Recaps

After Shikun Mitarashi’s successful surgery, Konoha defeated Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Water and secured favorable peace terms. Hiruzen Sarutobi then asked Orochimaru to serve as chief examiner for the chunin exams and use his reputation to deter smaller nations from challenging Konoha.

• Orochimaru successfully replaced Shikun Mitarashi’s mechanical eye and limbs, leaving him to adjust to his new body.
• Konoha’s army drove Kumogakure from the Land of Hot Water, and negotiations forced Kumogakure to surrender mission rights in two small nations and pay reparations.
• Yūhi Shinku joined Orochimaru’s side, while Orochimaru monitored Shikun Mitarashi and considered upgrades to his mechanical body and surveillance equipment.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that smaller nations were testing Konoha’s influence and proposed hosting chunin exams to demonstrate the village’s strength.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru chief examiner, expecting his reputation to discourage the surrounding nations from plotting against Konoha.

Orochimaru prepared Kakashi and his teammates for the Chunin Ninja Exams, giving Kakashi a new technique and agreeing to train Rin and Obito as well. The chapter ended with Orochimaru arranging for the three to spar against the Orochimaru Squad.

• Orochimaru discussed Kakashi and the Orochimaru Squad’s strength, while Shikun Mitarashi and Yūhi Shinku wondered about Kakashi’s future and their daughters’ prospects.
• Kakashi told Orochimaru that his team’s Chunin Ninja Exam application had been approved, and Orochimaru explained that the exams would showcase Konohagakure’s new generation.
• Orochimaru gave Kakashi an S-rank Purple Electricity scroll to help him improve his Chidori, and Kakashi rushed off to practice.
• After two days, Kakashi brought Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha to Orochimaru for help with their training.
• Orochimaru agreed to train Rin and Obito and called for the Orochimaru Squad so the teams could spar.

Kakashi defeated Asuma in a training match, but Asuma blamed his loss on his unfamiliar weapon and resolved to challenge Kakashi again. Obito then challenged Asuma and was beaten by Anko, ending the training with Rin tending to him.

• Asuma attacked Kakashi with Wind Release, but Kakashi countered with Earth Release and then disarmed him with White Fang, winning their match.
• Asuma said he had lost because he was inexperienced with Flying Swallow and had fought Kakashi on Kakashi’s strongest terms, and he vowed to improve before the Chunin Exams.
• Rin checked on Kakashi, while Obito reacted jealously to Kakashi’s remark that he was stronger than Obito.
• Obito challenged Asuma, but Anko stepped in and defeated Obito after he dismissed the girls’ strength.
• Rin gently treated Obito’s bruises, and Obito was pleased to receive her attention despite losing.

Orochimaru shaped the Minato Squad's training before opening the Chunin Ninja Exams in Konoha. After the written test, Kakashi and Rin Nohara led the results, while Obito Uchiha and Might Guy barely passed.

• Orochimaru gave Rin Nohara a detailed poison manual and increased Obito Uchiha's training to prepare him to protect and rescue her.
• Teams from smaller nations arrived, and Orochimaru opened the exams with a three-round format after silencing the assembled genin with his killing intent.
• Obito Uchiha arrived late to the opening ceremony, then joined his team for the written test at the Ninja Academy.
• Kakashi handed Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha, and Might Guy answers with paper balls before leaving the written test early.
• Might Guy admitted he had missed the back of the test, while Obito Uchiha said he had fallen asleep; Kakashi and Rin placed first and second, and Guy and Obito finished near the bottom.

Kakashi and Might Guy fought in the Chunin Exams team battle while their teammates clashed nearby. Kakashi’s squad won the encounter, and Guy agreed to face him again in the individual battle finals.

