Chapter Summaries

Chiba and Kakashi prepared for their match, but a huge crowd of spectators gathered and overwhelmed the tense moment with cheers. The chapter ended as a girl in white called out for Chiba, silencing the crowd and drawing everyone’s attention.

• Chiba and Kakashi reached for their Ninja Tool Pouches, but the noise and crowd around the cabin broke their concentration before they began.
• An ANBU pair watched from the roof and discussed the boys’ apparent skill as Hirohiko, Obito, and Asuma also gathered to watch.
• Girls in the crowd cheered loudly for Kakashi, while Obito and Asuma cheered for Chiba and Rin called out for Kakashi.
• Kakashi silently suggested to Chiba that they skip the match after a fan club raised a banner declaring its love for him.
• A girl in white called out, “Go, Chiba!” and silenced the crowd as everyone turned to look at her.

Yukina unexpectedly cheered for Chiba during his spar with Kakashi, drawing everyone’s attention and inspiring Chiba to fight seriously. Rin then cheered for Kakashi, the crowd rallied behind him, and the two young ninja launched into battle.

• Yukina hurried to watch Chiba and Kakashi spar and blurted out a cheer for Chiba.
• The Anbu, Hirohiko, Asuma, and Obito interpreted Yukina’s support as evidence that she cared for Chiba.
• Chiba felt encouraged by Yukina, and Kakashi realized he could not avoid the fight and resolved not to disappoint anyone.
• Rin called out her support for Kakashi, prompting the crowd to chant that Kakashi would defeat Chiba.
• Chiba and Kakashi charged at each other, and their first clash began the battle.

Chiba and Kakashi traded a series of clone feints and counterattacks during their fight, each anticipating the other's hidden techniques. The chapter ended with Kakashi caught between Chiba's three water arrows and another Chiba's descending punch as smoke obscured the result.

• Kakashi caught Chiba's hand and began a landing throw, but Chiba used a hidden Shadow Clone to punch him in the face.
• Chiba's punch struck an Earth Clone Kakashi, and Kakashi emerged from behind it to counter with a punch of his own.
• Chiba revealed that the Kakashi he had punched was an Earth Clone, while the Chiba struck by Kakashi was a Water Clone.
• Chiba used an uppercut to launch Kakashi into the air, then sent three water arrows after him.
• Another Chiba appeared above Kakashi and brought down a punch as the water arrows closed in, and Rin cried out when smoke filled the cabin.

Chiba realized Kakashi had outmaneuvered him with a sudden counterattack and prepared to face him in a serious fight. As they raised their weapons, Chiba launched another attack from behind his back.

• Chiba recognized that Kakashi’s skill and combat instincts were far greater than he had expected.
• The onlookers praised Kakashi’s reversal, while Yukina noted how unfavorable the situation had been for him.
• Kakashi emerged from the smoke with a Ninja Sword, and Chiba realized he had been fooled by clones and an attack from behind.
• Chiba steadied himself against Kakashi’s reputation and raised his Kunai as Kakashi prepared to fight with ninja tools.
• Chiba suddenly whipped his concealed hand forward.

Kakashi appeared to gain the upper hand over Chiba with a refined sword technique, but an explosive tag hidden in the ground revealed that Chiba still had a trick prepared. The fight remained unresolved as the tag ignited at Kakashi’s feet.

• Kakashi deflected Chiba’s kunai with his sword and caught Chiba’s wrist after redirecting the force of his strike.
• The crowd and the Anbu were amazed by Kakashi’s advanced swordsmanship, which reminded them of Hatake Sakumo.
• Obito and Asuma reacted in disbelief as Kakashi seemed to have Chiba cornered.
• Kakashi spotted an explosive-tagged kunai planted near his feet and saw Chiba’s hidden left hand.
• The explosive tag ignited, and Kakashi realized Chiba had not been defeated.

Chiba and Kakashi traded explosive traps, Earth Release defenses, and feints as each tried to anticipate the other's next move. Chiba seized Kakashi's thrown sword, only to discover a lightning attack racing along a hidden line toward him.

