Chapter Summaries

After the battle, Sasuke reflected on killing for the first time and hoped for a reward that never came. The team tended their injuries and prepared to treat them, while Kakashi explained Haku’s final choice to protect Zabuza.

• Sasuke reached shore and realized that killing his first enemy had not triggered the cheat he had long hoped for.
• Naruto told Sakura and Tazuna that the battlefield was safe, and Tazuna marveled at the destruction left by the fight.
• Kakashi explained that Haku could have escaped but stayed to protect his companion, while Sakura checked whether the others were hurt.
• Naruto complained that he had eaten too many Soldier Pills, and Sasuke admitted that his right forearm was fractured but asked the others to keep it secret.
• Sakura and Tazuna offered help, but Sasuke summoned a large medical kit and began cleaning the team’s wounds with saline.

After Sasuke treated the team’s injuries with Naruto’s help, Kakashi warned him not to fight recklessly and revealed that Lady Tsunade was his master. The team buried Zabuza and Haku and continued toward Tazuna’s home, while Sasuke privately proposed something to Kakashi.

• Sasuke used Medical Ninjutsu and Naruto’s Chakra to heal Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi, while Kakashi cautioned Sasuke about medical ninja fighting on the front line.
• Kakashi revealed that Lady Tsunade was Sasuke’s master, surprising Sakura and Naruto.
• Sasuke claimed Kubikiribōchō after Kakashi let him keep the sword, and Naruto mistook Haku for a beautiful girl before Sasuke explained that Haku was a boy.
• Kakashi decided the team would bury Zabuza and Haku rather than leave their bodies behind, and they continued toward Tazuna’s home.
• Sasuke privately slipped Kakashi a proposal about the Mercenary Bond.

After defeating Zabuza, Kakashi's team planned to keep protecting Tazuna while Sasuke explored bounty offices and investigated the Land of Waves. Sasuke mapped Gato's influence and found opportunities for trade and investment, while Inari warned the ninja they would die and Naruto discovered the village had no ramen.

• Sasuke proposed preserving Zabuza's corpse and visiting nearby Mercenary Bonds to claim the bounty, and Kakashi secretly destroyed Sasuke's note about it.
• Kakashi told Tazuna to hide the team's injuries and explained that Gato could target him again after the mission; Inari insulted the ninja and warned they would lose to Gato.
• Tazuna explained that Gato had captured and publicly executed Inari's stepfather Kaiza, who had led the resistance.
• Sasuke went into town disguised as a ronin, sold supplies for a profit, gathered information, and identified Gato's islands, factories, and properties.
• At lunch, Naruto asked for ramen, but Tsunami explained that flour and supplies were scarce in the Land of Waves, so Naruto turned hopefully to Sasuke.

Sasuke offered to cook ramen while Naruto eagerly asked Kakashi to teach him Ice Style and other techniques. Meanwhile, Gato concluded that Zabuza and Haku were probably dead and ordered his men to attack that night before the injured ninja could recover.

• Sasuke asked Tsunami to use her kitchen and offered to make ramen for dinner.
• Naruto asked Kakashi to teach him Ice Style, and Kakashi explained that it was an innate Kekkei Genkai requiring Water and Wind transformations.
• Kakashi showed the group the one-handed Hand Seals used by the masked ninja, while Naruto eagerly asked to learn more techniques.
• Sasuke considered his own plans but decided to wait because the Chunin Exams were approaching.
• Gato's men reported finding signs of a fierce battle and little blood, while Tazuna had returned home with four injured ninja.
• Gato dismissed the possibility that Zabuza and Haku were alive and ordered his men to attack that night before the ninja recovered.

After scouting and shopping in the Land of Waves, Sasuke spent the evening cooking a lavish meal for Team Kakashi and the locals. Inari’s fear of Gato’s men surfaced at dinner, while Sasuke and Naruto ended the night discussing ninja techniques and study materials.

• Sasuke learned how chaotic property ownership and taxation were in the Land of Waves, then limited his real-estate purchases to just over two million ryo.
• Sasuke gathered fish and local plants while his Shadow Clones surveyed the area, and he and Naruto prepared a seafood ramen meal with dumplings and takoyaki.
• Sakura, Kakashi, and the others praised the meal, while Inari cried as he ate and then left the dining room still sobbing.
• Kakashi found Inari outside and learned that the boy feared the villagers would die because Gato’s men threatened them and the ninja seemed too unconcerned.
• Sasuke explained how he chilled tea with Water Style, then told Naruto he had been reading a Ninja Academy supplement on poisons.

