NARUTO COLUMNS
09/15/2024
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Kakashi's Birthday on 9/15 (Part 1)! Looking Back on the Teacher Who Overcame Many Sorrowful Partings to Guide Naruto's Team Seven!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about Team Seven's Jonin leader, whose incredible genius led to his being renowned far and wide as "Kakashi of the Sharingan": Kakashi Hatake!
In part one, we'll cover everything from Kakashi's childhood up to his clashes with the Akatsuki!
Today we'll be reminiscing about Team Seven's Jonin leader, whose incredible genius led to his being renowned far and wide as "Kakashi of the Sharingan": Kakashi Hatake!
In part one, we'll cover everything from Kakashi's childhood up to his clashes with the Akatsuki!
■ Kakashi Hatake
・Birthday: September 15th (Virgo)
・Favorite Food: Salt-grilled saury, miso soup with eggplant
A Promising Future Takes a Sudden Turn
Kakashi is born as the son of renowned genius Sakumo Hatake, and after entering the Ninja Academy Kakashi displays all the signs of having inherited his father's talent.
He graduates in the blink of an eye, and a mere year later is promoted to Chunin.
Everyone in the village has high hopes for him.
He graduates in the blink of an eye, and a mere year later is promoted to Chunin.
Everyone in the village has high hopes for him.
However, one event casts a dark pall over Kakashi's life...
...the suicide of his father.
But that is only the beginning of a long string of painful farewells for Kakashi.
But that is only the beginning of a long string of painful farewells for Kakashi.
His friend Obito is crushed by falling rocks while saving Kakashi's own life.
His teammate Rin is kidnapped by Hidden Cloud ninja, made into the Jinchuriki for the Three Tails, and throws herself in the way of Kakashi's Lightning Blade, choosing to die rather than endanger the village.
Finally, his teacher Minato loses his life protecting Konoha from the Nine Tails.
The loss of not only his father but everyone important to him leaves deep wounds on Kakashi's heart, and he spends a while immersed in a darker side of the shinobi world as a member of the Black Ops.
Leaving the Shadows and Meeting New Faces
Kakashi is appointed as the Jonin in charge of teaching a group of Genin.
Kakashi, who has never passed a single Genin before, has Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura placed into his care.
Kakashi, who has never passed a single Genin before, has Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura placed into his care.
He imposes a harsh test on them via a survival exercise.
"YES, IT'S NECESSARY FOR NINJA TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL SKILLS, BUT...
WHAT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT NOW IS TEAMWORK!"
"IN A NINJA'S WORLD, THOSE WHO VIOLATE THE RULES AND FAIL TO FOLLOW ORDERS...ARE LOWER THAN GARBAGE.
HOWEVER...
...THOSE WHO DO NOT CARE FOR AND SUPPORT THEIR FELLOWS...ARE EVEN LOWER THAN THAT!"
Kakashi is testing the two things most important to a shinobi: teamwork and valuing one's allies, and after he sees them find the correct answer, he declares they have passed.
Having gained students to whom he can impart the values passed down by his father and Team Minato, Kakashi stands under the sun once more as the Jonin leader of Team Seven.
Having gained students to whom he can impart the values passed down by his father and Team Minato, Kakashi stands under the sun once more as the Jonin leader of Team Seven.
Students Growing Explosively
The newly-minted Team Seven is soon racking up mission experience.
Among those missions, the most chaotic is an escort mission to the Land of Waves.
Among those missions, the most chaotic is an escort mission to the Land of Waves.
There, they go up against a legendary ninja of the Hidden Mist: Zabuza Momochi.
Faced with this dangerous situation, Kakashi unleashes his Sharingan and fights with his full strength!
Faced with this dangerous situation, Kakashi unleashes his Sharingan and fights with his full strength!
"CALM DOWN.
EVEN IF HE GETS ME, I'LL STILL PROTECT YOU.
I WILL...
...NEVER LET MY COMRADES DIE!!"
Kakashi's soft smile and casual speech conceal an iron will, and with those words he engages in a deadly battle.
