Chapter Summaries

Kazuna negotiated with Obito to take the Six-Tails and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki and agreed to join Obito’s coming operation. As Konohagakure’s allies defended a nearby city from a gigantic, regenerating monster, they prepared a massive explosion, leaving the creature’s fate unknown.

• Kazuna traveled to Amegakure, where Obito offered him the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki in exchange for help with an operation to gather the Tailed Beasts’ Chakra.
• Kazuna controlled the Six-Tails and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki with a glance, then left with both and promised to join Obito’s plan when summoned.
• Obito refused White Zetsu’s suggestion to awaken Madara Uchiha, insisting that he could carry out the Moon Eye Plan himself.
• Konohagakure’s forces worked to stabilize two nearby cities through construction jobs, while the village’s ninja took pride in its renewed strength.
• A gigantic creature approached the cities, and their defenders identified Konohagakure as its target and attacked with weapons and Explosive Tags.
• The Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan coordinated an attack using several thousand Explosive Tags, and the defenders waited to see whether the blast had stopped the creature.

Konoha’s shinobi killed one enormous flying monster, but seven more appeared and adapted to their attacks before destroying two nearby cities. Yazo and the others organized a counterattack, and the Uchiha and other Jonin began bringing down more monsters with different techniques.

• The shinobi used Explosive Tags and a bird controlled by the Mind Body Switch Technique to widen a monster’s wound and kill it.
• The commander discovered seven more monsters approaching, and the Nara Clan Ninja warned that they adapted to attacks and might share a connection.
• Yazo, Naoto, Itachi, and the others locked down Konoha and prepared for battle after learning the monsters had destroyed two cities with self-destructing fragments.
• Yazo told the shinobi to vary their attacks, and Shisui led Uchiha Jonin and Special Jonin to meet the monsters outside Konoha.
• Shisui’s group killed a monster with a coordinated barrage of Great Fireballs, while other shinobi joined forces and split another monster in two.

Konohagakure’s ninjas fought the flying monsters, and Fugaku used a Tailed Beast Bomb from a scroll to destroy one. The monsters’ controller appeared and unleashed swarms of smaller creatures, while Itachi, Kakashi, and Might Guy confronted him and wondered who he was.

• Yamato failed to make a usable platform with Wood Release, so Guy launched Kakashi onto a monster, where Kakashi cut it open and Shibi poisoned it with parasites.
• Guy caught Kakashi as he fell, and the two crashed to the ground together while the other jonin mocked their behavior.
• Fugaku revealed a Tailed Beast Bomb in a scroll and used it to destroy one of the remaining monsters.
• The monsters’ controller appeared, and the two surviving monsters attacked by sending swarms of smaller creatures against Konohagakure’s forces.
• Itachi, Kakashi, and Guy reached the monsters’ backs and confronted the bandaged figure, who remarked on an Uchiha leading Konohagakure.

Jiraiya confronted Hiruko, who revealed that his betrayal stemmed partly from the way Jiraiya had failed to understand Orochimaru's grief over Nawaki Senju. As Hiruko displayed multiple Kekkei Genkai and unleashed his Chimera Technique, the Konoha group split up to fight him and stop two monsters approaching Konohagakure.

• Jiraiya recognized Hiruko, and Hiruko accused him of treating companions according to his own self-righteous standards rather than understanding them.
• Hiruko reminded Jiraiya that Orochimaru had been deeply affected by the death of his beloved disciple, Nawaki Senju, leaving Jiraiya shaken.
• Itachi, Kakashi, Guy, and Jiraiya tried to capture Hiruko, but Hiruko evaded their sealing formation and revealed Magnet Release and Explosion Release.
• Hiruko attacked Guy, but Guy's weighted leg rings came off and his counterattack forced Hiruko out of the monster he had entered.
• Hiruko unleashed his Chimera Technique and several Kekkei Genkai, while Jiraiya warned that the two monsters were nearing Konohagakure.
• Itachi assigned Kakashi and Jiraiya to fight Hiruko and ordered Guy to use the Seventh Gate against one monster while he handled the other.

