Chapter Summaries

Sasuke defeated Tayuya in the first preliminary match, and the four-day preliminaries left most of the Northern Lands shinobi advancing to the main tournament. That evening, Anko reviewed the competitors’ strengths and weaknesses with her students at a barbecue restaurant, where other Konoha teams also gathered.

• Sasuke wore down Tayuya with close-range attacks and won after knocking her into the wall.
• Anko and Fū comforted Tayuya and took her to the infirmary after her loss.
• The preliminary results showed that every Northern Lands competitor except Tayuya advanced, while Hinata and Sakura Haruno were eliminated.
• Anko, Kimimaro, and Haku took the students to a barbecue restaurant, where Anko and Haku analyzed their combat performances and warned them that opponents would study them too.
• Asuma and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio arrived, followed by Team Kurenai, Team Kakashi, and Team Guy.

Kabuto met with Orochimaru outside Konoha and received orders to coordinate with Sunagakure for an attack timed with the Chunin Exams’ final round. Orochimaru rewarded him with a Body Enhancement Potion and revealed that Sasuke and the Northern Lands contestants had received it too.

• Kabuto apologized to Orochimaru for failing to enter the Chunin Exams’ main tournament, and Orochimaru told him to negotiate with Sunagakure’s shinobi for the planned attack in a month.
• Orochimaru instructed Kabuto to meet Baki somewhere secluded, avoid rooftops, and keep contact with Danzo so he could use him later.
• Orochimaru gave Kabuto a first-stage Body Enhancement Potion and explained that it would improve his Chakra and physical strength.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto that the Northern Lands contestants and Second Pillar had received the potion, and said he considered Sasuke useful and talented.

Sakon and Ukon defeated Hyuga Neji in the first elimination match by combining four-blade swordplay with coordinated Water and Lightning Release. Both victors collapsed from exhaustion after the match, while Neji was left badly shocked.

• Sakon and Ukon faced Hyuga Neji in the first match of the Chunin Exams' one-on-one elimination round.
• Sakon and Ukon activated the Heaven's Curse Mark and overwhelmed Neji with their four-blade fighting style.
• Ukon trapped Neji with Water Release, and Sakon combined Lightning Release with the water and blades to shock him.
• Ukon struck Neji with another Lightning Release, leaving him unable to continue.
• The referee declared Sakon and Ukon the winners, and both collapsed from exhaustion.

The Northern Lands dominated the day’s matches, and Kidomaru defeated Kiba Inuzuka with a web-and-poison strategy. Naruto and Rock Lee discussed Lee’s upcoming match against Karin, whom Naruto identified as his cousin, leaving Lee determined to fight without holding back.

• Fū, Kin Tsuchi, Ajisai, Sasuke, and Chōji won their matches, while Jirobo lost to Chōji.
• Sasuke lay awake thinking about the Northern Lands’ fighters, especially Sakon and Ukon, while Kiba Inuzuka and Gaara also worried about their upcoming challenges.
• Shino Aburame won his match, Kankuro lost, and Shikamaru defeated Temari.
• Kidomaru trapped Kiba Inuzuka and his dog in webs and paralyzed them with poisoned arrows, eliminating Kiba.
• Rock Lee asked Naruto whether he should go easy on Karin, and Naruto told him to do his best.
• Rock Lee promised not to hold back against Karin, while Karin remained unaware of their conversation.

Dosu used his sound-based weapons to break through Gaara’s sand defenses and leave him badly injured, but Gaara trapped him with Sand Coffin. As Gaara prepared to finish the match, Dosu activated the second stage of his Curse Mark.

• Dosu released his Curse Mark and used his sound-emitting gloves to break through Gaara’s sand defense and strike him with resonant sound waves.
• Kakashi identified Dosu’s glove as the source of the sound attack, while Gaara realized the waves were affecting his blood and causing dizziness.
• Dosu split Gaara’s sand wall with Sound Release: Sound Wave Slash and continued attacking until Gaara’s Sand Armor crumbled and blood seeped from his face.
• Gaara used Wind Release: Great Sand Dust Breakthrough to force Dosu into the sand, then caught him with Sand Coffin.
• As Gaara prepared to use Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral, Dosu activated the second stage of his Curse Mark.

