Chapter Summaries

After Kakashi explained that the Land of Waves mission had become a dangerous B-rank assignment, Naruto, Chiba, and Sasuke agreed to continue. Kakashi told Chiba and Naruto to kill the captured Kirigakure ninja, and Chiba killed one to force Naruto to confront the reality of being a ninja.

• Kakashi judged Naruto and Sasuke slow to react during the ambush, while Chiba encouraged Naruto and considered helping Sasuke change his outlook.
• Kakashi told Tazuna that ninja involvement raised the mission from C-rank to B-rank and raised concerns about the students’ safety.
• Naruto and Chiba asked to continue the mission for the experience, and Sasuke agreed to go on as well.
• Kakashi revealed that the captured attackers were from Kirigakure and told Chiba and Naruto to kill them if they wanted to continue.
• As Naruto hesitated with his kunai, Chiba threw a kunai into one attacker’s forehead and told Naruto to give up on becoming a ninja if he could not face that hurdle.

After Naruto Uzumaki killed a Kirigakure ninja, Chiba comforted him by arguing that strength was necessary to change the world. The group continued its mission to the Land of Waves, where Chiba sensed danger as they entered the forest.

• Naruto Uzumaki killed the last Kirigakure ninja but trembled and questioned whether every ninja had to kill.
• Chiba reassured Naruto Uzumaki and said strength was the foundation for changing the world.
• Naruto Uzumaki regained his composure and admired Chiba, while Kakashi Hatake ended the discussion and resumed the mission.
• Kakashi Hatake's group traveled by boat to the Land of Waves and headed toward Tazuna's home.
• Chiba tensed as the group entered the forest, sensing malice all around them.

Chiba sensed Zabuza Momochi’s ambush and helped Kakashi Hatake’s team defend Tazuna, but Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique and a Water Clone to attack. The real Zabuza remained hidden as the mist closed in around them.

• Chiba warned Kakashi Hatake that a powerful presence was nearby, and Zabuza Momochi emerged to demand that they hand over Tazuna.
• Zabuza used the Hidden Mist Technique to vanish, but Chiba sensed his position and directed Kakashi Hatake to attack.
• Zabuza identified Chiba as the main threat and clashed with him while Chiba warned Naruto and Sasuke to stay on guard.
• Kakashi Hatake kicked the Zabuza fighting Chiba, only for the target to dissolve into water as a Water Clone.
• Zabuza’s killing intent spread through the mist again while his real position remained unknown.

Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza Momochi fought through the mist until Zabuza trapped Kakashi in a Water Prison Technique and sent a clone after the others. Chiba defeated the clone and helped Kakashi break free, leaving Kakashi poised to strike Zabuza's real body.

• Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza Momochi exchanged attacks until Zabuza trapped Kakashi in a Water Prison Technique.
• Zabuza left a water clone to attack Chiba, Sasuke, Naruto, and Tazuna while he held Kakashi captive.
• Chiba refused to run and used Wind Release: Great Breakthrough to obscure the clone's vision before killing it with a Refined Kunai.
• Chiba threw shuriken at Zabuza's real body, forcing him to dodge and breaking his hold on the Water Prison Technique.
• Kakashi Hatake attacked Zabuza's vitals as soon as he was free.

Chiba killed Zabuza Momochi’s Water Clone, then got behind the wounded Zabuza and held a kunai to his throat while Kakashi fought him. Before Chiba could act further, two senbon struck Zabuza’s neck.

• Chiba destroyed Zabuza Momochi’s Water Clone with Wind Release and the Hidden Mist Technique, then left the fight to Kakashi Hatake.
• Kakashi and Zabuza exchanged Water Release techniques, and Kakashi’s Sharingan let him anticipate Zabuza’s attacks.
• Kakashi’s Great Waterfall Technique battered Zabuza and left him wounded beside a tree.
• Chiba appeared behind Zabuza and held a kunai to his throat, astonishing Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
• Chiba recognized incoming ninja tools but held back, and two senbon struck Zabuza’s neck.

