Recaps

Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin to Auntie Hikoneko’s garden for a mission to eliminate hornets. The team learned the hornets had invaded the garden and eaten Hikoneko’s bees, and Naruto realized what their mission involved.

• Kakashi gathered the squad and described their assignment as driving evil invaders out of a garden.
• Naruto guessed the invaders might be wild boars or bears, while Hinata and Kakashi kept the truth from him.
• Kakashi led the squad to Hikoneko’s home, where Naruto settled onto her sofa and Kakashi introduced the team.
• Hikoneko explained that hornets had invaded her garden and eaten her bees.
• Kakashi explained that hornets preyed on bees and attacked people, and Hikoneko confirmed the squad’s mission was to get rid of them.

Kakashi abandoned Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin to handle Hikoneko’s hornet problem while he and Hikoneko went inside for tea. After Hinata located the nest and the others considered their options, Sasuke offered to use Fire Release, prompting Naruto to worry that he would burn down the garden.

• Hikoneko led the group into her garden and showed them the protective enclosure she had made to avoid the hornets.
• Kakashi slipped into the enclosure and left the four young ninja to complete their first mission while he and Hikoneko went inside for tea.
• Hikoneko pointed out the nest in a tree, and Hinata used her Byakugan to see how many hornets were inside.
• Karin suggested pulling the nest down with her chains, but Sasuke warned that the hornets would swarm her, while Hinata said her abilities were not ready to handle them.
• Naruto suggested throwing a ball, but Sasuke offered to use Fire Release, and Naruto worried he would set the garden on fire.

Hinata, Sasuke, Naruto, and Karin planned to wait until noon to burn out the hornets’ nest, and Kakashi agreed to supervise them. After tea, Sasuke discovered Naruto had taken and emptied his cup.

• Hinata suggested waiting until noon, when the hornets might be inside their nest, and the others agreed.
• Naruto surprised Kakashi by clinging to him from behind, then told Kakashi and Hikoneko about their plan to use Sasuke’s fire control against the hornets.
• Hikoneko worried that the children would set her garden on fire, but Kakashi reassured her that he would supervise them.
• Hikoneko served tea to Kakashi and the four children, and Sasuke decided he would buy some for his parents.
• Sasuke looked for his tea and found his cup beside Naruto, empty.

Naruto and Sasuke used Sasuke’s fire to destroy a hornets’ nest, but Sasuke’s Sharingan power surged and he nearly set Hikoneko’s tree on fire. Kakashi extinguished the flames and wondered whether Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō.

• Naruto kicked Sasuke and led Hinata and Karin to the garden, while Kakashi and Hikoneko followed.
• Sasuke used the Great Fireball Technique to burn the hornets’ nest, and the queen led surviving hornets through the flames toward him.
• Sasuke unleashed a larger fireball at the hornets, then showed signs of madness as a new pattern formed in his eyes.
• Naruto struck Sasuke with a knife-hand chop to snap him out of it after Sasuke’s fireball hit Hikoneko’s tree.
• Kakashi extinguished the burning tree with the Water Ball Technique, and Sasuke said his eyes had suddenly grown stronger and made him want to laugh wildly.
• Kakashi wondered whether Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō and told Naruto to check the tree.

After years of research, Tobirama perfected a method for using Flying Thunder God across Sealing Spaces and prepared to begin a formal experiment involving Sasuke and Izuna. Itachi agreed to help observe and record the test, while Tenzo went to find Kakashi to discuss charging for his Mangekyō recharging services.

• Tobirama achieved a breakthrough in using Flying Thunder God across Sealing Spaces and planned to use it to train Sasuke and Izuna.
• Tenzo gave Itachi his eyeball to store while reflecting on how he had spent years nourishing Kakashi's and Itachi's Mangekyō.
• Tenzo decided he should charge fifty thousand ryo a month for recharging Mangekyō and set off to find Kakashi after Itachi entered the Sealing Space.
• Tobirama told Itachi that his theoretical research had succeeded and that he had already conducted a small practical test.
• Tobirama told Itachi he would formally begin the experiment that night and asked him to observe and record what happened.

