Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru confronted Kakashi and Sasuke, revealed that Sasuke could use the Cursed Seal, and left after urging him to seek greater power beyond Konoha. Sasuke and Kakashi discussed testing and monitoring the seal, then went home, where Sasuke examined the Kubikiribōchō before rejoining Team Seven for lunch.

• Orochimaru appeared and told Kakashi that Sasuke was his target because he wanted Uchiha blood and the Sharingan.
• Orochimaru exposed the weakness of Kakashi's seal, encouraged Sasuke to pursue power, and left without fighting.
• Sasuke tested the Cursed Seal under Kakashi's supervision and found that he could activate it, increasing his Chakra flow, consumption, and recovery.
• Kakashi agreed to ask Anko about the Cursed Seal's risks, and he and Sasuke went home after leaving Konoha Hospital.
• Sasuke used a Shadow Clone to test the Kubikiribōchō fragments in animal blood, but the blade only grew slightly and the pieces did not rejoin.
• Naruto's Shadow Clone arrived to take Kakashi to lunch with Team Seven, and Sasuke later met Kakashi again.

After celebrating their exam success at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto asked Kakashi for stronger techniques, but Kakashi brought Sasuke to a remote training ground to assess his Cursed Seal. Sasuke unleashed the seal to its apparent limit and reported that he remained conscious, though the state drained his Chakra; Naruto began sparring with him to test its effects.

• Naruto asked Kakashi to teach him powerful techniques or the Summoning Technique, and Kakashi showed the team Pakkun, whose combat strength and appearance they dismissed.
• Kakashi took Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to a remote training ground, where Anko and a masked Anbu were waiting to help assess Sasuke’s Cursed Seal.
• Sasuke unleashed the Cursed Seal until its markings covered his body, and Kakashi asked whether he remained conscious.
• Sasuke said he felt no urge to kill or destroy but could not maintain the state for long because it drained his Chakra.
• Kakashi told Naruto to spar with Sasuke, and Naruto created Shadow Clones to begin the fight.

Sasuke tested his control of the Cursed Seal in a long spar with Naruto, then agreed not to use it in the Chunin Exams after Kakashi warned him about its risks. Sasuke later revealed that he already knew the Rasengan, prompting Kakashi to agree to teach it to Naruto, and demonstrated the move's destructive power.

• Sasuke and Naruto fought for nearly twenty minutes until Naruto's Shadow Clones subdued Sasuke after he stopped using the Cursed Seal at roughly ninety percent of his strength.
• Anko checked Sasuke's condition, and Kakashi later forbade him from using the Cursed Seal in the Chunin Exams because it strained his body and might contain Orochimaru's hidden control.
• Sasuke took Naruto to find Kakashi and hinted that Kakashi needed permission from someone with the Uzumaki name to teach a secret Ninjutsu.
• Naruto realized Sasuke meant him and gave Kakashi permission to teach the move, while Kakashi tried to persuade Sasuke to teach Naruto instead.
• Sasuke revealed the Rasengan by forming its spinning Chakra in Kakashi's palm, and Kakashi agreed to teach Naruto after seeing that Sasuke already knew it.
• Kakashi demonstrated the Rasengan by smashing it into the ground, leaving a wide crater marked with spiral patterns.

Kakashi taught Naruto and Sasuke the Rasengan, and Naruto began practicing with water balloons while Sasuke pursued training with the Cursed Seal. Three days later, Team 7 received notice to attend the announcement of the second Chunin Exam results.

• Kakashi demonstrated the Rasengan’s power and explained its three stages, while Sasuke used his Sharingan to form a small Rasengan.
• Sasuke helped Naruto experience the Rasengan, but Naruto’s unstable attempt exploded, so Kakashi banned Sasuke from letting Naruto control one alone.
• Sasuke asked Kakashi about learning Puppet Technique, and Kakashi suggested seeking materials from the Land of Wind after the Chunin Exams.
• Kakashi gave Naruto water balloons to practice the Rasengan, estimating that Shadow Clone training could help him learn it in one or two months.
• Sasuke practiced Ninjutsu with his Cursed Seal activated, and three days later Team 7 received notice to gather for the second Chunin Exam results announcement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the Chunin Exam preliminaries before Gekko Hayate began the matches. Sasuke defeated Kankuro by exposing and disabling his puppet, then the preliminaries continued with Sasuke established as a major contender.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed the examinees about the third exam and the need for a preliminary round, but Gekko Hayate interrupted his lengthy speech to take over as referee.
• Kabuto Yakushi withdrew from the preliminaries, and Gekko Hayate announced that the remaining contestants would be randomly matched.
• The screen matched Second Pillar against Kankuro, and Sasuke entered the arena with an iron rod while Kankuro prepared his puppet.
• Sasuke identified Kankuro's puppet Crow and evaded its attacks while studying its chakra threads.
• Sasuke used a Shadow Clone to reach Kankuro, held a Tanto to his neck, and severed Crow's chakra threads with a Chakra Scalpel.
• Kankuro admitted defeat, and Gekko Hayate declared Second Pillar the winner.

