Chapter Summaries

Minato investigated the poisoning of an Administration Department section chief and ordered surveillance on the Sunagakure delegation. Meanwhile, a man who hated Uzumaki Katsuki prepared to make him pay for a past grudge.

• Minato reviewed the report of an employee poisoned in a tavern and ordered Root to ask the Medical Department to identify the poison.
• Minato questioned Rin about the Sunagakure delegation and ordered Root to use Hyuga Clan members to watch every envoy until they left Konoha.
• Minato realized it was late, ended work, and used Flying Thunder God to hurry home while Rin secured the Root building.
• A man studied a file and photograph of Katsuki, cursed him, and sealed the materials away as he vowed to take revenge.

Shuyuan prepared his classmates for the arrival of Suzuran, a shy transfer student from Amegakure, and helped keep the class quiet. Iruka introduced Suzuran and seated her beside Hinata.

• Shuyuan told Shikamaru that Suzuran was joining the class and asked him to help keep the boys from frightening her.
• Shuyuan explained that Kushina had arranged Suzuran's enrollment overnight and that he had been asked to look after her at school.
• Iruka entered with Naruto and confirmed that no students were absent.
• Iruka introduced Suzuran as a transfer student from Amegakure after quieting Kiba and the other boys.
• Iruka seated Suzuran next to Hinata.

Katsuki, Kushina, and Konan watched Iruka’s class with the Telescope Technique while Konan’s shadow clone helped host the Sand and Rain Ninja envoys. At the Academy, Rasa and Sasori assessed Konoha’s teaching methods, but Rasa saw Sunagakure’s lack of money as the obstacle to adopting them.

• Kushina revealed that she had casually learned the Telescope Technique, and Katsuki realized Konan was attending the office as a shadow clone while the envoys toured the Academy.
• Rasa and Sasori observed a Konoha class and discussed how its teaching methods could train capable civilian ninja but would not produce top-tier experts.
• Sasori judged Konoha’s educational approach useful, but said Sunagakure could not adopt it.
• Rasa lamented that Sunagakure’s poverty forced it to rely on brutal competition and an elite strategy, making cooperation among its young ninja difficult.
• The chapter explained that Rasa’s Gold Dust technique helped Sunagakure survive cuts to its military funding, even as he dreaded the labor of panning for gold.

Minato investigated the poisoned death of Nozawa Kawa and suspected the Sand Ninja had used him as a spy. He assigned Itachi to examine Nozawa Kawa’s past while Itachi received an update on the Ghoul’s attacks in the Sand Ninja lands.

• The Medical Department identified the poison that killed Nozawa Kawa as an exceptionally lethal, complex substance likely made by a Sand Ninja expert.
• Minato learned that the Sand Ninja delegation showed no suspicious behavior and ordered a full review of Nozawa Kawa’s contacts with classified records, starting from his time in the Western Border Defense Force.
• Minato assigned the investigation to Itachi, postponing Itachi’s pursuit of the Ghoul until the Sand Ninja delegation left.
• A masked Root ninja reported to Itachi that the Ghoul had raided the family cemeteries of the Kanjoin, Okunuki, and other Sand Ninja clans without damaging the remains.

Itachi suspended Root’s investigation into the ghouls and took on a new mission involving the Sand Ninja. At the Ninja Academy, Hitomi announced a surprise practical test for Iruka’s class, including new transfer student Suzuran.

• Itachi learned that Root would need Anbu’s help to obtain more information about the ghouls, so he arranged to contact Kakashi.
• A Root messenger delivered the Lord Commander’s order for Itachi to suspend the ghoul investigation and handle a mission concerning the Sand Ninja.
• Shuyuan brought transfer student Suzuran from Amegakure to practical training, where Hitomi ordered the students to line up.
• Hitomi announced a surprise test, sent Naruto and Kiba to fetch equipment, and told Shuyuan to explain the rules to Suzuran.
• The students protested the unexpected test, but Hitomi insisted that her word was the rule.

