Recaps

Kakashi put Naruto and Sasuke through a night of tree-climbing and water-walking training, and both boys gradually learned to control their chakra. At dawn, they returned to find Sakura asleep beside Hayashi, who revealed that he had heard their noisy training.

• Kakashi began extra training for Naruto and Sasuke, teaching them to climb trees by controlling chakra in their feet.
• Naruto repeatedly fell while Sasuke climbed higher, but Naruto eventually reached about the same height as him.
• Kakashi took the boys to the river to practice water walking, and both eventually managed to stand on the water.
• Naruto told Kakashi that Sakura was preparing Hayashi's medicine, and Kakashi noted her aptitude for caring for the sick.
• After training through the night, Kakashi stopped Naruto from visiting Hayashi while still muddy, and the three returned after washing up.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi found Sakura asleep beside Hayashi, who told them he had heard their noisy training.

Hayashi tried to get out of bed, but his unexplained killing intent erupted and filled the house with purple chakra. Kakashi sensed it and rushed over, only to find Hayashi, Sakura, and a wheelchair—and no sign of Zabuza.

• Sakura continued to keep Hayashi in bed while he recovered, and he checked his panel and wondered why Naruto had not gone to meet Haku.
• Hayashi persuaded Sakura to let him go outside, but she returned with a wheelchair and insisted he use it.
• When Hayashi stood up, purple chakra and a powerful killing intent suddenly burst from him, frightening Sakura.
• Kakashi sensed the killing intent by the river, mistook it for Zabuza's return, and rushed to the village house with kunai in hand.
• Kakashi found Hayashi surrounded by purple chakra, Sakura pale with fear, and no trace of Zabuza.

Hayashi discovered that touching both feet to the ground triggered the killing aura Zabuza had left in his body, while sitting in a wheelchair made it vanish. Sakura took him to look out over the sea, where they watched the unfinished bridge in the Land of Waves.

• Hayashi’s killing aura surged when both feet touched the floor and disappeared when he lifted them, so Kakashi advised him to stay in a wheelchair until it faded.
• Kakashi took Naruto and Sasuke back to the river, while Sakura pushed Hayashi out of the courtyard.
• Sakura spoke with Hayashi about Ino, Hayate, and his wish to create a Shinobi World where everyone could be happy; he told her she was a dear friend.
• Sakura pushed Hayashi up the mountain path to a view of the sea and the unfinished bridge Mr. Tazuna was building.
• Sakura tucked wildflowers into Hayashi’s wheelchair as they quietly watched the sunset over the Land of Waves.

Hayashi and Sakura reached a peaceful forest summit, where Lin’s purple killing intent erupted when he stood. A beautiful herb gatherer who recognized the killing intent approached, and Lin sat back in his wheelchair to make it disappear before inviting the newcomer to talk.

• Sakura pushed Hayashi to the summit, where they admired the quiet forest and distant sea.
• Lin asked to stand and stretch, then his purple killing intent spread across the summit and frightened Sakura and the birds.
• A long-haired herb gatherer ran toward them, apparently drawn by the killing intent, and introduced himself as someone gathering herbs.
• Lin recognized the newcomer as an Ice Release user and called him a rare Pokémon he wanted to recruit.
• Lin sat back in his wheelchair, causing the killing intent to vanish, and invited the newcomer to stay and chat.

Hayashi revealed his Ice Release to Haku, suggesting they shared a bloodline, and persuaded him to talk. The chapter ended with Hayashi identifying Haku as Zabuza's partner, startling him into dropping herbs.

• Hayashi questioned Haku about the bleeding and inflammation herbs, and Haku admitted he had a patient at home.
• Sakura stepped in front of Hayashi and confronted Haku, but Hayashi reassured her and asked Haku to stay.
• Hayashi formed an ice spike and claimed he and Haku shared a bloodline; Haku formed an identical spike, confirming that they both used Ice Release.
• Sakura returned to a nearby rock after warning Haku not to harm Hayashi, and Haku approached the wheelchair.
• Hayashi asked Haku whether he was Zabuza's partner, and Haku jerked in surprise, spilling herbs from his bag.

