Recaps

Shinki summoned the Great Toad Sage, who instructed Jiraiya to bring him to Mount Myōboku for Senjutsu training. Jiraiya and Naruto were summoned there, but Shinki remained behind as the toads failed to summon him.

• Shinki summoned the Great Toad Sage, and Jiraiya fell to his knees in recognition.
• The Great Toad Sage told Jiraiya to take Shinki to Mount Myōboku to train in Senjutsu, and Shinki agreed.
• Jiraiya invited Naruto to train with them, and Naruto agreed and signed the Blood Contract scroll.
• Back at Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage told Fukasaku and Shima to summon Jiraiya and the two children.
• Jiraiya and Naruto disappeared in clouds of smoke, but Shinki waited ten minutes without being summoned.
• Fukasaku, Shima, and the other toads panicked because they could not summon Shinki to Mount Myōboku.

Jiraiya brought Shinki to Mount Myōboku after the toads failed to reverse-summon him, and Fukasaku and Shima prepared to teach him and Naruto Senjutsu. At Sage Shima’s dinner, Shinki praised her bug dishes to encourage Naruto, but Naruto quickly regretted taking a bite.

• The toads failed to reverse-summon Shinki because his Chakra was too great, so Naruto suggested using Shinki’s Flying Thunder God Kunai to bring him to Mount Myōboku.
• Shinki teleported to Mount Myōboku, where Fukasaku and Shima introduced themselves and said they would teach him and Naruto Senjutsu starting the next day.
• Jiraiya took Naruto and Shinki around Mount Myōboku, then brought them to Sage Shima’s home for dinner.
• Sage Shima served dishes made from bugs, and Shinki and Naruto hesitated to eat them.
• Shinki praised the dishes and ate enthusiastically, prompting Naruto to try a bite of giant earthworm and recoil at its slimy texture.

Shinki and Naruto began Senjutsu training on Mount Myōboku, where they learned that absorbing too much Natural Energy could turn them into stone toads. Shinki quickly sensed Natural Energy and began testing his strength on a giant stone toad.

• Sage Fukasaku explained how to sense Natural Energy and demonstrated Senjutsu by lifting a giant stone toad.
• Fukasaku warned Shinki and Naruto that failed training could turn them into toads or stone, then applied Toad Oil to their forearms.
• Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja secretly discussed their plan for the Chunin Ninja Exams and reacted when a nearby Chakra presence suggested someone was eavesdropping.
• Naruto and Shinki absorbed too much Natural Energy during meditation, and Jiraiya and Sage Fukasaku struck them with clubs to stop them from turning into toads.
• Shinki sensed Natural Energy unusually quickly, developed Sage Mode markings, and made a giant stone toad tremble as he tested his strength.

Shinki rapidly advanced through Mount Myōboku’s Senjutsu training, mastering the first stage and making strong progress on the second. As Sage Shima arrived with a basket of bug dishes for lunch, Shinki and Naruto faced the consequences of praising her cooking.

• Shinki used Senjutsu Chakra to lift the hundred-ton stone toad, completing the first stage of training in just over four hours.
• Sage Fukasaku took Shinki to a stone forest, where Shinki trained on a wooden board balanced atop sharp peaks and learned to sense Natural Energy without Toad Oil.
• Naruto resumed his own training after learning Shinki had advanced, and Sage Fukasaku estimated Shinki could finish the entire course in about a week.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that Minato Namikaze had taken over a month to train in Senjutsu, while Shinki realized his progress was unusually fast.
• Shinki resolved never to eat bugs again, but Sage Shima arrived with a lavish spread of bug dishes, including steamed leeches, after taking Naruto and Shinki's earlier praise seriously.

Shinki overcame his disgust at Sage Shima’s bug dishes and rapidly mastered Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode and Frog Kata. After Gamabunta challenged his reputation, Shinki accepted a fight and stunned the toad by taking his blade.

• Naruto and Shinki ate Sage Shima’s bug dishes and discovered they tasted delicious to them as their bodies adapted to becoming toads.
• Shinki made rapid progress in Natural Energy training and learned to maintain Sage Mode by evening.
• Over the next two days, Shinki mastered Mount Myōboku’s Sage Mode and Frog Kata, then began gaining the upper hand against Sage Fukasaku in sparring.
• Gamabunta confronted Shinki about learning Senjutsu in two days, mocked him, and agreed to fight after Shinki challenged him.
• Shinki entered Sage Mode, used Flying Thunder God to reach Gamabunta’s blade, and snatched it away with both hands.

