Chapter Summaries

Naruto faced the Chunin Ninja Exams as Konoha and the visiting villages watched him closely because of the Heavenly Screen revelations. He passed Ibiki’s first exam by refusing to back down from the final question’s threat, and the chapter ended with the Third Hokage watching him with pride.

• Hiruzen ordered the Genin to prepare for the written exam while considering how the Heavenly Screen had affected Konoha’s standing.
• Naruto drew attention from Gaara, Kurotsuchi, and the other examinees, while Hinata’s presence encouraged him as he struggled with the written questions.
• Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Gaara recognized that the test required gathering information, while Hiruzen spoke cautiously with Kitsuchi and Orochimaru, who was disguised as the Kazekage.
• Ibiki announced that anyone who failed the tenth question would never take the Chunin exams again, and many examinees withdrew.
• Naruto declared that he would face the test even if he remained a Genin for life, prompting Ibiki to reveal there was no tenth question and announce that the remaining examinees had passed.
• Hiruzen watched Naruto celebrate with his teammates and felt that Minato’s son had lived up to his expectations.

After passing the first exam, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura learned that the second exam would be dangerous and prepared to work together. Elsewhere, Orochimaru advanced his plans with Sunagakure while Nagato chose to let the coming conflict unfold, and Fū ran away toward Konoha to meet Naruto.

• Mitarashi Anko announced that the second exam would begin the next morning and warned that she would eliminate more than half the candidates.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura found Kakashi, who refused to reveal the exam but urged them to trust one another and cooperate.
• Orochimaru, disguised as Fourth Kazekage Rasa, told Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari to gather intelligence and support the plan to attack Konoha during the exam.
• Nagato told Konan that Akatsuki would let Orochimaru and Sunagakure weaken Konoha before intervening.
• Fū escaped Takigakure and raced toward Konoha to meet Naruto, while Shibuki sent ninja after her.

The examinees passed the Forest of Death, and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced a preliminary round to narrow the field for the final assessment. Meanwhile, Orochimaru accelerated his attack plans because of possible Akatsuki involvement, while Ōnoki resolved to strengthen Iwagakure after reviewing the exam results.

• Anko began the three-day Forest of Death exam, and fewer than thirty examinees reached the central tower with both scrolls.
• Orochimaru learned from Kabuto Yakushi that the Akatsuki might interfere, so he ordered his forces to prepare to move sooner and told Baki to assemble Sunagakure's concealed forces near Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that a preliminary round would be held the next day to reduce the successful examinees to twelve for the final assessment.
• Ōnoki learned that few Iwagakure examinees had advanced, reflected on Konoha's strength and Deidara's defection, and called for an emergency meeting to strengthen Iwagakure.

The Raikage worried about Kumogakure’s ability to withstand Pain and keep pace with Konoha, while Nagato chose to let Orochimaru and Sunagakure attack Konoha and weaken the great nations. The exposed Akatsuki members remained in hiding, frustrated by their forced inactivity.

• The Raikage reviewed intelligence on Konoha’s young ninja and considered how Killer B, Darui, and C could help strengthen Kumogakure.
• Konan told Nagato that Sunagakure had pulled back its border defenses and Konoha had not detected its cooperation with Orochimaru; Nagato ordered Akatsuki not to intervene and to let the conflict wear down the nations.
• Deidara complained to Sasori about staying hidden, while Sasori told him to keep a low profile.
• Hidan complained to Kakuzu about hiding, but Kakuzu ordered him to follow Pain’s plans and avoid causing trouble.
• Kisame told Uchiha Itachi he was bored with hiding, and Itachi warned that acting rashly could expose their plans.

The Heavenly Screen showed Sasori battling Chiyo and Sakura, from the destruction of his Hiruko shell to the fight against the Third Kazekage puppet. With Chiyo controlling her, Sakura broke through Sasori’s defenses and struck his true body, apparently defeating him.

