Chapter Summaries

Luo Mang joined Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura’s team and met them at the bridge before Kakashi arrived late. The team gathered for its first meeting, with Luo Mang anticipating Kakashi’s bell test.

• Luo Mang met Sasuke and Sakura at the bridge and explained that the Hokage had assigned him to their team.
• Naruto arrived late, and Luo Mang gave him tissues and told him they would be teammates.
• Naruto celebrated joining the same team as Luo Mang and talked about his dream of becoming a Hokage admired by everyone.
• Kakashi arrived late while reading Icha Icha Paradise, and Luo Mang anticipated that he would make them compete for bells.

Kakashi began a bell-snatching test for Team 7, challenging the students to take the bells from him. Luo Mang and Sasuke coordinated attacks while Naruto charged in with clones, but Kakashi avoided their techniques and knocked the clones down.

• Kakashi told the students to follow him to a river for a test.
• Kakashi explained that the students had to defeat him or take the bells from his hand, and Sasuke objected to working with teammates.
• Luo Mang and Sasuke attacked together, combining thrown weapons, Sasuke’s Great Fireball Technique, and Luo Mang’s Water Release.
• Kakashi used the Substitution Technique to evade their attacks and praised their cooperation.
• Naruto summoned over a dozen shadow clones and shouted as they charged Kakashi, who kicked them all to the ground.

Luo Mang outsmarted Kakashi and took the bells during Team 7’s test, while Kakashi assessed the students’ performance and distributed lunch. The chapter ended with Sakura tied to a post and Naruto offering to give up his bell for her, though his hunger made the offer uncertain.

• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Luo Mang attacked Kakashi, and Luo Mang used a transformation to seize the bells while Kakashi was distracted.
• Kakashi praised Luo Mang’s teamwork and ranked Sasuke and Naruto behind him, with Sakura last.
• Kakashi criticized Sakura for failing to support the others, Naruto for shouting during a sneak attack, and Sasuke for using genjutsu against him.
• Kakashi gave lunch to the three strongest performers and tied Sakura to a post without food.
• Naruto offered to give Sakura his bell, but his stomach growled, and Sakura refused to take it.

Luo Mang helped his new team share lunch with Sakura Haruno during Kakashi's test, and Kakashi declared them passed for valuing their comrade. Kakashi officially became their teacher and led them to pick up a mission.

• After Kakashi left, Sakura Haruno grew hungry while tied to a post, and Naruto Uzumaki offered to share his lunch with her.
• Luo Mang persuaded Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha to share their food with Sakura Haruno, and Kakashi listened from a nearby tree.
• Luo Mang freed Sakura Haruno's hands, and the four teammates ate together despite the risk of being caught.
• Kakashi appeared and announced that the team had passed because they valued their comrades, then officially accepted them as his students.
• After a vote, Kakashi postponed treating Naruto to another meal and led the team to pick up a mission.

After Team 7 finished a tiring day of D-rank missions, Sakura thanked Luo Mang and realized her feelings had shifted from Sasuke to him. Luo Mang wondered whether his presence would alter Sakura’s future path as Tsunade’s apprentice.

• Kakashi led Luo Mang, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura through four exhausting D-rank missions, then treated them to ramen with their earnings.
• After dinner, Sakura thanked Luo Mang for helping her earlier, while he treated her feelings as uncertain and left.
• Sakura decided she would not give up on Luo Mang and planned to ask Academy students about his interests.
• Kakashi read Luo Mang’s diary and wondered whether he was pursuing both Sakura and Hinata.
• Luo Mang considered whether his influence would change Sakura’s future apprenticeship under Tsunade and hoped she would still become powerful.

Tsunade found a mysterious Diary that showed a bloody battle between Sasuke Uchiha and Shimura Danzō, triggering her fear of blood. When it revealed that she might train Sakura Haruno and insulted her as an old granny, Tsunade began searching its pages for the author's identity.

