Naruto Shippuden Characters - Kankurou

Kankuro is a son of the Sand’s Fourth Kazekage. He is the older brother of Gaara and the younger brother of Temari. Kankuro was designed to resemble the traditional Japanese Bunraku puppeteers who wore similar “cat hats.” His battle attire includes using black face paint in patterns on his face. In every new appearance in the series, Kankuro always has a new pattern on his face. In the beginning of the series, Kankuro appeared as a mean bully. He disliked younger children and did not hesitate to intimidate them. Part of the reason for this behaviour was because Kankuro has never gotten along with his younger brother Gaara due to the fear of the Shukaku inside of him and Gaara’s penchant for violence.

However, after the events of the Chunnin Exam, Kankuro and Temari both overcame their differences and became closer siblings. Kankuro became very protective of Gaara, not only because he became the Fifth Kazekage, but because he cares for his brother. When Deidara and Sasori kidnapped Gaara from Sunagakure, Kankuro chased after them to try to save Gaara despite the dangers he faced.

Kankuro practices puppet jutsu, an indirect type of combat system that uses chakra strings to manipulate mechanical puppets filled with lethal poisons and various hidden weapons. The weakness of this type of jutsu is that it leaves the puppet master susceptible to attack. In the beginning of the series, Kankuro was only able to control one puppet, Karasu (Crow). In Naruto Part II, Kankuro has advanced to Jonin rank and can manipulate up to three puppets at once. His other two puppets are Kuroari (Black Ant) and Sanshouo (Salamander).

Battle Record:
Kankuro vs. Misumi Tsurugi (episode 41) Win
Kankuro vs. Shino Aburame (episode 74) Loss
Kankuro vs. Sakon/Ukon (episode 125) Win
Kankuro vs. Sasori (Shippuuden episode 7-8) Loss


Abilities and Jutsus:

	Karasu (Weapon) Karasu means "Crow" and is Kankuro's first puppet. It is an offensive puppet and has four arms in which are filled with weapon mechanisms. The body can also be separated and each controlled separately		Kuroari (Weapon) Kuroari means “Black Ant” and is a puppet with a cylindrical body cavity meant to trap and assassinate its targets. Its arms also are equipped with saw blades. Kuroari’s torso can open up and envelop an enemy inside itself. Multiple slots along its body allow weapons to be plunged into them to puncture whoever’s trapped inside.
	Sanshouo (Weapon) Sanshouo means Salamander and is a defensive type puppet. It has various shield mechanisms on its body to block attacks. The inside of its body is also hollow and can allow Kankuro and two other persons to take cover inside.		Chakra Threads (Ninjutsu) The basic skill required for any puppet jutsu user is to create and manipulate chakra threads. Each thread is formed by molding chakra into a very thin line, making it nearly impossible to detect. The threads are attached to puppets in order to control their movements.
	Puppet Replacement (Ninjutsu) Kankuro can disguise his Karasu as himself while he conceals himself. The enemy will be fooled to attack the puppet, but when they are in range Kankuro triggers Karasu's weapons to catch them by surprise.		Poisons (Weapon) Most of the weapons in Kakuro's puppets are tipped with poisons. Most of the poisons are designed to paralyze or stun the opponent.
	Poison Mist (Weapon) A projectile is fired from Karasu at the target where upon it explodes and fills the area with a poison mist. Once breathed in, the poison quickly begins to paralyze the body and inhibits chakra control.		Black Secret Technique: Machine One Shot (Weapon) Once Kuroari has trapped the enemy inside itself, Karasu separates its head and appendages and plunge blades into the slots in Kuroari body, impaling the enemy inside.
	Poison Fog: Blindspot Destroyer (Weapon) After blinding the opponent with smoke bombs, both Karasu and Kuroari fires volley after volley of needles into the cloud.		Black Secret Technique: Machine Two Shot (Weapon) Once the opponent is trapped inside Kuroari, four scythe-like blades appear on either sides of the puppet's body and run from one side to the other, reaping the helpless victim.
	Puppet Shield (Weapon) Sanshouo's hollow body can open up and transform into an encased shield for Kankuro and others to take cover inside. It is strong enough to withstand an avalanche of falling rocks.