Chapter Summaries

Sakura Haruno watched Konoha’s graduation exams before meeting her new students, Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi. When they doubted her strength and questioned why she was their team leader, Sakura took them away from the school to demonstrate her abilities.

• Sakura Haruno, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Hinata watched the graduation exams, and Sakura discussed the team-leader test she would give her students.
• The examiners failed several candidates before Iruka announced the names of those who passed, including Konohamaru Sarutobi, Udon, and Moegi.
• Iruka told Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi that Sakura Haruno would lead their team and explained that she was a recognized Kage-level ninja.
• Sakura Haruno corrected Konohamaru for calling her Big Sis and knocked him on the head when he interrupted her.
• When her students questioned her strength, Sakura Haruno led them away from the school to show them what she could do.

Sakura Haruno took Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi to Training Ground 9, where she impressed her new students with a towering Ice Release technique and led their introductions. After treating Udon’s chronic rhinitis and advising the trio to take their ninja duties seriously, she prepared to test the new graduates.

• Sakura Haruno brought Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi to Training Ground 9 and raised them hundreds of meters into the air with Ice Release: Heaven-Reaching Tower.
• The three students overcame their fear of heights, admired the view of Konoha, and became impressed by Sakura’s strength.
• Sakura introduced herself, and Konohamaru admitted that Naruto had taught him the Sexy Jutsu before sharing his ambition to defeat his grandfather, Naruto, and Sakura.
• Udon introduced himself, and Sakura used Delicate Illness Extraction Technique to remove the source of his chronic rhinitis and advised him to get smaller glasses.
• Moegi said she wanted to become a powerful kunoichi like the Fifth Hokage and Sakura; after the introductions, Sakura prepared to test the new graduates.

Sakura tested Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi’s teamwork in combat on the high ice tower, coaching them through their fear and evaluating their roles. The trio coordinated increasingly effective attacks, and Sakura dodged their final maneuver as the test continued.

• Sakura challenged Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi to force her back one step and taught them a Chakra technique to calm their nerves.
• The trio attacked together, and Udon used a rope to save Konohamaru after Sakura threw him off the tower.
• Sakura criticized Konohamaru for panicking instead of using his abilities, then assessed how the three divided their combat roles.
• Konohamaru learned to stop his fall with a rope, and the trio repeatedly regrouped and attacked while Sakura evaluated their teamwork.
• Udon distracted Sakura with a Genjutsu as Konohamaru and Moegi attacked with a fireball and Fūma Shuriken, which transformed into Konohamaru for a follow-up attack.

Sakura Haruno’s new team passed her combat test and celebrated becoming Genin at Ichiraku Ramen. On their first low-level mission, she explained why such work mattered, then urged the students to use their ninja skills to clean faster.

• Moegi, Udon, and Konohamaru coordinated their techniques to defeat Sakura’s test and earn her praise.
• Sakura took the newly formed team to Ichiraku Ramen, where she considered each student’s strengths and how she would guide them.
• The team received a sweeping mission, and Konohamaru complained that ninja should have more exciting assignments.
• Sakura explained how low-level missions kept Konoha running and supported Genin who could not take higher-level work.
• Sakura told the dejected students to use their ninja techniques for the cleaning, and they began demonstrating their abilities.

Sakura Haruno trained and led Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon through missions, while continuing her own studies and avoiding another time-space trip. In late May, she and Yuki Haku left the village for the Land of Waves to pay respects to Zabuza.

• Sakura Haruno praised her students for completing their first mission, carried an exhausted Konohamaru home, and revealed that she had led the mission using an Ice Clone.
• Sakura visited Sage Katsuyu, who said Sakura was suited to combining Ice Release with Yin Release and could begin Senjutsu training the following year.
• Sakura checked the replenished energy in the Ancient Kingdom of Roran but chose not to enter or attempt time travel.
• Sakura trained her team through low-level missions, including weeks of farm work and cleaning the Naka River channel and sewers, helping the students improve their stamina and experience.
• In late May, Sakura Haruno told her students she and Yuki Haku would leave the village for four or five days, then set out for the Land of Waves to pay respects to Zabuza.

Sakura Haruno and Yuki Haku returned to Zabuza’s grave in the Land of Waves, where they encountered Orochimaru and Hozuki Suigetsu seeking the Kubikiribōchō. Sakura confronted them, and her water dragon clashed with Orochimaru’s summoned gate.

