Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Neji updated Kakashi on his companions’ safety and learned that Naruto Uzumaki’s graduation was approaching. At the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi reviewed the graduating students and began considering who should lead a team with Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha.

• Might Guy invited Rock Lee, Tenten, and Hyuga Neji to celebrate their mission, but Neji left to meet Kakashi.
• Hyuga Neji told Kakashi that his companions remained hidden, and Kakashi advised him to contact their Sensei if trouble arose.
• Kakashi told Neji that the Ninja Academy Graduation Exam would take place in a week and that he would try to lead Naruto’s team.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi wrestled with his uncertainty about Minato Namikaze’s possible awakening and returned to the Hokage Office.
• Hiruzen reviewed the graduation roster, noted Sasuke Uchiha’s top ranking and Naruto Uzumaki’s eighth place, and decided to place them on the same team.
• Hiruzen ruled out Asuma Sarutobi as their jonin leader and consulted a roster of eligible team-leading jonin.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Kakashi Hatake to lead Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, while secretly asking him to watch Naruto closely. At the Ninja Academy graduation exam, Naruto easily passed the Clone Technique test and received his forehead protector, drawing Mizuki’s focused attention.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi chose Kakashi Hatake to lead Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki and tested Kakashi’s reasons for wanting the assignment.
• Kakashi Hatake claimed he wanted to guide Sasuke because he felt guilty about failing to notice Itachi Uchiha’s problems, while privately prioritizing his connection to Naruto Uzumaki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Kakashi Hatake to watch Naruto Uzumaki closely but treat him normally, keeping Minato Namikaze’s impending awakening secret.
• A week later, Naruto Uzumaki took the Ninja Academy graduation exam and created five clones with the Clone Technique.
• Iruka passed Naruto Uzumaki and gave him a forehead protector, while Mizuki watched him intently.

After graduating from the Ninja Academy, Naruto Uzumaki listened as Mizuki urged him to steal the Scroll of Seals, suspecting that Hiruzen Sarutobi knew about the scheme. Naruto decided to go through with it that night, both to see what the scroll contained and to appear naive if he was blamed.

• Iruka announced that graduates who passed would be assigned Jonin squad leaders the day after tomorrow, and Naruto left the academy alone.
• Naruto noticed Hinata Hyuga watching him and ignored her, then endured parents whispering prejudiced remarks as he walked away with his forehead protector.
• Mizuki asked Naruto to speak privately, and Naruto agreed after noticing Hiruzen Sarutobi watching them.
• Mizuki told Naruto that stealing the Scroll of Seals and learning its ninjutsu would help him overcome people's prejudice, then instructed him to take it late at night.
• Naruto returned home, reasoned that Hiruzen might be testing him, and decided to steal the scroll that night.

Naruto Uzumaki stole the Scroll of Seals under Mizuki’s direction, while Hiruzen Sarutobi secretly allowed the theft to create Naruto’s gratitude and keep him loyal. After Naruto handed the scroll to Mizuki, Iruka arrived, and Mizuki revealed that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Demon Fox.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Naruto Uzumaki leave for the Hokage Office and planned to use Mizuki’s deception to win Naruto’s gratitude.
• Naruto Uzumaki entered the unguarded Hokage Office, took the Scroll of Seals, and escaped as Hiruzen Sarutobi publicly ordered ninja to search for him.
• In the forest, Naruto Uzumaki read the Eight Gates Formation and Mutual Exploding Tag before Mizuki appeared and demanded the scroll.
• Naruto Uzumaki gave Mizuki the scroll, and Iruka found them and questioned Naruto about stealing it.
• Mizuki admitted he had tricked Naruto and revealed that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Demon Fox, leaving Naruto stunned.

Mizuki revealed Naruto Uzumaki’s identity as the Demon Fox and attacked Iruka while Hiruzen Sarutobi watched from hiding. Naruto defeated Mizuki with the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and killed him, then received Hiruzen’s reassurance that he was a Konoha ninja who had stopped a traitor.

• Mizuki taunted Naruto by revealing that the village hated him because he was the Demon Fox, while Hiruzen watched to see how Naruto would react.
• Naruto charged Mizuki, who knocked him down and then wounded Iruka with Kunai before explaining his resentment toward him.
• Naruto defended Iruka and declared that Mizuki was his enemy, then used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to overwhelm him.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones beat Mizuki, and Mizuki died with a Kunai in his neck as Naruto cried that he had killed someone.
• Hiruzen comforted Naruto, praised him for stopping Mizuki from taking the Scroll of Seals, and sent two Anbu to remove Mizuki’s body.

