Chapter Summaries

Xu Fan tested his Wood Release Clone’s power after it opened the Seventh Gate and was shocked when it destroyed his Wood Human and split his Susanoo. Xu Fan opened the Seventh Gate himself and defeated the clone, but afterward he felt that something inside him was incomplete.

• Xu Fan’s Wood Release Clone opened the Seventh Gate, and Xu Fan noted its immense speed and Chakra.
• The clone shattered Xu Fan’s Wood Human with a punch, revealing destructive power beyond what Xu Fan expected.
• The clone split Xu Fan’s nearly complete Susanoo and pinned him with the force of its fist wind.
• Xu Fan opened the Seventh Gate and fought the clone, with their clash destroying the surrounding forest.
• Xu Fan’s power overwhelmed the clone and shattered it, but he was left feeling that something was wrong and incomplete.

Orochimaru told Xu Fan that his overwhelming strength had left him numb and offered a way to experience an evenly matched battle. He asked Xu Fan for Sasuke Uchiha, leaving his proposed solution and Xu Fan’s response unresolved.

• Orochimaru appeared before Xu Fan and praised him for learning to open the Eight Gates.
• Orochimaru explained that Xu Fan’s near-invincibility had made him lonely and unable to find excitement in battle.
• Xu Fan recognized that he had been missing the anticipation of a challenging fight.
• Orochimaru claimed he could provide a battle between evenly matched opponents and asked for Sasuke Uchiha.

The Chunin Exams finals began as Xu Fan kept watch while Orochimaru posed as the Kazekage. Naruto faced Neji in the opening match, and the chapter ended as Naruto attacked with Shadow Clones.

• Xu Fan avoided Hiruzen Sarutobi and the disguised Orochimaru while helping secure the packed arena with Kakashi, Tenzō, Might Guy, and Izumi Uchiha.
• The announcer opened the finals, and Naruto entered the arena as spectators mocked him and Neji drew cheers.
• Naruto and Neji took their positions, with Neji wary of underestimating Naruto because of his connection to Xu Fan.
• Naruto used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to begin his attack on Neji.

Naruto and Neji began their Chunin Exam final match, with Naruto relying on Shadow Clones before revealing he could use the Nine-Tails Chakra despite his other powers being banned. The chapter left Neji spinning to defend against Naruto’s sudden attack.

• Might Guy and Kakashi watched Naruto and Neji begin their match while Xu Fan observed from the stands.
• Naruto created more than a dozen Shadow Clones and sent them charging at Neji.
• Neji used Gentle Fist to knock aside Naruto’s clones and struck the Naruto waiting at the rear, only for him to vanish as a Shadow Clone.
• Naruto drew on the Nine-Tails Chakra, entered its first form, and rushed behind Neji with a powerful punch.
• Neji sensed Naruto’s attack and used Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven to defend himself.

Naruto used the Nine-Tails’ power to break through Neji’s Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven and win the first match of the Chunin Exams finals. Neji was carried away unconscious, and Sasuke prepared for his upcoming match.

• Neji used Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven, astonishing Hiashi and the other spectators.
• Naruto released the Nine-Tails’ Chakra, revealing a controlled Tailed Beast Transformation Second Form.
• Naruto planted his feet on Neji’s rotating defense and tore through it, sending Neji flying and knocking him unconscious.
• Naruto returned to human form, and the referee declared him the winner before medical personnel carried Neji away.
• The crowd reacted to Naruto’s control of the Nine-Tails’ power, while Sasuke looked forward to his own match.

After Naruto defeated Neji with the Nine-Tails’ power, Kankuro forfeited his match against Sasuke, and Sakura prepared to face Gaara despite the danger. Sakura entered the arena uncertain of how to break Gaara’s absolute defense, but she chose to fight after seeing Sasuke’s anticipation.

• Naruto’s victory over Neji surprised Might Guy, who complained to Kakashi that using the Nine-Tails’ Chakra was unfair.
• Kankuro forfeited his match, giving Sasuke the win and disappointing the spectators who had hoped to see him fight.
• Gaara made a dramatic entrance, and Naruto worried that Sakura might be killed if she fought him.
• Temari warned Sakura’s teammates that Sakura had little chance against Gaara, but Sasuke and Naruto voiced their support for her.
• Sakura remembered that ordinary physical attacks could not hurt Gaara and doubted she could outrun his sand.
• Sakura saw Sasuke’s anticipation, nodded that she was ready, and prepared to fight Gaara.

