Chapter Summaries

Aoba discovered that Sunagakure planned to attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams with Gaara and Shukaku, while Orochimaru would help eliminate the Hokage. Rasa revealed his plan to exploit Konoha’s destruction and invade the Land of Fire, as Aoba weighed the risks and his own ambitions.

• Aoba observed the arriving village delegations and confirmed that Gaara had come with Sunagakure but was not registered as a candidate.
• Aoba spotted Orochimaru among Otogakure’s group alongside Kimimaro, Kidomaru, Tayuya, Sakura, and Jirobo, and considered whether to claim Rasa’s soul if Orochimaru killed him.
• Rasa privately asked Baki what he had learned about Orochimaru, and Baki admitted he could not identify where Orochimaru was hiding.
• Rasa dismissed Baki’s doubts and explained that Orochimaru had promised to kill the Hokage, allowing Sunagakure to attack Konoha with Rasa and Shukaku.
• Rasa revealed that he had stationed a force at the border to invade the Land of Fire once Konoha fell and seize its resources.

Rasa and Baki prepared Sunagakure’s Konoha Crush Plan, with Gaara assigned to unleash Shukaku during the attack. As the Chunin Exams approached, Aoba relaxed after overseeing the Forest of Death preparations, trained Karin, and ended the day facing her bizarre new dishes.

• Rasa told Baki that Sunagakure’s elite operatives were hidden around Konoha and ordered Gaara to wait for his signal before summoning Shukaku.
• Aoba lounged while Karin pampered him, then agreed to let her spread out the extra training she owed him over several days.
• Aoba trained Karin until she was exhausted, warning her that each day she delayed repaying her training debt would add another day of work.
• Karin cooked Aoba a meal featuring strange creations such as Pulled-Sugar Fish Head and The Whole Family Charges Forward.
• Aoba ate tea-soaked rice instead of the dishes and went to bed, leaving the bizarre meal uneaten.

The first round of the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams began under Itachi’s watch, and Aoba secretly obtained a copy of the test paper. The candidates discovered the exam was a layered Genjutsu test that challenged them to recognize the illusion and decide whether to help their teammates, leaving Orochimaru and other perceptive candidates working to free their teams.

• The Joint Chunin Ninja Exams began on July 1, with Itachi serving as chief examiner for the first round.
• Aoba secretly got hold of a copy of the test paper and reacted strangely after seeing it.
• A crow announced the rules, and the candidates found an impossibly broad and difficult set of questions on their papers.
• Orochimaru recognized the exam as Genjutsu, dispelled it, and saw instructions offering candidates a choice to help teammates or leave alone.
• Orochimaru began helping Kimimaro and the others, while other candidates who broke the Genjutsu faced the same choice and risked disqualification if they helped too openly.

Itachi’s first Chunin Exam tested candidates’ insight, Genjutsu skills, teamwork, and ability to cheat, leaving seventy-two of 171 candidates to pass. Hiruzen praised Itachi and warned Aoba to match his standards as the examiner for the second exam, prompting Aoba to storm off and vow to prove himself.

• Itachi ended the Genjutsu and announced the first exam’s rules and evaluation criteria, while Konoha proctors removed candidates who protested.
• The first exam eliminated ninety-nine candidates, leaving seventy-two passers; all six Otogakure candidates passed, while all three Kusagakure candidates failed.
• Aoba was about to scold Itachi for keeping the exam secret when Hiruzen summoned him to discuss the next exam.
• Hiruzen praised Itachi’s exam and threatened to send Aoba to clean public toilets if he mishandled the second exam.
• Aoba angrily left, and Hiruzen decided to have someone watch him during the next day’s exam.

The second exam required teams to cross the Forest of Death and find a silver bell, but its hidden condition offered everyone a chance to pass by seizing a mysterious person's golden bell. After the examinees were sent into the forest, three Sunagakure Genin found a silver bell and triggered a series of traps.

• Aoba's deputy revealed that a mysterious person would attack anything living and steal silver bells, while taking his golden bell would let all remaining examinees pass.
• The seventy-two examinees were divided into groups and sent to separate starting points in the Forest of Death.
• Sunagakure Examinee Number 33 used a monkey puppet to retrieve a silver bell, triggering a trap that covered the clearing in smoke bombs.
• The three Genin realized the powder had made them itch and rushed to find water.
• Examinee Number 33 fell into another trap, and the other two saw iron needle balls in the pit.

