Satoshi Tachibana

Tatsu Yoshida (Yoshida Tatsu,  立花 タツ  ) is one of the main supporting characters of the Naruto series. He is a chūnin-level shinobi of Konohagakure and a member of Team Satoru.

Background
Tatsu had a very normal chikldhood since his parents were still alive unlike other people such as Naruto Uzumaki and Hideki Tachibana. Because his parents were still alive, he lived a happy life. As a child, Tatsu would often go to the book store with his mother to buy books which is where he met Hideki. After learning about Hideki's Kekkei Genkai, Tatsu declared them to be rivals, due to their different abilities, but Hideki ignored him, stating that he had better things to do. However, after constant matches Hideki grew an interest in his skill level which resulted in their small friendship that seemed to grow during their Academy years.

When Tatsu entered the Academy, he wasn't one of the brightest students, like Hideki, in written tests. He hated tests and was often nagged by Iruka to study more. However, with low scores on the written tests, Tatsu has shown great skill in his abilites. He was more of the do it type of person than one that shows their knowledge through writting or answering. Later on in his academy years, he was seen playing pranks with Naruto, even though he was always ignored by others. Tatsu found a liking to Naruto and even ignored his parents' words of not hanging out with Naruto.

Despite his test grades, he was able to become a Genin and was placed in Team 5 with Hideki and Natsumi Kiyota which was lead by Satoru Fujimoto. Tatsu was glad to be in a team with his rivial, Hideki, and even called Natsumi a "beauty". Later in the series Tatsu, Natsumi, and Hideki become close friends.

Personality
Tatsu is a reckless yet playful, carefree, and upbeat type of person. Despite his constant arguments with Hideki, he is fiercely loyal to everyone. Tatsu likes to think things in a straightforward way that involves taking things head on, much to Hideki's disliking. Even when faced with hostility, he rarely holds a grudge or negative feelings toward a person. Tatsu has a tendency to say things on his mind which sometimes gets him bonked on the head, especially in Part II when he noticed that Sakura was the only girl in their year without a chest. Tatsu values friendship very much and is very protective of his friends. He also takes training very seriously because he wants to get stronger and likes to fight which makes him develop great wit in battle, like being able to identify enemies' weakness.

Tatsu usually gives off a friendly vibe and is very annoying at times, especially if he hasn't seen someone in a long time. He isn't very smart like his teammates written wise, because he believes ones' skill should be determined by actually doing something which is why is capable of handling a situation in battle.

Appearance
Tatsu is a fair-skinned boy with messy red hair with bangs swaying off to the side and bright yellow eyes. In Part I, he wears a brown shirt with a fishnet undershirt and green shorts. He also wears dark brown arm warmes, brown ninja sandals, and has his forehead protector on his head, tilted to the side. Unlike most Genin, he wears a bunch of weapon holders, two weapon holsters on his right leg, a random pouch wrapped around his waist, and a kunai pouch on his left leg.

In Part II, WIP

Abilities
Tatsu is a higly skilled ninja, overall, excelling in Ninjutsu. In the Academy he was known as the slacker and idiot of the school along with Naruto. However, during real practice and battles, he proves the students wrong. Tatsu is also known for his stamina since he is always seen running the village on a daily basis. Tatsu has also shown a great skill in the usage of weapons. For some reason, Ninjutsu and weapons are his best abilites.

Ninjutsu
Tatsu has a vast knowledge of Fire based techniques and being born from the small Yoshida clan, his fire is depicted as blue.

Taijutsu
Tatsu was also good at Taijutsu, but not as much as Ninjutsu. His Taijutsu skills improve after training nonstop and with Lee.

Intelligence
Tatsu's intelligence is quite downplayed by most people because of his test grades, but his skills tend to speak for himself. Despite failing at written tests, Tatsu considers himself smart when in the battlefield. He is mostly great at deception, being able to notice things others may not see.

Introduction Arc
During the beginning of the series, Tatsu is teammed with Natsumi and Hideki lead by Satoru Fujimoto. He is often seen training a lot and does small low ranked missions with his team.

Chūnin Exam Arc
During the first written part of the exam, Tatsu was seen trying to figure out the questions, but he somehow passes because of Naruto. He moves on to the next part of the exams and his team was able to fend off some enemies who did not have the scroll they needed. However, during the exams, Natsumi was kidnapped and he and Hideki were not able to get her back. Tatsu slaps Hideki, saying that it was not his fault that Natsumi got captured. They shortly came to a conclusion of dropping out of the exams.

However, during their search for Natsumi she suddenly appears, stating that Sasuke had saved her. Tatsu watches as Natsumi takes the news of them not completing the exams. They were the only rookie team to not have make it to the Preliminary Rounds.

Invasion of Konoha ArcEdit
A month later, Tatsu watched the matches during the Final Examswith Natsumi and shortly was involved when the invasion began. He and Natsumi were not able to repel the genjutsu that appeared throughout the stadium. Tatsu was awoken by Hideki who was passing by the exam and even woke up Natsumi as well. Tatsu and his team shortly went to make sure their families were safe or not. After the invasion, Tatsu is seen at the Third Hokage's funeral, alongside his team and many others who were mourning his death.

Pre-Shippūden Filler Arcs
Just like his teammates, Tatsu did not play an important role in the filler arcs, since most of his time was spent training and doing simple missions with his team. However, he and his teammates were involved in the last filler arc. During his time growing up in between Part I and II, he goes on a mission with Hideki as leader. In the end, Natsumi was kidnapped and wasn't seen again until later on in Part II, by Orochimaru. Feeling greif-striken about the loss, Tatsu continued to keep a bright face on despite the sorrow he felt.

