Umino Iruka

Umino Iruka is teacher at the ninja academy. Introduced in the first episode as Naruto's sensei (teacher), he was the first person to acknowlege Naruto as a person instead of a demon fox. Iruka's parents were killed by Kyuubi (Nine-Tails) when he was young, so he grew up as an orphan much like Naruto. He's suffered the pain of solitude and therefore empathizes Naruto loneliness. Iruka is a fatherly figure to Naruto and often treats him out to eat ramen (noodles). Iruka is also the teacher of Konohamaru. Umino Iruka is a chuunin, but based on the perception given in the anime, he's not a very strong ninja.