Tobirama left Itachi behind and disappeared through the Interference Device, while Sasuke’s Sharingan was suddenly affected by a transfer of Izuna’s ocular power. Izuna pulled Sasuke into the Sealing Space to calm him, where Tobirama appeared and claimed Sasuke as his adopted son, leaving Izuna demanding an explanation.

• Tobirama gave Itachi his training plan and forbidden jutsu before vanishing through the Interference Device.
• Itachi wished Tobirama smooth sailing, then rejoined Izumi for food as his experimental notebook began glowing blue.
• Sasuke’s tooth mark flashed, and sealing script reached his Sharingan as Izuna’s ocular power flowed into Sasuke.
• Izuna dragged Sasuke’s confused consciousness into the Sealing Space and used Susanoo to restrain him when he attacked.
• Tobirama appeared on Susanoo’s arm and claimed Sasuke as his adopted son, prompting Izuna to demand whether Itachi had accepted him as a father.

Tobirama investigated why Izuna's dōjutsu power was flooding into Sasuke and claimed a malfunctioning blue screen was responsible. After triggering the flow again to identify its cause, Tobirama knocked Sasuke unconscious and said he would need to stay until he could fix the problem.

• Tobirama examined Sasuke and found that the dōjutsu power had mostly dissipated, then told Izuna that Sasuke's problem was serious but treatable.
• Tobirama blamed the blue screen's malfunction for forcibly pouring Izuna's power into Sasuke, and Izuna questioned how Tobirama knew.
• Tobirama tuned the Interference Device to the frequency of his Flying Thunder God, causing dōjutsu power to surge into Sasuke again.
• Sasuke began laughing wildly, so Tobirama knocked him unconscious and placed another sealing technique on his neck.
• Tobirama told Izuna that he had identified the cause but needed time to fix it, and Izuna examined the seal without understanding it.

Sasuke woke in the Sealing Space after being overwhelmed by the Yin Release Chakra and discovered new markings around his neck. He found Izuna and Tobirama competing in a scorching hot spring, then learned Tobirama had diagnosed his problem and planned to treat him.

• Sasuke woke in the Sealing Space, remembered being shaken by an enormous creature, and noticed markings around the bite marks on his neck.
• Sasuke went to find his teacher and found Izuna and Tobirama competing to endure the heat of the Susanoo Hot Spring.
• Sasuke tried the water, burned his hand, and sat aside while Izuna and Tobirama continued their contest until they reached their limits.
• Izuna explained Sasuke's condition, and Tobirama claimed credit for the diagnosis and declared he would be Sasuke's doctor and teacher.
• Izuna objected to Tobirama taking Sasuke as a student, but Tobirama said Izuna would have to learn from him too.

Tobirama began training Izuna and Sasuke, teaching Izuna about chakra frequencies and offering Sasuke ninjutsu lessons to help him bring Itachi home. Naruto and Kakashi finished their mission for Hikoneko and left with her flower tea.

• Tobirama woke Izuna and Sasuke at four in the morning and told Izuna to train his chakra to oscillate at various frequencies.
• Tobirama explained that chakra at specific frequencies could affect the blue screen, then Izuna went to the grove to train.
• Sasuke asked Tobirama about Itachi, and Tobirama said Itachi was leading Root and doing well.
• Sasuke told Tobirama he wanted to bring Itachi home, and Tobirama offered to teach Sasuke useful ninjutsu to help him.
• Naruto restored the scorched tree for Hikoneko, and Hikoneko gave flower tea to Kakashi, who left with Naruto.

Naruto and Sasuke completed another D-rank mission to find a noblewoman’s runaway cat, though Sasuke accidentally shocked it and Naruto had to heal it with his blood. They returned to the mission hall, where Kakashi stepped in to handle the grateful owner and the mission formalities.

• Naruto and Sasuke tracked down the brown cat, and Sasuke’s Lightning Release armor shocked it when he caught it.
• Naruto repeatedly pricked his thumb and fed the cat his blood until its injuries healed, then he and Sasuke headed to report the mission.
• At the mission hall, the cat’s wealthy owner recognized it as her little Mimi and engulfed it in an overenthusiastic embrace.
• The noblewoman offered the boys a reward and promised to pay three times the mission fee.
• Naruto asked for more missions, and Kakashi appeared to take over the remaining formalities, earning Naruto’s grateful admiration.

