Chapter Summaries

Ibiki watched footage of Naruto and Sasuke defeating Orochimaru and rushed out to pursue a mission, while Naruto collected his bounty and reward from Hiruzen Sarutobi. After Naruto visited Ibiki and found him gone, Mei Terumi summoned Naruto and asked him to teach her Vibration Force.

• Ibiki watched Anko Mitarashi's tape and learned that the Kusagakure ninja in the Forest of Death had been Orochimaru.
• Ibiki saw Sasuke and Naruto fight Orochimaru, including Naruto growing into a giant and blasting Orochimaru apart, then hurried out to pursue a mission.
• Naruto told Hiruzen Sarutobi he had killed Orochimaru, secured a reward and Orochimaru's bounty, and joked that his mother had told him to smash Hiruzen's head in.
• Naruto went to Ibiki Morino's office to fulfill his promise, but learned Ibiki had just left on a mission.
• Zabuza told Naruto that Mei Terumi wanted to see him, and Mei Terumi grabbed Naruto's arm and pleaded for him to teach her Vibration Force.

Danzo discovered that Orochimaru had survived by transferring into another body, then argued with Hiruzen Sarutobi about capturing him and handling Naruto. Naruto met Mei Terumi, who eagerly asked him to teach her Vibration Force, and he said it was not Ninjutsu.

• Danzo examined Orochimaru’s corpse, found a woman’s body beneath a face mask, and concluded Orochimaru’s immortality experiment had succeeded.
• Danzo questioned Kameda and Uehara about Naruto, then told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru was alive.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that Naruto knew his origins and ordered Danzo to apologize to Naruto if necessary; Danzo agreed reluctantly.
• Danzo urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to capture Orochimaru and seize his research, but Hiruzen refused, and Danzo left angrily.
• Mei Terumi asked Naruto to teach her Vibration Force, and Naruto told her it was not Ninjutsu and might be impossible to teach.

Naruto sparred with Mei Terumi, returned to the Breeding Farm, and learned that Sasuke had tracked Orochimaru with a Flying Thunder God mark. Orochimaru survived in a new vessel and abandoned the Konoha Crush Plan to pursue Naruto, devising a plan to seduce him and obtain his DNA.

• Naruto demonstrated Vibration Force to Mei Terumi, then sparred with her and asked Zabuza to tell her to wait until the Chunin Exams were over before taking action.
• Naruto returned to the Breeding Farm, where Kurama made dinner and Sasuke revealed that his Flying Thunder God mark had followed Orochimaru to a new location.
• Naruto and Sasuke decided to postpone pursuing Orochimaru until the candidates finished the Chunin Exams, and Naruto sensed that Hiruzen Sarutobi had withdrawn his watchers.
• Kakashi visited Naruto and congratulated him on becoming a Chunin, while Naruto proudly credited his teacher.
• Orochimaru reincarnated into a prepared female vessel, abandoned the Konoha Crush Plan, and devised the Naruto Capture Plan to obtain Naruto's DNA by using the vessel's beauty.

Naruto eagerly waited for the Chunin Exam candidates to leave the Forest of Death so he could greet his friends, while Sasuke sulked over Naruto being more excited to make new friends than he had been to befriend him. As the candidates reunited with Naruto, Orochimaru secretly ordered Kabuto to learn Naruto’s schedule, and Sasuke noticed Orochimaru watching them.

• Naruto woke early because he was excited to make friends with the candidates finishing the second exam, and he agreed to bring Kurama along.
• Sasuke grew upset when Naruto admitted he had not lost sleep before becoming Sasuke’s friend, but Naruto promised to lose sleep for him that night.
• Naruto and Sasuke went with Kurama to the Forest of Death, where Anko greeted them and Naruto waited for his friends to emerge.
• Naruto called Rock Lee, Hinata, Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino over when the candidates came out, and they happily reunited with him.
• Orochimaru, disguised as a woman in a cherry-blossom kimono, told Kabuto to find out Naruto’s schedule during his stay in Konoha.
• Orochimaru watched Naruto before leaving, and Sasuke recognized his gaze.

After the second Chunin Exam, Naruto stopped the examinees from leaving so he could make friends with them, delaying the third exam. Kakashi and Anko went to retrieve him, but Naruto was still meeting examinees when Kankuro introduced himself and asked to be his friend.

