Chapter Summaries

Hyuga Kagami fought Tailed Beast Transformation Naruto in a brutal close-quarters battle, using the clash to push his Lightning Release training toward a breakthrough. Naruto landed a massive Rasengan, but when the dust cleared, he was exhausted and injured while Hyuga Kagami remained standing, enveloped in Lightning Release chakra.

• Hyuga Kagami and Tailed Beast Transformation Naruto exchanged powerful blows as spectators and the Kage tried to understand why Kirin had chosen to fight hand-to-hand.
• The Fourth Raikage realized Hyuga Kagami was using Naruto as a sparring partner to explore the Lightning Release Chakra Mode without Kumogakure's training scrolls or recovery medicine.
• Naruto adapted rapidly, hurled rocks at Hyuga Kagami, and trapped both his fists after their arms collided, breaking his own bones in the process.
• Naruto formed a massive Rasengan with his chakra tails and struck Hyuga Kagami, causing an explosion that shattered the Four Violet Flames Formation.
• As the dust cleared, Naruto was kneeling in exhaustion after leaving Tailed Beast Transformation, while Hyuga Kagami stood and brushed himself off, wreathed in Lightning Release chakra.

Kirin’s Lightning Release chakra display alarmed the Kage, but the Fourth Raikage chose not to act against him. In the arena, Hyuga Kagami defeated an exhausted Naruto after Naruto refused to give up, leaving him unconscious.

• The Fourth Raikage recognized that Kirin’s Lightning Release chakra could lead to mastery of Kumogakure’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode and briefly considered killing him.
• Ōnoki warned the Kage against rash action, and the Fourth Raikage declared that Kumogakure would not trouble Kirin for discovering the technique himself.
• The Kage discussed other powerful abilities that had surfaced, including Dust Release, Magnet Release, and the Mangekyō Sharingan, while Kakashi realized Kirin had been developing Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Hyuga Kagami approached the injured Naruto and told him to admit defeat, but Naruto insisted he could not lose after promising everyone he would win.
• As Naruto tried to enter Tailed Beast Transformation again, Hyuga Kagami used the Body Flicker Technique and struck his neck, knocking him unconscious.

After defeating Naruto, Kirin received a bye in the next round because of his injuries, leaving Deidara to face Suigetsu. Tsunade and Shizune expected Deidara to win the tournament, while Kirin recovered with Karin’s healing.

• Tsunade examined Naruto and said his many fractures and other injuries needed immediate treatment, though his Uzumaki constitution kept them from being fatal.
• Tsunade offered to treat Kirin, but he refused and limped back to Kirigakure’s resting area.
• The referee panel gave Kirin a bye and arranged for Deidara to fight Suigetsu, with the winner facing Kirin in the final.
• Kirin told Suigetsu to make Deidara use one bag of Explosive Clay, and Suigetsu entered the arena nervously.
• Deidara suppressed Suigetsu as Tsunade and Shizune predicted he would win the tournament and give Konoha a victory.
• Kirin bit Karin and remarked that her healing seemed more effective than before.

Karin’s treatment fully healed Hyuga Kagami and eased his fatigue, which he suspected was due to the Rinnegan influencing her chakra. He entered the arena early to face Deidara before he could replenish his Explosive Clay, while the onlookers believed he was only putting on a brave front; Deidara began the match with an attack.

• Karin’s healing restored Hyuga Kagami’s injuries and reduced his fatigue, and he suspected the Rinnegan had strengthened her ability.
• Deidara defeated Suigetsu after more than ten minutes, and Suigetsu surrendered.
• Hyuga Kagami entered the arena before the referee announced the matchup, preventing Deidara from replenishing his Explosive Clay.
• The Fourth Raikage, Fourth Kazekage, Third Tsuchikage, Tsunade, and Jiraiya assumed Kirin was still injured despite his refreshed appearance.
• Deidara began the match by sending two clay figures toward Hyuga Kagami.

Hyuga Kagami pretended that Kirin was exhausted and badly injured to draw Deidara into a false sense of security. He revealed his true speed at the last moment, defeated Deidara, and stood over him with the clay spider Deidara had planted on him.

• Hyuga Kagami used Lightning Release senbon to disable many of Deidara’s multiplying clay dolls, then let the explosions leave him looking badly injured.
• The Kage and Tsunade’s group believed Kirin was too injured and low on chakra to win, while Darui suspected Kirin’s condition was staged because Karin could heal him instantly.
• Deidara attacked Kirin with clay spiders and secretly attached one to his clothes during the explosions, believing Kirin could not stop it.
• Kakashi prepared to enter the arena and rescue Kirin when Deidara detonated the hidden spider, but it failed to explode.
• Hyuga Kagami suddenly accelerated, struck Deidara twice, slammed him into the ground, and pinned him beneath his foot while holding the clay spider.