Naruto persuaded Sasuke to request a C-rank mission so they could leave the village, and Kakashi agreed to find one. When Sarutobi proposed sending the newly graduated team to investigate Kirigakure, Kakashi objected and asked for a safer assignment instead.

• Naruto complained that D-rank missions were boring and begged Sasuke to take missions outside the village, but Sasuke initially preferred to stay and train.
• Naruto threw a tantrum until Sasuke agreed that they would ask Kakashi for a C-rank mission the next day.
• Kakashi agreed to their request and gave them a day to rest while he went to find a mission.
• Sarutobi proposed an A-rank mission for the team to investigate Kirigakure, but Kakashi rolled up the scroll and reminded him that they had only just graduated.
• Sarutobi smiled and offered Kakashi an unusual C-rank mission instead.

Kakashi received a mission to escort Tazuna to the Land of Waves and wondered whether the assignment hid a greater danger. As Naruto prepared to leave the village, his family and caretakers worried over him, while Hashirama and Kurama tended to the Nine-Tails seal and the Number Five Mech.

• Sarutobi assigned Kakashi’s team to escort bridge builder Tazuna to the Land of Waves and urged Kakashi to trust his subordinates.
• Kakashi met Guy and raced him home, while Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee headed to the mission hall.
• Kushina panicked when Naruto announced his C-rank mission, and Minato and Naruto reassured her.
• Hashirama caught Kurama near the Eight Trigrams Seal, then added senjutsu chakra to the seal’s enlarged reserve.
• Kurama poured his remaining chakra into the Number Five Mech, and Hashirama carried the exhausted fox back to the Small Wooden House.

Naruto and his team prepared to leave Konoha for a C-rank escort mission, while Karin questioned Hinata about her relationship with Naruto. Hinata revealed that Naruto had already had his first kiss, then whispered the identity of the person to Karin, who reacted in shock.

• Hinata told Naruto that Hiashi and Hanabi had been upset about her leaving on a mission.
• Karin arrived with supplies, and Kakashi led Team 7 to the mission hall for a C-rank escort mission outside the village.
• Naruto and Sasuke sped ahead, leaving Hinata to walk with Karin, who asked about her relationship with Naruto.
• Hinata told Karin that she and Naruto had not kissed, but Naruto had already had his first kiss.
• Hinata whispered the identity of Naruto's first kiss to Karin, who shouted in disbelief.

Kakashi introduced Team 7 to Tazuna and led them out of Konoha to escort him to the Land of Waves. When Naruto tired of walking, he summoned Number Five Mech, whose powerful chakra drew the team’s attention.

• Kakashi introduced Tazuna as the bridge builder Team 7 would escort on a C-rank mission, and Tazuna demanded that they protect him.
• Naruto muttered that he could build bridges better, prompting Tazuna to defend his skills, while Kakashi hinted that he knew the mission was more dangerous than its rank suggested.
• Kakashi led Team 7 and Tazuna through Konoha’s gates, as a crow watched them leave and returned to Konoha after Tobirama reassured Itachi that they had placed Flying Thunder God Marks on Uchiha Sasuke.
• After an hour of walking, Naruto complained about Tazuna’s slow pace and summoned Number Five Mech to carry him.
• Karin, Hinata, Sasuke, and Kakashi sensed Number Five Mech’s powerful chakra as a scarlet light appeared in its eyes.

Gato waited at his mansion for news of the attack on Tazuna, while Naruto took Hinata for a high-speed ride in the Number Five Mech. The group continued toward the Land of Waves, with Tazuna unnerved by the ninja’s power.

• Gato asked about Zabuza’s progress, then threw a plate at his servant for speaking without permission.
• Naruto invited his companions onto the cramped Number Five Mech, but only Hinata joined him.
• Naruto activated the mech’s berserk state and sped away with Hinata, telling Kakashi they would return in ten minutes.
• Sasuke decided he wanted a mech of his own, while Tazuna recovered from the mech’s intimidating presence.
• Kakashi warned Tazuna to stop drinking, then led Sasuke, Karin, and Tazuna onward as Naruto and Hinata enjoyed their ride.

