Takeshi Yamamoto

Takeshi Yamamoto (山本 武) is the 14-year-old popular baseball star of Namimori Middle School. He hardly takes anything seriously, and is usually oblivious to what is truly happening around him, often tricked by Reborn into participating in Mafia-related events because he thinks that they are all just playing a game. Though he becomes a dedicated and valuable member of Tsuna's family, growing to become a fighter who excels at swordsmanship, he still does not understand the full extent of the situation surrounding the Mafia.

Character Outline
Takeshi Yamamoto (山本 武, Yamamoto Takeshi), addressed as "Yamamoto" by almost everyone in the series, has a warm and friendly personality and is rarely seen not smiling. He is, however, very naïve to the point of believing that Reborn's Weapons are advanced kid's toys and that the mafia business is one big cops-and-robbers game.

Yamamoto's portrayal in the story is that of a stereotypical Japanese teenager; his name "Takeshi" and surname "Yamamoto" are both common Japanese names, his looks are quite ordinary for a Japanese teenager, he is a big fan of baseball (a popular sport in Japan), his family owns a sushi store, and later in the story, he uses a katana (a Japanese sword).

Future Yamamoto has shown to have learned everything about the Mafia and seems to be okay with it.

Personality
Yamamoto is the type of character that can make friends with everyone, and if not friendship, then at least respect. Characters like Hibari have been shown to have interest in Yamamoto's battles, and Squalo has also shown to have interest in his development to the point of willingly tutoring him. However, Yamamoto can become angry when his friends are hurt or injured. He is also willing to sacrifice things important to him to save his friends from danger, as shown in the Kokuyo Arc. where he sacrificed an arm (right before an important baseball game) to defeat Ken; and when Squalo asked him whether he would choose baseball or the sword, he chose the sword in order to protect those he cared about.

Despite his easy-going personality, Yamamoto has shown that he has hidden talent as a Hitman. In fact, Reborn clearly sees Yamamoto's potential and often mentions to Tsuna that Yamamoto is a natural born Hitman, mentioning as well that he is the best athlete in the entire Vongola Famiglia. His fast reflexes and athletically conditioned-body give him a natural advantage and he is shown to be able to dodge cannon fire and wayward fireworks. Yamamoto is also a quick learner, remembering all 8 forms of the Shigure Soen Ryu despite only being shown once. He also manages to develop a new form of the style, the 9th form, in a life-or-death situation.

Future Yamamoto still shows a bit of his easy-going self, but has become more mature and serious. In terms of personality, Yamamoto resembles the first generation rain guardian, Ugetsu Asari, something the latter acknowledges.

Daily Life Arc
One day, Yamamoto asked Tsuna for advice and ended up breaking his arm because he took it. He thought his career in baseball was the only thing he was good at, and planned to end his life. However, Tsuna convinced him that he had much more potential and saved his life. In the anime however the two became friends through a volleyball match.

Kokuyō Arc
During the Kokuyo Gang's attacks, Yamamoto was ranked second strongest in Namimori Middle. When Chikusa Kakimoto attacked Gokudera, Tsuna and Yamamoto came to his aid, leading to Chikusa's retreat. Later, Yamamoto joined the group in the attack on the Kokuyo Gang and was ambushed by Ken, causing the two to end up trapped underground. Disadvantaged due to both his broken bat and Ken's ability to smell him, Yamamoto was unwilling to be hurt; however, once Tsuna was in danger, he sacrificed his arm to beat Ken. Later when Lanchia attacked the group, Yamamoto was able to figure out the secret to his chain ball attack but was overpowered none the less and knocked unconscious.

Varia Arc
A month later, Yamamoto, along with Gokudera and Tsuna, were defeated by the Varia henchman Squalo, who was chasing the Vongola messenger Basil. Later, Yamamoto was chosen as the Vongola Rain Guardian and was given a half Vongola Ring. He then asked for sword training from his father in preparation for the Varia's arrival. His father scorned him for treating it like a game but still taught him the eight forms of the deadly Shigure Soen Style. Later in the week, Ryohei, Yamamoto, and Gokudera defended Lambo from the Levi Lightning Squad.

