~*Episodes 11-13 Information*~

quote

Sakura watches over Tazuna as the other two continue their tree climbing. As Tazuna works, yet another of his employees asks to stop working on the bridge for hear of Gatou. They fear for their families. Tazuna won't quit. He started this bridge believing that it would bring in resources to the super-poor country. He tells his worker that he doesn't have to come to work… Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke are still working their way up the tree, neither wanting to lose to the other.

Tazuna decides to stop through town to get something on his way home for dinner. Sakura can't believe how poor everyone is. The stores barely have anything. A small kid begs Sakura for food on the street. Tazuna tells her it's been this way since Gatou came. Everyone gave up hope, but if he could just finish the bridge, the city could return to what it once was.

Naruto thinks back to Sakura's tips on how to gather chakra into his feet. He can't be too impatient. He must relax and focus on the tree. He tries again, but Sasuke interrupts him. Sasuke asks Naruto for the tips Sakura told him, but Naruto refuses to tell him.

Sakura asks why there is a torn picture on the wall. She saw Inari staring it during dinner, and it looks as if someone was deliberately torn from it. That seems to be a sore spot for the family, but Tazuna explains. The man was Inari's father, but not related by blood. He was very close.

There once was a man called the hero of this country. Three years ago, Inari first met him. Inari was being tormented by some local kids who were trying to take his dog, Pochi, away. The head bully got mad and threw the dog into the river. He told him that if he cared so much about the animal, he would dive in and save him. Unfortunately, Inari couldn't swim. The bully pushed him in and Inari thought he was done for. Pochi, on the other hand, learned the dog paddle right then and swam to shore.

When he awoke, a man had saved him. He seemed to understand Inari and told him to choose a live of no regrets. No matter how tough, he must try, even if he loses his life. The man's name was Kaiza and he had come to town to fulfill his dream. Soon, Kaiza became part of the family. One day, there was a terrible storm and it looked like part of the city would be flooded. Kaiza volunteered to jump in the river and tie the rope to save the village. From that day forth, he became a town hero. Gatou was not happy with him, though, and decided to martyr him as an example. He sent his men to capture and crucify Kaiza in the center of town as a warning to anyone who opposed him. He told the people that this man had been conducting terrorist activities against Gatou Corporation and as punishment, publicly executed him. The little boy watched as his father figure was killed before his eyes.

Inari grew bitter because Kaiza was no longer there to protect him and the people of his country. He believed his dad was a liar. From that day, everyone in town changed. Naruto is moved by the story and wants to prove that heroes do exist.

quote

A girl is gathering herbs in the forest. She recognizes Naruto lying asleep in the forest as the kid that screamed at her for killing Zabuza in the forest (Haku) and reaches over to grab his neck. She reframes and gently wakes him. They talk for awhile, and she learns that Naruto is indeed a ninja. He trains because he must become stronger to become the best ninja in his village.

The woman has a flashback to herself as a kid. She tries to get food, but a dog fights her for it. She then kicks the dog to find two angry pups angry at her as well. Zabuza apparently took pity on her and befriended her. She tells him that when a person has something to protect, that is when he becomes truly strong. As she walks away, she tells him that she is a boy.

Naruto doesn't show up for breakfast the next morning, so Sasuke goes after him. Sakura and Kakashi also head out to the forest. Naruto throws a spear at them to show them how high he can climb but nearly falls off until Sasuke comes to his rescue. Kakashi is quite pleased by both of their progress

Tazuna asks Kakashi why they stuck around when he had lied to them about his project. Kakashi answers that to abandon one's duty is not courageous, and below courageous, there is nothing. Those are the First Hokage's words. Inari has a flashback to his dad and his words not to cry. He breaks down and asks why they would try so hard against Gatou. It's pointless. Naruto tells him to shut up. He isn't like Inari. Inari cries even harder and demands to know how Naruto, who is so carefree, can possibly understand anything about him or this country. Naruto tells him that he's just playing the tragic character and that a sissy like him should just keep crying.

Later, Kakashi goes out to the water to talk to Inari and apologize for Naruto. He explains that like him, Naruto also grew up without a father. He has never known his parents or had a single friend, but he doesn't complain or cry. He also does his best to get people to acknowledge him. For that, he'd risk his life. That is why he understands what it is like to be strong. What he told Inari earlier was probably the same thing he told himself many times.

The next morning, the group leaves Naruto to rest and heads over to the bridge. When Naruto learns he overslept, he races to the bridge to meet the others. The others are greeted by several dead or critically injured workers, while two other henchman head over to Tazuna's house. The bridge becomes misty and Kakashi's belief that Zabuza is alive is confirmed. Zabuza attacks with water clone attacks, but Sasuke can see through them and takes the clones down

quote

Sasuke decides he wants a piece of Haku for the Hunter-nin trick. Zabuza gives the word, and Haku spins towards Sasuke like a tornado.

Meanwhile, Gatou's henchmen have taken Inari's mom hostage. They threaten to kill the kid, but she vows to bite her tongue off and kill herself if they touch the boy. They grab the mom as Inari sits helpless, pitying himself. Then he remembers Naruto's words and then his father's. He wipes his tears away and vows to become stronger.

Inari yells to the men to get away from his mom. He runs at them, as they draw their swords.

At the bridge, Haku and Sasuke are going at it. Haku claims that he already has two advantages over Sasuke. The first is the water on the ground and the second is that he has occupied one of Sasuke's hands. With one hand, Haku performs his Secret Jutsu: Flying Water Needles and stomps in the nearby puddle. The splash becomes needles, and Sasuke remembers his training to release his chakra.

At Tazumi's home, Naruto shows up just in time to perform Kawarimi no Jutsu. He switches places with a log and rescues Inari and his mom. He knew the samurai were headed this way because of the cut up boar in the forest and several slash marks on nearby trees. When the henchmen try to attack Naruto, he easily knocks them out. Naruto and Inari then have a bonding moment and laugh together.

As Haku attacks, Sasuke is able to dodge the moves, and ends up behind. The two go at it until Sasuke gets a swift kick in. He has won the race for speed.

After tying the henchmen up, Naruto apologizes to Inari for calling him a sissy. Inari starts to cry, and Naruto tells him that it's all right to cry… when you're happy. He then smiles and asks if he can count on the kid from here on out so he can head over to the bridge.

Haku suddenly starts emitting a chilling vibe and performs Secret Jutsu: Demonic Ice Mirrors. Several ice mirrors surround Sasuke. Haku then enters a mirror and appears in each of the ice mirrors. Kakashi runs to help Sasuke, but Zabuza steps in front to block his path. Sasuke is left alone in the mirror prison as he rapidly gets cut repeatedly. Sakura then runs and throws Sasuke back his dagger, but Haku catches it. Luckily, Naruto comes to the rescue and hits Haku out of his Jutsu.