Chapter Summaries

Habara reviewed the system’s limited rewards and his new abilities, then went with Shisui to see the latest graduates. As they discussed the Uchiha-led Military Police Force and Konoha’s rare period of peace, Shisui thanked Habara for making that peace possible.

• Habara kept the Thread Entangling Flow and Meditation techniques, which could protect him and improve his ability to learn and comprehend techniques.
• Habara agreed to accompany Shisui to see the newly graduated children as the clans prepared to recruit promising students.
• The Uchiha had expanded the Military Police Force into a powerful organization with law enforcement, judicial, and internal security roles, prompting other groups to demand decentralization.
• Habara asked Shisui about the Security Directors, who spent peacetime training and community service because Konoha faced few threats.
• Shisui thanked Habara and said his actions had created peace.

Habara reflected on the strength behind Konoha’s peace and visited the Hokage’s Office to review the new graduates’ team assignments. Sasuke graduated as a Genin and resolved to kill Uchiha Itachi, believing the time had come to act.

• Habara told Shisui that peace depended on strength and the determination to strike back, then went to the Hokage’s Office to inspect the team assignments.
• Uchiha Fugaku joined Habara and said he had come to see how Sasuke was doing; Habara noted that many members of the Seven Great Clans were graduating together.
• Habara recalled that the Uchiha had supported Rock Lee and Might Guy, strengthening their influence in Konoha.
• At the academy, Shikamaru complained about graduating while Naruto and Akimichi Choji teased him, and Yamanaka Ino kept her distance.
• Sasuke remembered Habara’s prediction that he, Naruto, and Karin would form a team, likely under Hatake Kakashi, and focused on his goal of killing Uchiha Itachi now that he had graduated.

Iruka announced the graduate team assignments, placing Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke together as Team 7. The students challenged the unusual pairing, and Iruka struggled to explain the decision as the class awaited his response.

• Sasuke reflected on graduating and his certainty that Naruto and Karin would be his teammates, while Sakura hoped to join his team.
• Iruka arrived and read the assignments, naming Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke as Team 7.
• The students wondered who Karin was, then protested that the Academy’s top two graduates had been placed on the same team.
• Sakura and the other girls questioned the team’s balance, and Iruka silenced the class before struggling to justify the assignment.

Kakashi discussed the new teams and their instructors with Habara, then gathered Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin to begin their training as shinobi. The team started their introductions with Kakashi warning them he might be late while house-hunting.

• Kakashi told Habara that Shiranui Genma and Yamato would lead the other teams, while he would take Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin.
• Kakashi left to collect Karin and bring her and the others to the rooftop for their first team meeting.
• Kakashi said the introductions marked a new beginning, despite the team already knowing one another.
• Kakashi introduced himself, withheld his interests, and warned that he might arrive late because he was looking for a house.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin were taken aback by Kakashi's introduction and his blunt excuse for being late.

Kakashi introduced Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke, then sent their already-coordinated team straight to missions instead of giving them an entry test. Meanwhile, Habara reviewed the Uchiha’s recruiting results and considered using the upcoming Chunin Exams to provoke Sunagakure into action.

• Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke shared their dreams, with Sasuke declaring that he wanted to kill Uchiha Itachi and restore the clan’s honor.
• Kakashi skipped the team entry test because the three had trained together for years and told them to gather for a mission the next day.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin regretted that they had prepared new techniques they could not test on Kakashi.
• Uchiha Fugaku showed Habara a list of promising children recruited with the other clans, and Habara approved of their prospects.
• Habara discussed the approaching Chunin Exams and considered provoking Rasa and Sunagakure, while weighing the risk of trouble for Konoha.

Habara proposed using the upcoming Chunin Exams to let Orochimaru and a hostile group attack Konoha, giving the village a pretext to expand its integration of the Shinobi World. Tsunade identified his aims, and Habara urged the gathered leaders to weigh the dangerous plan before time ran out.

• Habara summoned the other clans, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to discuss the Chunin Exams and the chance to bring outsiders into Konoha.
• Habara declared that Konoha should use the opportunity to advance his goal of integrating the Shinobi World, prompting the leaders to question who might attack and how.
• Tsunade guessed that Habara intended to have Orochimaru cooperate with hostile forces to launch an attack inside Konoha.
• Tsunade reasoned that the plan would prepare young shinobi for war, give Konoha grounds to act, and test Orochimaru's increasingly distant relationship with the village.
• Habara confirmed Tsunade's interpretation and urged the leaders to consider the risks and benefits before the Chunin Exams began.

