Recaps

Neji completed the first successful application of the Healing Tattoo on Rock Lee, demonstrating that it could regulate his body and heal injuries by using Chakra released through the Eight Gates. The Third Hokage delayed officially recording the technique until its effects had been observed, while Team 3 prepared for the Chunin Exams and Neji privately wondered whether the Third Hokage would survive them.

• After emerging from seclusion, Neji told Guy that his research had succeeded, and Guy revealed that he had registered Team 3 for the Chunin Exams.
• With the Third Hokage observing, Neji completed the Healing Tattoo on Rock Lee and instructed him to test it by opening the First Gate.
• Rock Lee's wounds healed rapidly while the Eight Gates were active, and he reported that the tattoo used Chakra that would otherwise have dissipated.
• Neji explained that the tattoo's effects weakened when Rock Lee was not actively increasing his Chakra output, so the Third Hokage agreed to wait before officially recording it.
• The Third Hokage announced that Team 3 had completed its mission but would receive its reward after Rock Lee's Chunin Exams if no problems arose.
• As Team 3 headed to the training ground, Neji thought that the Third Hokage might not survive the Chunin Exams, while Rock Lee challenged Neji to a spar.

Neji defeated Rock Lee in sparring, then activated the One-Eye he had left with Orochimaru and spoke with him through its projection. Orochimaru agreed to trade the two hormones but demanded extra for the First Hokage’s cells and the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.

• Neji knocked Rock Lee out before he could open more than three gates, and Tenten warned Lee about the danger of pushing himself before the Chunin Exams.
• Tenten ran off after Neji began to address her, and Neji later left Lee to continue training with his Healing Tattoo.
• Neji sensed the One-Eye and used a Transformation Technique to activate it, projecting a masked figure to Orochimaru in Otogakure.
• Neji offered one bottle of each hormone in exchange for the First Hokage’s cells and the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
• Orochimaru said the Spirit Transformation Jutsu would cost extra.

Neji traded hormones and a genetic-theory scroll to Orochimaru in exchange for Hashirama’s Cells and the Spirit Transformation Jutsu, using a modified summoning technique. After confirming the cells were genuine, Neji began studying them and considered the dangers and mysteries of investigating his soul.

• Orochimaru requested genetic research materials, and Neji agreed to trade them for Hashirama’s Cells and a scroll containing the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
• Neji and Orochimaru activated their one-eyed devices, and Neji identified himself as Nian of the D Organization.
• Neji used Exchange Summoning Jutsu to swap the items, while Kabuto recorded the device’s markings for Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru examined the traded items and turned his attention to his plan involving his former teacher.
• Neji tested the Hashirama’s Cells, confirmed they were genuine, and studied the Spirit Transformation Jutsu while wondering what his soul would reveal.

Neji finished his research on Hashirama Cells and decided to postpone risky experiments until after the Chunin Exams. He met with Tenten and Rock Lee to discuss their approach to the exams, then sensed an unfamiliar presence he identified as Gaara on his way home.

• Neji decided not to fuse with Hashirama Cells and planned to experiment after the Chunin Exams, while considering White Zetsu Cells as a safer option.
• Neji visited Tenten and Rock Lee at Training Ground 7, where he fought Rock Lee and defeated him after five minutes.
• Neji asked Tenten and Rock Lee about their plans for the Chunin Exams, and Tenten shared intelligence she had gathered about visiting ninja.
• Rock Lee suggested hiding their strength, but Neji argued they were already concealing their abilities and recommended performing normally.
• Neji sensed unfamiliar presences on his way back to the Hyuga Clan and suspected one belonged to Sandstorm Gaara, the One-Tailed Shukaku.

Neji returned to the Hyuga Clan and found Hinata training for the Chunin Exams, then comforted her when she grew upset about worrying him. Hinata accepted his hug, while Hanabi secretly watched them from the veranda.

• Neji watched Hinata train and warned her that her vigilance was weak before reminding her that the Chunin Exams would include ninja from other villages.
• Neji and Hinata sat together in the courtyard, where Hinata noticed that he seemed more relaxed than before.
• Hinata blamed herself for Neji's worries and hid her tearful face, but Neji realized she was upset and comforted her.
• Neji reassured Hinata that he was worried she might get hurt, and she agreed to accept a hug.
• Neji teased Hinata about needing a bath after training, while Hanabi watched them with a smile.

