Chapter Summaries

Naruto explained why he planned to keep Uzumaki Naruto in Konoha and oversaw the awakening of a new Byakugan clone. He asked Sasuke to implant information into the clone’s brain, prompting Sasuke to question whether the procedure amounted to killing him.

• Naruto told Kurama that Uzumaki Naruto would remain in Konoha to draw the attention of their enemies and let Konoha deal with them.
• Naruto inspected the Number Five clone and discussed its condition, Byakugan fusion experiments, and the delayed cloning of Sasuke’s Three Tomoe Sharingan.
• The Number Five clone awakened with white eyes, and Naruto put him to sleep after checking his condition.
• Sasuke contacted Naruto and asked to learn Water Style training so he could master Storm Release.
• Naruto brought Sasuke to the laboratory and asked him to implant information into the awakened clone’s brain.
• Sasuke objected that changing the clone’s identity was the same as killing him, and Naruto challenged him to reconsider.

Naruto pursued experiments involving implanted memories, resurrection through Fuinjutsu, space-time tools, and harvested souls while obtaining new test subjects. He ended the chapter testing Genji, a newly awakened clone who had learned Chakra extraction and the Mind Body Switch Technique.

• Sasuke implanted fabricated memories into a newly created clone, then stayed behind to observe Naruto's experiments.
• Naruto reviewed footage of a Fuinjutsu experiment that briefly revived a dead test subject and arranged to obtain more experimental materials.
• Naruto learned that Kijiro's research had found aquatic creatures could survive inside a space-time tool, and Isobu showed him a Transcription Seal obtained from Itachi Uchiha.
• Naruto bought fifty living test subjects in the Land of Rivers, escaped an apparent snake attack, and transported the subjects away from the port.
• Naruto harvested souls from the test subjects, raising the Gate of Imprisoned Souls count to 51, then asked Genji to use the Mind Body Switch Technique on him.

Naruto made Genji his second World Subordinate and sent him to train with Kokuō, then helped Sasuke reach a laboratory in the Land of Snow and fought him to demonstrate the gap in their strength. The chapter ended with Naruto’s Storm Release knocking Sasuke unconscious.

• Naruto assigned Genji World Subordinate status and sent him to accept Kokuō’s battle invitation for training.
• Naruto learned that Yugito had sent a letter, then took Sasuke’s Shadow Clones to the Land of Snow so Sasuke could open a laboratory.
• Naruto discovered Kurama using Great Spiraling Rings and told him that Matatabi and Gyuki had replied to his letter.
• Kakashi gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura a week’s worth of missions and said they could seek him out for training questions at the Monument to Heroes.
• Sasuke challenged Naruto to test his strength against Itachi Uchiha, and Naruto defeated him with Storm Release: Meteor Lightning Purgatory.

Naruto defeated Sasuke in a test of strength and explained how far Sasuke still had to go to match Itachi. Half a month later, Naruto learned that Kakashi was taking him to Takigakure, where the tailed beasts feared Chōmei was in danger, while Sasuke’s progress had drawn attention from Itachi and Orochimaru.

• Naruto cleared the steam from the crater and found Sasuke alive after he had used Izanagi.
• Naruto told Sasuke that Itachi had greater defenses, another Mangekyō Sharingan, and knowledge of Uchiha techniques Sasuke did not have.
• Sasuke argued that mastering Storm Release would let him kill Itachi, and Naruto returned him to the laboratory after demanding compensation for the blinded Sharingan.
• Half a month later, Kurama, Isobu, and Kokuō told Naruto that Kakashi would escort someone from Takigakure back to Konoha, giving Naruto a chance to visit Chōmei.
• Kokuō reported that Kakashi and the Third Hokage planned to assess Team Seven’s training, while Itachi and Orochimaru had begun seeking information about Sasuke.

Naruto learned that Sasuke had repeatedly died testing a lightning-based forbidden technique and sealed Sasuke's chakra so he could use only Lightning Release and Fire Release the next day. Sasuke discovered that the seal caused any attempt to use another nature to make his Shadow Clone vanish—and left him urgently needing the bathroom.