Might Guy, Itachi, and Konohagakure's defenders defeated Hiruko's Monsters, but Orochimaru unleashed a swarm of small creatures to cover his escape. After the threat ended, Itachi went to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi, who acknowledged his potential to become Hokage.

• Might Guy opened the Seventh Gate and destroyed Hiruko's remaining giant Monster with Daytime Tiger.
• Itachi awakened Mangekyo and used Susanoo to pierce another Monster with Yasaka Bead.
• Orochimaru arrived, revealed that he had altered Hiruko's Kekkei Genkai, and joined him in retreating after releasing swarms of small Monsters.
• Itachi ordered Konohagakure's defenses activated, while he, Jiraiya, and the others fought the swarm until the creatures died before reaching the village.
• Itachi visited Hiruzen Sarutobi and reported that he had awakened Mangekyo during the battle; Hiruzen told him he had the qualities to become Hokage.

Kazuna left Konan in Amegakure and headed back toward Konohagakure to prepare for the approaching final battle, passing an alliance fortified by Iwagakure and Kumogakure along the way. He found Orochimaru and Hiruko at a hidden base, invited them to Konohagakure, and faced Orochimaru’s answer: three coffins raised by a forbidden jutsu.

• Konan massaged Kazuna’s sore waist, and they agreed she would come to Konohagakure once everything was settled.
• Kazuna observed the roads and defenses linking Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and other ninja villages, prompting Iwagakure ninja to warn their village about his visit.
• Orochimaru demanded that Hiruko hand over the Chimera Technique, while Hiruko delayed giving it to him.
• Kazuna arrived at Orochimaru and Hiruko’s base, and the two suspected each other of revealing its location.
• Kazuna invited Orochimaru and Hiruko to Konohagakure, but Orochimaru refused and summoned three coffins with a forbidden jutsu.

Kazuna tested Orochimaru’s imperfect Impure World Reincarnation, drove him and Hiruko to flee, and later ordered ID Cards for Konohagakure’s residents. He then asked Itachi whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had finally made a move against him, leaving Itachi exasperated by the question.

• Orochimaru summoned Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, but Kazuna easily countered their attacks and criticized the incomplete technique.
• Orochimaru and Hiruko escaped while Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju distracted Kazuna; Orochimaru shed his body to remove any tracking marks.
• Kazuna left the reincarnated Hokage behind, and their bodies dissolved after he departed.
• Kazuna told Itachi and Yazo to issue ID Cards to residents of Konohagakure and its two auxiliary cities, declaring that he would protect all cardholders.
• Kazuna asked Itachi whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had made any moves, and Itachi silently reflected that the weakened Sarutobi clan was hardly a threat.

Kazuna learned that Akatsuki had captured the Five-Tails and announced a Chunin Exam in Konohagakure. He traveled to Amegakure to claim the beast, where Konan confirmed it had just arrived and warned that the Masked Man would demand conditions.

• Kazuna reviewed the balance of power among Konohagakure, Akatsuki, and the Ninja Alliance as Obito’s forces captured the Five-Tails.
• Kazuna ordered Kurenai to arrange a Chunin Exam in Konohagakure and invite the ninja villages and the Land of Iron.
• Yazo reported the Five-Tails’ capture, and Kazuna explained that Akatsuki possessed the beasts’ chakra while he held the actual Tailed Beasts.
• Kazuna decided to obtain the Five-Tails’ chakra but delay combining it until his Dojutsu and Sage Power had grown stronger.
• Kazuna traveled to Amegakure, where Konan confirmed that the Masked Man had brought the captured Five-Tails there and would set conditions for its release.

Nagato rejected Obito’s attempts to direct him but agreed with Konan to pursue the Eight-Tails and the Moon Eye Plan, while Kazuna prepared to obtain the Five-Tails’ chakra and convene a Kage Summit during the Chunin Exams. As Kakashi warned the young Konoha teams that rival villages might unite against them, the Genin confronted the grim reality that the selection could require them to kill.

