Chapter Summaries

Chen Fan addressed the candidates who passed the second exam, and the Third Hokage explained that the Chunin Exam represented the rivalry between allied nations. Chen Fan then announced an elimination round for the remaining candidates, and Yakushi Kabuto withdrew.

• Naruto's team arrived on the fifth day, and Chen Fan congratulated the candidates who had passed the second exam.
• Chen Fan explained that the third exam would test the candidates in front of dignitaries and announced that he would serve as chief proctor.
• The Third Hokage described how the Chunin Exam displayed each nation's strength and helped determine its standing among the allied nations.
• Chen Fan said the exam's battles were preferable to war, then announced an elimination round because too many candidates remained.
• Chen Fan said candidates could participate or leave, and Yakushi Kabuto raised his hand to withdraw.

Chen Fan began the Chunin Exam’s third-round elimination matches after Kabuto withdrew, and Sasuke, Shino, Kankuro, Hinata, Neji, Temari, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Naruto advanced from their fights. The chapter ended as Rock Lee prepared to face Gaara and thanked Chen Fan for saving Tenten from her own deflected shuriken.

• Yakushi Kabuto withdrew from the exam, and Morino Ibiki and the Third Hokage discussed Kabuto’s history and past.
• Sasuke refused Sakura’s plea to withdraw, and Kakashi took him away after the curse mark on his neck began to erupt.
• Chen Fan announced the elimination matches, and Sasuke defeated Gai Copper before Kakashi removed him to seal the curse mark.
• Shino defeated Zaku by blocking the air vents in Zaku’s arms with insects, while Kankuro, Hinata, Neji, Temari, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Naruto won their matches.
• Rock Lee and Gaara were called for the final match, and Rock Lee thanked Chen Fan for catching the shuriken Temari had deflected toward Tenten.

Chen Fan watched Rock Lee battle Gaara, whose sand automatically blocked Lee’s attacks. The fight continued with Lee unable to break through Gaara’s defense.

• Chen Fan praised Rock Lee’s Taijutsu skills, and Might Guy became emotional after hearing the evaluation.
• Rock Lee caught the stopper Gaara launched, then attacked with Leaf Hurricane, but Gaara’s sand shield stopped his kick.
• Rock Lee dodged Gaara’s sand attacks and struck from behind, but the sand formed walls that blocked his punches and kicks.
• Kankuro explained that Gaara’s sand automatically protected him, while Naruto insisted Chen Fan could defeat Gaara.
• Rock Lee kept attacking Gaara’s sand defenses, but none of his blows broke through.

Tenten explained why Rock Lee admired Chen Fan, and Chen Fan agreed to teach Lee the Six Powers if he won. Lee removed his leg weights to fight Gaara, revealing their enormous weight as the chapter ended with everyone stunned.

• Tenten said Chen Fan proved that a ninja who could not use ninjutsu or Illusion Magic could still become powerful, giving Rock Lee hope for his dream.
• Hinata described the strength of Chen Fan's Taijutsu, while Neji resolved to test Chen Fan's students against the Gentle Fist.
• Might Guy told Rock Lee that Chen Fan would teach him the Six Powers if he won, and Chen Fan agreed.
• Temari dismissed Lee's chances against Gaara, and Lee removed the weights from his legs.
• Lee dropped the weights, shattering the stone slabs and leaving two huge craters that stunned the spectators.

Rock Lee nearly hit Gaara with his speed and taijutsu, while Chen Fan’s students praised his abilities. Kakashi sealed Sasuke’s Curse Mark, but Orochimaru confronted him and revealed he had removed the seal to avoid Chen Fan’s pursuit.

• Rock Lee broke through Gaara’s sand defense and grazed his face, becoming the first person to hit him.
• Kiba praised Rock Lee’s speed and declared Chen Fan the strongest ninja, while Orochimaru quietly backed away from the arena.
• Kakashi completed the sealing procedure on Sasuke’s Curse Mark.
• Orochimaru confronted Kakashi, admitted he wanted Sasuke and Kakashi’s Sharingan, and said he had removed the Curse Mark because Chen Fan was pursuing him.
• Orochimaru warned Kakashi not to test him, overwhelming Kakashi with killing intent before leaving.

Rock Lee fought Gaara in the arena, but Gaara injured him after surviving the Reverse Lotus. Chen Fan stopped Gaara from killing Rock Lee and revealed a terrifying aura that subdued Gaara and the tailed beasts.

