Recaps

Rock Lee defeated Zaku in the Chunin Exam preliminaries, and Naruto celebrated the end of the matches with his friends while asking Kurama to guard the village gates. Jiraiya returned to Konoha and met Hiruzen Sarutobi, who surprised him by asking him to take Naruto and train him.

• Rock Lee used the Shadow Dance Leaf to defeat Zaku, winning the second match of the preliminaries.
• The remaining matches ended by dusk, and Naruto invited his friends and the visiting ninja to a feast at the Breeding Farm.
• Naruto sent Kurama to watch the village gates, while Zaku, Dosu, and Kin discussed sneaking away before the next morning.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha and slipped into the women's bath to gather material, frightening Hiruzen Sarutobi when he saw Jiraiya's hairy leg through the crystal ball.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Jiraiya, who said he had returned to see Naruto, then asked Jiraiya to take Naruto and train him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to let Jiraiya train Naruto, while Jiraiya left him a strange gift that enraged him. After a celebratory dinner at the Breeding Farm, Naruto sparred with Might Guy-sensei and made Tenten his new friend by beating her; the group left with Might Guy-sensei and Tenten bruised and battered.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Jiraiya to train Naruto, and Jiraiya accepted before sending Hiruzen a wrapped piece of his leg hair.
• Sasuke sensed Orochimaru hiding near the path to the Breeding Farm, but Orochimaru stayed concealed because Naruto was surrounded by friends.
• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Naruto would be at the village entrance the next morning and suggested they use dead drops to exchange intelligence.
• Naruto hosted a dinner at the Breeding Farm, then persuaded the drunken Might Guy-sensei to spar with him.
• Naruto beat Might Guy-sensei unconscious, then declared Tenten his new friend and beat her before Neji and Rock Lee helped them leave.

Naruto walked Hinata home, held her hand, and kissed her beneath the moonlight before returning to Sasuke. The next morning, Naruto made Sasuke become his friend all over again, leaving Sasuke bruised and full of regret as Naruto headed off to make more friends.

• Naruto walked Hinata home by moonlight while holding her hand, and she thanked him for praising her victory over Neji.
• At the Hyuga Clan compound, Naruto kissed Hinata before she went inside, then used Instant Movement to return to the Breeding Farm.
• Naruto told Sasuke he would lose sleep over him, and Sasuke later saw his dark circles and realized Naruto had kept his word.
• The next morning, Naruto asked Sasuke to become his friend again and insisted on proving how much he valued him.
• After fifteen minutes of being beaten during their renewed friendship, Sasuke let Naruto leave to make friends and went to spar with Zabuza.

Sasuke sought out Zabuza at the Breeding Farm and beat him in a so-called friendly spar, while Might Guy stayed home to avoid Naruto after waking bruised. Naruto headed to the village entrance to make friends but stopped to help a woman whose injured ankle was actually part of Orochimaru’s disguise; the chapter ended with Naruto urging Orochimaru to walk it off.

• Sasuke found Zabuza hauling manure and used Flying Thunder God to stop him from fleeing, then beat him in a ten-minute spar.
• Zabuza returned to work bruised and admitted to Haku that Sasuke had beaten him, while Shikamaru continued managing the farm.
• Might Guy woke with bruises, blamed Naruto for taking advantage of his drunkenness, and refused to join his students at the village entrance.
• Naruto walked toward the village entrance, distracted by thoughts of making friends, and collided with Orochimaru disguised as a young woman.
• Naruto massaged Orochimaru’s deliberately sprained ankle, helped him stand, then told him to take a few steps before hurrying away.

Naruto sent Sasuke to escort Orochimaru, disguised as Tsukishirohime, to a hotel so he could wait at Konoha’s entrance for potential new friends. There, Kurama revealed he had stopped Zaku, Dosu, and Kin from secretly leaving, and Naruto decided to make them his friends through a spar.

• Sasuke arrived as Naruto debated whether to escort the disguised Orochimaru or go to the village entrance, and Naruto persuaded Sasuke to take the visitor to a hotel.
• Naruto introduced the visitor as Tsukishirohime and promised to visit after his business, while Orochimaru accepted Sasuke’s escort.
• Naruto went to Konoha’s entrance, where Kurama reported that he had knocked out three people trying to leave the village overnight.
• Kurama led Naruto to Zaku, Dosu, and Kin, and Naruto decided they needed several friendly spars to recognize his excellence and become his friends.

