Recaps

Yakumo Kurama stole Konoha’s Scroll of Sealing, believing Mizuki could use it to cure her frail body, while Kakashi followed her to uncover the plot. In the Forest of Death, Mizuki took the scroll and tried to kill Yakumo, but Kakashi rescued her and confronted him.

• Yakumo Kurama subdued the guards outside the Hokage Building and entered the Hokage’s office while Kakashi watched from concealment.
• Yakumo stole the Scroll of Sealing and headed toward the Forest of Death, with Kakashi secretly following her.
• Uzumaki Kuming sensed the office barrier had been triggered and used Kagura Mind Eye to locate Kakashi and Yakumo.
• Mizuki met Yakumo in the forest, took the scroll, and revealed his murderous intent by attacking her with a Kunai.
• Kakashi cut Mizuki’s Kunai, rescued Yakumo, and identified Mizuki as the one who had put her up to stealing the scroll.

Mizuki stole the Scroll of Sealing, but Orochimaru appeared, took the scroll, and killed him. Kakashi fought to protect Yakumo Kurama, but Orochimaru overpowered him until Minato appeared with a kunai at Orochimaru’s throat.

• Mizuki attacked Kakashi and tried to flee with the Scroll of Sealing, but Kakashi stopped him with Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet.
• Mizuki threatened to destroy the scroll, but a giant white serpent seized him as Orochimaru took the scroll.
• Orochimaru offered to cure Yakumo Kurama’s Kekkei Genkai Disease and invited her to come with him, prompting Kakashi to attack.
• Orochimaru blocked Kakashi’s attacks, killed Mizuki, and battered Kakashi despite his Lightning Armor.
• As Orochimaru raised the Kusanagi Sword to kill Kakashi, Minato appeared and held a kunai to Orochimaru’s throat.

Minato arrived in time to save Kakashi and Yakumo Kurama, only to discover Orochimaru had summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. As Kakashi took Yakumo to seek reinforcements, Minato prepared to face the two former Hokage alone.

• Minato confronted Orochimaru, who released a purple mist and unleashed a massive Water Style attack.
• Orochimaru revealed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, resurrected as his puppets through the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Tobirama attacked Minato with the Flying Thunder God, but Minato escaped with Kakashi and Yakumo Kurama.
• Minato ordered Kakashi to take Yakumo back to the village and summon the Third and Jiuming, while Kakashi wanted to stay and help.
• Kakashi left with Yakumo, and Minato faced the former Hokage alone as he threw a Kunai into the sky and began forming Hand Seals.

Minato defeated Orochimaru with a massive Sage Art attack and decapitated him, but Orochimaru revived and escaped with the Scroll of Sealing. Uzumaki Kuming intervened at the last moment to keep Orochimaru from taking the scroll, then joined Minato beneath the moonlight.

• Minato unleashed a rain of Flying Thunder God Kunai that devastated the battlefield, then used his speed to decapitate Orochimaru.
• Hashirama and Tobirama remained after Orochimaru's apparent death, and Tobirama explained how Minato could release their Impure World Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru's corpse burst into white snakes that reassembled into his body, and he tried to escape with the Scroll of Sealing.
• Tobirama and Hashirama delayed Minato as Orochimaru retreated, but a purple lightning bolt struck beside Orochimaru and severed the scroll's strap.
• Orochimaru recognized Uzumaki Kuming's killing intent and fled, while Hashirama and Tobirama vanished in white smoke.
• Minato recovered the Scroll of Sealing and reproached Uzumaki Kuming, who said he had protected it because it had belonged to Uzumaki Mito.

Naruto Uzumaki handed in an almost blank graduation exam and received a score of four, forcing him to confront his careless attitude toward the written test. After Jiuming and Minato spoke with him, Naruto was left to prepare for the upcoming combat test.

