Chapter Summaries

Kakashi’s visitors discussed the coming Chunin Exams, whose details had spread through Toka, while Sōken and Uchiha Arashiyama considered the event’s larger purpose. Sōken questioned the First’s decision to distribute the Nine Tailed Beasts evenly, leaving Arashiyama to suspect that Sōken planned to change that arrangement.

• Kurenai Yuhi and Inabi Uchiha told Kakashi that their students had heard about the Chunin Exams through Hinata and Toka.
• Guy worried that the recently graduated students were being pushed into the exams too soon, but Kakashi defended the opportunity they would offer.
• Inabi Uchiha confirmed that Sōken planned an unprecedented Chunin Exam and that preparations were still underway.
• Uchiha Arashiyama told Sōken that the news had spread and urged him to begin organizing the event.
• Sōken asked Uchiha Arashiyama whether the First had been right to divide the Nine Tailed Beasts among the Five Great Nations, hinting that he wanted to correct that decision.

Sōken ordered preparations for an unprecedented, large-scale Chunin Exam despite Uchiha Arashiyama’s warnings that challenging the Tailed Beast balance could provoke opposition from the Five Great Nations and their daimyo. As news spread through Konoha, former classmates gathered at Yakiniku Q, where Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived to join them.

• Uchiha Arashiyama warned Sōken that demanding the Tailed Beasts could threaten the international order and turn the other nations against Konoha.
• Sōken assigned Arashiyama to lead the Chunin Exam preparations and approved Nara Shikaku as his deputy.
• Arashiyama asked Sōken what he would do when opposition arose, reminding him that he carried the clan and village on his shoulders.
• The Chunin Exam Preparation Command was established, and news of the massive exam spread from Konoha’s departments and Jonin to its Chunin and Genin.
• Yakumo Kurama, Uchiha Toka, Hotaru Tsuchigumo, and their former classmates gathered at Yakiniku Q while Genin began preparing for the exam.
• Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the restaurant and joined their former classmates.

Naruto recounted his capture by Orochimaru and rescue in Amegakure to his friends, then agreed to face them in the Chunin Ninja Exams. Far away, Haku successfully used the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to revive Kidomaru and prepared to resurrect Orochimaru.

• Naruto told his friends that Orochimaru had defeated and captured him and Sasuke in the Land of Waves before the Hokage's team rescued them in Amegakure.
• Naruto confirmed he would enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Toka challenged him to a match as Kiba and Sasuke showed interest in competing.
• Haku reviewed Orochimaru's research with Karin and went to a chamber where Jugo guarded two bound sacrifices.
• Haku performed the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu on one sacrifice and successfully brought Kidomaru back from the Underworld.
• Haku began performing the jutsu again with the second sacrifice, intending to resurrect Orochimaru.

Haku concluded that Orochimaru might still be alive and that Anko’s Heaven Cursed Seal could be connected to his revival, so he prepared to go to Konoha with Karin and Jugo. Meanwhile, Deidara was ambushed at a hot spring by Ōnoki, Akatsuchi, and Kurotsuchi, who stole his explosive clay and tried to bring him back to Iwagakure.

• After the Impure World Reincarnation failed to revive Orochimaru, Haku considered that Orochimaru might not be truly dead or might have a soul-related Heaven Cursed Seal contingency tied to Anko.
• Haku released Kidomaru’s soul, and Jugo disposed of the sacrifices’ corpses.
• Haku told Karin and Jugo they might need to go to Konoha, and both agreed to accompany him.
• Deidara relaxed in a hot spring in the Land of Hot Water and wondered whether Obito was alive before deciding he might seek work at the black market.
• Akatsuchi attacked Deidara with a stone golem, and Ōnoki ordered him to return to Iwagakure.
• Deidara discovered that Kurotsuchi had replaced his explosive clay with ordinary earth, and Kurotsuchi emerged holding the stolen clay.

