionally been amongst the least prestigious jobs for members. Further, it would give most residents of the District a say in federal government, as they would be able to vote for a representative and senators, and thus have representation.
===Demon Brothers===
[[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] level ninjas, they are [[Naruto ninja ranks#Missing-nin|Missing-nin]]s formerly of the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Mist Village|Hidden Mist Village]]. Now under the command of [[Naruto characters#Momochi Zabuza|Zabuza]], another Missing-Nin from the Hidden Mist, they contract out their ninja abilities to paying clients. These shinobis are known to continue fighting no matter what. Each wearing a sharp nailed [[metal]] [[gauntlet]] on opposite arms which are connected by a chain, they operate in cooperation. Surrounding their opponent with the chain, they are able to constrict the chain to the point of severing their target into two or several more pieces. When they attempt to [[assassination|assassinate]] [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]]- who [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]], [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]], [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] and [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]] were hired to protect- Naruto, it being his first battle, freezes in [[fear]], but Sasuke and Kakashi deal with them easily.
=== Arguments against retrocession ===
===Dosu Kinuta===
One of the three [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sound Village|Hidden Sound Village]] (along with [[Naruto characters#Kin Tsuchi|Kin]] and [[Naruto characters#Zaku Abumi|Zaku]]). He entered the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam but not for becoming a chuunin, but rather as a part of a mission from [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]] to [[assassination|assassinate]] [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Uchiha Sasuke]] (which in a twist turns out to merely be a mission of testing Sasuke's strength, having obtained Orochimaru's [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Orochimaru)|curse seal]]). Dosu was equipped with a special [[speaker]] tied to his [[wrist]] which served to amplify [[sound wave]]s and dramatically strengthen his sound-based attacks.
Proponents of [[D.C. statehood]] are against the idea of retrocession because they feel that the city, having been separated from Maryland since the [[18th century]], has a separate identity; although Maryland is mere city blocks away from many Washingtonians, there is no connection to the state for them. Others see it as a means to block proper representation, which they feel includes two senators. Because the city is a stronghold of the [[U.S. Democratic Party|Democratic Party]], [[U.S. Republican Party|Republican]]s in the [[U.S. Senate|Senate]] would not be eager to admit the District as a state. Republicans would have less of a problem giving the city back to Maryland, as that would, given the city's current population, add only a single Democrat to the [[U.S. House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. Many in Washington object to Maryland's use of the [[death penalty]], which has been abolished in the District. Many in Maryland, meanwhile, object to retrocession because they feel that the city, which has relatively high crime and poverty rates, would be a burden on state government agencies. Others feel that the federal government should have a role in running the national capital; such a role allows for proper management of the city as a symbol of the nation and can be used to reject projects that would be seen by a majority of Americans as ruinous to the capital. Finally, the measure still fails to completely solve the problem of voting representation for all Washingtonians, because any transfer of less than the entirety of the District could still leave some citizens without representation.
Orochimaru treated him as largely a pawn, even though he was a quite powerful ninja. Dosu's undoing, however, was his own attempt to kill [[Naruto Characters#Gaara of The Desert (砂漠の我愛羅)|Gaara of The Desert]] in order to remove him from the chuunin exam, not realising the monstrosity he was actually going up against. His death was quick and unceremonious.
== Current legislation ==
===Ebisu===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Tokubetsu Jounin|Tokubetsu Jounin]] level ninja, he is [[Naruto characters#Konohamaru|Konohamaru]]'s tutor. He doesn't like the fact that Konohamaru idolizes [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]], because he only sees Naruto as the container of the Kyubi. His opinion of Naruto doesn't change when Naruto defeats him with the [[Naruto jutsus#Harem no Jutsu|Harem no Jutsu]] ([[Harem]] Technique), after the [[Naruto jutsus#Sexy no Jutsu|Sexy no Jutsu]] (Sexy Technique) fails. Later, recommended by [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]] as a great teacher, Ebisu begins Naruto's one-month training for the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] Selection Exam final. It is during this time that through being with Naruto and seeing the influence he had on Konohamaru that Ebisu realizes that Naruto is more than just the container of a demon, but that he is an outstanding Leaf Ninja. However, Ebisu does not complete Naruto's training, because [[Naruto characters#Jiraiya|Jiraiya]] takes over by [[Naruto jutsus#Kuchiyose no Jutsu|summoning]] a large [[toad]] which [[tongue]]-whips Ebisu unconscious.
On April 16, 2007, Rep. [[Louie Gohmert]] ([[Republican|R]]-[[Texas]]) introduced H.R. 1858, the "District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act," which would transfer the bulk of Washington to Maryland if Maryland will have it.[http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.1858.IH:]
The name "Ebisu" comes from a Buddhist god "Ebisu" who is usually pictured as a well rounded man with a hammer in his hand that brings wealth and prosperity to believers.
==See also==
===Gaara of The Desert (砂漠の我愛羅)===
*[[Washington, D.C.]]
[[Image:GaaraoftheDesert.jpg|right|Gaara of The Desert]]
*[[District of Columbia voting rights]]
*[[District of Columbia home rule]]
*[[District of Columbia Vote in House of Representatives]]
*[[D.C. Statehood]]
== External links ==
One of the three [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|genin]] from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sand Village|Hidden Sand Village]] who show up at the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam (along with [[Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]] and [[Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]], his siblings). A [[sand]] [[demon]] was sealed inside Gaara at birth similarly to how the Kyuubi was sealed inside [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]- he shares some similarities with Naruto, such as being rejected and hated by his own village (The only person Gaara thought cared for him, his aunt Yashamaru, was ordered to assassinate him by his own father, letting Gaara know before her death that he was never loved by anybody- she had always resented him for taking away her sister, his mother didn't want to have him and died cursing the village, and his father saw him as nothing more than a tool). But unlike Naruto he withdrew into himself rather than attempting to gain attention and appreciation, and was acknowledged by nobody (as opposed to Naruto, who was acknowledged by his Sensei, [[Naruto characters#Umino Iruka|Iruka]]). Gaara had lost all [[emotion]] and sense of [[purpose]] years ago and filled the gap with the unrelenting goal of killing anybody in the world that was not him. His insomnia- forced upon him by the fact that the demon inside him would eat away at his personality if he were to fall asleep deeply enough- made his personality further unstable.
*[http://www.washingtonmd.org Committee for the Capital City (pro-retrocession)]
In Gaara's case, much like in [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]]'s case, getting beaten up by Naruto acted as a most effective form of therapy for a very skewed vision of life. When they did battle, Gaara's unending hatred for and alienation from the world eventually waned as a source of power, while Naruto's desire to protect those close to him kept fueling his fighting spirit. After that battle Gaara had to be carried away by his brother and sister, and to their utter amazement, he thanked them.
*[http://www.dcvote.org/pdfs/mdrretro062004.pdf The Debates over the Retrocession of the District of Columbia, 1801–2004]
[[Category:History of the District of Columbia|Retrocession]]
The name "Gaara" is made up of three [[Kanji]], "Ga" (我, meaning I or me), "A" (愛, more commonly "Ai" meaning love), and "Ra" (羅, used here to mean a demon). Added together, they can mean "I only love myself. I'm a demon." which really explain what kind of character he is.
[[Category:Home rule and voting rights of the District of Columbia]]
===Gama Family===
====Gama Kichi====
Is the minuscule and cute child of Gama Bunta about the size of Naruto's head . He is a weak creature summoned because Naruto could not focus his chakra during beginning battle with Gaara. GamaKichi wants to play with Naruto for summoning him.
