Recaps

Naruto and his classmates discussed the expected team assignments, and the classroom emptied as jonin collected students in groups. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were left together, awaiting their team leader.

• Naruto recalled why Might Guy had chosen to teach Rock Lee and how the clans’ traditions shaped the likely team assignments.
• Ino and Hinata hoped to be placed on Naruto’s team, but Naruto gently explained why they would probably be assigned elsewhere.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and their classmates joked about Yusuke and Jiro as the other students were taken away in groups.
• Naruto and Sasuke accepted that they would likely be teammates, while Sakura fantasized about being paired with both boys.
• The classroom door opened after Naruto and Sasuke turned away from Sakura.

Kakashi Hatake introduced himself as Team 7’s leader and told Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to meet him at the training grounds early the next morning. He warned them not to eat breakfast and left Sakura and Sasuke anxious about the mysterious assignment, while Naruto recognized that Kakashi was preparing a bell test.

• Kakashi Hatake introduced himself to Team 7 and asked the three genin to share their names, likes, and dreams.
• Naruto Uzumaki said he wanted to become Hokage and protect the village, while Sasuke Uchiha refused to reveal his personal goals.
• Sakura Haruno said she wanted to become a beautiful, powerful kunoichi and glanced at Naruto as she spoke.
• Kakashi instructed Team 7 to meet him at the village training grounds at five the next morning and warned them not to eat breakfast.
• Naruto recognized Kakashi’s warning as a bluff about the bell test, while Sakura and Sasuke worried about the challenge ahead.

Naruto prepared for Kakashi’s bell test, confident in his strength and his seal-less Divine Vacuum Attack techniques. At the training ground, Kakashi embarrassed himself by accidentally buying the adult edition of Naruto’s novel, then explained that the test would also teach the team to adapt when intelligence became unreliable.

• Naruto reviewed his elemental Divine Vacuum Attack techniques and trained with heavier weights before Sasuke and Sakura arrived at the training ground.
• Naruto began explaining the bell test, but Kakashi appeared and told Sasuke and Sakura that they had to compete for two bells, warning them they might have to kill or be killed.
• Kakashi sent Sasuke and Sakura ahead, then showed Naruto the collector’s edition of The Lustful Ninja Chronicles of Shimura that he had bought.
• Naruto pointed out the adult-content label on Kakashi’s book, and Kakashi blushed before claiming he had bought the wrong edition by mistake.
• Kakashi told Naruto not to communicate with Sasuke and Sakura during the test and explained that ninja must adapt even when prior intelligence becomes outdated.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought Kakashi for the bells, showing unexpectedly powerful ninjutsu and teamwork. Kakashi was forced to take the test seriously, and the battle continued with Naruto pressing him using a flaming branch.

• Kakashi began the bell test, threatening to send the whole team back to the Ninja Academy if they failed by noon.
• Naruto blasted Kakashi away with a wind technique, trapped his substituted log in a water prison, and forced him out of the ground with earth spikes.
• Sasuke attacked Kakashi with Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson, and Naruto followed by smashing through Kakashi's earth wall with a lightning attack.
• Sakura circled behind Kakashi and planted an Explosive Tag on his back, but Kakashi escaped the blast by discarding his vest.
• Naruto caught Kakashi off guard with a branch that erupted in flames, scorching Kakashi's glove as the fight continued.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura passed Kakashi’s test, but Kakashi presented them with a second challenge by offering only two lunch boxes before a mission. Sakura chose to share with Naruto, while Sasuke offered to share his meal with Naruto instead; Naruto then revealed he had packed extra food, leaving everyone surprised.

• Kakashi ended the test after Naruto showed him a limited-edition novel and declared that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had passed.
• Kakashi offered the three students two lunch boxes and told them they had a D-rank mission to complete after eating.
• Sasuke stopped Naruto from speaking so he could see what Sakura would choose, and Naruto bet that Sakura would bring them the lunch boxes.
• Sakura gave one lunch box to Sasuke and offered to share the other with Naruto.
• Sasuke told Sakura to eat her own lunch and offered to share with Naruto, but Naruto revealed that he had brought four lunch boxes.

