Chapter Summaries

The Nine-Tails and One-Tails Shukaku traded insults while their jinchuriki fought Ohm, then discovered that the Reanimated Hashirama Senju lacked consciousness. The Nine-Tails persuaded a reluctant Shukaku to join him in trying to beat up Hashirama.

• The Nine-Tails and Shukaku mocked each other and argued over Naruto's and Gaara's appearances.
• Shukaku realized the Nine-Tails was incomplete and taunted him about having only half his power.
• Ohm activated the first stage of his Curse Seal and used Wood Release, souring the Tailed Beasts' mood.
• The Nine-Tails sensed that Orochimaru had reanimated Hashirama Senju and recognized that something was wrong with him.
• The Nine-Tails proposed attacking Hashirama, and after being provoked, Shukaku agreed.

Naruto and Gaara received Chakra from the Nine-Tails and Shukaku to fight Ohm, who had overwhelmed their group with Wood Release. Both Jinchuriki transformed while keeping their minds clear, leaving the battle poised to turn in their favor.

• Ohm used repeated Wood Style Jutsu to keep Naruto, Sasuke, and the Sand Siblings on the defensive, while Naruto struggled to land his Adamantine Sealing Chains.
• Naruto entered his consciousness space and asked the Nine-Tails to lend him Chakra, and the Nine-Tails agreed after Naruto begged without hesitation.
• The Nine-Tails sent Naruto a powerful surge of Chakra, surrounding him in a deep crimson Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak and changing his appearance while Naruto retained control.
• Shukaku and Gaara reached an agreement for Shukaku to lend Gaara power.
• Naruto and Gaara roared as their Chakra cracked the ground, and both underwent Tailed Beast Transformation while remaining rational.

Naruto and Gaara joined forces in their Half-Tailed Beast Transformation states and overwhelmed Ohm in the battlefield’s sea of trees. Ohm was left battered and exhausted, while Sasuke watched helplessly and Temari and Kankuro believed Gaara could win.

• Sasuke realized Naruto’s power had grown far beyond his own, while Gaara’s transformation startled Temari and Kankuro.
• Gaara calmly told Temari and Kankuro to retreat, and they withdrew after seeing he remained in control.
• Naruto and Gaara attacked Ohm together, tearing through his Wood Release vines and advancing across the sea of trees.
• Naruto struck Ohm with a Nine-Tails Chakra tail, and Gaara followed by slamming him into the forest.
• Naruto and Gaara pursued Ohm through the trees and repeatedly battered him as the forest was flattened.
• Temari and Kankuro celebrated Gaara’s advantage while Sasuke lamented that he could no longer keep up with Naruto; Ohm paused, bruised and panting.

Orochimaru brought Reanimated Tobirama Senju to help Ohm fight Naruto and Gaara while Itachi faced the remaining reanimated Kage. The powerful clashes on both battlefields shattered the Four Violet Flames Formation, sending shockwaves through the Forest of Death.

• Orochimaru arrived with Reanimated Tobirama Senju and learned that Ohm was being pressured by Naruto and Gaara, whose Tailed Beast powers impressed him.
• Reanimated Tobirama Senju and Ohm joined forces against Naruto and Gaara, and their attacks collided with the children's techniques, shaking the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Itachi struggled against Reanimated Hashirama Senju and Reanimated Third Kazekage, then countered their ultimate attacks with Susanoo's Yasakani no Magatama.
• The clashes on both battlefields made the Four Violet Flames Formation dim and shatter, and the resulting shockwaves swept through the Forest of Death and knocked Konoha Anbu ninja down.

Fugaku Uchiha held back the Uchiha Clan from joining the fight, hoping Itachi could resolve the crisis and earn the clan a seat on Konoha’s Elder Council. Itachi sealed the Reanimated Third Kazekage, who welcomed his release from Orochimaru’s control.

