Chapter Summaries

Naruto and Sakura faced Tayuya’s genjutsu while Sasuke fought Sakon, Ukon, and Kidomaru. Naruto broke free with the Nine-Tails’ help and wounded Tayuya, while Sasuke overwhelmed his opponents until they activated their Curse Marks.

• Tayuya claimed Sasuke was doomed and trapped Naruto and Sakura in a genjutsu with her flute.
• The Nine-Tails helped Naruto break the genjutsu, and Naruto pretended to remain trapped until Tayuya approached.
• Naruto struck Tayuya with an orange-red chakra claw, badly wounding her arms, then freed Sakura from the genjutsu.
• Tayuya entered the Curse Mark’s second stage as Naruto prepared to face her.
• Sasuke kicked Sakon and Ukon away and burned Kidomaru’s spider attack with his Dragon Flame Technique.
• Sasuke demanded that Sakon and Ukon and Kidomaru hand over the Scroll, and all three activated their Curse Marks.

Sasuke defeated Kidomaru with a wire trap and Chidori, then exchanged an Earth Scroll for Kidomaru’s safety. Sakon used the exchange to invade Sasuke’s body, but Sasuke’s Sharingan began turning the tables as Sakon suddenly lost control of himself.

• Sakon and Ukon and Kidomaru activated the second form of the Curse Mark and attacked Sasuke.
• Sasuke trapped Sakon and Ukon with Steel Wires attached to his Shuriken, then struck Kidomaru from behind with Chidori.
• Sakon and Ukon broke free while Kidomaru fell unconscious, and Sasuke demanded their Earth Scroll in exchange for Kidomaru’s life.
• Sakon handed Sasuke the Earth Scroll, then grabbed his arm and used the Parasitic Demon Destruction Technique to invade his body.
• Sasuke’s Sharingan began to spin, and Sakon discovered that he could no longer control his body.

Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura defeated the Oto ninja in the Forest of Death, while Orochimaru and the exam monitors watched. The fight ended with Kimimaro appearing and telling Sasuke he was glad the others had not killed him.

• Sasuke used genjutsu to defeat Sakon and Ukon, while Naruto and Sakura dealt with the other Oto ninja and Sakura checked the wounded.
• Orochimaru watched from a distance and became more interested in Sasuke's abilities.
• Itachi, disguised as Hyuga Kagami, Jiraiya, and Tsunade observed the fight through the monitors and noticed another Oto team approaching.
• Sasuke captured Tayuya and demanded to know why the Oto ninja were targeting him; Tayuya called him Second Pillar and said he would die that day.
• Kimimaro emerged from the forest, and Sasuke confronted him as Naruto and Sakura prepared for a fight.

Kimimaro, Haku, and Jugo confronted Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura in the Forest of Death while Orochimaru watched, eager to test Sasuke. Elsewhere, Gaara and Karin stopped Deidara’s group from approaching Hyuga Kagami’s battle, and Karin emerged unharmed from Deidara’s explosions.

• Kimimaro challenged Sasuke over their three-year pact, while Naruto and Sakura urged Sasuke to retreat after they noticed the sudden cold.
• Kimimaro ordered Haku and Jugo to handle Naruto and Sakura as he attacked Sasuke, and Orochimaru watched from a distance.
• Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi flew toward the battle between Darui and Kirin, but Karin and Gaara blocked their way.
• Karin used Banshō Ten'in to pull down Deidara’s Clay Bird, and Gaara smashed it apart with a punch.
• Deidara detonated the Clay Bird’s fragments, but Karin emerged from the explosions completely unharmed.

Neji's team encountered Temari, Kankuro, and Shira in the Forest of Death, while Shikamaru's group tracked the spreading battles. Darui and Kirin's fight created a storm and destroyed much of the exam surveillance, leaving the Jonin worried that the Forest of Death might be ruined.

• Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee heard distant battles and continued toward their rendezvous with Shikamaru's teams.
• Temari, Kankuro, and Shira confronted Neji's team and demanded their Scroll.
• Shikamaru gathered Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Shion, Yakumo, and Sai, then used a map and reports to infer that Neji's team had likely encountered Sunagakure.
• A storm of rain and thunder swept over the Forest of Death as Darui and Kirin's battle spread fire and lightning through the forest.
• An Anbu reported that Lightning Release had destroyed most surveillance devices in Zone F and damaged equipment in Zones E and G.
• Asuma and the other Jonin worried that the fighting could destroy the Forest of Death, and Shizune suggested seeking compensation agreements from the other villages.

