Recaps

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura recovered the Earth Scroll and raced toward the tower after Sasuke sensed danger. Sasuke stopped to face Orochimaru while Sakura ran ahead to get help, and he and Naruto prepared to fight.

• Sasuke ambushed the Grass Ninja at Gate 15, defeated them, and took their Earth Scroll.
• Sasuke told Sakura to carry both scrolls to the tower and get reinforcements if danger appeared, then the three rushed onward.
• Orochimaru sensed Sasuke was about to escape and pursued him through the Forest of Death.
• Sasuke sensed Orochimaru closing in and told Sakura to run to the tower for Kakashi-sensei while he and Naruto stayed behind.
• Sasuke used a Fuma Shuriken to strike down a giant snake targeting Naruto, then explained that it was a Summoning Animal.

Sasuke and Naruto fought Orochimaru after Sasuke realized he had tracked them using Naruto’s blood, while Sakura alerted Iruka that they were in danger. Orochimaru escaped as reinforcements approached, leaving Sasuke as the target of his interest and offer of power.

• Sasuke deduced that Orochimaru had used Naruto’s blood to track them, and Orochimaru offered Sasuke power to help him kill Itachi.
• Sakura reached the tower, read the calligraphy to summon Iruka, and urged him to get help for Sasuke and Naruto.
• Sasuke and Naruto attacked Orochimaru with clones and coordinated strikes, but his apparent defeats turned out to be clones.
• Orochimaru tried to bite Sasuke and give him a Cursed Mark, but Sasuke had used a clone as bait and countered with Exploding Tags and Great Fire Annihilation.
• Orochimaru survived the attack, shed his damaged skin, and escaped into the earth as he sensed approaching reinforcements.

After Sasuke and Naruto survived Orochimaru’s attack, Sasuke warned Konoha that Orochimaru might strike during a crowded exam stage. During the five-day break, Sasuke learned Lightning Style techniques and discovered his Four-Tomoe Sharingan could use Tsukuyomi; the chapter ended as the third examination began and Sasuke wondered whether Akado Yoroi would be his opponent.

• Kakashi and Anko Mitarashi escorted Sasuke and Naruto to the tower after Orochimaru left, and Sasuke explained how the attacker had found them.
• Sasuke identified the attacker as Orochimaru and warned Kakashi that he might be disguised as a Jonin and planning an attack during a later exam stage.
• Kakashi reported Sasuke’s warning to the Third Hokage, who began preparing Konoha’s defenses while Anbu secretly monitored the other villages’ participants.
• During the five-day rest, Sasuke learned several Lightning Style Jutsu from Kakashi and discovered that his Four-Tomoe Sharingan’s Tsukuyomi could last up to twelve hours.
• Sakura studied the basics of Medical Ninjutsu, while Kakashi kept Naruto from practicing Water Walking outside.
• After the second examination ended, Sasuke and the other twenty examinees gathered in the third examination arena, where Sasuke wondered whether he would face Akado Yoroi.

Sasuke won his Chunin Exam match and watched the other preliminary fights before the remaining contestants were assigned a month to prepare. The next day, Kakashi tested Sasuke and Naruto’s Chakra attributes, then took Naruto away while Sasuke trained alone.

• Sasuke defeated Akado Yoroi with a fast aerial attack, and Hayate Gekko declared him the winner.
• Shino defeated Zaku Abumi, Sakura and Ino fought to a mutual knockout, and Sasuke carried the exhausted Sakura back to the second floor.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Hinata liked him and warned him to consider how his words affected her.
• Neji dismissed Naruto as a loser, but Sasuke defended Naruto and urged Neji to fight him seriously.
• After the Third Hokage announced a month before the next stage, Sasuke increased his training weights to 1,500 kilograms.
• Kakashi tested Sasuke and Naruto’s Chakra attributes the next day, then took Naruto away and sent Sasuke to train alone.

Sasuke trained with Kakashi to improve his combat skills and learned several powerful techniques ahead of the official exam. He warned Kakashi that an enemy attack would come from both inside and outside the village, but Kakashi said the Third Hokage had prepared for it.

• Sakura studied Medical Ninjutsu while Sasuke began a month of one-on-one training with Kakashi.
• Sasuke fought Kakashi using Xing Yi and Tai Chi, eventually exhausting himself after a fierce Taijutsu session.
• Sakura brought lunch to Sasuke and Kakashi and offered to deliver their meals during training.
• Kakashi taught Sasuke Chidori and Lightning Cutter, then showed him the Rasengan, which Sasuke mastered on his first try.
• Sasuke cautioned Kakashi that enemies would attack from within and outside the village, but Kakashi assured him that the Third Hokage had made preparations.

