Chapter Summaries

Sasuke impressed Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten during the practical exercise, but the exercise turned into a real crisis when three Akatsuki-cloaked figures attacked. Sasuke froze at the thought of facing death as the attackers incapacitated the instructors, leaving him, Naruto, and Sakura helpless on the battlefield.

• Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten discussed Sasuke's use of a Shadow Clone to outmaneuver Izumo Kamizuki, while Neji recalled mastering Kaiten and resolved to defeat Sasuke.
• Izumo Kamizuki revealed that Sasuke had captured only his Shadow Clone, and the four instructors surrounded Sasuke.
• Asuma, Kurenai, and another masked figure appeared in Akatsuki cloaks, shocking Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, and the instructors.
• Iruka ordered Sasuke to flee with Naruto and Sakura, but Sasuke froze as he realized he was afraid of dying.
• Kurenai knocked Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane unconscious with genjutsu, Asuma defeated Iruka, and a fourth masked figure stopped Mizuki from escaping.
• Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura stood frozen as the entire instructor team was taken down.

Sasuke faced four disguised Akatsuki members in the Forest of Death, fighting through his fear as his family and the Five Kage watched. He chose to hold them off so Naruto and Sakura could escape.

• Mikoto, Fugaku, and Itachi watched Sasuke confront the disguised Akatsuki members, while the Five Kage focused on how he would respond.
• Kiba used Akamaru to track Sasuke and Neji, then rushed toward their location hoping to take advantage if their teams fought.
• Neji, Tenten, Shion, and Yakumo hesitated nearby, while Sai sent ink mice to alert the village about the Akatsuki members' infiltration.
• Fū stayed concealed in the canopy and searched for a chance to help Sasuke's group.
• Sasuke overcame his urge to surrender and shouted for Naruto to take Sakura and run while he held off the attackers.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura faced four disguised Akatsuki members in the Forest of Death, but Asuma quickly incapacitated Naruto and Sakura and defeated Sasuke. Kiba rushed into the clearing and was about to be attacked when a new wave of fighters intervened.

• Sasuke's Sharingan evolved to two tomoe as he told Naruto and Sakura to flee, but they stayed beside him.
• Asuma used a Shadow Clone to knock out Naruto and Sakura, then attacked Sasuke and left him helpless.
• Kiba rushed into the clearing after hearing the fighting and realized that Sasuke's team and the instructor team had fallen.
• Asuma charged at Kiba, but an ink tiger leaped at him as Kikaichū and ninja tools swept toward the disguised Akatsuki members.

The students launched a coordinated counterattack against the disguised Jonin, and their courage drew praise from spectators and clan leaders. In the monitoring room, Hyuga Kagami spotted Obito and Zetsu inside the Forest of Death.

• Kikaichū and Tenten's thrown weapons disrupted the disguised Jonin, while Yakumo trapped Kurenai in genjutsu and Shion tried to bind Yugao with a Sealing Jutsu.
• Sai sent his painted tiger after Asuma, and Hinata blocked Asuma's kick to protect Kiba.
• Neji drove Asuma back, checked on Sasuke, and helped him stand despite his injury.
• Spectators and clan leaders praised the students who had risked themselves to protect their companions, while the Fourth Raikage and Third Tsuchikage said the test was not over.
• An Anbu monitor spotted two suspicious figures, and Hyuga Kagami recognized them as Obito and Zetsu.

After Akatsuki members Obito and Zetsu were spotted infiltrating Konoha’s combat exercise, Hyuga Kagami decided to investigate their intentions. He disguised himself and four Shadow Clones as members of the God Organization, leaving the surveillance room ready for whatever followed.

• An Aburame Anbu’s concealed surveillance probe captured Obito and Zetsu, and Jiraiya and Tsunade recognized the Akatsuki members on the monitor.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi discussed the threat to Naruto and Fū, but Hyuga Kagami argued that ending the exercise could reveal Konoha’s weakness.
• Hyuga Kagami said he would test Obito and Zetsu himself, while Shisui stayed behind to help Kakashi protect the Jinchuriki if Akatsuki attacked.
• Hyuga Kagami created four Shadow Clones and dressed all five of them in God Organization cloaks and masks.
• When Kakashi worried that the real God Organization might retaliate, Hyuga Kagami said to let them come find him.

