Chapter Summaries

Sōshi Uzumaki learned that Minato Namikaze was Miyuki Uzumaki’s husband and that Minato and Konoha had sacrificed Miyuki and Naruto, leaving them resentful. At the bridge, Zabuza and Haku attacked Kakashi’s team, and Haku gained the advantage over Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.

• Chiyu warned Sōshi Uzumaki not to ask Miyuki about Minato Namikaze, then called Minato a hypocrite.
• Zabuza and Haku arrived at the bridge, where Haku knocked the workers unconscious while Zabuza waited for Kakashi’s team.
• Kakashi escorted Tazuna to the bridge, where Zabuza used Water Clones before sending Haku to fight Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Haku blocked Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha’s attacks, trapped Naruto’s arms, and began forming hand seals with one hand.

Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha briefly wounded Haku, but Haku’s stronger ice techniques soon put them on the defensive. Zabuza kept Kakashi occupied, attacked Tazuna and Sakura Haruno, and forced the fight onto a flooded bridge, where Kakashi’s lightning attack failed underwater.

• Haku used one-handed seals to summon water senbon, but Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha counterattacked with wind blades, Chakra-enhanced movement, shuriken, and a sword strike that sent Haku beside Zabuza.
• Zabuza urged Haku to get serious, and Haku used ice spikes and Extreme Ice Binding to drive Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha back while Kakashi prepared to intervene.
• Zabuza blocked Kakashi and attacked Tazuna and Sakura Haruno with water needles; Kakashi dodged with them, though Sakura Haruno was lightly injured, then released the Yin Seal’s stored Chakra.
• Zabuza flooded the bridge with Water Shockwave, while Kakashi’s Shadow Clone raised an Earth-Style Wall to protect Sakura Haruno and Tazuna.
• Kakashi faced Zabuza on the water and struck at him with Heat World Lightning, but the attack weakened in the water and Zabuza evaded it.

Kakashi struggled against Zabuza's control of the flooded bridge while Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha fought Haku's Ice Release. Naruto and Sasuke combined their attacks, but Haku exploited the freezing conditions and cornered Sasuke with a barrage of ice spears.

• Zabuza used the water covering the bridge to limit Kakashi's Thunder Breathing Sword Style and keep him on the defensive.
• Chiyu reassured Miyuki Uzumaki that Haku would not kill Naruto Uzumaki and that he would intervene if necessary.
• Naruto Uzumaki defended against Haku's Ice Release while Sasuke Uchiha supported him with shuriken and a Fire Release attack.
• Naruto Uzumaki blocked Haku's Ice Cloud with his wind blades, and Sasuke Uchiha went alone to find an opening.
• Sasuke Uchiha used his Sharingan to evade Haku's water needles and ice spikes, but his shuriken aim faltered in the cold.
• Haku warned that the freezing temperature was slowing Naruto and Sasuke, then trapped Sasuke beneath a barrage of Winter Ice Spear.

Kakashi used a decoy and Lightning Release to destroy Zabuza’s watery home field, then rescued Sakura Haruno and Tazuna from Zabuza’s counterattack. With the bridge drained and both opponents facing off, Kakashi asked whether Zabuza had used Tobirama Senju’s Water Release technique.

• Haku pierced Sasuke Uchiha’s abdomen with an ice spear, and Kakashi’s distraction let Zabuza launch a water-based attack.
• Kakashi evaded Zabuza’s water jets and failed to hit him with a Chidori-infused kunai, then used Electric Roar, Thunderclap to conceal his movements.
• Kakashi secretly moved beneath the bridge and used Thunderclap and Flash to break a gap in the deck, draining the water and pulling Zabuza toward it.
• Zabuza countered with Water Dragon Bite Explosion, sending a water dragon toward Sakura Haruno and Tazuna while water needles destroyed Kakashi’s Shadow Clone.
• Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to rescue Sakura Haruno and Tazuna, then confronted Zabuza and asked if he had used Tobirama Senju’s Water Release technique.