• Kurama, Kokuō, and Isobu told Naruto that Sasuke had developed a powerful lightning technique, then died after trying to defend against its lightning with Chidori.
• Naruto asked Kokuō about Genji, learned he had mastered Gentle Fist and four chakra natures but showed no unusual Byakugan traits, and decided to test him with other Byakugan after the Takigakure mission.
• The Tailed Beasts abruptly lost all signs of life, and Naruto left the Sealed Space to find Sasuke.
• Naruto placed a seal on Sasuke that restricted him to Lightning Release and Fire Release jutsu the next day, then left him in the woods by the Naka River.
• Sasuke tried to use Water Dragon Bullet through a Shadow Clone, which immediately vanished, and he suddenly needed the bathroom.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura began Kakashi's life-threatening team trial, using traps and coordinated attacks to keep him from taking the scroll. Meanwhile, Jiraiya sought answers from the Great Toad Sage about prophecies that tied his choices to the fate of the Shinobi World; the chapter ended with Naruto's explosive assault seemingly catching Kakashi off guard.

• Naruto and Kurama discussed Sasuke's failed attempt to undo Naruto's seal and predicted Sasuke would wait until after the next day's game to try again.
• Kakashi announced a dangerous mission, and Naruto and Sasuke separately prepared before joining forces to set traps at Training Ground 5.
• The Third Hokage, Tenzo, and Shikaku Nara observed the team's preparations and concluded Naruto and Sasuke had begun cooperating against Kakashi.
• Jiraiya questioned the Great Toad Sage about prophecies involving his death and the Child of Destiny, and the Great Toad Sage warned that returning to Konoha or going to the Land of Rain could alter the Shinobi World's fate.
• Kakashi challenged Team Seven to protect a scroll, then worked through their traps and defended himself against Naruto's Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu and coordinated shadow clones.
• Naruto's clones grabbed Kakashi as an explosion tore through the earthen walls, leaving silver hair drifting down through the smoke.

Team Seven outmaneuvered Kakashi in the first part of their trial, then began a direct fight that revealed Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan. The chapter ended with Tenzo informing the Third Hokage of Sasuke’s new ability.

• Tenzo told the Third Hokage how Naruto and Sasuke had used Shadow Clones, fake Explosive Tags, and Transformation Jutsu to mislead Kakashi and hide at Training Ground 5.
• Naruto suddenly fainted and quickly woke up, prompting the Third Hokage and Tenzo to investigate while Kakashi continued searching for Team Seven.
• Kakashi returned to Training Ground 5, praised Team Seven’s tactics, and announced that the next mission stage was a direct fight against him.
• Team Seven attacked Kakashi with Shadow Clones, Sasuke’s Fire Release, and Sakura’s Earth Release, but Kakashi countered with Genjutsu.
• Sasuke dispelled Kakashi’s Genjutsu with his Sharingan and said he had awakened it after saving Rock Lee from beneath a cliff.
• Tenzo reported Sasuke’s awakened Sharingan to the Third Hokage, who reacted with shock.

Sasuke countered Kakashi’s lightning and learned Team Seven would head to the Land of the Falls, while Naruto secretly investigated medical ninjutsu and learned Saiken might be in the Land of Demons. On the new escort mission, Naruto slipped away at night to meet Chōmei, whose jinchūriki could use most of the beast’s power to flee.

• Sasuke canceled Kakashi’s Lightning Release with his own lightning, and Kakashi told Team Seven to meet at the village gate the next morning for a mission to the Land of the Falls.
• The Third Hokage questioned Kakashi and Tenzo about Naruto’s explosive-tag tactic and hospital visit, while Kakashi said Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan after saving Rock Lee.
• Naruto used the Transformation Jutsu to take another medical ninjutsu assessment, then learned from Isobu that Zabuza’s group had found a lead on Saiken in the Land of Demons.
• Kakashi led Team Seven and their escort, Shibuki, toward Takigakure, while Naruto secretly copied Shibuki’s puppet and let the frightened escort sleep in his tent.
• Naruto flew to a forest near Takigakure at three in the morning and met Chōmei, whose jinchūriki had mastered seventy percent of the beast’s power and could escape by running.