====Gama====
Mid level toad that Jiraiya uses to defeat Ebisu (because he annoyed him) at hot springs.
====Gama Bunta====
The chief of the toad spirits that are summoned. He is huge, maybe 50-100meters high and is used to do battles with the biggest of enemies. Naruto can summon him with his kyubi chakra (whereas with his own, he is only capable of summoning up tadpoles or some of Gama Bunta's small children). Naruto first summoned him in the month long training session with jiraiya when jiraiya pushed him over a cliff in order to induce life threatening fear in naruto so that the kyubi chakra could come out.
Gama Bunta is a grumpy and highly apathetic character. He uses some Japanese words that only a [[yakuza]] gangster would use. Still, he is portrayed as an ultimately powerful and positive force.
During first summoning, Naruto demanded to become Gama Bunta's subordinate if he could ride the toad until sundown. Naruto showed his great resilient spirit and almost made it. Regardless, Gama Bunta accepted to accept him as subordinate.
In the next summoning, Naruto is almost killed by Gaara's Sabakukyou attack when he performs the kuchiyose no jutsu. Gaara is in his full form of Shukaku (although he has not gone to sleep yet). Gama is his usual grumpy self, and shares a funny dialog with Naruto about the fact that he promised to have a subordinate/mentor relationship with him but only after sharing sake ceremony (which of course is 8 years away, and wouldn't be of any good use to Naruto here and now in the current battle). At which point, Gama Kichi tells his pop that Gaara bullied him and that Naruto saved him. Gama then tells Naruto he will show him all about "Jingi" which is another yakuza term describing a highly argumentative honor code (although its portrayed as a completely positive thing in this anime).
In the next summoning, while drunk from Tsunade's potion, Jiraiya, after summoning Gama Kichi, finally collects his chakra focus and brings out Gama Bunta for battle against Orochimaru's snake demon
===Gatou===
Gatou was a powerful ship magnate whose [[shipping]] company was actually a front for much shadier activity, such as [[smuggling]] illegal goods and dealing [[drugs]]. He took control of the [[Naruto geography#The Wave Country|Wave Country]]'s shipping routes and created a [[monopoly]] by isolating the country from the outside world, preventing free [[import]] and [[export]] and turning it into an [[Poverty|impoverished]], [[hunger]]-stricken country in the process. He is a cruel, [[greed|greedy]] man, also responsible for humiliating and killing [[Naruto characters#Kaiza|Kaiza]] for being the country's hero, [[trauma|traumatising]] [[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]], who saw Kaiza as a [[father figure]], in the process. Gatou hired [[Naruto ninja ranks#Missing-nin|Missing-nins]] from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Mist Village|Hidden Mist Village]]- including [[Naruto characters#Momochi Zabuza|Zabuza]], [[Naruto characters#Haku|Haku]] and the [[Naruto characters#Demon Brothers|Demon Brothers]]- to [[assassination|assassinate]] [[Naruto characters|Tazuna]] and stop him from finishing to build the [[bridge]] which would connect the Wave Country to the outside world and allow its [[economy]] to recover; however, after Zabuza got his arms broken in battle with [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]] (who was hired to defend Tazuna, along with [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]], [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]] and [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]]), Gatou very unwisely assumed that Zabuza would be able to do no damage with broken arms and informed him of his plan to dispose of him since he has "served his purpose". Since Zabuza was still able to wield a [[kunai]] in his mouth, this mistake cost Gatou his life. The bridge, dubbed by Kakashi "The country's hope", was completed and named the "Uzumaki Naruto Bridge", after Naruto.
===Gekkou Hayate===
Hayate was a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Tokubetsu Jounin|Tokubetsu Jounin]] level ninja who served as the judge for the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam third stage preliminary matches and suffering from a [[chronic]] [[cough]] and bags under his eyes, always appeared to be [[disease|sick]]. Hayate ended up accidentally eavesdropping on [[Naruto characters#Baki|Baki]] and [[Naruto characters#Yakuushi Kabuto|Kabuto]] and hearing about the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sound Village|Sound Village]] and [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sand Village|Sand Village]]'s [[conspiracy]] against [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Konoha]]; he unfortunately was discovered and, while a talented ninja, was no match for Baki, who killed him using [[Naruto jutsus#Kaze no Yaiba|Kaze no Yaiba no Jutsu]] (Wind Blade Technique).
The name "Gekkou" means "lunar light" and "Hayate" means "quick as wind". Strange enough, both are names of Japanese fighter plane from WWII.
===Giichi===
A worker and friend of [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]]. Giichi quit his job working on The Great Naruto Bridge because he feared the consequences of angering [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]]. He later joins [[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]] in rallying up the villagers to fight against Gatou and push his thugs out of [[Naruto geography#The Wave Country|Wave Country]] for good.
===Hagane Kotetsu===
He and his comrade, Izumo, attempted to hold their very own Unoffical First Test of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin exam]]. Before the Chuunin exam has even begun, they used [[Naruto jutsus#Genjutsu|Genjutsu]] to change the meeting room's number. After, they tried to persuade the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] who showed up to quit right there and then. He and Izumo had attempted to pass the Chuunin Exam but failed three times in a row. Now they are Chuunin moderators for the first test. Kotetsu carries two large [[Kunai]]-style weapons on his back.
The name "Hagane" means "steel" and "Kotetsu" also means "steel".
===Haku===
Haku is a former [[Naruto geography#Hidden Mist Village|Hidden Mist]] Ninja, and is a very powerful one at that; he also may be a former member of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Hunter-nin|Hunter-nin]] team. In his first appearance, he is masquerading as a hunter-nin from the Mist village, sent to kill/capture [[Naruto characters#Zabuza|Zabuza]]. Haku comes from an [[Naruto advanced bloodlines|advanced bloodline]] and has many special techniques, the most powerful being [[Naruto jutsus#Makyou HyouShou Hijutsu|Makyou HyouShou Hijutsu]] (the Demonic Ice Mirrors secret technique), but he also attacks using [[Naruto jutsus#Sensatsu Suishou Hijutsu|Sensatsu Suishou Hijutsu]] (the Flying Water Needles secret technique) and [[Needle|Senbon]]. Haku is a master of Acupuncture - he manages to strike Zabuza in such a way that he appears to be dead, but is actually in a death-like state and awakens later.
During Haku's childhood, wars ravaged the [[Naruto geography#The Water Country|Water Country]], and since those of advanced bloodlines were commonly used as the most terrifying tools of war, many people irrationally dreaded and hated people of advanced bloodlines. When Haku's father found out that his mother was of an advanced bloodline he killed her and then tried to kill Haku, too, but Haku overpowered him and killed him, instead. He wandered the wave country as an unwanted child until he was found by Zabuza, who agreed to take him in and wanted to merely use him as a tool.
In Zabuza's last battle over the great Naruto bridge, Haku sacrificed his life by taking [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]]'s [[Naruto jutsus#Raikiri|Raikiri no Jutsu]] (Lightning Edge Technique) which was aimed at Zabuza. Haku said he was fighting for his own dream- making Zabuza's dreams come true- but in the end, he had fought for the dreams of [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]], [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] and [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]] as well, by putting Sasuke in a temporary death-like state like he did to Zabuza, when he could have easily killed him.
The name "Haku" means "white" but also carries the meaning of "blank", or "unwritten" and also "untarnished" .
