Kifu / Eizen

### Background

Known in the Five Ninja Nations as The Black Death due to his dangerous, shadow-based attacks, Kifu is one of the three generals of Root and a jonin and ANBU captain of Konohagakure no Sato. His real name is Nara Eizen and he is the twin brother of Shingo / Hikaru, as well as one of Danzo's three generals. Kifu's first appearance takes place on the night in which Danzo attempts to recruit Haruno Sakura and attacks her first through Mirai, Shingo, and himself, with Kifu arriving late and breaking the tie with Sakura and Danzo. Kifu is primarily known for being the second strongest jonin in the village after Hatake Kakashi and *ANBU Kitsune*, with an ANBU team of his own. He also, however, is secretly the leader of Root's most efficient team (of which Haruno Sakura becomes a member for a time) of all until the inception of team Kurage.

Two of his nicknames include "Diseased One" and "Blacky" both given to him by Kurage during his period as her captain.

### Personality

On the surface, Kifu appears to be a rude and antisocial individual hellbent on making Sakura's time in Root hell, repeatedly telling her to quit the organization. However, he has helped her in numerous occasions, even warning her to leave Root while she still can before Sakura's final meeting with Danzo, in which the elder orders her to impersonate Uchiha Itachi.

### Appearance

Though being Shingo's twin, Kifu's appearance differs from his in that he doesn't do anything to embellish his hair or keep up with the village and clan fashions. The only statement of that nature he makes is his refusal to wear the classic Nara ponytail, openly snubbing them by keeping his hair short. He is often described as not being very tall, but having an intimidating presence that makes him one of the most impossing people in the village.

### Abilities

Kifu is most proficient at the Nara clan jutsu, but he has also shown to have a strong grasp on the Yamanaka clan's abilities. He has been observed to be capable of melding into his own shadows to become invulnerable, only to emerge out of somebody else's shadows, even at one point dragging Nara Shikamaru into his own shadow as a scare tactic. Kifu was also seen as capable of creating large, column-like shadows which can solidify themselves enough for someone to land on them (see his and Kurage's fight against Akimichi Choji), and he is also said to be capable of telepathic communication.

### Biography

As stated by Kifu, the twins were born to an Uzumaki, making Kifu the natural heir to the clan. However, after the destruction of Uzushio, they fled to Konoha, where Orochimaru allegedly changed their appearance to help them pass as sons of a Nara and Yamanaka, to help along their adoption into the two powerful clans.

### Relationships

Kifu is the twin brother of Yamanaka Hikaru and a Nara by adoption. Often, he and his brother are universally refered as "The Twins", infamous for their strength and skill within the walls of Konoha.

His relationship to his clansmen is notoriously turbulent, often challenging their authority and refusing to share his new jutsu with the clan, as per his duty as a member.

While Shingo is technically known as Ino's cousin, Kifu is likewise known as Shikamaru's distant cousin, though the relation is non-existent.

His relationship with Shikamaru is particularly bad. <ref>“Shinobi don’t play fair,” the Black Death growled lowly, watching him with keen, flinty eyes.

### Trivia

Kifu has a house on the outskirts of the Nara clan which is surprisingly well kept, and which most people have never been allowed into, his own Root teammates stating that the invitation to a volleyball match with Team Kurage was the first occasion in which they were allowed to enter his property.

Nara Shikaku is shown to be frightened of Kifu, as is Shikamaru, however, due to his strength, both of them consider it unwise to challenge him and make him bow his head to the Nara clan head and heir.

### Quotes

“He’s… no. Do something. Make her fix him!” - Kifu to Danzo, upon discovering his brother is about to die at the hand of Haruno Sakura.

“Something big is coming, you know. Right now’s your last chance to back out. But once you walk into that meeting room… I can’t say. But I’m warning you now." - Kifu to Sakura before her meeting with Danzo.

“My team is fucking better, kid, but it doesn’t  need you on it to be. Let me just make one thing clear. I don’t like reckless, and you’re obviously the type. I could use a member on your level so I’ll take you, but you might want to stay with Kurage if you’re planning on being rash.” - Kifu to Chou on team Kurage.

“The dumb fuck tried to become a sage," - Kifu, discussing Choji Akmichi.

“You’re not a pigeon, no. But I assume a lapdog can carry messages just as well." - Kifu to Ka, talking about Kurage.

“You see, people are like eggs. If you want the yolk, you have to crack them a little.” - Kifu on Danzo's assault of Sakura.

“Are we stating facts here? If so, I am happy to report that your table is square-shaped.” -Kifu to Tsunade.

“Uzushio was supposed to be my time. I was the oldest son of the main line. Just old enough to see it go up in flames as my mother shoved us onto a boat and pushed us into sea. As we sat on that boat, in the middle of the ocean, my brother and I made a promise to each other. Revenge. So you see, Hokage, I wasn’t lying. Everything we did was meant to achieve that one goal. We were found by Danzo’s men and so we struck a bargain with him: if he gave us the means to attain our revenge, we would in turn help him achieve his goals. We determined we’d need subterfuge and the skills of mind reading to first discover the identities of those who destroyed Uzu, and we’d need to be strong enough to destroy the once we did. The truth is – neither of us is a descendant of the Nara or the Yamanaka clan, but Orochimaru was still in the village at the time, had dealings with Danzo. He helped modify our appearance to support the story that we were the children of a Nara and Yamanaka. I didn’t want to go to the Nara. I thought they were a weak clan, unsuited for our purposes, but Danzo determined, after testing us both, that this would be my new home. My brother would be in charge of finding the culprits, and I would be in charge of anihilating them. For a time, everything we did was to attain revenge." - Kifu on his heritage.

“I won’t apologize for being better than the rest of you." -Eizen, to the Nara clan elders and main house members.