Umino Iruka

Umino Iruka (うみのイルカ) is a chunin-level shinobi of Konohagakure, who serves as an instructor at the Ninja Academy.

Background
Iruka's parents were killed in the Kyuubi's attack on Konoha twelve years before the beginning of the series. Initially, a young Iruka was present on the battlefield, and wanted to stay in order to protect his mother. His father declared that it was the parents' duty to keep their child safe from harm. He was forcibly removed from the battlefield by an unknown shinobi.

With his family gone, Iruka had no one to give him attention. Iruka therefor became a prankster much like Naruto would later become, trying to gain attention to stave off his loneliness. He would spend his time at the monument where his parents' names were engraved, and, in his darkest moments would be cheered up by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Mizuki was a childhood friend of Iruka's after the Nine-Tails Attack, and usually made him feel better. In the anime, it was noted that due to other people giving Iruka more attention than they do to Mizuki, Mizuki's kindness to Iruka revealed to be an act just to gain the Hiruzen's approval, all the while making Iruka miserable discreetly.

In the anime, it was revealed that Iruka became a teacher because he wanted to pass on the Will of Fire to the next generation in this manner, inspired by the Third Hokage's wisdom. When Uzumaki Naruto became his student, he found it awkward to deal with the person containing the very monster responsible for his parents' death. He tried to ask the Third Hokage if he could not teach Naruto, though he was eventually disabused by the notion of Hatake Kakashi.

Later, Naruto went into the woods to steal items from corpses. Iruka chased him down and protected him from Takigakure spies who were attacking Naruto, eventually backed up by Kakashi. After saving Naruto and bringing back the document attached to the artefact the latter retrieved, he thanked the Third Hokage for assigning Naruto to him. He thus resolved to be straight forward and deal with Naruto strictly in class from then on, in order to train him to become a fine shinobi.

Personality
Iruka is described as being both big-hearted, and soft-hearted. This is most often seen through his teaching methods, often giving a watchful eye over his students as they progress. This however, does not mean that he is a pushover, as he can be stern when the situation calls for it most often seen when he shouts at his students in order to get them to obey him. Despite the tragedy of losing his parents at a young age, Iruka remained a determined and strong-willed individual with a kind disposition. This is seen from his lack of hostility towards Uzumaki Naruto who was often the victim of misplaced anger at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox who was sealed within Naruto. Because of this, Iruka came to be the only person Naruto respected in his youth as well as the only person who could control Naruto's behaviour to some degree. Naruto ignored all chunin and jonin who reprimanded him for painting all over the Hokage's faces, and only showed fear when Iruka showed up.

As a child growing up without his parents, Iruka turned to performing antics in the Ninja Academy in order to gain recognition from others who would otherwise pass him over or look at him with pity for being an orphan. This allowed him to also see some of these signs and understand what they meant when displayed by Naruto. Due to Iruka's more nurturing, protective and compassionate nature, Naruto views him as a Father/mentor and Iruka in turn, views Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favourite ramen dish at Ramen Ichiraku whenever Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka gets an opportunity to see how Naruto is developing as a ninja. Iruka's refusal to allow Naruto to graduate at first was not out of spite, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential.

He also has a great sense of duty, honour and selflessness as seen when he protected Naruto from Mizuki's attack, suffering a shuriken wound in his back in order to protect him. He greatly admires both the Third Hokage who was there to help him during his troubled period as a child and believes strongly in the Will of Fire of the village. As a result, he regards the children of the village as the backbone of Konoha — even being willing to sacrifice his own life to ensure their safety.

Appearance
Iruka is a man of average height and build. He has black hair (brown in the anime) that he keeps in a ponytail, dark eyes and a scar that runs across the bridge of his nose — which he has had since his youth. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with forehead protector, sandals, and flak jacket. His sleeves are also rolled up about ¼ way. As a child he wore a simple outfit along with mesh-armour underneath it.

Abilities
As a head instructor of the Ninja Academy, he is clearly proficient in all forms of basic ninja skills. He has some ability with Barrier Ninjutsu, as he is seen creating a barrier in an attempt to restrain Naruto. Iruka is also very perceptive as he is able to assess situations carefully and quickly while under threat.

In the anime, Iruka's skills were expanded upon and it was shown that he had some knowledge of genjutsu, as demonstrated when he posed as an enemy Amegakure ninja to test Sakura, and he also saw through the genjutsu cast by Mizuki. During the Mizuki Strikes Back Arc, Iruka showed some skill in taijutsu as well, by keeping on equal footing with the now-improved Mizuki in his attacks. Iruka was also shown using Sealed Bomb Square Release, which consists of setting an array of exploding tags and, once the target has entered the area, setting the tags to detonate if the target moves.