Sakura faced Gaara in the elimination rounds and seemed unable to break through his sand defense. After Sasuke urged her on, she revealed the super strength Xu Fan had taught her and shattered Gaara’s Sand Binding, then struck at his sand shield.

• Kakashi decided to let Sakura fight Gaara, while keeping ready to intervene if she faced danger.
• Gaara attacked as soon as the match began, and Sakura dodged his sand while her shuriken failed to penetrate his defense.
• Kankuro and Temari warned that Sakura could not win, but Sasuke urged her to show her strength.
• Sakura charged Gaara and was caught in his Sand Binding, prompting Kakashi to prepare a rescue until Xu Fan stopped him.
• Sakura burst out of the sand, gathered Chakra into her fist, and struck Gaara’s absolute defense with super strength.

Sakura used Xu Fan’s Super Strength to shatter Gaara’s sand defenses, but his spiked sand sphere badly wounded her. Refusing medical treatment, she released the Yin Seal and activated the Hundred Healings Technique, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Sakura broke Gaara’s absolute sand defense with a punch and split the arena with a powerful kick.
• Xu Fan explained that he had taught Sakura Super Strength, which let her concentrate and release chakra without damaging her body.
• Sakura repeatedly smashed Gaara’s sand defenses and drove him back until he formed a protective sphere.
• Sakura rushed the sphere, but Gaara sent spikes through her arms, thighs, and abdomen.
• Sakura refused treatment and released the Yin Seal on her forehead to activate the Hundred Healings Technique.

Sakura released her Yin Seal and used the Hundred Healings Technique to break through Gaara’s defenses, but he fell asleep and began transforming into Shukaku. The Sand Ninja launched an attack on Konoha, leaving Naruto to protect Sakura while Sasuke confronted Temari and Kankuro.

• Sakura released the Yin Seal, healed her injuries, and charged Gaara with renewed strength.
• Sakura shattered Gaara’s absolute defense and Sand Armor, but Gaara’s sand formed another layer of protection as his eyes closed.
• Temari recognized Gaara’s Art of Slumber as the method for releasing Shukaku, and Gaara transformed into the One-Tail.
• A Sand Ninja held a kunai to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s throat while Sand Ninja forces attacked Konoha’s Anbu and Root.
• Naruto jumped into the arena and shielded Sakura, while Sasuke demanded an explanation from Temari and Kankuro.

Temari and Kankuro revealed their mission as Shikamaru and Sasuke fought to stop them and capture Sasuke. As Gaara transformed into Shukaku and the arena descended into chaos, Naruto summoned a giant toad to move the battle away from the crowd.

• Temari revealed that she and Kankuro had been ordered to help Gaara unleash Shukaku and destroy Konoha, while also capturing Sasuke for Lord Kazekage.
• Shikamaru used his Shadow Imitation Technique to restrain Temari, and Sasuke attacked Kankuro’s puppet, destroying Crow and forcing Kankuro out.
• Kankuro warned Sasuke that Gaara had used the Art of Slumber, but Sasuke said Naruto’s Sage Mode and Golden Form Mode had been forbidden to balance the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto shielded Sakura from Shukaku and asked the Nine-Tails how to stop Gaara, but the Nine-Tails dismissed Shukaku as the weakest tailed beast.
• Naruto summoned a giant toad beneath himself and Sakura, preparing to move Shukaku away from the gathered people.

Xu Fan used Magnet Release to restrain Shukaku and carry him away from the arena, while Naruto and Bunta went with him. Orochimaru revealed himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi and trapped them inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, preparing to confront his former teacher.

