As Inari finds his courage against Gatō's hired kidnappers, Sasuke faces the deadly ice mirrors of Haku on the bridge, and Naruto races between both crises. This 13th episode of the original Naruto series belongs to the Land of Waves prologue.
Summary
Two of Gatō's hired thugs storm Tazuna's home intending to seize Tsunami and use her as leverage. Inari, swallowing his terror, throws himself at the intruders, buying just enough time for Naruto to arrive and cut them down. Before hurrying off to rejoin his teammates at the bridge, Naruto owns up to having branded the boy a coward and praises the bravery he just showed.
Key Events
On the bridge, Sasuke trades blows with Haku, his sharpened speed giving him the upper hand in open ground. Warning that they will be the ones to fall if the duel drags on, Zabuza pushes Haku to unleash his Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals. Mirrors ring Sasuke, and Haku slips inside one, hurling needles that slash across his body from every angle. Sakura flings a kunai to help, but Haku snatches it from the air. Before he can send it back, a volley of shuriken knocks him clear of the mirrors, thrown by Naruto, who reaches the bridge in the nick of time.
Notes
The episode adapts chapters 23 and 24 of the manga and is also rendered as Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors. It first aired in Japan on December 26, 2002, and in English on November 26, 2005, using the opening R★O★C★K★S and the ending Wind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of Haku's ice mirror jutsu?
In this episode, Haku unleashes his signature technique called the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, encircling Sasuke with ice mirrors he can slip in and out of while throwing needles from every angle.
What does Inari do to protect his family in this episode?
When two of Gatō's thugs storm Tazuna's house to seize Tsunami, Inari overcomes his fear and throws himself at the intruders, buying enough time for Naruto to arrive and cut them down.
How does Sasuke fare against Haku early in their fight?
On the bridge, Sasuke trades blows with Haku and his sharpened speed gives him the advantage in open combat, before Zabuza pushes Haku to escalate with the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.
How does Naruto save Sasuke from Haku's ice mirrors?
Naruto reaches the bridge just in time and throws a volley of shuriken that knocks Haku clear of his ice mirrors as Sasuke is being overwhelmed.
What manga chapters does this episode adapt?
This episode adapts chapters 23 and 24 of the manga and is also known by the alternate title Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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