Recaps

Tetsuya arranged to use Gato’s request for help as an opportunity to gain influence over the Land of Waves, then took Sasuke out to experience real combat and possibly meet Naruto. Meanwhile, Team 7 continued escorting Tazuna after learning that stronger enemies might be waiting for them.

• Tetsuya agreed to help Daimyo Chiba when asked and realized Gato’s request gave him a chance to gain indirect control over the Land of Waves.
• Tetsuya told Sasuke that sweeping was meant to clear his mind, then invited him on a trip to experience real combat and mentioned Naruto’s graduation.
• Team 7 encountered an assassination attempt by Mist Shadow ninja while escorting Tazuna, prompting Kakashi to question the mission.
• Tazuna admitted that Gato had recruited a stronger wandering ninja, and Kakashi warned Naruto to protect his teammates if anything went wrong.
• Sakura explained that Team 7 could abandon the incorrectly ranked mission, while Hinata defended Naruto and Naruto promised to protect everyone.

Kakashi's team encountered Zabuza Momochi, who tried to seize Mr. Tazuna and targeted Hinata for her Byakugan. Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and Hatake swordsmanship, forcing Zabuza back as their sword fight began.

• Zabuza Momochi ambushed Kakashi's team and demanded that they hand over Mr. Tazuna.
• Kakashi drew the White Fang Ninja Blade, while Naruto and the others stayed back to protect Mr. Tazuna.
• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique, but Hinata spotted him with her Byakugan and alerted Kakashi.
• Zabuza identified Hinata as a Hyuga and considered taking her eyes, prompting Kakashi to threaten him.
• Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and struck Zabuza with Hatake Style: White Fang Flash, driving him back.
• Zabuza recognized Kakashi as Hatake Sakumo's son and challenged him to a contest of swordsmanship.

Kakashi fought Zabuza on the lake while Tetsuya and Sasuke watched and discussed Kakashi’s Lightning Blade. As Zabuza and Kakashi began forming seals for Water Dragon Bullet, Sasuke questioned why Kakashi did not simply attack him, leaving Tetsuya to suggest Kakashi wanted to make the moment look cooler.

• Kakashi and Zabuza clashed with their swords, and Kakashi used his Sharingan to see through Zabuza’s Water Clones.
• Tetsuya and Sasuke arrived to watch the fight, and Tetsuya recognized Kakashi’s Hatake Style swordsmanship.
• Kakashi struck Zabuza with Lightning Blade, sending him across the lake and cracking the Kubikiribōchō.
• Zabuza began forming seals for Water Dragon Bullet, and Kakashi copied his movements.
• Sasuke questioned why Kakashi did not attack Zabuza while he was standing still, and Tetsuya speculated that Kakashi wanted to look cool.

Tetsuya calmed Sasuke after he reacted to hearing Uchiha Itachi’s name, while Kakashi defeated Zabuza in their water-style battle. A Kirigakure ANBU pursuit ninja named Haku killed Zabuza before Kakashi could finish him, prompting Naruto to complain that he and his teammates were too weak to help.

• Sasuke spotted someone in the woods, and Tetsuya explained that the hidden ninja was Zabuza’s backup.
• Sasuke grew upset when Tetsuya mentioned Uchiha Itachi, but Tetsuya reminded him to train and focus on revenge.
• Kakashi and Zabuza clashed with Water Dragon Bullet, and Kakashi’s water dragon overwhelmed Zabuza.
• A masked Kirigakure ANBU pursuit ninja struck Zabuza with senbon, and Kakashi confirmed that Zabuza was dead.
• Naruto confronted the masked ninja, Haku, and complained that he and his teammates could not help Kakashi.
• Kakashi told Naruto to recognize his shortcomings and practice more.

Tetsuya and Sasuke traveled to the Land of Waves to support Gato, presenting themselves as Tobi and Uchiha Sasuke. Tetsuya left surprised by Sasuke’s belief that the Uchiha should join a unified Shinobi World rather than isolate themselves.

