Recaps

Naruto reunited with Minato in his mental world and learned that his father had watched over him throughout his childhood. After they embraced and shared stories, Minato began telling Naruto about his past and his mother, Kushina Uzumaki.

• The Nine-Tails helped Minato shape his chakra into a human form so he could speak with Naruto.
• Naruto recognized Minato as the Fourth Hokage and asked if he was really his father.
• Naruto punched Minato, then embraced him and cried as he realized the voice from his dreams had been watching over him.
• Minato and Naruto comforted each other, then shared stories about their lives and Kushina Uzumaki.
• The Nine-Tails watched quietly, trusting Naruto to choose his own path now that he had grown stronger.

Naruto reunited with Minato in his Inner World, thanked Kurama for teaching him Fox Sage Mode, and learned the mode’s dangers required careful instruction. Back in reality, Naruto told Sasuke he had mastered it and promised to stand by him as he faced Itachi, leaving the two friends closer as spring arrived.

• Naruto and Minato thanked Kurama, who let Naruto return to reality after Sage Mode exhausted him.
• Minato asked Kurama about teaching Fox Sage Mode safely, and Kurama’s silence led Minato to decide he would guide Naruto’s training.
• Naruto welcomed Sasuke, confirmed he had mastered his new move, and offered to teach it to Sasuke and their friends.
• Naruto told Sasuke he knew where his clansmen might be and offered to face the matter of Itachi with him.
• Sasuke resisted Naruto’s involvement but accepted his wish to witness the confrontation and remain by his side.
• Naruto smiled after Sasuke returned to his room, and spring arrived.

Sasuke passed the Ninja Academy graduation exam, while Naruto faced Konohamaru’s challenge outside the gates. Naruto promised to teach Konohamaru after becoming a genin, then left with Hinata, who asked to clean his home again.

• Iruka praised Sasuke’s exam performance and awarded him a forehead protector, while Mizuki recalled Naruto’s extraordinary exam.
• Sasuke learned that Konohamaru Sarutobi had called Naruto outside to challenge him for the Academy’s top spot.
• Konohamaru transformed into a naked woman with his Sexy Jutsu, stunning Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and his friends.
• Naruto scolded Konohamaru for claiming he had learned the jutsu from magazines under Naruto’s bed, then promised to teach him after graduating.
• Konohamaru vowed to carry on Naruto’s Academy legacy, and Hinata caught up with Naruto to ask if she could clean his home again.

The Third Hokage and the Jonin watched the graduating students as Iruka announced their teams. Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten were assigned to Team 3, while Sasuke, Hinata, and Naruto were assigned to Team 7.

• The Jonin praised the abilities of Neji, Hinata, and Sasuke before Kakashi said he was most interested in top graduate Naruto.
• The students waited for their assignments, as Hinata hoped to join Naruto and Tenten misread Rock Lee's intense attention to Neji.
• Iruka warned the graduates that their difficult life as ninjas was only beginning and explained that they would work in teams under Jonin teachers.
• Iruka assigned Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten to Team 3, leaving Tenten distraught.
• Iruka assigned Sasuke, Hinata, and Naruto to Team 7.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata received their team assignment, while Neji challenged Sasuke to a match over their rankings. Kakashi prepared to lead his team and assured Guy that he understood the risks of Naruto's exceptional strength, then evaded Guy's proposed contest.

• Naruto celebrated being assigned to a team with Hinata and Sasuke, and the graduates were dismissed until their afternoon meeting.
• Neji taunted Sasuke that the team assignments meant the village ranked him second and Sasuke third, then arranged a match for the following evening.
• Naruto invited Sasuke and Hinata to eat ramen, but Sasuke declined and left using a Shadow Clone.
• Guy warned Kakashi that Naruto's power could lead to dangerous overconfidence and urged him to guide Naruto carefully.
• Kakashi reassured Guy that he understood his concern, then disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique to avoid Guy's challenge to a contest between their students.

Kakashi met Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata as their Jonin teacher and learned about their personalities and goals. He dismissed the team until a dangerous lesson at the training ground the next morning, while Minato and the Nine-Tails anticipated that Naruto would surprise Kakashi.

