Recaps

The Kusagakure joint exam began with the children knocked unconscious and secretly scattered across the exam grounds. Sasuke woke first and set off, while Naruto eventually followed the sound of explosions toward Sasuke.

• The masked instructor explained the three-day survival exam, handed out ninja tool bags, and had the children knocked out with a drug.
• Black Zetsu remained awake because the drug could not affect his special body, so the masked ninjas covered him with a sack and carried him away.
• Kana, Pakura, and Nagato suspected Kusana had arranged the strange start, but Kusana denied it as the screens showed the unconscious children scattered around the grounds.
• Sasuke woke first, recognized his situation, and headed in a direction across the exam grounds.
• Naruto woke much later, then followed distant explosions in the same direction Sasuke had taken.

Sasuke and Naruto clashed during the exam, then stopped when they realized neither could gain an advantage. Black Zetsu persuaded them to cooperate and “fish” for the other competitors, leaving Kusana intrigued as the exam continued.

• Sasuke turned away the classmates who wanted to team up and headed toward the enormous rock to rest.
• Naruto found Sasuke, and the two argued over whether to fight before launching Rasengan and Chidori at the same time.
• Sasuke and Naruto exchanged blows, then stopped and agreed to leave without fighting further.
• Sasuke and Naruto noticed Black Zetsu approaching and prepared to attack him.
• Black Zetsu proposed that they work together to eliminate the other competitors, and Sasuke asked how they would cooperate.
• Kusana watched the three gather and remarked that events were becoming more interesting.

Sasuke and Naruto turned Black Zetsu’s plan to use Naruto as bait into a scheme that left Black Zetsu tied up as the lure. As an approaching ninja headed toward him, the spectators praised the children’s shameless tactics as the Grass Ninja Spirit.

• Sasuke asked Black Zetsu for his plan, and Black Zetsu proposed using trusted Naruto as bait to lure in examinees and ambush them.
• Sasuke and Naruto agreed to the plan, then revealed they had picked Black Zetsu as the better bait.
• Sasuke and Naruto tied Black Zetsu up and hid nearby when he warned that someone was coming.
• The spectators watched in disbelief, while Kusana and veteran Grass Ninja praised the children’s methods.
• Kusana pointed out that a ninja was approaching Black Zetsu.

Naruto and Sasuke used Black Zetsu as bait to ambush and eliminate Meng Yu during the Three Ninja Academy practical exam. After days of being tied up and used to lure in students, Black Zetsu finally saw Gaara arrive.

• Meng Yu found Black Zetsu tied to a tree and charged at him, but Naruto and Sasuke ambushed him and knocked him unconscious.
• Naruto and Sasuke praised their baiting strategy, ignored Black Zetsu's pleas to be freed, and hid again when they spotted another student approaching.
• The practical exam continued as students fought with ninjutsu, traps, and other techniques, while Naruto and Sasuke kept eliminating candidates with sack ambushes.
• By the afternoon of the third day, exhausted students and spectators awaited the exam's decisive moment as Black Zetsu remained tied up as bait.
• Gaara arrived, and Black Zetsu reacted with excitement when he heard his name.

Gaara fell for Naruto and Sasuke’s trap but escaped with his sand defense, then learned Black Zetsu had arranged the bait himself. Gaara and Sasuke began fighting for the top-student spot while Naruto was left out.

• Gaara mistook Black Zetsu’s plea for help and tried to free him with a sand hand.
• Naruto and Sasuke ambushed Gaara with a sack and a whirlwind, but Gaara broke out using his absolute sand defense.
• Gaara questioned Naruto and Sasuke about hanging Black Zetsu up, and they blamed Black Zetsu for devising the trap himself.
• Gaara apologized to Sasuke and prepared to fight him properly.
• Sasuke attacked Gaara with a Great Fireball Technique, which Gaara blocked with his Sand Shield, while Naruto protested that he wanted to compete too.

Sasuke and Gaara fought fiercely, and Sasuke nearly broke Gaara’s Absolute Defense before Gaara borrowed the One-Tail’s power and won. As Naruto rushed in to challenge Gaara, Black Zetsu revealed himself as a spy and stabbed Naruto.