After Haku took Zabuza Momochi’s body, Chiba led the team safely to Tazuna’s home while Kakashi Hatake recovered from the Sharingan’s chakra drain. The next morning, Kakashi woke and said it was time for Naruto Uzumaki to train.

• Haku revealed himself as a Kirigakure Pursuit Ninja, took Zabuza Momochi’s body after Kakashi Hatake confirmed his death, and vanished.
• Naruto Uzumaki asked Chiba to teach him how to get stronger and become Hokage, but Kakashi Hatake collapsed from exhaustion.
• Chiba took charge as the group continued their journey, and Naruto Uzumaki drove off several bandits.
• The team arrived at Tazuna’s home, where Tazuna explained that Gato would not attack them openly in town.
• The next morning, Kakashi Hatake woke, apologized for passing out after the Sharingan drained his chakra, and told Naruto Uzumaki it was time to train.

Kakashi Hatake began chakra-control training for Team 7, but Chiba quickly demonstrated that he could already climb trees. Kakashi tested Chiba’s chakra nature and decided to teach him two ninjutsu.

• Kakashi Hatake explained chakra control and demonstrated how to climb a tree using chakra attached to the feet.
• Chiba climbed to the top of the tree with ease, so Kakashi Hatake took him aside to discuss ninjutsu while Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha practiced.
• Chiba told Kakashi Hatake that he knew basic C-rank ninjutsu and mainly used Wind Release techniques.
• Kakashi Hatake gave Chiba Chakra Paper, which split and burned when Chiba channeled chakra into it.
• Kakashi Hatake identified Chiba’s chakra natures as wind and fire and decided to teach him two ninjutsu.

Kakashi Hatake taught Chiba two powerful ninjutsu, and Chiba quickly mastered Vacuum Great Sphere and demonstrated his Fire Release skill. The chapter ended with Chiba launching Fire Dragon Flame Bullet before Kakashi Hatake had finished explaining it.

• Kakashi Hatake offered to teach Chiba Vacuum Great Sphere and Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
• Chiba quickly learned Vacuum Great Sphere and blasted a wide path through the trees.
• Chiba demonstrated Great Fireball Technique, creating a large crater and impressing Kakashi Hatake with its power.
• Kakashi Hatake began explaining Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, but Chiba performed it before he finished.
• Chiba's flames swept across the area, leaving everything in sight charred black.

Chiba quickly mastered the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, impressing Kakashi, who asked him to supervise Naruto and Sasuke while he recovered. Chiba joined their training and warned them to prepare for a possible return of Zabuza, leaving Naruto fired up and Sasuke still troubled.

• Kakashi was astonished by how quickly Chiba learned the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet and said he had no more Fire or Wind Release techniques to teach him.
• Kakashi asked Chiba to guide Naruto and Sasuke while he recovered, explaining that he suspected Zabuza was still alive and working with the Kirigakure ninja.
• Kakashi began reading Icha Icha Paradise, and Chiba went to check on Naruto and Sasuke's tree-climbing practice.
• Chiba told Naruto and Sasuke that Kakashi had put him in charge of their training and warned them that Zabuza might return before the next battle.
• Naruto vowed to train hard, while Sasuke remained silent and weighed down by worries.

Chiba trained Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha while pretending to relax, teaching them to control their large chakra reserves. After they both reached the top of the trees, he carried them back to Tazuna's house, where he learned the Great Bridge was nearly finished and hoped his sign-in mission would soon be completed.

• Chiba lounged under a tree while urging Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha to train, and secretly molded his own chakra.
• Chiba compared their progress and explained that their large chakra reserves made controlling chakra use a major challenge.
• After several days of training, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha reached the tops of the trees but were exhausted.
• Chiba carried Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha back to Tazuna's house, where Kakashi Hatake and Tazuna saw them arrive.
• Tazuna said the Great Bridge was almost finished and asked them to protect the workers the next day, prompting Chiba to hope his sign-in mission would soon be completed.

