Chapter Summaries

After Naruto and Hinata accidentally created a powerful Combination Jutsu, Hiashi made Naruto repair his courtyard and felt reassured about Hinata’s future. Kakashi secured Team Seven a C-rank escort mission to the Land of Waves, and Naruto promised Hinata he would return safely.

• Naruto and Hinata explained their accidental Combination Jutsu to Hiashi, who ordered Naruto to fill in the hole in the courtyard.
• Hanabi attacked Naruto over the destroyed garden, while Hiashi and Hina discussed their hopes for Hinata’s future.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura complained about D-rank chores, so Kakashi asked the Third Hokage for a more challenging mission.
• The Third Hokage assigned Team Seven to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves, and Kakashi told them to meet at the village gate the next morning.
• Naruto promised Hinata he would come back safely, then offered her a pinky swear instead of a kiss.

Naruto left Konoha with Team Seven to escort Tazuna, and they were ambushed by two assassins from the Land of Waves. After Tazuna admitted the mission was more dangerous than reported, Team Seven chose to continue, and Naruto and Sasuke killed the captured attackers.

• Naruto told Minato he was excited to leave the village on a mission, and the Nine-Tails agreed to leave his body but warned that their lives were linked.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna through the forest, where two masked assassins attacked the team and targeted Tazuna.
• Naruto and Sasuke defeated the attackers, while Kakashi revealed that he had used a substitution and subdued both men.
• Kakashi confronted Tazuna about the mission, and Tazuna admitted that Gato’s control of the Land of Waves made the escort a B-Rank mission.
• Naruto chose to continue because he had promised Hinata a gift, Sasuke wanted stronger opponents, and Kakashi agreed to proceed.
• Naruto killed one captured assassin, and Sasuke hesitated briefly before killing the other; Sakura then followed Sasuke despite her fear.

Team Seven escorted Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where Zabuza ambushed them and trapped Kakashi in a Water Prison. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna were left facing the rogue ninja in the mist.

• Tazuna guided Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi across the sea to the Land of Waves and explained that Gato’s threat had halted construction of his bridge.
• Naruto startled a Snow Rabbit in the forest, but Kakashi recognized it as a trap and knocked Naruto and Sakura down as Zabuza attacked with Kubikiribōchō.
• Kakashi identified Zabuza and revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then ordered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to protect Tazuna.
• Zabuza filled the forest with mist and used his murderous pressure to intimidate the group before attacking their formation.
• Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged Water Clones and feints, but Zabuza kicked Kakashi into the lake and trapped him in a Water Prison.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Zabuza’s Water Clone while Kakashi remained trapped in the Water Prison. Naruto overwhelmed Zabuza with a powerful Rasengan, forcing him to release Kakashi and leaving the fight in the teacher’s hands.

• Naruto and Sasuke refused to abandon Kakashi and attacked Zabuza’s Water Clone with Shadow Clones, a fireball, and Fuma Shuriken.
• Naruto asked Sasuke to hold Zabuza off while he prepared a jutsu, and Sasuke fought using his Sharingan and Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
• Sasuke exhausted himself defeating the Water Clone, then entrusted the rest to Naruto.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones attacked Zabuza with Rasengan, and one powerful Rasengan forced Zabuza to release the Water Prison.
• Kakashi escaped the Water Prison as Naruto told him to take over the fight.

After defeating Zabuza, Team Seven learned that he had survived and began training in tree climbing to prepare for another fight. Sakura mastered the exercise quickly, while Naruto and Sasuke struggled and Sasuke eventually asked Naruto for help.

• Kakashi defeated Zabuza, but a masked Mist Village pursuit-force member named Haku appeared and carried Zabuza away after striking his neck with Senbon.
• Kakashi and Team Seven recovered at Tazuna's home, where Inari declared that everyone who resisted Gato would die, and Naruto vowed to become a hero.
• Kakashi revealed that Zabuza was still alive and took Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the woods to practice tree climbing as Chakra-control training.
• Sakura climbed above ten meters while Naruto and Sasuke repeatedly fell, prompting Kakashi to tease them and spark their competitive spirits.
• After nightfall, Sasuke swallowed his pride and asked Naruto to share the tree-climbing tip he had learned from Sakura.

Haku met Naruto while gathering herbs and was moved by his determination and the happiness he found with Hinata. After Naruto returned to Tazuna’s house, Kakashi assigned Sakura to teach him Water Walking while he trained Sasuke in Sharingan-specific Genjutsu.