Naruto stopped the Sound Ninja Trio from fleeing Konoha and insisted on becoming their friend, using a beating to prove their sincerity. After they reluctantly accepted the friendship, he let them return to Otogakure and planned to visit them someday.

• Kurama woke Zaku, Dosu, and Kin by slapping them after the trio had been knocked unconscious while trying to leave Konoha.
• Naruto confronted the Sound Ninja Trio about secretly leaving and accepted Dosu's excuse that they had an urgent matter in their village.
• Naruto beat Zaku, Dosu, and Kin for forty-five minutes, adding extra time because they had rejected his offer of friendship twice.
• Naruto helped the battered trio up, declared them friends for life, and offered to help with their urgent matter.
• Dosu, Kin, and Zaku said farewell and left for Otogakure, while Naruto said he would visit their village someday.

Naruto waited at Konoha’s entrance to make friends with the visiting exam teams, greeting his friends and watching the Sunagakure delegation arrive. Gaara and Naruto locked eyes as Baki challenged Konoha’s welcome, leaving their first encounter tense.

• Naruto saw Zaku, Dosu, and Kin leave, then told Sasuke that the three Otogakure ninjas were his new friends.
• Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji arrived, and Tenten quietly asked Neji why Sasuke’s face was bruised.
• Naruto’s other friends gathered at the entrance, where Shino told a joke and Hinata blushed as she remembered Naruto taking her home.
• Naruto spotted Baki leading Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro of Sunagakure toward the village entrance.
• Temari noticed Naruto, while Gaara and Naruto stared at each other; Baki coldly questioned how Konoha treated its guests.

Baki prepared to return to Sunagakure, but Naruto stopped him at Konoha’s entrance to make friends with his students. Temari accepted Naruto’s friendly spar, leaving Baki confused about Naruto’s unusual way of making friends.

• Baki hurried to return to Sunagakure, intending to advise Rasa to attack Konoha despite Orochimaru’s decision to abandon the plan.
• Naruto told Baki that he had come to make friends, and Baki relaxed and encouraged his students to interact with Naruto.
• Kankuro said he was already Naruto’s friend, while Temari nervously prepared to step forward and Gaara stayed silent.
• Naruto sensed that Gaara carried the One-Tails Shukaku and hoped Gaara would agree to become friends, but Temari volunteered instead.
• Temari challenged Naruto to a friendly spar and readied her Three-Star Fan, while Kankuro explained Naruto’s sparring-based way of making friends to Baki.

Naruto fought Temari and revealed overwhelming strength, leaving her and Baki convinced that Sand Hidden could not win a war against Konoha. The chapter ended as Naruto’s punch struck Temari’s full-power storm.

• Sasuke joined Kurama to watch Naruto and Temari’s battle while sharing Kurama’s sunflower seeds.
• Temari opened her Three-Star Fan and trapped Naruto in a tornado, but he stood unharmed inside it.
• Temari reflected on the Konoha Crush Plan being shelved and realized Naruto’s strength could have devastated Sand Hidden.
• Temari unleashed the Three-Star Fan’s full power, while Naruto’s invisible force neatly cut pant legs and sliced the rock beneath Kurama and Sasuke.
• Baki realized Sand Hidden would lose if it attacked Konoha and resolved to stop Rasa from going to war.
• Naruto took seven steps toward Temari’s storm and struck it with a punch that made the void explode.

Naruto crushed Temari’s strongest attack and beat her until she agreed to be his friend, then turned to Baki to ask him the same question. Baki hesitated over whether he could refuse, while Kurama celebrated winning its bet with Sasuke.

• Naruto destroyed Temari’s storm with one punch and appeared behind her before beating her until she accepted his friendship.
• Sasuke bet that Naruto would befriend Gaara next, while Kurama bet that Naruto would choose Baki; they wagered that the loser would wash dishes for a month.
• Temari confirmed she and Naruto were friends, and Naruto helped her to Kankuro, who gave her some medicine.
• Naruto bypassed Gaara and asked Baki to be his friend, leaving Baki stunned and reluctant to accept.
• Kurama declared Sasuke the loser of their bet, and Sasuke looked annoyed.

