Chapter Summaries

Kakashi excused his surprise attack and restarted the bell test, while Naruto and Sasuke coordinated a plan to attack him. Their combined assault forced Kakashi to defend himself with an Earth Release wall, leaving him stunned by how the test had turned into a battle.

• Kakashi blamed Team 7’s failure to notice him on their poor vigilance, then warned them they would fail if they did not take the bells by lunchtime.
• Sakura rejected Naruto’s attempt to lead, while Sasuke agreed to follow Naruto’s detailed battle plan.
• Naruto used shadow clones and Wind Release to support Sasuke’s shuriken attack and close-range fight against Kakashi.
• Sasuke retreated on Naruto’s signal after testing Kakashi’s defenses, while Naruto and his clones prepared a larger coordinated strike.
• Naruto and Sasuke launched ten Wind Release and Fire Release attacks at Kakashi, who raised an Earth Release wall that was left riddled with holes.

Naruto and Sasuke pushed Kakashi into a fierce test of their coordinated attacks, forcing him to use Kamui before he captured Sasuke and ended the fight. Kakashi insisted that they had missed the point of the bell test, while Naruto and Sasuke remained unconvinced that he had beaten them fairly.

• Kakashi used Earth Release: Mountain-Shaking Strike to hurl rocks at Naruto and Sasuke, but Naruto cut them apart with Vacuum Wave.
• Naruto and Sasuke charged Kakashi with coordinated feints and close-range attacks, and Kakashi had to fight seriously to repel them.
• Naruto launched Vacuum Sphere Barrage as Sasuke followed up with Great Dragon Fire Technique, forcing Kakashi to use Kamui to absorb the flames.
• Kakashi caught Sasuke with the Seven-Day Lock of Unbreakable Love and held a kunai to his neck, prompting Naruto to surrender.
• Sasuke argued that he and Naruto would have won without Kakashi's special ability, while Kakashi scolded them for trying to defeat him instead of stealing the bells.

After Naruto and Sasuke’s fight with Kakashi, the lunch portion of the bell test left Sakura tied to a stump and forbidden to eat. Naruto secretly fed her his bitter, overly salty rice balls, making them both suffer through lunch as Kakashi remained away.

• Kakashi criticized Sakura for sitting out the fight and warned Team 7 that they would fail if they performed poorly in the afternoon.
• Kakashi forbade Sakura from eating lunch, tied her to a stump through Naruto, and left Naruto and Sasuke to eat.
• Naruto secretly stuffed one of his bitter melon juice and salt rice balls into Sakura’s mouth while she was tied up.
• Naruto ate another rice ball to convince Sakura to keep quiet, then pressured her into eating more so Team 7 would not fail.

After Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura passed Kakashi’s Bell test, Kakashi arranged special training for Sakura and reported Naruto and Sasuke’s strength to Hiruzen. At the Uchiha Clan Compound, Naruto trained Sasuke in precise chakra control while preparing him to master powerful techniques.

• Sasuke shared his lunch with the tied-up Sakura after Naruto stood up for her, but Kakashi appeared and announced that all three had passed the test.
• Kakashi sent Naruto and Sasuke home, scheduled Team 7’s next meeting for seven days later, and took Sakura aside for special training.
• Kakashi collapsed on a quiet path from the aftereffects of using his Mangekyo and told Sakura she would need to work harder to keep up with Team 7.
• At Konoha Hospital, Kakashi told Hiruzen that Naruto and Sasuke’s teamwork had forced him to use his Mangekyo, and Hiruzen said Jiraiya would help Naruto train when he returned.
• Naruto coached Sasuke through repeated Great Dragon Fire casts, demonstrating consistent chakra control until Sasuke resolved to master the exercise.

Naruto taught Sasuke the first two stages of Rasengan training and prepared to practice the third stage himself. With the Land of Waves mission approaching, Naruto checked the System Panel for two techniques he wanted to obtain.

• Naruto introduced Sasuke to the Rasengan and showed him how to burst a water balloon by spinning chakra inside it.
• Naruto explained the rotation pattern, and Sasuke burst his first water balloon using the chakra-control skills he had practiced.
• Naruto demonstrated the second stage by bursting a rubber ball and told Sasuke to train with twenty shadow clones.
• Sasuke kissed Naruto on the cheek before they parted to practice the next stages of the Rasengan.
• Naruto thought about the approaching trip to the Land of Waves, then searched the System Panel for the Mystical Palm Technique and Spore Parasitic Clone Technique.