• Several months after Yakumo Kurama's case, Naruto Uzumaki and his classmates began the Ninja Academy graduation exam with a written test.
• Naruto gave up early, handed in his nearly blank paper, and received a score of four after Jiuming saw it.
• Jiuming scolded Naruto for failing to read the whole test and told him to go home, reflect, and prepare for the combat test.
• Naruto asked Choji Akimichi whether he had looked at every question, then went home without answering Shikamaru and Choji.
• Minato signed Naruto's test paper and reassured him that a poor written score would not prevent him from becoming a great ninja.
• Naruto found a portion of food Kushina had left for him, while the teachers stayed late to mark exams and rank the students.

Naruto arrived at the Ninja Academy’s graduation assessment determined to prove himself in the Taijutsu test, while Kakashi and Might Guy discussed which students might make promising Genin. The assessment began, and Karin stunned the spectators by defeating her Chunin examiner with Wood Release before Sasuke was called to Exam Area One.

• Naruto skipped the crowd gathered around the written exam results and waited in the classroom for Iruka to explain the practical assessment.
• Iruka explained that students would fight Chunin examiners and that the top 85 percent by judges’ scores would pass.
• Kakashi told Might Guy that Sasuke Uchiha and Karin Senju interested him as possible students, while Guy criticized their Taijutsu fundamentals and praised his own favored student.
• Uzumaki Kuming finished his speech, and the graduation assessment began across four exam areas.
• Karin trapped the Exam Area One examiner with Deep Forest Emergence, then withdrew the trees when a judge told her to stop.
• The examiner called Sasuke Uchiha to report to Exam Area One.

Sasuke Uchiha defeated his examiner through precise shurikenjutsu and a carefully planned aerial attack, earning high marks despite Fugaku's criticism. Naruto Uzumaki then entered the assessment unusually quiet, and Uzumaki Kuming sensed powerful chakra coming from him that did not belong to Naruto.

• Sasuke Uchiha bound his examiner with wire-guided shuriken, but the examiner tricked him with the Transformation Technique and escaped.
• Sasuke Uchiha used a Great Fireball Technique, smoke bombs, and shuriken as a feint before leaping above the examiner and pinning him down.
• The judges gave Sasuke Uchiha high marks, while Uchiha Fugaku criticized his carelessness and Mikoto Uchiha urged Fugaku to praise him.
• After many uneventful assessments, Naruto Uzumaki was called to examination area four, drawing spectators back to watch.
• Uzumaki Kuming noticed that Naruto Uzumaki was unusually quiet and sensed powerful chakra emanating from him that was not Naruto's own.

Naruto Uzumaki displayed extraordinary stamina and skill during his graduation exam, overwhelming the Chunin examiner with Shadow Clones before nearly striking him with a Rasengan. Jiuming stopped the attack and warned Naruto about its lethal power, leaving the spectators focused on Naruto’s talent despite his written-exam failure.

• Jiuming sensed unfamiliar Chakra around Naruto, and Kurama recognized it as resembling the Sage of Six Paths’ Chakra.
• Naruto used Taijutsu and repeated Shadow Clone Technique to keep the Chunin examiner on the defensive, astonishing the spectators with his stamina.
• The examiner unleashed Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique to clear Naruto’s clones, but Naruto followed a Kunai feint with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and a Rasengan.
• Jiuming intervened just before Naruto’s Rasengan hit the examiner and warned Naruto that the technique could kill someone.
• Naruto apologized to the examiner after realizing the danger, while the spectators praised him as a genius for his powerful techniques.

After the Ninja Academy exams ended, Uzumaki Kuming agreed to help Minato Namikaze and Nara Shikaku expand Konoha and pursue control of shipping in the Land of Waves. He also arranged for Shisui and Itachi to lead teams, while Minato and Shikaku began assigning instructors and teams to the new graduates.

