Chapter Summaries

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.

Gaara persuaded Baki to seek guidance from Sunagakure’s elders about the Fourth Kazekage, while promising to protect Temari and Kankuro in Konoha. Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke mastered Sage Mode, and Hagoromo visited the imprisoned Orochimaru, who asked what kind of wind would blow through the Shinobi World.

• Gaara told Baki to consult Chiyo and Ebizo about the Fourth Kazekage’s behavior, and Baki agreed to travel to Sunagakure.
• Gaara assured Baki that he would protect Temari and Kankuro and keep the Sunagakure group at the guesthouse until Baki returned.
• Naruto and Sasuke mastered Sage Mode, earning Hagoromo substantial training rewards and advancing his abilities.
• Hagoromo visited the imprisoned Orochimaru, who had revealed nothing during nearly a month of questioning.
• Orochimaru asked what kind of wind would blow through the Shinobi World, and Hagoromo replied that Konoha’s wind would keep blowing.

At the Chunin Ninja Exams’ third round, Sasuke Uchiha faced Omoi in the opening match and quickly gained the upper hand with his Sharingan. After Omoi’s Lightning Release trap failed, Sasuke turned the attack back on him with Amatsukaku and launched a powerful Lightning Snake.

• Hagoromo announced that two Otogakure contestants had withdrawn and introduced Sasuke Uchiha versus Omoi as the first match.
• Sasuke revealed his three-tomoe Sharingan, then dodged Omoi’s Cloud Style: Slash and countered with a Great Fireball Technique.
• Omoi used Lightning Release: Lightning Ball to clash with Sasuke’s fireball, then sent tangible clones through the smoke.
• Sasuke attacked one of Omoi’s clones, which transformed into a Lightning Snake aimed at his abdomen.
• Sasuke absorbed the Lightning Snake with Amatsukaku and sent a stronger Lightning Snake toward Omoi.

Sasuke defeated Omoi with Chidori, and Suigetsu won the second match by exhausting his Iwagakure opponent. After a third match ended with Yugakure winning, Naruto prepared for his own match and learned that he would face Gaara.

• Sasuke pursued Omoi with Chidori, overcame his defenses, and held Amatsukaku to his neck to win.
• Omoi accepted his defeat, while Killer B, A, and Mei Terumi commented on the match.
• Suigetsu defeated the Iwagakure Genin after the opponent attacked before Hagoromo started the match and then ran out of chakra.
• A contestant from Yugakure won the third match against Takigakure.
• Naruto got ready for his match, and Hinata told him his opponent was Gaara from Sunagakure.

Naruto fought Gaara in the arena, overcoming his sand defenses with Earth Release, Yang Release Armament, and Flying Thunder God. The match left the Kage watching Naruto warily as Gaara was sent flying by his punch.

• Sasuke reminded Naruto that Neji had identified Gaara as the opponent whose Chakra fluctuations they had sensed.
• Naruto opened the match by sending Shadow Clones at Gaara, then used Earth Flow Spears and Inch Force to break through Gaara's Absolute Defense and wound him.
• Gaara retaliated with Sand Shower and Sand Binding Coffin, cutting Naruto before Naruto escaped and countered with clones and Rasengan.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God to appear in front of Gaara and struck him repeatedly with Sun-Character Straight Punches.
• Naruto's Inch Force: Straight Punch sent Gaara flying, while Fourth Raikage A and Killer B recognized Flying Thunder God and the Kage focused on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Naruto and Gaara recognized that they were both Jinchūriki and agreed to talk after their match, but Naruto unleashed the Nine-Tails’ Chakra and fought to win. Naruto’s Rasengan shattered Gaara’s Sand Armor and sent him crashing into a wall, leaving Gaara wondering if he had truly lost.

• Gaara drew on Shukaku’s Chakra through Hagoromo’s seal while remaining in control, then challenged Naruto to continue fighting.
• Naruto realized Gaara was a Jinchūriki and asked about the monster inside him; Gaara confirmed it and agreed to talk after their match.
• Naruto called on Kurama, who eagerly lent him Chakra so he could defeat Shukaku’s Jinchūriki.
• Naruto transformed with the Nine-Tails’ malice-filled Chakra, alarming the spectators until Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a barrier around the arena.
• Naruto charged Gaara and struck him with a Rasengan, shattering his Sand Armor and hurling him into a wall.

