Chapter Summaries

In August, Konoha prepared for the Joint Exams as shinobi teams from the other villages arrived, and the village reviewed security, schedules, and ticket revenue. Shuji coordinated the visiting teams and apologized to Samui, who then asked about the exam procedures and grouping draw.

• Shizune reported the participating villages’ numbers, sold-out spectator seats, and ticket revenue to Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.
• Tsunade ordered careful reception and security, while Hiruzen Sarutobi said he would oversee security with the Anbu.
• Shuji coordinated with the visiting teams at their encampments and noted that Zabuza led Kirigakure while Baki led Sunagakure.
• Samui confronted Shuji about recommending Icha Icha Paradise, and Shuji apologized for his casual breach of etiquette.
• Samui accepted Shuji’s explanation and asked about the exam schedule, procedures, and team grouping draw.

Shinnō was confronted by a masked man and White Zetsu, who sought his help in destroying Konoha. In the days before the Chunin Exams, Shuji discussed food and seeds with Samui while Danzō weighed a desperate move to regain power.

• Shinnō realized Orochimaru had revealed his identity and abilities to the masked man and White Zetsu.
• The masked man told Shinnō that Konoha was a target and said he would not accept a refusal.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi led Anbu patrols around the arena and caught petty thieves trying to interfere with the competition.
• Shuji browsed foreign seeds with Samui, who told him about butter hot pot and butter sold in the western district.
• Shuji gave Samui a book of rumors and anecdotes from the Land of Fire to read while waiting for the competition.
• Danzō reviewed intelligence about supernatural powers and concluded he needed to act before Tsunade gained more authority.

Pain assigned Orochimaru to Kakuzu and gave the newcomers their Akatsuki partners, while Shuji agreed to help Anko apply to the Anbu and find a new direction for her training. The chapter ended with Shuji considering whether Anko could pursue Sage Art training and how Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal might affect it.

• Pain paired Orochimaru with Kakuzu, rejected Kakuzu’s suggestion to make Tobi an official member, and warned Orochimaru that this was his last chance.
• Pain assigned Hiruko to Juzo Biwa and Shinnō to Zetsu, then ordered the teams to act independently until summoned.
• Shuji, Anko Mitarashi, and Uchiha Itachi shared butter hot pot after the Forest of Death elimination rounds ended.
• Anko told Shuji she wanted to apply to the Anbu because she felt stuck in her training and wanted a different environment.
• Shuji agreed to submit Anko’s application and began considering whether she could train in Sage Art with help from Katsuyu.

Obito rejected Ōnoki’s commission to sabotage Konoha’s Joint Chunin Exams, which then proceeded without major interference. At the tournament, Yamato’s unusual background drew scrutiny, prompting Samui to call for clearer rules for next year’s Konoha–Kumogakure exchange.

• Obito considered ways to disrupt the exams but concluded each would expose Akatsuki to the shinobi world, so he rejected Ōnoki’s commission.
• Konoha’s Joint Chunin Exams advanced from the preliminary matches to the official tournament without a major attack.
• Yamato blocked his opponent’s flames with Earth Release, while the crowd’s attention left him uncomfortable.
• Zabuza watched Yamato fight, suspected Konoha had arranged an advantage, and lost interest in the tournament.
• Samui asked Shuji whether Yamato was a special case like Darui, and Shuji explained that Yamato had never taken an advancement examination.
• Samui said Konoha and Kumogakure would need to clarify the participant standards for next year’s exchange.

Shuji proposed verifiable eligibility standards for the next exchange tournament to address Kumogakure’s concerns about contestants like Yamato. After internal debate, Konoha and Kumogakure agreed to a limited trial of exchanging and verifying participant records, beginning a new stage of cooperation.

• Tsunade assigned Shuji to negotiate with Samui about the tournament participants, and Shuji proposed using clear standards to build trust.
• Samui pressed for firm eligibility rules, and Shuji set three-year limits for active Genin and Chunin based on graduation and promotion dates.
• Shuji proposed submitting redacted credential records for participants, and Samui said she would report the plan to the Raikage.
• Tsunade and Hiruzen Sarutobi supported the proposal, and Hiruzen persuaded Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura to approve it.
• Konoha and Kumogakure reached a preliminary agreement to exchange and verify information about next year’s first group of participants.

Shuji completed the exchange of personnel rosters with Kumogakure and advanced his experiments by cultivating Four-Tails and Five-Tails chakra inside specialized Wood Clones. Before Shuji left, A shared new information about Akai’s death and asked Konoha to share what it knew in return.