Sasuke learned how uncontracted summoning could lead him to a Summoning Animal, continued training, and arrived at the Chunin Exam finals. He was matched against Gaara, and both entered the arena as Orochimaru watched from the stands.

• Sasuke asked Kakashi about learning the Summoning Technique, and Kakashi explained his own summons and the danger of seeking an uncontracted Summoning Animal.
• Sasuke continued his intense training until Kakashi reduced it to simple exercises in the days before the final examination.
• Sasuke arrived at the arena and watched Naruto defeat Neji, while the next two matches followed their expected course and Kankuro forfeited.
• Shiranui Genma called Sasuke and Gaara for the fourth match, and they entered the arena as the crowd and Orochimaru watched.

Sasuke used water and lightning techniques to weaken Gaara’s sand and limit his movements in the arena. He trapped Gaara on the arena wall and launched a barrage of hidden weapons at him.

• After Shiranui Genma began the match, Sasuke let Gaara prepare his sand before creating three Shadow Clones.
• Sasuke and his clones used Great Waterfall Technique to flood the arena and weigh down Gaara’s sand.
• Sasuke sent lightning through the water, forcing Gaara to leap onto the trees to avoid it.
• Sasuke used Water Dragon Bullet Technique to smash the remaining trees, leaving Gaara stranded on the arena wall.
• Sasuke opened a weapon scroll and attacked Gaara with Fuma Shuriken, Wild Dance.

Sasuke pierced Gaara’s sand sphere and disrupted Sunagakure’s plan to release Shukaku, while Orochimaru’s forces began the Konoha invasion. The chapter left Sasuke pursuing Gaara into the forest as Konoha’s prepared defenses engaged the attackers.

• Gaara enclosed himself in a sand sphere as Sasuke pierced it with an extended Lightning Cutter, wounding him and driving him toward losing control.
• Yakushi Kabuto cast a Genjutsu over the spectators, while Orochimaru disguised as the Kazekage made his move against the Third Hokage.
• Orochimaru’s forces summoned a three-headed snake outside Konoha, and Otogakure and Sunagakure ninja charged the village walls.
• Baki ordered Kankuro and Temari to withdraw with the injured Gaara because they could not safely release Shukaku.
• Sasuke followed Gaara’s retreating group into the forest, with Aburame Shino following behind, as Konoha’s prepared defenses confronted the invasion.

Orochimaru’s plan to destroy Konoha failed as the village’s forces ambushed the invading Sound and Sand Ninja, while Sasuke pursued Gaara’s group. After the battle, the Third Hokage recognized that Konoha needed new leadership and decided to retire and bring Tsunade back.

• Orochimaru trapped the Third Hokage inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, but the Hokage summoned Jiraiya to help stop him and the First Hokage’s reincarnation.
• Sasuke defeated Temari with a fire-and-lightning ambush, sparing her before continuing after Kankuro and Gaara.
• Kakashi sent Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru after Sasuke, and Asuma rescued Shikamaru when nine pursuers cornered him.
• Konoha’s hidden forces ambushed the Sound and Sand Ninja, while Gama Hiro defeated the three-headed snake and Kakashi and Might Guy fought the invaders.
• Jiraiya fought Orochimaru as the Third Hokage used a Shadow Clone and the Dead Demon Consuming Seal against the First Hokage.
• The Third Hokage realized Orochimaru had wanted him to die before Konoha decayed further and decided to retire and bring Tsunade back.

Sasuke battled Gaara as the Sand ninja began transforming under Shukaku’s influence, then Naruto took over and fought him with Gamabunta. Gaara regained his senses and called off the battle, leaving with Temari and Kankuro after beginning to understand the bonds he had seen.

• Sasuke left Shino to fight Kankuro and caught up with Gaara, who was nearing collapse and beginning to transform.
• Sasuke questioned Gaara about whether he was himself or Shukaku, then attacked him with Water Release techniques and Lightning Cutter.
• Sakura and Naruto arrived, and Sasuke handed the fight to Naruto before resting.
• Naruto fought Gaara with shadow clones, and after Gaara released Shukaku, Naruto summoned Gamabunta to battle him.
• Naruto knocked Gaara back to his senses, and the exhausted fighters fell into the lake.
• Gaara declared the battle over and left with Temari and Kankuro after realizing something about the bonds between Naruto and Sasuke.