• Tetsuya persuaded Sasuke to wait until Kakashi had recovered before challenging him.
• Tetsuya and Sasuke used the Chiba Clan’s token to board a luxurious ferry to the Land of Waves.
• Tetsuya introduced himself to Gato as Tobi and handed him a letter promising that they would protect him at critical moments.
• Gato read the letter and ordered his men to look after the guests.
• Tetsuya asked Sasuke whether the Uchiha should rule the Land of Waves, and Sasuke said they should integrate into the new world if Tetsuya unified the Shinobi World.
• Sasuke said Orochimaru’s teachings had helped him form that view, leaving Tetsuya surprised by how much he had changed.

Kakashi warned that Zabuza had likely survived and advised Tazuna to commission a stronger mission, while he trained Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura. Tazuna chose to return to Konoha for help, but at the bridge they found the workers fallen and Zabuza and Haku emerging from the fog.

• Kakashi told Tazuna that Zabuza was probably alive and said the mission exceeded their squad’s rank, so Tazuna should seek help from Konoha.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura into the forest and taught them the tree-climbing exercise.
• Haku revived Zabuza, who planned to return and fight Kakashi, while Gato prepared to kill the Konoha Ninja and the bridge builders.
• Tetsuya learned from Itachi that they had found Gato’s secret treasuries and ordered a letter sent to the Chiba Commerce Association to prepare to take over the Land of Waves.
• Tazuna decided to return to Konoha with Kakashi’s team, but at the bridge they found the workers strewn across the ground as Zabuza and Haku appeared through the fog.

Kakashi and Zabuza began their second duel while Naruto fought Haku, using the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to break through Haku’s ice attack and knock off his mask. Haku revealed his face and vowed to stop holding back, as Naruto eagerly challenged him to continue.

• Kakashi ordered Tazuna to retreat and Naruto, Hinata, and Sakura to prepare, then clashed with Zabuza.
• Haku attacked Naruto with senbon, but Naruto dodged and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to swarm him.
• Hinata warned Naruto that Haku was preparing a ninjutsu, and Haku unleashed the Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death.
• Naruto evaded Haku’s ice needles, struck him from behind, and knocked off his mask.
• Sakura wondered whether Haku was a girl, Hinata identified him as a boy, and Haku declared he would no longer hold back.

Tetsuya and Sasuke watched Kakashi, Naruto, and their allies battle Zabuza and Haku from a boat. Tetsuya transported himself and Sasuke onto the battlefield, where Kakashi recognized him as Tobi and worried about the report he would have to write.

• Tetsuya and Sasuke ate grilled fish while Sasuke watched Kakashi fight Zabuza and Naruto battle Haku's ice mirrors.
• Sasuke praised Naruto's Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and asked Tetsuya to teach it to him.
• Haku trapped Naruto in Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, while Hinata and Sakura failed to break through and Naruto began taking injuries.
• Tetsuya asked Sasuke if he could break Haku's ice mirrors, and Sasuke said his Chidori could likely do it.
• Tetsuya used a kunai and the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring himself and Sasuke onto the ice mirrors.
• Kakashi recognized Tetsuya as the legendary Tobi and wondered how he was connected to Sasuke, while deciding he would have to report the encounter to the Hokage.

Tetsuya left Sasuke at the battle, where Sasuke broke through Haku’s ice mirrors and joined the fight against him. Sasuke overwhelmed Haku with his Sharingan, swordsmanship, and Chidori, then countered a storm of ice spikes with a Great Fireball Technique.

• Tetsuya left Sasuke behind as Kakashi and Zabuza resumed their fight.
• Sasuke used Chidori to shatter the ice mirror dome and enter Haku’s labyrinth.
• Sasuke ignored Naruto’s pleas for help and charged Haku, who struggled against his attacks.
• Haku launched countless ice spikes at Sasuke, who burned half of them with a Great Fireball Technique.

Sasuke defeated Haku’s ice dome and reunited with Team 7, but he barely recognized Sakura and left without them. As Kakashi prepared to kill Zabuza, Haku intervened and took the Lightning Blade through his chest.

• Sasuke burned through Haku’s ice attacks and struck him with Chidori Thunderfall, shattering the Demonic Crystal Ice dome.
• Hinata and Sakura reached the injured Naruto, while Sakura asked Sasuke where he had been and whether he would return to the village.
• Sasuke said he did not know Sakura, dismissed Naruto’s challenge, and left by running across the seawater into the mist.
• Kakashi’s Ninja Dogs restrained Zabuza, and Kakashi charged him with Lightning Blade.
• Haku emerged from an Ice Mirror and shielded Zabuza, taking Kakashi’s Lightning Blade through his chest.