• Sasuke and Gaara exchanged powerful attacks as Naruto and Black Zetsu watched from safety.
• Sasuke used a Genjutsu feint and Chidori to break Gaara’s Absolute Defense, but Gaara transformed into sand using the One-Tail’s power and defeated him.
• Naruto rushed in to avenge Sasuke and formed a Rasengan, forgetting at first to use Ninjutsu.
• Black Zetsu stabbed Naruto and announced that he was a spy who intended to kill Kusagakure’s geniuses.
• Gaara used Sand Binding Burial against Black Zetsu as Sasuke shouted his name.

During the exam, Kusana revealed that Naruto’s apparent stabbing was part of a test, while a disguised Black Zetsu exposed himself as a spy and threatened Sasuke, Gaara, and the other students. The real Black Zetsu realized the impostor seemed to know about Kaguya and the powers hidden in Naruto and Sasuke as the students launched an attack.

• Kusana told the spectators that Naruto’s apparent stabbing was part of the exam, and Kushina threatened to settle things with him later.
• Sasuke charged at Black Zetsu, but Gaara stopped him and noticed the barrier and fallen masked ninja surrounding them.
• The disguised Black Zetsu revealed that he had hidden his strength and declared he would kill the students to cleanse the ninja world.
• The real Black Zetsu, hiding underground, realized that the impostor was not him and worried that the impostor knew about Kaguya and his plans.
• The fake Black Zetsu said Naruto and Sasuke possessed powers that threatened his plan, and Gaara and the other students attacked him together.

Gaara and the other students fought the fake Black Zetsu, believing Naruto had been killed, until Naruto returned and exposed the attack as a staged exam scenario. Leader Mang revealed the second practical exam was over, leaving the students to react with anger and confusion.

• Gaara, Temari, Jugō, Sasuke, and the other students attacked the fake Black Zetsu, but his powerful Fire Style overwhelmed them.
• Gaara drew on the One-Tail's Chakra to keep fighting, while Kankuro was knocked aside protecting him from a fatal attack.
• Naruto woke inside his mindscape, realized he was unharmed, and borrowed power from the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto attacked the fake Black Zetsu with a Shadow Clone and a wind technique, then called him Uncle Amang and revealed the enemy was Leader Mang.
• Leader Mang stopped beating Naruto and Kusana announced that the second practical exam was over, as the fallen students and corpses got back up.
• The students realized they had been fooled and shouted in anger at Leader Mang.

The Three Ninja Academy Joint Exam ended with Gaara named Top Student, and the families celebrated the year’s end together. After winter passed, spring arrived and the graduation ceremony was held.

• Kusana praised the students’ performances and concluded the exam, while Gaara took the Top Student honor and the families departed happily.
• Pakura invited Gaara and his siblings to celebrate the New Year with Hanzō, Chiyo, and Ebizo, as Hanzō and Chiyo argued over their past rivalry.
• Chiyo returned home thinking wistfully toward the Land of Rain, and Ebizo noticed her reluctance but chose not to interfere.
• Black Zetsu left the exam, complained about the White Zetsus celebrating, then joined their banquet and mourned for his mother beneath the moon.
• The characters welcomed the new year in their own ways, winter passed, and the graduation ceremony arrived in spring.

Naruto and Sasuke graduated from the academy and received Little Grass Phones from Kusana, while Black Zetsu protested his own graduation and asked Naruto and Sasuke not to forget him if they became powerful. The ceremony continued with Gaara, this year’s Top Student, taking the stage to give his speech.

• Kusana congratulated Naruto and Sasuke on becoming Grass Ninja and gave each of them a Little Grass Phone as a graduation gift.
• Naruto and Sasuke joined their classmates and families to take photos at the graduation ceremony.
• Black Zetsu protested that he had graduated despite handing in a blank paper, and the crowd mistook his complaint for reluctance to leave the academy.
• Naruto and the other students tried to comfort Black Zetsu, who asked them not to forget him if they became rich and powerful.
• Gaara walked onto the stage amid applause to deliver his speech as this year's Top Student.

Kusana oversaw Kusagakure’s expanding trade and research projects while the village prepared for family changes and Nagato guarded the border. After Kusana inspected the Research Institute with Elder Yang Zheng, they received urgent news that Konoha was going to reopen its village.