• Nagato refused to follow Obito’s plans, then agreed with Konan to focus on capturing the Eight-Tails and carrying out the Moon Eye Plan.
• Kazuna decided to draw the Raikage away from Kumogakure to obtain the Five-Tails’ chakra and ordered Naoto to announce a Kage Summit during the Chunin Exams.
• Naoto told Kazuna that the Raikage also planned a summit in Konohagakure and that Mifune would attend.
• Kakashi gathered Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and the other Genin to explain that rival villages would take part in the Chunin selection.
• Yashiro Uchiha and Kakashi warned the Genin that their enemies might try to kill them, prompting the young ninja to grasp the danger of the exams.

Kazuna challenged Naruto to consider whether he would obey the Hokage if an order conflicted with his ninja way, then argued with Jiraiya that Naruto needed to be prepared for the dangers facing a Jinchuriki. Jiraiya revealed that Naruto’s control of the Nine-Tails’ chakra improved after Kazuna beat the Nine-Tails, and he began to realize what Kazuna had done.

• Kakashi warned the Konoha 12 that the Chunin Exam could require them to kill, and Kurenai offered them the choice to withdraw or prepare for combat.
• Naruto declared that he wanted to surpass the Hokage and bring peace, while Kazuna challenged him to think about what he would do if the Hokage’s orders opposed his ninja way.
• Kazuna left Naruto to consider the dilemma and confronted Jiraiya, who demanded to know why Kazuna had spoken to Naruto that way.
• Kazuna argued that Jiraiya’s protectiveness was not preparing Naruto, a Jinchuriki, for a possible war and the danger posed by other villages.
• Jiraiya said Naruto’s control over the Nine-Tails’ chakra had greatly improved after Kazuna sent him to the hospital, and Kazuna suggested that he had beaten the Nine-Tails rather than Naruto.

Kazuna warned Jiraiya that others would target Naruto for the Nine-Tails, prompting Jiraiya to prepare to protect him. Meanwhile, the Konoha 12 debated joining the dangerous Chunin Exams, and Yashiro’s response to Ino’s criticism of Kazuna threatened to escalate into a conflict with the Yamanaka Clan.

• Kazuna refused to use Naruto for his plans but warned Jiraiya that other enemies would seek the Nine-Tails, and Jiraiya resolved to act against Akatsuki.
• Kakashi explained that the villages had ordered their Genin to enter the Chunin Exams and kill as many enemies as possible, leaving Naruto and his teammates alarmed.
• Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, and Hinata withdrew from the exams, while Second Pillar, Neji, and Rock Lee chose to participate.
• Shikamaru warned Ino that her criticism of Kazuna could have serious consequences because Yashiro and Sasuke were devoted Uchiha supporters.
• Yashiro said Ino’s resentment might have come from adults influencing her and implied the Yamanaka Clan could face consequences, while Kakashi persuaded him to consult Kazuna before acting.

After Ino’s public questioning of Kazuna, Shikaku’s solution led the entire Konoha 12 to enter the Chunin Exams, which were expected to become dangerous. Meanwhile, the Raikage kept Killer B’s hiding place secret from Mabui, prompting Obito and Black and White Zetsu to suspect the villages knew more about Akatsuki’s hunt for the Tailed Beasts; Obito set out to meet someone Kazuna feared.

• Inoichi Yamanaka and Choza Akimichi learned that Ino had questioned Kazuna, and Shikaku Nara advised them to prepare their children for the Chunin Exams.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji began making plans for special training, and the entire Konoha 12 eventually signed up for the exams.
• As the exams approached, Mabui handled Kumogakure’s affairs and urged the Raikage to prioritize his safety, while expressing concern about Killer B’s disappearance.
• The Raikage refused to reveal Killer B’s location or bring in a substitute, leaving Mabui to manage the village while he attended the exams.
• Obito and Black and White Zetsu discussed the hidden Tailed Beasts and suspected the Raikage knew Akatsuki’s intentions; Obito decided to meet someone Kazuna feared.