Hyuga Kagami revealed that he had secretly disabled Deidara’s clay spider and won their match. Itachi declared Kirin an official Chunin, while the spectators and village leaders reacted to the unexpected victory.

• Hyuga Kagami explained that he had allowed Deidara’s clay spider to attach to him, then secretly tampered with it so Deidara could control it but not detonate it.
• Deidara realized Hyuga Kagami had discovered and sabotaged the clay spider, and Hyuga Kagami crushed it in his hand.
• Ōnoki blamed Deidara’s recklessness for his loss and thanked the Fourth Mizukage, who accepted the thanks without hesitation.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya worried that Kirin’s apparent recovery could signal a major medical ninjutsu breakthrough in Kirigakure.
• Hyuga Kagami signaled his victory, and Itachi announced that Kirin had officially become a Chunin.

Hyuga Kagami defeated Deidara in the Chunin Exam final and the Five Great Shinobi Villages’ tournament ended. Afterward, Kakashi apologized for copying Hyuga Kagami’s techniques and gave him a Bond Sword that could summon Kakashi through his Flying Thunder God technique.

• Hyuga Kagami told the injured Deidara that he had severed muscles and chakra pathways, and Deidara left the arena unable to fight.
• Hyuga Kagami reflected that he had fought cautiously because Deidara’s Dust Release and possible self-destruction made him too dangerous to face head-on.
• Itachi, disguised as Hyuga Kagami, concluded the Chunin Exams from the VIP stands as Hokage.
• Kakashi apologized to Hyuga Kagami for secretly learning Purple Electricity and Kirin and teaching both techniques to Sasuke.
• Kakashi gave Hyuga Kagami a Flying Thunder God kunai called the Bond Sword so Kakashi could locate him if he was in danger.
• Hyuga Kagami sealed the Bond Sword and put it in his Ninja Tool Pouch while privately grumbling that he already had several.

Sasuke woke in the hospital after his defeat by Kirin and learned that the Chunin Exams were over and Kirin had won. Hiashi and Hizashi visited Neji, reflected on the gap between the Hyuga youths and Sasuke and Naruto, and named Hanabi the clan’s hope for the future.

• Sasuke woke after two days unconscious and learned from Sakura that Kirin had won the Chunin Exams.
• Naruto said he had tried to avenge Sasuke, but Sasuke rejected his help and became more resentful of Naruto’s performance.
• Hiashi, Hizashi, and Hanabi visited the ward, where Sakura explained that Neji had injured himself by overtraining.
• Hiashi and Hizashi encountered Fugaku and Mikoto, then wondered why Fugaku had been unusually cordial toward them.
• Hiashi lamented that Hinata and Neji’s generation lagged behind Sasuke, then told Hanabi that she was the Hyuga Clan’s hope for the future.

At the Five Kage Summit, Kakashi proposed a rapid-response squad to coordinate elite shinobi against Akatsuki, with Konoha temporarily leading it. He then told Itachi he planned to recruit Otogakure’s shinobi and secretly create a fake God Organization, though Itachi warned that the real organization might retaliate.

• The Fourth Raikage urged the villages to rescue their captured Jinchuriki, but the Kage disagreed over how to confront Akatsuki and remained deadlocked.
• Kakashi proposed drawing three young shinobi from each village into a rapid-response squad, and the Fourth Raikage supported the plan.
• The Kage hesitated to risk their promising young shinobi, but Kakashi argued that Konoha should command the squad because it could contact the God Organization.
• After the summit, Kakashi asked Itachi to visit the hospital and explained that he also wanted Kimimaro and Haku from Otogakure to join the squad.
• Kakashi proposed secretly forming a fake God Organization, with Haku, Kimimaro, Deidara, and either Shisui or Shinichi impersonating its members.
• Itachi warned that the real God Organization might react badly, and Kakashi resolved to negotiate with it first.

Kakashi and Itachi visited Kimimaro to discuss recruiting the Oto shinobi, but Kimimaro and Haku reacted strangely to Itachi disguised as Hyuga Kagami. Meanwhile, Zetsu told Obito that Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan during the Chunin Exams but had still lost to a Kirigakure Genin.

• Kakashi and Itachi discussed the failed prospects of creating a fake God Organization and the need to recruit Haku and Kimimaro for Konoha’s rapid-response squad.
• Kakashi explained that Tsunade had found a way to delay Kimimaro’s illness and that it could help persuade the Oto shinobi to join.
• At the hospital, Kimimaro panicked upon seeing Itachi disguised as Hyuga Kagami, and Haku respectfully addressed him as “My lord.”
• Zetsu told Obito that Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan while fighting a Kirigakure Genin during the Chunin Exams.
• Obito doubted that a Genin could defeat Sasuke, but Zetsu said Sasuke had used Susanoo and still nearly died.

