Chapter Summaries

Ling created an opening for Kakashi to attack Zabuza, but Haku sacrificed himself by taking Kakashi’s Lightning Blade in Zabuza’s place. The battle halted as Zabuza grieved over Haku’s dying body.

• Haku took Tazuna hostage, forcing Kakashi and the others to hold back while Zabuza advanced.
• Ling used Water Release to distract Haku, giving Kakashi an opening to strike Zabuza.
• Haku abandoned Tazuna and intercepted Kakashi’s Lightning Blade, taking the fatal blow meant for Zabuza.
• Haku apologized to Zabuza for failing to become the perfect tool he needed, then collapsed.
• Zabuza caught Haku and cried out in grief as the others watched in silence.

After Gato arrived with armed thugs, Ling secretly extracted Gato’s financial secrets and passed them to Uzuki Yugao. Zabuza then slaughtered Gato’s men and killed Gato, before turning his attention back to Kakashi, Ling, and the others.

• Gato arrived with dozens of thugs and ordered them to kill the Konoha ninja and Tazuna.
• Ling used Tobirama’s jutsu to extract Gato’s bank accounts, vault locations, and passwords without being noticed.
• Ling found Uzuki Yugao and gave her the information so she could report it to the village.
• Kakashi and Sasuke fought off most of the thugs while Zabuza laid Haku’s body down and picked up Kubikiribōchō.
• Zabuza killed Gato’s remaining thugs and struck down Gato, then turned toward Kakashi, Ling, and the others.

After Zabuza destroyed Haku’s body to keep his Ice Release from Konoha’s Anbu, Ling followed him and revealed that Kirigakure had changed under Mei Terumi. Zabuza left for the Land of Water with Haku’s head, carrying a chance to return home and start anew.

• Zabuza severed Haku’s head, burned his body, and left the battlefield with the head wrapped at his waist.
• Kakashi took the injured Naruto back for treatment while Ling went after Zabuza to check the area.
• Ling found Zabuza on a rocky shore and told him that the Fourth Mizukage was dead and Mei Terumi was reforming Kirigakure.
• Ling urged Zabuza to take Haku back to the Land of Water and seek a new purpose there.
• Zabuza headed toward the sea and disappeared into the mist, while Ling returned to Tazuna’s house.

After Team 7 completed its mission in the Land of Waves, they departed for Konoha with the Naruto Bridge finished and their experiences still weighing on them. Ling learned that his performance had attracted attention from Danzo and that Orochimaru’s plans might soon threaten the village.

• Ling reported to Kakashi that Zabuza had escaped and that Gato’s remaining men showed no signs of activity.
• Tazuna promised the team better payment, and the people of the Land of Waves completed and named the bridge the Naruto Bridge.
• The people of the Land of Waves saw Team 7 off, and Naruto asked Kakashi whether Haku and Zabuza had been good or bad people.
• Tobirama praised Ling’s decisions and warned him that Danzo might target him while Orochimaru could act after learning of Sasuke’s Sharingan evolution.
• As the boat carried Team 7 toward the Land of Fire, assessment reports on Ling reached the Hokage’s Office and Root.

Team 7 returned to Konoha after the Land of Waves mission, where the Hokage questioned Ling about his unusual Water Release and the team underwent medical examinations. As they celebrated at Ichiraku, the Hokage, Danzo, and Orochimaru each took an interest in Ling or the team’s growing abilities.

• Kakashi reported the mission to Hiruzen, who praised Team 7 and asked Ling to stay behind for questioning.
• Ling attributed his unusual Water Release to a special water affinity inherited from his mother's clan, and Hiruzen warned him to grow responsibly.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura received examinations at the Medical Corps, where doctors checked Naruto's recovery and Sasuke's Sharingan.
• Naruto invited the others to Ichiraku Ramen, and Ling joined them for a meal after Kakashi departed.
• Hiruzen reviewed a report noting Ling's unexplained intelligence gathering, while Danzo ordered continued surveillance and an opportunity to contact him.
• Orochimaru received a report about Sasuke's two-tomoe Sharingan and Ling's Water Release, and showed interest in both.

Team 7 faced the Sand Ninja and learned that Kakashi had entered them in the Chunin Ninja Exams. After Iruka tested their readiness with a staged ambush, he accepted their decision to compete, while the looming danger of the exams remained.

