Kensei Kenkaku during the Fourth Shinobi World War
"It's an eternal cycle, one where the strongest must fight to remain strongest and the weaker fight amongst themselves to challenge the strongest. But here we are..........now come at me, ALL OF YOU!" - Kensei Kenkaku facing 10 000 Shinobi during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Kensei Kenkaku (剣覚剣聖, Kenkaku Kensei) is a shinobi of the mysterious Konohagakure's Kenkaku family to the reknowed swordsman Jōnin, Maiti Kenkaku and an unnamed woman who is speculated to be Uchiha since both he and his brother somewhat inherited the Kekkei Genkai from their mother. He has an older brother, Uragirimono Kenkaku, who was 3 years old when Kensei was born. Ever since their childhood, Maiti could tell his sons were destined for greatness by the blade, so he trained both of them equally. For a time, the brothers we're close but it all changed when they entered the Academy, sibling rivalry and Uragirimono's jealousy of Kensei's closeness with their parents ripped the gap between them further and further apart. This is what made them the mortal enemies they are today.
Background[]
In the Konoha Hospital, on December the 15th, Kensei was born to the family of three: Maiti, his unknown Uchiha wife and welcomed by his older brother Uragirimono. Already then, he showed to be a bit more.....serious than other babies his ages. Just like his father and his older brother, he had a hard expression on his face despite being a newborn and he was quite cranky at almost anything really. But, he was a welcome addition to the Kenkaku family and taken back home with them in their humble abode. It was there that happy, sweet family memories were made: when he first walked, when he first said his very beginning words and so on. He also grew to be close to his brother, Uragirimono. Both we're thick as thieves, getting in trouble together when they were toddlers.
Home of the Kenkaku household
When Kensei turned 4 and Uragirimono 7, Maiti took it upon himself to start training his sons in the art of kenjutsu, the style of jutsu which the Kenkaku excelled at and were famous for. And so, under the watchful eye of their father, both boys trained with practice bamboo swords. Maiti's goal was to train both his boys to awaken their potential before sending them to the Academy to further refine them. Not only did he teach them the art of sword fighting, but also the Kenkaku's swordsman code of honour, the history of the Shinobi world and what it meant to be a Shinobi: to do what is right at all costs.
However, little did Kensei know his life would change when he and his brother joined the Academy to become fully-fledged Shinobi.
Personality[]
At the beginning of his life, Kensei was a lively and happy child who loved to play and had a bit of a mischievous streak with his brother. Both were known for running around Konoha in childly spirits and happy grins, often getting bowls of ramen at Ichiraku Ramen from Teuchi and play with other kids. Particularly, the kid the whole village shunned and mistreated: Naruto Uzumaki. They saw past his Jinchūriki nature and were happy to include him in their games and fun. He would love to cook with his mother, especially in baking treats which he would sneak a little bite or two much to his mother's amusement. He was also very focused and determined to become a "Saidai", a title passed down in generations of the Kenkaku who only proved their worth in becoming some of the greatest swordsmen in the Shinobi world.
Kensei slaying a bunch of missing-nin in ruthless efficiency
However, after the unfortunate night which claimed both his parents at the hand of his mortal enemy, Kensei changed. He became a stoic, cold distant person whose only goal had morphed into two things now. To not only become a "Saidai", but avenge his parent's death by gaining more skill and experience. He has shown a ruthless efficiency in dealing with his foes, but having a moral compass nonetheless. Many girls also find him attractive, like Sakura, Tenten, Temari, Ino and so on.
Abilities[]
Kensei is worldwide considered one of the greatest swordsmen of all Shinobi history, ranked as amongst the greatest of his Clan and only being rivalled by his older brother. Time and time again he has shown immense skill as a Shinobi and swordsman, praised by many as the one Kenkaku above all others. Having been training with his father before he even joined the Academy, he already had his skills awakened which were refined by the Academy training: where he passed with flying colours. From then on, he has went on many adventures and performed feats worthy of legends: sliced a mountain in half, moved faster than a Sharingan could perceive, matched people such as Madara Uchiha blow for blow and even caused the Ten Tails to hesitate slightly to attack him by sheer willpower alone when they made eye contact on the battle field of the Fourth Shinobi World War.
