Kuri.

An Iruka, and sometimes kakairu blog

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*puts on tin foil hat* Mini rant alert! I will always think that this was some unexplored plot point. The scar on the mountain appears in so many official illustrations and manga pages, just what was the intent there? I can’t see Kishimoto drawing that mark and not thinking “wow, doesn’t that look exactly like Iruka?”.

Maybe one of the reasons why Hiruzen had a soft spot for Iruka was that he was reminded so much of his own sensei (Hashirama). When Hiruzen died, his face on the mountain was scarred, a bad omen (Seen by both Iruka and Konohamaru, interestingly enough).

Maybe when Hashirama died, his mountain figure was damaged too? Perhaps Iruka’s scar is actually a birthmark? In any case, it’s really too bad this wasn’t expanded upon, but it’s fun to think about what could have been. Iruka is definitely in many ways, Hashirama’s spiritual successor. (I’ve alway toyed with the idea of having Iruka dressed as Hashirama for school purposes (maybe Kakashi as Tobirama? haha), only to scare the hell of Tsunade when she sees a clone of her Grandfather walking about). Also, I might do another post about Konohamaru and Iruka, which I think is another really interesting, unexplored relationship.

I’d love to hear what you think!

*end of mini rant*

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I can't believe it's been nearly 8 years since I posted this but for those interested in the Iruka-Hashirama theories this is for you. By the end of the series, we know Reincarnation is a real concept in Naruto and Kishimoto uses the themes of cycles often. Kakashi and Iruka bear many similarities in design, roles and themes to Hashirama and Tobirama (and still have great relationships with Sarutobi descendants in Konohamaru and Mirai (her name quite literally means 'future').

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<3

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Iruka Mentions in the Kakashi Retsuden Novel

"The sleep chakra point, a technique he had learned directly from Iruka, the principal of the ninja academy. When Kakashi mentioned in conversation that he had trouble sleeping sometimes, Iruka had taught him a secret jutsu for inducing restful sleep. The sticking point, through, was that it was hard to hit the spot on yourself, given the chakra point was on the back of the neck."

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Kakashi confides in Iruka, and Iruka is more than willing to conduct some private lessons for the Rokudaime.

"Before he became Hokage, Kakashi had only known how to kill people. He had methods of capturing people without killing them, but they all invovled pain and torture. But as time wore on and the country grew stable, the shinobi principle of capture without killing had taken favor. And it was none other than the Sixth Hokage himself who struggled with how to write the guidelines for this new no-kill capture policy. He'd discussed it with Iruka, the principal of the academy at the time, and he had laughed. Kakashi remembered every single word of what he said.

(Iruka) "It's ok. It might not look it, but we do more than just teach students at the academy. We've saved jutsu to make an enemy fall asleep instantly or freeze them on the spot. Everything from old to new is right here."

Distracted by the memory of Iruka's proud face, Kakashi accidentally allowed a bit of fabric to rustle while strangling the ninth shinobi."

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What can I say? Kakashi certainly doesn't need the Sharingan to remember Iruka's every word, his laugh and his proud (most definitely smiling) face. In fact it's so distracting he blows his cover on a dangerous infiltration mission remembering it. Yeeeesss.

Iruka is also the last major mention at the end of Kakashi's novel:

(Sarada) "I'm heading out. I got a present for Master Iruka," Sarada said, holding up a cherry pink paper bag. Strawberry Daifuku from Tami Traditional Sweets in the old city. They were widely known to be extraordinary and quickly sold out, so they were hard to get ahold of, a rare treat.

"Oh right, you're doing a homestay at Master Iruka's, right?" Kakashi said.

"Yeah!" Sarada nodded happily. "Cuz Mom and Dad are away on a long mission. Master Iruka's an amazing cook. He's teaching me all kinds of stuff. It's loads of fun."

"Ohh. He is pretty skilled."

Iruka was a longtime bachelor like Kakashi, but unlike Kakashi, who paid little attention to his personal life to start with, Iruka kept a neat home. In contrast with the desk of the Sixth Hokage, which was always covered with scattered papers and documents, the principal's office at the academy was famously neat and tidy.

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Kakashi knows Iruka's a skilled cook. He knows Iruka keeps a neat home. (I wonder why) Kakashi's also recently developed a bit of an onsen interest. (Iruka's official data book entry lists onsens as his hobby.) They are both confirmed bachelors. Nice.

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Look at how much Iruka features in the last page of the novel. How in the heat of battle Kakashi's thoughts stray, thinking of Iruka's smile while they are in a familiar and comfortable setting that's pretty much a second home to them both.

You can't tell me that everything in the novel wasn't just to say that Iruka and Home (Konoha) are one and the same to Kakashi.

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The old Iruka we shoulda gotten.

(Meant to be a re-draw of the artwork for 'Silver').

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New Iruka and Naruto Banpresto Prize figures (September 2024 release) I'VE BEEN WAITING 20 YEARS FOR THIS *cries*

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Iruka Mentions in the Kakashi Retsuden Novel

"The sleep chakra point, a technique he had learned directly from Iruka, the principal of the ninja academy. When Kakashi mentioned in conversation that he had trouble sleeping sometimes, Iruka had taught him a secret jutsu for inducing restful sleep. The sticking point, through, was that it was hard to hit the spot on yourself, given the chakra point was on the back of the neck."