Gato's men attacked Tazuna's home, but Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura defeated them, and Inari killed Gato. Sasuke then set out alone to seize or sabotage Gato's bases and assets across the Land of Waves.

• Gato ordered his men to fire flaming arrows at Tazuna's cabin, unaware that Sasuke's team was prepared for the attack.
• Kakashi sent Naruto and Sakura into battle while Sasuke used fire to divide the battlefield, and the team defeated Gato's attackers.
• Inari drove a Kunai into Gato's forehead, avenging his father as Tsunami and Tazuna grieved together.
• Sasuke's Shadow Clones stripped the fallen men of their valuables and disposed of their bodies in the sea.
• Kakashi assigned Sasuke to deal with Gato's bases, and Sasuke left that night to collect assets and sabotage anything he could not take.

After Gato’s defeat, Kakashi and Sasuke investigated whether the Land of Waves daimyo had been involved in Gato’s actions. The daimyo denied any knowledge and agreed to send Konoha a formal letter, while the bridge’s future remained undecided.

• Kakashi advised Sasuke to abandon selling Zabuza’s corpse and avoid displaying the Kubikiribōchō because the Land of Water’s Anbu were hunting Zabuza, then returned Sasuke’s 10,000,000 taels as compensation.
• At breakfast, Naruto questioned whether the bridge still needed to be built now that Gato was dead, leaving Tazuna uncertain about how to proceed.
• Kakashi asked Tazuna to introduce him and Sasuke to the Land of Waves daimyo so they could determine whether he had been involved with Gato.
• Kakashi questioned the daimyo, who said he had been unaware of Gato’s actions and agreed to send a formal letter to the Third Hokage and Konoha’s daimyo.

Sasuke returned to the Land of Waves’ Daimyo to negotiate purchasing several islands and a plot near Tazuna’s bridge for future investments. He left with the Daimyo’s agreement in principle to sell the properties, with a contract still to be written.

• Sasuke used genjutsu to reveal how few workers truly wanted to help Tazuna build the bridge, leaving only two or three willing volunteers.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura trained in the sea while Naruto repeatedly encountered dangerous creatures underwater.
• After receiving documents from a visitor sent by the Daimyo, Sasuke returned to the Daimyo’s home and asked him to identify islands on a detailed map.
• Sasuke negotiated to buy four northern islands for 14,000,000 Ryo and Red Forest Island No. 21 for 13,000,000 Ryo, with fishing, sailing, and construction rights.
• Sasuke secured the Daimyo’s agreement to sell him a small beachside plot near the bridge for 200,000 taels.

Sasuke paid the Land of Waves' daimyo for five small islands and a vacant lot, securing land for the Uchiha while keeping the larger transaction confidential. After Sasuke returned, Team 7 continued training as Gato's death encouraged more people to help build Tazuna's bridge, and Inari asked Kakashi about becoming a ninja.

• Sasuke displayed 27.2 million Ryo and prepared detailed contracts for the daimyo to review and sign.
• Sasuke and the daimyo signed and sealed separate contracts for the vacant lot and the five islands, and Sasuke asked the daimyo to keep the island purchase confidential.
• Sasuke left the daimyo with the contracts and used his Sharingan to reinforce the suggestion that he keep the transaction quiet and avoid flaunting his wealth.
• Sasuke returned to Team 7, while Tazuna's family regained the freedom to go out and the team trained near the bridge.
• Inari saw the ninja's power and learned that Gato was dead; after Tazuna confirmed the news, more people joined the bridge project and some former critics apologized.
• Inari asked Kakashi to teach him ninjutsu, but Kakashi explained that joining Konoha as an outsider would be difficult and costly.

After returning from the Land of Waves, Team Seven settled back into village missions and training while learning that a Joint Chunin Exams would begin in about a month. Their conversation was interrupted when Konohamaru collided with Kankuro, and Sasuke told Naruto to apologize before the Sand ninja.

• Team Seven returned to Konoha after earning money from the mission, seafood sales, and Sasuke’s trading trips, then continued training and taking small missions.
• Sakura Haruno asked about the Chunin Exams, and Sasuke explained that a joint exam involving multiple villages would begin in about a month, with registration expected within a week.
• Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi ambushed Naruto, and Naruto’s reflexive kick sent Konohamaru flying into Kankuro.
• Kankuro grabbed Konohamaru and choked him, prompting Naruto to demand that he let the boy go.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Team Seven had bumped into Kankuro first and should apologize rather than embarrass the village.