Dosu used the second stage of his Curse Mark to overwhelm Gaara with close-range attacks and sound-based techniques, but he surrendered after exhausting his Chakra. Haku stopped Gaara from continuing to attack, and Gaara left furious after Dosu’s risky challenge.

• Dosu activated the second stage of his Curse Mark, broke free of Gaara’s sand, and attacked with a sound wave that exposed Gaara’s Sand Clone.
• Dosu struck Gaara with Sound Release: Sound Burst Fist and disrupted his heart rhythm and Chakra circulation, until a beast claw emerged from Gaara’s body.
• Dosu used a genjutsu attack and another sound wave against Gaara, but Gaara endured the blows and prepared to kill him.
• Dosu surrendered, explaining that his Chakra was exhausted, but Gaara’s sand kept advancing toward him.
• Haku froze the approaching sand with Ice Release and stopped Gaara, who glared at Dosu before leaving the arena.

Rock Lee and Karin fought in the Chunin Exam arena, with Karin matching his taijutsu and strength until he removed his weights and opened the first three Eight Gates. The chapter ended as Karin smiled and began revealing diamond-shaped markings on her forehead.

• Rock Lee charged Karin, but her Mind's Eye of the Kagura let her track his movements and block his attacks.
• Karin's Chakra-Enhanced Strength overwhelmed Rock Lee, and she sent him crashing to the ground.
• Rock Lee removed his weights after Might Guy encouraged him, and the two resumed their fight at greater speed.
• Rock Lee opened the first three Eight Gates, greatly increasing his power.
• Karin asked Rock Lee if he wanted to dance and began revealing diamond-shaped markings on her forehead.

Karin and Rock Lee fought fiercely, with Karin revealing her ability to form hand seals with one hand and use ninjutsu. Rock Lee was declared the winner after Karin fell, but he also collapsed from his injuries and the strain of opening the Eight Gates.

• Karin countered Rock Lee's Shadow of the Dancing Leaf and drove him back with a powerful punch.
• Rock Lee opened the fourth gate of the Eight Gates and overwhelmed Karin with his increased speed and strength.
• Karin used one-handed hand seals to attack Rock Lee with Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere and a Fire Release technique, astonishing the spectators.
• Rock Lee's relentless assault left Karin unable to continue, and the referee declared him the winner.
• Rock Lee collapsed after withdrawing the Eight Gates, while Might Guy and Anko rushed to check on him and Karin.

Konoha’s Chūnin Exam fourth round ended, and the finalists began preparing for the finals one month later. Naruto found Jiraiya and began training with him, while Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, set out for Konoha with his invasion preparations in place.

• Anko reported that Karin had broken ribs and a fractured arm, while Might Guy visited the severely injured Rock Lee in the hospital.
• Naruto defeated Kurotsuchi with a Multi Shadow Clone attack, and the organizers announced the twelve finalists and scheduled the final round for one month later.
• Naruto asked Kakashi for training, but Kakashi declined because he had committed to training Sasuke and suggested Ebisu instead.
• The finalists began training or reviewing matchups, while Haku helped the Northern Lands ninjas prepare for their possible opponents.
• Jiraiya returned to Konoha, met Naruto outside the women's bathhouse, and agreed to train him in exchange for Naruto using Sexy Jutsu for him.
• Orochimaru received Hiruzen's invitation to the finals, gathered Sunagakure ninjas, put on the Fourth Kazekage's cloak, and departed for Konoha.

Jiraiya left Konoha to search for writing inspiration as the Chunin Exams finals approached, and the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, arrived in the village. The finals began with Gaara set to face Sasuke first, while Rasa and Danzo watched with plans for cooperation and interest in Sasuke.

• Jiraiya dodged Kakashi’s questions about a sequel, flirted with two women, and left the village to seek inspiration.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Rasa and his Sunagakure escort to Konoha.
• The finals roster was announced, placing Gaara against Sasuke in the first match.
• Kakashi brought Naruto and Sasuke to the finals, while Might Guy arrived with the still-bandaged Rock Lee.
• Danzo joined Hiruzen Sarutobi and Rasa to watch the exams, intending to pursue cooperation with Rasa and assess Sasuke’s Sharingan.
• Rasa took a seat between Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi and smiled beneath his veil.