Sasuke and Neji fought Yugao while their classmates struggled against the other attackers, but Hayate and Kurenai quickly turned the battle against them. With everyone else defeated, Naruto used the Summoning Technique to make a last stand.

• Sasuke and Neji teamed up to hold off Yugao while Tenten and the others attacked Kurenai and Asuma.
• Kurenai broke free of Yakumo Kurama's genjutsu, and Hayate incapacitated Shino, Hinata, Kiba, Rock Lee, and Tenten.
• Kurenai subdued Sai and captured Shion, while Asuma knocked Sasuke and Neji to the ground.
• Naruto stood up, declared that he would become Hokage, and used the Summoning Technique.

Naruto summoned the giant serpent Garaga during the Forest of Death combat exercise, astonishing the students, Jonin, and Kage watching. Garaga agreed to help Naruto and supplied him with natural energy, leaving Naruto in Sage Mode.

• Naruto summoned the enormous serpent Garaga, shocking Asuma, Kurenai, Yugao, Hayate, and the students watching.
• The spectators at the venue and the Five Kage reacted to Naruto's powerful summoning, while the Third Hokage ordered Hyuga Kagami to stop the exercise.
• Naruto asked Garaga to defeat the disguised Akatsuki members, and Garaga agreed after Naruto explained who they were.
• Garaga gave Naruto natural energy, and Naruto entered Sage Mode.

After entering Sage Mode, Naruto used Garaga and Senjutsu Inorganic Reincarnation to defeat the disguised Jonin’s attack while protecting the students. He faced Asuma in close combat and sent him flying with a punch.

• Naruto entered Sage Mode and directed Garaga to attack Asuma and the other disguised Jonin without harming their comrades.
• Garaga swept the battlefield with his tail, but Naruto used Senjutsu Inorganic Reincarnation to shelter the instructors and students underground.
• Naruto reassured Sasuke and the others that he would protect them, while Sasuke and Neji realized how far Naruto had surpassed them.
• Asuma and the other Jonin recognized that Garaga was cooperating with Naruto and decided to test his abilities.
• Garaga spat corrosive sludge at the Jonin, and Naruto rushed at Asuma and knocked him flying with a punch.

Naruto fought off Asuma, Hayate, and Kurenai, recovering from injuries and resisting genjutsu with the Nine-Tails’ help. The Nine-Tails then gave him a Tailed Beast cloak, and Naruto remained conscious as the stunned Jonin realized he appeared able to control its power.

• Naruto knocked Asuma through several trees, and both fighters suffered broken arms before Naruto’s arm healed within moments.
• Naruto detected Hayate’s invisible ambush and broke his sword with a punch.
• Kurenai trapped Naruto in genjutsu, but the Nine-Tails recognized the apparent Akatsuki members and dispelled it by sending chakra to Naruto.
• Naruto gained an orange Tailed Beast cloak as his chakra surged, leaving the students and the disguised Jonin stunned.
• Naruto remained conscious and confused by the transformation, leading Asuma, Kurenai, Hayate, and Yugao to believe he could control the Nine-Tails.

Naruto’s senjutsu and Nine-Tails chakra fused, giving him overwhelming power as he fought the Jonin testing him in the Forest of Death. Shisui arrived and explained the truth, while the Third Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku reached the battlefield, fearing Naruto had gone berserk.

• Naruto’s fused chakra formed a powerful Tailed Beast cloak, and his casual swipe leveled trees and rocks while forcing Asuma, Kurenai, Hayate, and Yugao to retreat.
• Sakura and Yakumo awoke and watched in shock, while Shion decided not to break the seal on her power; Sasuke and Neji felt frustrated at being unable to help.
• Kakashi and Shisui arrived, and Shisui told Naruto that the masked attackers were Konoha Jonin testing the students.
• Asuma, Kurenai, Hayate, and Yugao removed their masks, and Naruto learned the principal had arranged the exercise.
• The Third Hokage and Uchiha Fugaku arrived with a group, having feared Naruto had lost control and gone berserk.

After the combat exercise, Konoha’s ninjas gathered around Naruto and his giant summon Garaga, while Obito and Zetsu encountered Deidara and other members of the God Organization in the Forest of Death. The chapter left Obito surrounded as the God Organization prepared to fight him.

