NARUTO COLUMNS
05/26/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Iruka's Birthday on 5/26! Looking Back on the Teacher Who Passed Down the Will of Fire and Was Always There for Naruto!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Ninja Academy teacher who supported and watched over Naruto as he grew and pursued his shinobi way: Iruka Umino!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the Ninja Academy teacher who supported and watched over Naruto as he grew and pursued his shinobi way: Iruka Umino!
■Iruka Umino
・Birthday: May 26th (Gemini)
・Favorite Foods: Ichiraku's ramen
The Will of Fire
Born to two Jonin of the Hidden Leaf Village, Iruka's life is upended when the Nine Tails attacks.
His parents die fighting to protect the village from the monstrous fox, and have their names engraved on Konoha's memorial stone.
Still a young boy, Iruka is suddenly on his own.
Still a young boy, Iruka is suddenly on his own.
To hide his pain and earn acknowledgement from his peers, Iruka acts out in school, playing pranks and becoming the class clown.
However, nothing can erase the sadness and loneliness that weigh on him every day.
About one year after his parents' deaths, Iruka is unable to hold in his tears when visiting the memorial stone, and the Third Hokage reaches out to him.
"I'm not sad because I'm never alone!!"
Iruka insists he's fine, but Hiruzen sees through his bluff and comforts him, telling him about the Will of Fire carried by all Konoha's shinobi.
Iruka insists he's fine, but Hiruzen sees through his bluff and comforts him, telling him about the Will of Fire carried by all Konoha's shinobi.
The Hokage explains that all those who bear the Will of Fire are family, a teaching Iruka takes to heart and eventually passes down to the next generation when he becomes a full-fledged ninja himself and teaches at the village's academy.
An Affirming Presence
While teaching at the Ninja Academy, Iruka is put in charge of a class that includes Naruto.
Although he is strict and scolds Naruto for his pranks, Iruka knows the pain of being an orphan all too well. He makes time for Naruto, and is there for him when no one else is.
Then, on the night after the academy's graduation exam, an incident occurs.
Tricked by a traitorous ninja named Mizuki, Naruto steals a secret manuscript.
On top of that, he also learns a terrible truth about himself as the night's events unfold.
On top of that, he also learns a terrible truth about himself as the night's events unfold.
Shocked to hear about the fox monster inside him, Naruto becomes distraught, and unsure of everything he's known.
Iruka's words and willingness to sacrifice himself for the boy are what bring Naruto back.
Iruka's words and willingness to sacrifice himself for the boy are what bring Naruto back.
"FOR HIM, I HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT. HE'S AN EXCELLENT STUDENT.
...HE WORKS WITH ALL HIS MIGHT...
BUT SOMETIMES, EVEN SO, HE'S AWKWARD, CLUMSY...A SCREW-UP... PEOPLE HAVE MOCKED AND SHUNNED HIM...
AND IT'S GIVEN HIM EMPATHY. HE KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO BE IN PAIN.
THAT BOY IS NO LONGER YOUR DEMON FOX!
HE IS...A CITIZEN OF KONOHAGAKURE VILLAGE...
...UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
Iruka's speech inspires Naruto, and he shows a level of skill he's never been capable of before, defeating Mizuki!
In light of Naruto's impressive display, Iruka decides he is qualified to become a Konoha ninja.
In light of Naruto's impressive display, Iruka decides he is qualified to become a Konoha ninja.
"CONGRATULATIONS...GRADUATE!"
Receiving the headband that serves as proof of Ninja Academy graduation from Iruka, Naruto is able to set off down his own path as a shinobi!
Unending Worries
Iruka sends Naruto and his other students out into the world of shinobi.
However, this does not mean he stops worrying about them.
However, this does not mean he stops worrying about them.
From Hiruzen, as well as Kakashi—who was assigned as the Jonin for Naruto's team—Iruka hears of their escapades, sympathizing with their highs and lows.
Iruka's concern for his former students can be easily seen from how he reacts when he hears about them.
Around this time, it is decided that the Chunin Exams will be held.
When their supervising Jonin recommend all the recently graduated students for this exam, Iruka is heavily opposed.
Around this time, it is decided that the Chunin Exams will be held.
When their supervising Jonin recommend all the recently graduated students for this exam, Iruka is heavily opposed.