• Nagato left again to guard the Land of Grass border and promised to return for the birth of his younger sibling.
• Kusagakure prepared to deepen its cooperation with the Land of Waves Production Base and sell Grass Ninja Manufacturing goods under its label.
• Black Zetsu graduated after twelve years at the academy, while Madara Uchiha’s book became teaching material and impressed Lord Hanzō, Advisor Chiyo, and Advisor Ebizo.
• Sasuke stayed home and trained hard as Mikoto and Fusang’s due dates approached, determined to resolve the grudge between the Uchiha Clan and Itachi himself.
• Kusana toured the expanded Research Institute with Elder Yang Zheng, who had established a Chakra Signal Research Institute to develop signals from the sky.
• Kusana and Elder Yang Zheng hurried away after receiving an urgent message that Konoha was going to reopen its village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha’s leaders decided to reopen the village and announce it at a Chunin Exam, despite their unease about inviting Kusagakure. Kusagakure received the invitation and reacted with surprise, calling Konoha its close brother across the water.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village leaders agreed that Konoha needed to reopen for economic and training reasons.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi set a Chunin Exam as the occasion to announce Konoha’s reopening, and Mitokado Homura agreed to arrange it.
• Mitokado Homura asked whether they should invite Kusagakure, and the leaders reluctantly agreed because it was now one of the Five Great Ninja Villages.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi asked Danzo to avoid causing trouble after the village reopened, and Danzo accepted without argument.
• Kusagakure received Konoha’s invitation and wondered what the Third Hokage was thinking, while calling Konoha its close brother across the water.

As Konoha prepared to reopen and hold a Chunin Exam, Kusana checked on Kabuto and Jugō, who were working undercover with Orochimaru. After receiving news of Konoha’s reopening, Kabuto realized his cover might be at risk and began preparing for trouble.

• Konoha’s reopening and Chunin Exam drew attention across the ninja world, and Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Sunagakure agreed to attend.
• Kusana asked Mujie about Kabuto, and Mujie said Kabuto was doing well while monitoring Orochimaru with Gato’s backing.
• Mujie revealed that Jugō had joined Kabuto at Orochimaru’s laboratory and would miss the Chunin Exam.
• Kusana told Mujie to warn Kabuto and Jugō to retreat if Konoha’s reopening put them in danger, and Mujie said he had already informed them.
• Kabuto learned that Konoha was reopening, considered the danger to his cover as Orochimaru’s funding officer, and decided to prepare as Orochimaru approached him.

Kabuto told Orochimaru that Konoha planned to reopen its village during a Chunin Exam and asked whether Otogakure should participate. Orochimaru left the decision to Kabuto, then returned to his experiments as Kabuto went to greet the shinobi at his own home.

• Orochimaru again tried to recruit Kabuto, praised his support, and thanked him for bringing Jugō to assist with experiments.
• Kabuto showed Orochimaru the BBC Daily report that Konoha was preparing to reopen its village and hold a Chunin Exam.
• Orochimaru wondered whether Danzo would pursue Gato's Land of Waves Production Base, but said he did not want to meet Danzo and left Otogakure's participation to Kabuto.
• Orochimaru returned to his experiments and privately wondered about the Akatsuki Organization cooperating with Gato.
• Kabuto dismissed Orochimaru's recruitment attempt and entered a room where he greeted Tayuya, Kidōmaru, and the others.

Jugō searched Orochimaru’s base for Kabuto and stumbled into a classroom where Kabuto was teaching former test subjects the Spirit of Grass. Watching Tayuya lead the students in hopeful chants, Jugō realized Otogakure seemed to have adopted Kusagakure’s teachings and asked Kabuto how many of their people were there.

• Jugō left Orochimaru’s laboratory, searched the base for Kabuto, and worried that his mission as a spy might be in danger.
• A Sound Ninja led Jugō to a meeting room, where he heard familiar academy-style recitations and feared that Kabuto had been exposed.
• Jugō entered and found Kabuto teaching a class; the Sound Ninja joined the students with a textbook, while Kabuto introduced Tayuya as the newest student.
• Tayuya described the children’s suffering under Orochimaru and credited Kabuto with bringing them knowledge, hope, and confidence.
• The students chanted the Spirit of Grass together, and Jugō asked Kabuto how many of their people were in Otogakure.

Kusana finalized the teams for Konoha’s Chunin Exam and decided to lead Kusagakure’s delegation, while Obito chose to accompany them as a supervising jonin. When they arrived at Konoha, the gate guards shut the gates at once, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly pleased by their response.