• Kakashi arrived late to the classroom and led Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata to a rooftop to introduce themselves.
• Naruto said he liked Ichiraku Ramen, hated turning to stone, and wanted to become Hokage; Hinata shared her admiration for perseverance and her wish to support someone.
• Sasuke said he wanted to grow stronger and planned to kill the man responsible for his clan's fall after defeating Naruto.
• Kakashi introduced himself but revealed little, then told the team to meet him at the training ground at five the next morning for a lesson that could cost them their lives.
• The Nine-Tails and Minato discussed Kakashi noticing Naruto's weakness and expected Naruto to surprise him.

Kakashi gathered New Team 7 for a real-combat exercise and explained that Naruto would act rather than fight. He wanted Sasuke and Hinata to face their dependence on Naruto, leaving Naruto with the task of losing to them.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata waited for Kakashi at the training ground, and Hinata shared breakfast after Kakashi arrived hours late.
• Kakashi said he wanted to see how the students performed in real combat, and Sasuke and Hinata focused on the exercise.
• Kakashi recalled telling Naruto the night before that Sasuke and Hinata relied on him too much and needed to learn to stand on their own.
• Kakashi told Naruto that his role in the exercise was to lose.

Kakashi began a combat exercise against Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, setting rules and creating shadow clones for them to fight. Naruto was confined to a circle, and Kakashi's clone immediately overwhelmed him with a rapid attack as Sasuke and Hinata prepared to begin their own fights.

• Kakashi explained that the team had to survive until noon and would lose lunch if defeated, while warning them to fight as if their lives were at stake.
• Kakashi created four shadow clones and explained that defeating a clone counted as a win, then positioned one against each student.
• Naruto told Kakashi that his teammates might not believe he had lost easily to a shadow clone, so Kakashi restricted his fight to a circle and counted stepping outside it as defeat.
• Naruto said they could begin, and Kakashi's clone launched a fast pincer attack that forced him to dodge desperately.
• Sasuke tried to help Naruto, but Kakashi's clone blocked him and invited him and Hinata to start their fights.

Kakashi tested Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata by having Shadow Clones fight them while he observed their tactics. After Naruto helped Kakashi stage an apparent injury, Hinata lost her composure and fell under Genjutsu, leaving the test unresolved.

• Sasuke tried to support Naruto from a distance, but Kakashi's Shadow Clone forced him into close combat, and Sasuke moved into the forest to seek an advantage.
• Hinata used her Byakugan and Gentle Fist to fight her Shadow Clone calmly while keeping track of the battlefield.
• Naruto quietly coordinated with Kakashi, who then struck Naruto's arm with Chidori to make his injury look real.
• Hinata cried out and rushed toward Naruto, allowing Kakashi's Shadow Clone to kick her off balance and catch her in Genjutsu.

Kakashi explained how Hinata and Sasuke’s reliance on Naruto undermined their judgment during the combat exercise. He left them reflecting on how they would act if a trusted teammate could not help them, then turned his attention to Naruto.

• Sasuke fled Kakashi’s Shadow Clone until he crossed the Training Ground boundary, narrowly avoiding its Lightning Blade: Edge and failing the exercise.
• Naruto stood unharmed when Sasuke returned and Hinata woke from the Genjutsu, revealing that his apparent injury had been part of the exercise.
• Kakashi told Hinata that panicking when Naruto was hurt had made her an easy target and could have put her teammates in greater danger.
• Kakashi told Sasuke that he had judged the Shadow Clone too quickly, failed to study its weakness, and let Naruto’s apparent defeat shape his decisions.
• Kakashi warned Hinata and Sasuke that depending too heavily on Naruto could lead to desperate choices when he was unavailable or in danger.
• Kakashi silently decided the lesson was enough for Hinata and Sasuke, then turned to Naruto.

Kakashi challenged Naruto to a serious, unrestricted spar, promising to cancel the team's punishment if Naruto won. The fight ended on the brink of a decisive clash, with Naruto descending with a Sage Art: Rasengan as Kakashi prepared his Lightning Blade.

• Kakashi examined Naruto's shoulder and saw that the wound had nearly healed without leaving a scar.
• Kakashi offered Naruto another spar, with victory canceling the punishment for Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.
• Kakashi made a single shadow clone, revealed his Sharingan, and explained that the fight would end when either fighter injured the other.
• Kakashi attacked Naruto, who used Water Formation Wall as a diversion and a clone to evade the strike.
• Naruto dropped from above in Fox Sage Mode with a Sage Art: Rasengan as Kakashi gathered lightning for his Lightning Blade.