• Kakashi told Sakura that Sasuke was safe, and Sakura said Hinata had defeated her in the preliminaries.
• Rock Lee opened the Fifth Gate and struck Gaara with the Reverse Lotus, but Gaara's sand gourd softened his fall and Rock Lee collapsed.
• Gaara used sand to injure Rock Lee and prepared to kill him, but Chen Fan cut apart the sand arm and summoned the medical team.
• Gaara asked Chen Fan why he had saved Rock Lee, and Chen Fan told him to restrain his murderous impulses.
• Chen Fan released his killing intent, frightening everyone and causing Gaara, One-Tails Shukaku, and the Nine-Tails Fox to submit to Bai Ze's divine-beast aura.

After the elimination matches, the Third Hokage announced the tournament schedule and ordered Chen Fan to report to his office. Chen Fan celebrated with his students and Haku, while the contestants prepared for their upcoming fights.

• Chen Fan withdrew his killing intent, and Temari and Kankuro checked that Gaara was unharmed as Rock Lee was taken away for treatment.
• The Third Hokage announced that the official matches would take place in a month and set the matchups, including Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga and Gaara versus Uchiha Sasuke.
• Inuzuka Kiba asked Chen Fan how he had performed, and Chen Fan praised him and said he had to win.
• The Third Hokage summoned Chen Fan to his office, and Chen Fan reluctantly agreed after being threatened with missions for Kurenai and Anko.
• Chen Fan ate barbecue with his students and Haku, while Inuzuka Kiba and Shino later went home to train for their matches.

Chen Fan was summoned by the Third Hokage, while Orochimaru and Kabuto discussed their plan and their concerns about Chen Fan. The Third Hokage asked Chen Fan to become the Fifth Hokage, but Chen Fan rejected the idea.

• An Anbu member summoned Chen Fan to the Third Hokage, and Chen Fan told Hinata and Haku to go ahead without him.
• Kabuto reported to Orochimaru that the Chunin Exam preliminaries had ended and the main event was about to begin.
• Orochimaru reflected on Konoha's peace and said he wondered whether killing the Third Hokage would be entertaining.
• Kabuto questioned Orochimaru's resolve to destroy Konoha, and Orochimaru admitted that Chen Fan's unexpected presence made him uneasy.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto to bring Sasuke, explaining that Chen Fan had discovered him and set a trap before they made their deal.
• The Third Hokage offered Chen Fan the position of Fifth Hokage, and Chen Fan refused, while the Hokage defended Chen Fan's decision to use Sasuke in a deal.

The Third Hokage urged Chen Fan to become his successor because Orochimaru’s return had left Konoha short of a capable leader, but Chen Fan refused. The Third Hokage then revealed that Kurenai was carrying Chen Fan’s child, though the baby would need nearly ten years to be born and was at risk of dying prematurely.

• The Third Hokage told Chen Fan that he was old and that Konoha needed a Hokage successor soon because Orochimaru had returned.
• The Third Hokage offered to transfer authority to Chen Fan over three years, but Chen Fan refused and said he only wanted to protect those closest to him.
• The Third Hokage said Chen Fan’s desire to protect his loved ones was why he could protect the village well.
• The Third Hokage revealed that Kurenai was carrying Chen Fan’s child, leaving Chen Fan stunned.
• The Third Hokage explained that the baby would need nearly ten years to be born and could die prematurely without great care, and Chen Fan anxiously asked where Kurenai was.

Chen Fan learned that Kurenai was pregnant and feared the pregnancy would endanger her because of a ten-year complication. Kurenai said Tsunade could help, and Chen Fan promised he would stay with her and Anko.

• The Third Hokage told Chen Fan that Kurenai was pregnant and that he would take her place on missions as a Konoha jonin.
• Chen Fan returned home and asked Kurenai whether the pregnancy was real; she said the doctor feared the child might not survive the coming years.
• Chen Fan urged Kurenai to end the pregnancy, but she refused and explained that Tsunade could likely treat the problem.
• Kurenai admitted that she and Anko feared Chen Fan might leave, and Chen Fan promised he would never abandon them.
• Chen Fan and Kurenai became intimate while taking care not to put the pregnancy at risk.

