Chapter Summaries

Ming Jing freed Shiraki to choose his future while asking him to keep gathering intelligence in Kirigakure. On the bridge, Yuexi confronted Zabuza and unveiled a massive Ice Release technique that left everyone staring at the sky.

• Ming Jing promised to destroy records of Shiraki's time in the Land of Fire and agreed to let him remain in Kirigakure as an intelligence source.
• Naruto charged into Haku's Demonic Mirror Ice Crystal, and Haku explained that he fought to protect Zabuza and fulfill his dream.
• Kakashi prepared to use the Sharingan after recognizing Haku's Kekkei Genkai, but Yuexi emerged from the mist and claimed Zabuza as her opponent while asking Kakashi to spare Haku.
• Zabuza used the Mist Technique and attacked Yuexi with shuriken, but an Ice Mirror blocked them.
• Yuexi performed Ice Release: Snowfall Blade and Bow Technique, filling the sky with layers of ice weapons and alarming Sakura, Tazuna, Sasuke, and Zabuza.

Yuexi trapped Zabuza with her Ice Release, but Haku rescued him and explained why he remained devoted to him. As Yuexi confronted Haku over Zabuza treating him as a weapon, Zabuza returned and attacked her from behind.

• Yuexi unleashed a continuous barrage of ice-forged weapons, forcing Zabuza to evade until he stumbled.
• Haku rushed to support Zabuza, but Kakashi blocked him while Zabuza’s Water Clone appeared behind Yuexi and attacked.
• Yuexi froze Zabuza inside an ice prison, but Haku used the Ice Mirror Passage Technique to rescue him and send him into the sea.
• Yuexi questioned Haku’s loyalty after Zabuza called him a weapon, and Haku said Zabuza had respected him by staying when he was at his lowest.
• As Yuexi and Haku discussed their bonds with Ming Jing and Zabuza, Zabuza returned and struck at Yuexi from behind.

Yuexi rescued Haku and fought Zabuza on the bridge, countering his Water Release with Ice Release and trapping him in a layered Demonic Mirror Ice Crystal. Zabuza recognized Yuexi's skill and prepared to fight her with his full strength.

• Ming Jing stopped Qing Yan from attacking Zabuza so they could watch him use Water Style: Water Dragon Tornado Technique to return to the bridge.
• Zabuza's attack struck the bridge instead of Yuexi, who rescued Haku and promised Tazuna she would pay for a replacement bridge.
• Yuexi dodged Zabuza's sword attacks, blasted him back with Vacuum Sphere, and froze his Water Dragon Bullet Technique before sending an Ice Dragon Bullet at him.
• Zabuza split Yuexi's ice dragon with Drawing Slash, and Yuexi trapped him inside Demonic Mirror Ice Crystal before adding two Shadow Clones to attack.
• Zabuza discovered that Yuexi's technique had an additional outer layer and praised her careful planning as he resolved to defeat her with his full strength.

Haku chose to defend Zabuza despite Yuexi’s offer of a life beyond being a ninja, while Kirigakure Anbu arrived to seize Zabuza and his Kubikiribōchō. After Shiraki overwhelmed Haku and struck down Zabuza, Zabuza rose to fight again, declaring he had never abandoned his goal of changing Kirigakure.

• Haku woke and, despite Kakashi’s warning, rushed to help Zabuza and attacked Yuexi with Ice Release: Swallow Snow.
• Yuexi trapped Zabuza in an Ice Prison and revealed she had arranged a place for Haku to live in the Land of Fire, but Haku insisted Zabuza was important to him.
• Three Kirigakure Anbu tried to kill Zabuza, and Yuexi froze them before seven more Anbu arrived with Batan Shiraki.
• Shiraki knocked Haku unconscious and moved to kill Zabuza, but Zabuza broke out of the Ice Prison and attacked him with the Kubikiribōchō.
• Shiraki struck Zabuza with Wind Release: Gale Cutter Thrust, but Zabuza rose again and charged at him, insisting he had never given up on changing Kirigakure.

Zabuza died after killing the three Kirigakure Anbu who had cornered him, and Ming Jing arrived with reinforcements to prevent Shiraki from taking Haku. Gato then desecrated Zabuza’s body, prompting Haku to attack as the two sides clashed on the bridge.

