Chapter Summaries

Kakashi easily defeated Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke, then offered the four students only three bells as a chance to continue. Menma declined a bell, and Sakura accepted that she would return to the Ninja Academy.

• Kakashi quickly defeated Sasuke with Genjutsu, Naruto with Wind Style, and Menma with Taijutsu.
• Kakashi announced that the team had failed and should return to the Ninja Academy, then offered another chance with only three bells.
• Naruto caught the bells, and Kakashi told the students to decide who would receive them, even suggesting they fight over them.
• Menma said the other three should take the bells and that he did not need the chance to take the second test.
• Kakashi urged Menma to reconsider, while Sakura said the bells should go to the other three and accepted waiting until next year.

Kakashi revealed that the bell test had been a test of teamwork and passed Menma, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Team Seven celebrated their graduation and prepared to take their first official mission the next day.

• Sakura offered to give up the bell, and Naruto tried to hand it to Menma, Sasuke, and Sakura.
• Sasuke refused Naruto’s offer and returned the bell to him.
• Kakashi clapped and announced that all four had passed, explaining that the test had assessed teamwork.
• Menma said he had guessed the test’s purpose, and Kakashi confirmed that cooperation and trust in teammates were essential.
• Kakashi officially graduated the four and invited Team Seven to celebrate with a meal before their first mission the next day.

Team Seven began working together under Kakashi, but spent its first month on routine D-rank missions while Menma reflected on his weakness and resolve after losing to Kakashi. The chapter ended with Naruto and Sasuke growing impatient and asking when they could take on harder missions.

• Naruto invited Menma and Sasuke to celebrate Team Seven’s formation, and both agreed to join him.
• Menma reviewed his battle with Kakashi, recognized how far behind he was, and reaffirmed his determination to protect himself and defeat his enemies.
• Kakashi led Team Seven on low-level D-rank missions while awaiting approval for higher-ranked assignments involving Menma, a Jinchuriki.
• After more than a month of routine work, Naruto complained to Kakashi that the missions lacked challenge, and Sasuke silently agreed.
• Kakashi told Naruto to be patient and continue D-rank missions, leaving the team without a timeline for harder assignments.

Naruto and Menma persuaded Sarutobi Hiruzen to let Team Seven take a C-rank mission, arguing that they were ready for a greater challenge. Hiruzen selected a mission to protect someone and introduced the client, whose arrival made Menma recognize the likely mission from his memories.

• Naruto asked Sarutobi Hiruzen for a C-rank mission, and Menma and Sasuke backed him up.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen warned the team that higher-ranked missions carried greater risks, then agreed to assign them a C-rank mission.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen chose a mission that required the team to protect someone and travel to another country.
• A scruffy middle-aged client in a straw hat entered, and Menma recognized the scene from the Original Work.

Menma and Team Seven accepted a C-rank mission to protect Tazuna in the Land of Waves, though Menma recognized that the assignment would likely involve far more danger than reported. The team prepared to leave the next morning, while Menma noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen paying him special attention.

• Menma considered accepting Tazuna’s mission despite knowing it was connected to Zabuza and should have been rated above C-rank.
• Tazuna met Kakashi and Team Seven, distrusted the young ninja, and felt uneasy when Kakashi assured him the C-rank mission would be easy.
• Kakashi scheduled the team’s departure for eight o’clock the following morning and told the four young ninja to prepare for several days away.
• Naruto confidently promised Sarutobi Hiruzen that Team Seven would complete the mission successfully.
• Menma sensed Sarutobi Hiruzen watching him, then left the Mission Building with Team Seven to prepare for the journey.

Menma left Konohagakure with Team Seven and Tazuna for the Land of Waves, while Danzō sent an operative to deliver an item to Orochimaru and accept his plan. As the group traveled, Tazuna explained why his country had no ninja village, and Naruto revealed his gaps in basic geography.

• Menma, Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, and Tazuna left Konohagakure for the Land of Waves.
• Danzō ordered Ino to deliver an item to Orochimaru and tell him he accepted the plan if Orochimaru first showed sincerity.
• Menma glanced back at Konohagakure's gate and considered the attention his status as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would bring.
• Tazuna explained to Sakura that the Land of Waves was too small to have its own ninja village and that hiring wandering ninjas was risky.
• Sakura listed the Five Great Nations' ninja villages, then questioned Naruto for not remembering what their teacher had taught.

Team Seven left Konohagakure with Tazuna and learned more about the Five Great Nations and their Kage. On a forest road, two attackers ambushed them, apparently killing Kakashi before Menma and Sasuke countered.

• Kakashi explained the Five Great Nations and their Kage to Naruto, who vowed to keep working hard to become Hokage.
• Team Seven traveled with Tazuna toward the southeastern border of the Land of Fire.
• Two burly attackers sprang from the roadside thickets and used an iron chain to tear apart Kakashi's apparent body.
• Sakura froze in shock, while Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto recovered and faced the attackers.
• Menma and Sasuke blocked the attackers' strikes, and Menma overpowered the assailant in front of him.

