Naruto, Episode 3: Sasuke and Sakura: Friends or Foes?
Summary of Kakahi's Role:
Observation During Orientation:
Kakashi is seen in the group of Konoha shinobi alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Asuma, Kurenai, and others, watching the Genin orientation through the Hokage’s crystal ball.
He briefly focuses on Naruto Uzumaki, hinting at his awareness of Naruto's unique challenges and potential.
Assignment to Team 7:
Kakashi is assigned as the Jonin instructor for Team 7, which consists of Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke.
This marks the beginning of his leadership role and his responsibility to guide the team of mismatched personalities and skill sets.
Visit to Naruto’s Room:
Kakashi visits Naruto’s room, accompanied by Hiruzen, to gain a glimpse of Naruto’s living situation and character.
He discovers that Naruto’s milk has long passed its expiration date, foreshadowing Naruto’s stomach problems throughout the episode.
Kakashi’s internal observation reveals his concern about Naruto’s wellbeing, albeit delivered in a calm and nonchalant manner.
Overall Role:
Kakashi’s role in this episode serves as an introduction to his character as a perceptive and laid-back Jonin. His observation of Naruto’s living conditions and demeanor establishes him as a mentor who, while aloof on the surface, is attentive to the nuances of his students. This sets the stage for his pivotal role in shaping Team 7’s dynamic and growth.
Naruto, Episode 4: Pass or Fail: Survival Test
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Introduction as Team Leader:
Kakashi arrives late to meet Team 7 at the academy, falling victim to a prank by Naruto (a chalkboard eraser trap). He responds by expressing his dislike for the team, setting the tone for his unique teaching style.
He conducts a rooftop meeting where he instructs the team to introduce themselves, gauging their personalities, ambitions, and motivations.
Establishing the Genin Test:
Kakashi informs Team 7 about the upcoming survival exercise, explaining that it is a high-stakes test with a failure rate of 66%. He reveals that only 9 of the 27 graduates will become Genin, while the rest will return to the Academy.
He warns them to skip breakfast, hinting at the physical and psychological challenges ahead.
Conducting the Survival Exercise:
The next morning, Kakashi arrives late again, blaming a black cat crossing his path.
He sets up the exercise, challenging the team to retrieve two bells from him by noon. He emphasizes that failure to obtain a bell will result in disqualification and ties the exercise to survival and teamwork.
Kakashi employs his sharp wit and psychological tactics, including dismissing complaints and taunting Naruto to provoke him into action.
Demonstrating Jonin-Level Skills:
Kakashi effortlessly counters Naruto’s impulsive attacks, showcasing advanced Taijutsu and strategic thinking. He humbles Naruto with the Konohagakure Hiden Taijutsu Ogi: Sennen Goroshi (Thousand Years of Death), a playful yet humiliating technique.
He skillfully evades Naruto’s Kage Bunshin no Jutsu using misdirection and substitution techniques (Kawarimi no Jutsu), tricking Naruto into attacking his own clone.
Teaching Through Tough Love:
Kakashi critiques Naruto’s impulsiveness and carelessness, emphasizing the importance of strategy, deception, and efficient movement in ninja combat.
He reinforces the idea that ninjas must “see through deception” and warns about the dangers of over-relying on Jutsu without proper strategy.
Displaying Tactical Awareness:
Despite Naruto’s efforts, Kakashi remains vigilant, setting traps (e.g., the hanging rope) to neutralize his students’ attempts. He retrieves the fallen bell, demonstrating his preparedness and highlighting Naruto’s lack of foresight.
Kakashi remains observant of Sasuke and Sakura, subtly encouraging them to act while continuing to neutralize Naruto.
Foreshadowing Team 7’s Challenges:
Kakashi’s actions and teaching methods foreshadow the difficulties Team 7 will face as ninjas. His strict approach underscores the serious nature of their training and the need for growth and teamwork to succeed.
Overall Role:
Kakashi serves as a stern, calculated, and humorous mentor to Team 7, introducing them to the challenges of being ninjas. His role in this episode highlights his intelligence, combat prowess, and unconventional teaching style, all while setting the stage for the team’s development.
Naruto, Episode 5: You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Evaluator and Mentor:
Kakashi sets up the survival exercise to assess Team 7's teamwork, individual skills, and understanding of what it means to be a ninja.
He creates an intense, realistic scenario by challenging them to take two bells, emphasizing that at least one person will fail.