Haku sacrificed himself to save Zabuza, and Kakashi defeated Zabuza in their ensuing fight. Tetsuya summoned a powerful reflection of Izuna as Gato arrived with a large force to kill the people on the bridge.

• Haku emerged from an ice mirror and took Kakashi's Lightning Blade through the chest, then held Kakashi in place so Zabuza could attack.
• Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat with Haku's body, and Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō struck the bridge instead.
• Kakashi laid Haku down and closed his eyes, then crippled both of Zabuza's arms as Naruto watched.
• Tetsuya told Sasuke he could eliminate Gato's men without spilling blood, then created a reflection of Izuna with eighty percent of the original's strength.
• Tetsuya gave Reflection Izuna the White Mask, and the reflection put it on.
• Gato arrived with his men, mocked Zabuza, and revealed he planned to have him die on the bridge.

After Zabuza admitted Naruto was right about ninja having emotions, he charged Gato and was fatally wounded by Gato’s men. Tetsuya appeared and offered Zabuza a way to stay with Haku forever, sealing a contract with him as the chapter ended.

• Zabuza ended his fight with Kakashi, then accepted Naruto’s words and asked to borrow a kunai.
• Zabuza fought through Gato’s samurai with the kunai in his teeth and stabbed Gato, but the samurai stabbed Zabuza in return.
• A White Mask appeared with Sasuke, and the group vanished along with Gato and the samurai.
• Zabuza asked Kakashi to take him to Haku, and Kakashi brought him to Haku’s side as snow began to fall.
• Tetsuya appeared, offered to grant Zabuza’s wish to stay with Haku forever, and sealed a contract with him.

Tetsuya revived Zabuza and Haku, then took them to the Land of Grass and made them servants in his household. Kakashi’s team returned to the village after Gato’s death, while Tobirama became interested in studying Haku’s Ice Release.

• Tetsuya treated Zabuza and Haku’s wounds, restored their souls to their bodies, and left with them after introducing himself as Tobi, the Shinobi World's Dream Ambassador.
• A weasel dragged away Zabuza’s Kubikiribōchō while Kakashi decided his team would return to the village.
• Tazuna thanked Kakashi’s team and agreed to raise the mission’s rank, then invited them to a meal.
• Tetsuya brought Zabuza and Haku to the Daimyo’s Mansion in the Land of Grass and assigned Shinada of the Salamander to look after them as household servants.
• Tetsuya told Tobirama that Haku’s Ice Release let him move through ice mirrors, prompting Tobirama to study the ability.

Hiruzen Sarutobi told Danzo that Sasuke Uchiha had appeared with Madara Uchiha and the mysterious Tobi, who could resurrect the dead. Danzo failed to take control of Naruto or Kakashi’s Sharingan, then ordered Root to investigate Tobi.

• Kakashi submitted a report about the mission to the Hokage Office.
• Danzo demanded that Hiruzen hand Naruto and Kakashi’s Sharingan over to him, but Hiruzen refused.
• Hiruzen revealed that Kakashi’s team had encountered Sasuke Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, and Tobi in the Land of Waves.
• Hiruzen said Tobi could resurrect the dead and that witnesses and an investigation had confirmed the reports.
• Danzo stormed out after arguing with Hiruzen, then ordered a Root ninja to investigate Tobi.

Itachi learned from a letter that Sasuke was alive and vowed to find him and return him to Konoha. Meanwhile, Tetsuya accepted the Fire Daimyo’s invitation to the joint Chunin Exams and began considering whom to bring.

• Kisame praised Itachi after their mission, and Itachi used a genjutsu to make Kisame wait while he met a crow carrying a letter from Konoha.
• Itachi read that Sasuke was alive and considered the mysterious Tobi, Madara Uchiha, and the possibility that people had been resurrected.
• Itachi burned the letter, released the crow, and vowed to find Sasuke and send him back to Konoha.
• Tetsuya spoke with the Fire Daimyo, who invited him to attend the joint Chunin Exams and bring Grass candidates.
• Tetsuya accepted the invitation and wondered whom he would bring to the exams.

