Many anime protagonists have inspired audiences to never give up on their dreams, yet a hero that remains one of the biggest sources for inspiration still today remains the titular protagonist of Naruto. Coming from a tragic background, Naruto must often deal with the scorn of those around him for reasons he is unaware of. Despite this, Naruto never loses his sense of justice or his dream to become the leader of his home.

With how much Naruto has gone through, many fans wonder how he never turned on his village and became a force of evil. Thankfully, though there were sadly many adults in the village who treated Naruto unkindly, there were others who treated him with compassion, knowing that he was a good person and not the "monster" some saw him as. One figure, introduced in the very first episode of Naruto, was Iruka Umino, one of Naruto's former teachers.

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Iruka Umino and the Wrath of Kurama

Iruka’s Family Passed Away During the Legendary Fox’s Attack

Twelve years before he became an instructor at the Konohagakure Academy, Iruka Umino was an Academy student himself, the son of two powerful ninja. Tragically, both of Iruka's parents passed away fighting Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox who brought terror to Konohagakure. At the end of the terrible battle, Kurama was sealed away within a vessel that just so happened to be the newborn Naruto.

Unfortunately, Naruto would live an isolated life in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, as very few adults saw him as a child, believing him to be the monster that nearly destroyed their home. Because so many adults feared and loathed Naruto, they also forbade their own children from getting to know him. Naruto would sadly grow up angry and confused as to why almost everyone in the village seemed to hate him, though the truth as to why would be kept from him until he was twelve years old.

After his parents passed away, Iruka found himself alone, grappling with the grief of losing his family. He then became known as a "class clown" at the Academy, pulling pranks as a means of hiding how lonely he was. However, when he was alone, Iruka would visit the monument where his parents' names were engraved, honoring their bravery alongside their allies. Iruka was comforted by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who would later become his mentor.

With the support of those around him, Iruka rose up to become a well-respected ninja, making it to the chūnin category thanks to his dedication and skill. However, Iruka remains a very compassionate ninja, which can sadly be a double-edged sword in the world he lives in. Becoming aware of how his sensitivity could accidentally bring danger to his allies and himself, Iruka decided to become a teacher in hopes of aiding the younger generation. By the time he was in his early twenties, Iruka acted as Naruto's main teacher shortly before the enthusiastic young ninja graduated from the Academy.

How a Traitor Within Konohagakure Cemented Iruka’s Loyalty to Naruto

Iruka Vowed to Never See Naruto as the Beast Sealed Within Him

Just like Iruka as a child, Naruto tried to cover up his loneliness by pulling pranks. However, because of the adults' misplaced anger about what happened twelve years ago, and because of the constant jokes pulled on everyone, Naruto's reputation in the Village Hidden in the Leaves only seemed to become worse. Even though the Third Hokage treated Naruto with disdain, the boy's anger at this treatment only made the famous ninja a target for pranks. As seen in the very first episode of Naruto, the titular character is being chased around by several ninja after painting graffiti over the Hokage Rock.

While the start of the episode showcases that Naruto has little respect for several adults in his life (as they often treat him unkindly), he does respect Iruka. In fact, though Iruka often scolds his student for his pranks, he does care for him. In fact, their relationship is often similar to an older brother looking out for his younger brother or parent and child, depending on the situation. It was Iruka who knew just how upset being scorned constantly made Naruto, and it was also him who treated him to his favorite meal at Ramen Ichiraku, where Naruto told him about his dream of becoming Hokage. After all, no one would treat the Hokage as less than, would they?

Image of a young Yugao Uzuki hiding in Naruto.

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In the meantime, as Naruto was struggling to graduate from the Academy with his peers, Iruka's childhood friend Mizuki was crafting a plot. As a child, Mizuki would often stand up for his friend, but when Iruka started to become more popular, the seemingly kind young ninja began to loathe his classmate. Over the years, Mizuki's hatred for Iruka and even the rest of Konohagakure only seemed to grow stronger, until he decided to lay a trap involving Naruto. Trusting Mizuki, Naruto stole the legendary Scroll of Seals, not knowing that Mizuki planned to use him as a scapegoat after killing him.

Thankfully, Iruka found Naruto before anyone else, and understood that his former classmate had used the young ninja as a pawn. However, this also led to a showdown between Iruka and Mizuki, one that revealed the truth of Naruto's connection to Kurama. Naruto ran away after Iruka protected his student from a violent Fūma Shuriken attack, but returned to save Iruka's life after the latter defended him while arguing with Mizuki, stating that he never saw Naruto as Kurama, just a ninja of Konohagakure. Inspired by Iruka, Naruto successfully uses the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique for the first time in order to defeat Mizuki. Proud of his student for his skills and grateful for saving him, Iruka gives Naruto his forehead protector as a sign that he will now be allowed to graduate from the Academy.

Iruka’s Legacy After the First Episode

The Chūnin Acts as a Guardian Figure for Naruto Throughout the Series

Naruto and Iruka eating at Ichiraku ramen

Following the first episode, Iruka no longer acts as Naruto's main teacher, with the role now passed onto Kakashi Hatake. However, Iruka remains a major supporting character throughout the series. His role as a teacher and later Academy headmaster meant that he would see his former students less and less, as he was usually tasked with working with ninja who had yet to leave the Academy. However, it is plain to see, especially in times of crisis, that Iruka deeply cares for others.

For instance, when Konoha was later invaded, and the Third Hokage passed on, Iruka can be seen comforting Konohamaru, the famous ninja's grandson, during his funeral. In the following arc, Iruka is also seen continuing to be a source of support for Naruto, inviting him to their favorite restaurant while discussing their goals for the village and their own training after a period of great turmoil. Much later on, after Pain's actions brought about the death of Naruto's godfather, it was Iruka who comforted Naruto as he mourned.

However, one of the greatest plot points revolving around Iruka's guardian role towards Naruto would be the return of Mizuki, their old enemy. In Iruka's eyes, Mizuki was still his friend, and vowed to try and bring him back from the brink. Sadly, it was not meant to be, and Mizuki would reveal that even as a child, he only wished to remain by Iruka's side due to the latter ninja's popularity. In reality, Mizuki only wished to make Iruka miserable as revenge for making him unhappy. Though Mizuki was beyond saving, Iruka thankfully survived the series of battles, during which Iruka set up a trap to defeat his former friend using a sneak attack brought about by Naruto.

The two would continue to work alongside one another when it was necessary, though one of the most heartwarming moments occurred when Naruto and Hinata prepared for their wedding. As Naruto's father had passed on when he was an infant, the heroic ninja wished for Iruka, his longtime mentor, to appear at the wedding as his parent. After all, at this point in time, Naruto and his bride-to-be both agreed that Iruka was truly his father figure. Iruka would happily accept this role, and years later, when Naruto became a father himself, Iruka still looked out for the boy he watched grow up to become an especially legendary Hokage.

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