Recaps

Kakashi brought Hayashi, Zabuza, Haku, and Team 7 to the Hokage Building, where Kakashi reported their mission to the Third while leaving out Hayashi’s role. The Third pressured Zabuza and Haku with his chakra until Hayashi revealed that bringing them to Konoha had been his plan, leaving the Third demanding an explanation.

• Kakashi took over pushing Hayashi’s wheelchair, and Hayate stayed behind to help him get home after the Hokage meeting.
• Kakashi led Hayashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Zabuza, and Haku to the Third’s office.
• The Third rushed to check on Hayashi, then questioned Kakashi about the mission and heard his account of meeting Zabuza and Haku in the Land of Waves.
• The Third unleashed his chakra to intimidate Zabuza and Haku, and Sasuke steadied Haku when he nearly fell.
• Hayashi told the Third that bringing Zabuza and Haku to Konoha had been his idea, and the Third asked what he had been thinking.

Hayashi revealed his killing intent and Sage Mode to the Third Hokage, claiming he had seen blurry visions that led him to bring Zabuza and Haku back. The Third decided to summon Jiraiya to Konoha, while Hayashi prepared for Orochimaru’s arrival.

• Hayashi admitted he had asked Kakashi to save Zabuza and Haku, prompting the Third to ask what he was trying to do.
• Hayashi stood from his wheelchair and unleashed purple killing intent across the Hokage Building, but the Third dismissed the ANBU who rushed into the office.
• Hayashi claimed Zabuza’s killing intent had fused with his body and caused the outbursts whenever he stood or took a fighting stance.
• Hayashi transformed, revealing dragon horns and purple markings, and the Third recognized his state as Sage Mode.
• Hayashi said he had seen blurry images involving Zabuza and Haku, and the Third decided Jiraiya needed to return to Konoha.
• Hayashi relaxed back into his wheelchair and privately prepared for Orochimaru and his people to arrive.

The Third Hokage questioned Zabuza and Haku about Kirigakure’s role in Uzushio Village’s destruction, then asked Hayashi if he still wanted them to stay. Hayashi reaffirmed his promise to Zabuza, and the Third summoned Monkey King Enma to confront the Kirigakure ninja.

• The Third Hokage asked Haku about his Ice Release and brought up Kirigakure’s involvement in Uzushio Village’s destruction.
• Zabuza acknowledged that Kirigakure had been involved, leaving Haku worried that Hayashi would reject him and Zabuza.
• Hayashi told the Third that he held no reason to inherit the old hatred and explained that he had promised Zabuza he could kill him at any time.
• Zabuza confirmed the promise and said he would lend Hayashi his strength until Hayashi achieved his goal.
• The Third summoned Monkey King Enma, who asked whether Zabuza was the Kirigakure ninja he meant.

The Third threatened Zabuza and Kirigakure with war if Zabuza killed Hayashi, then offered Zabuza paid guard work beside him. Hayashi’s murderous aura disappeared, and the group left the Hokage’s office as Gekko Hayate asked how the meeting went.

• The Third warned Zabuza that killing Hayashi would mean fighting Konoha and bring a terrible price upon Kirigakure.
• Hayashi embraced the Third, and the Third offered Zabuza the chance to guard Hayashi in exchange for pay through missions.
• Hayashi accepted the offer for Zabuza, who nodded without objecting.
• Sakura noticed Hayashi’s murderous aura was gone, and Hayashi saw that his ability had reached beginner proficiency.
• Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Haku, and Kakashi relaxed as the group left the office, with Kakashi pushing Hayashi in his wheelchair.
• Gekko Hayate met them downstairs and asked how the meeting had gone.

Hayashi enjoyed a warm dinner with his friends at Hayate and Yugao’s home and wished their happy days could last forever. After saying goodbye to Zabuza and Haku, he headed home alone and encountered a masked figure waiting in the darkness.

• Hayate reassured Hayate that Hayashi was fine, then invited everyone to Yugao’s home for dinner.
• Yugao welcomed the group, and everyone shared a lively meal together.
• Hayashi reflected on how much he valued the gathering, and his friends promised to keep supporting him.
• An ANBU arrived with orders from the Third and escorted Zabuza and Haku away, while Hayashi continued home alone.
• Hayashi sensed something wrong in the quiet night and stopped when he found a masked figure waiting ahead of him.