• Anko Mitarashi defeated Shirai Kuroko’s team after sensing Kuroko’s attempt to attack from underground.
• Might Guy challenged Kakashi, and the two traded fast taijutsu attacks before Kakashi used Hatake-style hand-blade techniques to gain the advantage.
• Guy continued the fight with his Double Alloy Steel Staff, and Kakashi drew the White Fang Shortsword to meet him.
• Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha defeated Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, then joined Kakashi against Guy.
• Kakashi withdrew and proposed that he and Guy settle their rivalry in the individual battle finals, where Guy promised to meet him for their forty-seventh duel.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the match and considered how Kakashi and Guy strengthened Orochimaru’s growing faction and claim to become Fourth Hokage.

Orochimaru Squad defeated Minato Squad in the Chunin Exams Team Battle, with Kurenai, Anko, and Asuma using layered tactics to overcome Kakashi, Obito, and Rin. After the match, Kushina dragged both squads to a feast, while Anko ensured the winners joined the celebration too.

• Orochimaru announced the Team Battle finals and started the match between Orochimaru Squad and Minato Squad.
• Anko, Asuma, and Kurenai launched attacks that kept Kakashi, Obito, and Rin under pressure.
• Kurenai trapped Obito in layered Genjutsu, but Rin used a poisoned Water Clone to defeat Kurenai's Shadow Clone and rescue herself.
• Obito's furious counterattack injured Kurenai, but Orochimaru Squad defeated him and eventually overcame Kakashi as well.
• Orochimaru Squad took first place, Minato Squad came second, and Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui placed third.
• Kushina brought both squads to a feast, and Anko made sure the first-place winners joined in.

Obito Uchiha lost to Might Guy after choking on candy, and Kakashi advanced to the finals by defeating Asuma. Kakashi and Might Guy began their long-awaited duel, which escalated from hand-to-hand combat to weapons and Guy’s drunken fighting style, leaving Kakashi trying to outwit him.

• Obito Uchiha challenged Might Guy but lost when candy stuck in his throat, allowing Guy to kick him out of the match.
• Orochimaru secretly placed a Flying Thunder God mark on Obito as he handed him to a medical ninja.
• Kakashi defeated Asuma and advanced to the finals against Might Guy.
• Kakashi and Might Guy traded powerful hand-to-hand attacks before Kakashi drew White Fang and Guy fought with nunchaku.
• Might Guy drank high-proof shochu disguised as Forbidden Medicine and dodged Kakashi’s attacks with unpredictable drunken movements.
• Kakashi recognized Guy’s beastlike instincts and decided to counter him with traps and deception.

Kakashi and Might Guy’s Chunin Exam match ended when Guy passed out from drunkenness, and Orochimaru persuaded the dissatisfied spectators to accept the result. The exam concluded with Kakashi promoted to full Jōnin, while Orochimaru set out for Ryūchi Cave to pursue Sage Art suited to humans and prepare for the Otsutsuki.

• Kakashi used Genjutsu and the White Fang Shortsword against Might Guy, but Guy fought with his eyes shut and countered him with his nunchaku.
• Might Guy began to announce his Eight Gates move, then collapsed asleep from the alcohol in his system and claimed in his sleep that he had won.
• Orochimaru calmed the angry spectators by presenting Guy’s collapse as the result of Kakashi’s Genjutsu, and Hiruzen Sarutobi secured their acceptance with a three-day discount.
• The Chunin Exams ended with the Genin of the Orochimaru Squad and Minato Squad promoted to Chunin, while Hiruzen Sarutobi promoted Kakashi to full Jōnin.
• Minato Squad returned to the Iwagakure battlefield, while Orochimaru went to Ryūchi Cave to investigate Sage Art and seek a human-compatible way to gain power against the Otsutsuki Clan.

Orochimaru’s research into Ryūchi Cave Sage Technique stalled, but after returning to Konohagakure, he was summoned to discuss cloning experiments with Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ayaka Kimura. Hiruzen revealed that the village’s earlier research into the First Hokage’s Cells had killed every participating ninja.