• Orochimaru considered restoring some of the First Hokage’s consciousness because the broken Four Violet Flames Formation left his plan exposed to the three villages.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Homura arrived at the Forest of Death but chose to wait unless Itachi and Sasuke faced mortal danger.
• Fugaku Uchiha saw a chance for the Uchiha Clan to gain an Elder Council seat if Itachi handled the crisis without disrupting the Chunin Exams.
• The Third Hokage observed the battlefield with the Telescopic Technique and felt relieved when the Uchiha Clan did not intervene.
• As the dust cleared, Itachi Uchiha pierced the Reanimated Third Kazekage with the Totsuka Blade and broke through his iron sand barrier.
• The Reanimated Third Kazekage thanked Itachi, learned of Sunagakure’s peace with Konoha and Gaara’s retained consciousness, and was sealed into the sword’s hilt.

Orochimaru’s reanimated forces continued fighting after Itachi sealed the Third Kazekage, while Sasuke struggled to watch from the sidelines. Chiyo used Sakura’s apparent capture to lure Sasuke into a confrontation and surrounded him with three Sound Ninja.

• Itachi sealed the Reanimated Third Kazekage with the Totsuka Blade, forcing Orochimaru to focus on protecting the Reanimated First Hokage.
• Rasa confirmed that the Third Kazekage had been dead and used as Orochimaru’s puppet, while the Third Hokage continued watching the battle instead of intervening.
• Sasuke watched Itachi fight the Reanimated First Hokage and Naruto and Gaara face the Reanimated Second Hokage and Ohm, knowing he could not help them.
• Chiyo approached Sasuke and revealed that Sakura was under her control, provoking him by asking how his brother and friend would react if he were in danger.
• Chiyo summoned Dosu, Zaku, and Kin, who rushed out and surrounded Sasuke.

Chiyo forced Sasuke into a fight by revealing that Sakura and the Sound Ninja Trio had been turned into Human Bombs, leaving Sasuke to face her without help. Sasuke destroyed the Sound Ninja Trio with a wire trap and fire, but Chiyo cut her own wrist and gathered blood at her feet, signaling a new threat.

• Chiyo revealed that Dosu, Zaku, Kin, and Sakura had been turned into Human Bombs and challenged Sasuke while holding Sakura's safety over him.
• Sasuke grew furious over Sakura's danger and accepted Chiyo's challenge, while Temari decided she and Kankuro should not interfere in the exam fight.
• Chiyo sent the genjutsu-controlled Sound Ninja Trio to attack Sasuke, who fought cautiously to avoid triggering their explosions.
• Sasuke trapped the trio with steel wires and used the Dragon Fire Technique to set off their bombs from a safe distance, killing them.
• Chiyo praised Sasuke, then cut her own wrist; Sasuke sensed danger as her blood gathered beneath her feet.

Chiyo unleashed the Ketsuryūgan and summoned a gigantic Nine-Headed Blood Dragon, leaving Sasuke facing a threat that worried everyone watching. Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Homura prepared to intervene if Sasuke or Itachi’s lives were in danger.

• Chiyo activated her Ketsuryūgan and twice pulled Sasuke into her genjutsu, but Sasuke broke free both times and resolved to investigate the Ketsuryūgan in the Uchiha records.
• Chiyo stopped her bleeding and transformed the blood beneath her into a gigantic Nine-Headed Blood Dragon with her Ninja Art—Blood Dragon Technique.
• The dragon’s appearance drew the attention of the other fighters, who paused their battles, while Temari and Kankuro retreated from the danger.
• Itachi Uchiha recognized that Chiyo’s Ketsuryūgan was behind the threat to Sasuke, while Naruto worried about Sasuke and Sakura and Gaara lamented the exam’s escalating dangers.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Homura recognized Chiyo as a descendant of the Chinoike Clan and agreed they would intervene if Sasuke or Itachi were endangered.

Chiyo revealed her Ketsuryūgan and overwhelmed Sasuke with the Nine-Headed Blood Dragon while keeping Sakura captive. Sasuke’s Great Fire Annihilation barely affected the summon, and Chiyo taunted him by comparing him unfavorably to Naruto.