• Xu Fan left Kakashi and Might Guy to defend the arena and charged in to deal with Shukaku.
• Naruto summoned Bunta, and Xu Fan joined them as Shukaku attacked the spectators with Wind Release.
• Bunta and Shukaku exchanged attacks, but Bunta could not safely fight without risking the spectators.
• Xu Fan used Magnet Release to lift and restrain Shukaku, then ordered Bunta to jump east as he carried Shukaku away.
• After Xu Fan and Naruto left the arena, Orochimaru revealed himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi and took him to a rooftop.
• Four Otogakure ninja formed the Four Violet Flames Formation around Orochimaru and Hiruzen, and Orochimaru removed the Kazekage's robes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Orochimaru, who summoned the First and Second Hokage with Impure World Reincarnation to help destroy Konoha. The revived Tobirama Senju learned Orochimaru’s intentions and reacted with fury, while Hashirama Senju remained unconcerned.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared to fight Orochimaru, who relied on the Four Violet Flames Formation to keep Konoha’s forces away.
• Orochimaru summoned two coffins containing Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, after failing to raise a third.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma and warned that Xu Fan could stop Orochimaru, but Orochimaru claimed Hashirama’s power would make him difficult to defeat.
• Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju awoke and realized they had been revived through Tobirama’s Impure World Reincarnation.
• Orochimaru told Tobirama Senju he intended to use the brothers to destroy Konoha, and Tobirama became enraged.

Orochimaru revived Hashirama and Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation and erased their consciousness so he could use them against Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen struggled against both Hokage, and the chapter left him facing Tobirama’s effortless regeneration.

• Tobirama tried to attack Orochimaru but could not move because Orochimaru controlled his Impure World Reincarnation body.
• Hashirama explained that Orochimaru had prepared for their strength, and Orochimaru erased both brothers’ consciousness and turned them into War Machines.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi struck Hashirama and tried to trap Tobirama, but Hashirama recovered while Tobirama escaped using Flying Thunder God.
• Enma restrained Hashirama as Tobirama hit Hiruzen and sent him crashing into a rooftop.
• Hiruzen burned Tobirama to ashes with Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, but Tobirama reassembled, and Orochimaru declared that the dead could not be killed again.

Kakashi and Might Guy tried to break Orochimaru’s Four Violet Flames Formation so they could help Hiruzen Sarutobi fight the First and Second Hokage. Might Guy shattered the barrier with his Seventh Gate and Daytime Tiger, then charged at Orochimaru.

• Kakashi and Might Guy saw Hiruzen Sarutobi fighting the reincarnated Hashirama and Tobirama and rushed to help him.
• Kakashi’s Chidori and Might Guy’s Morning Peacock failed to break Orochimaru’s Four Violet Flames Formation.
• Hashirama used Wood Release to trap Enma, while Orochimaru said Xu Fan had inherited Hashirama’s power.
• Might Guy opened the Seventh Gate and struck the barrier with Daytime Tiger, cracking and then shattering it.
• Might Guy leaped toward Orochimaru and attacked him with Konoha Violent Gale.

Guy fought Hashirama while Hiruzen and Kakashi used the Three Directions Sealing Technique to trap Tobirama. As Guy and Kakashi were pushed to their limits, Tenzō arrived and pulled Kakashi away from Hashirama’s Wood Release.

• Guy attacked Orochimaru but Hashirama intercepted him, and the two fought evenly as Hashirama recovered from Guy’s blows.
• Kakashi told Hiruzen that sealing was the most reliable way to stop the reanimated Hokage, so Hiruzen used a Shadow Clone to help restrain Tobirama.
• Kakashi paralyzed Tobirama with Lightning Release, allowing Hiruzen to trap him inside the Three Directions Sealing Technique.
• Orochimaru launched a Kusanagi Sword at Hiruzen, but Kakashi knocked it aside while Hiruzen maintained the seal.
• Guy exhausted the Seventh Gate and Hashirama sent him flying, then pressured Kakashi with Wood Release.
• Tenzō arrived, pulled Kakashi clear of Hashirama’s attack, and countered Hashirama’s Wood Release with his own.

Orochimaru took control of Hashirama and unleashed devastating Wood Release against Kakashi and the others, leaving them desperate for Xu Fan to return. Meanwhile, Xu Fan brought Shukaku away from the village, but a sign-in request sent him back toward the Chunin Exams venue as Shukaku prepared to attack.

