Hayate Gekkō

Hayate Gekkō is a shinobi of the Gekkō Clan, in Konohagakure.

## Background

Born to Ichirō, a dedicated Tokubetsu Jōnin, and Misora, a talented cook. His early years were marred by a serious illness that left him bedridden for extended periods. It was a trying time for his family, and it was only through the intervention of Tsunade and the diligent care of medical-nin Reiko that he was able to stabilize his condition enough to live a relatively normal life.

With his father and older sister, Mikage, both skilled ninjas, Hayate refused to give up on his dream of becoming a ninja. At the age of seven, he re-enrolled in the ninja academy, determined to follow in their footsteps. His sister, a Chūnin and weapon specialist, played a pivotal role in teaching him the art of the katana.

### Genin

   Despite his illness, Hayate graduated from the academy at the age of twelve. His journey led him to Team 13, guided by Jōnin Kamuy Uchiha. Kamuy was a compassionate and dedicated mentor who believed wholeheartedly in her students' potential. With the looming threat of war, she pushed all three members of the team, including Hayate, to strive for Chūnin rank as swiftly as possible.

However, the path Hayate walked alongside Team 13 was fraught with challenges. His health issues weighed heavily on him, and he often questioned Kamuy's intentions, feeling pushed to his limits. The doubts and pain he harbored cast a shadow over their relationship, straining the bond between mentor and student.

Team 13, comprising Hayate, Ibiki Morino, and Tokara, initially resembled a group of individuals rather than a united team. The camaraderie they aspired to seemed elusive, and their interactions remained strained, far from the true friendship they had hoped to forge.

### Chūnin

Despite the turmoil, Hayate and Tokara persevered and achieved the rank of Chūnin during their first exams. The exertion and stress had taken a toll on Hayate, pushing him to the brink of collapse. He lost consciousness soon after the exams concluded, and Kamuy, while proud of their accomplishments, couldn't shake a deep sense of guilt. She regretted not recognizing the extent of Hayate's deteriorating condition sooner. Her unrelenting determination had inadvertently harmed her student, a weight she wished she could lift.

Team 13 faced a somber turning point when Tokara tragically lost his life a few weeks later. His passing cast a mournful pall over the team, underscoring the missed opportunities for deeper connections that had eluded them before his untimely death.

Motivated by a newfound determination and guilt over the fractured bonds among her students, Kamuy embarked on a mission to encourage Hayate, Ibiki, and their new teammate, Tenzō Senju, to bridge the gaps between them. She wanted to convey that her role as their mentor extended beyond the battlefield, that she was a steadfast source of support and guidance in every facet of their lives. Her hope was that their shared grief and her remorse would serve as a catalyst, strengthening the team's unity and fortitude.

Over time, Kamuy's efforts bore fruit. The once-fragmented team began to coalesce, finding solace and understanding in shared experiences and the memory of their fallen comrade, Tokara. The bonds that had eluded them prior to his tragic loss began to solidify, as they recognized the significance of friendship and solidarity on their demanding journey as shinobi.

Hayate's adjustment to Tokara's absence was gradual, but it was during this period that he grew close to Tenzō Senju, who had replaced Tokara on the team. As time passed, their camaraderie blossomed into a deep and enduring friendship, becoming each other's most trusted confidants and allies.

In Ibiki's case, Hayate's rapport with him remained strong throughout the years, despite Ibiki's somewhat eerie disposition. Even as Ibiki matured into Konoha's formidable interrogator, Hayate continued to interact with him as he always had, displaying no fear or apprehension, unlike many others.

However, tragedy again two years later when he received the devastating news of Kamuy Uchiha's passing. Kamuy had been more than just a mentor; she had been a guiding light, an inspiration, and an unwavering pillar of support for him. Her compassionate and diligent nature had left an indelible mark on Hayate, shaping not only his skills as a shinobi but also his values and character.

### ANBU

In the wake of her absence, Hayate made a pivotal decision. He chose to join ANBU, the elite and covert branch of Konohagakure's ninja forces, adopting the code name "Rabbit." This decision was driven by his desire to honor Kamuy's memory and continue her legacy of compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment. He believed that by becoming a formidable shinobi, he could uphold the values she had instilled in him.

Hayate found his place within Team Ro, an elite ANBU unit serving directly under the Hokage's command. Alongside leader Kakashi Hatake, Yūgao Uzuki, Tenzō Senju, and his sister Mikage Gekkō, they operated in the shadows. Amidst the secrecy, Hayate discovered comfort and companionship in Mikage, both bound by the clandestine world of ANBU, forging a bond rooted in shared experiences.

Hayate's relationship with Tenzō took a rather unconventional turn, leading many to believe they were dating. Due to Hayate's limited experience with romance, he found himself questioning the nature of their relationship. In an effort to express his feelings, he started making romantic gestures, such as presenting Tenzō with his favorite flowers, Balloon Flowers, and dedicating more quality time to each other.

However, Tenzō, equally inexperienced in matters of the heart, was somewhat perplexed by their connection. It was a candid conversation with Kakashi that finally helped Tenzō realize that he felt romantic love for Hayate. Gathering his courage, he confessed his feelings with a heartfelt, "I like you... no, I love you." To Tenzō's surprise, Hayate nonchalantly responded with, "Well, I would hope so since I thought that we're boyfriends!" Their relationship was officially underway, marked by an amusing and slightly awkward beginning.

As they both matured, Hayate's inner conflict deepened. He began to question whether his path in ANBU truly aligned with the values Kamuy had instilled in him. Hayate longed for a purpose that transcended the shadows, desiring to make a positive impact on the village and its people, much like his beloved mentor, Kamuy. During this period, his health began to deteriorate, causing concern among his friends and family.