Kakashi Hatake and Chiba prepared for an expected confrontation as Team 7 set out to finish the Great Bridge. They arrived to find the workers incapacitated, and Zabuza Momochi appeared in a heavy mist.

• Kakashi Hatake told Chiba he expected a major battle when the Great Bridge was completed and warned that the Kirigakure Pursuit Ninja would also be present.
• The next morning, Kakashi Hatake and Chiba discussed Naruto Uzumaki's quick recovery and his Uzumaki Clan background, which caught Sasuke Uchiha's attention.
• Chiba woke Naruto Uzumaki, and the group of five left Tazuna's house for the Great Bridge.
• At the Great Bridge, Tazuna rushed to check on the fallen workers, and Chiba confirmed that their lives were not in danger.
• Thick mist and killing intent engulfed the bridge as Zabuza Momochi arrived.

Zabuza Momochi and Haku ambushed Kakashi Hatake’s team, forcing Chiba to guard Tazuna while the others fought. As Haku trapped Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki in ice mirrors, two samurai broke into Tazuna’s house and seized Tsunami as a potential hostage.

• Chiba protected Tazuna as Zabuza Momochi and Haku emerged from the mist to attack Kakashi Hatake’s team.
• Kakashi Hatake fought Zabuza Momochi while Sasuke Uchiha attacked Haku.
• Haku formed hand seals with one hand and used Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death, which Sasuke Uchiha dodged.
• Naruto Uzumaki joined Sasuke Uchiha, but Haku escaped their attacks and trapped them in Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
• Two samurai broke into Tazuna’s house and targeted Tsunami as a hostage.

Chiba's shadow clone saved Tsunami and Inari from two samurai, while the battle on the Great Bridge continued. Zabuza Momochi attacked Tazuna, but Chiba intercepted him with glowing golden eyes.

• Chiba's shadow clone arrived as two samurai threatened Inari and defeated them with elbow strikes to their necks.
• Chiba's clone disposed of the samurai in the sea and told Tsunami and Inari to hide.
• The clone dispelled itself, sending its memories back to Chiba on the Great Bridge.
• Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and Chiba continued fighting Zabuza Momochi and Haku.
• Zabuza Momochi emerged from the mist behind Tazuna, but Chiba blocked his attack as his eyes shone gold.

Chiba entered Sage Mode and overwhelmed Zabuza Momochi with a senjutsu-infused Konoha Whirlwind on the Great Bridge. He left Zabuza to Kakashi Hatake, then sensed a surge of nine-tails chakra from the other battlefield.

• Chiba entered Sage Mode to protect Tazuna and struck Zabuza Momochi with a powerful Konoha Whirlwind.
• Zabuza Momochi survived the blow, questioned Chiba's strength, and charged back into the fight.
• Chiba told Kakashi Hatake that he could only use the attack once in a short period and left Zabuza to him.
• Kakashi Hatake and Zabuza Momochi resumed clashing in the mist on the Great Bridge.
• Chiba turned toward the other battlefield when chakra filled with malice surged across the bridge, recognizing it as nine-tails chakra.

Naruto Uzumaki defeated Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals with the Nine-Tails’ chakra, but stopped when Haku’s mask fell and he recognized the boy. Chiba learned Haku’s One-Handed Hand Seals method, while Haku asked to be buried with Zabuza.

• Naruto Uzumaki’s Nine-Tails chakra shattered Haku’s Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and knocked Haku onto the Great Bridge.
• Naruto Uzumaki froze when Haku’s mask fell and recognized the boy he had met during training; Haku explained his past.
• Chiba’s Shadow Clone asked Haku about training in One-Handed Hand Seals, while Chiba urged Naruto Uzumaki to check on Sasuke Uchiha.
• Haku taught Chiba how chakra flowed through the body when forming seals with one hand.
• Haku asked Chiba to bury him together with Zabuza.

