Kakashi

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Kakashi Hatake
Alias(es)	Copy Ninja 10
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Konohagakure
Occupation/Role	Jōnin; leader and instructor of Team 7 6 8
Status	Released from Konoha prison; later considered as a Hokage candidate 211
First Appearance	Chapter 6

Personality

Kakashi usually presents himself as laid-back, evasive, and mildly provocative. He gives little away during introductions, arrives carrying a book, and initially tells Team 7 that his first impression of them is negative 6 7.

Beneath that manner, he is a demanding instructor who judges ninja by awareness, timing, and loyalty to comrades. His bell test deliberately penalizes individualism, then passes Team 7 when Chiya and Sasuke share food with the restrained Naruto and Sakura 8.

In crises, his demeanor becomes direct and severe. He prioritizes civilian safety, gives rapid orders, shields Chiya from attackers during the Konoha Crush, and opposes the Council's premature treatment of Chiya as a criminal 33 38.

Abilities & Skills

Sharingan

Kakashi is Konoha's only known Sharingan user at the time Team 7 is formed, making him the village's chosen instructor for Sasuke and Chiya 6.

• Copies an opponent's hand seals during his battle with Zabuza. 10
• Uses visual awareness to identify and counter genjutsu threats, including warning allies not to meet Itachi's eyes. 41
• Relies on the Sharingan's perception for high-speed Lightning Release techniques. 102

Lightning Cutter

Kakashi concentrates lightning chakra in his hand to perform the Lightning Cutter.

• Uses it against the immobilized Zabuza after summoning Ninja Hounds. 16
• Cannot halt the technique in time when Haku intervenes; Chiya takes the strike to save Haku. 16

Ninjutsu and Combat Techniques

Kakashi combines close-quarters skill, deception, and ninjutsu fluidly in combat.

• Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique — drags Chiya beneath the ground during the bell exercise. 7
• Substitution Technique — evades Team 7's coordinated attacks and later defeats Sakura's wire-shuriken assault. 7 102
• Water Release — defeats Zabuza during the Land of Waves mission. 10
• Ninja Hounds — summons them to restrain Zabuza before attempting to finish the fight. 16
• Kunai combat — quickly disarms and incapacitates Sound Ninja during the Konoha Crush. 33

Teaching and Assessment

Kakashi trains students according to their aptitudes rather than forcing his own fighting style on them.

• Recommends Team 7 for the Chūnin Exams while making clear that participation is voluntary and dangerous. 21
• Takes Sasuke aside after the preliminaries to suppress his Cursed Seal and teach him Chidori. 29
• Tells Sakura that his own Sharingan- and speed-dependent techniques do not suit her, then directs her toward Tsunade instead. 102 103

Equipment

• Kunai — used for close combat and defensive engagements. 33 102
• Make-Out Paradise — a book he is repeatedly seen reading, including during Team 7's training and while waiting for the team. 6 21 102

Relationships

• Chiya Uchiha — Student. Kakashi is assigned to Team 7 partly because he can guide the surviving Uchiha children and protect Chiya from Danzō's interest; he protects Chiya during the Konoha Crush, challenges his detention, and carries him back to bed after his hospital escape attempt. 6 33 36 38
• Naruto Uzumaki — Student. Kakashi criticizes Naruto's recklessness during the bell test, later entrusts him with missions, and is imprisoned after opposing Danzō's attempt to take Naruto away. 8 9 211
• Sasuke Uchiha — Student. Kakashi trains Sasuke in Chidori after the Chūnin Exam preliminaries and warns others against Itachi's Sharingan to protect him. 29 41
• Sakura Haruno — Student. He recognizes her desire to improve, assesses her progress personally, and brings her to Tsunade's residence to seek suitable training. 102 103
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Hokage who assigns Kakashi to Team 7 because of his Sharingan expertise and warns him that Danzō is watching Chiya. 6
• Itachi Uchiha — Former Anbu associate and hostile opponent. Kakashi confronts Itachi during his return to Konoha and warns Kurenai not to make eye contact with him. 41 136
• Might Guy — Ally who arrives in time to drive Kisame away after Kakashi collapses following the confrontation with Itachi. 42
• Danzō Shimura — Political opponent. Kakashi's refusal to obey Danzō's order concerning Naruto results in his imprisonment. 211

Story Role / Major Arcs

Formation of Team 7

Hiruzen assigns Kakashi to lead Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Chiya. The assignment specifically leverages his Sharingan knowledge to guide the two Uchiha survivors while placing Chiya under protection from Danzō 6.

Kakashi's bell exercise establishes the team's central lesson: success depends on protecting comrades rather than obeying rules in isolation. He officially passes the four students after they share their lunches despite his prohibition 8.

Land of Waves Mission

Kakashi leads Team 7's first major escort mission and faces Zabuza Momochi. He reveals his Sharingan, copies Zabuza's techniques, and defeats him after escaping the Water Prison 10.

When Zabuza is restrained by Kakashi's Ninja Hounds, Kakashi uses Lightning Cutter to end the battle. Chiya intercepts the attack intended for Haku, leaving Kakashi shaken and apologetic afterward 16 17.

Konoha Crush and Chiya's Persecution

During the Konoha Crush, Kakashi orders Chiya to remain close to him and fights through attackers trying to isolate the boy. The enemy diversion succeeds, preventing Kakashi from reaching Chiya before he is cornered by Root ninja 33 34.

Afterward, Kakashi supports Chiya through recovery and objects when the Konoha advisers place him in Anbu custody without a full investigation 36 38. When Chiya defects after attacking the Council, Kakashi prevents Naruto and Sasuke from pursuing him, judging that further involvement would lead to Chiya's death 40.

Itachi's Return

Kakashi confronts Itachi and Kisame in Konoha alongside Kurenai and Asuma. He frees Kurenai from Itachi's reflected genjutsu and warns everyone not to look directly into Itachi's eyes 41.

The encounter leaves Kakashi unable to continue fighting until Might Guy arrives to protect Naruto and force Kisame back 42.

Later Konoha Affairs

Kakashi continues to oversee the former Team 7 members' development, particularly by steering Sakura toward Tsunade rather than teaching her techniques unsuitable for her strengths 102 103.

Following Danzō's death and the destabilization of Konoha, Kakashi is released from prison and proposed as a Hokage candidate due to his strength, military achievements, and reputation. The village ultimately considers the transition too rushed for him to immediately assume the office 211.

Trivia

• Kakashi initially objects to leading four genin, remarking that three are already troublesome enough. 6
• He is consistently associated with reading, including during team meetings, mission briefings, and training observations. 6 21 102