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After Itachi had killed everyone in his clan, Sasuke returned home to find everyone murdered. Itachi told Sasuke he was testing his powers, and then forced Sasuke to relive his parents and his clans murder over and over using the Tsukuyomi technique.

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After wiping out his clan, Itachi fled Leaf and joined the Akatsuki Organization. Several years later, Itachi returned with fellow member Hoshigaki Kisame. It was during this period it was revealed Akatsuki was seeking to obtain the Kyuubi demon from inside Naruto for their own ends. After returning to the village and making a play to capture Naruto, the two members fled after facing opposition from Jiraiya.

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Madara's fame and powerful Sharingan eye chakra was even known to the Kyuubi. Kyuubi regarded this chakra from the cursed bloodline as even more ominous than his own. He would bear witness to this chakra again in the form of Uchiha Sasuke. Madara himself was said to have the ability to control the Bijuu. This ability was apparently similar to the one possessed by Shodai Hokage.

When he was young, Madara and his younger brother competed against each other. Both possessed the Sharingan and attained Mangekyou through their rivalry. With their newfound power, they increased their clan's power and standing. Unfortunately, usage of Mangekyou leads one to blindness and Madara was the first to fall to this side effect. With his eyesight gone, Madara took his brother's eyes in desperation. These new eyes allowed him to see once again and granted him "Eternal" Mangekyou. With these powerful eyes he met representatives of a nearby clan and helped found Konoha. This clan was lead by the man who would become Shodai Hokage. At some point the men had a falling out, and the two did battle at the Valley of the End. It is said the destruction was so great it tore the earth asunder, creating the very valley. Two gigantic statues were later erected on the spot in their honor.

Madara apparently fled, still alive. He would later use his bijuu abilities to secretly direct the Kyuubi to attack Konoha. Kyuubi was stopped and Madara remained underground. The group Akatsuki sought to capture the Bijuu for their own ends. It was revealed that their leader Pain, actually reported to Tobi, one of the new members of the group. There was apparently more to Tobi than meets the eye, as he revealed in an ominous voice that Uchiha's Sasuke's Sharingan was growing powerful. This was something he could recognize with his own Sharingan power, as Uchiha Madara. The exact nature of Tobi and Madara is still unknown.

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When he was young, Madara and his younger brother competed against each other. Both possessed the Sharingan and attained Mangekyou through their rivalry. With their newfound power, they increased their clan's power and standing. Unfortunately, usage of Mangekyou leads one to blindness and Madara was the first to fall to this side effect. With his eyesight gone, Madara took his brother's eyes in desperation. These new eyes allowed him to see once again and granted him "Eternal" Mangekyou.

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After Itachi had killed everyone in his clan, Sasuke returned home to find everyone murdered. Itachi told Sasuke he was testing his powers, and then forced Sasuke to relive his parents and his clans murder over and over using the Tsukuyomi technique.

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Though his friend has passed away, Obito is always in Kakashi's memory. Kakashi often visits the marker honoring Obito and the other fallen ninja to contemplate his place in the world and think about his past mistakes. These trips to visit the marker early in the morning are often why Kakashi is late to arrive at meetings.

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Sasuke's clan were wiped out by his older brother Itachi in a test of his own skills, and to help him attain the Mangekyou Sharingan Eye. Since this incident, Sasuke's life has been influenced towards revenge in almost every step he has taken.

When his brother returned to Konoha and mocked him and his development, Sasuke turned even more morose and focused on revenge. Sasuke had sworn to kill his brother and has hesitated to form friendships with anyone around him. This didn't stop Naruto though from viewing Sasuke as a brother. When Sasuke decided to leave Konoha behind and seek more power from Orochimaru, Naruto swore to stop him. The two engaged in combat and though Sasuke wanted to break any bonds they had, he chose not to kill Naruto.

Over the next few years Sasuke enhanced his skills and pestered Orochimaru to train him further. He joined Kabuto and Orochimaru as they moved to new hideouts to avoid detection. Naruto and Sakura never gave up on getting Sasuke to return to Konoha, and they will do anything to get him back...

