Male
Iwabe Yuino (結乃イワベエ, Yuino Iwabe) is a Konohagakure genin. While a standout during his entire time enrolled in the Academy, his poor academic test grades lead him to be held back repeatedly.
Background
On the day of the Seventh Hokage's inauguration, Iwabe watched the event beside other villagers. Dreaming of becoming a mighty and famous ninja, Iwabe soon enrolled in the Academy. While consistently scoring top marks in all his various ninja classes, his aversion/dislike of book studies not related to ninjutsu but still curriculum required lead him to get equal consistence poor written grades. This made him fail the graduation exams twice and ultimately forgotten by his former friends who went on to become full-fledged ninja. Blaming the new shinobi era's pursuit of both studies and physical skills for him being held back, Iwabe became rebellious. He would regularly skip classes completely and become harsh if not confrontational with the younger students.
Personality
Valuing strength above all else, Iwabe shows a very blunt and domineering attitude, openly proclaiming that strong people can do as they please. While raised in an era of peace, he admires the warring era, believing its constant struggles were the key to forging mighty ninja. He has shown a strong admiration of the various Kage, being well-recognised as the strongest shinobi in history, and having encyclopedic knowledge of them. He particularly admires Naruto, for his reaching his legendary fame despite his harsh start. He also views the Academy students as weak and lazy, taking advantage of the peaceful times and only becoming ninja by name alone. Desiring recognition, Iwabe despises being looked-down upon. He also has a very high opinion of himself, viewing other students as beneath him is very bossy towards them, demanding to give him privacy. He is also shown to be fairly short-tempered, as upon his views being challenged, he can get very aggressive if not violent. Being older than his classmates and more focused on actual combat, Iwabe is more conditioned for the practice, able to make quick and decisive decisions in battle. He also has shown a very tactical nature, able to use various basic techniques to outwit his foes. Given his desire to be strong, he appears to greatly prefer strong taijutsu tactics in combat, admiring those who have such skill.[1]
His attitude stems from his misfortune in being held back in the Academy. While hardworking, his single-minded nature on becoming a ninja lead him to slack off on his other required studies, which ultimately became the key reason he failed the graduation exams twice. Unable to improve this area of training but unable to accept it, he took his anger out on others.
This attitude changed after meeting Boruto Uzumaki. While having an especial disdain for him, seeing him as an overly-privileged son of the Seventh Hokage who took advantage of his lineage for special treatment, he was amazed to see how strong-willed Boruto was in his refusal to give up. Ironically, Boruto helped Iwabe see that he was being a hypocrite at trying to avoid his problems. Afterwards, Iwabe became much more civil to Boruto and his other classmates; even his teacher, Shino Aburame, noted a considerably more positive attitude since.[2] His loyalty to his new friends has since become apparent, even going out of his way to help them succeed.[3] Even more, he is shown making a serious effort to learn his academics during his free time, albeit he still struggles and requires help from his friends.[4] His newfound appreciation for others also was shown from his proficiency in Cooperation Ninjutsu, able to properly synchronise his techniques with others.[5]
Despite his improved attitude in his studies and with his fellow villagers, Iwabe is shown to be a somewhat overly-cautious individual. Having a personal bad history with Kiragakure due to his grandfather being killed by Yagura Karatachi, he showed a noticeable dislike of the "Bloody Mist Village", viewing their modern changes as irrelevant as their history as the "Bloody Mist Village" wasn't too long ago.[6]
Appearance
Iwabe as an academy student.
As an older student, Iwabe is noticeably taller than his classmates. He is lean in build with a tanned-complexion, stern dark brown eyes, and straight, dark brown hair. He wears a red cap covering his ears and secured by a blue string that holds up all his hair excluding a single bang that hangs between his eyes. He also wears a white sleeveless V-Neck shirt and bandages on his forearms, along with a dull-teal, sleeveless haori, baggy matching pants and black sandals. He carries a jō with him which is bandaged at the top. After finally graduating, he wears his forehead protector by attaching to his belt like a keychain.[7] He also started wearing a dull red shirt and a black jacket and trousers.
Abilities
Despite being held back in the Academy for two years, he has a remarkable aptitude for all the physical performances in ninja combat, constantly scoring the highest in all areas. His performance has also gained special attention from the instructors.[8] He is also shown to be an effective tutor in ninja skills.[3]
Taijutsu
Fitting his aggressive nature, Iwabe is a proficient hand-to-hand combatant. Having noticeable high scores for the Academy, he was able to quickly pressure Boruto with his might and likewise able to repel his shadow clone assault. He seems to prefer smashing kicks and powerful throws while in combat.[8] As noted by Boruto, Iwabe has considerable raw strength.[9]
Ninjutsu
Excelling in the physical area of ninjutsu, Iwabe can use all of the Academy-level techniques to superb effect. With the Body Replacement Technique, Cloak of Invisibility Technique, and such, he is very stealthy. At the same time, he has shown similar proficiency in more advanced skills such as using his chakra to scale walls. Despite his low overall scores on written tests, he is knowledgeable in the usage of techniques, such as the exchange of one's chakra to perform them. He also has some skill in fūinjutsu, able to immobilise his foes in the field of his technique and likewise increase the power of it by working in unison with other users.[5]
Nature Transformation
Iwabe using Earth Release.