Hayashi persuaded Haku to trust him enough to carry an invitation to Zabuza, offering medicine for Zabuza’s injured companion. Haku left for the mansion in the Land of Waves, while Hayashi and Sakura headed down the mountain.

• Haku readied his Senbon but realized Hayashi was stronger and questioned him about the slash that injured Zabuza.
• Hayashi had Sakura give Haku wound ointment, and Haku tested it by cutting his own arm before thanking him.
• Hayashi asked Haku to invite Zabuza to meet the Dragon Princess of Konoha once he felt better, assuring him the meeting would not concern life and death.
• Hayashi suggested that Zabuza might care about Haku more than Haku thought, and Haku left with the medicine and invitation.
• Sakura teased Hayashi as she pushed his wheelchair down the mountain, while Haku later passed a brightly lit mansion and looked away coldly.

Haku returned to Gato's mansion for medicine and was beaten and threatened after Zabuza's mission failed. He brought the ointment to Zabuza, who learned the Dragon Princess of Konoha had sent it and was surprised to hear she wanted to see him.

• Haku told Gato that Konoha ninja had intervened and Zabuza had been injured, so the operation was suspended.
• Gato's lackeys kicked and humiliated Haku, and Gato smashed a bottle against his shoulder before ordering him out and threatening to withhold payment.
• Haku washed himself at the well and went to the ruined house where Zabuza was recovering.
• Zabuza saw Haku's injuries and vowed to kill the Konoha brats, Gato, and his men once he recovered.
• Haku applied the Dragon Princess of Konoha's ointment to Zabuza's wounds and explained that she had sent it for him.
• Zabuza offered to let Haku leave with the Dragon Princess, but Haku said she wanted to see Zabuza instead.

Zabuza agreed to meet the Dragon Princess after two days of recovery, while Haku wondered whether Zabuza truly wanted him to leave. Back in the village, Team 7 scolded Hayashi for risking his health, and Kakashi secretly took Naruto and Sasuke out to teach them ninjutsu.

• Zabuza laughed at the Dragon Princess title and agreed to meet him in two days, telling Haku to deliver the message.
• Haku reflected on Zabuza asking twice whether he wanted to leave and wondered how their choices would end.
• Sakura told Kakashi and the others that Hayashi had left his wheelchair, met a stranger, and nearly fought him on the summit.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sakura warned Hayashi to protect his health, and Sakura and Naruto vowed to keep watch over him.
• After Hayashi and Sakura fell asleep, Kakashi woke Naruto and Sasuke and led them out to teach them ninjutsu.

Kakashi taught Naruto and Sasuke basic wind- and lightning-release jutsu, and the boys trained through the night until they collapsed. Hayashi found them at dawn, then wrote down the details of an Ice Release technique before learning that Haku had come to see him again.

• Kakashi taught Naruto Wind Release: Gale Palm and Sasuke Lightning Release: Earth Flow, then set them to practice their chakra control.
• Naruto and Sasuke trained through the night, producing little progress before falling asleep just before dawn.
• Hayashi and Sakura found the exhausted boys in the woods, and Hayashi encouraged them to keep practicing.
• Hayashi wrote down the seals, chakra flow, timing, and precautions for Ice Release: Wolf Fang Avalanche.
• Granny told Hayashi that someone was waiting for him outside the village, and he realized Haku had returned.

After learning that Zabuza planned to meet Hayashi, Sakura accompanied him to the river training ground, where she joined Naruto and Sasuke in training. Hayashi then revealed that he wanted Kakashi to take him to see Zabuza, leaving Kakashi stunned.

• Haku told Hayashi that Zabuza would visit their usual mountaintop meeting place in two days.
• On the third morning, Hayashi found an ice spike in the courtyard and decided to visit Kakashi and the others.
• At the river, Naruto showed off his Gale Palm and Sasuke practiced his electricity technique.
• Hayashi encouraged Sakura to train, and she asked Naruto to teach her the basics.
• Kakashi pushed Hayashi away from the training ground, and Hayashi asked him to take him to see Zabuza, shocking him.

