Recaps

Uchiha Itachi captured Han and Roshi alive, impressing Obito and Black Zetsu, then set off to intercept Orochimaru after learning he was preparing to strike Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Obito and Black Zetsu decided to keep watching Itachi before revealing more of their plans.

• Uchiha Itachi used Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu to incapacitate Han and Roshi, then captured them with Susanoo.
• Obito Uchiha extinguished Itachi's Amaterasu with Kamui, took the two jinchuriki to the Kamui Dimension, and praised Itachi's performance.
• Uchiha Itachi declined Obito's offer to help with Orochimaru and left the Land of Earth to pursue him.
• White Zetsu Tobi told Uchiha Itachi that Orochimaru had left his new village, and Itachi inferred that Orochimaru was preparing to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Obito Uchiha considered telling Itachi more about their plans, but Black Zetsu advised waiting because Itachi had been a Konoha spy and would not agree to an attack on Konoha.

Luo Mang sent a video showing Orochimaru testing Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha during the Chunin Exams, while Tsunade and Jiraiya watched and questioned Orochimaru’s motives. The video ended as Orochimaru summoned a creature to attack the young ninja.

• Luo Mang received a Diary notification that he could send a video and chose one featuring Orochimaru against Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Tsunade watched the video, wondered whether Naruto was Kushina Uzumaki’s child, and questioned what Orochimaru had become.
• Orochimaru used his killing intent to paralyze Sasuke and Sakura, then pursued them after Sasuke used pain to escape with Sakura.
• Jiraiya watched Orochimaru’s attack and wondered whether Orochimaru was targeting or controlling Sasuke through the Cursed Seal.
• Orochimaru ambushed Sasuke and Sakura from inside a giant snake, and Sasuke offered the Heaven Scroll to save their lives.
• Naruto intercepted the scroll and struck Sasuke for surrendering, but Orochimaru revealed his intent to kill them and began a Summoning Technique.

The video showed Orochimaru overpowering Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura during the Chunin Ninja Exams and placing a Cursed Seal on Sasuke, prompting Jiraiya, Itachi, and Sasuke to reassess the threat he posed. Meanwhile, Luo Mang drew a Mangekyō Sharingan and decided to keep its abilities secret; Sasuke resolved to stay cautious and keep growing stronger.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade reacted angrily to Orochimaru using the Summoning Technique against children during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• The video showed Orochimaru applying the Five Elements Seal to Naruto, fighting Sasuke and Sakura, then placing a Cursed Seal on Sasuke before leaving.
• Jiraiya recognized the Cursed Seal as the mark Kakashi had sealed in the cave and struggled to piece together the Diary’s scattered information.
• Uchiha Itachi watched the video in Otogakure and decided he would have to take Orochimaru down.
• Luo Mang drew a Mangekyō Sharingan, considered testing its abilities, and chose not to reveal them in the Diary.
• Sasuke watched his future encounter with Orochimaru and decided to remain cautious and continue getting stronger.

Luo Mang’s diary revealed that he had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, prompting Sasuke to train harder and stirring complicated feelings in Itachi and Tsunade. Luo Mang wondered who else had received a diary before falling asleep.

• Sasuke read that Luo Mang had awakened three tomoe and went to practice Ninjutsu and hand signs under the moonlight.
• Near Otogakure, Uchiha Itachi felt lonely but took comfort in knowing Luo Mang cared about Sasuke, and he reaffirmed his plan to let Orochimaru serve as Sasuke’s opponent.
• Tsunade read about Luo Mang’s Sharingan and judged that he was not wholly bad, though she vowed to beat him for calling her old.
• Luo Mang wondered whether others had received diaries and imagined the powers his Mangekyo might grant before falling asleep.

Luo Mang waited with Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto for Kakashi, who announced a bandit extermination mission to give Team 7 experience with real combat. The team prepared to face ordinary bandits, with Kakashi promising to intervene if necessary.

• Sakura brought Luo Mang lunch and asked what kind of girl he liked, then asked what he thought of her; he called her pretty and said she was his type looks-wise.
• Sasuke arrived and greeted Luo Mang, while he and Sakura continued to ignore each other.
• Naruto arrived late, and Kakashi joined the team shortly afterward.
• Kakashi announced that their mission was to exterminate a bandit stronghold and explained that it would teach them about real combat and killing.
• Kakashi said the bandits were ordinary people and promised to step in if the team needed him.