===Haruno Sakura===
[[Image:HarunoSakura.jpg|right|Haruno Sakura]]
Sakura has a [[crush]] on [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]]. This appears to be her main characteristic up until advanced stages of the series. She's often self-conscious about the size of her [[forehead]] and got teased by being called "forehead girl" at [[school]] ([[Naruto characters#Yamanaka Ino|Ino]], Sakura's childhood friend and now rival for Sasuke's affections, continues this honourable tradition).
During the Chuunin exam, Sakura realizes that in her infatuation with Sasuke, she has neglected her duties as a team member - this coincides with her chopping off most of her [[hair]] (which she grew long because Sasuke apparently likes long hair), which an attacking [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sound Village|sound]]-nin used to hold her by, thus [[symbolism|symbolically]] freeing herself from her previous restraining [[tunnel vision]]. She still has a way to go before she fully deals with and reconciles her infatuation, however. Sakura started out extremely disliking [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] (who has a crush on her much like her own crush on Sasuke), but has slowly started [[respect]]ing him over the course of their being a [[team]].
In her early school years, Sakura was timid and was occasionally made fun of and bullied. That was until the popular Ino approached her and became her friend. Sakura looked up to Ino's looks and ability a lot; while she appreciated Ino's friendship, she couldn't help the feelings of inferiority she induced in her, as if Ino was a fully-bloomed flower and Sakura only a bud. Their friendship continued until it became clear that both of them liked Sasuke, and Sakura felt that she could never equal Ino, let alone surpass her at anything, while she was trapping herself as Ino's mere sidekick in her mind. She handed Ino her ribbon back and proclaimed that they were rivals from that point on.
And bitter rivals they were, until the second stage of the chuunin exam, where Ino witnessed Sakura cut her own hair- even though it was known that Sasuke liked girls with long hair- to set herself free from her captor. It was the moment that both of them were simultaneously stricken with the fact that there are more important things than teenage romance. Later, when they tied on their battle in the third stage preliminaries, Ino told Sakura that she finally had blossomed, and- each acknowledging the other as her equal- they became friends again, although they snap into bitter rivalry mode again whenever Sasuke is mentioned. After all, old habits die hard.
Sakura's main strengths are her [[intelligence (trait)|intelligence]] and her great [[chakra]] control. She was able to climb trees using her chakra while it took days of constant training for Sasuke and Naruto to manage it; in the first stage of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam, she knew the answers to a [[Test_(student_assessment)|test]] designed specifically to be so difficult for [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|genin]] to accomplish that they would have to [[Academic_dishonesty|cheat]].
Inside Sakura resides the "Inner Sakura", which ridiculously seems to be much more mean-tempered than Naruto's Kyubi. While serving mostly comedy purposes as Sakura's typical gentle responses are juxtaposed with the inner Sakura's constant "Hell yeah"s and "Damn it"s, Sakura having 'two minds' actually came in useful when Ino hit her with the [[Naruto jutsus#Shintenshin no Jutsu|Shintenshin no Jutsu]] (Body-Mind Switch Technique), Inner Sakura combating Ino's spirit where in the case of a regular person there would be no resistance.
The name "Haruno" means "the spring field" and "Sakura" means "a cherry blossom".
===Hatake Kakashi===
[[Image:HatakeKakashi.jpg|right|Hatake Kakashi]]
Hatake Kakashi, also known as 'the Copy Ninja Kakashi', is a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] assigned to look after and train [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]], [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]], and [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]. Kakashi has memorized over 1000 [[Naruto jutsus|jutsus]] (probably more), all of which are very impressive, by using his [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Sharingan|Sharingan]]; however, because he is not a member of the Uchiha clan, it seems to have been attached in an [[surgery|operation]] - there is a [[scar]] over it, and normally the Sharingan affects both eyes, not just one. Kakashi is a rival of [[Naruto characters#Maito Gai|Gai]], and according to Gai currently has a record of 49 wins and 50 losses against him- though it should be noted that A. It is hinted that many of those "wins" and "losses" were in games of [[Rock, Paper, Scissors]], and B. Gai is primarily strong in [[Naruto jutsus#Taijutsu|Taijutsu]], which acts as the most powerful counter for the Sharingan.
Kakashi is an avid reader of the book "Come Come Paradise", a [[romance novel]] authored by [[Naruto characters#Jiraiya|Jiraiya]]. The name "Hatake" means "farmland" and "Kakashi" means "a scarecrow".
===Hokage, 3rd===
A Ninja who has achieved the name of Kage (Shadow), strongest ninja of a Hidden Village, he was the leader of the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Hidden Leaf Village]]. Sometimes referred to as Sandaime (3rd) because he was the 3rd of four Konoha ninjas to gain the title Hokage; he was also the 3rd face on the [[monument]] carved on the mountain overlooking Leaf Village. Said to be the strongest among all the generations of Hokages because of his [[genius]], he was called The Professor. He had a large and impressive arsenal of [[Naruto jutsus|jutsus]] which he had learnt over his many years serving the Leaf Village- in fact, he was said to know all of the Jutsu that exist in Konoha. However, his strength had begun to decrease with his old age, and he was- initially, at least- no match for his former student, [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]], when the latter led the invasion on Konoha.
Having no other choice, the Hokage decided to sacrifice his life to seal Orochimaru's soul much like the fourth did to the nine-tails demon fox. His old age and weakened state (included, but not limited to, being impaled upon Orochimaru's sword) did not allow him to seal Orochimaru's whole soul, however, so he chose to only seal Orochimaru's arms, taking away all of his techniques and losing his life.
Hokage was previously the student of the 2nd Hokage, and the sensei of- apart from Orochimaru- [[Naruto characters#Jiraiya|Jiraiya]] and [[Naruto characters#Tsunade|Tsunade]]. The third Hokage has been referred to as Sarutobi, his real name, which may mean he is related to [[Naruto characters#Sarutobi Asuma|Sarutobi Asuma]].
===Hokage, 4th===
A brave Ninja who was responsible for sealing the Nine-tails Demon Fox inside [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]], and is remembered for his heroic acts on the monument which overshadows [[Naruto geography#Leaf Village|Leaf Village]]. Before he performed the seal which would destroy the Demon Fox and himself, he said that he did not want Naruto to be viewed as the container of a monster but as a [[hero]] who saved the Leaf Village from annihilation. He was a student of [[Naruto characters#Jiraiya|Jiraiya]]'s, and later the sensei of [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]].
===Hyuuga Hiashi===
Hiashi is the twin brother of [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hizashi|Hizashi]], but was born into the world first, making him a main house member. He has two daughters, [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]], the elder, and [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hanabi|Hanabi]], the younger; while Hinata should have been the heir by tradition, he picks Hanabi over her because she clearly seems stronger, and goes to the extreme of all but disowning Hinata completely, putting her under [[Naruto characters#Yuuhi Kurenai|Yuuhi Kurenai]]'s responsibility. He was also the one to put the [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Hyuuga)|Hyuuga Curse Seal]] on his nephew, [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]].
When he killed a shinobi from the [[Naruto geography#The Lightning Country|The Lightning Country]] who came under false pretenses of signing a peace treaty and was in fact attempting to kidnap Hinata to gain the secret of the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Byakuugan|Byakuugan]], the Lightning country demanded that the body of a Hyuuga clan member be delivered to them as compensation. Hiashi's brother, Hizashi, volunteered to be killed instead of Hiashi, thus saving his life. Hiashi decided not to tell Hizashi's son, Neji, that his father volunteered to die, until he felt that Neji would be mentally ready to accept this over the much more comfortable belief that the Hyuuga main house was responsible for his death. This moment came after Neji's loss to [[Naruto characters#Naruto|Uzumaki Naruto]] in battle.
