Ch. 343Setting Out on a Long Journey

Naruto’s family celebrated Karin becoming Minato’s daughter, and Minato arranged for Jiraiya to take Naruto on a training journey. Naruto set out to recruit Sasuke and Sakura, but Sasuke resisted because he wanted to train with Itachi.

  • Minato toasted Karin’s place in the family, and Karin felt fully at home with them.
  • Minato asked Jiraiya to take Naruto on a journey, and Naruto persuaded them to consider bringing Sasuke and Sakura too.
  • Naruto said goodbye to Hinata, who wished him a safe journey.
  • Naruto found Sasuke training and invited him to learn from Jiraiya, but Sasuke said he would rather train with Itachi.

Ch. 344May Heaven Have No Melon Heads

Naruto encouraged Kabuto to capture spies for the reward, while Konoha’s forces repelled Orochimaru’s invasion and a squad of four young fighters crushed the southern attack. After the battle, Danzo learned Orochimaru had died and Sai had been captured, then faced Homura and Koharu with evidence of his betrayal.

  • Naruto told Kabuto that verified spies earned a reward of five hundred thousand, inspiring Kabuto to hunt infiltrators for the orphanage’s benefit.
  • Konoha’s forces drove back the invading Sand ninja as Minato, Kushina, Jiraiya, and Fugaku joined the fighting.
  • Kimimaro and Gan, Wen, and Cui found the southern assault force and opened the Fifth Gate, defeating the Sand ninja before they could summon a giant snake.
  • Yamanaka Fu reported to Danzo that Orochimaru had died, the Third Hokage had been saved, and Sai had been captured.
  • Homura and Koharu confronted Danzo with evidence that he had secretly contacted Orochimaru and leaked Konoha’s defenses.

Ch. 345Legendary Big Fatty Sheep

Jiraiya led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura toward Tanzaku Street while searching for Tsunade, and two debt collectors joined their group. The chapter ended with Tsunade arriving at a casino, where the crowd recognized her as the Legendary Big Fatty Sheep.

  • Jiraiya said they were heading to Tanzaku Street after hearing Tsunade had recently been seen nearby.
  • Naruto sensed two men following them, and Jiraiya captured them and learned they were Zenta and Bunzo, who had been pursuing Tsunade to collect her debt.
  • Jiraiya agreed to let Zenta and Bunzo travel with them, and Naruto explained his Chakra-based power-level categories.
  • The group reached Tanzaku Street and planned to split up to gather information.
  • Tsunade opened a suitcase of money outside a casino and vowed to win back her losses, as the crowd recognized her by her nickname.

Ch. 346Running Off with the Sister-in-Law

Naruto trained in Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku, then took Hinata and her younger sister Hanabi to Tanzaku Street for food. After Hanabi went home stuffed, Naruto and Hinata continued their date, but Hinata soon offered him another skewer when he was already full.

  • Naruto kept falling during Sage Mode training as he got distracted thinking about Hinata, while Fukasaku urged him to focus.
  • Naruto returned to Konoha after bathing at Mount Myoboku and waited outside the Hyuga residence for Hinata.
  • Hinata arrived with Hanabi, so Naruto took both sisters by Flying Thunder God to Tanzaku Street.
  • Naruto bought food for Hinata and Hanabi until Hanabi was too full to continue, then sent a clone to take her home.
  • Naruto continued wandering with Hinata, but when she offered him dango, he said he could not eat any more.

Ch. 347Hokage Hijack

Naruto’s clones took revenge on three Grass ninja, and Naruto’s team reached the Central Tower first in the Chunin Exams. After Izumi Uchiha explained the next steps, Naruto’s rebellious clones made waiting unbearable, so he suggested playing cards.

  • No. 001 used Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave to knock out three Grass ninja, then let a wild boar kill him.
  • Naruto’s unnamed clone used Flying Thunder God and Rasengan to defeat three more Grass ninja before dispelling himself.
  • Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached the Central Tower without incident and opened their Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
  • Izumi Uchiha emerged, explained the Chunin’s role as a squad leader, and told them they were the first team to finish the second round.
  • Naruto’s Shadow Clones each rebelled and killed themselves or were killed, so Naruto pulled out snacks and poker to pass the time.

Ch. 348I Want to Fly Higher

Naruto and his team ended their reconnaissance of Amegakure after finding its defenses unusually tight, and Minato ordered the village to watch the Rain genin at the exams. During a month of training, Naruto learned to fly with the Mysterious Peacock Method but was swallowed by Gamaken; as the Chunin Exams began, the Nine Tails sensed Chōmei nearby.

