Chapter Summaries

Kakashi heard Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata introduce themselves, then announced a test at the No. 4 Training Ground the next morning. Naruto took the group to his forest cabin to train, while they wondered what Kakashi's test would involve.

• Kakashi listened as Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata shared their likes and dreams, and he noticed Hinata and Naruto's closeness.
• Kakashi told the four students to meet him at the No. 4 Training Ground at five the next morning and warned them not to eat breakfast.
• Sasuke observed that he could see Kakashi's Body Flicker, and Naruto pointed out that all four students had sharp senses or keen eyesight.
• Naruto suggested conditioning practice and led the group to his cabin in a clearing on the Back Mountain.
• Naruto gathered the others to train at the cabin as they wondered what mysterious test Kakashi had planned.

Naruto and Karin woke before dawn to meet Kakashi at Training Ground Four, and Naruto accidentally ate Hashirama’s disastrous cooking before realizing why Kakashi had warned them they might throw up. As Naruto chased after Karin, her teasing about Hinata reminded him that he planned to announce their future together despite the Hyuga Clan’s marriage rule.

• Minato woke Naruto at four thirty, and Naruto began making breakfast before remembering Kakashi’s warning about training.
• Naruto ate a piece of Hashirama’s burnt fried egg and collapsed, while Minato also vomited after tasting Hashirama’s grilled steak.
• Naruto woke Karin with a burst of chakra, then gave her Nine-Tails Chakra to help her get to Training Ground Four.
• Karin teased Naruto about Hinata and urged him to make their relationship official, then ran ahead toward the training ground.
• Naruto remembered Hinata’s concern about the Hyuga Clan’s marriage rule and his promise to announce their plans before pursuing Karin.

Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata waited for Kakashi at the training ground and decided to sleep while he was late. As Kakashi slept elsewhere too, the students settled into the morning together in the wooden house Naruto built.

• Sasuke told Naruto and Hinata that Kakashi was a chronic latecomer and would probably keep them waiting for most of the morning.
• Naruto used Wood Release to build a furnished wooden house at the training ground.
• Sasuke laid out sleeping bags, and Naruto and Karin went to sleep while Karin set her sensing system to alert her to Kakashi's chakra.
• Hinata ate buns from her sealing scroll and gave Sasuke two, which filled him up.
• Sasuke went to sleep, while Kakashi was also asleep elsewhere.

Kakashi arrived late at Training Ground No. 4 and found Naruto and the others rested in a wooden house Naruto had built. He began the bell test, leaving the team to compete for three bells, including a special captain’s bell.

• Kakashi enjoyed his quiet life after leaving the ANBU and headed to Training Ground No. 4.
• Karin spotted Kakashi arriving and woke the others, who had slept in the wooden house Naruto built with Wood Release.
• Kakashi tried to sneak up and kick open the door, but Karin and the others noticed him and teased him for being late.
• Kakashi told the four children to take three bells from him, explaining that only those who got a bell would pass.
• Sasuke noticed one bell was different, and Kakashi explained that the Captain’s Bell would designate the team captain.

Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, and Hinata challenged Kakashi during their team test, and Sasuke opened the fight with his chakra-metal sword, Moonlight. After Kakashi blocked his initial attacks, Sasuke trapped him in a strange genjutsu and launched a much faster strike, leaving Kakashi narrowly defending himself.

• Naruto and the others decided to challenge Kakashi together, while Naruto told Sasuke to attack first.
• Kakashi pulled out Icha Icha Paradise and claimed he could handle the four with one hand as they prepared to fight.
• Sasuke charged Kakashi with Moonlight, and Kakashi blocked his opening slashes with a kunai.
• Naruto, Karin, and Hinata watched the duel while sharing melon, surprising Kakashi with their relaxed attitude.
• Sasuke cast a genjutsu that trapped Kakashi among attacking, human-legged fish, but Kakashi broke free with his Sharingan.
• Sasuke rushed Kakashi with a strike three times faster than before, and Kakashi narrowly blocked the blade at his waist.

