Chapter Summaries

Rock Lee opened the Eight Inner Gates and nearly defeated Gaara, but Gaara survived his Reverse Lotus and crushed Lee’s limbs with Sand Binding Burial. Gaara won the match, while Might Guy comforted the unconscious Lee, whose resolve left Gaara angry and confused.

• Rock Lee opened the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Inner Gates, overwhelming Gaara with a barrage of attacks and striking him down with Reverse Lotus.
• Gaara survived the impact by using sand from his gourd to cushion his fall, then crushed Rock Lee’s left arm and leg with Sand Binding Burial.
• Might Guy stopped Gaara from attacking the unconscious Lee, and Gaara chose to end the fight.
• Rock Lee stood up after losing consciousness, prompting Might Guy to embrace him and praise him as an outstanding ninja.
• Gekko Hayate declared Gaara the winner, and Gaara grew angry when he saw Zhang Miao watching over Rock Lee.

After Dosu Kinata defeated Choji Akimichi, the third stage of the Chunin selection exams ended, and the advancing contestants drew their official matchups. Temari learned that the Kazekage had been murdered, and Baki decided to seek Miao’s help after nightfall.

• Dosu Kinata defeated Choji Akimichi, and Hiruzen Sarutobi announced that the official selection would begin in a month.
• Gaara watched Zhang Miao leave with Naruto, then told Temari and Kankuro he would kill the person who had made him lose face in front of his brother.
• Temari asked Baki whether the Kazekage was dead, and Baki confirmed that his men had found the Kazekage’s body near Sunagakure.
• Baki told Temari that they needed Miao’s support to gain the backing of Chiyo Advisor and Ebizo Advisor and to avenge the Kazekage.
• Temari agreed to wait until nightfall while Baki went alone to find Miao, avoiding attention from Konoha’s Anbu and their enemies.

Baki sought Zhang Miao’s guidance after the Fourth Kazekage’s murder, and Zhang Miao agreed to help Sunagakure turn against Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush. After Hiruzen summoned Zhang Miao over two deaths, Zhang Miao identified their likely causes and revealed that Sunagakure and Otogakure were plotting to attack Konoha.

• Baki told Zhang Miao that the Fourth Kazekage had been murdered and proposed cooperating with Orochimaru until Sunagakure could join Konoha against him.
• Zhang Miao promised to arrange support in Konoha and gave Baki a kunai to deliver secretly to Grandma Chiyo to secure his authority in Sunagakure.
• The next morning, an Anbu summoned Zhang Miao to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s office, where Hiruzen reported that Gekko Hayate and Dosu Kinata had been killed.
• Zhang Miao identified Gaara as Dosu’s killer and said Gekko Hayate had likely been murdered after overhearing Sunagakure and Otogakure plot an attack on Konoha.
• Hiruzen stood in shock and asked Zhang Miao whether the alleged plot was true.

Zhang Miao told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage and planned to attack Konoha, and assured him Sunagakure would help stop the Konoha Crush Plan. After visiting Hinata, Zhang Miao heard how Naruto had met Jiraiya and encouraged him to learn from the white-haired Sannin.

• Zhang Miao explained to Hiruzen Sarutobi that Orochimaru had founded Otogakure, assassinated the Fourth Kazekage, and planned to attack Konoha while disguised as him.
• Zhang Miao told Hiruzen Sarutobi that he had contacted Sunagakure’s leaders and that Konoha and Sunagakure would face Orochimaru together.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi agreed to send extra guards to the Chunin Ninja Exams and leave the rest to Zhang Miao and Sunagakure.
• Zhang Miao visited Hinata and treated her with the Mystical Palm Technique before having dinner at Hyuga Hiashi’s home.
• Naruto excitedly told Zhang Miao about meeting Jiraiya after Ebisu was knocked out, and Zhang Miao encouraged him to learn from Jiraiya.

Zhang Miao entered Naruto’s consciousness to speak with Kurama about helping Naruto, then revealed his Sage-like form and stunned the Nine-Tails. Kurama was left wondering whether Zhang Miao was the Sage of Six Paths.

• Zhang Miao decided Naruto could use the toads of Mount Myōboku as a Summoning Beast while he worked toward Kurama’s cooperation.
• Zhang Miao entered Naruto’s consciousness and found Kurama behind the sealed iron gate.
• Zhang Miao called the Nine-Tails Kurama and sang the Tailed Beast Counting Song, prompting Kurama to ask who he was.
• Zhang Miao summoned six Tailed Beasts he had recruited, shocking Kurama.
• Zhang Miao transformed into a white-robed figure bearing Sage-like powers, and Kurama asked if he was the Sage of Six Paths.