Naruto and Kakashi clashed in a fierce spar, where Kakashi revealed that he had been the real opponent all along and used the moment Naruto froze after drawing blood to teach him about the demands of real combat. Kakashi apologized for his past assassination attempt, and Naruto accepted his company over a meal, leaving them on friendlier terms.

• Naruto recognized Kakashi’s Lightning Release as something he had encountered during an earlier threat to his life.
• Naruto’s senjutsu-powered Spiral Rasengan struck Kakashi’s shoulder, drawing blood and leaving Naruto frozen in shock.
• Kakashi activated the Eight Gates Released Formation and flicked Naruto’s forehead protector, explaining that Naruto needed to overcome his hesitation about drawing blood and taking a life.
• Kakashi’s nearby clone vanished, revealing that the real Kakashi had fought Naruto from the beginning.
• Kakashi apologized for his past attack on Naruto, and Naruto acknowledged that Kakashi had truly been behind it.
• Naruto invited Kakashi to buy an all-you-can-eat Ichiraku Ramen subscription for their group, and Kakashi agreed.

Kakashi told Guy that Naruto had reached near-Jonin strength, then Neji tested an adjusted Gentle Fist technique against Sasuke. The chapter ended as Neji's unexpected second attacker struck from Sasuke's blind spot.

• Kakashi told Guy that Naruto had injured him despite Kakashi using the Eight Gates, and said he was considering recommending Naruto for promotion once he improved further.
• Guy helped Kakashi leave the izakaya and mentioned that a Kirigakure kunoichi had repeatedly asked about him.
• Neji waited for Sasuke to arrive for a sparring match, reflecting on Rock Lee's closeness with Guy.
• Sasuke activated his Sharingan while Neji activated his Byakugan, and Neji warned him that his revised technique could cause serious damage.
• Neji launched Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, then a second Neji appeared behind Sasuke and attacked with Eight Trigrams Two Palms.

Neji unveiled his Two-Pole Gentle Fist and overwhelmed Sasuke, but Sasuke revealed that he had awakened a new form of senjutsu and learned the Sage Art: Chidori. The chapter ended with Sasuke launching the technique against Neji’s Rotation.

• Neji used a hidden shadow clone to strike Sasuke from both sides, sealing his chakra points with the Gentle Fist.
• Neji explained that he had developed the Two-Pole Gentle Fist by using his original body as bait while concealing his clone.
• Sasuke told Neji that seeing Naruto fight had shaken him and described how even Kakashi Hatake could not gain an advantage against Naruto.
• Neji realized Sasuke was secretly gathering natural energy, and Sasuke revealed his evolved Sharingan and foxlike senjutsu eyes.
• Sasuke gathered senjutsu chakra into his right hand and attacked Neji with the Sage Art: Chidori as Neji used Rotation.

Orochimaru sent Kabuto to gather Kimimaro and the others for a plan to hunt the Fourth Kazekage, while Naruto learned the truth about Kakashi’s fight and considered what it meant to take a life. The Third Hokage assigned Danzo the Orochimaru investigation, and then called Kakashi into his office.

• Orochimaru used a clone to infiltrate Root and test Danzo, then ordered Kabuto to assemble Kimimaro and the others near Sunagakure and target the Fourth Kazekage.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto to contact Sasori if useful and considered approaching the beast in Sunagakure cautiously.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails explained to Naruto how they had understood Kakashi’s intentions, and Minato asked Naruto whether he was ready to take a life.
• Naruto admitted he was unsure but understood what might be necessary, then asked Minato to describe his first battlefield experience.
• Danzo confronted the Third Hokage over being excluded from decisions, and the Third handed him a mission to investigate Orochimaru.
• The Third Hokage dismissed Danzo and called Kakashi into the office.