Shinki defeated Gamabunta after mastering Senjutsu, then the Chunin Exam finals began with Shinki and Naruto missing from the venue. The Hokage postponed their matches, while the other contestants started competing and Sasuke worried about his teammates.

• Shinki took Gamabunta's short sword and struck him until Gamabunta conceded defeat.
• Sage Fukasaku reported Shinki's training to the Great Toad Sage, who shared a cryptic dream about a white ball colliding with a red ball.
• At the Konoha exam venue, the Third Hokage learned that Jiraiya had taken Naruto and Shinki away and considered disqualifying them for arriving late.
• The Kazekage persuaded the Third Hokage to postpone Naruto's and Shinki's matches, and the matchups were announced.
• Shikamaru began his fight with Temari while Sasuke worried about Naruto and Shinki's absence; Kakashi reassured him that Jiraiya would keep them safe.

Shinki and Naruto rushed back from Mount Myōboku after forgetting about the Chunin Ninja Exams, then arrived at the arena on Gamabunta just before they could be disqualified. The chapter ended as Genma announced Naruto’s match against Neji.

• Jiraiya reminded Shinki and Naruto that the Chunin Ninja Exams were underway, and Shinki used Flying Thunder God to bring them back to Konoha.
• Shinki summoned Gamabunta to carry them to the arena, while Naruto summoned Gamabunta’s son Gamatatsu.
• Temari defeated Shikamaru, Shino defeated Tenten, and Sasuke defeated a Rain Ninja while Shinki and Naruto remained absent.
• Gamabunta landed dramatically in the arena with Shinki and Naruto, impressing the spectators and relieving Hiruzen that they had arrived in time.
• Genma let the exams proceed and announced Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga as the next match.

Naruto fought Neji and challenged him over how he had treated Hinata, prompting Neji to reveal the Hyuga clan’s Branch Family system and the circumstances of his father’s death. The crowd fell silent at the account, while Shinki condemned Konoha’s decision and drew the attention of a hidden observer and the Third Kazekage.

• Naruto used shadow clones against Neji, who countered with the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation.
• Naruto tricked Neji with a clone, punched him, and demanded to know why he had bullied Hinata.
• Neji revealed his Caged Bird Seal and explained how the Hyuga Main Family had subjected the Branch Family to control.
• Neji recounted how Hiashi had been spared from Kumogakure’s demand and Hizashi had died in his place, leaving Neji resentful of the Main Family.
• Shinki called Konoha’s response weak, and a bandaged old man watched him before leaving as the Third Kazekage called him interesting.

Shinki recognized that the Kazekage had Orochimaru’s chakra and warned Kakashi, who left to deal with the threat. After Naruto defeated Neji, Shinki and Gaara entered the arena for their final match, which began with Gaara raising sand and Shinki opening the Sixth Gate.

• Shinki recognized Orochimaru’s chakra in the Kazekage and alerted Kakashi, who told him to prepare for his match and went to handle the situation.
• Naruto defeated Neji with a Shadow Clone, ending their match.
• A daimyō’s guards tried to pressure Gaara into losing, and Gaara killed them with his sand while Naruto witnessed the aftermath.
• Naruto searched for Kakashi to warn him about Gaara but learned from Sasuke that Kakashi had already left.
• Shinki and Gaara faced each other in the arena, traded threats, and began their battle.
• Gaara raised sand as Shinki opened the Sixth Gate, prompting Might Guy to marvel at Shinki’s taijutsu talent.

Shinki struck Gaara with Purple Lightning, then pierced Gaara’s sand shell with Piercing Hand and escaped its counterattack using Flying Thunder God. A powerful creature’s eye appeared inside the shell as Temari and Kankuro waited for the signal to begin the Konoha Crush Plan.

• Shinki opened the Sixth Gate and hit Gaara through his sand defense with Purple Lightning, injuring him.
• Gaara enclosed himself in a spiked sphere of sand while Shinki considered how to break through it.
• Shinki used Piercing Hand to punch through the sand shell and Gaara’s chest, then teleported away from the spikes with Flying Thunder God.
• A yellow eye and a surge of chakra appeared inside Gaara’s shell, and Temari realized Gaara had lost control.
• Temari told Kankuro to wait for the signal as Otogakure and Sunagakure ninja gathered outside Konoha, ready to attack.