Luo Mang and his team planned to infiltrate the bandit stronghold, using Naruto as a captured hunter because his Transformation Technique was unreliable. After ambushing three returning bandits, Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura disguised themselves as them and carried the bound Naruto up the mountain.

• Kakashi told Luo Mang and the others he would observe from hiding and intervene only if their lives were in danger.
• Luo Mang decided Naruto would pose as a captive so he could scout for other prisoners while the rest disguised themselves as bandits.
• After waiting for the bandits to return from the mountain, Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura ambushed and killed the three men.
• Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura transformed into the bandits, while Sasuke tied and gagged Naruto.
• Luo Mang carried Naruto toward the stronghold, reassuring him that he would get ramen after the mission.

Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura infiltrated the Bandit Stronghold and killed its chief while Naruto was taken to the dungeon. They reunited with Naruto, freed the captives, and prepared to lead them down the mountain.

• Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the stronghold disguised as bandits and passed its guards by posing as men sent on the chief’s errand.
• Luo Mang approached the chief with the supplies and killed him, while Sasuke and Sakura subdued the two women beside him.
• Sasuke used genjutsu on one woman and had her guide them to the dungeon, where they discovered that Naruto had already escaped his guard.
• Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Sakura found Naruto trying to break the cell bars, and Sakura used the key to open the cell.
• Sakura reassured the captives, who decided to leave the dungeon and descend the mountain.

Luo Mang, Naruto, and Sasuke wiped out the bandits at the stronghold, but Kakashi’s warning led them back to Sakura, where a sudden lightning strike killed the bandit leaders. Kakashi rescued Sakura and wondered who had unleashed the chakra-less attack.

• Luo Mang sent Sakura down the mountain with the freed captives while he, Naruto, and Sasuke headed to the stronghold.
• Sasuke attacked the gathered bandits with a Great Fireball, and Naruto helped defeat or capture the survivors.
• Kakashi warned the team that someone was approaching the foot of the mountain, so Luo Mang led Naruto and Sasuke back down.
• Sakura confronted five bandits while Kakashi watched from hiding, and a black thundercloud formed overhead.
• Kakashi used Body Flicker to shield and rescue Sakura, but lightning struck and killed the bandit leaders, leaving Kakashi shocked by the attack’s lack of chakra fluctuation.

Luo Mang rushed to protect Sakura Haruno and, overwhelmed by guilt and anger, unleashed a powerful thunder attack on the bandits. Afterward, Kakashi led the team away, reassured Luo Mang about his mistakes, and postponed their training.

• Luo Mang spotted bandits threatening Sakura Haruno and triggered his Mangekyo ability, summoning a thundercloud that struck the road.
• Luo Mang, Naruto, and Sasuke reached the bloodied scene, where Kakashi appeared with Sakura and asked whether they recognized the attack.
• Kakashi said the civilians were unconscious and hidden beneath a tree, then led the team away from the area.
• Kakashi reassured Luo Mang that his commands had been nearly flawless and encouraged him not to be weighed down by guilt.
• Kakashi offered to treat everyone to barbecue, but the team refused because the smell reminded them of the attack; Luo Mang asked for something light instead.

After a grueling stretch of missions, Kakashi gave Luo Mang and his teammates a day off and treated them to barbecue. At the crowded restaurant, they joined Asuma Sarutobi’s team, while Luo Mang remained wary of Sakura’s growing affection.

• Kakashi praised Sakura, Luo Mang, and the others for their performance on their latest mission and announced they could rest the next day.
• Kakashi invited the team to barbecue, and Sakura offered to grill meat for Luo Mang because she loved him, but he declined.
• Kakashi led Luo Mang, Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto into a crowded barbecue restaurant, where Asuma Sarutobi invited them to share his team’s table.
• Luo Mang felt as if someone was watching him, but saw only Sakura staring at him as everyone took their seats.

Asuma Sarutobi learned that Kakashi Hatake had already taken Luo Mang on missions, while Sakura Haruno focused her attention on Luo Mang during the group barbecue. The meal continued with Sakura grilling for him as the others ate and talked.