Chen Fan became a Konoha jōnin and received an assignment to protect visiting dignitaries and patrol the village. After he left the Third Hokage’s office, Mitokado Homura questioned whether a man of unknown origins like Chen Fan could be trusted with the position of Naruto.

• Hinata and Haku witnessed Chen Fan with Kurenai, while Anko teased them about watching; the two girls later hid in their room as Chen Fan and Anko were together.
• Chen Fan spent the night with Kurenai and Anko, who both wanted to bear him children.
• The Third Hokage registered Chen Fan as a Konoha jōnin, and Chen Fan wore the village’s green flak jacket.
• Chen Fan argued with the Third Hokage about Kurenai and Anko’s missions before accepting responsibility for their assignments.
• The Third Hokage tasked Chen Fan with protecting visiting dignitaries and watching for suspicious individuals in Konoha over the coming month.
• Mitokado Homura questioned Chen Fan’s origins and suitability as a future Naruto, while Utatane Koharu remained silent.

The Third Hokage discussed Konoha’s leadership concerns with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, while accepting that Chen Fan had refused the prospect of becoming Hokage. At the hospital, Chen Fan reassured Rock Lee and Might Guy that Tsunade might be able to heal Rock Lee’s injuries.

• The Third Hokage told Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu that Chen Fan had called Hokage a foolish position and discussed the risk of Konoha falling into chaos if its leaders disappeared.
• Chen Fan found Rock Lee doing push-ups despite his serious injuries and ordered him to rest.
• Might Guy told Chen Fan that doctors feared Rock Lee might never become a ninja again.
• Chen Fan said Tsunade could likely heal Rock Lee, and Might Guy and Rock Lee eagerly asked if he was sure.
• Chen Fan told Rock Lee to recuperate until the Chunin Exam ended and suggested learning Iron Body from Kiba and the others if he became bored.

After fifteen peaceful days, Gekko Hayate was found dead while following Yakushi Kabuto, and the Third Hokage gathered Konoha’s Jonin to discuss the threat to the Chunin Exam. The meeting left Konoha’s leaders considering whether allied nations had joined Orochimaru in a plot against the village.

• Chen Fan told Rock Lee not to worry about whether he could defeat Gaara, then left as Might Guy and Rock Lee thanked him.
• The Third Hokage, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu discussed Chen Fan’s deal with Orochimaru and his mysterious origins.
• Chen Fan spent the following days training his mind, patrolling Konoha, and spending time with Kurenai and Anko while the other young ninja trained for the Chunin Exam.
• After Anbu reported that Gekko Hayate had been found dead in Kikyo Castle, the Third Hokage summoned Konoha’s Jonin to a meeting.
• Anko suspected Orochimaru had killed Hayate, but the Third Hokage said it was too early to conclude that and warned that allied nations might be conspiring with Orochimaru.

As Konoha's leaders debated whether to suspend the Chunin Exam, Momochi Zabuza confronted Haku while Haku trained with Hinata and ordered Haku to kill Chen Fan. Haku struggled to answer, leaving Zabuza waiting for a response.

• The Third Hokage and Utatane Koharu decided not to suspend the Chunin Exam, while Chen Fan suspected Danzou had sent the Anbu away despite knowing Orochimaru would attack.
• Haku and Hinata practiced the Six Powers in the forest as Hinata trained to win the tournament and prove herself to her father and teachers.
• Momochi Zabuza appeared and accused Haku of being changed by Chen Fan, then reminded Haku that he considered Haku his tool.
• Zabuza told Haku that Sound Village would help attack Konoha and ordered Haku to kill Chen Fan by exploiting Chen Fan's trust in Haku.
• Haku began to protest, but Zabuza shouted at Haku for refusing, and Haku trembled without answering.

Haku struggled with Zabuza’s orders while hiding his distress from Hinata and Chen Fan. Three days later, Chen Fan comforted Haku, and their conversation turned into a forceful kiss.

• Zabuza ordered Haku to bring him Chen Fan’s head within three days, and Haku pleaded with him to spare Hinata.
• Haku concealed his troubles from Hinata and led her back toward Kurenai’s house.
• Chen Fan noticed Haku seemed troubled but was too occupied with village matters to speak with him.
• On the third night, Chen Fan sat beside Haku and admitted he wanted him, while Haku asked what Chen Fan wanted from him now.
• Chen Fan pulled Haku into his embrace and kissed him as Haku struggled to break free.