• Chiyo guided Sakura around Sasori’s poisoned attacks and secretly attached Chakra Threads to Hiruko, allowing Sakura to smash the puppet shell and reveal Sasori’s young-looking body.
• Sasori summoned the Third Kazekage as a Human Puppet, and Chiyo and Sakura fought it as it attacked with poisoned blades and Iron Sand.
• Sasori poisoned Sakura, but Chiyo used Father and Mother to protect her and confront the Third Kazekage puppet.
• When Father and Mother shattered under Sasori’s Iron Sand World Method, Sakura asked Chiyo to control her as a puppet, and Chiyo agreed.
• Chiyo controlled Sakura as she dodged the Iron Sand, broke through its defenses, and struck Sasori’s body, shattering it.

Sunagakure learned from the Heavenly Screen that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage, while Granny Chiyo, Deidara, and Orochimaru reacted to the revelation. In the battle, Granny Chiyo and Sakura defeated Sasori, and Granny Chiyo used her life-transfer technique to save Sakura as Sasori died.

• Sunagakure's ninjas discovered that Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage, and Granny Chiyo watched the revelation with grief and regret.
• Deidara admired Sasori's true form, while Orochimaru recognized Sasori's pursuit of immortality and became interested in his methods.
• Sasori recovered from his shattered body and faced Granny Chiyo's Chikamatsu Ten Puppets with his Performance of a Hundred Puppets.
• Sakura struck Sasori with a puppet head, but Sasori stabbed her with a poisoned blade before Granny Chiyo's Father and Mother puppets pierced his core.
• Granny Chiyo revealed that she had developed a technique to transfer life force for Sasori's sake and used it to save Sakura.
• Sasori died as Granny Chiyo mourned him and hoped he would find peace in the next world.

The Heavenly Screen’s footage of Sasori’s defeat exposed Akatsuki further and stirred reactions across the Shinobi World. Tsunade decided to return to Konoha, while Jiraiya set out to meet her and Orochimaru renewed his resolve to pursue immortality.

• Nagato realized Akatsuki could no longer remain secret and told Konan that they might need to accelerate their plans.
• After seeing Sakura fight on the Heavenly Screen, Tsunade left the outpost with Shizune to return to Konoha.
• Naruto praised Sakura’s future strength, Sasuke resolved not to fall behind, and Kakashi watched his students with pride.
• Deidara protested Sasori’s future defeat, but Sasori calmly said that death was another form of eternity as the other Akatsuki members reacted to the footage.
• Jiraiya headed to the outpost to meet Tsunade after concluding that she had returned to the village.
• Orochimaru dismissed Sasori’s failed pursuit of eternity and reaffirmed his own ambition to achieve immortality.

The Chunin Exam preliminaries ended with eleven candidates advancing, while two injured candidates were set to compete later for the final place. Meanwhile, Fū ran away from her Waterfall escorts, determined to find Naruto and become his friend.

• Kabuto Yakushi and two injured candidates withdrew, leaving twenty-four contestants for the preliminaries.
• Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Dosu Kinuta, Gaara, Neji, Temari, Shino, Kankuro, Kurotsuchi, and Oiwa won their matches; Sakura and Ino drew.
• Gekko Hayate announced the eleven advancing candidates and said the injured candidates would compete later for the remaining place.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Konoha teachers praised and comforted the young ninja after their matches.
• Fū ran through the forest while Waterfall ninja chased her, insisting that they take her to Konoha so she could meet Naruto.

After the Heavenly Screen revealed the Akatsuki’s threat to the Tailed Beasts, Ōnoki tried to recall Iwagakure’s Jinchūriki while Obito searched for the Three-Tails’ revival site. On the moon, the screen’s war footage strengthened Toneri’s resolve to destroy and remake the Shinobi World.