• Sakura Haruno and Yuki Haku reached Zabuza’s grave and found its protective barrier intact.
• Orochimaru and Hozuki Suigetsu waited nearby for the barrier to be undone, hoping to take the Kubikiribōchō and capture Haku for her Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.
• After Sakura undid the barrier, she attacked Orochimaru and Suigetsu with water lines, but both survived their injuries.
• Sakura demanded to know why Orochimaru had come, and he explained that Suigetsu needed a weapon and they wanted the Kubikiribōchō.
• Sakura unleashed a giant water dragon, and Orochimaru summoned the Gate of Hell to block it; their techniques collided and tore a hole through the gate.

Sakura Haruno fought Orochimaru at the coast, determined to avenge her earlier defeat, while Suigetsu went to claim Kubikiribōchō and Haku was expected to stop him. Orochimaru exposed Sakura’s secret human experiments and provoked her into attacking, but survived her powerful blows with his body-modification techniques; the confrontation ended with him challenging her to admit the truth.

• Sakura Haruno confronted Orochimaru after destroying Rashomon and learned that Suigetsu had gone to seize Kubikiribōchō while Haku was expected to face him.
• Orochimaru praised Ice Release, argued that Kekkei Genkai were essential to his pursuit of knowledge, and revealed that he knew about Sakura’s human experiments in the Land of Snow.
• Angered by Orochimaru’s accusations about her experiments and Sasuke’s power, Sakura launched Ice Release: Frost Ice Burial and followed with rapid attacks using her ice mirrors and Star Cannon Fist.
• Orochimaru’s Soft Body Modification and Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique allowed him to survive Sakura’s blows and emerge unharmed from a corpse.
• Orochimaru taunted Sakura and demanded that she admit the truth as she landed on the water before him.

Sakura Haruno rejected Orochimaru’s claim that she would eventually become like him and dismissed his threats to expose her experiments. The chapter ended with the village’s leaders accepting her account of a masked Uchiha with the Mangekyō Sharingan, whose interference had helped cause the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

• Sakura Haruno condemned Orochimaru’s human experiments and argued that his cruelty came from his own weakness, not the world’s darkness.
• Orochimaru warned Sakura that hidden spies could expose her experiments and force her to flee Konoha, but Sakura remained confident that her base was protected and that Tsunade’s views were changing.
• Sakura recalled how she had reported her encounter with the Masked Man to the Third Hokage and the Hokage Advisors, presenting truthful details in a way that concealed the timing of her mission.
• The Third Hokage, Koharu Utatane, and Mitokado Homura concluded that the Masked Man had intercepted communication between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan and helped drive them toward conflict.
• The village leaders recognized Sakura’s information about the Masked Man as valuable and gained a new explanation for the Uchiha Clan Massacre.

After returning from the Land of Snow, Sakura demonstrated a telescope Ninjutsu to Konoha High Command, and the chapter later showed her refusing Orochimaru’s offer to join him. Their fight resumed at sea, where Sakura unleashed a massive Ice Release technique that froze the surrounding ocean and filled it with spikes.

• Sakura Haruno demonstrated her Ice Release: Telescope Technique to Konoha High Command, and the Third Hokage and Tsunade recognized its potential for reconnaissance.
• Tsunade decided to introduce the telescope technique to the Anbu first, while Sakura’s secret dealings in the ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Roran remained hidden.
• Sakura told Orochimaru that his schemes could not sever her bonds with Konoha and refused his invitation to join his ninja village.
• Sakura attacked Orochimaru with Ice Release: Four-Pillar Prison, but he escaped the ice and countered with his Kusanagi Sword.
• Sakura cut down Orochimaru’s Water Clone with her ice knives, then recognized that Orochimaru had used a substitution to evade her.
• Sakura drew on the Chakra stored in her Yin Seal and froze the surrounding sea, covering Orochimaru’s area with a forest of icy spikes.

Sakura Haruno fought Orochimaru and his summoned snake Manda across an ice field, defeating Manda with powerful Water Release, Ice Release, and taijutsu attacks. After Manda was forced back to the Shikkotsu Forest, Sakura turned toward Orochimaru, who had prepared another ninjutsu.

• Orochimaru summoned Manda and promised him two hundred living sacrifices in exchange for destroying the ice.
• Sakura Haruno cut Manda in half with Water Release: Wind Blade Torrent, but Orochimaru helped the snake rejoin his body.
• Orochimaru unleashed Great Fire Annihilation, and Sakura countered with Water Formation Wall as Manda attacked from beneath the ice.
• Sakura created an Ice Human Technique giant, seized Manda, and kicked through his mouth and half his head with Guarding Foot.
• Manda vanished back to the Shikkotsu Forest, and Sakura faced Orochimaru as he prepared another attack.

Sakura Haruno watched Orochimaru summon Tobirama Senju with Impure World Reincarnation and hoped to learn from the technique, but Tobirama immediately broke free enough to strike Orochimaru. Orochimaru restrained him, and Sakura and Tobirama then clashed with massive Water Release techniques, leaving their next moves poised to collide.

