Characters in order of appearance:
Transcript
- Episode begins with Gato and his men appearing on the end of the bridge, having climbed up from a boat*
Zabuza: Gato, why did you come here? And who are those henchmen?
Gato: *laughs* Our strategy has changed a little…I’m sorry about this Zabuza, but you will die here.
Zabuza: What?!
Gato: Since hiring a regular shinobi costs a lot of money, I hired rogue ninjas like you. And it would have been even more ideal to save my money and effort if ninja-to-ninja battles ended in each killing the other off. Well, you are certainly not worthy of being called the Demon of Kirigakure. If you were to ask me, you’re just a cute little demon!
Gato’s men: *laugh*
Naruto (Thinking): What are those guys? So many of them…
Zabuza: Kakashi…I apologize. Our fight ends here…As long as my reason to take down Tazuna is gone, there is no reason to fight you either.
Kakashi: Yeah…you are right.
- Gato walks up to Haku’s corpse*
Gato: That reminds me…
- Gato thinks back to when Haku crushed his arm*
Gato: I owe him something. He squeezed my arm ‘til it broke…
- Gato kicks Haku’s corpse*
Naruto: Huh?!
Kakashi: …
Zabuza: …
- Gato presses down on Haku’s face with his cane*
Gato: Huh, he’s dead.
Naruto: You bastard! What do you think you’re doing, hey?!
- Naruto runs at Gato, before being grabbed and restrained by Kakashi*
Kakashi: Stop! Don’t act so recklessly…!
Naruto: You say something, too! He was your comrade, right?
Zabuza: Shut up, punk. Haku is already dead.
Naruto: What…? Don’t you feel anything watching him doing that! Weren’t you with Haku for a long time!
Zabuza: As Gato used me…I was simply using Haku. I thought I’d told you…We shinobi are merely tools. What I wanted were his skills and not Haku himself. I have no regrets…
Naruto: Do you…Do you really mean that?
- Kakashi puts his hand on Naruto’s shoulder*
Kakashi: Naruto, stop. There’s no need to fight him anymore…Besides…
- Naruto pushes Kakashi’s hand off him*
Naruto: Shut up! My enemy is still…this one!
Zabuza: …
Naruto: He…He really liked you!
- Naruto remembers Haku’s words when they first met*
Haku: Is there someone special in your life?
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: He liked you that much!
- Naruto continues to remember Haku’s words*
Haku: When a person feels he wants to protect a person special to him, that person can truly become strong.
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: Even so, don’t you feel anything at all?!
- Naruto continues to remember Haku’s words*
Haku: It’s difficult for me to completely become a shinobi.
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: You really…honestly…don’t feel anything at all?
- Naruto remembers his and Sasuke’s fight with Haku, and his words*
Haku: I’d like to make that person’s dream come true…For that, I could completely become a shinobi.
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: When a person becomes as strong as you…*cries* Does that person really behave like you?
- Flashback shows Haku being impaled by Kakashi’s Raikiri*
Naruto: He threw his life away for you!
- Naruto continues to remember Haku’s words*
Haku: I’d like to make that person’s dream come true…That is my dream.
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: He didn’t even fulfill his own dreams and yet…
- Naruto continues to remember Haku’s words*
Haku: I was happy.
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto: To die as a tool…! That’s…That’s…too painful…
Zabuza: Kid…
- Tears drop to the ground in front of Zabuza’s feet, as tears are revealed to be streaming down his face*
Zabuza: Don’t say anything…anymore.
Naruto: …
Kakashi: …
Zabuza: Haku was…He wasn’t just thinking of me. He was feeling pain inside for you while he battled you guys too…I know. He was too kind…I’m glad we could fight with you at the end.
- Zabuza rips off the bandages around his face with his teeth*
Zabuza: Yes, little punk, it’s as you say, after all…shinobi are human too…Maybe it’s impossible to become an emotionless tool…Heh…I’ve lost. Kid! Give me the kunai knife!
Naruto: Huh?
- Naruto grabs a kunai from his pouch and throws it towards Zabuza*
Naruto: Okay…
- Zabuza reminisces about Haku as he grabs the kunai with his teeth. Zabuza charges at Gato and his men*
Gato: What?!
- Gato runs into his crowd of men*
Gato: Enough! Take them down!