• Samui gave Shuji a pouch of local seeds as a return gift while the roster verification paused.
• Shuji used a specialized Wood Clone and the Four Symbols Seal to cultivate Four-Tails chakra, then sealed Five-Tails chakra in a second clone.
• Shuji finished reviewing Kumogakure’s roster after four days and prepared to return to Konoha.
• A told Shuji that Akai’s two guards had reported his death before disappearing, suggesting they had been impersonated.
• A said Kumogakure still held Konoha responsible for Akai’s death but offered the information in hopes that Konoha would share information about the incident in return.

As Konohamaru Sarutobi was born, Shuji secured leave from Tsunade and considered Konoha’s plans for Akatsuki and Madara. Konoha Year 57 began with Shuji returning to his experiments, while Anko and Shisui took on new assignments.

• Konohamaru Sarutobi was born in the Sarutobi clan compound on December 30th, Konoha Year 56.
• Tsunade approved Shuji's leave after he finished the year's remaining paperwork, and she told him Konoha would give Kumogakure limited notice about the information on 'Madara.'
• Tsunade praised Shuji, then grabbed him by the collar after their argument escalated, while Shizune left the office as they began struggling.
• Shuji began his leave at the West Suburbs Old Residence as Konoha Year 57 arrived, and Anko joined the Anbu squad with Uzuki Yugao and Hayate Gekko.
• Jiraiya departed to investigate Akatsuki with Uchiha Shisui and Hyuga Ibaru, while Shisui left his watch near Uchiha Enjin to seek out the enemy threatening Konoha.
• Konoha transferred the two Hyuga guards away from the Anbu prison and considered making Hyuga Hiashi deputy captain of the Police Force.

At seventeen, Shuji preserved a dying Mother Tree branch and persuaded Tsunade to develop a nutrient solution while he handled paperwork. Reviewing Ninja Academy teacher applicants, he rejected Mizuki over his suspicious conduct on a past mission and wondered whether Orochimaru had approached him.

• Shuji showed Tsunade a branch from his over-catalyzed Mother Tree and asked her to prepare a nutrient solution.
• Tsunade agreed to study the branch and left Shuji to handle official paperwork in her office.
• Shuji reviewed the Ninja Academy teacher applicants, including Umino Iruka and Mizuki.
• Shuji crossed Mizuki's name off the applicant list after recalling that he had killed an injured teammate and filed a careless mission report.
• Shuji wondered whether Mizuki had also encountered Orochimaru after that mission in this timeline.

Fugaku accepted Hiashi’s appointment as deputy captain after learning Itachi was being promoted to an Anbu squad captain. As Naruto and Sasuke prepared to start at the Ninja Academy, Shuji agreed to observe its teaching methods, while Tsunade considered retiring once the Uchiha situation stabilized.

• Itachi told Fugaku that Shuji had returned to work in the Hokage Office, and Fugaku decided that Itachi’s Anbu promotion outweighed the Uchiha’s loss of face over Hiashi’s appointment.
• Sasuke excitedly told Itachi he could enter the Ninja Academy, and Itachi agreed to accompany him to the entrance test after asking the Hokage for leave.
• Shuji and Tsunade discussed Naruto starting school, with Iruka favored as his teacher and Shuji agreeing to observe the Academy as an educational reform researcher.
• Tsunade said she hoped to retire in two years if the Uchiha situation remained stable, and Shuji reminded her that Kakashi lacked the seniority to take over yet.

Uzumaki Hagi worried about Karin starting the Ninja Academy, while Shuji learned that Sunagakure was asking about the next Chunin Exams. Rasa struggled with the growing divide between Sunagakure's shinobi and those who traveled to the prosperous Land of Fire, as Obito considered Konoha's investigation of Akatsuki and its connection to Madara Uchiha.

• Uzumaki Hagi asked Shuji what Karin needed to prepare for the Ninja Academy entrance test, and he told her it would assess physical fitness and chakra.
• Anko disguised herself as an Anbu to summon Shuji, then revealed that Sunagakure had asked about this year's arrangements.
• Rasa and Ebizo discussed villagers' desire to travel to the Land of Fire and the growing inequality between Sunagakure's shinobi.
• Obito learned that Jiraiya and Shisui were investigating Akatsuki and decided they were difficult targets to confront.
• Obito suspected Konoha had learned of Akatsuki's connection to Madara Uchiha and wondered what Orochimaru would think of the situation.