Naruto shared a specially prepared lunch with his team, reminding Kakashi of Minato and Kushina. After Hanabi playfully greeted Naruto, she learned how little his team earned from their D-rank mission and invited them to ramen; they left together, with Naruto promising to cook for her and Hinata another time.

• Naruto revealed that his Ninja Tool Pouch contained a sealed box and handed lunch to Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, stirring Kakashi's memories of Minato and Kushina.
• Hanabi jumped onto Naruto's back and asked about his missions, then learned from him how ninja mission ranks and pay worked.
• Hanabi offered to treat Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to ramen, but Naruto initially refused her offer.
• Sasuke recalled the money he had inherited and considered letting it serve its intended purpose.
• Naruto accepted Hanabi's invitation after she insisted, promised to cook for her and Hinata another time, and Hanabi invited Sasuke and Sakura along.

Naruto continued struggling to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique before he and Team 10 were ordered to reinforce Team 8 on an A-rank mission in the Land of Waves. The group reached the coast the next morning, where Naruto’s exceptional stamina astonished his teammates.

• Naruto failed to master the Flying Thunder God Technique and left to meet his teammates.
• The Third revealed that Zabuza Momochi threatened Team 8 during an escort mission and ordered Team 7 and Team 10 to reinforce them.
• Asuma rushed to the Land of Waves after learning Kurenai Yuhi was in danger, and Kakashi led both teams after him.
• The teams raced through the night, taking turns letting Naruto carry them to conserve their strength.
• The group reached the Land of Waves the next morning, and Sakura and Shikamaru marveled at Naruto’s stamina.

Kiba led Kakashi and the reinforcements to Tazuna’s house, where they found Kurenai injured but recovering. After Kakashi said the escort mission was over because Tazuna had concealed its true danger, Tazuna begged them to save the Land of Waves, but Naruto accused him of spending the mission money on liquor and gambling with the ninja’s lives.

• Kiba told Kakashi that Team 8 had fought Zabuza, that Kurenai had been injured protecting Tazuna, and that Hinata had treated her.
• Kiba brought the reinforcements to Tazuna’s house, where they found Kurenai recovering and learned that Kiba had beaten Tazuna after discovering his lie about the mission’s rank.
• Asuma rushed to Kurenai’s side, while Kakashi told Kiba that Tazuna’s deception ended the escort mission and ordered the group to prepare to leave.
• Tazuna prostrated himself and explained that Gato’s oppression and the threat from Zabuza endangered the Land of Waves and its unfinished bridge.
• Naruto accused Tazuna of spending the villagers’ money on expensive liquor, and Tazuna’s attempt to hide the bottle convinced the others that he had deceived them.

After learning that Tazuna had lied about the mission’s rank, Asuma nearly killed him, but Kurenai’s plea stopped him. Tazuna promised to pay for an S-rank mission, and the team prepared to rest before confronting Zabuza.

• Kiba confronted Tazuna for lying about the mission’s rank, and Asuma tried to kill him until Tsunami begged him to spare her father.
• Tazuna promised to pay up to three million ryo for the team to deal with Zabuza and Gato, and Kakashi persuaded Asuma to let him live.
• Kurenai asked Asuma not to hurt Tazuna, and the team agreed to treat the commission as an S-rank mission.
• Kakashi and Asuma decided the exhausted team would rest for a day or two before pursuing Zabuza, while the Genin would handle lesser enemies.
• Asuma went to share a room with Kurenai, and Kiba suggested dividing the remaining Genin between the two other rooms.

Naruto made fish soup and handcrafted furniture for his companions at Tazuna's house, moving Asuma with his kindness and surprising the others with his skills. When Tazuna's grandson Inari appeared, Naruto offered him a bowl of soup.

• Naruto prepared fish soup and gave Asuma a bowl for Kurenai, prompting Asuma to promise Naruto a barbecue after the mission.
• Naruto's companions woke to find a new wooden table, bowls, plates, spoons, and a wooden sword he had made.
• Ino, Sasuke, Hinata, Shino, and the others admired Naruto's craftsmanship and cooking.
• Inari came to the dining room, and Tazuna hurried to pull his grandson away from the ninja.
• Naruto filled a bowl with fish soup and gently offered it to Inari.

