Chapter Summaries

Sasuke awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and challenged Gaara with a powerful genjutsu, but Shukaku shattered it and left him defeated. Gaara departed without revealing Mikoto’s location, while Sasuke vowed to defeat him and find her; Gaara reflected on how his own past shaped his plan to make Sasuke uncover the truth and choose to leave Konoha.

• Sasuke awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan and trapped Gaara in a genjutsu, believing he had complete control of the mental space.
• Shukaku emerged within the genjutsu, destroyed it, and inflicted severe backlash that left Sasuke bleeding and unable to fight.
• Gaara freed Sasuke and told him to ask Mikoto himself where she was, then left with Temari and Kankuro as Sasuke vowed to defeat him.
• Temari and Kankuro realized Gaara had provoked Sasuke to make him question Konoha, whose Anbu were monitoring him.
• Temari recalled how Mikoto had helped Gaara question Yashamaru’s apparent betrayal, and Gaara reflected on the similar pain Sasuke faced.
• Gaara resolved to grow stronger and hoped Sasuke would eventually come to the Land of Stars to ask Mikoto about the truth.

Uzumaki Kaori, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru encountered Kirigakure’s team at a river in the Forest of Death and fought Hozuki Suigetsu, Chojuro, and Uzumaki Honoka. The battle remained unresolved as Chojuro realized Ranmaru’s Red Eye had created the five figures surrounding him and Honoka.

• Kaori detected Kirigakure’s team approaching and led Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru to meet them at the river.
• Hozuki Suigetsu attacked Kaori with Nuibari, but she deflected his strike and countered his close-range assault.
• Chojuro used the Hidden Mist Technique while Honoka summoned a large scaled creature to ride into battle.
• Kurotsuchi struck Chojuro with powerful taijutsu as Ranmaru attacked Honoka and Chojuro from within the mist.
• Honoka blew away part of the mist and saw five chakra-bearing figures surrounding them, and Chojuro identified them as a special Kekkei Genkai rather than Shadow Clones.

Ranmaru, Kurotsuchi, and Karin gained the upper hand against the Kirigakure squad, while Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji were ambushed by Kumogakure ninja. Shikamaru prepared to fight Karui, Atsui, and Omoi with no clear escape route.

• Ranmaru used his Red Eye and five semi-corporeal shadows to harass Chojuro and Honoka, while Kurotsuchi struck Chojuro with Earth Release attacks.
• Ranmaru's shadow electrified Honoka's Water Formation Wall with a sealed Lightning Style Kunai, incapacitating Honoka and her Summoned Beast; Kurotsuchi then defeated Chojuro.
• Karin countered Hozuki Suigetsu's Water Dragon Bullet Technique with Adamantine Sealing Chains and prepared to attack him.
• Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji watched the battle and decided to go around it, but Shikamaru sensed an ambush and led them clear of Karui's attack.
• Karui, Atsui, and Omoi demanded the Konoha team's scrolls, and Shikamaru assessed their opponents before deciding they had to fight.

During the second Chunin Exam, Deidara, Ōnoki Void, and Kirara chose to avoid the battles around them and head for the tower, while Orochimaru investigated Sasuke's fight with Gaara. Naruto, Menma, and Hinata rescued Sakura and her team from the Sound Ninja Trio, who fled before Menma's explosive-tagged kunai caught up with them.

• Deidara wanted to ambush teams near the tower, but Ōnoki Void and Kirara persuaded him to avoid the clashes and wait for isolated or injured teams instead.
• Orochimaru found the bodies of the two Genin he had sent after Hozuki Suigetsu and identified traces showing that Sasuke had fought Gaara and been wounded.
• Dosu Kinata, Zaku Abumi, and Kin Tsuchi ambushed Kiba, Shino, and Sakura, injuring them and nearly killing Sakura.
• Naruto arrived with shadow clones to overwhelm the Sound Ninja Trio, while Menma and Hinata supported Kiba, Shino, and Sakura.
• Dosu Kinata ordered the trio to retreat, and Menma threw an explosive-tagged kunai after them; explosions and screams soon followed.

Anko’s team responded to a distress flare, and she mistook Menma’s group for the attackers before learning they had rescued Kiba’s injured team. Menma, Naruto, and Hinata reached the Central Tower, where they found Deidara’s team already there and learned that Ku and Kirara were artificial humans.

• Anko led examiners and medical ninja toward a distress flare, but a giant python ambushed them and she helped kill it.
• Anko reached Kiba, Shino, and Sakura and learned that Menma, Naruto, and Hinata had helped them; she apologized and arranged medical care.
• Kiba’s team withdrew from the exam, and Menma’s group set off for the Central Tower after saying they would meet again later.
• Hinata spotted signs of fighting near the Central Tower, where Menma’s group found Deidara, Ku, and Kirara standing over defeated Takigakure candidates.
• Menma recognized Ku and Kirara as artificial humans and led Naruto and Hinata into the tower.