Also, in the anime, Iruka displayed what seems to be an echolocation ability where he can get a sonar image of his surrounding area, perhaps playing on the meaning of his name, "dolphin".

Introduction arc
When Uzumaki Naruto managed to evade other ninja after desecrating the Hokage Monument with graffiti, Iruka captures his student and berates him for not focusing on the upcoming graduating exams. While Naruto was supposed to transform into Iruka, he instead did his Sexy Technique, with Iruka suffering a massive nosebleed before giving Naruto a reprimanding. Iruka then punished Naruto to clean the Hokage Monument, but then invited him to Ramen Ichiraku, where he learned of Naruto's dream to be Hokage.

Next day, when Naruto failed to conjure three clones, Iruka failed him despite Mizuki's false sympathetic reconsideration, when Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, Iruka tracked down Naruto before realising too late that the boy was set up.Iruka watches horribley as Naruto finds out that he is a jinchuriki. Iruka remebers the talk that he had with Hiruzen, and that Naruto was excatly like him growing up. Iruka protected Naruto from Mizuki's attacks before Naruto runs off knowing that Mizuki's conversation with him earlier was a lie. Now protecting Naruto regardless of him learning the truth, Iruka insisted that he never hated Naruto and sees him as only a ninja of their village. Witnessing Naruto create a high amount of Shadow Clones after being spurred by his faith in him, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate from the Ninja Academy. Naruto happyily cry's in joy, and hugged Iruka for always acknowledging him from his childhood. Iuka gave Naruto his own forehead protector, since Naruto always admire Iruka wearing it during his childhood.

Iruka was next seen asking the Third Hokage if Naruto has handed in his Ninja Registration report.He then learns the truth why Minato sealed the Kurama inside Naruto, and why Naruto had such a heavy burden by the villagers. Iruka realizes that Minato want the villagers to look up to Naruto as a hero, and not as the host of Kurama.

Iruka was next seen announcing that Naruto, Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke were now call Team Kakashi. He told Naruto that he had the worst scores in the Ninja Academy, while Sasuke had the best scores. Which made them be combine to a team. He was happy knowing that Naruto will get along with Sasuke and Sakura. Iruka was next seen finding out that Kakashi failed all his students, and was hoping that Kakashi won't fail Naruto,Sasuke and Sakura. His voice was then heard in fourteenth episode, narrating the background of Squad 7 before they show up to fight Haku.

Chunin Exam Arc
When Team 7 is entered in the Chunin Exams, Iruka voiced concern and as such, in the anime, he personally tested each member individually to see if they were ready by disguising himself as a Amegakure ninja. Once they passed the exam's second phase, he acted as a messenger that granted them access to the preliminaries.

Invasion of Konoha Arc
During the invasion of Konoha, Iruka escorted his students to safety in the shelters behind the Hokage Monument- promising that he and the other instructors would protect them "even at the cost of our lives". He shared ominous looks with Sarutobi Konohamaru when Hiruzen's representation cracked, when they were enter the Konoha shelter. He was seen later comforting Konohamaru during the Third Hokage's funeral, in which Naruto looked at them sadly,since he was standing right next them. Naruto then told Kakashi that he get's Iruka's speech,and Kakashi's words about Hiruzen's will a little bit, in which Iruka smiled at Naruto for. Naruto then waved goodbye to Iruka,and told him that he will see him later. Iruka happily watched Naruto run to his teammates,and spoke to Hiruzen in his mind that the Will of Fire will bring Konoha a new Hokage.

Search for Tsunade Arc
Iruka met Naruto at their favourite place to eat, and listen to Naruto talk about his adventure. He later explained to Naruto that they have to do many missions to show other villages that they were still strong, even though their strength had been cut in half.

Pre Shippuuden Filler arc
In the aftermath of the invasion, Iruka was forced to suspend his teaching duties in order to go on missions and fill the void in personnel. In the anime, he was assisted by Pakkun to find Mizuki and go after Naruto and Tonton. When Iruka caught up, they send Tonton back to the village and Pakkun leads Naruto and Iruka to Shizune. Shizune led them in pursuing Mizuki, when they soon fell into a trap. Iruka then revealed that Shizune is not Shizune but Mizuki himself. While Naruto battles with Fūjin and Raijin, Iruka battles it out with Mizuki. Iruka wanted to bring the "old" Mizuki back, but Mizuki revealed that he was only nice to Iruka because he is Sarutobi Hiruzen's favourite. Mizuki led Iruka into a building used to test Ninja Academy instructors and battled there.