• Asuma Sarutobi praised Luo Mang for taking missions involving killing, and Ino Yamanaka noticed Sakura Haruno gazing at him instead of paying attention to her.
• Choji Akimichi asked why Kakashi Hatake's team had four members and why Luo Mang had joined despite dropping out of the ninja exam.
• Kakashi Hatake said he had seen Luo Mang doing missions, had saved his life in the wilderness, and added him to the team because of their earlier meeting.
• A server brought the beef, and Sakura Haruno offered to grill for Luo Mang while Ino Yamanaka questioned her about her changed feelings.
• Shikamaru Nara let Choji Akimichi take half his beef, while Naruto asked Kakashi about grilling and Sasuke ate quietly.
• Sakura Haruno served Luo Mang the meat she had cooked, and he praised it but told her to grill her own food.

Luo Mang speculated about his Mangekyo abilities and received a thin Ōtsutsuki bloodline from his Diary Reward. He wondered whether giving the bloodline to Hinata could help her awaken the Tenseigan.

• Luo Mang concluded that his left Mangekyo ability, Calamity, had called down lightning through Heaven and Earth Rejection, and wondered whether his right eye might improve his luck.
• Luo Mang wrote that he had recovered from the bloody scene and his guilt, while Kakashi read the Diary and believed he had adjusted to the shinobi world.
• Luo Mang wrote about Asuma's team and speculated that Asuma might be preparing his son to become Hokage.
• Tsunade read Luo Mang's remarks about her in the Diary, flew into a rage, and vowed to confront him when she returned to the village.
• Luo Mang received a thin Ōtsutsuki bloodline as his Diary Reward and considered whether it could help Hinata awaken the Tenseigan.

Jiraiya confronted Orochimaru outside Otogakure after suspecting he planned to attack Konoha. Their fight escalated into a battle of summons, ending with Gamabunta joining Jiraiya against Orochimaru and the giant snake.

• Jiraiya read Luo Mang's Diary on the road to Otogakure and grew furious when it criticized his habits and distracted him with the Child of Prophecy.
• Jiraiya reached Otogakure, where Orochimaru emerged from hiding with Kimimaro, and Jiraiya accused him of planning to attack Konoha.
• Jiraiya attacked Orochimaru with a Great Flame Bullet and Rasengan, but Orochimaru blocked the flames with Rashomon and summoned a giant purple snake to take the Rasengan.
• Jiraiya trapped the giant snake in the Swamp of the Underworld, escaped Orochimaru's Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, and summoned Gamabunta to help fight.

Uchiha Itachi arrived to observe Orochimaru fighting Jiraiya, then joined the battle instead of siding with Orochimaru. Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima and used Sage Art: Goemon against both missing-nin.

• White Zetsu Tobi alerted Uchiha Itachi to a nearby fight between Orochimaru and someone of similar strength.
• Uchiha Itachi saw Orochimaru and Jiraiya fighting while Gamabunta battled Manda, and he watched from hiding.
• White Zetsu Tobi urged Uchiha Itachi to team up with Jiraiya, but Orochimaru detected and attacked the concealed intruder.
• Orochimaru recognized Uchiha Itachi and proposed they defeat Jiraiya together, but Uchiha Itachi attacked Orochimaru with Susanoo and fire.
• Orochimaru emerged from a snake and attacked Uchiha Itachi, who blocked him with Susanoo as Jiraiya summoned Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima.
• Jiraiya entered Sage Mode with the toad sages and unleashed Sage Art: Goemon at Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi.

Uchiha Itachi captured Orochimaru during Jiraiya’s attack and fled with Tobi, while Jiraiya pursued them. Itachi trapped Jiraiya in Tsukuyomi long enough to reveal his role as an undercover agent and warn him not to harm Sasuke, leaving Jiraiya exhausted as the chase continued.