• Uzumaki Kuming announced that practical exam results would be posted the next morning and that successful students would receive Forehead Protectors and Jonin instructors the following afternoon.
• Uzumaki Kuming considered the coming threats to Konoha and decided that Shisui and Itachi might benefit from leading teams.
• Nara Shikaku presented Minato Namikaze with a village expansion plan and proposed targeting Gato's criminal shipping operation in the Land of Waves to fund it.
• Uzumaki Kuming approved the expansion, offered to rebuild the Protective Barrier, and supported taking over shipping under a suitable pretext.
• Uzumaki Kuming asked Minato to let Shisui and Itachi lead teams, and Minato agreed despite concerns about Uchiha Clan customs.
• Minato and Nara Shikaku began assigning instructors and teams for the graduates, choosing Asuma to lead the Ino-Shika-Cho team and also assigning Kakashi's team.

Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin were assigned to Team 7 under Kakashi Hatake, who told them they would have to pass his test to become Genin. He left them waiting at Training Ground 1 until evening without appearing.

• At the graduation ceremony, Kakashi told Asuma and Kurenai that he had been assigned Team 7, whose members were Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin.
• Itachi and Shisui arrived at the classroom, collected their own teams, and told Sasuke that he would be teamed with Naruto and Karin.
• Kakashi entered the classroom, caught Naruto's prank eraser, and announced that Team 7 had to pass his test before becoming Genin.
• Kakashi vanished and instructed the three students to meet him at Training Ground 1; Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin hurried there.
• After nearly three hours of waiting at Training Ground 1, Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin still had not seen Kakashi.

Kakashi tested Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin by challenging them to take two bells, while Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kuming watched from nearby. The test was interrupted by a powerful tremor, and Minato declared a Level One Alert as the chapter ended with the cause unknown.

• Kakashi arrived late at Training Ground 1 and explained that anyone who took one of his two bells before sunset would pass.
• Naruto attacked Kakashi with Shadow Clones, but Kakashi dodged and defeated the clones with Kunai while Sasuke and Karin watched from hiding.
• Karin used Wood Release to trap Kakashi, but he escaped with the Substitution Technique and buried her in the ground.
• Sasuke hurled shuriken at Kakashi, who blocked them with an Earth Style Wall to protect Karin, then tied her to a training post as Naruto and Sasuke hid together.
• Uzumaki Kuming and Minato Namikaze discussed the test's emphasis on teamwork and noted that Sasuke had recognized the need to cooperate.
• A violent tremor struck while Naruto prepared to attack Kakashi, and Minato issued a Level One Alert ordering Konoha's forces to protect and evacuate the village.

Otsutsuki Jianshi attacked Konoha, but Uzumaki Kuming confronted him and used Senjutsu-reinforced Adamantine Sealing Chains to capture him. Kuming then transported Jianshi away from the village and trapped him inside Chibaku Tensei.

• A tremor and explosions struck Konoha, and Naruto and Karin suffered sudden stomach pains, prompting Kakashi to take them toward the Hokage Building.
• Otsutsuki Jianshi attacked Konoha's barrier, while Kotetsu Hagane and the gathered shinobi held their positions.
• Uzumaki Kuming intercepted Jianshi outside the gate and struck him, but Jianshi rapidly healed his wound.
• Kuming used Senjutsu-reinforced Adamantine Sealing Chains to bind Jianshi and took him away from Konoha as Minato Namikaze arrived at the gate.
• Kuming used Chibaku Tensei to pull Jianshi and the surrounding earth into the sky, burying him inside the forming mass.

After sealing Otsutsuki Jianshi and restoring Konoha to calm, Uzumaki Kuming encouraged Asuma Sarutobi to accept the strength of his family rather than let pride hold him back. Asuma left with the Enma Clan summoning scroll, while Hiruzen Sarutobi thanked Kuming.

• Uzumaki Kuming sealed Otsutsuki Jianshi with Chibaku Tensei, and Minato Namikaze agreed to keep the enemy's identity and capture secret.
• Naruto Uzumaki and Karin Senju recovered, Team 7 became a ninja team, and Konoha's residents returned to their peaceful routines as the village expanded.
• Uzumaki Kuming visited Hiruzen Sarutobi and explained to Asuma Sarutobi that the King represented a sprout whose choices could endanger the pieces protecting him.
• Asuma Sarutobi called himself an ineffective pawn, but Uzumaki Kuming urged him to draw on his family's strength and accept that he could grow stronger.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Asuma Sarutobi the Enma Clan Summoning Scroll, and Asuma left with it after bowing to Hiruzen and Kuming.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi thanked Uzumaki Kuming for helping Asuma, and Kuming continued their Shogi game without replying.