Hayashi met Shimura Danzō, who tried to draw him toward Root with promises of power, but Hayashi decided to stay away from him. Meanwhile, Jiraiya received a letter from the old man after being chased from a bathhouse, leaving him wondering what had happened.

• Shimura Danzō confronted Hayashi in an alley, praised his actions in the Land of Waves, and called him a useful wild card.
• Danzō invited Hayashi to come to him, but Hayashi suspected he wanted to tempt him with the Sharingan and Hashirama cells and chose to avoid him.
• Hayashi went home and looked forward to beginning Zabuza and Haku's work as his guards the next day.
• Jiraiya received a letter from the old man while spying on a bathhouse, then fled after the bathers caught him.
• Jiraiya examined the letter and wondered what had happened.

Hayashi rejoined Team 7 after recovering, and the group headed to the Mission Hall for a sewer-cleaning mission alongside Asuma's team. Asuma spotted Zabuza and Haku among them and asked Kakashi who they were.

• Jiraiya read the Hokage's letter about an unknown Sage Mode and decided to return to the village.
• Hayashi woke rested and found Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Zabuza, and Haku waiting outside his home.
• Team 7 set out for the Mission Hall, where Kakashi chose a sewer-cleaning mission despite Naruto's complaints.
• Hayashi told Zabuza that life in Konoha could be simple, and Zabuza quietly laughed as he watched the group.
• At the sewer entrance, Ino embraced Hayashi and checked that he was uninjured, while Naruto was stopped from discussing the Land of Waves.
• Asuma noticed Zabuza and Haku with Kakashi's group, then asked Kakashi who they were.

Team 7 and Asuma’s students worked together to clean a sewer while Hayashi recovered, and Shikamaru wondered at Hayashi’s newly contained presence. Asuma asked Kakashi about the approaching Chunin Ninja Exams, and Kakashi decided to recommend his students.

• Kakashi told Asuma that the Third Hokage had approved Zabuza and Haku’s presence, then refused Asuma’s request to borrow Hayashi.
• Team 7 and Asuma’s students cleaned the sewer, where Zabuza hurried to shovel sludge after Hayashi praised Haku.
• Shikamaru asked Hayashi whether something had changed about him, and Hayashi said he had gained a few new things he could show him later.
• Asuma asked Kakashi whether he would recommend his students for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams, and Kakashi agreed.

After returning from the Land of Waves, Hayashi reunited with his teammates and treated both teams to barbecue using the money he had brought back. Kakashi then asked whether Hayashi wanted to become a Chunin, and Hayashi eagerly agreed.

• The teams finished their ditch-clearing mission, and Haku revealed that the Third Hokage had returned most of Hayashi's money in a sealing scroll.
• Hayashi offered to pay for a celebratory barbecue, where the teams ate together and traded jokes.
• After dinner, Kakashi told Team 7 to prepare for training and said he had an important announcement for the next day.
• Walking Hayashi home, Kakashi asked whether he wanted to become a Chunin, and Hayashi enthusiastically agreed.

Hayashi returned to Team 7's training ground, where Kakashi announced the upcoming chunin exams and trained Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. As the day ended, Kakashi asked Sasuke why he sought power, and Sasuke fell silent after seeing Hayashi laughing with Haku.

• Hayashi arrived at the training ground and guessed that Kakashi would announce the chunin exams, exciting Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke.
• Haku, Zabuza, and Kakashi arrived, and Kakashi gave Hayashi meat buns to share with everyone before announcing the exams.
• Kakashi trained Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke while Hayashi watched with Haku and Zabuza; Haku spoke wistfully about Konoha allowing people to fail and try again.
• After a day of training, Kakashi asked Sasuke why he wanted power, and Sasuke answered that he wanted to kill a man.
• Sasuke noticed Hayashi laughing with Haku, fell silent, and Kakashi remarked, “Ah, to be young.”

After Sasuke collapsed from training, Kakashi spoke with him about his growing desire to protect others and offered to teach him a Sharingan-suited jutsu. Hayashi brought them dinner, and Kakashi began preparing Sasuke for lightning-release training at the Back Mountain.