• Orochimaru compared Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myōboku Sage Technique data, but hit a bottleneck because refining the method required human experiments.
• Orochimaru returned to Konohagakure and watched Hiruzen Sarutobi catch Asuma boasting about becoming a Chunin.
• Orochimaru recorded Hiruzen Sarutobi dragging Asuma away, then played the scene for Anko and Kurenai Yūhi at the squad’s celebratory dinner.
• An Anbu summoned Orochimaru to the Hokage’s Office, where Hiruzen Sarutobi asked whether Orochimaru’s cloning technology could perfectly replicate a person.
• Ayaka Kimura explained that cloned cells mutated when cost-cutting left them without an ideal growth environment, and that some cells could divide indefinitely if supplied with nutrients.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that research into the First Hokage’s Cells had caused the participating ninjas’ bodies to turn to wood before they died.

Orochimaru claimed that the First Hokage's remains and cloned bodies lost control because they lacked a soul, and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi for soul-related jutsu to investigate. Hiruzen proposed bringing Tsunade back to Konoha, while Orochimaru considered the political advantages and risks of revealing Danzo's role in Dan Katō's death.

• Orochimaru told Hiruzen Sarutobi that the uncontrolled growth of the First Hokage's remains and clones might stem from the absence of a soul, and requested soul-related jutsu.
• Hiruzen refused to provide the forbidden Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu and explained that Tsunade held the Mind Transfer Jutsu, which had been entrusted to her by Shizune.
• Orochimaru recalled that Danzo had caused Dan Katō's death after Dan left Danzo's service and gained knowledge that could ruin his reputation.
• Orochimaru judged that Tsunade's political influence and medical standing could secure his succession as Fourth Hokage and help him research Sage Art.
• Orochimaru considered how to bring Tsunade back without revealing Danzo's role and provoking her to fight Danzo.

Orochimaru recruited Hiruzen Sarutobi to help bring Tsunade back by paying her debts, then found her in the Land of Gold and watched her borrow more money from debt collectors. A Kumogakure ninja completed a mission to steal the Land of Trees’ Secret Technique Scroll, but Karai was dying from an unusual Explosion Bug, and the Raikage heard that someone nearby might save him.

• Orochimaru showed Hiruzen Sarutobi Tsunade’s debt bills, and Hiruzen agreed to help pay the three hundred million ryo after learning Jiraiya could cover half.
• Orochimaru and his three Chunin subordinates traveled to the Land of Gold and learned Tsunade was staying at a nearby inn.
• Tsunade lent the debt collectors another chest of silver after claiming she had found gold, then dragged Orochimaru to a tavern to celebrate.
• A Kumogakure ninja delivered the stolen Land of Trees Secret Technique Scroll to the Fourth Raikage and reported that Karai was badly injured by an unusual Explosion Bug.
• The Kumogakure ninja told the Raikage that someone could save Karai.

The Fourth Raikage sought Tsunade’s help for Karai, a Kumogakure ninja whose body had exploded after he was infected by a special bug. Orochimaru agreed to treat him in exchange for Kumogakure sending troops to threaten Iwagakure, and the group set out to hear the details of the injury.

• The Fourth Raikage vowed to bring Tsunade to treat Karai and ordered him to stay alive.
• Amai asked Tsunade to heal Karai, but she refused because Kumogakure had started the war with Konoha.
• The Raikage entered the tavern and threatened to get rough, prompting Orochimaru to emerge from behind the screen.
• Orochimaru demanded that Kumogakure send troops to assist Konoha against Iwagakure, and the Raikage agreed to station troops at the border.
• The Raikage explained that Karai had been infected by a special bug during a mission to seize Sugigakure Village’s secret technique, then exploded in battle with the Xuanyuan Clan.

At Kumogakure's outpost, Orochimaru and Tsunade discovered that Explosion Bugs were growing inside Karai and the Fourth Raikage, and Orochimaru operated to remove Karai's bug. The Fourth Raikage agreed to join forces against Iwagakure and the Xuanyuan Clan, while Tsunade proposed a way to kill the bugs inside him.