Iwabe is very proficient in Earth Release, he has shown a large range of technique types, such as creating weapons, and protective walls from the surrounding ground.[8] He is also able to seamlessly perform two techniques at on top of each other to catch his opponent off guard. Even Kakashi Hatake was impressed with Iwabe's prowess.[5]
Bukijutsu
Iwabe is a proficient melee-combatant, effective with both shurikenjutsu and is likewise able to deflect such an assault with a kunai. His preferred weapon of choice is a jō, able to efficiently fend off enemy assaults well and likewise is able to strike with noticeable might, cracking the surface he hits in the process. He is also able to use his staff in conjunction with Earth Release, augmenting his staff into more versatile weapons.[2] He can also use his jō as a medium to quickly perform his Earth Release techniques without hand seals.[10] Iwabe's jō is also revealed to contain a sword, which he can also use proficient kenjutsu with, able to swiftly strike down a foe.[11]
New Era
Academy Entrance Arc
Main article: Academy Entrance Arc
Iwabe facing Boruto.
Two weeks into joining Shino Aburame's class at the Academy, Iwabe met Boruto, and antagonised him over being the Hokage's son. Their encounter leads to the students fighting against each other in the Training Hall. Announcing that he won't use his jō in their fight, the two begin fighting, which resulted in Iwabe becoming enraged and grabbing his weapon. Inojin Yamanaka intervened and grabbed his jō, as Iwabe said earlier he wasn't going to use it. Giving into Boruto's words of advice during their fight, Iwabe became more civilised towards his classmates. During shurikenjutsu practice, Boruto found and used Iwabe's fūma shuriken, resulting in the two and others receiving community work.
Sometime later, Shino organised a class event involving the girls and boy students competing against the other in a race to capture the flag on top the Academy. As it began, Iwabe erected a wall to cut off the girls from proceeding, leading to Chōchō Akimichi demolishing it and subduing him. The event ultimately was won by the girls. Another day, Iwabe, Shikadai Nara and Boruto encountered a rampaging boy. The three prepared to subdue him, but discovered that he had already been defeated by Mitsuki. The following day, Mitsuki enrolled into his class, leading to the pair having a sparring match. Overpowered, Iwabe was caught in Mitsuki's chokehold, prompting Boruto to intervene to make Mitsuki release him. The following day, Iwabe attended the class party Shino threw to welcome the new student. After it ended, Iwabe joined a handful of students in facing a rampaging repairman that was possessed, which they accomplished.
Iwabe and Boruto defeating Komame.
For his workplace field trip, Iwabe, Metal Lee and Sayū Jōge decided to do it at a fireworks factory. Later, Iwabe and Denki were recruited by Boruto to help his group discover the culprit behind the ghost incidents. After luring the person out, the culprit had a possessed Komame fight them, during which Boruto and Iwabe managed to defeat him. For a training session at the Academy to find the compatibility of students within teams, Iwabe asked Sarada Uchiha and Denki to be on his team. The next day, they faced Kō Ase, Hako Kuroi and JJ in a race to capture a flag, but were defeated. Afterwards, Iwabe and his classmates welcomed back Sumire Kakei to their class.
Denki and Iwabe tutoring each other for the final exams.
When the class began learning the Tree Climbing Practice, Denki was the only one in the class unable to effectively perform it. Worried that he would have to repeat the class as it was key to passing the year's final exam, a distraught Denki unintentionally compared himself to Iwabe's reputation. While Denki was ashamed of his statement, Iwabe merely brushed it off. As Iwabe continued to struggle with his academic studies, his friends attempted to tutor him, only to be left further confused. Later, he saw Denki continue to struggle with the chakra-induced climbing skill. Not wanting Denki to fall behind and lose friends like he did, Iwabe gave his friend some pointers. As Denki gradually improved, he learned that Iwabe was still struggling with his academics. The two than decided to tutor the other in their respective shortcomings. On the day of the final exam, the two came across a burning building with children trapped inside. The two used their climbing skills to get inside and save the kids. Despite arriving too late for the test, Shino was moved by how effectively they used their climbing skills to save people, deciding to still pass them.