Neji and Team 3 observed the tense start of the Chunin Exams as Morino Ibiki introduced the written test and its strict rules. Naruto’s teammates feared his poor performance, while the first exam began with every team at risk of disqualification.

• Team 7 entered the crowded application room noisily, and Ino, Sakura, Hinata, and others drew attention by acting boldly toward the other genin.
• Neji mocked the gathered ninja, while Rock Lee sensed dangerous killing intent from the Sand Ninja, including Gaara.
• Naruto loudly introduced himself, and the Sound Ninja Trio attacked Kabuto before Morino Ibiki arrived and warned them against fighting.
• Morino Ibiki began the written exam, explaining the scoring system, team-based results, and penalties for cheating.
• Ibiki announced that if any team member reached zero points, the entire team would be disqualified, leaving Sakura and Sasuke furious at Naruto.

The first Chunin Exam tested the genin’s knowledge and ability to gather intelligence, while Ibiki’s rules for the tenth question forced them to choose between risking permanent disqualification and withdrawing with their teams. The chapter ended as Ibiki ordered everyone to make their choice.

• Ibiki began the written exam, and Neji used Chakra perception to read the difficult questions despite being blind.
• Several genin used inventive techniques to copy answers, while Izumo disqualified one team for cheating too clumsily.
• Ibiki announced that choosing not to take the tenth question would disqualify the examinee’s entire team from this exam.
• Ibiki warned that anyone who chose to take the question and answered incorrectly would never be allowed to take the Chunin Exams again.
• Ibiki ordered the examinees to choose whether to take the tenth question, leaving them to face the decision under intense pressure.

Naruto refused to withdraw from the Chunin Exam’s first stage, restoring the other candidates’ resolve. Ibiki revealed that the tenth question had tested their conviction and announced that the seventy-eight remaining candidates had passed.

• Several candidates withdrew under Ibiki’s pressure, and their departures left the others wavering.
• Sakura began to raise her hand to withdraw, but Naruto slammed his hand on the desk and declared that he would keep pursuing his dream of becoming Hokage.
• Ibiki challenged Naruto to reconsider, but Naruto stood firm, and no more candidates withdrew.
• Ibiki announced that all seventy-eight remaining candidates had passed the first stage of the examination.
• Ibiki explained that the tenth question was the choice to continue or withdraw, while the first nine questions had tested the candidates’ information-gathering ability.

Neji and Team 3 entered the Forest of Death for the second Chunin Exam, where they had to collect opposing scrolls and reach the Central Tower within five days. Neji chose a concealed campsite and sent Tenten and Rock Lee to prepare it while he hunted, intending to wait and see what Orochimaru would do.

• Anko Mitarashi took over from Ibiki and led the 78 examinees to Training Ground 44, the Forest of Death.
• Anko explained the exam rules: teams needed both scrolls and had to reach the Central Tower within five days, with death or inability to fight causing elimination.
• Team 3 entered the forest and followed Neji's plan to keep a low profile on the first day.
• Neji found a hidden campsite near water and assigned Tenten to set traps and Rock Lee to gather firewood.
• Neji hunted a rabbit and planned to wait for Orochimaru's next move.

Neji disguised himself, collected a needed scroll, and watched Orochimaru attack Naruto’s team without interfering. Orochimaru gave Sasuke a Curse Mark that combined with the Female Hormone transformation, leaving Sasuke changing into a girl as Sakura watched in shock.

• Neji created a Shadow Clone to cover for him, changed his appearance, and left the shelter unseen.
• Sasuke saw through Orochimaru’s disguise, and Neji overheard their confrontation while moving through the forest.
• Three minor-village ninjas attacked Neji, who killed them and took their scrolls before continuing on.
• Neji watched Orochimaru defeat Naruto and decided to let events unfold so Orochimaru could confront the Third Hokage.
• Orochimaru revealed himself, injected Sasuke with a strange liquid, and gave him the Curse Mark of Heaven.
• Sasuke’s body began changing under the Curse Mark and Female Hormone, stunning Sakura as Sasuke became a girl.