Shuji handed leadership of Konoha’s August combat exchange to Nara Shikaku and received a pouch of unusual seeds from Samui. As Danzo considered the Ley Line and the threat of Kakashi’s Root investigation, the new students’ entrance examination brought Sasuke and Naruto into a brief first encounter.

• Shuji argued with Samui about his time away before Nara Shikaku redirected their meeting to finalize the exchange competition’s arrangements.
• Shuji named Nara Shikaku Konoha’s chief leader for the event, and the two villages settled details on staffing, venues, medical care, and logistics.
• Samui gave Shuji seeds brought from Thundercloud Port, explaining that merchants had considered them useless because the plants never flowered.
• Danzo reviewed records about the Ley Line and decided to act before Kakashi’s investigation into Root reached its hidden core.
• At the Ninja Academy entrance examination, Itachi greeted Shuji while Sasuke watched from the gates and Naruto stood alone nearby.
• Sasuke and Naruto briefly met eyes in the crowd, then looked away.

Karin eagerly arrived at the Ninja Academy, where Shuji was inspecting the school and considering changes to Genin training. He reassigned Karin to Iruka’s class, and Iruka asked Shuji why Mizuki had failed to become a teacher.

• Karin hurried to the Ninja Academy with Hagi, hoping that becoming a ninja would let her see Shuji more often.
• Shuji noticed Karin, greeted her, and entered the school with Rong to begin his inspection.
• Ebisu explained the Academy’s grade structure, curriculum, and teaching system to Shuji.
• Shuji told Iruka to transfer Karin into his class, and Iruka reluctantly agreed.
• Iruka asked Shuji whether he knew why Mizuki had failed to pass the Ninja Academy teacher selection.

Orochimaru learned that Konoha was tracking him and proposed that Akatsuki seek out Rōran’s queen Sara or her descendants to destabilize the Shinobi World. Meanwhile, Danzo sent Yakushi Nonō on a final mission to find Rōran’s royal bloodline, and Tsunade authorized Kakashi to investigate shinobi secretly working for Danzo.

• Shuji had left Mizuki in Konoha as bait in hopes of drawing out Orochimaru.
• Black Zetsu warned Orochimaru that Jiraiya, Uchiha Shisui, and a Hyuga were tracking him, and asked him for a plan to protect Akatsuki’s interests.
• Orochimaru proposed that Akatsuki find Sara, Rōran’s queen, or her direct descendants to help spark conflict among the great villages.
• Yakushi Nonō received Danzo’s final mission to find Rōran’s royal bloodline and destroyed the written instructions.
• Kakashi told Tsunade that Danzo might still control shinobi outside Root, and Tsunade authorized him to investigate the village rosters and expose them.

Iruka struggled to teach his first class while Shuji observed, fearing that his poor performance would get him judged as having insufficient qualifications. Ebisu explained that Shuji’s presence had unnerved him and secured another chance for Iruka to demonstrate his abilities.

• Shuji gave Iruka no explanation beyond saying Mizuki’s qualifications were insufficient, then ordered Karin transferred into Iruka’s class.
• On the first day of school, Shuji sat in the back of Iruka’s classroom and took notes, leaving Iruka too nervous to teach effectively.
• Sasuke, Shikamaru, Karin, and Naruto each reacted to Shuji’s presence as the classroom atmosphere grew tense and distracted.
• Iruka feared Shuji would judge him unqualified and noticed Ebisu watching from the hallway.
• After Shuji left the classroom, Ebisu told him Iruka’s poor teaching was caused by the pressure of being observed and asked him to give Iruka another opportunity.
• Shuji agreed to change classrooms, and Ebisu promised to coach Iruka before Shuji’s next observation.

Shuji examined the Ninja Academy and told Tsunade that its curriculum needed reform, proposing preschool education to narrow the gap between clan-raised and civilian children. The chapter left Tsunade considering a long-term policy intended to reduce clans’ control over individual ninja and maintain the village’s balance of power.

• After Shuji left the classroom, Karin argued with Sasuke about Team Shuji and ended up fighting the girls who had been pulling at her.
• Naruto moved away from the brawl and met Shikamaru and Choji, who told him the black-haired man was named Shuji.
• Shuji told Tsunade that the Ninja Academy’s upper grades lacked useful new ninja instruction and that civilian students started at a disadvantage.
• Tsunade warned that raising the curriculum’s difficulty could make inequality worse and noted that preschool education would require ongoing funding.
• Shuji proposed village-run preschool education to help ordinary children build a foundation and weaken clans’ influence over ninja through their control of resources.