• Sakura recognized Impure World Reincarnation and introduced herself to Tobirama as Tsunade's disciple.
• Tobirama used Flying Thunder God Slash to cut off Orochimaru's head, but Orochimaru survived by emerging from the corpse and restrained him.
• Orochimaru revealed that he had transplanted Hashirama's cells into his body and began forcing Tobirama to fight.
• Sakura launched Water Release: Leviathan's Wrath at Orochimaru, while Tobirama countered with Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
• Sakura and Tobirama formed hand seals and prepared to use the same Water Release technique.

Sakura Haruno overwhelmed Tobirama Senju's Water Release and then faced him and Orochimaru in close combat. After activating Cherry Blossom Impact - Stage Three, she countered Tobirama's sudden attack, but Orochimaru followed with another Great Fire Annihilation.

• Sakura Haruno's Water Release: Wind Blade Torrent defeated Tobirama Senju's Water Severing Wave and cut apart Hell Rashomon.
• Tobirama Senju acknowledged Sakura Haruno's skill, while Orochimaru announced that the fight would continue with close-quarters combat.
• Sakura Haruno activated Cherry Blossom Impact - Stage Three and formed Ice Armor before Tobirama Senju attacked with Water Release: Shunsui.
• Sakura Haruno shattered Tobirama Senju's hands with a counterattack and a Wing Chun Hidden Kick, but Tobirama escaped with the Body Flicker Technique.
• Orochimaru attacked Sakura Haruno with Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation.

Sakura Haruno battled Orochimaru and Tobirama Senju, surviving Tobirama’s Flying Thunder God attack and explosive tags while healing her injuries. With Tobirama temporarily shattered and Orochimaru’s water-dragon opponents defeated, Sakura launched an army of Ice Clones to overwhelm Orochimaru.

• Sakura Haruno sent her repaired ice giant against Orochimaru’s Fire Style and summoned five water dragons that broke through his Triple Rashomon gates and pursued him.
• Orochimaru controlled Tobirama Senju, who used Flying Thunder God Strike to stab Sakura Haruno, but she dodged a fatal wound, grabbed his wrist, and kicked him apart at the waist.
• Tobirama Senju revealed that he had marked Sakura Haruno’s left elbow and detonated Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, but Sakura shattered his body, healed herself, and cut the marked skin from her arm.
• Orochimaru summoned giant snakes to entangle and destroy Sakura Haruno’s two remaining water dragons while Tobirama Senju recovered.
• Sakura Haruno told Orochimaru she would attack him while Tobirama was down, then surrounded him with tens of thousands of Ice Clones.

Sakura Haruno used a multiplying Ice Clone tactic to overwhelm Orochimaru after he grew exhausted fighting her and the Second Hokage. She trapped Orochimaru in a chain of clone attacks and detonated the clones, leaving the battle amid a continuing barrage of explosions.

• Sakura Haruno created a growing horde of Ice Clones while Orochimaru cut through them with the extended Kusanagi Sword and summoned a sea of snakes.
• Sakura used an Ice Clone as a medium for the Body Flicker Technique, then multiplied the number of clones appearing before Orochimaru in successive waves.
• Orochimaru unleashed a Great Fireball and used Water Substitution to counter the clones, but Sakura joined the attack in person and cut him in half with her butterfly knife.
• Orochimaru's counterattack pierced an Ice Clone after Sakura switched places with it, while Sakura gathered Chakra and activated the Mutually Multiplying Ice Clone Explosive Jutsu.
• Sakura caused the clones around Orochimaru to explode in a relentless series of blasts.

Sakura Haruno nearly defeated Orochimaru with a chain of attacks, but Tobirama Senju rescued him using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Orochimaru could still escape through marked formulas, and Sakura refused his offer to defect from Konoha, warning that his reincarnations had badly damaged his soul.

• Sakura Haruno weakened Orochimaru with the Mutually Multiplying Clone Explosion Technique and advanced on him as his Chakra and stamina dwindled.
• Sakura Haruno attacked Orochimaru with five water dragons, but Tobirama Senju teleported him away and used Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags to destroy the dragons.
• Tobirama Senju revealed that Orochimaru could escape using Flying Thunder God Formulas hidden nearby, and Sakura Haruno admitted she had no way to stop him.
• Orochimaru invited Sakura Haruno to leave Konoha and join him as an equal partner, offering to share his research and Reincarnation Technique.
• Sakura Haruno refused Orochimaru's offer and warned that repeated reincarnations had damaged his soul and would ultimately lead to his death.

