Chapter Summaries

Naruto and his team faced Zabuza after Naruto made the rogue ninja’s sword disappear. Kakashi took charge as Zabuza filled the area with mist, and Naruto’s sensory ability helped the team track him as the fight began.

• Zabuza demanded to know where Naruto had sent the Kubikiribōchō, while Naruto taunted him and Kakashi stopped him from provoking Zabuza further.
• Kakashi and Sasuke revealed their Sharingan, and Zabuza recognized Sasuke as the last surviving Uchiha before demanding Tazuna and Naruto.
• Kakashi ordered Naruto and Sasuke to protect Tazuna and moved forward to face Zabuza alone.
• Zabuza vanished into mist, but Naruto sensed his Chakra and warned Kakashi where he was moving.
• Naruto blocked Zabuza’s thrown kunai, then coordinated with Sasuke to throw shuriken and force Zabuza to evade.
• Naruto sensed Zabuza changing direction and warned the others that he was coming.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought Zabuza, with Naruto clearing the fog and supporting his teammates as they wore Zabuza down. Just as Sasuke prepared to finish him with Chidori, a masked newcomer struck Zabuza with senbon and claimed he was dead.

• Naruto and Sasuke attacked Zabuza, but Naruto's powerful kick hit only a Water Clone.
• Naruto cleared the mist with Wind Release and forced Zabuza to evade a devastating Vacuum Cannon.
• Naruto supported Sasuke and Sakura as they landed repeated attacks and drove Zabuza back against a tree.
• Sasuke launched Chidori, but two senbon needles struck Zabuza before the attack could hit him.
• A masked newcomer appeared and teasingly confirmed that Zabuza was dead.

Naruto and his teammates defeated Zabuza, and Kakashi let a Hidden Mist pursuer take the body while keeping Zabuza’s sword. After Kakashi collapsed from an old problem, Naruto suggested he date a neighbor, but Kakashi changed the subject to question Tazuna.

• Naruto stopped himself from attacking the Hidden Mist pursuer, checked on Sasuke and Sakura, and gave them Carefree Pills for their injuries.
• Kakashi allowed the pursuer to take Zabuza’s corpse but kept the Kubikiribōchō.
• Naruto found Kakashi collapsed, revived him with a Blue Carefree Pill, and wondered whether his Sharingan had drained his chakra.
• Naruto urged Kakashi to find a girlfriend and recommended Sister Hua, prompting surprised reactions from Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and Tazuna.
• Kakashi changed the subject and asked Tazuna an important question.

Naruto learned about Zabuza’s past and discovered that Kirigakure’s Mizukage position was vacant, inspiring him to recruit Zabuza for the role. After leaving his team, Naruto teleported to the injured Zabuza and announced the plan.

• Tazuna persuaded Kakashi and the others to continue protecting him, and the team agreed to proceed to his home in the Land of Waves.
• Naruto noticed Zabuza’s chakra mark had become active and heard Kakashi recount Zabuza’s history in Kirigakure.
• Naruto learned that Kirigakure had no Mizukage and decided Zabuza would be a suitable candidate for the vacant position.
• Naruto excused himself from Kakashi’s forest training, disguised himself, and used his Flying Thunder God mark to reach Zabuza.
• Naruto told Zabuza that the organization had chosen him to become Mizukage.

Naruto trapped Zabuza and Haku in a genjutsu and reshaped Zabuza’s memories into a noble account of his past. He left Zabuza sobbing and convinced that he was Kirigakure’s hero, then asked whether he still remembered his dream of becoming Mizukage.

• Naruto revealed his Sharingan to Zabuza and explained that both he and Haku were caught in a genjutsu.
• Naruto persuaded Zabuza that he had killed his academy classmates to expose the Bloody Mist Village policy and protect Kirigakure’s future.
• Naruto invented a story about Zabuza’s friend Sakuragi Hanamichi dying in his arms while entrusting him with their shared dream.
• Naruto told Zabuza that the Fourth Mizukage had been controlled by a Mangekyō Sharingan, leading Zabuza to believe his failed assassination attempt had been for Kirigakure’s sake.
• Naruto called Zabuza Kirigakure’s hero and asked whether he had forgotten his dream of becoming Mizukage.