After killing Mizuki, Naruto Uzumaki rejected Iruka’s attempt to make amends and prepared for his new life as a Genin. He was assigned to a team with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, and Kakashi arrived to take them away.

• Naruto Uzumaki left after Hiruzen Sarutobi assured him he would handle Mizuki’s death, then admitted to the Nine-Tails that he had secretly killed Mizuki himself.
• Iruka visited Naruto Uzumaki to thank him and apologize, but Naruto refused his offer of a meal and left to train.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Mizuki had been executed for tricking Naruto Uzumaki into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
• Iruka assigned Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to the same Genin team.
• Naruto Uzumaki waited at the Ninja Academy and considered training in the Eight Gates Formation alongside Wind Breathing Full Sword Form.
• Kakashi arrived and told Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to come with him.

Kakashi Hatake introduced Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno as his team and gave each of them a suitable ninja tool. Naruto Uzumaki learned Kakashi was Chiyu’s disciple, then began D-rank missions with his teammates the next day.

• Kakashi Hatake asked Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to introduce themselves, and Sasuke Uchiha revealed his ambition to restore his clan and kill a certain man.
• Kakashi Hatake gave Naruto Uzumaki a ninja sword and gave Sasuke Uchiha Kunai and Sakura Haruno Shuriken, noting Naruto Uzumaki’s swordsmanship calluses.
• Naruto Uzumaki searched for Kakashi Hatake to ask how he knew about his training, and Kakashi Hatake said Chiyu had asked him to look after Naruto Uzumaki.
• Naruto Uzumaki felt reassured after learning Kakashi Hatake was Chiyu’s disciple, then joined Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno for D-rank missions.

Chiyu arranged for Kakashi to take Tazuna’s C-rank mission and prepared to travel to the Land of Waves. Kakashi’s team accepted the assignment to protect Tazuna until his bridge was completed.

• Zabuza told Chiyu that Tazuna had secretly left the Land of Waves while he continued investigating Gato’s hidden assets.
• Chiyu told Kakashi to watch for Tazuna and accept his C-rank mission, then ordered Sōshi Uzumaki to return to the village with Kimimaro and the others.
• Three days later, Kakashi spotted Tazuna arriving in Konoha and brought Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to the mission hall.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Team Kakashi to protect Tazuna until the bridge was completed.

Chiyu learned that Kakashi had taken Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura on a mission to the Land of Waves, then decided to bring Miyuki and the Sound Seven there as well. They packed and set out together, with Miyuki eager to see Naruto and Cang Nagi looking forward to meeting Kakashi.

• Kakashi accepted Tazuna's bridge-building escort mission and sent Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to pack for the trip to the Land of Waves.
• Chiyu told Miyuki Uzumaki about the mission and invited her to go see Naruto, while Kushina Uzumaki stayed behind to finish their accounts.
• Chiyu confronted Cang Nagi about taking Kimimaro and the others to the Land of Hot Water, then told them to pack for the journey.
• Chiyu told Cang Nagi he would witness a jonin battle and meet his teacher, Kakashi, as well as Naruto.
• Miyuki Uzumaki and the Sound Seven gathered with Chiyu, and they set off for the Land of Waves.

Kakashi’s team was ambushed by two Hidden Mist ninja while escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves. Naruto defeated one attacker, and Kakashi revealed that Tazuna had concealed that he was the enemy’s target.

• Kakashi explained the role of ninja villages as the team traveled with Tazuna toward the Land of Waves.
• Naruto sensed two ninja following them, and Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke noticed a suspicious puddle on the road.
• The two Hidden Mist ninja attacked Kakashi, but Sasuke pinned their chain and Naruto killed one and wounded the other with a wind-blade sword technique.
• Kakashi stopped Naruto from killing the survivor and tied the wounded ninja to a tree while Sakura reacted to seeing her first death.
• Kakashi identified the attacker as a Hidden Mist Chunin and confronted Tazuna, concluding that the ninja had targeted him.

After the failed ambush, Kakashi’s team chose to continue the now higher-risk mission to protect Tazuna in the Land of Waves. Chiyu met with Zabuza and Haku, warned Zabuza not to underestimate Kakashi, and waited nearby with Miyuki for Kakashi’s team to arrive.

• Kakashi told Tazuna that the mission had become a high-priced B-rank assignment after the Mist ninjas attacked, and Sakura suggested terminating it.
• Sasuke and Naruto argued that the team should continue the mission and test their training against ninja opponents, so Kakashi agreed.
• Gato berated Zabuza over the failed assassination, and Zabuza threatened him before promising to kill Tazuna himself.
• Chiyu emerged with Haku and explained to Zabuza that Kakashi was his disciple, urging Zabuza to fight seriously and not underestimate him.
• Zabuza told Chiyu that he had nearly finished investigating Gato’s assets, and Chiyu left to find temporary lodging with Miyuki and the others.
• Chiyu reassured Miyuki that she would see Naruto soon and said he would intervene if the situation became dangerous.

