Recaps

Naruto realized Sara was the Queen of Roran he had met in the past and asked her how she had regained her memories. Sara explained that after Rōran fell into hardship, she led her people away, while Naruto learned that the Uchiha Clan might be involved in her memories and Sasuke’s crest had caught Rōran’s attention.

• The Nine-Tails recognized Sara as an Uzumaki, and Hinata noticed that she carried an old Konoha Chakra Blade.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails realized Sara was the Queen of Roran from their past and wondered why she remembered Naruto after Minato had sealed everyone’s memories.
• Naruto asked Sara to speak alone, while Rōran silently pointed out the Uchiha Clan crest on Sasuke’s clothing.
• Naruto set up a barrier and asked Sara who had undone the seal on her memories, guessing that someone from the Uchiha Clan was responsible.
• Sara recounted that the seal made her people forget their past, but Rōran suffered hardship after the Ryūmyaku was sealed, forcing her to lead them away from their homeland.

Sara told Naruto how she and her daughter encountered the Leader of the Uchiha, who restored her memories and helped her group, and Naruto learned that Sara could contact them. Naruto gave Sara a Flying Thunder God Kunai to pass along if they agreed to meet, and Sara parted with him after sharing her gratitude.

• Sara explained that she had returned to Rōran after sensing the Ryūmyaku Seal weaken and met the Leader of the Uchiha at the ruins.
• Sara said the Leader of the Uchiha had removed the seal on her memories, and she chose to help the group after recognizing their Konoha Forehead Protectors.
• Naruto asked Sara to contact the group and request a meeting for him and Sasuke Uchiha, and Sara agreed to pass along the message while keeping their location secret.
• Naruto gave Sara a Flying Thunder God Kunai to offer the group, and Sara returned his broken Chakra Blade as a keepsake.
• Sara thanked Naruto, hugged him, and remembered his smile as they parted.

Kakashi was summoned to meet Jiraiya after the Third Hokage received a message from him. In Yugakure, Kakashi found Jiraiya being beaten by a crowd for peeping and stepped in to protect him.

• The Third Hokage and Konoha's veteran jonin were stunned by Itachi's intelligence that the Fourth Mizukage had once joined the Akatsuki, while Kakashi investigated Obito without success.
• Gamako delivered Jiraiya's message, and the Third Hokage sent Kakashi back out to the Land of Hot Water to meet him.
• Kakashi traveled to Yugakure and learned that a white-haired peeper had been caught at the neighboring bathhouse.
• Kakashi recognized the man being beaten as Jiraiya and caught a burly man's fist, asking him to go easy.

Kakashi met Jiraiya and discussed the Hokage succession, Orochimaru, and the Akatsuki. He left Jiraiya with his suspicion that Minato might still be alive.

• Kakashi tried to rescue a white-haired man mistaken for Jiraiya, then discovered the real Jiraiya had arrived and knocked the impostor unconscious.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the Third Hokage might hope he or Tsunade would become the Fifth Hokage, but Jiraiya rejected the idea and advised against involving Tsunade.
• Kakashi informed Jiraiya that Orochimaru had appeared near Konoha, maintained bases there, and had once been connected to the Akatsuki.
• Jiraiya suggested that Kakashi was being groomed as the next Hokage, and Kakashi said that his recent thoughts had led him to suspect Minato was still alive.

Kakashi told Jiraiya that Minato might still be alive and explained Naruto’s unusual abilities, prompting Jiraiya to recognize Minato’s sealing work on Kakashi. Jiraiya concealed his suspicions while examining Kakashi and discovered a second, unidentified seal on his forehead, which he prepared to remove.

• Jiraiya reacted with disbelief when Kakashi said Minato might still be alive and described Naruto’s mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique and Rasengan.
• Kakashi told Jiraiya that the Nine-Tails had placed a seal on him, and Jiraiya examined the seal on his neck.
• Jiraiya recognized Minato’s methods in the inactive seal and privately wondered why Minato had chosen to remain hidden.
• Jiraiya told Kakashi he would need to meet Naruto, while hiding his growing belief that Minato was influencing him.
• Jiraiya detected another dormant seal on Kakashi’s forehead, identified it as resembling a Puppet Technique formula, and offered to remove it.