• Kakashi ended the training session and stayed behind with Sasuke while Hayashi and the others headed home.
• Kakashi asked Sasuke whether he had noticed that his reason for becoming stronger had changed since the Land of Waves, and Sasuke remembered wanting to protect Hayashi.
• Kakashi told Sasuke about a fast jutsu he had created with a friend and said it suited the Sharingan and Sasuke's will to protect others.
• Hayashi returned with warm lunchboxes for Kakashi and Sasuke, then left them to continue their conversation.
• Kakashi and Sasuke ate Hayashi's food, and Kakashi said they would begin practicing lightning-release chakra nature transformation that night.

As the Chunin Ninja Exams drew closer, Naruto secretly trained harder and asked Hayashi for a meal, then encountered Jiraiya peeping at the bathhouse. Jiraiya learned Naruto’s name and realized he might be Minato’s child, leaving Hayashi watching from a distance.

• Sasuke trained intensely with Kakashi and learned swordsmanship quickly from Hayashi, while Naruto began secretly practicing Taijutsu after training.
• Hayashi found Naruto practicing alone, then took him to Ichiraku Ramen when Naruto asked for one of his boxed meals.
• Naruto spotted Jiraiya peeping through the bathhouse wall and shouted at him, prompting the bathhouse patrons to chase them both.
• Jiraiya carried Naruto into the woods to escape the commotion, then asked his name.
• Naruto introduced himself as Naruto Uzumaki and said he would become Hokage, leading Jiraiya to wonder if he was Minato’s child and ask whether he was really named Naruto.

Hayashi and Naruto captured Jiraiya after he arrived in the woods and introduced himself as the Toad Sage. They brought him to the Hokage Office, where the Third was surprised to see him tied up.

• Jiraiya summoned a toad and introduced himself to Naruto as the Toad Sage, but Naruto called him a pervert.
• Hayashi revealed himself as another Uzumaki, and Jiraiya recognized his resemblance to Kushina.
• Naruto tried to catch Jiraiya, but Hayashi used his speed to tie Jiraiya up.
• Jiraiya stopped resisting and let Hayashi and Naruto escort him to the Third.
• The guards let the group into the Hokage Office, and the Third asked Jiraiya why he was tied up.

Hayashi and Naruto caught Jiraiya peeping near the women's bathhouse and brought him to the Third, who introduced him as a powerful ninja. After the boys left, the Third told Jiraiya that Hayashi possessed an unknown Sage Mode, prompting Jiraiya to demand more information.

• Hayashi and Naruto brought the bound Jiraiya to the Third after catching him outside the women's bathhouse.
• Jiraiya freed himself and introduced himself with a song, while Naruto dismissed him as a Pervy Sage.
• The Third vouched for Jiraiya's strength and sent Naruto and Hayashi home.
• Hayashi told Naruto that Jiraiya was strong and decided to begin Naruto's Rasengan training.
• After the boys left, the Third told Jiraiya that Hayashi had an unknown Sage Mode.
• Jiraiya became serious and asked the Third to explain Hayashi's Sage Mode.

With the Chunin Ninja Exams set to begin the next day, Hayashi spent the afternoon with Team 7 and encountered Gaara in the village. The system assigned Hayashi a mission to save Gaara from bullying, leaving him unsure how to approach the dangerous-looking Sand ninja.

• Kakashi told Team 7 that the Chunin Ninja Exams began tomorrow and ordered them to rest for the afternoon.
• Sakura asked Hayashi to go shopping with her and admitted she wanted to become strong enough to help and protect him.
• Naruto and Sasuke revealed they had overheard Sakura and said they also wanted to protect Hayashi.
• Hayashi and Team 7 walked through the busy village, where Gaara's presence made passersby keep their distance.
• The system assigned Hayashi a mission to save Gaara from bullying within the village.

Hayashi followed Sakura and the others when Gaara confronted Sasuke, threatened him and Naruto, and turned his murderous attention on Hayashi. As Gaara’s killing intent surged through the street, Hayashi activated his own Killing Intent ability.