• Tsunade and Shizune soaked in a hot spring after Tsunade lost her money gambling.
• Tsunade found a Diary on her bed and read its entries about an unknown person, the Sharingan, and Danzo.
• Tsunade watched the Diary's video of Sasuke Uchiha fighting Shimura Danzō and collapsed after the blood brought back her war memories.
• The Diary glowed and revealed that Tsunade might someday take Sakura Haruno as her apprentice.
• Tsunade read the author's insult about her age and carefully searched the Diary for clues to his identity.

Jiraiya received the Diary and learned that Orochimaru had founded Otogakure and was plotting to attack Konoha. He resolved to investigate the village, find Orochimaru, and stop him if he threatened Konoha.

• Jiraiya discovered the Diary in his inn room and read its videos about future events, including Pain and threats to Konoha.
• Jiraiya watched a video in which Orochimaru revealed that he had founded Otogakure and planned to use pawns for his ambitions.
• Jiraiya concluded that Orochimaru had joined forces with another major village to carry out the Konoha Crush Plan and vowed to kill him if he attacked Konoha.
• Jiraiya considered whether Naruto was the Child of Prophecy and questioned why Tsunade would be Hokage when Pain invaded.
• Jiraiya decided to investigate Otogakure the next day and return to Konoha afterward, then stored the Diary in his head and vowed to capture Orochimaru alive unless he threatened the village.

Sakura brought Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Naruto lunch to thank them for helping her the day before, while Luo Mang worried about future dangers surrounding the Chunin Exams. The team waited for Naruto and Kakashi, with Sasuke left wondering whether Luo Mang had foreseen a perilous mission.

• Luo Mang arrived at the meeting place and found Sakura waiting with three large lunch boxes.
• Sakura explained that she had made lunches for Luo Mang, Sasuke, and Naruto to repay them for helping her.
• Sasuke arrived, accepted his lunch after seeing Luo Mang had accepted one, and asked what mission the team might receive.
• Luo Mang expected more minor missions and privately worried about the coming Chunin Exams and a possible invasion.
• Sasuke noticed Luo Mang’s changing expression and wondered if he knew about a future life-threatening mission.

Luo Mang’s diary revealed Orochimaru’s plan to attack Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams and hinted that Sasuke would meet Karin there. Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Sasuke reacted to the revelations, while Itachi’s lapse in concentration let the Four-Tails escape; Obito doubted Itachi had done so deliberately.

• Naruto joined Sakura, Luo Mang, and the others for a day of exhausting missions before Kakashi sent them home.
• Luo Mang wrote that the Land of Waves mission seemed survivable but worried about Orochimaru’s plan to destroy Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Kakashi read the diary and regretted letting a Chunin rescue Zabuza, while Jiraiya hurried to investigate Orochimaru and Otogakure.
• Luo Mang worried about Sasuke and another person being targeted, then revealed that Sasuke would meet Karin during the exams; Sasuke was excited to learn about her.
• Itachi pursued the escaped Four-Tails, while Tobi complained about the failed capture and Itachi recalled that thinking of Sasuke had briefly distracted him.
• Obito and Black Zetsu appeared and discussed Itachi’s lapse, with Obito concluding that Itachi probably had not let the Four-Tails escape on purpose.

Uchiha Itachi fought the jinchūriki Roshi and Han, using Susanoo and Amaterasu to wound them but failing to stop Roshi from preparing a Tailed Beast Bomb. Han recovered from Itachi’s attack and challenged him as Itachi and White Zetsu Tobi prepared to evade.

• White Zetsu Tobi spotted Roshi hiding nearby, and Roshi revealed that he had called Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, to help him.
• Uchiha Itachi summoned Susanoo and fought Han, whose Steam Armor attacks damaged the giant's defenses.
• Itachi used Amaterasu on Roshi, then struck Han with Susanoo while Han rushed to help his friend.
• Roshi endured the black flames and began gathering a Tailed Beast Bomb, forcing Itachi to retreat and prepare to dodge.
• Han climbed out of the crater and confronted Itachi as steam billowed around him.

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.