Chiba honored Haku’s request to die protecting Zabuza, then killed Gato when he tried to desecrate Haku’s body. He left Zabuza alive and told him to deal with Gato’s men.

• Chiba agreed to take care of Haku’s body after the battle and Haku asked him to kill him.
• Kakashi Hatake used his Ninja Dogs to pin Zabuza and struck at him with the Lightning Blade, but Haku intercepted the attack and died.
• Overcome by Haku’s death, Zabuza fought erratically until Kakashi Hatake wounded both his arms and incapacitated him.
• Gato approached and moved to touch Haku’s face with his cane.
• Chiba struck Gato dead, then told Zabuza that protecting Haku’s body and Zabuza was his decision and left Gato’s men to him.

Chiba and the others witnessed Zabuza's final moments after Haku's death, and Chiba killed the samurai who threatened them. Zabuza died beside Haku, while Chiba received the Eight Gates as his Land of Waves mission reward.

• Zabuza gave up fighting Chiba after learning Gato was dead, then used his teeth to take a kunai and charged the samurai.
• Naruto arrived supporting Sasuke and learned that Haku had died after fulfilling his dream.
• Zabuza killed many samurai but collapsed before reaching Haku, so Chiba used Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere to defeat the remaining attackers.
• Chiba laid Zabuza beside Haku and shattered Zabuza's heart at his request, allowing him to die beside Haku.
• Chiba completed the Land of Waves sign-in mission and received the Eight Gates.

After burying Haku and Zabuza, Chiba encouraged Naruto to forge his own ninja way, and the team stayed in the Land of Waves until the Great Bridge was completed. Tazuna named it the Chiba Great Bridge, completing Chiba’s hidden mission and earning him doubled C-rank ninjutsu power before the team headed home.

• Chiba buried Haku and Zabuza with Kakashi and his teammates, honoring his promise to Haku.
• Naruto asked whether ninja had to become tools, and Chiba encouraged him to forge a path he would never regret.
• The bridge workers resumed construction under the team’s protection and completed the Great Bridge three days later.
• Tazuna named the bridge the Chiba Great Bridge, triggering Chiba’s hidden mission reward of doubled C-rank ninjutsu power.
• Kakashi led the team away from the Land of Waves, and Chiba remembered that the Chunin Ninja Exams were approaching.

After returning to Konoha, Kakashi Hatake learned from Hiruzen Sarutobi that the Land of Waves mission had served a diplomatic purpose and received a new low-risk assignment. Chiba, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha went to Ichiraku for ramen, where Naruto spotted a glutton challenge notice.

• Kakashi Hatake reported the Land of Waves mission to Hiruzen Sarutobi and distributed the team's payment.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the mission's hidden diplomatic purpose and gave Kakashi Hatake a new assignment for Team 7 to undertake after resting.
• Chiba agreed to go for ramen with Naruto Uzumaki, who was excited about their B-rank mission reward.
• Chiba and Naruto Uzumaki brought Sasuke Uchiha along to Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
• Naruto Uzumaki noticed a notice advertising the Ichiraku Ramen Glutton Challenge.

Chiba joined Ichiraku Ramen’s eating contest with Naruto and Sasuke, then faced Choji and Team 8 among the competitors. Chiba won with sixty-eight servings and claimed the lifetime fifty-percent-off voucher.

• Chiba persuaded Naruto and Sasuke to enter the eating contest at Ichiraku Ramen.
• Choji arrived and challenged Naruto, then Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, and Hinata joined the contestants.
• Teuchi announced that the contest’s theme was tonkotsu ramen and that the champion would receive a lifetime fifty-percent-off voucher.
• Chiba ate at an increasing pace while Naruto and Sasuke wolfed down their ramen beside him.
• Teuchi announced Choji in third place with twenty-three servings, Hinata in second with thirty-one, and Chiba as champion with sixty-eight.