Chapter Summaries

Hinata attended the Chunin Exam gathering and tried to pass as an unremarkable rookie while assessing the powerful people around her. Kabuto watched her and Sasuke, judging Sasuke to be Orochimaru’s more valuable target because of the secrets tied to the Sharingan.

• Hinata entered Classroom 301, where Ino and Sakura fought over Sasuke, and she avoided their argument.
• Naruto tried to approach Hinata after watching the other students, but she threatened him, while Shikamaru and Choji joined them.
• Hinata greeted Kiba and Shino, reflected on Shino’s undefeated reputation, and pretended she lacked confidence about the exam.
• Kabuto Yakushi advised the new Genin to stay quiet, then Hinata spoke with Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten after they arrived.
• Kabuto observed Hinata and Sasuke and concluded that Orochimaru valued Sasuke’s Sharingan and its secrets more than Hinata’s Byakugan.

Hinata tried to signal Naruto and Sasuke that the written exam was really a test of cheating, but Ibiki barred her from using the Byakugan. She finished her paper early and spent the remaining time testing Ibiki’s patience, while Kakashi worried in the Jonin lounge that she might cause trouble.

• Ibiki began the first stage of the Chunin Exam and explained the rules to the examinees.
• Hinata activated her Byakugan aloud, making the examinees realize they were expected to cheat, and Ibiki forbade her from using it.
• Hinata quickly finished the written test, then repeatedly questioned and annoyed Ibiki while waiting for the tenth question.
• Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi relaxed in the Jonin lounge as Kakashi worried that Hinata would provoke Ibiki.

Hinata frustrated Ibiki throughout the first exam and saw through his attempt to bluff the examinees with the tenth question. Ibiki passed all 108 remaining examinees, and Anko arrived to lead them into the second exam.

• Hinata pretended to sleep and kept provoking Ibiki until he announced the tenth question.
• Hinata chose to take the question and challenged Ibiki's authority to bar examinees from future Chunin Exams.
• When no one chose to quit, Ibiki announced that all 108 examinees had passed the first exam.
• Anko Mitarashi burst into the hall and questioned Ibiki about why 36 teams remained.
• Ibiki blamed the unusually strong examinee, and Anko told the candidates to follow her to the second exam.

Hinata led Naruto and Sasuke through the Forest of Death by heading straight for the Central Tower, hoping to avoid Orochimaru. Orochimaru followed their trail but stopped short of confronting them, while Hinata sensed someone resenting them nearby.

• Anko explained the Forest of Death exam rules, and Hinata's team received a Heaven scroll.
• Hinata persuaded Naruto and Sasuke to race to the Central Tower and ambush teams arriving there instead of scouting with the Byakugan.
• Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke ran from Gate 12 toward the tower while Orochimaru entered at Gate 15 disguised as a Grass Ninja and searched for Sasuke.
• Orochimaru followed their trail to the tower and realized their plan had brought them near Konoha's protection.
• Orochimaru spotted Hinata's team grilling food near the tower and resisted attacking them.
• Hinata felt a chill of resentment and suspected Orochimaru was nearby, but she feared using her Byakugan would provoke him.

Hinata considered the Hyuga Clan’s future, then focused on making the Chunin Exam easier and more profitable for Team 7. Orochimaru withdrew from Sasuke, while Gaara’s team advanced toward the tower and sensed something unusual.

• Hinata decided to leave Konoha’s political troubles to Hyuga Hiashi and planned to support Tsunade when she became Hokage.
• Orochimaru felt a powerful sense of dread, abandoned his immediate attempt to approach Sasuke, and left the forest.
• Hinata told Naruto and Sasuke to hit anyone who approached harder, then proposed making other teams buy Team 7 meals in exchange for passing.
• Gaara crushed three Amegakure ninja, and Kankuro took their Scroll of Heaven.
• Gaara’s team headed for the tower, where Gaara sensed something unusual and looked toward it.

Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto ambushed Gaara’s team near the Central Tower, knocking Temari and Kankuro unconscious before Hinata fought Gaara. Hinata sent Gaara crashing into a tree and blocked his sand to give Naruto’s Shadow Clones a chance to attack.

