Chapter Summaries

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.

Minato asked Kakashi how the Shinobi World should face enemies no ninja could defeat. Outside Naruto’s house, Karin finally met Sasuke and mistook his money and offer of a room for a betrothal gift and marital home.

• Minato told Kakashi that Kurama could create objects in Naruto’s mental space and asked how the Shinobi World should confront an enemy no ninja could fight.
• Karin waited outside Naruto’s house, hoping to meet the person who had saved her and thank him.
• Karin bumped into Sasuke, recognized him, and loudly told him she had been looking for him.
• Sasuke caught Karin when she nearly fainted and mistook her offer of a meal as a sign that she needed food.
• Sasuke gave Karin money and a key to a room, then left; Karin decided they were a betrothal gift and marital home.

Minato explained the Ōtsutsuki threat to Kakashi and why the divided shinobi world would be unable to resist it. He revealed that he intended to change the shinobi world so Naruto would not have to bear the burden alone.

• Sasuke noticed Naruto was unusually asleep and sensed someone else in Naruto's room besides Hinata.
• Kakashi reasoned that the shinobi villages would delay uniting against an overwhelming enemy and would likely lose even if they eventually fought together.
• Minato guided Kakashi to see that the shinobi world needed to build its strength before such a threat appeared.
• Minato told Kakashi about the Ōtsutsuki Clan and Isshiki, shocking him with the scale of the danger.
• Minato said he would change the shinobi world so Naruto would not have to endure the same hardship again, and Kakashi reacted with a conflicted expression.

Kakashi told Minato how guilt and loss had left him feeling powerless and once driven him to consider ending his life, but he chose to help with Minato’s plan as a teacher carrying on the hopes of Obito, Rin, and Naruto. The Nine-Tails decided Kakashi no longer needed another seal, then asked about his meeting with the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tails.

• Kakashi told Minato he understood why Minato had kept his survival and plan from Konoha.
• Kakashi confessed that he blamed himself for Rin’s death, failing to protect Kushina, and once thinking about ending his life; Minato confirmed he had asked the Nine-Tails to seal Kakashi to protect him as well as Naruto.
• Kakashi said he had inherited the hopes of Obito and Rin and wanted to support Minato’s plan as a teacher.
• Minato praised Kakashi, and the Nine-Tails said Kakashi no longer needed another seal.
• The Nine-Tails asked Kakashi when he had met the Fourth Mizukage and whether he had seen Isobu, the Three-Tails.

Kakashi’s account of the Fourth Mizukage and Shisui led Minato and the Nine-Tails to question the circumstances of Shisui’s death. After Kakashi and Naruto woke from the mental world, Naruto hurried them somewhere, dragging a reluctant Sasuke along.

• Kakashi told Minato and the Nine-Tails that Itachi had said the Fourth Mizukage joined the Akatsuki and had given him a Sharingan crow, but outside interference broke their connection.
• Minato and the Nine-Tails speculated that Shisui had freed the Fourth Mizukage from Akatsuki control, then questioned how Shisui joined the group and why he died helping the Mizukage.
• Minato decided to reconsider who had placed the seal on Shisui’s heart and suggested examining Shisui’s body again.
• Kakashi woke in Naruto's House beside Sasuke and said he and Naruto had encountered trouble while testing genjutsu.
• Sasuke asked when they would resume missions, but Kakashi said he needed a few more days and had something to do.
• Naruto snapped out of his daze and told Kakashi and Sasuke to come with him, while Sasuke protested that he wanted to change his clothes.

Naruto and Kakashi investigated Shisui Uchiha’s missing body, and Naruto used a mark he had placed on it to locate it inside Konoha. He found himself surrounded by hostile Anbu, but their leader halted the attack after recognizing Naruto as a Konoha ninja.

• Naruto told Sasuke his version of Shisui Uchiha’s life at the Memorial Stone, and Sasuke questioned Naruto’s slip about desecrating the body again.
• Kakashi learned from the Third Hokage that Shisui’s body had gone missing after Danzo hid it, and that Danzo refused to reveal its location.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata about the missing body and Danzo’s plan, angering Sasuke.
• Naruto realized he had left a mark on Shisui’s body and sensed that it was still somewhere inside the village.
• Naruto teleported to a dark, spacious location and found himself surrounded by hostile Anbu, but their leader stopped them after spotting Naruto’s Konoha forehead protector.