Kakashi brought Team 7 to the Hokage Building, where the Third offered them an unprecedented A-Rank mission after hearing about Naruto's strength. Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata accepted, leaving the team poised to begin their first mission.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata waited for Kakashi, who arrived with a cane and delayed them on the way to the Hokage Building.
• Kakashi reported his fight with Naruto to the Third Hokage, while Iruka and the mission staff reacted with surprise at Naruto's strength.
• The Third explained the mission ranks and revealed an A-Rank request addressed to Kakashi, who had left the choice to his Genin.
• Despite Iruka's objection that the assignment violated regulations, Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata agreed to accept the mission.

Kakashi assigned Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata to escort actress Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow, while he won the Third Hokage’s approval to consider promoting Naruto to chunin if he performed well. When the team arrived, Yukie refused to go, and her Manager Santarō Asama welcomed the shinobi and prepared to persuade her.

• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata to watch tapes about the actress they would escort, but Sasuke suggested going to the cinema and Hinata offered to pay for Naruto’s ticket.
• Kakashi explained to the Third Hokage why the Land of Snow mission had been delayed and asked to consider Naruto for a special chunin promotion if his performance warranted it.
• The Third Hokage trusted Kakashi’s judgment and wondered whether Minato remained dissatisfied with him.
• Two days later, Kazahana Koyuki, performing as Yukie Fujikaze, refused to travel to the Land of Snow and said she had not agreed to the plan.
• Santarō Asama welcomed Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata and said he would explain how to persuade Koyuki to go.

Naruto and Hinata found the runaway Fujiyama Yukie and brought her back toward the film set after she repeatedly tried to escape. Meanwhile, Naruto caught two disguised men following them and learned they planned to report to Lord Dotō.

• Kakashi asked Hinata and Naruto to find Yukie, then examined Sasuke’s injured hand and promised to teach him Chidori properly during the mission.
• Naruto and Hinata found Yukie, who had tried to escape several times, and Naruto carried her back tied up.
• Hinata reasoned that taking Yukie back to meet their employer was within the mission, and Yukie agreed to walk back after Naruto untied her.
• Two disguised men discussed reporting to Lord Dotō, but Naruto appeared behind them using a Shadow Clone and pinned them before they could draw their shuriken.

Kakashi used the captured Snow Ninja to uncover that Kazahana Dōtō had sent them to retrieve the missing Princess Kazahana Koyuki. After Koyuki’s identity was revealed, the film crew chose to continue to the Land of Snow, confident that Naruto and the other Konoha Ninja could protect them.

• Kakashi explained the Land of Snow and used his Sharingan Genjutsu to make the captured Snow Ninja reveal what they knew.
• Hinata told Santarō Asama and the film crew that Kazahana Dōtō had sent the Snow Ninja to find Yukie, whose identity as Princess Kazahana Koyuki was then revealed.
• The film crew reacted with alarm and excitement when Santarō Asama and Koyuki explained the plan to reclaim the Land of Snow.
• The Director asked how strong the captured Snow Ninja were and, after Naruto said he could handle any number of them, decided to film the journey.
• The crew agreed to travel to the Land of Snow, leaving Koyuki stunned by their enthusiasm for reclaiming her kingdom.

Naruto and the film crew sailed toward the Land of Snow while Sasuke guarded Kazahana Koyuki and Kakashi left the planning to Naruto. When Hinata spotted three ambushers on an iceberg, Naruto teleported to confront them and struck Nadare Rōga’s ice barrier with a Rasengan.

• Kakashi hurried the film crew aboard their ship, and Naruto eagerly helped carry the equipment.
• Sasuke told Kazahana Koyuki to seize the chance to take revenge and stayed beside her as they traveled.
• The film crew began shooting scenes aboard the ship, while Kakashi left Santarō Asama to discuss the plans with Naruto.
• Naruto noticed an iceberg drifting toward the ship, and Hinata used her Byakugan to find three enemies lying in ambush.
• Naruto marked the deck with Flying Thunder God and teleported to the iceberg, where he met Nadare Rōga’s Ice Prison Technique with a Rasengan.

Naruto defeated Nadare Rōga and his two Snow Ninja teammates on the Iceberg, using taijutsu to overcome Chakra Armor that resisted ninjutsu. Fuyuki Tonbear was the last to fall, while Naruto wondered whether the armor could also defend against genjutsu.