Tazuna arrived in Konoha to commission an escort to the Land of Waves, and Minato assigned the C-Rank mission to Kakashi’s Team 7. After Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin prepared to leave, Kakashi stayed behind and questioned Minato about the suspicious circumstances of the assignment.

• Kotetsu checked Tazuna’s travel permit and directed him to the Mission Building to post his commission.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin completed the orphanage’s laundry mission while Kakashi explained how Konoha’s mission rankings and points worked.
• A Ninja Hawk summoned Team 7 to the Hokage’s office, where Minato introduced Tazuna and assigned them to escort him to the Land of Waves.
• Tazuna mocked Naruto’s manners, but Minato defended Team 7 and confirmed the mission was C-Rank, with departure set for that afternoon.
• After Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin left to pack, Kakashi asked Minato, Shikaku, and Uzumaki Kuming why the mission had been personally assigned despite its C-Rank level.

Minato secretly ordered Kakashi to assassinate Gato as part of Konoha’s plans to expand maritime trade, while Kuming dispatched Kisame to capture two rogue Mist Ninja. Team 7 survived an ambush on the road to the Land of Waves, and Kakashi confronted Tazuna about concealing the mission’s true danger.

• Shikaku told Kakashi that Gato controlled the Land of Waves’ harbors and ordered him to eliminate Gato and his organization.
• Minato explained Konoha’s need for new funding and warned Kuming that the village lacked strength against the powerful organization behind the sealed attacker.
• Kuming ordered Kisame to follow Kakashi’s team and bring two rogue Mist Ninja back to Konoha.
• Team 7 traveled to the Land of Waves, where Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin defeated an ambush while Kakashi used a substitution to fake his death.
• Kakashi asked Tazuna why ninja had attacked him and pointed out that the mission should have been rated B-rank or higher.

Team 7 learned that Gato had hired ninja to kill Tazuna for building a bridge that threatened his control of the Land of Waves’ ports, and Kakashi agreed to continue the mission. In the fog-shrouded country, Kakashi fought Zabuza until a young Mist Ninja Anbu struck Zabuza down, but a shark-shaped Water Bullet appeared as the Anbu tried to leave with the body.

• Tazuna admitted that Gato had hired assassins to stop his bridge project, and Kakashi agreed to help him reach the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi sensed danger in the fog, and Zabuza appeared among Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Tazuna before attacking Sasuke.
• Kakashi and Zabuza fought, and Kakashi used his immature Lightning Armor to wound Zabuza.
• A young Mist Ninja Anbu struck Zabuza with senbon, and Kakashi accepted the Anbu’s claim that they were a Hunter-nin tracking him.
• Naruto grew frustrated at his helplessness, and Kakashi reassured him that some people younger than Naruto were stronger than Kakashi.
• The Anbu lifted Zabuza’s body to leave, but a shark-shaped Water Bullet shot from the forest toward them.

Kisame Hoshigaki fought the Mist Ninja Anbu and captured Haku, but Kimimaro and a strange girl arrived before he could finish the mission. Kimimaro identified Haku as their target for Orochimaru, while the girl turned her attention toward Karin and Sasuke.

• Kisame Hoshigaki arrived and stopped the Mist Ninja Anbu from taking Zabuza, while Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin aside to watch.
• Kisame attacked the Anbu, who used Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to trap him and fire Senbon.
• Kisame used the Great Waterfall Technique to destroy the ice mirrors, sweep away Zabuza, and defeat the Anbu, whose identity was revealed as Haku.
• Kisame picked up Haku, but a bone spike pierced his chest before Kimimaro attacked him with Shikotsumyaku: Dance of the Willow.
• Kimimaro and a pale girl appeared, and Kimimaro said Haku was the person Lord Orochimaru wanted.
• The girl asked Kimimaro if she could eat Haku, then looked toward Karin and Sasuke and asked if she could eat them instead.