Naruto secretly took Kaede to the Land of Snow, gained Chōmei’s chakra, and arranged a hidden Flying Thunder God mark so he could protect her. Three days later, Team Seven arrived at Takigakure and learned that Suigetsu had taken the villagers hostage, but Kaede had already defeated the invaders.

• Kurama, Kokuō, and Isobu persuaded Naruto to help Chōmei leave Kaede if necessary, revealing their wish to free the Tailed Beasts from their Jinchuriki.
• Naruto brought Kaede to the Land of Snow, where she willingly gave Chōmei’s chakra to him before he used the Forgetfulness Jutsu and returned her to Takigakure.
• Naruto revealed that he had secretly placed a Flying Thunder God mark on Kaede when they first shook hands, allowing Chōmei to contact him and explain what happened.
• Three days later, Team Seven escorted Shibuki to Takigakure, where two children reported that Suigetsu had captured the villagers and demanded the Hero’s Water.
• Kakashi agreed to help Shibuki, but Kaede flew out from behind the waterfall and announced that she had defeated all the invaders.

Naruto returned to Konoha, then used the Akatsuki’s mission to recruit Kakuzu through a bounty mission in the Land of the Falls. The chapter ended with Kakuzu accepting Naruto’s job and counting the advance payment.

• Shibuki scolded Kaede for leaving the secret realm, while Naruto tried to heal Suigetsu but failed to save him.
• Naruto learned that Kirisame had been sent to investigate Chōmei and decided to use the bounty station to expand his intelligence network.
• After Team Seven returned to Konoha, Kakashi arranged a week of training for Sasuke and began teaching him about the Sharingan and Chidori.
• Naruto disguised himself and posted an eighty-million-ryo bounty mission at the Land of the Falls’ Bounty Station, offering an advance payment to the hunter who accepted it.
• Kakuzu accepted Naruto’s mission, took the advance payment, and began counting the money while Hidan impatiently waited.

Naruto used a disguise and a controlled corpse to copy Kakuzu and Hidan’s abilities while retrieving their memories. As Kakuzu and Hidan headed to the Land of Wind for a mission, Naruto discovered that Hidan’s immortality and curse resembled Impure World Reincarnation.

• Hidan argued with Kakuzu over counting their bounty money, then went outside to get intel from “Kirisame.”
• Hidan attacked “Kirisame,” but Naruto’s substitution and staged fight kept him from being killed.
• Kakuzu received the intel scroll, and he and Hidan left to capture the puppeteer Mukade in the Land of Wind.
• Naruto examined Kakuzu and Hidan’s memories in the Mirrored World after revealing how he had copied their puppets and staged the encounter.
• Naruto discovered that Hidan was an atheist and that his immortality and curse shared similarities with Impure World Reincarnation.

Naruto and Kurama discussed Hashirama Senju's handling of Kakuzu and Takigakure before the Akatsuki pursued information on the Six-Tails Jinchuriki. A month later, Sasuke mastered Storm Release and contacted Naruto, who responded without much interest.

• Kurama argued that Hashirama Senju had spared Kakuzu to frighten Takigakure into allying with Konoha, and Naruto teased Kurama about his reasoning.
• Kurama confronted the other Tailed Beasts for secretly communicating, then asked Naruto whether the intelligence he had given the Akatsuki Organization was real.
• Pain told Kakuzu to investigate the Six-Tails Jinchuriki on Hongzhou Island and warned him to keep Hidan from attracting attention.
• Kakuzu made Hidan accompany him to complete a bounty mission before they investigated the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
• A month later, Sasuke mastered Storm Release in the Land of Snow and contacted Naruto, who asked whether Sasuke wanted to show off his power.