Habara reconsidered his chakra-fusion method during meditation and discovered that isolating and blending individual chakra traits could create a more balanced fusion. He abandoned his initial two-element test and began searching for traits that would connect all five chakra natures, leaving him on a promising new path.

• Habara gave the others a month to consider his proposal, then returned to practicing chakra fusion.
• Habara entered his enhanced meditative state and examined the chakra within his body, including his Ice Release, Lava Release, and Yin-Yang Release.
• Habara decided to abandon his old fusion approach and seek a balanced connection among all five chakra natures.
• Habara isolated the traits of Fire Release and Earth Release, then successfully blended strands of their chakra without either overpowering the other.
• Habara stopped the fusion when he realized that blending two chakra streams did not fulfill his goal of connecting all five natures.
• Habara brought out Wind Release, Water Release, and Lightning Style chakra and began searching for traits that could help all five natures blend.

Jiraiya assigned Kakashi and Team 7 an escort mission to the Land of Waves while continuing to agonize over Habara’s unresolved question. On the road, Team 7 exposed an ambush and stopped two attackers from reaching Tazuna.

• Jiraiya gave Kakashi Tazuna’s suspicious bridge-building mission and approved his request to consult the Anbu intelligence network about the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi set out with Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Tazuna, while Tazuna concealed his reasons for hiring them.
• Near the Land of Whirlpools, Karin spotted two attackers hiding by a puddle, and Team 7 recognized that the C-rank escort mission was suspicious.
• The attackers bound Kakashi with sickle chains and appeared to cut him in half, alarming Tazuna.
• Naruto and Sasuke stopped the attackers before they could strike Tazuna, and Karin confirmed that he was their target.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin uncovered Tazuna’s deception but agreed to continue the mission after Kakashi explained Konoha’s plans for the Land of Waves. Habara captured Kabuto and recruited him to contact Orochimaru, while Kakashi’s team encountered Momochi Zabuza and prepared to fight in his Hidden Mist Technique.

• Sasuke killed the two captured Kirigakure shinobi, and Tazuna admitted he had concealed the mission’s true danger because he could not afford higher-ranked shinobi.
• Sasuke and Karin decided to abandon the mission, but Kakashi explained that Konoha intended to use the crisis as a reason to intervene in the Land of Waves, so the team continued.
• Habara confronted Kabuto, revealed his history with Root and Orochimaru, and ordered him to contact Orochimaru with information.
• Kakashi’s team traveled by boat to the Land of Waves, where Karin detected two hidden opponents and Sasuke drove one from the forest with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Kakashi identified Momochi Zabuza, refused to hand Tazuna over, and ordered Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin to protect him while Zabuza shrouded the area in mist.

Orochimaru received Habara’s request to prepare targets in Sunagakure and began making arrangements of his own, including considering replacing Rasa. In the Land of Waves, Kakashi’s team defeated Zabuza, exposed the false Kirigakure Anbu, and planned to gather evidence against Gato while protecting the villagers; Habara later reviewed Orochimaru’s reply and warned Kabuto Yakushi to keep proving his value.

• Orochimaru read Habara’s information, decided to prepare for action involving Sunagakure, and considered replacing Rasa if necessary.
• Sasuke fought Zabuza in the mist until Kakashi used the Flying Thunder God Technique to rescue him and overpower Zabuza.
• A masked shinobi claiming to be Kirigakure Anbu killed Zabuza, while Karin, Naruto, and Sasuke kept quiet about recognizing the deception.
• Kakashi told his team that the masked shinobi was false and explained that they would let Zabuza act again so they could obtain proof linking him to Gato.
• Kakashi’s team agreed to protect the Land of Waves’ residents while investigating Gato and proceeding with the bridge construction.
• Habara received Orochimaru’s reply through Kabuto Yakushi and warned Kabuto that he would need to demonstrate greater value to stay alive.

Habara agreed to Konoha’s operation in an anonymous vote and hinted that he would soon visit Nara Shikaku’s home to address his relationship with Yoshino. In the Land of Waves, Kakashi confronted Zabuza on the bridge and drew out the masked figure who had previously taken Zabuza away.

• Habara went to the Hokage’s Office, where Jiraiya held an anonymous vote on whether Konoha should proceed with the operation; the result was five votes in favor and four against.
• Habara told Nara Shikaku that he would visit his home and asked that Uncle Rokujo be there, signaling that he intended to address his relationship with Yoshino.
• Kakashi divided the team’s roles: Sasuke and Naruto would attack Gato’s stronghold, Karin would guard the house and provide sensory support, and Kakashi would face Zabuza on the bridge.
• Kakashi accompanied Tazuna to the half-built bridge and suggested that Konoha’s protection could offer the Land of Waves a safer future than the bridge alone.
• Zabuza ambushed Kakashi and Tazuna in a thick mist, but Kakashi dispelled Zabuza’s clones and demanded that he reveal the person who had previously taken him away.
• Zabuza summoned a masked figure, whose arrival made the air grow cold.

