Chapter Summaries

Senya welcomed the visiting villages to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, using a Genjutsu to intimidate Ōnoki before letting the delegations enter. By the end of the morning, the participating villages had gathered in Konoha and the exams had begun.

• A and Killer B entered Konoha first with the Kumogakure delegation after Senya welcomed them.
• Senya cast a Genjutsu on Ōnoki, who mistook him for a towering Susanoo and angrily declared that the Hidden Stone Village would never surrender.
• Kurotsuchi disrupted Ōnoki's Chakra, breaking the Genjutsu and revealing his outburst to the onlookers.
• Mei Terumi arrived with Kirigakure, and Senya let her delegation enter before the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone.
• Rasa led the Hidden Sand into Konoha, and Ōnoki chose not to confront Senya about the Genjutsu.
• Delegations from Kusagakure, Snow Village, Star Village, Takigakure, and Rōran arrived, and the Chunin Exams began.

Naruto met Gaara before the Chunin Exam, and his offer of friendship briefly softened Gaara’s loneliness. The teams entered the examination hall, where Naruto panicked after finding himself seated alone for the written test.

• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura encountered Gaara, whose tailed beast Shukaku urged him to kill Naruto and drove him toward an attack.
• Sasuke knocked Gaara’s hand aside and led Naruto and Sakura away, warning them to be careful in the later exams.
• Naruto called back to Gaara, said they were alike, and offered to become his friend, prompting a faint smile from Gaara.
• Hikari, Maruboshi Kosuke, and Kisame Hoshigaki hurried to the examination hall so they would not miss the written exam.
• More than a thousand examinees took shuffled seats in the hall, and Naruto panicked when he found no one sitting near him.

Kurenai began the Chunin Exams’ written test, enforcing team-wide elimination for a failing score and penalties for cheating. As Sasuke struggled with the bizarre questions, Sakura answered them confidently, and he began copying from her and other examinees.

• Kurenai introduced herself as the first test’s examiner and explained the written exam’s scoring, team elimination, and cheating penalties.
• A Hidden Sand ninja protested the rules, and Hayama Shirakumo cut his cheek with a kunai and ordered him to stop disrupting the exam.
• Kurenai explained that chunin needed knowledge and the ability to protect their squad before the examinees began the test.
• Rasa told the other village leaders that the protesting ninja had been demoted after abandoning teammates, while privately considering him expendable.
• Sasuke found the questions incomprehensible, noticed Sakura answering them, and began copying her work and comparing it with other examinees’ answers.

The genin used a variety of methods to copy answers during the Chunin Exam, while several Kage observed their ingenuity. Gaara helped Temari and Kankuro pass, determined to meet Naruto in the next exam and understand his own conflicted feelings.

• Three Kusagakure genin were eliminated after 0286 was caught cheating five times, and Naruto nearly copied from Hinata before realizing the proctor had eliminated another team.
• Hinata saw Naruto refuse her help and stopped trying to assist him.
• Tenten, Rock Lee, Ino, Shino, and Kiba used their skills to obtain answers for themselves or their teammates, impressing the Kage watching the exam.
• A reflected on Konoha's growing strength, Ōnoki lamented Iwagakure's lack of exceptional young talent, and Rasa watched Gaara's exam strategy.
• Gaara used a sand eye to copy answers and pass them to Temari and Kankuro, hoping to pass and see Naruto again so he could confront his doubts about friendship, Yashamaru, and his father.

Senya observed the Jinchuriki and other village teams during the Chunin Exams, then explained that the bonus question would test the genin’s resolve. Kurenai announced the severe rules for the bonus question, leaving the remaining candidates to weigh the risk of answering against giving up.

• Senya noticed several Jinchuriki in the exam hall, including Kirigakure’s Yugimaru and Utakata, and watched Fuu and Ajisai cheat using reflections.
• Senya told the village leaders that the bonus question would test the genin’s resolve, while Konan reacted silently to his voice.
• At three o’clock, Kurenai struck the blackboard, and examiners eliminated more than forty genin and their accomplices for cheating.
• Kurenai announced that each team member had to answer the bonus question correctly to earn an exemption, but one wrong answer would invalidate the team’s results and bar them from the Chunin Exams for ten years.
• Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, and the other remaining candidates hesitated because they suspected the bonus answer would not be available to copy.

Naruto overcame his fear of risking ten years away from the Chunin Exams and declared that he would never give up, inspiring the remaining examinees. Kurenai revealed that choosing to stay was the bonus question, and the examiners disqualified only two teams for failing too many members.