Gato’s men: Right!
- Zabuza charges at the crowd of armed mercenaries*
Gato’s men: Are you crazy? Do you think you can win by yourself against this many of us?
- Zabuza blitzes past several of Gato’s men while slashing them with the kunai in his mouth. Zabuza runs past a man while slashing his chest, ducking under another’s sword swing before slamming the hilt of the kunai into the man’s stomach, knocking him down. Zabuza rushes past another man while slashing his stomach with the kunai. A man charges at Zabuza before swinging a sword down on him. Zabuza flips over the strike, propelling himself into the air, before landing to his feet behind the man. Zabuza rushes through the crowd, as they try and fail to hit him with their weapons. A man draws two swords from a sheath behind his back, before swinging down on Zabuza, who sidesteps to the right. The man swings on Zabuza with the other sword, but Zabuza hops backward to avoid it. Zabuza then knocks the man down with a kick to the abdomen. A man charges from behind and swings his sword down on Zabuza, who hops back to avoid it, before slashing the man’s throat with the kunai in his mouth. A man swings a studded club down on Zabuza, who sidesteps the strike, before running by the man. A man thrusts a spear from behind Zabuza, stabbing him in the back. Zabuza pushes a man in front of him out of the way before continuing to charge through the crowd. Gato backs up to the very edge of the incomplete bridge, as Zabuza pushes through the crowd, with no one in between him and Gato*
Gato: Huh?!
- Zabuza charges at Gato, as Gato sees an image of a demon behind him*
Gato: D…Demon!
- Zabuza runs into Gato, stabbing him in the chest with the kunai in his mouth, and leaving it embedded there*
Gato: Augh!
- Gato vomits up blood. Several of Gato’s men suddenly plunge their weapons into Zabuza’s back, causing him to stumble forward*
Gato: If you’re so anxious to join your friend…you go ahead…alone!
Zabuza: Unfortunately…I don’t…intend on going…to the same place…as Haku!
Gato: W…What?! Pretending to be so tough…
- Zabuza walks up to Gato, holding his face right in front of Gato’s*
Zabuza: You’re going to hell with me!
Gato: …!
Zabuza: It’s no big deal…When the Demon of Kirigakure dies and goes to hell, he can become a real demon. Look forward to it! I’ll let you find out for sure if I’m a cute little demon or not in hell!
- Zabuza grabs the kunai out of Gato’s chest with his mouth, before slashing him twice across the chest, then spinning around him and slashing him across the back. Finally, Zabuza slashes Gato again, as he falls into the sea below*
Naruto: …
- Zabuza glares at the rest of Gato’s men, who drops their weapons and stumble back in fear, opening a path between him and Haku. Zabuza drops the kunai from his mouth and begins to walk towards Haku*
Zabuza: Haku…
- Zabuza collapses to his knees and imagines Haku standing in front of him in a bright yellow light*
Zabuza: Now…it’s goodbye, Haku…Thanks for everything…I’m sorry…
- Zabuza collapses to the ground. Naruto stares at Zabuza before looking away*
Kakashi: Don’t look away.
Naruto: Huh?
Kakashi: It’s the end for a man who lived fiercely.
Naruto: Yup…
- Scene changes to Sasuke, as Sakura cries over his body*
Sasuke (Thinking): Did I…die…?
Sakura: Sasuke!
Sasuke (Thinking): Sakura…Am I…am I…?!
Sasuke: Sakura, you’re heavy.
Sakura: Huh?! Sasuke…
Tazuna: Huh?!
Sakura: *cries* Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke!
- Sakura wraps her arms around Sasuke’s shoulder and hugs him tightly*
Sasuke: Sakura…That hurts…
- Tazuna wipes tears from his eyes*
Tazuna (Thinking): Things turned out well, didn’t they, Sakura?
- Sasuke struggles to sit up*
Sakura: Stop, you shouldn’t move!
Sasuke: Anyway, where’s Naruto? And also, what happened to that mask guy?
Sakura: Naruto’s fine. And…the masked kid, he died…
Sasuke: Died?! Did Naruto get him?!
Sakura: Well…I’m not really sure, but he protected Zabuza…
- Sakura’s focus turns to Haku’s corpse*
Sakura: I had faith in you. You are awesome, Sasuke! You avoided getting inflicted with any mortal wounds!