Hiashi took an active role in the war between the leaf village and the sand/sound alliance, blasting away all hostile forces who dared approach.
===Hyuuga Hinata===
[[Image:HyuugaHinata.jpg|right|Hyuuga Hinata]]
The daughter of [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hiashi|Hiashi]] and a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, she is in [[Naruto characters#Yuuhi Kurenai|Kurenai]]'s team 8. She is a Member of the Hyuuga clan, main house- her father is the leader of the clan, but because her father deems her less talented than her younger sister, Hanabi, she is practically disowned. However, she still possesses the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Byakuugan|Byakuugan]] and can effectively use the [[Naruto jutsus#Jyuuken|Jyuuken]] (Gentle Fist fighting style), having trained on her own. Although a talented ninja, Hinata lacks [[self-confidence]], which is her greatest weakness. Hinata entered the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] Selection Exam so she can change herself.
It is made quite clear that Hinata likes [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] a lot, twiddling her [[index finger]]s, [[blush]]ing and turning suspiciously speechless whenever he is around, but by some miracle of thickness Naruto remains completely unaware of it.
When Hinata finds herself having to fight her cousin [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]] in the exam's third stage preliminaries- who has nothing but [[hatred]] for her and the main house she technically belongs to, and is considered the strongest Genin attending the exam- he breaks her confidence by ferocious, merciless [[mind games]] bordering on [[brainwash]] with repeated mentions of "[[destiny]]" and "dropouts are dropouts, they cannot change", until Naruto, who is quaking with suppressed rage at the words and what Neji is putting Hinata through, intercepts Neji's umpteenth "you can't change" with the proverbial mighty shout, '''"You Can!"'''
During that battle it is revealed that Hinata and Naruto are very much alike, though while he has never lost his self-confidence despite what he has gone through, she is only now trying to mend it. She looks to him as an ideal of how people ''can'', in fact, change, and draws power from the determination to- like him- stop running away.
Neji easily beats her and brings her close to death, yet she stands up again and again, until the Jounins overseeing the fight intercept it to proclaim Neji the winner and give her urgently-needed medical care. Before [[Unconscious|losing consciousness]], her last thought is ''Naruto-kun... was I able to change a little?''
About a month later, while she is training, Naurto- his mind troubled by his imminent fight with Neji, who is an incredibly strong opponent- absentmindedly wanders nearby, his legs carrying him to where he first became a Genin. While still terminally shy, she provides sincere words of support; Naruto, in a rare moment of introspection, understands and confesses what is bothering him. "I may appear strong to you, but... That's only because I act all tough because I'm so frustrated from always failing..." "That's not true," she responds. "In my eyes, even when you fail, you're a proud failure! When I look at you I get an intense feeling in my heart. Because you're not perfect, because you fail, you have the strength to get up. Because I believe that's what true strength is. I..I think you are an incredibly strong person, Naruto-kun."
This monologue shocks Naruto completely because it causes his true strength to dawn on him. He quickly repays the favour, however. "You know, about you... I thought you were a plain-looking dark weirdo... but it turns out a person like you, I really like!"
Kiba finds her quite a bit later, (quite comically) still staring in the general direction of Naruto's departure.
===Hyuuga Hizashi===
Hizashi was the twin brother of [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hiashi|Hiashi]], but he was born second into the world, making him a branch house member; this made his emotions torn, caring for his brother on the one hand but feeling separated and the victim of a terrible injustice on the other. As Hizashi's son, [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]] and Hiashi's daughter, [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]] matured, the relationship between Hizashi and Hiashi became more tense and resentful, as it slowly dawned on Hizashi that his own son, even if he turned out to be the most powerful Hyuuga of the next generation (which he did), would never lead the clan. Upon seeing the hatred in Hizashi's eyes, Hiashi activated the [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Hyuuga)|Curse Seal]] on His forehead, paining him to no end and bringing him inches from death.
When Hiashi killed a shinobi from the [[Naruto geography#The Lightning Country|The Lightning Country]] who came under false pretenses of signing a peace treaty and was in fact attempting to kidnap Hinata to gain the secret of the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Byakuugan|Byakuugan]], the Lightning country demanded that the body of a Hyuuga clan member be delivered to them as compensation. Hizashi volunteered to be killed instead of Hiashi, thus saving his brother's life and ending his own.
The name "Hizashi" means "a shade from the sun".
===Hyuuga Neji===
[[Image:HyuugaNeji.jpg|right|Hyuuga Neji]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, he was the #1 rookie of his Ninja Academy graduating class. He was also considered to be the strongest and most talented of all the Genin who attended the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam. A member of the Hyuuga Clan, branch house, Neji can never be leader of his clan and is very bitter and malicious about the discrimination against the branch house. Neji effectively uses the [[Naruto jutsus#Jyuuken|Jyuuken]] and his [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Byakuugan|Byakuugan]] is advanced to the point of being able to see the chakra opening points. Neji also has a very powerful defense in the form of the [[Naruto jutsus#Hakke Shou Kaiten|Hakke Shou Kaiten]] (Heavenly Spin).
Neji is particularly bitter about his own destiny, forced on him by the fact that his father- [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hizashi|Hizashi]]- was born into the world after his uncle, [[Naruto characters#Hiashi|Hiashi]], even though they were twins. This made Hiashi a member of the main family and Hizashi- and consequently, Neji- a member of the branch family. In his childhood, Neji had nothing against the main family- probably being too naïve to fully understand the implications of being a branch family member, but as he grew up seeing his father feeling nothing but hatred for his own brother and the main family, he gradually came to resent it himself. His resentment only deepened as he witnessed his father enraged first hand while watching [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]], Hiashi's elder daughter and then the destined Hyuuga main family heir, train with her father; for he knew that his own son, Neji, will never be the heir of his clan. Detecting Hizashi's vibes of animosity, Hiashi activated the [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Hyuuga)|Hyuuga Curse Seal]], putting his brother in immense pain as his nerves were being attacked. It was Neji's first encounter with the Hyuuga Curse Seal.
It was not until the incident with the [[Naruto geography#The Lightning Country|Lightning Country]]'s and [[Naruto geography#The Fire Country|Fire Country]]'s peace treaty, however, that Neji became truly became who he were when he showed up for the Chuunin exams. The two countries, which were at war with one another, apparently decided to sign a treaty, and for this representatives from the lightning country arrived. In the same day, the very same curse seal that tortured his father was put upon Neji himself; and that night, the ambassador from the Lightning country attempted to kidnap Hinata, revealing that the intention of the "treaty" was all along to get into the Fire country and acquire the secret of Byakuugan. Hiashi detected the intruder and killed him at once, for which the Lightning country, absurdly, requested payback in the form of a Hyuuga clan member's dead body. That day, Neji's father was sent to his death, and Neji grew up believing that his father was sent against his will to protect the Hyuuga clan's secret bloodline.
This chain of events drove him to the point of believing that [[destiny]], what we are born as and our features are decided from birth and there's no way to escape or change them. His pent-up hatred reached the stage of attempting to kill Hinata in the Chuunin exam third stage preliminaries, causing lasting damage- not before mentally crippling her with harsh words manufactured to hurt, scare and unbalance her.
