Chapter Summaries

Danzo learned that Akira Kurama had returned for the Chunin Exam and suspected the Third Hokage was preparing for the Uchiha rebellion. Meanwhile, Ming Jing tested Yakumo and her friends, then decided they should watch the Chunin Exam to see the outside world's dangers.

• Danzo learned Akira Kurama had returned and ordered Root to crush the Uchiha Clan's rebellion before it began.
• Ming Jing challenged Yakumo to a match, and Yakumo gathered Hinata, Shikouin, Karin, and Mirai at the training grounds.
• Shikouin and Hinata attacked Ming Jing while Yakumo used a low-level genjutsu, but Ming Jing restrained the fighters and trapped Yakumo in his own illusion.
• Yakumo broke free of the genjutsu, and Yuexi explained how Ming Jing had subdued Shikouin while holding Hinata.
• Ming Jing warned Yakumo that life would become harder after graduation and decided to arrange for the girls to attend the Chunin Exam.

Ming Jing and his teammates entered the Chunin Exam, where examiner Inoichi Yamanaka introduced a roulette-based first test. As the Genin hesitated over who should spin, a member of the Hiryu Clan stepped forward, and Ming Jing recognized that everyone else was waiting to see whether the test was a trap.

• Asuma gave Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan their Chunin Exam forms and warned them to go easy on their opponents.
• Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan headed to the exam site, where Ming Jing eagerly declared they should aim for first place.
• Yuexi used Wind Release: Gale to clear a smoke bomb that had covered the training ground, drawing the other Genin's attention to her skill.
• Inoichi Yamanaka announced that each team had to answer three questions, with six selected participants spinning a roulette wheel.
• A Hiryu Clan ninja claimed he was qualified to spin the wheel and stepped forward while the others watched in silence.
• Ming Jing told Qing Yan that the others were holding back because they did not trust the test and wanted someone else to scout it first.

Hiruko and the other genin faced a first-round exam that tested their choices under pressure. Ming Jing’s team avoided the dilemmas while Qing Yan provoked the other candidates, leaving them eager for a tournament rematch.

• Hiruko spun the wheel and received a question about whether to torture a spy’s family for information, and Ming Jing chose not to do so.
• Inoue spun the wheel and drew a question about choosing whom to save, prompting Inoichi Yamanaka to explain that candidates could forfeit a question and wait.
• Inoichi eliminated a genin who challenged him after the candidate objected to the scenario involving powerful rogue ninja.
• Ming Jing told Yuexi’s group to forfeit the question and wait, then directed Qing Yan to spin next.
• Qing Yan shifted the pointer from the first slot to the second, angering the other candidates and drawing their threats of revenge.
• Ming Jing backed Qing Yan and taunted the candidates who were too weak to face them.

Ming Jing and his team faced a question designed to sow discord among teammates, but chose to forfeit. As the exam continued, Ming Jing suspected Root’s movements might be connected to Uchiha Shisui, while a genin from the Hino Family warned them to remember his name.

• Ming Jing calmed the gathering genin after they surrounded his team, and Inoichi Yamanaka urged everyone to focus on the exam.
• Gekko Hayate asked what candidates would do when a teammate disagreed with them, and Ming Jing warned a nearby genin that the sickly examiner was formidable.
• Ming Jing asked Yuexi about events in Konoha and learned that Root had made moves; he then recalled Uchiha Shisui and chose to forfeit the question.
• The other teams also forfeited, and two genin tried to stop Qing Yan from taking the stage before Ming Jing told him the wheel had already begun spinning.
• Hino Bo introduced himself to Ming Jing’s group, and Yuexi explained that the Hino Family was a powerful clan from the Land of Rivers known for its Summoning Jutsu.

Ming Jing and his teammates faced a loyalty test and then a choice between saving comrades and completing a mission during the Chunin Exam. The chapter ended with Ming Jing placing one foot in each circle and declaring that he would do both.

• Ming Jing chose the village in response to Examiner number five’s question about whether to side with the village or his clan.
• Teams that completed three questions followed Shibi Aburame’s insects to the designated location, while Ming Jing’s team drew a blank space and had to face one final question.
• Kabuto Yakushi spun the wheel, and an examiner asked whether ninja should prioritize comrades’ lives or completing the mission.
• Ming Jing stepped into both the “Save Comrades” and “Complete Mission” circles and declared that he would save his comrades while completing the mission.

