and constantly tries to woo her, though his lack of athletic skill and academic struggle often makes him feel inadequate.

What makes Hattori’s love tragic is its impossibility. He is, by his own code, bound to serve Kenichi. Kenichi is his "master" (a loose term, given Kenichi’s incompetence), and Yumiko is Kenichi’s romantic interest. Hattori’s ninja honor forbids him from ever crossing that line. He cannot confess his feelings because to do so would be to betray Kenichi.