Chapter Summaries

Naruto passed Iruka’s graduation assessment by demonstrating the Shadow Clone Jutsu, and Iruka celebrated by offering to treat him to ramen. Outside the classroom, Xu Fan persuaded Kakashi to lead Team 7 by affirming his commitment to comrades, while Kakashi remained free to judge the team’s readiness.

• Iruka assessed Naruto separately using the Clone Technique, and Naruto created more than a dozen solid Shadow Clones.
• Iruka handed Naruto his forehead protector and offered to celebrate his graduation with ramen.
• Xu Fan and Kakashi watched Naruto’s assessment, and Kakashi judged Naruto’s displayed ability to be at Jonin level while noting his shortcomings.
• Kakashi questioned whether Xu Fan had arranged for him to lead Team 7 and worried that he might disrupt Xu Fan’s plans.
• Xu Fan praised Kakashi’s loyalty to his comrades and promised to support any decision he made about Team 7.

Naruto returned to the Academy after passing the Graduation Exam and joined Sasuke and Sakura in Team 7. Kakashi arrived as their Jonin Leader, and the team began introducing themselves, with Naruto declaring his dream of surpassing the past Hokages and earning the village’s acknowledgment.

• Naruto entered the classroom wearing a Konoha forehead protector and announced that he had graduated, but his classmates jeered at his claim that he was stronger than Sasuke.
• The Jonin Leaders took the other graduates away, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura together as Team 7’s remaining members.
• Kakashi arrived late and asked the three students to introduce themselves after giving his own brief introduction.
• Naruto said he liked ramen, disliked the food at Mount Myōboku, and dreamed of surpassing all the past hokages and making the village acknowledge him.

Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that they had to pass a survival test to become Genin, then began the bell-snatching test at the training ground. Xu Fan watched the events through a Crystal Ball while preparing to time his sign-in.

• Kakashi told Team 7 that their first mission was a high-difficulty test against him, and that failing would send them back to the Ninja Academy.
• Xu Fan used the Telescope Technique and a Crystal Ball to monitor the team so he could determine when to sign in.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura waited for Kakashi at the training ground after skipping breakfast, and Kakashi arrived after ten in the morning.
• Kakashi set an alarm for noon and explained that the three Genin had to take two bells from him before it rang.
• Kakashi warned Team 7 that at least one of them would be eliminated and sent back to the Ninja Academy.

Xu Fan watched Kakashi begin Team 7’s bell exercise and waited for the moment his check-in condition would activate. Naruto challenged Kakashi head-on, then shocked the others by moving at incredible speed and reaching for both bells.

• Xu Fan concealed his Chakra at the training ground and observed Kakashi explain the bell exercise to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
• Sasuke and Sakura hid in the forest, but Naruto confronted Kakashi and proposed taking both bells so Sakura could pass with him.
• Kakashi drew The Paradise of Intimacy and told Naruto to attack, while Naruto called out to Sakura to watch him.
• Naruto vanished and reappeared in front of Kakashi, reaching for the bells with speed that stunned Sasuke and the others.

Naruto surprised Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi with his powerful Body Flicker Technique during the bell test, but Kakashi stopped him from taking a bell. Naruto then used the Shadow Clone Jutsu as he prepared his next attack.

• Sasuke and Sakura watched Naruto demonstrate a Body Flicker Technique that far surpassed their expectations.
• Kakashi recognized Naruto’s skill and stopped reading his book, recalling how his own lack of teamwork had contributed to Obito and Rin’s deaths.
• Naruto nearly reached the bell, but Kakashi seized his wrist and threw him away before he could take it.
• Sasuke acknowledged Kakashi’s swift defense, while Sakura tried to dismiss Naruto’s display as luck.
• Naruto judged that another Body Flicker attack would fail and created more than a dozen Shadow Clones as he landed and challenged Kakashi.

Kakashi fought Naruto and his Shadow Clones during Team 7’s bell test, hoping they would recognize that teamwork was the real goal. After Naruto was trapped underground, Sasuke launched a surprise attack on Kakashi.