Hayashi met Zabuza on the mountain summit with Kakashi and tried to persuade him to help change Kirigakure and reconsider his mission. Zabuza pointed his sword at Hayashi after realizing he was asking him to betray Gato.

• Hayashi convinced Kakashi to accompany him to meet an old acquaintance, promising that neither he nor Zabuza would attack.
• Hayashi and Kakashi found Zabuza waiting at the summit, still recovering and without Haku.
• Zabuza said he wanted to slaughter Kirigakure, while Hayashi explained that he wanted to protect the shinobi world's happiness.
• Hayashi offered to help change Kirigakure if he became powerful enough and asked Zabuza to give them both a chance.
• Hayashi said Gato was obstructing the shinobi world's happiness, and Zabuza pointed the Kubikiribōchō at him and asked if he wanted him to betray his employer.

Hayashi persuaded Zabuza to stage a show for Gato before deciding whether to fight, and asked him to have Haku train Team 7 under the guise of an enemy. Zabuza accepted both arrangements but remained committed to his beliefs, while Kakashi questioned whether Hayashi’s plan was safe.

• Hayashi asked Zabuza whether he was willing to sacrifice Haku for his ninja’s fate, then proposed staging a show for Gato so Zabuza could see how the employer treated them.
• Zabuza said he would consider the plan, and Kakashi prepared to attack until Hayashi persuaded him to put away his kunai.
• Hayashi gave Zabuza written instructions for Ice Release: Wolf Fang Avalanche and asked him to have Haku put Team 7 through their paces while believing they were enemies.
• Zabuza agreed to the training arrangement, said he would not change who he was, and left the mountaintop.
• Kakashi joined Hayashi beside the wheelchair and asked whether he was sure the plan would be all right.

Hayashi continued recovering while Kakashi trained Team 7, and Tazuna announced that the bridge was nearly finished. As everyone prepared to inspect it, Hayashi recognized the coming confrontation as his final chance to save Zabuza and Haku.

• Hayashi told Kakashi that the people involved did not want anyone dictating their fate, then asked how to control his killing intent.
• Kakashi apologized for his part in Hayashi nearly getting into a fight and pushed his wheelchair down the mountain.
• Over the following days, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura improved their jutsu while Hayashi's injuries nearly healed, though he remained in a wheelchair.
• Tazuna announced that the bridge would be ready for inspection the next day and would open the day after if it passed.
• Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke celebrated the prospect of returning to Konoha, and Tazuna invited Hayashi to inspect the bridge with them.
• Hayashi realized the final confrontation on the bridge was approaching and resolved to stay alert so he could try to save Zabuza and Haku.

Tazuna showed Team 7 the nearly completed bridge, where Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura drove off Gato’s thugs. Gato ordered Zabuza to attack the bridge the next day, and Zabuza gave Haku an Ice Release technique to practice for what he said would probably be a fight to the death.

• Tazuna led Team 7 and Hayashi to the bridge and said its final section would be completed that day.
• Gato’s thugs demanded that Tazuna stop building the bridge, but Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura defeated them.
• The thugs fled after threatening that Gato’s ninja would return the next day, and Kakashi let Team 7 return to Tazuna.
• Gato ordered Zabuza to kill Team 7 and Tazuna, while threatening to withhold payment if Zabuza failed.
• Zabuza told Haku to practice an Ice Release technique, Wolf Fang Avalanche, because the next day would probably bring a fight to the death.

Team 7 reached the completed bridge, where Zabuza and Haku confronted them. Hayashi stood to face Zabuza while Haku blocked Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke from reaching the fight.

• Hayashi took his tachi to the bridge, where Tazuna proudly showed the group the completed crossing.
• Mist gathered on the bridge, and Zabuza and Haku appeared before the group.
• Hayashi stood from his wheelchair, unleashed his killing intent, and drew his sword as Zabuza challenged him.
• Hayashi and Zabuza exchanged a staged sword clash while Kakashi overheard their whispered plan.
• Kakashi ordered Team 7 to fall back and reinforce, but Haku blocked Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke and raised six senbon.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura fought Haku on the bridge as he tried to keep them from reaching Hayashi. After Team 7 broke Haku’s ice mirrors and Sakura struck him, Haku used Hayashi’s jutsu and prepared to continue the fight.

