Chapter Summaries

Hinata unleashed her Dark Chakra Twin Lion Fists and Lightning Release speed to defeat Aoi Rokushō and break the Sword of the Thunder God. Menma asked that an enemy be left conscious for questioning, while young Sasuke found an Akatsuki ring on Aoi and questioned whether he truly belonged to the organization.

• Hinata confronted Aoi Rokushō as Menma, Boruto, and young Sasuke watched from the house.
• Hinata used Dark Chakra Twin Lion Fists and Lightning Release-enhanced speed to overwhelm Aoi Rokushō and snap the Sword of the Thunder God.
• Hinata continued striking Aoi Rokushō after he fell, leaving him gravely injured and unconscious.
• Hinata helped Menma back inside, and Menma remarked that they should leave someone able to answer questions next time.
• Young Sasuke checked Aoi Rokushō, took the ring engraved with "Void," and wondered whether Aoi was really an Akatsuki member.

Young Sasuke left Boruto to the Anbu and raced to the bridge, while Yuto returned to Tazuna’s house with allies from the Land of Stars and declared plans to revive the Red Star Alliance. At the bridge, Jiraiya brought Naruto to Kakashi’s fight with Zabuza, whose Akatsuki robe and threat to take Kakashi’s head left the battle poised to escalate.

• Young Sasuke headed for the great bridge, leaving Boruto with Aoi Rokushō as Yugao, Sai, and the Anbu secured the prisoner and cleaned up the scene.
• Yuto returned to Tazuna’s house, confessed his role in Kaiza’s death, and accused the captured guide of betraying them.
• Yuto announced that he had come back from the Land of Stars with comrades and ninja support to rekindle the revolution in the Land of Waves.
• Idasuke and three other Hoshinin entered Tazuna’s house, while a red-haired girl with glasses showed particular interest in Menma.
• Naruto struggled with Rasengan training until a huge Water Release attack erupted at the bridge; Jiraiya carried him there, where they found Kakashi fighting Zabuza in the Hidden Mist.
• Young Sasuke joined Jiraiya and Naruto at the bridge, reported that he had dealt with a green-haired former Konoha missing-nin, and heard Zabuza threaten to take Kakashi’s head.

Yuto recounted how the Red Star Alliance in the Land of Waves was crushed and Kaiza was executed, leaving Inari and Tsunami grieving. As Karin and Hinata clashed over Menma, Idasuke went to the Great Bridge and entered the Hidden Mist to join the battle.

• Yuto told everyone that Kaiza and the other Red Star Alliance members had stayed behind to cover their escape, but a traitor exposed them and they were captured and executed.
• Inari blamed Yuto for leaving Kaiza behind, while Tsunami pulled her son away and said Kaiza had sacrificed himself to protect everyone.
• Boruto asked Idasuke about the Land of Stars' mission, and Idasuke explained that his group was escorting Yuto and attending the Chunin Joint Exams, not intervening in the Land of Waves' affairs.
• Karin offered to examine Menma, but Hinata grabbed her wrist and challenged her over her overly intimate approach.
• Idasuke left Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru to protect Tsunami and Inari, then reached the Great Bridge and learned that Kakashi was fighting a ninja inside the Hidden Mist Technique.
• Idasuke drew Kubikiribōchō, told Tazuna and the workers to retreat, and charged into the fog.

Idasuke, a jonin from the Land of Stars, arrived on the Great Bridge and took over the fight against Momochi Zabuza. He defeated Zabuza with Kubikiribōchō, leaving Kakashi, Jiraiya, Naruto, and the young Sasuke to witness the Land of Stars ninja’s strength.

• Jiraiya and the young Sasuke decided not to interfere in Kakashi’s battle until Idasuke arrived and identified himself as a Land of Stars jonin who had come to help Tazuna’s family.
• Idasuke charged into the mist and clashed with Zabuza, breaking Zabuza’s sword with Kubikiribōchō and countering his Hidden Mist and Water Clone techniques.
• Idasuke used his keen perception to fend off Zabuza’s attacks, while Kakashi, Jiraiya, Naruto, and the young Sasuke watched from the bridge.
• Zabuza launched a Water Dragon Bullet, but Idasuke charged through it with lightning-enhanced Kubikiribōchō and struck Zabuza in the shoulder.
• Idasuke explained that he had baited Zabuza into using a large-scale ninjutsu, then stepped away as the mortally wounded Zabuza collapsed and the mist began to clear.