• As the countdown ended, Naruto stood and raised his hand, making Sakura and Sasuke think he was giving up and angering Tsunade watching from upstairs.
• Naruto declared that he would never give up, even if he remained a Genin for life, and said that charging ahead and keeping his word was his Nindo.
• Sasuke, Sakura, and Gaara regained their confidence after hearing Naruto's declaration.
• Kurenai announced that everyone who stayed had answered the bonus question correctly because the test was whether they would face difficulty instead of withdrawing.
• The Chunin graded the remaining papers, and only two teams were disqualified because more than one member of each team had failed.

The genin learned the rules of the second exam, a scroll hunt in the Forest of Death, and rushed to sign liability waivers and enter. Hikari secured the first place in line after Shukaku panicked at a Mangekyo Genjutsu, while Kisame and Maruboshi Kosuke held Gaara back.

• Shizune announced the Scroll Scramble in the Forest of Death and led the genin to its entrance.
• Shizune explained that teams had to collect Heaven, Earth, and Human Scrolls and reach the central tower to pass.
• Hikari, Gaara, Utakata, Kurotsuchi, Omoi, and Ajisai signed the liability waivers and hurried toward the tent.
• Shukaku broke a Genjutsu that had pinned Gaara with stone spikes and cried out in fear at the Mangekyo.
• Hikari entered the tent first, while Kisame and Maruboshi Kosuke made Gaara wait in line.

Kurenai revealed that Konoha had Healing Potions, alarming the village leaders and prompting them to seek the medicine. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death, where an Iwagakure team ambushed them.

• Kurenai announced that the Human Scrolls contained Healing Potions, and village representatives began arranging to obtain them.
• Tsunade told Ōnoki that Orochimaru had developed the potions and that Konoha had no plans to sell them; Rasa considered restarting medical research in the Hidden Sand.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura entered the Forest of Death through Entrance 27 with a Heaven Scroll and advanced in formation.
• Sasuke spotted a concealed Iwagakure genin and signaled Sakura, but Naruto mistook her gestures for a hand cramp and tried to touch her hand.
• The Iwagakure genin charged while Iwano and Takuichi emerged from underground and grabbed Sasuke's ankles, leaving Naruto to realize Sakura had been warning him about the ambush.

Nagato received Konan’s report that Senya had returned to Konoha and worried that Konoha’s medical potions could threaten Akatsuki. He decided to use Obito and Black Zetsu to test the opposition, while Obito remained unaware that Nagato was setting him up.

• Nagato read Konan’s intelligence about Senya and Konoha’s medical potions, then resolved to rely on Obito and Black Zetsu to test the waters.
• Obito watched Black Zetsu repeatedly perform Impure World Reincarnation with wandering ninja as sacrifices, but the summoned figures were mostly weak.
• Obito slapped Black Zetsu for his failures, then agreed to continue and mentioned using Madara if necessary.
• Black Zetsu reincarnated Mū, Hozuki Gengetsu, and the Third Kazekage, who immediately prepared to fight.
• Black Zetsu restrained the three reincarnated shinobi, sealed them with talisman kunai, and placed them in coffins with Obito.

Hikari, Kisame, and Maruboshi Kosuke captured two teams and decided to hunt for more scrolls to sell, while Naruto and Sasuke fought off three Rock Hidden Genin and took their Heaven Scrolls. The chapter ended with Naruto and Sasuke arguing and trading punches.

• Hikari, Kisame, and Maruboshi Kosuke captured Grass Ninja and Takigakure Genin, then noticed that all three of their scrolls were Heaven Scrolls.
• Hikari, Kisame, and Maruboshi Kosuke agreed to capture more teams, sell extra scrolls, and split up to hunt.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to expose and overwhelm a Rock Hidden Genin who had attacked under the Camouflage Jutsu.
• Sasuke freed himself from two Rock Hidden Genin and knocked them down with his shuriken wires and a Shadow Clone.
• Naruto and Sasuke took the three Rock Hidden Genin's scrolls and found a Heaven Scroll among them.
• Naruto and Sasuke argued over their fight, and Sasuke punched Naruto in the face.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura ended their brawl during the Chunin Exams and Sasuke used a signal flare to draw elite genin toward the area. The trio continued onward, where they encountered Hikari, whom Sasuke recognized as wearing Senya’s uniform and greeted as his teacher’s wife.