After arguing with Kakashi over the matter, Iruka reluctantly backs down, but asks that he be allowed to serve as the messenger for the second exam.
As part of that role, he explains the Hokage's directive for Chunin-rank ninja.
However, when it comes to Naruto, he isn't able to keep his speech completely professional.
Naruto's response mirrors what Kakashi said previously, and hearing it from the boy's own mouth makes Iruka realize that he has perhaps been a bit overprotective.
Afterwards, Iruka returns to his role as an instructor at the Ninja Academy, devoting himself to educating the students who will inherit the future.
Losing a Mentor
During the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru launches a full-scale attack on Konoha.
The ninja of the Leaf Village are able to put a stop to his plan, but at a great cost in lives.
Among the dead is the Third Hokage, Hiruzen.
The ninja of the Leaf Village are able to put a stop to his plan, but at a great cost in lives.
Among the dead is the Third Hokage, Hiruzen.
Despite the death of the man who mentored him in the past, Iruka stoically bears his sadness in order to comfort Konohamaru in the same way that he himself was once comforted by Hiruzen.
As the funeral for those killed in the line of duty proceeds, Naruto asks Iruka a question.
As the funeral for those killed in the line of duty proceeds, Naruto asks Iruka a question.
"Why do people...risk their own lives for the sake of others...?"
In response to this query, Iruka passes on what Hiruzen taught him many years ago about the Will of Fire.
In response to this query, Iruka passes on what Hiruzen taught him many years ago about the Will of Fire.
"WHEN ONE HUMAN DIES...THEY PASS AWAY.
ALONG WITH THEIR PAST, THEIR CURRENT LIFE, AND THEIR FUTURE...
MANY PEOPLE DIE ON MISSIONS OR THROUGH WAR.
AND WHEN THEY DIE, IT HAPPENS STARTLINGLY QUICKLY...AND SIMPLY."
"THOSE WHO DIE HAVE DREAMS AND GOALS...
BUT THEY ALL HAVE SOMETHING ELSE JUST AS IMPORTANT."
"PARENTS, SIBLINGS, FRIENDS, THEIR FELLOW VILLAGERS, PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM...
BONDS FORM BETWEEN THEM AND THOSE WHO ARE PRECIOUS TO THEM FROM THE TIME THEY ARE BORN, THROUGH TRUSTING AND HELPING EACH OTHER...
THESE STRINGS THAT CONNECT THEM, AS TIME PASSES...GROW THICKER AND STRONGER...
THERE'S NO LOGIC OR REASON TO IT!
PEOPLE JUST DO THINGS LIKE THAT...
...BECAUSE THEY HAVE PRECIOUS THINGS TO PROTECT..."
Those who have bonds with others will lay down their lives to protect those bonds.
Naruto, who has seen the manner in which other shinobi live and die during the course of his missions, is able to understand Iruka's words and take them to heart.
Naruto, who has seen the manner in which other shinobi live and die during the course of his missions, is able to understand Iruka's words and take them to heart.
"THIRD HOKAGE...
...IT SEEMS ALL THE LITTLE TREE LEAVES OF KONOHA...
...HAVE SPLENDIDLY INHERITED THE WILL OF FIRE OF WHICH YOU SPOKE...
...THOSE LITTLE EMBERS THAT ALIGHT UPON THE TREE LEAVES WILL EVENTUALLY BLAZE STRONG AND FIERCE...
...AND WILL COME TO LIGHT AND PROTECT THIS VILLAGE ONCE MORE...
...WITH A NEW HOKAGE..."
Cheering on a Future Hero
In the wake of Orochimaru's attack on Konoha, Iruka knows more will be expected of Naruto than ever. But instead of worrying about his student as he had in the past, he just encourages him to do his best with a smile.
"THEY'RE NO LONGER WEAK LITTLE SHINOBI...
...NEITHER HE NOR SAKURA..."
As he watches his students continue to grow and depart on new journeys, a slightly bittersweet expression appears on Iruka's face.
Though he may not say it to Naruto's face, he still thinks about him, and it seems he often checks in with Jiraiya and others to see how the boy is faring.
After Jiraiya's death, Iruka is there for Naruto when he gets lost in his grief.
Though he may not say it to Naruto's face, he still thinks about him, and it seems he often checks in with Jiraiya and others to see how the boy is faring.