Shimiya Aoba’s traps terrorized the Forest of Death examinees and provoked a furious Orochimaru. Aoba entered the forest with his bell, ready to confront the struggling Genin as the ordeal grew worse.

• Amegakure examinees suffered through Aoba’s traps, and one girl forfeited after being struck by stink bombs and a paint cannon.
• Kimimaro, Kidomaru, and Orochimaru narrowly avoided traps, but Orochimaru triggered aphrodisiac powder that drew a swarm of animals and led him to kill them and nearby examinees.
• Aoba ate fruit at the finish line, then set out into the forest using a map to avoid his own traps while his aide reminded him of the Hokage’s warning.
• Aoba rang the golden bell as he approached the frightened, exhausted Genin, who had barely advanced through the forest.

Aoba, disguised as the Night Watcher, attacked a group of Konoha examinees in the Forest of Death, but one of them realized the silver bells could appease him. The three escaped with their unconscious companion and planned to gather more bells.

• Aoba appeared in the forest wearing a mask and carrying a golden bell, prompting three Konoha examinees to attack him with ninjutsu and Explosive Tags.
• Aoba stopped one examinee’s kunai with a finger and knocked him unconscious with the Finger Flick Technique.
• The other two examinees chose to fight together rather than abandon their injured companion, and one guessed that Aoba wanted a silver bell.
• Aoba accepted the silver bell and counted down, allowing the pair to carry their unconscious companion away without pursuing them.
• After escaping, the examinees concluded that they should collect more silver bells to use against Aoba.

As the second exam grew increasingly chaotic, Aoba calculated how many candidates needed to pass before Orochimaru and his followers ambushed him in the Forest of Death. Aoba defended himself against Kimimaro and Kidomaru, then faced Orochimaru directly.

• Aoba’s silver-bell encounters and traps helped spur a fierce struggle among candidates, while many were eliminated from the second exam.
• Hiruzen praised Aoba’s first two exams but worried that the predictable one-on-one fights of the third exam would disappoint.
• By the third night, half the candidates had been eliminated, and most survivors hid from the mysterious bell-ringing man.
• Aoba calculated that fourteen candidates needed to pass to meet the mission’s requirement and regretted how many Itachi had eliminated earlier.
• Orochimaru ordered Kimimaro and Kidomaru to kill Aoba, blaming him for the exam’s disgusting traps.
• Aoba cut through Kidomaru’s web and blocked Kimimaro’s bone attacks, but Kimimaro’s Cursed Seal defense stopped Aoba’s lightning-fast slash as Aoba faced Orochimaru in his female form.

Aoba used a Life Card made from Kimimaro’s bone to track him, then left the Forest of Death to monitor Orochimaru’s plans. Meanwhile, Kabuto led Rasa to a secluded meeting, where Orochimaru’s demand for half of Konoha’s assets enraged him.

• Kimimaro and Kidomaru prepared to attack Aoba, but Orochimaru stopped them, surrendered the silver bells, and led them away.
• Aoba fused Kimimaro’s finger bone with an inactive Life Card so he could track Kimimaro’s location.
• Aoba tormented the remaining exam candidates with attacks and laxative-laced fruit, earning a reputation as the King of Torment.
• After learning that all six Otogakure candidates had withdrawn, Aoba left the Forest of Death and planned to follow Kimimaro in case Orochimaru targeted Rasa.
• Kabuto, having withdrawn from the exam, led Rasa past the sentries to meet Orochimaru and demanded half of Konoha’s remaining assets if Rasa doubted the meeting’s sincerity.
• Rasa angrily rejected the demand as a price increase, while Kabuto mocked him as an idiot.

Orochimaru betrayed Rasa during their secret meeting and launched a coordinated ambush with Kabuto and Kimimaro. Badly wounded and cornered, Rasa unleashed a massive Gold Dust attack, but Kimimaro broke through it and continued his assault.

• Orochimaru and Rasa haggled over how to divide Konoha after their planned attack, then appeared to agree to an even split.
• As Rasa reached to shake Orochimaru's hand, Orochimaru used the buried Kusanagi Sword to stab him from behind.
• Rasa fought back with Magnet Release while Kabuto and Kimimaro attacked; Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel crippled Rasa's left arm.
• Rasa unleashed Great Burial of Gold Dust against Orochimaru and his allies, but Kimimaro's Early Fern Dance broke through the attack.

