Recaps

Naruto graduated, formed Team 7, and helped them complete the Land of Waves mission before preparing for the Chunin Exams. He passed the written test and advanced to the dangerous second round at Training Ground 44.

• Naruto absorbed Awen’s memories, failed the Clone Technique exam, then learned the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu and earned his forehead protector after defeating Mizuki.
• Naruto joined Team 7 with Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha, and they passed Kakashi Hatake’s bell test by working together.
• Team 7 escorted Tazuna to the Land of Waves, where Naruto and Sasuke fought Zabuza Momochi and Naruto later faced Haku.
• Naruto transformed with Nine-Tails chakra and rescued Haku, while Kakashi defeated Zabuza and Sasuke awakened his Sharingan.
• Naruto and Sasuke helped defeat Gatō’s men, and the villagers named their bridge Naruto Bridge before Team 7 returned to Konoha.
• Naruto mastered the Rasengan and began practicing the Flying Thunder God Technique as Team 7 prepared for the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto met Gaara and the other examinees, then joined Sasuke and Sakura in uncovering the genjutsu hiding the exam registration room.
• Naruto passed Ibiki Morino’s written exam and advanced to the second round at Training Ground 44.

Naruto and Team 7 survived the Chunin Exams invasion, while Naruto helped Tsunade choose to become the Fifth Hokage. After Tsunade returned to Konoha and healed Kakashi, Naruto defeated Sasuke in a fight but could not dissuade him from pursuing power.

• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape Orochimaru’s attack, and Team 7 reached the tower with both scrolls as the Chunin Exams continued.
• Naruto defeated Kiba, then watched Hinata stand up to Neji before stepping in as Neji charged at her.
• Naruto won his match against Shikamaru, while Orochimaru launched an attack on Konoha during Sasuke’s fight with Gaara.
• Naruto restrained Shukaku with Adamantine Sealing Chains and helped Sasuke wake Gaara, while Hiruzen sacrificed himself to stop Orochimaru.
• Jiraiya took Naruto to find Tsunade, where Naruto challenged her, took her necklace, and reminded her that the future could still be changed.
• Tsunade rejected Orochimaru’s offer to revive Nawaki and Dan, fought alongside Jiraiya, and agreed to return to Konoha as the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade healed Kakashi after returning to Konoha, and Naruto defeated Sasuke in their fight but failed to change his mind about seeking power.

Naruto helped Kazahana Koyuki defeat Dōtō and reclaim the Land of Snow, then let Sasuke leave Konoha while secretly supporting Tsunade’s plan for him. After traveling with Jiraiya and mastering Sage Mode, Naruto returned to Konoha, where Tsunade arranged to test his progress.

• Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage and sent Team 7 to escort Fujikaze Yukie to the Land of Snow, where Kakashi recognized her as Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu revealed that Dōtō had usurped her father’s throne.
• Naruto persuaded Koyuki to stand against Dōtō, helped defeat him and his Snow Ninja, and watched Koyuki awaken the Rainbow Crystal Wall and accept the throne before meeting Zabuza and Haku.
• Naruto learned Ice Release from Haku, while Sasuke left Konoha to seek power from Orochimaru, and Naruto pursued him, defeated the Sound Four and Kimimaro, then let Sasuke go after giving him a warning about Orochimaru.
• Tsunade revealed that Sasuke’s departure was a confidential S-rank infiltration mission, and Sakura became her apprentice while Naruto completed further missions before leaving Konoha with Jiraiya.
• Jiraiya took Naruto to Nadeshiko Village to fulfill an old duel agreement, and Naruto challenged the village’s customs before defeating its female ninja and departing with Jiraiya.
• Naruto mastered Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku, then began planning a seal to store natural energy because Kurama’s chakra repelled the sages’ attempts to help him gather it.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Jiraiya, reunited with Sakura, and met Tsunade, who called Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi to test his training.

Naruto defeated Mōryō despite Shion’s prophecy, reunited with Minato and Kushina, and prepared for Akatsuki’s pursuit of the tailed beasts. After helping stop threats to the Three-Tails and Konoha, he escorted Amaru and Shinno and confronted Shinno when they found Amaru’s village destroyed.

• Naruto led Kakashi Squad against Mōryō in the Land of Demons, and he and Shion destroyed the demon before Naruto froze the mountain to prevent an eruption.
• Naruto returned to Konoha and removed the sealing strip, allowing Minato Namikaze and Kushina to appear and explain their choices as Naruto told them about his lonely childhood.
• Gaara sent Naruto news that his forces had defeated Akatsuki, while Naruto learned about Shinno’s Body Revival Technique and trained with Hanabi to use Ice Release senbon.
• Naruto joined Kakashi’s team to stop Orochimaru’s subordinates from capturing the Three-Tails, spared Guren at Yuukimaru’s request, and drew Isobu’s chakra after warning it about Akatsuki.
• The Sky Ninja attacked Konoha, and Naruto used an Ice Release: Rasenshuriken to disable most of their aircraft before helping treat the wounded and meeting Shinno and Amaru.
• Sasuke met Orochimaru, while Naruto escorted Amaru and Shinno to her village, found it burned and deserted, protected Amaru from attackers, and challenged Shinno about his act.