Naruto and his team learned that Tazuna planned to build a bridge to break Gato’s trade monopoly in the Land of Waves, then uncovered that the mission was more dangerous than its C-rank label suggested. After defeating the Demon-Man Brothers, the team agreed to continue escorting Tazuna despite his inability to pay more.

• Naruto asked Tazuna about the Land of Waves, and Tazuna explained that Gato’s monopoly had worsened life there and that the bridge could inspire people to resist.
• Naruto and Karin noticed the puddle they had passed earlier, and the team silently surrounded Tazuna as the Demon-Man Brothers emerged from it.
• The Demon-Man Brothers attacked Kakashi, but his apparent death was a substitution; Sasuke cut their chain, and Hinata knocked both attackers unconscious.
• Naruto found Kirigakure forehead protectors on the brothers, and Kakashi confronted Tazuna because the C-rank mission had drawn Chunin-level attackers.
• Tazuna admitted he could not afford to pay more, and Naruto persuaded Kakashi to continue the mission anyway.

Zabuza prepared to pursue Tazuna while Gato gathered his henchmen, and Naruto’s team reached the Land of Waves and made camp in a wooden house Naruto created. The chapter ended with Naruto and Hinata encountering a black bear, while Kakashi asked whether Sasuke or Karin knew how to cook bear paws.

• Gato confronted Zabuza over the Demon Brothers’ failure, and Zabuza said he would handle Tazuna himself.
• Gato vented his anger at home, then ordered his butler to gather his henchmen.
• Zabuza dismissed Gato’s anger and sent Haku to investigate where Tazuna might appear.
• Tazuna told Naruto’s team that a boat would pick them up the next morning, and Kakashi had them camp by the water.
• Naruto created a wooden house with Wood Release, and Sasuke used Karin’s scroll to produce cooking supplies.
• Naruto and Hinata found a black bear in the woods, and Kakashi asked Sasuke and Karin whether they could cook its paws.

Naruto and his team traveled with Tazuna through the fog to the Land of Waves, where Tazuna explained why his grandson Inari had lost faith in resisting Gato. The group was ambushed after landing, and Kakashi blocked an incoming greatsword.

• Naruto killed a black bear with a single punch, and Kakashi cooked it for the team.
• Karin sensed Tazuna's boatman approaching through the fog, and the group crossed to the Land of Waves.
• Tazuna told the team that Inari feared resistance because his stepfather, Kaiza, had died fighting Gato.
• Karin sensed an approaching threat and warned Naruto as a greatsword flew toward Tazuna.
• Kakashi drew the White Blade and deflected the incoming greatsword.

Kakashi and his students fought Demon Zabuza, who used Water Clones and the Hidden Mist Technique to target Tazuna. The chapter ended with Kakashi realizing the Zabuza he had been fighting was a Water Clone and rushing to protect Tazuna.

• Zabuza appeared and recognized Kakashi as Konoha's Blood-Eyed White Blade, then demanded that Kakashi hand over Tazuna.
• Kakashi and Zabuza clashed with their swords, and Kakashi struck what turned out to be a Water Clone.
• Zabuza created more Water Clones, which Kakashi destroyed, before using the Hidden Mist Technique to obscure the battlefield.
• Karin sensed Zabuza's position and pulled Tazuna toward her with her chains, but Zabuza cut the chains and sent Tazuna falling.
• Kakashi realized the Zabuza he had fought was also a Water Clone and hurried toward Tazuna through the mist.

Naruto and his teammates fought Zabuza while protecting Tazuna, and Zabuza discovered that the escort team included a jinchūriki, an Uchiha, and a Hyuga. The chapter ended as Hinata prepared to use the Hyuga Clan’s Gentle Fist against Zabuza.