Kakashi suspected Zabuza had learned Tobirama Senju’s Water Release techniques through Chiyu, while their battle reached a long-range stalemate. Despite his severe wound, Sasuke revealed that he had secretly set a trap for Haku.

• Kakashi recognized Zabuza’s Water Release techniques and inferred that Chiyu had sent him, but Zabuza denied it and continued attacking.
• Zabuza flooded the bridge with adhesive water and attacked Kakashi with a high-pressure water jet, while Kakashi countered with earthen walls and lightning-shaped slashes.
• Sasuke refused Naruto’s help and ignored Haku’s warning that his wounds and the freezing temperature could kill him.
• Sasuke declared that he had not lost and pulled transparent threads from the ice, revealing that his inaccurate shuriken throws had been deliberate.

Sasuke Uchiha’s threads failed to restrain Haku, and Naruto Uzumaki was forced to fight Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals alone. After being overwhelmed by Haku’s senbon, Naruto called on the Nine-Tails and began using its power.

• Sasuke Uchiha trapped Haku with threads, but the cold made them brittle, and Haku broke free and counterattacked.
• Haku kicked Naruto Uzumaki away, while Sasuke Uchiha treated his wound and his Sharingan evolved to two tomoe.
• Haku surrounded Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha with ice mirrors and attacked Naruto with senbon while moving between them.
• Naruto Uzumaki rose after Haku’s attack, recognized he could not win unaided, and asked the Nine-Tails for help.
• Naruto Uzumaki gained a red Tailed Beast Chakra cloak with one tail, and the senbon embedded in him fell out.

Naruto Uzumaki drew on the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to break Haku’s Ice Mirrors, but Haku froze and shattered him with a trap. Naruto had used a Shadow Clone and the icy water to sneak beneath the ice, then struck Haku with a surprise attack that left him unable to fight.

• Naruto Uzumaki used the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to heal himself and destroy Haku’s Ice Mirrors with red wind blades.
• Haku sent two Ice Release Shadow Clones to attack Naruto, then used their fragments to freeze him with Extreme Ice Binding.
• Sasuke Uchiha tried to melt the ice with a Great Fireball, but Haku shattered it with Exploding Ice Crystals, leaving Naruto apparently defeated.
• Haku discovered that Naruto under the ice was a Shadow Clone, while Naruto’s real body emerged from the water and slashed him with Black Wind Mist.
• Naruto Uzumaki severely injured Haku and watched him collapse, though Naruto was also badly hurt and shivering from the cold.

Naruto Uzumaki defeated Haku, and Kakashi captured Zabuza before Gato arrived with rogue ninja and Rogue Samurai. Chiyu and eight Hidden Sound Village ninja intervened, and Naruto reunited with Chiyu, Sōshi Uzumaki, and Miyuki Uzumaki.

• Naruto Uzumaki's sneak attack severely injured Haku, while Sasuke Uchiha collapsed after using the Great Fireball Technique.
• Kakashi paralyzed Zabuza with a Chidori-infused kunai and declared the battle won, then stopped Naruto Uzumaki from killing Haku.
• Gato arrived with rogue ninja and Rogue Samurai, revealed his betrayal of Zabuza, and threatened the Konoha team.
• Nine masked Hidden Sound Village ninja appeared, and Kakashi sent Sakura Haruno away with Sasuke Uchiha and Tazuna.
• Chiyu revealed himself as Kakashi's teacher, while Sōshi Uzumaki and Miyuki Uzumaki reunited with Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto Uzumaki reunited with his mother, Miyuki Uzumaki, and learned more about Haku and Zabuza’s bond. Chiyu arranged for his companions to deal with Gato’s men so the Land of Waves could become a future trading partner, while leaving Gato alive for his assets.

• Naruto Uzumaki embraced Miyuki Uzumaki, told her he had never blamed her, and promised to protect her.
• Miyuki Uzumaki treated Haku by letting him bite her arm, then explained the Uzumaki Clan’s healing ability to Naruto Uzumaki.
• Zabuza claimed Haku was an inadequate tool, but Naruto Uzumaki and Chiyu pointed out how much Zabuza cared about him.
• Sōshi Uzumaki introduced Naruto Uzumaki to Kimimaro Kaguya, Jugo, and the others.
• Chiyu explained that eliminating Gato would benefit trade and future cooperation between the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of Waves.
• Zabuza left Gato alive for his assets, and Kimimaro Kaguya stepped forward to deal with Gato’s men.