Kimimaro and Rasa mortally wounded each other, but Aoba stole Rasa’s final kill and corpse before confronting Orochimaru. Orochimaru let Aoba leave, then disguised himself as the Fourth Kazekage and continued his plan as Konoha ninja arrived.

• Kimimaro pierced Rasa with his strongest spear while Rasa impaled Kimimaro with Sand Gold spikes, leaving both near death.
• Orochimaru saved Kimimaro with a summoned snake, but Aoba killed Rasa and carried away his corpse.
• Aoba accused Orochimaru of acting without informing him and threatened him against doing so again.
• Orochimaru accepted the warning and took the Kusanagi Sword, while Aoba departed with Rasa’s body and Doflamingo.
• Kabuto treated Kimimaro as Orochimaru disguised himself as Rasa, and several Konoha ninja later appeared at the battlefield.

After securing Sasori as a future asset, Aoba set out to end the Chunin Exam early by reducing the remaining examinees and arranging for someone to take the golden bell. The assistant misunderstood his intentions and alerted Hiruzen, while Aoba began pursuing three examinees in the Forest of Death as the Night Watcher.

• Aoba returned to his original appearance after stealing the kills as Yasuo, then switched places with the Prince and considered how Sasori could serve him in the future.
• Aoba learned that twenty examinees remained and decided to reduce the number to fourteen before ending the exam early.
• The assistant pleaded with Aoba not to eliminate the examinees, but Aoba left and said he intended to bring them warmth.
• After Aoba vanished into the Forest of Death, the assistant rushed to inform Hiruzen that something terrible had happened.
• Xinbajiji and his two companions heard the Night Watcher's golden bell and fled, but the masked Aoba caught up with them and announced that the game had begun.

Aoba repeatedly ambushed Xinbajiji and two Sunagakure Genin during the exam, using the Night Watcher’s rules to catch and beat them. After taking their last silver bells, he waved them away, leaving the exhausted trio to continue without their bells.

• Aoba captured Xinbajiji with the oil-lamp chain, but the other two Genin freed him with silver bells and fled.
• The trio rested, complained about hunger and the traps, then heard the Night Watcher’s bell and ran again.
• Aoba caught up and kicked Xinbajiji down, stopping only when Candidate No. 35 threw silver bells to trigger the Night Watcher’s rule.
• Aoba chased the trio through the forest, caught them again, and knocked Xinbajiji sprawling with an Ultra Flying Kick.
• The exhausted Genin stopped running, and Aoba took their last three silver bells before dismissing them.

Aoba tried to help a Konoha girl pass the exam by giving her his golden bell, but her fearful misinterpretations repeatedly thwarted him. He finally forced the bell into her hands and ended his frustrating attempt.

• Aoba learned that no more than fourteen candidates remained and continued hunting for someone to take his golden bell.
• Aoba cornered a lone Konoha girl, who offered him her only silver bell and begged him not to eat her.
• The girl refused to take Aoba’s golden bell, convinced it was a test, even after he pretended to lose the bell-bearing shoe.
• Aoba watched as the girl guarded the shoe, then gave up and stuffed the golden bell into her hands despite her protests.

Hiruzen mistakenly believed Shimiya Aoba had eliminated every candidate in the second exam and attacked him, then learned Aoba had let fourteen candidates pass. After the deputy who misled him apologized at Aoba’s home, Aoba and Karin demanded compensation.

• Hiruzen arrived after the second exam and chased Aoba with Fire Style ninjutsu, while Aoba fled and threatened to fight back.
• Hiruzen learned that fourteen candidates had passed because Aoba let them seize his golden bell, and realized he had misunderstood what happened.
• Hiruzen ordered the deputy who gave him false information to bring Aoba to his office and apologize, threatening him with a year of public toilet cleaning if he failed.
• The deputy visited Aoba’s home in the rain and apologized for slandering him.
• Karin calculated Aoba’s claimed damages as 1,800,000 taels, and the deputy accepted the demand under Aoba’s threatening gaze.

After the second exam, Aoba let public speculation recast his punishing tests as intentional trials, accepted compensation from Hiruzen, and celebrated with Karin. Five days later, the third exam began before a huge crowd in Konoha, where Aoba suspected danger but chose not to warn anyone and watched for Orochimaru’s move.

