Recaps

Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata entered the Forest of Death and encountered Suigetsu and his Kirigakure teammates while heading toward the Central Tower. Sasuke fought Suigetsu, who used powerful Water Release techniques and a Water Clone to get past him and target Hinata’s scroll.

• Sasuke planned for the squad to head toward the Central Tower while Hinata used her Byakugan to watch for enemies.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata discovered Suigetsu and two Kirigakure Genin hiding near a giant tree.
• Sasuke attacked Suigetsu while Naruto and his Shadow Clones engaged the other two Kirigakure Genin.
• Suigetsu fired powerful water bullets and used a high-pressure Water Release technique to block Sasuke’s Great Dragon Fire Technique.
• Sasuke recognized that Suigetsu’s Water Release was enhanced and struck a Water Clone that had moved toward Hinata.
• Suigetsu fell toward Hinata and declared that he would take her scroll as she countered with Gentle Fist: Vacuum Palm.

Sasuke and Naruto defeated Suigetsu after Sasuke paralyzed him with Chidori and Naruto's clones battered him, then sealed him and continued toward the Central Tower with Hinata. An unseen watcher with vertical pupils observed them before slipping underground.

• Suigetsu grabbed Sasuke and demanded their scroll, but Sasuke struck him with Chidori Stream while Naruto summoned Shadow Clones.
• Naruto's Shadow Clones beat Suigetsu, and Naruto took his Heaven Scroll before Sasuke kept it for the team.
• Naruto trapped Suigetsu in a sealing formation that would hold him for half a day, and Sasuke and Naruto left with Hinata.
• Naruto and Sasuke discussed the nearby teams fleeing and continued toward the Central Tower.
• A watcher with vertical pupils observed Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, then slipped underground after noticing Hinata's Byakugan.
• Hinata sensed something nearby, and Naruto asked her what was wrong.

Hinata sensed someone watching Naruto and Sasuke, while Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hagoromo monitored the Chunin Ninja Exams and discussed Orochimaru. In the Forest of Death, Shikamaru’s team was attacked by Kumogakure Genin, but Shikamaru and Ino turned the fight against them.

• Hinata told Naruto and Sasuke she had briefly felt someone watching them, and Sasuke urged the team to stay alert.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hagoromo watched the exam screens, noted Orochimaru’s absence, and discussed keeping the Forest of Death under surveillance.
• Mei Terumi fumed over Suigetsu’s performance, while Raikage A praised Killer B’s disciples for securing both scrolls and heading to the Central Tower.
• A Kumogakure team found Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji and taunted them over their performance in the first exam.
• The Kumogakure Genin attacked, but Shikamaru trapped their leader with his Shadow Imitation Technique and Ino took control of another Genin, making him swing his blade at his teammate.

Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino defeated a Kumogakure team and took its Earth Scroll, then planned to wait for more opponents. At the same time, Gaara killed another team despite Temari’s warnings, and Rock Lee challenged him as Neji and Mu San confronted the rest of the Sunagakure team.

• Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino defeated the Kumogakure shinobi, took their Earth Scroll, and left them unconscious.
• Gaara killed an Amegakure Genin after taking his team’s scroll, while Kankuro confirmed it matched theirs.
• Temari urged Gaara to stop killing, but Rock Lee and his teammates arrived before she could settle him.
• Rock Lee challenged Gaara after learning the Amegakure Genin had surrendered, and Neji agreed to let him fight.
• Gaara charged at Neji, sand blocked Rock Lee’s kick, and Mu San stopped Kankuro from interfering.

Rock Lee broke through Gaara’s sand defense and injured him, triggering a violent surge of power. Neji recognized Gaara as a Jinchūriki, sent Rock Lee and Mu San away, and stayed behind as Gaara unleashed an enormous sand attack.

• Neji restrained Temari while Rock Lee attacked Gaara and landed a kick that made him bleed.
• Gaara became enraged and attacked Rock Lee, who used Lotus but could not overcome the spreading sand.
• Neji rescued Mu San and told Rock Lee to leave with him while he held Gaara off.
• Neji blocked Gaara’s sand bullets with Kan Water Style · Whirlpool Shield.
• Gaara launched Sand Waterfall Funeral, sending a growing mass of sand surging toward Neji.