Tetsuya revived Zabuza and Haku after their deaths and told Zabuza that his life now belonged to him, so Zabuza had to work for him. Zabuza learned Haku was recovering nearby and received two custom ninjutsu scrolls, but suspected Tetsuya only wanted him to make up the numbers.

• Zabuza woke in a strange room and learned that Tetsuya, who had posed as Tobi, had revived him and Haku through their contract.
• Tetsuya told Zabuza that Haku was in the next room recovering from the damage to his heart, and stopped Zabuza from leaving until he had finished speaking.
• Tetsuya said Zabuza had to work for him because his resurrected life belonged to Tetsuya.
• Tetsuya gave Zabuza two custom ninjutsu scrolls, My Style: Demon Strike and My Style: Dead Silence, to improve his abilities.
• Zabuza asked why Tetsuya needed him despite having Madara Uchiha, and Tetsuya explained that mid- and low-tier fighters could help fill out his ranks.

Tetsuya persuaded Zabuza to join his plan to unite the Shinobi World and overturn the Land of Water’s cruel system, and Zabuza and Haku agreed to follow him. After Haku woke, Tetsuya told them to recover before joining him at the joint chunin exams in Konoha, with Zabuza leading the team and Haku entering as a Land of Grass ninja.

• Tetsuya described his vision of uniting the Shinobi World, and Zabuza pledged to follow him and help rebuild it.
• Tetsuya brought Zabuza to Haku, who woke and reassured Zabuza that he would support him.
• Zabuza told Haku about Tetsuya’s plan, and Haku agreed to follow Zabuza.
• Tetsuya asked Zabuza and Haku to recover before traveling with him to the joint chunin exams in Konoha.
• Tetsuya assigned Zabuza as team leader and told Haku he would find him teammates, including someone he already knew.

Tetsuya visited Sasuke at Izuna’s residence and found him humbly sweeping leaves as part of his effort to control his arrogance. He assigned Sasuke to join the upcoming joint Chunin exams in Konoha and planned to recruit Uzumaki Karin as the team’s final member.

• Tetsuya found Izuna researching the Rinnegan after Sasuke had told him about abilities displayed by Tetsuya’s copy of Izuna.
• Tetsuya and his companions found Sasuke sweeping the courtyard, and Sasuke explained that witnessing Tetsuya’s power had taught him how far he was from true strength.
• Tetsuya advised Sasuke to keep training his heart and gain experience by seeing the world.
• When Tetsuya proposed sending Sasuke back to Konoha for the joint Chunin exams, Sasuke’s anger flared before he regained control and accepted the mission.
• Tetsuya explained the exams and told Sasuke he would take him to meet his final teammate, Uzumaki Karin.

Karin, Haku, and Sasuke formed a squad for the joint Chunin Ninja Exams, while Tobirama agreed to train them and Zabuza in teamwork. Tetsuya then contacted Orochimaru about the Konoha Crush Plan and suggested a way to free the Fourth Hokage's soul.

• Karin, Haku, and Sasuke introduced themselves and their specialties to one another.
• Tobirama explained that he was teaching Karin because she was an Uzumaki descendant, and Tetsuya told him that Nagato was another Uzumaki and a student of his and Izuna's.
• Tetsuya persuaded Tobirama to teach the squad about teamwork, and Tobirama also pulled their squad leader, Zabuza, into the training.
• Tetsuya contacted Orochimaru and learned that the Konoha Crush Plan was nearly ready, but Orochimaru could not summon the Fourth Hokage because his soul was sealed by the Reaper Death Seal.
• Tetsuya told Orochimaru about the Shinigami Mask in the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple so Orochimaru could seek a way to free the Fourth Hokage's soul.

Tetsuya told Tobirama that Orochimaru planned to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi during the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams, but Tobirama chose to leave the matter to them. Tetsuya then brought Sasuke and the others to the Capital City of the Land of Fire, where Sasuke revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and hoped to draw out Uchiha Itachi.