After Idasuke defeated Zabuza, he agreed to sell the corpse to Konoha for twenty million ryo and revealed that his Land of Stars Genin team was headed to the Chunin Joint Exams. The group hurried to Tazuna’s house after hearing an explosion, where Karin, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru stopped Matsuo’s samurai attack and captured Matsuo; Kakashi and Jiraiya recognized Karin’s Adamantine Sealing Chains as an Uzumaki secret technique.

• Kakashi confirmed Zabuza was dead, and Idasuke agreed to sell his corpse and belongings to Konoha for twenty million ryo.
• Idasuke told Kakashi and Jiraiya that his Genin squad was going to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Joint Exams.
• Naruto, young Sasuke, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Idasuke rushed toward Tazuna’s house after an explosion, learning that Aoi Rokushō had previously attacked it and worn Akatsuki robes.
• The group found Matsuo’s samurai charging the villagers, and Karin, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru intervened to defeat the attackers and capture Matsuo.
• Kakashi and Jiraiya recognized Karin’s Adamantine Sealing Chains as a secret technique of the Uzumaki Clan, while young Sasuke reflected on how different this Karin was from the one he knew.

After the Land of Stars and Konoha ninjas defeated Matsuo’s forces, the people of the Land of Waves put Matsuo on trial, executed him, and began rebuilding their country as the Great Bridge was completed. The two ninja squads set out for Konoha to attend the Chunin Exams, while Jiraiya sensed that a storm was approaching.

• Idasuke left Matsuo’s fate to the people of the Land of Waves, and Yuto organized a public trial with the Red Star Alliance.
• The people accused Matsuo of his crimes, hanged him, and used his seized wealth to compensate victims and rebuild the Land of Waves.
• Yuto and the Red Star Alliance spread their ideals and organized opposition to the daimyo, while Tazuna’s workers completed the Great Bridge and Karin helped Menma recover.
• Tazuna, Tsunami, Inari, and Yuto thanked the departing ninja, and the Konoha and Land of Stars squads crossed the bridge toward the Land of Fire.
• Jiraiya watched the group leave with Sasuke and Boruto and warned that the coming Chunin Exams might bring a storm.

Team 7 and the Land of Stars squad returned to Konoha, where Kakashi explained the approaching Chunin Joint Exams and warned that they could be deadly. At the village gate, Sasuke spotted Shisui among the arriving Star Ninja and recognized him in shock.

• Naruto celebrated the Land of Waves mission while Hinata and Karin competed for Menma's attention on the journey back.
• Naruto complained about routine D-rank assignments, and Kakashi explained why rookie Genin started with low-level missions.
• Karin explained that Ranmaru had graduated early because his Kekkei Genkai Disease and the Red Eye Clan's circumstances had required it.
• The group reached Konoha, where Kakashi explained the Chunin Joint Exams and warned Naruto, Menma, and Hinata about the danger.
• Sasuke, Sai, and Yugao prepared to participate in the exams undercover as the crowd at the village gate swelled with visitors.
• Sasuke saw Shisui leading a group of Star Ninja into Konoha and recognized his brother through their exchanged glance.

The Land of Stars delegation arrived in Konoha, where Shisui sought news of Sasuke and reunited with old acquaintances. After Team 7 agreed to enter the Chunin Exams, Danzō studied the delegation’s roster and ordered increased surveillance and trouble for its members during the exams.

• Shisui greeted Kakashi and asked about Sasuke, explaining that he wanted to see him as a brother, while Kakashi remained wary of letting him approach.
• Yukimi and Neji joined Shisui, and Hinata nervously greeted Neji as Naruto struggled to understand why Uchiha and Hyuga were serving the Land of Stars.
• Kakashi reassessed Team 7’s Land of Waves mission as B-rank, divided the reward among Menma, Naruto, and Hinata, and gave them Chunin Exam application forms after they agreed to participate.
• Yamato relieved Sasuke, Sai, and Yugao from their escort mission and said he would report Sasuke’s reaction to Shisui to the Hokage.
• Danzō reviewed the Land of Stars delegation roster, noted its many members from powerful clans and bloodlines, and ordered increased surveillance and hostile treatment during the Chunin Exams.

