Tonowari

**Tonowari** is the Olo'eyktan (leader) of the Metkayina clan. He is the mate of Ronal and father of Ao'nung, Naia, Tsireya, and an unborn child. When Naruto Uzumaki and his family came to the clan seeking refuge, Tonowari accepted their visit, offering to train them to adapt to their ways, accepting Naruto and his family as part of the clan.

## Family Information

### Family

Aonung (son), Naia (adoptive son), Tsireya (daughter), Ronal (mate), Unborn child

## Biography

### Arrival of the Uzumaki's

When Naruto Uzumaki, Kirigakure, Konohagakure and his family arrived in Awa'atlu, Tonowari greeted Naruto with pleasant surprise but also concern as to why he is seeking refuge with them. His doubts about accepting him and his family into the clan came down to his fear of war with the RDA, and how the forest Na'vi would fare in the marine environment. Naruto convinced him that he was done fighting and wanted to run away to protect his family and learn their ways. Tonowari's partner, Ronal, was much more vehemently opposed to the Uzumaki family's presence, singling out Naruto for being cowardly and their children for having "demon blood". Tonowari managed to convince her, and they decided to grant uturu to the family. Tonowari assigned his children Aonung and Tsireya to teach Naruto's children their ways, which his son agreed to with great disgust, but Tonowari would not discuss it.

As the kids explored the underwater world, Tonowari taught Naruto how to ride the skimwing. Fearing he could not cope with such a difficult animal to tame, he offered an ilu at first, but Naruto insisted on the skimwing. Tonowari was a patient and understanding teacher, watching Naruto's first failed attempts to mount the skimwing with concern. When he finally managed to mount one, Tonowari was proud of him. Soon after, when Tonowari learned that his son had taken Haruto off the reef and abandoned him at Three Brothers Rocks, he demanded that he apologize to him, but Haruto decided to take the blame.

Upon the return of the tulkuns home, Tonowari welcomed them after their annual migration of several months. After the migration on a rainy day, a saddened and enraged Tonowari broke the news to Naruto about the Sky People's attack on the Ta'unui clan. He gave orders to his clan mates to hide Naruto's location in case of avoiding a war with the RDA. He could hardly hide his resentment that Naruto was the reason for the attack.

When he learned of Haruto's friendship with a second outcast tulkun Pay, Tonowari had a serious conversation with him and even scolded his daughter Tsireya for allowing him to bond, venting his rage at such a flagrant violation of Tulkun Way. He explained the history of the tulkuns and why Pay is marginalized.

### Admitting the Uzumaki's into the clan

After the battle ended the Uzumaki's returned to Awa'atlu,. The next day, Naruto surprised him by deciding to leave the village so as not to put the clan in any more danger. The family would be considered full members of the clan, and therefore he persuaded Naruto and his family to stay.

## Personality

As Olo'eyktan, Tonowari overseers the welfare of his clan and is respected by his clan for his ideals and ability to guide them through times of great challenge. He is also a brave leader, willing to join the front lines of his clan during battle. Although he is a strong leader, he greatly values Ronal's input in decision-making and does not make a move without her wisdom.

As father to Ao'nung and Tsireya, he is much stricter. When Ao'nung’s bullying risks Lo'ak's life, he demands his son to explain and apologise. He also reprimands his children and Lo'ak when the latter bonds with Payakan, but also explains the history of the Tulkun.

Tonowari is also benevolent. He takes in the Sully family not long after their arrival and plea for refuge, and instructs his clanmates to hide their location even amidst great chaos by the RDA. He also welcomed the Sully’s as part of the Metkayina clan after the final conflict with the RDA.

## Relationships

### Family

#### Ronal

Tonowari is a loving partner and tries to prevent Ronal from participating in the battle while pregnant. He respects her opinion, but tries to convince her to be more open and flexible towards certain situations. Ronal has deep respect for her husband.

#### Ao'nung

The relationship with his son resembles that between Neytiri, Mo'at and Eytukan. Aonung goes his own way and reluctantly accepts the responsible tasks his father imposes on him, such as teaching the Sully children, which he sees as stealing his precious free time. However, Tonowari is strict, demanding and does not tolerate opposition, especially since he must prepare his son for the future transfer of the title of clan head to him.

### Friends and allies

#### Naruto Uzumaki

Tonowari respects Naruto as Hokage and a great warrior, and though he fears that war will come to his clan, he understands his desire to protect his family and is in favor of granting him refuge. During the assimilation, Tonowari personally teaches Naruto the ways of the Metkayina. Despite friendly relations, Tonowari makes no secret of his fury at Haruto's insubordination and hopes that Naruto will take appropriate disciplinary action against his son. Also, despite Naruto's earlier warnings and his own decision to help him, Tonowari seems resentful that the Sky People finally found the Metkayina's home and threatened them with war.

### Jake Sully

Tonowari and Jake had known each other before their children were born, presumably before the Battle for the Tree of Souls, in which Jake rallied the clans to war against the RDA. Tonowari respects Jake as Toruk Makto and a great warrior, and though he fears that war will come to his clan, he understands his desire to protect his family and is in favor of granting him refuge. During the assimilation, Tonowari personally teaches Jake the ways of the Metkayina. Despite friendly relations, Tonowari makes no secret of his fury at Lo'ak's insubordination and hopes that Jake will take appropriate disciplinary action against his son. Also, despite Jake's earlier warnings and his own decision to help him, Tonowari seems resentful that the Sky People finally found the Metkayina's home and threatened them with war.

### Naia

Naia is Tonowari's adoptive human son he was raised by he and Ronal after his mother died and was taught the ways of the Metkayina

## Trivia

* There is a sense of irony in his casting because Cliff Curtis portrayed another leader in another "*Avatar*" film: Fire Lord Ozai from *The Last Airbender*. It is ironic because Tonowari and Ozai represent the opposite elements (water and fire), Tonowari is a good-natured character while Ozai is a villain.
* Tonowari on the Avatar wiki

## Memorable Quotes

* „*Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. They do not know the sea so they will be like babies taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless.*“- to his clan when the Sully family arrive
* „*Tsireya, you disappoint me daughter. And you, son of a great warrior who has been taught better.*“- Tonowari to Tsireya and Lo'ak
* „*Sit... sit... SIT DOWN!*“- Tonowari to the teenagers
* „*Hear my words boy. In the days of the first songs, Tulkun fought amongst themselves for territory and for revenge. But they came to believe that killing no matter how justifiable, only brings more killing. So killing was forbidden. This is the Tulkun Way. Payakan is a killer so he's outcast.*“- Tonowari to Lo'ak
* „*Your son lies with our ancestors. You... are Metkayina now.*“- to Naruto
* Hokage Naruto and his family will stay as we have accepted them as we have Toruk Makto