Ming Jing’s team passed the first stage and entered the Forest of Death for the second-stage scroll mission. After defeating another team, Ming Jing learned they were carrying three scrolls and deduced that his team needed the Scroll of Earth.

• Ming Jing convinced Inoichi Yamanaka to let the genin attempt the first-stage test, and Inoichi declared them passed.
• Shibi Aburame led Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan to the Forest of Death, where Genma Shiranui explained the five-day scroll mission and had them sign a death waiver.
• Ming Jing’s team entered the forest and quickly discovered a trap set by another genin team.
• Qing Yan broke the trap and seized one opponent, Yuexi froze another’s legs, and Ming Jing subdued the third.
• The opposing team’s captain revealed they had to seize the Scroll of Heaven while protecting three scrolls, and Ming Jing inferred that his team needed the Scroll of Earth.

Ming Jing defeated three squads attempting to seize his scrolls in the Forest of Death and learned that their missions involved collecting Heaven, Earth, and Man Scrolls. He let the injured teams leave with their lives and continued holding their two scrolls.

• Ming Jing sensed three squads outside the tree hollow and drew them out with his Wind Blades.
• Hino Bo demanded Ming Jing hand over his scrolls, then summoned two Mountain Child frogmen to shield his squad from the attack.
• Ming Jing caught a surprise attacker and used Wind Style: Oppression to blast the squads with their own concealed weapons.
• Hino Bo agreed to surrender two scrolls in exchange for his squad's release and explained the three squads had different scroll-collection missions.
• Ming Jing took the scrolls, asked whether the squads had seen other kinds, and let Hino Bo and his companions leave.

Uchiha Shisui returned to Konoha and gained the Third Hokage’s support to try to restore trust between the village and the Uchiha Clan. He recruited Uchiha Itachi to help oppose a coup d’état, while keeping his agreement with Ming Jing secret.

• Uchiha Shisui asked the Third Hokage to assign him a classified mission to rebuild trust between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, and the Third Hokage agreed to back him.
• Shisui considered the Kurama Clan and Ming Jing’s advice, then left a signal for Uchiha Itachi and waited for him by a waterfall.
• Shisui asked Itachi how likely Lord Fugaku was to pursue a coup d’état, and Itachi said Uchiha resentment toward the village was nearing its limit.
• Shisui and Itachi agreed that mutual distrust had to be broken and that a coup would bring disaster to both sides.
• Itachi said he opposed the coup but might use unconventional means to stop it, and Shisui warned him that the Guard Unit already suspected him.
• Shisui told Itachi that the Third Hokage supported his efforts but concealed his agreement with Ming Jing.

Ming Jing and his companions searched teams in the Forest of Death for the missing Human scroll but found only a Heaven scroll, so they split up to continue the search. In Konoha, the Third Hokage defended the Uchiha Clan against Danzo’s accusations and insisted they must remain Konoha’s companions.

• Yuexi trapped Shishima Ichikawa and his two Kusagakure teammates in water prisons, and Qing Yan found their Heaven scroll.
• Ming Jing asked Shishima Ichikawa about a Human scroll, then returned the Heaven scroll when Shishima had never heard of one.
• Ming Jing sent Yuexi and Qing Yan to search separately and vowed to inspect every team before the exam ended.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura raised concerns about complaints against the Guard Unit and growing suspicion of the Uchiha Clan.
• The Third Hokage rejected Danzo’s claim that the Uchiha were flaunting their power and argued that Konoha had to keep the clan as companions.

Yamada and his teammates attacked three Konoha genin, but Akira Kurama intervened after seeing Yamada mistreat Koto. Akira found the disguised mission scroll he had been searching for and left Koto checking on her companions.

• Yamada took the defeated Konoha genin’s scrolls and ordered them to crawl away, then attacked Koto and her two companions when they resisted.
• Yamada used Wind Release: Beast Wave Palm to defeat the three genin and accused them of carrying a blank scroll as a dishonest backup plan.
• Akira Kurama appeared, knocked Yamada down, and took the blank scroll from him.
• Akira dispelled the Genjutsu on the scroll and confirmed it was the one he had been searching for.
• Koto checked on her companions, and Akira assured her that they would recover after resting.

