Chapter Summaries

Kakuzu attempted to infiltrate Konoha but fled when he encountered Reanimated Hashirama, and Shin pursued him into the forest. Kakuzu spent a fortune on weapons to kill Shin, but Shin survived the bombardment and prepared to finish the fight with a sword strike.

• Kakuzu reached Konoha’s perimeter, spotted Reanimated Hashirama, and ran away from the village.
• Reanimated Hashirama alerted Shin, who caught up with Kakuzu thirty kilometers from Konoha.
• Kakuzu mistook Shin’s eyes for a Genjutsu and attacked him with tentacles and a blast of fire, which Shin absorbed with his war fan.
• Kakuzu trapped Shin with Earth Grudge Fear and fired a Vulcan cannon before deploying a vast formation of rocket launchers.
• Kakuzu launched 980 rockets at Shin, but Shin made them vanish and prepared six charged sword strikes.
• Kakuzu blocked Shin’s sword energies with a tentacle spike, but Shin sliced through the surrounding Earth Grudge Fear tentacles.

Shin defeated Kakuzu and brought him to the Leisure Retirement Center, where Kakuzu encountered the legendary Hashirama and Madara. Shin offered Kakuzu a new goal in exchange for a trillion ryo, and Kakuzu reluctantly stayed for dinner.

• Shin used his unexplained movement technique to evade Kakuzu’s attack, severed his limbs, and cut apart the tentacles keeping him upright.
• Shin offered Kakuzu true freedom, and Kakuzu disappeared with him before the Anbu search team arrived.
• Kakuzu entered the Leisure Retirement Center and was shocked to find Reanimated Hashirama watching television.
• Kakuzu recognized Madara, who confronted him about his past attempt to assassinate Hashirama, while Hashirama barely remembered it.
• Shin asked Kakuzu to take on a goal and demanded one trillion ryo, and Kakuzu agreed to stay alive before pursuing revenge.
• White Zetsu served dinner, and Kakuzu enjoyed the food despite remaining uneasy around the two legends.

As Shin prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams, he disguised Kakuzu, Hashirama, Madara, and White Zetsu as four visitors to Konoha. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage shared his concerns about Shin’s future and Iwagakure continued developing Chakra-based technology.

• Shin disguised Kakuzu, Hashirama, Madara, and White Zetsu as Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, Monkey D. Garp, Kratos, and Katsura.
• The Third Hokage agreed that three-year-old Kakashi could attend the Academy and warned Sakumo not to let Kakashi live only to follow his father.
• The Third Hokage told Sakumo that he believed Shin might unify the Ninja World, though he could no longer predict Shin’s intentions.
• Nao reviewed the four visitors’ documents at Konoha’s North Gate and chose to leave them alone, while Shin waited with her.
• Ōnoki and Kitsuchi led Iwagakure Genin through the forest as Iwagakure’s Chakra-powered technology continued to develop.

Shin and Nao received the arriving villages for Konoha’s exams as tensions and old rivalries surfaced. When Ai charged at Nao, Shin used a camera to capture the incident, leaving Kumogakure surrounded and unable to deny the trouble.

• Ōnoki arrived at Konoha’s North Gate, where Shin and Nao greeted him coldly over Iwagakure’s actions during the war.
• The Third Kazekage arrived at the West Gate, and Tsunade traded barbed remarks with Chiyo about age and boyfriends.
• Garrison offered Pakura hot pot, while Rasa arrived with Sunagakure as a candidate to succeed the Third Kazekage.
• Ai charged at Nao after mistaking Shin and Nao’s position at the gate for a provocation, but Nao caught and restrained his fist.
• Shin photographed Ai’s attack, and Konoha’s Red Eyes and Byakugan users surrounded Kumogakure as the Third Raikage refused to pay.

Konoha welcomed the Five Great Nations’ delegations for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams while Yagura saw how far Konoha had advanced. Shin negotiated with the Third Raikage over a delayed shipment of research materials, then revealed he had secretly recorded their exchange and regretted missing a chance to profit from a fight.

• Shin let the Third Raikage lead Kumogakure into Konoha after the two sides settled the admission fee, while Nao watched his behavior disapprovingly.
• Yagura watched the Chunin Ninja Exams promotional video and learned from Sakumo that sponsorships could make the event profitable for Konoha.
• The Five Great Nations’ delegations arrived in Konoha, while small villages and independent Genin received no special reception.
• Shin and the Third Raikage argued over a delayed shipment of metal during their secret rooftop deal, and Shin threatened to sell the goods to Ōnoki.
• The Third Raikage stormed off after Shin implied Iwagakure could not afford the shipment, and Shin retrieved a hidden camera and wished the Raikage had attacked so he could profit.