Kakashi employs deception and strategic tests (e.g., Genjutsu on Sakura, Ninjutsu on Sasuke) to evaluate their decision-making and reactions under pressure.
Testing Individual Abilities:
Naruto: Kakashi uses psychological and physical traps (e.g., ropes, illusions) to expose Naruto's impulsiveness and lack of forethought. He commends Naruto's determination but stresses the need for strategic thinking.
Sasuke: Kakashi acknowledges Sasuke's advanced skills (e.g., Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu and combat tactics) but emphasizes that raw ability isn't enough without teamwork.
Sakura: Kakashi points out her lack of focus, as she prioritizes Sasuke over the team and fails to actively engage in the exercise.
Lesson on Teamwork:
Kakashi reveals that the real purpose of the exercise is to test their ability to work together as a team, not to prioritize individual success.
He scolds them for failing to support one another and stresses the importance of teamwork in ninja missions, where individual actions can lead to death or failure.
The moment when Sasuke and Sakura break the rules to feed Naruto demonstrates their developing teamwork and concern for each other.
Moral and Philosophical Teaching:
Kakashi highlights a key principle: "In the world of ninja, those who break rules are branded as garbage, but those who don't cherish their friends are worse than garbage."
This message underscores the importance of loyalty and camaraderie, setting the foundation for their growth as a team.
Role as Leader:
Kakashi provides a mix of stern discipline, humor, and wisdom, reflecting his complex teaching style.
Despite his initial strict demeanor, Kakashi ultimately passes all three, praising their willingness to support each other and showing that he values their potential as a team.
Overall Role:
Kakashi's role in this episode is pivotal in shaping Team 7’s understanding of what it means to be a ninja. He challenges their individual abilities, teaches them the value of teamwork, and imparts the moral foundations that will guide them throughout their ninja careers. His unorthodox methods and enigmatic personality establish him as both a tough evaluator and a compassionate mentor.
Naruto, Episode 6: A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Mission Leader and Strategist:
Kakashi leads Team 7 in the mission to capture the runaway cat Tora, coordinating the team's movements through headsets and assessing their performance. He confirms the target and ensures the mission's success.
Authority Figure and Mentor:
Kakashi enforces discipline when Naruto protests about D-rank missions, reminding him of the importance of experience and adherence to the ninja hierarchy.
He remains patient despite Naruto's impulsiveness and immaturity, understanding his need for acknowledgment while maintaining order.
Exposition and Teaching Moments:
Kakashi explains the structure of missions, the role of ninja villages, and the political importance of the five great nations to Sakura and the others. This provides context for the team’s responsibilities and the larger world they inhabit.
Sharp Observation and Tactical Insight:
Kakashi notices the unnatural puddle during the group's journey and correctly deduces the presence of enemies. Despite this, he allows the team to face the Demon Brothers to assess their skills and courage, ensuring he intervenes only if necessary.
Combat Expertise and Protection:
During the Demon Brothers' attack, Kakashi uses a substitution (Kawarimi) to avoid their initial strike, showcasing his tactical mastery.
He intervenes at a critical moment to save Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna, subduing the Demon Brothers with ease. His calm demeanor highlights his confidence and superior skills.
Subtle Evaluation of Team 7:
Kakashi praises Sasuke and Sakura for their actions during the battle, reinforcing their strengths while indirectly encouraging Naruto to improve.
He expresses concern for Naruto after the attack, addressing his injury and guiding him on how to treat the poison, showcasing his care as a mentor.
Foreshadowing and Mystery:
Kakashi observes Naruto’s accelerated healing abilities, hinting at the influence of the Kyubi within him. His internal reaction indicates his deeper understanding of Naruto’s unique situation.
Interrogation and Leadership:
After the battle, Kakashi ties up the Demon Brothers and questions them, revealing their identity as Chunin from Kirigakure. He analyzes the inconsistencies in Tazuna's mission request and calls out the deception, showing his tactical awareness and leadership in handling potential risks.
Overall Role:
Kakashi serves as the team's leader, mentor, and protector. He ensures the mission's progress while fostering the growth of his students. His calm demeanor, sharp intellect, and combat prowess establish him as a reliable figure in Team 7, while his teaching moments and subtle encouragement help the team grow as ninjas.
Naruto, Episode 7: The Assassin of the Mist!
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Mission Leadership and Tactical Awareness:
Kakashi questions Tazuna before arriving at the pier, seeking clarity about the mission and the threats they face. He insists on knowing the truth to ensure the team's safety and readiness, reinforcing his role as a responsible leader.