After returning from the Land of Wind, Team 7 reported its year-long investigation mission to the Third Hokage. Sakura Haruno then arrived injured and warned that Kurenai Yuhi and the others were in danger in the Land of Waves, leaving the Third to respond to an urgent rescue plea.

• Jiraiya removed Kakashi's seal and said he would search for Tsunade, while Kakashi headed back to Konoha.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata returned to Konoha with Mei Terumi, and Mei reminded Naruto to report their mission as team leader.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata reunited with Kakashi outside the Hokage Building and then reported their findings to the Third Hokage.
• As the Third praised Team 7's completed investigation, Izumo Kamizuki brought in an injured Sakura Haruno.
• Sakura told the Third that Kurenai Yuhi, Shino, and Kiba were facing many ninja in the Land of Waves, including Demon Zabuza, and begged him to save them.

After Sakura returned to Konoha seeking help, Kakashi led Team 7 and Mei Terumi toward the Land of Waves to rescue Kurenai Yuhi, Shino, and Kiba from Zabuza. The group split up to search, while Kakashi began a high-speed relay plan using his Lightning Flash technique and Naruto’s Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Kakashi and the Third learned that Sakura’s team had encountered Zabuza, so the Third ordered Team 7 to reinforce Kurenai Yuhi in the Land of Waves.
• Hinata helped the injured Sakura guide Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Mei Terumi out of Konoha as Sakura recounted how Zabuza had forced Kurenai and Shino to stay behind while Kiba escorted her toward help.
• Kakashi realized the return journey had taken Sakura several days and decided the group needed a faster route.
• Kakashi split the group’s search, assigning Hinata to find Kiba with Mei protecting her while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura searched another area.
• Kakashi summoned Pakkun and began using Lightning Flash to sprint ahead, with Naruto and Sasuke preparing to relay him using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Kakashi raced toward the rescue while Hinata and Naruto reached the badly wounded Kiba and rescued Akamaru. Kiba passed out after asking them to save Kurenai-sensei and Shino, and Naruto prepared to take Kiba and Hinata back to the village before returning for the others.

• Kakashi transformed into lightning and sped through the forest toward his destination.
• Kiba urged the wounded Akamaru to flee, but Akamaru swallowed their last Soldier Pill and charged out to distract the pursuers.
• A Ninja Dog with a middle-aged man's face found Kiba, and Hinata arrived to treat him.
• Naruto brought Akamaru back alive, and Hinata treated the dog while Kiba asked Naruto to rescue Kurenai-sensei and Shino.
• Kiba passed out, and Naruto told Hinata he would take her and Kiba to the village for treatment before returning.

Sasuke and Mei Terumi protected Sakura from Kirigakure deserters while Naruto and Hinata helped Kiba. After Sakura rested and learned that Kiba was receiving treatment, Pakkun reported that Kakashi was still pushing himself and Sasuke’s turn would come later.

• Sasuke defeated the pursuers with taijutsu, and Mei Terumi arrived with two more bodies after helping protect Sakura.
• Mei Terumi told Sakura to rest and recognized that Sakura was using self-suggestion like mental genjutsu to keep fear from overwhelming her.
• Sasuke said he would carry Sakura when they moved so she would not pass out from the strain.
• Naruto returned with Pakkun and told Sakura that Kiba was at the hospital with Hinata.
• Pakkun told Sasuke that Kakashi was still being checked and that it would be a while before Sasuke’s turn.

Kakashi exhausted his chakra near the Land of Waves while Team 7 used their relay-race tactic to continue the rescue mission. Mei Terumi stayed behind to care for him, intent on removing his mask.

• Kakashi summoned Pakkun, who found him collapsed and confirmed that the others had rescued everyone.
• Sasuke used Lightning Release: Lightning Flash to carry Sakura onward, while Naruto planned to catch up every ten minutes and check their route.
• Mei Terumi offered Kakashi Kirigakure's secret medicine, and he chose to rest with her rather than spend more chakra.
• Naruto set off to rejoin Sasuke as the relay-race tactic carried Team 7 toward the Land of Waves in a few hours.
• Mei Terumi insisted Kakashi take his medicine before discussing his news about the Fourth Mizukage, while privately planning to remove his mask.