Neji defeated Gaara with his Yin-Yang Gentle Spiral, and Kakashi’s team arrived too late to find either fighter. Temari and Kankuro took the unconscious, badly injured Gaara to shelter and considered seeking help.

• Neji used his Yin-Yang Gentle Spiral to scatter Gaara’s Sand Tsunami, knock Gaara unconscious, and leave the battlefield.
• Temari caught Gaara as he fell, and she and Kankuro carried him away using the Body Flicker Technique.
• Orochimaru arrived at the battlefield, sensed a Jonin’s Chakra, and vanished before Kakashi’s team reached the area.
• Kakashi and Tenzo found lingering Chakra in the sand, and Kakashi ordered a search for anyone buried before reporting to the Third.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata sensed Neji’s Chakra and worried briefly about the fight before Sasuke reassured Naruto about Neji’s strength.
• Temari found that Gaara’s injuries were worsening despite his Jinchūriki recovery, and Kankuro asked whether they should signal for help or go to the Central Tower.

Hagoromo saved Gaara by removing the corrosive Yin-Yang Chakra and suppressing Shukaku, while Temari and Kankuro learned he did not intend to harm them. He reinforced Gaara’s seal and left Shukaku unconscious after knocking him out with one punch.

• Temari and Kankuro prepared to fight Hagoromo to protect Gaara, but Hagoromo told them he had no intention of attacking them and warned that Gaara needed treatment.
• Hagoromo pushed Temari and Kankuro aside, then drew the Yin-Yang Chakra out of Gaara and eased his condition.
• Shukaku urged Gaara to kill Hagoromo, so Hagoromo entered Gaara’s inner space and knocked Shukaku unconscious with one punch.
• Hagoromo reinforced Gaara’s seal and left Shukaku unable to break free for a while.

Hagoromo explained to Gaara that his sand reacted to the malice around him, then left Gaara to discover the truth about it for himself. Gaara refused to join Sunagakure’s plan, and Naruto’s group reunited with Shikamaru’s team as they continued toward the Central Tower.

• Hagoromo told Gaara that his sand sensed malice and reassured him that Temari and Kankuro had never wished him harm.
• Gaara told Hagoromo that he would not take part in Sunagakure’s plan, though he withheld its details to protect Temari and Kankuro.
• Hagoromo said Gaara would get along easily with one of his disciples, then vanished.
• Temari and Kankuro joined Gaara, who gently suggested they head to the tower.
• Naruto and his companions met Shikamaru’s team on the fourth day, and Sasuke explained that Naruto’s stop had delayed them.
• Shikamaru asked whether they had collected the scrolls, and Naruto’s group reported that the few teams they had encountered carried the same scroll.

Sasuke and Shikamaru’s teams exchanged their surplus Heaven and Earth Scrolls, but a powerful attacker ambushed them before they could travel to the Central Tower. Hinata broke through his wind attack, and the group recognized Orochimaru and prepared to fight him.

• Sasuke found that his team had collected only Heaven Scrolls, while Shikamaru’s team had collected only Earth Scrolls, so they exchanged scrolls and agreed to travel together.
• An unseen attacker sent a wind blade at Shikamaru, then unleashed a storm of wind blades against the group.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to find the storm’s weak point and split the attack with her Inch Force Vacuum Palm.
• Orochimaru emerged from the dust, and Shikamaru told everyone to use every means at their disposal as the group took defensive positions.
• Orochimaru struck at Sasuke with his tongue, while Naruto charged in and attacked him with a Rasengan.

Naruto, Sasuke, and their teammates attacked Orochimaru with coordinated techniques, but he shed his disguise and proved difficult to harm. Shikamaru and Ino created an opening for Naruto and Sasuke’s finishing attacks, leaving Orochimaru caught between them.

• Orochimaru dodged Naruto and Sasuke’s attacks until Naruto’s Shadow Clones laid threads that let Sasuke’s lightning strike him.
• Naruto and Sasuke hit Orochimaru with a Rasengan and Chidori, but Orochimaru shed the Grass Ninja’s body and rose unharmed.
• Shikamaru ordered the team to restrain Orochimaru while Naruto and Sasuke attacked, and Orochimaru blocked their strikes with his snakes and Kusanagi Sword.
• Shikamaru caught Orochimaru with his Shadow Possession Technique, and Ino used Mind Body Switch Technique to immobilize him.
• Sasuke formed a Lightning Blade as Naruto created a Wind Release: Rasengan and struck Orochimaru.