• Jiraiya and the toad sages disrupted Orochimaru with Frog Song, allowing Uchiha Itachi to trap him in Tsukuyomi and carry him away as Jiraiya’s Rasengan struck a flock of crows.
• Shima sensed Itachi’s escape route, and Jiraiya pursued him while Gamabunta disengaged from Manda.
• Jiraiya threatened Itachi by invoking Sasuke’s safety, prompting Itachi to cast Tsukuyomi on him.
• Inside Tsukuyomi, Itachi told Jiraiya he was an Akatsuki undercover agent and warned him that harming Sasuke would make him expose Konoha’s intelligence and attack the village.
• Fukasaku and Shima noticed Jiraiya’s disrupted chakra and helped him recover after the genjutsu ended; Jiraiya described being stabbed for what felt like three days.

On his day off, Luo Mang welcomed Hinata, who brought him a homemade lunch, and taught her to make breakfast. The two prepared to share the meal together while a Byakugan guard watched from outside.

• Luo Mang answered Hinata’s knock and learned she had brought him a homemade lunch as thanks for his earlier breakfast.
• Luo Mang invited Hinata inside and offered to make breakfast with her, while a hidden Byakugan guard noticed Luo Mang’s abundant chakra and stayed outside.
• Luo Mang taught Hinata how to prepare breakfast, and she listened attentively as they worked closely together.
• Luo Mang saw the large meal Hinata had made and suggested they share it, leaving Hinata surprised by the invitation.

Luo Mang offered Hinata a chance to assimilate a special bloodline that could change her chakra, and she agreed because she trusted him. After she swallowed the pill and began assimilating it, she lost consciousness, leaving Luo Mang anxiously holding her when someone knocked at the door.

• Luo Mang told Hinata that a special bloodline might change her chakra and asked whether she would try it.
• Hinata agreed to the experiment, and Luo Mang gave her a pill made from the thin Ōtsutsuki bloodline.
• Luo Mang instructed Hinata to sit cross-legged and assimilate the bloodline as she began suffering through the process.
• Hinata lost consciousness, and Luo Mang caught her before she hit the floor.
• After half an hour with Hinata still unconscious, Luo Mang heard someone knocking and suspected it was Sakura.

Luo Mang cared for the recovering Hinata Hyuga while Sakura Haruno arrived hoping to spend the day with him. Sakura discovered Hinata at his house and grew jealous, while Hinata leaned into Luo Mang and revealed that they shared a secret.

• Luo Mang wiped Hinata Hyuga clean, covered her, and went downstairs after making sure she was recovering.
• Sakura Haruno arrived with a picnic basket and asked Luo Mang to go out with her, but he tried to turn her away.
• Hinata called out from behind Luo Mang, and Sakura saw her looking flushed and realized she had spent the night at his house.
• Sakura entered despite Luo Mang's reluctance, while Hinata grew weak and fell back into his arms.
• Hinata told Sakura that she and Luo Mang shared a secret.

Luo Mang helped Hinata recover after their secret fusion, while Sakura tried to win his affection with a shrimp breakfast. When Luo Mang admitted he liked Hinata, Sakura warned that the Hyuga Clan could make their relationship dangerous, and Hinata challenged her claim that they were unsuitable.

• Hinata told Luo Mang her legs had recovered, and he helped her stand while apologizing for what had happened.
• Sakura offered Luo Mang a shrimp breakfast, but he said they should let their relationship develop naturally and gently rejected her advances.
• Hinata offered to bring Luo Mang shrimp too, and Sakura asked whether he was rejecting her because he liked Hinata.
• Luo Mang admitted that Sakura could say he was rejecting her because of Hinata, leaving Hinata thrilled and dizzy.
• Sakura warned Hinata that her Hyuga Clan status could make a relationship with ordinary Luo Mang unsuitable and dangerous.
• Hinata questioned why her clan should decide whom she could love.

Sakura Haruno brought breakfast to Luo Mang and ended up sharing it with him and Hinata Hyuga, who grew closer over the meal. Sakura left after Luo Mang declined to go shopping, while Hinata planned to visit him again.

• Hinata Hyuga declared that she would convince her father, but Luo Mang interrupted and suggested they share Sakura Haruno's breakfast.
• Sakura Haruno and Hinata Hyuga went to the kitchen hand in hand, and Hinata praised Sakura's cooking as she ate.
• Sakura Haruno offered Luo Mang food, and he praised her cooking after tasting it.
• Sakura Haruno invited Luo Mang shopping, but he said he wanted to rest before their missions resumed the next day.
• Sakura Haruno left, and Hinata Hyuga said she would visit Luo Mang again before departing.

