Taichi Ryuunosuke was born the son of a little known Chunin in Konohagakure. While in the Academy, Taichi was known as a goofball slacker who never took anything seriously. Many of his instructors were afraid that he would not pass, as he never took much effort towards learning jutsus or mastering techniques. However, he did have some sort of natural inclination towards Mud-based jutsus. This earned him the moniker The Mud Man, a name which would stay with him the rest of his life. Eventually, Taichi graduated, and was placed in Squad 9 alongside Tsume Haruno and Takeo Uzumaki.