Kimimaro defeated Gato’s subordinates, and Zabuza and Haku took the captured Gato away to seize his funds. Chiyu told Kakashi that Minato had awakened but Hiruzen still controlled Konoha, while Naruto’s choice about returning to the Hidden Sound Village remained pending.

• Kimimaro used his bone-based Kekkei Genkai to defeat Gato’s men and captured Gato for Zabuza.
• Miyuki treated Haku, who thanked her and said Naruto had done nothing wrong by defeating him.
• Zabuza and Haku left with the unconscious Gato to take control of his funds.
• Kakashi and Chiyu moved their group away from the bridge and discussed the Hidden Sound Village and Minato’s awakening.
• Chiyu explained that Hiruzen had kept the Hokage position despite Minato waking, and warned that Naruto’s departure could put Kakashi’s position at risk.
• Chiyu said Naruto could choose whether to return with Miyuki, though he believed Naruto should stay in Konoha for now.

Naruto Uzumaki reunited with Miyuki Uzumaki and decided to stay in Konoha to pursue his own goals, despite Cang Nagi urging him to return to the Hidden Sound Village. Chiyu accepted Naruto’s choice and asked Kakashi to investigate Jigen and two unidentified people wearing Spiral Masks.

• Kakashi told Cang Nagi that Neji was doing well in Konoha, while Cang Nagi complained that Kakashi had never taught him.
• Miyuki Uzumaki and Naruto Uzumaki came out of the room happy after sharing their experiences, and Naruto learned that Miyuki had knitted his scarf.
• Cang Nagi invited Naruto to join the Sound Seven, but Naruto declined because he wanted to grow stronger and protect others in Konoha.
• Naruto’s explanation made Cang Nagi reflect on how often he relied on others for help.
• Chiyu supported Naruto’s decision and told him to ask for help if he faced a problem he could not handle alone.
• Chiyu asked Kakashi to use Konoha’s intelligence network to investigate Jigen and two unidentified people, an adult and a child, who wore Spiral Masks.

Chiyu asked Naruto Uzumaki’s Yang Nine-Tails to persuade the Yin Nine-Tails inside Miyuki Uzumaki to cooperate, so she could become a Perfect Jinchuriki. The Yang Nine-Tails agreed after Naruto’s awkward pleading, but the Yin Nine-Tails rejected the idea of being a human’s pet.

• Chiyu asked Kakashi to investigate Jigen, Uchiha Hikari, and Uchiha Yoshihiko through Konoha’s intelligence network.
• Chiyu explained to Kakashi that Naruto Uzumaki and the Nine-Tails had become companions after Chiyu opened a small gap in Naruto’s seal.
• Chiyu entered Naruto Uzumaki’s mental space and asked the Yang Nine-Tails to persuade its other half, but the Yang Nine-Tails initially refused.
• Naruto Uzumaki pleaded with the Yang Nine-Tails to help Miyuki Uzumaki, and it finally agreed to cooperate.
• Chiyu guided the Yang Nine-Tails’ chakra into Miyuki Uzumaki’s seal and brought the group into her mental space, where the Yin Nine-Tails said it would not become a human’s pet.

Chiyu and the others tried to persuade the Yin Nine-Tails inside Miyuki Uzumaki to help her, but it refused and clashed with Naruto Uzumaki's Nine-Tails. Chiyu told Miyuki to pester it daily, and Naruto left to reunite with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno while Chiyu's group headed back to the Hidden Sound Village.

