Chapter Summaries

Naruto hosted his friends for dinner, and Ino discovered that the others had been sharing his cooking for months. That night, Shikamaru suspected Naruto’s parentage, but Shikaku warned him never to say the possibility aloud.

• Naruto transformed his appearance to buy chairs, then cooked dinner for his friends at home.
• Choji suggested eating at his family’s barbecue restaurant, but Shikamaru said Naruto’s cooking was better and kept the gathering at Naruto’s apartment.
• Ino learned that Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Shino, Hinata, and Hanabi had regularly pooled money to buy ingredients for Naruto’s lunches.
• At the Nara Residence, Shikamaru asked Shikaku why the Third Hokage had acted as he did regarding Naruto.
• Shikamaru said Naruto’s blond hair, blue eyes, and Uzumaki surname pointed to one possible parentage, but Shikaku stopped him and warned him not to say it aloud.

Shikamaru rejected the idea that his family name should decide how he saw Naruto and asked Shikaku to teach him the Nara Clan’s secret techniques. Shikaku agreed to begin teaching him the Shadow Imitation Technique the next day, while warning him about the difficult training ahead.

• Shikaku explained that Danzo and Root might spy on the Nara Clan even though the Third Hokage would not, and reminded Shikamaru that Naruto’s character mattered more than the villagers’ beliefs about him.
• Shikaku recalled that Naruto had helped Shikamaru and Choji, but Shikamaru insisted that their identities did not prevent him from choosing his own path or judging Naruto for himself.
• Shikaku considered Naruto’s unusual mix of abilities and wondered whether he could reach Minato’s level.
• Shikamaru asked Shikaku to teach him the Nara Clan’s secret techniques so Naruto would not leave him behind, and Shikaku agreed to start teaching him the Shadow Imitation Technique after school each day.
• Shikaku explained the demands of Yin-Yang Release training, and Shikamaru confirmed that he was ready to become stronger.

Inoichi and Rino realized that Ino might have fallen for Naruto, and Inoichi worried about her growing friendship with the jinchūriki. Meanwhile, Naruto successfully created and dissolved a Wood Release prison, leaving the Nine-Tails astonished by his talent at not even eight years old.

• Ino told Inoichi that she and several classmates had gone to Naruto's house for dinner, easing some of her father's concern.
• Inoichi and Rino discussed Ino's apparent feelings for Naruto, and Inoichi warned that he would not let Naruto mistreat her.
• Naruto used Wood Release to form a wooden prison and then retracted it without damaging the floor.
• The Nine-Tails recognized the life force in Naruto's Wood Release and marveled at his skill and age.

Naruto visited Sasuke in the hospital and offered to train with him after he recovered. Hoping to earn money, Naruto wrote a novel and secured a publishing deal under the pen name Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng.

• Naruto joked with Sasuke in the hospital, then offered to train with him after he was discharged.
• Sasuke agreed to consider training with Naruto but refused the idea of wearing a green bodysuit or following Might Guy's methods.
• Naruto returned from his Shadow Clone's visit and decided to write a novel despite never having read the genre he chose.
• Naruto skipped training, used the Transformation Technique to buy manuscript paper, and wrote a story about Shimura and Chiyo.
• An editor praised Naruto's manuscript and offered him a sixty-forty royalty split, which Naruto accepted under the pen name Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng.

Danzo confronted Hiruzen over The Lustful Ninja Chronicles of Shimura, which he believed insulted him and risked causing trouble with Sunagakure, while Hiruzen dismissed his concerns and enjoyed the book. Kakashi became absorbed in the novel and put off sparring with Guy as he praised its author and wondered what would happen next.

• Danzo stormed into Hiruzen's office and accused foreign spies of spreading the book to slander his reputation.
• Hiruzen argued that the fictional Shimura and Chiyo were unrelated to Danzo and Sunagakure, then praised the novel's romantic scene.
• Guy found Kakashi exhausted from reading The Lustful Ninja Chronicles of Shimura and tried to revive him with a sparring match.
• Kakashi asked Guy to wait until he finished the book and recalled discovering it while searching a mission target's residence.
• Kakashi admired the novel's characters and Shimura's pursuit of his ambitions, then praised Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng and focused on the story's continuation.