Neji watched over the unconscious Sasuke and Naruto, then rescued Karin from a bear and directed her toward the Land of Waves with a sealed pendant. As the Sound Ninja Trio began to stir, he refocused on Naruto and Sasuke and prepared to intervene.

• Sasuke collapsed unconscious in Sakura’s arms, while Naruto hung motionless from a kunai and Sakura realized she was alone.
• Neji dropped his disguise and sensed Karin fleeing from a giant bear near a water source.
• Neji killed the bear, and Karin thanked him, imagining herself falling in love with her rescuer.
• Neji gave Karin a pendant that would transform into a mask and told her to leave Kusagakure for the Land of Waves.
• Karin accepted the pendant and decided to visit the Land of Waves, while Neji turned his attention back to Naruto, Sasuke, and the stirring Sound Ninja Trio.

Sakura cared for the feverish Sasuke while the Sound Ninja Trio tracked them, and Neji maneuvered events to reach their camp. After driving the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio away, Neji protected Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke from the Sound Ninja Trio as Dosu charged at him.

• Sakura tended to Sasuke and Naruto as the Sound Ninja Trio watched from nearby and planned to attack after daybreak.
• The Sound Ninja Trio tested Sakura with an explosive-tagged squirrel, but Neji rescued the squirrel and identified their location.
• Neji used his clone to confront the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, whose attempts to evade him and flatter him failed before they fled.
• Neji arrived at Sakura's camp and knocked back the Sound Ninja Trio with a kick.
• Sakura told Neji that Orochimaru had attacked them and turned Sasuke into a woman, and Neji promised to protect them.
• Dosu charged at Neji after deciding to kill him along with Sakura's group.

Neji fought Dosu and Zaku while Kin attacked Sakura, revealing that their sound-based weapons could not harm him. He drew the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio into the fight and urged them to help Sakura as Sasuke’s Curse Mark began to awaken.

• Neji struck Dosu before his sound device could take the initiative, then taunted him about his failed attack.
• Dosu and Zaku teamed up against Neji, but Neji caught Zaku’s Void Severing Wave and shattered it with Armament Haki.
• The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio debated whether to intervene while Kin held Sakura and the Sound ninja pressed their attack.
• Neji emerged unharmed from the smoke and called the trio out, prompting Kin to retreat from Sakura.
• Sasuke’s body began to change as his Curse Mark awakened, and Neji recognized its sinister chakra.
• Zaku fired another Void Severing Wave at the trio, but Neji smashed it apart and shouted for them to help Sakura.

Sasuke awakened to the power of Orochimaru’s cursed seal, transforming into a girl while retaining her drive for revenge. She defeated Dosu and overpowered Zaku, leaving her allies shocked by her change as Tenten and Rock Lee arrived.

• Sakura fought Kin and was injured, but Sasuke appeared in her cursed-seal form and kicked Dosu away.
• Sasuke realized her body had changed, then embraced the power surging through her as she focused on revenge.
• Sasuke confronted the Sound Ninja Trio over Sakura’s injuries, and Zaku attacked her with the Extreme Void Severing Wave.
• Sasuke dodged Zaku’s attack, struck his neck, and concealed shuriken within her Phoenix Sage Fire Technique to overwhelm him.
• Sasuke twisted Zaku’s arms behind his back and forced him to his knees while Sakura and Ino stared at her in disbelief.
• Neji sensed Tenten and Rock Lee approaching after they came to investigate the commotion.

Sasuke’s curse mark drove her to attack Zaku until Sakura’s pleas calmed her and the mark receded. After Dosu surrendered and withdrew with his teammates, the group regrouped, and Naruto woke to find Sasuke transformed.

• Sasuke snapped Zaku’s arm, but Sakura embraced her and begged her to stop, causing the curse-mark patterns and power to fade.
• Dosu surrendered the Sound team’s Earth Scroll, then withdrew with Zaku and Kin after Sakura asked about Orochimaru.
• Neji let Dosu’s team go, while Shikamaru questioned the decision and Neji asked Ino why she had called him the Great Demon King.
• Ino apologized to Neji and escaped, while Choji and Shikamaru teased the sleeping Naruto until he woke.
• Naruto looked at Sasuke and recognized her familiar clothes, then began to speak.