Ōnoki and Kurotsuchi captured Deidara and questioned him about the Akatsuki Organization and Konoha. After learning that Pain and the Akatsuki had been defeated and that the Sixth Hokage also possessed the Rinnegan, Ōnoki prepared to return to Iwagakure for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Deidara tried to bargain with Ōnoki, but Kurotsuchi trapped him with lime and water while Akatsuchi restrained him.
• Ōnoki punched Deidara, then Kurotsuchi treated his superficial injuries before Ōnoki questioned him.
• Deidara revealed that Pain had recruited him after defeating him and confirmed that Pain possessed the Rinnegan.
• Deidara confirmed that the Sixth Hokage also had the Rinnegan and explained that Konoha had defeated the Akatsuki after Orochimaru and Sasori captured its Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
• Ōnoki ordered Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi to return to Iwagakure so they could prepare for the Chunin Ninja Exams, saying he would see the Sixth Hokage for himself.

As Konoha prepared for the Chunin Ninja Exams, Uchiha Shisui led a small team that quickly captured Sound Village. After failing to recover the Akatsuki’s scattered members, Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu decided to go to Konoha and look for an opportunity during the exams.

• The great ninja villages prepared to attend Konoha’s unprecedented Chunin Ninja Exams, wary of Konoha’s growing power.
• Uchiha Shisui led a team of fewer than twenty fighters to Sound Village, where three Susanoo broke most of the defenders’ will to resist.
• Kakashi Hatake and Kurenai Yuhi confirmed that Sound Village had fallen, while Rinji Ameyuri complained that the brief fight had been boring.
• Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu watched Konoha take Sound Village and discussed Orochimaru’s unknown fate and the Akatsuki members they had failed to find or rescue.
• Obito Uchiha decided to go to Konoha during the Chunin Ninja Exams, and Black Zetsu agreed that it was their only remaining option.

Maki brought Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara to Konohagakure for the Chunin Exams, where Kankuro clashed with Sasuke before Naruto recognized Gaara’s loneliness. After the Sand team left, Kakashi warned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura not to underestimate their opponents as they prepared to enter the exams.

• Kankuro insulted Konohagakure at the village gate, and Sasuke challenged him after defending his village and criticizing Sunagakure’s puppeteers.
• Maki stopped Kankuro from attacking Sasuke, apologized to Kakashi, and explained that his team had arrived late after trouble on the road.
• Naruto introduced himself to Gaara and said he hoped they would pass the Chunin Exams together, prompting Maki to hurry the Sand team away.
• Naruto told Kakashi that Gaara reminded him of how lonely he had been before meeting the Hokage, Kakashi, and Grandpa Jiraiya.
• Kakashi said he would handle the team’s exam registration and warned Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura not to underestimate competitors from other villages.

Kakashi reported that Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchuriki, had arrived in Konoha for the Chunin Ninja Exam, and Sōken ordered surveillance around the Sand Ninja embassy. Kakashi also recommended Naruto for the exam, while Kabuto prepared to continue handling the Hokage’s work.

• Kakashi encountered Itachi, who objected to recommending Sasuke for the Chunin Ninja Exam, but Kakashi told him to ask Sasuke what he wanted.
• Kakashi waited to see Sōken and reported meeting the delayed Sand Ninja team, describing Gaara and his unsettling presence.
• Sōken recognized Gaara as the One-Tail Jinchuriki and told Kakashi he was not worried about the Sand Ninja causing trouble.
• Kakashi recommended Naruto for the Chunin Ninja Exam, and Sōken approved the recommendation and reassured him about Naruto’s seal.
• Sōken ordered Kabuto to have Shisui assign capable people to watch the Sand Ninja embassy because Gaara might lose control.
• Kabuto accepted the order and said he was confident he could defeat the Jinchuriki with a few coffins.

Baki worried that Konoha was secretly watching the Sunagakure delegation, while Utakata returned to the dormitory and met Hozuki Mangetsu’s younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu. Suigetsu planned to take the Chunin Ninja Exams without studying and learned that several old friends and one of Utakata’s students would compete; he left Utakata amused by his resemblance to Mangetsu.

