Kakashi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hatake Kakashi (卡卡西)
Alias(es)	Copy Ninja of Konoha; “Kakashi of the Sharingan”; “50/50” (a mocking nickname coined by Naruto) 37
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure; formerly Anbu; Team 7 2 24
Occupation/Role	Elite jōnin; Team 7’s jōnin instructor; adviser and field operative for the Hokage 24 116
Status	Active 212
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background

After leaving Anbu, Kakashi still periodically watched over Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto was the son of Kakashi’s former teacher, and Kakashi felt obliged to check on him despite his outward indifference. He knew Naruto’s harsh living conditions were part of the Third Hokage’s arrangement, but did not intervene. 2

During one such surveillance, Kakashi used his Sharingan to examine Naruto after the boy’s chakra became difficult to sense. He found Naruto’s reserves had grown beyond those of most jōnin, but chose to leave once he determined Naruto was unharmed. 2

Appearance

Kakashi is recognizable for his white hair, perpetually weary-looking “dead fish” eyes, and forehead protector, which conceals his Sharingan. 2 24

• His white hair was temporarily dyed black when Naruto’s ink trap struck him. 24
• He habitually keeps his Sharingan covered until combat or close observation requires it. 2 26
• He is often seen carrying a copy of Icha Icha Paradise. 25

Personality

Kakashi presents himself as detached, unhurried, and difficult to impress. He is habitually late, gives transparently insincere excuses for it, and initially treats Team 7’s bell test casually enough to read while facing them. 25

Beneath this indifference, he is observant and responsible. He monitors Naruto’s unusual growth, warns his students about dangers such as campfires in hostile territory, and uses field situations to develop their judgment rather than simply shielding them from every threat. 32 37 39

He values teamwork and companionship as core ninja principles. Even after Team 7 surpasses his expectations in the bell test, he emphasizes those values to Sasuke and Hinata. 26

Abilities & Skills

Sharingan

Kakashi possesses a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, which he normally keeps hidden beneath his forehead protector. Naruto also identifies his eye as Mangekyō-level. 2 26

• Perceives and examines chakra, allowing him to assess Naruto’s unusually vast reserves. 2
• Uses the eye in battle against Team 7 and Zabuza. 26 38
• Cannot freely deactivate the Sharingan because it is not his original eye. 89
• Was overwhelmed by Itachi Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan and Tsukuyomi. 69

Ninjutsu

Kakashi is an exceptionally versatile jōnin with all five basic chakra affinities, though he developed several of them later in life rather than possessing Naruto’s innate affinity. 39

• Lightning Style: Chidori / Lightning Blade — Uses Chidori in the bell test and later teaches it to Sasuke. Naruto’s modified Lightning Style: Laser is recognized as an application of Kakashi’s Lightning Blade. 26 32 80
• Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique — Used to destroy several of Naruto’s shadow clones during the bell test. 26
• Substitution and clone techniques — Employs deceptive battlefield tactics, including allowing enemies to believe they have killed or captured him. 25 37 39

Combat Speed and Tactics

Kakashi is characterized as a speed-oriented ninja rather than a pure taijutsu specialist. His hand-to-hand ability remains formidable, but Naruto notes that Kakashi cannot endure the same direct physical force as Naruto himself. 27

• Rapidly assesses enemy threats, including Zabuza and the Demon Brothers. 38
• Deliberately allows himself to be trapped by Zabuza so Team 7 can gain practical combat experience. 39
• Uses his missions and tests to evaluate his students’ individual strengths, restraint, and cooperation. 25 39

Instruction

Kakashi trains and guides Team 7 according to each member’s potential.

• Taught Sasuke Chidori and continued guiding his development after Sasuke gained the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. 32 108
• Tested Naruto’s chakra affinities and offered to teach him practical ninjutsu. 39
• Taught Naruto several basic techniques, though Naruto struggled with hand seals and preferred taijutsu and nature transformation. 40
• Attempts to keep Sasuke from losing control after his Mangekyō Sharingan awakening. 111 113

Equipment

• Forehead protector — Covers his Sharingan. 2 26
• Kunai — Used in combat, including against Zabuza’s Kubikiribōchō. 38
• Bell-test bells — Two bells used to test Team 7’s teamwork. 25
• Icha Icha Paradise — Frequently read during downtime and even during the bell test. 25