Naruto strengthened Zabuza and Haku, then set Zabuza on a path to become Mizukage by killing Gato and becoming the Hero of the Land of Waves. Naruto returned to Kakashi’s team, where Kakashi had Naruto and Sasuke prepare to fight so he could assess their strength.

• Naruto asked Zabuza whether he and Haku would die for each other, then decided they were partners and would pursue the Mizukage dream together.
• Naruto used Rinnegan and Yin-Yang Release to give Zabuza one million Chakra and strengthen his Water, Earth, and Fire Release abilities.
• Naruto enhanced Haku with one million Chakra and maxed out his Wind, Water, and Ice Release experience.
• Naruto told Zabuza to kill Gato, become the Hero of the Land of Waves, and use Gato’s assets to fund his Mizukage campaign.
• Naruto returned to Kakashi, joked that he had diarrhea, and joined Sasuke in agreeing to spar so Kakashi could assess their strength.

Naruto watched Kakashi end his training session with Team 7, then used Flying Thunder God to meet Zabuza and Haku after they killed Gato. He spared Gato’s thugs and planned to turn them into a business network called Umbrella Corporation.

• Naruto defeated Sasuke in their sparring session, and Kakashi ended the battle after seeing how far both boys had surpassed Genin and Chunin levels.
• Kakashi offered Sasuke special training and Chidori guidance, gave Sakura a Medical Ninjutsu scroll and the Hell Viewing Technique, and told Naruto to cultivate on his own.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to reach Gato’s mansion, where Zabuza reported that Gato was dead and Haku stood beside him.
• Naruto photographed Gato’s corpse and told Zabuza to leave the mansion’s thugs to him instead of killing them.
• Naruto planned to use the 145 thugs to establish media, Carefree Pills, and fast-food businesses, and named the enterprise Umbrella Corporation.

Sakura decided to specialize in Medical Ninjutsu so she could support Team 7, while Naruto fished for small live specimens. After they returned to Tazuna’s house, the team read newspapers proclaiming Zabuza the Hero of the Land of Waves for killing Gato, leaving Kakashi to conclude that Zabuza had grand ambitions.

• Sakura remembered how Naruto’s strength had changed her opinion of him and decided Medical Ninjutsu would let her help Team 7 with injuries, poison, and illness.
• Naruto struggled to catch small fish, eventually gave Sakura one, and then carried a giant fish back to Tazuna’s house.
• Inari saw the giant fish at the doorway and fainted again after Naruto and Sakura returned.
• Kakashi showed Team 7 three newspapers that reported Gato’s death and praised Zabuza as the Hero of the Land of Waves.
• Team 7 wondered how Zabuza had become a hero, and Kakashi said Zabuza had grand ambitions.

Naruto told Kakashi he was trying to awaken Wood Release and persuaded him to meet Sister Hua, then searched the Duel Arena until he identified the masked Uchiha as Uchiha Obito. He decided to expose Obito by changing the upcoming media feature to blame him for controlling the Fourth Mizukage.

• Kakashi asked Naruto about his training, and Naruto claimed he was working to combine Earth and Water Release to awaken Wood Release.
• Naruto asked Kakashi to meet Sister Hua and become her husband, and Kakashi reluctantly agreed.
• Sasuke trained ninjutsu with Kakashi while Sakura practiced Medical Ninjutsu, and Naruto searched the Duel Arena for the masked Uchiha.
• Naruto found Uchiha Obito in the character list and recognized him as the target of his grudge.
• Naruto learned the feature about the Fourth Mizukage was nearly finished and ordered Media Tycoon · Naruto to blame Obito for controlling him.

Naruto’s grilled fish made him famous in the village, but a newspaper exposing Uchiha Obito as the Shinobi World’s greatest mastermind soon stole everyone’s attention. Sasuke learned Obito was blamed for the Uchiha Clan Downfall, Kakashi was left stunned by the news, and Obito’s infamy spread across the Shinobi World.

• Naruto complained about having to grill fish every morning, and Kakashi promised to move the chore to nighttime.
• Inari returned with newspapers, and Sakura and Sasuke read the Shinobi World Daily’s front-page exposé naming Uchiha Obito the Shinobi World’s most evil person.
• Sasuke read that Obito had masterminded the Uchiha Clan Downfall and awakened his Three Tomoe Sharingan in fury.
• Naruto listed more accusations against Obito, while Kakashi saw the photographs and struggled to believe that Obito was involved.
• Newspapers spread the accusations across the Shinobi World, making Uchiha Obito infamous.