Menma and Sasuke defeated the attackers, while Kakashi revealed that he had used the Substitution Technique and was investigating their real target. Tazuna admitted that the attackers had come for him, leaving the mission’s hidden danger exposed.

• Menma stabbed one attacker with a kunai and knocked him unconscious with a kick and knee strike, while Sasuke incapacitated the other with a chop to the neck.
• Naruto complained that Menma and Sasuke had acted too quickly, and Sakura panicked when she thought Kakashi had been killed.
• Naruto pointed out that Kakashi’s apparent corpse was a broken wooden stump, and Kakashi emerged from the shadows.
• Kakashi explained that he had hidden to discover the attackers’ real target, then confronted Tazuna about concealing information.
• Tazuna admitted that the attackers had come for him.

Kakashi explained that Tazuna had underpaid for a dangerous mission, and Menma supported abandoning it. Naruto and Sakura pleaded to continue helping Tazuna, leaving the final decision to Kakashi.

• Kakashi told Tazuna that his mission should have been ranked B or A and that Team Seven could abandon it because he had lied about the danger.
• Tazuna explained that Gato controlled the Land of Waves' economy and that he could not afford the proper payment, pleading for help for his country and family.
• Menma urged Kakashi to abandon the mission, and Kakashi agreed that continuing would put Team Seven at unacceptable risk.
• Sasuke silently agreed, while Tazuna panicked at the prospect of losing his protection.
• Naruto and Sakura argued that Team Seven should help Tazuna, leaving him watching Kakashi for the final decision.

Menma argued that Team Seven should abandon the dangerous mission to protect its inexperienced members, and he rebuked Naruto and Sakura for treating a risky rescue as a matter of simple righteousness. Naruto acknowledged Menma’s concerns but vowed to protect Tazuna alone, leaving the team’s decision unresolved.

• Menma warned Kakashi that Gato could hire more Kirigakure Jonin and urged him to consider the danger to Team Seven.
• Naruto and Sakura objected to abandoning Tazuna and criticized Menma’s stance.
• Menma challenged Naruto and Sakura to consider their limited strength and the possibility that their companions could die.
• Kakashi, Sasuke, and Tazuna listened as Menma’s argument silenced Naruto and Sakura.
• Naruto declared that he would continue protecting Tazuna even if he had to do it alone.

Team Seven debated whether to continue Tazuna’s mission after Menma warned that it could be far more dangerous than they had been told. Kakashi decided to proceed, leaving Menma puzzled by his reasons and Sakura uneasy while Naruto and Sasuke accepted the decision.

• Menma grew frustrated when Naruto insisted on following his convictions despite the mission’s dangers.
• Sakura feared that Gato could hire powerful ninja and fell silent instead of supporting Naruto.
• Tazuna admitted that he had deceived Team Seven and urged them to abandon the mission.
• Naruto insisted on protecting Tazuna and seeing the Great Bridge completed.
• Kakashi said Team Seven would continue the mission, citing their evaluation and his confidence in protecting them.
• Naruto welcomed Kakashi’s decision, Sakura remained uneasy, and Sasuke thought danger could help him grow stronger.

Kakashi decided to continue Team Seven’s mission to protect Tazuna, and Menma volunteered to execute the captured Mist Ninja as a lesson in a ninja’s resolve. Kakashi took Menma and Sasuke into the forest, where he used genjutsu to interrogate the Demon Brothers about their employer.

• Kakashi agreed to protect Tazuna until he completed the Great Bridge, while Menma kept his doubts about Kakashi’s decision to himself.
• Menma asked to deal with the two captured Mist Ninja, and Kakashi offered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura the same choice.
• Sasuke agreed to take part, while Naruto stayed silent and Sakura trembled at the prospect of killing someone.
• Kakashi carried the unconscious Demon Brothers into the forest with Menma and Sasuke, then woke them and used genjutsu to control their minds.
• Kakashi began interrogating the Demon Brothers about who had hired them.

Menma and Sasuke killed the Demon Brothers for the first time after Kakashi confirmed they had no further useful information. As Team Seven continued toward the Land of Waves, Menma abandoned his remaining hope of relying on anyone but himself.

• Kakashi confirmed that Gato had hired stronger ninja and told Menma and Sasuke to kill the Demon Brothers when they were ready.
• Menma drove a kunai into one Mist Ninja's chest, while Sasuke killed the other with a strike to the throat.
• Kakashi burned the Demon Brothers' bodies, then led the team back to Sakura, Naruto, and Tazuna.
• The group resumed its journey toward the Land of Waves in a subdued mood, while Menma decided he could only rely on himself.

Team Seven encountered Momochi Zabuza, who attacked them while they escorted Tazuna through the Land of Fire. Kakashi stepped forward to face Zabuza as the pressure of the enemy’s chakra left Sakura and Naruto trembling.