• Anko Mitarashi reported that eighteen examinees passed the second exam, in addition to Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno, who had been promoted by special exception.
• Naruto used Instant Movement to stop the examinees and explained that he wanted to make friends with them.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Naruto had delayed the examinees and sent Kakashi to handle the situation; Kakashi told Anko that supporting Naruto's dream mattered more than hurrying to the exam.
• Naruto asked who would be the first to become his friend, and Kankuro stepped forward and introduced himself as a ninja from Sunagakure.
• Naruto told Kankuro that he had requirements for making friends, prompting the examinees to wonder what they were.

Naruto insisted that the Chunin Exam candidates become his friends by sparring with him, and he began a fight with Kankuro despite being told to proceed to the third exam. Naruto located Kankuro through his poisonous smoke and attacked him, leaving the other candidates dreading their turn.

• Naruto told the candidates that they had to spar with him before he would accept them as friends, making the Sound Ninja Trio and Kankuro regret turning him down earlier.
• Kankuro agreed to fight Naruto while pretending to be eager, and Naruto prepared to spar as Kurama watched from his shoulder.
• A proctor announced that the candidates had to leave for the third exam, but Naruto punched him away when he tried to stop the spar.
• Kankuro opened the fight with kunai and poisonous smoke, but Naruto used blood-energy perception to find him and charged through the smoke unharmed.
• Naruto used Instant Movement to reach Kankuro and struck his puppet, while the candidates listened to the blows from inside the mist.

Naruto stopped beating the examinees after Kakashi persuaded him to wait until they left Konoha to make more friends. At the third exam grounds, Kankuro reunited with Baki, and Hiruzen began explaining the exam’s purpose before the chapter cut off.

• Naruto declared Kankuro his friend, helped him apply ointment, and asked Sasuke and Hinata to look after him.
• Kakashi and Anko arrived, and Naruto agreed to stop making friends until after the exam; the examinees hurried to the third exam grounds.
• Baki mistook Kankuro’s bruised face for evidence that he had died, then recognized him when Kankuro identified himself.
• Naruto and Sasuke joined Kakashi to watch the eighteen examinees who passed, while Akamaru trembled at the sight of Kurama.
• Anko introduced Hiruzen, who began explaining that the exams promoted peaceful coexistence among allied nations and raised shinobi standards.

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the Chunin Exams’ national significance before Hayate Gekko’s coughing prompted an emergency isolation and disinfection. Anko Mitarashi took over the exam and offered candidates the chance to withdraw; after Kabuto Yakushi left, Naruto followed him outside to apologize and seek his help.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that the Chunin Exams showcased allied nations’ strength and that war made even a cough a serious concern.
• Hayate Gekko’s coughing led Hiruzen Sarutobi to isolate him and order the examination hall disinfected.
• Anko Mitarashi took over as examiner and gave the eighteen remaining candidates one minute to withdraw before the individual preliminaries.
• Kabuto Yakushi withdrew, and Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized him from earlier exams and decided to have Anbu investigate him.
• Naruto left the hall, caught up with Kabuto Yakushi, and sincerely apologized for slapping him into a wall.

Naruto forced Kabuto Yakushi to become his friend through a one-sided spar, while Kabuto secretly reported what he had learned to Orochimaru. The Chunin Exam preliminaries began with Neji Hyuga matched against Hinata Hyuga, and Naruto predicted Hinata would win because she had a good appetite.

• Naruto asked Kabuto Yakushi why he withdrew from the Chunin Exams, then insisted they become friends through a spar and left him bruised.
• Kabuto Yakushi visited Orochimaru and reported that Naruto trained at a Breeding Farm on the Back Mountain, while concealing that he had overheard Orochimaru practicing a seduction.
• Anko Mitarashi explained the preliminary match rules, and the seventeen remaining examinees stayed in the exam.
• Naruto returned to Sasuke as the electronic display selected Neji Hyuga and Hinata Hyuga for the first matchup.
• Naruto predicted Hinata Hyuga would win because she had a pretty good appetite.

Hinata defeated Neji in the first match of the individual tournament, while Naruto cheered from the stands. The next match was announced as Rock Lee versus Zaku Abumi, and Lee headed to the arena.

• Neji and Hinata were paired against each other, and they entered the arena for the first match.
• Hinata used the Gentle Fist to overwhelm Neji, repeatedly striking his face until he collapsed.
• Anko Mitarashi declared Hinata the winner, and medical staff carried Neji away for treatment.
• Naruto congratulated Hinata, and Kurenai praised her performance.
• The screen selected Rock Lee versus Zaku Abumi for the second match, and Lee leaped into the arena after receiving encouragement from Might Guy, Tenten, and Naruto.