The Chunin Exams were disrupted when Orochimaru revealed himself as the Kazekage and launched an attack on Hiruzen, while Sunagakure and Sound Ninja invaded Konoha. As the battle spread through the village, Kakashi gave Shinki permission to stop holding back and fight with his full power.

• The Third Hokage learned that Shinki's warning was true, then the exam venue fell under a sleep-inducing genjutsu as Orochimaru revealed himself and fled with Hiruzen to the roof.
• Orochimaru trapped Hiruzen inside the Four Violet Flames Formation and summoned two coffins with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• A giant Three-Headed Snake attacked Konoha's east gate while Iruka sent the Academy students indoors.
• Gaara attacked Shinki, but Temari and Kankuro restrained him before Baki led the Sand Ninja siblings away from Shinki's lightning attack.
• Konoha and Sunagakure ninja gathered at the arena, where Kakashi told Shinki the invasion involved the Sand Ninja, Sound Ninja, and Orochimaru, and authorized him to use his full power.

Shinki revealed powerful Wood Release and helped defend the Chunin Exam venue as Konoha came under attack. Meanwhile, Orochimaru summoned the First and Second Hokage to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi, who broke down upon seeing his former teachers again.

• Shinki used Wood Release: Tree Binding Eternal Burial to trap the Sand Ninja, then joined Kakashi's group to protect the spectators while Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru pursued Gaara and the others.
• Iruka learned that Konohamaru and his two companions had skipped class to attend the Chunin Ninja Exams venue, so he went to search for them.
• Orochimaru saw Shinki's Wood Release and decided he wanted Shinki's body above all others.
• Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hashirama and Tobirama recognized that they had been revived, saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, and heard him apologize for failing to teach Orochimaru properly.

Shinki promised Konohamaru he would rescue the Third Hokage from Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokages. He revealed his Sage Face Markings and summoned a colossal Sage Art Wood Release statue, leaving the venue raised into the air and its occupants fleeing.

• Orochimaru took control of the First and Second Hokages, who attacked Hiruzen inside the Four Violet Flames Formation while Orochimaru joined the assault.
• Shinki protected the unconscious spectators from invading ninja when Konohamaru arrived and learned that his grandfather was trapped.
• Konohamaru tried to rush to the formation, but Shinki promised to keep Hiruzen safe and sent him to shelter.
• Shinki revealed his Sage Face Markings, then ordered the Anbu to retreat from the roof.
• Shinki used Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands, raising the entire venue on a gigantic wooden Guanyin statue and jolting its occupants awake.

Shinki used Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands to destroy the Four Violet Flames Formation, capture the Former Hokage, and drive Orochimaru away. He then headed to help Naruto and Sasuke, while Gaara transformed into a giant sand beast and released the Demon Tanuki.

• Shinki broke the Four Violet Flames Formation, incapacitated the Sound Ninja guarding it, and captured the First and Second Hokage with the wooden hands.
• Orochimaru fled from Shinki’s Wood Dragon Technique, escaped Hiruzen Sarutobi’s attack by liquefying into the ground, and vowed to claim Shinki’s body.
• Hiruzen praised Shinki, who said he would go help Naruto and Sasuke pursue Gaara.
• Naruto and Sasuke severely wounded Gaara with a coordinated attack, including Sasuke’s Chidori.
• Gaara grew into a giant sand beast, used the Feigning Sleep Technique, and released the Demon Tanuki.

Shinki transported himself and a giant wooden Buddha to the battle outside Konoha, where he captured Shukaku and subdued Gaara. He bound Gaara and prepared to take him back to the village for questioning.

• Gaara unleashed Shukaku, who attacked Naruto and Sasuke with Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet.
• Naruto summoned Gamaken, who shielded them from Shukaku's attack.
• Shinki used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring the giant wooden Buddha to Naruto and Sasuke, astonishing them and revealing himself atop its head.
• Shukaku tried to flee, but Shinki's wooden Buddha caught it with an enormous hand.
• Shinki punched Gaara awake, dispersing Shukaku's sand body, then bound Gaara with vines to take him back to the village.

After Shinki’s Wood Release display made him a target for rival villages, Konoha promoted him to Chunin and assigned protection while he trained Naruto. The chapter ended with Hiruzen joining Jiraiya as he spied on the hot spring baths.