As the Chunin Exams drew closer, Kushina tricked Sasori into studying a vast collection of books written by Shin, overwhelming him until he collapsed. Chiyo blamed Shin and stormed to his house, where his family teased him while he denied responsibility.

• The Kazekage and Yagura discussed their villages’ chances in the exams, while Ōnoki and the Third Raikage worried about Konoha’s growing strength.
• Kushina gave Sasori a scroll claiming it contained key exam topics, but it led him to a huge stack of books spanning many subjects.
• Sasori became overwhelmed by the books and collapsed, and Chiyo carried him to Konoha Hospital.
• Tsunade found Sasori’s brain unusually active and advised Chiyo to give him nutrient solution and supplements after he woke.
• Chiyo realized Shin had written the books and went to his home to confront him, while Fugaku and Aoko teased Shin about Sasori’s collapse.

Kushina’s schemes left Uchiha, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure dealing with embarrassing consequences during the Chunin Ninja Exams. The Third Hokage traced the trouble to Kushina and looked forward to passing his headaches on to someone else.

• Chiyo confronted Chiken after her grandson passed out from reading his son’s books, but Chiken threatened to investigate how the boy obtained the future Ninja Academy textbooks.
• Aoko, Fugaku, and Shin argued about Fugaku kissing Mikoto, and Chiken teased Shin about being born during wartime.
• Ōnoki bailed Kitsuchi out of Konoha Grand Prison after Kitsuchi was tricked by a red-haired Uzumaki girl into entering a women’s bathhouse; the Third Hokage warned Ōnoki about her ties to the Uchiha clan matriarch.
• Chiyo helped Sasori study for the written exam while Baki, recovering from a rooftop fall, stuffed tissues into his ears to block out their discussion.
• Yagura learned that his Kirigakure Genin had been made ill after drinking cola from the Konoha Grim Reaper’s younger sister, and he covered his face as Ao’s stomach began to rumble.

Shin hid at home while researching a seal-free, nuclear-level ninjutsu, but lacked the Six Paths power needed to create Truth-Seeking Orbs. At the training ground, Nao stopped a fight among the visiting villages and challenged A before the Five Kage intervened.

• After Kushina caused trouble, the Third Hokage sent her to Tsunade, who passed her to Nawaki; Shin later saw her selling textbooks and decided to stay home.
• Shin researched ways to create a powerful ninjutsu without hand seals and concluded that Truth-Seeking Orbs could compress Chakra, but he lacked the necessary Six Paths power.
• A fought Rasa after Kumogakure and Sunagakure clashed at the training ground, and Kirigakure and other factions were drawn into the brawl.
• Nao descended and subdued the fighters, leaving A, Rasa, and Kushina standing; Sasori, Pakura, and Ao retreated or fell.
• A challenged Nao to a one-on-one fight, and they traded blows until the Five Kage arrived and both fighters deactivated their powers.

After the Kage confronted Konoha over Nao’s actions, the Third Hokage defended her and Shin proposed changing the Chunin Ninja Exams into a dangerous-looking survival melee. Shin and Nao prepared for the week ahead while quietly remembering A’s interruption.

• The Third Hokage showed the Kage footage of Kari’s defeat, then refused the Third Raikage’s demand to punish Nao.
• At the Scientific Combat Department’s base, Shin comforted Nao and learned the Third Hokage had come to support her and discuss changing the exams.
• Shin proposed replacing the traditional written test and formal matches with a no-holds-barred survival melee, and the Third Hokage approved.
• As Shin explained game theory to Nao, he said the Third Hokage’s support reflected Konoha’s postwar strength, and Nao thanked him.
• A interrupted Shin and Nao as they walked, and the couple photographed him with their phones before silently deciding to remember the incident.

Shin returned to Konoha after preparing a mysterious new venue for the Chunin Ninja Exams, while the Third Hokage approved an enormous budget for the event. At the Hyuga clan head's residence, Meitoku and Nao discussed how Shin's plan could bring the main and branch families closer to equality, with Black Zetsu remaining their obstacle.

• Shin left Konoha alone and completed preparations for the new examination venue by dawn.
• Ka, Madara, Old Master Yamamoto, and White Zetsu watched the promotional video and speculated about how brutal the survival-themed exams would be.
• The Third Hokage received a report detailing billions of ryo in equipment and transport costs, then approved the budget and suggested seeking sponsors.
• Meitoku listened to Nao explain that Shin's plan could help the Hyuga main and branch families stand as equals.
• Nao said Shin was no longer fighting alone against Black Zetsu.

