Chapter Summaries

Kakuzu discovered Obito and Zetsu on the rooftop of Northern Land Tower and fought Obito while Zetsu escaped to scout elsewhere. Kakuzu’s signal flare put the Northern Lands on full alert, and the chapter ended as a voice remarked that the village now had nearly as many ninja as the major villages.

• Kakuzu sensed Obito and Zetsu on the rooftop and rushed to confront them.
• Kakuzu summoned his masked monsters and attacked Obito and Zetsu with lightning and fire ninjutsu.
• Obito evaded Kakuzu’s attacks while Zetsu sank into the ground to scout elsewhere.
• Kakuzu fired a red signal flare, alerting the Northern Lands’ patrolling ninja and summoning reinforcements.
• The signal put the village on highest alert, and civilians were ordered to stay indoors.

Orochimaru caught Zetsu spying on his residence and overwhelmed him with powerful taijutsu and elemental ninjutsu. As Orochimaru prepared to test sealing jutsu, Zetsu attempted an escape and sent up a signal.

• Zetsu emerged atop the Nine Dragon Wall and observed the ninja below until Orochimaru appeared beside him.
• Orochimaru questioned Zetsu, then kicked him through several houses and into a plaza.
• Zetsu created a new body, but Orochimaru launched him into the air and battered him with taijutsu.
• Orochimaru attacked Zetsu with water, fire, and lightning techniques until his body could barely endure the assault.
• As Orochimaru prepared to use sealing jutsu, Zetsu flung black liquid downward and formed a hand seal that produced a firework in midair.

Orochimaru cornered Black Zetsu in the Northern Lands, but Obito arrived and rescued him before facing Orochimaru himself. Obito's genjutsu briefly caught Orochimaru off guard, but Orochimaru recovered, destroyed one of Obito's arms, and escaped his space-time attack.

• Orochimaru tracked Black Zetsu underground and battered the ground until the Northern Lands' barrier trapped him.
• Obito appeared through a space-warping vortex and rescued Black Zetsu from Orochimaru.
• Obito asked whether he and the Northern Lands' Golden Shadow had met before, and Orochimaru teased him about having held him as a child.
• Obito threatened to return, but Orochimaru was briefly caught by his genjutsu before the Eight Inner Gates Seal helped him recover.
• Orochimaru attacked Obito as he tried to retreat into his alternate dimension, kicking one of his arms to pieces before avoiding Obito's attempt to suck him in.

Orochimaru repelled Obito and Black Zetsu’s nighttime infiltration of Northern Land Village, then gathered his officers to assess the incident. As the enemy considered how to exploit tensions with Kirigakure, Orochimaru addressed Deidara’s future and left the choice to him.

• Orochimaru confirmed that the village had suffered no casualties, then ordered the battlefield cleaned and the officers summoned for a meeting.
• Kakuzu reported how he had encountered the intruders and shared what he had learned about them.
• Obito emerged in the Land of Gold badly wounded, had White Zetsu restore his arm, and discussed Orochimaru’s strength with Black Zetsu.
• Obito considered using Zabuza’s presence to stir conflict between Northern Land Village and Kirigakure, while Orochimaru warned his officers about that risk.
• Orochimaru told Deidara that Ōnoki might send people for him and said Deidara could choose whether to leave or stay.

As Anko prepared to lead a team to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, Orochimaru faced pressure from Konoha and Iwagakure over the Rogue Ninja sheltered in the Northern Lands. After settling the dispute with Iwagakure and defusing Konoha’s threat, Orochimaru received a system prompt for the Chunin Exams and Konoha Crush Plan and began putting it into motion.

• Kitsuchi failed to persuade Deidara to return to Iwagakure, so Orochimaru accompanied him to meet Ōnoki, who withdrew Deidara’s bounty and agreed to stop pursuing him.
• Orochimaru rejected Konoha’s demand to hand over Anko and threatened to send troops to the border and declare war if Konoha persisted.
• After learning that Orochimaru had negotiated successfully with Ōnoki, Konoha’s leaders backed down and resumed trade with the Northern Lands.
• Orochimaru received a system prompt for the Chunin Exams and Konoha Crush Plan, chose to continue the plan, and paused his research into Uchiha Madara’s cells.
• Orochimaru sent a clone toward the Land of Wind while his true body headed for the Land of Lightning.