In the Rain Ring Battle Yamamoto was set to fight Squalo again. Before the fight, Yamamoto was warned by Dino that Squalo may have already defeated the Shigure Soen Style, though Yamamoto remained determined to use it. Squalo did indeed know the style and used it against Yamamoto. In the end, however, Yamamoto won by creating his own technique in the middle of the battle. A shark was then let loose as part of the match, and, although Yamamoto tried to save him, Squalo was pulled into the water. During the Sky Ring Battle, Yamamoto was cured of the poison by Hibari. Yamamoto devised a cunning plan to rescue Chrome but it backfired when they were caught in Mammon's illusions and were ultimately saved by Ryohei. Later the Vongola Guardians forced the remaining Varia to surrender and Yamamoto was relieved to hear that Squalo had been saved by Dino.

Future Arc
In the Future, Yamamoto led Tsuna and Gokudera to the Vongola Base where they met with Reborn who revealed that Yamamoto's dad was killed by the Millefiore. Later while searching for the other Guardian's Yamamoto, Tsuna and Gokudera found adult I-Pin, Lambo and Haru Miura and Kyoko Sasagawa being attacked by Millefiore members, Nosaru and Tazaru, however before he could fight them Yamamoto was swaped with his past self. After having the future situation explained Yamamoto (along with Tsuna and Gokudera) was taught how to use Box Weapon's by Lal Mirch. Yamamoto later went to follow up a lead at Namimori Shrine with Gokudera. They then encountered Gamma who Gokudera initially took on alone refusing to cooperate with Takeshi and was easily overpowered. However even when they worked together, Gamma's experience far outmatched them both. The two were then saved by the adult Hibari. After he recovered, Yamamoto began training with Reborn who also gave Yamamoto a DVD made by Squalo, titled 'The Road to becoming the Swords Emperor' which included 100 battles that Squalo won. After developing new techniques from the video Yamamoto was successfully able to slice Reborn's hat. Reborn then told Yamamoto about the secret of the Arcobaleno, but asked him not to tell anyone else until after they defeated the Millefiore.

Yamamoto joined the others for the invasion of the Melone Base. Yamamoto, along with Lal (who had been knocked unconscious during a fight), were separated from the others. Yamamoto then encountered Genkishi who he recognized from Squalo's video. Despite making him draw his sword, Yamamoto was overpowered by Genkishi's Illusions. After he was knocked out he was once again saved by Hibari. Later Yamamoto along with the other Guardians was given a Vongola Box.

Arcobaleno Trials Arc
When returning to the past for the Arcobaleno Trials, Yamamoto was chosen, along with Tsuna and Ryohei, to take part in Mammon's Test of Adaptability. Under the belief that Kyoko was being held hostage, the trio were forced to solve a series of riddles as well as fight a number of Box Weapons. Yamamoto was able to see through most of the illusions thanks to his experience fighting Genkishi. After discovering that Kyoko was safe, they swiftly defeated Mammon and passed his trial. Later Yamamoto and the other Guardians were assembled for Reborn's Trial of Leadership and were easily beaten by him. Shortly after, the Guardians joined forces with the other Arcobaleno, to defeat Verde and his army.

Choice Arc
When Squalo arrived at the base, he began training Yamamoto and while in the in the woods, Yamamoto decided to follow the path of the sword devotedly while in the future. Yamamoto was included in the Choice battle during which he encountered Saru who quickly revealed he to be Genkishi who Yamamoto was able to defeat using his new Vongola Box. While lying injured Genkishi was killed by Kikyo. Yamamoto then went to attack the Millfiore target Daisy and defeated him at the same time as Kikyo defeated Irie. However because of Daisy's undying power, the Vongola lost.

Inheritance Succession Arc
After being sent back to the past for the Inheritance Succession Trials, Colonnello became Yamamoto's tutor. During his test, Yamamoto assumed it was a fight and began to attack Ugetsu. During the fight, Yamamoto noticed an opening in one of Ugetsu's attacks and used it to strike Ugetsu and Colonnello, who was trying to step in and prevent Yamamoto from attacking Asasri Ugetsu.

Ugetsu then declared that Yamamoto had failed his test, but agreed to give him a second chance, though he refused to give a reason for his decision. Back at the shrine the next day, Yamamoto fought Ugetsu again and used the same opening as before. However, he decided in the end not to attack, to which Ugetsu declared that he had passed the test. Ugetsu explained that he set up the attack to see if Yamamoto would attack a defenseless man. Later, when the girls were captured by Daemon Spade, Yamamoto attempted a rescue with the other Guardians. He was separated with the others and fought the doppelganger created by Spade. The illusion was then broken by Hibari's rampage.