• Tenzō fought Hashirama with Wood Release, but Hashirama quickly overwhelmed him.
• Orochimaru took full control of Hashirama and used Wood Release: World of Trees to turn the arena into a forest, killing several Anbu Ninja.
• Hashirama summoned a towering Wood Human and two Wood Dragons, while Kakashi sent a Ninja Hound to summon Xu Fan.
• Xu Fan carried Shukaku away from the village, where Bunta landed with Sakura and Naruto.
• Naruto entered Golden Form Mode, but Xu Fan stopped him and said he would handle Shukaku quickly.
• The Sign-in Assistant told Xu Fan to return to the Chunin Exams venue, while Shukaku angrily accused him of using the One-Tail's Chakra and threatened to kill them.

Xu Fan used Wood Release to overpower Shukaku and turn the One-Tail’s Tailed Beast Bomb back on him, leaving Naruto and Sakura stunned by the scale of his power. The battlefield was devastated, while Naruto reflected that Xu Fan’s Wood Human was only a fraction of his strength.

• Shukaku gathered Chakra for a Tailed Beast Bomb, leaving Sakura, Gama Bunta, and Naruto convinced they could not stop it.
• Xu Fan created a towering Wood Human and two Wood Dragons, then faced Shukaku’s attack.
• The Wood Human caught Shukaku’s Tailed Beast Bomb and the Wood Dragons restrained him despite his resistance.
• Xu Fan slammed Shukaku to the ground and aimed the bomb at his face, where it detonated and leveled the mountain forest.
• Gama Bunta leaped away with Naruto and Sakura as Sakura gaped at Xu Fan’s power and Naruto said it was only an ordinary technique for him.

Xu Fan defeated Shukaku and left Gaara incapacitated, then learned from Temari that Orochimaru had infiltrated Konoha and was attacking the Third Hokage. Xu Fan returned to the village with Naruto and Sakura, while two Akatsuki members confronted Temari and Kankuro to claim Gaara.

• Xu Fan easily defeated Shukaku, withdrew his Wood Human, and left Gaara unable to move.
• Temari and Kankuro arrived and told Xu Fan that Orochimaru had impersonated the Kazekage and summoned the First and Second Hokage to attack Konoha.
• Naruto vouched for Temari's account, and Xu Fan left Gaara and the Sand siblings behind as he returned to Konoha with Naruto and Sakura.
• After Xu Fan's group departed, Temari and Kankuro relaxed, but two red-cloud-cloaked men appeared and declared they would take the One-Tail Jinchuriki.

As Hashirama and Tobirama overwhelmed Konoha’s defenders, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the Reaper to use the Reaper Death Seal against Orochimaru, accepting that it would cost his life. He managed to seize Orochimaru’s soul, but Orochimaru’s body changed, and a familiar voice spoke from behind Hiruzen.

• Hashirama and Tobirama broke through Hiruzen Sarutobi’s defenses and defeated Konoha’s fighters, forcing Hiruzen to stop waiting for Xu Fan.
• Might Guy offered to open the Eighth Gate, but Kakashi warned that it would not end the Impure World Reincarnation.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned the Reaper Death Seal and told Kakashi, Guy, and Tenzō that using it would sacrifice his life.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi sent Shadow Clones after Hashirama and Tobirama while he charged Orochimaru, but Orochimaru used clones to thwart the sealing attempt.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi’s sealing arm seized Orochimaru’s soul, but Orochimaru’s features changed as a familiar voice spoke from behind Hiruzen.

Orochimaru escaped Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Reaper Death Seal using a substitute and killed the Third Hokage. Xu Fan arrived holding Hiruzen’s body, then confronted Orochimaru and attacked him with Susanoo.

• Orochimaru revealed that he had prepared a substitute containing his cells and Chakra, allowing Hiruzen Sarutobi to seal it instead of him.
• The Reaper Death Seal claimed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s soul, and Orochimaru watched as his former teacher fell.
• Xu Fan arrived too late to save Hiruzen, while Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Hyuga Hiashi recognized him on the battlefield.
• The shinobi and civilians turned to Xu Fan as their hope, while Orochimaru remained with the First Hokage and Second Hokage summoned by Impure World Reincarnation.
• Xu Fan confronted Orochimaru over Hiruzen’s death and struck at him with Susanoo’s blade.