After that, Naruto and Pakkun caught up with Iruka and they went to Mizuki's lover, Tsubaki. Tsubaki helped them reach Mizuki but it was too late. Mizuki had drank a formula and became stronger and monstrous. They battled again with Mizuki having the upper edge. Iruka came up with a plan to trap Mizuki, giving Naruto a chance to use Rasengan on Mizuki. He told Naruto that he did great,and that the jutsu he used was wonderful. He then told Mizuki that Naruto will keep getting stronger in the future,and that Naruto's nothing like him. As Naruto waved to Haruno Sakura,Iruka thought that Naruto saved him the way he did for Naruto back then. He then decide to gave the squad a bowl of Ramen as award for completeing the mission.

He later found time at the end of Part I to see Naruto off before he left the village to train with Jiraiya.

Kazekage Rescue Arc
Iruka met with Naruto when he returned to Konoha two and a half years later. He met him at Ramen Ichiraku and cheered him up after he found out that all of his friends had advanced in rank during his absence. He saw Naruto complain to Tsunade about his new mission, Iruka say that Naruto has grown but not mature in three and a half years. He then saw Naruto left for his mssion to Sunagakure, and tell him good luck. Tsunade asked him if he was worry, and he say no. He told Tsunade that Naruto and Sakura were no longer little kids. Tsunade told him ,that growning up is a mysterious thing.

Hidan and Kakuzu arc
Iruka was surprise when Konohamaru said that Naruto was helping repair Konoha as well. Iruka was happy to see that Konohamaru,Moegi and Udon were helping repair Konoha. He then tolf them that he was happy to be their teacher. Iruka saw Sakura with food pills for Naruto. He tells her how happy he is that Naruto is training hard to get stronger. He comments on how everyone is changing, and that he was happy to have such great students in the Ninja Academy. That night,Sakura wept over her photo of Team 7, and Naruto. Sakura reveal that Iruka was right about everyone changing,not only her but Naruto and Sasuke as well. After witnessing a shooting star, Naruto managed to clear the second stage of his training, but subsequently collapsed from hunger and exhaustion almost immediately afterwards. Iruka was then seen at Sarutobi Asuma's funeral,mouring his death.

Invasion of Pain arc
After Jiraiya was killed, Iruka comforted Naruto, and told him that Jiraiya would always be proud of him. He went on to inform Naruto of how Jiraiya had always bragged about him, and had mentioned multiple times how he thought of Naruto as a grandson. Iruka also reminded Naruto that he was now the one to carry on Jiraiya's legacy, in which Naruto thanked him for before eating a popsickle with him. During Pain's attack on Konoha, Iruka was found by one of Pain's bodies while attending to a wounded ninja. He refused to tell Pain where Naruto was, and was almost killed. Kakashi intervened, however, allowing Iruka a chance to get the ninja to the Konoha hospital and to later join a squad of Konoha ninja to help repel the invasion. Following Pain's attack, Iruka was last seen apparently injured but alive, having been protected by one of Katsuyu's divisions. After Pain resurrected everyone he had killed, Iruka was seen standing along with the rest of the villagers. He thought back to the days when Naruto was at the Ninja Academy, and compared it to the present while watching Naruto being cheered at by the whole village. After these memories, a proud smile spread across his face,seeing his number 1 student being acknownledge as a hero by the entire village for defeating Pain.

Konoha History Arc
Iruka, along with Suzume and Daikoku approach the ruins of the Academy to salvage things for class. They split up and Iruka sees the destroyed academy, remembering when he began as a teacher and the day Hiruzen assigned Naruto to his class. Though he refused at first, due to Naruto being the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Iruka accepts.

The next day, Naruto pulls a prank on Iruka but instead of scolding him, Iruka tells Naruto sit in his seat, remembering the advice given to him from Daikoku. When seeing Naruto being bullied by the other students because of his failed attempts to be better than Sasuke, Iruka tells them not to bother a kid like him. At first, he picked Shino,but Shino say no, and then he picked Sasuke who was great at it. Naruto talks angrily at Sasuke's performance, and Iruka says that Naruto can have a turn. Naruto does the shuriken technique,but Iruka found out that he is not good at it. The next day, Naruto learns that Sasuke is the only surviving member of the Uchiha clan.

After class, Naruto wants to join Hibachi and his friends in their "test of courage" though Hibachi tells him to not follow them. Naruto pranks them later in the night by dressing up as a fox demon. Hearing them say they saw a fox demon, Iruka runs to the Konoha grave site and learns it's Naruto. Recognising Iruka's glare as the same one everyone else in the village gives him, Naruto runs off with the intent not to return to the Academy again.

