Chapter Summaries

Kabuto Yakushi and Baki plotted to capture Kurama and assassinate the Hokage during the Chunin Exams, but Shisui Uchiha intervened when they tried to kill Hayate Gekko. Shisui saved Hayate with an illusion and began extracting the details of the plan from Kabuto.

• Kabuto Yakushi assured Baki that Otogakure would manage the risks of a plan to capture Kurama and assassinate the Hokage.
• Hayate Gekko overheard their conversation, but Baki chased him down after Kabuto detected the eavesdropper.
• Hayate attacked Baki with the Dance of the Crescent Moon, but Baki blocked the strike and appeared to kill him with a Wind Release technique.
• Shisui Uchiha used his Mangekyo Sharingan to trap Baki and Kabuto in an illusion and save Hayate.
• Hayate fled to report what he had learned, while Shisui forced Kabuto to explain the plan to capture Kurama.

Naruto and Satsuki began training separately, sharing a tender farewell before Satsuki joined Kakashi. Naruto then found Jiraiya spying on women by a stream, and Jiraiya hurriedly covered his embarrassment by promising to teach Naruto a powerful technique.

• Naruto promised Satsuki he would pick her up that evening, and she adjusted his forehead protector before leaving for training.
• Satsuki told Kakashi that her efforts to get Naruto's attention had probably worked a little.
• Naruto arrived at the forest to meet Jiraiya and found him spying on women playing by a stream.
• After the women left, Jiraiya noticed Naruto and claimed he would teach him a powerful ninja technique.

Naruto demonstrated Kurama’s chakra to Jiraiya and, by drawing out more power than expected, transformed into a golden Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. He worried Kurama might discover that Naruto had first used the Child of Prophecy story to gain his trust, and decided to wait before confessing.

• Naruto showed Jiraiya Kurama’s chakra, evolving from a four-tailed cloak into a skeletal six-tailed form while remaining conscious.
• Naruto’s chakra reached a critical point, and he discovered in a stream’s reflection that he had transformed into a golden Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
• Naruto spoke with Kurama inside the seal and realized the modified seal had loosened its restraint, letting Kurama’s chakra flow more freely than either expected.
• Naruto worried that a fully connected chakra link would reveal his original deception to Kurama and damage their bond.
• Jiraiya’s curiosity pulled Naruto out of his worry, and Naruto decided to postpone confessing until their relationship felt more secure.

Naruto tested his golden Chakra cloak with Jiraiya and discovered that a basic punch could devastate a wide area. When he tried forming a Rasengan, Kurama’s Chakra instead produced a complete Tailed Beast Ball, leaving them to consider how he could control its immense power.

• Jiraiya took Naruto to an empty plain and instructed him to test the cloak with a basic attack.
• Naruto focused the cloak’s Chakra into a punch, blasting a huge fan-shaped crater into the ground.
• Jiraiya demonstrated precise Chakra control with a Rasengan and told Naruto to practice containing his power.
• Naruto attempted to form a Rasengan, but Kurama’s Chakra gathered into a complete Tailed Beast Ball.
• Naruto hurled the unstable sphere into the sky, where it exploded with enough force to rip apart the clouds and send a shockwave across the area.
• Naruto considered combining Kurama’s Chakra with the Great Spiraling Ring but decided to wait until he could test it somewhere safer.

Naruto trained to control the power of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, then signed the Mount Myōboku toad contract. His first summoning unexpectedly brought forth the toad clan's Grand Elder, leaving Jiraiya terrified.

• Naruto practiced compressing and controlling his Rasengan with Jiraiya's guidance until he could make a clean hole in an earthen wall.
• Naruto learned to enter and exit Nine-Tails Chakra Mode at will, then asked Jiraiya to teach him another jutsu.
• Jiraiya summoned GamaTada, who brought Naruto the Mount Myōboku contract scroll.
• Naruto saw Minato Namikaze's name on the scroll and signed his own name beneath it in blood.
• Naruto performed the Summoning Technique and called forth an enormous orange-skinned old toad, whom Jiraiya recognized as the Grand Elder.