• Gaara approached Sasuke, identified him as the Uchiha survivor, and vowed to kill him.
• Naruto shoved Gaara after he insulted their teammates, prompting Gaara to threaten Naruto and Sasuke while Temari and Kankuro tried to restrain him.
• Hayashi stepped forward and asked Gaara to take back his threat against their comrades, drawing Gaara’s focus.
• Gaara unleashed his murderous menace at Hayashi, but Hayashi’s squad stood their ground.
• Hayashi activated [Killing Intent] as Gaara’s pressure rushed toward him.

Hayashi clashed with Gaara’s killing intent in the street until Kakashi arrived and stopped the confrontation. After Gaara and his team left, Hayashi asked Kakashi to take him to the Third Hokage, while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were sent home.

• Hayashi’s purple killing intent met Gaara’s blood-red force and pinned it in place while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched from behind him.
• Kakashi sensed Hayashi’s killing intent and hurried to the street as Baki arrived to apologize for his students and challenge Hayashi’s actions.
• Kakashi identified Hayashi as his genin student, and Baki apologized before leading Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro away.
• Naruto and Sakura checked on Hayashi, while Sasuke judged Gaara to be powerful and Hayashi suspected the Sand team planned to act later.
• Hayashi asked Kakashi to take him to the Third Hokage, and Kakashi agreed after sensing a tailed beast’s presence in Gaara.
• Kakashi told Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to go home, then took Hayashi across the rooftops toward the Hokage Building.

After warning the Third Hokage about Gaara’s unstable behavior, Hayashi met the apparent Kazekage and suspected he was Orochimaru in disguise. Kakashi left to patrol, and Hayashi headed home, where he sensed the same sinister chakra waiting in a familiar alley.

• Kakashi reported the clash with Sunagakure’s team, and Hayashi warned the Third Hokage that Gaara seemed unable to control his violent impulses.
• The Third Hokage questioned Hayashi about his strength and said he expected him to become a Chunin.
• A figure posing as the Kazekage arrived, scrutinized Hayashi with concealed greed, and discussed the upcoming exams with the Third Hokage.
• Kakashi left to patrol the village perimeter, and Hayashi walked home alone while thinking about the written exam.
• Hayashi reached a familiar alley and sensed the same cold, sinister chakra lurking there.

Hayashi encountered the disguised Orochimaru, who expressed interest in him and said the One-Tail jinchūriki wanted to meet him. He arrived at the Chunin Exams with Team 7, saw through the entrance genjutsu, and entered the exam room, where Gaara stared at him.

• Hayashi recognized the Kazekage as a sinister intruder, sensed a fleeting feeling of nostalgia from him, and heard that the jinchūriki wanted to meet him.
• Kakashi arrived at Hayashi's home with Team 7, and they headed to the Ninja Academy for the exams.
• Hayashi learned that Zabuza and Haku had been ordered to patrol the village to protect him.
• At the Academy, Sasuke and Sakura identified the genjutsu concealing the false room 301 entrance, and the chunin revealed the real exam room was upstairs.
• Hayashi met up with the other Konoha genin and led them into the exam room, where Gaara watched him intently.

Hayashi approached Kabuto Yakushi, whose ninja cards revealed information about the candidates and branded Lin the favorite after publicizing his reported victory over a powerful opponent. As the exam hall reacted to Lin's reputation, Ibiki Morino arrived and began the first test.

• Gaara glanced at Hayashi but turned away without approaching him.
• Kabuto Yakushi read Sasuke's and Naruto's ninja cards, noting Sasuke's abilities and Naruto's enormous chakra reserves but limited techniques.
• Kabuto displayed Hayashi's card and announced that Lin was the hottest favorite to win after defeating an elite jonin in a head-on fight.
• Sakura confirmed to Ino that Lin had defeated an enemy stronger than a jonin, while the other Konoha candidates reacted to the news.
• Ibiki Morino entered the exam hall, introduced himself as chief examiner, and announced that the first test was beginning.

Hayashi copied Sakura’s answers during the first Chunin Exam round and watched Naruto’s defiance convince the remaining candidates to stay. After Ibiki declared them passed and Anko announced the second round, Lin realized Kabuto and his teammates had disappeared, suggesting they had never come to take the exam.