Ming Jing’s team completed the Chunin Exam’s second stage after he found the disguised Human scroll, while two other teams withdrew. At the Central Tower, Asuma explained the Will of Fire, and Ming Jing decided it was time to contribute to the village.

• Ming Jing knocked Yamada unconscious, and Mikawa forfeited the exam before Anbu escorted his team away.
• Koto withdrew with her team after her two companions remained unconscious, and Anbu took them away.
• Ming Jing reunited with Yuexi and Qing Yan, gave Yuexi the Human scroll, and led his team to the Central Tower with all three scrolls.
• Asuma appeared when Yuexi opened the scrolls and explained the Will of Fire to the team.
• Ming Jing accepted that he was willing to bear the village’s future and resolved to contribute to Konoha.

Ming Jing’s team reached the Central Tower, where Shibi Aburame announced the final Chunin Exam for seven days later. After returning to Konoha, Ming Jing visited Hinata and began to decide whether he should intervene to help a friend in mortal danger.

• Ming Jing’s group arrived at the Central Tower, where Qing Yan threw Toyotomi into a wall after Toyotomi attacked Ming Jing.
• Shibi Aburame announced that the individual final exam would take place at Konoha Arena in seven days and ordered the teams to leave.
• Ming Jing, Yuexi, and Qing Yan crossed the Forest of Death and returned to Konoha in less than an hour.
• Ming Jing went to the Hyuga Clan training ground and found Hinata practicing after learning that the academy was closed.
• Ming Jing asked Hinata whether he should help a friend who was risking his life for his ideals, then decided he knew what to do despite Hinata giving no answer.

Fugaku ordered Itachi to attend an Uchiha memorial gathering, while the Third Hokage and Danzo prepared Shisui to use Kotoamatsukami to prevent a coup. Shisui visited Ming Jing, who warned him to watch out for Danzo, and the two left to eat with Hinata.

• Fugaku told Itachi to attend the Uchiha Clan gathering in five days, but Itachi said he had a classified mission.
• Danzo warned the Third Hokage that the Uchiha Clan was preparing a coup, and the Third Hokage assigned Shisui to intervene with Kotoamatsukami.
• Shisui agreed to make Fugaku seek coexistence with the village, and the Third Hokage promised to improve the Uchiha Clan's treatment if the crisis passed.
• Shisui visited Ming Jing and reminded him of their promise, while Ming Jing warned him that Danzo was dangerous.
• Shisui invited Ming Jing and Hinata to eat with him, and Ming Jing agreed to bring Hinata along.

Shisui tried to prevent the Uchiha coup, but Danzo ambushed him and stole the Sharingan containing Kotoamatsukami. As Root pursued the wounded Shisui and poisoned him, Ming Jing left home to buy mushrooms for dinner.

• Ming Jing brought Hinata home and began preparing a lavish dinner as Yakumo and others arrived to join the meal.
• Shisui decided to use Kotoamatsukami to persuade Fugaku and stop the Uchiha coup, trusting that the village could change.
• Root members ambushed Shisui, and Danzo questioned whether Shisui would use genjutsu on everyone who resisted his plans.
• Danzo attacked Shisui, stole his eye, and implanted the Sharingan into his own eye socket.
• Shisui fought off Root with fire and water techniques, but they pursued him and a smoke bomb released poison gas around him.
• Ming Jing discovered he was out of mushrooms and went out to buy some, leaving Yuexi in charge while Yakumo stayed home.

Ming Jing rescued the badly wounded Shisui from Root and held off the pursuing squad. Danzo confronted Ming Jing and demanded to know the Kurama Clan's position, while Ming Jing challenged Danzo to explain Root's presence.

• Root elites attacked Shisui, who summoned Susanoo but collapsed after the blast and his depleted Chakra.
• Ming Jing arrived, protected Shisui from Root's attacks, and told him to escape while he held the squad back.
• Ming Jing stopped Root from pursuing Shisui, escaped their Earth Release trap with Genjutsu, and faced Danzo.
• Danzo questioned whether the Kurama Clan supported the Uchiha coup, and Ming Jing demanded to know why Root was there.