• Naruto and Sasuke traded punches until Sakura intervened, hit Naruto, and Sasuke tried to slap her, only for Naruto and Sasuke to strike each other instead.
• The slaps snapped Naruto and Sasuke out of their frenzy, and the pair agreed to postpone their fight until after the exam.
• Sasuke took a signal flare from the tied-up Hidden Stone Village genin and fired it, prompting Shizune to send a Special Jonin to investigate.
• Gaara's team, Utakata, Yugimaru's team, Omoi's team, Fuu's team, Ajisai's team, and other elite genin rushed toward the signal as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura left.
• Sasuke stopped when he spotted Hikari in Senya's combat uniform, then bowed and introduced himself as Senya's disciple, Second Pillar.

Hikari joined Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in the Forest of Death and helped them set a trap for other teams. After Shizune arrived and asked Hikari to speak with her about Senya, the three genin realized Hikari was a genin herself.

• Naruto and Sasuke greeted Hikari as Senya’s wife, and she introduced herself as Uchiha Hikari before asking about their flare.
• Sasuke explained that he had fired the flare to draw powerful genin together, and Hikari led the team back to the tied-up Hidden Stone shinobi.
• Hikari used Genjutsu to silence the Hidden Stone shinobi, then hid with Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to wait for approaching teams.
• Shizune arrived, sent the Hidden Stone shinobi away, and found Hikari and the three genin hiding in the tree.
• Shizune asked Hikari to speak with her about Senya, and Hikari left with her while Sakura suspected Shizune had romantic feelings for Senya.
• Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura realized Hikari was a genin and wondered how someone like her could be one.

Hikari reunited with Naruto’s group as the ninja teams converged beneath the great tree, bringing five Jinchuriki together. The Tailed Beasts drew Naruto, Gaara, and the others into a mental space, where Kurama and Shukaku immediately resumed their rivalry.

• Shizune questioned Hikari about her relationship with Senya, then lost her suspicion and grew fond of her.
• Hikari returned to Naruto’s group, and they noticed ninja teams approaching from every direction.
• Teams from Sunagakure, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Takigakure gathered beneath the tree, with five Jinchuriki present.
• The Tailed Beasts pulled Naruto and the other Jinchuriki into a mental space, where each saw the beasts inside the others.
• Shukaku taunted Kurama over its weakened chakra and challenged it, while Naruto learned that the Nine-Tails was named Kurama.
• Kurama roared at Naruto for using its name, and Shukaku’s past mockery was revealed to have earned it repeated beatings.

The tailed beasts and their Jinchuriki gathered in the Tailed Beast Space, where Naruto helped Gaara introduce himself and make friends with the others. As the tailed beasts discussed the Sage of Six Paths’ prophecy, Hikari unexpectedly entered their space and demanded to hear more.

• Chomei stopped Kurama and Shukaku from arguing, and the Jinchuriki introduced themselves to one another.
• Naruto encouraged Gaara to speak, and Gaara introduced himself before smiling for the first time in years.
• Naruto invited the others to Ichiraku Ramen after the exam, and Fuu happily chatted with him.
• The tailed beasts discussed the Sage of Six Paths’ prophecy and recalled how Hashirama Senju had defeated and sealed them.
• Hikari appeared in the Tailed Beast Space, surprising the tailed beasts, and threatened to use Mangekyo Genjutsu unless they explained the prophecy.

Kurama told Hikari the Sage of Six Paths’ final words as Jiraiya received a new prophecy about an azure-eyed shinobi who would coexist with the Tailed Beasts and transform the Shinobi World. After the Jinchuriki returned to the Chunin Exams, the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud teams began fighting, and Omoi launched a surprise attack on Kurotsuchi.

• Kurama told Hikari about the Sage of Six Paths’ final words, while Jiraiya heard the Great Toad Sage prophesy that an azure-eyed shinobi would bring destruction and rebirth to the Shinobi World.
• Jiraiya wondered whether the new prophecy had replaced the old one and whether his role as a teacher had ended.
• The Tailed Beast space dispersed, and the Jinchuriki returned to the Chunin Exams, where they resumed fighting for their villages.
• Omoi and Karui attacked the Hidden Stone team as Samui moved behind Kurotsuchi, Kano, and Akashi with lightning-coated kunai.
• Kano knocked away Samui’s kunai and charged at her, while Kurotsuchi trapped Omoi’s sword in her stone gauntlet and struck at him.
• Kurotsuchi’s punch hit Omoi’s Shadow Clone, and the real Omoi burst from underground beside her with his sword ready for a Deceiver’s Slash.