Sasuke (Thinking): From the beginning…he intended to…
Sakura: Naruto!
Naruto (Thinking): Sakura…
Sakura: Sasuke’s all right! He’s alive!
Naruto: Huh?
Naruto: *laughs*
- Naruto thinks about Zabuza’s earlier words*
Zabuza: He was feeling pain inside for you while be battled you guys too…He was too kind…
- Naruto snaps back to the present*
Naruto (Thinking): I see…He…
Kakashi: So, Sasuke’s all right too…That’s a relief…
Gato’s men: Hey! Hey! Hey!
Naruto: …!
Kakashi: …!
Gato’s men: You guys are too relaxed! Damn ninja! Killing our source of money! Now that it’s come to this, there’s no choice but to attack the whole town and take everything valuable! *cheer*
Kakashi: Shoot, this isn’t good!
Naruto: Kakashi Sensei! Don’t you have a Jutsu to annihilate them all at once?
Kakashi: That’s impossible! I’ve used too much Chakra!
Gato’s men: Here we go!
- Gato’s men begin charging towards Kakashi and Naruto. An arrow suddenly hits the ground in front of the mercenaries, as everyone turns around to find Inari holding a crossbow and the rest of the townspeople behind him brandishing weapons*
Giichi: Enemies who come any closer to the island…With all the might of all the island’s people…will not be allowed to live!
Townspeople: Yeah!
Naruto: Inari!
Inari: *laughs* Heroes always arrive on the scene late!
Tazuna: Inari…You guys…*cries*
Gato’s men: …!
Naruto (Thinking): Okay, I’m gonna help out, too! Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!
- Naruto creates a puff of smoke, as four exact, physical copies of himself are created next to him*
Gato’s men: …!
Kakashi: I can do that even with my scarce Chakra…At least, it will bluff…Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!
- Kakashi creates dozens of exact, physical copies of himself behind him, in a puff of smoke*
Kakashi: Kakashi Version!
Gato’s men: Aah!
Kakashi: So…are you ready to fight?!
Gato’s men: No, we’re not!
- Gato’s men run to the end of the bridge, jumping down to the boat below*
Inari: We’ve done it!
Townspeople: *cheer*
- Kakashi walks up to Zabuza*
Zabuza: Sounds like it’s over.
Kakashi: Yeah…
Zabuza: Kakashi…I need to ask you a favor.
Kakashi: What is it?
Zabuza: His…I want to see his face…
- Kakashi grabs his headband and lowers it over his Sharingan*
Kakashi: All right.
- Naruto watches as Kakashi pulls the weapons out of Zabuza’s back in the distance. Kakashi grabs Zabuza and walks over to Haku’s corpse. Snow begins to fall over the bridge*
Giichi: Huh?
Townspeople: Snow…Snow at this time of the year?
Zabuza (Thinking): Haku…Are you crying?
- Kakashi lays Zabuza next to Haku’s corpse*
Zabuza: Thanks, Kakashi…You were always at my side…At the very least…I can be at your side in the end. If it’s possible…I’d like to go…
- Zabuza places his hand on Haku’s cheek*
Zabuza: …to the same place…as you.
- Sunlight shines through the clouds on Haku’s face. A tear falls out of Haku’s eye*
Naruto: *cries* This guy…He was born in a village where it snowed a lot.
Kakashi: I see…He was a boy as pure as snow…You’d be able to go, Zabuza. The two of you…together.
- Scene changes to sunset, as Team 7 is revealed to have made graves for Zabuza and Haku, with Zabuza’s Kubikiribocho stuck in the ground behind his grave marker*
Sakura: But you know, Kakashi Sensei…
Kakashi: Hmm?
Sakura: I wonder if the way a ninja should be is really as these two were saying.
Kakashi: Shinobi should not seek the reason for their own existence. What’s important is to exist merely as tools. That’s the same in Konoha.
Naruto: I wonder if that’s what it really means to become a real ninja. I guess…I guess! I don’t like that!
Sasuke: Do you think so, too?
Kakashi: Hmm…Well…That’s why all ninja live trying to figure that out without realizing…Like Zabuza…and that kid…
Naruto: Okay!
Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi: Huh?
Naruto: I’ve just decided! I’m going to pursue my own way of ninja! I’m gonna sprint straight ahead and pursue a way that I absolutely won’t regret!