A child prodigy thanks to the Kenkaku innate affinity to kenjutsu and taijutsu, the Academy was no trouble for him at all. Recognized as one of the best students in the Academy's history, he rivals the scores of those such as Sasuke and Itachi in academics and considered Shikamaru's equal in terms of intelligence. He has many foes of Konoha slayed by his hand and has been stated to even scare the ANBU with how proficient he is in the field.
The events of the tragic night blessed Kensei with one of the most highest willpowers in the world, acknowledged by some that it would "be easier to stop the Sun from rising than making Kensei give up when he has his mind set on an objective".
Chakra and Physical Prowess[]
Kensei's chakra
Despite having chakra reserves that are average, his Kenkaku blood and prodigious nature granted him above average physical prowess the Kenkaku are known for. Having strength comparable to Might Guy, he was easily able to keep up with the taijutsu master in a spar and even trade blows with him on equal terms. Also with power able to block punches from the likes of Tsunade without a flinch, it needless to say the power of his swings every time he slices with his katana. In terms of speed, Kensei has been blessed with immense speed: able to move faster than Kakashi's Sharingan could track, catch Sasuke off guard during the Chūnin Exams with ease. With agility and dexterity on great scale, he is described to be "nimble as Minato and speed rivalling Tobirama".
Despite having average chakra levels, he has immense stamina and resilience, able to keep up in prolonged battles despite exhaustion and soreness for extend periods of time. His durability already at a high level to tolerate pain, coupled with his indomitable willpower, makes him unable to stay down no matter how bruised he is. No matter how much pain, he never falls down.
Kenjutsu[]
Kensei's famed katana, Shi no Rensa
As of his Kenkaku nature and training, Kensei is a kenjutsu prodigy of which the likes has never been seen before on this planet or Shinobi history. Honed and perfected, the refinement and sheer skill of his power with the katana is the matter of myths and legends. The likes of Kakashi Hatake, Asuma, and Kurenai have praised his skill as in "god-tier". With surgical precision and thunderous power, he has taken down groups of missing-nin on his own in ease, defeated Asuma in a training session, rivalled his brother Uragirimono in combat and even scared members of the ANBU when he just asked for a friendly spar.
Having had inherited the blade from his father, he rightly named it Shi no Rensa (死の連鎖, Shi no Rensa), effectively meaning "Cycle of Death". This reflects the cost of being the strongest, the constant fighting between rivals and in between to keep or achieve this rank. The sword itself is cursed, meaning those with not enough mental fortitude die by simply holding it due to the amount of willpower it consumes. And yet, this curse makes it far more lethal and effective than any blade made.
Taijutsu[]
Kensei reflecting on his past and his goals
True to his family name, Kensei is a master taijutsu practicer, stated by Might Guy as superior than even Rock Lee even if Lee gave it his all. With a precise, fast and overwhelming style, Kensei's fighting aims to incapacitate and subdue the enemy before they even have a chance to retaliate or even process what is happening. This, led on by the fact that Kensei has a sharp gaze, means he can easily spot and target weak spots within seconds of a glance and easily apply his strategy perfectly and according to plan. This makes him formidable in battle as he can never really be attacked and even then, he wont stay down.
Dōjutsu[]
Kensei's Sharingan left eye.
Since his mother was Uchiha, Kensei has its renowned Kekkei Genkai: the Sharingan. This however is a bit meddled with since the Kenkaku genes of his father were dominant, so he only gained the dōjutsu in his left eye. For this reason, he tends to keep his left eye close and only opens it when he needs his Sharingan. His Sharingan is exactly like almost any other Uchiha, with the crimson red irises and the black tomoes.