• Chiba and Kakashi were thrown apart by an Exploding Tag, and Kakashi realized Chiba had used an Earth Clone as part of his trap.
• They simultaneously blocked incoming Kunai and water bullets with Earth Walls, which both sides had rigged to explode.
• Chiba leaped from the blast and threw shuriken while forming hand seals, prompting Kakashi to hurl his Ninja Sword at him.
• Chiba dodged the sword and grabbed its hilt, but a lightning serpent raced along a slender line toward him.

Kakashi’s lightning attack struck Chiba’s hand, but Chiba appeared to seize the current and hold it around his Ninja Sword. As Kakashi escalated his Lightning Release, another youth burst from the smoke and punched Chiba in the face.

• Kakashi used Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation to send a lightning snake at Chiba.
• Chiba’s hand caught the lightning, shedding black ash as the current wrapped around his hand and Ninja Sword.
• The Anbu and spectators recognized Kakashi’s Jonin-level strength, while the Anbu marveled at Chiba’s apparent ability to hold lightning.
• Kakashi asked what Chiba had done to his hand, then increased his Lightning Release as Chiba sensed movement behind him.
• A youth emerged from the Higure smoke and punched Chiba in the cheek as Chiba turned.

Chiba and Kakashi’s spar ended in a draw after Kakashi’s attack struck a Shadow Clone and Chiba countered with an electrified wire, while Rock Skin protected him from the current. They reconciled and left the stunned spectators wondering what had happened.

• Chiba and Kakashi’s attacks revealed that both had prepared hidden tactics, leaving Hirohiko and Yukina to wonder whether Chiba’s moves had all gone according to plan.
• Kakashi’s punch hit a Chiba covered in Rock Skin, but the figure and its armor shattered into smoke, revealing it was a Shadow Clone.
• Chiba and Kakashi stopped sparring and agreed that continuing was pointless.
• Chiba and Kakashi debated the outcome, then settled on a draw and formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
• The spectators watched in confusion and chorused their disbelief at the spar’s anticlimactic end.

After Chiba and Kakashi ended their spar with a Seal of Reconciliation, spectators debated who had been stronger while the Anbu recognized how dangerous their hidden skills were. Chiba judged the match effectively even and realized that Kakashi remained a formidable opponent with a chance to win against anyone.

• Chiba and Kakashi formed the Seal of Reconciliation, leaving the crowd uncertain whether either had won.
• The spectators split between those who favored Kakashi and those who said Chiba had not lost, while Obito complained that the fight had been too short.
• Asuma watched Chiba and Kakashi with resentment, while Yukina and Hirohiko wondered whether Chiba would fight them as seriously.
• The Anbu assessed the boys' concealed techniques and concluded that both were capable of becoming exceptionally young Anbu captains.
• Kakashi wished he could fight Chiba without holding back, while Chiba concluded that their spar had been even and that Kakashi was terrifyingly difficult to defeat.

Chiba and Kakashi ended their carefully restrained spar and began preparing a New Year feast, disappointing the crowd that had hoped to see more. As the spectators dispersed, a new attacker appeared and demanded a battle with them.

• The Third Hokage watched Chiba and Kakashi end their spar in a draw and praised their decision to avoid endangering bystanders.
• News of the spar spread through Konoha, leaving Defense Force ninjas, Anbu, and civilians wishing they could have watched.
• Chiba asked Kakashi to help buy groceries for the New Year meal, and the disappointed spectators began to disperse.
• Yukina offered to help Chiba prepare, while Obito and Asuma wondered whether the spar had been more impressive than it looked.
• Chiba and Kakashi sensed hostility, and a newcomer swept a kick at Chiba while calling them his eternal rivals and demanding a battle.

Might Guy and Asuma attacked Chiba, but he redirected their strikes and threw them aside. Hirohiko then caught Chiba in midair with a Phoenix Flower Crimson follow-up and Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, leaving Chiba swallowed by a barrage of shuriken and smoke.

