Chapter Summaries

Hada Ichiba explained that Orochimaru’s conspicuous interest in Second Pillar’s Sharingan had helped him identify Orochimaru’s true body. Orochimaru remained suspicious that Hada Ichiba was Taki Chiba, and their tense exchange ended with the explanation that his gaze kept turning toward Second Pillar while his substitute showed no interest.

• Hada Ichiba admitted that the Cursed Seal alone could not prove the Sound Village Jonin instructor was Orochimaru’s true body.
• Orochimaru reasoned that Hada Ichiba’s openness toward an enemy of Konoha made him doubt that Hada Ichiba was Taki Chiba.
• Hada Ichiba said Orochimaru’s interest in Second Pillar’s exceptional Sharingan had helped him identify him.
• Hada Ichiba revealed that he knew Uchiha Itachi had used his Sharingan to cut off Orochimaru’s arm and said he had been Itachi’s teacher.
• Hada Ichiba explained that Orochimaru had repeatedly watched Second Pillar before the first match while his substitute had not.

Hada Ichiba explained that Orochimaru had exposed his real body by losing his composure over the Sharingan, easing the tension between them. Orochimaru then asserted that his position as a Sound Village Jonin instructor protected him from Konoha, leaving Hada to recognize his confidence in carrying out his plan.

• Orochimaru realized Hada Ichiba had identified his real body because he had shown too much interest in Second Pillar's Sharingan.
• Hada Ichiba wondered whether he had overestimated Orochimaru as Orochimaru silently acknowledged his explanation but remained distrustful.
• Hada Ichiba asked how Orochimaru could prove he was Taki Chiba, and Orochimaru replied that the identity did not matter to him.
• Orochimaru claimed he was merely a Sound Village Jonin instructor and that neither he nor Sound Village had broken the Chunin Exam rules.
• Hada Ichiba understood that Orochimaru was asserting Konoha could only guard against him, not act against him, and that he remained confident in his plan.

Hada Ichiba confronted Orochimaru, then left him unsettled with a cold warning. Orochimaru concluded that Hada Ichiba was Taki Chiba, who had come to stop his Konoha Crush Plan and protect the Chunin Exams.

• Hada Ichiba smiled at Orochimaru and turned away without answering him.
• Orochimaru wondered whether Hada Ichiba had anticipated his response and achieved his goal already.
• Hada Ichiba turned back and accused Orochimaru of plotting against Konoha, then warned him not to make him unhappy again.
• After Hada Ichiba left, Orochimaru concluded that he was Taki Chiba and had come to stop the Konoha Crush Plan.

Orochimaru confirmed that Hada Ichiba was Taki Chiba, whom he had feared and tracked for years. Though he initially believed the revelation would make the Konoha Crush Plan easier, he ended the chapter wondering what Taki Chiba was plotting.

• Orochimaru watched Hada Ichiba enter the place where the two children had gone into Kusagakure and realized Taki Chiba was alive.
• Orochimaru recalled joining Akatsuki and later building his own intelligence network to seek information about Taki Chiba.
• Orochimaru reasoned that, with Sound Village and Sunagakure behind him, he could deal with Taki Chiba and proceed with the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Orochimaru reconsidered why Taki Chiba had revealed himself and grew suspicious that the disclosure was part of a plan.
• Orochimaru became increasingly uneasy as he wondered what Taki Chiba intended.

Hada Ryuhiko reflected on Kazuha’s dangerous plans and his promise to protect Kusagakure, while wondering what Kazuha had discussed with the Sound Village Jonin instructor. The fight below shifted when Second Pillar struck Akado Yoroi with a rising kick.

• Hada Ryuhiko watched Hada Ichiba return from speaking privately with the Sound Village Jonin instructor and noticed the instructor seemed unsettled.
• Hada Ryuhiko recalled overhearing Kazuha promise Teacher Heyin that he would protect everyone in Kusagakure, even at the cost of his life.
• Hada Ryuhiko wondered how Kazuha’s dangerous plan connected to his provocation of the Sound Village Jonin instructor.
• Hada Ichiba remarked that someone was capable, and Second Pillar kicked Akado Yoroi in the chin.

Second Pillar overcame the Cursed Seal’s control and counterattacked Akado Yoroi with a devastating Lion Combo. Akado Yoroi crashed to the ground, badly injured and apparently unconscious.

• Hada Ryuhiko noticed Hada Ichiba’s wistful reaction as Second Pillar vanished and appeared in Akado Yoroi’s shadow.
• As the Cursed Seal spread across his face, Second Pillar recalled the girl who had comforted him and Naruto’s encouragement, then drew on his Chakra to suppress the seal.
• Second Pillar touched Akado Yoroi’s back, baited him into blocking a left kick, and struck his face with an elbow.
• Second Pillar followed with another elbow and a powerful side kick that drove Akado Yoroi into the ground.

Second Pillar defeated Akado Yoroi with Lion Combo, then struggled to stay upright as Kakashi and his friends gathered around him. His victory drew the attention of Kusagakure’s leaders, while the encouragement of his friends left him feeling warm.

