Chapter Summaries

Naruto overwhelmed Kiba and Akamaru with a thousand Shadow Clones, then Kushina ended the match and declared Naruto the winner. Hinata and Sakura began the next bout, and Hinata quickly gained the upper hand with the Gentle Fist.

• Kiba challenged Naruto to a sparring match, and Naruto agreed to fight at full power.
• Naruto used the Rush Hour Technique to fill the training ground with a thousand Shadow Clones, restraining Kiba and capturing Akamaru.
• Kushina stopped the match and named Naruto the winner; Naruto dismissed the clones, and Kiba soon recovered his spirit.
• Kushina called Hinata and Sakura to fight, and both prepared to impress the person they admired.
• Sakura charged Hinata, but Hinata activated her Byakugan, dodged the punch, and landed Thirty-two Strikes.

Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke tracked a Snow Weasel from the Land of Rivers into the Land of Wind, where they discovered a Steel Fortress and were attacked by armored men. The chapter ended as Naruto tested one attacker’s defenses and dodged its counterattack.

• Kakashi and his students camped in the wilderness, shared a meal, and joked about Kakashi’s favorite book before taking turns keeping watch.
• Naruto suggested Kakashi summon a tracking dog, and Kakashi brought out Pakkun, who followed the Snow Weasel’s scent while teasing Sakura about their shared shampoo brand.
• Pakkun traced footprints that suggested someone else had captured the Snow Weasel, and Kakashi led the team across the border into the Land of Wind.
• Pakkun led the group to ancient stone buildings beside a strange Steel Fortress, whose door released iron balls that transformed into armored men.
• The armored men attacked with hammers, and Naruto punched one, hurt his hands on its hard armor, and dodged its counterattack.

Minato gave Naruto a tracking mission, and Naruto tried to follow Tsunade, only to discover she was sneaking into Konoha’s last underground casino. After Naruto reported her plan and chose Jiraiya as his next target, the story left him heading to Jiraiya’s office.

• Minato assigned Naruto to secretly monitor Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Kushina, offering to overlook Naruto’s unauthorized trips outside the village as a reward.
• Naruto chose to follow Tsunade, but she exposed him with a forehead flick when he entered the alley door behind her.
• Tsunade admitted she was sneaking into the last underground casino and begged Naruto to keep her gambling secret in exchange for her winnings.
• Naruto decided to report the casino to the Konoha Military Police Force after Tsunade had time to lose money.
• Naruto ruled out Kakashi and Kushina as targets and headed to Jiraiya’s office to continue the mission.

Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura returned to Konoha and reported the completion of their A-Rank mission to Minato. After Guy and his team barged in to report their own mission, Minato gave Tenten a scroll to study as preparation for learning the Flying Thunder God Technique.

• Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura reached Konoha, where Naruto sent Shadow Clones to take three exhausted mission commissioners to the hospital.
• Naruto transported his teammates to the Hokage Office, and Kakashi reported their Land of Snow mission to Minato, who awarded them the highest-standard A-Rank reward.
• Guy and Rock Lee rushed into the office to report defeating pirates, and Guy challenged Kakashi before learning that Kakashi's team had completed an A-Rank Mission.
• Minato told Guy, Rock Lee, Neji, and Tenten to rest before their next mission, then asked Tenten to stay behind.
• Minato gave Tenten a scroll on Sealing Technique and Summoning Technique and said he would try to teach her the Flying Thunder God Technique once she had studied it.

Minato wounded Obito with a Truth-Seeking Orb blade, allowing Naruto and the Allied Forces’ Jinchuriki to begin pulling the Tailed Beast Chakra from him. Obito remained locked in a tug-of-war against the growing group as the chapter ended.

• Naruto fought Obito with black swords made from Truth-Seeking Orbs while Minato waited for an opening.
• Minato used Flying Thunder God: Third Stage to pierce Obito through the heart with a Truth-Seeking Orb greatsword.
• Naruto and the Nine Tails began pulling the Tailed Beast Chakra from Obito, who resisted despite his severe wound.
• Minato joined Naruto, followed by Kushina, Yagura and Isobu, Gaara and Shukaku, Utakata and Saiken, and Kaede.
• The Allied Forces’ Jinchuriki gathered to pull against Obito, tipping the tug-of-war in their favor.

Sasuke used Water Style and Fire Release to create a storm, then unleashed Lightning Release: Kirin to break Fa Yi’s barrier and defeat him. After Gaara and the others were freed, the group regrouped, thanked their rescuers, and Kaede eagerly befriended Gaara and peppered Naruto’s team with questions.

• Sasuke combined No. 001’s water with his Fire Release to create a thundercloud, then struck Fa Yi’s barrier with Lightning Release: Kirin.
• Naruto, Gaara, and Kaede watched as the chains lost their power, the barrier vanished, and Fa Yi fell unconscious or dead.
• Naruto praised Sasuke, who explained that the Lightning Blades had helped him perform Kirin at that level.
• Nine Tails mocked Shukaku, while Seven Tails thanked Nine Tails and Naruto for rescuing them.
• Gaara had sand ninja take Fa Yi away for questioning and promised to thank Naruto’s group on behalf of their villages.
• Kaede asked Gaara to be friends, then excitedly questioned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura about their techniques.

Naruto toured the Uchiha compound, spent time with Hinata, and continued trying to master Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku. After failing to focus through the night, he left still believing he was close to succeeding.

• Kakashi lingered outside a residence in the Uchiha compound and resolved to train so he could try to turn Obito back.
• Naruto finished touring the compound, took pocket money from Sasuke, and enjoyed a smoother cultivation session.
• Naruto and Hinata traveled together, ate grilled bird, played in the grass, and promised to show each other their nearly completed ninjutsu.
• Naruto struggled to calm his mind and sense Natural Energy while Sage Fukasaku coached him at Mount Myoboku.
• Naruto kept falling from the stone slab until one-thirty in the morning, when Sage Fukasaku sent him home.

Naruto gave Hinata flowers, discussed the coming war with her, and encouraged Konohamaru to stay out of it. Asuma proposed to Kurenai before the war, and she demanded he return safely and make a proper commitment afterward.

• Naruto gave Hinata a bouquet and teased her before they discussed the war and her determination to protect him.
• After escorting Hinata home, Naruto confronted Konohamaru, who had followed them, and told him the older generation fought so the young would not have to.
• Asuma asked Kurenai to marry him after the war, prompted by her pregnancy and pressure from Biwako and Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.
• Kurenai rejected Asuma's casual proposal, demanded a proper answer after the war, and wished he would return safely.

Minato addressed the Shinobi Allied Forces, urging them to unite against Akatsuki and work toward ending the cycle of hatred. After the assembled forces pledged their support, he issued orders for the divisions to begin the operation.

• The Five Kage appeared before the gathered shinobi, quieting the clashes among the Allied Shinobi Forces.
• Minato reminded the forces that past wars and hatred had given rise to Akatsuki and Pain, and urged them to fight to protect their loved ones and the world.
• Minato called on the shinobi to help him change the shinobi world and achieve lasting peace, and the crowd answered with thunderous cheers.
• Gaara, Yagura Karatachi, Ōnoki, and A praised Minato as the allied forces' morale rose.
• Minato assigned Fugaku Uchiha, Huang Tu, Mei Terumi, and Mifune to lead the combat divisions, gave Tsunade and the support units their duties, and ordered the operation to begin.

Naruto, Kakashi, Itachi, Sasuke, and Sakura shared a meal and joked about using powerful jutsu to cook an Island Turtle egg. Meanwhile, Guren reported Hiruko’s defeat to Orochimaru, who tested his improved Chimera Technique on animals and began examining the resulting monster.

• Kakashi’s soup delighted Itachi and Naruto, and the group imagined using their jutsu and weapons to cook a giant Island Turtle egg.
• Naruto teased Sasuke as the group joked about their cooking roles, and Sasuke returned to his soup.
• Guren told Orochimaru that Shinno and Hiruko had failed and described seeing a Thunder Dragon and a Red Giant at Hiruko’s scene.
• Orochimaru fused several animals with his improved Chimera Technique, creating a powerful monster that attacked him.
• Orochimaru escaped the monster’s bite by shedding his body, restrained the creature with snakes, and began testing its strength, cells, and soul.

The Five Great Shinobi Villages discussed Konoha’s strength and the threat posed by flying ninja, prompting them to pursue countermeasures. In Amegakure, Konan persuaded Nagato to target the Eight Tails before attempting to capture the Nine Tails.

• Gaara ordered Kankuro to develop flying or anti-air ninja tools, while Temari prepared to visit Konoha for information about its Mechanical Wings.
• Yagura, Zabuza, Ao, and Mei discussed Kirigakure’s vulnerability to flying ninja and the search for the Seven Ninja Swords.
• Ōnoki dismissed the Sky Ninja threat, then hurt his back as Kurotsuchi teased him about retirement and Deidara.
• A demanded an update on Cloud Village’s Chakra Cannon research, then punched Killer B through a window during the meeting.
• Konan warned Nagato that Konoha was stronger than expected and persuaded him to target the Eight Tails before the Nine Tails.

Danzo murdered Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu as part of his plan to seize the Hokage position, while Naruto warned Minato about the killings and suspected Orochimaru might still return. Kushina caught Aburame Torune trying to flee after poisoning Sai, and Minato prepared to investigate Danzo’s operations.

• Danzo used Utatane Koharu to stab Mitokado Homura, then declared that he intended to become Hokage and blamed Minato for Konoha’s troubles.
• Naruto spotted three red dots inside Danzo’s home and reported to Minato that Danzo might have killed two people, though he had no proof.
• Minato explained that Sai’s Curse of the Root: Tongue Severing prevented him from revealing information, and that the Sound Ninja Four refused to discuss Orochimaru.
• Naruto warned Minato that Orochimaru might use cursed seals as a way to return, and Minato said he would deal with the seals and investigate Orochimaru’s bases.
• Kushina brought Aburame Torune to Minato’s office after catching him fleeing from Sai’s interrogation; Torune had poisoned Sai and Kushina, but Tsunade had treated Kushina.

Karin told Naruto, Kushina, and Minato how Kusagakure had exploited her and her mother for their healing ability, and Kushina and Minato welcomed her into their family. After Naruto’s clone learned Karin was older than him, he returned the memory to the original Naruto, who continued traveling with Sasuke and Sakura and decided to stir up trouble.

• Karin recounted how Kusagakure had forced her and her mother to heal people by biting them, and how her mother had died covered in bite marks.
• Kushina embraced Karin and promised to be her mother, while Minato assured her that Kusagakure would not take her back.
• No. 001 learned Karin was older than him, called her big sister after being teased about his zero on the written test, and dispelled himself to send his memories to Naruto.
• Naruto received the clone’s memories after about an hour, then wondered if he was destined to be a younger brother.
• Naruto told Sasuke and Sakura he had not sensed an enemy and announced that he was going to stir up trouble.

Minato exposed Danzo’s crimes, and Danzo’s attempt to escape ended with his death after he activated the Reverse Four Symbols Seal. Minato organized Konoha’s response, while Naruto revealed that he had brought Shukaku’s Jinchuriki to his parents’ house.

• Minato confronted Danzo with testimony and memory evidence linking him to Orochimaru, the intelligence leak, and the murders of the Two Advisors.
• Danzo summoned a Mind Transfer Puppet to capture Naruto, but Naruto broke free and struck Danzo with a Rasengan.
• Kushina attacked Danzo, but he used Izanagi to restore himself and flee before Minato stopped him.
• Danzo activated the Reverse Four Symbols Seal, killing himself and erasing everything within its range, including the front gate and Yamanaka Fu.
• Minato assigned Shikaku, Inoichi, Biwako, and Asuma tasks to investigate the crimes, help villagers, and report the incident.
• Naruto told Minato and Kushina that he had put Shukaku’s Jinchuriki in their house.

Sara severed the Dragon Vein’s connection to the factory, but Mukade revived the Puppets and revealed that he had murdered her Mother. Naruto and the Konoha ninja fought Mukade while Shadow Clones escorted Sara and the laborers to safety, leaving the battle underway as Mukade regenerated with the Dragon Vein’s power.

• Sara shut down the factory’s magic array, but Mukade used Chakra Threads to reassemble the Puppets and revealed that he had arranged for Sara’s Mother to die.
• Minato gave Sara a kunai, and Naruto created Shadow Clones to escort her and the laborers out of the factory.
• Shibi and the other Konoha ninja destroyed the first Puppets, but Mukade transformed into a Puppet and unleashed another wave.
• Kakashi arrived and used Exploding Tags to destroy the incoming Puppets before Choza slammed Mukade into a wall.
• Mukade regenerated and grew into a giant scorpion, so Naruto entered Sage Mode and formed a Rasenshuriken with Natural Energy from the Nine Tails.
• Naruto attacked Mukade with Sage Art: Light Ring Hurricane Blast Arrow, while Minato admired the technique’s name and Kakashi watched in confusion.

Ino’s match against Gaara ended in terror after her mind technique exposed her to the frightening presence inside him, and Gaara nearly lost control. As the match lineup continued, Naruto realized how deeply Gaara’s power had frightened Ino and Akamaru.

• Naruto warned Hinata that Gaara was dangerous, while Asuma spoke with Ino before she entered the arena.
• Ino used the Mind Body Switch Technique on Gaara, then screamed and called him a monster when she returned to her body.
• Ino surrendered, but Gaara attacked with sand until Hayate intervened and Baki and Temari calmed him down.
• Sakura examined the trembling Ino and helped her back to the stands after Asuma told her not to reveal what she had seen.
• Naruto learned from the Nine Tails that Ino had reacted to Gaara as most people would to a Tailed Beast, while Shino and Kiba reported that their bugs and Akamaru feared him.
• Hayate declared Gaara the winner and announced the next match, Zaku Abumi versus Shigure.

Naruto and his friends returned from the Chunin Exams, which Gaara later suspended, and the examinees were sent home with their promotions left to their village leaders. Naruto accepted Kaede’s backpack as a gift, then chased Hinata toward Konoha after she teased him, while Guy challenged Kakashi to a race.

• Naruto reunited with Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee, then played poker with Sasuke and Sakura and quietly barked after remembering his vow.
• Gaara announced that the Chunin Exams were suspended and that village leaders would decide whether the examinees were promoted.
• Kaede gave Naruto her backpack as a return gift before leaving with Kagen and Yoro for Hidden Waterfall Village.
• Rock Lee objected when Naruto tried to hand Kaede’s bag to Hinata, and Tenten knocked him down and dragged him away.
• Naruto realized Hinata had only pretended to be upset, gave her the bag, and chased her toward Konoha.
• Guy challenged Kakashi to a long-distance running contest, but Kakashi refused.

Team 7 reached Sunagakure Village to deliver a letter to Gaara, and Naruto recognized Yura as Sasori’s unwitting spy. After Gaara welcomed them, Temari took the visitors sightseeing, where Naruto’s shopping threatened his Little Frog Wallet.

• Obito asked Zetsu about a suitable candidate from the Land of Earth, and Black Zetsu said Konan had gone to find the explosion-loving man.
• After four difficult days crossing the desert, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke arrived at Sunagakure Village and presented their documents at the gate.
• Yura escorted Team 7 to Gaara, and Naruto recognized him as Sasori’s planted spy whose memories had been sealed.
• Gaara received Konoha’s letter and invited Team 7 to look around Sunagakure Village while he prepared a reply.
• Temari guided the visitors through the village, and Naruto bought toys and skincare products before covering his Little Frog Wallet at the mention of local snacks.

Naruto’s group defeated Hidan and sent him toward Konoha while Kakuzu fought on. Kakuzu drove off Naruto’s Flying Thunder God kunai and launched a combined wind-and-fire attack at the group.

• Sasuke pulled Sakura clear as Golden chains bound Hidan, and Kakashi severed Hidan’s head while Chiriku’s Fierce-Eyed Guardian kept Kakuzu from rescuing him.
• Naruko kicked Hidan’s still-cursing head around like a ball, then Hidan bit off No. 001’s toe and the clone vanished.
• Naruko carried Hidan’s head and body away, while Naruto threw Flying Thunder God kunai toward Kakuzu.
• Kakuzu used wind blasts to scatter every kunai, then bragged about having fought Hashirama Senju and mocked Naruto’s claim about the Fourth Hokage.
• Kakuzu decided to risk one more attack for Naruto’s bounty and unleashed combined Wind Release and Fire Release techniques at the group.

Deidara’s C4 attack devastated Kirigakure’s defenders while Kisame reached Utakata’s home and began fighting the Anbu protecting him. The battle continued as Utakata and Hotaru prepared to join the defense.

• Deidara used C4 Karura to kill Ao and asked the surviving ninjas to surrender the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, but they attacked him instead.
• Kisame found Utakata’s residence and broke through its wall with Samehada.
• Kisame identified Utakata and warned the Anbu to stand aside, but the squad leader vowed to protect him.
• Kisame fought the Anbu, and Samehada drained chakra from Anbu A while the other guards attacked.
• Utakata took up his Bubble Pipe and Hotaru prepared to use Water Style ninjutsu.