Rasa considered whether to accept Orochimaru’s proposal to attack Konoha, but Pakura ambushed him at the cemetery. With Orochimaru’s intervention, Pakura killed Rasa, leaving Sunagakure’s leadership in crisis.

• Rasa weighed the village’s internal unrest and Orochimaru’s offer while traveling alone to visit his wife’s grave.
• Orochimaru and Pakura watched Rasa approach, and Pakura confronted him over his role in sending her to die in Kirigakure.
• Pakura attacked Rasa with her Scorch Release, Kusanagi Sword, and fireballs while he defended himself with Magnet Release.
• Pakura unleashed Extremely Steaming Murder and engulfed Rasa in a massive blast.
• Orochimaru dropped the iron sand protecting Rasa, and the heat killed him.

Teams from the Northern Lands traveled to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, discussing Konoha's Jinchuriki and reviewing the competitors. After a leisurely half-month journey, they reached the entrance alongside Iwagakure teams, where Anko recognized Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi.

• Anko told Fū and Karin about Naruto's hardships, and praised the Northern Lands for treating Fū with respect.
• Sakon and Ukon reviewed intelligence on Konoha's competitors while Haku encouraged his students to believe in their training.
• Kimimaro, Kin Tsuchi, Jirobo, and Dosu discussed Konoha and traveled with Haku's team, stopping to sightsee along the way.
• The Northern Lands teams arrived at Konoha after half a month and joined the queue for the Chunin Exams.
• Anko watched nearly twenty Iwagakure ninja emerge from a van and recognized their team leader, Kitsuchi, with Kurotsuchi beside him.

Anko's team arrived in Konoha for the Chunin Exams, where Naruto and the other genin encountered rivals from Sunagakure and the Northern Lands. The chapter ended with the gathered ninjas sizing up the Northern Lands' unusual-looking team.

• Anko greeted Kitsuchi on the road and gave him a pack of Northern Lands cigarettes before her team continued to Konoha.
• Anko, Haku, and Kimimaro's teams arrived at the visitors' parking lot and headed to register.
• Naruto ran into the Konohamaru Corps, and Sakura beat Naruto and the boys after they teased her about her relationship with him.
• Kankuro grabbed Konohamaru after the boy bumped into him, but Sasuke struck Kankuro with a stone and Gaara intervened.
• Kidomaru's group from the Northern Lands arrived, and Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, and the others stared at their unusual appearance.

Naruto and the other young ninja encountered rival teams before the Third Hokage opened the exam ceremony and announced the rules. Afterward, Anko reunited with Asuma, and her friendly gesture eased his guilt about their past; Kurenai asked him to explain the man he had been wary of.

• Naruto's group met ninja from Northern Land Village and Iwagakure, and a brief gathering dispersed when Asuma arrived with Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji.
• Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon hid nearby until the other ninja had left, then continued on their way.
• The Third Hokage gathered more than two hundred exam participants, delivered an opening speech, and announced that the exam would begin the next morning.
• After the meeting, Anko greeted Asuma and met Kurenai Yuhi, who learned that Anko would proctor the second round.
• Anko gave Asuma a carton of cigarettes, and he realized she still considered him a friend and regretted his earlier doubts.
• Kurenai asked Asuma about the man behind his unease, and he began to tell her what had happened that night.

The Chunin Exams’ written test began, with participants using varied methods to cheat while Naruto struggled until Hinata nudged him. Outside, Kimimaro and Haku reflected on their harsh past and drew Kakashi and Might Guy’s attention as exceptionally young, powerful team leaders.

• The written test began under Ibiki Morino, and participants including Kidomaru, Sakon, Ukon, Dosu, and Tayuya used their abilities or disguises to cheat.
• Naruto struggled to answer the test, and Hinata nudged him as he sat beside her.
• Kimimaro and Haku waited outside and discussed their difficult upbringing and service under Orochimaru.
• Might Guy worried about the students while Kakashi read, then Guy began doing push-ups after Kakashi teased him about his anxiety.
• Kakashi and Might Guy noticed Kimimaro and Haku, sensed their strength, and Kakashi privately recognized them as extraordinary young geniuses.