Hyuga Kagami and Darui battled to a standstill in the Forest of Death, then prepared for a final showdown as Darui revealed his black lightning. The watching Jonin saw Kirin answering with eerie purple lightning, leaving both fighters’ abilities on display.

• Hyuga Kagami and Darui fought through the storm until both were badly injured and Darui’s sword broke.
• Darui refused to surrender because he represented Kumogakure and said he would get serious.
• Hizashi used his Byakugan to tell the proctors that the fighters were preparing for a final showdown.
• Kakashi and the other Jonin moved closer to watch as Darui surrounded himself with destructive black lightning.
• Kakashi identified Darui’s black lightning as a transformation of pure Lightning Release chakra and called it the pinnacle of the art.
• Kakashi saw Kirin surrounded by eerie purple lightning.

Hyuga Kagami’s Lightning Release Clone unexpectedly used Purple Electricity after studying Darui’s Black Lightning, though the technique was not yet stable. The display stunned the gathered shinobi leaders, who questioned Kirigakure about Kirin’s abilities without learning his true identity.

• Hyuga Kagami used Purple Electricity for the first time after observing Darui’s Black Lightning and tried to memorize the chakra-control sensation.
• Darui unleashed his full chakra and formed an enormous beast from Black Lightning.
• Asuma questioned Kakashi about Darui’s unique Lightning Release, and Kakashi realized the display might help him understand single-attribute chakra transformation.
• The shinobi leaders watching the surviving battlefield camera identified both techniques as single-attribute chakra nature transformations.
• The Fourth Raikage explained that the Third Raikage had developed Black Lightning, then asked Karatachi Yagura about Kirin’s Purple Electricity.
• Karatachi Yagura and Itachi knew little about Kirin’s origins, while Itachi recognized that Hyuga Kagami commanded other mysterious ninjas.

Darui and Hyuga Kagami clashed with Black Lightning and Purple Electricity, creating a blast that scattered fighters across the Forest of Death. Both survived, and as Darui threatened Kirin beneath the storm clouds, Hyuga Kagami asked why he thought he was called Kirin.

• Darui attacked Hyuga Kagami with Black Lightning: Black Panther, and Hyuga Kagami countered with Purple Electricity.
• The collision unleashed a blinding flash and powerful shockwaves that threw Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and the nearby fighters across the battlefield.
• Shikamaru, Kiba, and Hinata sensed the danger and stayed away, while Orochimaru watched briefly before turning his attention back to Sasuke and Kimimaro.
• Sasuke and Kimimaro continued their fierce taijutsu fight as Haku trapped Naruto and Sakura in Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals and said he would release them after Kimimaro killed Sasuke.
• Hyuga Kagami and Darui recovered from the blast, agreed to end the fight, and looked up at the thunderclouds as Darui warned Kirin and Hyuga Kagami asked why he thought he was called Kirin.

Hyuga Kagami and Darui unleashed massive lightning techniques fueled by the storm over the Forest of Death. As the two natural forces clashed beyond their control, the nearby ninja fled while Karin charged toward the battlefield.

• Darui refused to concede and prepared his Storm Release trump card, using the thunderstorm he had deliberately created to draw in natural lightning.
• Hyuga Kagami watched Darui with his Byakugan and used what he had learned to summon a purple lightning beast from the clouds.
• Kakashi realized the two fighters were guiding natural lightning rather than controlling ordinary ninjutsu, and he urged the others to flee.
• Samui and Shi ran from the battlefield, while Deidara carried Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi away on his Clay Bird.
• Deidara noticed Karin charging toward the battlefield instead of fleeing.

Darui and Hyuga Kagami unleashed Storm Release attacks that collided in a devastating blast, leaving both ninja badly injured. Darui was shocked when Hyuga Kagami survived, and Karin arrived to help him.

• Darui's Storm Ghost Dragon gathered more lightning than Hyuga Kagami's Purple Kirin, but both attacks reached their limits.
• The Five Kage and Konoha's advisors rushed toward the Forest of Death after the storm destroyed surveillance devices.
• The black and purple lightning beasts burst from the clouds and collided, sending a shockwave across the forest.
• Darui crawled from a crater and assumed Hyuga Kagami had died in the direct hit.
• Hyuga Kagami emerged alive but badly wounded, and Karin landed beside him and offered her arm.

Hyuga Kagami survived Darui’s devastating Storm Release attack and recovered by absorbing Karin’s Yang Release chakra, then declared their battle a draw. The Five Kage discussed the clash before a spectacular toad-and-fire technique erupted elsewhere in the Forest of Death.