Menma learned that the third exam would be a three-on-three team tournament, while the other teams began arriving at the tower. Sasuke sat alone with his hatred and doubts after hearing that his mother and other Uchiha might still be alive.

• Menma, Naruto, and Hinata settled into their tower lounge, where Kakashi told them the third exam would begin after five days of rest and use team combat with individual promotion possible through the Jonin Council’s evaluation.
• Karin, Kurotsuchi, and Ranmaru arrived after passing the second exam with a scroll taken from a Kusagakure team, frustrated that the Kirigakure team had escaped their earlier fight.
• Xiang ran to Menma and clung to him, prompting Hinata to pull her away and confront her over their closeness to Menma.
• Suigetsu spotted Xiang in the hall and led Chojuro and Honoka toward the bathroom to avoid her.
• Sasuke sat alone, remembering Gaara’s words and questioning his six years of hatred after learning that his mother and some of his clan might still be alive.

After the second exam, Gekko Hayate announced that the third exam would be a three-on-three tournament in five days, with matchups drawn on the day. Naruto was falsely blamed for Jiraiya’s peeping materials and taken away by angry women, while Boruto and young Sasuke caught Jiraiya hiding nearby.

• Anko welcomed the eight teams that passed the Forest of Death, and Gekko Hayate announced the third exam’s schedule, tournament rules, and promotion conditions.
• Menma, Naruto, Hinata, and the others returned to Konoha’s crowded streets and discussed the formidable teams they might face.
• Jiraiya rushed past the group, handed Naruto his telescope and notebook, and fled before Naruto could react.
• A group of women mistook Naruto for a peeping tom because he held Jiraiya’s materials and escorted him toward the Konoha Military Police Force.
• Boruto and young Sasuke confronted Jiraiya as he watched Naruto being taken away, and Boruto accused him of shifting the blame.

Jiraiya planned extra security for the Chunin Exams and recruited Boruto to help train young Naruto in the Rasengan. Elsewhere, Menma and Hinata encountered the injured Tenten and her teammates, while Sasuke appeared to meet Shisui in secret.

• Jiraiya warned Boruto and young Sasuke that Urashiki had been missing for half a month and planned to report the threat and strengthen security for the third exam.
• Jiraiya invited Boruto to join Naruto's intensive training, and Boruto eagerly agreed to teach his young father the Rasengan.
• Young Sasuke sent Boruto ahead to Training Ground 7 while he stayed behind to investigate abnormalities in the time and space and the Uchiha clan's movements.
• Menma and Hinata visited Tenten's shop, where they found Tenten injured and upset after her team was eliminated; Yakumo sensed a resemblance between Menma's aura and Ido.
• Shisui heard Karin, Gaara, and the others report on the second exam, then called out to someone hiding nearby, and Sasuke emerged from the darkness.

Young Sasuke confronted Shisui about the surviving Uchiha and learned why the clan had left him in Konoha. After Shisui revealed that Mikoto was alive and missed him, the older Sasuke decided to approach the sleeping boy and show him he had choices beyond Konoha.

• Young Sasuke showed Shisui his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and demanded to know why the Uchiha clan had left him behind in Konoha.
• Shisui explained that the survivors feared Sasuke would face the clansmen’s grief and vengeance as Itachi’s younger brother.
• As young Sasuke turned to leave, Shisui recognized his Rinnegan and asked him to tell Sasuke that Mikoto missed him from the Land of Stars.
• Young Sasuke clashed ocular powers with Shisui, then left, shaken to learn that his mother was alive in this space-time.
• Young Sasuke spotted Root ninja monitoring Sasuke’s apartment and chose to contact the boy himself rather than leave the task to Shisui.
• Young Sasuke slipped past the surveillance and entered the apartment, where Sasuke slept uneasily.

After a Mangekyō-wielding stranger warned Sasuke that his silence about Shisui could make Konoha’s leaders suspicious, Sasuke confronted Shisui at the Land of Stars delegation residence. Gaara blocked his way, while Hiruzen sent for Tenzo and Kakashi as the confrontation drew Konoha’s attention.

• Sasuke dreamed of the Uchiha massacre, questioned whether Itachi had used the Sharingan to make him see an illusion, and encountered a cloaked one-armed man with a Mangekyō Sharingan in a mental space.
• The cloaked man warned Sasuke that staying quiet after Shisui appeared could make Konoha’s leaders suspect him, and Sasuke woke with a new resolve.
• Sasuke went to the Land of Stars delegation residence, called for Shisui, and knocked its two Hoshinin guards aside when they tried to stop him.
• Gaara emerged from the courtyard and confronted Sasuke with a surge of sand as Shisui watched from inside.
• Anbu reported Sasuke’s actions to Hiruzen, who ordered Tenzo to secure the scene and summoned Kakashi to help handle Sasuke.

