Konashi Nerikiri

is an Academy student of Konohagakure.

Background
Konashi comes from a family of shinobi and sweet artisans.

Personality
Konashi is a dedicated, but shy, boy. Despite being willing to enter a sweets competition, he struggled with asking Kae her opinion on his sweets until the competition's deadline. He was unable to ask her directly, so he left her a note asking to meet her in private. Later, after witnessing Kawaki defeat a flame bear, he developed enough confidence to ask her directly, and developed a deep admiration of Kawaki.

Abilities
Konashi is quite skilled in making sweets, coming from a family of sweet artisans. When Kae, herself skilled in making sweets and having experience with famous chefs, tried his sweets, she commented positively on their taste and design.

Kawaki & Himawari Academy Arc
Konashi attended the Academy opening ceremony as part of a new class. His classroom was put under the care of new teacher Hana Kaka. His class included many children of famous people, including the daughter of an acting duo, the daughter of the Seventh Hokage, and Kae Yukiwari, the princess of the Land of Bamboo. The class also included Kawaki, a noticeably older student.

When Hana had the class separated in teams for a practical lesson, Konashi was placed on a team with Mimi and Kande. He tried talking to Kae when the lesson began, but gave up, unwilling to ask her for advice in front of everyone. During lunch, he was impressed by Kande's use of Lightning Release to start their fire. Konashi sent his request to meet with Kae in private on a note, but later ran when coming across a flame bear. When Kawaki found him, Konashi explained the situation, and was deeply impressed by Kawaki's defeat of the bear. He later asked Kae for her opinion directly.

Konashi's class had to put on a play about the Sannin. When Eiki's struggle with Kawaki damaged the stage, Konashi joined in the repair efforts.

During the festival, Konoashi and his classmates worked hard setting up all the stands and events. Konoashi set up a snack booth. He was overjoyed when Chōchō Akimichi praised his sweets. At the same time, when she critiqued him on the flaws of it, he took it to heart as he wanted to improve. During the play, a large explosion went off outside on the Academy grounds. A terrorist threat was revealed, placing hundreds of paper bombs throughout the Academy grounds, warning the teachers to not evacuate the grounds or call for help. As the teachers and ninja on the grounds began safely removing the paper bombs, it was learned of a large network of bombs outside the auditorium. After Kawaki went to stop the bombs, a smoke bomb filled the auditorium. When the attack passed, Hana was injured and rushed to the hospital.