Sasuke fought Kakashi with a lightning-and-flame-enhanced sword, but Kakashi outmaneuvered him with Earth Release and defeated him. Karin then took her turn against Kakashi, who went underground as Naruto urged her to use her chains to lift herself into the air.

• Sasuke attacked Kakashi with Moonlight, and Kakashi switched to a white blade and activated his Sharingan.
• Sasuke charged Kakashi with lightning and blue flames coating his sword, but Kakashi used Swamp of the Underworld to trap him.
• Kakashi escaped Sasuke’s aerial strike with Headhunter Jutsu and pulled him from the mud after Karin rescued him with her Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Karin attacked Kakashi with five chains, but he dodged her strikes and burrowed underground to approach her.
• Naruto told Karin to use her chains to prop herself up in the air.

Karin nearly lost to Kakashi after he tricked her with a Lightning Clone, but Naruto intervened and faced his former teacher. Kakashi activated the first three Eight Gates and readied his blade as Naruto took up a chakra-coated longsword for their next clash.

• Karin trapped Kakashi's Lightning Clone with her Adamantine Sealing Chains, but Kakashi's real body appeared behind her and moved to strike.
• Naruto blocked Kakashi's attack and told Karin to withdraw before declaring his own grand finale.
• Kakashi was struck by Naruto's golden Tailed Beast Cloak and was reminded of Minato's appearance.
• Naruto and Kakashi exchanged rapid blows, and Kakashi opened the first three Eight Gates to increase his power.
• Hinata tossed Naruto his longsword, and Naruto coated it in chakra and pointed it at Kakashi.

Naruto and Kakashi battled with swords and techniques until Kakashi disarmed Naruto with Chidori: Slash. Naruto then revealed Wood Release and unleashed Deep Forest Emergence, forcing Kakashi to flee behind an Earth-Flow Wall.

• Naruto and Kakashi exchanged sword strikes, and Kakashi used a Lightning Clone before trapping Naruto with the Yin-Yang Sealing Technique.
• Naruto escaped the sealing runes by sacrificing chakra, then clashed his chakra-coated sword against Kakashi's Chidori: Slash and lost his weapon.
• Karin and Sasuke hurried toward the battlefield, while Hinata had already gone to Naruto and Kakashi.
• When Kakashi asked if he would surrender, Naruto formed hand seals and used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
• Kakashi spent much of his chakra raising an Earth-Flow Wall, then used the moment to run from the wave of trees.

Kakashi ended the battle and declared Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin had passed his test because of their teamwork, officially forming Team 7. He took the four to Ichiraku Ramen to celebrate.

• Kakashi used Lightning Blade to escape Hinata’s attack, then continued fighting the youngsters until his chakra was nearly depleted.
• Kakashi called a stop and told Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Karin they had passed, though they pointed out they had not taken the bells.
• Kakashi explained that the test was meant to assess teamwork and that their coordinated fighting had exceeded his expectations.
• Kakashi revealed he had planned to make them choose who would be left out, drawing scorn from Karin, Hinata, and Sasuke.
• Kakashi officially established Team 7 and invited the four youngsters to Ichiraku Ramen, assuring Hinata he could afford her appetite.

After Hinata and the others finished eating at Ichiraku, Kakashi took Team 7 to the Hokage Building to choose their first mission. He picked a mysterious D-rank Garden Defender mission, leaving Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke excited while Hinata guessed what it involved.

• Hinata ate so much ramen that Kakashi's wallet shrank, and Naruto's attempt to help Teuchi with a Rasengan got him sent out of the kitchen.
• Kakashi led Naruto, Karin, Sasuke, and Hinata to the Hokage Building for their first mission, while Naruto asked Hashirama and Minato what kind of work to expect.
• Naruto spotted a mission about a green-skinned kappa, but a young woman took it down and explained that it should not have been posted.
• Kakashi chose a D-rank mission titled Garden Defender and kept its details hidden from Karin.
• Sarutobi called the mission dangerous for a D-rank assignment, exciting Naruto, Karin, and Sasuke, while Hinata recognized clues to its contents.
• Minato and Kushina suspected Kakashi and Sarutobi were exaggerating the danger, and Kurama suggested Naruto use the Number Five Mech if needed.

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.