• Ling trained secretly with Tobirama, refining the Flying Thunder God formula and advancing his Water Release techniques.
• Naruto defended Konohamaru from Kankuro and Temari, while Sasuke and Ling sensed the danger Gaara posed.
• Kakashi stopped Kankuro from attacking and announced that he had submitted Team 7's applications for the Chunin Ninja Exams; all four accepted.
• Masked attackers ambushed Team 7, but Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Ling fought them off through teamwork.
• The last attacker revealed himself as Iruka, who explained that he had been testing them and wished them luck in the exams.

Team 7 saw through the genjutsu hiding the Chunin Exam room, while Rock Lee challenged Sasuke after Sakura rejected his confession. Ling and his teammates entered the real exam room, where the first stage was about to begin and Orochimaru's threat still loomed.

• Team 7 reached the exam building and learned from Neji and Sasuke that Room 301 was an illusion hiding the real room upstairs.
• Rock Lee confessed to Sakura, who rejected him and declared her feelings for Sasuke.
• Rock Lee attacked Sasuke, overwhelming him with taijutsu until Neji ordered him to stop and warned him to focus on the exam.
• Tenten cautioned Ling about hidden talents among the candidates and pointed out Gaara's dangerous-looking team.
• Ling led Team 7 upstairs to the real exam room, where the first stage was about to begin.

Ling and Team 7 took the Chunin Exams’ written test, where candidates had to gather answers without being caught and withstand Ibiki’s final test of resolve. After Naruto inspired the remaining candidates to stay, Ibiki announced they had passed, and Mitaraishi Anko arrived to begin the second exam.

• Ling reunited with Ino and Team 10, then watched Kabuto share intelligence about rival candidates and reveal details about Ling’s abilities.
• Ibiki Morino entered, assigned the candidates their seats, and explained that anyone caught cheating five times would be eliminated with their team.
• Ling used Tobirama’s guidance and discreet water techniques to gather answers while monitoring the other candidates’ cheating methods.
• Ibiki presented a final choice designed to test the candidates’ nerve, and Naruto refused to quit, encouraging the others to remain.
• Ibiki declared the surviving candidates had passed, and Mitaraishi Anko burst through the window to lead them into the second exam.

Team 7 entered the Forest of Death, survived several attacks, and took another Earth Scroll. When Orochimaru ambushed them at their cave, Ling protected Sasuke with a Water Mirror Barrier, drawing Orochimaru’s keen interest.

• Anko explained the Forest of Death exam rules, and Team 7 entered with an Earth Scroll.
• Ling warned Team 7 of an ambush, and they defeated the attackers and took their Earth Scroll.
• Team 7 endured more attacks and deadly wildlife before resting in a cave.
• Tobirama sensed Orochimaru approaching, and his killing intent overwhelmed Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke.
• Ling knocked Sasuke aside and deflected Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword with a Water Mirror Barrier.
• Orochimaru emerged and singled out Ling as an unusually interesting Hatake Clan child.

Ling and his teammates fought Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, but Orochimaru marked Sasuke with a cursed seal and disrupted Naruto’s chakra with a Five Elements Seal before disappearing. Ling moved the unconscious team to safety and kept watch, leaving their injuries and Orochimaru’s gifts as looming dangers.

• Ling used water techniques to shield Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura and help them resist Orochimaru’s attacks.
• Orochimaru bit Sasuke and inflicted the Cursed Seal of Heaven, causing Sasuke to convulse before he passed out.
• Naruto’s rage released Nine-Tails chakra, but Orochimaru struck him with the Five Elements Seal and knocked him unconscious.
• Orochimaru vanished after warning Sasuke and Ling that he would return.
• Ling dragged Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to a safer spot and guarded them while recovering his chakra.

In the Forest of Death, Ling consulted Tobirama about Sasuke’s Cursed Seal and Naruto’s disrupted chakra, then heard Tobirama propose a long-term plan to recruit Orochimaru back to Konoha. Ling agreed to proceed cautiously and focused on protecting his unconscious companions and surviving the exam.

• Tobirama explained how Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal could erode Sasuke’s mind and how the Five Elements Seal interfered with Naruto’s chakra control.
• Tobirama argued that Orochimaru’s actions stemmed from grief, fear of death, and a distorted desire to protect Konoha, leaving him potentially redeemable.
• Tobirama advised Ling to attract Orochimaru’s interest, establish a covert channel through Kabuto, and use fragments of future knowledge to encourage cooperation.
• Tobirama proposed approaching Orochimaru after the Konoha Crush Plan, when he would be vulnerable, with offers of knowledge and help in exchange for abandoning his attacks and taking restrictions.
• Ling accepted Tobirama’s plan, and Tobirama promised to teach him ways to temporarily ease the seals while urging him to rest and protect his companions.