• Zabuza told Haku he had never taught her Silent Killing because her soft-hearted nature did not suit it, and said he wanted to make Naruto his disciple.
• Haku found Naruto asleep while gathering herbs and nearly killed him, but sunlight woke him before she could act.
• Naruto accidentally tore Haku’s kimono, and Haku treated his injured hand with a medicinal herb and a bandage.
• Naruto told Haku about his lonely childhood, his friends, and Hinata, and vowed to become strong enough for the whole world to notice him.
• Sasuke arrived as Haku left, teased Naruto about the encounter, and argued with him on the way back to Tazuna’s house.
• Kakashi praised Naruto and Sasuke’s tree-climbing progress, then sent Sakura to teach Naruto Water Walking while he trained Sasuke in Sharingan-specific Genjutsu.

Zabuza returned to the bridge and declared that he wanted to take Naruto as his assassination disciple, while Kakashi and Team Seven resisted. Sasuke defeated Zabuza’s Water Clones and gained the upper hand against Haku, leaving the fight ongoing.

• Naruto showed off his Water Walking before a mist covered the bridge and Zabuza arrived with Haku.
• Zabuza revealed that he had abandoned Gato’s mission and wanted Naruto as his disciple, but Naruto refused to leave Team Seven.
• Sasuke destroyed Zabuza’s five Water Clones, and Zabuza sent Haku to fight him while he attacked Kakashi.
• Haku used one-handed Hand Seals to launch Thousand Water Needles at Sasuke, but Sasuke dodged and kicked her several meters away.

Naruto and Sasuke worked together to break Haku’s Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals with a Flame Rasengan, winning their fight at the cost of serious burns. After unmasking Haku, Naruto recognized the girl he had met that morning, while Haku asked them to kill her.

• Haku trapped Sasuke inside her Demonic Mirror Ice Crystals and attacked him with Senbon from every direction.
• Naruto entered the mirrors to help Sasuke, and Haku’s Senbon pierced Naruto’s butt as Sasuke blocked the rest.
• Naruto and Sasuke combined Naruto’s Rasengan with Sasuke’s Fire Style to create a Flame Rasengan.
• Naruto struck the top mirror with the Flame Rasengan, shattering the ice crystals and leaving Haku unable to move.
• Naruto and Sasuke removed Haku’s mask, and Naruto recognized her as the girl he had met that morning.
• Haku calmly accepted her defeat and asked Naruto to kill her.

Haku explained why she had devoted herself to Zabuza, then sacrificed herself to save him from Kakashi’s attack. Naruto erupted in Nine-Tails power and confronted Zabuza over Haku’s death, ending with Zabuza weeping beneath Naruto’s broken blade.

• Haku told Naruto and Sasuke that her Bloodline Limit had led her father to kill her mother and try to kill her, before Zabuza took her in and gave her a purpose.
• Haku asked Naruto to kill her, but when Sasuke attacked, she vanished and took Kakashi’s Lightning Blade meant for Zabuza.
• Haku freed Zabuza by puncturing Kakashi’s summoning scroll with a Senbon, then asked Zabuza to cut her down along with Kakashi.
• Naruto’s grief unleashed the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, and he attacked Zabuza for treating Haku as a disposable tool.
• Naruto struck Zabuza’s Kubikiribōchō until it broke, then stopped when he saw tears in Zabuza’s eyes.

The chapter recounted how Zabuza took in the abandoned Haku, raised her as his tool, and gradually showed her care. Years later, Haku’s first period made Zabuza realize how deeply he cared for her, and he cried as memories of their life together surfaced before Naruto.

• Haku shared a smile with Zabuza on a snowy bridge, and he took her in as his tool.
• Zabuza discovered Haku was a girl and told her to live as a boy.
• Haku risked her safety to gather rare herbs that eased Zabuza’s poison, and he bandaged her injured feet.
• Six years later, Haku feared she was dying when she began menstruating, so Zabuza abducted a shop clerk to teach her about it and provide supplies.
• Zabuza remembered key moments with Haku and cried before Naruto, realizing how much he cared for her.

Naruto grieved over Haku’s apparent death, but the Nine-Tails revealed that she was still alive and gave Naruto healing Chakra to save her. After Gato threatened the people on the bridge, Naruto summoned two thousand Shadow Clones, defeated his men, and killed Gato, leaving Zabuza impressed by Naruto’s strength.