• Ōnoki warned Iwagakure’s leaders about the Akatsuki and called Roshi and Han back, but Roshi refused and Han said he would return after mastering the Five-Tails’ power.
• Ōnoki accepted that Roshi and Han would not return and ordered Iwagakure to strengthen its defenses and monitor the Akatsuki.
• Yugito Nii led her squad on a mission while Killer B prepared for a concert, and Utakata continued training his disciple Hotaru in seclusion.
• Obito and Zetsu searched a fourth likely location for the Three-Tails’ revival and stationed White Zetsu at possible sites to watch for it.
• Toneri watched footage of wars and destruction on the Heavenly Screen and concluded that the Shinobi World was beyond saving, renewing his determination to destroy it.

Jiraiya met Tsunade as she returned to Konoha and tried to persuade her to become Hokage, but she refused and agreed only to visit their former teacher. Meanwhile, Orochimaru adjusted his plans around their return, and the daimyos began considering ways to restrain the power of the ninja villages.

• Candidates who failed the Chunin Ninja Exams spent their free time in Konoha and reflected on how they would improve before the next exams.
• Jiraiya encountered Tsunade and Shizune at Konoha's entrance and urged Tsunade to become Hokage, but she rejected the position.
• Tsunade agreed to visit their former teacher after Jiraiya asked, while insisting she would not change her mind about becoming Hokage.
• Orochimaru learned that Jiraiya and Tsunade had returned, revealed his Impure World Reincarnation preparations, and planned to use Dan Katō's remains to distract them.
• The daimyos discussed how the Heavenly Screen's revelations had exposed the ninja villages' power and considered ways to weaken or counter them.

Karin escaped Kusagakure’s abuse and sought help from Naruto, who welcomed her into Konoha after Hiruzen approved her stay under Team 7’s care. Danzo failed to gain control of her and ordered Root to investigate her, while Hiruzen remained uncertain who should inherit Konoha’s future.

• Karin fled Kusagakure and found Naruto, telling him she was an Uzumaki and asking for help.
• Kakashi brought Karin to Hiruzen, who accepted her into Konoha and assigned her temporary care to Team 7.
• Two Kusagakure ninja searching for Karin entered Danzo’s hidden base and were killed by Sound Ninja.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen to hand Karin over to Root, but Hiruzen refused and insisted she would stay in Konoha.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade visited Hiruzen, who raised the Hokage succession question before Tsunade left with Jiraiya.
• Hiruzen watched the sunlight and wondered who should inherit Konoha’s future.

Karin settled into Konoha, where Tsunade treated her injuries and offered to teach her Medical Ninjutsu, while Orochimaru secretly considered taking her for her Uzumaki abilities. Meanwhile, Kakashi trained Sasuke in advanced Chidori techniques, and Danzo prepared to move against Hiruzen and seize the Hokage Position.

• Naruto introduced Karin to his friends in Konoha, and they welcomed her warmly.
• Naruto brought Karin to meet Jiraiya and Tsunade, and Tsunade treated her injuries and offered to teach her Medical Ninjutsu.
• Orochimaru watched Karin from the guesthouse and considered abducting her after his plans to destroy Konoha and take Sasuke's body were complete.
• Kakashi demonstrated Chidori Stream: Lightning Net and trained Sasuke to fight through a Shadow Clone encirclement.
• Danzo recalled losing his chance to become Hokage to Hiruzen and went to his secret chamber, vowing to take power by any means necessary.

The Heavenly Screen showed the future battle between Sage Kabuto and the Uchiha brothers, shocking Sasuke and revealing that he would one day fight alongside Itachi. Itachi and Orochimaru watched the scenes and began reconsidering what the future held for Sasuke and Kabuto.