Obito investigated the powerful Kirin and searched for the Fourth Mizukage while weighing how to handle Sasuke’s newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan. In Konoha, Sasuke was encouraged to keep pursuing revenge without learning the truth, while Hyuga Kagami used his casino winnings to fund his Lightning Release Clone and prepare for Akatsuki’s coming attack.

• Obito learned that Kirin had defeated Sasuke and mastered Purple Electricity and the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, then ordered Zetsu to find the Fourth Mizukage before Nagato acted.
• Zetsu reported that the Chunin Exams had revealed many capable fighters, including Kimimaro and Haku, while his clones could not approach the Mizukage because a Byakugan user guarded him.
• Kakashi questioned Itachi, disguised as Hyuga Kagami, about Kimimaro and Haku’s wariness, then hurried with him to Sasuke after Shizune said Sasuke had awakened.
• Sasuke blamed himself for losing to Kirin, but Mikoto and Fugaku reassured him; Fugaku and Itachi continued concealing the truth about the Uchiha Clan on Hyuga Kagami’s advice.
• Sasuke asked Kakashi where Kirin was, while Hyuga Kagami counted his winnings and planned to finish his Lightning Release Clone within a week before confronting Akatsuki.

Hyuga Kagami heard Itachi’s report on the Five Kage Summit and advised him on handling Sasuke and Akatsuki’s next attack. Neji then explained that he would keep striving to catch up to Sasuke and Naruto, seeing it as good fortune to share a generation with them.

• Itachi reported that the Five Kage Summit had failed to agree on forming a rapid response squad, and Hyuga Kagami explained the villages’ competing risks and concerns over command.
• Itachi told Hyuga Kagami that Sasuke was agitated and had tried to challenge Kirin, so Hyuga Kagami advised against provoking him and told Itachi to train him in using the Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Hyuga Kagami told Itachi to accept the conditions of the man calling himself Uchiha Madara if necessary, so Akatsuki’s attack plans could be discovered in advance.
• Neji apologized to Hyuga Kagami for failing to reach the third round of the Chunin Exams, then said he would keep pursuing his goal of catching Sasuke and Naruto.
• Neji told Hyuga Kagami that being in the same generation as Sasuke and Naruto was his good fortune, because it gave his life more meaning.

Hyuga Kagami explained that Neji’s Gentle Fist habits were slowing his Eight Inner Gates training and urged him to treat taijutsu as a flexible art rather than a clan-bound style. He gave Neji a scroll with the Yin Seal and a breathing method before preparing to leave the village with Karin.

• Hyuga Kagami discovered that Neji’s precise, restrained Gentle Fist mindset was hindering his progress with the Eight Inner Gates.
• Hyuga Kagami told Neji to break free from Gentle Fist’s constraints, explaining that taijutsu should adapt to the enemy and that the Eight Inner Gates offered Neji his best chance to catch up to Sasuke and Naruto.
• Neji resolved to change his approach, and Hyuga Kagami reassured him that doing so would not betray the Hyuga Clan.
• Hyuga Kagami gave Neji a scroll containing the Yin Seal and his own breathing method, ordering him to keep both techniques secret.
• Hyuga Kagami looked forward to Neji’s growth as he prepared to leave the village the next day to escort Karin to the Aerial Fortress.

Obito and the Akatsuki attacked a group they believed included the Fourth Mizukage, but Karatachi Yagura, Mei Terumi, and Ao had used Water Clones as bait. After the ambush failed, Obito decided to capture Kirin, a Kirigakure shinobi who might know where the real Mizukage was.

• Kakuzu and Hidan intercepted Karatachi Yagura, Mei Terumi, and Ao as they traveled through the forest.
• Obito watched the battle with Zetsu and joined the attack when Kakuzu and Hidan failed to finish the group quickly.
• Obito grabbed Karatachi Yagura, but the Mizukage, Mei Terumi, and Ao revealed themselves to be Water Clones and disappeared.
• Obito and the others realized the real Mizukage had escaped, while Zetsu reported that Kirigakure's Chunin Exams team had left Konoha.
• Obito learned that Kirin might know the Mizukage's location and set out to capture him, dismissing Zetsu's warning about Kirin's strength.

Hyuga Kagami, Karin, and Suigetsu raced through the forest as they discussed Akatsuki, the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, and a possible pursuer. Obito ambushed them with Kamui, and Hyuga Kagami ended up trapped in the other dimension after kicking Karin clear of the vortex.