Future Final Battle Arc
Squalo remained at the Vongola Base to fight Zakuro but was caught in an explosion. Later, Yamamoto went back to rescue him with Bianchi, Spanner and Giannini. During the final battle against the Real Six Funeral Wreaths, Yamamoto arrived in time to defend Ryohei and Gokudera from Ghost. The Vongola eventually defeated Byakuran and after saying goodbye to Squalo, Yamamoto and the others returned to the past.

Inheritance Ceremony Arc
At baseball practice, Yamamoto became friendly with Kaoru Mizuno, one of the Simon Middle School transfer students. After the Simon revealed themselves as allies, Yamamoto and Kaoru were assigned to protect Tsuna. When he discovered that Kaoru became nervous when people watched him play baseball, Yamamoto made everyone watching wear vegetable costumes, so that Kaoru wouldn't feel self-conscious. Kaoru then impressed Yamamoto by throwing the ball so fast that it seemed to have disappeared. Later in the changing room, Yamamoto jokingly suggested that the Simon were trying to get rid of the Vongola after seeing their plans. Kaoru responded by violently attacking Yamamoto and leaving him in a critical state. However, Yamamoto was able to write the word "Sin" using his own blood before falling unconscious, alerting the Vongola of the Simon's plans. Ryohei then found him and, after failing to heal him with Garyuu, took him to the hospital for operations. The doctor revealed that he would live, but the probability of him walking again was extremely low. In later chapters, after Lambo managed to defeat Aoyama Rauji, Yamamoto is shown in the hospital still wired to machines. Byakuran is then seen standing before him, wings spread from his back. He later reappears with everyone else back to full health to save Kaoru from being killed by Daemon Spade. When Kaoru asked why Yamamoto saved him after he tried to kill him, Yamamoto replies that he would always help Kaoru if he were in real trouble, because that's what friends are for. Daemon, quite confused, asked why he was here, knowing that Yamamoto should be in a critical condition. Yamamoto replied that an "acquaintance" of his helped him recover. Tsuna, looking worried, stated that he doesn't have his Vongola Gear. Upon hearing this, Yamamoto revealed under his coat his Rain Necklace Version X. He called out Jirou and Kojirou to merge to Cambio Forma, resulting in the "Two-sword style VG". At the beginning of the battle, Daemon launched a surprise attack behind Yamamoto. The attack was blocked by Kaoru, who said that he knew Yamamoto could dodge it on his own, but wanted to pay his debt. Yamamoto called Kaoru an "idiot" for doing that, but said it was in his own will to help his Famiglia and friends. After that, Kaoru was taken by the Vindice and the Fifth "Key" was later revealed. Yamamoto was enraged at the fact that Daemon used the Simon Famiglia as his pawns and decided to fight him one on one, saying that Tsuna should take a break. This is also the first time that Yamamoto is willing to kill someone, when he usually wants to just defeat them. Yamamoto managed to pinpoint Daemon's location and strike him with his new technique, Udachi: Kirisame, and injured Daemon in the process. However, Chrome interfered and refused to move when Yamamoto asked her to until Daemon ordered her to step down. Before they left, Yamamoto handed Chrome the Ore of Mist Version X and said that they will always be waiting for her. Yamamoto soon fell to his knees (since he was not fully recovered) and decided to take a rest for a night as he told Tsuna and the others that Byakuran was the one who healed him. Yamamoto watches the fight between Tsuna and Enma and after that goes with the group to encounter Mukuro after he defeated Daemon Spade. He gets trapped in a illusionary world like the others thanks to Daemon Spade but he manages to save Chrome from being trapped. After Tsuna and Enma's final showdown with Daemon Spade, he is released and receives the final 'key' like the others. He is later seen playing baseball with Kaoru at Namimori Middle's baseball field.

The Curse of the Rainbow Arc
Yamamoto appears with Tsuna at Chrome's welcoming party because Chrome was kicked out of Kokuyo Land. In the miming competition, he isn't seen performing, but laughs at the people's performances. Later, Yamamoto appears the day before Tsuna's father Iemitsu arrives in Namimori, commenting to Tsuna that he was excited to be fighting for Reborn to allow him to revert to his adult form, though he couldn't imagine what it was like. Later, on the first day of the Representative Battle of the Rainbow, Yamamoto happily heads to school with Tsuna. However, when the battle suddenly starts, he, Gokudera, and Ryohei group up and try to find Tsuna. When an explosion occurs because of Tsuna being punched through the ceiling by Iemitsu (though they don't know the cause), they run towards the explosion; however, they are barred by Hibari and Fon, the former appearing to be Fon's representative, who states that he would bite all three of them to death.