Kakashi: …!
- Scene changes to the end of the completed bridge, as Tazuna and the rest of the townspeople see Team 7 off*
Tazuna: Thanks to you the bridge was safely completed, but we will miss you very much.
Tsunami: Take care.
Kakashi: Thank you for everything.
Naruto: Now, now. We’ll come back for a visit again, Tazuna!
Inari: For sure?
Naruto: Huh?
- Inari begins to tear up as Tazuna places his hand on Inari’s head. Naruto begins to tear up*
Naruto: Inari…you’re gonna miss us, aren’t you? It’s all right to cry. Go ahead and cry!
Inari: I won’t cry! It’s all right if you cry, Naruto!
Naruto: Oh, is that so? See ya!
- Naruto suddenly turns around*
Inari: Oh…!.
Naruto: *cries*
Inari: *cries*
Sakura (Thinking): You are so stubborn.
- Team 7 walk down the completed bridge, on their way back to Konoha*
Tazuna: That boy changed Inari’s mind…and Inari changed the minds of the village people. That boy created a bridge linking us to hope, a bridge called courage.
Giichi: So a linking bridge…Speaking of bridges, we need to name this bridge, don’t we?
Tazuna: That’s true. In that case, I have a perfect name for this bridge.
Giichi: Yeah, what is it?
Tazuna: The Great Naruto Bridge! How’s that?
Tsunami: *laughs* That’s a good name.
Naruto: Okay! I’ll get back soon and have Iruka Sensei treat me to ramen as the mission completion celebration! And! And! I’ll tell Konohamaru tales of my heroic exploits!
Sakura: Then I…Hey! Sasuke, do you want to go on a date when we get back to the village?
Sasuke: No, I don’t think so.
Sakura: Just like that…?!
Naruto: You know! You know! I’ll go with you!
Sakura: Be quiet!
- Sakura grabs Naruto by the throat and violently shakes him*
Sakura: Shut up! Naruto!
- Sakura punches Naruto launching him away*
Naruto: Augh!
- Scene changes back to the townspeople of the Land of Waves*
Giichi: What? Are you sure that name’s okay?
Tazuna: *laughs* This name is to wish that this bridge will never collapse…And someday, it’ll be the name of a very famous bridge…A name heard around the world. That’s truly what I hope.
Episode Rating
Story & Pacing (10/10) – A Masterful Resolution
- The emotional core of the arc reaches its peak.
- Zabuza’s transformation from heartless mercenary to a grieving, remorseful warrior is executed flawlessly.
- Naruto’s speech about Haku’s love and sacrifice is one of the most powerful moments in the entire series.
- The final battle between Zabuza and Gato’s men is a raw, visceral bloodbath that is both tragic and exhilarating.
- Gato’s betrayal cements him as one of the most detestable villains in the series.
- The moment Zabuza turns on him and single-handedly carves his way through his army is an incredible payoff.
- Zabuza’s final moments with Haku are heartbreakingly poetic.
- From his request to see Haku’s face one last time to his dying wish to be by his side, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
- Sasuke’s survival gives a much-needed moment of relief.
- After the intensity of the previous episodes, seeing Sakura break down in joy is a touching scene.
- The arrival of Inari and the villagers is an amazing full-circle moment.
- The boy who once lived in fear has now inspired his people to take a stand, proving that Naruto’s influence has changed lives.
- The final farewell to the Land of Waves is touching and bittersweet.
- Naming the bridge after Naruto is a beautiful way to honor the heroism and hope he brought to the village.
Character Development (10/10) – An Emotional Masterpiece
- Zabuza – A Warrior’s Redemption
- Zabuza’s transformation from a cold, ruthless mercenary to a deeply human character is one of the greatest arcs in the series.
- His reaction to Naruto’s speech—tears streaming down his face—is an incredibly powerful moment.
- For a man who once believed shinobi were nothing more than tools, his realization that Haku truly loved him is devastating.
- His final charge against Gato and his men is a display of sheer willpower and brutality.
- Despite being unarmed and mortally wounded, he cuts down an army with nothing but a kunai in his mouth.
- The way he butchers Gato, with his final words promising to drag him to hell, is iconic.
- His last wish—to die next to Haku—is a deeply moving conclusion to his story.