• Gekko Hayate confirmed that Akado Yoroi was unconscious and declared Second Pillar the winner.
• Hada Ichiba considered Second Pillar’s ability to resist the Cursed Seal, while Hada Ryuhiko weighed how winning the exams could bring Kusagakure more aid.
• Hada Anna worried that Second Pillar was too injured to keep fighting and might die.
• Kakashi appeared behind Second Pillar and praised him for doing well.
• Uzumaki Naruto celebrated Second Pillar’s victory, and Second Pillar noticed the girl behind Naruto relax and felt warmth toward his friends.

Hada Ichiba assessed Orochimaru’s Hidden Rain stand-in as a dangerous opponent while watching Second Pillar draw Orochimaru’s eager attention. He turned his focus back to the rookies as Orochimaru’s interest in Second Pillar intensified.

• Hada Ichiba studied the Hidden Rain man in the conical hat and reasoned that Orochimaru’s stand-in was stronger than Kotetsu and could threaten his plans.
• Hada Ichiba concluded that the stand-in’s carefully matched bearing and demeanor had kept him from judging the man’s true abilities.
• Hada Ichiba chose not to let the uncertainty unsettle him and decided to watch Konoha’s rookies, noting that Second Pillar had made a good start.
• Hada Ichiba saw Orochimaru stare at Second Pillar with growing excitement and inwardly called him a pervert.

After Second Pillar defeated Akado Yoroi, Kakashi took him away to treat his Cursed Seal despite his wish to watch the remaining matches. Hada Anna chased after them, while Hada Ichiba assured Hada Ryuhiko she would not be chosen for the next match, which paired Zaku with Shino Aburame.

• The medical team carried Akado Yoroi away, and Kakashi took responsibility for treating Second Pillar's Cursed Seal.
• Second Pillar objected to leaving before the preliminaries ended, but Kakashi insisted that delaying treatment could cause irreversible harm.
• Hada Anna suddenly ran after Kakashi and Second Pillar, prompting Hada Ryuhiko to worry she would forfeit if selected to fight.
• Hada Ichiba assured Hada Ryuhiko that Anna would not be chosen, and the next matchup was announced as Zaku versus Shino Aburame.

Hada Ryuhiko realized Kazuha had known Anna would not be selected, then noticed Hada Ichiba and one of Zaku’s teammates had vanished and feared Kazuha was plotting against Konoha. Meanwhile, Dosu struggled with Zaku being sent into the match injured until Lord Orochimaru spoke to him and asked him to help again.

• Hada Ryuhiko recalled Kazuha’s certainty that Anna would not be selected and suspected he knew the match’s outcome in advance.
• Gekko Hayate called Zaku and Shino Aburame forward for the second preliminary match.
• Hada Ryuhiko noticed Hada Ichiba and one of Zaku’s teammates had disappeared, then feared they were conspiring with Sound Village and possibly Sunagakure against Konoha.
• Dosu remembered Zaku’s broken hands, his devotion to Lord Orochimaru, and his decision to fight despite his injuries.
• Lord Orochimaru called to Dosu in his mind and asked him to help again, and Dosu agreed.

Hada Anna interrupted Kakashi and Second Pillar as Kakashi prepared to seal Second Pillar’s Cursed Seal, warning that ordinary seal ink could not contain it. After describing the seal’s painful effects, she was asked what medium they should use.

• Hada Anna told Kakashi and Second Pillar that seal ink would not create a qualified seal and that they needed special materials.
• Hada Anna warned that the Cursed Seal would resist the Sealing Evil Law Seal and could leave Second Pillar too weak to endure another attempt if the first failed.
• Second Pillar asked Hada Anna whether she knew about the Cursed Seal, and she said she did not.
• Hada Anna described the Cursed Seal’s pain, bursts of strength, and draining aftermath, saying she had seen something like it before.
• Kakashi asked Hada Anna what medium they should use, taking her warning seriously.

Kakashi struggled to complete the Sealing Evil Law Seal while hiding that he could not construct its formula with Chakra. Hada Anna suggested using blood, and Kakashi began drawing the seal on Second Pillar.

• Kakashi quietly prompted Second Pillar to think carefully about Hada Anna's words, and Second Pillar realized Chakra could serve as a medium for Sealing Jutsu.
• Hada Anna tactfully suggested that Kakashi could not use Chakra for the Sealing Evil Law Seal and said other materials would work.
• Kakashi asked which material would be best, and Hada Anna suggested blood.
• Second Pillar grew suspicious of Kakashi's knowledge, so Kakashi cut his fingers and began drawing the seal in blood.

Hada Anna helped Kakashi seal Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, warning that Sasuke could not survive a second attempt. After the seal succeeded and Sasuke collapsed, Kakashi realized Anna had foreseen the danger, then was startled by a voice behind him praising his Sealing Jutsu.

• Hada Anna watched Kakashi draw the sealing formula and prepared to leave after giving him advice about Sasuke.
• Kakashi thanked Hada Anna, startling her, while he continued drawing the formula.
• Sasuke called to Kakashi, who pressed his palm against the Cursed Seal and completed the Sealing Evil Law Seal.
• Sasuke collapsed unconscious, and Kakashi confirmed his pulse was steady before realizing Anna had likely saved his life.
• Kakashi turned toward Anna, but a faint voice behind him praised his knowledge of Sealing Jutsu.