Ming Jing and Danzo fought, trading ninjutsu and taijutsu until Ming Jing revealed that the figure Danzo had been attacking was an illusion. Danzo’s sealing technique passed through the fake, and Ming Jing struck from above with Storm Hammer.

• Danzo challenged Ming Jing to test his strength and attacked with Vacuum Sphere.
• Ming Jing and Danzo exchanged wind techniques and fought at close range, with Danzo kicking Ming Jing away.
• Danzo blocked Ming Jing’s wind net with Earth Release, then injured Ming Jing with Vacuum Wave shuriken and blasted him to the ground.
• Ming Jing interrupted Danzo’s next attack with Hundred-Step Lamp Extinguisher, and the two faced off from a distance.
• Danzo summoned Baku and tried to bind Ming Jing, but his hand passed through the illusion as the real Ming Jing attacked from above with Storm Hammer.

Danzo retreated after Akira Kurama’s illusion humiliated Root, while Shisui met Itachi and entrusted him with his remaining Mangekyō Sharingan before falling from a cliff. Watching Shisui die awakened Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan.

• Danzo recognized the Kurama Clan’s Control of the Five Senses, ordered Root to raise surveillance of the clan, and vowed revenge on Akira Kurama.
• Shisui met Itachi at their secret base and warned that the Uchiha coup could lead to war with other countries.
• Shisui gave Itachi his remaining Mangekyō Sharingan and asked him to protect the village and the Uchiha name.
• Shisui fell from the cliff after telling Itachi not to stop him, and Itachi watched him descend.
• Itachi’s eyes bled as his Mangekyō Sharingan awakened.

Uchiha Shisui’s suicide disrupted the Uchiha Clan’s planned gathering, and Itachi reported his death to Fugaku before the clan could proceed with a coup. Akira learned of Shisui’s death and went to the Hokage Building, where Itachi and the village leaders discussed the fallout.

• Mikoto sent Izumi home from the Uchiha gathering after asking whether Itachi trusted Akira Kurama.
• Fugaku began addressing the Uchiha Clan, but Itachi interrupted to report that Shisui had committed suicide and presented his note.
• Fugaku ended the gathering as Shisui’s death unsettled the clan and weakened support for a coup.
• Akira heard from Mirai Kurama that Shisui was dead, then went with Yuexi, Mirai, and Qing Yan to the Hokage Building.
• Itachi told the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the advisors that Shisui’s death had weakened the Uchiha Clan, and Danzo called for the Anbu to announce it as a suicide.

After meeting Itachi, Ming Jing went to the Forest of Death with Mirai and found two young Uchiha children whom Shisui had entrusted to him. He decided to hide them with the Kurama Clan and take them away from Konoha in three days, leaving their future tied to whether the Uchiha Clan survived.

• Ming Jing met Itachi outside the Hokage Building, and Itachi thanked him for helping Shisui before wishing him luck in the Chunin Exam.
• Ming Jing told Yuexi and Qing Yan to go to the third exam's testing grounds, then took Mirai to the Forest of Death.
• Ming Jing and Mirai found a young boy and girl beside a lake deep in the forest.
• Ming Jing identified the children as Uchiha and said Shisui had entrusted them to him, ordering Mirai to take them to the clan compound in secret.
• Ming Jing decided the children could return to the Uchiha Clan if it still existed in ten years, or rebuild it if it did not.
• Ming Jing rejected the idea of using the children to bring the Sharingan into the Kurama Clan, saying power gained through the suffering of loved ones was not worth having.

Ming Jing secured two Uchiha children in Mirai’s laboratory before arriving at the Chunin Exam arena. His squad was called to face the Kōga Squad, led by Kisaragi Saemon, as the third round’s squad battles began.

• Yuexi and Qing Yan waited for Ming Jing and decided not to alert the Third Hokage, hoping to stall if necessary.
• The Third Hokage opened the third round, and Shiranui Genma announced squad battles with a time limit and no restrictions against lethal force.
• Ming Jing and Mirai brought two children into the Kurama Clan compound and hid them in Mirai’s laboratory under a sleep Genjutsu.
• Ming Jing refused Mirai’s request to draw blood from the children and left for the arena.
• Shiranui Genma announced the match between Ming Jing Squad and the Kōga Squad, whose members entered the arena led by Kisaragi Saemon.