Chapter Summaries

Niansheng helped Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki fulfill the first beings’ wish to witness the completed Omni-Dimension, then merged with its bonds and Heart-Trace to establish the Covenant of Niansheng. The Omni-Dimension entered an age of lasting peace, while Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, and Niansheng became enduring parts of its stories and life.

• Niansheng sensed the first beings’ Unfulfilled Wish hidden in the Wall of Heart-Trace, and Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki saw the memories within it.
• Boruto, Sarada, Mitsuki, and Niansheng joined their powers to let the first beings’ wills witness the completed Omni-Dimension.
• The first beings’ wills thanked them and dissolved into light, merging with the Heart-Trace and the hearts of all beings.
• Niansheng declared that its purpose was companionship and merged with the Omni-Dimension to create the Covenant of Niansheng.
• Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki agreed their mission was over as the Omni-Dimension entered the World of Constancy.
• Many years later, the three and Niansheng endured in the Omni-Dimension’s memories, stories, and everyday life.

The Heart Cherry Tree awakened from the Boundary Guardian’s wish and the Omni-Dimension’s shared perseverance, spreading life and warmth throughout the realms. It dissolved the dimensional barriers into Paths of Boundlessness, allowing beings to travel freely as Sasuke watched the new world from his courtyard.

• Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki witnessed the Heart Cherry Tree grow from the Thought Dust bluestone in Konoha’s square.
• Boruto recognized the tree as the root of life in the Omni-Dimension, while Sarada and Mitsuki saw its bonds uniting the beings and Tailed Beasts gathered beneath it.
• Niansheng sent Heart Cherry blossoms across the realms, where saplings bloomed even across the Boundary Guardian’s former ruins.
• The dimensional barriers melted into Paths of Boundlessness, and children from different realms traveled freely between them.
• Kakashi, Might Guy, Shikamaru, and Temari observed the realms’ new connections as Sasuke watched beings pass along the path beside his courtyard.

In the thousandth year of the Boundless Omni-Dimension, the Void Nether transformed into Xunian, a being who helped darkness and pain coexist with light. With the Omni-Dimension at peace, Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki retired to an ordinary life in the Leaf, while its people continued to protect one another.

• Sasuke stood on the Path of Boundlessness and reflected on a world without hatred, while Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki listened to the Omni-Dimension's heart sounds beside the Heart Cherry Tree.
• The Void Nether gathered into a new being, and Boruto named it Xunian after seeing its essence.
• Niansheng welcomed Xunian, and beings across the Omni-Dimension accepted it as part of their world.
• Xunian joined Niansheng in protecting the Omni-Dimension, helping beings face pain without erasing darkness.
• Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki retired to a courtyard in the eastern outskirts of the Leaf and shared their understanding of eternity and protection with young visitors.

The cycle reset Konoha and its people, restoring their original lives while faint remnants of the past lingered within some of them. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura formed Team 7 under Kakashi, whose failed bell test left them facing a lesson about bonds.

• Naruto defied the villagers’ rejection and declared that he would become Hokage.
• Sasuke trained with shuriken, and Itachi encouraged him to balance training with rest.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura graduated from the Ninja Academy and were assigned to Team 7 with Kakashi as their instructor.
• Kakashi gave Team 7 a survival exercise to take two bells, but Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all failed.
• Kakashi told the three that a ninja’s core was bonds rather than strength or technique.

After criticizing Team 7 for failing to work together, Kakashi received a C-rank escort mission to protect Tazuna on his journey to the Land of Waves. The team set out, and Kakashi halted as they passed through a dense forest, sensing danger.

• Kakashi scolded Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for focusing on the bells instead of cooperating and told them Team 7 needed to act as one unit.
• Kakashi brought Team 7 to the Hokage's Office, where the Third Hokage assigned them to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi questioned why Tazuna was being pursued on a supposedly simple C-rank mission, but the Third Hokage said Tazuna had described the pursuers as ordinary bandits.
• Team 7 met the doubtful Tazuna at Konoha's entrance and assured him they would protect him.
• Team 7 left Konoha with Tazuna, and Kakashi suddenly stopped in a dense forest and warned everyone to be careful.