Shibi Aburame interviewed Amegakure contestants Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato, whose dream was to end the Rain Country’s wars. Shin decided to support them, and Jiraiya began writing a novel before Minato warned him that Shin had said the Chunin Ninja Exams would break with tradition.

• Shibi Aburame interviewed Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato for a broadcast about the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato described their shared dream of bringing peace to the Rain Country.
• After watching the interview, Shin decided to help the three children and considered what to name their organization.
• Jiraiya understood Shin’s plan as connected to the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and began writing a novel inspired by a cautious young ninja.
• Minato told Jiraiya that Shin had said the coming Chunin Ninja Exams would break every past tradition.

Minato and Jiraiya discussed Shin’s wish to protect the ninja world, while Chiyo bought New Root’s secret threat assessment of the Chunin Exam contestants to prepare for Sasori’s upcoming matches. The scroll left Chiyo worried about several formidable opponents and cursing through the night as she searched for ways to counter them.

• Minato read the title of Shin’s story and realized that Shin had wanted to protect the Uchiha Clan, Konoha Village, and the ninja world since he was five.
• Jiraiya wondered whether Shin would bring peace to the world and whether he would live to see it.
• Sasori dismantled and maintained his silver-gray airplane while Chiyo brought him breakfast at the Sunagakure Grand Hotel.
• Chiyo asked Fugaku for contestant information, and Fugaku gave her New Root’s top-secret threat assessment in exchange for a favor owed to the Uchiha.
• Chiyo read the threat rankings, noted Pakura, Ao, Sasori, and Explosion Release among the dangers, and considered counters to their abilities.
• Chiyo noticed Killer B’s threat and his future as Kumogakure’s Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, then cursed through the night while seeking a way to protect Sasori.

Uchiha Nameless warned Shin that Kakuzu had accepted a bounty to kill him, but Shin laughed because Kakuzu still owed him one trillion ryo. Meanwhile, Killer B trained to become the Eight-Tails’ ideal Jinchuriki before reuniting with his father, Hi, while Ai and Sakumo arranged a family dinner that ended with the children going to the amusement park with Shizune.

• Kaede told Uchiha Nameless that Shin rarely left home, and Nameless went to warn him that Kakuzu was after him.
• Shin laughed at the threat, saying Kakuzu still owed him one trillion ryo, then assigned Nameless a business trip to the Land of Frost.
• Killer B finished his eight-weapon training, and Ai told him to stop for the day because his father, Hi, had arrived in Konoha.
• Sakumo welcomed Hi and invited him and his family to dinner, where the adults drank together while the children ate.
• Hi and Sakumo left together to keep drinking, so Shizune took Kakashi and Killer B to the amusement park.

Sakumo and Hi reminisced over drinks, and their sons Kakashi and Killer B began a friendship through a sparring match. Meanwhile, Shin’s elaborate livestream plans burdened the Third Hokage with another costly budget, which he approved.

• Sakumo told Hi that he had never expected to become Hokage and recalled Shin’s childhood mischief, while Hi refused to ask him for intelligence about Konoha.
• Sakumo and Hi discussed their sons, and Hi admitted that Killer B had grown up amid criticism; after drinking together, Sakumo realized how he should approach Kakashi.
• Killer B arrived at the training ground as Kakashi argued with Obito, then agreed to spar with Kakashi and fought him until noon without drawing his second sword.
• Obito left in anger after recalling that Kakashi had scorned him over an accidental shuriken graze, while Kakashi privately accepted Killer B as a friend.
• The Third Hokage approved Shin’s top-end livestream camera budget, then approved another top-end budget for dedicated transmission base stations.

Shin secured a permanent lease on the island planned as the Chunin Ninja Exams venue and considered its future as the site of Ninja Country. With the exams two days away, Kushina watched Minato’s interview, spotted his notebook entries about her, and then appeared on camera at Ichiraku Ramen while Fengchuan realized the interview footage could upset her.

• The Third Hokage learned that the daimyo had invested ten billion ryo in exchange for turning the exam venue into a tourist attraction.
• Shin revealed that the Fire Daimyo had granted him a permanent lease on the island and considered making it the future site of Ninja Country.
• Kushina left a hot-pot restaurant with a VIP card, then used her topping voucher at Ichiraku Ramen.
• Kushina watched Minato’s interview and saw that his notebook named him a champion of justice who eradicated evil, alongside entries about avoiding hot pot with her and eating ramen with her.
• Fengchuan interviewed Kushina at Ichiraku Ramen and realized he had left Minato’s notebook entries in the broadcast, potentially offending Kushina.