Naruto confronted Inari after the boy knocked away his bowl of fish soup and blamed all ninja for Gato’s actions. Naruto warned Inari to distinguish enemies from friends, then offered him breakfast again, leaving Inari shaken but willing to accept it.

• Inari struck Naruto’s wrist and sent the bowl of fish soup crashing to the floor.
• Naruto placed the overturned bowl on Inari’s head and challenged his anger toward ninja who were trying to help.
• Tazuna pleaded with Naruto to forgive Inari, while Naruto urged the boy to think clearly and warned him against lashing out at friends.
• Naruto removed the bowl, filled it with fish soup, and offered it to Inari again, and Inari timidly nodded.

Naruto and Ino spent a rare quiet moment catching up outside, while their companions secretly watched and teased them. The group left Naruto and Ino embarrassed beneath the tree as everyone pretended they had only come out for fresh air.

• Ino pulled Naruto outside and praised him for standing up to the troublesome boy, while Naruto said the boy could still change if his environment improved.
• Ino asked Naruto why he had not visited, and Naruto explained that training and missions had kept him busy; she asked him to invite her when he had free time.
• Naruto asked about the Yamanaka Flower Shop, and Ino excitedly told him about its hydrangeas, orchids, and other news.
• Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others secretly watched Naruto and Ino talking beneath the tree.
• Naruto noticed the crowd of spectators, and Ino blushed and protested as Kakashi and Asuma pretended they had stopped outside only to rest and enjoy the fresh air.

Naruto and Kiba exposed Haku, who had disguised himself as a woman and infiltrated the group near Tazuna’s cottage. Haku was captured, and his mention of Kakashi’s Sharingan shocked Sasuke as Kiba learned Haku was a man.

• Hinata recognized Haku as Zabuza’s companion and warned Ino to alert Naruto and Kiba.
• Naruto, Kiba, and Akamaru ambushed Haku, pinned him down, and the others surrounded him.
• Kakashi questioned Haku, who confirmed he was Zabuza Momochi’s companion and identified Kakashi as the Copy Ninja with the Sharingan.
• Sasuke reacted with shock and confusion when he learned Kakashi possessed the Sharingan.
• Naruto explained that Haku’s features and gait seemed masculine, leaving Kiba stunned to discover the beautiful kimono-clad person was a man.
• Haku said he had never claimed to be a woman and apologized for giving Kiba the wrong impression.

Kakashi explained his Sharingan to Sasuke, then asked Naruto to weigh in on whether the team should kill their captive, Haku, before attempting to kill Zabuza. Naruto agreed that keeping an enemy alive was too dangerous, leaving Haku to silently accept his apparent fate.

• Kakashi took Sasuke outside and answered his questions about why he possessed the Uchiha clan's Sharingan.
• Kakashi and Sasuke returned, and Asuma proposed killing Haku to avoid guarding a dangerous prisoner during the mission against Zabuza.
• Kakashi asked Naruto for his opinion, and Naruto agreed with Asuma, saying that mercy toward enemies could endanger them.
• Haku trembled briefly, then closed his eyes and accepted the decision, while Sasuke recognized Naruto's resolve toward enemies.

Naruto’s team prepared for Zabuza’s attack, then fought Zabuza and Gato’s men in the mist. With Hinata relaying Zabuza’s movements through Ino’s mind network, Naruto blocked Zabuza’s surprise strike and left him shocked that his position had been revealed.

• Naruto dislocated Haku’s shoulders and tied him up after the Nine-Tails warned that hostile forces were approaching.
• Kakashi assigned Hinata, Ino, and Sakura to guard Tazuna’s family and the recovering Kurenai Yuhi, while the others split into a frontal team and a flanking team.
• Naruto confronted Zabuza outside the house and created hundreds of shadow clones to surround him and Gato’s men.
• Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba, Asuma, and their allies attacked Zabuza and his forces, while Zabuza thickened the mist with the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Hinata spotted Zabuza through the mist with her Byakugan and warned Naruto through Ino’s Mind Transmission Technique network.
• Naruto blocked Zabuza’s attack from behind with his wooden sword, leaving Zabuza stunned that Naruto had found him.

Konoha’s ninja used Hinata’s Byakugan guidance to overcome Zabuza’s Hidden Mist Technique and corner him. As Zabuza faced defeat, he unleashed a demon transformation and renewed the fight.