Rock Lee defeated Zaku in the Chunin Exam preliminaries, and Naruto celebrated the end of the matches with his friends while asking Kurama to guard the village gates. Jiraiya returned to Konoha and met Hiruzen Sarutobi, who surprised him by asking him to take Naruto and train him.

• Rock Lee used the Shadow Dance Leaf to defeat Zaku, winning the second match of the preliminaries.
• The remaining matches ended by dusk, and Naruto invited his friends and the visiting ninja to a feast at the Breeding Farm.
• Naruto sent Kurama to watch the village gates, while Zaku, Dosu, and Kin discussed sneaking away before the next morning.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha and slipped into the women's bath to gather material, frightening Hiruzen Sarutobi when he saw Jiraiya's hairy leg through the crystal ball.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Jiraiya, who said he had returned to see Naruto, then asked Jiraiya to take Naruto and train him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to let Jiraiya train Naruto, while Jiraiya left him a strange gift that enraged him. After a celebratory dinner at the Breeding Farm, Naruto sparred with Might Guy-sensei and made Tenten his new friend by beating her; the group left with Might Guy-sensei and Tenten bruised and battered.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Jiraiya to train Naruto, and Jiraiya accepted before sending Hiruzen a wrapped piece of his leg hair.
• Sasuke sensed Orochimaru hiding near the path to the Breeding Farm, but Orochimaru stayed concealed because Naruto was surrounded by friends.
• Kabuto Yakushi told Orochimaru that Naruto would be at the village entrance the next morning and suggested they use dead drops to exchange intelligence.
• Naruto hosted a dinner at the Breeding Farm, then persuaded the drunken Might Guy-sensei to spar with him.
• Naruto beat Might Guy-sensei unconscious, then declared Tenten his new friend and beat her before Neji and Rock Lee helped them leave.

Naruto walked Hinata home, held her hand, and kissed her beneath the moonlight before returning to Sasuke. The next morning, Naruto made Sasuke become his friend all over again, leaving Sasuke bruised and full of regret as Naruto headed off to make more friends.

• Naruto walked Hinata home by moonlight while holding her hand, and she thanked him for praising her victory over Neji.
• At the Hyuga Clan compound, Naruto kissed Hinata before she went inside, then used Instant Movement to return to the Breeding Farm.
• Naruto told Sasuke he would lose sleep over him, and Sasuke later saw his dark circles and realized Naruto had kept his word.
• The next morning, Naruto asked Sasuke to become his friend again and insisted on proving how much he valued him.
• After fifteen minutes of being beaten during their renewed friendship, Sasuke let Naruto leave to make friends and went to spar with Zabuza.

Sasuke sought out Zabuza at the Breeding Farm and beat him in a so-called friendly spar, while Might Guy stayed home to avoid Naruto after waking bruised. Naruto headed to the village entrance to make friends but stopped to help a woman whose injured ankle was actually part of Orochimaru’s disguise; the chapter ended with Naruto urging Orochimaru to walk it off.

• Sasuke found Zabuza hauling manure and used Flying Thunder God to stop him from fleeing, then beat him in a ten-minute spar.
• Zabuza returned to work bruised and admitted to Haku that Sasuke had beaten him, while Shikamaru continued managing the farm.
• Might Guy woke with bruises, blamed Naruto for taking advantage of his drunkenness, and refused to join his students at the village entrance.
• Naruto walked toward the village entrance, distracted by thoughts of making friends, and collided with Orochimaru disguised as a young woman.
• Naruto massaged Orochimaru’s deliberately sprained ankle, helped him stand, then told him to take a few steps before hurrying away.

Naruto sent Sasuke to escort Orochimaru, disguised as Tsukishirohime, to a hotel so he could wait at Konoha’s entrance for potential new friends. There, Kurama revealed he had stopped Zaku, Dosu, and Kin from secretly leaving, and Naruto decided to make them his friends through a spar.

• Sasuke arrived as Naruto debated whether to escort the disguised Orochimaru or go to the village entrance, and Naruto persuaded Sasuke to take the visitor to a hotel.
• Naruto introduced the visitor as Tsukishirohime and promised to visit after his business, while Orochimaru accepted Sasuke’s escort.
• Naruto went to Konoha’s entrance, where Kurama reported that he had knocked out three people trying to leave the village overnight.
• Kurama led Naruto to Zaku, Dosu, and Kin, and Naruto decided they needed several friendly spars to recognize his excellence and become his friends.