Sasuke overwhelmed Gaara with his speed and taijutsu, but the match became a pretext for Orochimaru to kidnap Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo during the invasion. Orochimaru confronted his former allies over the human experimentation project and the blame they had left him to bear, and brought up White Fang as further evidence of their wrongdoing.

• Sasuke attacked Gaara with rapid taijutsu, forcing him to retreat into a dense sand shell.
• Sasuke used Chidori against Gaara's sand defense as Rasa approached Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo and declared Gaara's surrender.
• Orochimaru and his disguised clone seized Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo and transported them to a rooftop inside the Four Red Yang Formation.
• Rasa revealed himself to be Orochimaru, who confronted Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo about the human experimentation project and his becoming a Rogue Ninja.
• Danzo defended his actions as necessary for the village, and Orochimaru challenged him by bringing up White Fang.

Orochimaru challenged Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi over Konoha’s abuses and declared that he would reform the village. He summoned Hashirama, Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara, then set them against Hiruzen and Danzo.

• Orochimaru confronted Danzo over Yakushi Nonō’s death and condemned Hiruzen Sarutobi’s handling of the Uchiha and the village.
• Orochimaru declared that he would reform Konoha and summoned Hashirama, Tobirama, and Uchiha Madara with Impure World Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru revealed Danzo’s stolen Sharingan, and Hiruzen Sarutobi realized how far he had indulged Danzo.
• Hashirama and Tobirama charged at Hiruzen Sarutobi while Uchiha Madara confronted Danzo.

Orochimaru used the invasion of Konoha to trap Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, then revived Rasa to attack Danzo and joined the fight against Hiruzen. As Konoha struggled to respond to the assault, the chapter ended with Kumogakure receiving an unwelcome visitor.

• Sunagakure ninja and hidden spies attacked Konoha while the Four Red Yang Formation trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo.
• Kankuro and Tenten carried Gaara out of the arena as the Northern Lands members fled with their students.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma, but Orochimaru revived Rasa and sent him to help Madara fight Danzo.
• Orochimaru joined the First and Second Hokage against Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Sasuke chased Gaara's team and Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi followed.
• Konoha's ninja and elders responded to the invasion as Konohamaru and the other children remained under Ebisu's watch.
• Kumogakure received an unwelcome visitor.

Yugito led three newly graduated ninja toward Bamboo Village to capture Fūshin and Chino, but Orochimaru ambushed her on the way, forcing her students to flee for reinforcements. That night, Zabuza captured the injured Fūshin and Chino and took them away, telling them their destination could offer a rare opportunity.

• Yugito and her three students traveled to Bamboo Village to pursue Fūshin and Chino, members of the Lightning Gang wanted by Oyashiro En.
• Orochimaru blocked their path, and Yugito ordered her students to escape while she faced him alone.
• Yugito and Orochimaru began fighting in the forest as her students fled toward Kumogakure for reinforcements.
• Zabuza arrived at Bamboo Village that night and captured the sleeping, weakened Fūshin and Chino.
• Zabuza took Fūshin and Chino away by car and told them their destination might present a rare opportunity.

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Reaper Death Seal against the First Hokage and Second Hokage, then dragged Danzo into the technique and sealed his soul. Orochimaru recognized the danger and moved, but the chapter ended as the Death God's scythe fell on Danzo.

• Asuma rescued Shikamaru by defeating the nine Sunagakure ninja pursuing him.
• Orochimaru overwhelmed Hiruzen Sarutobi and drove him to the brink of death while Danzo remained trapped fighting Rasa and Madara.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi activated the Reaper Death Seal and struck the First Hokage and Second Hokage with the Death God's chain.
• Orochimaru recognized Hiruzen Sarutobi's technique and moved as Danzo was suddenly brought to Hiruzen's battlefield.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi seized Danzo and pulled his soul from his body, then the Death God's scythe swung down.

Orochimaru revealed that he had used the Mangekyō Sharingan to trap Hiruzen Sarutobi in a genjutsu, while Danzo survived the Death God’s scythe through Izanagi. Orochimaru battled Danzo inside the Four Red Yang Formation as the barrier weakened under attacks from outside, and he prepared to change tactics.