After Jiraiya's death, Iruka is there for Naruto when he gets lost in his grief.
"LORD JIRAIYA ONLY EVER HAD PRAISE FOR YOU.
HE WAS ALWAYS BOASTING ABOUT YOU, SAYING YOU WERE LIKE HIS OWN GRANDCHILD.
HE HAD FAITH THAT YOU WERE THE ONE WHO WOULD INHERIT HIS WILL.
AND TRULY BELIEVED THAT YOU WOULD BECOME A WONDERFUL HOKAGE ONE DAY.
I BELIEVE LORD JIRAIYA IS STILL WATCHING OVER YOU...EVEN THIS VERY MINUTE, FROM SOMEWHERE...
HE WOULDN'T BE HAPPY SEEING YOU SO BLUE.
SO...
...JUST GO BACK TO BEING THE YOU THAT HE PRAISED.
CHEER UP!"
"FOR YOU ARE A DISTINGUISHED STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED BY LORD JIRAIYA OF THE PRODIGAL THREE HIMSELF."
Iruka's words help Naruto find the strength to keep moving forward, and it's not long after this that his exploits lead to him being hailed as the hero who saved the village!
"...LORD THIRD...LORD FOURTH...
THERE IS A HERO...RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES!"
As an Older Brother
When the entire shinobi world becomes embroiled in the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto is sent to a remote island in the Hidden Cloud to keep the Nine Tails inside him safe.
However, Naruto eventually realizes his friends are all fighting and attempts to leave to join them on the battlefield. Iruka and the ninja from Konoha move to stop him, having accompanied him to the island for this very purpose.
However, Naruto eventually realizes his friends are all fighting and attempts to leave to join them on the battlefield. Iruka and the ninja from Konoha move to stop him, having accompanied him to the island for this very purpose.
Unable to be dissuaded, Naruto is set on shouldering the weight of the war alone.
Iruka senses this, and tries to lighten the burden even just a little by opening up to Naruto about how he sees him.
Iruka senses this, and tries to lighten the burden even just a little by opening up to Naruto about how he sees him.
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TO ME?!
YOU'RE ONE OF MY MOST IMPORTANT STUDENTS.
AND...
...YOU'RE AS CLOSE TO ME AS A LITTLE BROTHER."
Along with sharing how much Naruto means to him, Iruka also passes him a letter via his headband.
"IT'S THE ONLY THING LEFT TO SAY.
COME BACK ALIVE!!!"
After seeing him off, Iruka entreats Killer Bee, the Eight Tails' Jinchuriki, to protect Naruto.
Killer Bee responds with a fist bump, and his own sincere thoughts on how Naruto sees Iruka.
Killer Bee responds with a fist bump, and his own sincere thoughts on how Naruto sees Iruka.
Someone who understood the pain and loneliness he felt as a child.
Someone who acknowledged that he wasn't a "demon fox", but a ninja of Konoha.
Someone who worried over him, perhaps a little too much.
Someone who gave him steady encouragement and support.
Someone who offered a hand to pull him back to his feet after his master's death.
Someone who provided words of heartfelt concern for his safety as he left for the battlefield.
Naruto holds all that Iruka has been for him deep in his heart.
Iruka's words and presence have always offered him both protection and the strength to pursue his shinobi way.
Naruto throws himself into battle, triumphing over even the strongest foes.
By the end of the war, he becomes not only the village's hero, but the hero of the entire shinobi world.
10 years later...
Someone who acknowledged that he wasn't a "demon fox", but a ninja of Konoha.
Someone who worried over him, perhaps a little too much.
Someone who gave him steady encouragement and support.
Someone who offered a hand to pull him back to his feet after his master's death.
Someone who provided words of heartfelt concern for his safety as he left for the battlefield.
Naruto holds all that Iruka has been for him deep in his heart.
Iruka's words and presence have always offered him both protection and the strength to pursue his shinobi way.
Naruto throws himself into battle, triumphing over even the strongest foes.
By the end of the war, he becomes not only the village's hero, but the hero of the entire shinobi world.
10 years later...
Watching Naruto pass down the Will of Fire as both a father and the Hokage, a warm smile spreads across Iruka's face.
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
That's all for Iruka's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the ceasless, compassionate support of Iruka Umino!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the ceasless, compassionate support of Iruka Umino!