• Yuexi woke Haku and discovered that Zabuza was fighting three Kirigakure Anbu.
• The Anbu fatally wounded Zabuza, but he killed all three with one final swing before dying as Haku watched.
• Shiraki tried to take Haku into custody, but Ming Jing arrived with Masamune Yagyu and sixty-four apprehension patrol officers and refused to hand him over.
• Gato arrived, confirmed Zabuza was dead, and stomped on his head, causing Haku to charge at him.
• Shiraki ordered the remaining Kirigakure Anbu to capture Haku, and Ming Jing sent his fighters to stop them while Kakashi guarded the children.

Ming Jing and his allies defeated the Kirigakure Anbu and drove off Gato’s armed rabble, with the villagers joining the defense of the bridge. Gato was captured and sentenced to twenty years in the Land of Fire Prison.

• Masamune Yagyu, Qing Yan, Inuzuka Sen, and Kiki defeated the Kirigakure Anbu who attacked them.
• Haku dragged Zabuza to Ming Jing, and Shiraki confirmed Zabuza was dead before withdrawing with Kubikiribōchō and the Anbu’s fallen comrades.
• Gato rallied his armed followers to attack Ming Jing, but Inari and the villagers arrived to defend the bridge.
• Naruto, Kakashi, Ming Jing, and Yuexi created crowds of clones, frightening Gato’s followers into fleeing.
• Ming Jing ordered the Patrol Officers to capture Gato and told him he would serve twenty years in Land of Fire Prison.

Orochimaru infiltrated Sunagakure and confronted the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, seeking to cooperate with him. He challenged Rasa over Sunagakure’s decline and asked whether he still wanted to restore the village to greatness.

• Orochimaru traveled to the Land of Wind with Kabuto Yakushi and Kimimaro Kaguya, then waited until night to enter Sunagakure.
• Orochimaru sent Kabuto Yakushi and Kimimaro to keep watch while he approached the Kazekage Building alone.
• Orochimaru used the Kurama Clan’s Illusionary Binding Technique to immobilize two Sunagakure Anbu and entered Rasa’s office.
• Rasa threatened Orochimaru with six Gold Dust Shuriken, and Orochimaru announced that he had come seeking cooperation.
• Orochimaru blamed Sunagakure’s decline on its losses, reduced funding, and Rasa’s betrayal of Pakura, then asked whether Rasa still sought to restore the village.

Orochimaru persuaded Rasa to cooperate against Konoha by offering revenge, research scrolls, and major financial support from the Land of Sea. As Rasa and Orochimaru began planning, Kimimaro observed a dangerous, lonely youth with a gourd pass by unnoticed.

• Orochimaru argued that Sunagakure needed a clear goal and proposed attacking Konoha while it was vulnerable.
• Rasa questioned Orochimaru’s motives, and Orochimaru revealed that he wanted revenge on the Third Hokage and the research scrolls held in Konoha.
• Rasa accepted an agreement after learning the Land of Sea would cover the plan’s expenses and had already provided one hundred million.
• Rasa and Orochimaru began discussing their plan for the upcoming Konoha Chunin Exam and sharing intelligence.
• Kimimaro watched a brown-haired youth with a gourd pass by and sensed his overwhelming killing intent and loneliness.

Akira Kurama sent six Police Department rising stars to Konoha for the Chunin Exam while he arranged other assignments. In Konoha, Shikouin and her companions intervened when Kankuro threatened Konohamaru, and Gaara’s arrival ended the confrontation.

• Akira Kurama briefed the six Police Department candidates on the Chunin Exam and urged them to protect themselves and uphold the department’s reputation.
• Inuzuka Sen, Kazuma Yagyu, and the six candidates departed for Konoha, while Akira Kurama assigned Yuexi, Qing Yan, and Yami’s group to return with him and sent others toward the Land of Rivers.
• Three days before the exam, Yakumo, Shikouin, and Xiangling heard a child scream and found Kankuro holding Konohamaru while Naruto and Sakura confronted him.
• Kankuro tripped Naruto and mocked Konoha’s genin, but Shikouin quickly freed Konohamaru and challenged Kankuro.
• Gaara appeared and ordered Kankuro to stop, then left with Kankuro and Temari as Shikouin and Sasuke watched him warily.

The Third Hokage heard recommendations for the Chunin Exam, while Iruka objected that his former students were not ready. Ming Jing returned to Konoha and joined the genin at the exam site, where Rock Lee stopped Sasuke and Izumo Kamizuki from striking each other.

• Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and Uzuki Yugao recommended their respective genin teams for the Chunin Selection Exam.
• Iruka urged the Third Hokage to delay the exam for the twelve genin, but Kakashi insisted they were his subordinates now.
• Ming Jing returned to the Kurama Clan grounds with Yuexi, Qing Yan, and Yami, then had Yami bring Hinata to him for special training.
• Ming Jing went to the exam site with the four little girls, where Yakumo noticed the crude Genjutsu and they saw Rock Lee knocked down.
• Neji intervened when Kotetsu Hagane attacked Tenten, and Sasuke challenged Izumo Kamizuki after seeing through the Illusionary Barrier.
• Rock Lee caught Sasuke's side kick with one hand as Sasuke and Izumo Kamizuki exchanged kicks.

Rock Lee challenged Sasuke to test himself against an Uchiha, while also trying to impress Sakura. Lee overwhelmed Sasuke with taijutsu, but Neji stopped him from using a secret technique, leaving their confrontation unfinished.

• Lee introduced himself to Sakura and asked her to go out with him, but she rejected him because of his thick eyebrows.
• Neji judged Sasuke to be a strong genin and Ming Jing encouraged Neji to keep working hard.
• Lee challenged Sasuke to a fight, declaring that he was the strongest genin in Konoha.
• Lee defeated Naruto with a kick, then quickly struck Sasuke and continued to suppress him even after Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
• Lee began unwrapping his hand bandages, but Neji intervened and pulled him back, reminding him of Might Guy's words.

Lee’s fight with Sasuke ended when Might Guy arrived and turned the confrontation into an emotional, bizarre reunion with his student. Guy apologized to Team 7, revealed his record against Kakashi, and introduced Lee to Yami before the exam began.

• The Great Turtle reprimanded Lee for using a forbidden technique, then summoned Might Guy to take over.
• Guy punched Lee, then embraced him in a tearful display that bewildered Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Neji.
• Neji reminded Guy that the Chunin Exam was about to begin, and Guy postponed Lee’s punishment until afterward.
• Guy told Team 7 that he was Kakashi’s rival with fifty wins and forty-nine losses, and warned them not to underestimate Akira Kurama.
• Yami apologized to Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke for the delay and offered them a meal after the exam.
• Guy introduced Lee to Yami as his direct disciple, and Yami recognized Lee as Guy’s heir.

Ming Jing saw Hinata and the other girls off to the exam, then went to borrow the Third Hokage’s crystal ball to watch the grounds. There, Kabuto briefed the rookies on the exam and its dangerous competitors, leaving their confidence shaken until Naruto loudly declared he would not lose.

• Ming Jing wished Hinata, Yakumo, Xiangling, and Shikouin safety before they joined Kurenai and Uzuki Yugao.
• Ming Jing and Yami went to the Third Hokage to borrow the crystal ball for monitoring the exam grounds.
• Kabuto Yakushi warned the rookies about the tense atmosphere and explained the Intelligence Cards he had gathered over four years.
• Kabuto described Rock Lee’s taijutsu and Gaara’s record of returning from missions without injury, alarming the rookies.
• Yakumo encouraged Hinata to face the challenge with their teams’ support, and Naruto shouted that he would not lose to anyone.

Ming Jing and Yami watched the first stage of the Chunin Exam as the genin used a variety of methods to cheat and avoid elimination. Mori Ibiki announced a high-stakes tenth question, leaving the examinees to choose between risking a permanent ban or abandoning the exam.

• Ming Jing and Yami borrowed exam papers and watched the test through the Third Hokage's crystal ball.
• Yakumo used a genjutsu to show Shikouin and Xiangling the answers, while Sakura and Hinata answered from their own knowledge.
• Sasuke, Ino, Shikamaru, and other genin used their abilities and allies to cheat as proctors eliminated thirteen teams.
• The six Police Department newcomers used internal codes to share answers without Mori Ibiki catching them.
• After forty-five minutes, Mori Ibiki announced that the tenth question would determine whether examinees risked a permanent ban or gave up their eligibility for the exam.

Ming Jing explained the first exam’s hidden purpose to Yami as Naruto’s resolve inspired the remaining candidates to stay. After Mori Ibiki announced their passage, Mitaraishi Anko arrived to lead the second stage and warned that she would eliminate two-thirds of the examinees.

• Ming Jing told Yami that the tenth question tested resolve and that the first nine questions tested intelligence gathering.
• Naruto nearly raised his hand to quit, then declared he would take the tenth question and encouraged the other candidates to continue.
• Mori Ibiki revealed that the remaining candidates had passed the first stage and explained the purpose of the test.
• Mitaraishi Anko arrived as the second-stage proctor and announced that two-thirds of the candidates would be eliminated.