• Shinki took Naruto and Sasuke to the top of his giant wooden figure, where they marveled at the view and asked how he had made it.
• Fourth Raikage A learned about Shinki’s Wood Release and Flying Thunder God, then ordered him killed; Mei Terumi and Ōnoki gave the same order.
• Konoha promoted Shinki to Chunin after the interrupted exams, while Hiruzen rejected proposals to make him a Jonin and stressed that he needed protection.
• Shinki told Naruto that Anbu guarded them and that several groups had already tried to kill him, then explained why Konoha restored its alliance with the Sand Ninja.
• Shinki agreed to take Naruto to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner.
• Hiruzen found Jiraiya spying on the hot spring baths and reached for his binoculars after Jiraiya claimed the spot was excellent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Jiraiya to choose Konoha’s next Hokage, and Jiraiya nominated Tsunade while refusing the position himself. At Ichiraku Ramen, Shinki recognized a familiar chakra signature in a cloaked visitor and realized Uchiha Itachi had arrived in Konoha.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi urged Jiraiya to become Hokage, but Jiraiya refused and suggested Tsunade instead.
• Jiraiya promised to find Tsunade, and Hiruzen Sarutobi entrusted the search to him.
• Uchiha Itachi and a tall companion arrived outside Konoha, where the companion remarked on Itachi’s worsening illness.
• Shinki and Naruto went to Ichiraku Ramen, where Teuchi served them despite the shop being closed for repairs.
• Shinki sensed chakra like Sasuke’s from a cloaked customer and realized the visitor was Uchiha Itachi.

Shinki recognized Kakashi outside Ichiraku Ramen Shop and used the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape with Naruto, leaving Kakashi to follow Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki out of Konoha. Itachi revealed himself, and Kakashi and Might Guy confronted the Akatsuki members as a fight began.

• Shinki saw Kakashi outside the ramen shop, grabbed Naruto, and teleported them away with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kakashi followed Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki out of the village while Asuma went to seek reinforcements.
• Itachi revealed his identity to Kakashi and said Shinki was not his target, while Kakashi suspected the Akatsuki had come for Naruto and the Nine-Tails.
• Might Guy joined Kakashi and challenged Kisame, who drew his greatsword.
• Guy charged Kisame as Kakashi and Itachi clashed with a Water Dragon Bullet and a Great Fireball Technique.

Shinki used Genjutsu and Wood Release to help Kakashi and Guy fight Uchiha Itachi and Kisame. He trapped the two Akatsuki members in vines, but Itachi’s black flames freed Kisame, and the pair prepared to retreat.

• Itachi trapped Kakashi in Tsukuyomi, making him endure three days and nights of repeated stabbing before Kakashi collapsed outside the Genjutsu.
• After watching Itachi’s Genjutsu, Shinki used Genjutsu: Hell Walk, but Itachi reversed the attack and sent the ghost’s axe swinging toward Shinki.
• Shinki targeted Kisame with Genjutsu: Evil Ghost Punishment, which Itachi could not break, leaving Kisame exhausted.
• Shinki grew thick vines around Itachi and Kisame, then stepped out of hiding as Kakashi praised him and collapsed.
• Itachi told Kisame to leave, and black flames burned through the vines, allowing Kisame to escape with Samehada.

After helping Kakashi drive off Kisame and Itachi, Shinki foiled a surprise attack at home and refused Root’s recruitment. Danzo grew angry over the possibility that Tsunade might become Fifth Hokage, while Jiraiya began arranging to take Naruto and Shinki away for training.

• Shinki pursued Kisame and Itachi with a Wood Dragon, but Kakashi warned him not to chase them, and Guy carried the unconscious Kakashi to the hospital.
• Shinki teleported home, found an unfamiliar masked ninja beside a sedated Naruto, and stopped his attack when the man said he belonged to Root.
• The Root ninja invited Shinki to join, but Shinki refused; the masked man said he would return in three days and warned him to keep Root’s existence secret.
• The masked ninja reported Shinki’s refusal to Danzo and told him that Jiraiya had recommended Tsunade as the next Hokage; Danzo reacted angrily and ordered him to give Shinki two more days.
• Jiraiya visited Kakashi in the hospital and said he planned to take Naruto and Shinki along for training, praising Shinki’s writing ability.