Unfortunately for him, in this he acquired the blood-sworn grudge (no less) of one [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Uzumaki Naruto]], who- in true Naruto fashion- was not at all impressed with Neji's sob story. "I don't know about this whole destiny of Hyuuga hatred, but I know that when you're saying that nobody can escape destiny and people can not change based on only that, you're making a huge mistake!", says Naruto. Neji says "Being marked with this disgusting seal, a seal which you can't remove and haunts you, you can never know how that feels!"
"Ehe.. ehe he he... ...and maybe I do... ...So What?!", says Naruto, who indeed knows- then mentally focuses on his blood-sworn grudge to avenge what Neji has done to Hinata to channel the chakra of the nine-tails and proceeds to defeat Neji.
Realisations and elations rain on Neji that day. Naruto's speeches on the fact that people can change, himself being an obvious in-your-face example for this, combined with his uncle's explanation that Neji's father chose to sacrifice himself for the clan rather than doing it involuntarily, amount to the conclusion that even a bird in a cage, if smart enough and having enough willpower, will open the lock with its beak and soar in the skies again.
===Inari===
The son of [[Naruto characters#Tsunami|Tsunami]] and the grandson of [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]]. Inari's Father having died before he got to know him, after meeting [[Naruto characters#Kaiza|Kaiza]] they became very close to each other. Kaiza took a fatherly role in Inari's life and even became close to Tsunami. But when Kaiza was put to death by [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]], Inari changed. He became a sad and angry boy, with little [[hope]] or [[optimism]]. Although after experiencing [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]'s character and finding out that Naruto had a past even worse than his, Inari realized the power of will over fate, and that no risk is too great to protect something precious. He therefore grabbed a [[crossbow]] and rallied the townspeople, who proceeded to pwn Gatou's men.
The name "Inari" comes from a traditional dish of a sweetened riceball or from a Shinto shrine dedicated to a fox spirit called "Inari".
===Eikichi Onizuka===
[[Image:InuzukaKiba.jpg|right|Inuzuka Kiba]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, he is a member of [[Naruto characters#Yuuhi Kurenai|Kurenia]]'s Team 8. Always accompanied by his ninken(ninja dog) [[Naruto characters#Akamaru|Akamaru]], Kiba is able to communicate with him and gain information from Akamaru's heightened senses of [[olfaction|smell]] and [[hearing]]. Kiba himself also has heightened senses, and many of his Jutsu involve [[canine]] abilities. For instance, by focusing his [[Chakra]] to his nose he can multiply the power of his sense of smell thousandfold. When he battled [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] at the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam third stage preliminaries, he was very much at an advantage until his heightened sense of smell backfired due to circumstances invoked by Naruto and [[Fart|involving Carbon Dioxide]].<br style="clear:both;"/>
The name "Inuzuka" means "Home of dogs" and "Kiba" means "fang".
===Ero Sennin===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] level Ninja, he has grown to the point of achieving the title [[Naruto ninja ranks#Sennin|Sennin]]. A student of the [[Naruto characters#3rd Hokage|3rd Hokage]], his teammates were [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]] and [[Naruto characters#Tsunade|Tsunade]]. Having left [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Hidden Leaf Village]] for as of yet unknown reasons, he became an author of adult [[manga]]- his most popular work being ''Come Come Paradise'', which [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]] enjoys. When he reappears, Jiraiya is in Leaf Village spying on women [[bath]]ing as "research" for his next novel. It is at this point that fate arranges for his meeting with [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]. He removes the [[Naruto jutsus#Goguoufuuin|Goguofuuin]] (Five Part Seal) that Orochimaru put on Naruto in The [[Naruto geography#Forest of Death|Forest of Death]], which prevented him from using Kyubi's chakra and made his chakra unstable. He also gives him special training for the last trial of the Chuunin Selection Exam which includes Naruto tapping into some of Kyubi's strength at will and [[Naruto jutsus#Kuchiyose no Jutsu|Kuchiyose no Jutsu]] (the Summoning Technique). The name "Jiraiya" comes from a name of a real legendary but non-existing Ninja (a strange way to explain), who excelled in summoning a giant toad. The toad itself was sometimes called "Jiraiya".
===Kaiza===
A [[fisherman]] who came to the [[Naruto geography#The Wave Country|Wave Country]], Kaiza became known as the "Hero of the City" in which [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]], [[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]] and [[Naruto characters#Tsunami|Tsunami]] lived. Kaiza also became a father figure for Inari, and taught him the principles of being a man. Accused of being a terrorist against the Gatou [[Corporation|Corp.]], he was [[Death penalty|executed]] publicly by [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]]'s men and under his orders. In the death of Kaiza, the source of the city's courage, so too died the [[bravery]] within the hearts of the people. It was from this point that Gatou's will truly dominated the Wave country. Kaiza lived, and died, by this belief- "If something is truly precious to you, even if you lose your life, with these two arms you must protect it!".
===Kankuro===
Kankuro is [[Naruto characters#Gaara of The Desert|Gaara]]'s brother and a powerful Shinobi from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sand Village|Hidden Sand Village]]. Despite his incredible strength, he is still very much afraid of Gaara. He carries a strange thing on his back called "Karasu", which is basically a [[marionette]] which he can use in combination with a technique similar to [[Naruto jutsus#Kawarimi no Jutsu|Kawarimi no Jutsu]]; he grabs his opponents with Karasu and then transforms Karasu in to whatever he pleases. He then unveils himself from the bandage and finishes his opponent off. Kankoru doesn't have a wide range of [[Naruto jutsus|jutsus]] since he always fights tough opponents with the Karasu. "Kankuro" is a name of famous ninja and he often was pictured as a ninja with a "Karasu" (a crow) as his pet. "Kankuro" is also the name of many famous [[Kabuki]] actors which shows in his face paint and quirky style of speech (at least in Japanese).
<!--I might be wrong on this...-->
===KazeKage===
The leader of the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sand Village|Hidden Sand Village]]. Kazekage translates to "Wind Shadow", though this is merely a title given to him because he is the leader of the Hidden Sand Village. The father of [[Naruto characters#Gaara of The Desert|Gaara]], [[Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]] and [[Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]], it was his design that made Gaara what he is. With the [[military]] forces of Sand Village being scaled down by the Daimyo(Lord) of the [[Naruto geography#The Wind Country|Wind Country]], Kazekage realised that they must increase the quality of each Ninja to maintain a military force. As more time passed, the Daimyo started commissioning [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] with request he should have been making to Sand Village. On top of this he began cutting back on the Sand Village's budget. Kazekage realized that if he didn't act quickly, Sand Village would be in danger of disappearing. So, joining with the Sound Village, Kazekage plans to attack the Leaf Village in order to teach the Daimyo a lesson and to re-establish the Sand Village's military force.
Things, however, definitely do not go as planned for him. Just before the chuunin exam's third stage, where his attack is planned to take place, he is betrayed and assassinated by his ally, Orochimaru, who steals his identity.
===Kin Tsuchi===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, not much is known about this Sound Ninja. She is in the Chuunin Selection Exam on a mission with her comrades to kill Sasuke. In the third stage preliminaries she is matched against Shikamaru, who defeats her through his [[Naruto jutsus#KageMane no Jutsu|KageMane no Jutsu]] (Shadow Imitation Technique) by contracting his shadow and sneaking it under the [[string]] attached to a [[needle]] she threw; she did not notice that a string at that height should not cast a shadow.
Kin is later killed by Orochimaru, her master, in order to be one of the sacrifices needed to summon the first two hokage from their graves to fight for him.