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Kensei's Mangekyō Sharingan left eye.
After the tragic events which cost the life of his parents, Kensei obtained the Mangekyō Sharingan, which doesn’t really make his eye go blind even through extensive use. This is thanks again to his Kenkaku genes yet again. the ability of his Mangekyō Sharingan is not as immense or flashy as others, instead it grants him “Honnō” (本能, Honnō). Its ability grants him subconscious mastery, in other words, his already formidable swordsmanship is boosted to such a level that his body does it on instinct without any conscious thought to the best of his abilities. When turned on, his Mangekyō Sharingan appears like a regular Sharingan, but with added 6 more tomoes: a nine-tomoe Mangekyō Sharingan.
Appearance[]
Kensei in Part I
In Part I, Kensei is 12 and stands at slightly above average height at 5.5 feet tall, but thanks to his father's training, he has a good alethic physique with a lean lithe body. He often wears a black kimono coupled with dark pants, black ninja sandals and his Konoha headband when he earned it. To his waist is strapped his katana.
Kensei in Part II
In Part II, Kensei is now 16 and now at a height of 6 feet tall. His build is now more defined with a clear pack of six abs, sculpted arms and a hardened chest. His skin is also more tan now since he has been training and fighting a lot under the sun, earning him new scars to his old ones he had as a child. He also wears similar attire he did in Part I, but now more baggier for more freedom of movement and loose-fitting as to allow air flow. The girl who found him attractive before in Part I now considered him extremely attractive, with Tenten even developing a crush on him.
Kensei in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
In Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Kensei is now 32 years old and grew up at a final height of 6.2 feet tall. His build remains the same, roughened up through many battles he's been through, especially the Fourth Shinobi World War and when Pain attacked Konoha. Now, instead of dark black attire he used to wear: his kimono is now a dark silver, his pants white and his headband strapped around his left bicep instead of his forehead. He also grew a faint stubble-like beard and his hair is now tied in a short ponytail.
Part I[]
Kensei noticing Naruto sleeping in class when Iruka points it out
Prologue - Land of Waves[]
After the night where Kensei's parents were killed by his own brother, Uragirimono, who was 15 at the time and fled Konoha afterwards: Kensei swore he'd avenge them and achieve his goal of becoming a Saidai. So, after Hiruzen Sarutobi used his Hokage power to give Kensei a monthly salary as to provide for himself, Kensei focused on the Academy and trained 24/7. The school year easily passed by and during that time, Kensei noticed the class clown: Naruto Uzumaki when Iruka had to slap the boy on the back of the head to wake him up on the day of the graduation exam, much to the students amusement. Only Kensei and Sasuke didn't laugh at the satisfying "thwack" sound that was made when the sensei's hand made contact with Naruto's head, causing the boy to wake up with a yelp of shock while clutching the back of his head. They had the usual back and forth spat, you'd say Naruto and Iruka were father and son. With a slight sigh, Kensei gave Sasuke a side glance since they were sat at the same desk: Sasuke's expression was the same as his. "That loser never takes anything seriously." the Uchiha said bluntly with a glare aimed at the Uzumaki.
Kensei had to agree internally, the only time he'd seen Naruto focus was when someone mentioned ramen. Besides that, Naruto had the attention span of a gerbil on Skittles: barely there. But he kept it all inside him, he didn't come here to watch Naruto made a fool of himself. Sasuke, perceptive as ever, could tell by Kensei's silence that he did notice his fact but wasn't interested. A small, almost faint upwards twitch played at Sasuke's lips: seems he wasn't the only one with the same mindset in this class as he thought he was.
"Anyways, returning back to topic. I hope you've all been practicing since today is the graduation exam. Now, can someone please tell me what you'll be doing today?" Iruka said, wanting to test the class to see who was paying attention and who was procrastinating. Sakura, being one of the smartest students in the class, raised her hand. "Yes Sakura?" the sensei said as he pointed towards her, "We'll have to demonstrate our Clone Technique, Iruka-Sensei.". Iruka nodded, at least someone was paying attention. "Correct, so we'll start with a random order." Iruka said and pulled out a piece of paper with a random student's name and read it out loud: Kensei Kenkaku.