Naruto forced Baki through a sparring session, then fought Gaara until Gaara lost control and Shukaku emerged. Kurama and Naruto confronted Shukaku, while Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the giant Tailed Beasts gather at Konoha’s entrance.

• Naruto beat Baki in a sparring match until Baki agreed to be his friend, then turned his attention to Gaara.
• Naruto shattered Gaara’s Sand Armor, and Gaara’s pain caused him to lose control and awaken Shukaku.
• Baki sent Temari and Kankuro to seek help from Hidden Sand while they carried him away from Konoha.
• Shukaku emerged and met Kurama, who grew to match his size; Naruto also expanded and made Shukaku retreat from his threat.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Shukaku, Kurama, and Naruto in giant form through his crystal ball and realized Naruto’s earlier claim about the Nine-Tails was true.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo sensed Kurama and Shukaku at Konoha’s entrance and saw Naruto standing independently beside Kurama. Hiruzen ordered Danzo to apologize to Naruto and decided to explain Naruto’s parentage, then headed for the entrance as Jiraiya and other ninja rushed there too.

• Danzo left his laboratory and joined Hiruzen Sarutobi to observe Naruto and Kurama through the crystal ball.
• Danzo concluded Naruto’s unusual form showed he could separate from Kurama while preserving the Tailed Beast’s independence.
• Hiruzen warned Danzo not to provoke Naruto and said he would reveal Naruto’s identity as Minato’s son to the village.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to apologize to Naruto for leaking that he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Danzo agreed before leaving to write the letter.
• Hiruzen and Jiraiya headed toward Konoha’s entrance after sensing the massive Chakra presences, while other ninja rushed there as well.
• A Jonin greeted Jiraiya enthusiastically as he made his way to the entrance.

Naruto and Kurama fought Shukaku after he refused to return to his seal, overpowering him until he begged to go back. Shukaku awakened Gaara to return to the seal as Naruto and Kurama raised their fists again.

• Kurama asked Shukaku to return to his seal so Naruto and Gaara could become friends, but Shukaku refused and Naruto chose to fight him.
• Shukaku attacked Naruto with Sand Waterfall Funeral, and Naruto struck back with Ten Thousand Buddhas Ascension while Kurama launched a Tailed Beast Bomb.
• Shukaku countered with nine Tailed Beast Bombs, which together canceled out Kurama's single blast as Sasuke and the other spectators watched from a distance.
• Naruto used Instant Movement to get behind Shukaku and battered him with over a thousand punches while Kurama joined the attack.
• Shukaku turned the ground into sand to trap Naruto, but Naruto and Kurama had already pounded his body into loose sand.
• Shukaku panicked at the sight of their raised fists, awakened Gaara, and begged to return to his seal.

Naruto defeated Shukaku, then carried the unconscious Gaara back to the Breeding Farm, calling him his friend. The Konoha Jonin arrived after the fight, and Jiraiya saw Naruto for the first time while Hiruzen reminded Danzo to deliver an apology letter before nightfall.

• Shukaku retreated into Gaara after Gaara briefly awoke, and Naruto found Gaara unconscious after the battle.
• Naruto decided to look after Gaara until Baki, Temari, and Kankuro returned from Hidden Sand, then Sasuke and the others rejoined him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha Jonin arrived, and Naruto told Hiruzen he had been making a friend.
• Naruto recognized Jiraiya, then carried Gaara toward the Breeding Farm with Sasuke and the others.
• Jiraiya watched Naruto leave and wondered about his strength, while Hiruzen told Danzo to deliver Naruto's apology letter before nightfall.

Naruto visited Tsukishirohime at Sasuke's suggestion, unaware that she was Orochimaru in disguise and intended to capture him. After Orochimaru made an unwanted advance, Naruto knocked him unconscious and returned to Sasuke and Hinata.

• Danzo left after speaking privately with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Hiruzen dismissed the gathered Konoha Jonin.
• Naruto brought the unconscious Gaara to the Breeding Farm, then agreed to visit Tsukishirohime with Sasuke and Hinata.
• Naruto left Shino to look after their guests and went to Tsukishirohime's hotel room while Sasuke and Hinata waited downstairs.
• Orochimaru, disguised as Tsukishirohime, tried to seduce and embrace Naruto, but Naruto knocked him unconscious.
• Naruto covered Orochimaru with a blanket, left the hotel, and told Sasuke and Hinata that Tsukishirohime was fine.

