Chapter Summaries

Sasuke fought Orochimaru in the forest, briefly turning the battle with a trap before Orochimaru emerged unharmed. As Orochimaru moved to finish Sasuke, Uchiha Asuka arrived and challenged him instead.

• Sasuke overcame his fear and attacked Orochimaru with fire techniques, then escaped from Orochimaru’s underground grab using wire.
• Orochimaru caught up with Sasuke, beat him severely, and taunted him about being the last Uchiha.
• Sasuke regained his fighting spirit, detonated Exploding Tags on Orochimaru, and trapped him with wire before striking him with Dragon Fire Technique.
• Orochimaru survived the flames without serious injury and stretched his neck toward the exhausted Sasuke.
• Uchiha Asuka identified himself as the Police Force Fifth Captain and told Orochimaru to fight him instead.

Uchiha Asuka confronted Orochimaru in the Death Forest after Orochimaru targeted Sasuke, revealing a Mangekyo Sharingan and overwhelming him. Asuka left Orochimaru buried beneath a crater and engulfed the area in flames while Sasuke watched in shock.

• Orochimaru recognized Asuka as an Uchiha and revealed his interest in capturing him as a vessel for Living Corpse Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru attacked Asuka with his elongated neck, but Asuka caught it and revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan.
• Asuka spun Orochimaru through the air and slammed him into the ground, creating a huge crater.
• Asuka suspected Orochimaru had escaped underground and blasted the crater with Great Fireball Shot, setting the area ablaze.
• Asuka told Sasuke that sealing a Tailed Beast could provide him with a vast supply of chakra, and Sasuke listened in confusion.

Uchiha Asuka battled Orochimaru in the Death Forest after Orochimaru targeted Sasuke during the Chunin Exams. Asuka drove Orochimaru back with powerful attacks, but their fight continued inside a cloud of steam as Orochimaru drew the Kusanagi Sword.

• Villagers noticed flames over the Death Forest, and Jiraiya learned that Orochimaru had attacked Sasuke and rushed to the forest.
• Orochimaru escaped Asuka's blazing attack with a mud substitute, then emerged from a giant snake and decided to capture Asuka instead of pursuing Sasuke.
• Asuka struck Orochimaru with a punch and used his unusual eyes to appear ahead of Orochimaru in midair and kick him away.
• Orochimaru countered Asuka's Great Fireball Technique with a Water Formation Wall, filling the forest with steam.
• Asuka and Orochimaru clashed inside the steam, and Orochimaru questioned where Asuka had obtained the Kusanagi Sword.

Uchiha Asuka and Anko continued through the Death Forest as Asuka showed her an old photograph featuring Uchiha Madara. After a giant python appeared, Anko rushed to confront it, and Asuka headed after her toward Orochimaru.

• Uchiha Asuka remarked that this year's Chunin Exam candidates were stronger than those from his exam, when Might Duy had been his only formidable opponent before failing the written test.
• Anko questioned Asuka about his identity, and he showed her a photograph of Uchiha clansmen that included Uchiha Madara.
• Anko recognized that the thunder and her worsening Cursed Seal suggested Orochimaru was nearby.
• Anko and Asuka spotted a giant python in the trees, which Anko suspected Orochimaru had summoned.
• Anko rushed toward the python, and Asuka followed in the direction of Orochimaru.

Asuka fought Orochimaru and revealed the devastating power of his right-eye Mangekyō ability, Okuninushi, before Jiraiya’s giant toad interrupted the battle. Jiraiya found a crushed Grass ninja in the crater and mistook the body for Orochimaru.

• Asuka and Orochimaru exchanged sword strikes in the steam, and Asuka unleashed Great Fire Annihilation as Anko and the others watched.
• Asuka activated Okuninushi and sent a huge sword slash through Orochimaru’s Triple Rashomon, cutting Orochimaru in half.
• Jiraiya’s giant toad crashed down on the battlefield, blocking Asuka from finishing Orochimaru.
• Asuka told Jiraiya where Orochimaru had fallen, and Jiraiya searched beneath the toad.
• Jiraiya found a Grass ninja crushed into the ground and wondered why a Grass ninja could summon Triple Rashomon.

Asuka dealt with Orochimaru’s apparent escape and later heard how Konoha’s gossip transformed her new female appearance into rumors about Jiraiya. The chapter ended with Asuka wondering whether Jiraiya had let Orochimaru escape because of a secret relationship.