Naruto and his teammates confronted Orochimaru, whose strength overwhelmed their first combined attack. After learning his identity, they launched another coordinated assault, which ended with Sasuke charging Orochimaru through a swarm of snakes.

• Naruto and Sasuke’s combined attack failed to hit Orochimaru, who revealed himself from behind a tree.
• Shikamaru asked Orochimaru’s identity and learned he was the Sannin and an S-rank missing-nin from Konoha.
• Orochimaru hinted that he wanted one of the teammates, but Naruto refused to abandon anyone, and the group prepared to fight together.
• Sasuke attacked with Great Dragon Fire while Shikamaru and Choji tried to restrict Orochimaru and Choji struck in Butterfly Mode.
• Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke followed with attacks, but Orochimaru dodged and countered them with substitutions, his sword, and pythons from his sleeves.

Naruto and his comrades battled Orochimaru until Naruto used the Nine-Tails’ chakra to strike him with a Rasenshuriken and save Sasuke. Orochimaru escaped despite his injuries, while Hinata treated Naruto’s badly wounded hands.

• Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Hinata attacked Orochimaru together, but he evaded their moves and created an opening to strike Sasuke.
• The Nine-Tails spoke to Naruto, and Naruto formed a Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak before charging Orochimaru to protect Sasuke.
• Naruto grabbed Orochimaru and struck him with a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, badly injuring both Orochimaru and his own hands.
• Hinata and the others rushed to Naruto, but Naruto asked them to check whether Orochimaru was still alive.
• Orochimaru spoke to Naruto and escaped by sinking his face into the ground, while Hinata treated Naruto and Sasuke worried over him.

Naruto’s teammates rushed to the Highland Tower after Hinata warned that his hand injuries could leave him unable to continue as a ninja. They reached the tower, but an enemy squad ambushed them, forcing Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji to stay behind while Sasuke and Hinata took Naruto toward safety.

• Hinata warned Naruto that fine Chakra needles had severed the meridians in his hands, and Sasuke suggested abandoning the exam so he could be treated sooner.
• Naruto refused to quit, so Shikamaru chose a dangerous shortcut to the Highland Tower, and Sasuke carried Naruto while Choji offered to take over if needed.
• As the squad hurried through the forest, Naruto wished he had mastered Sage Mode, and Sasuke wondered whether his nii-san would have handled the situation better as special Chakra stirred in his brain.
• Hinata spotted two squads fighting ahead, and Shikamaru changed their route; after a long journey, the group emerged from the forest and saw the Highland Tower.
• An enemy squad launched Shuriken at Sasuke and Naruto, but Choji blocked them with his enlarged hands.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji prepared to fight while Sasuke and Hinata took Naruto toward the tower with the required Heaven and Earth Scrolls.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata escaped while Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino fought Tayuya, Jirobo, and Kidomaru. Shikamaru caught Kidomaru in his Shadow Gathering Technique: Black Coffin, but the outcome of the battle remained unknown.

• Shikamaru used smoke bombs to help Sasuke, Hinata, and Naruto escape from the enemy squad.
• Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino stayed behind to fight Tayuya, Jirobo, and Kidomaru.
• Choji broke free of Jirobo's Earth Prison Dome with his Partial Expansion Technique: Push Hand.
• Jirobo entered his Cursed Seal state and attacked Choji with greater strength.
• Kidomaru entered his Cursed Seal state and bombarded Shikamaru with spider silk.
• Shikamaru baited Kidomaru into range and engulfed him with Shadow Gathering Technique: Black Coffin.

Shikamaru trapped Kidomaru in the Black Coffin while Choji and Ino held off Jirobo and Tayuya. Kidomaru broke free by activating his Cursed Seal’s second state, but Shikamaru restrained him again and turned his claws toward his vital points.

• Choji entered Butterfly Mode and stopped Jirobo from reaching Kidomaru, while Ino disrupted Tayuya’s summoned Doki with Shikamaru’s help.
• Shikamaru used Black Coffin: Strangulation to trap Kidomaru and attack him with shadows inside the darkness.
• Choji attacked Jirobo with shock waves as Ino continued interfering with Tayuya, while Kidomaru endured Shikamaru’s attacks inside the coffin.
• Kidomaru activated the second state of his Cursed Seal, broke free of the Black Coffin, and charged at Shikamaru.
• Shikamaru caught Kidomaru with shadows again and controlled his claws, aiming them at his vital points.

Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji drove Tayuya, Jirobo, and Kidomaru away, then continued toward Highland Tower. There, Tsunade examined Naruto’s injured hands and began arranging treatment with Hagoromo and Hinata’s help.

• Tayuya ordered a retreat after Kidomaru was suppressed, and Jirobo covered their escape while she carried Kidomaru away.
• Shikamaru stopped Choji from pursuing the fleeing enemies, and the three teammates headed for Highland Tower to find Naruto and the others.
• Hinata presented the Heaven and Earth Scrolls at Highland Tower, and Sasuke asked Kakashi to contact Hagoromo about Naruto’s injured hands.
• Kakashi sent Naruto to the treatment room, where Tsunade and Hagoromo arrived to examine his injuries.
• Naruto defended Hagoromo and explained that he had chosen to use the unfinished technique himself, despite Hagoromo forbidding it.
• Tsunade asked Hinata to help locate Naruto’s meridians, and Hinata agreed.

Hagoromo, Tsunade, and Neji treated Naruto’s badly injured hand while Hinata rested after overusing her Byakugan. Hagoromo then found Sasuke alone on the tower and helped him understand that his comrades protected him through trust and friendship, not because they saw him as weak.

• Hagoromo began using Yang Release Chakra to help Tsunade repair Naruto’s hand, while Hinata used her Byakugan to guide the treatment.
• Neji took over for Hinata and helped Tsunade reconnect the chakra pathways in Naruto’s thumb; Naruto managed to move it, but Tsunade warned him not to use Chakra yet.
• Shikamaru told Hagoromo that Sasuke was alone on the tower, while Ino helped Hinata rest.
• Hagoromo found Sasuke looking out at the Forest of Death and listened as Sasuke asked whether he was too weak.
• Hagoromo told Sasuke that Naruto had protected him because he was an important friend, and that trusting and supporting one another made the comrades stronger.

Hagoromo comforted Sasuke and sent him to reunite with Naruto and their friends, then tracked down Kabuto Yakushi to confront him about Orochimaru. Kabuto misread Hagoromo's motives, and Hagoromo left him baffled by calling him pitiful.

• Hagoromo reassured Sasuke that their training was meant to help the students trust one another, and Sasuke went downstairs to join Naruto and the others.
• Naruto told Sasuke he had been hurt because he considered him a friend, and the group agreed to face their enemy together next time.
• Hagoromo decided to strike back at Orochimaru for targeting Naruto and the others, then vanished from the tower.
• Kabuto Yakushi's two Genin companions questioned him as he led them toward the tower with the Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
• Hagoromo kicked Kabuto Yakushi through the trees, killed the two Genin, and confronted Kabuto about Orochimaru's whereabouts.
• Hagoromo deduced that Orochimaru was injured from the medicinal smell on Kabuto, while Kabuto wrongly assumed Hagoromo's disciples had been killed and accused him of using Kabuto as a whetstone.

Hagoromo confronted Orochimaru and overwhelmed him despite Orochimaru’s attempts to flee and fight back. The chapter ended with Hagoromo striking Orochimaru into a river while Kabuto remained badly injured.

• Hagoromo choked Kabuto and demanded to know where Orochimaru was.
• Orochimaru arrived and caught Kabuto with snakes, then invited Hagoromo to come with him.
• Hagoromo unleashed his power, struck Orochimaru into the trees, and pursued him after he escaped by shedding his body.
• Orochimaru carried Kabuto away and attacked Hagoromo with snakes, but Hagoromo blocked his path with wind blades and fire dragons.
• Orochimaru attacked with a sword, but Hagoromo grabbed it, swung him around, and hit him with a blue sphere that sent him into a river.

Hagoromo defeated Orochimaru and had Kabuto treat him while keeping him restrained. After knocking Kabuto unconscious, Hagoromo carried Orochimaru away toward the Hokage Building.

• Hagoromo froze the river to stop Orochimaru from escaping, then revealed he could use Ice Release.
• Hagoromo knocked aside Orochimaru’s Kusanagi Sword and battered him with a barrage of punches.
• Hagoromo stabbed Orochimaru with Amenonuhoko, which stopped him from escaping, and continued beating him until he was severely injured.
• Hagoromo ordered Kabuto Yakushi to keep Orochimaru alive, then removed Amenonuhoko after placing a sealing jutsu on him.
• Hagoromo knocked Kabuto unconscious, lifted the ground beneath Orochimaru, and headed toward the Hokage Building.