Sasuke met Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki at the village gates, then shared a meal with them before taking Itachi to the Forest of Death. Sasuke asked Itachi to use Tsukuyomi on him, and the genjutsu caught him as he calmly questioned his brother about their meeting.

• The Third Hokage said he would resign and asked Jiraiya to bring Tsunade back to become Hokage while continuing to train Naruto.
• Sasuke waited for Itachi Uchiha near the village gates and stopped him and Kisame Hoshigaki as they entered Konoha.
• Sasuke took Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki to his Barbecue Restaurant, where he explained how he had opened it after the Uchiha Clan massacre.
• Sasuke led Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki to the Forest of Death, where Kisame Hoshigaki stepped away to give the brothers privacy.
• Sasuke asked Itachi Uchiha to give him another memorable gift, and Itachi Uchiha caught him in Tsukuyomi.

Sasuke revealed to Itachi that his Four-Tomoe Sharingan came from training rather than trauma, and urged him to rebuild his fundamentals while pretending to suffer under Tsukuyomi. After Itachi left with Kisame, Sasuke intensified his training and prepared for the possibility of leaving Konoha.

• Sasuke broke free of Itachi's Genjutsu and showed him his Four-Tomoe Sharingan, explaining that Sharingan growth came from training spiritual power rather than killing loved ones or taking their eyes.
• Sasuke warned Itachi about the Akatsuki, told him to stop using the Mangekyo and train his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and revealed that his own Tsukuyomi lasted twelve hours per outside second without side effects.
• Sasuke endured more than seventy hours of Tsukuyomi to train his willpower and conceal his strength from Kisame, while Itachi left with Kisame and resolved to train anew.
• Itachi and Kisame encountered Kakashi and failed to capture Naruto, who had Jiraiya's protection; Itachi avoided using his Mangekyo.
• Sasuke recovered at home, added three hundred kilograms to his weights, and resumed training as he anticipated Orochimaru's next move and his own eventual departure from the village.

As Konoha prepared for Tsunade’s inauguration, Sasuke was promoted to Chunin based on his performance in the interrupted exams. He then asked Tsunade for permission to leave the village for three years of training, but she questioned whether his reason was sufficient.

• Sasuke continued training in Taijutsu while Konoha prepared for the Third Hokage’s retirement and Tsunade’s inauguration.
• While Team 7 patrolled, Sasuke encouraged Sakura to pursue Medical Ninjutsu under Tsunade and told her and Naruto he planned to train outside the village for up to three years.
• Kakashi told Sasuke he was being promoted to Chunin, and Naruto asked to fight him before he left; Sasuke agreed.
• Tsunade formally promoted Sasuke and Shikamaru, then heard Sasuke request permission to leave Konoha for training.
• Sasuke explained that he needed combat experience after being helpless against Itachi, and Tsunade asked whether that was his only reason.

Sasuke explained why he wanted to leave Konoha for three years, then prepared to travel while Naruto and Sakura were set to pursue their own training. He entrusted Sakura with his home and restaurant, leaving their relationship poised to deepen before his departure.

• Sasuke told Tsunade and Kakashi that Naruto would leave with Jiraiya, Sakura should become Tsunade's disciple, and he wanted to travel; Tsunade agreed to consider it after seeing his fight with Naruto.
• Sasuke accepted a handmade sash from Sakura and packed Chakra Metal, ores, Ninja Tools, and his valuables into Sealing Scrolls.
• Tsunade's inauguration ceremony took place, and Konoha returned to peace.
• Sasuke introduced Sakura to the Barbecue Restaurant staff, handed her control of the restaurant, and told everyone she would become Tsunade's disciple.
• Sasuke showed Sakura his home and asked her to supervise its cleaning while he was away.

Sasuke and Naruto fought a sparring match beneath the village waterfall as the Hokage and others watched. Sasuke demonstrated his hard-earned Taijutsu and controlled Naruto’s Shadow Clones, while the spectators discussed his fighting style and reasons for leaving to train.

• Sasuke and Naruto faced each other on the waterfall’s lake as the Third Hokage, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Sakura watched.
• Sasuke told Naruto that hard work mattered more than being called a genius, then took his fighting stance.
• Naruto charged, but Sasuke evaded him and drove him backward with a series of Five Element Fist strikes.
• Naruto summoned hundreds of Shadow Clones, and Sasuke used their momentum to redirect them into one another and dispel them.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi discussed Sasuke’s unusual Taijutsu, his adaptable tactics, and his desire to seek unfamiliar opponents.