Kakashi and Team 7 defeated the Demon Brothers, who had ambushed Tazuna on the way to the Land of Waves. Tazuna revealed that Gato had hired ninja to stop his bridge project, and the team continued the mission knowing Momochi Zabuza awaited them.

• The Demon Brothers emerged from a puddle and attacked Tazuna, but Kakashi and Team 7 fought back while Sakura guarded him.
• Kakashi and Sasuke saw through the Hidden Mist Jutsu, and Kakashi subdued both Demon Brothers as they tried to flee.
• Kakashi questioned Tazuna about the attackers, and Tazuna confessed that Gato had hired ninja to kill him and stop the bridge from being built.
• Kakashi told Tazuna that the mission was far more dangerous than reported, but said Leaf ninja would keep their promise and protect him.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura pledged to protect Tazuna as the group continued toward the Land of Waves, where Momochi Zabuza was waiting.

Kakashi and Team 7 reached the Land of Waves and saw how Gato's rule had left its people in despair. That night, Momochi Zabuza attacked Tazuna's home, and Kakashi stood between the rogue ninja and his team as the battle began.

• Tazuna explained that Gato had monopolized trade and oppressed the people, and Naruto vowed to help complete the bridge.
• Kakashi warned Team 7 that Gato's territory was dangerous and suspected Momochi Zabuza was watching them.
• Tsunami welcomed Tazuna and the Konoha ninja home, while Inari showed them his despair over his father's murder by Gato's men.
• Naruto lay awake thinking about the suffering in the Land of Waves and secretly resolved to become stronger and protect others.
• Kakashi spotted a shadow outside and identified it as Momochi Zabuza, who soon entered the house carrying Kubikiribōchō.
• Kakashi shielded Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and condemned Zabuza for serving Gato and oppressing civilians.

Zabuza trapped Kakashi with Water Prison Jutsu while Haku fought Naruto and Sasuke, but the two genin helped Kakashi break free. The battle intensified, and Sasuke was struck by Haku’s ice senbon as the fight continued in Tazuna’s courtyard.

• Zabuza attacked Tazuna, and Kakashi blocked him while Sasuke and Naruto tried to hold him back.
• Zabuza trapped Kakashi in a water prison and advanced on Tazuna as Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura stood in his way.
• Haku appeared and attacked Sasuke and Naruto with ice senbon, quickly putting them at a disadvantage.
• Naruto and Sasuke worked together to crack the water prison, allowing Kakashi to break free.
• Zabuza and Haku renewed their attacks, and Sasuke dodged Haku’s senbon before several struck and froze his arm and shoulder.

Naruto’s Nine-Tails Chakra erupted as he fought Haku to protect Sasuke and Sakura, eventually sensing Haku’s true position and breaking the ice-mirror cage. Haku shielded Zabuza from Kakashi, and Naruto asked why he would risk his life for someone who treated him like a tool.

• Naruto and Sasuke fought Haku’s attacks while Sakura protected Tazuna and treated their injuries.
• Haku trapped Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and wounded Sasuke with an Ice Senbon.
• Naruto’s anger triggered a surge of Nine-Tails Chakra, and Sasuke urged him to calm down and sense Haku’s presence.
• Naruto steadied himself, found Haku’s real body, and struck him, shattering the ice mirrors.
• Kakashi wounded Zabuza, but Haku stepped in front of him to protect him from Kakashi’s kunai.
• Naruto asked Haku why he risked his life for Zabuza, who treated him like a tool.

Haku explained that he willingly lived and fought for Zabuza, prompting Zabuza to finally acknowledge his feelings and step forward to protect him. As Gato’s thugs attacked, Zabuza unleashed a Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique against them.

• Haku told Naruto and Sasuke that Zabuza had given him a place to belong and that fighting for him was his reason to live.
• Naruto and Sasuke recognized Haku’s longing for bonds and understood that protecting someone could give a person strength.
• Kakashi urged Zabuza not to let Haku die for Gato, but Zabuza struggled to answer.
• Gato arrived with armed thugs and ordered them to kill Zabuza, Haku, and Team 7.
• Haku tried to shield Zabuza despite his injuries, and Zabuza told him to move so he could protect Haku instead.
• Zabuza confronted Gato and used Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique as the thugs rushed at him.