School Trip Arc
Main article: School Trip Arc To improve relationships with other villages and symbolically show the warring era was over, the Seventh Hokage set up an official class trip for the Academy to go to Kirigakure. While Iwabe's class was thrilled, he himself was distrusting, given Kirigakure's dark history. Upon arriving, they were met with Kagura Karatachi, who was appointed by the Mizukage to act as the class's tour guide. When Iwabe wandered off into a back alley, Boruto and Denki pursued him. They where quickly confronted by Hassaku Onomichi who apparently despised Konohagakure citizens. After a small skirmish between Boruto, Shizuma Hoshigaki applauded Boruto and Iwabe's guts at facing them before calmly walking off.
Iwabe attacking Tsurushi Hachiya.
Later, the class met the retired Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī, and the current Sixth Mizukage, Chōjūrō, who welcomed the class to their village. Afterwards, Kagura brought the class to the site of the old "Bloody Mist Village" final graduation hall where students would fight to the death to earn their genin status. While Kagura spoke happily of the changes since then, Iwabe scoffed at the idea that things have truly changed, noting that the days of the "Bloody Mist" wasn't that long ago. The class was then approached by a group of delinquents, with their leader, Tsurushi Hachiya, making their disdain of outsiders clear. Realising that Boruto was the son of the Hokage, they wanted to make a name for themselves at Boruto's expense and attack him. Their efforts were quickly repelled by Kagura and Iwabe, the latter of which who had to be held back by Boruto.
When Denki was captured by a group of delinquents who admired the "Bloody Mist Village" era, Mitsuki joined in the rescue. The leader of the group was to be Tsurushi Hachiya, and old classmate of Kagura. As they began mocking Kagura's relationship with the Konoha-nin, they attacked the visiting class. During the fight, Hachiya revealed Kagura's dark past as the grandson of the Fourth Mizukage and having his own personal bloodshed reputation from his Academy days. Ultimately, the delinquents were defeated and Denki was saved.
Iwabe fighting Ichirōta.
Later, Boruto asked Denki to make an excuse for him and Sarada if they were late for roll-call, insisting that he and Sarada had some fieldtrip supervisory matters to handle. Iwabe found that strange and decided to look into it. He soon found Tsurushi muttering to himself about Boruto and Sarada. He swiftly confronted him and intimidated the Kiri-nin to talk. He the found Boruto and Sarada fighting Shizuma's team alongside Chōjūrō, stepping in to stop Ichirōta Oniyuzu from exploding the area with Shibuki. While clashing with blunt attacks at first, Iwabe swiftly revealed his concealed sword to land devastating blow. The stubborn revolutionary refused to let Iwabe get a clean victory, detonating his sword.
While seemingly caught in the blast, Iwabe was treated by Tsurushi. Once the rebellion was stopped, Iwabe carried a battered Boruto and the Konoha-nin quickly ran back to their hotel to make curfew.
Graduation Exams Arc
Main article: Graduation Exams Arc Before graduation exams begin, Iwabe goes camping with his friends. As graduation exams for the ninja classes were nearing, Iwabe was interviewed along with the other students about his future goals. Iwabe's immediate goal was to finally cast off the reputation as a repeater in the Academy while his future goal was to become a famous ninja like the Seventh Hokage.
Iwabe and his class solving the Graduation Written Exam.
During the exams, taking up Shino's subtle offer to try stealing the test answers for the written test, Iwabe and his friends were able to easily pass the test. Later, during the practical and final test, the class was brought to the training field. There, the entire class was set up to face Shino, Anko Mitarashi and Konohamaru for 24 hours. While the teachers were there to evaluate the students' respective performances, Kakashi Hatake was the true goal of the test. While Iwabe was awe-stricken to being proctored by the legendary shinobi, it was noted that the Sixth Hokage that he would only pass the first student who could take the single bell attached to his hip.
Iwabe becomes a genin.