Naruto escalated his duel with Sasuke by using the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, but Sasuke revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and removed his heavy training weights before counterattacking. The duel continued with Naruto preparing a Rasengan underwater while Sasuke fought his Shadow Clones on the lake’s surface.

• Naruto’s Shadow Clones cleared a path for his Rasengan charge, but Sasuke sidestepped him and sent him flying through the clones.
• Naruto used the Nine-Tails’ Chakra to increase his speed and struck Sasuke, who blocked the attack and said he would use his full strength.
• Sasuke revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and removed the weights from his legs, arms, and waist as the spectators watched in amazement.
• Sasuke fired a stream of high-pressure water arrows, then struck Naruto with an elbow, an upward kick, and a Lion’s Barrage combo.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to recover from the water and resumed attacking, while Tsunade and Jiraiya debated their chances.
• Naruto stayed underwater and prepared a Rasengan behind his Shadow Clones as Sasuke fought them from the lake’s surface.

Sasuke defeated Naruto in their duel by combining Water and Fire Rasengans, then using genjutsu to stop Naruto from summoning a giant toad. Sasuke prepared to leave the village for three years of training, while Naruto and Sakura promised to catch up with him.

• Sasuke launched a Water Dragon Bullet Technique at Naruto, who dodged it with a Shadow Clone and continued fighting with Rasengans.
• Sasuke transformed his two Rasengans into Water and Fire Rasengans and struck Naruto with Water-Fire Rasengan Break, sending him skidding across the lake.
• Sasuke used Feather Illusion Technique to put Naruto to sleep before Naruto could perform the Summoning Technique, then placed a kunai at his throat and declared the match over.
• Tsunade confirmed Naruto's loss and advised Sasuke to be cautious as he left the village to train.
• Naruto accepted the loss and promised to fight Sasuke again after three years, while Sakura said she would wait for Sasuke's return.

Sasuke left Konoha to train on his journey to the Land of Iron, intending to grow strong enough to carry out his revenge against Danzo. As Sasuke traveled through the Land of Fire and prepared to camp, Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi each set out to pursue their own training.

• Sasuke planned to travel to the Land of Iron and other countries to train, forge Chakra weapons, and learn more ninjutsu while continuing to strengthen himself.
• Sasuke left Konoha at dawn without telling anyone, and Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi watched him depart from the village wall.
• Naruto vowed to surpass Sasuke, while Sakura left to begin training under Tsunade; Kakashi also decided he needed to train.
• Sasuke traveled northeast through the Land of Fire, exchanging nods with a merchant caravan and considering the dangers of travel beyond the village.
• Sasuke chose a mountain campsite, set traps for protection, and began roasting a rabbit for lunch.

The Sound Four ambushed Sasuke after shadowing his journey away from Konoha, hoping to bring him to Orochimaru. Sasuke appeared to be trapped inside Jirobo’s Earth Dome Prison, but his smile suggested he had anticipated the attack.

• Sasuke trained and traveled slowly toward the Land of Iron while the Sound Four watched and waited for him to get farther from Konoha.
• Tayuya grew impatient, but Kidomaru urged the group to wait until Sasuke was closer to Otogakure and farther from Konoha.
• After two weeks, Sasuke became more cautious near the border and set traps around his campsite.
• Kidomaru asked Sasuke to join Orochimaru, but Sasuke mocked Orochimaru and refused.
• Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Sakon and Ukon attacked Sasuke while Jirobo approached unnoticed.
• Jirobo trapped Sasuke with Earth Style: Earth Dome Prison, and the Sound Four assumed they had captured him as Sasuke smiled.

Sasuke escaped Jirobo’s earthen prison and quickly killed Jirobo and Tayuya before turning his full attention to Kidomaru while Shadow Clones occupied Sakon and Ukon. He battered Kidomaru and followed with fire and a Fire-nature Rasengan, leaving the fight against the last two Sound Four members unresolved.

• Sasuke removed his weights and pierced Jirobo’s heart with Lightning Cutter from inside the earthen prison.
• Sasuke burst out with Water Dragon Bullet Technique, used a Shadow Clone and Tsukuyomi to kill Tayuya, and reduced the Sound Four to two.
• Sasuke sent Shadow Clones to tie down Sakon and Ukon while he fought Kidomaru at close range.
• Sasuke overwhelmed Kidomaru with Taijutsu, then attacked him with Great Fireball Technique and a Fire-nature Rasengan.