Though he is placed in a desperate situation after being captured by Zabuza's Water Prison, Naruto and Sasuke enact a bold plan and successfully rescue him.
Kakashi turns the tide of the battle and nearly has the knife to Zabuza's neck, but the intervention of Zabuza's ally Haku under false pretenses puts an end to the battle for now.
Kakashi turns the tide of the battle and nearly has the knife to Zabuza's neck, but the intervention of Zabuza's ally Haku under false pretenses puts an end to the battle for now.
However, Kakashi realizes that Zabuza has likely survived, and so he begins preparing his students by teaching them "tree-climbing".
This exercise is key to improving the chakra control of Naruto and the others.
This exercise is key to improving the chakra control of Naruto and the others.
Not too long after, the team faces Zabuza and Haku once more.
As if to validate Kakashi's trust, Naruto and Sasuke cover for each other and manage to defeat the powerful Haku.
However, Naruto lacks the ruthlessness that often comes with being a ninja, and finds himself unable to put an end to Haku's life.
However, Naruto lacks the ruthlessness that often comes with being a ninja, and finds himself unable to put an end to Haku's life.
Haku takes advantage of this hesitation and throws himself in front of Kakashi's Lightning Blade, saving Zabuza's life at the cost of his own.
Zabuza in turn is betrayed by his employer, Gato, but uses the last of his strength to go on a rampage against him before following Haku into death.
Struck by the brutality of their deaths, Naruto and the others begin to think about what it really means to be a ninja.
Struck by the brutality of their deaths, Naruto and the others begin to think about what it really means to be a ninja.
"A SHINOBI SHOULDN'T BE CONCERNED WITH A REASON FOR HER OWN EXISTENCE...
IT IS IMPORTANT MERELY THAT WE EXIST AS A TOOL FOR OUR HOMELAND TO USE IN WHATEVER WAY THEY NEED.
THAT'S AS TRUE FOR US IN KONOHAGAKURE AS IT FOR NINJA ANYWHERE ELSE."
"AND THAT'S WHY ALL WE NINJA LIVE OUR LIVES WITH THAT IDEAL ALWAYS BUBBLING BENEATH THE SURFACE OF OUR MINDS, DISTURBING US."
Perhaps he is pleased to see his students asking the same questions he once struggled with.
Or perhaps he is simply gladdened by their growth.
Whichever the reason, Kakashi leaves the Land of Waves with a smile.
Or perhaps he is simply gladdened by their growth.
Whichever the reason, Kakashi leaves the Land of Waves with a smile.
Shortly after their return from that mission, the Chunin Exams are announced.
Kakashi recommends all three members of Team Seven.
This causes a disagreement with Iruka, who objects to his former students' participation, but Kakashi leaves no room for argument with his response:
This causes a disagreement with Iruka, who objects to his former students' participation, but Kakashi leaves no room for argument with his response:
"IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, ANYWAY...
...THEY'RE NOT YOUR STUDENTS ANYMORE.
THEY ARE SOLDIERS UNDER MY COMMAND."
Thus, as both experienced Genin and as soldiers he's proud of, Kakashi sends the three younger members of Team Seven off to the Chunin Exams.
As Sasuke's Teacher
Though they faced a number of perilous situations, all three of the Team Seven Genin make it through both the first and second exams!
In the third exam's preliminary matches where each ninja fights on their own, Sakura is just barely knocked out, leaving Naruto and Sasuke to advance to the final rounds.
During the one month before the third exam begins, Kakashi brings Sasuke into the mountains for intense training.
In the third exam's preliminary matches where each ninja fights on their own, Sakura is just barely knocked out, leaving Naruto and Sasuke to advance to the final rounds.
During the one month before the third exam begins, Kakashi brings Sasuke into the mountains for intense training.
He teaches Sasuke many of his own skills during this time.
Sasuke puts those on full display during the Chunin Exam itself.
Sasuke puts those on full display during the Chunin Exam itself.
Not only has his skill with the Sharingan greatly increased, but the level of his taijutsu has also clearly improved.
Furthermore, Kakashi has also taught him his one and only original jutsu, Chidori!