• Asuka found Orochimaru’s corpse was not enough to confirm her death, then stopped Anko from interfering and asked her to sense Orochimaru again.
• At Naruto’s house, Kushina discussed her purchases and learned from Asuka that Orochimaru had become a woman.
• Kushina explained that the Third Hokage had shown Orochimaru’s female form to the jonin with his Crystal Ball, spreading the news throughout the village.
• Kushina asked Asuka for more money, and he left after giving her a scroll when she brought up his forced kiss.
• Asuka overheard villagers claim Orochimaru had seduced Jiraiya to evade capture, then wondered if their theory explained Jiraiya’s failures to catch her.

Jiraiya visited Sarutobi Hiruzen and learned that the old Hokage intended to die protecting Konoha, apparently in a confrontation with Orochimaru. Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Jiraiya to witness his final act and entrusted him with Naruto’s care before preparing to leave.

• Jiraiya brooded over rumors that he had a romantic interest in Orochimaru, then visited Sarutobi Hiruzen in the Hokage’s office.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reflected on his failures as Hokage and asked Jiraiya whether he would return to take the position, but Jiraiya refused.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said he wanted to die protecting Konoha, and Jiraiya suspected that Orochimaru was involved and offered to kill him.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen reminded Jiraiya of their old conversation about the most handsome way to die, and Jiraiya recognized that the old man intended to uphold his Ninja Way.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Jiraiya to witness his death, told him to raise Naruto well, and admitted he could not face Kushina or Uchiha Asuka because of his past failures.

Sarutobi Hiruzen visited Kakashi and asked how he viewed his father, Sakumo, who had abandoned a mission to save his companions. Hiruzen accepted blame for the village’s harsh system and his own failures, leaving Kakashi stunned as he declared that Sakumo had done nothing wrong.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Sunagakure ninjas had gathered near Kikyo Castle, then walked through the village and endured a taste of an unusual dumpling recipe.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen visited Kakashi and asked whether he had considered marriage, but Kakashi rejected the idea and worried that something had happened to Naruto or Sasuke.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Kakashi that Sakumo had been caught between mission regulations and loyalty to his companions, and Kakashi said his father had lacked the ability to succeed.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen declared that saving companions and completing missions were both right, then blamed his own weakness and indecision for Konoha’s failures.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen told Kakashi that Sakumo had done nothing wrong and lamented that they had been born in the wrong era.

Sarutobi Hiruzen visited Kakashi and Hyuga Hiashi to apologize for his past decisions and acknowledge the wrongs done to Sakumo and Hizashi. He left after explaining that he wanted the future Hokage to have an example to cite when challenging the rule that missions came first.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen apologized to Kakashi, praised Sakumo, and urged Kakashi to forgive and surpass his father; Kakashi tasted the wasabi-heavy dango and reflected on his father.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen visited the Hyuga Clan and told Hyuga Hiashi he regretted his role in Hizashi’s death and Konoha’s decline.
• Hyuga Hiashi initially insisted Hizashi’s death was the branch family’s destiny, but Sarutobi Hiruzen admitted that Konoha’s weakness had led to the sacrifice.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen said he hoped a future Hokage would break the rule that missions came before comrades, then left the Hyuga grounds.
• Hyuga Hiashi told Hanabi that Sarutobi Hiruzen had made both good and bad choices, and described her uncle Hizashi as a good, talkative man who liked eggs.

Uchiha Asuka noticed that Konoha's leaders were acting strangely and considered finding Danzo's hidden Sharingan. Meanwhile, Danzo was trapped in Orochimaru's Four Violet Flames Formation with resurrected Uchiha elders, who tormented him with insults.

• Uchiha Asuka sensed killing intent in Konoha, then wondered why the Third Hokage and Danzo were behaving unusually.
• Uchiha Asuka considered searching for Danzo's hidden Sharingan or finding a chance to dig Danzo out.
• Shimura Danzō visited Otogakure to inspect Orochimaru's improved Impure World Reincarnation and was trapped in a Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Uchiha Saburo, Uchiha Mado, and Uchiha Ryoichi taunted Danzo and cursed him while maintaining the barrier.
• Danzo realized he could not escape without outside help and began cursing back at the resurrected Uchiha elders.

Uchiha Saburo, Uchiha Ryoichi, and Uchiha Mado were resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation and argued with Shimura Danzō about the Uchiha Clan Massacre. A message about Uchiha Asuka revealed that the clan had a living survivor from another world, leaving Ryoichi eager to contact him.