• Xu Fan watched Kakashi and Naruto fight, noting how much both had grown stronger.
• Kakashi put away The Paradise of Intimacy and clashed seriously with Naruto, but Naruto kept attacking alone while Sasuke and Sakura watched from hiding.
• Kakashi used Earth Release: Mind Destruction Technique to trap Naruto underground and realized he had caught Naruto’s original body.
• Kakashi praised Naruto but saw that Sasuke and Sakura still did not understand the test required teamwork.
• Naruto began gathering natural energy as Sasuke mistook his closed eyes for surrender and charged at Kakashi with a kunai.

Sasuke nearly took Kakashi’s bell but was restrained, while Naruto broke free in Sage Mode and overwhelmed Kakashi with Frog Kumite. Naruto chased after Kakashi to claim the bell and fly off with Sakura.

• Sasuke used Naruto as a distraction and nearly reached Kakashi’s bell, but Kakashi dodged and pinned him to the ground.
• Naruto entered Sage Mode and broke free from the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique, astonishing Sasuke and Kakashi.
• Naruto caught up to Kakashi and struck him with Frog Kumite, blasting him away despite Kakashi dodging his visible punch.
• Naruto ignored Sasuke and chased Kakashi to take the bell, while Kakashi raised his forehead protector to face him.

Naruto’s Sage Mode forced Kakashi to reveal his Sharingan and activate Lightning Release Chakra Mode during Team 7’s bell test. As Kakashi and Naruto clashed evenly, Sasuke watched helplessly and began to suspect Mount Myōboku was behind Naruto’s strength.

• Xu Fan observed Team 7’s training and noted that Naruto’s Sage Mode made him far stronger than a typical Genin.
• Kakashi revealed his Sharingan to track Naruto, while Sasuke recognized the eye and began plotting to use Naruto to expose Kakashi’s weaknesses.
• Kakashi activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode, but Naruto attacked with Frog Kumite and used his Sage Mode senses to keep up with Kakashi.
• Kakashi and Naruto exchanged powerful blows, sending Sasuke flying repeatedly and leaving him unable to join the fight.
• Sasuke struggled to understand Naruto’s strength and wondered whether Naruto had gained it at Mount Myōboku as Kakashi pushed his Lightning Release Chakra Mode to full power.

Kakashi fought Naruto’s Sage Mode by drawing out the battle and discovering its time limit. After Naruto’s Sage Chakra ran out, Kakashi moved to knock him unconscious, while Xu Fan remained ready to intervene.

• Xu Fan judged that Kakashi was at risk of losing to Naruto and prepared to use the Substitution Technique if needed.
• Sasuke and Sakura watched Naruto and Kakashi clash at speeds they could barely follow, while Sasuke grew frustrated at Naruto’s strength.
• Kakashi noticed that Naruto’s Sage Chakra was draining and asked whether Sage Mode could only be maintained for a short time.
• Naruto confirmed Kakashi’s deductions, and Kakashi focused on evading to wear down his Sage Chakra.
• Naruto’s Sage Mode ended, and Kakashi swung a hand chop at his neck to knock him unconscious.

Naruto overwhelmed Kakashi after entering Golden Form Mode and using the Nine-Tails Chakra, leaving Kakashi badly injured. Xu Fan found Kakashi in the thicket, disguised himself as him, and went to face Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

• Naruto dispelled Sage Mode, then activated Golden Form Mode when Kakashi attacked.
• Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra formed a hand that caught Kakashi’s wrist, and Naruto kicked Kakashi hard enough to dispel his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Sasuke and Sakura watched in shock as Naruto defeated Kakashi, while Sasuke asked about Mount Myōboku.
• Kakashi crashed into a thicket with several broken ribs and nearly depleted Chakra.
• Xu Fan found Kakashi, explained that Naruto could freely use Nine-Tails Chakra as a half-perfect Jinchuriki, and transformed into Kakashi’s appearance.
• Xu Fan left the thicket to take Kakashi’s place in front of Naruto and the others.

Xu Fan disguised himself as Kakashi and challenged Naruto in Golden Form Mode, concealing the real Kakashi nearby. Naruto revealed his Rasengan and launched it at Xu Fan, who had allowed himself to be restrained.