Haku knocked Chen Fan unconscious but refused to let Zabuza kill him. Zabuza blocked Haku as the masked ninja attacked Chen Fan, leaving Haku and Zabuza poised to fight.

• Haku admitted he had spared Chen Fan, and Zabuza said Haku had fulfilled his role by rendering Chen Fan unconscious.
• Zabuza sent more than twenty masked ninja to attack Chen Fan, but Haku threw an explosive bundle filled with senbon and blocked their path.
• Haku vowed to protect Chen Fan, even from Zabuza, and refused Zabuza’s demand that he return to being his tool.
• Zabuza drew the Executioner’s Blade, ordered the masked ninja to continue attacking Chen Fan, and confronted Haku.
• Haku asked Zabuza to move aside and took a fighting stance as Zabuza threatened to make him watch Chen Fan die.

Haku tried to reach Chen Fan while Zabuza fought to hold her back, but Chen Fan emerged after killing one of Zabuza’s men. Zabuza revealed Haku’s traumatic past and declared that he was needed to kill Chen Fan, leaving them facing off.

• Zabuza fought Haku and wounded her as she tried to get past him to save Chen Fan.
• Zabuza prepared to kill Haku, but screams from the forest distracted him and one of his ninjas was suddenly cut in half.
• Chen Fan appeared behind the dead ninja and admitted he had known Haku was sent to kill him, trusting that she would not go through with it.
• Zabuza revealed that Haku’s father had killed her mother and tried to kill her because of her Bloodline Limit, and argued that people only had value when they were needed.
• Chen Fan told Zabuza that his belief meant Zabuza was needed too, and Zabuza confirmed that he had come to kill Chen Fan.

Chen Fan defeated Momochi Zabuza with his swordsmanship and returned with Haku. Konoha Anbu discovered the corpses and realized how powerful Chen Fan was.

• Chen Fan battled Zabuza, countering his clones and substitution techniques while revealing that Orochimaru already knew about his swordsmanship.
• Chen Fan used Grudge Blade, Fearless Sky, Slash Style to kill Zabuza and then took Haku’s hand and left.
• Anbu members arrived to collect the bodies and found that Chen Fan had killed a squad of twenty Hidden Mist rogue ninja.
• The Anbu identified Zabuza’s corpse and discovered that Chen Fan’s final strike had also cut through the enormous tree behind him.

Haku returned safely after Zabuza’s failed assassination attempt and became Chen Fan’s lover, while Orochimaru learned of the failure and arrived at the Third Exam disguised as the Kazekage. The exam began with Konoha on alert, and Orochimaru hinted that the Third Hokage should step down as the Fifth Hokage was chosen.

• Chen Fan brought Haku home, where Kurenai, Anko, and Hinata revealed they had suspected Zabuza’s return.
• Kurenai left Chen Fan and Haku alone, and Haku chose to stay with Chen Fan and asked for more after he promised she would have a home and a place by his side.
• Orochimaru learned Zabuza’s assassination attempt had failed, then put on the Kazekage’s hat and prepared to leave.
• Daimyos and shinobi gathered in Konoha for the third stage of the Chunin Exam, which had ten remaining contestants: seven from Konoha and three from the Hidden Sand Village.
• The Third Hokage watched the disguised Orochimaru arrive and had prepared extensive defenses against a possible Hidden Sand betrayal.
• Orochimaru, posing as the Kazekage, told the Third Hokage that it was time to choose a Fifth Hokage and step down.

The Third Hokage traded veiled threats with Orochimaru, who was disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, before opening the Chunin Exam selection matches. Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga began the first bout, with the stands watching as Neji challenged Hinata’s ability and Chen Fan’s teaching.

• Orochimaru mocked Konoha’s lack of a lasting Hokage successor, and the Third Hokage warned that he would personally fight anyone who threatened Konoha.
• The Third Hokage opened the official selection matches, and Chen Fan called Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga to stay for the first bout.
• Neji urged Hinata to surrender and argued that a person’s fate could not be changed, while Chen Fan told him that effort could prevent regret.
• Naruto worried about Hinata, Shino Aburame reassured him, and Tenten predicted that Hinata would lose to Neji.
• Hiashi Hyuga told Hanabi Hyuga to watch Neji’s battle as the Hyuga Clan’s most perfectly inherited genius, and Hanabi asked where her sister was.