• Kusana approved Naruto, Sasuke, and Black Zetsu as a Chunin Exam team after Naruto and Sasuke brought Black Zetsu to him.
• Kusana reviewed the other villages’ teams and decided to lead Kusagakure’s delegation himself.
• Obito Uchiha told Kusana he would go to Konoha as a supervising jonin, and Kusana worried Konoha might shut its gates rather than let them in.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi prepared Konoha for the arriving exam participants and instructed the Anbu to prevent any accidents.
• When Kusagakure’s leader and Obito Uchiha reached Konoha’s gates, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki shut the gates, and Hiruzen praised them.

Kusana led the Grass Ninja delegation to Konoha for the Chunin Exam, but the village closed its gates when they arrived. Hanzo of the Salamander loudly demanded that Konoha open up, and the gates finally swung open to a festive welcome.

• Kusana assembled the Grass Ninja delegation, which grew to include Hanzo of the Salamander, Advisor Chiyo, Advisor Ebizo, and Rin, and they traveled to Konoha aboard Obito Uchiha's express train.
• Obito told the delegation that Konoha had closed its gates, and Kusana went to speak with the guards, who retreated into their gatehouse and told him to wait for Lord Hokage.
• Hanzo of the Salamander emerged from the train and criticized Kusana and Obito for considering a direct entry before walking to the gates himself.
• Hanzo shouted and slapped the gates, while a BBC Daily Reporter appeared and began documenting the scene.
• Konoha opened its gates as festive music played beneath a banner welcoming friends from the Grass Ninja Village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi welcomed Kusana, Hanzo of the Salamander, and Kusagakure’s Chunin Exam team to Konoha while anxiously trying to prevent trouble. After Naruto arrived with Sasuke, he surprised Hiruzen by saying he wanted to return to Konoha and become Hokage.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted Kusana and Hanzo of the Salamander with Anbu squads, banners, and music, then claimed Danzo was too ill to receive visitors.
• Hanzo of the Salamander insisted on visiting Danzo and bringing Ibuse to help him recover, but Hiruzen refused and changed the subject to the Chunin Exam.
• Kusana had Obito Uchiha release the participating children from the Kamui space, bringing Naruto and Sasuke before Hiruzen.
• Naruto greeted Hiruzen calmly, said he was doing well in Kusagakure, and vowed to stand up for himself if anyone bullied him.
• Hiruzen told Naruto that Konoha would always welcome him home, and Naruto replied that he wanted to return and become Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was alarmed as Kusagakure’s delegation kept growing to include Rin Nohara, Hanzō, Chiyo, and Ebizo, while Danzo refused to help guard Konoha. The delegation followed Hiruzen to the rebuilt Uchiha compound, where they noticed its unusually tall, thick wall.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi counted Kusagakure’s initial nine children and learned more were still on the way.
• Rin Nohara arrived and told Hiruzen Sarutobi she was now a Grass Ninja and had been living well in Kusagakure.
• Advisor Chiyo and Advisor Ebizo appeared, leaving Hiruzen Sarutobi worried that the delegation might be preparing to attack Konoha.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried the visitors inside and sent an Anbu ninja to summon more forces, including Root.
• Shimura Danzō learned that Hanzō, Rin Nohara, Chiyo, and Ebizo had come to Konoha, then refused to leave his base or send Root ninja.
• Kusana and the others followed Hiruzen Sarutobi to the rebuilt former Uchiha compound and noticed its unusually tall, thick wall.

Kusana and the others were kept under close watch in Konoha, so the Anbu brought Teuchi Ichiraku to make ramen for them. Obito Uchiha then left to meet Kakashi, who welcomed him and mentioned Ichiraku’s sudden closure.

• Kusana ordered several kinds of ramen, and the Anbu insisted on bringing Owner of Ichiraku to the group rather than letting them go out.
• Naruto complained about waiting for his ramen, while Hanzo of the Salamander and Advisor Chiyo discussed Konoha’s vigilance and the Uchiha Wolong and Fengchu.
• Ebizo praised the Uchiha elders as potential recruits, but Kusana dismissed the idea and said they were only in Konoha for the Chunin Exam.
• Teuchi Ichiraku arrived under Anbu escort and learned that the group had summoned him only to make ramen.
• Obito Uchiha used Kamui to leave and meet Kakashi, who said Ichiraku had closed unexpectedly; Obito suggested they find somewhere else to sit.