Sasuke watched Shino defeat Zaku Abumi in the second preliminary match and discussed food, training, and a snake gallbladder deal with his fellow Konoha ninja. The next match began with Shikamaru facing Ken Misumi.

• The match screen selected Zaku Abumi and Shino Aburame, while Sasuke discussed Kankuro's Puppet Technique with Kakashi and shared cat food with the hungry spectators.
• Kiba explained that Akamaru was frightened of Gaara after seeing him kill during an earlier match.
• Neji offered Sasuke a processed python gallbladder, and they agreed on a price of 90,000 ryo.
• Shino defeated Zaku, whose arms were badly injured by an explosion and who was carried away by Konoha medics.
• The third match began between Ken Misumi and Nara Shikamaru, as Choji urged Shikamaru to finish quickly so they could eat.

Shikamaru defeated Ken Misumi by using the Earth Style: Earth Wall to create shadows across the arena, and Sakura defeated Ino in their match. The chapter ended with Ino asking Sasuke to treat her injuries, leaving Sakura to find her leaning into his arms.

• Shikamaru used an Earth Style: Earth Wall to create shadows and trap Ken Misumi with the Shadow Imitation Technique, winning their match.
• Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka began their match with close-range weapon clashes before both used Water Release: Water Colliding Wave.
• Sakura used the water in the arena to cast Water Dragon Jutsu, then created Shadow Clones and attacked Ino from three directions.
• Sakura pinned Ino with her Tanto, and Gekko Hayate declared her the winner.
• Ino asked Sasuke to treat her injuries, and Sakura arrived to find Ino leaning into his arms.

Temari defeated Akado Yoroi, and Tenten outlasted Kin Tsuchi before Sasuke treated Tenten’s injuries. Naruto and Kiba began their match, with Naruto holding back as he countered Kiba and Akamaru’s attacks.

• Temari overwhelmed Akado Yoroi with her fan and won their match before he could use his Chakra-absorbing ability.
• Tenten defeated Kin Tsuchi after a long, exhausting fight, and Neji and Sasuke treated Tenten’s injuries.
• The match board announced Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka, and Naruto encouraged Kiba and Akamaru before they entered the arena.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones and Iron Rods to disrupt Kiba and Akamaru’s Fang Over Fang attacks, while Akamaru took a Soldier Pill and transformed into a Red Dog.

Naruto defeated Kiba while concealing how much stronger he was, and Hinata faced Neji in the next preliminary match. Neji won quickly by disrupting Hinata’s control of her body, leaving Naruto and the others to carry her back to the stands as Neji warned Kiba off.

• Naruto subdued Kiba with Shadow Clones, won the seventh match, and helped him back to the stands.
• Hinata and Neji were announced as the next match, and Sasuke urged Neji to restrain himself.
• Neji defeated Hinata almost immediately, leaving her limbs unable to obey her; Sasuke explained that she would recover with rest.
• Naruto carried Hinata back to the stands while Kiba tried to confront Neji, who jabbed Kiba’s palm with chakra and made him cry out.

Sasuke treated the injured while Kankuro tried to gather intelligence from Konoha’s spectators, and Sasuke openly attempted to buy Sunagakure’s Puppet Technique from him. Rock Lee began his match against Gaara with nunchaku, while Kankuro rejected Sasuke’s tempting offers and watched the fight.

• The Medical Team confirmed Hinata only needed rest, while Sasuke treated Kiba and Kurenai remained concerned about her student.
• Kankuro approached Konoha’s group to ask about the previous match, but Sasuke exposed him as gathering intelligence and Naruto refused to help.
• Asuma promised Choji a barbecue feast and protection, then Round Nine paired Gaara against Rock Lee.
• Neji reminded Tenten to give Rock Lee his weapons, and she tossed him a large pair of nunchaku before the match began.
• Sasuke offered Kankuro money and a valuable sealing scroll in exchange for Puppet Technique instruction, but Kankuro refused to sell his village’s art.

Rock Lee removed his weights and used the Eight Inner Gates to overwhelm Gaara, but Gaara survived his Reverse Lotus and shattered Lee’s limbs with sand. Gaara won the preliminary match, while Might Guy protected the unconscious Rock Lee from a fatal follow-up attack.