• Only fourteen candidates qualified for the third exam, and the remaining Genin received medical care after the second exam left them with physical and mental problems.
• Aoba confirmed the public’s theories about his tests, shifting blame away from himself and restoring his reputation despite the candidates’ resentment.
• Aoba accepted 1.8 million ryo in compensation from Hiruzen, then took Karin to a meal paid for with their unused eating-contest reward.
• Five days later, the third exam opened in Konoha’s arena before the Hokage, the Kazekage, and more than ten thousand spectators.
• Aoba questioned the arena’s defenses as Itachi said hidden sentries could protect the crowd, but Aoba kept his suspicions to himself and anticipated Orochimaru’s actions.

The third exam began under Gekko Hayate’s supervision, and Hoshino Nanako faced Ito Yogaki in the first match. Nanako unexpectedly deflected Ito’s shuriken with Earth Style: Harden Technique, then ran away in fright, leaving the spectators laughing and bewildered.

• Aoba and Itachi recognized Gekko Hayate as the third exam’s examiner and reflected on how all three former members of the Mikawa squad had become jonin.
• Gekko Hayate explained the tournament format and said examiners would judge candidates on more than whether they won or lost.
• Hoshino Nanako of Konoha and Ito Yogaki of Takigakure were announced as the first match.
• Nanako began forming hand seals as Ito threw shuriken and rushed toward her with a kunai.
• Nanako completed Earth Style: Harden Technique and deflected the shuriken, making the crowd suspect she had baited Ito into a trap.
• Nanako opened one eye, saw Ito nearby, screamed, and ran away, prompting laughter and disbelief from the spectators.

Hoshino Nanako unexpectedly defeated Ito in the Chunin Exams, while Hiruzen learned that Sunagakure forces were advancing toward the Land of Fire. Orochimaru revealed himself, freed Shukaku, and began his attack on Konoha, leaving Hiruzen facing his former student amid the chaos.

• Hoshino Nanako defeated Ito with the Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique after his attack struck her hardened arm.
• The referee declared Nanako the winner, and the crowd cheered and laughed at the bizarre match.
• Hiruzen received an Anbu report that Sunagakure forces had crossed into the Land of Fire and confronted the disguised Wind Shadow.
• Orochimaru pressed a kunai to Hiruzen's neck, while Baki killed the Anbu guarding him and turned toward Gaara.
• Gaara used the Sleeping Lion Jutsu, freeing Shukaku, who smashed through the venue.
• Orochimaru removed his disguise and taunted Hiruzen, who declared that his former student was beyond saving.

Hiruzen’s preparations helped Konoha fight off the Sand’s surprise attack, while Aoba drew Shukaku away from the evacuation. Aoba unleashed the Sixth Revolution of Nine Revolutions Thunder Rage against the tailed beast, leaving the outcome of their fight unresolved.

• Hiruzen escaped Orochimaru’s kunai with a mud clone and attacked him alongside two Anbu members.
• The Sand shinobi launched their assault across Konoha, but waiting Anbu killed many of them as Kakashi, Might Guy, and others fought Baki’s elite.
• Aoba stopped Itachi from using Susanoo against Shukaku and told him to rescue the civilians while Aoba faced the tailed beast.
• Aoba taunted Shukaku and wounded his face with Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, but the attack barely affected him.
• Aoba activated his abilities and drew on Big Bandage’s chakra as Shukaku attacked, then opened the Sixth Revolution of Nine Revolutions Thunder Rage.

Aoba used the sixth revolution of Nine Revolutions Thunder Rage to overpower Shukaku and refused Yamato’s help so he could fight the tailed beast alone. He launched Shukaku into the air and rose after him, ending the chapter as he prepared to strike with Thunderclap Kirin.

• Aoba caught Shukaku’s full-strength claw, then lifted and slammed the tailed beast, inspiring Konoha’s shinobi and driving back the Sand shinobi.
• Shukaku got back up and tried to fire Wind Style: Lian Kong Dan, but Aoba struck his cheek and knocked him off balance.
• Yamato arrived and blocked Shukaku’s attack with Wood Style: Tree Wall, but Aoba demanded that Yamato let him fight Shukaku one-on-one.
• Aoba battered Shukaku’s belly, grabbed his tail, and spun him around before hurling him into the sky.
• Aoba leapt after Shukaku and invoked Six Revolutions Thunder Rage: Thunderclap Kirin.