Tsukado

Black hair sits short and spiky above a pair of oversized dark eyes. His outfit favours ease of movement: a pale kimono paired with very loose trousers, cinched at the waist by a length of white cloth that doubles as a belt. Tucked into that sash rides a sheathed blade, and plain sandals finish the look.

Persistence defines him, and yet it exhausts him. He has thrown himself at the same fight thirty-four times without once abandoning the goal, though privately he longs only to be back home with his parents, so much so that he would happily fake success just to be done with it. Warm-hearted and observant, he still misreads people now and then, most notably when he takes Naruto's peculiar lessons on revenge far too literally.

As a blade, Tsukado is formidable, able to overwhelm a crowd of foes and smash their weapons apart. He channels chakra flow into his sword, and while doing so once carved a groove several inches into solid rock. He also sketches with real talent, rendering an opponent quickly and beautifully.

His long grudge begins with the killing of Shikazo, one of his own clansmen, after which he is assigned to strike down the culprit, Katazu, only to fail thirty-four straight times. When Team 7 crosses his path, an unimpressed Naruto takes it upon himself to coach the hapless avenger, and the unconventional training finally hands Tsukado the advantage. Naruto halts the duel, though, once he notices that Katazu's blade was never even sharpened. The truth then spills out: Katazu's twin, Kageki, had caused Shikazo's death by accident, and Katazu had since been living under his brother's name. The Kanabun Gang, who had been pocketing money off the feud, push to reignite it, but Team 7 helps run them out of town.