===Konohamaru===
The grandson of the [[Naruto characters#3rd Hokage|3rd Hokage]], Konohamaru feels he is unacknowledged for that exact reason. Although he is still only in the Ninja Academy, he constantly attempts to surprise attack Hokage so he can defeat him and acquire the acknowledgement of the Hokage name. Tutored by [[Naruto characters#Ebisu|Ebisu]], it is only through [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]'s influence that Konohamaru realizes that there will be no short-cuts to becoming [[Naruto ninja ranks#Kage|Hokage]]. That is a dream that will take many years of hard work and [[discipline]] to realize.
===Maito Gai===
Sporting very thick [[eyebrow|eyebrows]], an exceedingly unconventional persona and a very shiny [[haircut]], Gai is a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|jounin]] who is the rival of [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]] and the [[sensei]] of a team consisting of [[Naruto characters#Rock Lee|Rock Lee]], [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]] and [[Naruto characters#Tenten|Tenten]] (though he has, by far, bonded with Lee the most- it was under Gai's guidance that Lee started tapping his potential at all, having been subpar in all ninja categories up to then). Gai tends to appear accompanied by Nin-kame, a gigantic [[red]] [[turtle]] (his [[Naruto jutsus#Kuchiyose no Jutsu|summon]]), and has several weird mannerisms- including, but not limited to
*Giving the [[thumbs up]] and smiling with [[teeth]] so [[white]] they give the proverbial "ting",
*Punching Lee for various reasons and immediately bursting into [[tears]] and [[hug|hugging]] him,
*generally over-reacting, even by anime character standards.
Gai claims to have a record of 50 wins and 49 losses against Kakashi, but it is hinted that many of those wins might be in games of [[Rock, Paper, Scissors]] rather than in actual battle. He believes that "hard work without believing in yourself is worthless". The name "Maito" is from "mighty" and together with "Guy", becomes "a mighty Guy", a joke aimed at hot-headed heroes that appears in many movies and anime.
===Mitarashi Anko===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Tokubetsu Jounin|Tokubetsu Jounin]] level ninja, she is the examiner for the second part of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] Selection Exam in which [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] takes part (the part that takes place in the [[Naruto geography#Forest of Death|Forest of Death]]). During the exam she arrives at a confrontation with [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]] and it is revealed that he used to be her [[sensei]]. It seems she had also received [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Orochimaru)|Orochimaru's curse seal]], but for an as yet unknown reason Orochimaru's connection to her was severed and the Seal disappeared; when Orochimaru battled Anko, he was able to make her curse seal return, thus incapacitating her with pain as well as ending their fight. Anko knows several forbidden techniques taught to her by Orochimaru, the most notable of which is [[Naruto jutsus#Souja Sousai no Jutsu|Souja Sousai no Jutsu]] (Double Snake Assassination Technique).
===Mizuki===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] level ninja, he is [[Naruto characters#Umino Iruka|Iruka]]'s assistant instructor at the ninja academy. Not a very skilled ninja apparently, he devises a plan to steal the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]]'s forbidden scroll using [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]] as a fall-guy, intent upon learning the powerful forbidden Jutsus within. Mizuki's scheme goes according to plan until Iruka gets to Naruto before he does. A fight then takes place which ultimately ends with Naruto saving Iruka's life by creating hundreds of [[Naruto jutsus#Kage Bunshin no Jutsu|Kage Bunshin]] (Shadow Replications) and beating Mizuki to a bloody pulp.
What exactly became of Mizuki is unclear. He might, some speculate, actually be the key to a gigantic conspiracy outlining the whole plot of the series.
Then again, they very logically continue to reason, maybe not.
===Momochi Zabuza===
[[Image:MomochiZabuza.jpg|right|Momochi Zabuza]]
Zabuza is a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Missing-nin|Missing-nin]] formerly from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Mist Village|Hidden Mist Village]]. Being a mist-ninja, most of his [[Naruto jutsus|Jutsus]] are [[water]]-oriented. He is also known as "The Devil of the Hidden Mist" since he once single-handedly killed all of the students in the ninja academy (that is also why the Hidden Mist Village stopped pitting students against one another in battles to the death). Zabuza is a Jounin of large power who holds an even larger sword, as we see in the fights between him and [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]], when he was hired by [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]] to kill [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]]; he actually manages to overpower Kakashi and trap him within his specialty [[Naruto jutsus#Suirou no Jutsu|Suirou no Jutsu]], and would have won if it weren't for [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]'s clever intervention.
Zabuza was the one who picked the lonely [[Naruto characters#Haku|Haku]] off of the cold streets and agreed to take him in if Haku were to serve him, thus gaining his undying loyalty. When Haku sacrifices his life to save Zabuza, jumping in between him and Kakashi's [[Naruto jutsus#Chidori|Chidori]], Zabuza feels nothing, for he saw Haku as merely a tool; but Naruto, outraged at this lack of emotion, yells at Zabuza that he cannot understand how he wouldn't care at all, and finally understanding what he probably was to Haku, Zabuza has a change of heart.
Zabuza died plunging with a [[Kunai]] in his mouth- both his arms having been broken in battle with Kakashi earlier- into the ranks of Gatou's men, and being impaled upon countless weapons- but not before killing many of them, and finally Gatou himself. He asked to be buried alongside Haku.
===Morino Ibiki===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Tokubetsu Jounin|Tokubetsu Jounin]] level ninja, he is the examiner for the first part of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] Selection Exam. As the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] [[assassination]] squad's [[torture]] and [[interrogation]] specialist, the design of the first test is obviously his. Described as a [[sadism|sadist]] by some, Ibiki can easily make people experience mental suffering brought on by his interrogation skills while not even exerting physical torture. His complete knowledge of human [[psychology]] is frightening; by attacking a person's mind he can gain control over their spirit, as their weaknesses all float to the surface. Ibiki bears the physical scars of having been horribly tortured himself, perhaps illustrating his ability to withstand torture without giving up valuable information.
===Nara Shikamaru===
[[Image:NaraShikamaru.jpg|right|Nara Shikamaru]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, he is in [[Naruto characters#Sarutobi Asuma|Asuma]]'s Team 10 (with [[Naruto characters#Yamanaka Ino|Ino]] and [[Naruto characters#Akimichi Chouji|Chouji]]). He is the sort of unenthusiastic person who would rather take a nap than get excited over something and likes the sort of thought games older men are usually into, such as [[chess]] and [[go (board game)|go]]. He's great with coming up with a [[strategy]] and Asuma has never actually beaten him. According to Asuma, Shikamaru would make an excellent military leader despite his grades from the Academy having been almost as low as [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]'s. He felt that even moving his pencil in class was a bother and always slept through tests; but his sensei, Asuma, got suspicious of the fact that he's so good at board games despite his grades being abysmal, and administered an IQ test disguised as a game to Shikamaru, which revealed that he has an IQ of over 200. He has a habit of putting his fingers together to create a bowl-like shape (save for the thumbs) and closing his eyes so he can concentrate and come up with a strategy. Once he does, usually the opponent believes to have foiled the plan until it turns out it was all ''a part'' of the plan.
Shikamaru's specialty [[Naruto jutsus|jutsu]] is [[Naruto jutsus#KageMane no Jutsu|KageMane no Jutsu]] (the Shadow Imitation Technique). The increasingly common knowledge that Shikamaru is a one-trick pony causes his opponents to underestimate him and think that they can easily win the battle by avoiding his shadow, only to unexpectedly find themselves unable to move during the battle and realise that they have been, yet again, caught in his jutsu by overlooking details that to most are minutia, but to Shikamaru are tactical assets.