Luo Mang’s team accepted a C-Rank mission to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves, while Kakashi and Sasuke learned from Luo Mang’s Diary that Zabuza and Haku would attack them. Luo Mang considered letting Zabuza escape to preserve the predicted events, and Kakashi decided they should follow the prophecy.

• Kakashi arrived and announced that the team would leave the village to escort a client on a C-Rank mission.
• Luo Mang read the mission details: the team would protect Tazuna on his journey to the Land of Waves and assist with bridge construction.
• Luo Mang wrote in his Diary that the trip would begin Sasuke and Naruto’s bond and that Zabuza and Haku would attack the team.
• Kakashi realized that Haku had tricked him in the predicted encounter and that he could have defeated the attackers before exhausting himself.
• Luo Mang considered letting Zabuza escape so events would follow the prophecy, and Kakashi agreed that the team should preserve its course.

Kakashi led Luo Mang and his students out of Konoha to escort Tazuna, while Tsunade returned to the village to confront a brat and meet Hiruzen. Hiruzen wondered whether Tsunade had finally decided to come back for good.

• Kakashi trusted Luo Mang’s prophecy, bought supplies with the team, and left Konoha with Tazuna for their mission.
• Tazuna objected to being assigned young escorts, but Kakashi reminded him that the mission was only C-rank and led the group onward.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha with Shizune and told the guards to notify Hiruzen that she wanted to see him.
• Tsunade refused to explain to Shizune why she had come back, saying she was looking for a brat.
• Hiruzen heard that Tsunade had returned and wondered whether she had finally made up her mind.

Tsunade visited Hiruzen Sarutobi to obtain the roster for Kakashi’s team, while Hiruzen tried to persuade her to become Hokage. Shimura Danzō arrived and waited to speak with Hiruzen, who refused to restore his authority and told him to enjoy retirement.

• Tsunade entered the Hokage Office and told Hiruzen Sarutobi she had returned to ask about a man on Kakashi’s team.
• Hiruzen searched for Kakashi’s team roster and again urged Tsunade to become Hokage.
• Shimura Danzō entered the office and watched as Hiruzen handed Tsunade the records.
• Tsunade left after refusing Hiruzen’s offer, and Danzō stayed behind to speak with him.
• Hiruzen refused to let Danzō return to power in the Anbu or Root and advised him to enjoy retirement or have children.

Tsunade tried to find Luo Mang to confront him about Konoha's finances, but discovered he had left on a mission to the Land of Waves. On the road, Luo Mang encouraged Sakura Haruno to consider becoming a medical ninja, prompting Kakashi to remember his former teammate Rin.

• Tsunade left the Hokage Building, spotted Luo Mang in the team report, and set out to find him.
• Shizune's call drew a crowd around Tsunade, so Tsunade used the Body Flicker Technique to escape and told Shizune to meet her at the Senju Clan Compound.
• Tsunade reached Luo Mang's empty home and read his Diary, learning that he had gone on a mission to the Land of Waves.
• On the road, Sakura Haruno offered Luo Mang medicine after he sneezed, and he suggested she would make a good medical ninja.
• Naruto agreed with Luo Mang's suggestion, while Kakashi remembered that his former teammate Rin had been a medical ninja.

Luo Mang and Team 7 escorted Tazuna toward the Land of Waves while Sakura received medical books and Naruto got a painful forehead flick from Kakashi. When two hidden attackers struck, Sasuke reacted first and launched a Fire Release technique.

• Luo Mang gave Sakura a medical handbook, and Kakashi lent her books on Medical Ninjutsu to copy and study.
• Naruto asked Kakashi for a gift and received a painful flick to the forehead, while Sasuke and Sakura focused on their surroundings and books.
• The team replenished supplies in villages along the way, then formed up around Tazuna as Kakashi led them onward.
• Luo Mang and Kakashi noticed signs of hidden enemies, and Sasuke also sensed something was wrong.
• The Demon Brothers attacked with Shuriken, but Sasuke shoved Naruto out of their path and responded with his Sharingan and Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.