Obito and Kakashi reunited in Konoha and spoke awkwardly about their past and Obito’s ties to Rin and Kushina. Meanwhile, Konoha’s leaders feared Kusagakure’s intentions and decided to let its genin pass the Chunin Exam so the event could proceed without trouble.

• Obito and Kakashi squatted by a Konoha street and reminisced about how the village had changed.
• Kakashi asked about Rin, and Obito awkwardly claimed he and Rin would marry soon.
• When Kakashi asked about Kushina, Obito insisted she was fine and warned him not to ask further.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha’s leaders debated Kusagakure’s visit and agreed to keep watch while preventing Danzo from appearing.
• Utatane Koharu ordered the Chunin Exam to begin the next day and instructed Konoha’s examiners to make every Kusagakure participant pass.

Naruto and the Grass ninja entered Konoha’s Chunin Exam, where Kiba challenged Naruto and Sasuke before the written test began. Under orders to let the Grass ninja pass, the proctors overlooked Black Zetsu’s blatant cheating and invented an explanation when another examinee objected.

• Naruto said he had wanted to return to Konoha and become Hokage, but the Third Hokage had refused to let him come back.
• Kiba Inuzuka challenged Naruto and Sasuke, and the two groups faced off until Ibiki Morino began the exam.
• Naruto tried to ask the Nine-Tails for help, but the Nine-Tails refused and Naruto began answering on his own.
• Black Zetsu refused to take the test, then openly copied his teammate’s paper when a proctor told him to write.
• A proctor eliminated an examinee for cheating, then claimed Black Zetsu had only used a clever investigative technique and let him stay.

Black Zetsu tried to surrender during the second exam so he could leave, but Naruto and Sasuke used the surrender as a trap against Kiba Inuzuka’s team. The ambush began, leaving Kiba under attack while Black Zetsu watched in confusion.

• Black Zetsu passed the first exam despite openly cheating and turning in a blank paper, then received both required scrolls for the second exam.
• Naruto and Sasuke discussed Konoha’s strange conduct before Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata, and Shino ambushed them.
• Black Zetsu immediately surrendered and handed over the scrolls, while Kiba’s team cautiously accepted them.
• Black Zetsu clarified that Kiba could not take their scrolls, and Sasuke attacked Shino as Naruto dropped a sack over Kiba.
• Black Zetsu watched the ambush unfold and wondered why surrendering had become so difficult.

Naruto and Sasuke used Black Zetsu as bait to capture Kiba’s team, then set a trap for Neji’s rescue party with Akamaru’s help. Akamaru led another group toward them, leaving the next ambush about to begin.

• Naruto and Sasuke revealed that Black Zetsu’s apparent surrender had helped them capture Kiba, Shino, Hinata, and Akamaru and take their scrolls.
• Naruto decided to keep trapping teams and chose Akamaru as bait, while Black Zetsu reluctantly agreed to go along.
• Akamaru led Neji, Rock Lee, and the black-haired Konoha woman to the bound team, where Naruto’s group ambushed them with a Hurricane Trap Technique and Chidori.
• Akamaru then approached a lazy-looking boy and his two companions, signaling that another team needed help while privately expressing regret.

Akamaru lured exam teams into Naruto and Sasuke’s trap, and Gaara’s group and the Amegakure ninja eventually joined the operation, throwing the Forest of Death into chaos. Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi guided Hanzo of the Salamander’s party around the Valley of the End, where Hanzo provoked Konoha by pointing out its lost clans and insisting he had come to see Danzo before his supposed final days.

• Naruto coerced Akamaru into luring Chunin Exam teams to the trap, and the dog guiltily drew in Konoha ninja as well as opponents.
• Gaara’s group followed Akamaru to the trap, learned that Naruto’s group had caught more than half the teams, and joined them.
• The Amegakure ninja arrived, and the nine ninja worked together as chaos spread throughout the Forest of Death.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi escorted Hanzo of the Salamander and the others to the Valley of the End while Anbu and clan heads guarded them.
• Chiyo mentioned another account of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha’s battle, and Hanzo pointed out that the Senju and Uchiha clans were gone from Konoha.
• Hanzo claimed Konoha had bullied him, then said he had come to see Danzo because his days were numbered, leaving Hiruzen to hope the Chunin Exam continued without incident.