The Land of Waves Arc

Lore & Background

It follows Zabuza, a rogue swordsman of the Hidden Mist working for the criminal Gato, and Haku, the boy he took in as an apprentice and treated mostly as a tool.

Reader's Guide

Tasked with protecting bridge builder Tazuna, Team Seven departs Konoha for the Land of Waves. On the way the team is attacked by the Demon Brothers, and at the bridge it is ambushed by Zabuza Momochi, a rogue ninja of the Hidden Mist working for Gato. In the first fight Zabuza traps Kakashi in a Water Prison until Naruto and Sasuke force him to let go; Kakashi then copies his water techniques with the Sharingan, and a masked hunter ninja, Haku, carries the seemingly dead Zabuza away.

Recovering at Tazuna's home, the team sees the poverty and fear Gato has brought to the Land of Waves. Kakashi has them practise chakra control by walking up trees, and Naruto and Sasuke compete until both reach the top. The climax unfolds on Tazuna's unfinished bridge. Zabuza and Haku return for a final confrontation; Haku sacrifices himself shielding Zabuza from Kakashi's lethal strike.

Redeemed by Naruto's words, Zabuza kills his former employer Gato, is mortally wounded and dies soon afterwards. As Team 7 leaves, Tazuna announces that the bridge will be called the Great Naruto Bridge, for the strength Naruto gave his grandson Inari.