• Might Guy struck Chiba with a Konoha Whirlwind as Asuma attacked from the other side.
• Chiba redirected Guy's kick, caught both attackers, and hurled them to the ground.
• Hirohiko leapt into the air and fired five fireballs at Chiba with Phoenix Flower Crimson.
• Chiba countered with five Water Bullets, but Hirohiko's hidden shuriken emerged from the steam.
• Hirohiko used Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, and the shuriken barrage engulfed Chiba as he hit the ground.

Hirohiko watched the mist after Chiba was struck by Might Guy's surprise attack, while observers realized Chiba had used a movement resembling the Hyuga Clan's Rotation. As Hirohiko turned toward a voice behind him, a heavy impact sounded inside the wooden house.

• Hirohiko watched the mist and assessed how Chiba's improved Rock Hardening Technique could withstand the Shuriken.
• The gathered children and adults waited to see whether Might Guy's surprise attack had defeated Chiba, while the Anbu discussed rumors about Chiba's connection to a clan.
• Yukina reassured Rin about Kakashi and wondered whether Chiba had learned Rotation.
• The Third Hokage recognized that Chiba had deflected Guy's kick using a technique resembling the Hyuga Clan's Rotation.
• A voice called for Hirohiko to stop, and he turned toward it as a heavy impact sounded in the wooden house.

Chiba anticipated a coordinated counterattack from Hirohiko, Might Guy, and Asuma, but Might Guy struck him from above with a powerful axe kick that drove him into the ground. Asuma immediately followed with Wind Release: Gale Palm to keep the dust from obscuring their view.

• Hirohiko realized Chiba had burrowed underground and moved behind him, but Chiba punched him into the ground.
• Hirohiko’s impact cracked and shattered the ground, forcing the observing ninja to shield the children and retreat into the woods.
• Chiba noticed Might Guy had vanished from the mist and anticipated a coordinated attack involving an aerial strike followed by another blow.
• Chiba covered himself with an evolved Rock Hardening Technique and blocked Might Guy’s Crushing Rock Strike, but the impact sent him crashing downward.
• Asuma struck the rising dust cloud with Wind Release: Gale Palm to keep it from blocking their vision.

Chiba escaped the coordinated assault by using an evolved Rock Hardening Technique and a Water Wall, then turned the tables on Hirohiko with an Exploding Tag. The tag ignited beside Hirohiko as he prepared to attack Chiba with the Dragon Fire Technique.

• Chiba endured the combined attacks of Might Guy, Asuma, and Hirohiko as his Rock Skin cracked.
• Chiba used the evolved Rock Hardening Technique, Form Two, before Asuma’s fireball struck him.
• Might Guy attacked Chiba with Bad Rock Rise, but Chiba formed a Water Wall that extinguished the flames and blocked the blow.
• Chiba burst through the Water Wall and shot upward, forcing Might Guy and Asuma to defend themselves from the spray.
• Hirohiko formed the Dragon Fire Technique to attack Chiba along the Steel Wire, but an Exploding Tag slid down the wire and ignited near his mouth.

Chiba outmaneuvered Hirohiko, Asuma, and Might Guy, then carefully pressed Asuma and Might Guy down to end their fight. Before he could finish, another figure suddenly slammed into him back-first.

• Chiba used Water Wall to break the coordinated attack cycle and sent an Exploding Tag toward Hirohiko, forcing all three opponents to retreat.
• Hirohiko realized Chiba had anticipated his Dragon Fire Technique, but the Exploding Tag detonated and swallowed him in flames and smoke.
• Chiba struck Asuma and Might Guy's shoulders, then carefully gauged his strength as he prepared to knock them out of the fight.
• As Chiba pressed down on Asuma and Might Guy, he sensed someone rushing toward him and turned to see a back hurtling into his face.

Chiba and Kakashi were knocked into a tree when Yukina and Hyuga Yukyō joined the fight, interrupting Chiba’s battle with Asuma and Might Guy. After Chiba apologized for calling the fight a farce, the gathered ninjas faced him and Kakashi with renewed hostility and fighting spirit.