• Minato sensed Naruto’s sorrow and persuaded the Nine-Tails to help him.
• The Nine-Tails told Naruto that Haku still had a faint pulse and gave him healing Chakra, which Naruto used to restore her.
• Gato arrived with armed men and took Tsunami and Inari hostage, while Sasuke used Genjutsu to free them.
• Inari tried to protect his mother, and Naruto rescued them both from the pursuing samurai.
• Naruto summoned two thousand Shadow Clones, routed Gato’s men, and killed Gato.
• Zabuza admired Naruto and tried to recruit him, while Kakashi dismissed the idea.

Naruto reunited with Haku and Zabuza after the battle, and the group returned to Konoha after completing the mission. He reaffirmed his determination to bring peace to the ninja world, then turned down Sasuke’s invitation because he planned to spend his three-day break with Hinata.

• Naruto woke on Haku’s lap, thanked her for saving him, and heard Zabuza say Naruto was not suited to be his disciple.
• Naruto said he wanted to end the ninja world’s suffering and become a man who surpassed the Hokage; Haku kissed his cheek before leaving with Zabuza.
• Sakura saw Haku kiss Naruto and extorted him for dango, while Kakashi led Team Seven home and learned why Naruto had been called the Academy’s Dead Last.
• Kakashi told Team Seven that Tazuna’s bridge had been completed and named it Naruto Bridge.
• Sasuke asked Naruto to spend a day with him during the break, but Naruto refused because he intended to spend all three days with Hinata; Sasuke asked Sakura to practice Water Walking with him.

After returning from a mission in the Land of Waves, Naruto reunited with Hinata, gave her and Hanabi souvenirs, and demonstrated his improved chakra control. His innocent handling of Hinata and his attempt to calm Hanabi with the Sexy Jutsu ended with Hanabi punching him.

• Hinata, Kiba, and Shino completed a river mission, and Kiba argued with Hinata about Naruto before Naruto arrived by walking across the water.
• Naruto hugged Hinata and brushed off Kiba's challenge to spar, leaving Kiba shaken until Kurenai told him Naruto had already killed someone and completed a C-Rank mission.
• Naruto gave Hinata a wooden hair clip and Hanabi a comb and a nesting doll, then showed Hinata how to walk on walls using chakra.
• Hinata quickly mastered the wall-walking technique but fell, and Naruto caught her before accidentally touching her chest.
• Hanabi saw Naruto touching Hinata, stomped on him, and became even more upset when he used the Sexy Jutsu to prove he also had breasts.

Naruto spent time with Hinata during the break and met Gaara, a fellow jinchuriki, shortly before the Chunin Exams. In the sealing space, Nine-Tails urged Naruto to fight Gaara, revealing that it recognized Shukaku within him.

• Naruto watched Hinata finish a weeding mission, and they talked about the coming Chunin Exams and how villagers treated him.
• Naruto and Hinata embraced until Gaara arrived on a camel and challenged Naruto to remember his name before the exams.
• Gaara attacked a Konoha ninja who insulted his camel, but Naruto stopped him; Gaara questioned why Naruto had friends who stayed by his side.
• Minato congratulated Naruto on reaching the age for the Chunin Exams and suggested he grow his hair long, but Naruto refused.
• Naruto thanked Nine-Tails for helping him save Haku and defeat Zabuza, and Nine-Tails told him to find a chance to fight Gaara.

Kakashi recommended Team Seven for the Chunin Exams, and Naruto and Sasuke encouraged Sakura to join them. After Konohamaru used Sexy Jutsu to defeat Kankuro, Gaara confronted Team Seven and declared Sasuke and Naruto targets he intended to kill.

• Kakashi gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura Chunin Exam forms, and Naruto and Sasuke persuaded Sakura to participate as their companion.
• Naruto refused to rescue Konohamaru from Kankuro, so Konohamaru used Sexy Jutsu and knocked Kankuro unconscious.
• Naruto praised Konohamaru's transformation and demonstrated a naked version of Sexy Jutsu, causing Kankuro to faint again before Sakura punched Naruto and Konohamaru back to normal.
• Gaara arrived and attacked Naruto with Sand Hand, but Sasuke stopped the sand with Great Fireball Jutsu.
• Gaara learned Sasuke's name, declared Naruto and Sasuke targets he would kill during the exam, and carried Kankuro away.

On the day of the Chunin Exams, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the academy, where Sasuke challenged Rock Lee and nearly lost before winning through Sharingan Genjutsu. Naruto helped Sasuke recover his confidence, and Team Seven headed toward Room 301 together.