• Haku trapped Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura inside his Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and attacked them with ice senbon from the mirrors.
• Sasuke and Naruto combined their fire and wind techniques to melt and shatter the ice mirrors.
• Haku grabbed Sakura by the hair to stop her, but she cut it off and punched him, declaring she would protect Hayashi.
• Haku summoned a snow wolf using Nadare Rōga, the jutsu Hayashi had used, and Naruto and Sasuke defeated it with a combined attack.
• Haku raised more ice fragments from the sea and said he had a reason he could not lose the fight.

Naruto awakened the Nine-Tails’ chakra after seeing Sasuke fall and Hayashi apparently struck down by Zabuza. Hayashi revealed he had planned for Naruto’s power to emerge, while Naruto tore through Haku’s ice mirrors and closed in on him.

• Haku’s senbon pierced Sasuke’s shoulder, and Sakura confirmed that Sasuke had only passed out.
• Zabuza knocked Hayashi down with the blunt back of his sword, while Hayashi secretly used golden chains to signal him to keep acting.
• Naruto saw Hayashi fall and erupted with the Nine-Tails’ chakra, transforming as his rage overtook him.
• Hayashi sat up and used Adamantine Sealing Chains to restrain Kakashi, telling him to trust the plan and let Naruto continue.
• Naruto smashed through Haku’s senbon and ice mirrors as Sakura followed him, and Haku realized he could no longer stop Naruto.

Haku froze Naruto in a massive block of ice, but Naruto broke free and fought Zabuza while Hayashi waited for Gato to arrive. Gato appeared with dozens of samurai and ordered them to attack, leaving the bridge battle poised to escalate.

• Haku trapped Naruto in ice with his Ice Release techniques, but Naruto burst out and blasted Haku across the bridge.
• Zabuza confronted Hayashi over Haku's injuries, and Kakashi blocked Zabuza as he hurried to Haku's side.
• Naruto attacked Zabuza with claws, teeth, and his tail, while Zabuza repeatedly struck him with his sword and Naruto's wounds healed.
• Kakashi asked Hayashi when they would intervene, and Hayashi said they would act once the person who needed to see the fight arrived.
• Gato arrived with fifty or sixty samurai, and ordered them to cut everyone down.

Hayashi stopped Naruto’s rampage and went to confront Gato, determined to protect Zabuza and Haku and give them a chance at happiness. The chapter ended as Hayashi drew his sword before Gato and the gathered samurai.

• Gato revealed that he had never intended to pay Zabuza and ordered his men to kill everyone on the bridge.
• Zabuza killed a samurai who threatened Haku and warned the crowd that he would mince anyone who touched him.
• Hayashi used his Adamantine Chains to restrain Naruto, caught him as he collapsed, and handed him to Kakashi.
• Hayashi asked Kakashi to let him proceed, then used his chains to bring Sasuke to Sakura and sent her and Tazuna away with the injured boys.
• Hayashi stood beside Zabuza, faced Gato, and drew his sword.

Hayashi invited Zabuza and Haku to leave the bridge with him and help build a hopeful shinobi world, and Kakashi pledged to support his promise. Zabuza agreed to follow Hayashi for a while, but Hayashi then pointed his Tachi at Gato’s crowd and ordered Zabuza to cut them all down.

• Gato accused Zabuza of betrayal and tried to bribe him into killing Hayashi and the others.
• Hayashi reminded Gato that he had just been threatening to kill Zabuza and Haku, then gave his surname as Uzumaki.
• Zabuza said he would stop fighting because he and Haku owed Hayashi a favor, and Haku struggled to join him.
• Hayashi asked Zabuza and Haku to leave the sea with him and help create a shinobi world where Haku would not be a tool.
• Kakashi pledged to stand behind Hayashi’s promise, and Zabuza agreed to follow him for a while while warning that he would kill him if he disapproved of his actions.
• Hayashi aimed his Tachi at Gato and ordered Zabuza to cut down everyone in the crowd.