• Rock Lee discarded his nunchucks and used Sasuke’s iron rod against Gaara, but Gaara’s automatic sand defense stopped his attacks.
• At Might Guy’s encouragement, Rock Lee dropped his five-hundred-kilogram weights and moved fast enough to break through Gaara’s Sand Shield.
• Rock Lee opened the gates and battered Gaara with rapid attacks, then used the Fifth Gate and Reverse Lotus to smash Gaara’s sand gourd.
• Gaara survived behind the Mother Sand Shield, trapped the exhausted Rock Lee with Sand Binding Coffin, and shattered his bones.
• Might Guy blocked Gaara’s follow-up attack and protected Rock Lee, and the match was declared a win for Gaara.

Rock Lee was taken for treatment after his injuries from opening the Eight Gates threatened his future as a ninja, and Dosu Kinata defeated Choji in the final preliminary match. The winners received a month to prepare for the finals, and Sasuke learned he would face Gaara.

• Neji explained that Rock Lee’s damaged muscles, bones, nerves, and Chakra pathways would require extensive surgery and might leave his hands and feet without sensation.
• Might Guy accepted that Rock Lee was being taken to the hospital, and the preliminary matches continued.
• Choji fought Dosu Kinata with Fire Style, but Dosu won narrowly and Choji woke up asking for barbecue.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi announced a one-month break before the finals and gathered the ten winners to draw their matchups.
• Ibiki revealed the match list, including Naruto Uzumaki versus Hyuga Neji and Second Pillar versus Gaara.

After the preliminaries, Sasuke arranged a secret trip to find his master, Lady Tsunade, hoping to address Naruto’s unusual Shadow Clones and help Rock Lee recover. He left Kakashi, Neji, and Might Guy with plans for the journey and Lee’s care.

• Sasuke sold Neji the enormous Snake Gallbladder for just over forty thousand ryo and discussed the Hyuga Clan’s lack of preparation for the preliminaries.
• Sasuke told Kakashi he suspected Orochimaru had done something to Naruto and planned to leave the village that night to find his master.
• Kakashi agreed that Naruto could accompany Sasuke, and Sasuke invited Neji to join them because of Rock Lee’s condition.
• Neji prepared to leave and told Might Guy that bringing Lady Tsunade back could give Rock Lee hope of continuing as a ninja.
• Might Guy wanted to join the trip, but Neji instructed him to keep Rock Lee from exercising until his injuries healed and the bone fragments were removed.

Sasuke, Neji, Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura left Konoha on a secret mission to find Tsunade, using clones and a winding route to avoid surveillance. As they neared her location, Sasuke and Neji hid the group’s valuables before meeting her.

• Neji warned Might Guy that exercising could jeopardize Rock Lee’s recovery, and Guy agreed to follow the restrictions.
• Hiruzen approved Kakashi’s secret, unpaid B-rank mission so Naruto and Sasuke could leave Konoha while Orochimaru was active; Sakura joined the team.
• The group split into decoy teams using Shadow Clones and traveled by day and night to conceal its route.
• Sakura explained Tsunade’s reputation, while Sasuke warned everyone not to mention her age or the title Legendary Sannin.
• Sasuke told Naruto that Tsunade was distantly related to him through her Uzumaki grandmother, and Neji advised Naruto to call her Senior.
• Neji located Tsunade and Shizune in an izakaya, but Sasuke and Neji made the team bury its cash and valuables before approaching.

Sasuke, Neji, and their companions met Tsunade, who agreed to examine Naruto’s abnormality and explain the Five Elements Seal. Tsunade removed the seal from Naruto’s abdomen, leaving Kakashi with an impromptu lesson in controlling multiple Chakra natures.

• Sasuke gave Tsunade his saved mission money, and Neji paid the group’s meal and Tsunade’s outstanding tab.
• Tsunade moved the group to a private room, where they discussed Orochimaru, Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, Naruto’s condition, and Rock Lee’s injuries.
• Tsunade questioned Kakashi about the Five Elements Seal and urged him to improve his control of the five Chakra natures.
• Sasuke and Neji held Naruto still while Tsunade used five Chakra transformations to remove the Five Elements Seal from his abdomen.
• Tsunade explained how she had controlled and stored different Chakra types in her fingers, while Kakashi watched uneasily.

Naruto asked Tsunade to teach him Uzumaki secret techniques, but she gambled away his wallet and promised to teach him ninjutsu after taking it out to play. The chapter left Naruto reluctantly accepting the loss while Sasuke and Neji reassured him that Tsunade would return to teach him soon.