Kaede interviewed Kushina about her dream, while Jiraiya thought his dinner with Tsunade was a date and Shin fretted about being ambushed during the Chunin Ninja Exams. The chapter ended with Nao feeding Shin lamb as he continued to act nervous.

• Kushina transformed into a Kamen Rider and told Kaede she wanted to be an ally of justice, prompting him to flee after the interview.
• Jiraiya met Tsunade and Shizune at a restaurant, where Dan left them alone after Tsunade agreed to take Shizune as her disciple.
• Tsunade told Jiraiya to keep trying to court her, and he mistakenly thought he had made progress.
• Shin checked the dinner dishes for poison and warned Nao that the Chunin Ninja Exams could bring an ambush.
• Nao offered Shin lamb as a reward for his hard work, and he asked her to keep feeding him.

Shin unexpectedly advanced the Chunin Ninja Exams by a day, throwing Konoha and the other villages into confusion. Meanwhile, Black Zetsu continued experiments to create an immortal body and resolved to destroy the ninja world in three years after reviving her mother.

• After overeating and enduring a sleepless night, Shin used Magatsukami to leave the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
• Shin announced from the Hokage Building rooftop that the Chunin Ninja Exams were beginning immediately, one day early.
• The Third Hokage ordered Haru and Elephant to arrange matters for the examinees as the Five Kage grew enraged and audiences celebrated.
• On a remote island, Black Zetsu watched the broadcast and demanded that an elderly man accelerate experiments intended to produce an immortal body.
• Black Zetsu threatened the old man, then gave him three years to deliver the body and declared that she would destroy the ninja world as a gift for her revived mother.

The Genin boarded Konoha’s new Airspace Carrier for the Chunin Ninja Exams, which Shin set to take place among the ruins of Whirlpool Country. As the carrier flew toward the islands, Nao explained the deadly survival rules and Shin declared that there would be no other restrictions.

• Kawa-hito introduced the Airspace Carrier and its guests, while Shin told the Third Hokage that the daimyō would arrive later by special plane.
• Shin took command of the carrier and ordered it to take off after Nao confirmed that all checks were complete.
• Shin announced that the carrier would reach the former islands of Whirlpool Country in two hours, unsettling Ōnoki and the Third Raikage, while Kushina and Minato anticipated seeing Uzushio Village.
• Nao told the Genin that they could bring only one item in a Sealing Scroll, a parachute, and a pairable headset, and warned that shrinking poisonous fog would cover the examination grounds.
• Nao explained that supplies would be scattered across the grounds and airdropped every two hours, and that Genin who lost consciousness would fail while those in the safe zone after twenty-four hours would pass.
• Shin announced that there would be no other rules or restrictions and called the exam a survival journey.

The 378 Genin began the Chunin Ninja Exam by choosing where to parachute onto Whirlpool Country, where they would have to survive for twenty-four hours. As the contestants spread out across the island, Kushina found a frying pan among the supplies and learned it was apparently a divine artifact.

• Shin announced that the Genin could choose where to land, and Kawa-hito took over commentary.
• Kushina jumped first, using marked Tri-Pronged Kunai to steer toward her chosen landing point, while stronger contestants including Pakura, Killer B, and Ao followed.
• The remaining contestants, including Minato, Baki, and Kari, jumped as the Airspace Carrier passed over the examination grounds.
• Kushina landed on a beach and opened a Sealing Scroll she had found, discovering a frying pan that she suspected Shin had packed as a useless item.
• Shin quietly told Nao that the frying pan was a divine artifact, and Nao reacted with surprise before leaving to walk off her meal.

Shin used a randomly timed poison mist during the exam, while Minato's Flying Thunder God surprised the other Kage. As contestants scavenged supplies and Pakura rejected an armored vehicle, the Third Hokage ended the chapter by promising the Third Raikage a pink one.

• Shin spread Magatsukami's poisonous mist across the northern examination grounds, and Minato escaped its effects with the Flying Thunder God.
• Kari found a beverage that reduced toxin effects, refused to drink it at first, then tried it as the poison accumulated and made the conference room laugh.
• Pakura headed south after leaving the ruined center of the grounds, while Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato collected abandoned supplies and set off toward an airdrop.
• Pakura opened the airdrop crate, defeated five Kusagakure ninja with Scorch Release, and left behind the armored vehicle she found inside.
• The Third Raikage mocked Sunagakure's taste and suggested a pink vehicle, so the Third Hokage vowed to send him one after the exam.