• The Third Hokage confirmed that Naruto was in control, and Naruto’s Tailed Beast cloak and Sage Mode faded away.
• Fugaku comforted Sasuke after his loss, while Hiashi checked Hinata and Neji; Neji and Hizashi eyed Garaga with envy and concern.
• Naruto told the Third Hokage that he had met Garaga at Ryūchi Cave, and Garaga returned to sleep before the Hokage asked where Hyuga Kagami was.
• Obito and Zetsu followed the distant rumbling and found Deidara, who identified himself as Jizo and challenged Obito over what had happened to his village.
• River Lord, Flame Demon, and Wind Chime appeared around Obito, and River Lord claimed it was his turn to fight him.

Hyuga Kagami confronted Akatsuki infiltrators while Konoha's leaders watched anxiously, and the God Organization's members drove Obito and Zetsu into retreat. Konoha's monitoring room was left celebrating the crisis's sudden resolution.

• Jiraiya and Tsunade watched Hyuga Kagami confront the Akatsuki members on a silent monitor, while Tsunade worried that his plan was too reckless.
• Hyuga Rin anxiously watched the footage as Uchiha Izumi reassured her that Hyuga Kagami would succeed.
• In the Forest of Death, River Lord taunted Obito with his past defeats at the hands of God Organization members, and Zetsu grew alarmed as four members surrounded them.
• Obito and Zetsu recognized the approaching Yama and fled in panic, with Obito escaping through Kamui and Zetsu scattering underground.
• Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the Konoha ninjas cheered as they watched the Akatsuki members retreat, astonished that Hyuga Kagami's bluff had worked.

Hyuga Kagami drove Obito and Zetsu away, then learned that Naruto had transformed with the Nine-Tails during the combat exercise and helped protect his classmates. Days later, Kagami went with Hizashi to a sudden Hyuga clan meeting, where he learned the Main Branch was dissatisfied with Neji’s performance.

• Hyuga Kagami removed his mask after Obito and Zetsu fled, then rushed toward the battlefield where he sensed a surge of chakra.
• Hyuga Kagami reassured Shisui and Kakashi that Obito and Zetsu had retreated, and heard how Naruto’s Senjutsu and summoned snake had overwhelmed the others.
• Hyuga Kagami reported Akatsuki’s infiltration to the Third Hokage, and the combat exercise ended early after Naruto’s Tailed Beast transformation.
• Villagers praised Naruto’s courage, and the combat exercise’s aftermath changed how they treated him while shinobi clans intensified their children’s training.
• Hyuga Kagami asked Hizashi why the Hyuga Clan had called a meeting, and Hizashi said the Main Branch seemed dissatisfied with Neji’s performance.

At a Hyuga clan assembly, the Main Branch condemned Neji for failing to prioritize Hinata’s safety during the practical exercise and forced Hizashi to apologize. The Main Branch then turned its accusations toward Neji’s teacher, Hyuga Kagami, leaving the hall watching to see how he would respond.

• A Main Branch elder announced that the assembly would address Neji’s conduct during the Ninja Academy practical exercise.
• The elder rebuked Neji for fighting alongside his companions instead of protecting Hinata, and demanded that Hizashi answer for his son’s actions.
• Hizashi bowed to the floor, apologized for his failure to teach Neji, and promised that Neji would not repeat the mistake.
• The elder warned Hizashi that a Branch Family member who forgot his duty had no reason to exist, invoking the Main Branch’s control through the Caged Bird Seal.
• The elder blamed Hyuga Kagami for Neji’s conduct and for failing to report the exercise plan, while Hizashi and Hyuga Rin anxiously watched him.

At a Hyuga Clan meeting, Hyuga Kagami rejected the Main Branch’s accusations and attacked three elders, leaving them unable to use their chakra. He challenged Hiashi and the clan to abandon the Caged Bird system, while the Branch Family members watched in silence.

• Hyuga Kagami stood as the Main Branch elders accused him, while Hizashi and Hyuga Rin tried to dissuade him.
• Hyuga Kagami rushed the three Main Branch elders, slammed their heads together, and threw them to the floor.
• Hiashi hesitated to activate the Caged Bird Seal against Hyuga Kagami, who condemned the Main Branch’s treatment of the Branch Family.
• Hyuga Kagami revealed that he had sealed the elders’ chakra with the Four Symbols Seal.
• Hyuga Kagami declared that the clan could survive without the Main Branch, but not if the entire clan was destroyed, as the Branch Family watched silently.