Kisame fought Kimimaro after the latter tried to take Haku, using the Hidden Mist Technique and Samehada to drain Kimimaro’s Chakra. Kimimaro activated his Cursed Seal and fought back, but Kisame trapped him and the healing girl inside a massive sphere of water.

• Kimimaro refused to fight Konoha’s shinobi and tried to leave with Haku, but Kisame challenged him and attacked with the Great Shark Bullet Technique.
• Kimimaro deflected Kisame’s water bullets, but Kisame hid in the mist and drained his Chakra with Samehada while Kakashi moved Team 7 and Tazuna away from the battle.
• Kisame struck the Colored-hair Girl with Samehada, but she healed quickly and helped Kimimaro locate Kisame, who dodged Kimimaro’s Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets.
• Kimimaro activated his Cursed Seal and charged Kisame, whose Samehada failed to injure him because bones protected his body.
• Kisame flooded the battlefield and dragged Kimimaro underwater into a huge sphere of water, where Kimimaro covered himself in bones as the two prepared to continue fighting.

Kimimaro’s bone forest forced Kisame to retreat, but Kisame escaped with Haku while Kimimaro and A-Xiang returned to Orochimaru. Zabuza woke up without Haku, and Kisame delivered Haku to Uzumaki Kuming, who revealed his identity and overwhelmed the boy with his aura.

• Kimimaro unleashed Dance of the Young Ferns inside Kisame’s water sphere and used the bone spikes to ambush him, but Kisame could not find a way to defeat him.
• Kisame summoned sharks and escaped with Haku, leaving Kimimaro to discover that their target had been taken; Kimimaro then carried the exhausted A-Xiang away to report to Orochimaru.
• Kakashi arrived after the battle, while Zabuza woke alone, searched unsuccessfully for Haku, and set out believing Kakashi might know where he was.
• Uzumaki Kuming waited beside a waterfall as Kisame’s shark delivered the unconscious Haku to him.
• Haku woke in Konoha, cautiously confronted Uzumaki Kuming, and collapsed when Kuming released his immense aura and identified himself.

Uzumaki Kuming tried to recruit Haku, but Haku refused because he wanted to find Zabuza, so Kuming sealed his Chakra and kept him at his residence. Meanwhile, Kuming learned that Kisame had encountered Kimimaro and another young fighter, while Zabuza watched Team 7 in the Land of Waves and prepared to attack to recover Haku.

• Haku recognized Uzumaki Kuming, refused his offer to become a subordinate, and attacked him with Ice Style techniques while trying to escape.
• Uzumaki Kuming stopped Haku’s attack with his Chakra, then had Uehara Akina knock him unconscious and seal his Chakra.
• Haku woke at Kuming’s residence, tried to ambush Uehara Akina, and was thrown down before she escorted him to breakfast with Yoriichi Namikaze.
• Uzumaki Kuming told Uehara Akina that Kisame had encountered a Shikotsumyaku user and a Colored-hair Girl, then followed Team 7 in secret.
• Kakashi trained Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin in Chakra control near the Land of Waves while Zabuza Momochi watched from the forest and planned to retrieve Haku.

Zabuza ambushed Kakashi and the others in the forest, demanding to know where Haku was and taking Karin hostage. Kisame arrived before Kakashi could kill Zabuza, revealed that Haku had been taken to Konoha, and invited Zabuza to join his lord as a guest.

• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique to attack Kakashi and his team while they trained in the forest.
• A Water Clone distracted Kakashi as the real Zabuza captured Karin and demanded that they hand over Haku.
• Karin used Wood Release to bind Zabuza, giving Kakashi an opening to disarm him and rescue her.
• Kisame emerged from the mist and stopped Kakashi from killing Zabuza.
• Kisame told Zabuza that Haku was in Konoha and invited him to meet his lord.