Zhang Miao used his Six Paths Body to pose as a Sage of Six Paths and negotiate with Kurama, asking him to help protect Naruto. Kurama agreed to lend Naruto a hand when he could reach him, though he refused to trust humans, and Zhang Miao left Naruto to face his own path.

• Zhang Miao appeared before Kurama in the form of the Sage of Six Paths and claimed he had created the tailed beasts standing behind him.
• Kurama questioned Zhang Miao’s identity and purpose, then agreed to hear his proposed deal.
• Zhang Miao promised he could bring Hagoromo Otsutsuki back and asked Kurama to trust Naruto Uzumaki instead.
• Kurama angrily rejected the idea of trusting Naruto, whom he blamed for sealing him away.
• Zhang Miao explained that Naruto was his most important family and asked Kurama to protect him in his place.
• Kurama agreed to help Naruto when he could reach him but said he would never trust humans, and Zhang Miao left Naruto’s consciousness.

Naruto mastered the Summoning Jutsu with Kurama’s Chakra and earned Gama Bunta’s recognition, then went to Leaf Village Hospital to find Zhang Miao. There, he and Shikamaru discovered Gaara seemingly preparing to attack Rock Lee.

• Jiraiya trained Naruto in the Summoning Jutsu, and Kurama gave Naruto some of his Chakra so he could summon Gama Bunta.
• Naruto fought stubbornly to earn Gama Bunta’s recognition, and Gama Bunta later brought the exhausted Naruto to Leaf Village Hospital.
• Zhang Miao carried Naruto home, where Naruto slept for two days and woke eager to show his Summoning Beast to his brother.
• Naruto learned that Zhang Miao was helping at Leaf Village Hospital and rushed there, meeting Shikamaru on the second floor.
• Shikamaru led Naruto to Rock Lee’s ward, where they saw Gaara using sand around the injured Rock Lee.
• Shikamaru used Secret Technique: Shadow Mimicry Jutsu against Gaara.

Shikamaru and Naruto confronted Gaara in Rock Lee’s hospital room after Gaara tried to kill Lee, and Gaara revealed his anger over losing his brother. Might Guy stopped Gaara’s attack, but Gaara then found his brother waiting on the hospital rooftop.

• Shikamaru used Shadow Mimicry Jutsu to restrain Gaara while Naruto confronted him over threatening Rock Lee.
• Gaara said he intended to kill Rock Lee and anyone who obstructed him, but Naruto claimed he would not lose because he had a monster inside him.
• Gaara revealed that he had been born a monster, that his brother had once cared for him, and that he blamed others for taking his brother away.
• Gaara unleashed his sand toward Naruto and Shikamaru, but Might Guy entered the room and made him withdraw it.
• Gaara threatened Naruto before leaving the room, then went to the hospital rooftop and told the red-haired figure that his brother was finally willing to acknowledge him.

Zhang Miao reconciled with Gaara and promised to return with him to Sunagakure once Konoha’s crisis was resolved. He then prepared to expose Orochimaru’s plot and turn Sunagakure against Otogakure.

• Zhang Miao sensed Gaara’s killing intent at the hospital and learned that Gaara’s hatred of Rock Lee stemmed from feeling humiliated before him.
• Zhang Miao called Gaara to the rooftop, apologized for being absent, and assured him that he would always be his little brother.
• Gaara agreed to wait until Zhang Miao settled matters in Konoha, then left using the Sand Flicker Technique.
• Zhang Miao decided that exposing Orochimaru’s plans to Sunagakure was the best way to stop the Konoha Crush Plan.
• Zhang Miao recalled that he had sent Baki back with a Flying Thunder God kunai for Grandma Chiyo and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Zhang Miao returned to the Land of Wind and reunited with Grandma Chiyo, then asked her to help foil Orochimaru’s planned attack on Konoha. After Chiyo left to arrange Sunagakure’s response, Zhang Miao rested overnight and teleported away to face what came next.

• Zhang Miao used the Flying Thunder God to return to Grandma Chiyo’s home and hugged her after three years apart.
• Grandma Chiyo pretended to die, then prepared a meal and explained that she had sent her family and Ebizo back to Sunagakure.
• Zhang Miao told Grandma Chiyo that Orochimaru had killed the Fourth Kazekage and planned to attack Konoha the next day.
• Zhang Miao asked Grandma Chiyo to give Baki military command and have Sunagakure cooperate with Konoha in a counterattack, and she agreed.
• Grandma Chiyo left to make arrangements, and Zhang Miao stayed behind to rest before leaving her a note and teleporting away.

