Qiuqa highlights 4 key points from Naruto Classic Episode 12.
1. Naruto & Haku
Haku found Naruto asleep in the forest, immediately recognizing him as one of Tazuna’s ninja escorts. He woke the boy, who was instantly captivated by Haku’s striking beauty.
During their conversation, Haku shared that a person becomes truly strong when protecting something precious to them—a sentiment Naruto agreed with. Shortly after, Haku bid his farewell, casually revealing that he was actually a boy, leaving Naruto utterly stunned.
2. Training Success
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Sakura ventured into the woods, deeply concerned since Naruto hadn’t returned home the previous night. They were startled to find him dangling high from a tree branch, casually greeting them, only to panic when he suddenly lost his grip.
Luckily, Naruto quickly channeled chakra to his feet, catching himself on the trunk and hanging upside down like a bat. He laughed, claiming it was just a joke.
However, his carelessness caused him to slip again, this time plummeting for real. Sasuke moved in a flash, running up the tree and anchoring himself upside down with his chakra just in time to catch Naruto by the ankle. Kakashi smiled in satisfaction, seeing that both boys had successfully mastered the chakra control training.
3. Kakashi & Inari
After dinner at Tazuna’s house, a baffled Inari asked why the Konoha ninja stubbornly continued to oppose Gato. In his eyes, the weak were destined to lose against someone as powerful as Gato. Naruto snapped at the boy, declaring that he wasn’t like Inari, who only knew how to cry and cower in fear when oppressed.
A little while later, Kakashi approached Inari, who was sitting alone on the porch. He revealed that Naruto had lost both his parents as a baby and had grown up without a single friend at Inari’s age, yet he never once cried.
Kakashi explained that Naruto understood the true meaning of strength, just as Kaiza had. Because of this, Naruto deeply understood Inari’s pain and simply didn’t want him to remain consumed by sorrow. Kakashi’s words left Inari deeply moved.
4. Zabuza & Haku
The next morning, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke prepared to escort Tazuna to the bridge. Kakashi left Naruto in Tsunami’s care, as the boy was still dead asleep from pushing himself past his limits during the chakra training.
Several hours later, Naruto finally woke up and immediately rushed off to join his teammates in protecting the bridge builder.
Upon arriving at the bridge, Tazuna and Team 7 were shocked to find dozens of workers lying battered and unconscious across the site. Suddenly, a thick mist enveloped the bridge. Kakashi instantly recognized it as Zabuza’s doing. Team 7 braced themselves for battle, forming a protective guard around Tazuna.
Seven of Zabuza’s clones emerged from the fog to surround them, but Sasuke moved with blinding speed, dispatching every single one in seconds. Soon after, as the mist parted, Team 7 found themselves standing face-to-face with Haku and the real Zabuza.