Jiraiya took Naruto and Shinki out of Konoha to find Tsunade, while Danzo ordered Root to stop Shinki from returning. In a town, Shinki noticed Tsunade and later confronted a hooded stranger who asked him to join an organization.

• Jiraiya left Konoha with Naruto and Shinki to search for Tsunade, and Danzo ordered Root to attack Shinki outside the village.
• Jiraiya sent Naruto and Shinki off to gather information, then went to a kabuki theater while they explored the town.
• Shinki recognized the blonde woman with a diamond-shaped forehead mark as someone with unusually powerful Chakra, and she entered a gambling hall with her attendant.
• Shinki gave Naruto money to buy takoyaki and went to the black market to purchase Explosive Tags and Kunai.
• A hooded stranger approached Shinki in a dark street and invited him to join their organization.

Shinki rejected Kabuto Yakushi’s offer to join Orochimaru, then went shopping in the black market and detected an ambush. He escaped by teleporting to Jiraiya, reported the attack, and was told to be careful before Jiraiya sent him away.

• Kabuto Yakushi offered Shinki eternal life and a chance to join Orochimaru, but Shinki refused and mocked Otogakure for being too poor to offer him money.
• Shinki bought Ninja Tools and weapons in the black market, spending half his money before leaving with armor and a Scroll full of supplies.
• Shinki sensed more than a dozen Ninja Chakra signatures and deflected a Shuriken from an attacker, realizing that the group had targeted him.
• Shinki used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport to Jiraiya at Kabuki Hall, taking the place of a girl sitting on Jiraiya’s lap.
• Shinki told Jiraiya he had escaped an ambush, and Jiraiya warned him to stay careful before ordering him to leave.

Shinki equipped Naruto with armor and lured the Kumogakure assassination squad away from town, where they trapped two Wood Release clones in a formation. The real Shinki and Naruto revealed themselves and advanced on the squad atop a giant Wood Golem.

• Shinki left Jiraiya and used Flying Thunder God to reach Naruto, giving him a set of armor.
• Shinki and Naruto headed out of town while Kumogakure's Assassin Ninja followed and prepared a formation to block Flying Thunder God.
• The squad trapped the boys in the Four Thunder Sealing Formation and struck them with lightning, but discovered they had hit Wood Release Clones.
• Shinki attacked from the forest with a Wood Dragon, scattering the Assassin Ninja.
• Shinki and Naruto climbed onto a giant Wood Golem, and the squad's captain ordered a retreat.

Shinki captured a force of Kumogakure Assassin Ninja and demanded a ransom, then brought them to Konoha’s Hokage’s Office. While the Third Hokage and his advisors discussed the capture, Shinki detected Uchiha Clan Chakra in Danzo’s arm and right eye.

• Kumogakure’s Assassin Ninja hesitated over whether to attack Shinki, but his Wood Release trapped them before they could escape.
• Shinki used Soul Search to learn that the captives were Kumogakure Jonin sent by the Raikage, then decided to ransom them rather than kill them.
• Shinki released one Assassin Ninja to tell Kumogakure to pay five hundred thousand Copper Coins for each captive.
• Shinki brought the captured ninja to the Hokage’s Office, where the Third Hokage and his advisors reacted to the news and debated the ransom.
• Shinki examined Danzo’s Chakra and discovered traces of Uchiha Clan Chakra in his arm and right eye.

Shinki secured a share of the ransom for the captured Kumogakure ninja and learned that Danzo had tried to recruit him into Root. After Danzo vowed to act personally, Shinki reunited with Jiraiya and Naruto, who identified Tsunade as the woman they had seen at a casino.

• Shinki agreed to split the ransom money with the Third Hokage, who sent the captured Kumogakure ninja to Konoha Prison.
• Shinki asked about Root, and the Third Hokage confronted Danzo over trying to recruit him and warned him not to harm another Konoha Ninja.
• Danzo admitted to himself that he had sent assassins after Shinki and resolved to handle matters personally.
• Naruto told Jiraiya how Shinki had captured the Kumogakure ninja, then described the blond woman they had seen at a gambling house.
• Jiraiya identified the woman as Tsunade, and Shinki arrived and agreed they should search the city's casinos for her the next day.
• Jiraiya asked Shinki for money, saying he had heard about the ransom and did not want to go hungry.