Hitomi organized a team battle quiz, with students who failed assigned to clean the filthy river bends downstream of the Naka River. Shuyuan became the referee, and Suzuran joined Group Six with Ino and Shikamaru as the quiz was about to begin.

• Shuyuan explained the quiz and its dreaded trash-cleaning punishment to Suzuran, while Naruto described the river bends’ revolting conditions.
• Sakura pointed out that the class had an extra student, so Hitomi appointed Shuyuan as referee and removed him from the quiz.
• Suzuran drew Group Six and found that Ino and Shikamaru were her teammates.
• Ino introduced herself to Suzuran, noticed their shared interests, and quickly became friendly with her.

Shuyuan organized a class tournament with a flawed elimination system, and Shikamaru’s group drew Naruto, Kiba, and Choji’s group as their first opponents. As both groups prepared to fight, Suzuran offered to face Naruto.

• Shuyuan explained the tournament rules, which would send the final losing groups to clean trash from the Naka River bend.
• Rasa and Sasori watched the students from the woods while the groups drew their matchups.
• Ino’s group drew number one and was paired against Naruto, Kiba, and Choji’s group.
• Shikamaru predicted Naruto, Kiba, and Choji’s fighting order and discussed how difficult Naruto would be to counter.
• Suzuran volunteered to deal with Naruto.

Itachi confirmed that the Sand ninja envoys were at the Ninja Academy and chose to inform the Principal before acting. Meanwhile, Naruto and Suzuran began their match, and Naruto astonished the crowd by creating thirty shadow clones.

• Itachi learned that the Sand ninja envoys were hiding near Small Training Ground Number Seventeen and decided to find the Principal before making a move.
• Kushina watched Naruto and Suzuran on the crystal ball and threatened to punish Naruto if he hurt Suzuran.
• Naruto and Suzuran took the opening positions in the match, and Naruto declared that he would not go easy on her.
• Naruto used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to create thirty clones, impressing the Sand ninja and the people watching from the Principal's office.

Naruto and Suzuran fought fiercely during a training match, impressing the Sand Ninja delegation with their abilities. Naruto adapted to Suzuran’s paper attacks, and the battle remained unresolved as she defended herself with a paper spear.

• Suzuran rapidly destroyed most of Naruto’s shadow clones with steel-hard paper sheets, but Naruto dodged the attack with help from his clones.
• Rasa judged Naruto and Suzuran to be exceptional talents, while Sasori identified Shuyuan as the son of Konoha’s Calamity; Rasa warned Sasori not to act recklessly in Konoha.
• Naruto summoned a continuous stream of shadow clones and adjusted their attacks, preventing Suzuran from defeating him quickly.
• Suzuran gathered her flying paper into a two-meter spear and used it to keep Naruto’s clones outside her defensive circle.
• The Sand Ninja delegation praised Konoha’s students as Naruto and Suzuran continued their stalemated battle.

Katsuki recognized that Suzuran’s fierce battle persona might be a second personality caused by the pressure Konan placed on her, but said she still had a strong chance of recovery. Meanwhile, Suzuran continued fighting Naruto in Konoha, impressing the watching genin.

• Kushina and Katsuki noticed Suzuran’s strikingly different personality as they watched her fight in the crystal ball.
• Katsuki suggested Suzuran had developed a second personality to meet Konan’s expectations, and Konan admitted she had pushed the girl too hard.
• Konan explained that Yahiko had sent Suzuran to Konoha, and Katsuki said her condition was not severe and could likely be cured.
• Shuyuan refereed the ongoing battle as Naruto sent a storm of shuriken at Suzuran, who blocked them with a paper umbrella.
• Kiba urged Naruto to surrender, while Ino cheered for Suzuran and Shikamaru watched her fight with surprise.

Naruto and Suzuran fought in a test as Naruto used Shadow Clones to wear her down, while Suzuran countered with paper techniques. Suzuran ultimately outmaneuvered Naruto and was declared the winner.