The name "Nara" is from the real city of [[Nara]] and is a famous place for the number of "Shika" (deers) that live there. "-maru" means "round" and "well developed" and was commonly used for names in the feudal period.
===Orochimaru===
[[Image:Orochimaru.jpg|right|Orochimaru]]
Technically a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] level ninja, but obviously beyond even a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Sennin|Sennin]], Orochimaru is a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Missing-nin|Missing-nin]] who has the power to easily defeat a small country on his own. He's a Shinobi that all countries would have wanted when he defected from [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] and possesses many [[Naruto jutsus|jutsus]], forbidden and not, relating to snakes. Leader of his own newly created [[Naruto geography#The Sound Country|Sound Country]] and [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sound Village|Hidden Sound Village]], Orochimaru's intentions are to be the catalyst for a long and intense battle between all the Hidden Villages.
Orochimaru also has great interest in [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]]. He was also at one point in time, the student of the [[Naruto characters#Hokage, 3rd|3rd Hokage]] and the [[sensei]] of [[Naruto characters#Mitarashi Anko|Anko]].
Orochimaru's ambitions abruptly ended, or were at least indefinitely delayed, when he decided to do battle with his old sensei, Sandaime (the third) Hokage. The latter, using the same technique the fourth Hokage used to seal the Kyuubi inside [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]], sacrificed his life to seal away Orochimaru's arms, together with all of his ninja techniques.
Putting [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Orochimaru)|Curse Seal]]s on his servants that put them in pain and appear when he chooses them to, associating with [[snake]]s and seeking [[immortality]], Orochimaru is very much a literary relative of [[Lord Voldemort]].
===Pochi===
[[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]]'s former pet dog. He was stolen by Akane, a bully, who renamed Pochi "Shooting Star" but later decided he no longer wanted his new pet and threw him into the ocean. Inari can't swim and is afraid to jump off the pier to save his dog, so Akane pushes him into the water. Inari begins to drown as Pochi figures out the doggy paddle and swims to safety. Inari is rescued by [[Naruto characters#Kaiza|Kaiza]]- this is how they first meet.
===Rock Lee===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level Ninja, he is a [[Naruto jutsus#Taijutsu|Taijutsu]] specialist and [[Naruto characters#Maito Gai|Gai]]'s student. Incapable of using NinJutsu or GenJutsu, he spent all his time and concentration on Taijutsu. It is because of this determination and hard working ethic that Lee has become an outstanding Ninja. When in heated battle, Lee removes the extremely heavy weights he wears on his legs. This vastly increases his already amazing speed. After using his trump card and specialty technique, the [[Naruto jutsus#Ura Renge|Extreme Lotus]] for the first time against Gaara, Lee's body was so beaten up that he could barely even move, yet even after his left leg and left arm were both completely pulverised and he fell unconscious, he still stood up to prove his ninja way. However, because of all of the damage done to his body during the battle, he was told by the Leaf Village medics that he would be unable to live as a Ninja any more. He would not give up and, even with his torn and unusable body, continued to try practicing.
===Sarutobi Asuma===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] level Ninja, he is the leader of Team 10, including [[Naruto characters#Nara Shikamaru|Shikamaru]], [[Naruto characters#Akimichi Chouji|Chouji]] and [[Naruto characters#Yamanaka Ino|Ino]]. Not much is known about Asuma, only that he seems very laid back and is always smoking a cigarette whenever he is seen. Based on the name, Asuma might be related to the [[Naruto characters#Hokage, 3rd|3rd Hokage]].
===Tazuna===
An expert bridge builder, he is a resident of the [[Naruto geography#The Wave Country|Wave Country]]. He resolved to build a [[bridge]] that would connect the Wave country to the mainland to help in restoring its economic stability, which was against [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]]'s interest, and he knew full well that Gatou would try to kill him. It is because of this threat that Tazuna, under false pretenses of wanting to merely be protected from bandits (reducing the costs- he doesn't have a choice), acquires the services of bodyguards from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]]. A brave man, Tazuna doesn't hesitate on his path to create a bridge that will bring back hope into the city he loves. In honor of Naruto, for his example of courage, Tazuna names the bridge "The Great Naruto Bridge" after its completion.
===Temari===
[[Image:Temari.jpg|right|Temari]]
Daughter of [[Naruto characters#Kazekage|Kazekage]], she is [[Naruto characters#Gaara of The Desert|Gaara]] and [[Naruto characters#Kankuro|Kankuro]]'s sister. She carries a huge [[Fan_(implement)#Asia|fan]] on her back which she uses as a powerful Ninja tool; she is also good at fighting from a distance, and a keen analyst (though not of the same calibre as [[Naruto characters#Nara Shikamaru|Shikamaru]]. The name "Temari" means "a traditional hand ball" that kids used to bounce and dribble.
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===Tenten===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, she is a student of [[Naruto characters#Maito Gai|Gai]]. Not much is known about her techniques, other than that she uses dozens of various types of weapons in battle by raining them on her opponent. That technique proved totally useless against [[Naruto characters#Temari|Temari]], who repeatedly blew the weapons back using her fan.
===Tsunade===
One of the three legendary Sannin, Tsunade is a medic ninja as well as a "slug tamer". As a disciple of the [[Naruto characters#3rd Hokage|3rd Hokage]], her fellow students include [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]] and the [[Naruto characters#Tsunade|Ero Sennin]]. Even though she is around 50 years old, her genjutsu makes it appear as if she were still 20. Her skill would have been key in healing Orochimaru's sealed arms, but she refused and proceeded to fight both him and Kabuto. Her freakish strength could kill Orochimaru with one direct hit, but her summon is not quite as strong as Jiraiya's. One of her more powerful techniques, is cell regeneration, which requires an immense amount of chakra. She was impaled by Orochimaru's sword numerous times while protecting Naruto but easily regenerated herself.
"I can never die in battle."
This skill however, requires so much chakra, that her youthful illusion is dispelled shortly after using this technique; the cells also divide so rapidly that they approach apoptosis faster, aging her even further.
During a war, both her brother and lover were killed; similar to Naruto, they both had dreams of being the Hokage and protecting the ones they loved. After their deaths, Tsunade, as a medic ninja ironically developed a phobia of blood.
===Tsunami===
The daughter of [[Naruto characters#Tazuna|Tazuna]] and single mother of [[Naruto characters#Inari|Inari]]. Having lost her husband several years ago, when [[Naruto characters#Kaiza|Kaiza]] entered her life showing such love for her son, she couldn't help but invite him into her home. Like everyone else in the City, Kaiza's death broke her spirit. In the years following she has tried to protect Inari from the painful memories of the loss of his friend and mentor. Tsunami is a woman of strong will. When Inari is in danger, she threatens to commit suicide, which would have left no hostage for [[Naruto characters#Gatou|Gatou]]'s men to take.
===Tsurugu Misumi===
Technically a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja and pretending to be from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]], he is actually from the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Sound Village|Hidden Sound Village]], acting as Leaf Ninja in order to gain information. To be more efficient in the gathering of information, his body has been altered to be able to fit into any space. This ability also has its benefits in battle, Allowing Misumi to get impossible to escape holds on his opponent, with the ability to then constrict like a snake.