During the Chunin Selection Exams, Orochimaru launched his attack on Konoha, trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, and revealed his identity. The confrontation shifted when Uzumaki Ryunosuke emerged from beneath the rooftop and surprised Orochimaru.

• Naruto defeated Neji Hyuga with the Nine-Tails' Chakra, and Shikamaru controlled Temari with his Shadow Mimicry Jutsu.
• Sasuke fought Gaara with his newly learned Chidori as Kabuto Yakushi cast the Nirvana Sacred Hall Technique, putting the spectators and several Genin to sleep.
• Orochimaru restrained Hiruzen Sarutobi and took him to the rooftop, where the Sound Four trapped them inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Orochimaru revealed his identity, explained that he wanted to destroy Konoha and fight his former teacher, and threatened Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Uzumaki Ryunosuke climbed through the rooftop into the barrier, startling Orochimaru and mocking the placement of the formation.

Orochimaru summoned the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, using Impure World Reincarnation to face Hiruzen Sarutobi and Zhang Miao. Zhang Miao let the summoning proceed, and the resurrected Hokage realized they had been called to fight as Orochimaru urged them to begin.

• Orochimaru saw Zhang Miao emerge from beneath the roof and decided to summon the dead rather than let him get close.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to stop Orochimaru's third summoning, but Zhang Miao told him to let it continue.
• Zhang Miao identified the third coffin's occupant as Karatachi Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage and Three-Tails Jinchuriki.
• The three coffins opened, revealing Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Karatachi Yagura.
• Hashirama and Tobirama recognized Hiruzen Sarutobi and realized they had been summoned to fight.
• Orochimaru interrupted their conversation and told them it was time to begin.

Orochimaru restored Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Karatachi Yagura with Impure World Reincarnation to confront Hiruzen Sarutobi. Zhang Miao revealed that two of his masked allies were also the First and Second Hokage, and Senju Workshop attacked the reincarnated group, leaving Hiruzen wondering who Orochimaru had summoned.

• Orochimaru restored Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Karatachi Yagura and ordered them to move against Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Zhang Miao summoned three masked allies and identified Karatachi Yagura as the Fourth Mizukage.
• Zhang Miao revealed that Big Pillar and Senju Workshop were his own versions of the First and Second Hokage, shocking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
• Senju Workshop used Water Release: Water Colliding Wave against Orochimaru and the three reincarnated shinobi.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi wondered who Orochimaru had used as the vessels for the Impure World Reincarnation.

Zhang Miao and Senju Workshop fought Orochimaru’s Impure World Reincarnation forces, proving the revived ninja could recover from fatal wounds. Zhang Miao pinned Karatachi Yagura with a Black Rod and ordered Big Pillar to unleash a powerful Wood Style technique.

• Tobirama Senju matched Senju Workshop’s Water Colliding Wave and Water Dragon Bullet Technique, prompting Zhang Miao to demand they use stronger attacks.
• Senju Workshop’s Water Severing Wave split Karatachi Yagura in half, but Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that the Impure World Reincarnation victims could regenerate.
• Zhang Miao attacked Karatachi Yagura with a Kusanagi Sword, countered his Water Mirror Technique, and cut him down.
• Zhang Miao pinned Karatachi Yagura with a Black Rod, stopping his body from repairing itself.
• Zhang Miao told Big Pillar to use a major attack, and Big Pillar began Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.

Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju fought Orochimaru’s group with Wood Style and Water Release, but Zhang Miao overwhelmed them and captured them. Zhang Miao offered Orochimaru a chance to beg for his life, but Orochimaru remained confused by the demand.

• Hashirama Senju unleashed Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence, sending giant trees and vines toward Orochimaru and his allies.
• Tobirama Senju and Senju Workshop exchanged Water Severing Waves, and Senju Workshop struck Tobirama after predicting where he would reappear with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Hashirama Senju countered the other Hashirama Senju’s Wood Style with his own Deep Forest Emergence, tangling their trees together.
• Zhang Miao used an even stronger Deep Forest Emergence to smash apart both forests and bind Orochimaru, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju.
• Zhang Miao told Orochimaru to admit defeat and beg for mercy, but Orochimaru asked what the three-step surrender combo meant.