After seeing Shisui alive among the Land of Stars delegation, Sasuke struggled with questions about the Uchiha massacre but restrained himself and joined his former classmates for dinner. Their meal brought them into contact with Kirigakure examinees Hozuki Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Uzumaki Honoka, leaving Menma curious about Kirigakure’s efforts to gather Kekkei Genkai ninja.

• Sasuke recalled Shisui’s apparent return and wondered whether other Uchiha had survived, but he decided not to approach the Land of Stars inn.
• Adult Sasuke and Boruto watched young Sasuke walk past Meat King, where Menma, Naruto, Hinata, and their friends had gathered.
• Shikamaru called to Sasuke, and Naruto and the others invited him to join their dinner; Sasuke accepted and began to relax among them.
• Naruto bragged about defeating the Kirigakure rogue ninja Momochi Zabuza, prompting neighboring Kirigakure examinees to introduce themselves as Chojuro, Hozuki Suigetsu, and Uzumaki Honoka.
• Menma showed particular interest in Uzumaki Honoka after realizing Kirigakure had begun gathering Kekkei Genkai ninja.

After a meal with Konoha’s Genin and visitors from Kirigakure, Menma and his friends encountered Gaara and two other Land of Stars Genin. Gaara overwhelmed Sasuke with sand and left him humiliated, warning him not to die too soon in the Chunin Exams.

• Naruto told Suigetsu that Idasuke had killed Zabuza with Kubikiribōchō, prompting Suigetsu and Chojuro to recognize the missing Kirigakure sword.
• Sasuke and Shikamaru questioned the Kirigakure Genin, then the group saw Samui, Karui, Omoi, and Atsui arrive from Kumogakure.
• Menma paid for the meal, and the Konoha group said goodbye to the Kirigakure Genin before walking home together.
• At an intersection, Gaara emerged from the darkness and attacked Sasuke with sand, knocking him down in an instant.
• Gaara called Sasuke disappointing, warned him not to die too soon in the Chunin Exams, and left with Temari and Kankuro.
• Menma checked on Sasuke as the Konoha group reacted to Gaara’s strength and Sasuke struggled with his humiliation.

After receiving a startling message from Ōnoki about Asura’s true identity, Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled with doubts about Konoha’s past and clashed with Danzō over Shisui. He left Jiraiya wondering what secret had shaken him as the Chunin Exams approached.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi received Ōnoki’s sealed scroll from Akatsuchi and read a message claiming to reveal Asura’s true identity, which left him stunned.
• Nara Shikaku briefed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha’s Jonin on the Chunin Exams, while the Hokage remained distracted by the message.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Shimura Danzō to stay in Root and avoid Shisui and the Land of Stars, then argued with him about the Uchiha defection and Danzō’s actions.
• After Danzō left, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with Jiraiya about Asura and took him to the cemetery to reflect on Minato, Konoha’s losses, and his own failures.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Jiraiya what he would do if a close friend hid a secret that threatened Konoha, but he did not reveal whom he meant.

Menma, Hinata, and Hanabi shared a warm morning before Menma headed to the Chunin Exams with Hinata and Naruto. At the registration area, Sasuke exposed the genjutsu blocking Classroom 301, clearing the way for the group.

• Hanabi woke Menma early, and Hinata brought him breakfast before the two sisters cheered him on for the exam.
• Hinata and Menma left Hanabi at the Hyuga Compound, where Hiashi watched them go and worried about Hinata's closeness to Menma.
• Menma and Hinata found Naruto at the Ninja Academy, where he had chased a dog that ruined his pebble arrangement.
• Menma, Hinata, and Naruto headed for Classroom 301 and encountered Sasuke, Sai, a gray-haired teammate, Rock Lee, Tenten, and Yakumo Kurama.
• Menma recognized the genjutsu hiding the classroom, and Sasuke used his Sharingan to subdue the two Genin blocking the entrance.