• Naruto Uzumaki's Nine-Tails charged the Yin Nine-Tails, which slapped it away, and Chiyu explained that their minds were independent despite being one entity.
• The Yin Nine-Tails rejected Chiyu's request to help Miyuki Uzumaki and mocked Naruto Uzumaki's Nine-Tails for acting like a pet.
• Chiyu withdrew everyone from Miyuki's mental space and proposed that Miyuki talk to the Yin Nine-Tails several times a day until it agreed to lend her power.
• Kakashi prepared to leave, and Naruto Uzumaki said goodbye to Miyuki Uzumaki, who hugged him and urged him to stay safe.
• Chiyu gave Naruto Uzumaki a communication ring, and Naruto left with Kakashi to meet Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno while Chiyu's group returned to the Hidden Sound Village.

Kakashi and Naruto returned to Tazuna’s home after Naruto learned that Minato Namikaze had awakened, leaving him furious at the prospect of meeting his father. Two days later, Sasuke woke and learned what had happened, but his thoughts stayed fixed on how little he had contributed in the battle.

• Kakashi told Naruto that Minato Namikaze had awakened, and Naruto’s smile turned into a cold sneer as he anticipated seeing his father.
• Kakashi and Naruto returned to Tazuna’s home, where Sakura reported that Sasuke was stable and Kakashi explained that Zabuza had escaped while Gato’s forces had been dealt with.
• Kakashi told Sakura to stay with Sasuke while he and Naruto finished the mission, and he sent Tazuna to get his injured companions medical care.
• Two days later, Sasuke woke and asked Sakura what had happened during the battle.
• Sasuke brooded over his poor performance and thanked Sakura for caring for him, satisfying her despite his silence about anything more.

Sasuke Uchiha connected the red-haired masked ninja and Naruto Uzumaki’s Wind Breathing to Chiyu, suspecting Kakashi and Naruto had ties to the man responsible for the Uchiha Clan purge. He kept his suspicions to himself, while Chiyu returned to Hidden Sound Village and went to Orochimaru’s research base.

• Sasuke Uchiha remembered Sōshi Uzumaki and speculated that he was the red-haired masked ninja, while Chiyu had taught Naruto Uzumaki Wind Breathing and Kakashi Thunder Breathing.
• Sasuke Uchiha concluded that Chiyu had helped Itachi Uchiha with the Uchiha Clan purge, but decided not to confront Kakashi or Naruto Uzumaki because he still hoped to learn from Kakashi.
• Kakashi and Naruto Uzumaki returned from the bridge, and Kakashi told Sasuke Uchiha that construction would take a few more days before the team returned to Konoha.
• Zabuza and Haku worked to seize Gato’s wealth, which included assets and business dealings beyond the Land of Waves.
• Chiyu’s group returned to Hidden Sound Village, where Miyuki Uzumaki went to tell Kushina Uzumaki about meeting Naruto Uzumaki.
• Chiyu told Sōshi Uzumaki to stay in the village, then headed to Orochimaru’s research base.

Chiyu learned that Orochimaru had transplanted Fugaku’s Mangekyō Sharingan into a specially adapted body and planned to use his research to help Kakashi. After discussing Hiruzen Sarutobi’s refusal to give up the Hokage position, Orochimaru and Chiyu prepared to set the Konoha Crush Plan in motion, while Orochimaru mentioned that Kabuto might know an Akatsuki member.

• Orochimaru explained how he used a child’s compatible cells and Fugaku’s cells to transplant Mangekyō Sharingan into his body without rejection or side effects.
• Orochimaru said he could investigate using the child’s cells and White Zetsu cells to reduce the side effects Kakashi suffered from his Sharingan.
• Chiyu told Orochimaru that Hiruzen Sarutobi still held the Hokage position despite Minato Namikaze waking from his twelve-year coma, and Orochimaru decided it was time to fulfill his promise to let Hiruzen die as a hero.
• Orochimaru planned to take a team to Konoha’s Joint Chunin Exams, assassinate Rasa, impersonate him, and provoke Sunagakure into attacking Konoha; Chiyu offered to bring Cang Nagi and join the plan.
• Orochimaru invited Chiyu to accompany him to the Land of Wind so he could test his Mangekyō Sharingan on Rasa, and said Kabuto might know a full member of Akatsuki.