• Naruto practiced shaping a Rasengan at the inn, and Tsunade recognized the technique as Kakashi explained how Naruto had learned it.
• Sasuke asked Tsunade to guide Naruto in learning the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline inheritance and secret techniques.
• Tsunade warned Naruto that learning those techniques would be difficult, then asked whether he had brought money.
• Tsunade gambled with Naruto three times and took his frog wallet, promising to teach him ninjutsu after she returned from gambling.
• Sasuke agreed on Naruto's behalf to let Tsunade take the wallet and try to double the money, while Neji reassured Naruto she would return soon.

Kabuto searched for Sasuke in Konoha but learned he had left with Team Seven, while Hiruzen asked Jiraiya to remain in the village amid Orochimaru’s return. Tsunade confirmed that Sasuke’s Cursed Seal contained Sage Chakra but could not remove it, leaving Sasuke without an immediate solution.

• Kabuto investigated Konoha’s records for Sasuke, fought off Anbu, and told Orochimaru that Sasuke was away from the village.
• Hiruzen met Jiraiya at the hot springs and asked him to stay longer because Konoha needed his strength, but Jiraiya declined to see any need.
• Naruto completed the first stage of Rasengan training after the Five Elements Seal’s interference was removed.
• Tsunade and Shizune returned from gambling before lunch, and Tsunade examined Sasuke’s activated Cursed Seal.
• Tsunade summoned Katsuyu, who confirmed that Sasuke’s Chakra contained Sage Chakra.
• Tsunade admitted she could not remove Sasuke’s Cursed Seal, and Naruto worried that Orochimaru could use it to threaten him.

Sasuke asked Tsunade whether Sage Chakra could counteract the Cursed Seal, but Katsuyu warned that combining it with the seal was dangerously unpredictable, especially if Orochimaru interfered. Tsunade postponed the issue and tested Kakashi’s motives when Sakura Haruno asked to become her student; afterward, she explained the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to Naruto and Neji.

• Sasuke asked to train in Sage Chakra to counteract the Cursed Seal, and Katsuyu warned that the seal made the attempt exceptionally dangerous and urged him to learn Ryūchi Cave's Sage Chakra first.
• Tsunade set Sasuke’s Cursed Seal problem aside for further study and told Kakashi to take Sakura Haruno outside while she taught confidential Uzumaki Clan techniques.
• Sakura Haruno asked Tsunade to accept her as a student, prompting Tsunade to confront Kakashi and demand to know whether he or Konoha had arranged it.
• Kakashi denied any higher-up’s involvement, and Tsunade gave Sakura Haruno study materials and said she would teach her if she passed a later test.
• Tsunade sent Sakura Haruno and Kakashi away, then explained to Naruto and Neji that the Mind's Eye of the Kagura was a long-range Chakra-sensing ability rather than an eye-changing technique.

Tsunade taught Naruto about Uzumaki techniques and delegated his basic training to Sasuke, while Neji studied chakra meridian repair. A month later, the teams returned to Konoha shortly before the competition, where Naruto learned that his former swordsmanship teacher Hayate had died.

• Tsunade explained Kagura's Eye and Adamantine Sealing Chains, then arranged for Naruto to study Fuinjutsu and learn the basics from Sasuke.
• Naruto struggled through lessons with Tsunade and Shizune, while Neji began studying chakra meridian repair surgery.
• During the month of training, Naruto burst the rubber ball in two weeks and advanced to the compression and stability stage of Rasengan practice.
• Dosu Kinata avoided provoking the other contestants, Gekko Hayate died at Baki's hands after eavesdropping, and Jiraiya left Konoha again.
• Two days before the competition, Kakashi's Team and Neji's group returned to Konoha, where Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki told them Hayate had died.
• Naruto grieved over Hayate's death, and Kakashi urged the young ninja to visit the cemetery and focus on the exams.

The Chunin Exams’ official matches began, with Naruto defeating Neji and Temari defeating Shikamaru. Sasuke and Gaara entered the arena for the third match, and the chapter ended as Sasuke put away a Camcorder after recording Gaara’s strange performance.

• Sasuke visited Gekko Hayate’s grave and asked Kakashi whether Hayate had family.
• Neji checked on Rock Lee and planned to take part in his upcoming surgery.
• Naruto defeated Neji with Shadow Clones and iron rods after an extended fight.
• Shikamaru trapped Temari with a shadow technique, but surrendered because he lacked chakra and did not want to advance.
• Sasuke and Gaara began their match, and Sasuke recorded Gaara addressing the sand in his gourd before putting away the Camcorder.