Sakura Haruno and Tobirama Senju ended their battle with Orochimaru, who escaped with Tobirama, while Suigetsu challenged Haku for the Kubikiribōchō. Haku countered Suigetsu’s Water Release and froze his water dragon, but Suigetsu refused to surrender and charged into close combat.

• Tobirama Senju recognized Sakura Haruno’s Ice Release talent, then used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take Orochimaru away; Sakura set off to find Haku.
• Suigetsu entered the valley to search for the Kubikiribōchō and met Haku, whom he identified as Zabuza’s former companion.
• Suigetsu demanded the Kubikiribōchō, but Haku refused to give him Zabuza’s sword, so the two began fighting.
• Haku countered Suigetsu’s Water Release and froze his Water Dragon Bullet Technique into ice with Frost Ice Burial.
• Haku urged Suigetsu to give up, but he insisted he could still win with Taijutsu and charged at her.

Haku defeated Suigetsu and waited with him while Sakura fought Orochimaru, then learned that Sakura had won and returned to discuss Zabuza’s grave and the Kubikiribōchō. After staying with Tazuna’s family, Haku agreed to move Zabuza’s grave to Konoha.

• Haku used the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to freeze Suigetsu in place and waited with him for Sakura’s battle to end.
• Orochimaru arrived with the Second Hokage, and a Konoha shinobi told Haku that Sakura had defeated Orochimaru; the Second Hokage then took Orochimaru and Suigetsu away.
• Sakura arrived and discussed the danger to Zabuza’s grave and the Kubikiribōchō, suggesting that they move both to Konoha.
• Sakura and Haku stayed at Tazuna’s home, where they saw how the Land of Waves had prospered and Sakura rested after the battle.
• The next morning, Haku decided to take Zabuza’s grave back to Konoha.

Sakura and Haku brought Zabuza’s coffin and Kubikiribōchō back to Konoha, forcing Tsunade to weigh Haku’s wishes against diplomacy with Kirigakure. After leaving the Hokage’s office, Sakura reunited with her students and began teaching them tactics by recreating her battle with Orochimaru.

• Tsunade explained that burying Zabuza in Konoha and keeping Kubikiribōchō could strain relations with Kirigakure, which regarded the blade as its property.
• Sakura asked about Konoha’s contact with Kirigakure, and Tsunade said Kakashi, Sasuke, Shino, and Hinata had returned from an envoy mission to meet its new Mizukage.
• Tsunade asked whether Haku would return Zabuza’s blade for the sake of peace, then reassured her that Konoha would support her and sent her and Sakura home to rest.
• Sakura went to Training Ground 9, reunited with Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon, and promised to teach them tactics using her fight with Orochimaru.
• Sakura recreated the Land of Waves battlefield by the river and used small, lifelike figures to begin reenacting the battle for her students.

Sakura Haruno used a miniature reenactment of her battle with the Second Hokage and Orochimaru to teach Moegi, Udon, and Konohamaru about teamwork, chained attacks, and seizing the initiative. With the Chunin Ninja Exams approaching, she planned to intensify their combat training and left them with lessons to review.

• Sakura showed her students a scaled-down battle and explained how Orochimaru timed Great Fire Annihilation to follow the Second Hokage's attack.
• Sakura asked the students how they would handle the fireball, then demonstrated how she used the ice giant to block it and create an opening to counterattack.
• Sakura replayed her fast exchange with the Second Hokage, explained how he chained Flying Thunder God attacks and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, and taught the students to connect their own moves.
• Sakura warned Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon that she would watch their attack combinations during sparring as she prepared to increase their combat training before the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Sakura finished the reenactment and listed several past battles she could demonstrate to her students in the future.

After Sakura Haruno reported her battle with Orochimaru and Tobirama Senju, Konoha’s leaders discussed the threat posed by Orochimaru’s improved Impure World Reincarnation. They decided to take the initiative against him, and Danzo proposed involving Sasuke Uchiha.

• Sakura Haruno finished training Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon and promised to teach them a powerful Ninjutsu the next day.
• Tsunade brought Sakura Haruno to a high-level meeting, where the leaders read Sakura’s detailed report about her battle with Orochimaru in the Land of Waves.
• Sakura confirmed that Tobirama Senju had remained conscious and spoken while Orochimaru controlled him through Impure World Reincarnation.
• The leaders worried Orochimaru could summon Tobirama at full strength, but Tsunade rejected the idea of keeping Sakura confined to the village and urged them to act against Orochimaru.
• Danzo argued that Konoha should find and kill or capture Orochimaru, whose base might be near the Land of Rice Fields.
• Tsunade considered asking Hiashi Hyuga for help, but Danzo proposed Sasuke Uchiha for the mission, drawing Sakura’s cold glare.