Zabuza killed Gato but lost Haku, then died holding him as snow fell over the Land of Waves. With Gato gone, the villagers began rebuilding their lives and bridge, while Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi stayed to help; Naruto and Inari grew closer.

• Zabuza defeated Gato's men, killed Gato, and rushed to support the badly wounded Haku.
• Haku died in Zabuza's arms, and Zabuza wept, regretting that he had treated Haku as a tool.
• Kakashi released Zabuza's restraints, and Zabuza died beside Haku as snow covered them.
• After Gato's death, the people of the Land of Waves celebrated their freedom, and Tazuna led the villagers in completing the bridge.
• Inari joined the bridge-building crew, while Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi stayed to recover and help.
• Naruto and Inari formed a friendship as they worked, and Inari asked Naruto if he would really become Hokage someday.

After Team 7 returned from the Land of Waves, the Third Hokage entered them in the Chunin Exams to prepare them for growing dangers in the Shinobi World. The team arrived at the exam site, where another ninja challenged Kakashi.

• Team 7 returned to Konoha, and Kakashi reported to the Third Hokage about the mission and the rogue ninja activity in the Land of Waves.
• The Third Hokage told Kakashi that Team 7 would participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams, and Kakashi informed Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
• Kakashi began preparing Team 7 for the exams, warning them about the dangers they could face and the need to protect one another.
• Genin teams from several villages arrived in Konoha as tension rose ahead of the exams.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to the exam tower, where a teasing voice addressed him as they entered.

Kabuto Yakushi and Gaara’s team arrived at the Chunin Exam hall, where rivalries flared among the assembled young ninja. Ibiki Morino began the first exam, and as the candidates secretly gathered answers, Naruto struggled to understand the test but resolved not to give up.

• Kabuto Yakushi appeared at the exam hall and questioned whether Kakashi’s students could pass the first round.
• Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari arrived, and Gaara fixed a hostile gaze on Sasuke before Naruto stepped in to confront him.
• Neji Hyuga challenged Sasuke’s reputation as a genius as the young ninja of Konoha gathered in the hall.
• Ibiki Morino announced the first exam’s sixty-minute limit and its rule that candidates could cheat if they avoided being caught.
• The candidates used their abilities to obtain answers while Naruto stared helplessly at the test, then calmed himself after Sakura encouraged him.

Team 7 passed Ibiki’s first exam by refusing to give up, then entered the Forest of Death for the second exam. After Kakashi warned them about a terrifying ninja, a chilling presence approached and Sasuke ordered the team to run.

• Sasuke secretly helped Naruto cheat, while Sakura watched Team 7 support one another during Ibiki’s written test.
• Ibiki announced a final question that could bar examinees from future Chunin Exams, and many teams withdrew.
• Sakura and Sasuke refused to give up, and Naruto found his resolve and declared that he would become Hokage.
• Ibiki canceled the tenth question and advanced every team that had stayed; Kakashi warned Team 7 about a snake-eyed ninja before they entered the Forest of Death.
• Team 7 moved carefully through the forest as other squads fought over scrolls, and Sasuke sensed an icy presence and told his teammates to run.

Orochimaru attacked Team 7 in the Forest of Death, cursed Sasuke, and left after inviting him to seek power. Naruto and Sakura carried Sasuke toward the Tower, but the Curse Mark later overwhelmed him, and he turned violent as Sakura tried to reach him.

• Orochimaru appeared before Team 7, cursed Sasuke, and knocked Naruto aside when he tried to protect his comrades.
• Sasuke refused Orochimaru's offer of power, and Orochimaru vanished after promising to return.
• Sakura tried and failed to suppress Sasuke's Curse Mark as Naruto helped carry him toward the Tower.
• Naruto vowed to become strong enough to protect his friends, while Sakura continued treating Sasuke in a hidden cave.
• Sasuke convulsed as the Curse Mark spread, lost control of his Chakra, and struck Naruto away.
• Sakura stood between Sasuke and Naruto, pleading with Sasuke to resist the curse.

Sasuke regained control of the Curse Mark after Naruto and Sakura refused to abandon him, and Team 7 continued toward the Tower. Along the way, Sasuke rescued Hinata, Kiba, and Shino from three Otogakure ninjas, and Team 7 pressed on through the Forest of Death.