• Baki warned Kankuro to watch what he said in Konoha, then dismissed his suspicion that a blond Konoha ninja had identified Gaara as a Jinchuriki.
• Baki sensed a hidden presence in a tree outside the Sunagakure embassy and suspected Konoha Anbu were monitoring the Sand Ninja.
• Utakata returned to the joint investigation department dormitory and found Hozuki Mangetsu with his younger brother, Hozuki Suigetsu.
• Hozuki Mangetsu explained that Suigetsu had sneaked out of the Mist Ninja embassy to ask for answers to the Chunin exam’s written test.
• Hozuki Suigetsu dismissed studying and boasted about his fighting ability, while Hozuki Mangetsu warned that Toka, Yakumo, Naruto, and one of Utakata’s students would compete.
• Utakata joked that Hozuki Suigetsu seemed likely to become as extraordinary as Hozuki Mangetsu.

As Konoha prepared to begin the joint Chunin Exams, Haku, Karin, and Jugo infiltrated the Grass Ninja lodging by killing three Genin and using Face-Stealing Skill to impersonate them. They cleaned up the evidence and prepared to move through Konoha while searching for Anko.

• Nara Shikaku and Uchiha Arashiyama confirmed that all villages had arrived and discussed the Sand Ninja's One-Tail Jinchuriki and likely exam contenders.
• Haku killed three Grass Ninja Genin and used Face-Stealing Skill to take the appearance, build, scent, and Chakra signature of one of them.
• Karin and Jugo successfully used Face-Stealing Skill to impersonate the other two Grass Ninja Genin.
• Haku packed away the bodies, searched the room for traces of blood, and opened the window to clear the smell.
• Haku wondered whether snow would cover Konoha by morning.

Nearly six hundred Genin gathered at Training Ground No. 15 for the first round of the Chunin Exams, where Morino Ibiki announced a timed contest to retrieve colored flags. Yakumo Kurama and her friends reunited with Suigetsu and met his teammates as the teams prepared to compete.

• Yakumo Kurama, Uchiha Toka, and Hotaru Tsuchigumo discussed the stone forest and suspected the first exam would involve capturing flags.
• Hozuki Suigetsu arrived and greeted Yakumo and Toka, then introduced his Kirigakure teammates, Mikan Shimizu and Rokuro Kuchiki.
• Mikan Shimizu asked Yakumo about the Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai, and Yakumo answered with a pointed challenge.
• Morino Ibiki announced that teams had one hour to retrieve one of fifty flags from Training Ground No. 15, and that bringing out too many or too few would mean failure.
• Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke planned to work together, while Kankuro recognized the rules could encourage teams to steal or destroy flags.
• Suigetsu and Toka compared their assigned gate numbers and joked about facing each other in the exam.

The first round of the Chunin Exams began as Yakumo’s team and the disguised intruders prepared their strategies. Gaara’s opening assault killed or injured dozens of Genin, while Morino Ibiki ordered the proctors not to interfere and hinted that Konoha had its own powerful contender.

• Yakumo assigned Toka to clear the way, Hotaru to take the flag, and herself to provide cover at Gate No. 79.
• Haku ordered Jugo, disguised as Rye, to seek the flag and Karin, disguised as Mu Jin, to watch for strong opponents while he handled the fighting.
• Sōken used the Telescopic Technique to watch the exam from the Hokage Building and asked Kabuto to bring him snacks.
• The starting bell rang, and the Genin rushed into Training Ground No. 15 to seize the fifty flags.
• Gaara flew toward the training ground’s center on a sand cloud and killed or severely injured about thirty Genin with a rain of sand bullets.
• Morino Ibiki told a proctor not to interfere with Gaara as long as he followed the rules and hinted that Konoha had a strong contender of its own.

The first round of the Chunin Exams turned into a lethal race for flags as Toka, Yakumo, and their team reached the center ahead of the main crowd. Gaara and the other elite teams secured flags and withdrew, while the remaining Genin descended into a melee around the central pillar.

• Toka raced toward the central pillar while Yakumo used Five Senses Control to knock out Genin who threatened her team.
• Shikamaru told Ino and Choji to avoid Yakumo and Naruto and target weaker teams instead.
• Toka reached the pillar first, took a red-and-black flag, and destroyed Gaara's attacking sand arm before Yakumo ordered her to retreat.
• Gaara took a flag and withdrew, while Toka regrouped with Yakumo and Hotaru and headed for the edge of the training ground.
• Sasuke, Naruto's Team 7, Suigetsu's team, and other elite teams took flags and left the central pillar without fighting.
• After forty-three flags remained, the main force arrived and a melee erupted around the central pillar.