  • Naruto discovered that Amegakure had erased all his Flying Thunder God marks, and Kakashi led the team out after they concluded the village’s patrols and sensory defenses made secret infiltration too risky.
  • Minato reviewed Kakashi’s report and ordered Konoha to keep an eye on the fifteen Amegakure genin attending the exams, while advising Naruto to use clones rather than risk his real body.
  • Naruto trained at Mount Myoboku, Sakura completed her Yin Seal with his help, and Naruto advised Sasuke to consider learning Ryuchi Cave’s Sage Mode.
  • Naruto mastered flight with the Mysterious Peacock Method, but Gamaken mistook him for an insect and swallowed him, ending his flight tests before the exams.
  • Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the Ninja Academy for the Chunin Exams, where the Nine Tails told Naruto that Chōmei was nearby.

Ch. 349Kakashi Takes Another C-Rank Mission

Naruto endured Sage Mode training and visited the hospitalized Jiraiya before Kakashi assigned Team 7 a C-Rank mission to deliver an invitation for the upcoming Chunin Exams. The mission destination was the Rain Country, surprising Naruto.

  • Naruto used a hundred transformed Shadow Clones to overwhelm Jiraiya, then sent him to Tsunade for treatment.
  • Naruto trained at Mount Myoboku, while Sage Fukasaku worried that his distractions would slow his progress in learning Sage Mode.
  • Naruto learned that Kimimaro had escorted Shizuka back to Nadeshiko Village and later visited Jiraiya in the hospital.
  • Kakashi gathered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and explained that Team 7 would deliver an official Chunin Exams invitation.
  • Kakashi revealed that Team 7's destination was the Rain Country, and Naruto reacted with shock.

Ch. 350Frogs Croak Everywhere by Green-Grassed Ponds

Naruto finished his Wind Release training and traveled with Minato to Mount Myoboku to begin learning Sage Mode. After Minato left, Naruto marked a Frog Statue with Flying Thunder God and followed Sage Fukasaku home for lunch, realizing too late that he might have been set up.

  • Minato praised Naruto's Wind Release progress and summoned Gamakosuke to arrange Naruto's Sage Mode training at Mount Myoboku.
  • Gamakosuke revealed that the toads disagreed over whether Naruto was a son or daughter, and Naruto explained that someone else had summoned Gamabunta for him.
  • Minato brought Naruto to Mount Myoboku, where Sage Fukasaku agreed to teach him and Minato soon departed for village business.
  • Naruto asked permission to leave a Flying Thunder God Mark, then wrote "Naruto was here" on a Frog Statue.
  • Sage Fukasaku invited Naruto home for lunch, and Naruto realized Minato had likely left to avoid the meal.

Ch. 351Heads May Roll, but Hairstyles Must Not Be Messed Up

Sasuke defeated Bu Feng by discovering that her hair was her true body and weakness. After reuniting with Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura, the team continued toward the leader holding the transferred corpses and coffins.

  • Bu Feng attacked Sasuke with techniques that changed her Chakra nature, while Sasuke realized her hair stayed unchanged between bodies.
  • Sasuke wounded Bu Feng, severed her hair, and destroyed it with Chidori Stream and fire.
  • Sakura praised Sasuke and clung to his arm, while Naruto teased him about finishing his fight last.
  • Kakashi revealed that the corpses and coffins had been taken to the group’s leader, and Naruto brought the team to Pakkun and Chiriku’s location.
  • Naruto stopped Pakkun from biting his Shadow Clone to death and led the group onward.

Ch. 352I Came at the Wrong Time

Yagura fought the Xuanyuan Crowd using his Three Tails powers, but a delayed Chakra-absorbing technique left him and his guards immobilized. Minato arrived just as two attackers closed in, and Yagura welcomed his timely rescue.

  • Yagura transformed and attacked the Xuanyuan Crowd, trapping the Red-Clad Leader with Coral Palm and overpowering the purple-clad Xuanyuan’s Water Style.
  • The blue-clad Xuanyuan rescued the Red-Clad Leader, while Yagura resisted a Kunai strike and fired a Tailed Beast Ball that shattered their Earth wall and injured them.
  • White matter covered Yagura and the guards, immobilizing them and absorbing Chakra as the green-clad Xuanyuan rushed to capture Yagura.
  • Minato kicked the green-clad Xuanyuan away and struck the yellow-clad Xuanyuan with a Rasengan, then greeted Yagura, who said he had arrived at exactly the right time.

Ch. 353Summoning Jutsu

Sasuke showed Naruto and Sakura his new Ryuchi Cave summoning contract, which Itachi had secured for him after a raid on one of Orochimaru’s secret bases. The chapter ended with Naruto asking the summoned snake, Blue Snake, whether Ryuchi Cave knew if Orochimaru was truly dead.

  • Sasuke summoned a snake from Ryuchi Cave and explained that Itachi had obtained the contract during a raid on Orochimaru’s secret base.
  • Sasuke recalled feeling useless after seeing Naruto fight a Tailed Beast, and Itachi encouraged him to rely on companions and summoned beasts.
  • Kakashi arrived and Naruto joked that his students might become the new Three Legendary Sannin despite Kakashi’s poor teaching.
  • Sakura listed Kakashi’s shortcomings, leaving him stunned before she urged him to change.
  • Naruto asked the snake, Blue Snake, whether Ryuchi Cave knew if Orochimaru was actually dead.

Ch. 354Kirigakure Attacked—Thanks to Heavenly Drunk Daoist for the 100,000 Qidian Coin Reward!

Yagura and the Mist ninja left Konoha after recovering, with Naruto and Minato escorting them to the Land of Fire border. On the way back to Kirigakure, Yagura learned the village had been attacked and hurried to return.

  • Kaede went to find Yakumo, while Haku stayed at the hospital to care for Zabuza.
  • Yagura told Minato that the Mist ninja had recovered enough to travel, and Tsunade confirmed they could finish their recovery back home.
  • Naruto and Minato escorted Yagura’s group to the border, where the Mizukage bid them farewell before boarding a ship.
  • Zabuza and the others encountered patrol captain Genichi, who reported that Kisame Hoshigaki and another enemy had attacked Kirigakure, leaving Utakata unconscious and Ao dead.
  • Yagura used Raging Wave Roar to accelerate the ship and ordered Genichi to explain the attack in detail.

Ch. 355Kakashi and Jiraiya Looked Just Like People Selling Pirated Discs

Guren summoned Manda when Orochimaru failed to return, but the giant snake dismissed the summon and left her uncertain about Orochimaru’s fate. In Konoha, Danzo’s crimes were exposed and Sakumo’s name was restored, while Kakashi and his companions gathered for dinner and Tsunade examined Kimimaro.

  • Guren summoned Manda with Orochimaru’s blood and explained that he had ordered her to call for help if he did not return.
  • Manda found no sign of Orochimaru, refused to help Guren, and demanded a hundred sacrifices if Orochimaru was still alive; Guren hurried to another base to use her backup plan.
  • Konoha learned of its victory and Danzo’s crimes, and Jiraiya and Tsunade took over as advisors while Minato restored Sakumo’s name on the Memorial Stone.
  • Kakashi spent the day at the Memorial Stone before Kushina brought him home, where he thanked Minato and quietly exchanged signals with Jiraiya.
  • Tsunade examined Kimimaro and said his illness was unlikely to recur if he avoided overusing his Kekkei Genkai or casually retracting bones grown outside his body.

Ch. 356This Chapter Probably Won't Get Censored, Right?

Six girls traded gossip in the bath, where Hinata’s embarrassment drew their attention, while Fugaku awkwardly checked on Sasuke’s secret training. The chapter ended with Sasuke agreeing to come home earlier for his worried mother.

  • Yakumo told Ino, Hinata, Sakura, and Tenten that Kurenai seemed to be pregnant, and the girls reacted with shock and discussed her relationship with Asuma.
  • Hinata lowered her arms in the bath, prompting the others to notice her body and tease her until Ino and Sakura reached for her.
  • Fugaku asked Sasuke about his training, and Sasuke said the White Snake Sage would stop him if anything went wrong.
  • Fugaku asked Sasuke to return home earlier because Mikoto had been worried, and Sasuke agreed.

Ch. 357The One with the Strongest Desire to Live

Guy’s Seven Gates attacks badly hurt Obito but did not defeat him, and Minato stopped Guy from opening the Eighth Gate. Orochimaru arrived seeking an alliance against Obito, and Minato asked how he proposed they cooperate.

  • Guy struck Obito with taijutsu and blasted him hundreds of meters away with the Daytime Tiger, but Obito survived.
  • Guy prepared to sacrifice himself by opening the Eighth Gate, but Minato stopped him and said the Kage should take the lead in risking their lives.
  • Ōnoki, Gaara, and Yagura joined Minato in declaring their resolve to protect the ninja world.
  • Orochimaru emerged through Impure World Reincarnation and offered to cooperate against Obito.
  • Orochimaru said the Reanimated Shinobi were helping the Allied Forces and argued that Obito’s plan threatened his own desire for eternal life.
  • Minato considered Orochimaru’s offer credible and asked how he wanted to cooperate.

Ch. 358Why Hurt Yourself?

Naruto defeated Yugito Nii and Matatabi, captured some of Matatabi’s chakra, and beat Omoi and Karui after they tried to ambush him. Once Kushina and the others arrived, the group joked around before Naruto asked what to do with their captured enemies.

  • Naruto overpowered the Two Tails, knocked Yugito Nii unconscious, and sealed away one of Matatabi’s tails for its chakra.
  • Omoi and Karui attacked Naruto while he approached Yugito, but he escaped with the Flying Thunder God Technique and sent Shadow Clones to beat them.
  • Naruto’s clone found Samui unconscious, and Kushina arrived with the others after confirming the Two Tails Jinchuriki had been defeated.
  • The group reacted to Naruto’s strength, and Sakura teased him about going easy on Samui before Naruto turned the joke against her.
  • After the Shadow Clones brought the four Cloud Ninja together and disappeared, Naruto asked the group what to do with them.
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