• Chiba and Kakashi crashed into a tree, then brushed off their Rock Armor as they got back to their feet.
• Chiba saw Yukina holding Obito and Hirohiko while Hyuga Yukyō, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu confronted them nearby.
• Chiba realized that Yukina had struck Kakashi and apologized after learning how Kakashi had been overwhelmed.
• Hyuga Yukyō challenged Chiba and Kakashi over calling the fight a farce.
• Asuma, Might Guy, Ebisu, Genma Shiranui, Obito, and Hirohiko gathered around Chiba and Kakashi, ready to fight.

The Anbu watched as Hyuga Yukyō, Yukina, Hirohiko, and the others prepared to challenge Chiba and Kakashi, leaving the pair facing overwhelming odds. Chiba activated his Overload State and agreed to team up with Kakashi.

• The male Anbu Ninja noted that Hyuga Yukyō, Yukina, Hirohiko, and the other young ninja had turned the fight into a serious challenge for Chiba and Kakashi.
• Yukina and Hirohiko exchanged a glance and stepped forward with the group, while Kakashi warned Chiba that even together they were at a severe disadvantage.
• Chiba recalled how Hirohiko's Steel Wire had forced him to take attacks from Asuma and Might Guy and use his trump card.
• Chiba covered his bleeding nose while thinking through the threat posed by Yukina's Byakugan and her familiarity with his tactics.
• Kakashi asked Chiba to team up, and Chiba agreed as they faced the others.

Chiba and Kakashi faced seven opponents, including Hirohiko, Yukina, and Hyuga Yukyō, and Chiba concluded that tactics could not overcome their disadvantage. As the attack began, Chiba chose a risky counter and launched the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

• Chiba weighed possible plans and realized the enemy's numbers and abilities left him and Kakashi with no reliable tactic.
• Kakashi asked Chiba for a plan, and Chiba admitted he had none.
• Chiba and Kakashi crouched to reach for their ninja tools as the opponents prepared to attack.
• Chiba told Kakashi to coordinate with him, then threw shuriken and kunai and formed the seals for the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
• Hirohiko and Chiba both raised their heads with sharp glints in their eyes as they completed their hand seals.

Kakashi, Chiba, Hirohiko, Asuma, and Might Guy clashed in a coordinated battle that turned on hidden traps and split-second teamwork. Chiba’s Exploding Tags disrupted Asuma and Might Guy’s attacks, while his Kunai flew toward Yukina, leaving her wondering what he was planning.

• Hirohiko used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu and Steel Wire to bind Kakashi, then attacked through the mist with the Dragon Fire Technique.
• Kakashi used a substitution and slashed Hirohiko with the flat of his sword, tearing his shirt and forcing Hirohiko to concede his own defeat.
• Hirohiko tried to catch Kakashi with Sharingan genjutsu, but Kakashi shut his eyes as Might Guy and Asuma attacked from opposite sides.
• Chiba emerged behind Kakashi and detonated Exploding Tags he had planted on Asuma and Might Guy, throwing off their attacks.
• Chiba threw two Kunai carrying Exploding Tags toward Yukina, who realized he had found her position but could not tell what he was planning.

Chiba used his apparent vulnerability to lure Hyuga Yukyō into an attack and set up a counter, then unleashed a powerful strike at the center of the battlefield. Yukina recognized the danger and warned the reserve fighters to flee just as Chiba’s fist hit the ground.

• Chiba inferred that Yukina had arranged for Hyuga Yukyō to pin down his real body while Obito, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui waited in reserve.
• Hyuga Yukyō struck Chiba with Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, but Chiba partially deflected it with a Chakra shield and evaded the attack.
• Chiba warned Kakashi, who threw his Ninja Sword toward Hyuga Yukyō; Kakashi sent lightning along it and incapacitated him.
• Chiba’s Shadow Clone grabbed and hurled the falling Chiba toward the ground, while Hirohiko recognized the trap and called for an attack.
• Yukina shouted for everyone to run as Obito, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui emerged from the forests, but Chiba smashed his fist into the ground with Monster Strength Burst.