Upon learning about Gato's involvement and Tazuna’s deception, Kakashi evaluates the risks but ultimately decides to continue the mission to protect Tazuna and his family, showcasing his moral responsibility.
Observant and Analytical:
Kakashi’s sharp instincts are highlighted when he notices the white rabbit and deduces that it was raised indoors as a Kawarimi (substitution), signaling that an enemy ninja is near.
He recognizes Zabuza’s tactics immediately, including the Kirigakure no Jutsu (Hiding in Mist Technique) and the use of water clones, demonstrating his vast knowledge and experience.
Combat Expertise and Strategic Command:
Kakashi blocks Naruto from recklessly attacking Zabuza, asserting his authority and protecting his students from engaging an opponent beyond their skill level.
He takes command of the situation by instructing Team 7 to form the Manji battle formation around Tazuna, ensuring the client’s safety while preparing to face Zabuza directly.
Sharingan Mastery and Reputation:
Kakashi’s Sharingan is introduced as a significant asset, emphasizing his reputation as the "Copy Ninja" who has copied over a thousand techniques. Zabuza acknowledges Kakashi’s skills and views him as a formidable opponent, adding tension to the encounter.
He uses the Sharingan effectively to counter Zabuza’s moves, copying the Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone Technique) and outmaneuvering him despite the thick mist.
Calm Under Pressure:
Kakashi remains composed even as Zabuza uses psychological tactics, such as listing vital areas to instill fear. He reassures Sasuke and the others, promising to protect them with his life and encouraging them to stay focused.
Despite the danger, Kakashi exudes confidence, giving his team a sense of security.
Tactical Victory:
Kakashi uses his intellect and skills to outwit Zabuza. After Zabuza seemingly defeats Kakashi with a water clone, Kakashi reveals that he used the same technique, turning the tables and gaining the upper hand. He concludes the episode by holding a kunai to Zabuza’s throat, signaling a tactical victory.
Overall Role:
Kakashi plays a central role in advancing the plot and showcasing the stark difference in skill between a Jonin like himself and both his students and the enemy. His combination of leadership, strategic thinking, and mastery of the Sharingan demonstrates why he is regarded as one of Konoha’s elite shinobi. Through his actions, the episode builds tension, sets up Zabuza as a dangerous adversary, and highlights Kakashi’s capability as both a mentor and warrior.
Naruto, Episode 8: The Oath of Pain
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Tactical Leadership and Expertise:
Kakashi begins the episode holding a kunai to Zabuza’s throat, showcasing his tactical acumen and ability to outmaneuver an elite opponent.
He analyzes Zabuza's techniques, such as the Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu and Kirigakure no Jutsu, and identifies their strengths and weaknesses.
Despite being caught in Zabuza’s Suiro no Jutsu (Water Prison), Kakashi remains calm and provides critical instructions to his students, prioritizing Tazuna’s protection and urging them to retreat.
Battle with Zabuza:
Kakashi demonstrates his exceptional combat skills but underestimates Zabuza’s strategic prowess, leading to his capture in the water prison.
His initial engagement with Zabuza reveals the latter’s immense strength and skill, emphasizing the high stakes of the battle.
Despite his predicament, Kakashi uses the opportunity to assess Zabuza's abilities and form a plan for his team.
Mentor and Protector:
Kakashi's primary concern throughout the episode is the safety of his students and Tazuna. Even while trapped, he continuously advises Team 7 to flee and regroup.
His words and actions highlight his role as a mentor, reminding the team of the mission’s purpose and the importance of teamwork.
Recognition of Team 7’s Growth:
Kakashi observes Naruto and Sasuke’s development as they step up to face Zabuza. Naruto’s bold plan with the Kage Shuriken no Jutsu earns Kakashi’s internal praise, showing his acknowledgment of their potential and growing teamwork.
Strategic Vulnerability:
Being trapped in the Suiro no Jutsu reveals Kakashi’s limitations in certain situations. This adds tension to the episode and places the responsibility of defeating Zabuza on Team 7, forcing them to rise to the challenge.
His inability to assist directly heightens the stakes, pushing the younger ninjas to work together and execute a creative strategy.
Overall Role:
Kakashi serves as both the team’s anchor and a catalyst for their growth. His leadership and teachings set the foundation for Team 7’s ability to adapt and counter Zabuza’s attacks, while his temporary vulnerability allows the spotlight to shift to Naruto and Sasuke. His role highlights the importance of teamwork, ingenuity, and determination in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.