Naruto and Sasuke struggled to keep up with each other during training, so Jiraiya sent Naruto into a dangerous trial to draw on the Nine-Tails' Chakra while Fugaku took Sasuke to seek a Ninja Cat contract. After Kazuna approved the contract and urged Sasuke to perform well in the Chunin Exams, Naruto emerged with Bunta summoned beside him.

• Naruto defeated Sasuke in their spar with help from a toad, and Kakashi criticized the pair's lack of teamwork before taking Sakura to meet a potential teacher.
• Jiraiya took Naruto to a cliff and kicked him off, telling him to draw on the other Chakra within his body or die.
• Sasuke asked Fugaku and Itachi for a Summoning Beast, so Fugaku brought him to Cat Granny to contract with the Ninja Cat Clan.
• Cat Granny urged Fugaku to get Kazuna's consent, and Kazuna approved Sasuke's contract while promising him a mysterious gift if he did well in the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto emerged with Bunta and celebrated, mistakenly calling the toad a frog.

Bunta accepted Naruto as his little brother, while Jiraiya considered whether to travel to Amegakure. Kazuna then revealed Naruto’s past to Sasuke and offered him a way to match Naruto’s growing power, ending by asking whether Sasuke wanted to become a Jinchuriki.

• Bunta threatened Naruto, then accepted him as his little brother after Naruto apologized and called him Boss Toad.
• Sasuke celebrated gaining a Ninja Cat Summoning Beast until Kazuna told him he still could not match Naruto, then took him to Hokage Rock.
• Kazuna explained that Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s son and a Jinchuriki, and told Sasuke how Hiruzen Sarutobi’s group had made the villagers hate him.
• Kazuna asked Sasuke to become Naruto’s friend, and Sasuke agreed to try.
• When Sasuke admitted he wanted power to keep up with Naruto, Kazuna asked whether he wanted to become a Jinchuriki.

Sasuke asked Fugaku and Itachi for permission to become a Jinchuriki, but Itachi refused after confronting Kazuna about his influence. As the Chunin Selection began, the Genin entered the examination hall for its first round, a written test.

• Sasuke told Fugaku and Itachi he wanted the power of a Tailed Beast and the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Itachi went to confront Kazuna.
• Kazuna told Itachi that Sasuke's thirst for power was his own, though he had explained Naruto's background and the power a Jinchuriki could gain.
• Itachi returned to the clan and refused to let Sasuke become a Jinchuriki, so Sasuke left to train harder with Kakashi.
• Kazuna asked Kakashi about the Genin's training, and Kakashi reported that Naruto and Sasuke had reached Jonin-level strength while most others had reached Chunin level.
• Kakashi announced that the Chunin Selection's first round was a written test, and the Genin from the villages entered the examination hall.

The Chunin Exams’ first round ended with the Genin passing, but Orochimaru attacked during the exams and fled into the Forest of Death. Kazuna and the other Jonin pursued him while Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura recovered from their encounter with him.

• The Konoha Military Police Force punished repeat troublemakers by making them clean public toilets, and Ibiki began the first exam amid the lingering stench.
• Yashiro told Kakashi, Might Guy, and Kurenai that Ibiki was overseeing the first round, and they later learned that Naruto and the other candidates had passed.
• A Chunin reported an attack during the exams, and Itachi learned that Anko had entered the Forest of Death after discovering Orochimaru’s Transformation Jutsu.
• Kazuna ordered the search party to capture or kill Orochimaru and told Itachi to prioritize Naruto’s safety.
• Kazuna confronted Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, but Orochimaru escaped; Sasuke revealed that Orochimaru had bitten his neck and left him with an ominous feeling.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura faced Orochimaru again while injured, but Kazuna arrived and let Orochimaru escape rather than risk the children’s lives. After Naruto and Sasuke recklessly attacked Orochimaru, Kazuna scolded them and blamed their teachers just as Itachi arrived.