The next day, with Naruto is absent in class and, Iruka asks Sakura,Ino and Kiba if they seen him,But all three of them said no. He then denied to be seen by the Third Hokage, Iruka sits in the park where he meets Hatake Kakashi and discusses his issues of being Naruto's teacher. Kakashi remembers when after his mission with him, Iruka decides to become an instructor at the Ninja Academy to pass the Will of Fire to the next generation.He then spots Naruto at the playground and watches as Naruto glares at the other kids with thier parents.That same Night, Iruka remebers about Kurama attacking Konoha. When Iruka sees that Naruto is absent in class, Hibachi says he hasn't seen him, but Nara Shikamaru, having heard of his trick, tells Iruka who runs out the classroom to find Naruto. Remembering Suzume telling him of the enemy ninja, Iruka tries to find Naruto before the enemy ninja find him.

Iruka finds Naruto and tries to get him to go back to the Academy, but Naruto refuses and tells him that he doesn't understand him. Naruto uses his Sexy Technique to escape Iruka before finding a kunai with a paper on it.Elsewhere, Kakashi hears from Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji that Iruka went to look for Naruto in the hills. Three enemy ninja approach Naruto, demanding that he gives them the kunai but he refuses, having them resort to get it by force. Finding his Sexy Technique useless on women, Naruto flees before running into Iruka as he protects the boy while evading the kunoichi until Kakashi arrives and easily defeats the female ninja.

Iruka gives the Third Hokage the paper that was hidden on the kunai that Naruto found. Iruka then thanks Hiruzen for making him Naruto's teacher which made him remember why he became a teacher. Now being a suggoate Father for Naruto to keep him from getting into trouble, Iruka's after class lecture on the Will of Fire gave Naruto his inspiration to become the next Hokage someday so everyone would respect and look up to him. In the present,Iruka pictures the now 16 year old Naruto reaching his 166 cm height on the mark of the tree. He says that Naruto will become Hokage, before help some Konoha ninja.

Fourth Shinobi War Arc
During the Fourth Shinobi War, Naruto and Killer B, as the last two jinchūriki, were confined to an island to keep them out of Akatsuki's clutches, (Naruto being unaware of this, and the war). After Naruto began to get suspicious and tried to leave, a handful of shinobi tried to stop and convince him to go back in. Iruka was among them, and he convinced Shibi Aburame to let him talk to Naruto. Iruka attempted to trick Naruto into believing he had a second mission on the island. However, Naruto decided to go outside anyway and used Sage Mode to barge past the guards, in the process losing his forehead protector. Before he could leave, however, he was bound by the Shadow Imitation Technique by a Nara clan member, but not before he sensed the war raging outside.

With Naruto demanding the truth, Iruka revealed that there was a war raging in order to protect him, and tried to persuade him not to intervene and risk capture. When Naruto declared that he would end the war on his own, Iruka said that Naruto was like a little brother to him, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if Naruto was captured. Naruto stated that it was Iruka who first recognised him and gave him his forehead protector, and asked him why he doubted his power now.

Glancing down at Naruto's fallen forehead protector, Iruka decided to return it to him, only to erect a barrier to trap Naruto. Naruto however enters his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and easily breaks out of the barrier and resisted all attempts to subdue him, before making his way to the battlefield. On his way, Naruto found a note in his forehead protector, from Iruka, telling him to come back alive. When Killer B arrived, Iruka told him to protect Naruto and they bumped fists. The Eight-Tails told him that he couldn't keep an eye on Naruto but B said no one could, and said to Iruka that he was in Naruto's heart and everything he taught was still inside, even today.

Naruto movie 1
Iruka was only seen in a Flashback with Naruto eating at Ramen Ichiraku with him. This was shown when Naruto was in a prison cell with Kazahana Koyuki trying to break the chains that were holdind his arms together.

Naruto Shippuuden movie 1
He made a cameo with Kakashi when Konoha received an urgent message from the Land of Demons. he later joins Hatake Kakashi, Tenten, Maito Gai and Mitarashi Anko in launching a counterattack against Moryo and his stone soldiers to buy time for Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Neji, Haruno Sakura, and Rock Lee, who were protecting Shion, to defeat Moryo. He was later seen with Kakashi after the stone soldiers retreated.

Naruto Shippuuden movie 5
Iruka is seen in a flashback by Naruto.