Hyuga Kagami challenged the Main Branch elders over their treatment of Neji and Hinata, arguing that the Main Branch had grown weak and should protect the clan through strength. Hiashi let Kagami leave, reconsidered Hinata’s abilities, and Sasuke left the Academy to attempt a summoning beast contract trial.

• A Main Branch elder demanded that Hiashi punish Hyuga Kagami, but the branch family stayed silent as Kagami defended Neji’s actions and questioned Hinata’s readiness to lead the clan.
• Hyuga Kagami released the elder beneath his foot and left the Main Branch Estate, declaring that the strong did not need protection.
• Hiashi rejected the elders’ demand to punish Kagami and realized that he might not have the resolve to oppose him; he then watched Hinata train and reconsidered her abilities.
• Sasuke watched Naruto receive attention from the Academy students and admitted to Neji that he felt uncomfortable no longer being the center of attention.
• Sasuke told Neji he was leaving to take a summoning beast contract trial arranged by his clan.

Sasuke and Neji both sought summoning beasts after seeing Naruto’s strength, but their clans could not provide beasts comparable to Garaga. Hyuga Kagami offered to find a way to help Neji as he left the principal’s office.

• Sasuke told Neji he was going to take a summoning beast contract trial, and Neji regretted that the Hyuga Clan had no beast clans to recommend.
• Fugaku explained that Sasuke’s trial would pair him with a young ninja cat from the Land of Cats, and said Sasuke was not suited to the Ninja Crow Style chosen by Itachi.
• Neji asked Hyuga Kagami for a summoning beast like Garaga, but Hyuga Kagami said he had no ties to the Three Great Sage Regions.
• Hyuga Kagami stopped Neji as he was leaving and said he could think of a way to help him.

Hyuga Kagami arranged for Jiraiya to take Neji to Mount Myoboku, where he could seek a summoned beast and the Great Toad Sage’s recognition. After Hizashi thanked him and warned him about the Main Branch elders, he revealed that they wanted Hinata to join Neji’s trip.

• Hyuga Kagami told Neji he would secure him an opportunity to enter Mount Myoboku, and Neji gratefully accepted.
• Hyuga Kagami persuaded Jiraiya to take Neji to Mount Myoboku in repayment for the village’s debt to him.
• Jiraiya agreed to give Neji one chance to seek a summoned beast, while warning that the village would offer no other reward for the Akatsuki incident.
• Hyuga Kagami told Neji to rest and prepare for the trials he might face at Mount Myoboku.
• Hizashi thanked Hyuga Kagami for helping Neji, warned him that the Main Branch elders were angry, and explained that they wanted Hinata to accompany Neji.

Hyuga Kagami arranged for Neji and Hinata to visit Mount Myoboku, and Sasuke joined them after Fugaku secured permission. At the Great Toad Sage’s first assessment, the Sage’s eyes flashed when he looked at Sasuke.

• Hyuga Kagami agreed to arrange a Mount Myoboku visit for Hinata after Hizashi asked him to include her with Neji.
• Neji told Sasuke about the opportunity, and Sasuke asked Fugaku to help him join the trip.
• Hyuga Kagami met Jiraiya with Neji and Hinata, while Fugaku arrived with Sasuke.
• Jiraiya brought the three children to Mount Myoboku and introduced them to the Great Toad Sage, who reacted when he looked at Sasuke.

The Great Toad Sage recognized Sasuke as Indra’s reincarnation and glimpsed his possible importance to the coming transformation. Sage Fukasaku began testing Neji, Hinata, and Sasuke’s aptitude for Mount Myoboku’s Senjutsu, leaving them meditating beside the Toad Oil Pond.

• The Great Toad Sage saw Sasuke and sensed that he was Indra Ōtsutsuki’s reincarnation, with a role in the future.
• Jiraiya asked the Great Toad Sage about the children, and the Great Toad Sage sent them to Sage Fukasaku for a test.
• Sage Fukasaku told Neji, Hinata, and Sasuke that they would have to learn Senjutsu to pass.
• Sage Fukasaku explained that failed practitioners could turn into toads and petrify, and reassured the children that careful training would reduce the risk.
• Sage Fukasaku applied toad oil to the children’s arms and instructed them to meditate and sense natural energy.