Matsuba

Short in height and pale-skinned, Matsuba pairs teal eyes with dark hair that reaches his shoulders. Spectacles sit on his face at all times. For clothing he favours a blue jacket with a raised collar, layered under a green vest edged in yellow, and finishes the outfit with brown trousers and simple sandals.

Gentle and considerate, Matsuba shows deep loyalty toward the village's leader, Kiri, echoing the devotion he once held for her father. He will place her safety above the settlement's guiding principles and accept personal sacrifice to shield her from harm. His calm, understated manner balances out Kiri's blunter, rougher temperament.

When Team 7, led by Konohamaru, reached the bridge into the settlement, Matsuba was posted on the tower beside Kiri. Peering through binoculars, he recognised the newcomers as Konoha ninja, alerted the leader, and had the bridge lowered despite Kiri's doubts about relying on children. He remained at her side as the group was introduced, and joined the uproar when Ashimaru struck, though Kiri refused his call to rouse the whole village and chose to face the threat herself.

After she was abducted, Matsuba worked with Konohamaru to read the kidnappers' message and voiced unease that Kiri had sought Konoha's help while hiding key details. Explaining how fiercely she protected her people, he pressed for her rescue and handed Konohamaru a scroll marking ownership of the bridge, insisting her life mattered far more than it. When Kiri came back safely, Matsuba led the villagers in welcoming her, promised his steadfast backing, and compared her strength to her father's, predicting she would one day outdo him. He and Kiri later fixed a plaque to mark Team 7's visit as the squad moved on.