Kakashi defeated Zabuza and Haku, then persuaded Zabuza to betray Gato and help Konoha take control of the Land of Waves. Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke prepared to attack Gato’s base, while Habara and Konoha’s leaders planned defenses against a possible assault and learned that the Land of Waves was nearly secured.

• Kakashi overwhelmed Zabuza with his swordsmanship and Purple Lightning, while Haku’s Ice Release briefly interrupted the fight.
• Kakashi offered Zabuza a chance to live in exchange for serving Konoha and acting as evidence against Gato; Zabuza agreed to betray his employer to protect Haku.
• Karin sensed a group approaching Tazuna’s house and went outside to meet them.
• Naruto and Sasuke planned to infiltrate Gato’s base, defeat its shinobi, and capture Gato.
• Habara, Fugaku, and Shisui discussed Konoha’s emergency defenses and assigned roles to the Guard Director, Security Director, and Anbu.
• Habara told Fugaku and Shisui that the Land of Waves was basically theirs.

Konoha took control of the Land of Waves after Naruto and Sasuke killed Gato, while Orochimaru secured Konoha and Sunagakure’s cooperation for a plan targeting the Nine-Tails during the Joint Chunin Exams. The chapter ended with Akatsuki agreeing to prepare for the operation, including planning a retreat route.

• Kakashi’s team completed its mission in the Land of Waves, and a Hyuga jonin’s defense force entered to take control after Kakashi handed over the documents.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to overwhelm Gato’s forces, Sasuke killed Gato with Chidori, and Karin reported that she had eliminated the bandits approaching the town.
• Orochimaru learned that Konoha and Sunagakure had agreed to his proposal, while Cloud Hidden Village and Iwagakure rejected it and Kirigakure did not respond.
• Rasa told Chiyo and Ebizo that he planned to attack Konoha during the Joint Chunin Exams to redirect Sunagakure’s internal troubles.
• Orochimaru proposed that Akatsuki use the exams to infiltrate Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Naruto, with Pain supporting the plan.
• Sasori urged Akatsuki to prepare a retreat route and plan for failure before the operation began.

Habara prepared Konoha’s forces for the coming Chunin Exams while Orochimaru and Sunagakure arranged a secret attack aimed at exploiting the event and capturing the Nine-Tails. As the villages’ leaders decided to attend, Naruto confronted Kankuro after he threatened Konohamaru in Konoha.

• Habara worried over the operation’s risks, and Yoshino reassured him that the people supporting him trusted his judgment.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto that Akatsuki planned to use the Chunin Exams to capture the Nine-Tails and hinted that the Fourth Kazekage’s fate was already decided.
• Kakashi prepared Naruto and his teammates for the exams as Konoha hosted Baki, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, and Sunagakure’s delegation.
• Ōnoki and Killer B chose to attend the Chunin Exams after learning that Rasa would be there.
• Kankuro threatened Konohamaru after the boy bumped into him, and Naruto stepped in to defend Konohamaru.

Naruto defended Konohamaru from Kankuro, destroying his puppet before Gaara and Sasuke halted the fight and Kankuro apologized. Meanwhile, Konoha’s leaders prepared for powerful visitors at the Chunin Exams, as Itachi and Kisame met Orochimaru in secret and learned that Sasori had been sent to kill the Kazekage.

• Naruto stepped in when Kankuro bullied Konohamaru, but Kankuro rejected Konohamaru’s apology and provoked a fight.
• Naruto struck Kankuro and destroyed the Crow with a Rasengan, but Gaara raised Yellow Sand to shield Kankuro from the attack.
• Sasuke appeared behind Gaara, and Naruto made Kankuro apologize to Konohamaru before Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin left.
• Jiraiya, Habara, and Nara Shikaku discussed how Ōnoki and Killer B’s arrival could test Konoha’s strength and create an opportunity to deter other villages.
• Uchiha Itachi and Kisame entered Konoha and met Orochimaru, who said he wanted to capture the Nine-Tails and had sent Sasori to intercept and kill the Kazekage.

As the Chunin Exams began, Kisame observed Konoha’s peaceful prosperity while Kakuzu and Deidara prepared to guard the Forest of Death. Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin passed the written stage, and Habara asked Kakashi to help bring Hatake Sakumo back into the sunlight as the second exam began.