Anko explained the deadly rules of the second Chunin Exam test, a five-day scroll battle in the Forest of Death. As the teams prepared to enter, Hinata used her Byakugan to identify other teams’ scrolls while Xiangling memorized the intelligence.

• Anko led the candidates to the Forest of Death and warned them about the dangers of the second test.
• Anko explained that teams had to survive for five days, collect both Heaven and Earth Scrolls, and reach the Central Tower without losing a member or opening their scroll.
• Sasuke observed the candidates and realized that teams could gain an advantage by gathering intelligence before entering the forest.
• Yakumo, Xiangling, Shikouin, Mihara Shiroko, Kiba Inuzuka, and others shielded Hinata as she used her Byakugan to identify teams’ scrolls.
• Xiangling memorized Hinata’s reports, while Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi noticed the intelligence gathering but did not expose it.

The Chunin Exam’s second round began as the teams entered the forest, where Yakumo’s group ambushed the Sound Ninja Team. Yakumo trapped Kin Tsuchi and Zaku in a genjutsu, while Shikouin fought Dosu Kinata and destroyed his sound gauntlet.

• Anko opened all forty-four gates, and the examinee teams chose routes into the forest.
• Yakumo’s group attacked the Sound Ninja Team, and Yakumo trapped Kin Tsuchi and Zaku in her Iron-Chain Prison genjutsu.
• Xiangling searched Kin Tsuchi and Zaku but found no scrolls, so Yakumo waited for Shikouin to confront Dosu Kinata.
• Dosu Kinata struck Shikouin with his sonic attack and threw her into a tree, but she recovered and counterattacked.
• Shikouin used lightning to shatter Dosu Kinata’s gauntlet and declared that his scroll was theirs.

Yakumo, Xiangling, and Shikouin secured a scroll while the Chunin Exam teams advanced through the forest. Neji intervened when Gaara targeted Kiba’s team, and Hinata chose to stand with Neji as he prepared to fight.

• Xiangling tied up Kin Tsuchi and Zaku after Yakumo trapped them in a Genjutsu, and Shikouin gave Yakumo an Earth Scroll.
• Kiba led Shino and Hinata toward a nearby group, but Akamaru sensed danger and they found Gaara’s team confronting the Rain Ninja Squad.
• Gaara blocked the Rain Ninja Squad’s attack and killed all three with Sand Burial, then noticed Kiba, Shino, and Hinata hiding nearby.
• Neji appeared and offered Temari a Heaven Scroll, but Gaara attacked him and Neji deflected the sand with Heavy Palm.
• Hinata refused to leave Neji alone and said Ming Jing had specially trained her, so Neji agreed to let her cover his back.

Neji fought Gaara and sealed his Chakra, while Hinata battled Temari and survived her strongest attack. As Temari approached the exhausted Hinata, Land of Fire Police Department Squad 2 intervened and began treating her injuries.

• Neji used Eight Trigrams: Palm Rotation to repel Gaara's sand attacks, then struck Gaara with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and sealed his Chakra.
• Hinata blocked Temari from reaching Gaara while Shino and Kiba confronted Kankuro.
• Hinata dodged Temari's first attacks and used Wing Chun - Sunken Bridge to punch through Temari's final storm, exhausting her Chakra and injuring her hands.
• Gaara's sand restrained Neji despite his sealed Chakra, delaying him from helping Hinata as Temari approached her.
• Suga Hane and two Squad 2 members arrived to protect Hinata, and Sako Ryosa treated her hands with the Mystical Palm Technique.

Neji fought Gaara after Shukaku took control, but his Gentle Fist and Water Style Flow could not contain the One-Tail’s overwhelming chakra. As Shukaku grew into a greater threat, Neji prepared to use a rare talisman despite Hinata’s objections.

• Shukaku broke Neji’s chakra seal and transformed Gaara into a sand monster that attacked Neji.
• Neji used Palm Rotation and the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Palms, while Temari and Kankuro recognized the danger of Konoha’s reinforcements.
• Neji slowed Gaara with Water Style Flow and scattered part of Shukaku’s form, but his techniques failed to restrain the Tailed Beast.
• Shukaku erupted completely, overwhelmed Neji’s defenses, and forced Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Suga Hane, and Sako Ryosa to consider retreating.
• Neji warned that they might not escape Shukaku’s destructive reach and revealed a pale yellow talisman, while Hinata urged him to withdraw instead.