Ling and his teammates encountered Gaara after recovering from Orochimaru’s attack, and a battle broke out as Gaara targeted Sasuke. Ling’s powerful Water Release attack enraged Shukaku and pushed Gaara toward losing control, until Mitaraishi Anko and Konoha Anbu arrived to intervene.

• Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke woke in Ling’s shelter, and Ling explained that Orochimaru had placed a Cursed Seal on Sasuke and a Five Elements Seal on Naruto.
• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro appeared, and Gaara attacked the unconscious Sasuke with sand infused with Shukaku’s chakra.
• Sasuke woke and saved Sakura, while Ling assigned Naruto to fight Kankuro and Sakura to face Temari.
• Ling and Sasuke attacked Gaara together, and Ling’s Water Severing Wave: Extreme Piercing forced Gaara back and cut a lock of his hair.
• Gaara began losing control as Shukaku’s power surged, and Naruto collapsed in pain as the Nine-Tails chakra inside him reacted.
• Mitaraishi Anko and several Konoha Anbu arrived and ordered Gaara to control his power.

Anko stopped Gaara’s rampage and questioned Ling about evidence suggesting he had used an obsolete Water Dragon Bullet Technique. After reporting the battle to Hiruzen, she left him increasingly suspicious of Ling’s secrets as Team 7 continued toward the Central Tower.

• Anko and her ANBU separated Gaara from the others, and she ordered Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara to leave the battlefield.
• Anko examined the damage and questioned Ling about traces resembling the forty-four-seal Water Dragon Bullet Technique; Ling denied using it and blamed his water-shaping talent and experimentation.
• Naruto and Sasuke refused to withdraw despite their injuries, and Team 7 set off toward the Central Tower with Sakura supporting them.
• Anko reported Gaara’s near-rampage, Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, Naruto’s chakra-disrupting seal, and her suspicions about Ling to Hiruzen.
• Hiruzen ordered Anko to monitor Sunagakure, the Sound Ninja, and Orochimaru, then resolved to speak with Ling after the exam.

Ling and Team 7 obtained the scrolls needed to reach the Central Tower and brought Karin with them after she helped ease Sasuke’s Cursed Seal pain. They arrived before the deadline, where Kakashi took Sasuke away to address the seal while the others went for medical care.

• Ling led Team 7 to a fight and found three Kusagakure Genin attacking Karin for her scroll.
• Sasuke threatened the Kusagakure Genin with a Chidori Blade, forcing them to leave both scrolls and flee.
• Karin used her vitality-rich chakra to ease Sasuke’s Cursed Seal symptoms, then asked to travel with Team 7.
• Ling agreed to take Karin along, and Team 7 reached the Central Tower with both scrolls before the deadline.
• Kakashi took Sasuke to deal with the Cursed Seal and sent Sakura, Naruto, Ling, and Karin to the medical station.

Ling consulted Tobirama about Karin’s Uzumaki heritage and learned that her healing abilities could make her a target in Konoha. Tobirama proposed guiding her toward Orochimaru and Otogakure as her best chance of survival, and Ling reluctantly agreed as the third exam preliminaries approached.

• Tobirama explained that Kakashi’s sealing method could suppress Sasuke’s Cursed Seal temporarily but could not remove Orochimaru’s technique.
• Tobirama identified Karin as a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan and condemned Konoha’s leadership for abandoning Uzushio when it was destroyed.
• Tobirama warned that Danzo and Konoha’s leadership would likely exploit Karin’s rare healing abilities if she stayed in the village.
• Tobirama proposed drawing Karin toward Orochimaru, who might protect and train her because her abilities could help him study and use Sasuke’s Cursed Seal.
• Tobirama instructed Ling to make Karin’s bloodline traits more noticeable and subtly encourage her to seek a powerful researcher, while keeping the plan secret.
• Ling accepted the plan and returned his attention to Karin as the third exam preliminaries neared.

Orochimaru infiltrated the Central Tower during Kakashi’s attempt to suppress Sasuke’s cursed seal and discovered Karin’s unusual Uzumaki vitality. He summoned Ling for a private conversation, leaving Ling with an invitation to consider a different path for Karin and a promise to watch his performance in the next exam.