Going beyond his role as Jonin leader, Kakashi has truly become Sasuke's teacher.
However, Kakashi and Team Seven are soon wrapped up in a major incident.
Going beyond his role as Jonin leader, Kakashi has truly become Sasuke's teacher.
However, Kakashi and Team Seven are soon wrapped up in a major incident.
Disciple's Departure
Sasuke's brother, Itachi, suddenly appears within the Leaf Village.
Despite several Jonin working together to oppose him, they are defeated and Kakashi is hospitalized.
While visiting Kakashi, Sasuke learns of Itachi's appearance in the village.
Sasuke runs off to find his brother and engages him in combat, but is forced to realize that the gap in strength between them is still painfully vast. Afterwards, despite having barely recovered from his injuries, he challenges Naruto to a fight while wearing a murderous expression.
Sasuke runs off to find his brother and engages him in combat, but is forced to realize that the gap in strength between them is still painfully vast. Afterwards, despite having barely recovered from his injuries, he challenges Naruto to a fight while wearing a murderous expression.
Just as the two of them are about to clash full-force with their strongest ninjutsu—
—Kakashi intervenes, and the situation is safely resolved. However, Kakashi is ill at ease that the two boys' rivalry has escalated to the point that they're using moves with the potential to kill against each other.
Leaving Naruto to Jiraiya, Kakashi goes after Sasuke.
He traps the boy in place, forcing him to listen as Kakashi speaks about the futility of revenge.
He traps the boy in place, forcing him to listen as Kakashi speaks about the futility of revenge.
"NEITHER YOU NOR I CAN BE CALLED LUCKY...
THAT'S FOR SURE.
BUT WE'RE NOT THE MOST UNFORTUNATE EITHER.
YOU AND I HAVE BOTH FOUND PRECIOUS FRIENDS, HAVEN'T WE?"
"YOU REALIZE IT AFTER YOU LOSE THEM...
CHIDORI WAS A POWER I GAVE YOU BECAUSE YOU FOUND SOMETHING IMPORTANT."
However, Kakashi's words fail to convince him, and Sasuke abandons the village and makes his way to Orochimaru...
Once Kakashi learns of this, he rushes to the scene, but he is too late.
All that remains on the battlefield is Naruto's unconscious form.
All that remains on the battlefield is Naruto's unconscious form.
With Sasuke's betrayal, Team Seven is temporarily disbanded.
Naruto goes with Jiraiya on a training journey, and Sakura is apprenticed to Tsunade.
In order to keep pace with his students, and return Sasuke to the village someday, Kakashi keeps up his training in between missions.
And like that, about three years go by.
Naruto goes with Jiraiya on a training journey, and Sakura is apprenticed to Tsunade.
In order to keep pace with his students, and return Sasuke to the village someday, Kakashi keeps up his training in between missions.
And like that, about three years go by.
Fighting the Akatsuki
Kakashi welcomes Naruto back from his journey.
Sakura joins them, and he announces they're going to partake in a familiar exercise.
Sakura joins them, and he announces they're going to partake in a familiar exercise.
"FROM HERE ON OUT, YOU TWO...
...ARE GOING TO BE PART OF MY TEAM AGAIN.
NOT AS SENSEI AND STUDENTS.
BUT AS EQUALS. FELLOW KONOHA SHINOBI."
In stark contrast to the first time, Kakashi doesn't stand around reading his book, but utilizes his Sharingan from the get-go.
The two sides are evenly matched, but thanks to a clever strategy by Naruto, Kakashi has the bells taken from him.
Seeing how much the pair has grown has Kakashi feeling a little melancholic, but he is fully prepared to undertake missions with his newly-equal comrades!
Seeing how much the pair has grown has Kakashi feeling a little melancholic, but he is fully prepared to undertake missions with his newly-equal comrades!
The new team's first mission is to the Hidden Sand, in order to retrieve the kidnapped Kazekage.
In order to rescue Gaara, they clash with members of the Akatsuki.
In order to rescue Gaara, they clash with members of the Akatsuki.