• Uchiha Mado explained that Uchiha Fugaku had decided to launch a Coup d'état after enduring pressure from Shimura Danzō.
• Uchiha Saburo used a Konoha signal and forehead protector to lure a village eagle down and take its intelligence scroll before Danzō could receive it.
• Uchiha Saburo read that Uchiha Asuka had fought Orochimaru in the Death Forest, destroying a quarter of it before a toad interrupted the battle.
• Uchiha Ryoichi learned that Asuka was suspected of coming from another world, had instructed Second Pillar, and was accompanied by Kushina.
• Uchiha Ryoichi wrote a message to ask Asuka about the situation, while the resurrected Uchiha continued taunting Danzō about leaving the clan a surviving seed.

Uchiha Saburo and Uchiha Ryoichi told the imprisoned Danzo that Orochimaru had likely lured him away to remove him from Konoha’s succession struggle, while Uzuki Yugao grieved Moonlight Hayate’s death. Asuka found Yugao and insisted his advanced Medical Ninjutsu could save Hayate, dragging her toward the Medical Department despite her doubts.

• Uchiha Saburo informed Danzo that the ninja at Kikyo Castle and those gathering intelligence had been killed, and warned that Orochimaru might be targeting Sarutobi Hiruzen while Danzo was trapped.
• Danzo realized Orochimaru had likely gone to Konoha with a special purpose and furiously shouted his name.
• Uzuki Yugao confronted Sarutobi Hiruzen about Hayate’s death, received no comfort or promise of an investigation, and left the Hokage Building in grief.
• Asuka found Yugao as she headed toward the Medical Department, and she threw herself into his arms and told him Hayate had died.
• Asuka said the dead could be brought back to life with his Medical Ninjutsu and pulled the doubtful Yugao toward the Medical Department to treat Hayate.

Uchiha Asuka took Hayate Gekko’s body from the Medical Department and used a Sharingan and the Reanimation Jutsu to bring him back to life. Hayate awoke to find Yu Yan beside him and Asuka ordering him to marry her in three days.

• Yu Yan asked Asuka to help revive Hayate, and he led her to the morgue to retrieve Hayate’s body.
• Asuka examined Hayate, insisted he could be revived, and had Yu Yan warm the frozen body in the sun at her home.
• Asuka replaced his eye with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan and performed the Reanimation Jutsu, exhausting himself in the process.
• Hayate revived, and Yu Yan embraced him as Asuka told him to marry her within three days or be killed.

Asuka speculated that the Third Hokage was using Hayate Gekko’s death for political gain, then was kicked out of Naruto’s house after irritating Kushina. A messenger hawk brought him a letter from the resurrected Uchiha Ryoichi, who asked Asuka to preserve Elder Brother Flying Crane’s branch and wished he could attend Asuka’s wedding.

• Asuka told Kushina that the Third Hokage was likely exploiting Hayate Gekko’s death to gain political capital against Sunagakure.
• Kushina struck Asuka for lounging on her sofa with dirty socks and expecting dinner, then kicked him out of Naruto’s house that night.
• Asuka treated his bruised face and reflected on Hayate Gekko, Sasuke, and Naruto’s training.
• A messenger hawk delivered Asuka a letter from Uchiha Ryoichi, who said Orochimaru had revived him and several Uchiha to trap Danzo and fight Root.
• Ryoichi told Asuka he regretted Elder Brother Flying Crane’s branch being wiped out, praised Asuka’s Mangekyō Sharingan, and said he wished he could attend Asuka’s wedding.
• Asuka read the letter, clutched it, and turned toward the Rice Field Country while calling out to Ryoichi.

As Rock Lee searched for a way to join the Anbu, Sasuke explained why Might Guy’s conspicuous fighting style made him unsuitable, but Lee concluded that the Third Hokage had simply refused Guy’s application. Meanwhile, Uchiha Asuka persuaded Kushina to film a wedding video in exchange for forgiving her four-million-ryo debt, leaving Kushina thinking of Minato.

• Rock Lee bought a Fox Mask from a stall owner who claimed it would help him enter the Anbu, while the owner mistreated Naruto.
• Sasuke told Lee that Guy’s bright outfit and shouted attack names made him too easy to expose, but Lee said the Third Hokage had not approved Guy’s entry into the Anbu.
• Sasuke took Naruto away from the stall, and Kushina confronted Asuka about his proposal to make a wedding video with her.
• Asuka offered to forgive Kushina’s four-million-ryo debt if she filmed the video, and Kushina agreed after confirming she would not have to repay him.
• Kushina said the video would not make them truly married, then remembered Minato and grew quiet.

Kushina realized she felt drawn to Uchiha Asuka because he put family before the village, but she lost her chance to tell him when he disappeared into the crowd. Asuka met Yakushi Kabuto, exposed his connection to Nonō, and left him emotionally overwhelmed instead of giving him a chance to deliver his warning.