After Naruto learned that the girl he mistook for Sasuke’s sister was Sasuke herself, Neji examined her and warned that the Curse Mark of Heaven was harmful. Neji told the group to continue the Chunin Exams, and Naruto was left outside after putting his foot in his mouth again.

• Naruto mistook Sasuke for her younger sister, and Sakura punched him before Shikamaru revealed Sasuke’s identity.
• Naruto apologized to Sakura and Sasuke, then Neji arrived and treated him.
• Neji examined Sasuke, found no abnormality beyond her changed sex, and warned her that the Curse Mark of Heaven was corrosive.
• Neji said he could not change Sasuke back and advised the group to avoid using the Curse Mark and continue the exam.
• The others left to resume the assessment, and Sakura knocked Naruto outside after he awkwardly denied staring at Sasuke.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura discussed their dwindling time in the Chunin Exams while Neji monitored them and then led Tenten and Rock Lee to the Central Tower. After passing the second exam, Neji and Tenten reminisced about how relentlessly he had trained their academy classmates.

• Naruto caught fish while Sasuke ordered him to catch more, and Sakura prepared the campfire.
• Sasuke and Sakura discussed their remaining time and the possibility that their Scroll of Heaven was gone, while Naruto focused on the food.
• Neji watched the group through a surveillance device and, after lunch, took Tenten and Rock Lee toward the Central Tower.
• Neji used Observation Haki to avoid other teams, and the three opened their scrolls at the tower and passed the second exam.
• Tenten recalled that Neji had relentlessly challenged their academy classmates to spar, and Neji admitted he had trained them harshly.

Iruka discovered Sasuke’s curse mark and transformation after Team 7 reached the Central Tower, then brought them to the Third Hokage. Sasuke was allowed to continue the Chunin Exams, and preparations began for the next stage as the second exam officially ended.

• Team 7 opened the scrolls at the Central Tower, and Iruka appeared from them.
• Sakura told Iruka about Orochimaru’s attack, Sasuke’s curse mark, and her transformation, prompting him to report the situation to the Third Hokage.
• The Third Hokage connected Orochimaru’s return to Sasuke and ordered everyone to monitor his movements while the exam continued.
• Sasuke asked to remain in the Chunin Exams, and the Third Hokage agreed despite Iruka’s objections.
• The second exam officially ended, and the Third Hokage gave Anko and the others instructions as the passed candidates gathered in the hall.

At the Chunin Exams, Neji used the Evil Sealing Method to suppress Sasuke’s curse mark while Kakashi guarded the room. Orochimaru confronted Kakashi outside and revealed his interest in Sasuke and his plans for Otogakure.

• The Third Hokage explained that the Chunin Exams would test the villages’ strength and influence the balance between nations.
• After the elimination round left twenty participants, Sasuke defeated Akaido Yoroi, and Zaku began his match against Aburame Shino.
• Kakashi asked Neji to seal Sasuke’s curse mark because her condition was worsening and the Sealing Squad had not arrived.
• Neji inscribed markings on Sasuke and performed the Evil Sealing Method as she endured intense pain.
• Orochimaru appeared outside the room, told Kakashi he was seeking Sasuke, and said he needed many pieces to establish his ambition through Otogakure.

Neji completed the Evil Sealing Method on Sasuke, while Kakashi confronted Orochimaru and learned that Sasuke’s seal might not stop her from seeking power. On his way back to the battle hall, Neji met Orochimaru, who offered him eyes and power before predicting Konoha’s future would be troubled.

• Neji finished applying the Evil Sealing Method to Sasuke and warned her that its effect depended on her resolve.
• Orochimaru told Kakashi that Sasuke was a rare pawn destined to seek him out for power, then left after overpowering Kakashi with his killing intent.
• Neji emerged from the room and confirmed that the seal had succeeded; Kakashi stayed behind to look after Sasuke.
• Orochimaru stopped Neji on his way back and offered to provide eyes and power, but Neji refused.
• Orochimaru departed after telling Neji he could come to him for what Konoha could not provide, and Neji continued toward the battle hall.