Tsunayoshi Sawada
Yamamoto thinks Tsuna is amazing and treats him as a very close friend. Although he is rather naive towards what is really happening during the series, Yamamoto is very devoted and loyal to Tsuna. He fights for him, protecting him above all else. In the Future Arc, Yamamoto showed great distress at not being able to beat Daisy in the Choice battle, thinking that he had somehow disappointed Tsuna and the Guardians. However, thanks to Tsuna, he managed to let go of this distress during the second trial of the Guardian Inheritance Test.

Hayato Gokudera
Yamamoto thinks of Gokudera as a friend and although Gokudera does not seem to admit this fact, he also thinks of Yamamoto as a trusted ally. However, there seems to be somewhat of a one-sided rivalry going on. Gokudera believes Yamamoto is trying to become Tsuna's right hand man, when in reality, he is simply being his clueless self and enjoying their competitions. They therefore push each other to do their best and become stronger because of each other. Gokudera also enjoys calling Yamamoto a "baseball freak" whenever he is acting laid-back in a tough situation, when he references something to baseball, or when he does not know something.

In the future, the present Yamamoto scolds Gokudera for his coldness towards him. He says that he has no right to be Tsuna's right hand man right now, as the right hand man's job is to gather and unite the Guardians, not turn away from them. He goes back to being happy once Gokudera chooses to accept him.

Reborn
The one who "found" Yamamoto and consequently made him join the Vongola. He has very high expectations of Yamamoto's talents and eventually becomes his tutor in the Future Arc. Reborn says that Yamamoto is a natural-born assassin. Yamamoto, on the other hand, thinks that Reborn is an infant who likes to play with very advanced toys such as guns and bombs. Recently, after training with Reborn, he has acknowledged him as being powerful and is interested in hearing Reborn's secrets, which Reborn revealed to him after their training. Reborn seems to like sitting on Yamamoto's shoulder.

Superbi Squalo
Squalo is the first opponent Yamamoto faced who uses a sword. After a humiliating defeat at Squalo's hands Yamamoto trained extremely hard to learn the Shigure Souen Style in hopes of beating Squalo. Squalo can be seen as the oil that strengthened Yamamoto's desire to become stronger and his rival at swordsmanship. After defeating Squalo in the Rain battle Squalo says that Yamamoto has what it takes to become a great Swordsman, acknowledging him. He, like Reborn, also has high hopes for Yamamoto. In the Future Arc, Squalo sends Reborn and Yamamoto a video of the 101 battles he won in order to become the Sword Emperor, helping Yamamoto and refiring his determination. In the Future Arc, it is also mentioned that Vongola has two Swords masters; one of which is Yamamoto, the other Squalo. Squalo seems to get irritated at Yamamoto as he chooses baseball over swordsmanship. Squalo is one of the few who notice that Yamamoto is not at the inheritance ceremony and that he is an illusion, signifying that Squalo has gotten to know Yamamoto behavior wise along with his capabilities as a swordsman.

Kaoru Mizuno
Unlike others who afraid of him because of his appearance, Yamamoto treats Kaoru nicely and already regard him as his friend, being the only one who helps him when it comes to baseball and to the point that he saved him from Daemon Spade's killing blow and forgave Kaoru even though he had nearly killed him. Kaoru also regards Yamamoto as his friend, feeling guilty for attacking him to the verge of death and due to this, finally losing his pride because he could not bear to fight Yamamoto because he saved him and said that he wished to continue being friends with him before he was imprisoned by Vindice. After Daemon was defeated, both reconciled and were seen playing baseball together again.