Sasuke killed the remaining Sound Four, then fled toward the Land of Iron and reported the fight to a Konoha border patrol. Orochimaru began changing bodies after learning his subordinates had failed, while Sasuke resolved to grow stronger and wondered whether he could one day return home.

• Sasuke killed Kidomaru, then used Shadow Clones to overwhelm Sakon and Ukon despite their ability to switch bodies and recover from injuries.
• Sasuke killed Sakon with eight Shadow Clones, burned the brothers’ bodies, and sealed the heads of the other three Sound Four members for the village.
• Orochimaru learned the Sound Four were dead and ordered Yakushi Kabuto to begin changing his body, while Kimimaro died of illness without encountering Sasuke.
• Sasuke ran toward the Land of Iron, reflected on Kimimaro’s fate, and resolved to grow stronger so he could surpass human limits and perhaps return home.
• A Konoha border patrol stopped Sasuke, who showed his authorization papers and explained that he had killed the Sound Four and was leaving their three heads with the patrol for delivery to the village.

Sasuke traveled from the Land of Fire to the Land of Iron to find a smith who could forge him a weapon. After reaching Three Wolf Mountain, he entered a sushi restaurant to eat and learn more about the country.

• Sasuke warned the Konoha patrol captain to bring reinforcements before inspecting the battlefield, and the patrols later confirmed his report and sent news to Konoha.
• Sasuke rested overnight and continued his journey toward the Land of Iron while keeping up his training in the cold.
• Samurai stopped Sasuke at the border, checked his identification, and directed him to the Forging Masters at Three Wolf Mountain.
• Sasuke traveled through the snow to Three Wolf Mountain and headed to its commercial district to gather information before seeking a smith.
• Sasuke entered a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, where ninja and merchants from nearby countries were eating, and sat down for lunch.

Sasuke learned that the Land of Iron’s Forging Tournament would begin in three days and planned to find a suitable Forging Master there. After settling into an inn, he rested, kept up his basic training, and explored the local food and streets while waiting for the tournament.

• Sasuke overheard two Kumogakure ninja discussing the Forging Tournament and learned it would begin in three days.
• Sasuke decided to attend the tournament to find a Forging Master for his Chakra Metal, and considered approaching the judges if no contestant suited him.
• Sasuke checked into an inn, bathed, completed his Chakra training, and slept after deciding to rest from his other training for three days.
• Sasuke put his weights and equipment back on, explored the commercial district, and tried local fish dishes while listening to talk about the tournament.
• Sasuke heard that Forging Masters served ninja and national armies by making famous blades and custom swords.

Sasuke heard about Tenbu Shinzo, a blacksmith who had nearly become a Forging Master, and learned of a rumored Secluded Chamber in the Land of Whirlpools. He planned to visit Tenbu Shinzo and consider exploring the Land of Whirlpools after forging his weapon.

• Sasuke listened to locals discuss the leading blacksmiths competing to become a Forging Master.
• Two samurai told a waiter that Tenbu Shinzo had nearly succeeded in the previous competition but had run out of time while developing a layered blade.
• Sasuke decided to seek out Tenbu Shinzo and overheard the samurai discuss treasure hunting and a possible Secluded Chamber in the Land of Whirlpools.
• Sasuke learned from the innkeeper that Tenbu Shinzo lived nearby and worked at a small shop while repaying debts.
• Sasuke returned to his room and continued his nighttime Chakra training.

Sasuke visited Tenbu Shinzo's smithy at midnight to learn about his innovative method for forging stronger blades. He agreed to fund Shinzo's work and tournament entry in exchange for Shinzo forging weapons for him and his clan.

• Sasuke overheard Tenbu Shinzo tell Miko he could not afford to enter the Forging Tournament, while she feared her father would make her marry someone else.
• Sasuke entered the smithy and asked Tenbu Shinzo about his forging technique, offering to commission specialized weapons if he was impressed.
• Tenbu Shinzo explained that he wanted to wrap Chakra Metal around a flexible inner core, but had no money to complete a successful blade.
• Sasuke offered to pay for the best materials and have Tenbu Shinzo forge weapons for him.
• Tenbu Shinzo asked to use Sasuke's materials to enter the Forging Tournament, and Sasuke agreed after Shinzo promised to forge for him and the Uchiha Clan without conditions if he became a master.