• Orochimaru appeared in the chamber while Kakashi sealed Sasuke’s cursed mark, then sensed Karin’s vitality and vanished after telling Ling to meet him.
• Ling followed Tobirama’s instructions to stimulate Karin’s bloodline, drawing Orochimaru toward her.
• Kakashi completed the seal, confirmed Naruto and Sakura were safe, and tried to stop Ling from meeting Orochimaru.
• Ling entered an abandoned storeroom and denied Orochimaru’s suspicions about his abilities and Karin’s bloodline.
• Orochimaru questioned Ling about Sasuke’s cursed seal and immortality, then suggested Karin should follow a more suitable path and said he would watch Ling in the next exam.

After the second exam, the candidates fought one-on-one preliminaries, where Sasuke’s cursed seal broke through its suppression and Ling defeated Kinto with precise Water Release. Ling advanced while Orochimaru’s interest in him grew, and the remaining matches continued toward the official third exam.

• Kakashi checked on Ling after his meeting with Orochimaru, and Anko announced the third exam preliminaries.
• Sasuke’s cursed seal partially broke through Kakashi’s suppression, letting him defeat Akado Yoroi with a Lion Combo and alarming Kakashi.
• Shino, Kankuro, Naruto, Temari, Neji, and Choji won their matches, while Neji severely injured Hinata.
• Ling used water vapor to blunt Kinto’s sound genjutsu, then trapped her with Water Release and won with a kunai at her back.
• Kakashi was relieved by Ling’s controlled performance, while Orochimaru became more interested in Ling’s abilities.

Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka fought in the preliminaries, where Ino won after adapting her tactics and the former friends began to reconcile. Ling and Tobirama then discussed developing Ino’s abilities as the contestants received their main tournament matchups and a month to prepare.

• The preliminary matchups paired Sakura Haruno against Ino Yamanaka, prompting Ling to watch Ino closely as Tobirama noticed his interest.
• Ino’s Mind Body Switch Technique failed when Sakura countered it with a defensive genjutsu, but Ino stayed composed and switched tactics.
• Ino disrupted Sakura’s movements with the Mind Body Disturbance Technique and won the match.
• Ino offered Sakura a hand, and Sakura accepted it before promising to win next time.
• Tobirama proposed training Ino and developing water-based techniques to support her clan’s abilities, while Ling objected to the sudden plan.
• Gekko Hayate announced the main tournament matchups and a one-month preparation period as the preliminaries ended.

During the month before the Chūnin Exam finals, Ling trained to master the foundations of the Flying Thunder God and refined his Water Release while covertly sharing techniques with Ino. Orochimaru confronted Ling about his progress and Ino’s training, and the chapter ended as the finals began.

• Naruto trained under Ebisu and Jiraiya, while Kakashi taught Sasuke Chidori and prepared him to resist Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal.
• Ling repeatedly practiced holding the Flying Thunder God formula steady and refined his Water Severing Wave and Water Formation Wall through precise control.
• Ling showed Ino how water vapor could extend chakra sensing and left her notes on chakra control and physical conditioning.
• Orochimaru confronted Ling, questioned his spatial training and Ino’s new methods, and hinted that Ling could join him in a well-resourced research environment.
• Ling implied he was open to cooperation while explaining Ino’s changes as an ordinary exchange, and Orochimaru departed satisfied.
• The month passed, and the day of the finals arrived.

The Chunin Ninja Exams’ final tournament began, and Naruto, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Ino advanced through their matches. Ling’s battle with Gaara escalated when Ling’s water techniques forced Gaara into a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, leaving the fight’s outcome uncertain.

• Naruto defeated Neji by breaking through his chakra-point blocks and catching him off guard with a shadow-clone tactic.
• Shikamaru trapped Temari with his Shadow Imitation Technique and made her surrender, choosing not to continue fighting.
• Sasuke overcame Rock Lee with the power of his Cursed Seal and Sharingan, while Kakashi watched with concern.
• Kankuro forfeited to Ino rather than reveal his Crow puppet’s secrets.
• Ling countered Gaara’s sand attacks with Water Release and used the moisture he had spread across the arena to turn the ground into a swamp.
• Gaara lost control and partially transformed under Shukaku’s influence as Ling tried to restrain him, prompting the Sunagakure ninja to prepare to intervene.