• The Death God consumed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s soul and those of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, while Orochimaru’s genjutsu was revealed as the cause of Hiruzen’s final attack on his allies.
• Danzo reappeared after escaping the Death God’s scythe, and Orochimaru praised him before resuming their fight.
• Orochimaru struck Danzo repeatedly, while Madara and Rasa helped limit Danzo’s movements; Danzo spent several Sharingan to survive the attacks with Izanagi.
• Danzo summoned Baku to inhale Orochimaru’s Shadow Clones, but the clones carried Baku outside the barrier, where the surrounding ninjas scattered to avoid it.
• Orochimaru realized that the barrier might collapse before Danzo ran out of Sharingan, while the Curse Mark users at its corners struggled to hold it and Kabuto stubbornly endured.

Orochimaru overwhelmed Danzo, severing his Sharingan arm and repeatedly killing him as Danzo used Izanagi to revive. After Danzo trapped Orochimaru with a curse seal, he revived once more and used Wood Release: Root Burst Burial.

• Orochimaru transformed into the second stage of Sage Mode and severed Danzo's Sharingan-covered arm, forcing Danzo to use Shisui's eye to revive.
• Orochimaru attacked Danzo with Sonido, impaled him with his tail, and blasted him through the barrier with a Cero, injuring Kabuto, Akado Yoroi, and the other barrier maintainers.
• Orochimaru's Shadow Clones carried Kabuto and the others away while Orochimaru pursued Danzo through the Anbu and Root ninjas and smashed Danzo's head against the ground.
• Danzo revived and prepared to fight with his final remaining chance, but Orochimaru pierced his heart with an energy spear while Danzo's wind blade failed to penetrate Orochimaru's body.
• Danzo used a curse seal to immobilize Orochimaru, revived again, pressed his Sharingan-covered arm against him, and unleashed Wood Release: Root Burst Burial.

Orochimaru broke free from Hashirama Cells and pursued Danzo to the Root base, where he destroyed the defenses and killed him. As Danzo died, Orochimaru mockingly acknowledged him as the “4.5th Hokage.”

• Orochimaru escaped the towering tree, drove off the Root ninja, and flew after Danzo as Rasa and Madara were no longer needed.
• Danzo fled to the Root base and ordered its guards to stop Orochimaru, while Root and Anbu ninja gathered outside.
• Orochimaru fired Thunder Spears at the Root base, blasting it into a crater and wiping out the ninja around it.
• Danzo survived beneath the rubble and offered to support Orochimaru as Hokage, but Orochimaru impaled him with a spear of light.
• Orochimaru called Danzo the “4.5th Hokage” as Danzo died, believing he had finally been acknowledged as Hokage.

Orochimaru confronted Killer B on a mountain, provoking him with his role in Blue B’s death and claiming Akatsuki had dealt with Yugito. Their battle began with a fierce swordsmanship duel, and Killer B escalated into a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation.

• Orochimaru revealed himself as an Akatsuki member and reminded Killer B that he had caused Blue B’s death by drugging him and triggering the Eight-Tails’ rampage.
• Orochimaru claimed that Akatsuki members had dealt with Yugito, intensifying Killer B’s anger and prompting them to prepare for battle.
• Killer B and Orochimaru clashed with their swords, trading more than a hundred blows as Killer B managed to cut Orochimaru’s cheek.
• Orochimaru healed his wound and used Lightning Release Chakra to break two of Killer B’s swords.
• Killer B abandoned his swordsmanship and entered a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation with eight tails of Chakra behind him.

Orochimaru fought Killer B and the Eight-Tails, revealing his newly developed Six-Armed Heavenly King technique to defeat Gyūki and secure some of its Chakra. With his mission complete, Orochimaru prepared to act freely.

• Orochimaru overpowered Killer B's Partial Tailed Beast Transformation and destroyed his two Tailed Beast Clones.
• Killer B transformed into Gyūki, and the Eight-Tails struck Orochimaru with Hell Stab, forcing him back and injuring his arm.
• Orochimaru summoned the Six-Armed Heavenly King and used it to batter Gyūki with a barrage of attacks.
• The Six-Armed Heavenly King burned Gyūki's tentacles and cut one off, forcing the Eight-Tails to retreat into the lake.
• Orochimaru withdrew the energy construct, sealed the wriggling tentacle in a scroll, and considered his mission complete.