After intensive training, Naruto and Sasuke have finally mastered the Tree Climbing Practice , though they return to Tazuna’s home completely exhausted. While Naruto rests, the rest of Team 7 heads to the bridge to protect Tazuna. They soon realize they’ve walked into an ambush: Zabuza Momochi and his mysterious masked apprentice, Haku, are waiting for them.
: While sleeping in the forest after training, Naruto is woken by a "girl" picking medicinal herbs. This is actually Haku, who chooses not to kill the defenseless Naruto. Haku shares a profound lesson: "Only when a person has someone precious to protect does that person become truly strong."
: At the end of their conversation, Haku shocks Naruto by revealing he is actually a boy.
In Naruto Episode 12, titled , the stakes of the Land of Waves arc escalate as Team 7 faces the reality of a life-or-death shinobi battle. Episode Summary
: On the bridge, Zabuza uses his Hidden Mist Jutsu to blind Team 7, forcing Kakashi to rely on his senses to protect Sasuke, Sakura, and Tazuna.
: Back at the house, the episode explores Inari’s tragic past. His hero, Kaiza, was brutally executed by Gato to demoralize the village, leading Inari to believe that "heroes" always die and it's better to give up hope. Watch Guide Details