• Naruto's clone vanished when Suzuran tried to dislocate its arm, and Ino shouted insults at him until Shuyuan warned her to stay quiet.
• Naruto attacked through the clone's smoke, but Suzuran turned into fluttering paper and struck him with a white staff.
• Shikamaru recognized Naruto's classic Shadow Clone stalling tactic, while Katsuki noted that Naruto could have won if he had been more patient.
• Naruto broke through the ground and grazed Suzuran's chin with a punch, but her body scattered into paper as she looped a sheet around his neck from behind.
• Shuyuan stopped the fight and declared Suzuran the winner.

Naruto lost to Suzuran’s paper techniques, then argued with Ino until Shuyuan stopped them and the next match began. Rasa recognized Shuyuan as a potential threat to the Sand, while Itachi visited Katsuki in his office.

• Naruto admitted defeat after Suzuran’s paper attack struck him, then peppered her with questions about her technique.
• Ino shielded Suzuran from Naruto and argued with him until Shuyuan cut the ground between them with a wind blade and ordered them to stop.
• Shuyuan calmed down, told Ino not to pick fights with Naruto, and the second-round match between Kiba and Shikamaru began.
• Rasa recognized Shuyuan’s wind technique as jonin-level and suppressed his desire to kill him, remembering that they were in Konoha.
• Itachi arrived at Katsuki’s office using a flock of crows, and Katsuki asked why he had come.

Itachi asked Katsuki for permission to investigate the Sand Ninja delegation at the Ninja Academy, and Katsuki agreed to help after classes ended. Meanwhile, Naruto won the quiz’s final match and survived the competition, then remained oblivious when the other boys teased him about going home with Suzuran.

• Itachi told Katsuki that the Director-General had tasked him with investigating the Sand Ninja delegation, and Katsuki agreed to help after school ended.
• Naruto defeated his exhausted opponent, and Shuyuan declared him the victor.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Suzuran advanced through the quiz, while Naruto and Kiba’s team survived the later matches.
• Naruto invited Suzuran to go home with him, prompting the boys to pretend they had caught “epidemic otitis.”
• Sasuke called Naruto absurd, and Shuyuan laughed as Naruto asked what the word meant.

Itachi confronted Rasa and the Sunagakure delegation about a Konoha official who had been poisoned, explaining that Tsunade had traced similarities in the toxin to Chiyo’s methods and raising Sasori’s possible connection. He left Rasa demanding to know what Itachi meant, while Itachi suggested he would rather be home training with his younger brother.

• Katsuki entered the reception room with Itachi and Root ninja, surrounding Rasa and the Sunagakure delegation.
• Itachi introduced himself as Root’s Deputy Chief and said a poisoning in Konoha had prompted him to request a meeting with Rasa.
• Itachi explained that Tsunade had identified similarities between the poison and Chiyo’s methods, leading the delegation to scrutinize Sasori.
• Rasa vouched that Sasori had stayed with him and Baki at the embassy, while Itachi clarified that he had not claimed Sasori left it.
• Rasa angrily demanded to know what Itachi meant, and Itachi said he would rather go home to train with his younger brother.

Shuyuan, Naruto, Sasuke, and Suzuran were walking home when a black-robed stranger attacked them in the park and incapacitated Suzuran. Shuyuan and the others faced the attacker by loudly calling for help.

• Naruto shared a hot croquette with Suzuran while Shuyuan teased him about becoming a tour guide.
• Sasuke appeared and argued with Naruto, and the two moved to a park to fight.
• A black-robed stranger ambushed the group, leaving Suzuran unconscious and splitting the bench with a sharp weapon.
• Sasuke recognized the attacker as an enemy, while Naruto realized Suzuran was in danger.
• Shuyuan shouted for help, and Naruto and Sasuke joined him.

A Sunagakure rogue ninja named Sasori attacked Shuyuan, Naruto, and Sasuke inside a sealed park, seeking revenge for the deaths of his parents. Meanwhile, Itachi questioned the Sasori accompanying Rasa, and Katsuki attacked him before Rasa stepped in to defend him.