• Xu Fan transformed into Kakashi and hid the real Kakashi behind bushes, sealing his Chakra so Naruto would not sense him.
• Xu Fan praised Naruto's kick and told him he should have aimed for the bells.
• Xu Fan vanished and caught Naruto's Nine-Tails Chakra fist with his bare hand, then crushed it.
• Naruto restrained Xu Fan with Chakra Hands and formed a Rasengan, shocking Sasuke, Sakura, and the real Kakashi.
• Naruto pulled himself toward Xu Fan and aimed the Rasengan at his abdomen.

Xu Fan, disguised as Kakashi, overpowered Naruto after Naruto attacked with Nine-Tails Chakra and a Rasengan, then buried him with a sealing technique. With the bell-test time up, Xu Fan explained the team’s failures and answered Naruto’s questions while maintaining his Kakashi disguise.

• Naruto restrained Xu Fan with Nine-Tails Chakra and charged with a Rasengan, but Xu Fan caught and crushed it with his bare hand.
• Xu Fan severed Naruto’s Chakra Hands, slammed him into the ground, and used the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique with One-Tail’s Chakra and Magnet Release to keep him trapped.
• Sasuke and Sakura stayed back after seeing Xu Fan defeat Naruto, and the alarm rang to mark the end of the test.
• Xu Fan told Naruto that he had failed to prioritize the mission and pointed out issues with Sasuke and Sakura.
• Naruto asked why Kakashi had used Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and Xu Fan claimed it had been a performance to test them.

Xu Fan used Kakashi’s survival test to teach Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura about teamwork, then watched them share their bentos with Naruto despite the rule against it. He told Kakashi that Minato had understood his test long ago and had trusted him to learn the value of companions, before bringing Kakashi out of hiding.

• Xu Fan explained that Team 7 had failed the first test because Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had not cooperated, and ordered them to return for a harder afternoon test while forbidding them to give Naruto food.
• Xu Fan found Kakashi and explained that he had copied Kakashi’s test and his belief that abandoning companions was worse than breaking the rules.
• Sasuke shared his remaining bento with Naruto, and Sakura soon offered Naruto hers as well, despite the threat of elimination.
• Kakashi watched Team 7 share their food, while Xu Fan told him that Minato had seen through his test and passed him because he trusted Kakashi to understand the importance of companions.
• Xu Fan pushed Kakashi out of hiding and asked him when he had ever been fooled.

Kakashi passed Team 7’s survival exercise, and Xu Fan completed a sign-in that rewarded him with the Water Release Technique and Hundred Healings Technique. As Team 7 prepared to begin missions, Xu Fan considered training Hinata, Neji, and Sakura and anticipated meeting Zabuza and Haku during the Land of Waves mission.

• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura that they had passed the survival exercise, while Xu Fan completed his sign-in and received the Water Release Technique and Hundred Healings Technique.
• Xu Fan considered teaching the Water Release Technique to Hinata and Neji and using the Hundred Healings Technique to help Sakura and Kakashi.
• Kakashi explained that protecting comrades mattered more than strict adherence to ninja rules and announced that Team 7 would begin carrying out missions the next day.
• Xu Fan recalled that Team 7 would eventually escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where they would encounter Zabuza and Haku.
• Xu Fan considered using Zabuza to gain intelligence on Kirigakure and trying to bring both Zabuza and Haku to the Land of Fire.

Xu Fan suggested that Kakashi learn the Hundred Healings Technique to compensate for his limited Chakra, and Kakashi began leading Team 7 on D-rank missions after recovering. Naruto grew frustrated with the easy assignments, and Xu Fan arrived at the mission office as Naruto protested.

• Kakashi thanked Xu Fan for helping him handle Team 7's survival exercise, and Xu Fan warned him to recover from his injuries.
• Xu Fan pointed out Kakashi's limited Chakra and suggested he learn the Hundred Healings Technique to store and release Chakra through a Yin Seal.
• After a night's rest, Kakashi recovered enough to lead Team 7 on D-rank missions, while Naruto used Golden Form Mode to catch pets.
• Naruto complained at the mission office that Team 7 needed harder missions, and Xu Fan appeared as the chunin prepared to scold him.