• Hinata used her Byakugan to signal Naruto and Sasuke to prepare an ambush as Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro approached the Central Tower.
• Hinata and Sasuke attacked Gaara’s group, and Temari and Kankuro were badly injured and knocked unconscious.
• Naruto’s Shadow Clones attacked Gaara, but his sand quickly dispersed them.
• Hinata dodged Gaara’s sand attacks, closed in, and struck him with Twenty Gods Vacuum Attack, sending him crashing into a tree.
• Hinata used Heavenly Spin to block Gaara’s sand and opened the way for Naruto’s Shadow Clones to attack him at close range.

Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke defeated Gaara and his team, took their scrolls, and tied them to a tree. They then ambushed Kiba, Shino, and Sakura in the Forest of Death, with Hinata demanding a toll as they arrived.

• Hinata used Naruto's Shadow Clones to break Gaara's Sand Armor, then defeated him with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and sealed his chakra.
• Naruto took the Heaven and Earth scrolls from Gaara's team, while Hinata told him to tie the three of them to a tree.
• Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke prepared to ambush more teams, with Sasuke and Naruto eager to fight.
• Kiba, Shino, and Sakura headed toward the tower after Akamaru and Shino detected Hinata's group nearby.
• Kiba, Shino, and Sakura found Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro tied up and badly injured.
• Hinata descended with Naruto and Sasuke and demanded a toll from Kiba, Shino, and Sakura.

Hinata’s Team 7 fought Kiba and Shino’s team for their scrolls, defeating both opponents and demanding that they treat Team 7 to meals for three months. With Sasuke and Shino injured and Naruto helping them, Hinata prepared to keep ambushing other teams.

• Hinata proposed that Kiba and Shino treat Team 7 to meals in exchange for letting them pass, then attacked with Naruto and Sasuke when Kiba refused.
• Hinata grabbed Sakura and watched from a tree while Naruto fought Kiba and Sasuke fought Shino.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to beat Kiba and Akamaru, while Sasuke and Shino knocked each other down.
• Hinata stepped on Kiba’s fingers, drew on his face, and raised the meal demand from one month to three months until he agreed.
• Hinata told Kiba and Sakura to help the injured Shino to the tower and announced that she could lead further ambushes herself.
• Sasuke woke up frustrated that he had only managed a draw against Shino.

Orochimaru learned that Hinata’s blockade of the Central Tower threatened his Konoha Crush Plan, so he went to confront her. Hinata continued helping Konoha teams pass in exchange for feasts, then discovered that the Grass Ninja approaching her group was Orochimaru.

• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke were blocking the tower and that Gaara had been defeated, putting Orochimaru’s plan at risk.
• Kabuto Yakushi confirmed that Hinata had defeated Zabuza, and Orochimaru decided to meet her himself while warning Kabuto not to target Sasuke.
• Kabuto Yakushi resolved to remain loyal to Orochimaru for now while secretly looking for a chance to test Sasuke.
• Hinata’s group defeated another team, then Hinata offered Konoha’s Ino-Shika-Cho group scrolls in exchange for a written promise to treat Team 7 to feasts for a month.
• Naruto noticed a Grass Ninja approaching, and Hinata used her Byakugan to recognize Orochimaru beneath the disguise.
• Orochimaru challenged Hinata to a battle to the death for scrolls, and Hinata puzzled over his long tongue by imitating him.

Hinata used Naruto’s Shadow Clone Jutsu and a fake Civil Combat challenge to help her team escape Orochimaru and reach the Central Tower. There, the team passed the second stage, and Hinata dispelled Iruka’s Shadow Clone before he could deliver a lecture.

• Hinata proposed Civil Combat to Orochimaru, then sent Naruto forward to use Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
• Hinata and Sasuke transformed into Naruto and fled with him among the clones toward the Central Tower.
• Orochimaru lost sight of the trio in the dense forest, while Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke reached the tower entrance.
• Naruto and Sasuke opened the Heaven and Earth scrolls, summoning Iruka, who congratulated them on passing the second stage.
• Hinata recognized Iruka as a Shadow Clone and dispelled him before he could explain the Hokage’s thoughts on being a Chunin.

The Third Hokage gathered the thirty-six participants who passed the Second Exam and began explaining the Third Exam. Hinata repeatedly flattered him and disrupted his speech, so he asked everyone to stay quiet before explaining the exam’s purpose.