Five years after Naruto’s life improved through his novel’s royalties, he approached the Ninja Academy graduation exam despite still failing the Clone Technique. After school, Mizuki began drawing him into a plan to steal the Scroll of Seals, and Naruto decided to play along after warning the Third Hokage.

• Naruto failed the Clone Technique in class, while his classmates stayed quiet after Akamaru had frightened students who mocked him in the past.
• Iruka reflected on Naruto’s growth, friendships, and popularity, while Naruto noticed Mizuki watching through the classroom door.
• Naruto decided to let Mizuki’s plan unfold so he could gain access to the Scroll of Seals, but planned to warn the Third Hokage first.
• Mizuki stopped Naruto and his friends after school and asked to speak with him alone.
• Naruto sent his friends ahead to the training grounds, and Mizuki remarked on the respect Naruto commanded from his classmates.

Naruto pretended to fall for Mizuki’s plan to steal the Scroll of Seals, then reported him to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen turned the incident into a test and sent Naruto into the forest with the real scroll while secretly arranging to observe the village clans’ reactions and consider potential matches for him.

• Mizuki manipulated Naruto by claiming the Scroll of Seals could help him become a ninja, while Naruto secretly planned to use the opportunity to learn more ninjutsu.
• Naruto asked to seek the Third Hokage’s permission, so Mizuki panicked and persuaded him to take the scroll first.
• Naruto told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Mizuki had urged him to steal the Scroll of Seals, and Hiruzen praised his loyalty to Konoha.
• Hiruzen gave Naruto the real Scroll of Seals and sent him toward the forest as part of a test.
• Hiruzen ordered Inoichi Yamanaka and Hyuga Hiashi to be told that Naruto had run off with the scroll, intending to observe the major clans and assess potential matches for Naruto.

After Naruto stole the Scroll of Seals, Inoichi and Hiashi received orders to capture him, while Ino and Hanabi struggled to believe he had gone rogue. Naruto studied the forbidden techniques in the forest, unaware that Inoichi was closing in to confront him.

• Ino overheard the ANBU order Inoichi to pursue Naruto and insisted Mizuki must have tricked him.
• Inoichi told Ino to alert Shikaku while he went to find Naruto and explain the deception.
• Hiashi accepted the Third Hokage’s order to track Naruto, and Hanabi hurried to tell Hinata what she had heard.
• Naruto read the Scroll of Seals and began memorizing its forbidden techniques.
• Inoichi sensed Naruto’s chakra and approached, planning to control him and give him a beating before questioning him.

Shikaku reassured Ino that Naruto had not deserted the village, while Hinata and Hanabi sneaked out to find him. Naruto used Mizuki’s attempt to steal the Scroll of Seals to memorize its jutsu with Kurama, but Hiashi and Inoichi intervened and attacked Naruto before Hinata and Hanabi stepped between them.

• Shikaku told Ino that Naruto was likely using the Scroll of Seals as bait and teased her about her feelings for him.
• Hinata activated her Byakugan, then led Hanabi over the Hyuga compound wall to search for Naruto.
• Naruto read the Scroll of Seals with Kurama until Kurama had memorized its contents, then offered it to Mizuki.
• Hiashi struck Mizuki with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, and Inoichi emerged with him from the forest.
• Hiashi and Inoichi attacked Naruto, but Hinata and Hanabi rushed out and stood in front of him.

Naruto took Mizuki and the Scroll of Seals to the Hokage Building after Hiashi and Inoichi’s confrontation revealed that the Third had been testing him and the clans. The Third approved Naruto’s actions without mentioning his look at the scroll, and Naruto left knowing the Konoha Crush Plan and the Third’s death were drawing near.

• Hinata and Hanabi shielded Naruto from Hiashi, and Naruto explained that he had been ordered to capture Mizuki.
• Inoichi and Hiashi realized the Third’s test had also observed their clans’ attitudes toward Naruto, while Shikaku defused the confrontation and escorted Naruto to the Hokage Building.
• Shikaku told Naruto that Naruto had inspired Shikamaru to ask to learn the Nara clan’s Secret Techniques, and Naruto reflected on their friendship.
• The Third praised Naruto’s performance, declared him qualified to become a Genin, and told him to await his team assignment.
• The Third and the others tacitly approved Naruto’s look at the Scroll of Seals, and Naruto left anticipating the Konoha Crush Plan and the Third’s coming death.

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.