Recaps

Genma expanded his summoning-beast ties, guided Yana and the young generation, and secretly protected Naruto’s team during the Land of Waves mission. He then brought Zabuza and Haku into his organization and moved against Kazahana Dōtō, leaving Zabuza to free the artisans’ families.

• Genma contracted the Ultimate Summoning Beast, helped Ito Genshō and Snow Eagle Cang cultivate sage arts, and asked researchers to investigate how Nature Energy had changed his body.
• Genma defeated Snow Eagle Cang, became its ally and summoner, and accepted sword-art scrolls from the Land of Iron’s elders before returning to Kurenai as their child’s birth approached.
• Kurenai taught Yana how to dispel Genjutsu, and Genma advised her to train with Guy and learn to fight by watching an opponent’s feet.
• Yana trained with Guy and encouraged Sasuke, while Naruto graduated with Sasuke and Sakura and Kakashi assigned them a survival exercise.
• Genma secretly followed Naruto’s team to the Land of Waves, rescued Gato’s daughter, and intervened when Naruto refused to kill Haku, then captured Zabuza and Haku.
• Genma recruited Zabuza and Haku, then led a force to the Land of Snow to confront Kazahana Dōtō and the Snow Hidden Village.
• Genma’s team captured Kazahana Dōtō and defeated his ninja, and Dōtō revealed that Snow’s artisans had created Chakra Armor using the country’s advanced technology.
• Genma rejected Dōtō’s offer of Chakra Armor and demanded the release of the artisans’ families, assigning Zabuza to escort Dōtō and free them.

Genma helped the Land of Snow secure its future, then returned to Konoha as the Chunin Exams advanced from the Forest of Death to the finals. The semifinal field narrowed, Rock Lee was forced out by his injuries, and Sasuke began a sudden match against Shino.

• Genma reunited the Land of Snow artisans with their families and persuaded Koyuki and the people to trade their technology for help rebuilding, arranging joint research at Baoduoduo.
• Genma returned to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, searched the Forest of Death for Orochimaru, and watched Naruto fight Sound Ninja and Gaara crush an Amegakure ninja.
• Gaara fought Zaku, then advanced to the tournament tower as the third-stage matches began and the competitors were assigned their opponents.
• Kankuro defeated Choji, Rock Lee defeated Sasuke, Temari defeated Ino, Shikamaru defeated Tenten, Shino defeated Gaara, and Neji won his match.
• Genma returned home briefly, trained in the Snowfall Sword Style and Divine Cloud Thousand Illusions Iaido, then attended the finals with Kurenai.
• Kankuro defeated Kiba after trapping Akamaru in his puppet, Gaara crushed his opponent with sand, and Temari defeated Shikamaru after he surrendered.
• Rock Lee defeated Neji after opening the Fifth Gate, but both fighters passed out and Lee’s injuries kept him from continuing.
• Naruto defeated Kankuro, and after Minato agreed to review the records for a replacement finalist, Sasuke and Shino were brought into the arena and began fighting.

After Konohagakure is devastated by an invasion, Genma helps with the recovery while Yana reconsiders her feelings for Sasuke. Kushina welcomes Gaara into her home, and Naruto’s friendship with him helps them both take steps toward closer relationships.

• Sasuke defeated Temari in the finals, while Naruto battled Gaara as the invasion of Konohagakure began.
• Genma fought the invaders and protected Naruto and his companions as Kushina battled Shukaku and Kisame, but Pain and Konan escaped with the advantage.
• Kushina brought Gaara to Minato, and Genma helped clear rubble as Konohagakure began rebuilding.
• Genma advised Yana to rely less on Sasuke, and Tenshu challenged Sasuke to a duel after realizing Yana liked him.
• Sasuke won the duel and went to the movies with Yana, while Yana sought advice from Kurenai about showing her feelings.
• Kushina took Gaara into her home, comforted him, and helped him reconnect with Naruto, who offered him friendship.
• Naruto introduced Gaara to Hinata, then began wondering whether she liked him and decided to ask his parents about his feelings.

Genma recruited Kakuzu and subdued Sky Ninja Village while Naruto and Sasuke tied in the Chunin Exams and Sakura began training under Kurenai. Genma then sought Tsunade’s help with resurrection research, learned Impure World Reincarnation, and found Tsunade too drunk to hear his news.

• Naruto, Hinata, and Gaara fished together, and Gaara began to recognize his longing as he watched Naruto care for Hinata.
• Minato advised Naruto on how to treat Hinata, while Kushina planned for Naruto to live independently after Gaara left.
• Genma discovered that Nature Energy fueled Hidan’s regeneration, then negotiated with Kakuzu to join Baoduoduo in exchange for money and work.
• Genma defeated the Sky Ninja attacking a Baoduoduo branch and brought their leaders to Sky Ninja Village, where he captured the villagers and offered peaceful residents a place in his organization.
• Naruto and Sasuke fought to a draw in the Chunin Exams and tied for first place, while Kakashi evaded Anko’s efforts to court him.
• Sakura broke Kurenai’s Genjutsu and became her student, beginning lessons in Genjutsu.
• Genma approached Tsunade about resurrection research, obtained the Scroll of Seals from Minato, and learned Impure World Reincarnation before returning to tell her.
• Tsunade mistook Genma for Dan Katō and Nawaki while drunk, and Shizune told him he seemed to be the first person Tsunade had clung to that way.