When the test began Iwabe found himself caught in a genjutsu by Anko, but soon broke free from it to join his friends in facing her. Ultimately, Anko defeated her foes and captured the Ino-Shika-Chō trio. Iwabe then went to save Boruto from the clutches of Kakashi with Mitsuki's, using his Earth Release to give him a diversion. As Boruto's injuries were treated, deeply affected by Kakashi's hard words, Boruto apologised to his friends for "failing" them by dragging their performance down with his lazy attitude. Hearing Boruto say that he made them jokes as ninja infuriated Iwabe, grabbing Boruto fiercely and rejecting those words. He insisted that it was because of Boruto that they overcame so many of their problems. Inspired by Iwabe and the other students' praise, Boruto realised the truth behind the teaches' deceptions. He then conceived a series of plans to pass the test, which the friends all backed up. Together, they were able to eliminate the other teachers save the students that were captured, the latter of which in turn helped back Boruto's play against Kakashi. They all attacked Kakashi while disguised as Boruto, but the Sixth Hokage easily blocked their assault. This however was a setup, allowing the team to catch Kakashi in a Multiple String Light Formation. While pinning down Kakashi somewhat, he quickly repelled them with his Lightning Release. Ultimately, time ran out. However, despite no one getting the bell, Kakashi passed all the students as they succeeded at the test's true goal; loyalty and team-work. Iwabe was especially overjoyed to finally end his days as an Academy-repeater. Soon afterwards, he was assigned to Team 5 alongside Denki and Lee. Much to Iwabe's dismay, his first official mission was to help in gardening. He was even more annoyed to learn that Boruto's first mission evolved to include battling enemy shinobi.
Genin Mission Arc
Main article: Genin Mission Arc At the Academy, Iwabe was placed on Team 5 with Metal and Denki. The team personally received their first mission from the Seventh Hokage involving pulling a giant turnip out of the ground, which they succeeded in doing. Later, the team repaired a bridge for a mission.
Byakuya Gang Arc
Main article: Byakuya Gang Arc
Iwabe attempting to capture the Byakuya Gang.
With the continued thefts performed by the Byakuya Gang throughout Konohagakure, Team 5 was assigned alongside the other genin teams to help stop the self-proclaimed noble thieves. However, the genin were not permitted to engage the Byakuya Gang without aid from a chūnin or higher-ranked shinobi. Later, they were alerted to the Byakuya Gang's appearance. Following Iwabe's overzealous nature, Metal and Denki joined their team-mate in engaging the thieves, which resulted in Metal getting injured and being hospitalised. Udon scolded Iwabe for his reckless actions and clear disregard of orders. He punished Iwabe to remain confined to his home until further orders.
Versus Momoshiki Arc
Main article: Versus Momoshiki Arc Training with his teammates, the three are discovered by Sarada, leading to Iwabe questioning if she was spying om them. Later, the genin approached Udon, to get his permission to participate in the Chūnin Exams. After beginning the exams, Team 5 made it passed the traps and obstacles to get to the first exam venue. There, the team participated in a true or false question, which resulted in all competitors falling into a pit that contained a pool of ink. Using Earth Release to stop his team falling into the ink, the three passed the first round of the exams.
Iwabe defending himself from Shinki's attack.
During the second exam, it was a battle of capture the flag, which ultimately led to Iwabe's team facing Team Shinki. Ultimately, they were easily defeated by Shinki's Magnet Release and thus eliminated from the exams. On the day of the final round, Iwabe watched the competition with his teammates. He and his team-mates cheered for Boruto when he defeated Shinki to win the tournament, but were very distraught when learning that he cheating used an advanced ninja tool, the Kote, which was deemed banned from the Chūnin Exams and thus was disqualified.
When Momoshiki and Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki appeared and began devastating the arena, Denki used his laptop to look up the design of the arena, plotting out the best escape route. Iwabe was then told where to take spectators. After the attack ended and the Seventh Hokage saved all the lives there at the cost of being captured himself, Iwabe was sent to the hospital to tend the citizens' injuries. A few days later, after the Ōtsutsuki were defeated and things began returning to normal, Iwabe helped in repairing the village.
Iwabe fighting Might Guy.
Later, Iwabe was ecstatic to watch a lecture from the legendary taijutsu master and hero of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Might Guy, about proper close-range tactics. During his lesson, Guy decided to demonstrate his point by having a brief sparring match against Iwabe and Lee. With Lee's anxiety getting the best of him again from the large crowd, Iwabe was forced to face Guy alone, who despite his handicap of a single good leg, effortlessly defeated Iwabe.
Mitsuki's Disappearance Arc
Main article: Mitsuki's Disappearance Arc In the anime, after the apparent betrayal of Mitsuki to Konohakagure and his desertion, the village was put on lockdown. Later, when Boruto approached Iwabe and his team to see if they had seen Mitsuki, they informed him they hadn't.
As Iwabe and his team continued their patrol duties during the lockdown, they bumped into a frantic Yurito. He claimed that someone attacked one of the guards in recovery and was rushing to get help, but Udon saw through the lie as Yurito would have sent someone else to report such an act as he was head of the Medical Security. Realising he was found out, Yurito took Denki hostage, only for the genin to escape with a flash bomb. As the team's genin attempted to subdue Yurito, Udon realised that he was under genjutsu. He proceeded to free him. As the man began coming to his senses, a C1 Explosive Clay emerged from his flack jacket, detonating and severely injuring Yurito.
References