• The Third Hokage and Rasa recognized Chiyo’s power, and Soji confirmed that she was a descendant of the Chinoike Clan.
• Soji teased the Third Hokage about Konoha holding Kimimaro and Haku, while the Ketsuryūgan’s blood-based abilities were explained.
• Chiyo sent the Nine-Headed Blood Dragon after Sasuke while controlling Sakura, forcing Sasuke to dodge its devastating attacks.
• Sasuke avoided the dragon’s corrosive blood with the Substitution Technique and hit it with Great Fire Annihilation.
• The dragon emerged from the flames nearly unharmed and knocked Sasuke into the ground, prompting Chiyo to taunt him and praise Naruto by comparison.

Naruto rescued Sasuke from Chiyo’s Nine-Headed Blood Dragon, and the two joined forces against her while the battle elsewhere shifted against Itachi. The chapter left Itachi exhausted and surrounded by Ohm’s Wood Human and Wood Dragon alongside Hashirama’s Wood Release.

• Sasuke tried to attack Chiyo but was repeatedly knocked down by the Nine-Headed Blood Dragon, leaving him helpless as it lunged to kill him.
• Naruto broke through Ohm and the Reanimated Second Mizukage’s attacks, tore apart one of the blood dragon’s heads, and stood between it and Sasuke.
• Naruto and Sasuke fought Chiyo together, gradually weakening the regenerating blood dragon with combined Wind Style and Fire Style attacks.
• Orochimaru reassigned Ohm to help Hashirama against Itachi, leaving Gaara to face the Reanimated Second Hokage alone and putting Itachi under greater pressure.
• Ohm summoned a Wood Human and Wood Dragon in his second-stage Curse Seal state as Itachi struggled to maintain his third-stage Susanoo.

Itachi Uchiha fought Orochimaru, Reanimated Hashirama Senju, and Ohm, but his Susanoo and counterattacks failed to defeat Hashirama. As Itachi neared his limit, Orochimaru partially restored Hashirama’s consciousness, and Hashirama began using Flower Tree World Descent.

• Ohm used the Wood Dragon and Wood Human while Hashirama bound Itachi’s Susanoo with Explosive Root Burial, but Itachi shrank Susanoo and escaped the bindings with Amaterasu.
• Itachi counterattacked with fire-covered kunai and used the Tree Realm Wall’s obstruction to thrust the Totsuka Blade toward Hashirama, but Ohm’s Wood Human blocked the strike and was destroyed.
• Itachi’s eyesight and strength deteriorated from his prolonged use of Mangekyo techniques, while Orochimaru approached and praised his performance.
• Orochimaru removed the talisman-covered kunai from the back of Hashirama’s head, partially restoring his consciousness to increase his power.
• Hashirama pressed his hands together and began casting Flower Tree World Descent.

Reanimated Hashirama Senju unleashed Flower Tree World Descent across the Forest of Death, trapping the fighters and spreading paralyzing pollen through the area. Nearly everyone collapsed, leaving Orochimaru, Ohm, and Reanimated Tobirama Senju standing near Hashirama as the battlefield fell silent.

• Reanimated Hashirama Senju unleashed Flower Tree World Descent, sweeping Gaara, Naruto, Sasuke, Chiyo, and the other nearby fighters into a vast forest of trees.
• Naruto and Sasuke escaped the rising trees, while Sasuke resolved to finish the battle quickly and help his brother, Itachi.
• Fugaku Uchiha and Uchiha Homura prepared to intervene to protect Itachi and Sasuke, while Fourth Kazekage Rasa urged the Third Hokage to stop the Chunin Exams.
• The Third Hokage warned Rasa that the blooming flowers would make intervention impossible, as Soji silently anticipated the use of the emergency gift he had given Chiyo.
• The flowers released poisonous pollen that paralyzed the fighters, including Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Chiyo, Temari, Kankuro, and Itachi.
• Orochimaru, Ohm, and Reanimated Tobirama Senju avoided the pollen near Hashirama, who had cleared the battlefield with his jutsu.

