Recaps

Naruto trained Sasuke, manipulated the events surrounding his graduation, and helped him gain new techniques before they joined Team 7. After Naruto and Sasuke passed Kakashi’s bell test through coordinated attacks, Kakashi began training Sakura separately, while Naruto introduced Sasuke to the Rasengan ahead of their coming mission to the Land of Waves.

• Naruto contacted Orochimaru with the Super Beeper, sent him Hashirama cells, and later shared footage and research that alarmed him about the damage body transfers caused to the soul.
• Naruto and Sasuke grew closer as Naruto cared for him, helped him learn the Shadow Clone Technique, and stole the Scroll of Seals along with Fire, Wind, and Lightning Release scrolls.
• Naruto used the staged theft and Mizuki’s attack to obtain the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, then returned to Sasuke with his graduation forehead protector and the stolen scrolls.
• Naruto used shadow clones to master Impure World Reincarnation and create a crow guardian, while Sasuke trained until he could make fifty-five clones.
• Iruka assigned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to Team 7, and Kakashi introduced himself before setting the team’s bell test.
• Naruto and Sasuke coordinated ninjutsu and close combat against Kakashi, but Kakashi used Kamui to stop them and scolded them for focusing on defeating him instead of taking the bells.
• Naruto secretly fed Sakura while Kakashi had tied her to a stump, and Kakashi then announced that all three had passed the test before taking Sakura for special training.
• Naruto coached Sasuke in Fire Release and introduced him to the Rasengan’s first two training stages as he thought ahead to the Land of Waves mission.

Naruto trained with Sasuke, took Team 7 on the escort mission to the Land of Waves, and secretly began reshaping the region’s future. After Zabuza’s death, Naruto recruited Haku as a companion and prepared to confront Gato’s influence.

• Naruto mastered the Rasengan, healed Sasuke’s training injuries, and led Team 7 through months of training and D-rank missions before Hiruzen assigned them to escort Tazuna.
• Naruto killed two Root operatives who had been surveilling the team, then helped Team 7 defeat Zabuza’s attack before Haku appeared to claim Zabuza’s body.
• After Haku escaped with Zabuza, Naruto treated Kakashi and traveled with Team 7 to the Land of Waves, where they began training while Tazuna’s family hosted them.
• Naruto confronted Zabuza in secret, offered Haku a place as his companion, and left Zabuza to speak honestly with her before his death.
• Naruto sent Wood Release Clones to seize control of the Land of Waves’ residences, rescued Minayama and Minami, and challenged Minayama to unite the homeless children.
• Zabuza gave Haku a map to his fortune and asked her to join Naruto, while Naruto’s clone subdued the daimyo and Gato learned that Team 7 was protecting Tazuna.
• Naruto welcomed Haku as his companion, gave her books, and promised to help her become the Daimyo of the Land of Waves.
• Naruto transferred Zabuza’s money into his system and practiced controlling Flying Thunder God talismans with Chakra Threads.

Naruto helped Haku claim the Daimyo’s seat and defeated Akatsuki attackers before returning to Konoha, where he prepared Sasuke and Sakura for the Chunin Ninja Exams. The arc ended with Naruto refusing to withdraw from Ibiki’s written test, even at the risk of being barred from future exams.

• Naruto helped Naishan and Nami stand up to the beggar children, then left them with guidance and traveled to Haku’s hideout.
• Haku became the Land of Waves’ new Daimyo, defeated Gato’s attackers, and promised to rebuild the country.
• Naruto defeated Hidan and crippled Kakuzu, then let Kakuzu go after he agreed to hide Naruto’s role in the failed mission.
• Naruto returned to Konoha with Team 7, while Jiraiya confronted Hiruzen over the village’s treatment of Naruto and the Uchiha.
• Naruto prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams, secretly arranged for Orochimaru to target Sasuke, and left Sasuke a letter before the team entered the exam building.
• Naruto and his teammates encountered rival genin and disguised proctors before Ibiki began the written exam.
• Naruto’s teammates helped one another cheat, and Ino copied Sakura’s answers for Shikamaru and Choji.
• When Ibiki warned that a wrong answer would bar candidates from future exams, Naruto declared he would continue even if he remained a genin for life.

Naruto helped Team 7 survive the Forest of Death, where Orochimaru cursed Sasuke and Naruto secretly revealed his identity to her. After the preliminary matches, Naruto arranged to treat Rock Lee while the finalists prepared for the Third Round.

• Naruto and Team 7 entered the Forest of Death, where Orochimaru attacked Sasuke, gave him the Cursed Seal of Heaven, and challenged him to earn her approval.
• Naruto healed Sasuke and helped Team 7 reach the Central Tower, while Anko warned Hiruzen that Orochimaru had returned.
• Sasuke fought Akado Yoroi and won despite the Cursed Seal, then Kakashi sealed it while Orochimaru watched.
• The preliminary matches began, with Shino, Kankuro, Shikamaru, and Temari winning, Sakura and Ino drawing, and Naruto defeating Kiba with shadow clones and Kiviak.
• Naruto took Sasuke from the hospital to the Uchiha Compound and lured Orochimaru away, then revealed himself as Sixth Brother and brought her into his private dimension.
• Naruto and his clone watched Gaara defeat Rock Lee, while the clone treated Sasuke and Naruto promised Snake Aunt a laboratory in exchange for sparing Hiruzen.
• After the finals were set, Sasuke left to train with Kakashi, and Naruto agreed to help Might Guy treat Lee after securing her unconditional obedience to his Ninja Way.