• Darui was stunned that Hyuga Kagami and Karin had survived his powerful Storm Ghost Dragon attack.
• Hyuga Kagami absorbed Karin’s healing chakra, recovered from his wounds, and changed into fresh clothes.
• Hyuga Kagami reflected on how the Giant Tenseigan had helped him survive Darui’s attack and preserve his Lightning Release Clone.
• Shi and Samui arrived and moved to protect the badly injured Darui, but Hyuga Kagami called their battle a draw.
• The Five Kage praised the ninjas’ use of nature during the battle, and the Third Hokage demanded an explanation from the Fourth Raikage and Fourth Mizukage.
• A giant toad appeared elsewhere in the Forest of Death and helped a ninja ignite a massive oil-and-fire attack, embarrassing the Third Hokage.

Sasuke lost his fight with Kimimaro and summoned Gamabunta, while Hyuga Kagami headed toward the battle and Orochimaru decided to kidnap Sasuke. Naruto then summoned a giant snake to break Haku’s ice mirrors, leaving Haku facing the creature amid the shattered ice.

• Sasuke realized Kimimaro had defeated him in their taijutsu fight, and he summoned Gamabunta to save himself.
• Hyuga Kagami saw Gamabunta from afar and left with Karin to check on Sasuke, while Shi and Samui were relieved to see them go.
• Hyuga Kagami regrouped with Suigetsu, found three unconscious Konoha Genin, and took their Scrolls after confirming they were alive.
• Orochimaru saw Sasuke summon Gamabunta, believed Jiraiya had taken Sasuke as his disciple, and decided to kidnap him.
• Naruto broke through Haku’s ice mirrors with a Rasengan, then summoned a giant snake that crushed the mirrors and confronted Haku.

Haku unleashed a concealed Sage Mode and froze Garaga after Naruto and Sakura tried to break through his ice-mirror blockade. The reveal showed that Orochimaru had suspected Haku was hiding this power and had deliberately sent him to Konoha as part of a test of Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Haku.

• Naruto summoned Garaga to help him and Sakura get past Haku, who refused to let them interfere with Kimimaro.
• Garaga smashed through Haku’s ice mirrors, but Haku used a vast surge of chakra to encase the serpent in ice.
• Haku had discovered that he could enter a Sage Mode unique to himself after Orochimaru removed the Heaven Curse Mark, and he had kept the ability secret to avoid challenging Kimimaro’s leadership.
• Orochimaru had already suspected Haku was concealing something and had sent him to Konoha to test his abilities alongside Sasuke and Kimimaro.

Naruto and Haku’s clash was interrupted when Kimimaro raised a vast Bone Forest, trapping Gamabunta and drawing the attention of the exam proctors. As Sasuke and Naruto faced danger, Shikamaru’s group considered forfeiting while Neji prepared to leave his teammates and help.

• Haku’s ice prison shattered, and Naruto, empowered by Sage Mode and the Nine-Tails, battled Haku with Garaga’s help.
• Kimimaro’s bone spears erupted from the ground and formed a Bone Forest, interrupting Naruto and Haku’s fight and trapping Gamabunta.
• An Anbu told the proctors that Otogakure’s Kimimaro and Haku were fighting Sasuke and Naruto, and Kurenai recognized Kimimaro’s Bone Forest.
• Ino urged Shikamaru’s group to help, but Shikamaru said they could not affect the battle and suggested they forfeit the exams.
• Tenten urged Neji to go help Sasuke and Naruto while she and Rock Lee dealt with the Sunagakure team.

Sasuke and Gamabunta fought Kimimaro in the Bone Forest, but Kimimaro’s curse-mark power rose as his bloodline disease worsened. Naruto intercepted him, and Haku prepared an ice attack against Sasuke and Gamabunta while Naruto battled Kimimaro.

• Sasuke spotted Kimimaro’s location, and Gamabunta and Sasuke burned a section of the Bone Forest with a Toad Oil Flame Bullet.
• Kimimaro emerged from the flames, unleashed his curse-mark chakra, and began coughing up blood as his illness flared.
• Sasuke offered to end the match because Kimimaro was ill, but Kimimaro insisted he had to complete his lord’s mission and attacked.
• Naruto intercepted Kimimaro, while Sakura arrived with Garaga to help Sasuke and the summons exchanged insults.
• Naruto fought Kimimaro in the Bone Forest as Haku formed Ice Shigure and aimed ice spears at Sasuke and Gamabunta.