Orochimaru used Reanimated Hashirama Senju’s Flower Tree World Descent to paralyze Itachi and keep the Uchiha Clan and Konoha Anbu from intervening. Chiyo activated the blood sphere Soji had given her, whose crimson light dispelled the pollen and began to free those nearby, leaving her poised to discover its further power.

• Orochimaru watched Itachi weaken beneath the poisonous pollen and declared that he would take Itachi’s body while Hashirama’s Wood Release kept others away.
• Chiyo, growing paralyzed, opened Soji’s brocade box and found a blood sphere inside.
• Unable to reach the sphere, Chiyo bit her wrist and let her blood spill onto it.
• The blood sphere blazed with crimson light, dispersing the pollen, driving back the roots and branches, and restoring Chiyo’s movement.
• Naruto and Sasuke began recovering under the bloodlight, while Chiyo realized she might be able to make the sphere change further.

Chiyo’s blood sphere absorbed her blood and transformed into a blood-made image of Mizuki Ember, leaving Chiyo, Naruto, Sasuke, and the watching Kage stunned. Soji explained that his Blood Crystals and Chiyo’s Ketsuryūgan likely caused the change, while Naruto and Sasuke faced the new blood shadow amid their other enemies.

• Chiyo’s blood sphere absorbed her blood and the scattered Blood Mist, then reshaped itself into a blood-made Mizuki Ember.
• The Third Hokage and Rasa questioned Soji about the apparition, and he said his blood and Chiyo’s Ketsuryūgan had likely caused the transformation.
• Soji realized that Chiyo’s impression of Mizuki Ember had determined the blood shadow’s masked appearance, and he was relieved his identity remained hidden.
• Chiyo felt she could control the blood shadow only partially, while Naruto and Sasuke recognized it as the Fifth Mizukage and feared it could attack them.
• Sasuke asked Naruto for a plan as they faced Chiyo, the blood shadow, Orochimaru, and other enemies.

Reanimated Hashirama Senju regained his consciousness and broke free of Orochimaru’s control, then went to investigate unusual Chakra fluctuations. Orochimaru was left to pursue his plan against Itachi Uchiha without his strongest summoned ally.

• Hashirama Senju sensed the blood light driving back Wood Release and began questioning Orochimaru as his consciousness returned.
• Orochimaru tried to restore control by thrusting a talisman-bearing kunai at Hashirama, but Hashirama caught his wrist.
• Orochimaru identified himself as Hiruzen Sarutobi’s disciple and told Hashirama that Konoha had been founded sixty years earlier and endured three Ninja World Wars.
• Hashirama explained that casting Flower Tree World Descent had let him force open the limits on his consciousness and break free of Orochimaru’s control.
• Hashirama sensed strange Chakra fluctuations in the clearing and rushed to investigate, while Orochimaru resolved to keep Tobirama Senju under control and continue targeting Itachi Uchiha.

Chiyo's blood sphere transformed into Blood Shadow Soji, who remained still until Reanimated Hashirama Senju arrived and treated her as a threat. Hashirama and Blood Shadow Soji began fighting, and their first punch sent Chiyo, Naruto, and Sasuke flying.

• Chiyo tried to speak to Blood Shadow Soji but could not determine how much control she had over him.
• Reanimated Hashirama Senju arrived, recognized Naruto as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Sasuke as an Uchiha, and questioned Chiyo about being in Konoha.
• The Nine-Tails withdrew its chakra from Naruto and hid its presence from Hashirama.
• Hashirama suspected Chiyo and Blood Shadow Soji were enemies of Konoha, and Blood Shadow Soji attacked when it sensed Hashirama's hostility toward Chiyo.
• Hashirama and Blood Shadow Soji exchanged punches, and the shockwave blasted Chiyo, Naruto, and Sasuke away.
• Hashirama realized Blood Shadow Soji had withstood his punch and recognized its strength as greater than expected.