Naruto bought and learned the Mystical Palm Technique and the Spore Parasitic Clone Technique, then continued training the Rasengan’s final stage with Shadow Clones. After their accumulated exhaustion hit him, he made another thousand clones and sent them back to work.

• Naruto searched the Lucky Money system for two techniques and learned that the Spore Parasitic Clone Technique cost more than Impure World Reincarnation because it was uniquely associated with Black Zetsu.
• Naruto exchanged silver taels and points for both techniques and received their knowledge directly, including the Mystical Palm Technique’s healing abilities.
• Naruto arrived at a secret training ground in the Uchiha Fiefdom, where more than a thousand Shadow Clones were practicing the Rasengan’s final stage.
• When the Shadow Clones dispelled, Naruto absorbed their training experience and felt their combined exhaustion.
• Naruto used the Nine-Tails’ chakra to create another thousand Shadow Clones and told them to eat, drink, and keep training.

Naruto mastered the Rasengan after seven days of training and used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal Sasuke’s injured hand. As Team 7’s meeting approached, Naruto told Sasuke that their real bodies did not need to attend in person and demonstrated the Shadow Clone Technique.

• A shadow clone completed the Rasengan, allowing Naruto to master the A-rank jutsu and smash a massive tree with it.
• Naruto returned to the Uchiha Clan Compound and found that Sasuke had ruptured many rubber balls while practicing the Rasengan’s second stage.
• Naruto used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal the muscle damage in Sasuke’s right hand while he slept.
• After resting, Naruto woke Sasuke, and the two ate breakfast before preparing for Team 7’s meeting.
• When Sasuke urged him to hurry to the meeting, Naruto said their real bodies did not need to attend and formed a Shadow Clone.

Naruto and Sasuke’s shadow clones joined Sakura and Kakashi’s shadow clone for Team 7’s first mission, cleaning Konoha Hospital. Naruto discovered that Kakashi’s real body was still recovering in the ICU, while the story left the team’s cleaning mission underway and its members’ use of shadow clones exposed.

• Naruto and Sasuke created shadow clones to attend Team 7’s meeting, while Kakashi sent a clone from the hospital because he was still weak.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi agreed to make Team 7’s first mission cleaning Konoha Hospital after Naruto suggested it.
• At the hospital, Sakura began cleaning while Naruto and Sasuke accompanied Kakashi toward the restroom.
• Naruto used the Telescope Technique to locate Kakashi’s real body in the ICU and saw him reading Jiraiya’s book.
• Naruto found Kakashi transformed into a young man behind the ICU curtain and realized that Kakashi, Sasuke, and he were all represented by shadow clones.

After Team 7 finished its hospital-cleaning mission, Naruto’s surprise attack exposed Kakashi’s Shadow Clone, leaving Sakura to realize she was the only teammate who had actually attended. Later, Naruto’s affectionate training with Sasuke went awry when Sasuke saw his Shadow Clone memories and confronted him about smiling at Kakashi.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clone finished cleaning and spent the day sneaking around the hospital and eating in the cafeteria.
• Kakashi’s Shadow Clone challenged Team 7 to surprise him for a chance to win Ichiraku Shark Fin Ramen, and Naruto immediately punched him, making him vanish in a puff of smoke.
• Sasuke and Naruto each used Release to disappear, leaving Sakura alone; she vowed to become Hokage and began frog-jumping home as self-restraint training.
• At the Uchiha Clan Compound, Sasuke practiced the second stage of Rasengan training while Naruto promised to teach him Medical Ninjutsu from the Scroll of Seals.
• Sasuke received his Shadow Clone’s memories and angrily questioned Naruto about his smile at Kakashi; Naruto tried to explain by speculating about what Kakashi looked like under his mask.

After three months of tedious D-rank missions, Naruto and Sasuke learned that Tazuna had arrived in Konoha, while Kakashi changed his hairstyle and Team 7 demanded more challenging work. Hiruzen assigned them an overseas escort mission, setting Team 7 on the path to the Land of Waves.

• Kakashi changed his long white hair to a sharp, dashing style after worrying that his appearance undermined his authority with Sasuke.
• Naruto and Sasuke spent three months using Shadow Clones for low-level missions and training together.
• Naruto spotted Tazuna in Konoha and hinted to Sasuke that he would soon meet someone named Haku.
• Kakashi reported Team 7's mission record to Hiruzen, who decided they were ready for a real test.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura complained about D-rank missions, and Hiruzen assigned Team 7 an overseas escort mission.