Sakura and Ino arguing over the boys
Most of the girls in the class like Tenten let out a dreamy sigh with a blush on their cheeks as they watched Kensei get up and make his way to the front of the class. Ino and Sakura were already silently arguing at their desk "Back off, Billboard Brow! He's mine and so is Sasuke-kun." Ino scoffed while Sakura gritted her teeth and glared at her "Like if either of them would want you, Ino Pig." she clapped back. Iruka had to clear his throat loudly to reign the class back in before losing at Kensei who stood in front of the class.
"Whenever you're ready!" the sensei said and had his pen and notebook ready to note down if he'd pass or not. With a steady breath, Kensei clasped his hands together and focused his chakra control, the picture clear in his mind: to view a similar him standing next to him. And with a puff of smoke, a tangible shadow clone of Kensei appeared beside him: perfectly identical and flawless. True, the jutsu was a basic almost every ninja had, but then again it was quite complex to a kid of 12. "Great job, Kensei!" Iruka exclaimed with a smile, there was nothing like the feeling of seeing your students pass before your eyes. With a quiet nod, Kensei returned to his seat next to Sasuke.
Naruto failing the exam
The exams passed by quickly, most if not all of them passed. Most. As Iruka called up Naruto, the last in line: the young boy quickly jumped down in front of the class with a wide grin. This was it, his opportunity to prove himself and finally shut them up, especially Sasuke. He quickly clasped his hands and focused to make a shadow clone, but since of his terrible chakra control and just lacking precision: it came out horribly. It looked like Naruto if he was malnourished and bleached pale.
The whole class laughed at him to his face, Naruto couldn't believe it. His one big chance, and he flopped. Tears formed in the corner of his eyes and he bolted out of the class, crying and just embarrassed from this event. No one bothered to run after him, and Iruka, though he wanted to, couldn't since he had to keep the class in control. He'd have one hell of a time trying to find the boy after this.
"Well, there's always next year." Iruka sighed as he marked the box next to Naruto's name with an X on the paper. From his seat, Kensei felt something in him...a hint of pity? No that wasn't it. Probably empathy! Sure, he was stoic and independent, but still he couldn't help but feel bad for Naruto. Even though Kensei was an orphan, he had his father to help him and train him before he died, unlike Naruto: Naruto had no one, he never had anyone. No one wanted to help him, the whole village hated him and treated him like the spec on their clean village. Sure, Naruto was a troublemaker and played pranks, but he wants evil at heart. He was just playful and wanted a friend, someone to pay attention to him and the pranks were just a way to shine a spotlight on him.
The headband that was meant for Naruto being left
Iruka, clapping the class back to attention, began handing out each their forehead protectors bearing the symbol of Konoha: they were officially Genin now. All but one forehead protector was left on the table, the one that was meant for Naruto. Those who received their headband were already celebrating in their own way: Chōji was eating a sack of BBQ chips he saved for this moment, Shikamaru was lazing around, Kiba was playing Akamaru, Ino was eyeing Sasuke while Sakura was fangirling in her head: the two boys would have to notice her now, she was a Genin. Her only obstacle was...Ino.
The day of class flew by and most kids returned to their parents, who were all happy and proud of their children, would treat them to a night of celebration. It was a feeling a child would always look forward to, making their parents proud of them. Sasuke and Kensei could relate to some extent, when they had parents, but now they couldn't afford the luxury. Sasuke was already long gone home to his lone apartment and Kensei was currently heading to his own apartment.
As he walked down the street, the night sky was illuminated by the glow of the full moon, the pitter-patter of starts and the occasional bang of a firework fired by parents celebrating their children's graduation. It was loud, but Kensei heard something: rustling? Turning around, he noticed a figure traversing the trees and bushes out the village into the nearby woods. Who was that? Curious but wary, Kensei followed, making sure to keep a distance between them far enough to not be spotted but close enough to not lose track of the figure.