Rasa learned that Gaara was safe with Naruto and sent Temari and Kankuro to Konoha to retrieve him. At the Breeding Farm, Naruto welcomed his friends and promised the unconscious Gaara that he would help him find friendship and trust.

• Rasa arrived at the Hidden Sand outpost and told Temari and Kankuro that Gaara was with Naruto in Konoha.
• Temari and Kankuro set out for Konoha while Baki warned Rasa not to target Konoha; Rasa admitted he could not face Hiruzen Sarutobi and Naruto alone but still considered Naruto's loyalties uncertain.
• Naruto returned to the Breeding Farm, invited his friends to lunch, and agreed to spar with Rock Lee afterward.
• Naruto asked Shino to entertain the visitors and sent Sasuke and Kurama to find ingredients for lunch.
• Naruto checked on the unconscious Gaara and vowed to help him find friendship, trust, and happiness.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Kurama chose livestock from the Breeding Farm to prepare a meal, while Haku and Zabuza were invited to lunch. After the animals were butchered, a masked Root ninja delivered Danzō's letter of apology to Naruto.

• Naruto left the lounge and went to help Kurama and Sasuke choose ingredients for breakfast.
• Kurama and Sasuke selected two bulls and two goats, knocking out the bulls and putting the goats to sleep as they carried them away.
• Haku led Kurama and Sasuke to the pigsty, where they chose the only two pigs that were awake, and Sasuke invited Haku and Zabuza to lunch.
• Naruto slaughtered the pigs while Sasuke and Kurama butchered the sheep and checked them for internal injuries.
• A masked Root ninja approached Naruto and handed him Lord Danzō's letter of apology.

Naruto received Danzo’s apology for leaking that he was the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki and decided he would not forgive him, promising to visit him for a chat. Meanwhile, Hiruzen reviewed the Chunin Exam promotion candidates and considered Neji Hyuga’s prospects.

• A Root Ninja brought Naruto an apology letter from Danzo, and Naruto read it while the messenger waited for a reply.
• Naruto told the Root Ninja to tell Danzo that he had seen his sincerity and would come find him for a chat when he had time.
• Naruto reflected on how Danzo’s leak had made his childhood miserable and decided that the insincere apology did not deserve forgiveness.
• The Root Ninja reported Naruto’s calm response to Danzo, leaving out that Naruto had looked angry while reading the letter.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the Chunin Exam promotion list and concluded that Neji Hyuga could not be promoted because of his resentment toward the main family and Hyuga Hiashi’s rejection.

Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Naruto, apologized for Danzo’s actions, and tried to build goodwill by recalling Naruto’s childhood and revealing that he was Minato Namikaze’s son. Meanwhile, Orochimaru learned that Rasa had not abandoned the Konoha Crush Plan and began plotting to assassinate him.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Danzo had sent Naruto an apology letter through a Root ninja instead of apologizing in person, then asked Yingmi to summon Naruto.
• Naruto left Kurama and Sasuke at the Breeding Farm and went to the Hokage Building.
• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Rasa had not given up on the Konoha Crush Plan, and Orochimaru decided Rasa must die.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Naruto warmly, apologized for the leak of Naruto’s identity, and recalled giving him school supplies when he entered the ninja academy.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Naruto that he was Minato Namikaze’s son and claimed he had watched over him, while Naruto listened without challenging his performance.

Hiruzen told Naruto why he had hidden Naruto’s identity and framed his loneliness as training, then proposed revealing that Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s son. Naruto agreed to wait two days, privately doubting Hiruzen’s motives and planning to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique before the announcement.

• Hiruzen explained that he had concealed Naruto’s parentage to keep him from becoming like Asuma and to make him grow stronger through hardship.
• Naruto questioned whether Hiruzen had considered that he disliked being challenged, but Hiruzen insisted that the past was over and that Naruto should look forward.
• Hiruzen said he intended to announce that Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s child, and Naruto asked him to wait two days.
• Naruto left for the Breeding Farm, suspecting the announcement would not change the villagers’ opinions and that Hiruzen had withheld information about his father’s assets.
• Naruto planned to practice the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique so he could make friends with the villagers after his identity was announced.
• Hiruzen sat alone and wondered whether Naruto would stop blaming him.

