Chapter Summaries

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.

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 questioned Zabuza and Haku about Kirigakure’s role in Uzushio Village’s destruction, then asked Hayashi whether he still wanted them to stay. Lin declared that he had promised Zabuza could kill him at any time, and the Third summoned Monkey King Enma to confront Zabuza.

• The Third asked Haku whether he could use Ice Release and reminded Zabuza that Kirigakure had helped destroy Uzushio Village.
• Haku feared Hayashi would reject him and Zabuza after learning of Kirigakure’s past, while Zabuza realized Lin’s earlier words had referred to Uzushio.
• The Third asked Hayashi whether he still wanted Zabuza and Haku to stay, and Lin said the old village’s hatred would not stop him from seeking happiness for the Shinobi World.
• Lin revealed that he had promised Zabuza could kill him at any time, and Zabuza confirmed he would support Lin until he achieved his goal.
• The Third summoned Monkey King Enma, who asked whether Zabuza was the boy from Kirigakure.

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.