Neji returned to the preliminaries, watched Tenten lose to Temari, and treated her before she was taken away. He then faced Hinata in a Gentle Fist match and urged her to show how much she had grown.

• Neji returned as Kankuro defeated Tsurugi Misumi, and Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino fought to a draw.
• Neji warned Tenten not to get hurt before she faced Temari, who defeated her despite Tenten's determined effort.
• Neji caught Temari's punch and healed Tenten, who asked him to give her a tattoo after the matches were over.
• Temari warned Kankuro that Neji was terrifying, while Neji advised Rock Lee not to stubbornly challenge Gaara.
• Shikamaru defeated Kin, and Uzumaki Naruto fought Kiba Inuzuka before Hinata Hyuga was matched against Neji Hyuga.
• Hinata struck Neji once during their Gentle Fist exchange, and Neji praised her progress and encouraged her to continue.

Neji defeated Hinata in the Chunin Exam finals, encouraged her growth, and then watched as Rock Lee prepared to fight Gaara. The chapter left Lee determined to face Gaara despite Neji's warning not to overexert himself.

• Neji used Gentle Fist to immobilize Hinata with his Sunflower Acupoint Strike and won their match.
• Neji carried Hinata back, removed the Chakra restricting her, and unnerved Naruto by teasing him about a possible future match.
• The next matchup, Gaara versus Rock Lee, appeared, and Lee went to the arena despite Neji warning him not to force himself.
• Hinata asked whether she had disappointed Neji, and he reassured her that he was proud of her growth and had only criticized her to keep her from becoming complacent.
• Neji turned his attention to Rock Lee's battle and wondered how it would end.

Rock Lee fought Gaara in the arena and revealed the speed and strength hidden beneath his weighted training. After Gaara survived Lee’s Front Lotus and counterattacked with sand, Lee prepared to deliver one final strike.

• Gaara’s sand blocked Rock Lee’s initial attacks until Might Guy gave him permission to remove his weights.
• Rock Lee’s weights smashed craters into the arena floor, and he used his freed speed to injure Gaara before his sand could react.
• Gaara’s expression turned crazed as his sand gathered around him, and Rock Lee unwrapped his arm bandages before launching the Front Lotus.
• Gaara escaped the Front Lotus with a Sand Clone and blasted Rock Lee into the wall with a torrent of sand.
• Rock Lee endured the attack and declared that his next strike would be his final one as Might Guy and Neji watched.

Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and fought Gaara with overwhelming speed, but Gaara survived his Reverse Lotus and was declared the winner. Neji treated Lee after he collapsed, while Might Guy learned that Lee would need three months to recover.

• Rock Lee opened the Third and Fourth Gates and overwhelmed Gaara's Sand Armor with a flurry of attacks.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and used Reverse Lotus, shattering his Healing Tattoo and crushing Gaara into the ground.
• Gaara survived the attack and prepared to bury the unconscious Rock Lee with sand, but Might Guy intervened to protect his student.
• Gekko Hayate declared Gaara the winner, while Rock Lee stood back up despite being unconscious and Might Guy praised his determination.
• Neji healed Rock Lee and told Might Guy that Lee would need at least three months of bed rest before fully recovering.

After the preliminaries, Neji discussed Rock Lee’s recovery and Healing Tattoo with the Third Hokage, then visited the injured Tenten. He planned to use the team’s S-rank mission reward to obtain Space-Time Ninjutsu materials and left wondering whether his sealed system panel could be unlocked again.

• Dosu defeated Akimichi Choji, ending the preliminaries, and the Third Hokage announced the official matches would begin in a month.
• The match draw gave Temari a bye and paired Neji with Uzumaki Naruto.
• Neji explained to the Third Hokage how Rock Lee’s Healing Tattoo had collapsed under the Fifth Gate’s strain and said Lee could receive an improved tattoo after recovering.
• Neji refused Might Guy’s offer to intensify his training and went to Konoha Hospital to visit Tenten.
• Neji assured Tenten that Rock Lee would recover, promised her a red rose tattoo, and proposed requesting Space-Time Ninjutsu materials as the team’s mission reward.
• Neji considered steering the reward toward the Flying Thunder God Technique and looked at the sealed Lion Head panel on his system.