Naruto accidentally summoned the Great Toad Sage, prompting Jiraiya to stop his summoning practice and explain that Naruto’s immense Chakra caused the unprecedented result. They moved on to Rasengan nature transformation, where Naruto created a powerful Fire Release variant and prepared to experiment further.

• Naruto summoned the Great Toad Sage by mistake, and Jiraiya hurriedly dismissed him before being reverse-summoned to Mount Myōboku to explain the incident.
• Jiraiya returned and told Naruto that his enormous Chakra reserves had likely caused him to summon Mount Myōboku’s highest-ranking being.
• Jiraiya halted summoning practice and began teaching Naruto Rasengan nature transformation instead.
• Naruto developed a Fire Release Rasengan and named it Flame Dance Radiant Spiral: Crimson Lotus Soaring Wing Heaven-Burning Rasengan.
• Naruto tested the technique, creating a burning fire tornado, while Jiraiya left him to experiment and turned his thoughts toward Konoha’s local customs and people.

Naruto continued preparing for the Chunin Exams while secretly guarding against Orochimaru and training in several powerful techniques. He revealed to Jiraiya that he planned to use the Flying Thunder God Technique in the matches, leaving Jiraiya stunned that Naruto had already mastered it.

• Naruto maintained his training and daily routine as Konoha increased patrols in case Orochimaru attacked.
• Naruto struggled to find a suitable sparring partner and accidentally summoned the Great Toad Sage after exhausting his Chakra.
• Satsuki trained in Lightning Release with Kakashi and received taijutsu guidance from Might Guy.
• Might Guy began training Naruto in taijutsu and introductory Eight Inner Gates techniques.
• Naruto told Jiraiya he planned to surprise the Chunin Exam contestants by using Flying Thunder God, and Jiraiya was shocked to learn Naruto had mastered it.

Naruto helped some children retrieve a balloon, but their parents reacted to him with fear and hurried away. He then found Jiraiya drunk in the street, brought him back to his apartment, and slept on the floor beside him.

• Naruto retrieved a balloon from a tree for a group of children, but their parents rushed over and carried them away from him warily.
• Naruto spotted Jiraiya, who had been slapped by a woman, and caught him as he staggered toward the ground.
• Jiraiya drunkenly bragged about his past and his former disciple, the Fourth Hokage, while Naruto supported him on the way home.
• Naruto brought Jiraiya to his apartment, put him to bed, and prepared to sleep on the floor beside him.

Jiraiya stayed at Naruto’s apartment after getting drunk and spoke with him over breakfast about the villagers’ hostility. Naruto explained that he focused on protecting the people and home he cherished, and Jiraiya left to confront the Third Hokage.

• Jiraiya woke in Naruto’s apartment, remembered how Naruto had helped him, and worried about the villagers’ treatment of the boy.
• Naruto served Jiraiya honey water and breakfast, and Jiraiya enjoyed the meal.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto whether the rumors and rejection made him angry, but Naruto said he valued his friends and wanted to protect the person he cared about most.
• Naruto recognized that Jiraiya’s teasing concealed deeper concern, and Jiraiya told him to meet at their usual place later.
• Jiraiya left Naruto’s apartment and headed to the Hokage Building to speak with the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi worried about Orochimaru’s plot against Konoha and Naruto, and about who could succeed him as Hokage. Jiraiya told Hiruzen to let Naruto face what came next and agreed to become the Fifth Generation Hokage after the Chunin Exams.

• Hiruzen reviewed intelligence that Otogakure and Sunagakure were plotting against him and Naruto, and wondered who could succeed him as Hokage.
• Jiraiya entered Hiruzen’s office through the window and discussed Naruto’s safety and the villagers’ hostility toward him.
• Jiraiya said Naruto was probably as strong as Minato and Kushina combined and would help others when danger came.
• Jiraiya told Hiruzen he would not repeat his mistakes and accepted the position of Fifth Generation Hokage after the Chunin Exams.