Equipment

 * Yamamoto's Bat: It was given to him by Reborn shortly before the Kokuyo Arc. Before recieving the Shigure Kintoki or learning the Shigure Soen Ryu, Yamamoto used a bat that, when swung at 300 km per hour, transforms into a katana.
 * Shigure Kintoki: A Katana inherited by his father, before his battle for the Rain ring. It is a shinai that transforms into a Katana when the Shigure Soen Style is used.
 * Vongola Rain Ring: Won during the Rain Ring Battle. As part of the Tri-Ni-Set it is classed as S-rank. In the Future, the Vongola Rings were destroyed by Tsuna. However they were later brought back from the Past with the Ten Year Bazooka. Yamamoto is capable of bringing out Rain Dying Will Flames from his Ring and use its Tranquility Ability to diffuse other Dying Will Flames. He can also use the heat from the Ring to detect incoming attacks. The Vongola Guardians were later accepted by the First Vongola Boss as the rightful owners of the Vongola Rings and were granted their true Forms.
 * Rain Vongola Box Weapon: Yamamoto has a unique Box Weapon as it in fact two different Animals, one being Jirou the Rain Akita (Akita di Pioggia ver. Vongola) and the other Kojirou the Rain Swallow (Rondine di Pioggia ver. Vongola). Jirou helps Yamamoto wield the three Rain Blades that use Rain Flames to propel Yamamoto in different directions. Kojirou has the power to make Rain infused with the Tranquility Attribute and shower it down on opponents.Yamamoto's Cambio Forma Version VVG.png
 * Cambio Forma: Ugetsu Asari's Four Irregular Swords (Change Form: Morning Benefit Moon Obscured by Rain): Kojirou fuses with Yamamoto's Shigure Kintoki to create the ornately decorated long sword with the roman numeral "I", and Jirou provides three short swords. It is said the First Rain Guardian used this sword style. In its Version X form Yamamoto gain's only two swords, along with Armor around his wrists
 * Water: A box weapon used by Future Yamamoto Takeshi used for defensive water wall able to withstand Flames and protect from incoming attacks.
 * Motorcycle/Airbike: Used to travel great distances during Choice, using a Dying Will Flame powered engine, completely covered by material used to make Mammon Chains and Mammon Covers to keep the bikes from being detected.
 * Necklace of the Rain Version X: The upgrade version of the Vongola Rain Ring took form of a Necklace with a Sword and Jirou.

Techniques

 * Shigure Soen Ryu: Yamamoto inherited this deadly Sword Style from his father who taught him eight Forms, four Defensive and four Offensive. Yamamoto has since developed three new Forms and, thanks to his training with Squalo, has also developed Aggregate Art, a move that combines all the Shigure Souen Forms together.
 * Attacco di Squalo (Attack of the Shark): A shockwave attack which turns a powerful blow into an oscillating wave that stuns the opponent's muscles. He improved Attaco di Squalo by adding Rain Flames in his Shigure Kintoki
 * Rain Flame Radar: An ability to see through invisible attacks by using his Ring's Flames as a radar to detect vibrations in the air, Yamamoto learns what the rader reads through his Box Weapon, Kojirou.

Trivia

 * Yamamoto is a Taurus with O blood type.
 * Yamamoto's favorite food is sushi, and his favorite drink is milk.
 * Yamamoto's favorite musical instrument is the taiko (a Japanese drum).
 * In the future, Yamamoto was aiming to enter the major league before he returned full-time to the Vongola. Squalo sent him the videos of his battles in order to draw him back to the path of the sword.
 * Yamamoto is the only character to have one Box Weapon that is made up of two different animals.
 * In the most recent poll, Yamamoto ranked 7th in popularity and 10th in strength.
 * In Haru Haru's Interview: Dangerous, it is revealed that while Yamamoto's dad runs a sushi bar, Yamamoto himself is yelled at whenever he touches anything in the restaurant.
 * In Ciao Ciao interview, it is stated, surprisingly, that his dream is to become a sushi master like his father, rather than a major baseball player.
 * His family owns a dojo named "Asarigumi" (Means Asari Clan) which used to be where Yamamoto's father trains his Shigure Soen style when he was young. Currently, the dojo is usually used by Yamamoto whenever he trains his swordsmanship.
 * As seen in Haru Haru's Interview Dangerous, Yamamoto loves milk and even once told Gokudera to drink some because he thinks Gokudera's constant frustration was due to lack of calcium (Oblivious that his easy-going attitude was actually the cause of it).
 * Character Songs Featured In:
 * Yakusoku no Basho e
 * Yakusoku no Basho e - vs. Millefiore
 * Yakusoku no Basho e (Chinese version)
 * Minna Suki Daze
 * Ashita ni Mukatte
 * Ame no Message
 * Oretachi no Yakusoku (with Gokudera)
 * Oretachi no JOY! (with Gokudera)
 * Mirai no Oozora e