Naruto stopped the Sound Ninja Trio from fleeing Konoha and insisted on becoming their friend, using a beating to prove their sincerity. After they reluctantly accepted the friendship, he let them return to Otogakure and planned to visit them someday.

• Kurama woke Zaku, Dosu, and Kin by slapping them after the trio had been knocked unconscious while trying to leave Konoha.
• Naruto confronted the Sound Ninja Trio about secretly leaving and accepted Dosu's excuse that they had an urgent matter in their village.
• Naruto beat Zaku, Dosu, and Kin for forty-five minutes, adding extra time because they had rejected his offer of friendship twice.
• Naruto helped the battered trio up, declared them friends for life, and offered to help with their urgent matter.
• Dosu, Kin, and Zaku said farewell and left for Otogakure, while Naruto said he would visit their village someday.

Naruto waited at Konoha’s entrance to make friends with the visiting exam teams, greeting his friends and watching the Sunagakure delegation arrive. Gaara and Naruto locked eyes as Baki challenged Konoha’s welcome, leaving their first encounter tense.

• Naruto saw Zaku, Dosu, and Kin leave, then told Sasuke that the three Otogakure ninjas were his new friends.
• Rock Lee, Tenten, and Neji arrived, and Tenten quietly asked Neji why Sasuke’s face was bruised.
• Naruto’s other friends gathered at the entrance, where Shino told a joke and Hinata blushed as she remembered Naruto taking her home.
• Naruto spotted Baki leading Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro of Sunagakure toward the village entrance.
• Temari noticed Naruto, while Gaara and Naruto stared at each other; Baki coldly questioned how Konoha treated its guests.

Baki prepared to return to Sunagakure, but Naruto stopped him at Konoha’s entrance to make friends with his students. Temari accepted Naruto’s friendly spar, leaving Baki confused about Naruto’s unusual way of making friends.

• Baki hurried to return to Sunagakure, intending to advise Rasa to attack Konoha despite Orochimaru’s decision to abandon the plan.
• Naruto told Baki that he had come to make friends, and Baki relaxed and encouraged his students to interact with Naruto.
• Kankuro said he was already Naruto’s friend, while Temari nervously prepared to step forward and Gaara stayed silent.
• Naruto sensed that Gaara carried the One-Tails Shukaku and hoped Gaara would agree to become friends, but Temari volunteered instead.
• Temari challenged Naruto to a friendly spar and readied her Three-Star Fan, while Kankuro explained Naruto’s sparring-based way of making friends to Baki.

Naruto fought Temari and revealed overwhelming strength, leaving her and Baki convinced that Sand Hidden could not win a war against Konoha. The chapter ended as Naruto’s punch struck Temari’s full-power storm.

• Sasuke joined Kurama to watch Naruto and Temari’s battle while sharing Kurama’s sunflower seeds.
• Temari opened her Three-Star Fan and trapped Naruto in a tornado, but he stood unharmed inside it.
• Temari reflected on the Konoha Crush Plan being shelved and realized Naruto’s strength could have devastated Sand Hidden.
• Temari unleashed the Three-Star Fan’s full power, while Naruto’s invisible force neatly cut pant legs and sliced the rock beneath Kurama and Sasuke.
• Baki realized Sand Hidden would lose if it attacked Konoha and resolved to stop Rasa from going to war.
• Naruto took seven steps toward Temari’s storm and struck it with a punch that made the void explode.

Naruto crushed Temari’s strongest attack and beat her until she agreed to be his friend, then turned to Baki to ask him the same question. Baki hesitated over whether he could refuse, while Kurama celebrated winning its bet with Sasuke.

• Naruto destroyed Temari’s storm with one punch and appeared behind her before beating her until she accepted his friendship.
• Sasuke bet that Naruto would befriend Gaara next, while Kurama bet that Naruto would choose Baki; they wagered that the loser would wash dishes for a month.
• Temari confirmed she and Naruto were friends, and Naruto helped her to Kankuro, who gave her some medicine.
• Naruto bypassed Gaara and asked Baki to be his friend, leaving Baki stunned and reluctant to accept.
• Kurama declared Sasuke the loser of their bet, and Sasuke looked annoyed.