Chiyu arranged for Kabuto Yakushi to contact Sasori and investigate the Akatsuki member Jigen, then agreed to let Sōshi Uzumaki leave the Land of Rice Fields and make his own way in the ninja world. Kushina Uzumaki remained worried, but Chiyu argued that Sōshi would travel with Kimimaro and the others.

• Chiyu asked Kabuto Yakushi to contact Sasori so he could learn about Jigen, and Kabuto agreed to leave marks and wait for Sasori to respond.
• Orochimaru told Chiyu that he, Kabuto, and Chiyu would leave for Sunagakure in two days to assassinate Rasa, with Kabuto leaving marks along the way.
• Sōshi Uzumaki told Chiyu and Kushina Uzumaki that he wanted to leave home and make a name for himself in the ninja world.
• Kushina Uzumaki refused to let Sōshi go, but Chiyu persuaded her to support him because he might sneak away otherwise and would be accompanied by Kimimaro and the others.
• Sōshi Uzumaki happily embraced Chiyu after Chiyu agreed to let him go.

Chiyu set a battle assessment for Cang Nagi before allowing him to leave the Land of Rice Fields, then prepared with Orochimaru to provoke a conflict involving Sunagakure and Konoha. Meanwhile, the Bridge of Hope was completed, and Kakashi's team returned to Konoha with Naruto dreading his reunion with Minato Namikaze.

• Chiyu told Cang Nagi that he had to pass a battle assessment in Konoha without using Thunder Breathing before he could travel with Kimimaro and the others; Kushina Uzumaki reluctantly accepted the plan.
• Chiyu told Yahiko that he and Orochimaru would assassinate Kazekage Rasa and use the attack to incite Sunagakure against Konoha, then named Cang Nagi, Kimimaro, and Jugo as his participants.
• Chiyu, Orochimaru, and Kabuto Yakushi set out for Sunagakure from the Hidden Sound Village.
• Tazuna and the workers completed the bridge in the Land of Waves and named it the Bridge of Hope, ending Kakashi's team's mission.
• Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno noticed Naruto Uzumaki's changing moods as Kakashi's team headed back to Konoha, where Naruto expected to face Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze recovered enough to walk and eagerly awaited Naruto Uzumaki’s return, while Shikaku Nara concealed the truth about Naruto’s life in Konoha. After Naruto returned from his mission, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for Minato to visit him, leaving Naruto unaware that his father was on his way.

• Minato Namikaze toured Konoha with Shikaku Nara and spoke excitedly about seeing Naruto Uzumaki again, while Shikaku hid his knowledge of the village’s past treatment of Naruto.
• Naruto Uzumaki returned to Konoha with Kakashi, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, reassuring Sakura about his earlier cold behavior while Sasuke grew suspicious of him and the fate of Zabuza and Haku.
• The Nine-Tails warned Naruto Uzumaki that he was being watched as soon as he entered Konoha, and Naruto recognized that Hiruzen Sarutobi was monitoring him to keep Minato from learning the truth.
• Kakashi dismissed the team for a week, and Naruto Uzumaki went home wondering when Minato Namikaze would come to see him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Minato Namikaze that Naruto Uzumaki had returned, and Minato eagerly set out to see his son.

Minato Namikaze met Naruto Uzumaki and revealed that he was Naruto’s father and had sealed the Nine-Tails inside him. Naruto reacted with disbelief and grief, then punched Minato before he could finish explaining.

• Minato Namikaze went with Shikaku Nara to meet Naruto Uzumaki, while Naruto learned from the Nine-Tails that Minato had arrived.
• Naruto let Minato and Shikaku into his home and initially accused Minato of impersonating the Fourth Hokage.
• Minato explained that he had survived twelve years in a coma, and Shikaku confirmed his identity.
• Minato revealed that Naruto was his son, and Naruto questioned why the villagers had hated him and called him the Demon Fox.
• Minato explained that the fox inside Naruto was the Nine-Tails and that he had sealed it there, but Naruto punched him before he could finish.