Menma, Naruto, and Hinata entered the Chunin Exams after Menma broke the entrance genjutsu, and Kakashi reminded them that their squad had to advance together. When Karin clung to Menma in the packed exam hall, Hinata unleashed her Byakugan Coercion and sent an Otogakure Genin crashing into the wall, before Ibiki announced the first written exam’s strict rules.

• Sasuke used his Sharingan to daze Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, but Menma released the genjutsu disguising the stairs to the third floor.
• Kakashi explained that the Chunin Exams required teamwork and that a squad would be eliminated if any member was absent or disqualified, then accepted Menma’s team’s forms.
• Menma, Naruto, and Hinata entered the crowded exam hall, where they encountered Genin from several villages and were joined by other Konoha squads.
• Karin threw herself onto Menma, and Hinata pulled her away before using Byakugan Coercion to knock an Otogakure Genin into the wall and silence the room.
• Ibiki Morino introduced the written exam’s deduction rules and began the first round of the Chunin Selection Exams.

The first written Chunin Exam began, revealing the candidates’ varied cheating methods and the Land of Stars’ educational advantage. As village representatives watched the test, Shisui hinted that many Genin might pass, while young Sasuke and Jiraiya noticed the Land of Stars’ powerful delegation and wondered what would happen next.

• Deidara noticed Hinata’s powerful Byakugan Coercion, while Menma, Naruto, Karin, and Hinata clashed over Karin’s affection for Menma before Ibiki started the exam.
• Ino used her Mind Transfer Jutsu to read Sakura’s answers, Sasuke copied another examinee with his Sharingan, and Shino gathered answers through his insects as candidates from other villages struggled or worked steadily.
• Yakushi Kabuto observed the candidates and recognized Orochimaru disguised as an Otogakure Genin, wondering whether Orochimaru was pursuing Naruto, Sasuke, or Menma.
• Jiraiya, young Sasuke, and Boruto watched the exam from a rooftop, then saw Shisui lead a Land of Stars delegation that included Neji, Kaguya Kimimaro, Haku, Oyashiro Chino, and Otsutsuki Toneri.
• At the Hokage Office Building, Hiruzen and the village representatives watched surveillance footage of the exam as Shisui predicted that more than thirty percent of the candidates might pass.

Sakon and the Sound Four assembled an elite force near the Hidden Leaf for Orochimaru’s attack, while Obito watched and learned that Menma, Naruto, and Kakashi were on the same team. Obito considered the Chunin Exams an opportunity to target the One-Tail Jinchuriki and looked forward to Itachi Uchiha meeting Shisui, then vanished to wait and watch.

• Sakon confirmed that the Sound ninja had prepared supplies and tested a flaw in the Konoha Barrier before sending Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Jirobo to meet Orochimaru.
• Obito watched the Sound Four’s preparations from a nearby tree, and White Zetsu reported that Menma had graduated and joined Naruto’s team under Kakashi.
• Black Zetsu suggested using the Forest of Death exam to obtain the One-Tail’s chakra, while Obito warned that acting could expose the Akatsuki.
• White Zetsu reported that Itachi Uchiha was heading toward the Hidden Leaf, possibly to see Shisui, and Obito chose to watch rather than interfere.
• Obito vanished through a spatial vortex as Zetsu merged into a tree.

Itachi Uchiha and Ringo Ameyuri investigated the deaths of Zabuza and Aoi Rokushō on Hope Bridge before heading toward the Hidden Leaf Village. There, Naruto, Menma, and the other candidates passed Ibiki Morino’s first exam, and Anko Mitarashi arrived to proctor the second.

• Itachi Uchiha examined the battle traces on Hope Bridge and concluded that Zabuza and Aoi Rokushō had died in combat against powerful opponents.
• Ringo Ameyuri questioned how Zabuza had been killed, and Itachi decided to go to the Hidden Leaf Village with her.
• Ibiki Morino announced a final-question test that threatened candidates with permanent disqualification from promotion if they answered incorrectly.
• Several squads withdrew during the fifteen-minute wait, but Naruto, Menma, Hinata, and the other forty-eight remaining candidates chose to continue.
• Ibiki Morino revealed that the test measured courage and trust in teammates, then declared all forty-eight candidates had passed the first exam.
• Anko Mitarashi burst into the examination hall and announced that she would proctor the second exam and eliminate at least eighty percent of the candidates.