Sasuke stopped Kankuro from attacking Konohamaru and invoked the Third Hokage to defuse the dispute with the Sunagakure siblings. After learning Gaara's name and mistakenly suggesting he might belong to the Uzumaki Clan, Sasuke led Team 7 and the children away.

• Naruto asked Kankuro to release Konohamaru, but Konohamaru bit Kankuro and was slammed to the ground.
• Sasuke caught Kankuro's attacks and warned that hurting the Third Hokage's grandson could endanger the Chunin Exams and relations between the villages.
• Gaara ordered Kankuro to stop and leave, and Kankuro apologized before the Sunagakure group departed.
• Naruto challenged Gaara to a fight in the Chunin Exams, and Sasuke asked Gaara and Temari about their names and family ties.
• Sasuke speculated that Gaara might be an Uzumaki, but Temari explained that Sunagakure had no surnames and they were not related to the Uzumaki Clan.
• Sasuke used Medical Ninjutsu on Konohamaru, advised him to learn from the incident, and led the group away.

Team 7 registered for the Chunin Exams, and Kakashi warned them to bring gear in case the tests began immediately. At the crowded check-in, Sasuke and Naruto joined Team Guy in taking group photos with two confused gatekeepers.

• Temari considered asking Teacher Maki about Sasuke's claim, but Gaara warned her not to ask.
• Kakashi registered the New Nine teams for the Chunin Exams, and Team 7 signed up after learning they had completed enough missions.
• Kakashi told Team 7 to report to the Ninja Academy with their gear, explaining that the exams might start with little warning and that they should use reflections to communicate with genjutsu.
• Naruto spotted Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten at check-in, while Neji revealed that the other two had failed to recognize they were caught in genjutsu.
• Sasuke and Naruto pulled Team Guy and Kakashi's Team into several group photos with the gatekeepers before Neji led them upstairs.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura entered the Chunin Exams, where Sasuke used a genjutsu to help his teammates through Ibiki’s written test. After they passed the first stage, Anko arrived to announce the next exam.

• Rock Lee asked Sakura to date him, then challenged Sasuke to fight after she rejected him.
• Kakashi explained that the exam required a three-person team, and Sakura chose to enter with Naruto and Sasuke.
• Kabuto warned the Konoha rookies about the other examinees before Dosu attacked him, prompting Naruto and Lee to intervene.
• Ibiki began the written exam, and Sasuke projected answers for Naruto and Sakura while they worked.
• Ibiki presented a final question that risked eliminating entire teams, and twenty-three teams remained after the first stage.
• Anko crashed through a window and announced that she would eliminate half the remaining examinees.

Sasuke entered the Forest of Death with Naruto and Sakura for the Chunin Exams, where he rescued Karin and then encountered Orochimaru disguised as a Grass Ninja. As Sasuke and Naruto fought to protect Sakura, Anko found dead Grass Ninja elsewhere in the forest and was still on her way to them.

• Team Seven entered the forest with the Book of Heaven, and Sasuke attacked a group of Mist Ninja who were lying in wait.
• Sasuke chased a fleeing enemy while Naruto and Sakura withdrew, then rescued Karin from a bear and gave her medicine before leaving with her Book of Earth.
• Sasuke returned to find a Grass Ninja impersonating him fighting Naruto, and he recognized the disguised Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru revealed the Book of Earth and swallowed it, then used his killing intent and genjutsu to freeze Team Seven; Sasuke resisted while Naruto carried Sakura to safety.
• Sasuke attacked Orochimaru with Fire Style, but Orochimaru countered with Wind Release, leaving Sasuke hoping the exam proctors would arrive.
• Anko discovered three dead Grass Ninja and hurried toward the fighting, while Sasuke's expected reinforcements remained delayed.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Orochimaru and his summoned giant python in the Forest of Death, using teamwork and powerful techniques to drive the creature away. Orochimaru then confronted them, revealing his interest in Sasuke as Naruto tried to attack him from behind.

• Naruto and Sasuke held Orochimaru at bay, then each fought off one of the giant pythons that ambushed them.
• Orochimaru summoned a much larger python, which crushed Naruto's Shadow Clones and endured their attacks.
• Sasuke opened the Eight Inner Gates and used a Lightning Style Iron Spear to strike the python's vulnerable point, while Naruto attacked it with Earth Style stone spikes.
• The giant python withdrew, and Sasuke and Naruto prepared to face Orochimaru again.
• Sasuke revealed his Two Tomoe Sharingan after Orochimaru questioned why he hid it and said he was interested in him.
• Naruto crept behind Orochimaru with a Chakra-infused blade, but Sasuke warned him to fall back.

