Kisuke

Biodata

Background / History

Kisuke serves as the homeroom teacher of the class containing Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Rin Nohara. Early on, he regards Obito as an unreliable student who sleeps through lessons, arrives late, and repeatedly uses the same excuse about helping elderly women on the way to school 1 2. Obito’s sudden ability to answer questions from the Shinobi World’s general knowledge initially astonishes Kisuke, though Obito soon returns to his usual habit of sleeping in class 1 8.

Kisuke’s opinion changes after Obito defends Hatake Sakumo and argues that protecting comrades is more important than blindly valuing mission success. He reports Obito’s conduct to the Third Hokage, who recognizes Obito’s understanding of the Will of Fire and asks Kisuke to keep watching him 7.

As Obito improves academically, Kisuke encourages the change—sometimes enthusiastically enough to assign additional homework after Obito requests it. Obito’s classmates initially resent the increased workload, but the entire class becomes more competitive and eventually achieves the highest average in the year 9 13. Kisuke later announces Obito’s unexpected third-place result 14.

Kisuke also adapts his teaching to individual students. After Obito argues that ordinary homework contributes little to his combat development, Kisuke privately allows him to skip assignments as long as his grades remain stable 17. He later delivers the graduation address and announces the new three-person teams, including Obito, Kakashi, and Rin’s assignment to Team Five 24.

Personality

Kisuke is strict, easily exasperated, and unwilling to tolerate Obito’s sleeping or disruptions. He scolds Obito for dozing during lessons and even uses a chakra-enhanced piece of chalk to wake him 2 20. Despite this frustration, Kisuke does not dismiss Obito permanently. He notices the boy’s moral courage, academic improvement, and unusual potential.

He is also flexible when conventional instruction fails. Rather than force Obito into a rigid academic routine, Kisuke makes a private exception concerning homework while preserving the requirement that Obito maintain his grades 17. His approach combines discipline with a willingness to recognize different forms of ability.

Kisuke has a strong comic side. His promise to treat the class to a feast becomes a source of embarrassment when the students discover that he cannot freely spend his own money, and their teasing leaves him struggling to regain control of the classroom 13 14. During the Chūnin Exams, he is similarly embarrassed when Obito uses Sexy Jutsu and Hiruzen blames him for the student’s behavior 42.

Abilities & Skills

Teaching and Classroom Management

Kisuke manages lessons, examinations, homework, graduation proceedings, and team assignments at the Ninja Academy 9 14 24.

• Recognizes academic and moral potential that other students overlook 7.
• Encourages competition by responding to Obito’s request for more exam preparation with additional homework 9.
• Adjusts the curriculum for students whose strengths do not fit conventional coursework 17.
• Maintains authority despite frequent teasing and disruptions from his students 13 14.
• Delivers the Academy’s graduation address and organizes the transition to team-based missions 24.

Assessment and Mentorship

Kisuke observes students beyond their grades and forms individual judgments about their character.

• Reports Obito’s defense of Sakumo to the Third Hokage, bringing Obito’s potential to official attention 7.
• Describes Obito to Shisui as a one-of-a-kind student who stands out from the crowd 37.
• Recognizes Obito’s ability to connect with even difficult or isolated classmates 37.
• Continues encouraging Obito after his Chūnin promotion and gives him a new pair of goggles as a gift 47.

Relationships

• Obito Uchiha — Initially a troublesome “Dead Last” student, later regarded by Kisuke as a promising and memorable child. Kisuke reports Obito’s defense of Sakumo to Hiruzen and adapts the homework rules to support his development 7 17.
• Kakashi Hatake — One of Kisuke’s students and a member of the class he supervises. Kisuke later oversees Kakashi’s graduation and team placement 7 24.
• Rin Nohara — One of Kisuke’s students and a member of the same graduating class as Obito and Kakashi 24.
• Shisui Uchiha — Learns about Obito through Kisuke’s unusually favorable description and begins treating Obito as a role model 37.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Kisuke reports Obito’s conduct directly to the Third Hokage, who asks him to continue observing the boy 7.
• His class — The students tease him over his promised feast, challenge his authority, and rely on him for instruction, exam results, and graduation arrangements 13 14 24.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Academy Introduction: Kisuke establishes Obito’s early reputation as a sleepy, unreliable student while witnessing the first signs that his apparent incompetence does not reflect his full potential 1 2.
• White Fang Controversy: After Obito defends Sakumo, Kisuke becomes the first adult to formally recognize the moral significance of his actions and brings the matter to Hiruzen’s attention 7.
• Academic Improvement: Kisuke’s class becomes more competitive as Obito rapidly improves, eventually ranking first in overall class performance and placing Obito third individually 9 13 14.
• Flexible Instruction: Kisuke permits Obito to skip homework under a private performance-based arrangement, acknowledging that combat training may suit him better than routine assignments 17.
• Graduation and Team Formation: Kisuke presides over the graduation ceremony and assigns Obito, Kakashi, and Rin to the same three-person team 24.
• Chūnin Era: Kisuke attends Obito’s Chūnin celebration, gives him new goggles, and reminds him not to let success go to his head 47.

Notable Quotes

“All right, Obito. If you can keep your grades steady, I’ll let you skip the homework.” 17

“Obito is a one-of-a-kind kid. He... stands out from the crowd!” 37

Trivia

• Kisuke’s class achieves the highest average in the year, but he initially lacks enough personal money to fund the feast he promised them 13.
• He privately considers opening a convenience store after Hiruzen blames him for Obito’s outrageous Chūnin Exam performance 42.
• Obito’s students and classmates repeatedly treat Kisuke’s embarrassment as an opportunity for jokes, especially regarding his household finances 13 14.