On August 6, Year 63 of Konoha, the Chunin Exams final round began with Naruto matched against Gaara and Neji set to face Rock Lee. As the first match started, Neji and Lee each prepared to fight for the beliefs and goals they refused to abandon.

• Naruto arrived at the arena after parting from Satsuki, who went to watch from the stands.
• The Third Hokage welcomed the spectators, and Hayate Gekko announced the eight examinees’ matchups, including Naruto versus Gaara.
• Shino asked about Dosu Kinata’s absence and learned that Dosu would forfeit if he failed to appear for his match.
• Hayate explained the final-round rules and called Neji and Rock Lee to remain for the first match.
• Lee vowed to prove hard work could surpass genius, while Neji resolved not to lose because he had someone’s expectations to fulfill.
• Hayate announced the start of Neji and Lee’s match.

Rock Lee removed his training weights and overwhelmed Neji Hyuga with his speed, but Neji countered with Rotation. Lee then opened the Third and Fourth Gates, unleashing his full power as the fight reached its climax.

• Rock Lee and Neji Hyuga traded close-range attacks, with Neji using the Byakugan and Gentle Fist to pressure Lee.
• Lee removed his weighted leg guards, revealing their enormous weight and shocking the spectators.
• Freed from the weights, Lee moved too quickly for Neji to comfortably track and struck him with a powerful attack.
• Neji used Rotation to repel Lee and restore his confidence in his defense.
• Lee began releasing his full power and opened the Third Gate, then the Fourth Gate, as Neji braced for the force of his chakra.

Rock Lee overwhelmed Neji with the Eight Inner Gates and won their Chunin Exam match after Might Guy stopped him from landing a potentially fatal final blow. Lee collapsed from the strain but stood again to claim victory as the arena erupted in cheers.

• Neji tried to use Rotation, but Rock Lee struck him before he could complete it and launched a relentless assault.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and used Inner Lotus to drive Neji toward a potentially fatal blow.
• Might Guy called out to Lee, who diverted his punch and smashed the ground beside Neji instead.
• Lee struggled to his feet and told Neji that he had won.
• Hayate Gekko declared Rock Lee the winner, and the spectators cheered.

Rock Lee defeated Neji, leaving Neji to question his beliefs as Naruto departed before his match with Temari and Shikamaru. In the medical room, Menma appeared before a stunned Neji.

• After Hayate Gekko announced the result, Rock Lee collapsed, and Might Guy rushed in to embrace him before the medical team carried Lee and Neji away.
• The crowd anticipated Naruto's match, while Naruto pushed Shikamaru into the arena to face Temari and then left, saying he was going to the restroom.
• Gaara watched Naruto leave and struggled to contain his growing urge to kill him, which Shino noticed.
• After recovering from his injuries, Neji questioned whether he had the right to follow Rock Lee's example and nearly bit his lip until it bled.
• Menma entered the medical room and greeted the stunned Neji.

Menma visited Neji after his defeat by Lee and found him consumed by shame. He reassured Neji that losing was not a failure of his path, leaving Neji comforted and ready to treat the defeat as a step toward changing his fate.

• Neji saw Menma at his hospital bed and apologized tearfully for losing and disappointing him.
• Menma asked Neji how old he was and reminded him that a fourteen-year-old with strength near a Jonin's was already impressive.
• Menma explained that Neji had misunderstood his guidance: strength did not mean becoming invincible or never losing.
• Menma compared Neji's choices to a river flowing around a boulder and urged him to accept setbacks and keep moving forward.
• Neji's self-loathing eased as he felt understood, while Menma concluded that his counseling had worked.

Shikamaru outmaneuvered Temari but forfeited because his Chakra was nearly depleted, while Shino won by default when Dosu Kinata failed to appear. The chapter ended as Uzumaki Naruto and Gaara of Sunagakure were called to the arena for the final match.