Orochimaru revealed himself to Kakashi and admitted he had come for Sasuke and the power of the Uchiha. As Kakashi confronted him, a burst of blue light and a sharp cry interrupted their standoff.

• Orochimaru emerged from behind a pillar and told Kakashi he had come for the unconscious Sasuke.
• Kakashi questioned Orochimaru’s interest in Sasuke, and Orochimaru said he wanted the Sharingan’s power, including Kakashi’s.
• Orochimaru explained that the recently established Sound Village was his and that he needed people to serve his ambitions.
• Orochimaru clarified that Sasuke was not one of the pieces he sought among the Chunin Exam children.
• A sharp cry rang out, blue light filled the space, and a voice warned Orochimaru not to approach Sasuke again.

Orochimaru pressured Kakashi and decided to abandon the Konoha Crush Plan so he could seize Sasuke before Taki Chiba could interfere. As Orochimaru prepared to act, someone called out and challenged him.

• Kakashi warned that he could take Orochimaru down with him, but Orochimaru laughed and said Sasuke’s desire for vengeance would lead him to seek power.
• Orochimaru stepped toward Kakashi, who raised his Sharingan but realized he could not protect himself or Sasuke from the Sannin.
• Orochimaru decided to put the Konoha Crush Plan aside and take Sasuke during the Chunin Exams, before Taki Chiba could reach him.
• Orochimaru’s expression changed as a crisp sound rang out, and a voice declared that he was the opponent.

Hada Anna unexpectedly appeared between Orochimaru and Kakashi, then told Kakashi they should leave. The chapter ended as Orochimaru sensed something behind him and froze in dread.

• Hada Anna stepped between Orochimaru and Kakashi, declaring that she would not let Orochimaru bully the weak.
• Kakashi realized Anna was on his side and felt his anxiety ease, while Orochimaru assessed her as a possible threat.
• Anna smiled and told Kakashi they should leave, baffling both Kakashi and Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru suddenly stiffened and looked behind him in horror.

Hada Anna led Kakashi and Second Pillar away while Hada Ichiba confronted Orochimaru. Ichiba’s chakra shattered the surrounding area, and he warned Orochimaru that this was his last chance before leaving.

• Hada Anna told Kakashi to leave, and Kakashi took Second Pillar and escaped with her.
• Orochimaru turned to face the gray-white-haired young man behind him, whom he recognized as Taki Chiba.
• Taki Chiba’s half-step unleashed a blast of chakra that cracked the ground, walls, pillars, and Kakashi’s sealing array.
• Taki Chiba warned Orochimaru not to provoke him again and walked away.
• Orochimaru remained silent, swallowing as fear, fury, resentment, gloom, and killing intent crossed his face.

Hada Ichiba used a costly display of power to intimidate Orochimaru, then tried to return to the training room without showing his exhaustion. Orochimaru reconsidered the Konoha Crush Plan and began to suspect that Taki Chiba might not be able to stop him.

• Hada Ichiba assessed the chakra he had spent intimidating Orochimaru and decided he needed to recover before his preliminary match.
• Hada Ichiba started back toward the second floor, but froze when he saw the light ahead.
• Orochimaru examined the damage around him and considered abandoning the Konoha Crush Plan because Taki Chiba seemed too powerful to oppose.
• Orochimaru questioned why Taki Chiba had only warned him despite having grounds to kill him, and wondered if Taki Chiba could not actually stop him.

Hada Ichiba returned to the second-floor passage and watched Shino Aburame defeat Zaku, while the others reacted to Shino’s insect techniques. The next match was announced as Kusada Kakeru versus Hada Ichiba.

• Hada Ichiba dismissed a strange feeling of familiarity, then reunited with Hada Anna and Hada Ryuhiko as they made up.
• Gekko Hayate declared Shino Aburame the winner after Zaku’s hands were destroyed when insects blocked his air vents.
• Neji Hyuga used his Byakugan and explained that Shino’s clan raised insects inside their bodies and controlled them with chakra.
• Dosu deduced how Shino had defeated Zaku and vowed to avenge him, while Naruto and Sakura reacted to Shino’s strength.
• Gekko Hayate announced the next match, and the screen displayed Kusada Kakeru versus Hada Ichiba.

After Hada Ichiba was announced as Kazuha’s opponent, the participants realized they had been instinctively overlooking how formidable he was. Gaara’s killing intent stirred, while Dosu and Kin considered the threat Hada Ichiba posed and Orochimaru’s plans for the exams.

• The participants saw Hada Ichiba’s name on the screen and realized they had been ignoring a contender they considered exceptionally powerful.
• Kankuro recognized that Hada Ichiba’s presence had stirred Gaara’s killing intent, while Temari wondered whether people were overlooking him as a form of self-protection.
• Kin voiced her worry about facing Hada Ichiba, and Dosu reassured her that Orochimaru would find a way to deal with him.
• Dosu recalled Orochimaru’s order to forfeit if he encountered Hada Ichiba and resolved to be especially cautious during the exams.