Kakashi’s team reached the Land of Waves and continued escorting Tazuna after learning Gato had targeted him to stop the bridge. Zabuza ambushed them, and Kakashi prepared to fight while Sasuke was shocked to see the Sharingan in Kakashi’s left eye.

• Tazuna explained that Gato controlled the Land of Waves’ shipping and wanted to stop the bridge, and Kakashi promised the team would continue the mission.
• Kakashi’s team crossed into the Land of Waves and entered a forest, where Kakashi noticed a suspicious snow rabbit and ordered everyone to stop.
• Chiyu, Miyuki Uzumaki, and Sōshi Uzumaki watched from concealment as Miyuki happily saw Naruto again and Chiyu anticipated Naruto’s fight.
• Zabuza threw the Kubikiribōchō at Kakashi’s team, and they dropped to the ground to avoid it.
• Zabuza demanded that Kakashi hand over Tazuna, while Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and Sasuke stared at it in shock.

Kakashi and Zabuza began their fight amid a dense Hidden Mist Technique, while Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Tazuna tried to withstand the killing pressure. Kakashi and Zabuza traded attacks through Water Clones, leaving both wary of the other's speed and skill.

• Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and ordered Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to protect Tazuna while he faced Zabuza Momochi.
• Zabuza spread the Hidden Mist Technique and used his Silent Killing reputation to intimidate the group as Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno struggled to locate him.
• Kakashi dispersed some of the mist and reassured his comrades; Sasuke Uchiha overcame his trembling, while Sakura Haruno slowly regained her composure.
• Zabuza appeared beside Tazuna, and Naruto Uzumaki struck him with Wind Breathing: Third Form - Clear Storm Wind Tree before Kakashi charged with Thunder Breathing: Fourth Form - Chidori Kai: Distant Thunder.
• Zabuza's Water Clone avoided Kakashi's attack and cut through a Lightning Clone, which transformed into Thunder Breathing: Sixth Form - Electric Roar, Thunderclap and struck another Water Clone.
• Chiyu recognized Kakashi's mastery of Thunder Breathing derivatives, while Kakashi and the hidden Zabuza each regarded the other's speed and caution as dangerous.

Kakashi and Zabuza clashed while Naruto Uzumaki and the others protected Tazuna, and Zabuza nearly killed him after trapping Kakashi with Water Starch Binding. Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Kakashi stopped Zabuza, who withdrew and promised to return with help for their next battle.

• Kakashi charged at Zabuza through a Water Dragon Bullet, but Zabuza trapped Kakashi’s feet with Water Starch Binding and rushed toward Tazuna.
• Naruto Uzumaki attacked Zabuza with Rising Sandstorm while Sasuke Uchiha threw a Fuma Shuriken at him, but Zabuza blocked both attacks.
• Naruto Uzumaki’s Shadow Clones protected Tazuna and charged Zabuza, giving Kakashi time to break free and strike the log Zabuza substituted for himself with Heat World Lightning.
• Zabuza withdrew into the mist, saying the test was over and that he would return with help to continue the battle.
• After the mist cleared, Kakashi wondered how Zabuza had become so familiar with Thunder Breathing and worried that the next battle would be more intense.

After Zabuza retreated, Chiyu and Miyuki watched Kakashi escort Tazuna to safety and discussed the coming rematch and Naruto's chances against Haku. At Tazuna's home, Kakashi prepared Team 7 to train for Zabuza's next attack, while Naruto said he already knew how to climb trees.

• Kakashi praised Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno for protecting Tazuna, then continued escorting him to his home.
• Chiyu revealed that he had brought Miyuki Uzumaki to see Naruto and let Cang Nagi and the others observe Kakashi and Zabuza's clash; Zabuza and Haku promised to fight seriously next time.
• Chiyu told Miyuki that Naruto could draw on the Nine-Tails' power against Haku, while Miyuki said she still had no progress connecting with the Yin Nine-Tails.
• Kakashi brought Tazuna and Team 7 to Tazuna's home, warned that Zabuza would return with a helper, and told the three young ninja to train.
• Inari warned Naruto Uzumaki and the others that they would die, but they ignored him; when Kakashi began teaching tree climbing, Naruto said he already knew how.

Naruto Uzumaki received Kakashi's guidance on Wind Breathing and explained why he was waiting until he was strong enough to meet his mother. Meanwhile, Haku protected Zabuza from Gato's disrespect, leaving Gato frightened and driven from the room.