Naruto reading the Scroll of Seals, not knowing Kensei is stalking him
As Kensei landed quietly in a bush, he saw the figure land next to a tree and open something: a large scroll. There's no way...that couldn't be, but it was: The Scroll of Seals. How did they steal this? It was guarded by the Hokage himself in his desk, what kind of Shinobi would be strong enough to beat the Hokage without anyone noticing, steal a forbidden scroll and slip out undetected? Unless it was carefully planned. Kensei pulled out a kunai, just in case, he would try to stack the odds to his advantage. He was the only one who knew after all, and the figure had their guard down by the way they seemed enthralled in the scroll. He could easily sneak behind them and pin them with the kunai.
With the ease of a Jōnin, Kensei jumped from the bush into a tree branch above the figure with the stealth of a feline on the hunt and slowly, very carefully aimed the kunai at them. The shadow of the tree masked the individual from identification, but they were small: easily small enough to sneak past security Kensei thought. As he was about to throw the kunai, he heard it "Aw man, this doesn't make any sense!". Wait a second, that was Naruto's voice. Kensei didnt have a second to process since he had thrown the kunai, but the aim was off since he was caught off guard by knowing it was Naruto he had been following. The kunai, slicing through the air with lethal grace and precision, embedded itself in the ground inches from Naruto's leg.
"Ahh!" Naruto shouted, looking up to see Kensei who was just as shocked as him. "Kensei, what are you doing here?" he asked, reasonably bamboozled and angry as anyone who nearly got hit with a kunai should be. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" Kensei said as he jumped down and landed in front of Naruto "With a forbidden scroll." Kensei added rightfully.
"Oh...uhm. I can explain. I swear, it's not what it looks like." Naruto fumbled with his word, fiddling his fingers and looking away. Kensei scoffed and crossed his arms, as if offended by the very idea that Naruto expected him to believe he somehow ended up here with a secret highly guarded scroll ever so conveniently without any intent...like if that'd ever happen.
Iruka being mad at Naruto
"Well, explain then." Kensei said sarcastically, but as Naruto was about to spit out some random excuse, they were interrupted by Iruka. Turns out, Iruka had been sent out with other Jōnin to search for Naruto and the scroll by order of Hiruzen. It made sense after all, a scroll full of forbidden jutsu in the hands of a boy who couldn't even make one shadow clone: easy pickings for any missing-nin. "Naruto, what is the meaning of this? What are you doing here with the Scroll of Seals?!" Iruka said, a tone of anger, disappointment and confusion.
But before Naruto could even answer, again something had to interfere: incoming kunai came flying at them, dozens. Without a word, Kensei unsheathed his katana and deflected them with his blade, his father's teachings proving true in saving his life. Iruka, processing quickly someone was after them, proceeded to order Kensei to go hide with Naruto while he would stay back and hold the attacker off. Kensei nodded, quickly picking Naruto up on his back and jumping up to hide in the trees and thick leaves decorating the branches.
Turns out, it was Mizuki. Through his battle with Iruka, Mizuki revealed he took advantage of Naruto's depression at his failure to manipulate him into stealing the scroll as to steal it for himself later on. From the trees, Kensei and Naruto could see Iruka getting overwhelmed by Mizuki, who struck him with shuriken at the back. Naruto couldn't hold back, seeing one of the few people who cared for him about to get killed, he wouldn't just stand back and do nothing.
As reckless as ever, he did the hand sign and performed Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, creating hundreds if not thousands of Narutos who all came crashing down and beating Mizuki senseless. Kensei, from the trees, was a bit surprised and honestly caught off guard. That demanded immense levels of chakra, one that would take a great toll on Kensei if he ever tried it.
Part II[]
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Boruto: Naruto Next Generations[]
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Trivia[]
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