Sasuke challenged Naruto to test his Storm Release forbidden technique, and Naruto overwhelmed him in their battle above the clouds. Sasuke revived through Izanagi and returned to his laboratory, while the author’s closing note said he would no longer provoke Naruto after this April Fools’ Day encounter.

• Sasuke asked Naruto to test his new Storm Release forbidden technique and claimed it could kill Itachi Uchiha.
• Naruto accepted Sasuke’s challenge, and they flew above the clouds in Chakra Armor.
• Sasuke formed a half-bodied Thunder God from lightning, but Naruto’s greater Chakra disrupted his technique.
• Naruto created a giant body and hurled the lightning spear called Spear of Annihilation, absorbing Sasuke’s attack and reducing him to ashes.
• Sasuke revived through Izanagi, borrowed a Byakugan from Naruto, replaced one of his eyes with a Shadow Clone, and returned to his laboratory.

Naruto investigated the plans for the Chunin Exams, arranged Sasuke’s preparations, and drew the Hyuga Clan into a private meeting. The chapter ended with Naruto offering Hiashi an opportunity and transporting them to another place after Hiashi accepted his hand.

• Naruto gave Sasuke a scroll for setting Izanagi to activate in July and explained how Kijiro’s wrist-guard could summon and seal ninja tools.
• Naruto and Kurama reviewed evidence that Danzo and Orochimaru planned to kill the Fourth Kazekage and use the Chunin Exams to advance their goals.
• Naruto wondered whether to make the Hyuga Clan leave Konoha, then later met Hinata and guided her training after arranging a chance encounter with her.
• Sasuke revealed his Two-Tomoe Sharingan to Kakashi and Sakura, drawing the attention of people nearby.
• Naruto used a Shadow Clone to evade Tenzo’s surveillance, entered the Hyuga compound, and offered Hiashi a chance to seize an opportunity.
• Hiashi accepted Naruto’s hand, and the scene around them changed.

Naruto met with Hiashi aboard a flying fortress and warned him that Danzo and Orochimaru’s plans would endanger the Hyuga Clan. After revealing why he intended to help them leave Konoha, Naruto persuaded Hiashi to consider withdrawing the clan.

• Naruto revealed his identity and powers to Hiashi aboard the flying fortress, then offered the Hyuga Clan a chance to leave Konoha.
• Naruto warned that Danzo would become Hokage and that Danzo and Orochimaru planned to attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto explained how Hiashi’s past conflicts with Danzo and Orochimaru, and the Cloud Village kidnapping incident, had left the Hyuga Clan vulnerable.
• Naruto told Hiashi he would help the clan because of revenge, Hinata, and a promise to his father not to act personally against Konoha.
• Naruto said Hinata’s unprejudiced view of him had earned the Hyuga this opportunity, and Hiashi finally asked how Naruto would help the clan leave safely.

Naruto persuaded Hiashi to prepare the Hyuga Clan to leave Konoha during the Chunin Exams, while keeping his own plans from Sasuke. After the Third Hokage visited, Naruto pretended to be hurt by the Hyuga Clan’s rejection and listened as the Hokage urged him to earn the village’s acceptance.

• Naruto explained Konoha’s founding and the Hyuga Clan’s political role to Hiashi, then proposed moving all 3,751 Hyuga onto the Firefly during the Chunin Exams.
• Sasuke contacted Naruto about the exams, questioned why Naruto had revealed his Sharingan to Konoha, and failed to learn Naruto’s plans or the timing of the Izanagi seal.
• Naruto returned home and wondered with the tailed beasts whether anyone in Konoha could withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb as the Third Hokage and Tenzo arrived.
• Naruto told the Third Hokage that Hiashi and the Hyuga Clan had rejected him because of his feelings for Hinata.
• The Third Hokage encouraged Naruto to protect the village and earn recognition, and Naruto agreed to work harder.

The Third Hokage told Naruto he would enter the Chunin Exams and promised to find someone who could help with his training, while Naruto agreed to participate alongside Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto then made preparations for Jiraiya’s return, and a message reached Orochimaru that delighted him.