--------------------------------

Kakashi confides in Iruka, and Iruka is more than willing to conduct some private lessons for the Rokudaime.

"Before he became Hokage, Kakashi had only known how to kill people. He had methods of capturing people without killing them, but they all invovled pain and torture. But as time wore on and the country grew stable, the shinobi principle of capture without killing had taken favor. And it was none other than the Sixth Hokage himself who struggled with how to write the guidelines for this new no-kill capture policy. He'd discussed it with Iruka, the principal of the academy at the time, and he had laughed. Kakashi remembered every single word of what he said.

(Iruka) "It's ok. It might not look it, but we do more than just teach students at the academy. We've saved jutsu to make an enemy fall asleep instantly or freeze them on the spot. Everything from old to new is right here."

Distracted by the memory of Iruka's proud face, Kakashi accidentally allowed a bit of fabric to rustle while strangling the ninth shinobi."

------------------------------------------

What can I say? Kakashi certainly doesn't need the Sharingan to remember Iruka's every word, his laugh and his proud (most definitely smiling) face. In fact it's so distracting he blows his cover on a dangerous infiltration mission remembering it. Yeeeesss.

Iruka is also the last major mention at the end of Kakashi's novel:

(Sarada) "I'm heading out. I got a present for Master Iruka," Sarada said, holding up a cherry pink paper bag. Strawberry Daifuku from Tami Traditional Sweets in the old city. They were widely known to be extraordinary and quickly sold out, so they were hard to get ahold of, a rare treat.

"Oh right, you're doing a homestay at Master Iruka's, right?" Kakashi said.

"Yeah!" Sarada nodded happily. "Cuz Mom and Dad are away on a long mission. Master Iruka's an amazing cook. He's teaching me all kinds of stuff. It's loads of fun."

"Ohh. He is pretty skilled."

Iruka was a longtime bachelor like Kakashi, but unlike Kakashi, who paid little attention to his personal life to start with, Iruka kept a neat home. In contrast with the desk of the Sixth Hokage, which was always covered with scattered papers and documents, the principal's office at the academy was famously neat and tidy.

----------------------------------------------

Kakashi knows Iruka's a skilled cook. He knows Iruka keeps a neat home. (I wonder why) Kakashi's also recently developed a bit of an onsen interest. (Iruka's official data book entry lists onsens as his hobby.) They are both confirmed bachelors. Nice.

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Studio Pierrot's Illustration for Naruto's Birthday 2023

A joyous Naruto looking at the present Iruka-sensei gave him after a dinner at Ichiraku. Iruka's gaze is so loving and fond!

Merchandise of this illustration will be available for order 20th Oct.

Link to Twitter

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[embwians]

he should have made it into the sanrio collab!!!!

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Drawn for my Demon-Slayer AU fic Himawari : )

More re-drawn chapter artwork! (I'm actually happy with them too!) Thank you for the love on the last batch of pieces too! I'm hoping to start writing again once I'm satisfied with all the artwork.

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iruka･naruto

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Oh boy, the urge to re-draw perfectly good chapter art. More to come! (and with any luck, a new chapter.)

Drawn for my Demon-Slayer AU fic Himawari (badger me to write and I might just do it.)

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Because I never need an excuse to draw hair-down Iruka.

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I swear the next chapter is still in progress but here's some art to tide you along. ;A; (I have art I did a year ago that I still haven't got to post yet! One day, one day!)

Himawari is a Demon Slayer AU you can read on AO3 here!

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To add to the wonderful post about Kakashi's and Iruka's relationship changing over the course of Naruto, an interesting thing to note is that in this interview here, (at 5:24) with Naruto and Iruka's seiyuu, Seki Toshihiko actually makes a point of this. Rough translation here:

Seki: During Pein's Invasion arc, when Kakashi saved Iruka from Pein's attack, the line was "I'll leave this to you, Kakashi-san!" Up till then I only remembered Iruka referring to Kakashi as "Kakashi-sensei". And the voice director told me, we'll record it as it was in the manga script, so please use "Kakashi-san". And it was at that time I really felt the time that had passed.

Junko (Naruto's VA): Oh yeah. The way of addressing each other changed in that situation. Interesting.

So Kishimoto's intent was very clear during that scene in the manga, considering the emphasis Japanese society places on honorifics and hierarchy and such. Iruka had acknowledged Kakashi as being more than distant comrades or fellow teachers.

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Some Iruka sketches for my Demon Slayer AU 'Himawari'!

Yes, I'm still working on the next chapter. (I know it's long overdue! Please guilt trip me into writing faster because it might actually work! >.>). As always I'm particularly fond of hair-down Iruka. <3

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More Demon Slayer AU Kakashi & Iruka!

(Drawn after my KnY AU Fic 'Himawari').

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Sorry it's been so quiet on chapter updates for Himawari (my Demon Slayer AU) Real life is too crazy, but it is in progress! Here's a preview on a piece I spent way too much time on. Damn, I love Iruka. ;_;