• The Heavenly Screen showed Itachi and Sasuke entering a cave to confront Sage Kabuto, with Itachi watching his younger brother with affection and concern.
• Sasuke erupted in anger at seeing himself beside Itachi, but Kakashi and an Anbu explained that the screen might be showing the future.
• Sasuke calmed down and left to be alone, while Kakashi acknowledged that the truths ahead might be more painful than revenge.
• Itachi watched the screen with Kisame and realized that his future self would be resurrected and would team up with Sasuke against Kabuto.
• Orochimaru recognized Kabuto's Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode and wondered why Sasuke had escaped becoming his vessel, concluding that he needed to reassess both Sasuke and Kabuto.

Sasuke and Itachi fought Sage Kabuto in the cave, countering his techniques through observation and teamwork. As the Heavenly Screen showed their battle, shinobi across the world questioned Itachi’s past, while the real Kabuto watched and acknowledged Itachi as a dangerous opponent.

• Kabuto attacked Sasuke and Itachi with giant snakes, but their Susanoo defeated the assault and exposed his snake clone.
• Kabuto used the White Rage Technique to blind and disorient the brothers, but Itachi spotted the technique’s weakness and Sasuke helped interrupt it.
• Itachi destroyed Kabuto’s amplification barrier, and Sasuke’s Chidori Sharp Spear forced Kabuto to shed his skin to escape.
• Kabuto tried to provoke Sasuke by recalling their past and accusing the brothers of being unable to trust each other, but Sasuke remembered hunting a wild boar with Itachi and stayed calm.
• Sasuke feinted with his Susanoo bow while Itachi struck Kabuto from the blind spot, severing one of his horns.
• Shinobi watching the Heavenly Screen debated the Uchiha clan’s destruction, while the real Kabuto admitted he could not underestimate Itachi.

Itachi trapped Kabuto with Izanami and released the Impure World Reincarnation before telling Sasuke the truth about the massacre and saying goodbye. Sasuke rejected the fragments he had seen and set out to learn the full truth, while the Heavenly Screen began a thirty-day countdown and Nagato ordered Akatsuki members to suspend their missions.

• Itachi used Izanami to trap Kabuto in a repeating moment, and Sasuke released the Impure World Reincarnation controlling him.
• As Itachi faded away, he showed Sasuke the truth and told him he would always love him, whether Sasuke forgave him or not.
• The Shinobi World reacted to Itachi's farewell, while Sasuke erupted in anger and vowed to uncover what really happened during the Uchiha massacre.
• The Heavenly Screen displayed a thirty-day countdown until its next content, leaving shinobi across the world anxious about the delay.
• Nagato ordered Akatsuki to suspend all missions and told Kisame and Itachi to stay put, while Itachi said he had things to confirm.

After seeing the Uchiha tragedy on the Heavenly Screen, Chino learned that the Uchiha had been falsely blamed for the Chinoike Clan’s exile and chose to leave Hell Valley with her father. In Konoha, Hyuga Hiashi reflected on his clan’s past and watched Neji instruct a Branch Family child.

• Chino grieved over the Uchiha brothers’ fate, and Oyashiro En told her that revenge only bred more revenge.
• Oyashiro En showed Chino a daimyo’s diary revealing that the Uchiha had only been ordered to guard the Chinoike Clan, which had been framed in a political conspiracy.
• Oyashiro En admitted he had trained Chino to seek revenge because he was blinded by hatred, and he urged her to live for the future.
• Chino decided to see the world as herself rather than as an avenger, and she and Oyashiro En left Hell Valley together.
• Hyuga Hiashi reflected on the Caged Bird Seal, his brother Hizashi, and Neji, then watched Neji gently correct a Branch Family child’s stance.

Kakashi led Team 7 on a mission to escort Yukie Fujikaze back to the Land of Snow, where she reclaimed her throne by defeating her uncle Dotō and restoring the country’s geothermal system. After returning to Konoha, Naruto exaggerated the team’s exploits to their friends while Kakashi gave Team 7 an A-rank evaluation.