Shino Aburame hid with Inari and Tazuna after Gato’s men searched for them, tending to his wounds and reassuring the boy. He could not contact Kurenai Yuhi or the others, and he wondered why their attackers had spared them.

• Gato’s thugs searched a poor resident’s home for the injured woman and boy, then left without finding Shino’s group.
• Shino’s scouting insects reported that the searchers were moving away, but he collapsed from his wounds and exhaustion.
• Inari blamed himself for Shino’s injuries, and Shino reassured him that the blame belonged to the adults who had taken him hostage.
• Tazuna praised Shino’s words and asked how they could reunite with Kurenai Yuhi and his daughter.
• Shino recalled that the masked fighter had destroyed his insects and wounded him, but suspected that the attackers had deliberately avoided killing them.

Zabuza left Gato’s base with Haku to hunt down the Konoha shinobi, while concealing his plan to seize Gato’s wealth and take revenge on Kirigakure. He decided they would kill either the woman or the boy to keep Gato from suspecting him, as Sasuke found the bridge that would guide him onward.

• Gato berated his men for failing to find the missing Konoha shinobi, and Zabuza warned that Konoha reinforcements could arrive within five days.
• Gato threatened Haku with the Explosive Tag implanted in him, but Zabuza left to search for the Konoha team before help arrived.
• Haku asked why Zabuza had not seized Gato’s wealth, and Zabuza said the Konoha team had ruined his plan to use them against Gato.
• Zabuza decided they would kill either the woman or the boy and report back to Gato, while leaving one Konoha shinobi to protect the old man.
• Sasuke saw a distant bridge and recognized it as a guidepost for finding his way forward.

Sasuke left Sakura with Naruto and raced across the sea toward the bridge, while Naruto brought Sakura to Konoha Hospital, where Hinata arranged for her care and updates on Kiba and Akamaru. In Naruto's Inner World, Minato and the Nine-Tails discussed Naruto's past and chose to let him handle the situation in the Land of Waves; Minato also prepared to teach Naruto a new Jutsu.

• Sasuke set Sakura down to recover, then used Lightning Flash to race across the sea after Naruto arrived to take her back to the village.
• Sakura realized she had slowed Sasuke down and lost consciousness from pain and exhaustion as Naruto brought her to Konoha Hospital.
• Hinata arranged medical care for Sakura and explained that Kiba was in the emergency room while Akamaru needed attention from the Inuzuka Clan.
• In Naruto's Inner World, the Nine-Tails told Minato about Sakura and Naruto's former Team 7, and they agreed to let Naruto handle the Land of Waves situation himself.
• Minato said he had worked out an approach for a new Jutsu suited to Naruto, and the Nine-Tails suggested letting Naruto name it.

Wounded Kurenai Yuhi fought Gato's men while trying to draw them away from Shino, but Zabuza attacked before she could escape. Naruto arrived just in time to catch Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō and hurl it back into the mist.

• Kurenai Yuhi exposed herself to Gato's men, hoping to draw their attention away from Shino.
• Kurenai Yuhi used the Hell Viewing Technique to incapacitate the thugs and killed several before Zabuza's mist forced her to retreat.
• Zabuza taunted Kurenai Yuhi, and she offered to keep Konoha from informing Kirigakure about him if he left the Land of Waves.
• Zabuza threw Kubikiribōchō at Kurenai Yuhi, but Naruto arrived and caught the blade.
• Naruto released senjutsu chakra and hurled Kubikiribōchō toward Zabuza in the mist.

Naruto arrived to rescue Kurenai Yuhi and confronted Zabuza, who dismissed Naruto’s claim that companions were nearby. Naruto struck Zabuza with a chakra attack and sent him plunging toward the sea, while Haku rushed after them and Kurenai noticed a black Spiral Mark on the Kubikiribōchō.

• Zabuza caught the returning Kubikiribōchō and recognized Naruto Uzumaki as his opponent.
• Naruto told Kurenai Yuhi that Sakura and Kiba were receiving treatment and that he had come looking for her with companions.
• Naruto stopped Kurenai from joining the fight and said he would handle Zabuza himself.
• Zabuza spread the Hidden Mist Technique across the area and prepared to kill Naruto.
• Naruto formed a blue sphere of chakra, struck Zabuza in the abdomen, and sent him flying toward the sea.
• Haku chased after the gravely wounded Zabuza, while Kurenai noticed a black Spiral Mark on the Kubikiribōchō's handle.

