Tazuna

Biodata

History

Hiring Team 7

Tazuna requested an escort home to the Land of Waves, and the Third Hokage approved the mission at the C-rank rate. He concealed that his enemies were more dangerous than bandits, although Kakashi and Kiyoshi noticed signs of his unease. The money used to hire the team had been borrowed from his village 97 99.

On the eighth day of the journey, two chain-wielding attackers ambushed him. After Sasuke and Kakashi subdued them, Tazuna admitted that Gato wanted him dead: completing the bridge would undermine Gato’s control of coastal trade. When Kakashi proposed withdrawing under mission rules, Tazuna bowed with his forehead against the ground. Naruto refused to abandon him, and the other students agreed to continue 101.

Returning to the Bridge

At home, Tazuna found construction halted by Gato Trading Company’s stop-work order. He initially delayed returning by repeatedly cleaning and arranging his tools, but ultimately announced that he would resume work the next day under the team’s protection 103.

Zabuza Momochi attacked while Tazuna and the workers were on the bridge. Kiyoshi dragged Tazuna behind the railing, shielding him from water, splinters, and sweeping sword attacks. Naruto and Sasuke helped free Kakashi from Zabuza’s Water Prison, after which a masked hunter-nin carried the apparently defeated attacker away 104 105.

Final Battle and Completion

Tazuna later set out declaring, “We finish today,” and removed the construction-site seal as he passed. Zabuza returned with Haku, forcing the team into another battle while Kiyoshi remained beside Tazuna 108 109.

After Haku fell and the mist cleared, Gato arrived with armed ronin and announced that Tazuna would receive no wages. Zabuza killed Gato, but the remaining attackers threatened the wounded. Tazuna asked whether construction could resume the next day and repaired a loose plank amid the standoff. Kiyoshi moved him and Tsunami behind a bridge pier before Naruto drove the ronin away 110 111 112.

The bridge still required another three or four days of work after the battle. Once it opened, Inari’s handcart encouraged the hesitant villagers to begin crossing. Tazuna named it the Great Naruto Bridge the following morning, before Team 7 departed 113 114 115.

Later Appearance

Tazuna appeared with the film crew when Kiyoshi’s group returned from the Land of Snow. At the landing, he told Kiyoshi they would seek him out again the next time filming began 128.

Appearance

• Callused hands: His hands bear the marks of bridge-building work; wood shavings remain beneath his fingernails after he repairs a plank 97 111 115.
• Hat and work clothes: He wears a brimmed hat and work clothes; the hat’s brim is curled in his later appearance 97 104 128.
• Slow gait: During the outward journey, he takes short steps and drags his right foot slightly 98.

Personality

Tazuna is frightened by the danger surrounding his project, despite trying to deny it. His hand trembles before departure, he grows increasingly silent on the road, and he postpones returning to the bridge through repetitive tool cleaning. Nevertheless, he resumes construction and removes the stop-work seal himself 97 101 103 108.

He treats the bridge as essential to his country’s recovery, telling Naruto that its completion will bring the Land of Waves back to life. His attachment is expressed through small acts of craftsmanship: brushing the railing like a child’s head, testing joints as he walks, and repairing a displaced plank during the confrontation with Gato’s men 102 104 108 111.

Limited funds weigh heavily on him. He repeatedly counts provisions and borrowed money, pays carefully for the team’s meal, and admits that his village financed the escort 98 99 100.

Abilities & Skills

Bridge Construction

• Planning: Uses drawings of bridge piers and railings to assess the remaining work 113.
• Inspection: Tests railing sections and joints by hand while crossing the construction site 108.
• Maintenance: Sharpens his own chisel and repairs loose bridge decking 99 111.

Equipment & Items

• Chisel: Kept within reach at camp and secured at his waist when returning to work 98 108.
• Toolbox and tool bag: His toolbox has a broken latch secured with hemp cord. Its tools include a plane, saw, ink-line reel, and hammer 99 103.
• Carrying pole: Used to transport his luggage and supplies during the escort journey 98 99.
• Bridge plans: Worn drawings used to track construction and record the bridge’s name 113 115.

Relationships

• Tsunami — His daughter, who lives with him and welcomes the escort team into their home 97 102.
• Inari — His grandson, whose need for someone at home is among Tazuna’s reasons for returning promptly 97 102.
• Kiyoshi — His close guard during travel and both bridge battles. Tazuna thanks him as “Bro Hao” after being pulled out of Zabuza’s attack 99 104 109.
• Kakashi — Leader of his escort detail; questions the concealed danger and organizes protection for him and the construction site 97 101 103.
• Naruto — Insists on continuing the mission after Tazuna’s confession. Tazuna later names the completed bridge after him 101 115.
• Gato — Opposes the bridge because it threatens his coastal trade monopoly; targets Tazuna and refuses to pay his wages 101 111.
• Zabuza Momochi — Attacks Tazuna’s guards on the bridge, then later kills Gato 104 111.

Notable Quotes

“Once it’s finished, the Land of Waves will come back to life.” 102

“...The bridge is. I’m not.”
— Answering Kiyoshi’s question about whether he is scared. 104

“This bridge... will be called the Great Naruto Bridge.” 115