• Orochimaru examined Karai and explained that the Explosion Bug attached to his heart could absorb Chakra and eventually make him explode.
• Orochimaru found a surveillance insect, so the group relocated to another outpost to treat Karai.
• Orochimaru removed a large Explosion Bug from Karai while Shizune assisted with the operation.
• The Fourth Raikage agreed to send troops against Iwagakure and help wipe out the Xuanyuan Clan in exchange for a secret technique scroll, the spoils, and five million ryo each for Orochimaru and Tsunade.
• Tsunade proposed that Orochimaru use Wind Release to kill the insects inside the Fourth Raikage, then repair the internal damage with the Living Cure Regeneration Technique and help from the Slug.

Orochimaru and the Fourth Raikage tracked the Xuanyuan Clan to a dark forest and forced its ninjas into a direct confrontation. They captured the clan’s Bug User and hunted down the fleeing members, leaving the Xuanyuan Clan defeated.

• Orochimaru used a tracking bug to lead the Fourth Raikage to the Xuanyuan Clan’s forest hideout.
• Orochimaru combined Fire and Wind Release to engulf the forest in flames, driving the Xuanyuan Clan ninjas out.
• The Fourth Raikage attacked the clan as its members scattered, while Orochimaru captured the Bug User alive for his experiments.
• Orochimaru and the Fourth Raikage split up to pursue the fleeing ninjas.
• Orochimaru captured the pink-clad ninja, and the Fourth Raikage killed two other clan members.

Orochimaru persuaded Tsunade to return to Konoha by telling her Danzo was connected to Dan’s death and proposing that she help make him Hokage so they could remove Danzo. Tsunade agreed to go back with him, then dragged him out to drink as their disciples wildly misread their private conversation.

• The Raikage agreed to pay Orochimaru five million ryo and promised to deploy troops against Iwagakure, while challenging him to a future duel.
• Tsunade reviewed Orochimaru’s cloning research and suggested using Stem Cells to grow replacement limbs and organs more efficiently.
• Orochimaru sent Shizune, Anko, Asuma, and Kurenai outside before revealing that Danzo had been connected to Dan’s death.
• Tsunade wanted to confront Danzo, but Orochimaru warned that doing so could split Konohagakure and urged her to return and help make him Hokage.
• Tsunade agreed to return to Konoha with Orochimaru and dragged him out to drink, while their disciples mistook their flushed faces and sweat for evidence of romance.

Tsunade and Orochimaru set out for Konohagakure after a night of drinking, while Hiruzen Sarutobi learned that Kirigakure had invaded the eastern coast of the Land of Fire. With the border in danger and Konohagakure short on troops, he called for reinforcements and reconsidered Orochimaru’s plan to destroy Kannabi Bridge.

• Tsunade and Orochimaru began their journey back to Konohagakure as their companions teased Asuma about his book.
• An Anbu intelligence report informed Hiruzen Sarutobi that Tsunade was returning and the Fourth Raikage had agreed to send troops against Iwagakure.
• A border report told Hiruzen Sarutobi that Kirigakure had seized islands off the Land of Fire and begun landing its main force, with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen sighted.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Fugaku Uchiha, Shikun Mitarashi, and Might Duy to respond to the invasion.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi reconsidered Orochimaru’s proposal to destroy Kannabi Bridge as the best way to turn the Iwagakure front around.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Minato's team a decisive mission against Iwagakure while Orochimaru and Tsunade discussed using a clone body to safely research Sage Art. After returning to Konohagakure, Orochimaru began the next stage of his research with Tsunade, and Hiruzen heard gossip that left him envious and concerned about their influence on the Hokage succession.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Minato's team to strike Iwagakure's rear while Jiraiya's main force drew in its troops, and Fugaku Uchiha led reinforcements against the Land of Water's invasion.
• Orochimaru proposed using the Mind Transfer Jutsu to practice Sage Art through a clone body, and Tsunade agreed the idea was possible.
• Orochimaru explained his plan to develop a Sage Art system suitable for humans, and Tsunade gave him a scroll containing information about the First Hokage's Sage Art practice.
• After returning to Konohagakure, Orochimaru took Tsunade to his home laboratory to continue his research.
• Asuma told Hiruzen Sarutobi gossip about Orochimaru and Tsunade, prompting Hiruzen to worry that their union could strengthen their standing in the Hokage succession.