Orochimaru overwhelmed Sasuke and Naruto during the Chunin Exam, inflicted a Cursed Seal on Sasuke, and suppressed Naruto’s Nine-Tails chakra with a Five Elements Seal. As Orochimaru prepared to leave, Anko Mitarashi and Sakura Haruno arrived.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone stabbed Orochimaru, but Orochimaru revealed it was an Earth Style Clone and outmaneuvered Sasuke with traps and a snake bite.
• Orochimaru’s bite gave Sasuke a Three Tomoe Cursed Seal, whose pain left him unable to fight as Naruto’s Shadow Clones attacked.
• Orochimaru found Naruto’s real body, recognized him as the Nine-Tails’ Jinchuriki, and used the Five Elements Seal to suppress the Nine-Tails’ chakra.
• Orochimaru told Sasuke to seek him out after the exam if he wanted more power, then Anko Mitarashi and Sakura Haruno arrived as he was about to leave.

Anko confronted Orochimaru, who revealed his interest in Sasuke and threatened Konoha if the Chunin Exams were canceled. As Sasuke suffered from the Heavenly Cursed Seal, he used Naruto’s healing ability to recover enough to endure the pain.

• Anko fought Orochimaru but was overwhelmed when he activated the Curse Mark she had carried for years.
• Orochimaru told Anko he had placed the same Heavenly Cursed Seal on Sasuke and hoped the Uchiha would become his successor.
• Orochimaru revealed that three Otogakure ninjas were also in the village and threatened to destroy Konoha if the Chunin Exams were stopped.
• Sakura Haruno dragged Naruto beside the injured Sasuke and gave him the Chakra Concentrated Liquid from Naruto’s bag.
• Sasuke bit Naruto to draw on his healing energy, restoring his body enough to sit up and endure the Cursed Seal’s pain.

Sasuke recovered enough to move while Sakura guarded their shelter, and he tested how his injuries and Cursed Seal reacted to Chakra. He killed a giant bear for food, but spotted the Sound Ninja Trio watching from the forest, leaving their attack imminent.

• Sakura helped Sasuke and Naruto reach the forest’s edge, then set up a perimeter while Sasuke treated their injuries.
• Sasuke repeatedly used Chakra and Medical Ninjutsu to repair his body, discovering that activating the Sharingan triggered pain from the Cursed Seal.
• As darkness fell, Sakura heard movement in the bushes, and Sasuke recognized the approaching giant bear as dinner.
• Sasuke lured the bear to a stream and killed it with Senbon while concealing much of his strength.
• Sasuke used the Sharingan again and spotted the Sound Ninja Trio hiding in the distant treetops, still waiting to strike.

The Third Hokage ordered the Chunin Exams to continue while Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto recovered in the Forest of Death and prepared to confront the Otogakure ninja watching them. Naruto woke after smelling and eating ramen, and the team finished their meal before Sasuke secretly replaced them with Shadow Clones.

• The Third Hokage heard Anko's report that Naruto had fainted and ordered the Chunin Exams to proceed, with two jonin squads recalled to strengthen security.
• Sasuke warned Sakura Haruno that three enemies were watching them, then used a Shadow Clone to prepare a meal from the bear they had killed.
• Sasuke tried to wake Naruto with ramen, and Naruto eventually sprang up to eat before Sakura Haruno shook him fully awake.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Orochimaru had targeted him and that the team still had a scroll hidden along their route, while the three Otogakure ninja waited for dawn.
• Naruto and Sakura Haruno ate Sasuke's unusual bear dishes, and the team planned a surprise attack on the watchers.
• As the three sat eating and talking, Naruto replaced them with Shadow Clones.

Team 7 defeated the Sound Ninja Trio, secured both scrolls, and passed the second exam before returning to Konoha. Sasuke then asked Kakashi to suppress his Cursed Seal, but Orochimaru appeared after the sealing technique was completed.

• Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura ambushed Dosu, Zaku, and Kin, took their scroll, and buried them with their Chakra sealed.
• Team 7 recovered supplies from the Forest of Death and reached the central tower, where Izumo Kamizuki confirmed they had passed the second exam.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered a close watch on Orochimaru, who learned that Sasuke had passed and decided to inspect him.
• Sasuke visited Kakashi and asked him to deal with the Cursed Seal on his shoulder.
• Kakashi used the Curse Mark Sealing Technique to suppress Sasuke's Cursed Seal, but Orochimaru appeared behind him afterward.