Newspapers exposed Uchiha Obito’s identity and crimes across the shinobi world, prompting his former allies and several villages to react. As Nagato ordered Akatsuki to continue collecting tailed beasts without Obito, Konoha and Kirigakure placed bounties on him.

• Obito learned from Zetsu that the shinobi world knew he had impersonated Uchiha Madara, and he tore off and smashed his mask.
• Nagato and Konan read the report exposing Obito, and Nagato ordered Akatsuki to lead the tailed beast collection plan themselves.
• Genji read reports linking Obito to the Fourth Mizukage’s control and Zabuza’s assassination attempt, then ordered a worldwide bounty on Obito.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed intelligence about Obito, ordered Konoha to find him, and arranged a worldwide bounty.
• Kakuzu saw Obito’s bounty notice at a Gold Exchange and fixated on its 250 million ryo reward.

After returning to Konoha, Kakashi asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for permission to pursue Uchiha Obito, arguing that his knowledge of Obito could prevent needless casualties. Hiruzen refused to decide before the Chunin Ninja Exams, leaving Kakashi's request unresolved.

• News of Uchiha Obito's crimes spread worldwide, and the Five Kage issued thirteen wanted notices that raised his bounty to 250 million ryo.
• Naruto noticed Kakashi's distraction and suspected it was connected to Obito, while Team 7 speculated about their relationship on the way back to Konoha.
• Kakashi left Team 7 and went to the Hokage Building, where he overheard Danzo demanding Sasuke and Hiruzen declaring that he was the Hokage.
• Kakashi asked Hiruzen for permission to pursue Obito, saying his shared eyes and past as Obito's teammate made him well suited to the task.
• Hiruzen refused to grant the request immediately and said they would discuss it after the Chunin Ninja Exams, which began in two months.

Naruto and Card Naruto tricked Kurama into losing a bet, leaving Kurama to endure two hours of Naruto rubbing its fur. The next day, Naruto joined Sakura and Sasuke on an outing, where an unexpected meeting with Team Ten ended with Sakura and Ino arguing over Sasuke.

• Before splitting up, Sasuke suggested staying at Naruto's house, but Naruto refused and went home alone.
• During a card game, Card Naruto challenged Kurama to a bet: Kurama could request anything if Naruto lost, but Naruto could rub Kurama for two hours if Kurama lost.
• Kurama accepted, believing Naruto's original body held the Little Joker, but Card Naruto played a Joker bomb and went out with an airplane, winning the bet.
• Naruto hugged and rubbed Kurama for two hours while Kurama tried to hide its embarrassment and insisted it was only honoring the bet.
• The next day, Naruto met Sakura and Sasuke under a tree, and Sakura secretly signaled that she wanted to create an opportunity with Sasuke.
• Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino arrived, and Sakura and Ino began arguing over Sasuke.

Naruto reunited with Team Ten and arranged a blind date between Kakashi and Sister Huahua. The group’s all-night stakeout saw no romance, and Sister Huahua told Naruto that Kakashi did not have feelings for her.

• Naruto chatted with Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sakura, and Sasuke about their missions and imagined holding a Shinobi World Martial Arts Tournament to build his reputation.
• Naruto ran into Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy at a dango shop and arranged for Kakashi to meet Sister Huahua that night.
• Naruto told his friends that Kakashi was going on a blind date, and the six students joined Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy in secretly watching the meeting.
• Kakashi and Sister Huahua chatted without becoming intimate, disappointing the watching groups.
• After the stakeout, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke met Sister Huahua, who told Naruto that Kakashi had no romantic feelings for her.

Team 7 completed a sweet-potato harvest mission, and Naruto discovered unfamiliar ninja in Konoha while checking the village. He rescued Konohamaru from Kankuro and learned from Temari that the Chunin Ninja Exams were coming.

• Naruto used his chakra and Earth Release to bring the sweet potatoes to the surface, finishing Team 7’s mission while Sasuke and Sakura complained about their slow progress.
• Sasuke left to train, and Sakura was turned away when she tried to follow him.
• Naruto sensed unfamiliar chakra signatures around Konoha and spotted Konohamaru near one of them.
• Naruto struck Kankuro with a chakra-enhanced apple, sending him crashing into a wall and rescuing Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi.
• Temari introduced herself and told Naruto about the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.