• Kushina reflected on Minato's devotion to the village and recognized that she had a favorable impression of Asuka because he prioritized his family.
• Asuka wondered why Rock Lee was competing despite the expected injury and speculated that Gaara had withdrawn from the Chunin Exams.
• Asuka pushed through the crowd and met Yakushi Kabuto, who offered free intelligence and then attacked him with a scalpel.
• Asuka recognized Kabuto and teased him about Nonō until Kabuto angrily demanded that he stop mentioning the orphanage director.
• Asuka showed Kabuto a photo of himself with Nonō, leaving Kabuto dejected and unable to deliver his intended warning.

Uchiha Asuka used a genjutsu to help Yakushi Kabuto confront his memories of Nonō and tell him he was searching for meaning, then left him unconscious beneath a tree. Asuka joined the Third Chunin Exams crowd, where Kakashi noticed Naruto with an unfamiliar woman and the Third Hokage spoke with the Fourth Kazekage about teaching and his approaching departure.

• Yakushi Kabuto recognized the director in a photograph, and Asuka identified himself as Nonō's friend before discussing the Uchiha Clan's destruction and the Third Hokage's role.
• Kabuto said he was searching for the meaning of life and might one day open an orphanage, and Asuka promised to pass his words on to Nonō.
• Asuka trapped Kabuto in Genjutsu: Lite Tsukuyomi, where Kabuto saw Nonō, then carried him beneath a tree after he lost consciousness.
• Asuka went to the Third Chunin Exams and joined the queue, while Kakashi and Might Guy watched Naruto interact closely with an unfamiliar woman.
• The Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage discussed the Hokage's age, his former students, and whether he had been a good teacher.

Uchiha Asuka arrived at Naruto and Neji Hyuga’s match and loudly cheered for Naruto while confusing Neji with a contradictory banner. As Naruto summoned shadow clones, Asuka defended Neji against criticism of the Hyuga clan’s Caged Bird system, then bluntly challenged Clan Head Hiashi over the clan’s treatment of its Branch Family.

• Asuka pushed through the crowd, found Kushina, and began watching Naruto fight Neji in the arena.
• Asuka unfurled a banner reading “Naruto Must Win” but shouted for Neji to beat Naruto, leaving Neji bewildered.
• Kushina twisted Asuka’s waist and argued that Naruto’s enormous Chakra could make him a strong Ninjutsu user.
• Naruto summoned more than ten Shadow Clones after concluding that Neji could counter him at close range.
• Asuka criticized the Hyuga clan’s Caged Bird system and its failure to bring Neji into the Main Family.
• When Hiashi defended the clan, Asuka confronted him about its problems, while nearby villagers watched nervously.

Uchiha Asuka and Kushina confronted Hyuga Hiashi at the Chunin Exams, and Asuka sent the Hyuga Clan Head crashing into a wall with one kick. After the Hokage ordered the Konoha ninjas not to interfere, Kushina told Asuka she had begun to feel fond of him, leaving him confused.

• Hyuga Hiashi dismissed Asuka's criticism of the Hyuga Clan, and Kushina rebuked him for calling people a demon fox.
• Hyuga Hiashi charged the pair while Neji destroyed the Chakra Shadow Clones, but Asuka kicked Hiashi into a wall.
• Kakashi and Might Guy noticed Asuka's strength, and an Anbu delivered the Hokage's order not to interfere and to remove Hiashi from the examination grounds.
• Kushina praised Asuka for standing up for her, then admitted she felt a little fond of him.
• Asuka wondered whether Kushina's confession was a new PUA tactic.

Naruto defeated Neji after drawing on the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, while the spectators and leaders reflected on fate and Konoha’s internal conflicts. Outside the village, Sand Ninja began preparing to summon Orochimaru’s Summoning Beast and launch the operation to destroy Konoha.

• Neji declared that fate was fixed, and Uchiha Asuka told Kushina that people could design their own fates, though it was extremely difficult.
• Naruto erupted with Nine-Tails Chakra and defeated Neji, prompting the spectators to cheer.
• The “Fourth Kazekage” and Sarutobi Hiruzen discussed the Hyuga Clan’s divisions, Konoha’s conflicts, and the losses caused by Sunagakure’s internal strife.
• Dozens of Sand Ninja withdrew from Konoha’s wall and prepared scrolls so they could summon Orochimaru’s Summoning Beast together.
• A middle-aged Sand Ninja ordered the Destroy Konoha Operation to begin.