Zhang Miao thwarted Orochimaru’s attack and stopped Hiruzen Sarutobi from using the Reaper Death Seal. After Hiruzen named Zhang Miao as his choice for Fifth Hokage, Zhang Miao refused, then ordered Ling Bai to dispel the Impure World Reincarnation controlling Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

• Zhang Miao’s Kusanagi Sword struck Orochimaru’s substitute as Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju escaped using clones.
• Zhang Miao appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi and stopped him from using the Reaper Death Seal, saying he would protect Konoha himself.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi praised Zhang Miao’s Will of Fire and asked him to become the Fifth Hokage, but Zhang Miao refused.
• Orochimaru sent Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to attack while Tobirama Senju used the Dark Movement Technique.
• Zhang Miao called on Ling Bai, who dispelled the darkness and released Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju from Impure World Reincarnation.

Ling Bai seized Orochimaru’s soul and rendered him helpless, forcing him to admit defeat to Zhang Miao. Zhang Miao spared him for the moment and demanded that he provide Kimimaro as a substitute.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized Zaku Abumi and Kin Tsuchi as Orochimaru’s sacrifices for Impure World Reincarnation and watched Ling Bai undo the jutsu.
• Ling Bai seized Orochimaru’s soul, leaving him unable to move or escape.
• Zhang Miao taunted Orochimaru and ordered Ling Bai to pull out his soul, prompting Orochimaru to beg for his life and admit defeat.
• The system rewarded Zhang Miao with ten Orochimaru Ninja Fragments after Orochimaru admitted defeat.
• When Orochimaru asked what Zhang Miao wanted, Zhang Miao named Kimimaro.

Zhang Miao explained that he wanted Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku to help synthesize an Otsutsuki bloodline, and Orochimaru agreed to give Kimimaro to him. As payment, Zhang Miao severed part of Orochimaru’s soul, leaving his arms useless and preventing him from performing hand seals.

• Zhang Miao recounted Kimimaro’s loyalty to Orochimaru, his illness, and his final battle against Gaara.
• Zhang Miao decided Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku could help him pursue the Otsutsuki bloodline by synthesizing compatible bloodlines.
• Orochimaru agreed to hand Kimimaro over, dismissing him as a failed product.
• Zhang Miao cut a portion of Orochimaru’s soul from him as the deal’s deposit.
• Orochimaru discovered his arms had gone numb, and Zhang Miao told him he could no longer use ninjutsu requiring hand seals.

Zhang Miao defeated Orochimaru by destroying his hands, then refused Hiruzen Sarutobi’s offer to become Fifth Hokage. He used the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique on Karatachi Yagura, whose restored body began to show signs of life.

• Orochimaru ended the fight and escaped with the Sound Four after Zhang Miao warned him to remember their deal about Kimimaro.
• Zhang Miao told Hiruzen Sarutobi he spared Orochimaru because the loss of his hands left him unable to threaten Konoha, while admitting he had personal reasons too.
• Zhang Miao rejected becoming Fifth Hokage and went with Hiruzen Sarutobi to deal with Karatachi Yagura, who was pinned down by Black Rods.
• Zhang Miao removed a Black Rod and restored Karatachi Yagura’s body after Orochimaru left.
• Zhang Miao used the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique on Karatachi Yagura, who felt a heartbeat in his chest.

Zhang Miao revived Karatachi Yagura, Zaku Abumi, and Kin Tsuchi, who pledged their loyalty to him. After learning the battle in Konoha had ended and the Fourth Kazekage had been killed, he refused Sunagakure’s request to become the Fifth Kazekage and said he intended to focus on his family plans.

• Karatachi Yagura regained a heartbeat under the Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique’s light, then pledged to serve Zhang Miao.
• Zaku Abumi and Kin Tsuchi were revived, swore loyalty to Zhang Miao, and discarded their Sound Ninja forehead protectors.
• Two masked subordinates reported that they had rescued Hyuga Hinata from her Cloud Ninja abductors and taken the injured Naruto Uzumaki and Gaara to Leaf Village Hospital.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi questioned Zhang Miao about the reports, and Zhang Miao said Kumogakure’s plot had been stopped and Naruto and Gaara had only been squabbling.
• Baki reported that the Sound Ninja invasion had been defeated and relayed Chiyo Advisor’s request for Zhang Miao to return to Sunagakure as the Fifth Kazekage.
• Zhang Miao refused to become Kazekage, saying he planned to marry 108 concubines, have 1,001 children, and revitalize the Uzumaki Clan.