Chapter Summaries

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.

Sasuke and Naruto confronted Zabuza in the mist while Kakashi guarded Tazuna, and they fought together using their distinct abilities. Naruto then revealed Wood Release by summoning a wooden dragon, leaving Zabuza stunned.

• Kakashi sent Sasuke to join Naruto and secretly followed him with a Shadow Clone while he stayed to guard Tazuna.
• Sasuke refused Naruto's offer of chakra and prepared to fight Zabuza using his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and lightning-enhanced Moonlight.
• Zabuza attacked the two boys, but Naruto dodged his sword and struck with giant golden Rasengan while Sasuke followed with a sword thrust and Great Fireball.
• Zabuza blocked Sasuke's fireball with Water Release, then used Water Dragon Bullet to destroy Naruto's golden chakra hands and counter his attacks.
• Naruto sensed Zabuza through the thick mist, formed hand seals, and summoned a golden-eyed wooden dragon with Wood Release, shocking Zabuza.

Naruto and Sasuke fought Zabuza, but Sasuke discovered they had been battling a Water Clone and rushed with Naruto to help Kakashi. Zabuza attacked the Small Wooden House with a Water Shockwave as Kakashi went out to face him, while Haku waited in a tree.

• Naruto's Wood Dragon devoured Zabuza's Water Dragon, but Zabuza escaped its pursuit with the Substitution Technique and used the building materials to obstruct it.
• Sasuke struck Zabuza's arm with Moonlight, then realized the Kubikiribōchō was fake and Zabuza had been a Water Clone.
• Naruto replenished Sasuke's chakra, and the two hurried toward the Small Wooden House to help Kakashi.
• Zabuza confronted Kakashi outside the Small Wooden House and demanded that he hand over Tazuna, while Haku hid in a nearby tree.
• Zabuza sent a Water Shockwave toward the house, and Kakashi blocked it with an Earth-Flow Wall before Zabuza retreated.

Haku attacked Karin and Hinata with his Ice Release techniques while Kakashi kept Zabuza occupied. After Karin drained Haku’s ice dragon with an Eight Trigrams Seal, Haku made a desperate rush for the wooden house, but Hinata blocked him at the doorway with glowing cyan eyes.

• Kakashi detected Haku and fought Zabuza, while Zabuza used water clones to keep him occupied.
• Haku attacked the wooden house with ice senbon and surrounded Karin and Hinata with Demonic Illusion: Ice Mirrors.
• Karin used her Adamantine Sealing Chains to break Haku’s mirrors, while Hinata shattered one with a chakra-infused punch and deflected senbon with Rotation.
• Haku launched an Ice Dragon Bullet at Karin, but she used the Eight Trigrams Seal to drain its chakra and shattered its frozen body.
• With little chakra left, Haku made a final rush toward the wooden house, but Hinata stopped him at the doorway with her eyes glowing cyan.

Karin and Hinata captured Haku, and Karin healed him before he passed out while Naruto defeated Zabuza with a giant Wood Human. Haku and Zabuza woke in a wooden house under Kakashi’s watch, where Naruto told Zabuza his mission had failed and he would have to stay and rest.

• Hinata repelled Haku, and Karin restrained him, discovered he was a boy, and used her blood and Medical Ninjutsu to treat him.
• Haku passed out after hearing that Naruto had used a Wood Human Technique against Zabuza.
• Haku woke bandaged beside Zabuza, and Kakashi teased them about their relationship as Zabuza insisted Haku was only his tool.
• Naruto entered with Karin and told Zabuza to stay and rest because his mission had failed.
• Naruto’s giant Wood Human had beaten Zabuza and broken the Kubikiribōchō.

After Zabuza revealed that a mysterious man had controlled the Fourth Mizukage, Kakashi promised to protect Zabuza and Haku while investigating Kirigakure. Naruto claimed his family ties gave him influence, and Minato appeared beside him, surprising Kakashi and Zabuza.

• Kakashi told Zabuza that Naruto had driven off Gato and his lackeys with Wood Release while Zabuza was unconscious.
• Zabuza refused to return to Kirigakure and begged Kakashi to keep Haku safe, explaining that the Fourth Mizukage had been controlled by a mysterious man.
• Kakashi said Konoha would protect Zabuza and Haku if Kirigakure was still compromised, and Zabuza offered to share what he knew.
• Naruto introduced himself as the son of Minato Namikaze and honorary grandson of Hiruzen Sarutobi, but Zabuza dismissed his influence as a child's.
• Minato appeared beside Naruto, and Kakashi dropped his book in shock as Minato greeted him.