Naruto learned that the Chunin Ninja Exams were coming and met Gaara after fighting Kankuro. As the rookies received their applications, an Amegakure ninja tried to abduct Moegi, but Iruka restrained him.

• Naruto defeated Kankuro and gave Temari a Carefree Pill that healed him.
• Gaara arrived, and Naruto recognized him as a Jinchuriki before the two exchanged names and looked forward to meeting in the exam hall.
• The Hokage announced the Chunin Ninja Exams for one week later, and Iruka objected to recommending the newly graduated Genin.
• The Hokage approved a special exam arrangement, and Kakashi later gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura their application forms.
• Naruto declined Konohamaru and his friends' invitation to play, then an Amegakure ninja tried to abduct Moegi and Iruka restrained him with earth ropes.

Naruto spent the days before the Chunin Exams watching foreign ninja flock to Konoha’s shops and tracking their chakra signatures. At registration, Sasuke and Naruto easily saw through the genjutsu blocking the way to the third floor, leaving the gatekeepers stunned by their abilities.

• Naruto persuaded Iruka-sensei to pay him five bowls of ramen before Iruka-sensei left to visit other students.
• Naruto took Konohamaru and his friends to Old Daddy Fast Food, where he found Choji and a long line of visitors from other villages.
• Naruto noticed foreign ninja crowding Konoha’s food and Carefree Pill shops, then learned Uchiha Liutong had arrived to report on the Chunin Exams for the Shinobi World Daily.
• Five days later, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura met at the school entrance and found two disguised Chunin blocking the way to registration.
• Sasuke trapped Izumo Kamizuki in genjutsu with his Three Tomoe Sharingan, while Naruto froze Kotetsu Hagane with his own genjutsu, and Team 7 proceeded upstairs.
• Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane freed each other and realized Naruto had trapped Kotetsu, leaving them to marvel at the strength of the young ninja.

Naruto entered the Chunin Exams and loudly declared that every examinee was trash, then showed his strength by quickly stopping two Sound Village attackers. The proctor, Mori Ibiki, arrived to begin the first stage, just as Naruto pointed out that someone was sleeping.

• Kakashi saw Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura off as they entered the examination room.
• Naruto clapped to draw everyone’s attention and declared that everyone in the room was trash.
• Zaku Abumi attacked Naruto but fell unconscious after Naruto glared at him, while Sasuke trapped another attacker in a genjutsu and Naruto kicked him away.
• Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Hinata gathered around Naruto, surprised by his strength.
• Mori Ibiki introduced himself as the first-stage proctor, and Naruto interrupted to report that someone was sleeping.

Naruto took the Chunin Exams’ written test and used genjutsu to make Mori Ibiki announce that everyone had passed. The scene reset to the start of the exam, leaving Ibiki aware that Naruto had caused trouble.

• Mori Ibiki ordered Zaku Abumi’s teammate to release the genjutsu and warned the candidates not to cause trouble.
• Naruto received his test paper, greeted Hinata, and quickly solved the first nine questions.
• Naruto tried to turn in his paper early, then watched the other candidates cheat while waiting for the final question.
• Mori Ibiki announced that candidates who refused the final question would fail, while wrong answers would permanently bar them from the exams.
• Naruto raised his hand and slammed his desk, prompting Ibiki to announce that everyone remaining had passed.
• Naruto used Genjutsu Release, shattering the scene and resetting the exam as Ibiki recognized his interference.

Naruto used a powerful genjutsu to control the Chunin exam room, and Morino Ibiki declared the resulting exam outcomes valid. The first exam ended, and Mitaraishi Anko introduced herself as the examiner for the second round, which would begin the next day.

• Morino Ibiki and the examinees recovered memories of Naruto’s genjutsu, while Shikamaru suspected Naruto and Gaara struggled with his anger.
• Morino Ibiki announced that the thirty-nine examinees eliminated during the genjutsu had failed and ordered them removed from the classroom.
• Morino Ibiki lectured the remaining examinees about the value of intelligence and ended the first exam.
• Mitaraishi Anko crashed into the room, introduced herself as the second exam’s examiner, and dismissed the examinees until the next day.