Zabuza slaughtered Gato’s samurai, clearing a path for Hayashi to confront and kill Gato. As the mist lifted, Hayashi returned to Kakashi, aware that questions and further danger awaited him in Konoha.

• Zabuza charged the samurai and cut down those who attacked or tried to flee, while Haku watched him fight for Hayashi’s cause.
• Hayashi walked through the cleared path as the surviving samurai backed away, then caught Gato when he tried to escape.
• Gato offered Hayashi money, ships, and control of the Land of Waves, but Hayashi rejected his bribes and killed him.
• After the mist cleared, Hayashi put away his sword and approached Kakashi, preparing to explain what had happened.

After the battle on the bridge, Hayashi reunited with Kakashi and the others, relieved that everyone had survived. As the group settled in for the night, Kakashi took Zabuza aside to ask what he intended to do.

• Kakashi straightened Hayashi’s forehead protector and told him he would not let him face danger alone.
• Hayashi saw that Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Haku, the Demon, and the others were alive, then thanked Kakashi and embraced his arm.
• The group crossed the damaged bridge, and Kakashi joked that the Dragon Princess should pay for its repairs; Hayashi protested that he had no money.
• Back at the old woman’s courtyard, Sakura covered Hayashi with a blanket while Kakashi and Zabuza went outside.
• Kakashi asked Zabuza what he was thinking as the Demon of Kirigakure.

Hayashi arranged for Zabuza and Haku to stop fighting Team 7 and guided them back toward Konoha, while Haku collected Gato’s money. The group left the Land of Waves with Zabuza and Haku in tow, and Hayashi began planning how to get past the Third Hokage.

• Zabuza told Kakashi he would repay his debt to Hayashi, and Kakashi agreed to postpone judgment until they returned to Konoha.
• The next morning, Hayashi explained that Zabuza and Haku had agreed not to attack them again, and the group prepared to leave the village.
• Haku disappeared before the group departed, then rejoined them on the road carrying Gato’s money and gave a bundle to the old woman as compensation for the bridge repairs.
• Hayashi made Zabuza and Kakashi carry the remaining money, and the group set off for Konoha with Zabuza and Haku.
• As they traveled, Hayashi considered how he would get past the Third Hokage.

Naruto’s team returned to Konoha with Hayashi still in a wheelchair, where Hayate and Yugao waited anxiously. Hayate drew his sword on Zabuza for injuring Hayashi, but Sasuke revealed that Hayashi had actually cut Zabuza.

• On the journey back, Sakura and Naruto worried about explaining Hayashi’s injuries and Sasuke’s fainting to their classmates.
• Near Konoha, Hayashi sensed Hayate and Yugao waiting at the gate and urged Sakura to hurry.
• Yugao embraced Hayashi and wept when she saw him in a wheelchair, while Hayate demanded an explanation from Kakashi.
• Zabuza admitted that he had cut Hayashi, prompting Hayate to draw his sword and challenge him.
• Sasuke told Hayate that Hayashi had been the one to cut Zabuza, leaving Yugao bewildered.

Hayashi returned to Konoha with Kakashi, Zabuza, and Haku, where Hayate and Yugao welcomed him and asked why he had brought the Kirigakure ninja along. The group headed toward the Hokage’s office, leaving Hayashi to wonder how the Third Hokage would judge his actions.

• Kakashi and Naruto praised Hayashi for defeating Zabuza, and Hayate and Yugao reunited with him, relieved that he had returned safely.
• Hayate asked whether Hayashi could stand, but Kakashi explained that he was still injured, so Yugao pushed his wheelchair toward home.
• Kakashi identified Zabuza and Haku as guests at Konoha’s gates, and the guards let the group enter.
• Hayate privately asked why Hayashi had brought Zabuza and Haku back, and Hayashi said he felt they were pitiful and did not seem like villains.
• Hayate told Hayashi that the Third had ordered him to go to the Hokage’s office, and Hayashi considered how the Third would judge his choices.