Anko explained the deadly rules of the second Chunin Exam, and the teams signed waivers, drew scrolls, and entered the Forest of Death. Sasuke spotted Gaara carrying his late mother's pendant and vowed to learn where it came from as the survival challenge began.

• Anko told the candidates they had five days to reach the central tower with a pair of Heaven and Earth scrolls, warned that deaths were allowed, and had them sign liability forms.
• Menma, Naruto, and Hinata signed their forms, while Menma recognized Orochimaru among the Otogakure candidates and exchanged smiles with him.
• Sasuke saw Gaara kiss a four-leaf-clover pendant that resembled his late mother's and decided to confront him about its origin inside the exam grounds.
• Menma's team drew an Earth scroll and received entrance 22 as the teams registered and headed to their assigned gates.
• The gates opened at Anko's signal, and Menma led Naruto and Hinata into the Forest of Death as the second exam began.

During the Forest of Death exam, Menma’s team obtained the Heaven Scroll after defeating a Kusagakure team, and Menma killed their leader when he tried to assassinate him. Orochimaru appeared, warned Menma about leaving enemies alive, and then disappeared, leaving Naruto and Hinata uneasy as the team headed for the tower.

• Orochimaru, disguised as Kinhebi, ordered two Otogakure ninja to test Hozuki Suigetsu and silenced their objections with his killing intent.
• Menma, Naruto, and Hinata navigated the forest using their sensory abilities and decided to wait near the tower for a team carrying a Heaven Scroll.
• Three Kusagakure ninja ambushed the team, but Menma, Naruto, and Hinata quickly defeated them and took their Heaven Scroll.
• The wounded Kusagakure leader tried to kill Menma with a hidden needle, so Menma reflected it into the man’s forehead and killed him.
• Orochimaru killed the two unconscious Kusagakure ninja, spoke with Menma, and departed after Menma warned him not to target his companions.
• Menma refused to explain Orochimaru’s remark about Naruto and led Naruto and Hinata toward the tower with both required scrolls.

Sasuke, Sai, and Shigaraki fought and killed two Sound Ninja using sonic weapons, then were ambushed by Gaara’s sand. Gaara revealed he wore a four-leaf clover pendant and taunted Sasuke for knowing nothing before launching a massive sand attack.

• Sasuke led Sai and Shigaraki through the Forest of Death, where two Sound Ninja attacked them with sonic weapons.
• Sasuke, Sai, and Shigaraki coordinated their attacks and defeated the Sound Ninja, and Shigaraki killed both of them.
• The trio found no scrolls on the Sound Ninja and suspected a third squad member was nearby.
• Gaara’s sand tendrils ambushed Sasuke and Shigaraki, but Sai’s ink snakes helped Shigaraki escape.
• Gaara appeared with Temari and Kankuro, wearing a four-leaf clover pendant that Sasuke recognized and demanded to know about.
• Gaara told Sasuke that he knew nothing, then unleashed a torrent of sand toward Sasuke and his teammates.

Gaara defeated Sasuke and revealed that Sasuke's mother and most of the Uchiha clan had survived the massacre and been taken to the Land of Stars. Sasuke was left reeling as a third tomoe emerged in his Sharingan.

• Gaara's expanding sand desert split the battlefield as Kankuro attacked Sai with a wireless-controlled puppet and Temari overwhelmed Shigaraki with wind techniques.
• Gaara effortlessly blocked Sasuke's shuriken and fire attacks, then trapped him in a sand burial.
• Gaara showed Sasuke a pendant from his adoptive mother and revealed that she was Mikoto Uchiha.
• Gaara told Sasuke that Shisui had rescued most of the Uchiha, including Mikoto, and suggested that Sasuke had been left behind under orders from Konoha.
• Sasuke rejected Gaara's claims, recalled details that cast doubt on the official account of the massacre, and awakened a third tomoe in his Sharingan.