• The Third Hokage welcomed the thirty-six participants and prepared to explain the Preliminary Selection for the Third Exam.
• Hinata loudly applauded and praised the Third Hokage, drawing the attention of the participants and Jonin.
• Anko joined in by formally introducing the Third Hokage, while Hinata continued applauding and praising him.
• Hinata exaggerated the meaning of the Third Hokage’s opening words, leaving him and the others stunned.
• The Third Hokage asked everyone to refrain from applauding while he spoke, and Hinata agreed.
• The Third Hokage began explaining that the allied countries held the exam to deepen friendly relations.

Gekko Hayate took over the Chunin Exam preliminary selection, where many candidates withdrew before Sasuke defeated Dosu Kinuta. Hinata spotted Orochimaru watching her from the stands and taunted him, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• The Third Hokage explained the political and financial realities behind the Joint Chunin Exam before Gekko Hayate interrupted him to announce the preliminary selection.
• Several candidates withdrew, including Kabuto Yakushi, who told Naruto that his injuries prevented him from continuing; thirty-two candidates remained.
• Hinata teased Might Guy by claiming Kakashi's Sharingan helped him choose better students, and Kakashi realized she was praising herself indirectly.
• Sasuke defeated Dosu Kinuta in a short fight without the Heaven's Curse Mark interfering with his Sharingan.
• Hinata recognized the Sound Ninja's Jonin instructor as Orochimaru, met his gaze, and taunted him.

Orochimaru wondered how Hinata had uncovered his Face-Stealing Ninjutsu disguise, while Hinata won her preliminary match with a devastating attack and pretended to be weak. Afterward, she teased Kakashi and Gaara and told Neji she planned to become strong enough to train with her father.

• Orochimaru questioned how Hinata had seen through his disguise and recalled her quick escape in the Forest of Death.
• Sasuke congratulated Hinata and said he wanted to fight her and Naruto as the preliminary matches continued.
• Hinata defeated the Sand Village's Extra A with Eight Trigrams—Mountain Breaker, destroying him and the wall behind him.
• Hinata acted frightened and exhausted after the match to hide her strength, then teased Kakashi about forbidden teacher-student romance.
• Hinata stuck out her tongue at Gaara, and Neji warned her that Hiashi would scold her for behaving improperly.
• Hinata told Neji she would become strong enough to train with Hiashi, while Neji suspected she meant to beat up her father.

Hinata advanced to the Third Exam after Zaku forfeited, while Naruto defeated Kiba again. Neji was paired against Shino, and Hinata warned him to be careful.

• Hinata watched the preliminary matches and was relieved that she would not have to fight Neji.
• Zaku forfeited his match against Hinata, giving her a place in the Third Exam.
• Naruto defeated Kiba and advanced, while Sasuke watched the other contenders with growing concern.
• Hinata reflected that her chakra reserves were rapidly increasing and suspected her Otsutsuki bloodline was awakening.
• Neji was paired against Shino, and Hinata quietly warned him to be careful.

After the remaining matches narrowed the field, Choji worried that the strong opponents left would keep him from reaching the Third Exam and earning an all-you-can-eat barbecue. Hinata rallied Konoha’s Genin and Jonin to equip him with a huge supply of Kunai Bombs, leaving him prepared to challenge anyone except Gaara.

• Shino narrowly lost to Neji after fighting him for nearly five minutes, and Neji advanced with much of his chakra depleted.
• As the matches continued, Choji panicked about facing the formidable contestants still awaiting their fights and about losing his promised barbecue.
• Choji reminded Hinata that she had once taken him on as her underling and asked her what he should do; Hinata agreed to help after learning barbecue was at stake.
• Hinata called the Konoha ninja together and told them to pool their kunai and Explosive Tags so Choji could attack his opponent with Kunai Bombs before surrendering if necessary.
• The Genin and Asuma contributed enough supplies for roughly 126 Kunai Bombs, and Hinata encouraged Choji to overwhelm his opponents with them.

Sasuke defeated Kankuro, and the next match paired Gaara with Rock Lee. Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates’ explosive assault against Gaara’s sand defenses, while Hinata and the others openly offered advice, but she doubted Lee could break through Gaara’s defense.

