Inari is a young boy from the Land of Waves, who lives there with his mother, Tsunami, and his grandfather, the renowned bridge builder Tazuna. Inari never knew his biological father, who died before he was born. For a time, Inari found a father figure in a kind fisherman named Kaiza, who saved his life and eventually married his mother. This happiness was shattered when the shipping magnate Gatō publicly executed Kaiza for challenging his oppressive control over the island. Witnessing this event left Inari deeply traumatized, turning him into a sullen and pessimistic child who lost all hope and belief in heroes. He coped with his grief by developing a cynical and contrarian attitude, often arguing with others and hiding his profound loneliness behind a tough exterior. He spent much of his time alone in his room, staring at a picture of his deceased stepfather, angry at Kaiza for dying and breaking his promise to protect the land.

Inari’s worldview is fundamentally challenged by the arrival of Team 7, specifically Naruto Uzumaki. Initially, Inari mocks Naruto's determination, believing that anyone who tries to stand up to Gatō will simply die like Kaiza did. However, Naruto’s own tragic past and his refusal to ever give up, even in the face of impossible odds, slowly inspire Inari. Naruto helps him understand the power of will over fate and that protecting what is precious is worth any risk. This realization sparks a turning point when Inari bravely takes up his crossbow to defend his mother from Gatō’s thugs and rallies the oppressed townspeople to fight back against their oppressors, aiding Naruto and his team in the final battle.

Inari’s key relationships are central to his story. His bond with his stepfather Kaiza is the source of both his greatest happiness and deepest trauma. His relationship with his mother, Tsunami, and grandfather, Tazuna, is one of love and protection, and he is the emotional core of their family. His most transformative relationship is with Naruto Uzumaki, whom he comes to deeply admire and see as a true hero. Years later, Inari has matured into a well-adjusted young man and has become an apprentice carpenter under his grandfather. Following the destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village, Inari and Tazuna travel there to help with the reconstruction, where Inari is happily reunited with Naruto and Sakura, promising that the first building he will rebuild is the Ichiraku Ramen shop. As a carpenter, he continued to help with major projects, displaying a thoughtful nature by considering the potential economic impacts of new technologies like his grandfather’s airship. He has no notable ninja abilities, but as a child, he demonstrates courage and resourcefulness with a crossbow.