Kiba Inuzuka (Inuzuka Kiba?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto.

The name “Inuzuka”, meaning “house of dogs”, belongs to a clan that was one of the most powerful in the Chiba prefecture in Japan during the Edo period. They were known as “dog warriors” and worshiped Inu (”Dog”), a deity representing the zodiac sign of the dog. The name “Inuzuka” also originates from Hakkenden, a novel about a dog samurai. “Kiba” literally means “fang”.

Background

Kiba Inuzuka is a loud and head-strong member of Kurenai Yuhi’s Team 8, consisting of himself, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyuga. The members of Team 8 are all on very good terms, with each specializing in tracking and survival. Kiba, however, dislikes Shino’s bossy attitude, and Shino likewise dislikes Kiba’s inability to be serious. Still, the three enjoy one another’s company, and are often seen helping one another pursue each other’s hobbies. Kiba’s favorite foods are beef jerky and gristle, with his least favorite being anything that he can’t chew.

As a member of the Inuzuka clan, Kiba has a nin-dog (ninken?) named Akamaru, who he has an almost symbiotic relation with and is almost always seen with, usually enjoying their hobby of taking a walk. Kiba and Akamaru are able to communicate with each other, sharing knowledge gained from the other’s heightened abilities. Kiba’s relationship with Akamaru is stressed in the Kiba’s Long Day filler arc. No matter what state Akamaru is in or how dangerous he becomes, Kiba stops at nothing to keep Akamaru close by and safe from danger. Likewise, Akamaru will recognize his master through any sort of inhibition and will not kill him even if rabid.

It is clear that Kiba does not think highly of Naruto, at least during the early portions of the series. After Naruto defeats him, Kiba’s opinion seems to have risen. The two are capable of having friendly conversations and carrying out missions together in most cases. Strangely, early flashbacks reveal that Kiba had a low opinion of Naruto from when the two were introduced, but later flashbacks to similar periods show Naruto and Kiba playing together.

Kiba makes his Part II debut wearing what appears to be a leather jacket with more unruly hair and riding atop a much bigger Akamaru. When Naruto asks about Akamaru’s growth, Kiba says that he hadn’t noticed a difference due to them spending so much time together; Naruto retorts that Akamaru used to sit atop Kiba’s head, and now Kiba is sitting on Akamaru’s head. Like the rest of his team, Kiba has become a Chunin over the timeskip.

Abilities and Fighting style

Kiba never fights without the aid of Akamaru. As a result, Kiba and Akamaru specialize in attacking as a team using taijutsu supplemented by ninjutsu. This style of combat is allowed in official tournament-style fights including the Chunin exams.

Living with dogs for most of their lives, Inuzuka clan members have a fighting style and abilities based on the movements and biology of canines. On his own, Kiba can gather chakra to his nose, enhancing his sense of smell to that of a dog’s. He is also capable of understanding Akamaru’s barks. Kiba becomes more like a canine with the Four Legs Technique (Shikyaku no Jutsu?, English TV “Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu”). This technique increases Kiba’s speed and agility, as well as granting him sharp claws.

As the name suggests, the Kiba becomes more inclined to run on all fours rather than two legs and also becomes considerably more animalistic. Kiba can also transform Akamaru into a copy of himself in this form through the use of Beast Human Clone (Jūjin Bunshin?, English TV “Man Beast Clone”), effectively placing the opponent against two equally feral opponents. As a last resort, Kiba and Akamaru can use Man Beast Combination: Double Headed Wolf (Jinjū Konbi Henge: Sōtōrō?) to combine into one gigantic, two-headed wolf.

In any of these forms, Kiba primarily attacks with taijutsu known as Piercing Fang ( Tsūga?), in which Kiba spins like a drill and jumps towards the enemy in an arc. If Kiba has used Beast Human Clone to transform Akamaru, Kiba and Akamaru can both use Piercing Fang together in a move called “Double Piercing Fang” (Gatsūga?, English TV “Man Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang”, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja “Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: Fang Over Fang”). Kiba can perform the most devastating of these techniques when combined into the Double Headed Wolf.

As the Double Headed Wolf form greatly increases the speed of the spin, Kiba and Akamaru cannot see to aim this version of the Piercing Fang. Akamaru first has to urinate on the opponent with Dynamic Marking (Dainamikku Mākingu?) to give the foe a scent which the wolf can follow. Once its target is made, the Double Headed Wolf can use Double Wolf Fang (Garōga?). This technique is powerful enough to leave a dent in a Rashomon gate, one of the strongest defenses in the series. As a downside, Double Wolf Fang is incredibly tiring to use and thus has extremely limited use.

Kiba is also known for using various ninja tools in combat. Aside from common shuriken, Kiba often uses smoke bombs to inhibit the opponent’s sight while he and Akamaru attack with Piercing Fang techniques from all directions. Kiba also uses food pills to enhance his chakra, feeding them to Akamaru as well. He also once used a decoy of Akamaru loaded with kunai while fighting Sakon and Ukon.

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