Danzo received a preserved eye from Orochimaru and ordered Earth Nine to meet him, while Shuji worked on village education proposals and learned about tensions between Karin and Sasuke’s admirers. At taijutsu class, Naruto challenged Sasuke in front of the class, leaving Iruka anxious as Shuji, Ebisu, and the Third Hokage watched.

• Danzo received a preserved eye and a way to contact Orochimaru, then ordered Earth Nine to go meet him.
• Ino asked Karin why she disliked Sasuke and urged her not to let the other girls hate her, but Karin refused to explain.
• Shuji refined plans for preschool education and a Genin training program, arguing that students should pay a fee for instruction.
• Naruto felt a connection to Karin because they shared the Uzumaki name, but Karin told him she did not know his parents and that they were different.
• Iruka led a taijutsu lesson under the watch of Shuji, Ebisu, and the Third Hokage, and Naruto interrupted to challenge Sasuke.

Kakashi investigated Yakushi Nonō’s orphanage as a possible cover for Danzo’s hidden forces while Karin unexpectedly punched Sasuke during academy training. Sasuke went home embarrassed and learned that his brother was having dinner with companions, including Shuji.

• Kakashi reviewed former Danzo-affiliated operatives and decided to investigate retired Jonin Yakushi Nonō, who ran an orphanage.
• Sasuke easily defeated Naruto in a training exercise, then dismissed Karin when she challenged him.
• Karin suddenly struck Sasuke in the face, leaving the training ground stunned as Shuji watched from the school building.
• Kakashi visited Nonō’s orphanage, learned she was away raising funds, and entered to look around.
• Sasuke concealed his embarrassment at dinner, then stiffened when Mikoto said his brother was dining with Anko Mitarashi and Shuji.

Sasuke overheard Fugaku and Itachi discussing the Uchiha’s reputation after Konoha’s genin performed poorly in an exchange with Kumogakure, and he vowed to restore the clan’s prestige. Meanwhile, Shuji explained the results to Tsunade, who ordered the genin training plan completed before next year’s expanded event.

• Sasuke overheard Fugaku and Itachi discuss the exchange results and the risk to the Uchiha’s reputation, then promised not to dishonor the clan.
• Itachi teased Sasuke about getting distracted during a spar, leaving Sasuke embarrassed as he headed to school.
• Shuji discussed Konoha’s poor genin performance with Tsunade and explained how Kumogakure’s strengths and the arena format had contributed to the losses.
• Tsunade said Kumogakure wanted to expand next year’s event and ordered Shuji to finish the genin training plan to prevent another humiliation.

Shuji and Tsunade considered Ebisu’s proposal for a structured genin improvement program, while Karin met Ino and Sakura on the rooftop. The chapter ended with Ino inviting Karin to become friends.

• Ebisu proposed voluntary genin improvement classes with assessments, specialized training, and graduation evaluations.
• Shuji asked Ebisu to assess current fifth- and sixth-year students and prepare a short-term combat training plan.
• Tsunade worried about the program’s cost, but Shuji argued that the village needed standardized training for future talent.
• Karin found that her classmates treated her with less exclusion but had no one she could talk to about the change.
• Ino and Sakura joined Karin on the rooftop, and Ino introduced herself and Sakura before asking Karin to introduce herself as the first step toward friendship.

Shuji reviewed promising Ninja Academy students and arranged health checks for Itachi, while Kakashi investigated the suspicious records of Yakushi Nonō and Yakushi Kabuto. The chapter ended with Kakashi suspecting that Kabuto, like Nonō, might still be working as one of Danzo's spies.

• Shuji found Sai and Shin among the Academy's promising students and noted Shin's health risks, prompting him to arrange an examination for Itachi.
• Tsunade found Itachi healthy but ordered annual comprehensive examinations, then explained that Hayate's congenital condition could only be managed, not cured.
• Naruto challenged Sasuke to a fight, and Sasuke became determined not to lose to him.
• Kakashi found that Yakushi Nonō's whereabouts were unknown and that Kabuto had disappeared from the Orphanage.
• Kakashi discovered that Kabuto's Academy history was forged and suspected that Danzo had kept him as a spy with a legitimate identity in Konoha.