At the age of seventeen, burdened by a heavy heart and an unshakable sense of unfulfillment, Hayate contemplated the arduous decision to leave ANBU. During Tenzō's absence on a mission with Kakashi, Hayate found solace in an unexpected confidant, Itachi Uchiha, who shared a hospital room due to his persistent cough. They discussed their reasons for being in ANBU, their life aspirations, and what they wished for their families. Itachi seemed deeply conflicted about something, and Hayate sought to reassure and calm him.

The events that transpired the next day were beyond shocking. Hayate awoke to the grim news of the Uchiha clan's downfall, orchestrated by Itachi himself, with the sole survivor being Sasuke Uchiha. This revelation left Hayate in a state of shock and dismay, causing his health to deteriorate further. When Tenzō, freshly returned from a mission, checked on Hayate.

Tsunade Senju, who was also away during the massacre, eventually entered Hayate's room looking for Tenzō, and their discussion delved into the tragic events and possible motives behind them. Hayate shared details of his conversation with Itachi on the fateful night, providing valuable insights. Tsunade ordered Hayate to rest, despite his insistence on participating in their conversation. She later informed him of his dismissal from ANBU and mandated that Tenzō remain mission-free for a month to look after Hayate, after she was instated as the Sixth Hokage.

Following these developments, Hayate reconciled with his inner conflict and embraced his life outside ANBU. With the assistance of Tsunade's medical jutsu, his health improved, and he was discharged from the hospital a few days later, to convalesce in the comfort of his home.

### Tokubetsu Jōnin

A month later, Hatate resumed normal missions within the village, now with the rank of Tokubetsu Jōnin. While the world of shadows and secrecy had its allure, he found solace in knowing that he was once again working towards protecting his village, just as Kamuy had taught him. He was determined to carry on her legacy of compassion, hard work, and unwavering dedication to the village she had loved so dearly.

When he was twenty, Tsunade personally requested Hayate to become a Jōnin Sensei. The Senju clan specifically sought Hayate for their daughter, who wanted to specialize in Kenjutsu. Hayate was paired with another Tokubetsu Jōnin, Genma Shiranui, with complementary specialities to ensure that one of them would always be available to lead their team. Together, they mentor Team 6, consisting of Tetora Inuzuka, Fūten Uzumaki, and Kannon Senju.

Hayate formed a strong bond with his students and worked closely with Genma to help them pass their Chūnin exams in their first year as genin. This achievement defied expectations for non-elite Jōnin and demonstrated their exceptional teaching abilities.

## Personality

Hayate is a calm and composed individual, often described as an individualist and gentle person. He possesses a great sense of duty to his village, risking his life for missions like spying on Kabuto Yakushi and Baki. He is known for his independence, loyalty, and kindness. Despite being introverted and having perfectionist tendencies, Hayate is well-respected among his fellow Konoha ninja.
He deeply cares about his boyfriend Tenzō Senju, often teasing him playfully in private moments. Hayate shows genuine concern for Tenzō's well-being, urging him to be cautious on missions, especially after being instructed to stay in Anbu due to his exceptional talent and the village's need for him.

## Appearance

Hayate has short brown hair, dark-colored eyes, and distinct markings beneath his eyes. Due to his health condition, he is underweight, but due to his clothes you can't really tell. He dons the typical attire of a Konoha shinobi, featuring a forehead protector worn as a bandanna, a flak jacket, and standard shinobi sandals. He also carries a katana with a rectangular hand guard is strapped across his back.

## Abilities

As a tokubetsu jōnin, Hayate is a highly skilled shinobi, his abilities garnering admiration from even seasoned warriors like Baki, an experienced ninja from Sunagakure. Baki acknowledges Konohagakure's abundance of talented shinobi after witnessing Hayate's exceptional skills, despite his young age.

One of Hayate's distinctive talents lies in kenjutsu, particularly his mastery of the Dance of the Crescent Moon technique. This technique involves Hayate and two shadow clones attacking simultaneously, their movements so swift that they create afterimages, making it nearly impossible to evade their strikes. Remarkably, he can execute this technique with kunai as well, displaying lethal precision. During his battle with Baki, Hayate showcases remarkable reflexes, swiftly drawing a kunai to block attacks, even when inches away from his opponent. His swordsmanship exhibits immense strength and precision, effortlessly slicing through boulders with a single strike. He employs techniques requiring exceptional speed, such as the Secret Sword: Moonlight, to confuse adversaries.

Additionally, Hayate excels in tracking and stealth, skillfully remaining undetected while spying on Kabuto. His expertise in the Transparent Escape Technique earns him praise from the Sixth Hokage, who deems him the ideal candidate for the perilous mission of spying on Orochimaru's right-hand man. Hayate's proficiency extends to ninjutsu and genjutsu, showcasing his diverse skill set.

In taijutsu, he proves his mettle during a confrontation with a weakened Naruto Uzumaki, displaying impressive agility and strength. His kicks possess tremendous force, capable of creating significant damage. Hayate's acute sense of smell allows him to detect the scent of blood from thousands of people, even from a distance. He demonstrates exceptional nimbleness, evading rock projectiles with ease while closing in for an attack.

Furthermore, Hayate exhibits quick thinking and strategic prowess, evident in his fight against Baki. He cleverly uses Baki's spit powder against him, confusing his opponent before delivering a decisive kick to the Suna-nin's face. His mental fortitude and strong willpower underscore his resilience in battle, making him a formidable force on the battlefield.

## Trivia

* Favourites:
	+ Food: Red Bean Soup
	+ Colour: Red
	+ Season: Autum
	+ Time of Day: Night
	+ Weather: Cool Cloudy
	+ Flower: Cherry Blossoms
	+ Animal: Ravens