• Sasuke read Kankuro’s puppet attacks with his Sharingan, closed the distance, and knocked him out.
• The match draw selected Gaara versus Rock Lee, leaving Choji relieved that he would not face Rock Lee.
• Rock Lee attacked Gaara, whose sand automatically blocked his strikes; Hinata and Sasuke explained that Lee needed to get past Gaara’s sand and Sand Armor.
• Might Guy encouraged Rock Lee and revealed that he could not use ninjutsu or Genjutsu, while Hinata claimed taijutsu alone had made her an outstanding ninja and Kakashi questioned her self-image.
• Rock Lee dropped his Root weights and became much faster, then used the Front Lotus to slam Gaara into the arena floor.
• Hinata worried that Rock Lee’s burst of speed and strength would not be enough to break Gaara’s defenses.

Rock Lee opened the Inner Gates and overwhelmed Gaara, but his final attack failed to defeat him before Might Guy intervened. Hinata then cheered for Choji as he fought Dosu with long-range explosives.

• Rock Lee opened his Third, Fourth, and Fifth Gates, using his speed and strength to break Gaara's Sand Armor and batter him through the air.
• Rock Lee's final strike failed to seriously injure Gaara, whose sand caught him and then protected him from further harm.
• Hinata called for Might Guy, who was prepared to stop Gaara from using Sand Burial on Rock Lee.
• Hinata reflected that Rock Lee had the strength to change his fate but had simply lacked luck, then rejected Kakashi when he tried to encourage her.
• Hinata rallied Ino, Sakura, Tenten, and the others to cheer for Choji as he fought Dosu by throwing Kunai Bombs from a distance.
• Choji posed and announced that he would use his ultimate technique.

The Preliminary Selection ended, and the eight advancing genin learned that the Official Match would take place in a month. Orochimaru ordered Kabuto Yakushi to exploit Sasuke’s growing doubts and bring him in, while the match order set Hinata against Naruto and Sasuke against Gaara.

• The Third Hokage announced the eight who advanced and scheduled the Official Match for one month later.
• Orochimaru discussed his plans with Kabuto Yakushi and ordered him to stir up Sasuke’s darkness and bring Sasuke to him.
• Orochimaru warned Kabuto that Sasuke could be killed to stop him, then said Kabuto was not strong enough to kill Orochimaru.
• Hinata drew the slip marked '1' while Anko managed the lots, and the match order paired Hinata with Naruto, Shikamaru with Temari, Sasuke with Gaara, and Neji with Choji.
• Naruto worried that Hinata would beat him, but Hinata reassured him as he vowed to defeat her.
• Sasuke crushed his slip marked '6' and struggled to contain his resentment and unwillingness.

Asuma invited the young ninja and their instructors to celebrate the end of the exam, but Sasuke declined and stayed apart from the group. At the barbecue restaurant, Hinata outlasted Choji in their contest over the food and made him accept her as his boss.

• Asuma offered to treat Team Ten to barbecue, and Kakashi invited the other rookies and their instructors to join them.
• Sasuke refused to go, while Kakashi decided he would need to guide him gradually rather than force him to socialize.
• At the restaurant, Hinata and Choji ate far more than the rest of the group and argued over the last piece of barbecue.
• Hinata ordered more food to outlast Choji, then split the next piece with him and declared that the last piece belonged to her.
• Choji tearfully agreed that Hinata was his boss and that she could have the last piece of barbecue.

After a lively reunion with her fellow rookies, Hinata reflected on growing up, loneliness, and the comfort of family before returning home to sleep beside Hanabi. The next morning, Hyuga Hiashi began training her for the Third Exam and questioned her decision to flee from an enemy during the Second Exam.

• Naruto asked Kakashi to train him, but Kakashi said he had found someone else to help because he had other matters to handle.
• Hinata walked home with Neji, and they promised to protect each other.
• Hinata found Hanabi asleep in her bed and fell asleep embracing her.
• Minako Hyuga woke Hinata and Hanabi, scolded Hinata about her messy room, and told her that Hyuga Hiashi would train her.
• At the Training Room, Hyuga Hiashi and the Great Elder praised Hinata's exam performance before Hiashi asked why she had run from an enemy in the Second Exam.