• Naruto proposed retreating because Orochimaru was dangerous, but Sasuke refused to leave and Sakura insisted they face danger together.
• Orochimaru returned and threatened to kill Naruto and Sasuke if Kazuna attacked him, forcing Kazuna to let him go.
• Naruto charged Orochimaru and Sasuke threw Kunai at him, but Kazuna stopped Naruto and Orochimaru escaped underground.
• Kazuna reprimanded Naruto and Sasuke for losing their heads and questioned whether Jiraiya and Itachi had taught them that behavior.
• Itachi arrived as Kazuna was threatening to deal with him, leaving him bewildered.

After Orochimaru attacked the Chunin Exam candidates and marked Sasuke with a Curse Mark, Kazuna suspected an invisible World Will was pushing events toward their original course. As Konoha braced for further danger, Tsunade arrived at the Hokage’s office and demanded Orochimaru’s intelligence so she could deal with him herself.

• Kazuna treated Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, warned Sasuke not to rely on Orochimaru’s Curse Mark, and told Itachi not to suspend the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto and Sasuke chose to continue the exam despite their exhaustion, while Sakura was left feeling overwhelmed.
• Kazuna reasoned with Itachi about Orochimaru’s possible target, and Itachi concluded Orochimaru might be targeting Kazuna or Konoha during the coming Kage Summit.
• Jiraiya rushed out to pursue Orochimaru without paying the women he had been drinking with.
• Tsunade confronted Kazuna, said Orochimaru might have come to kill him, and demanded all available intelligence so she could deal with Orochimaru.

Kazuna assigned Jiraiya to defend Konohagakure during the coming unrest as Orochimaru and the Kage Summit threatened the village. Tsunade searched for Orochimaru at a casino, while Kazuna comforted Anko and opened the Chunin Exam’s Third Exam.

• Jiraiya rushed into Kazuna’s office over the news that Orochimaru had returned, and Kazuna told him Tsunade had taken the mission to deal with Orochimaru.
• Kazuna confronted Jiraiya about his unpaid debts and offered to clear them and pay him a million ryo for fighting enemies during any unrest in Konohagakure.
• Jiraiya accepted the mission, and Kazuna warned him that Orochimaru’s summons and Sunagakure’s Grandma Chiyo could threaten ordinary ninja.
• Tsunade admired Konohagakure, vowed to kill Orochimaru, and entered a casino to search for him.
• Kazuna sealed Anko’s Curse Mark to ease her pain and made her promise not to recklessly seek death again.
• Kazuna began the Third Exam, with Hayate Gekko announcing the first round to the gathered Genin.

Sasuke battled Akado Yoroi despite his injuries, and his Curse Mark erupted before he suppressed it again. Kazuna confronted Orochimaru’s clone and anticipated an attack during the Chunin Exams, which ended with the finalists preparing for the coming Kage Summit and conflict.

• Sasuke entered his match while injured, and Kakashi warned him not to use his Sharingan because it could release his Curse Mark.
• Itachi told Kazuna that Shisui’s preparations were ready and that Fugaku had taken over the Konoha Military Police Force; Kazuna ordered available Jonin to watch for enemies and kill them.
• Sasuke’s Curse Mark erupted during his fight, but he suppressed its power, and Kakashi sealed it before taking him away.
• Kazuna found Orochimaru’s clone threatening Kakashi, kicked it aside, and learned that Orochimaru planned to reveal his true body with a gift for him.
• The remaining Chunin Exam matches concluded, with Gaara holding back against Rock Lee and Neji defeating Hinata without raising the clan’s old grievances.
• Hayate explained that the finalists might not become Chunin, and Kazuna turned his attention to the approaching Kage Summit and the expected moves by Orochimaru, Danzo, and Akatsuki.