- Naruto – The Heart of the Story
- This is one of Naruto’s strongest episodes in terms of emotional depth.
- His speech about Haku’s sacrifice and what it truly means to care for someone is the moment that breaks Zabuza’s emotional walls.
- His refusal to accept that shinobi are just tools is a key theme that defines his character moving forward.
- His breakdown at the end, when he cries for Zabuza and Haku, shows how deeply he cares for others—even former enemies.
- His impact on the Land of Waves is undeniable.
- Not only did he help save the village, but he changed Inari’s life and gave hope to the people.
- The fact that the bridge is named after him proves that, even at this early stage, he is leaving his mark on the world.
- Haku – A Tragic Legacy
- Even in death, Haku’s presence is deeply felt.
- His sacrifice for Zabuza ultimately led to his master’s redemption.
- His kindness, devotion, and tragic backstory make him one of the most memorable characters in Naruto.
- The imagery of Haku’s tear falling at the end is heartbreaking.
- Sakura – Her Most Emotional Moment Yet
- Her breakdown over Sasuke’s survival is raw and genuine.
- For all of her talk about shinobi rules, she completely lets go of them in this moment.
- It’s one of the first times we see how deeply she cares about Sasuke.
- She also gets a great comedic moment when she immediately rejects Naruto after Sasuke declines her date offer.
- Inari – A Full-Circle Character Arc
- Inari’s transformation from a helpless, scared boy to a leader of his people is one of the most satisfying payoffs of the arc.
- His final stand, arriving with the villagers to fight back against Gato’s men, is the perfect culmination of his growth.
- Naruto’s impact on him is undeniable, and their final farewell is a tearjerker.
- Gato – A Satisfyingly Brutal End
- Gato’s arrogance and cruelty make his downfall all the more satisfying.
- Mocking Haku, betraying Zabuza, and threatening to pillage the village cement him as one of the most irredeemable villains in the series.
- His terrified reaction to Zabuza’s charge is perfect.
- His death is one of the most brutal in Naruto.
- Getting slaughtered by Zabuza with a kunai held in his mouth before being thrown off a bridge is poetic justice.
Action & Combat (9.8/10) – A One-Man Massacre
- Zabuza’s final rampage is one of the most intense fight sequences in the early series.
- Fighting an entire army alone while mortally wounded is an insane feat of willpower.
- The way he tears through Gato’s men with nothing but a kunai in his mouth is both brutal and awesome.
- Kakashi vs. Zabuza is a great final clash, showing how much stronger Kakashi is now that Haku is gone.
- The tension of Gato’s mercenaries threatening to attack is perfectly resolved with Inari and the villagers arriving.
- The Kage Bunshin bluff was a great touch—Naruto and Kakashi both playing their final trump cards without needing to actually fight.
Themes & Symbolism (10/10) – A Philosophical & Emotional Payoff
- The Nature of a Shinobi
- Zabuza’s arc directly challenges the idea that shinobi should be emotionless tools.
- Naruto’s speech proves that shinobi are still human and should fight for what they believe in.
- Zabuza finally understands this, making his last stand one of redemption rather than power.
- Sacrifice & Redemption
- Haku’s death wasn’t in vain—his love for Zabuza ultimately changed him.
- Zabuza’s final act avenging Haku is proof that he was never as heartless as he claimed to be.
- Hope & Legacy
- Naruto’s impact on the Land of Waves is immortalized through the Great Naruto Bridge.
- The once hopeless village now has the courage to fight for themselves.
- Naruto’s journey is just beginning, but he’s already shaping the world around him.
Final Verdict: 10/10 – A Perfect Ending to a Masterpiece Arc
- ✔ Strengths:
- Zabuza’s redemption is one of the best character moments in the entire series.
- Naruto’s speech is incredibly powerful.
- Haku’s presence still looms large even after death.
- Gato’s death is immensely satisfying.
- Sakura’s emotional breakdown over Sasuke is well done.
- Inari’s arc comes full circle beautifully.
- The Great Naruto Bridge is a perfect final tribute.
- The final scene sets up Naruto’s journey to find his own ninja way.
- ❌ Weaknesses:
- None. This is one of Naruto’s best episodes.
This episode is the perfect conclusion to the Land of Waves arc—one of the most emotional and well-written arcs in the series. 🎉