===Uchiha Itachi===
[[Image:UchihaItachi.jpg|right|Uchiha Itachi]]
Noted within the Wanted Book, Itachi is an S-Level criminal. A [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] [[Naruto ninja ranks#Missing-nin|Missing-nin]], He graduated top of his Academy class at age 7, had mastered the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Sharingan|Sharingan]] by age 8, became a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] at 9 and was previously an Anbu captain at the age of only 13. Now 17, he is feared even by [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]]. He left the Leaf Village some years ago, after killing his whole clan except for [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]], his brother. Currently associated with the organisation Akatsuki though his whereabouts are unknown.
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===Uchiha Sasuke===
[[Image:UchihaSasuke.jpg|right|Uchiha Sasuke]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level Ninja, Sasuke is the natural genius offspring of the powerful Uchiha Clan. One of the most outstanding clans in [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]], the Uchiha's advanced possess the power of the [[Naruto advanced bloodlines#Sharingan|Sharingan]]. Sasuke's talent is not only confined to the Sharingan; before this ability even awakened he was considered the #1 Academy Ninja and the #1 rookie Genin. It is because of these abilities that Orochimaru is interested in Sasuke and puts his [[Naruto jutsus#Juin Jutsu (Orochimaru)|curse seal]] on him; Sasuke turns out to be strong enough to survive the 9/10 chance of immediate death and regains consciousness. Just by releasing Chakra the curse becomes active and forcibly pulls out more Chakra, stealing his mind. At this point the the small mark on the neck grows to wrap around Sasuke's whole body. Sasuke's willpower is surprisingly strong enough to hold back this curse and after Kakashi performs his Evil Sealing Method on him, it becomes even easier for him to control it and use his Chakra normally.
Sasuke thinks of himself as an avenger; his only goal is to achieve power and be able to kill his brother, [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Itachi|Itachi]]. He is even-minded and a bit arrogant, but has an inner coward he must still overcome.
===Umino Iruka===
[[Image:UminoIruka.jpg|right|Umino Iruka]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] level ninja, he is an instructor at the ninja academy. Introduced as [[Naruto characters#Uzumaki Naruto|Naruto]]'s [[sensei]], he and Naruto have a special connection. Iruka sees himself in Naruto because he also grew up as an [[orphan]] and was around Naruto's age when his parents were killed by the Kyubi. Naruto cares for him because Iruka was the first person to acknowledge him as a precious person. Worrying that Naruto is being pushed too hard, Iruka often underestimates Naruto's abilities during his trials to become a great ninja. He is now [[Naruto characters#Konohamaru|Konohamaru]]'s [[teacher]]. The name "Umino" means "of the sea" and "Iruka" means "a dolphin".<br style="clear:both;"/>
===Uzumaki Naruto===
[[Image:UzumakiNaruto.jpg|right|Uzumaki Naruto]]
The main character of the series, he is naturally impetuous, hyperactive and tends to rush into combat without thinking. However, he is capable of devising some quite clever plans by creative usage of his [[Naruto jutsus|jutsus]], most notably [[Naruto jutsus#Kage Bunshin no Jutsu|Kage Bunshin no Jutsu]], when necessary. Inside Naruto is the sealed nine-tails demon fox, and when Naruto is under great stress or when his friends are severely threatened it the demon's power begins to force its way out. While seemingly uncontrollable, the demon inside Naruto- while not exactly nice whenever Naruto subconsciously faces him- is surprisingly cooperative and when truly necessary, such as in a life-threatening situation, The Kyubi's chakra will almost always lend itself to him.
Naruto dreams of being acknowledged by everyone in the [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]]. He is an outcast (nothing like containing the demon that almost destroyed the village to ruin your reputation), and would have ended up with nothing but a desire to take revenge on leaf village had his sensei, [[Naruto characters#Umino Irkua|Iruka]], not acknowledged his ability and that he is different from the demon fox that attacked the village all those years ago. Naruto has a very ambiguous sort of rivalry/friendship/hatred relationship with [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]] and has a crush on [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]], who even after starting to respect him still largely cannot stand him. Naruto also likes [[Ramen]]. A lot. In fact, Kakashi once thought that Ramen and being Hokage were the only things he thinks about.
While looking like a frivolous idiot on the surface, Naruto- unlike an unignorably large part of the series' characters- has his heart at the right place. It takes a Naruto to dare lecture [[Naruto characters#Momochi Zabuza|Zabuza]] on not caring about [[Naruto characters#Haku|Haku]]'s tragic sacrifice for him, or to stand up for [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]] when [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Neji|Neji]] attempts to reduce her to a mental wreck, or to proclaim that he is going to prove that in this world... heroes do exist. The name "Uzumaki" means "a whirlpool" and "Naruto" is a very famous place to see that. "Naruto" is also the name for a stick of [[Kamaboko]] with a pink whirlpool design in the middle and sliced and topped on a bowl of Ramen. Some people swear that no Ramen is complete without it.
===Yakushi Kabuto===
Technically a [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, Kabuto is in [[Naruto geography#Hidden Leaf Village|Leaf Village]] as a spy acting for [[Naruto characters#Orochimaru|Orochimaru]]. Having intentionally failed the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam repeatedly and made himself seem an unimpressive ninja, he is actually on the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] skill level, Capable of matching even [[Naruto characters#Hatake Kakashi|Kakashi]] in battle. As a young boy he was brought back from a battle, an enemy child, he was found and raised by a Jounin member of the Leaf Medical Unit Squad. Since then he has been hiding in his fake self. Described as Orochimaru's right hand man, Kabuto's role was to keep an eye on talented ninjas that Orochimaru could recruit, specifically [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]], in order for the next stage of Orochimaru's plan to take place.
===Yamanaka Ino===
[[Image:YamanakaIno.jpg|right|Yamanaka Ino]]
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] level ninja, she is described as a very talented female shinobi by her Sensei. She was originally the first person to be nice to the timid [[Naruto characters#Haruno Sakura|Sakura]] in her childhood and was her best friend, but their shared crush on [[Naruto characters#Uchiha Sasuke|Sasuke]] has driven them apart and made them bitter rivals. After the second stage of the [[Naruto ninja ranks#Chuunin|Chuunin]] exam, and to some extent the third stage preliminaries, Ino and Sakura's relationship becomes a complex friendship/enmity one- it seems as if they are basically good friends again but are still thrown into rivalry mode whenever Sasuke is even mentioned.
Ino appears to be a very enthusiastic sort of person, her energy-laden cheers contrasting ridiculously with the pronounced indifference of her teammate, [[Naruto characters#Nara Shikamaru|Shikamaru]]. Much like him, Ino has a specialty jutsu that takes control of the opponent to some degree- [[Naruto jutsus#Shintenshin no Jutsu|Shintenshin no Jutsu]] (The Body-Mind Switch Technique). The name "Yamanaka" means "deep in the mountatin" and "Ino" means "a wild boar". "Ino", "Shika" and "Chou" are the name of three cards needed for a highly prized trick of "Inoshikacho" in the [[Hanafuda]].
===Yuuhi Kurenai===
A [[Naruto ninja ranks#Jounin|Jounin]] level ninja, she is the one in charge of [[Naruto ninja ranks#Genin|Genin]] Team 8 (which consists of [[Naruto characters#Inuzuka Kiba|Kiba]], [[Naruto characters#Aburame Shino|Shino]] and [[Naruto characters#Hyuuga Hinata|Hinata]]). Not much is known about Kurenai as of yet in the series, only that she has just recently become a Jounin. The name "Yuuhi" means "the setting sun" and "Kurenai" means "the time of twilight when the sun sets".
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