Orochimaru failed to master Sage Mode through the Cursed Seal and Mind Transfer Jutsu, but awakened a near-perfect Sage Mode after an unexpected incident with Tsunade. He tested his immense new power outside Konohagakure, where Anbu told him Tsunade had demolished his house.

• Tsunade watched as Orochimaru used the Cursed Seal and medicine to absorb Natural Energy, but his body began petrifying before the medicine could stabilize him.
• Orochimaru used the Mind Transfer Jutsu to return his soul to his real body, then woke to find himself affected by the Natural Energy and Tsunade's golden hair beside him.
• Orochimaru discovered he had awakened a near-perfect Sage Mode with purple markings beneath his eyes and tested it outside Konohagakure.
• Orochimaru's Earth Release and Water Release created a swamp and a large lake, drawing several Konoha Anbu to investigate.
• Orochimaru asked the Anbu about Tsunade, and they told him she had torn down his house with her fists.

Orochimaru studied Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Arts while Tsunade read his letter and sought Kushina’s advice on how to handle him. Kushina suggested winning a man over with a loving bento and showed Tsunade an old cookbook whose final page was missing.

• Tagorihime explained that Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Art: Transmitting Distant Shadow could let its user absorb another person and potentially gain their abilities, but Orochimaru lacked the mutations needed to learn it.
• Tagorihime left Orochimaru with scrolls of Ryūchi Cave’s standard Sage Arts and went to hunt for prey.
• Tsunade read Orochimaru’s letter about Sage Mode, grew flustered, and went to the Namikaze household to ask Kushina for advice while Shizune and several young shinobi followed her.
• Kushina told Tsunade that a loving bento usually made Minato give in, then showed her One Hundred Loving Bentos for Your Boyfriend, an old cookbook missing its final page.

Danzo manipulated the conflict between Iwagakure and Amegakure, then advised Hanzō on how to eliminate Akatsuki. He left Hanzō with a plan to lure the group into negotiations and seize them as hostages.

• Tsunade read the cookbook Kushina had given her, unaware that its final page warned about dangerous recipes.
• Danzo ordered Root to intercept an Iwagakure delegation, kill its members, and disguise the attack as Amegakure’s work.
• Danzo met Hanzō and urged him to join the war against Iwagakure once Kumogakure deployed.
• Hanzō asked Danzo to help remove Akatsuki, whose leaders were Jiraiya’s disciples and might threaten his position.
• Danzo advised Hanzō to feign support for Akatsuki, lure its members into negotiations, and capture them as hostages.

Orochimaru trained Manda, Garaga, and Aoda before learning that he was being sent to support the Iwa Front. With Orochimaru approaching, Madara Uchiha used Impure World Reincarnation to prepare for a fight and hoped Orochimaru would make him want to dance.

• Orochimaru overwhelmed Manda, Garaga, and Aoda with Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation, and Manda used his Propellers to overtake Garaga.
• A message informed Orochimaru that Danzo had persuaded Hanzō to attack the Land of Earth, so Orochimaru planned to go to the front and collect spoils for experiments.
• Orochimaru returned to Konohagakure without seeing Tsunade, who hid while planning to apologize for gambling away his money.
• Madara Uchiha learned that Orochimaru was nearing the Iwa Front and ordered Black Zetsu to find a White Zetsu sacrifice.
• Madara Uchiha used Impure World Reincarnation to take on White Zetsu's body and set out with Black Zetsu to confront Orochimaru.