After passing the written exam, Naruto and the others celebrated over lunch while Anko told them the second exam would begin the next morning. The chapter ended with Kakashi shutting down Naruto’s attempt to learn what was under his mask.

• The written exam results showed that a little over 160 ninja had passed, and Naruto bragged about passing despite handing in a blank paper.
• Anko told the group that the second exam would take place the next morning because so many candidates remained.
• The group went to the cafeteria, where Karin took Anko’s chicken cutlet and fried egg after asking whether Anko wanted them.
• Haku had Jirobo bring extra dishes, and the group laughed as Anko threatened to teach them a lesson after the exam.
• Kakashi brought Naruto extra food, then gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura forehead flicks when Naruto asked about his mask.

The teams gathered at the Forest of Death for the second stage of the Chunin Exams, where they had five days to collect opposing scrolls and reach the central tower. The exam began with only the first sixteen teams allowed to pass, and the ninjas charged into the forest.

• Anko led Fū, Karin, and the others to the Forest of Death, where they found Might Guy and other teams already waiting.
• Aoba Yamashiro explained the scroll-seizing test, its five-day limit, and the rule that only the first sixteen teams to reach the tower would pass.
• The teams drew Heaven and Earth Scrolls, and Naruto's, Sasuke's, Rock Lee's, Shikamaru's, Gaara's, and Dosu's teams received Heaven Scrolls.
• Naruto provoked Gaara, while Rock Lee, Hinata, Ino, Sakura, and Dosu exchanged remarks with their rivals and acquaintances.
• Kotetsu Hagane and Genma Shiranui led the two scroll factions to separate entrances, and all 168 ninjas charged into the forest when the exam began.

Anko relaxed with Haku and Kimimaro after finishing their work, while ninja teams in the forest began searching for targets and setting up camp. Kidomaru’s team prepared a meal by the river, and Sakon and Ukon’s team used Northern Lands technology and a campfire as bait for other teams.

• Anko teased Haku and Kimimaro as she invited them to breakfast.
• Shikamaru’s team encountered Kidomaru’s team, exchanged several moves, and retreated as night approached.
• Kidomaru decided his team should camp near a stream, where Karin sensed the area and Fū gathered firewood.
• Kidomaru caught fish with his webs, and the team cooked rabbits, chicken, fish, and wild plants for dinner.
• Tayuya asked Ajisai how she carried so many supplies, while Ajisai reflected on her failure to learn Flying Thunder God Ninjutsu.
• Sakon and Ukon’s team enjoyed dessert and used a campfire as bait while relying on their portable Dragon Vein lamp.

Kidomaru's team encountered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in the forest, where Karin revealed that Naruto was her cousin. The teams began fighting for each other's scrolls, with Fū attacking Naruto using scale powder.

• Kidomaru's team spotted Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and challenged them to a fight for their scrolls.
• Kidomaru revealed that Karin considered Naruto her cousin, and Karin confirmed they were related by blood.
• Naruto was bewildered by the revelation, since he knew nothing about his family or parents.
• Sasuke and Kidomaru prepared to fight, while Sakura and Karin clashed after trading insults.
• Fū fought Naruto, dodged his Shadow Clones, and used Scale Powder Camouflage against them.

Fū, Karin, and Kidomaru overwhelmed Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke during the Chunin Exams. Karin defeated Sakura and brought her to Kidomaru, where they demanded Sasuke hand over his scroll.

• Fū used flight and repeated ninjutsu attacks to keep Naruto on the defensive.
• Karin defeated Sakura with her superior taijutsu and left her badly injured.
• Kidomaru cut Sasuke with his kunai, then released his Heaven's Curse Mark when Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
• Kidomaru kept Sasuke suppressed, then kicked him into a crater when Sasuke glanced toward Karin.
• Karin carried the unconscious Sakura to Kidomaru, tossed her toward Sasuke, and demanded he surrender the scroll or face both of them.

Naruto and Sasuke surrendered their scroll to Kidomaru, Fū, and Karin after losing their fight, then joined forces against Orochimaru when he attacked them. Their first combined ninjutsu struck Orochimaru, but he quickly counterattacked, leaving Sasuke badly hurt and Naruto facing Manda.

