Shinobu

## Nature Type

 Earth Release
  Wind Release

**Shinobu** (シノブ) is the **Fourth Kazekage** (四代目風影, *Yondaime Kazekage*, *literally meaning:* Fourth Wind Shadow) of Sunagakure. He is the current jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Shukaku. As the Kazekage, Shinobu is a member of the Five Points Alliance.

## Appearance

Shinobu is a muscular, fit man of average height with lightly tanned skin, short, green hair. He has three identical gold earrings on his left earlobe. Shinobu also possesses a scar running down the length of his left eye. His attire consists of a long, open dark-green coat closed on his waist and is held by a red sash, with a black bandanna is tied around his left forearm. His coat exposes his bare chest, revealing his green haramaki underneath the coat. Very occasionally, due to the heat of Sunagakure, Shinobu foregoes the coat entirely.

## Personality

Shinobu is best defined by his iron will. Despite having been the jinchūriki of Shukaku since he was a child, Shinobu never once hesitated, even in the face of the massive tanuki. Determined to become a shinobi of Sunagakure, Shinobu perserved through the trials of being a jinchūriki and even overcome Shukaku itself, allying with the creature to lead the Sand to a new age. As such, due to the hardships in his youth, Shinobu as an adult is rigid, and has a strict policy of placing Sunagakure's wellbeing before everything. As such, the Kazekage is willing to make harsh decisions, even ones that others would find impossible, or insane, for the sake of Sunagakure's prosperity.

## Background

Shinobu was made the jinchūriki of Shukaku at a young age. In spite of the sand spirit's threats to take over his body should he ever sleep, Shinobu proved to be undaunted. The concept of a "jinchūriki" was clear to him; a human made a sacrifice for the sake of village stability. As such, Shinobu was determined to prevent Shukaku from becoming something that could obstruct him on his path as a shinobi. He mastered the ability to sleep, and bring himself to where Shukaku was; in spite of the spirit's efforts to control him, Shinobu won out with his superior will. Rather than trying to subjugate the Tailed Beast, Shinobu suggested they work together for the benefit of Sunagakure. Shukaku, amused and surprised by the young man, in addition to surprise by its complete defeat, agreed.

Eventually, the third Kazekage died an early death. Shinobu was initially passed over by selection among the Kazekage clan, due to his status as the jinchūriki; a younger man with better connections, "free from the Shukaku blemish", was originally intended to be selected. Shinobu, who has always had the best interests of Sunagakure at heart, found this to be unacceptable. As per Kazekage clan tradition, members who had nothing truly barring them from eligibiility could contest the selection. Shinobu chose this route, engaging the chosen successor in a myriad of contests. Coming out the victor in all of them, Shinobu was chosen to lead Sunagakure as the Fourth Kazekage.

## Trivia

* If Shinobu had a databook entry:
	+ Shinobu's hobbies are practising combat forms as well as tending to and feeding the wild dogs that live throughout Sunagakure's capital city.
	+ Shinobu's favourite food is shio ramen and tempura, while his least favourite is cactus and dango.
	+ Shinobu wishes to fight the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
	+ Shinobu's favourite phrase is **Countrymen First** (同胞一次, *Dōhō Ichiji*).