Kurenai Yuhi’s account described Naruto Uzumaki’s reputation as Konoha’s extraordinary young genius before his fight with Zabuza and Haku continued underwater. Naruto drove both opponents toward the seabed, then noticed Haku could form seals with one hand despite showing no malice toward him.

• Kurenai Yuhi regarded Naruto Uzumaki as Konoha’s greatest genius after his remarkable academy record, S-rank mission, and early promotion to chunin.
• Zabuza formed hand seals underwater, but Naruto countered his Water Dragon Bullet Technique with his own Water Release and a stronger senjutsu attack.
• Haku used Secret Technique: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death, and Naruto sank underwater to avoid them.
• Haku plunged into the sea to rescue Zabuza, but Naruto caught him in a Water Dragon Bullet Technique and drove him deeper.
• Naruto noticed Haku was forming one-handed seals and had no negative emotions toward him.

Zabuza escaped Naruto’s Water Dragon Bullet with Haku’s help, but Naruto struck his Water Clone and then pursued him. Haku sank unconscious underwater, remembering how Zabuza had given him a reason to live, until someone suddenly rushed toward him.

• Zabuza used Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to break free from Naruto’s Water Dragon Bullet and swim toward the surface.
• Naruto canceled the jutsu, then attacked Zabuza as he surfaced, but hit a Water Clone instead.
• Zabuza realized Haku was missing and plunged back underwater, while Kurenai Yuhi warned Naruto not to let his guard down.
• Haku sank too weak to swim, recalled his family’s deaths and his meeting with Zabuza, and wished for Zabuza to survive.
• A figure rushed toward Haku as he began to lose consciousness.

After Mei Terumi arrived, she asked Naruto to let Zabuza and Haku go so she could pursue her plan to kill the Fourth Mizukage. Naruto let her leave and asked her to promise she would survive, and Mei departed with Zabuza and Haku.

• Gato's Men panicked after witnessing Naruto defeat Zabuza, while Kurenai treated her wound and stayed ready to help.
• Mei Terumi trapped Zabuza and Haku in a Water Prison Technique, then explained she had followed Sasuke and Kakashi's Lightning Flash trail and had confirmed Naruto's companions were safe.
• Mei told Naruto that Zabuza was a wanted Missing-nin and asked him to let them go, though Konoha was supposed to honor its agreement with Kirigakure.
• Naruto acknowledged Mei's plan to kill the Fourth Mizukage and asked her not to die; Mei promised she would survive and asked him to apologize to Kakashi.
• Mei left with Zabuza and Haku, saying she hoped to invite Naruto and his friends to Kirigakure and praising the Ichiraku Ramen they had shared.

Gato confessed his history of exploiting the Land of Waves and his plans to dispose of Zabuza and Haku while Sasuke used his Sharingan to question him. After hearing everything, Sasuke killed Gato.

• Gato recalled killing a local hero and ordering Tazuna killed for building a bridge that threatened his control of the Land of Waves.
• Gato explained how he had used Haku as leverage to force Zabuza to work for him.
• Gato revealed that he planned to contact Kirigakure, kill Haku in front of Zabuza, and seek favor from the village.
• Sasuke watched Gato confess under the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then beheaded him with the White Light Chakra Sabre.

Sasuke killed Gato and prepared to search his vault while Shino struggled with how far their abilities had diverged. Mei Terumi rescued Zabuza and Haku, and Kakashi asked Naruto to take him to Minato-sensei.

• Sasuke killed Gato, and Tazuna offered to help find the vault and host Sasuke and Shino at his house.
• Sasuke warned Shino that he was near his limit, while Shino privately lamented how much stronger Sasuke had become.
• Mei rescued Zabuza and Haku, and Zabuza revealed that the current Mizukage had joined the Akatsuki.
• Naruto freed Kakashi from Mei's Invisibility Technique and told him that Kurenai and the others were safe and that Sasuke was handling matters in the Land of Waves.
• Kakashi told Naruto he was not sad that Mei had chosen her own path, then asked Naruto to take him to Minato-sensei.