Team 7 accepted a C-rank mission to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves and left Konoha, with Naruto and Sasuke treating the journey like a honeymoon. After Naruto detected a Root ninja surveilling them, he decided to kill the observer before the surveillance could disrupt his plans.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Team 7 a C-rank mission to protect bridge engineer Tazuna, and Kakashi agreed to take the job.
• Naruto packed food and cookware into a makeshift sealing scroll, while Sasuke packed spare underwear for him after Naruto's disgusting joke.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, and Tazuna left Konoha and began traveling toward the Land of Waves.
• Danzo ordered Root to track Team 7 and kill Kakashi if he obstructed their surveillance.
• At the group's first campsite, Naruto's system detected a Root ninja watching them, and Naruto resolved to kill the observer that night.

Naruto discovered that Root ninjas were secretly watching his team on the way to the Land of Waves. He upgraded Visual Insight to locate them, then searched the system for the Flying Thunder God Second Step technique.

• The system warned Naruto that Root ninjas were watching him, and Sasuke recognized his sudden coldness and quietly offered his support.
• Naruto left camp under the pretense of finding a place to relieve himself, while the Root squad tracked him through a straw doll.
• Naruto's crude display startled the Root watcher, and he used the system to upgrade Visual Insight to level two.
• Naruto activated Mind's Eye and traced the surveillance vision to a medium and two figures about two hundred meters away.
• Naruto judged that he could not eliminate the Root squad without a fight and searched the system for Flying Thunder God Second Step.

Naruto and Sasuke shared an intimate night at camp and discussed what Naruto should do if they faced Uchiha Itachi, while Sasuke insisted Naruto stay out of their feud. The next morning approached, and Naruto planned to help Kakashi in the fight he expected during the mission.

• Kakashi, Sakura, and the others praised Sasuke’s stew, and the squad arranged a watch rotation before settling in for the night.
• Naruto recalled how easily he had defeated three Root operatives with Flying Thunder God and reflected on the importance of intelligence in ninja battles.
• Naruto pulled Sasuke close in their tent, and Sasuke asked him to stay out of any conflict with Uchiha Itachi; Naruto agreed to support Sasuke’s choice.
• Sasuke questioned Tazuna’s behavior and the mission’s apparent danger, and Naruto agreed that something seemed wrong.
• Naruto decided he would help Kakashi in the expected fight the next day, while Sasuke blushed when Naruto joked about their future wedding.
• The night passed without incident, and morning arrived.

Naruto protected Team 7 from two Kirigakure missing-nin who attacked from a puddle, killing them before Kakashi’s Substitution Technique took effect. Afterward, Kakashi criticized Sasuke and Sakura for freezing, while Naruto quietly hoped the encounter would prepare Sasuke for future danger.

• Naruto covered Sasuke’s watch shift, and Team 7 resumed traveling toward the Land of Waves.
• Naruto spat phlegm into a puddle, revealing two hidden assassins who attacked Kakashi with a barbed chain.
• Naruto dodged the chain and killed both Chunin missing-nin while Kakashi’s apparent death turned out to be a Substitution Technique.
• Kakashi praised Naruto, reprimanded Sakura and Sasuke for their reactions, and carried the bodies into the woods.
• Naruto checked on the others while privately intending to help Sasuke grow more prepared to face lethal attacks.

After Team 7 agreed to continue Tazuna’s mission, Naruto’s group encountered Zabuza, a female-presenting missing-nin, and Kakashi engaged her in battle. Naruto took Tazuna and the others to safety, where he urged Sasuke and Sakura to watch the fight, while secretly hoping Kakashi would reveal his Mangekyo Sharingan.

• Sasuke stabbed his left hand to vow he would never run from death again, and Sakura copied him before Naruto healed Sasuke with the Mystical Palm Technique.
• Kakashi confronted Tazuna about the mission’s true danger, and Team 7 agreed to continue escorting him to the Land of Waves despite the higher risk.
• Naruto asked Kakashi what he would have done with captured assassins, then wondered whether Kakashi’s Shadow Clone would weaken him in a later fight.
• Zabuza attacked Tazuna, and Kakashi blocked her massive sword before ordering Team 7 to protect their client.
• Naruto carried Tazuna into the woods while Sasuke and Sakura followed, and he persuaded them to observe Kakashi and Zabuza’s battle by describing Zabuza’s fearsome reputation.