• Naruto reassured Sasuke that Team Seven could face strong opponents together, and Sakura joined them on their way to Room 301.
• Naruto confronted Neji about distancing himself from Hinata, then left to buy popsicles while Sasuke fought a Chunin disguised by Genjutsu.
• Rock Lee challenged Sasuke over the Uchiha name, overwhelmed him with Taijutsu, and was caught in Sasuke's Genjutsu before a turtle stopped Sasuke from retaliating.
• Sasuke brooded over nearly losing until Naruto returned with popsicles and explained how Lee's relentless training had made him so strong.
• Naruto and Sasuke clasped hands and set off to prove themselves, while Sakura joined them and asked where her popsicle was.

Naruto struggled with the Chunin Exam’s written test and nearly gave up, but he refused to pass by sacrificing Hinata. He passed after accepting the risk of the final question and left ready to face the second round with her.

• Naruto entered Room 301, reunited with the other rookies, and challenged the assembled examinees, drawing their hostility.
• Ibiki Morino began the written exam, and Naruto panicked before knocking himself unconscious.
• In the Sealing Space, Naruto asked Minato and the Nine-Tails for help, but the three of them could not finish the difficult questions.
• Hinata offered Naruto her completed paper, but Naruto wrote her name on it instead of his own and returned it to her.
• When Ibiki Morino made the tenth question an all-or-nothing gamble, Naruto refused to give up and declared he would never regret his choice.
• Ibiki Morino passed the examinees who accepted the risk, and Naruto left the exam with Hinata as Sakura and Sasuke reacted to his luck.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought Orochimaru, disguised as a Grass ninja, after entering the Forest of Death for the second Chunin Exam. They drove him off, but Orochimaru marked Sasuke with the Cursed Seal and secretly discovered that Naruto’s bodily fluids eased its side effects.

• Naruto proposed meeting up with Hinata’s team and stealing another scroll if their scrolls did not match.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura encountered Orochimaru, who used Killing Intent and summoned three giant snakes to attack them.
• Naruto and Sasuke defeated two snakes through coordinated attacks, while Sakura overcame her fear, knocked out the third, and revealed that she had learned basic Medical Ninjutsu.
• Naruto and Sasuke combined a fire-enhanced Rasengan and attacked Orochimaru, but he marked Sasuke with the Cursed Seal before Naruto’s attack appeared to burn him to ashes.
• Naruto tried to suck poison from Sasuke’s wound, and Orochimaru secretly observed that Naruto’s bodily fluids eased the Cursed Seal’s side effects before escaping underground.

Naruto and Sakura spent the night injured in a tree hollow, but three Sound ninja soon attacked while seeking Sasuke. Hinata arrived in time to protect Naruto and defeat Dosu, and Sasuke awakened in a rage upon seeing Naruto hurt.

• Sakura treated Naruto's burned arm, then set traps outside while Naruto and Sasuke rested in the tree hollow.
• Naruto cooked breakfast for Sakura and confronted Dosu, Zaku, and Kin when they emerged from the nearby bushes.
• Dosu's sound-wave attack left Naruto unable to stand, and Zaku blasted Sakura away when she tried to protect him.
• Hinata blocked Dosu's kunai, countered his sound-wave attack with her Byakugan, and defeated him with Gentle Fist.
• Hinata returned to Naruto when he called to her, and Sasuke awakened with his Cursed Seal spread across his body and demanded to know who had injured Naruto.

Sasuke’s Cursed Seal drove him to overpower the Sound ninja and nearly kill them, but Sakura’s plea and the seal’s fading stopped him. Team Seven and Team Eight joined forces, gathered the required scrolls, and reached the central tower, where the next stage of the Chunin Exam awaited.

• Sasuke used his Killing Intent to frighten the Sound ninja, then crushed both of Zaku’s wrists after dodging his attacks.
• Sasuke threatened the bandaged Sound ninja until Sakura begged him to stop, and the Cursed Seal’s power faded as the Sound ninja escaped.
• Sasuke learned Naruto’s hearing had been temporarily damaged and accepted the Earth Scroll Sakura had picked up to complete Team Seven’s mission.
• Kiba challenged Sasuke to a match, but Sakura and Shino stopped the confrontation, and Hinata explained that the next round would feature one-on-one fights.
• Team Seven and Team Eight traveled together for two days, using their scouting abilities to avoid enemies before reaching the central tower.