Naruto and Sasuke fled the clash between Blood Shadow Soji and Reanimated Hashirama Senju, while the two fighters continued battling as their abilities and strength were tested. Blood Shadow Soji’s crimson form began fading, and Hashirama’s Wood Style and Soji’s Ice Release collided without either gaining the upper hand.

• Chiyo, Naruto, and Sasuke hid from the shockwaves as Blood Shadow Soji and Reanimated Hashirama Senju fought.
• Sasuke urged Naruto to leave and find his brother, warning that Orochimaru and Reanimated Tobirama Senju remained; Naruto agreed, and they fled.
• Blood Shadow Soji and Reanimated Hashirama Senju fought evenly, though Soji’s crimson body and Blood Mist gradually began to fade.
• Hashirama used Tree Binding Eternal Burial, but Soji submerged the vines with a Crimson Tide of ice that Hashirama kept from reaching him.
• Soji launched Ice Dragon Twin Kill, and Hashirama countered with Violent Spear Tree, causing the ice and wood techniques to shatter against each other.

Blood Shadow Soji and Reanimated Hashirama Senju continued their fierce battle, with Soji using blood-colored Ice Release and Ice Surface Shift to repeatedly catch Hashirama off guard. Hashirama summoned a Wood Human as Soji advanced, leaving their second major clash of Ice Release and Wood Release about to intensify.

• Blood Shadow Soji froze Hashirama’s Wooden Ingot Wall with Blood Mist, shifted inside it, and kicked Hashirama into a crater.
• Hashirama punched through Soji’s apparent body, but the blood-colored Ice Clone exploded and froze Hashirama’s forearm.
• Hashirama summoned a Wood Dragon and tried to destroy the icy terrain that enabled Soji’s Ice Surface Shift.
• The Wood Dragon swallowed Soji, but Soji froze it from within and punched his way out.
• Soji became a moving source of extreme cold and charged toward Hashirama, who summoned a nearly hundred-meter Wood Human.

After Blood Shadow Soji and Reanimated Hashirama Senju’s battle threatened the examinees, Soji proposed changing the second stage into an escape mission rather than ending it. The Third Hokage and Rasa approved the plan, and Konoha began preparing to announce the revised rules.

• Rasa urged the Third Hokage to end the Chunin Exams because the battle in the Forest of Death endangered the examinees.
• Soji considered the danger of continuing the exam and proposed keeping it open while changing how examinees advanced.
• Soji suggested that examinees with both Heaven and Earth Scrolls advance if they escaped the Forest of Death before sunset, while others could abandon the exam to avoid the battle.
• The Third Hokage and Rasa agreed to Soji’s proposal and asked him to have the new rules announced.
• The Third Hokage sent personnel to relay the revised advancement rules to the examinees in the Forest of Death.

Shin announced revised second-stage Chunin Exam rules requiring teams to retrieve both scrolls and return to their starting point before sunset while escaping a dangerous energy eruption in the Forest of Death. The examinees fled the central area, but Reanimated Hashirama Senju and Blood Shadow Soji continued fighting as Hashirama struggled to understand the exam and its powerful participants.

• Shin used an Ink Wash Eagle to broadcast the three Kage’s new advancement rules throughout the Forest of Death, then flew away to report to the Third Hokage.
• The examinees complained about the sudden rule change but abandoned the Central Tower and began racing toward the starting point, while the Uchiha Clan and Konoha Anbu waited for the poisonous pollen to clear.
• Reanimated Hashirama Senju realized he was fighting during the Chunin Exams and questioned why Kirigakure’s Blood Shadow Soji was involved, but Soji ignored him and attacked again.
• Hashirama Senju’s Wood Human struck Blood Shadow Soji and sent him crashing into the frozen ground, but Soji remained unharmed as the Wood Human staggered back with its palm coated in blood-red ice.