Kurotsuchi, Omoi, Suigetsu, Utakata, and Yugimaru joined the battle, while Gaara's team countered their mist and attacks. As Temari and Kankuro moved to strike Yugimaru, Fuu and her teammates quietly left the fight.

• Kurotsuchi raised earthen spikes to evade Omoi, but Suigetsu struck him with a giant water-swollen fist and sent him crashing into a tree.
• Omoi recovered and rushed to support Karui as Utakata launched explosive bubbles and Yugimaru enveloped the forest in mist.
• Gaara stopped Temari from attacking blindly, then raised sand and stirred up a sandstorm to counter the hidden attacks.
• Temari used Gale Net to blow away the mist while Kankuro sent his puppet Crow spinning toward Yugimaru.
• Fuu whispered to her teammates, and the three left as Fuu spread her wings.

Fuu drew Naruto and his teammates into the battle, while Hikari challenged Naruto to hand over the remaining scrolls. Naruto chose to stand with his fellow Jinchuriki, and Hikari prepared to follow Senya’s orders despite approving of their loyalty.

• Fuu spotted Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura hiding in a tree and attacked them with golden blades, forcing them to jump down.
• Omoi and Kurotsuchi suspected the other groups had joined forces against them, but their teams fled after preparing to fight.
• Hikari invited Naruto to stand with her and offered to take the remaining scrolls, making the Jinchuriki wary of him.
• Gaara trapped Naruto with sand, so Naruto handed the Heaven and Earth Scrolls to Sasuke and told him and Sakura to leave.
• Sasuke and Sakura stayed beside Naruto, and Naruto told the Jinchuriki they were his friends.
• Hikari praised the group for valuing friendship, then declared she would do everything necessary to carry out Senya’s orders.

Hikari used her Mangekyō Sharingan and a wire-guided fire-and-lightning attack to defeat Suigetsu, then prepared to take on Naruto and the others. The Tailed Beasts decided to lend their Jinchuriki Chakra, with Kurama and Shukaku spurred into helping Naruto and Gaara by Saiken’s taunts.

• Hikari absorbed Yugimaru’s water dragon with Yachihoko and shaped her shuriken-wrapped flames into a fire dragon.
• Sasuke recognized Hikari’s Mangekyō Sharingan and warned the others not to look directly into her eyes.
• Suigetsu tried to block and cut through the fire dragon, but Hikari sent lightning down the wire, electrocuting him and knocking him unconscious.
• Hikari reassured everyone that Suigetsu would survive, then said Naruto and the others were next.
• Saiken proposed that the Tailed Beasts lend Chakra to their Jinchuriki, and Isobu and Chōmei agreed.
• Saiken provoked Kurama and Shukaku into giving Chakra to Naruto and Gaara so their Jinchuriki would not be outdone.

Gaara and the other Jinchuriki drew on their Tailed Beasts’ power to fight Hikari, while Gaara prepared to make sand. Hikari overpowered Yugimaru and countered Fuu’s blinding scale powder by relying on her Yachihoko marks to locate the others.

• Gaara received Shukaku’s Chakra without losing control, and Shukaku urged him to use its power to defeat Hikari.
• Gaara began grinding stone and soil into sand while Fuu, Yugimaru, and Utakata moved to hold Hikari off.
• Yugimaru attacked Hikari with Shadow Caress, but she blocked him with Susanoo and kicked him into the rocks.
• Fuu filled the air with sparkling scale powder to obscure Hikari’s vision, and Hikari shut her eyes to sense Chakra instead.
• Hikari found she could not sense Sasuke, Kankuro, or Temari through the powder, but she used her Yachihoko marks to track them and vanished.

Hikari fought Yugimaru, Utakata, and Fuu while the other genin watched helplessly, and Naruto argued with Kurama over the seal restricting his power. When Naruto saw his friends struggling, he tore off the seal and received a flood of Kurama’s Chakra, beginning to transform as Sasuke and Sakura retreated.

• Utakata attacked Hikari with corrosive acid mist, but she used Susanoo, fire, and bone wings to counter it.
• Temari, Kankuro, Sakura, and Sasuke watched the battle, while Sasuke lamented that he was too weak to join in.
• Naruto argued with Kurama in his mental world, and Kurama insisted that the seal prevented him from sharing more Chakra.
• After Fuu called for help, Naruto remembered Jiraiya’s warning but chose to tear off the seal to protect his friends.
• Kurama seized Naruto and poured Chakra into him, forming a crimson Tailed Beast cloak as three tails appeared and a fourth began to grow.
• Sasuke pulled Sakura away from Naruto and watched as the Nine-Tails’ Chakra overtook him.