• Kakashi accepted a mission to escort actress Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow and prepared Team 7 for the journey.
• Koyuki revealed that her crystal key could activate the geothermal system, while Jiraiya joined the mission and secretly prepared a defensive barrier.
• Kakashi and Team 7 spotted Snow Ninja reconnaissance puppets at the port, then joined Sandayū and the resistance at an abandoned mine to plan against Dotō’s Chakra amplifiers.
• During the final battle, Sakura destroyed the last amplifier, Koyuki activated the geothermal system, and Sasuke killed Dotō after his Chakra Armor failed.
• Koyuki reclaimed the throne and gave Kakashi an alliance scroll before the team returned to Konoha with a promise of a hot-spring invitation.
• Naruto boasted to Konoha’s young ninja about the mission, while Kakashi watched and marked Team 7’s evaluation as A-rank.

As the Chunin Ninja Exams approached, Konoha’s contestants prepared while Orochimaru, Danzō, and the Akatsuki advanced their secret plans. The chapter ended with Nagato awaiting the coming chaos and declaring that the world would find salvation in two years.

• Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto Uzumaki trained for the Chunin Ninja Exams as Konoha welcomed visitors and Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted dignitaries.
• Orochimaru disguised as the Fourth Kazekage prepared Impure World Reincarnation with three coffins, while Shimura Danzō plotted to end Hiruzen Sarutobi’s era.
• Takigakure’s ninja persuaded Fū to wait until after the exams for an official visit to Konoha, and Zetsu secretly reported her location to Pain.
• Pain and Konan discussed the Six-Tails’ whereabouts and waited for chaos in Konoha, while Obito Uchiha and Zetsu continued their plans in the Kamui Dimension and underground.
• The Akatsuki members held off on major jobs as White Zetsu Clones gathered intelligence across the Five Great Nations.
• Nagato watched the rain fall in Amegakure and said that the world would find true salvation in two years.

Sasuke questioned Konoha’s role in the Uchiha massacre after the Heavenly Screen revealed Danzo’s Sharingan-covered arm, while an Anbu urged him to seek power from Orochimaru. As tensions rose across Konoha, Orochimaru recruited Kabuto into his plans, and the chapter left the village’s shinobi uneasy about Root’s activity and the secrets the Heavenly Screen had exposed.

• Sasuke trained furiously and wondered whether Konoha’s leaders had helped cause or cover up the Uchiha massacre.
• An Anbu told Sasuke that Orochimaru owned the Kusanagi Sword and said someone would meet him after the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Hiruzen ordered Danzo to suspend all Root operations and keep his people in Konoha, while confronting him about the Sharingan in his arm.
• Orochimaru promised Kabuto a chance to visit Ryūchi Cave after their plan and identified him as key to the Konoha Crush.
• Asuma, Kurenai, Might Guy, and Anko privately discussed Danzo’s arm and Root’s increased activity before a Root member appeared at their izakaya.

After the Heavenly Screen showed the Uchiha brothers, the great villages reacted to the shifting balance of power: Kumogakure searched for the Six Paths' treasures, Chiyo investigated Rasa's secret plans, and Nagato learned that the Land of Snow had fallen into factional conflict. The chapter left Nagato condemning the great nations for bringing destruction to smaller lands.

• Ōnoki remembered his encounter with Madara, while Mei Terumi and A reflected on the Uchiha brothers' strength and the clan's decline.
• A ordered Mabui to send Yugito Nii and Darui to search for Kinkaku and Ginkaku's Six Paths' treasures, and told her to get B involved.
• Chiyo confronted Sunagakure's leaders over Rasa's unexplained absence and the reassignment of elite forces, then searched the archives for clues.
• Chiyo discovered that Rasa had sent Anbu to the Land of Rivers–Land of Rain border and funded a secret project led by Kabuto Yakushi, so she went to seek Ebizo.
• Konan told Nagato that Naruto and his companions had traveled to the Land of Snow and that the Snow Ninja Village had split apart amid internal conflict.
• Nagato condemned the great nations for trampling civilian lives and driving small nations toward destruction.