Kakashi defeated Zabuza by copying his Great Waterfall Technique and pinning him with kunai. Before Kakashi could question him, a masked stranger killed Zabuza, and Kakashi recognized the mask as belonging to Kirigakure’s ANBU pursuit unit.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura watched Kakashi and Zabuza’s fight escalate from close combat to ninjutsu.
• Zabuza began preparing the Great Waterfall Technique, but Kakashi copied his hand seals and unleashed the technique first.
• Kakashi struck Zabuza with the waterfall and pinned his arms with kunai, then demanded that he surrender and return to Konoha.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura rushed over to praise Kakashi, who warned them to stay back from Zabuza.
• A masked stranger killed Zabuza with two senbon through the neck, and Kakashi identified the mask as one worn by Kirigakure’s ANBU pursuit unit.

Haku rescued Zabuza by posing as a Kirigakure hunter-nin, while Naruto concealed his knowledge and captured Haku’s chakra. After Kakashi collapsed from his injuries, Naruto arranged for everyone else to leave him alone so he could begin a secret treatment.

• Haku claimed to be a Kirigakure hunter-nin and asked Kakashi to hand over Zabuza’s body.
• Kakashi agreed, and Haku used the Wind Release: Mist Body Flicker to escape with Zabuza while Naruto secretly captured Haku’s chakra.
• Naruto pretended to grieve over Zabuza, then Kakashi collapsed from his injuries.
• Naruto sent the others to find a supposed medicinal herb and prepare a quiet tent for treatment.
• Alone with the unconscious Kakashi, Naruto examined his injuries and prepared to treat him, reaching toward Kakashi’s forehead protector and mask.

Naruto and Sasuke searched for the Lingzhi Immortal Herb, while Naruto’s Shadow Clone secretly treated Kakashi and acted on Naruto’s private fantasies. After Kakashi recovered, Team 7 and Tazuna reached the seaside town in the Land of Waves, where they prepared to continue their mission.

• Naruto removed Kakashi’s mask, but quickly covered his face again when Sasuke returned with herbs and an apple.
• Naruto left a Shadow Clone to care for Kakashi and went searching for the Lingzhi Immortal Herb with Sasuke.
• The Shadow Clone treated Kakashi with the Mystical Palm Technique and, after Kakashi woke, dispelled itself, returning its memories and sensations to Naruto.
• Naruto claimed to have found the Lingzhi Immortal Herb, and Kakashi recovered some of his mental strength after drinking it.
• Two days later, the group reached a mountaintop overlooking the sea and the rundown seaside town, where Tazuna explained that Gato’s influence had worsened life for its people.

Naruto and Team 7 reached Tazuna’s home in the Land of Waves, where Naruto discussed the danger Gato posed and treated Kakashi’s injuries. The next morning, Kakashi found Naruto asleep while holding Sasuke and planned to take the team training.

• Tazuna and Team 7 crossed the misty waters to the Land of Waves, and Naruto warned that Gato could destroy the bridge unless the people gained strength to resist him.
• Tazuna’s daughter welcomed her father and the escorts home, assigned rooms to Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, and prepared dinner.
• Naruto used the Mystical Palm Technique to treat Kakashi, then convinced him that expressing his discomfort would help his recovery.
• Sakura admired the stars before her loud snoring kept Naruto awake, so he stuffed her mouth with his socks and later went to sleep beside Sasuke.
• The next morning, Kakashi found Naruto holding Sasuke and told the team to get up for breakfast and training.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura practiced Kakashi’s chakra-control tree-climbing technique in the forest, and Sasuke and Naruto shared an emotional moment that left Sakura exasperated. Naruto privately resolved to help Sasuke grow strong enough to avenge his clan while concealing his plans for Sasuke’s future defection.

• Kakashi demonstrated chakra control by walking up a tree and taught Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura the Gecko Wall-Walking technique.
• Sakura climbed more than ten meters on her first attempt and felt proud of impressing Sasuke.
• Naruto and Sasuke calmly climbed to the treetop together, where Naruto comforted Sasuke as he cried over his family and his uncertain future.
• Naruto kissed Sasuke and promised to respect his choices, while privately thinking he would have to confront Sasuke when he defected.
• Sakura watched Naruto and Sasuke embrace, then broke down and announced she was going home.