After Gaara’s defeat, Hiruzen exposed the supposed Fourth Kazekage as Akatsuki member Sasori and organized the evacuation as attacks began across Konoha. Pain and Deidara launched an assault on the venue, but Hagoromo destroyed Deidara’s clay attack and confronted Pain.

• The Fourth Raikage challenged Rasa over exposing Gaara as a Jinchūriki, while Rasa waited for the invasion to begin.
• Shisui stabbed Rasa, and Hiruzen revealed that he was Sasori impersonating the dead Fourth Kazekage.
• Hiruzen ordered the spectators evacuated and defended Konoha’s decision not to inform the other Kage.
• Pain and the Akatsuki appeared above the venue, and Deidara sent a clay bird and Clay Spiders toward the crowd.
• Hagoromo used Lightning Release to neutralize the Clay Spiders and destroy the clay bird, then ordered the Anbu to divide the battlefield and challenged Pain.

Pain attacked the Five Kage at the arena and declared that the Akatsuki would capture the Jinchūriki. The Kage formed a united defense, but Pain summoned reinforcements as the battle began.

• Pain repelled Raikage A with Shinra Tensei, and Hagoromo sent Naruto and Gaara away from the fight.
• The Kage agreed to deal with Pain together, while Hiruzen confirmed Tsunade was guarding Iwagakure's missing Jinchūriki.
• Gaara chose to stay and fight for Sunagakure, and Chiyo joined him with her ten puppets after Hiruzen affirmed the village's place in the alliance.
• Deidara and Sasori charged toward the Kage, and Kitsuchi, Chiyo, and Hiruzen moved to stop them.
• Pain ordered the capture of the Jinchūriki, and another Akatsuki member summoned more figures as the Kage advanced.

Sawada Hagoromo battled Pain, isolating the Deva Path from the other bodies and overpowering its repulsive force. After severing its connection to Nagato and activating Hazy Moon Sage Mode, Hagoromo pressed the attack with a five-dragon barrage.

• Hagoromo attacked the Six Paths of Pain while Anbu trapped the other Paths inside a Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hagoromo confronted the Deva Path alone, but Shinra Tensei initially blasted him off the wall.
• Hagoromo closed in, knocked aside the Deva Path’s technique, and smashed it into the ground with an Armament-coated punch.
• Hagoromo endured a stronger Shinra Tensei and struck the Deva Path so hard that it flew into the trees and lost its connection to Nagato.
• Hagoromo activated Hazy Moon Sage Mode, resisted Banshō Ten'in, and attacked the Deva Path with Sage Art: Five Dragon Barrage.

Hagoromo defeated Deva Path Pain’s Chibaku Tensei with Amenonuhoko, then located Nagato and sealed the Deva Path. Jiraiya emerged and recognized the corpse as Yahiko, while Hagoromo urged him to find the real Nagato.

• Deva Path Pain used Chibaku Tensei to draw Hagoromo’s Senjutsu dragons and the surrounding terrain into the air.
• Hagoromo threw Amenonuhoko into the gravitational core, breaking it and causing the captured rocks and trees to fall.
• Deva Path Pain tried to summon help through the Animal Path, but Hagoromo intercepted a Chakra Receiver and sensed Nagato’s location.
• Hagoromo appeared behind Deva Path Pain and sealed him with Black Threads.
• Jiraiya emerged from behind a boulder and recognized Deva Path Pain as Yahiko, and Hagoromo told him they needed to find the real Nagato.

Hagoromo brought Jiraiya to Nagato’s hidden body, where Nagato explained that Yahiko’s death had driven him to impose pain on the world. After Nagato rejected Jiraiya’s pleas and Hagoromo refused to join the Akatsuki, the two prepared to fight him, with Hagoromo giving Jiraiya twenty minutes to handle the battle.

• Hagoromo revealed that Deva Path Pain was a corpse and led Jiraiya to Nagato’s concealed real body.
• Jiraiya confronted Nagato, who said Yahiko’s death had taught him to make the world feel pain to end fighting.
• Jiraiya blamed himself for failing Nagato, but Nagato dismissed his words and invited Hagoromo to join the Akatsuki.
• Hagoromo refused, and Nagato declared that he would make Hagoromo and Jiraiya part of his pain.
• Nagato summoned beasts and fled into the air on a strange bird as Jiraiya fought them with Gamaken’s help.
• Jiraiya asked Hagoromo to leave Nagato to him, and Hagoromo agreed but gave him only twenty minutes.