• Shuyuan realized a double-layered barrier had isolated the park, while Naruto identified its structure and Sasuke prepared to fight.
• The rogue ninja revealed himself as Sasori of the Red Sands and said he wanted revenge on the Calamity by killing Shuyuan.
• At the Ninja Academy, Itachi questioned whether the Sasori beside Rasa was genuine, and Sasori accused him of trying to alter his memories with the Sharingan.
• Katsuki seized Sasori and repeatedly slammed his head into the floor, smashing through the reception room and its concrete flooring.
• Rasa conjured a massive hand of sand and attacked Katsuki from behind to stop him.

Katsuki defeated the impostor posing as Sasori and exposed him as White Zetsu. Itachi tried to uncover the creature’s memories, but a powerful seal destroyed White Zetsu’s head and left Itachi shaken.

• Katsuki pulverized Rasa’s Sand Hand and smashed Sasori’s head against the floor until his consciousness collapsed.
• Sasori’s body turned white, revealing that the apparent Sasori was White Zetsu, and Itachi stopped Rasa from attacking.
• Katsuki handed the unconscious White Zetsu to Rasa and treated its damaged head so Itachi could examine its memories.
• Itachi’s Sharingan probing triggered a powerful Fuinjutsu seal, causing White Zetsu’s head to explode and leaving Itachi with mental backlash.

Itachi informed Katsuki that Sasori had infiltrated Konoha and was targeting Shuyuan to avenge his parents, whom Katsuki had killed during the war. While Katsuki ordered the Hokage to be notified and urged Shuyuan to fight well, Shuyuan battled Sasori in a park and faced a barrage of poisoned weapons.

• Itachi told Katsuki that Sasori had joined forces with a creature and was targeting Shuyuan to avenge his parents, whom Katsuki had killed.
• Itachi urged Katsuki to mobilize people to find Sasori, but Katsuki noted that the enemy had concealed his trail and ordered Nihei to inform the Hokage.
• Katsuki watched calmly from the window and encouraged Shuyuan to do his best against Sasori.
• Shuyuan battered Sasori's ten puppets and taunted him, despite coughing up black blood.
• Sasori sent his damaged puppets diving at Shuyuan and unleashed a dense barrage of poisoned senbon, shuriken, and kunai.

Shuyuan fought Sasori while protecting the unconscious Suzuran, Naruto, and Sasuke, countering poison smoke and several puppet attacks. He destroyed neither Sasori nor his puppets, and the chapter left the puppets charging through a hole blasted in his stone wall.

• Shuyuan deflected Sasori’s poisoned weapons with Adamantine Sealing Chains and mocked him while remaining alert.
• Sasori released explosive poison-smoke spheres, and Shuyuan realized he had to protect the unconscious Suzuran, Naruto, and Sasuke without expecting reinforcements.
• Shuyuan used Wind Release and Fire Release through shadow clones to clear the poison smoke and burn away the haze.
• Sasori sent his puppets through the flames, and Shuyuan’s clones attacked them with Earth Release techniques.
• A six-armed puppet drilled through Shuyuan’s stone wall with spinning blades, and Sasori’s puppets surged through the opening.

Uzumaki Shuyuan fought Sasori, who revealed his Human Puppets and their ability to use ninjutsu. As Sasori’s coordinated assault destroyed Shuyuan’s clones, Shuyuan summoned a hundred more and prepared to keep fighting.

• Sasori acknowledged Shuyuan’s strength, then promised to kill him to make his father suffer.
• Sasori unleashed Thirty-Round Dance, bringing down the rock wall and attacking with fire, wind, lightning, and water.
• Shuyuan’s clones carried three unconscious people away while others tried to withstand Sasori’s assault.
• Sasori summoned thirty Human Puppets that retained their chakra pathways and could use ninjutsu, overwhelming Shuyuan’s clones with coordinated attacks.
• Shuyuan taunted Sasori and explained that his father’s strength made Sasori’s techniques seem unimpressive, while Sasori’s puppets destroyed more clones.
• Shuyuan summoned one hundred shadow clones and declared that the Uzumaki Clan was not afraid of a numbers contest.