Kisame persuaded Zabuza to stop fighting and return to Konoha, where Zabuza joined Uzumaki Kuming and reunited with Haku. Meanwhile, Orochimaru learned that Kisame served Kuming, and Yoriichi Namikaze continued developing his swordsmanship and Breathing Style under Kuming’s guidance.

• Kisame urged Zabuza to face his feelings and go to Konoha, and Zabuza agreed so he could bring Haku back himself.
• Kakashi warned Naruto and the others to keep the encounter secret, while Kisame and Zabuza departed through the mist.
• Kimimaro told Orochimaru that Kisame had taken their Ice Style target, and Orochimaru revealed that Kisame acted under Uzumaki Kuming’s orders.
• Several days later, Kisame returned to Konoha with Zabuza, who stayed at Kuming’s home and became one of his guards alongside Kisame.
• Yoriichi Namikaze sparred with Haku, then fought Lee after Kuming asked Might Guy to give him more combat experience.
• Kuming praised Yoriichi’s developing Breathing Style and resolved to cultivate Konoha’s younger generation for his plan to unite the ninja world.

After Team 7 completed its mission in the Land of Waves, Minato announced a joint Chunin Exams in one month, and Kakashi recommended Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin to compete. As the village prepared, Sasuke sought training from Fugaku, Naruto went looking for help, and Orochimaru and Rasa set secret plans in motion around the exams.

• Minato praised Kakashi and Team 7 for defeating Gato and completing the S-rank mission, awarding Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin 1,000 points each.
• Minato explained that candidates could take the Chunin Exams without ten thousand mission points, and Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin decided to participate.
• Minato announced that Sunagakure, the Sound Ninja, the Grass Ninja, and Amegakure would join Konoha in the exams, which Rasa would attend.
• Kakashi recommended Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Karin Senju for the Chunin Exams, prompting Genin across Konoha to train.
• Sasuke asked Fugaku for help, and Fugaku agreed to teach him about the Sharingan and ask Kakashi to teach him Lightning Style.
• Naruto, worried that his parents were too busy to train him, ran toward the Ninja Academy, while Orochimaru sent teams to Konoha and Rasa arranged for disguised Sunagakure ninja to enter the Land of Fire.

With the Chunin Exams approaching, Uzumaki Kuming arranged for Jiraiya to train Naruto while Konoha prepared for visiting delegations. Kuming then confronted Orochimaru, who had secretly entered the village, and the chapter ended with Orochimaru questioning his intentions.

• Naruto begged Uzumaki Kuming to train him, but Kuming explained that he was busy repairing Konoha’s barrier for the Chunin Exams.
• Unable to find another instructor, Kuming brought Naruto to Jiraiya and left him in Jiraiya’s care despite Jiraiya’s protests.
• Minato received reports that Sunagakure’s delegation had arrived and ordered Anbu to closely watch a suspicious group of Sound Ninja.
• Orochimaru entered Konoha in disguise with Kimimaro and Ghost King A-Xiang, while Konoha’s hidden sentries tracked them.
• Uzumaki Kuming recognized Orochimaru, followed him into a teahouse, and confronted him; Orochimaru asked whether Kuming intended to attack him.

Uzumaki Kuming subdued Orochimaru after the latter attacked him, then brought him to a hidden chamber and revealed a sealed Otsutsuki clansman who had lived for over a thousand years. Kuming asked Orochimaru to help uncover the secret of the clansman’s eternal life.

• Orochimaru attacked Uzumaki Kuming with white pythons, but Kuming restrained him before he could rise.
• Kimimaro attacked Kuming and was kicked through the teahouse wall, while Kuming’s Chakra pressure stopped A-Xiang from following.
• Orochimaru agreed to accompany Kuming, and Minato Namikaze ordered the Anbu to continue watching the Sound Ninja who remained in Konoha.
• Kuming led Orochimaru to a concealed chamber inside a mountain, where Golden Chains bound an angry Otsutsuki clansman.
• Kuming told Orochimaru the captive shared the Sage of Six Paths’ bloodline and had lived for more than a thousand years, then asked him to investigate eternal life.