• Hinata guided Naruto, Kakashi, and Asuma through the mist, allowing them to attack Zabuza and wound him badly.
• Naruto used Wind Pressure Pull to disperse the mist, revealing Zabuza surrounded by Konoha’s ninja and the bodies of Gato’s hired desperadoes.
• Zabuza deduced that Hinata and a Yamanaka ninja inside the cabin had relayed battlefield information to the fighters.
• Naruto told Zabuza he had no chance of winning, but Zabuza tore off his face bandages and transformed into a blood-eyed demon.

Naruto, Kakashi, and their allies defeated Zabuza and Haku through coordinated attacks at Tazuna’s house. Kakashi took the Kubikiribōchō as Zabuza fell, while Shikamaru and Choji immobilized and crushed Haku.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone threatened Haku and offered Zabuza a chance to surrender the Kubikiribōchō, but Zabuza refused.
• Naruto reshaped the ground to trip Zabuza, allowing Kakashi and Asuma to strike and badly wound him.
• Haku freed his dislocated arms and attacked Asuma with Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, but Naruto and Sasuke combined Wind Release and Majestic Destroyer Flame to melt the ice maze and knock Haku out of it.
• Kakashi kicked Zabuza down, caught the Kubikiribōchō, and declared the fight over.
• Shikamaru immobilized Haku with Shadow Imitation Technique, and Choji struck him with Human Bullet Tank, leaving him bloodied and unable to stand.

Gato’s ronin attacked the exhausted Konoha team, and Naruto used a life-shortening healing technique to restore Zabuza and Haku. Zabuza killed Gato and his men, but Kakashi then revealed that his mission included killing Zabuza and prepared to carry it out.

• Gato arrived with a crowd of ronin and mocked Zabuza, Haku, and the Konoha ninja, prompting Sasuke to attack.
• Ino exhausted herself maintaining the Mind Transmission Technique and fell asleep while Hinata and Sakura cared for her.
• Zabuza asked Kakashi to let him kill Gato, and Naruto healed Zabuza and Haku with the Life Restoration, Lifespan Reduction Technique.
• Zabuza slaughtered Gato’s ronin and beheaded Gato with the Kubikiribōchō.
• Kakashi said his reinforcement mission included killing Zabuza, who bowed his head and asked him to spare Haku.

Naruto and the Konoha team spared Zabuza and Haku in exchange for the Kubikiribōchō, then returned to Konoha with the mission complete. After discovering Naruto had used a powerful Contract Seal, Hiruzen realized he had accidentally given Naruto the Complete Sealing Jutsu Compendium and went to investigate what Naruto had learned.

• Asuma argued that Zabuza and Haku should be spared, and Naruto offered to let them go if they surrendered the Kubikiribōchō.
• Zabuza accepted Naruto's terms, and he and Haku quietly left the Land of Waves before dawn.
• Asuma explained to Kakashi that Zabuza's loyalty and compassion made him worth keeping alive as a possible future ally against Kirigakure.
• The Konoha group returned home, and Kakashi reported the mission to Hiruzen while presenting the Kubikiribōchō.
• Hiruzen recognized the Contract Seal on the sword and realized he had mistakenly given Naruto the Complete Sealing Jutsu Compendium instead of an introductory scroll.
• Hiruzen went to Naruto's home to confirm where the compendium was and learn how many sealing techniques Naruto had mastered.

Hiashi and Inoichi arrived at Naruto's home to find their daughters, then found themselves joined by the Third, who reflected on his failed efforts to protect Naruto from the village's rejection. The three men waited for Naruto to return, leaving Hiashi and Inoichi increasingly uneasy about the Third's sudden gloom.

• Hiashi pushed Inoichi into Naruto's home and confronted him about their previous encounter in the forest.
• The Third arrived with a fish, and the three men sat together in awkward silence until Naruto called them to dinner.
• After Naruto left to buy beer, Hiashi told the Third that he and Inoichi had come to find their daughters.
• The Third recalled his vow to protect Naruto, his attempts to shield him from rumors, and his regret that Naruto still faced rejection.
• Hiashi and Inoichi exchanged uneasy glances as the room fell silent and they wondered why Naruto had not returned.