Naruto returned to the Breeding Farm troubled by his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi about a coming conflict with Konoha’s leadership. Shino and Hinata supported him, and when Sasuke noticed his mood too, Naruto refused to confide in him, leaving Sasuke upset.

• Shino noticed Naruto’s strained smile, spoke with him privately, and pledged his personal support after hearing about Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Hinata told Naruto she would stand by him, and Naruto shared his concerns with her.
• Hinata asked whether Tsukishirohime was prettier than her, and Naruto reassured her that she was.
• Naruto joined Sasuke and Kurama in the kitchen, where Sasuke noticed his worries and asked what was wrong.
• Naruto denied having anything on his mind, prompting Sasuke to say that Naruto did not treat him like family.

Naruto told Sasuke and Kurama about Hiruzen Sarutobi’s conversation, and they agreed that the village had offered no meaningful support. Gaara woke in Naruto’s care and, after Naruto called them friends and showed him compassion, was moved by the kindness.

• Sasuke insisted that Naruto share his worries with the family, so Naruto explained his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Sasuke argued that Hiruzen’s promises were empty and said the Breeding Farm’s taxes should at least be exempted; Kurama promised to support Naruto by force.
• Naruto advised Sasuke to return gifts to Ino and Sakura, then went to check on Gaara.
• Gaara woke with a painful head and swollen face, recalled being beaten by Naruto, and realized he was in an unfamiliar room.
• Naruto brought Gaara water and called him a friend, but Gaara rejected the idea and turned away.
• Naruto gently stroked Gaara’s head and acknowledged that he must have suffered, bringing tears to Gaara’s eyes.

Naruto showed Gaara a projection of his lonely childhood, revealing that he had also been shunned as a Jinchuriki and helping Gaara see that they shared the same pain. The projection ended just as young Naruto seemed to find a way to make friends, leaving Gaara eager to learn what it was.

• Gaara rejected Naruto's concern and tried to hide his vulnerability, but Naruto urged him to face the wound behind his loneliness.
• Naruto told Gaara that he had once been lost and alone too, then used the system to project memories of his childhood.
• The projection showed young Naruto living alone and being rejected by children and villagers who feared him as the Nine-Tails Demon Fox.
• After nearly half a month of failed attempts to make friends, young Naruto tried wearing a mask, but the villagers still mocked him.
• Young Naruto ran away in tears, then said he had found a way to have friends before the projection vanished.
• Gaara recognized that Naruto had suffered as he had and wondered what method Naruto had discovered.

After showing Gaara an imagined account of his own painful childhood, Naruto offered him friendship and encouraged him to move beyond his suffering. Gaara accepted inwardly, slept peacefully, and woke with a faint smile as he remembered Naruto’s kindness.

• Naruto explained to Gaara that hardship could become an experience that helped people grow, then asked him to be his friend.
• Gaara quietly agreed, and Naruto left him to rest.
• Gaara fell into a deep sleep and dreamed that he accepted a golden-haired boy’s offer of friendship.
• Gaara woke refreshed, noticed that Naruto had refilled his water, and felt warmed by the gesture.
• Seeing his bruised face in the mirror, Gaara guessed Naruto had caused the injuries and smiled as he murmured, “I would!”

Gaara overcame his hesitation and joined Naruto’s friends, where Shino helped him feel welcome. Naruto saw Gaara enjoying their company and decided to give him a replacement mirror.

• Gaara woke after a peaceful sleep, found his pocket mirror shattered, and hesitated at the door while listening to the gathering outside.
• Gaara went into the courtyard, where Shino noticed him, introduced himself, and invited him to sit with Naruto’s friends.
• Shino introduced Gaara to Hinata Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, Kiba Inuzuka, Akamaru, and the others, then guided the conversation so Gaara could settle in comfortably.
• Gaara relaxed among the group and realized he enjoyed the warmth of having friends.
• Naruto found Gaara’s empty room and broken mirror, then decided to give Gaara his own mirror.
• Naruto saw Gaara sitting with the group and recognized that he liked being there.