• Kakashi watched Shikamaru and Temari fight while keeping an eye on suspicious Anbu, anticipating an attack planned for that day.
• Shino told Naruto how Shikamaru used transparent threads, a shadow feint, and the changing sunlight to trap Temari.
• Shikamaru caught Temari with his Shadow Imitation Technique, then forfeited because he lacked enough Chakra to secure a victory.
• Hayate Gekko announced Shino Aburame as the winner after Dosu Kinata failed to arrive in time.
• Hayate Gekko called Uzumaki Naruto and Gaara of Sunagakure to the arena for the final match.

Naruto overwhelmed Gaara with his speed and taijutsu in the Chunin Exams final, then challenged him to reveal his full strength. Gaara responded by enclosing himself in a massive sand fortress.

• Satsuki watched Naruto from a secluded stairway, quietly trying to cheer him on while Konoha’s active-duty ninjas patrolled the village.
• Gaara killed two men who had tried to force him to lose, then entered the arena in a bloodthirsty and unstable state.
• At Hayate Gekko’s signal, Naruto used his speed to strike Gaara before his sand defense could react.
• Naruto opened the first of the Eight Inner Gates and repeatedly launched Gaara into the air, prompting Might Guy to compare Naruto’s speed to Rock Lee’s with the fifth gate open.
• Naruto stopped attacking and urged Gaara to show his true strength, so Gaara formed a huge sand fortress around himself.

Naruto used Fire Style to disrupt Gaara’s attempt to awaken Shukaku, but Gaara partially transformed and charged him. Naruto used a Flying Thunder God kunai to teleport behind Gaara and strike his exposed back with a Rasengan.

• Naruto attacked Gaara’s sand sphere with Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation, interrupting Gaara’s Sleeping Fox Technique.
• Gaara’s distress triggered a partial transformation as Shukaku’s claw burst through the sphere and covered part of his body.
• Gaara charged Naruto, while the Kazekage watched Naruto’s three-pronged kunai with sudden tension.
• Naruto threw the kunai, prepared a Rasengan, and teleported to the kunai behind Gaara.
• Naruto struck Gaara in the back with the Rasengan, unleashing a powerful impact in the arena.

Naruto defeated Gaara with the Flying Thunder God Technique, revealing his connection to Minato Namikaze and alarming Konoha’s rivals. As the Third Hokage confronted Orochimaru disguised as the Kazekage, explosions and summoned serpents threw the arena into chaos.

• Naruto remained in control of the fight, and Konoha’s experienced ninja recognized his use of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• Kakashi and other Konoha ninja realized Naruto was Minato Namikaze’s son, while Kumogakure and Iwagakure representatives hurried to report the discovery.
• Naruto admired his new technique and invented an elaborate replacement name for it.
• The Third Hokage accused the disguised Kazekage of bringing Sunagakure’s Jinchuriki into Konoha, while Orochimaru focused on Naruto and suspected the plan had been exposed.
• The Third Hokage identified Orochimaru and urged him to stop, but smoke, explosions, collapsing structures, and enormous summoned serpents plunged the arena into panic.

Satsuki and Naruto intervened as Orochimaru’s invasion of Konoha began during the Chunin Exams. Naruto teleported the injured Gaara outside the village, then sent over a hundred shadow clones back to defend Konoha from a giant summoned snake.

• Sound Ninja revealed themselves among the spectators and blocked Kakashi, Guy, and the other Konoha ninja from responding to the attack.
• Satsuki killed one giant snake with the Lion Combo and used her Sharingan genjutsu to bring down the others.
• The Sound Four formed the Four Violet Flames Formation around Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, while Orochimaru revealed that the real Kazekage still had a use elsewhere.
• Naruto used a Flying Thunder God mark to teleport the injured Gaara to a secluded forest clearing outside Konoha.
• Naruto spotted a massive three-headed snake charging toward Konoha, created over a hundred shadow clones, and sent them back into the village using Flying Thunder God.