Yamato and his Anbu squad watched Gaara overwhelm Sasuke with sand while Shisui stood by. Shisui stopped the fight and revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan, leaving Sasuke staring at him in anger and confusion.

• Yamato led four elite Anbu to a rooftop, where they saw Gaara suppressing Sasuke with a massive sand attack.
• Yamato recognized Gaara's Magnet Release and judged that Sasuke was not yet strong enough to defeat him.
• Yamato ordered the Anbu to wait and watch Shisui, suspecting that Shisui had a reason for letting the fight continue.
• Shisui stepped out of the shadows and told Gaara to stop, and Gaara immediately recalled most of his sand.
• Sasuke dropped to one knee and glared at Shisui, who revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Kakashi to guide Sasuke and approved his request to study Uchiha secret techniques. Shimura Danzō then demanded that Sasuke be handed over to Root, but Hiruzen refused and asserted his authority as Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Kakashi to speak with Sasuke and limit his contact with Uchiha Shisui because Konoha and the Land of Stars might go to war.
• Kakashi requested access to Uchiha secret technique texts, and Hiruzen Sarutobi granted him limited access.
• Shimura Danzō barged into Hiruzen Sarutobi's office and argued that Sasuke's talent and contact with Shisui posed a threat to Konoha.
• Shimura Danzō demanded that Sasuke be handed over to Root for training, but Hiruzen Sarutobi rejected the proposal.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi confronted Shimura Danzō and declared, “I am the Hokage,” prompting Danzō to leave in anger.

Sasuke began special Sharingan training with Kakashi while remaining determined to seek greater power and uncover the truth about his family. In Amegakure, Amado reported that his cloning experiments were progressing and proposed using cells from Jiraiya and Hanzo to create stronger subjects.

• Kakashi revealed his Three-Tomoe Sharingan to Sasuke and explained that it had been given to him by an important friend.
• Yamato explained that Kakashi's Sharingan enabled him to copy ninjutsu, and Kakashi offered Sasuke special training in advanced Sharingan techniques and their risks.
• Sasuke interpreted Kakashi's training as Konoha's attempt to appease and monitor him, and resolved to pursue the Mangekyō Sharingan, avenge himself on the man, and find his mother in the Land of Stars.
• Jigen visited Amado's underground laboratory in Amegakure and asked about the progress of the cloning technology.
• Amado reported that basic clones were stable but had limited potential, and said he had collected cell samples from Jiraiya and Hanzo to produce more powerful subjects.

Urashiki found Jigen in Amegakure and persuaded him to cooperate in attacking Konoha, while Jigen ordered Amado to accelerate cloning work. After inspecting the unstable clones, Amado was left confronting doubts about whether cloning could ever bring his daughter Akebi back.

• Urashiki told Jigen that a native called Asura had displayed a golden Tenseigan and that the Land of Stars might be connected to him.
• Urashiki proposed that he and Jigen attack Konoha during the Chunin Exams to seize the Nine-Tails' chakra and target the suspected vessel, and Jigen agreed.
• Jigen ordered Amado to prioritize clones of Jiraiya and Hanzo the Salamander, favoring rapid combat readiness over stability and lifespan.
• After Jigen left, Amado examined the clone cells and learned that many clones suffered accelerated aging, physical collapse, and unstable consciousness.
• Amado looked at Subject 7 and recalled Asura's warning that Akebi's soul had gone to the Pure Land and that cloning could only produce an empty body.

Amado activated the marking Asura had given him and contacted Uchiha Hikari, reporting that Otsutsuki Urashiki had approached Jigen with a plan tied to Konoha’s Chunin Exams. In Konoha, Menma watched preparations for the finals and recognized Orochimaru disguised as the daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields, while Yakushi Kabuto quietly signaled that Orochimaru was ready to act.

• Amado used chakra to awaken the marking on his hand and entered a vast mental space, where he met Uchiha Hikari.
• Uchiha Hikari displayed her Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, and Amado reported that Otsutsuki Urashiki had invited Jigen to join forces during the Chunin Exams.
• Amado recalled that the coming attack and Menma’s plans would accelerate the conflict, while Menma considered the threat facing Konoha as he watched the crowded village.
• Menma shared a table with Yakushi Kabuto at the Afternoon Time Tea House and wondered whether Naruto had mastered Rasengan during his training with Jiraiya.
• Orochimaru passed the tea house disguised as the daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields, and Yakushi Kabuto remarked to Menma that Orochimaru was already prepared.