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Both Itachi and Shisui were to meet at an Uchiha clan meeting, but both men did not arrive. When the Konoha Police Corps found Shisui's body, they began to investigate his death. A suicide note was found with Shisui's body, though it was his handwriting, anyone utilizing the Sharingan could have copied and mimicked his writing style. In the note Shisui said he was tired of his Uchiha duties and that the clan had no future. The police found it hard to believe a highly skilled ninja would suddenly give everything up and kill himself, they suspected that Itachi may have been involved. When Itachi was confronted by the police about his whereabouts, he grew angry at their accusations and their doubts so he began to attack the police. Itachi's father reprimanded his son and the matter was considered dropped.

Itachi wiped out the other members of his clan and told Sasuke he had killed his best friend Shisui to test his capacity and gain the Mangekyou Sharingan. To get this new Sharingan variation, he claimed one had to kill their best friend.

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Udon and his friends Konohamaru and Moegi became Genin during the two and half year timeskip in the series. They served as a team under the leadership of Jounin sensei Ebisu.

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Ukon was granted a cursed seal by Orochimaru that allows him to gain more power for a period of time. The incarnation of Sound ninja Sakon that first appears in the series is actually a combination of two individuals, the brothers Sakon and Ukon. Together Ukon shares the body of Sakon, at any point Ukon can split off his brother and become his own individual. When Ukon goes to his level 2 cursed seal form, his can manipulate his body down to the molecular level and insert himself into an opponent. He uses this cell form as an assassination technique to kill the person from within their own body.

When the Four Sounds were going to deliver Sasuke to Orochimaru, the five Leaf Genin led by Shikamaru followed in pursuit. Sakon and Ukon individually fought against Kiba and Akamaru, he had seriously injured Kiba and was going for the kill when Kankurou of Hidden Sand showed up to lend Kiba support. Kankurou used Karasu and his new puppet Kuroari to capture and apparently kill the combined Sakon and Ukon.

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Iruka doubts the rookie Genin are prepared to particpate in the Chunin exam, so he gives each a pre-test to determine if their skills are advanced enough. All pass his test, with some reluctance he agrees they are ready for the exam.

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Koharu was a Genin teammate of Sarutobi (the Third Hokage) and Homura under their Jounin master the Second Hokage. Later when the Fifth Hokage is to be chosen, she and Homura convene a council of Fire country feudal lords to pick the new Kage.

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Yuugao was the girlfriend of the Leaf ninja Gekkou Hayate. When Hayate was killed, she and her fellow ANBU teamed swore to get vengeance for his death. After the Leaf invasion was over, she brought flowers to the marker honoring Hayate and the other ninja killed in battle. From her manner of speech towards Hatake Kakashi, it also appears she was a junior ANBU member while Kakashi served in the group.

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Born Uzumaki Kushina, this red-haired kunoichi was the mother of Uzumaki Naruto. When she was young she was a talkative tom boy. When she grew up her beauty, personality and Ninjutsu became known to many. It was this very personality and Ninjutsu skill which she would pass on to Naruto. At some point in time she met Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, and bore his child. When Jiraiya visited the couple during the pregnancy, he allowed Minato to read one of his latest books, a semi-biographical account of Jiraiya's own life. The character in the story was known for his drive and determination. For that reason Minato asked Jiraiya if he would mind if he named his own son "Naruto" after the character in the story. Kushina offered her approval of the name choice. Jiraiya was embarassed and honored. Minato lost his life shortly after Naruto's birth. Kushina's current status is unknown.

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Though he did not have many friends early in life, Naruto gained many in his development as a ninja. His teammates Sakura and Kakashi still remain close to Naruto and he has grown close to the other ninja who he became Genin with. Naruto was a boy without clear direction until the Sannin Jiraiya entered his life to help him control the Kyuubi to his own needs. With that help, Naruto has been able to push his power to new heights, of recent though this power has potentially gotten the better of him.

Naruto has remained a Genin due to his travels outside of Konoha with Jiraiya. His friends have advanced while he has remained stuck. Do not let this fool you though. While his rank may be low, his skill level remains high and his drive to one day become Hokage still remains strong.