• The Third Hokage told Naruto he was eligible for the Chunin Exams, encouraged him to participate, and said he would later invite someone to investigate Naruto’s training difficulties.
• Naruto learned that the Third Hokage planned to have Jiraiya undo his Five Elements Seal after the exams, then sent Shadow Clones to the Land of Snow and the Land of Waves to make other arrangements.
• Kakashi asked Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura whether they would enter the Chunin Exams, and all three signed their applications.
• A financial group from the Land of Hot Water paid an astonishing price to obtain operating rights to Konoha’s bathhouses and brothels.
• In Sound Village, Orochimaru received a scroll and reacted with delight to its contents.

Naruto experimented with cloned Sharingan and investigated the unknown wills inside transplanted eyes, while arranging to move the Hyuga Clan to the Land of Snow. Konoha approved its genin teams for the Chunin Exams, and Sunagakure’s delegation arrived at the village.

• Naruto transplanted cloned Three Tomoe Sharingan, erased the unknown wills detected by the Mirrored World, and discovered he could switch the eyes on and off freely.
• Naruto tested a Sharingan transplant on Genji, confirming that the unknown-will warning appeared for him too, while Kurama considered what the warning meant.
• Naruto told Hiashi that he would relocate the Hyuga Clan to the Land of Snow and revealed that Danzo planned to transfer the border-guarding branch-family members away in five days.
• Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma recommended their teams for the Chunin Exams, while Iruka objected and the Third Hokage upheld the decision.
• Naruto met Shikamaru while buying ninja tools, and Shikamaru said he had agreed to enter the exams after losing a shogi game to Asuma.
• Five days later, Sunagakure ninja entered Konoha behind a red-haired boy carrying a large gourd.

Naruto monitored Sunagakure’s arrival and Akatsuki’s movements while preparing for the Chunin Exams, and discovered that experiments in the Land of Snow had advanced his Ice Style analysis. Seven days later, he gave Sasuke a Sharingan to conceal his own and instructed him to submit a blank paper in the written test.

• Naruto used Transformation Jutsu to observe Sunagakure’s team and record notes as the Tailed Beasts discussed Shukaku’s jinchuriki.
• Ibiki reported Sunagakure’s exam roster to the Third Hokage, who told Tenzo to stop monitoring Naruto until the Chunin Exams ended.
• Naruto searched Kabuto Yakushi’s memories, learned about Danzo’s barrier preparations and Konan’s control of Akatsuki, and watched Mukade escape Kakuzu and Hidan.
• Kokuō told Naruto that Ice Style analysis had progressed after his Shadow Clones in the Land of Snow were frozen during experiments, while Tenzo’s withdrawal disrupted Naruto’s plans.
• Naruto discussed the Sage of Six Paths with Kurama, then demonstrated his growing power by rising above the Land of Snow on wind and snow.
• Seven days later, Naruto gave Sasuke Sharingan contacts and a Three-Tomoe Sharingan for his right eye, then told him to hand in a blank paper during the written test.

Sasuke confronted Naruto about Konoha’s plans for Team Seven, and Naruto warned that someone wanted to possess Sasuke before sending him away with half his chakra sealed. The next day, the team entered the Chunin Exams, where Naruto investigated events through the Mirrored World as the first written test began.

• Sasuke reasoned that Konoha had arranged Team Seven and the Chunin Exams to monitor Naruto, then asked whether someone intended to steal his eyes.
• Naruto denied that Sasuke’s eyes were the target, warned that someone wanted to possess him body and mind, and sealed half of Sasuke’s chakra.
• Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto arrived at Classroom 301, where Sasuke avoided a genjutsu trap and Naruto spoke with Hinata, Shikamaru, and Choji.
• Kabuto Yakushi offered the rookies exam intelligence, but Ibiki arrived before he could finish; Kabuto then warned Naruto to be careful when cheating.
• Naruto began the written exam without writing and used the Mirrored World to observe events involving Danzo, the Third Hokage, and the village’s advisors.
• The Third Hokage watched the exam with Kakashi and Tenzo and noticed that neither Sasuke nor Naruto had written on their papers.