• Nadare Rōga blocked Naruto's Spiral Rasengan with his Chakra Armor and attacked with Ice Release: Dragon-Breaking Tiger, but Naruto reappeared behind him.
• Sasuke asked Kakashi how to control Lightning Release Chakra while stimulating his cells, explaining that the people they were protecting were safe.
• Naruto tricked Nadare Rōga with a Spiral Rasengan feint, then shattered his armor and ribs with a punch in Fox Sage Mode.
• Naruto blocked Fubuki Kakuyoku's ice blades with Water Release, then knocked her unconscious with Kakashi's Finger Flick technique.
• Fuyuki Tonbear fled, but Naruto caught and defeated him before questioning Kurama about his genjutsu.

Naruto captured Nadare Rōga and two other Snow Ninja, prompting Kazahana Koyuki to ask Kakashi’s team to help reclaim the Land of Snow. As Kazahana Dōtō approached the coast in his Airship, Hinata detected a group of chakra signatures nearby.

• Kazahana Dōtō learned that Koyuki was heading to the Land of Snow and set out in his Airship to await Nadare Rōga’s success.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to capture Nadare Rōga and two elite Snow Ninja and brought them aboard the ship.
• After seeing the Snow Ninja defeated, Kazahana Koyuki asked Kakashi to help her reclaim her country and offered an alliance and half the Land of Snow Treasure as payment.
• Naruto agreed to help Koyuki, and Kakashi accepted the request.
• Hinata detected an approaching group of at least twenty people wearing Chakra Armor, including someone with an unusually large amount of chakra.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata infiltrated Kazahana Dōtō’s airship by disguising themselves and using a clone of Kazahana Koyuki as bait. Naruto confronted Dōtō about his plans, and the chapter ended as Naruto struck him into a wall.

• Naruto used the Shadow Clone and Transformation Techniques to disguise his team and sent Kakashi to protect the others.
• Kazahana Dōtō saw the apparent Koyuki and ordered his airship to land, believing his subordinates had captured her.
• Sasuke subdued the Snow Ninja on deck with genjutsu and began clearing the airship while Hinata took position at its controls.
• Naruto and Hinata escorted the clone disguised as Koyuki to Kazahana Dōtō, who explained that he wanted the Hexagonal Crystal to find his family’s treasure.
• Kazahana Dōtō revealed his plan to use the treasure, Airship, and Chakra Armor to rule the shinobi world, and Naruto struck him hard enough to send him crashing into a wall.

Naruto and Koyuki defeated Kazahana Dōtō aboard the Airship, while Hinata secured the crew and other Snow Ninja. With Dōtō captured and Koyuki identified, Santarō Asama left to rally the former retainers and retake the Daimyo Mansion.

• Naruto and Koyuki struck Kazahana Dōtō, and Naruto sent him crashing through the Airship's steel door with the Konoha Whirlwind, shattering his Chakra Armor.
• Sasuke arrived as Naruto rubbed his injured leg, while Hinata landed the Airship and reported that the remaining Snow Ninja and crew members had been restrained.
• Kakashi confirmed Dōtō's identity with Koyuki and praised the team's operation, while Sasuke pointed out the damage Naruto's kick had caused to the Airship.
• Koyuki watched Naruto with gratitude and embarrassment, and Hinata noticed her reaction.
• Santarō Asama thanked Kakashi's team, then left to contact the former retainers and have them retake the Daimyo Mansion.

After Kazahana Koyuki asked Naruto and his companions to accompany her to her father’s hidden treasure, Minato explained to the Nine-Tails how the Land of Snow could grow stronger and avoid becoming Konoha’s dependent. He saw Chakra Armor as a valuable trade good that could strengthen the country and help Konoha become more independent, while the Nine-Tails began to recall something about the treasure.

• Naruto and his companions took the unconscious Kazahana Dōtō and Snow Ninja with them so they would not freeze to death.
• Kazahana Koyuki asked Naruto and his companions to accompany her to find the treasure her father had left behind.
• The Nine-Tails asked Minato why he had requested that Naruto spare Kazahana Dōtō.
• Minato explained that the Land of Snow was vulnerable to Konoha’s influence and proposed trading its Chakra Armor to build the country’s value and strengthen Konoha’s independence.
• The Nine-Tails began to remember something about the Land of Snow’s secret treasure.