Kazekage Rescue Arc
After Naruto returned from his two and a half years of training, Tatsu was one of the people to first see and greet him. He was very happy to see his good friend and went a bit emotional on him.

Sai and Sasuke Arc
Tatsu appears with Hideki after Naruto and his team failed retrieving Sasuke and Natsumi. When meeting Sai, Tatsu was surprised to see the possible resemblence of him to Sasuke. He later went to eat dinner with the others.

Itachi Pursuit Arc
When the news of Sasuke killing Orochimaru came to Konoha, Tatsu was quite happy to hear that Natsumi might come back home. When the Itachi pursuit team was formed, he was not a part of it just like Hideki. However, when they came back, they brought home Natsumi who was sleeping peacefully on Naruto's back. Both Tatsu and Hideki were glad to see her safe and sound. Tatsu fist bumped Naruto, giving his gratitude and thanked everyone there.

Invasion of Pain Arc
Tatsu was seen eating at Ichiraku when Pain came and attacked the village. Tatsu quickly rushed home and tried to evacuate his parents to safety. He then later runs around the village, trying to help the villagers evacuate. Tatsu later finds Hideki and when the village was destroyed he was found alive thanks to Katsuyu along with Hideki, who was fine as well. They later regrouped with Natsumi beside her parents. Tatsu was also present at Naruto's return and celebrated with the villagers for his victory.

Five Kage Summit Arc
When the news of Sasuke's affiliation with Akatsuki reached Konoha, the Konoha 11 and Team 5 gathered to discuss the matter of what to do with Sasuke. The others suggested that they personally eliminate Sasuke in order to prevent him from creating a war. Tatsu was shocked at this and did not want to kill a comrade, Hideki also thought the same way as well.

Tatsu later follows Natsumi with Hideki in order for her to talk some sense into Sasuke. He had appeared with Hideki from a place that overlooked where Sasuke and Natsumi were. If anything were to happen, he and Hideki were told to stop it. However, not knowing the conversation between the two, he watches as Natsumi walks away, unharmed with slight tears.

Tatsu was later seen with the rest of Konoha 11 and his team, hearing Naruto's decision about Sasuke when he returns to the village. Naruto later promises to tell everyone everything when the time was right.

Shinobi World War Arc
When the Fourth Shinobi World War began, Tatsu was placed in the Fifth Division, led by Mifune. During his division, he is sent to help assist in the First Division. He shortly fights alongside Natsumi and was about to hurt Daichi, Natsumi's older brother, until she told him to stop. He watched Natsumi's conversation with Daichi which seemed to make him disappear.

After being informed by Inoichi from HQ that Naruto and B were fighting the masked Madara. Tatsu, his teammates, and the rest of Konoha 11 rush to his aid. As he is running, Tatsu reassures himself that he will not let Naruto handle anything alone anymore and that backup was coming.

Naruto: Shippūden the Movie
Tatsu made a small appearance before Team 7 was called up. He and Hideki were seen running around the streets of the village.

Naruto Shippūden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire
Tatsu was seen celebrating for Naruto and Sai's recovery along with Hideki and ate some barbecue. Later, Tatsu was sent with Hideki and the rest of Konoha 11 to retrieve back Naruto and Sakura. Tatsu, Hideki, and the rest of Konoha 11 come to back up Team 10 and while Tenten summoned out chains which everyone grabs onto as Shikamaru goes on as the rest handle the problem.

Tatsu is later seen at Hiruko's temple, along with Hideki and the Konoha 11, aiding the take down of the Chimera that was summoned earlier. Tatsu makes his last appearance along with the rest of Konoha 11 and Hideki, over hearing Kakashi and Naruto's weird conversation. He couldn't help, but think it the wrong way just like Naruto.

Naruto 5: Blood Prison
Tatsu appears along with Hideki and other members of the Konoha 11 to help save Naruto from prison and also to help defeat Satori.

Naruto 6: Road to Ninja
The alternate world's Tatsu, compared to the Hinata that Naruto and Sakura know, is more calm, patient, and highly intelligent. He is also very critical and shows no emotion in his tone, even while being in a distracting environement.

Trivia

 * The name "Tatsu" means "Dragon" which indicated his fire based chakra nature and the name "Yoshida" means "Lucky Ricefield".
 * Tatsu has a tendency to call others with no respect such as calling his father, "Pops" and Tsunade, "Lady".
 * According to the third Naruto Databook:
 * Tatsu's hobbies are collecting weapons, training, and anything active.
 * Tatsu wishes to fight Naruto Uzumaki and Rock Lee.
 * Tatsu's favorite foods are almost anything while his least favorite is Natsumi's cooking.
 * Tatsu has completed a total of 58 missions: 5 D-rank, 15 C-rank, 10 B-rank, 8 A-rank, and 0 S-rank.
 * Tatsu's favorite word is "Freedom" and his favorite phrase is, "Don't stop until you actually accomplish something!"

Quotes
(To Hideki) "You and me should be rivials! Our abilites differ and fighting you would be exhilarating, don't you think?"

(To Natsumi) "The names Tatsu Yoshida and it's nice to meet a beauty like yourself!"

(To Naruto) "Naruto my man! Long time since we've last seen each other, hasn't it? Did you get any better the last three years?"

Link
Tatsu Yoshida belongs to PiggyPink95 on DeviantArt.