Izumo is a chuunin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, partnered with his friend Kotetsu Hagane, they make their first appearance trying to discourage the genins from the chuunin exams. It is later discovered that they are both proctors in the exams. After the chuunin exams, the fifth hokage takes them both as assistants, doubling them as guards to the main gate of the village. He is hardly ever seen without Kotetsu and they also appear in Shippuden.