Naruto, Episode 9: Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior!
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Leadership and Encouragement:
Kakashi acknowledges Naruto and Sasuke's teamwork after they successfully force Zabuza to release the Suiro no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique).
He praises Naruto’s strategy and Sasuke’s execution, encouraging their growth as ninjas: "Naruto…Your strategy was outstanding. You’ve grown up…Both of you."
This affirmation motivates Team 7, showing Kakashi’s role as both a leader and mentor.
Tactical Combat Against Zabuza:
Kakashi demonstrates his combat prowess and quick thinking throughout the fight:
He escapes Zabuza’s Suiro no Jutsu after Naruto’s intervention and immediately takes control of the battle.
Using his Sharingan, he perfectly copies Zabuza’s Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu (Water Dragon Jutsu), creating an equally powerful attack that neutralizes Zabuza’s technique.
Psychological Warfare with the Sharingan:
Kakashi uses the Sharingan to disrupt Zabuza both physically and mentally:
He mirrors Zabuza’s movements and techniques, creating the illusion that he can read Zabuza’s mind, which shakes Zabuza’s confidence.
Through his Genjutsu, Kakashi projects an image of Zabuza himself, further unsettling the rogue ninja.
Decisive Victory Over Zabuza:
Kakashi uses the Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu (Water Vortex Jutsu) to decisively overpower Zabuza:
The technique creates a massive water vortex that propels Zabuza through the forest, leaving him severely weakened.
Kakashi immobilizes Zabuza by pinning him to a tree with four kunai, effectively ending the fight.
Interaction with Haku:
After Zabuza is incapacitated, Kakashi assesses the situation when Haku appears disguised as a tracker ninja from Kirigakure:
He deduces Haku’s identity as a tracker ninja and allows Haku to take Zabuza’s body after verifying that Zabuza has no pulse.
Kakashi remains cautious, noting Haku’s youthful appearance and exceptional skill.
Guidance and Mentorship to Naruto:
Kakashi consoles Naruto, who struggles to process Zabuza’s apparent death and his own perceived inadequacy:
He teaches Naruto an important lesson: "In this world, there are kids who are younger than you…and stronger than me."
Kakashi encourages Naruto to channel his frustration into future growth.
Collapse and Foreshadowing:
After ensuring the safety of Team 7 and Tazuna, Kakashi suddenly collapses from exhaustion, revealing the physical toll of his prolonged use of the Sharingan:
This moment highlights Kakashi’s humanity and foreshadows future challenges for Team 7 as they navigate the dangers of their mission.
Overall Role:
Kakashi's role in this episode solidifies him as a capable leader, a formidable opponent, and a compassionate mentor. His tactical brilliance and ability to inspire his students contribute significantly to the team’s survival and growth, while his physical collapse introduces a moment of vulnerability that adds depth to his character.
Naruto, Episode 10: The Forest of Chakra
Summary of Kakashi's Role:
Recovery from Battle:
The episode begins with Kakashi recovering at Tazuna's house after overusing his Sharingan during the battle with Zabuza. He is physically weak and unable to move for about a week.
Analyzing the Situation:
Kakashi explains the role and function of tracker ninja to Team 7, describing their duties in preventing village secrets from leaking. He points out inconsistencies in the masked ninja's (Haku's) actions, leading him to conclude that Zabuza is still alive. This realization prompts him to prepare his team for future confrontations.
Training Team 7:
Recognizing his own inability to fight at the moment, Kakashi assigns a critical training exercise to Team 7: tree climbing without using hands. He explains the importance of chakra control for mastering ninjutsu and increasing combat effectiveness.
Kakashi demonstrates the technique and outlines the benefits of improving chakra control for their future development as ninja.
Motivating and Observing Team 7:
Kakashi motivates Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura during the training. He acknowledges Naruto's growth and untapped potential, emphasizing the vast reserves of dormant chakra Naruto possesses—more than even Kakashi himself.
Kakashi praises Sakura for her excellent chakra control, encouraging her while also fostering healthy competition between the team members.
Foreshadowing Naruto's Potential:
Kakashi reflects on Naruto's hidden strength and dormant chakra, expressing his excitement about Naruto's future potential. He observes Naruto's determination and hints that Naruto may surpass expectations.
Overall Role:
Kakashi serves as the guiding figure in this episode, offering strategic insights, preparing his team for future battles, and fostering their growth through challenging training. His leadership and ability to analyze situations set the stage for Team 7's progression and hint at Naruto's immense potential.