• Naruto used Kurama’s chakra to clash with Zabuza’s Kubikiribōchō while Sasuke moved Tazuna beside Hinata.
• Zabuza attacked Naruto with Water Dragon Bullet, but Naruto raised a golden chakra shield that stopped the technique.
• Naruto created ten Wood Clones, sending three after Zabuza’s apparent body while he pursued the real one.
• Zabuza rushed toward Hinata and Tazuna, intending to knock Hinata aside and reach his mission target.
• Hinata formed an Eight Trigrams Formation beneath her feet, and Zabuza recognized her as a Hyuga and her technique as Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

Hinata, Sasuke, and the others drove Zabuza and Haku away during their attack on Tazuna. After the mist cleared, Kakashi led Team 7 toward Tazuna’s home, while Tazuna realized A Ren had betrayed him and followed, determined to continue building the bridge.

• Hinata sealed Zabuza’s chakra points, but Sasuke attacked him until Haku raised ice walls and helped Zabuza retreat.
• Sasuke pursued Haku with lightning and flames, but Haku escaped through ice mirrors and left a small cut on Sasuke’s cheek.
• Hinata told Sasuke that Zabuza and Haku had fled, and Karin healed Sasuke’s scratch by letting him bite her arm.
• Tazuna thanked the team, and Kakashi explained that A Ren was likely alive and had betrayed him.
• Tazuna realized A Ren’s betrayal had allowed him to survive until Team 7 arrived, then followed them so the bridge construction could continue.

Zabuza agreed to make one more attempt on Tazuna after Gato threatened him, while Naruto and the others arrived at Tazuna’s home. The chapter ended with Naruto noticing Inari’s fear as the boy shut himself away from the visiting ninja.

• Gato confronted Zabuza and ordered his men to seize him and Haku, but Zabuza’s intimidating presence stopped them.
• Zabuza promised to try the mission again and said he would kill Gato if necessary.
• Tazuna introduced Naruto’s team to Tsunami, and Kakashi paused outside after being reminded of an old acquaintance.
• Naruto and Sasuke began renovating Tazuna’s house, startling Inari when Naruto replaced a roof beam with one hand.
• Tazuna introduced Inari as his grandson, and Naruto and Karin sensed the boy’s fear.

Naruto spoke with Inari about Kaiza’s death and explained how his own parents had died as heroes. Inari accepted that Kaiza’s stand had inspired others to seek freedom and decided to help build the bridge.

• Tsunami went to comfort Inari, who shouted that everyone who opposed Gato would die.
• Naruto carried Inari outside and used a chakra hand to stop him from running away.
• Naruto told Inari how his parents had died protecting others and argued that Kaiza’s death had inspired resistance to Gato.
• Inari agreed that Kaiza was a hero and said he would join the bridge-building effort.
• Naruto flicked Inari’s forehead and told him to leave the work to the adults, but Inari insisted on joining in.

Naruto and the others planned how to protect Tazuna and his family while preparing to guard the bridge against Gato’s hired ninja. Kakashi assigned Naruto, Sasuke, and himself to the bridge and Karin and Hinata to stay with Tsunami and Inari, then the group settled in and shared supplies with their hosts.

• Naruto comforted Inari, who then told Tazuna he wanted to help build the bridge, and Tazuna encouraged him to find another way to be a hero.
• Kakashi suggested moving closer to the bridge and warned that Gato might threaten Tazuna’s family; Naruto offered to build another house at the new location.
• Sasuke said he wanted to guard the bridge, and Kakashi assigned Naruto, Sasuke, and himself to protect Tazuna while Karin and Hinata guarded Tsunami and Inari.
• Tsunami showed the team two rooms, and Karin and Naruto offered supplies, blankets, and barbecue ingredients to help their hosts.

On the third day of bridge construction, Kakashi and Tazuna discussed the bridge’s load capacity while Naruto trained to control Kurama’s chakra. When Zabuza’s mist began rolling toward the bridge, Naruto woke the workers and prepared to defend their work.

• Tazuna and the workers paused for the day, and Kakashi warned them that Zabuza was unlikely to abandon the mission.
• Kakashi asked Tazuna how much weight the bridge could support and learned it could bear an individual weighing up to eight metric tons.
• Kakashi returned to the wooden house and found Naruto training with Kurama’s chakra.
• Sasuke woke when the temperature dropped and Naruto noticed mist being blown toward the bridge.
• Naruto told Sasuke to find Kakashi, then woke Tazuna and the workers as the enemy approached.
• Naruto activated his golden Tailed Beast Cloak and prepared to protect the bridge.