Naruto mastered a one-handed Rasengan with Jiraiya’s help on the eve of the Chunin Exams. The next morning, Menma shared a quiet breakfast with Hinata and Hanabi before setting out with Hinata, leaving Hanabi and Hyuga Hiashi to go to the arena.

• Naruto formed a Rasengan without using a Shadow Clone, and Jiraiya praised his progress while reminding him that the technique was only the beginning.
• Naruto said he planned to use his new move in the Chunin Exams and reaffirmed his dream of becoming Hokage, while Boruto watched with mixed feelings.
• Hinata and Hanabi packed Menma’s clothes, and Menma reassured Hanabi that he would return soon and made a pinky promise to bring her candy from the Land of Stars.
• Menma dressed in the clothes Hinata had prepared and shared a subdued breakfast with her and Hanabi before leaving their apartment with Hinata.
• Menma and Hinata brought Hanabi to the Hyuga Compound gates, where Hyuga Hiashi watched them depart and then told Hanabi to prepare to watch her sister’s performance in the arena.

Menma and Hinata arrived at the Chunin Exam arena, where Gekko Hayate held the third-round team-combat draw. Menma Team was matched against Deidara Team for the first match, which was set to begin in ten minutes.

• Menma and Hinata reached the arena and met Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji at the contestants' entrance.
• The teams gathered in the contestants' lounge, where Hinata clung to Menma and glared at Kaori after Kaori reacted eagerly to seeing him.
• Gekko Hayate announced the third exam's team-combat format and had each team's captain draw a lot.
• Gekko Hayate matched Menma Team against Deidara Team, Sasuke Team against Gaara Team, and Ino-Shika-Cho Team against Hozuki Suigetsu Team.
• Gekko Hayate matched Uzumaki Karin Team against Karui Team and told Menma Team and Deidara Team to prepare for the first match in ten minutes.

The Chunin Joint Exams’ third-round finals began before a vast international crowd, while political tensions and warnings of a powerful enemy gathered around the arena. Uchiha Shisui learned that an Otsutsuki might intervene, leaving the Land of Stars delegation on high alert as the matches started.

• Boruto and young Sasuke watched the packed arena as merchants told Boruto about Star City’s Ninja Blade Tournament and its powerful blade holders.
• Yamada Shin-gen arrived as the Land of Rice Fields’ daimyo, exchanged pleasantries with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and privately wondered whether Hiruzen had chosen a successor.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced the start of the Chunin Joint Exams’ third-round finals as the twenty-four candidates entered the arena and the crowd erupted.
• Uchiha Shisui watched Yamada Shin-gen, whom he suspected was Orochimaru in disguise, while the Land of Stars delegation cheered its candidates.
• Kaguya Kimimaro relayed Lord Asura’s warning that an extremely powerful enemy might intervene and ordered the delegation to avoid direct combat, especially against an enemy with space-time abilities.
• Kimimaro identified the possible enemy to Shisui as the Otsutsuki.

Shisui learned that extraterrestrial Otsutsuki might threaten the Chunin Exams and ordered the Land of Stars team to stay alert while continuing its planned mission. As Menma’s first match against Deidara’s Iwagakure team began, Naruto overwhelmed the arena with hundreds of shadow clones, leaving Deidara wondering if he was a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.

• Shisui recalled his encounter with Otsutsuki Toneri on the moon and realized that the Otsutsuki from beyond the heavens might target the gathering.
• Shisui ordered Kimimaro to continue the Konoha Crush Plan preparations but prioritize evacuation if the team encountered Otsutsuki or strange chakra and space-time fluctuations.
• Karin cheered for Menma, while Sasuke watched him and then challenged Gaara ahead of their second match.
• Gekko Hayate announced the rules and started the three-on-three match between Menma Team and Deidara Team.
• Naruto used the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique and sent hundreds of clones charging at Deidara, Void, and Kirara, shocking Deidara.

Naruto and Menma coordinated a massive assault on Deidara's Iwagakure team, forcing Ōnoki Ku to use Dust Release to protect them. Deidara then recognized Menma as an artist pursuing explosive destruction and became excited to face him.

• Naruto filled the arena with shadow clones, and Deidara, Ōnoki Ku, and Kirara used explosions, a rock giant, and mind control to hold them back.
• Deidara targeted Menma and Hinata with explosive clay, but Menma stepped in front of Hinata and threw kunai fitted with explosive tags.
• Menma used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique to multiply the kunai, while Naruto's clones cleared a path and pinned down the Iwagakure team.
• Ōnoki Ku used Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique to erase the barrage and shield Deidara and Kirara.
• Deidara saw the devastation and told Menma that he was also an artist who pursued instant sublimation and destruction.