Hagoromo, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen Sarutobi dealt with the aftermath of Orochimaru’s defeat, while Kabuto Yakushi remained in custody for interrogation. At the Central Tower, Hagoromo and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced one-on-one preliminary matches before the Chunin Exam’s final round, and Genin from smaller villages began withdrawing.

• Tsunade confirmed that the injured captive was Orochimaru, and Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered her to heal him enough to answer questions.
• Hagoromo pointed out that Kabuto Yakushi might know what Orochimaru had planned, and Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged to have him interrogated.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led Hagoromo and Jiraiya away to handle the next steps, leaving Tsunade to treat Orochimaru.
• Hagoromo announced the end of the second stage at the Central Tower, and Hiruzen Sarutobi introduced a preliminary exam before the third exam.
• Hagoromo explained that the preliminary exam would consist of one-on-one fights that could prove fatal, and Genin from smaller villages raised their hands to withdraw.

Several injured Genin withdrew before the individual matches began, and Hagoromo announced the first randomly selected bout. Choji Akimichi and Karui prepared to fight, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Several Genin from smaller villages withdrew, and Hagoromo sent injured Konoha Genin home.
• The Fourth Raikage A and the other Kage allowed their injured Genin to withdraw as well.
• Naruto, Sasuke, Rock Lee, Neji, and their companions discussed the matches, while Temari and Kankuro noticed Gaara seemed calmer.
• Hagoromo announced that the matchups were randomly selected and gave the Genin five minutes to wait.
• The screen paired Choji Akimichi against Karui, and both Genin took their places to begin the fight.

Choji defeated Karui, and the Chunin Exam matches continued with Suigetsu defeating Mu San and Sasuke trapping Chōjūrō in Sharingan Genjutsu. Naruto then overwhelmed Kankuro with fifty Shadow Clones using Wind Release, blowing him off his feet.

• Choji defeated Karui with his Butterfly Mode attacks, and Hagoromo announced his victory.
• Suigetsu used the Hydrification Technique to evade Mu San's attacks and beat him with one move.
• Sasuke caught Chōjūrō in Sharingan Genjutsu, then walked away as Hagoromo declared him the winner.
• Naruto created fifty Shadow Clones and unleashed Great Breakthrough, blowing Kankuro off his feet.

The preliminaries ended, and the surviving Genin drew lots for the third exam, which was scheduled for a month later. The Kage departed for the Land of Fire’s capital while the contestants stayed behind to train.

• Gaara advanced through a bye, and Hagoromo announced that twenty-one contestants had made it to the third exam.
• The Genin drew numbered lots, with Naruto receiving number seven, Sasuke number one, and Hinata number twelve.
• Rock Lee drew number twenty-one and protested his bye, so Hiruzen Sarutobi let him choose an opponent from among the winners of the first ten numbers.
• Hagoromo scheduled the third exam for one month later and said the contestants would remain in Konoha to train.
• The Kage left for the Land of Fire’s capital, and Hiruzen Sarutobi and Hagoromo discussed whether the daimyo would support the operation against Akatsuki.

Hagoromo began a month of special training for his students while Neji asked about threats from Hamura’s descendants. Meanwhile, Gaara warned Baki that he and his siblings would not join Sunagakure’s operation and raised doubts about the Fourth Kazekage’s identity.

• Hagoromo assigned Naruto and Sasuke to practice Sage Mode, gave the others individual training, and prepared to push Neji in combat.
• Neji told Hagoromo he could use his ultimate technique without discomfort, and Hagoromo judged that his bloodline was nearing perfection.
• Gaara told Temari and Kankuro that they must not take part in Sunagakure’s plan, then went to find Baki.
• Gaara met Baki at the guesthouse and asked him to return to Sunagakure to speak with Elders Chiyo and Ebizo.
• Gaara told Baki that he and his siblings would refuse to join the operation and questioned whether the Fourth Kazekage had truly been attacked as reported.
• Gaara reminded Baki that the Third Kazekage had vanished without a trace and asked whether the current Fourth Kazekage could have done the same.