Recaps

Naruto found connection with Minato, the Nine-Tails, Hinata, and Sasuke while growing stronger and joining the Ninja Academy. After Team Seven took a dangerous escort mission to the Land of Waves, Naruto helped free Kakashi from Zabuza’s Water Prison and began Chakra-control training.

• Naruto tried to end his life, but Minato and the Nine-Tails persuaded him to keep living, and Naruto vowed to become Hokage.
• Naruto worked for Yue Guanhai, pursued marriage into the Hyuga Clan, and grew close to Hinata and Sasuke.
• Orochimaru trained Naruto to use Forbidden Jutsu, but Root agents killed Yue Guanhai, leaving Naruto grieving and Hinata to comfort him.
• Naruto protected Hinata from an attacker, and Hiashi later offered him the chance to become Hinata’s marriage candidate if he rose through the ninja ranks.
• Itachi massacred the Uchiha Clan and altered Naruto’s and Sasuke’s memories, while Naruto and Hinata later agreed to attend the Ninja Academy together.
• Naruto graduated after defeating Mizuki with Shadow Clones, formed Team Seven with Sasuke and Sakura, and passed Kakashi’s bell test.
• Naruto and Hinata accidentally combined their Chakra into a giant Rasengan that destroyed the Hyuga courtyard, and Team Seven then accepted Tazuna’s escort mission.
• Naruto and Sasuke helped free Kakashi from Zabuza’s Water Prison, and Kakashi took Team Seven to train in Chakra control after Haku carried Zabuza away.

Naruto faced Zabuza and Haku, entered the Chunin Exams, and grew closer to Hinata while learning to summon toads. The arc ended with Naruto defeating Neji and challenging the clan beliefs that had shaped his hatred.

• Naruto and Sasuke defeated Haku’s ice mirrors, but Haku took Kakashi’s Lightning Blade meant for Zabuza, and Naruto’s grief unleashed the Nine-Tails’ Chakra.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails helped Naruto revive Haku, and Naruto defeated Gato’s men while Zabuza mourned Haku and left with her.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Team Seven, spent time with Hinata, and entered the Chunin Exams alongside Sasuke and Sakura.
• Naruto passed Ibiki Morino’s written exam, then Team Seven survived Orochimaru’s attack and defeated the Sound ninja with help from Hinata.
• Naruto defeated Kiba in the preliminary matches, while Hinata lost to Neji and Naruto promised to carry her torch and beat him.
• Jiraiya trained Naruto in summoning, and Naruto summoned the Great Toad Sage, who foretold a future contest and Naruto’s marriage to a girl with the Byakugan.
• Gaara attacked Naruto at the hospital and urged him to share his violent worldview, but Naruto rejected him and vowed to make him his friend.
• Naruto refused the Nine-Tails’ power, defeated Neji with Shadow Clones and Rasengans, and urged him to apologize to Hinata.

Naruto stopped Orochimaru’s attack, helped bring Tsunade back to Konoha, and tried to stop Sasuke from leaving, but Sasuke escaped after defeating him. Naruto departed with Jiraiya to train and search for Sasuke, then visited Gaara and encouraged him to become Kazekage.

• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to enter the barrier at Kikyo Castle, saved Hinata and Hanabi from the Second Hokage’s attack, and helped defeat Orochimaru’s assault before Orochimaru withdrew.
• Naruto and Gaara fought after the Nine-Tails subdued Shukaku, then Naruto offered Gaara his friendship and persuaded him to stop fighting.
• Itachi and Kisame attacked Naruto and Sasuke, but Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra helped drive them off, and Jiraiya later took Naruto to find Tsunade.
• Naruto’s determination helped Tsunade overcome her grief and return to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage, while Orochimaru released Minato’s soul and admitted his body was failing.
• Sasuke left Konoha to seek power, and Naruto joined Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, and Choji in pursuit before reaching Sasuke at the Valley of the End.
• Sasuke defeated Naruto and escaped, leaving his forehead protector behind, while Gaara rescued the injured Naruto and brought him back to Konoha.
• Naruto grieved over Sasuke’s departure, agreed to leave with Jiraiya to train, and said goodbye to Hinata before setting out.
• Naruto visited Gaara in Sunagakure, returned Sandstorm, and encouraged Gaara to become Kazekage so they could work together for their villages.

Naruto protected the Land of Snow, formed friendships in Iwagakure, and gained the trust of several Tailed Beasts while traveling with Jiraiya. After reaching the Land of Lightning, he earned Killer B’s invitation to learn about being a Tailed Beast.

• Naruto urged Gaara to reconcile with his siblings, helped him earn the villagers’ support as a future Kazekage, and left Sunagakure with Jiraiya.
• Naruto and Jiraiya protected Kazahana Koyuki from Kazahana Dōtō, defeated his forces, and helped restore spring to the Land of Snow before Naruto learned that the adventure had been filmed as a movie.
• Koyuki took the throne and joined the Land of White through a political marriage, while Naruto gave her a marked kunai and promised to help if she was in danger.
• In the Land of Earth, Naruto befriended Deidara and the people of Iwagakure, stopped Mei Terumi’s teleportation array, and gained their support when Ōnoki turned against him.
• Naruto completed the Rasengan’s Wind Release form but injured his chakra pathways, then earned Roshi’s permission to meet Sun Wukong and received the Four-Tails’ chakra for the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto meditated beside Han, met Kokuō, and received the Five-Tails’ chakra before leaving the Land of Earth with Jiraiya.
• Naruto met Killer B and Gyuki at Cloud-Thunder Gorge, gained Gyuki’s chakra for the Nine-Tails, and accepted Killer B’s invitation to learn how to be a Tailed Beast.