Minato agreed to meet Kakashi, and Naruto brought Kakashi back to the village to rest before arranging it. In the Land of Waves, Tazuna announced Gato’s death and urged the people to build their bridge, while Tsunami revealed that Gato’s property had been left at their house.

• The Nine-Tails told Minato that Kakashi could enter Naruto’s mental space through his Sharingan, and Minato agreed to see him.
• Naruto told Kakashi to return to the village and recover before arranging the meeting, then used Flying Thunder God to take him away.
• Tazuna told the people of the Land of Waves that Gato was dead and called on them to continue building their bridge.
• Tazuna introduced the Konoha Ninjas, but was surprised when his daughter Tsunami and grandson Inari appeared instead.
• Tsunami whispered to Tazuna that Gato’s property had been left at their house.

Sasuke persuaded Tazuna to accept most of Gato’s seized wealth as an investment in the Land of Waves and its bridge, while Naruto reported the mission’s success to the Third Hokage. Afterward, Sasuke asked Naruto about Mei Terumi and reminded him not to forget his clansmen.

• Tazuna refused to keep Gato’s wealth, arguing that some of it came from elsewhere and that the Land of Waves needed courage more than money.
• Sasuke convinced Tazuna to treat most of the money as an investment in the bridge and urged him to post an honest long-term guard mission with Konoha.
• Tazuna named the bridge Konoha Bridge and directed the money toward rebuilding the country and helping families harmed by Gato’s men.
• Naruto and Sasuke returned to Konoha, where Naruto reported the mission to the Third Hokage and learned they could rest while Kakashi recovered in the hospital.
• Sasuke asked Naruto about Mei Terumi’s revenge plans, then pointed to his back to remind Naruto about his clansmen.

Kakashi spent the night recovering in Konoha's hospital as friends and students visited him, but Might Guy's antics disrupted his rest. The chapter ended with Guy climbing along the hospital wall to find Kurenai and Asuma confronting him outside Kakashi's window.

• Naruto and Hinata visited Kakashi, brought him company, and left together after Naruto took fruit from Sasuke's gift basket.
• Asuma visited Kakashi, explained that Kurenai felt guilty about Kakashi being hospitalized, and admitted he had come to check on Kakashi for her.
• Kakashi recalled that Might Guy had been thrown out of the hospital after urging him to train instead of rest.
• Might Guy appeared outside Kakashi's third-floor window with a fruit basket, explaining that he was climbing along the wall to visit Kurenai after the doctors barred him from entering.
• Kakashi shut the window and returned to bed as Asuma shouted and a commotion erupted outside.

Naruto helped Kakashi meet Minato inside Naruto’s Inner Space using a genjutsu. Their reunion was interrupted by the Nine-Tails, who threatened Kakashi.

• Kakashi arrived at Naruto’s home early, and Naruto swallowed his toothpaste foam while explaining that the red-haired girl nearby was waiting to see Sasuke.
• Naruto told Kakashi to remove his forehead protector and relax so he would not reflexively break Kakashi’s genjutsu.
• Kakashi used his Sharingan to cast a genjutsu and met Minato in Naruto’s Inner Space.
• Minato welcomed Kakashi and said he had watched Kakashi’s efforts through Naruto, then explained that he was only a portion of chakra he had left behind.
• The Nine-Tails appeared and threatened to destroy Kakashi’s consciousness and seal him.

Kakashi mistook Minato’s role in Naruto’s life, believing he had spent years teaching Naruto and suppressing the Nine-Tails, while Minato and Kurama struggled to correct him. As Naruto remained caught in the genjutsu and drifted through Kakashi’s memories, Kurama spotted the Fourth Mizukage and reflected on its plans for the other tailed beasts.

• Kakashi praised Minato for supposedly raising Naruto and restraining the Nine-Tails, while Minato tried to explain the misunderstanding.
• Kurama dismissed Kakashi’s weak genjutsu and offered to help keep Naruto asleep, then vanished from Kakashi’s Inner World.
• Naruto drifted through a chaotic space filled with people from Kakashi’s memories, and Kurama discovered Naruto had entered Kakashi’s Inner World.
• Kurama recognized Karatachi Yagura as Isobu’s jinchūriki and thought about meeting the other tailed beasts.
• Kurama vowed to protect Naruto from suffering as he had before and urged him to keep working hard.