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Every four years, control of Degarashi Port in the Tea Country is decided upon the winner of the Todoroki Shrine Offering race. The Wagarashi and the Wasabi families has a long history of conflict, to avoid future violence they decided to sponsor a runner in the race. The family who won would then gain control.

Kyuuroku was in control and wanted to remain in power. To that end he hired Hidden Rain ninjas to escort his runner and hinder the progress of the Wasabi runner Morino Idate. Team 7 was hired by the Wasabi family to protect Idate. Idate managed to win the race but Kyuuroku said he cheated through the help of Naruto. When word came out of the actions of the Rain ninja and the secret dealings between Kyuuroku and a lower country Daimyo, the head Daimyo punished both men and ensured Idates victory was upheld, ensuring the Wasabi rose to power. As punishment, the Daimyo ordered the Wagarashi family disbanded.

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Every four years, control of Degarashi Port in the Tea Country is decided upon the winner of the Todoroki Shrine Offering race. The Wagarashi and the Wasabi families has a long history of conflict, to avoid future violence they decided to sponsor a runner in the race. The family who won would then gain control.

Jirocho sought to sponsor Morino Idate as the runner for his family. Idate was a boy he had met several years previously. Idate was lost and alone, and Jirocho sought to protect the boy. He gave Idate a home and made him his number one subordinate. When it appeared Idate may have abandoned the race, Jirocho never gave up believing in the boy. When Idate eventually won the race, he was very proud of the young man.

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Gatô ordered the partners Waraji and Zouri to grab Tazuna's daughter as a hostage. They were about to succeed but Naruto showed up and quickly defeated both of them.