The Third Hokage sent Naruto and the girls out, then invited Konoha’s clan leaders to discuss Naruto. He said Naruto was looking more and more like the Fourth Hokage, leaving the others wondering whether he would finally reveal Naruto’s parentage despite the risks to the village.

• Naruto returned with beer, and the Third Hokage gave him and Hanabi money so the children could leave the adults alone.
• The Third Hokage reminisced about his late wife Biwako and urged Hiashi and Inoichi to drink with him.
• The Third Hokage asked Hiashi and Inoichi to bring Shikaku and Choza, who arrived with sake, a grill, and venison.
• The Third Hokage told the four clan leaders that Naruto was looking more and more like the Fourth Hokage.
• Hiashi, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza wondered whether the Third Hokage would reveal Naruto’s parentage and feared the village backlash.

The Third Hokage told Shikaku, Choza, Inoichi, and Hiashi that he planned to step down, make Jiraiya the Fifth Hokage, and blame Danzō for Naruto’s mistreatment. As they discussed Konoha’s succession crisis, the Third considered Hiashi but judged him too weak to lead the village.

• The Third Hokage said he would bring Jiraiya back to become Fifth Hokage and reveal Naruto’s parentage and suffering so Jiraiya could clear his name.
• The Third planned to place responsibility for the wrongdoing on Shimura Danzō and retire alongside Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.
• The Third asked whether Jiraiya or Tsunade would make a better Hokage, and Shikaku cautiously said both had comparable experience and accomplishments.
• The Third lamented that Jiraiya refused the office, Tsunade would not return, and Konoha lacked a ready successor after the deaths of Hatake Sakumo and Minato Namikaze.
• Shikaku, Inoichi, Choza, and the Third turned their attention to Hiashi, but the Third decided Hiashi was too weak to lead Konoha.

Asuma gave Naruto money to treat his friends, while Konohamaru and his companions began secretly watching Naruto to judge his abilities. At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto recognized the children spying on them, and Hinata remembered giving Naruto sunflowers years earlier.

• Asuma met Naruto and his friends, gave Naruto money for their meal, and encouraged him to make sure everyone had a good time.
• Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi formed the Konohamaru Corps and decided to watch Naruto to see whether he was as impressive as Konohamaru's grandfather claimed.
• Naruto took Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi to Ichiraku Ramen and worried about where to take them afterward.
• Ino and Hinata sensed three watchers, and Naruto identified them as Konohamaru and his two followers.
• Ino and Hanabi offered Naruto narutomaki, and Hinata recalled giving him sunflowers three or four years earlier.

Hinata reflected on her love for Naruto and her fear of expressing it while Ino encouraged her to pursue him. After Naruto treated Konohamaru and his friends kindly, he gave Hinata sunflowers and urged her to be brave, leaving her touched by his words.

• Hinata remembered giving Naruto sunflowers and realized she still struggled to meet his gaze, while Ino encouraged her to go after him.
• Naruto left to buy takoyaki for Hanabi, and Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon followed him and tried to ambush him.
• Naruto easily subdued the children, ignored Konohamaru's status as the Hokage's grandson, and shared takoyaki with them.
• Konohamaru recognized that Naruto treated him without special regard for his family name and felt newly determined to earn recognition himself.
• Naruto walked Hinata and Hanabi near the Hyuga Clan Compound, gave Hinata sunflowers, and praised her strength as he encouraged her to become braver.

Naruto shared a tender moment with Ino before Inoichi took her home, then returned to find Lord Third waiting to discuss his sealing studies. The chapter ended with Lord Third astonished that Naruto had learned more than half the scroll and was practicing variations of the Four Symbols Seal.

• Naruto reassured Ino that he valued her gentleness, but Inoichi arrived and took her home while telling Naruto that Lord Third wanted to see him.
• After Hiashi was taken home, Shikaku warned Inoichi not to interfere with Ino's choices and urged him to support her.
• Naruto returned home and found Lord Third waiting amid the remnants of the evening's gathering.
• Lord Third asked about the sealing jutsu scroll, and Naruto said he had learned more than half and was practicing Four Symbols Seal variations.
• Lord Third was stunned by Naruto's progress and recognized his extraordinary talent.