Relationships

• Naruto Uzumaki — Former teacher’s son and later his student. Kakashi watched over Naruto from childhood, became Team 7’s leader, and repeatedly tried to understand Naruto’s concealed strength and pursuit of power. 2 24 115 117
• Sasuke Uchiha — Student whom Kakashi trains in Sharingan use and Chidori. Kakashi later tries to restrain Sasuke after his Mangekyō Sharingan awakening. 27 32 108 113
• Hinata Hyuga — Team 7 student. Kakashi relies on her Byakugan observations during missions and respects her role within the team. 25 122
• Tsunade — Hokage to whom Kakashi reports major developments concerning Naruto, Sasuke, Hozuki Castle, and the tailed beasts. 83 116 117
• Jiraiya — Fellow Konoha jōnin and associate during discussions of Naruto’s growth and the threat of Nagato. 83 212
• Itachi Uchiha — Former Anbu subordinate and comrade-in-arms. Kakashi recognizes Itachi immediately upon his return to Konoha, but is defeated by Tsukuyomi when confronting him. 69
• Anko Mitarashi — Accompanies Kakashi when they encounter Itachi and Kisame in Konoha. 68 69

Story Role / Major Arcs

Monitoring Naruto

Kakashi secretly observes Naruto before the latter enters Team 7. Concerned by Naruto’s abnormal chakra signature, he investigates with the Sharingan and concludes that Naruto is physically safe, without discovering the source of his changes. 2

Formation of Team 7

Kakashi becomes the jōnin instructor of Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata. Naruto welcomes him with an ink trap, which Kakashi deliberately walks into before introducing himself on the rooftop. 24

During the bell test, Kakashi initially underestimates the trio. Naruto’s speed, shadow clones, and physical power force him to reveal his Sharingan, Fire Style, and Chidori. The test ends with Team 7 passing and Kakashi stressing the importance of companionship. 25 26

Land of Waves Mission

Kakashi leads Team 7 in escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves. He instructs the team in wilderness discipline and observes Naruto dispatch the Demon Brothers with overwhelming speed. 37 38

He fights Zabuza Momochi and becomes trapped in the Water Prison Technique, later revealing that he had allowed the situation to give his students experience against a real opponent. Afterward, he tests Naruto’s chakra natures and discovers all five basic affinities. 38 39

Itachi Uchiha’s Incursion

While with Anko, Kakashi recognizes Itachi and Kisame in Konoha. He attempts to protect Sasuke after the latter recklessly attacks Itachi, but is caught in Tsukuyomi and left incapacitated. 69

Hozuki Castle Incident

Kakashi leads Sasuke, Hinata, and Xiaoyu to observe the developing situation at Hozuki Castle. He continues guiding Sasuke away from Orochimaru’s influence, but is unable to prevent Sasuke from escalating his conflict with Naruto after gaining the Mangekyō Sharingan. 108 111 113

After Naruto defeats and seals Sasuke, Kakashi asks Naruto to return to Konoha. Naruto refuses, citing his need for further power, and Kakashi ultimately stops pressing the issue. 115

Investigation of Naruto

Kakashi reports the Hozuki Castle events to Tsunade, including the Eight-Tails’ status, Satori’s defeat, Naruto’s apparent Nine-Tails clone, Sasuke’s Mangekyō awakening, and Naruto’s refusal to return. He concludes that Naruto has reached a level comparable to the First Hokage, yet remains baffled by Naruto’s continued pursuit of strength. 116 117

Nagato’s Attack

When Nagato targets Hinata with Banshō Ten’in, Kakashi and the others are unable to stop him. Naruto arrives, overwhelms Nagato, and forces his retreat; Kakashi can only acknowledge Naruto’s continual growth afterward. 212

Notable Quotes

“I have no hobbies. As for things I like... I don’t have any.” 24

“Don’t go giving your teacher such weird nicknames!” 37

Trivia

• Naruto’s “50/50” nickname for Kakashi comes from claiming that the Copy Ninja can “draw a tie with anyone.” 37
• Naruto considers Kakashi notoriously late and specifically prepares for his tardiness before the bell test. 25
• Kakashi’s first impression of Team 7 worsens immediately after Naruto’s ink trap, though he remains outwardly expressionless. 24