Team 7 encountered Xu Fan at the mission assignment office and learned that he was the Special Hokage Advisor and the sole candidate to become Hokage. Kakashi explained Xu Fan’s enormous power and political influence, leaving Sasuke stunned by the gap between them.

• Sasuke and Sakura recognized Xu Fan, remembering that he had defeated Sasuke at the Ninja Academy before disappearing.
• The Chunin, Jonin, and Kakashi respectfully greeted Xu Fan, and Kakashi revealed that he was the Special Hokage Advisor and the sole Hokage candidate.
• Kakashi explained the Five Kage and how Xu Fan had unified the Land of Fire’s military, politics, and economy.
• Sasuke asked how Kakashi compared with Xu Fan, and Kakashi said the difference was like the gap between himself and Sakura.
• Sasuke was overwhelmed as he imagined how far Xu Fan’s strength surpassed his own.

Xu Fan arranged a C-rank mission for Team 7 to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where Xu Fan planned to complete a sign-in task and approach Zabuza. The chapter ended with Tazuna introducing himself and asking the team to protect him while he finished building his bridge.

• Naruto complained about being assigned easy missions, but Kakashi explained that newly graduated Genin could only take D-rank missions.
• Xu Fan revealed that he intended to escort Tazuna and Team 7 to the Great Naruto Bridge and hoped to recruit Zabuza.
• Xu Fan assigned Team 7 a C-rank mission to protect Tazuna.
• Tazuna doubted that Team 7 could protect him, and Xu Fan bluntly told him to choose other shinobi if he did not trust Konoha.
• Tazuna introduced himself as a bridge-building expert from the Land of Waves and asked Team 7 to protect him until he completed the bridge.

Xu Fan accompanied Team 7 as they escorted Tazuna toward the Land of Waves, where the Ghost Brothers ambushed them. Naruto rescued Tazuna, and the attackers turned on Xu Fan, whose strength left them unable to move their chains.

• Tazuna explained his situation, and Team 7 accepted the mission to protect him until the bridge was completed.
• Xu Fan joined Team 7 as their supervisor, and the group left Konoha for the Land of Waves.
• Xu Fan spotted a suspicious puddle and warned Kakashi to stay alert, prompting Kakashi to move toward the edge of the group.
• The Ghost Brothers burst from the puddle and attacked Tazuna, but Naruto used Golden Form Mode and the Body Flicker Technique to carry him to safety.
• The Ghost Brothers wrapped their chains around Xu Fan and pulled from opposite directions, but their gauntlets cracked while Xu Fan remained unmoved.

Xu Fan killed the Ghost Brothers and exposed Tazuna's deception about the mission's danger. When Tazuna tried to persuade Team 7 to keep protecting him despite being unable to pay for a higher-rank mission, Xu Fan declared the mission over and ordered a return to Konoha.

• Xu Fan killed the Ghost Brothers by releasing his Chakra, and Kakashi confirmed they were dead.
• Kakashi identified the attackers as Kirigakure Shinobi and confronted Tazuna about hiding the true danger of the mission.
• Xu Fan argued that the ambush made the mission B-rank or higher and said Team 7 could not undertake it under their agreement.
• Tazuna admitted he could not afford the higher fee and appealed to the Shinobi to protect him and his family.
• Xu Fan rejected Tazuna's appeal and declared Team 7's mission over, but Naruto called out to him.

Naruto and Sasuke insisted on continuing the mission after Tazuna revealed that Gato controlled the Land of Waves through criminal groups and ninja. Xu Fan offered to defeat Gato as an S-rank commission, leaving Tazuna to decide whether to accept the costly deal.

• Naruto and Sasuke asked Xu Fan to continue the mission, and Tazuna chose to reveal the truth about his bridge and Gato.
• Tazuna explained that Gato controlled maritime transport in the Land of Waves and that the bridge was the people’s last hope.
• Xu Fan argued that building the bridge would not solve the problem while Gato remained in power.
• Xu Fan offered to eliminate Gato and restore the Land of Waves’ maritime rights through an S-rank commission.
• Xu Fan told Tazuna he could refuse the deal and said he could collect the fee from the Land of Waves’ daimyō instead.