• Hayashi used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to copy Sakura’s answers while other candidates cheated with their own abilities.
• Ibiki announced a final question with a lifelong ban for wrong answers, prompting several candidates and their teammates to withdraw.
• Naruto refused to quit and declared that he would become Hokage even if he remained a Genin for life.
• Ibiki revealed that there was no tenth question and passed everyone who remained in the room.
• Mitaraishi Anko arrived and ordered the candidates to meet at the Forty-Fourth Training Ground for the second round.
• Hayashi noticed that Kabuto and his teammates had vanished and suspected they had never intended to take the exam.

After passing the first Chunin Exam, Hayashi and his companions left the venue while Shikamaru arranged for Shino, Kiba, and Hinata to keep an eye on Lin. Kakashi warned Lin to protect Naruto the next day, leaving Lin to weigh whether to intervene when Snake Auntie targeted Sasuke with a Cursed Seal.

• Naruto bragged that his intuition had helped him pass the written exam, while Sakura and Sasuke teased him as Hayashi laughed along.
• Shikamaru explained to Ino and Choji that Naruto’s outburst had exposed the bluff in the final question and helped everyone pass.
• Shikamaru told Shino to secretly place bugs on Hayashi the next day, and Shino began discussing the plan with Kiba and Hinata.
• Kakashi met the four outside the exam venue and treated them to dinner after hearing that the exam had gone well.
• After dinner, Kakashi privately told Lin to watch Naruto the next day and, if necessary, bind him with chains and flee.
• Walking home, Lin considered whether to stop Snake Auntie from placing Sasuke’s Cursed Seal or keep his Sage Mode hidden for a later fight.

Hayashi and the other candidates gathered outside the Forest of Death for the second Chunin exam, where a confrontation with the Otogakure trio drew the Konoha candidates together to protect him. Anko arrived, stopped the brewing fight, and led everyone toward the forest to explain the rules.

• Hayashi arrived at the Forest of Death with Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, noticed Shino's Kikaichū on his shoulder, and waited for Anko.
• Zaku Abumi threatened Hayashi, but Sasuke grabbed Zaku's wrist and warned him not to move again.
• Kin cautioned Hayashi to watch himself in the forest, prompting Naruto and the Konoha candidates to surround the Otogakure trio.
• Dosu pulled Zaku and Kin away after Anko appeared on the wall and threatened to eliminate anyone who fought outside the forest.
• Anko announced the start of the second exam and led the candidates toward the opening gates of the Forest of Death.

Anko explained the Forest of Death’s lethal rules, and Team 7 entered with a Heaven scroll. After a snake swallowed Naruto, an impostor returned in his form, but Hayashi exposed and cut it down; the real Naruto remained inside the snake as a sinister chakra presence stirred deeper in the forest.

• Anko had the examinees sign death waivers and explained that they had five days to obtain the opposite scroll and reach the central tower, with killing allowed.
• Team 7 drew a Heaven scroll and entered the forest, where Sasuke assigned positions and proposed a password in case they became separated.
• A snake swallowed Naruto while he was away from the group, and Hayashi detected the change but waited to act.
• A fake Naruto returned and failed Sasuke’s password test, while Hayashi recognized its wrong chakra and sliced through its disguise.
• Hayashi told Sasuke and Sakura that the real Naruto was still inside the snake, then sensed a sinister chakra watching from deep in the forest.

Orochimaru confronted Hayashi, Sasuke, and Sakura, using his killing intent to immobilize Sasuke and Sakura while Hayashi fought back. After Sasuke freed himself and rescued Sakura from Orochimaru’s Kunai, the three prepared for a fierce battle as Hayashi charged at Orochimaru.

• Orochimaru appeared in a Grass Ninja disguise, swallowed an Earth Scroll, and challenged the trio to kill him for it.
• Orochimaru’s killing intent overwhelmed Sasuke and Sakura, but Hayashi countered it with his own purple killing intent.
• Orochimaru focused his killing intent on Hayashi and threw two Kunai toward Sasuke and Sakura.
• Sasuke stabbed his thigh to break free, awakened two Tomoe, and pulled Sakura out of the Kunai’s path.
• Hayashi charged at Orochimaru with his Tachi as Sasuke and Sakura stood beside him.