Matsuri

マツリ

Matsuri is among the earliest students at the Sunagakure ninja academy, which was modeled after Konoha's. She selects Gaara as her instructor, even though he still holds the status of the village's weapon. When the time comes to start training her with a weapon, Gaara recommends she use a jouhyou, as it is the safest option available. Initially afraid of weapons due to her parents' murders, she grows accustomed to them after realizing they can be used to help others. She is the first anime filler character to appear in Naruto: Shippuden, joining a Sunagakure rescue team tasked with saving Gaara after his capture. Over the timeskip, she becomes somewhat outspoken, complaining when her team spends its time guarding Sunagakure's borders instead of trying to rescue Gaara. She later appears during Gaara's revival, praising him and boasting about his powers.