• Kisame watched Konoha’s residents and wondered whether his life would have been different there, then spotted Kakuzu and Deidara before leaving under the watch of hidden shadows.
• Kakuzu and Deidara discussed the Chunin Exams and their duties guarding the Forest of Death, while Habara confirmed Kisame’s arrival and summoned Yoshino to contact Kakashi.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin gathered answers during Ibiki’s written test and refused to withdraw when he announced the Tenth Question.
• Habara told Kakashi he planned to resurrect Hatake Sakumo openly, and Kakashi agreed that his father should return while suggesting Impure World Reincarnation could serve a greater purpose.
• Anko explained the Forest of Death’s scroll challenge, and Naruto’s Team 7 entered the forest before finding a concealed place to stop.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin planned an ambush in the Forest of Death while Shisui fought Kisame, who escaped after Shisui unleashed Susanoo. Habara deduced Kisame might be reconsidering his allegiance, and Sasori waited to ambush Sunagakure’s Fourth Kazekage.

• Sasuke chose a likely meeting point for an ambush, while Kisame entered the Forest of Death to gather intelligence on Naruto.
• Shisui confronted Kisame, fought him through the mist, and drove him underground with a Susanoo strike, but Kisame escaped.
• Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin confronted three Takigakure shinobi; Sasuke escaped a Water Prison Technique with Substitution and subdued their leader.
• Habara read Shisui’s report and reasoned that Kisame might be wavering because the world around Konoha was changing and Habara had once invited him to join.
• Sasori waited along a route into the Land of Fire and spotted a Sunagakure formation he planned to attack, targeting the Fourth Kazekage.

Rasa’s force was ambushed and slaughtered by Sasori using the Third Kazekage as a puppet, while Konoha celebrated the Chunin Exams’ second stage and Habara resurrected Hatake Sakumo. After Sakumo learned about Konoha’s changes and pledged to defend it, Habara prepared him for the coming crisis and wondered whether to visit someone intriguing.

• Rasa led Sand Ninja toward Konoha, but Sasori ambushed them with poisoned weapons and the Third Kazekage’s Iron Sand, killing the unit before attacking Rasa.
• Naruto celebrated the candidates’ advancement, and Karin proposed that they gather for a meal before preparing for the finals.
• Habara summoned Hatake Sakumo in his laboratory, where Sakumo recognized Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and other old acquaintances.
• Habara and the others explained Konoha’s transformation and its plans to Sakumo, who thanked Habara and pledged to give everything for Konoha.
• Habara told Sakumo he would serve as a chief examiner and promised to resurrect him fully after the coming crisis.
• Habara left the laboratory wondering whether to visit someone he considered very interesting.

Habara invited Kisame to join him, while Orochimaru prepared the Fourth Kazekage’s invasion plan and the Chunin Exams’ final round began. Naruto defeated Neji, and as Sasuke faced Gaara, Orochimaru and Jiraiya signaled for their plans to begin.

• Habara met Kisame outside Konoha and again invited him to join his effort to create a peaceful shinobi world.
• Sasori delivered the materials for Orochimaru to use Impure World Reincarnation on Rasa, and Orochimaru entered Konoha disguised as the Fourth Kazekage.
• The final round of the Chunin Exams began, and Hatake Sakumo watched alongside Kakashi while Orochimaru recognized the resurrected Senju Nawaki among the examiners.
• Naruto defeated Neji by overwhelming his Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven with Shadow Clones, and Neji conceded.
• Sasuke and Gaara entered the arena for the second match as Orochimaru signaled Baki and Jiraiya signaled Nara Shikaku to begin their plans.

Sasuke and Gaara’s match triggered the planned invasion of Konoha when Gaara began transforming into the One-Tail. As the village fought back and Pain confronted Habara, Hatake Sakumo intervened to stop Baki from letting Gaara transform further.

• Sasuke used Fire Release against Gaara, then survived Gaara’s apparent killing blow with the Substitution Technique and countered with Chidori.
• Gaara’s sand defense was pierced, and the One-Tail’s chakra erupted as the Chunin Exams venue descended into chaos.
• Orochimaru, controlling Rasa, joined the attack while Deva Path Pain shattered Konoha’s barrier and led the other Pains into the village.
• Habara confronted Pain and claimed that Nagato’s Rinnegan was not truly his, revealing that Habara was approaching the Rinnegan’s power himself.
• The Military Police Force evacuated residents while Tsunade organized Konoha’s forces to counterattack the invading shinobi.
• Baki tried to protect Gaara as his transformation accelerated, but a mysterious man stopped him and revealed that he was Hatake Sakumo.