• Karin reported that the feeling of being watched had disappeared, and Hyuga Kagami suspected Zetsu's clones had been observing Konoha.
• Suigetsu asked Hyuga Kagami to promote him when he became Fifth Mizukage and explained his plan to recover the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist.
• Karin sensed a chakra signature behind them vanish, but Hyuga Kagami found no one with his Byakugan and considered who might be following them.
• Suigetsu wondered whether someone was targeting them over their casino winnings, and Hyuga Kagami became alert when he realized Akatsuki might need money.
• Obito emerged from a Kamui vortex and grabbed Hyuga Kagami and Karin; Hyuga Kagami kicked Karin out of reach but was pulled into the other dimension.

Hyuga Kagami was trapped in Obito’s Kamui space, where he confirmed that it was a vast, independent dimension cut off from the ninja world and the Giant Tenseigan. Outside, Obito moved to silence Suigetsu and Karin, but Karin confronted him and unleashed Shinra Tensei as he tried to pull her into Kamui.

• Hyuga Kagami endured the damage from being transported into the Kamui space and found that all contact with the ninja world and the Giant Tenseigan had been severed.
• Hyuga Kagami studied the vast dimension, suspected it had existed before Obito awakened Kamui, and began considering how to escape.
• Obito realized Karin had helped Hyuga Kagami escape his Kamui and decided to silence her and Suigetsu so they could not warn the Mizukage.
• Suigetsu urged Karin to flee, but Karin advanced on Obito and vowed to kill him if he did not release Hyuga Kagami.
• Obito activated Kamui to capture Karin, and Karin responded by saying, "Shinra Tensei!"

Karin and Gaara used the Type-Three Biological Armor to battle Obito, while Hyuga Kagami prepared an ambush inside the Kamui dimension. The chapter left Obito wounded by a hidden Chidori strike as the fight continued.

• Karin unleashed Shinra Tensei and flattened the forest, blasting Obito through the wreckage.
• Hyuga Kagami saw Obito flicker into the Kamui dimension and created ten Shadow Clones to surround the stone platform with Purple Electricity.
• Gaara told Karin to let him handle attacks while she sensed Obito and used Shinra Tensei to counter Kamui, and he activated the armor's Overload Mode.
• Karin told Obito he was dead, then charged at him with speed and strength that forced him to use Kamui.
• As Obito tried to attack Karin from behind, a hidden Chidori struck him and made him spit blood.

Hyuga Kagami wounded Obito from inside the Kamui dimension, prompting Karin, Gaara, and Suigetsu to attack together. Obito revealed his Susanoo and fought back, while debris from the battle crashed down on Hyuga Kagami inside Kamui.

• Hyuga Kagami pierced Obito’s abdomen with an attack from inside the Kamui dimension, and Obito realized his wound had left him numb.
• Karin and Gaara recognized Hyuga Kagami’s attack and prepared to keep pressuring Obito, while Suigetsu joined them and learned their plan.
• Obito claimed his injury was meaningless, then summoned a massive armored Susanoo after recovering his Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Karin used Overload Mode Shinra Tensei to repel Obito’s Susanoo, while Karin and Suigetsu dodged its enormous black shuriken.
• Debris from the battle fell into the Kamui dimension and crashed toward Hyuga Kagami as he prepared to attack.

Trapped in the Kamui space, Hyuga Kagami analyzed how to escape through its brief connections to the ninja world. Outside, Karin and Gaara exhausted Obito with repeated Shinra Tensei, but as Obito moved to finish Karin, a mass of sand blocked his attack.

• Hyuga Kagami endured attacks inside the Kamui space and deduced that Obito’s Kamui let him exist in a superposition between dimensions.
• Hyuga Kagami realized he might escape by finding and crossing a brief passage between the Kamui space and the ninja world, using Lightning Release Chakra Mode and the Giant Tenseigan’s Rotation.
• Karin and Gaara repeatedly struck Obito’s Susanoo with Shinra Tensei, draining Obito’s ocular power while the Type-Three Biological Armor’s Overload Mode lasted.
• Karin collapsed when Overload Mode ended, and Obito approached her, intending to deal with her before pursuing Hyuga Kagami.
• Obito swung his Susanoo’s fist at Karin, but a mass of sand rose to block the attack, shocking Obito, Karin, and Gaara.

Gaara discovered that he could control sand even outside his body, and used it to pull Obito from Susanoo. As Obito’s Kamui power faltered and Karin became immobile, Hyuga Kagami prepared to act inside the Kamui dimension.

• Gaara questioned whether the sand that had protected him since childhood was really connected to Shukaku.
• Gaara used sand to yank Obito out of Susanoo and slam him into the ground, while Susanoo’s blow struck Karin’s sand shield.
• Suigetsu dragged the immobile Karin away, but Obito tried to pull her into the Kamui dimension before Suigetsu rescued her with Hydrification Technique.
• Obito realized his Mangekyō Sharingan’s ocular power was running low, slowing Kamui’s activation.
• Hyuga Kagami inferred that Karin’s Overload Mode had ended and enveloped himself in Lightning Release chakra as he prepared to act.