Naruto and Sasuke struggled against Kimimaro and Haku, while Hyuga Kagami arrived and assessed their abilities. Orochimaru revealed that the battle was a test, and Hyuga Kagami concluded that Naruto’s potential was immense while Sasuke still needed more stimulation.

• Sasuke unleashed Great Fire Annihilation against Bai Zang’s ice mirror, but Gamabunta explained that senjutsu chakra made the Ice Release resistant to the flames.
• Kimimaro’s bone spears threatened Garaga, forcing Garaga to dodge and support Naruto instead of blocking the attacks directly.
• Orochimaru stopped Jugo from joining the battle and told him that the fight was a test of Second Pillar, Kimimaro, and Haku.
• Hyuga Kagami arrived with Karin and Suigetsu and saw that Naruto had entered a controlled three-tailed transformation while maintaining Sage Mode.
• Hyuga Kagami judged Naruto’s potential to be extraordinary and decided that Sasuke needed greater stimulation to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Hyuga Kagami realized Haku had mastered Senjutsu while Haku and Kimimaro fought Naruto, Sasuke, and Gamabunta. After Haku retreated with the failing Kimimaro, Orochimaru tried to abduct Sasuke, but Hyuga Kagami intercepted him and was surrounded with him by Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji on their summoned beasts.

• Hyuga Kagami recognized Haku's Senjutsu as Haku trapped Gamabunta's leg and sent Ice Senbon at Sasuke.
• Neji arrived and used Kaiten to protect Sasuke from Haku's attack.
• Kimimaro collapsed while fighting Naruto, so Haku carried him away instead of continuing the mission.
• Orochimaru, disguised as a Grass Ninja, ambushed Sasuke, but Hyuga Kagami blocked him.
• Neji summoned a giant boar, and Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji surrounded Hyuga Kagami and Orochimaru with their summoned beasts.

Kakashi and the other proctors reevaluated the strength of Kimimaro and Haku after they retreated, while Kirin’s sudden return raised suspicions. Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami both moved against Sasuke, but their attacks were thwarted by the summoned beasts, leaving the two master and disciple suspecting that one beast had betrayed them.

• Kakashi judged that Kimimaro and Haku were near Kage-level and wondered whether their abilities resembled those of the God Organization’s Wind Chime and River Lord.
• A Grass Ninja attacked Sasuke, and Kirin intervened; Kakashi and Asuma questioned how Kirin had returned seemingly unharmed.
• Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami watched Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji on their summoned beasts, then agreed to compete to capture Sasuke.
• Sasuke angrily challenged Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami after their casual conversation enraged him.
• Orochimaru lunged at Sasuke while Hyuga Kagami leaped toward him, but Garaga attacked Hyuga Kagami and Neji’s giant boar dragged Orochimaru back.
• Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami exchanged forced smiles and realized that one of the summoned beasts had played them.

As the battle in the Forest of Death intensified, Garaga and the great wild boar fought each other while Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami attacked Sasuke atop Gamabunta. Orochimaru struck Sasuke down and seized him by the throat as Hyuga Kagami held off Naruto and Neji.

• Sasuke attacked Hyuga Kagami and Orochimaru with a Great Fireball, while Garaga swept at them with his tail.
• The great wild boar intercepted Garaga's tail, then the two summons began fighting and ravaged the Forest of Death.
• Orochimaru and Hyuga Kagami leaped onto Gamabunta's head, where Naruto, Neji, and Sasuke also gathered.
• Sasuke tried to dodge Orochimaru's punch with his Sharingan, but Orochimaru hit him and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Hyuga Kagami sealed Naruto's Tailed Beast chakra cloak and kicked him away, then fought Neji as Orochimaru grabbed Sasuke by the neck.

Orochimaru choked Sasuke to provoke him, and Sasuke’s Sharingan began to change as he neared death. Hyuga Kagami stopped Naruto and Neji from intervening, defeated them with ease, and mocked Konoha’s Genin.

• Orochimaru choked Sasuke while taunting him, and Sasuke stabbed Orochimaru’s arm with a kunai, only for it to heal instantly.
• Hyuga Kagami noticed Sasuke’s chakra gathering around his eyes and realized his Sharingan was changing under the pressure.
• Hyuga Kagami stopped Naruto from reaching Sasuke and knocked him down after Naruto had lost Sage Mode and his Tailed Beast transformation.
• Hyuga Kagami challenged Neji, who charged with Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, but Hyuga Kagami evaded his strikes and hit him hard enough to send him flying.
• Hyuga Kagami stepped on Naruto as he tried to rise and asked whether Konoha’s Genin were only that good.