Yamato (Yamato?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is the temporary leader of Kakashi Hatake’s Team 7, consisting of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sai. “Yamato” is actually a codename given to him for the purposes of leading Team 7, his real name being Tenzo (Tenzō?). Yamato, however, seems to prefer going by his codename.

Background

Shortly after his birth, Yamato was one of 60 people kidnapped for the purposes of becoming a test subject of Orochimaru. In Yamato’s case, Orochimaru injected him with the First Hokage’s DNA in the hopes that he could replicate the First’s ability to use Mokuton techniques. Orochimaru was forced to flee Konoha before he could finish his experimentation, but believed that all of his test subjects had died. Yamato, however, was the lone survivor, and found himself endowed with the First’s abilities. Yamato would go on to join the ANBU, and for a time he would serve under the guidance of Kakashi Hatake. Yamato would also come to have the best performance record of any ANBU serving under the Third Hokage, leading the Third’s successor, Tsunade, to have the utmost confidence in Yamato.

Personality

Like other ANBU members, Yamato projects a calm, stoic demeanor in stressful situations. Despite this, he can also be quite laid back when not on duty, and is not above using his Mokuton techniques for creature comforts such as making a house to “camp out” in. While he has been good natured so far, Yamato claims to be a different sort of leader than Kakashi, one who is not above “ruling by the use of terror” when his team misbehaves. Aside from his obviously intimidating skills as a ninja, however, this “terror” has so far primarily consisted of casting a creepy “ghoul-eyes” expression directed at his charges, which seems more humorous than terrifying. Naruto, however, is easily creeped out by it. Yamato also seems to have an attachment to money, and doesn’t like to spend on others unless he has something to gain.

Abilities

Because of the First Hokage’s DNA, Yamato almost exclusively uses Mokuton-based abilities. Because he has been seen in the series much more than the First, Yamato has been the source of most of the known Mokuton jutsu. With the ability he can create clones of himself to accomplish tasks. He is also able to create shields to protect himself and others from harm.

Since Mokuton is a fusion of earth and water-based chakra, Yamato can also use earth and water-based attacks. With Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart (Doton: Doryū Jōheki?) he can create a large hill and by then using Water Release: Waterfall Basin Technique (Suiton: Takitsubo no Jutsu?) he can use the hill to form a waterfall. Water Release: Rapid Crasher (Suiton: Hahonryū?) also allows him to create a spiral of water with his hand to be launched at opponents at high speeds.

Yamato’s Mokuton abilities also allow him to suppress tailed beasts, which is the primary reason for his assignment to Team 7. Naruto Uzumaki, the container of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, is prone to losing control of the demon fox’s strength. In these instances, Yamato can pin Naruto down with his Mokuton abilities and weaken the demon fox’s influence over Naruto, something that is made easier with the First Hokage’s amulet worn around Naruto’s neck.

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