• Naruto and Sakura calmed Sasuke's Curse Mark frenzy, and Sasuke resolved to gain strength through his own will and his comrades' bonds.
• After resting through the night, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura set out together for the Tower.
• Sasuke stopped Naruto from charging blindly when they found three Otogakure ninjas attacking Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.
• Sasuke used his Sharingan and speed to defeat the three Sound ninjas and protect the Leaf team.
• Team 7 continued through the Forest of Death, overcoming several more crises with their teamwork and Sasuke's growing power.

After passing the Forest of Death, Sasuke learned that his first tournament opponent would be Gaara, while Kabuto warned him to avoid the fight and tried to recruit him for Orochimaru. The elimination tournament began, and Naruto won the opening match, leaving Sasuke about to face Gaara.

• Team 7 arrived at the Tower, where Sasuke and Gaara exchanged hostile looks and Neji disparaged Sasuke.
• Mitarashi Anko announced the individual elimination tournament, and the draw matched Naruto against an Otogakure Genin and Sasuke against Gaara.
• Sasuke refused Sakura’s warning to forfeit and resolved to fight Gaara.
• Kabuto warned Sasuke that Gaara was the One-Tail Jinchuriki and offered him power from Orochimaru, but Sasuke rejected him.
• Naruto defeated his Otogakure opponent with Shadow Clones and the Rasengan, and Sasuke entered the arena for his match against Gaara.

Sasuke broke free of Gaara’s Sand Cage by awakening his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and controlling his Curse Mark, then fought Gaara as the One-Tail’s power emerged. Their battle was interrupted when Orochimaru launched the Konoha Crush Plan, leaving the village under attack and the Third Hokage fighting Orochimaru.

• Gaara trapped Sasuke in a contracting Sand Cage while Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi watched in alarm.
• Facing death, Sasuke awakened his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and brought the Curse Mark’s power under control, then shattered the Sand Cage.
• Sasuke overwhelmed Gaara’s defenses with his speed and fire techniques, but Gaara entered a half-awakened One-Tail state and attacked with a sand spear.
• Sasuke broke the sand spear’s weak point with Uchiha: Flowing Wind Slash, though the impact injured him.
• Orochimaru’s forces attacked Konoha as Orochimaru revealed himself in disguise as the Kazekage and announced the Konoha Crush Plan.
• The Third Hokage charged Orochimaru, and the two began fighting while Konoha descended into chaos.

During the Konoha Crush, Sasuke subdued Gaara while the Third Hokage sacrificed himself to seal Orochimaru. As the village mourned and Sasuke reconsidered what it meant to protect others, Uchiha Itachi appeared before him.

• Sasuke fought the rampaging Gaara while Naruto and Sakura evacuated and treated villagers, and Konoha's Jonin battled the invading Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja.
• Sasuke struck Gaara between the brows, suppressing Shukaku and stopping his attacks, then Naruto defended the exhausted Sasuke from Sound Ninja.
• The Third Hokage used the Reaper Death Seal to seal Orochimaru's hands and died, forcing Orochimaru and the Sand Ninja to retreat and ending the Konoha Crush Plan in failure.
• Sasuke reflected on the Third Hokage's sacrifice and wondered whether Itachi had also been protecting something, though his desire for revenge remained.
• Itachi appeared on a rooftop, and Sasuke recognized the brother who had massacred their clan.

Itachi defeated Sasuke with Tsukuyomi and told him he was still too weak, driving Sasuke to decide that he needed power beyond what the Leaf could offer. Sasuke left the village, and Naruto caught up to him at the forest’s edge to confront him.

• Itachi appeared in the Leaf and ignored the others to tell Sasuke he was too weak.
• Sasuke attacked Itachi, who overwhelmed him and trapped him in Tsukuyomi, making him relive the Uchiha massacre.
• Itachi released Sasuke from the illusion and left, while Naruto and the others held back from pursuing him.
• Sasuke rejected Naruto’s offer to train together and said he would leave the Leaf to gain power.
• Naruto chased Sasuke to the forest’s edge and challenged him about abandoning Team 7.