Yuka

Biodata

Background and History

Yuka enters the Kusagakure selection trial with her cousin Haruki and their friend Rofu, hoping to become a ninja and improve the Mind-Listening Clan’s fortunes. The clan is shunned because people fear having their thoughts overheard, although only a few members can read minds. During the trial, Yuka offers to stay behind so her companions can escape. Haruki and Rofu return for her, and all three are badly injured before Lu Zeming intervenes and saves them 14 15.

After learning how little chance an unaffiliated Mind-Listening candidate has of being selected, Yuka reads Lu’s thoughts at his invitation. He offers her a choice between taking a flag to pass the Second Exam and joining his plans for the future. She chooses to follow him, despite Haruki’s objections, saying she made the decision for their people 15 16.

Yuka later helps Lu infiltrate the Matsushita residence. By reading Shota Matsushita’s mind, she finds a concealed crest and learns how it opens Kusagakure’s Ninja Armory. She activates the armory door during the subsequent raid, with Lu supplying energy when the process drains her Chakra 19.

Appearance

Yuka is about twelve or thirteen when first introduced. She is described as looking delicate, though she is willing to put herself in danger for her companions 14 16.

• Her left arm is twisted at an unnatural angle during the selection-trial fight 14.
• Lu has to stand on tiptoe to put an arm around her shoulders; she blushes when he publicly calls her his friend 15.

Personality

Yuka is protective of her companions and determined to help her clan. She offers to delay pursuers so Haruki and Rofu can escape, then chooses Lu’s uncertain plans because she believes they could benefit her people 14 16.

She takes responsibility for the actions of those close to her. When she discovers a faction of her clan plotting to kill Lu, she apologizes and offers to kill the conspirators before taking her own life. Lu stops her and directs her to tell clan chief Listening Yulong instead 35.

Abilities & Skills

Mind-reading

Yuka can hear human thoughts, a rare ability within the Mind-Listening Clan 14 15.

• She correctly reads Lu’s name when he tests her ability 14.
• She obtains the Ninja Armory’s access method from Shota Matsushita’s mind without his cooperation 19.
• Lu considers her ability useful for detecting spies among incoming refugees 21.
• Reading an attacker’s intentions helps her dodge at first, but it does not let her keep pace when three opponents press her with faster taijutsu attacks 14.

Ninja and Field Work

• Uses shuriken and fights alongside Haruki and Rofu during the selection trial, though the trio cannot overcome their pursuers 14.
• Helps infiltrate the Matsushita residence and knocks an occupant unconscious 19.
• Leads a team of water-affinity ninja locating underground water sources and digging wells for Flower Village 34.

Flower Village Roles

• Explains refugee-recruitment rewards and provisional leadership posts to villagers at the Mission Board; also arranges access to ninja escorts for recruitment trips 25.
• Becomes head of the Resident Resettlement Office. Lu initially tasks her with listening to refugees’ experiences and recruiting empathetic staff, with housing and land assignments to follow 32.
• Joins Kumi Uzumaki and the village’s young ninja in answering Lu’s call for collective resistance 23.

Relationships

• Lu Zeming — rescues Yuka and her companions, accepts her as a friend, and recruits her to Flower Village. Yuka commits to following him, and he stops her from sacrificing herself over her clan’s plot 14 15 16 35.
• Haruki — her older cousin and fellow Mind-Listening Clan member. He returns to protect her during the selection trial but objects when she chooses to follow Lu 14 16.
• Rofu — her companion in the selection trial; he returns with Haruki rather than leave her behind and later joins Lu’s group 14 16.
• Her parents — initially want to bring her home after Haruki reports her departure. Yuka embraces them when they reunite 28.
• Listening Yulong — chief of her clan. After Yuka warns him of a faction’s assassination plot, he moves to confront the conspirators 28 35.

Notable Quotes

“I know what I’m doing. I made this choice for our people!” 16