• Sasuke threw his scroll to Fū, and Kidomaru, Fū, and Karin left after Karin teased Naruto and Sasuke.
• Naruto and Sasuke reflected on how weak they were before Orochimaru appeared and immobilized them with the Hell Viewing Technique.
• Sasuke stabbed his thigh to break free, while Naruto's Chakra burst knocked away Orochimaru's shuriken.
• Naruto and Sasuke attacked Orochimaru together with Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, driving him back.
• Orochimaru countered with a barrage of shuriken, kicked Sasuke in the abdomen, and sent Manda lunging at Naruto.

Orochimaru pushed Sasuke into awakening his two-tomoe Sharingan by terrifying him with Naruto’s and Sakura’s apparent deaths. After defeating Sasuke’s attack, Orochimaru tempted him with power and revenge, injected him with an unknown drug, and left him unconscious.

• Orochimaru struck Naruto aside, then used his power to leave Naruto vacant and unresponsive.
• Orochimaru ordered Manda to crush Sakura, and Sasuke’s fury over her apparent death helped awaken his two-tomoe Sharingan.
• Sasuke attacked Orochimaru with shuriken, wires, and Dragon Fire Technique, but Orochimaru escaped unharmed.
• Orochimaru urged Sasuke to seek strength and revenge, promising to guide him if he performed well in the Chunin Exams.
• Orochimaru injected Sasuke with an unknown liquid, and Sasuke lost consciousness.

Sasuke woke after the encounter with Orochimaru and learned that Naruto and Sakura had survived, while Orochimaru had secretly injected him with a cellular enhancement drug. Sasuke realized their attacker was a rogue ninja from Konoha, as Orochimaru hid nearby with Manda and discussed the young team.

• Sasuke woke to find Sakura and Naruto alive, and Sakura explained how Orochimaru had incapacitated them without killing them.
• Sasuke checked his body and noticed the needle wound, unaware that Orochimaru had injected him with a drug made from Uzumaki Clan cells.
• Sasuke admitted he could not defeat the attacker and concluded that the man had targeted him and wanted him to awaken the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
• Sasuke and Naruto recognized the attacker’s Forehead Protector as that of a rogue ninja from Konoha.
• Orochimaru hid atop a mountain near Konoha with Manda and revealed that Naruto carried the Nine-Tails, prompting Manda to recall its old grudge against the fox.
• Manda warned Orochimaru about Sasuke’s potential, but Orochimaru dismissed its concern and continued cooking.

As the Chunin Exams’ second test drew teams toward the central tower, tensions rose inside and battles intensified outside. Naruto’s team broke through the blockade at night, while teams including Kidomaru’s and Dosu’s reached the tower and passed.

• Gaara and Kidomaru nearly fought on the tower’s second floor until Aoba Yamashiro warned them that fighting inside would lead to disqualification.
• Sakon and Ukon, Tayuya, and Ajisai ambushed two teams of En Village ninja near the tower.
• Dosu’s team defeated a Kumogakure team, then accepted scrolls from another Kumogakure team in exchange for letting them leave.
• Dosu’s team and Sakon and Ukon’s group reached the tower and submitted their scrolls, joining teams including Shikamaru’s, Neji’s, and Hinata’s.
• Battles outside the tower grew more intense, and Naruto’s team broke through the blockade during the night.

The second exam ended, and Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Orochimaru had attacked Sasuke, prompting him to order continued surveillance and decide to oversee the remaining exams. The forty-eight successful candidates drew opponents for the preliminary matches, and Sasuke learned his opponent’s identity after leaving the hospital.

• Kurotsuchi’s team reached the tower, and Aoba Yamashiro announced the end of the second exam.
• Kakashi reported Sasuke’s encounter with Orochimaru to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who ordered Sasuke monitored and decided to oversee the rest of the exams.
• The examiners paired the forty-eight candidates by lottery for twenty-four preliminary matches.
• Kidomaru learned he would fight Hinata Hyuga, while Sakon and Ukon and Dosu learned their opponents’ names.
• Sakura told Sasuke who his opponent was after he left the hospital.