Naruto Shippuuden movie 6
The movie starts with a flashback of the Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha, which then flashes forward to the present timeline where the eight members of Akatsuki who are meant to be dead, are actually alive and are battling the Konoha shinobi and this in-turn unsettles Sakura. Shikamaru states there is no point in wondering why the dead are back alive and quickly comes up with a counter plan, but Naruto quickly attacks Akatsuki head on, forcing the rest of the Konoha 11 plus Sai, Kakashi and Gai to attack. The battle continues until Naruto is caught by Kakuzu, Sai frees Naruto by cutting part of Kakuzu's arm off, causing the Akatsuki to retreat. Naruto and his friends return home, where most of Naruto's peers are congratulated by their families, all of whom promise to write a recommendation letter for the promotion to becoming a jōnin although Sakura has a little fight with her family who embarrass her in front of the others. Naruto then takes a walk with Sai,and asks him what's his plan,since everyone will be prompted to Jonin rank. Sai tells Naruto, that the ranks in Root are different, much to Naruto's annoyance. As Naruto returns home, he passes many families causing him to reminisce of his father and mother causing him to feel lonely.

Later while eating at the Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto meets Iruka. He then asks Iruka for a letter of recommendation of his own, but Iruka refuses as Naruto is only a genin and must become a chūnin and rise through the ranks just as Minato and all other jōnin did. Naruto complains that Minato's face is curved as a rock, and doesn't say "Welcome home". Naruto admits to Iruka that he wished that his parents were alive,and not dead.

Naruto even told Iruka, that both of their parents were killed by Kurama. Iruka then gets mad at Naruto for the comment. Iruka asks Naruto what's the problem, and Naruto says nothing. Teuchi then hands them their Ramen,but Naruto asks him about the Naruto fish. Teuchi tells Naruto that they ran out of it, and gave Naruto some Menma instead. Naruto then gets angry,and tells Teuchi that he dislikes Menma. Iruka then yells at Naruto,and grabs by his jacket. Teuchi tells them to take the fight outside. Naruto then yells at Iruka about the Menma. Naruto slams the money he had in his pocket on the table, and rans out of the bar. Iruka yell out Naruto's name while he's running. Teuchi tells Iruka that he didn't know that Naruto disliked Menma, and Iruka told Teuchi that he pay for Naruto's meal.

As Naruto goes home, he sees Iruka in his house, waiting to apologise to him.Iruka shows Naruto a cake,and Naruto shocking cries after he realizes that Iruka really does care about him. Iruka asks him what's wrong,and Naruto says nothing. Iruka welcomes Naruto home,and Naruto says I'm home. Afterwards, Naruto happily jumps roof top to roof top through the village while quoting that the road of a ninja is one who endures.

Video Games
Umino Iruka is a playable character in the following video games:
 * Naruto Shippuuden Ninja Destiny 2
 * Naruto Shippuuden Ninja Destiny 3
 * Naruto Shippuuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution
 * Naruto Clash of Ninja
 * Naruto Clash of Ninja 2
 * Naruto Gekitō Ninja Taisen! 3
 * Naruto Gekitō Ninja Taisen! 4
 * Naruto Path of the Ninja 2
 * Naruto Shinobi no Sato no Jintori Kassen
 * Naruto Ultimate Ninja 2

Knownable Relatives

 * Unnamed Mother (Mother/dead)
 * Unnamed Father (Father/dead)
 * Uzumaki Naruto (Childhood Student/Surrogate Son)

Trivia
According to the databook(s):
 * Despite having made very few appearances later on in the series, he has finished in the top five in every poll until the most recent poll.
 * Iruka was one of five characters that have stayed in the Top Ten of every Character Popularity Poll.
 * In the first databook, Iruka's age was given as 25. In the second, it was listed as 23.
 * The name "Umino Iruka" when broken down as "umi no iruka", means "sea dolphin".
 * Iruka's hobby is going to the hot springs.
 * Iruka's favourite food is ramen from Ramen Ichiraku, with his least favourite being mazegohan (混ぜ御飯, blended rice); a type of takikomi gohan, but with the ingredients added in various stages while cooking.
 * Iruka wishes to fight Kurama and his students.
 * Iruka has completed 573 official missions in total: 288 D-rank, 183 C-rank, 90 B-rank, 12 A-rank, 0 S-rank.
 * Iruka's favourite word is "Reliance" (信頼, Shinrai).

Voice Actors

 * Japanese : Toshihiko Seki (adult), Taisuke Yamamoto (child)
 * English : Quinton Flynn (Child & Adult)

all information on Umino Iruka is from http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Iruka_Umino