• Naruto Uzumaki trained alone while Miyuki Uzumaki secretly watched him, and he briefly wondered whether someone was nearby.
• Kakashi answered Naruto Uzumaki's questions about Wind Breathing, then confirmed that he knew where Naruto's mother was.
• Naruto Uzumaki told Kakashi that Chiyu had helped him control his anger after revealing the truth about his origins, and he vowed to ask about his mother when he was stronger.
• Miyuki Uzumaki watched Naruto Uzumaki continue training and wept as she felt guilty about his hardships.
• Gato confronted Zabuza at his base, but Haku incapacitated two Rogue Ninjas and threatened Gato with a senbon.
• Zabuza warned Gato not to disrespect him again, and Gato fled the room in fear.

Naruto Uzumaki mastered Wind Breathing’s fifth form while Sasuke Uchiha watched and confronted the gap between their abilities. Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze awakened from a nearly twelve-year coma, and Hiruzen Sarutobi waited for him to regain consciousness, considering how to tell him about Naruto and Miyuki.

• Sasuke Uchiha secretly watched Naruto Uzumaki train before dawn and saw him unleash wind blades with every sword swing.
• Naruto Uzumaki successfully used Wind Breathing: Fifth Form: Cold Autumn Mountain Wind, shredding a thick tree.
• Sasuke Uchiha felt discouraged by the difference between his progress and Naruto’s, and Kakashi encouraged him to keep training.
• Sasuke Uchiha asked Kakashi why he had the Sharingan, and Kakashi said it had been a gift from a friend.
• Minato Namikaze awakened in the hospital after nearly twelve years unconscious, though Medical Ninjas said he needed time to recover.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi waited for Minato to regain consciousness and considered how to tell him about Naruto Uzumaki and Miyuki Uzumaki.

Minato Namikaze awoke after twelve years in a coma, and Hiruzen Sarutobi explained Miyuki Uzumaki’s defection and Naruto Uzumaki’s difficult childhood. Minato accepted Hiruzen’s account and promised to find Miyuki, while Hiruzen concealed his own role in events.

• Minato Namikaze regained consciousness and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi whether Konoha had survived the Nine-Tails Attack.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze that Miyuki Uzumaki had defected because she could not accept Naruto becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Minato Namikaze had been unconscious for twelve years and said he had hidden Minato’s survival to protect him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that Naruto Uzumaki did not know his parentage and had grown up facing rumors that he was the Nine-Tails’ incarnation.
• Minato Namikaze reassured Hiruzen Sarutobi, promised to find Miyuki Uzumaki, and asked to hear about Konoha’s history.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi recounted events including Hizashi Hyuga’s death, the Uchiha Clan massacre, and Chiyu’s defection while privately maintaining his deception.

After awakening from a twelve-year coma, Minato Namikaze learned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s account of Konoha’s recent history and agreed to follow his plan while recovering. Minato considered stepping down as Hokage to focus on Naruto and finding Miyuki, while Hiruzen planned to retain influence and use Miyuki’s status as leverage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi described the Hyuga Hizashi death and Uchiha Clan massacre in ways that cast himself as reluctant and blameless, and Minato Namikaze believed him.
• Minato Namikaze grieved over the burdens Hiruzen had borne while he was unconscious and apologized for leaving him to manage Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi proposed announcing Minato’s awakening while delaying the revelation that Naruto was his son, and warned that Miyuki’s disappearance would soon draw attention.
• Minato Namikaze agreed to Hiruzen’s plan but said he might relinquish the Hokage position so he could make amends to Naruto and find Miyuki.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi privately resolved to keep power and considered Miyuki’s alleged defection a means to restrain Minato, then urged him to think over his decision.

Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that Minato Namikaze had awakened, and Minato prepared to reunite with Naruto Uzumaki. In the Land of Waves, the news reignited Miyuki Uzumaki's resentment toward Minato, and Chiyu revealed to Sōshi Uzumaki and the others that Minato was Miyuki's husband and Naruto's father.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze that Jiraiya had left Konoha after opposing the decision to make Naruto Uzumaki an orphan, and Minato offered to persuade his former teacher.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced Minato's awakening and arranged for him to receive visitors at the Ninja Hospital in batches.
• Chiyu told Miyuki Uzumaki that Minato had awakened, stirring her resentment over Minato sealing the Nine-Tails inside newborn Naruto.
• Miyuki Uzumaki's anger caused Nine-Tails Chakra to surge from her body, but she pulled it back inside herself with Sealing Jutsu after Chiyu calmed her.
• Chiyu told Sōshi Uzumaki, Kimimaro Kaguya, and the others that Minato was Miyuki's husband, Naruto's father, and the one who sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto.