Chapter Summaries

Naruto returned to Konoha after the village’s recent incidents and joined Team 7 for a visit to the Uchiha home. On the way, he tried to prank Kakashi with the Flying Thunder God Technique, but Kakashi avoided the trick.

• Kirigakure learned why Utakata had fled after he mistook Harusame’s attempt to remove Saiken for an effort to kill him, and Yagura ordered a search for the missing Jinchuriki.
• Mikoto invited Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Hinata to the Uchiha home the next day to thank them for rescuing Sasuke.
• Naruto went to the Hyuga Clan to meet Hinata, and Sakura joined them outside her house before they set off together.
• Kakashi followed Naruto while reading a new copy of Make-Out Tactics, and Naruto decided to play a prank on him.
• Naruto used the Flying Thunder God Technique to slip behind a lamppost, but Kakashi’s book hit it instead, leaving Kakashi unharmed and the group laughing.

Team 7 and Team 8 crossed Hell Valley and reached Hoshigakure, where acting Star Shadow Red Star asked them to protect the Star. The chapter ended with Kushina asking where the Star was.

• Kiba, Shino, and Hinata trained before the group continued toward the Land of Bears border.
• Naruto used a Flying Thunder God Kunai to transport the group across Hell Valley and sent a clone into the poisonous mist to collect a sample for Sakura.
• Mao met the Konoha Ninjas and led them to Red Star in Hoshigakure.
• Red Star explained that the Third Hoshikage had died and that the village wanted to become the sixth great ninja village using the Star's power.
• Red Star asked the Konoha Ninjas to protect the Star, and Kushina asked where it was.

The narrator examines whether the Eight Gates can protect users from genjutsu, noting that canon never confirms the answer. The novel’s setting is that the first two gates do not grant immunity, while ordinary genjutsu becomes ineffective after the Third Gate.

• The narrator explains that claims of Eight Gates immunity are fan speculation based on surging Chakra and self-inflicted injuries.
• The narrator reviews Rock Lee’s progression through the gates, from removing mental limits to suffering severe bodily damage after the Fifth Gate.
• The narrator concludes that immunity may begin at the Third Gate, while the first two gates have no confirmed effect.
• The narrator notes that Guy trained to read opponents’ feet against Kakashi’s Sharingan and establishes the novel’s rules for genjutsu and the Eight Gates.

After Akatsuki abducted Yugito and Han, the Raikage and Ōnoki moved to protect their remaining Jinchuriki while keeping the losses secret. Yagura strengthened Kirigakure’s defenses, but Akatsuki’s operatives found both the Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki staying inside the village.

• Ōnoki arranged to confirm Rōshi’s safety while Iwagakure secretly searched for the missing Han.
• Mabui told the Raikage that Yugito had disappeared and that evidence at the scene implicated Akatsuki.
• The Raikage ordered the search kept secret and forbade Killer B from leaving the village without permission.
• Yagura strengthened Kirigakure’s defenses and welcomed Utakata back after clearing up their misunderstanding.
• Utakata brought back a young lady of the Tsuchigumo Clan, and Yagura welcomed the possibility of strengthening Kirigakure.
• Akatsuki’s operatives complained that the Three-Tails and Six-Tails Jinchuriki never left Kirigakure.

Sakura told Naruto that she had found a goal of her own: becoming a powerful ninja rather than relying on her feelings for Sasuke. As Sakura trained under Tsunade and improved, Naruto showed off a new hair technique to Jiraiya.

• Naruto visited Sakura and asked whether she regretted enduring Tsunade's training, and Sakura said she wanted to grow stronger.
• Sakura explained that she still liked Sasuke but now wanted to become a powerful ninja in her own right, worthy of standing beside him.
• Naruto pretended Sasuke was listening outside Sakura's room, then fled when Sakura smashed the table and chased him.
• Sakura's training progressed, and Tsunade considered teaching her the Yin Seal once she had gained more knowledge.
• Jiraiya saw Sakura break a boulder and mistook Naruto's hair technique for her golden hair before Naruto demonstrated his Chaotic Lion Hair Technique.

Natsuhi destroyed the Star and led Hoshigakure toward recovery, while Naruto’s team returned to Konoha after the mission. Naruto continued his Sage Mode training at Mount Myoboku, and the chapter ended with Sakura revealing how Tsunade and Jiraiya had shirked their duties.

• Natsuhi crushed the Star in front of Hoshigakure’s key members and released the four Hidden Cloud ninjas after Hinata sealed their chakra points.
• Natsuhi accompanied Naruto and the others to Konoha with Hoshigakure’s children, who became determined to train hard after watching the Konoha youths.
• Hoshigakure gave Team 7 a favorable mission evaluation, and Naruto returned to Mount Myoboku to practice emptying his mind for Sage Mode.
• Naruto fell asleep on a giant leaf, while Nine Tails examined the Sage Mode Chakra Naruto had gathered and wondered whether the training was really difficult.
• After Team 7’s break, Sakura told Naruto that Tsunade had left her and Shizune to handle the patients before she and Jiraiya were found drunk at an Izakaya.

Fujikaze Yukie reluctantly filmed with Naruto’s crew as they sailed toward the Land of Snow, where Doto Kazahana ordered Nadare Rōga to capture her. When Nadare’s group attacked the crew at a glacier and revealed Yukie was Princess Koyuki, Naruto and Sasuke prepared to fight, and Naruto challenged Nadare for having bullied a child ten years earlier.

• Fujikaze Yukie used eye drops to help her perform a crying scene, and Sandayu explained that she could no longer cry because of her childhood experiences.
• Nadare Rōga told Doto Kazahana that he had found Princess Koyuki and that she was traveling to the Land of Snow, so Doto ordered him to bring her back.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura woke to find the ship’s route blocked by a glacier, and the director decided to film there instead of clearing it.
• Nadare Rōga, Winter Bear Ice Rain, and Crane Wing Fubuki attacked the crew and identified Fujikaze Yukie as Princess Koyuki.
• Kakashi recognized Nadare Rōga and warned Naruto about his Chakra Armor, while Naruto and Sasuke took positions to fight and Sakura stayed with Koyuki.
• Naruto realized Nadare had fought Kakashi when Kakashi was a child and accused him of relying on equipment to bully him.

Tokiwa asked Jiraiya to have his disciple compete against Shizuka, but Naruto pointed out the trouble with involving Minato and Kushina. Kushina decided that Kimimaro would take the challenge instead.

• Tokiwa reminded Jiraiya of his promise and asked his disciple to compete with Shizuka.
• Jiraiya suggested Naruto consider the request, but Naruto said Jiraiya's disciple was in the Hokage Office.
• Naruto joked that Kushina might beat Jiraiya and the contestants, and Jiraiya realized his old promise could cause trouble with Minato and Kushina.
• Tokiwa noticed that Jiraiya's disciple's side seemed inconvenient, while Naruto denied intending to take the challenge himself.
• Kushina learned Haku and Karin's team was away on a mission and decided that Kimimaro would compete.

Naruto and Kakashi rejected plans to attack Kazahana Dotō first and instead waited for him to make a move. Dotō ambushed Sandayu’s group with a train full of kunai, and Kakashi shielded most of them; the chapter ended with Dotō challenging Kakashi and his forces charging Naruto’s team.

• Naruto proposed bombing Dotō’s palace or provoking a Nine-Tailed Demon Fox rampage, but Kakashi rejected both plans.
• Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura followed Sandayu’s group toward the palace and encountered a train carrying Kazahana Dotō.
• Sandayu led fifty people in a charge against Dotō, who ordered the train’s firing ports to unleash thousands of kunai.
• Kakashi raised Earth Walls to protect most of the charge, though several people outside the walls were killed.
• Dotō recognized Kakashi and demanded that he hand over Kazahana Koyuki, then revealed his black armor and challenged Kakashi.
• Train operators armed themselves and charged Naruto’s team, while Naruto mocked their numbers and Sasuke activated his Sharingan.

Naruto and Hinata grew closer as Kushina repeatedly arranged for them to spend time together, while Naruto continued training. When Kakashi and Kushina recommended their students for the Chunin Exams, the group agreed to consider taking part.

• Naruto walked Hinata home, and the two parted awkwardly after thanking each other.
• Kushina repeatedly kept Hinata after training and had Naruto escort her home, giving them chances to talk and grow closer.
• Naruto trained with Hinata in taijutsu while Sakura secretly watched and guessed Kushina was matchmaking.
• Over the next twenty days, Naruto improved his techniques and continued training with Hinata as others noticed their closeness.
• On June 24, Kakashi and Kushina gave their students Chunin Exam applications and explained that participation was optional.
• Kiba declared that he would participate, and Shino began explaining his reason.

Naruto began learning Sealing Techniques from Kushina, struggled with the basics, and trained through the changing seasons as his family enjoyed a peaceful year. By December 30, an unspecified event made Naruto happy.

• Kushina brought Hinata home and encouraged her to be braver before Naruto returned home with Kushina.
• Kushina gave Naruto an introductory book on Sealing Arts and explained the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing heritage and Naruto’s inherited abilities.
• Naruto struggled to understand the principles of Sealing Techniques, then trained so hard in taijutsu that he broke a sandbag and earned Kushina’s scolding.
• Naruto told the Nine Tails he had started studying Sealing Techniques, leaving the fox worried that Naruto would eventually seal him too.
• Naruto trained throughout the year, while Kimimaro became the Academy’s top student and Minato encouraged him to finish school and make friends.
• Naruto’s family continued their peaceful life together, and an unspecified matter on December 30 made Naruto happy.

Minato arrived in the Land of Waves after Naruto placed a Flying Thunder God Kunai, then took Zabuza and Haku back to Konoha for a plan that required their help. He also ordered Tazuna to explain his false mission report, while Naruto and his team prepared to return on their own.

• Naruto planted Minato’s Flying Thunder God Kunai, and Minato arrived in the Land of Waves.
• Minato praised Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke, then told Zabuza he wanted his help with a plan.
• Zabuza agreed to go with Minato, and Minato ordered Tazuna to report to Konoha and explain his concealed information and false mission rank.
• Kakashi insisted that Team 7 return to Konoha themselves as part of their mission and training.
• Minato teased Kakashi about his reading habits, said Kushina would keep an eye on him, and returned to Konoha with Zabuza and Haku.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura laughed as Kakashi froze at the thought of Kushina’s guidance.

Gan, Wen, and Cui unleashed the Sixth Gate against Tobi, who used decoys, underground movement, and Wood Release to fight back. Asuma and the three Uchiha coordinated an ambush, but Tobi discovered he had trapped a Shadow Clone.

• Gan, Wen, and Cui opened the Sixth Gate and struck at Tobi with Morning Peacock, but he escaped underground and they blasted the earth where they sensed him hiding.
• Tobi used a White Zetsu to repair his injuries and realized the three fighters were Uchiha with Sharingan.
• Tobi attacked Gan, Wen, Cui, and Asuma with Wood Release, wounding Asuma and binding him with vines before retreating underground.
• Asuma coordinated with Gan, Wen, and Cui to strike the ground and lure Tobi toward Asuma's position.
• Tobi emerged and bound the apparent Asuma with Great Forest Technique, but Asuma's Fire Release revealed that the target was a Shadow Clone.

Naruto helped Tenten with her Flying Thunder God practice and delivered three unconscious fighters to Guy, who put them to work. Meanwhile, Neji spotted Naruto’s clones causing trouble, and Kimimaro reacted to Shizuka explaining Nadeshiko Village’s rules.

• Tenten told Naruto that Rock Lee had gone on a drunken rampage and that Guy, Lee, and Neji were working at a shop to make amends.
• Tenten asked Naruto for help learning the Flying Thunder God Technique, so Naruto left a Shadow Clone that transformed into Naruko to practice with her.
• Naruto found Guy and Rock Lee scrubbing a shop floor and brought them three unconscious fighters, whom Guy woke with punches before giving a speech.
• Neji saw five Melon Heads running wild and grew angry while he washed dishes.
• At the pastry shop, Kimimaro crushed his cup after Shizuka shyly explained Nadeshiko Village’s rules.

Kimimaro defeated Shizuka in their spar and began talking with her privately, while Naruto arranged for them to attend the Fireworks Festival together. Naruto then took the injured Melon Head Team to a training ground, where he found Tenten alone.

• Shizuka attacked Kimimaro with Nadeshiko Style techniques, but he dodged them and quickly overpowered her.
• Kimimaro stopped his final punch before it hit Shizuka, helped her up, and heard her admit defeat.
• Naruto and Jiraiya kept Tokiwa from revealing the old truth, then Kimimaro left with Shizuka to talk privately.
• Naruto returned home and found Kushina had knocked Gan, Wen, and Cui down after they tried to watch the spar.
• Kushina told Naruto about the Fireworks Festival and planned for Kimimaro and Shizuka to attend together.
• Naruto carried the three Melon Heads to a training ground and found Tenten there, complaining about how difficult they were to handle.

The Raikage delayed the Five Kage Summit, giving Naruto another month before he could travel as a guard. Minato assigned Naruto to search for Akatsuki and investigate a grave-robbing incident at Fire Temple, but Shizune arrived with news about Tsunade’s sudden gambling win.

• Mabui persuaded the Raikage to postpone the summit while Cloud Village continued investigating Yugito and Akatsuki.
• Ōnoki recognized the Raikage’s delay as deliberate and agreed to wait a month while making preparations.
• Minato told Naruto to search for Akatsuki with Kakashi’s team and reminded him to run, report, and call for backup if they found them.
• Naruto took the Fire Temple grave-robbing mission, which Minato had planned to assign to Asuma’s Team.
• Shizune told Naruto that Tsunade had just won while playing poker with Jiraiya.

After learning that the Akatsuki planned to impose peace through the Eye of the Moon Plan, the Five Kage agreed to act together and appointed Minato commander-in-chief of an Allied Forces. The Land of Iron and Hidden Waterfall Village joined, leaving Minato hopeful that cooperation between the villages could grow through the coming war.

• Minato confirmed that the Akatsuki intended to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan, prompting the Kage to agree that they had to act.
• Ōnoki abandoned his defensive strategy and supported taking the initiative against the Akatsuki.
• Gaara proposed Minato as commander-in-chief, and the Kage agreed that Minato was the most suitable candidate.
• Mifune offered the Land of Iron's samurai to the Allied Forces, and Shibuki offered Hidden Waterfall Village's support.
• Minato welcomed the new allies and hoped that fighting together would build trust among the villages.

Kurama Yakumo painted a picture of Minato and Naruto’s family camping trip, which had grown into a large gathering of Konoha friends. After a day of games and food, everyone camped overnight, and Minato prepared to fulfill another of Naruto’s wishes the next day.

• Minato invited family and friends on a camping trip to keep his promise to Naruto, and the gathering grew as more people brought guests.
• Yakumo painted the campers and added herself, Haku, and Karin to the picture, while Shino wondered why she had left him out.
• Tonton defeated Akamaru in a headbutting game, and Kiba ate the mustard and chili sauce he had wagered.
• Naruto brought more food, Sasuke lit the grill, and Sakura and Ino competed to cook, leaving Choji overwhelmed by their dishes.
• Everyone set up tents and camped overnight, and Minato came the next day to fulfill another of Naruto’s wishes.

Guy put Gan, Wen, and Cui through intense training and dressed them in green jumpsuits, leading them through Konoha in a public display that left the three Uchiha youths ashamed. Their shame unexpectedly awakened their Sharingan, which they mistook for a deliberate plan by Fugaku and Guy, and they eagerly embraced Guy’s training and appearance.

• Guy gave Gan, Wen, and Cui green jumpsuits, and the three obeyed by wearing them as they ran through Konoha with Guy, drawing stares from Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Choji.
• Gan returned home ashamed of having disgraced the Uchiha and discovered that he had awakened the Sharingan.
• Gan, Wen, and Cui met the next morning and found that all three had awakened the Sharingan after feeling they had failed their clan.
• Gan, Wen, and Cui concluded that Fugaku and Guy had arranged the training to awaken their Sharingan, and they decided to copy Guy’s haircut.
• Guy praised the three newly shorn youths, and they enthusiastically joined him for another day of training.

Naruto became friends with Kiba after petting Akamaru, then fought Sasuke in taijutsu class and began thinking about learning shadow clones. At dinner, he asked Minato about the Shadow Clone Technique and explained how useful it could be.

• Naruto asked Kiba for permission to pet Akamaru, and the puppy happily let him.
• Naruto grew close to Kiba, who joined his dining group and sometimes brought Shino along.
• Naruto listened to Iruka's lesson on the Disguise Technique and later fought Sasuke in taijutsu class.
• Sasuke used a kunai trick he had learned from Itachi to catch Naruto off guard, but Naruto defeated him.
• Naruto decided to ask Minato about learning the Shadow Clone Technique, and Minato questioned why he wanted it.