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Student and Master

Utakata and Harusame - Harusame first appears in episode 145 of the anime and makes more appearances during the anime-only arc up until episode 151. All of Harusame's appearances occur in flashbacks and memories of Utakata. Harusame was Utakata's teacher/master and helped to mold him into the shinobi that he is today figuratively. Utakata shared a close bond with his Master and always strove to make Harusame proud of him, even going so far as to take unnecessary risks. As seen in a flashback during 149, Harusame was generally quick to scold Utakata when he made mistakes, often imparting important lessons and advice while doing so, but also expressed his concern for and relief that Utakata was well. At some point, Harusame attempted to extract the Rokubi from Utakata but the procedure went wrong and the Rokubi was instead partially released, resulting in Harusame's death. Utakata was hurt and angered by the perceived betrayal and fled Kirigakure to become a Missing-nin and wanderer. Utakata firmly believed that he had been wrong about his Master all along and that Harusame had only ever cared about the power held within Utakata and not Utakata himself, resulting in Utakata's contempt of the Master and Student bond. Harusame had perhaps, the greatest impact on Utakata's life. He trained Utakata in the use of Soap Bubble Ninjutsu, taught him what it meant to be a shinobi, cared for him, and was the pivotal turning point in Utakata's life. Even after his death, Harusame would continue to affect Utakata's day to day thoughts, beliefs, and even his choice of attire. Upon being informed that Harusame had not meant to harm Utakata with the extraction, but instead was striving to help him, a transformation would occur within Utakata enabling him to open up and let go of the pent-up anger he held within. This enabled him to be more honest with his own feelings, let go of his past, and move forward with his life.

The most important thing is your life! Don't waste it! No shinobi flees from a battle he must fight! Nor does he fight when he doesn't have to! Still, I'm relieved to know you're fine. - Harusame, ep 149

Master and Student

Utakata and Hotaru - Hotaru first appears in episode 144 of the anime where she is about to be caught up in the attack of a squad of Hunter-nin. Utakata not only protects Hotaru from their attack but also manages to defeat the Hunter-nin soundly in one attack. Hotaru, believing Utakata to be her saviour is thoroughly impressed with his skills and has him taken to the Tsuchigumo Clan's fortress for medical treatment. Hotaru, as both the grand-daughter and apprentice of the former clan head and the very same man who made their so feared and reknown, has the unbearable burden of attempting to bring the clan back to power without anyone who has the power and skill to continue her training. When she meets Utakata, she sees not only a powerful shinobi and possible Master, but also someone who possesses and kind and somewhat regal bearing, just as her own grandfather had. Intrigued and impressed with Utakata, she implores him to take her on as his apprentice and train her. However, given Utakata's own past experiance with his Master, he finds the idea of him becoming a Master to someone else revolting as he wants to be nothing like his own Master was. Hotaru is stubborn however and does manage to wrangle some training from him. Because of Utakata's fear of the Master/Student bond however he often tries to convince himself that he never trained Hotaru in any manner and that he does not care in the least for her wellfare. However, his actions contradict his true feelings, which Hotaru is always happy to point out to him.

I'll train more seriously than I ever have before! No matter how hard the training gets, I promise that I'll never cry. And I'll never call you Master again... Master. Master Utakata, you idiot! - Hotaru, ep 144

An Old Acquaintance

Utakata and Tsurugi - Tsurugi appears in episodes 147 and 148 of the anime series and is the captain of the Kiri Hunter-nin squad that has been sent to capture Utakata and return him to Kirigakure. Before the confrontation between Utakata and the Konoha-nin and the Kiri-nin can escalate further, Tsurugi reveals himself and tries to work out a compromise with the Konoha-nin. Although nothing concrete is given by way of Tsurugi's past, it is implied that Tsurugi and Utakata knew each other prior to Utakata's defection. Taking into account the fact that Utakata was willing to listen to Tsurugi (even if he didn't want to believe him) and the familiar manner in which they addressed one another, it is highly likely that Utakata not only knew Tsurugi well, but also held some form of respect for him. Also, despite being masked [at the time] and barely having said anything, Utakata is quite surprised to see Tsurugi and even let's out a startled "you..." upon Tsurugi's appearance before the Konoha-nin. Later, when Tsurugi requests a word in private with Utakata, Tsurugi goes as far as to remove his mask and speaks to him frankly about the incident with Utakata's master, Harusame, and tries to convince him to come back to Kiri willingly. Tsurugi also appears disappointed when Utakata will not listen to reason. Tsurugi's word do reach Utakata however, even if he tries to close his heart to the possible truth, and Utakata continuously thinks back on Tsurugi's explanation. Later, Utakata is willing to hear Tsurugi's "story" one more time and actually listen to him on the second go-round. Unfortunately, that second meeting never occurs. Tsurugi's past relationship with Utakata in Kiri allows him to speak frankly with Utakata and speak the words needed to begin opening up Utakata's closed-heart.

No, Utakata! He didn't...Harusame didn't try to kill you. It wasn't like that. That cursed deed he performed on you, he was trying to separate it from you. He was trying to save you. - Tsurugi, ep 147

A Shared Pain

Utakata and Uzumaki Naruto -

page last updated May 1, 2010

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