Orochimaru confronted Madara Uchiha in the desert after sending his support shinobi away, rejecting Madara’s plan to remake the world through dreams. Their battle escalated through powerful ninjutsu and deception, and the chapter ended with Orochimaru raising a hand to draw lightning from the sky.

• Orochimaru sensed Madara ahead, sent his support shinobi to safety, and continued alone to meet him.
• Madara invited Orochimaru to join his plan to destroy the flawed world and create a peaceful one, but Orochimaru refused.
• Madara and Orochimaru exchanged attacks, with Orochimaru using snakes, water techniques, and the Flying Thunder God Slash.
• Madara trapped Orochimaru in a genjutsu, snapped his neck, and leapt clear of an explosive snake trap concealed in an Earth Clone.
• Madara searched for the real Orochimaru and spotted him in the sky, holding one hand aloft to draw lightning.

Orochimaru used increasingly powerful techniques against Madara, escalating to Sage Mode, the Eight Gates, and his Phoenix Drizzle attack. Madara answered with Perfect Susanoo and spent his Transformed Body’s chakra and vitality to reach his prime’s power for an instant; after their clash cut through the surrounding mountain ranges, Orochimaru crawled out alive but badly hurt.

• Orochimaru struck Madara with Lightning Release: Kirin, but Madara survived inside his Third Stage Susanoo and shattered three of Orochimaru’s Four Violet Flames gates with its sword slashes.
• Madara enlarged his Susanoo to its Fourth Stage, and Orochimaru entered Sage Mode and used Inorganic Reincarnation to bind and attack it with stone pillars.
• Orochimaru left a Shadow Clone to sustain the attack, opened the first seven Eight Gates, and used Adrenaline to accelerate toward Madara.
• Orochimaru unleashed Night Phoenix: Six Styles: Phoenix Drizzle as Madara sacrificed his Transformed Body’s chakra and vitality to manifest Perfect Susanoo and meet the attack.
• Their attacks collided in a shockwave that sliced through nearby mountain ranges, and Orochimaru crawled out of the earth after taking the blow head-on.

Orochimaru defeated Madara Uchiha’s transformed body and took its remains, while the real Madara prepared to recruit Obito. Trapped beneath a boulder, Obito gave Kakashi his Sharingan before awakening in Madara’s hideout and meeting the legendary Uchiha.

• Madara Uchiha’s transformed body crumbled after his battle with Orochimaru, and Ōnoki recognized the chakra from afar while Roshi went to investigate.
• Orochimaru stored the White Zetsu remains in Manda’s stomach and continued onward while treating his injuries.
• The real Madara Uchiha recalled his fight with Orochimaru and asked Black Zetsu whether Obito’s matter was settled.
• Trapped beneath a boulder, Obito Uchiha asked Rin Nohara to transplant his Sharingan into Kakashi, and Kakashi mourned the loss of his teammate.
• Obito woke in Madara’s underground hideout, argued with two strange attendants, and learned that the old man nearby was Madara Uchiha.

Orochimaru fought Roshi, the Four-Tails’ Jinchuriki, and overwhelmed him with powerful Water Release and Sage Art. Roshi lost consciousness, allowing Son Goku to break free, but the Four-Tails found himself trapped in Orochimaru’s man-made typhoon.

• Roshi mocked Orochimaru’s injuries and challenged him, hoping to become a hero by defeating the famed Sannin.
• Orochimaru summoned Garaga and Aoda to test Roshi’s Lava Release, and Roshi badly burned Aoda while fending off both summons.
• Orochimaru used powerful Water Release attacks, but Roshi drew on the Four-Tails’ Chakra and raised volcanoes to counter them.
• Orochimaru created ten Shadow Clones and unleashed a huge wave of water, prompting Roshi to draw even more Chakra from the Four-Tails.
• Orochimaru combined Sage Art Water and Wind Release into a giant waterspout, and the strain caused Roshi to lose consciousness.
• Son Goku broke free from Roshi’s control and realized he needed to escape Orochimaru’s typhoon.