Summary
Most fans ofNarutoaccreditNaruto’sgrowth throughout the series to Jiraiya and Kakashi. However, out of all his sensei, the sensei that was withNarutothroughout the entire series was Iruka. He was the one who truly setNarutoon his path and witnessed his growth from his first day as a ninja to his Hokage ceremony.
Naruto, an iconic manga and anime franchise created by Masashi Kishimoto, is a story of resilience and adventure. The Fourth Hokage made his newborn son a jinchuriki by sealing half of the Nine-Tailed Fox inside him, keeping the baby and village safe.However, he dies in battle,leavingNarutoto be raised by villagers who ostracize him because of the demon fox inside him. The show portrays important themes such as loyalty, chasing dreams, and maintaining friendships. The protagonist had a lot of important characters in his life, from Kakashi to Jiraiya, but the most influential of them all was Iruka.
Iruka’s First Time Meeting Naruto
Over the course of the series, he makes a couple of friends and has some grownups looking after him. Iruka Umino, as a person, was a kind and compassionate soul who, similar toNaruto, had lost his parents to the Nine-Tails Fox. Initially, the presence of the fox insideNarutomade Iruka dislike the young kid. Every time he laid eyes on the boy, he could not help but rememberthe tragic night he lost both of his parents. Unfortunately for him, Iruka became the teacher at the academy, and he was one of his students. Ultimately, because of this, they share a unique and special bond, allowing them to connect deeply.
Building Emotional Support And Trust
In the show’s early episodes,Narutois depicted as a troublemaker and is hated by the citizensbecause of the demon foxin him. As a result, he never had anyone to turn to during difficult times. After a conversation with Hiruzen, Iruka realized the similarities between him andNarutoin that they both caused trouble to gain attention. This was a deciding moment for the teacher, as he saw himself in his student and felt pity for him. At this point, he was able to see him as more than a demon fox but a bright kid with hopes and dreams. Iruka took it upon himself to care for and provide guidance for him. This emotional support played a crucial role inNaruto’sgrowth as a Shinobi and an individual.
Their First Trial Together
Narutoand Iruka develop a deep bond during Mizuki’s attemptto steal the Forbidden Jutsu scrolls. After failing his graduation exam, Mizuki, another examiner, convincesNarutoto steal Konoha’s Scroll of Seals as another means of passing, intending to use him as the fall guy. However, Iruka found him and protected him with his life. It was revealed toNarutothat he wasthe host of the Nine Tails, which was why everyone avoided him. In a burst of emotion,Narutoran away from the scene, leaving an injured Iruka alone with Mizuki.
From a distance, the jinchuriki overhears Mizuki’s intentions, and Iruka standing up for him.Narutoreturned andused the Multiple Shadow Clone Techniqueto defeat Mizuki for harming Iruka. After the fight, Iruka removes his headband and presents it to his student, and he graduates from the academy. This was a deciding moment for the student, as, for the first time in his life, he saw someone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his sake.
A Place to Call Home
One ofNaruto’sstruggles, if not the biggest, was the feeling of isolation and loneliness he experienced. This was portrayed when parents came to pick up their children from the playground, and he was the only one left. Iruka played a crucial role in combating this by providing the orphan with a sense of belonging. Iruka became a parental figure forNaruto, filling the void left by his absent parents. He could always go to his teacher whenever he needed help with anything. Iruka often took him tohis favorite ramen spotwhenever he could not afford it or to celebrate milestones. By acknowledgingNaruto’sexistence and showing genuine care, Iruka helped him find a place where he felt accepted. This sense of belonging played a pivotal role inNaruto’semotional and psychological development, allowing him to grow into a more mature individual.
Role Model and Inspiration
Iruka was a very hardworking and diligent teacher at the academy, andNarutocould see this. His dedication and unshakeable sense of duty were thingsNarutolonged for. This made him have a strong sense of diligence and focus. He never wanted to disappoint his beloved teacher, and he used unorthodox methods during his training to be better. His dedication and loyalty to his friends and village were heavily influenced by Iruka-sensei. This is a major reason why he does not give up and is seen on multiple occasions going out of his way to protect his bond of friendship with Sasuke.
Narutois available to stream onAmazon.
Naruto
A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi’s journey as he goes from his town’s outsider to its hero.