Kakashi and Naruto face off against Deidara, and Kakashi unveils a technique born from long hours of study and training: the Mangekyo Sharingan!
Using its new jutsu, "Kamui", which allows one to cast the target into an alternate dimension, Deidara is forced to flee and Gaara is successfully retrieved.
However, the backlash from using the Mangekyo Sharingan is so great that after using it, Kakashi's admittance to Konoha's hospital is practically a given...
However, the backlash from using the Mangekyo Sharingan is so great that after using it, Kakashi's admittance to Konoha's hospital is practically a given...
While Kakashi is recovering, the rest of the team manages to find Sasuke but is unable to bring him back.
Understanding their frustration, Kakashi begins training Naruto for the first time in years using a method he devised just for the young Jinchuriki.
Their goal is to create a new evolution of Rasengan.
Kakashi encourages Naruto as he attempts this feat, which even the Fourth Hokage who created Rasengan was unable to accomplish.
Kakashi encourages Naruto as he attempts this feat, which even the Fourth Hokage who created Rasengan was unable to accomplish.
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I'M TELLING YOU ALL THIS, NARUTO?
IT'S BECAUSE I TRULY BELIEVE...
...THAT YOU'RE THE ONLY SHINOBI THAT CAN SURPASS THE FOURTH HOKAGE."
Just as Naruto's new jutsu reaches its completion, Kakashi takes part in the showdown with the Akatsuki's immortal duo, Hidan and Kakuzu.
He fights with other ninja against Kakuzu, who has five hearts, and successfully destroys two of them.
Just as their strength begins to flag, the rest of Team Seven arrives as reinforcements!
Just as their strength begins to flag, the rest of Team Seven arrives as reinforcements!
Naruto has embraced the expectations Kakashi placed upon him, and is determined to continue the difficult road towards facing Sasuke.
Hearing the strength of Naruto's resolve, Kakashi takes a risk and bets on Naruto, deciding to support his attack.
Hearing the strength of Naruto's resolve, Kakashi takes a risk and bets on Naruto, deciding to support his attack.
Naruto lives up to expectations brilliantly, defeating Kakuzu with his new Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken.
Acknowledging Naruto's strength to himself, Kakashi's thoughts then turn to his other, wayward student.
Acknowledging Naruto's strength to himself, Kakashi's thoughts then turn to his other, wayward student.
"I GUESS IT'S TIME TO PASS THE TORCH...
HE HAS SURPASSED ME."
"CAN YOU SENSE IT?
YOU ARE ALWAYS BEFORE HIS EYES...INSPIRING HIM.
YOU MAKE HIM STRONG. YOU DO KNOW THAT...
DON'T YOU, SASUKE?"
"ONE BY ONE...
THE NEW GENERATION WILL CATCH UP TO YOU. AND THEY WILL ALL SURPASS YOU IN THE END."
After the defeat of the immortal duo, Kakashi and the others form a search party to look for Sasuke, but he is nowhere to be found.
During this time, Jiraiya of the Legendary Three dies in the line of duty.
And the one who killed him, Pain, leader of the Akatsuki, begins his assault on Konoha...!
During this time, Jiraiya of the Legendary Three dies in the line of duty.
And the one who killed him, Pain, leader of the Akatsuki, begins his assault on Konoha...!
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
That's all for part one!
In part two, we'll look back on Kakashi's contributions during the battle against Pain, as well as the Fourth Great Ninja War!
▼Part 2 is scheduled to be published on 9/15 at 12:15 (JST)!▼
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Kakashi's Birthday on 9/15 (Part 2)! Looking Back on How "Kakashi of the Sharingan" Broke Free From the Shackles of His Past and Helped Save the World!
In part two, we'll look back on Kakashi's contributions during the battle against Pain, as well as the Fourth Great Ninja War!
▼Part 2 is scheduled to be published on 9/15 at 12:15 (JST)!▼
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Kakashi's Birthday on 9/15 (Part 2)! Looking Back on How "Kakashi of the Sharingan" Broke Free From the Shackles of His Past and Helped Save the World!