• Tetsuya told Tobirama that Orochimaru intended to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi and disrupt Konoha during the exams.
• Tobirama refused to intervene, saying Hiruzen and Orochimaru should settle their own affairs.
• Tetsuya took Zabuza's squad and two Ninja Academy teams to the Capital City of the Land of Fire before going to Konoha.
• Tetsuya returned to the Chiba Grand Hotel and sent an invitation to the Daimyo's Mansion.
• Sasuke told Tetsuya he wanted to attract Uchiha Itachi's attention at the exams and asked Tetsuya to back him up.
• Sasuke revealed that he had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed Konoha’s teams would enter the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams and investigated a Grass team whose roster included Sasuke. Kakashi gathered Team 7 to discuss the exams, but the chapter ended before he explained what they meant for the team.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed that all of the Konoha 11 would participate in the exams and considered Neji Hyuga a key candidate.
• Hiruzen spotted Sasuke on the Land of Grass roster and wondered whether he was Sasuke Uchiha.
• A Konoha ninja reported that the Land of Grass team was staying in the capital and planned to travel with its daimyo.
• Hiruzen speculated that Sasuke and other mysterious Uchiha might be connected to Chiba Tetsuya or the Land of Grass.
• Kakashi gathered Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata at Team 7’s training ground to announce important news about their ninja careers.

Neji left Team Guy's training ground to meet his master Tetsuya and the fellow disciples he had only heard about before. Tetsuya introduced him to Yahiko and Konan, and Konan gave him a red envelope as a first-meeting gift.

• Might Guy and Tenten discussed Neji's unfamiliar training, and Might Guy told Tenten and Lee to respect Neji's privacy.
• Neji finished meditating, left the training ground, and hurried to the villa after receiving a message from Rin Nohara.
• Rin welcomed Neji and told him that Tetsuya and two other fellow disciples were waiting inside.
• Tetsuya introduced Yahiko as Neji's senior brother, and Yahiko greeted Neji and offered to exchange taijutsu pointers.
• Tetsuya introduced Konan as Neji's senior sister, and she handed Neji a red envelope as a gift from her and his other senior brothers.

Tetsuya reunited his disciples over dinner, where Yahiko's explosive-tag gift and the revelation that he ruled the Land of Rain surprised Neji and Rin. Tetsuya warned them about Orochimaru's planned attack during the Chunin Exams, and the chapter ended with Rin beginning to explain how Naruto became the Nine-Tails jinchūriki.

• Yahiko secretly replaced Konan's red-envelope money with explosive tags, which Neji accepted after Tetsuya and Rin laughed.
• Yahiko told Neji and Rin that he represented the Land of Rain and that Hanzo of the Salamander had died after his subordinate Shinada betrayed him.
• Tetsuya warned Neji, Yahiko, and Konan to watch out for Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan during the Chunin Exams.
• Tetsuya asked Rin to keep an eye on Naruto, and Rin revealed that she had been teammates with Kakashi under Minato Namikaze.
• Neji and Yahiko were shocked to learn Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son and Konoha's jinchūriki, while Rin began recounting the events behind his childhood.

The Chunin Ninja Exams began, and Sasuke, Haku, and their teammate passed the written test alongside Naruto. As the second round started in the Forest of Death, Tetsuya met the aged Sakumo, while Danzo’s interest in Sasuke prompted Hiruzen to have Tenzo watch him.

• Sasuke, Haku, and their red-haired teammate arrived at the examination hall, surprising Naruto and Sakura.
• Ibiki Morino explained the written exam rules, and Sasuke’s team and Naruto passed the first round.
• Danzo confronted Hiruzen over Sasuke taking the exams as a genin from the Land of Grass, and Hiruzen ordered Tenzo to monitor Danzo.
• The chief examiner led the surviving participants to the Forest of Death for the Scroll-Grabbing Battle.
• Tetsuya watched the participants gather and greeted Sakumo, who remarked that he had grown old and frail.

Sakumo, Tetsuya, and Orochimaru reunited and talked while the Chunin Exam’s second round began. In the Forest of Death, Sasuke’s team chose to head straight to the finish and block the entrance rather than search for other candidates.

• Sakumo and Tetsuya discussed life outside the ninja world and the decline of unity among Konoha’s clans.
• Orochimaru joined Sakumo and Tetsuya, and the three went to Tetsuya’s place for a drink without hiding themselves from ANBU.
• Sasuke, Haku, and Karin confirmed that they had a Heaven Scroll and needed an Earth Scroll to pass the exam.
• Karin found no other teams within her Maximum Sensory Range, so Sasuke proposed waiting at the finish to take scrolls from arriving teams.
• Sasuke, Haku, and Karin set off toward the finish.