• Menma sensed a powerful chakra presence approaching as dusk fell.
• Kakashi blocked a massive blade thrown toward Team Seven and Tazuna.
• Momochi Zabuza appeared atop the blade and demanded that Kakashi hand Tazuna over.
• Zabuza’s mention of the Sharingan made Sasuke suspect that Kakashi possessed the Uchiha clan’s secret.
• Kakashi put himself between Zabuza and the others, but Zabuza unleashed his chakra and killing intent, nearly overwhelming Sakura and Naruto.

Kakashi confronted Zabuza after revealing his Sharingan and ordered Menma, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to protect Tazuna. Zabuza launched a hidden attack through the mist, but Menma blocked his strike long enough for Kakashi to engage him in a fierce battle.

• Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and told Team Seven to protect Tazuna while he faced Zabuza.
• Zabuza blanketed the clearing in mist and concealed himself, but Menma sensed his position.
• Zabuza attacked Menma and the others with Kubikiribōchō, and Menma barely blocked the blow with his Kunai.
• Kakashi lunged at Zabuza, who deflected Menma's Kunai and blocked Kakashi's strike as Naruto and Sasuke joined the attack.
• Kakashi tracked Zabuza through the mist with his Sharingan and fought him at high speed while Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke watched.

Menma watched Kakashi battle Zabuza while staying alert for Haku, who was concealed nearby. Kakashi countered Zabuza’s powerful Water Style attacks with Earth Style techniques as the fight continued to escalate.

• Menma judged that he was too weak to join Kakashi’s fight and resolved to seek more combat experience after returning.
• Menma sensed Haku nearby and prepared to intervene if Haku tried to rescue Zabuza.
• Zabuza unleashed Water Dragon Bullet Technique, but Kakashi blocked it with Earth Wall Jutsu and counterattacked with Rock Spikes Technique.
• Zabuza used Great Waterfall Technique to flood the battlefield, sweeping toward Kakashi, Menma, Sasuke, and the others.
• Kakashi answered with Earth Flow Wall, raising a massive barrier with several dog heads to stop Zabuza’s attack.

Kakashi used his Ninja Hounds to track and corner Zabuza, while Haku’s Ice Style briefly protected him from their attacks. As Kakashi pressed his assault, Menma intercepted Haku with a Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

• Kakashi summoned eight Ninja Hounds and used the Tracking Fang Jutsu to pursue Zabuza through the mist.
• Zabuza tried to retreat, but the Ninja Hounds caught him and forced him into close combat.
• Haku used the Ice Rock Dome Technique to shield Zabuza from the Ninja Hounds.
• Kakashi melted Haku’s ice walls with a Great Fireball Jutsu and prepared to face Zabuza’s desperate attack.
• Menma rushed at Haku and sent hundreds of shuriken toward him with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
• Haku countered Menma’s attack with the Shattering Ice Crystal Jutsu.

Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto overwhelmed Haku while Kakashi and the Ninja Hounds cornered Zabuza. Haku died from their attacks after looking toward Zabuza, who was also facing certain defeat.

• Haku attacked Menma with Ice Release: Thousand Water Shuriken, but Menma deflected the needles.
• Sasuke intervened with Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, forcing Haku to defend himself with ice.
• Naruto struck Haku and sent him crashing to the ground, leaving him open to Sasuke's attack.
• Sasuke stabbed Haku in the chest, and Menma followed by thrusting his Kunai into Haku's chest.
• Haku looked toward Zabuza, who was cornered by Kakashi and the Ninja Hounds, then died.

Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto killed Haku while Kakashi defeated and killed Zabuza. After the battle, Kakashi sealed both Mist Ninja’s bodies and prepared to return to protecting Tazuna.

• Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto surrounded and killed Haku, though Naruto hesitated before striking.
• Kakashi used the Ninja Hounds to restrain Zabuza and killed him with his lightning attack.
• Kakashi confirmed that no enemies remained, then sealed Zabuza’s body and Kubikiribōchō in a scroll.
• Kakashi reprimanded Menma, Naruto, and Sasuke for leaving Tazuna, but Menma redirected the conversation to Haku’s Ice Release.
• Kakashi sealed Haku’s corpse, and Sakura explained Kekkei Genkai to Naruto.
• Tazuna regained confidence that the mission would let him build the Great Bridge.

Team Seven arrived safely in the Land of Waves and stayed at Tazuna’s home, where Naruto learned how poor the country was. After dinner, Sasuke asked Kakashi about his Sharingan and left with him, while Menma was left waiting to ask his own questions.

• Team Seven and Tazuna crossed to the Land of Waves without encountering further attacks.
• Naruto asked Tazuna why the town had so few lights and learned that many residents could not afford electricity.
• Tazuna returned home and joyfully reunited with his daughter, Tsunami.
• Menma noticed a small figure hiding in the hallway and guessed it was Tazuna’s grandson.
• After dinner, Sasuke asked Kakashi about his Sharingan, and Kakashi took him outside to talk.