Haku’s team claimed a flag at the central pillar while Sōken noticed Haku’s skill and began suspecting the Kusagakure Genin were hiding their identities. The first round ended with thirty-two teams passing, including Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, who reached the exit just in time.

• Haku sent Jugo, using the alias Rye, to seize a flag while he used Water Style: Water Whip to deflect Genin’s attacks.
• Sōken watched Haku’s Water Whip through a crystal ball, checked Kusagakure’s files, and suspected the team was concealing its true abilities or identities.
• Sōken declined Kabuto’s suggestion to investigate Kusagakure’s team leader and chose to watch the team during the exams.
• As the first-round deadline approached, Morino Ibiki saw Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji racing toward the exit with a flag.
• Morino Ibiki ended the first round, announcing that thirty-two Genin teams had passed.

Haku, Jugo, and Karin reached the Forest of Death for the second round of the Chunin Exams, but Haku chose to withdraw and was escorted away with his teammates. As the exam began, Anko found Karin waiting at Gate No. 1 and asking for directions.

• Haku recognized Mitarashi Anko as their target when she appeared to announce the second round, and Jugo and Karin helped him catch up with the examinees.
• Anko explained that teams had five days to collect both scrolls and reach the tower in the Forest of Death, while Gaara's team and the other examinees collected their scrolls.
• Haku, Jugo, and Karin forfeited, and Anko sent Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane to escort them to Konoha Hospital.
• At noon, Anko opened Gate No. 1 and started the second round as Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari entered the Forest of Death.
• After the gate was closed, Karin appeared alone before Anko and asked her to show the way because she had gotten lost.

Karin, Haku, and Jugo captured Mitaraishi Anko and fled through a blizzard after disabling the nearby exam proctors. Sōken recognized Orochimaru’s subordinates behind the attack and set out to pursue them while ordering the Chunin Exams to continue.

• Karin, disguised as a Grass Ninja, lured Anko into attacking, and Haku protected her from Anko’s snakes.
• Haku restrained Anko with Snake Gaze Binding while Karin used the Mystical Palm Technique to knock her unconscious.
• Jugo reported that he had taken care of the nearby exam proctors, then carried Anko as the group escaped into the blizzard.
• Sōken watched the capture through a crystal ball and concluded that Orochimaru’s subordinates had taken Anko.
• Sōken told Kabuto to arrange a replacement chief examiner, notify Uchiha Arashiyama and Uchiha Shisui, and prepare the Anbu before pursuing the fugitives himself.

Haku fled Konoha with Karin, Jugo, and Mitaraishi Anko, but Sōken caught up and confronted him. Haku summoned the Sound Four with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, and the battle continued after his Sage Art blocked Sōken’s attack.

• Naruto sensed fighting outside the exam grounds, then led Sasuke and Sakura to a nearby Cloud Ninja team and helped defeat them, but their scroll was another Heaven Scroll.
• Naruto’s team searched for food instead of approaching Yakumo’s team, which Naruto had sensed nearby.
• Haku’s group fled Konoha after defeating the forces sent to stop them, while Karin warned Haku that the Sixth Hokage was catching up.
• Haku activated Sage Mode and summoned Kidomaru, Sakon Ukon, and Tayuya with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu as Sōken arrived on a black eagle.
• Sōken petrified the summoned fighters and attacked Haku with rockets and his ocular powers, but Haku survived and used Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation to block Sōken’s follow-up strike.

Haku struggled to hold off Sixth Hokage Uchiha Sōken and summoned the First, Second, and Third Hokages with Impure World Reincarnation. The resurrected Hokages learned that Sōken was Konoha’s Sixth Hokage, leaving Hashirama delighted and Tobirama and Hiruzen unsettled.

• Haku attacked Sōken with Sage Art: Frost Bird, but Sōken destroyed it with Uchiha Style: Sword of Fire and left Haku badly injured.
• Worried that Jugo and Karin were facing dangerous opponents, Haku summoned three coffins marked First, Second, and Third with Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
• Tobirama Senju emerged and questioned whether Haku intended to make war on Konoha, while Hashirama Senju and Hiruzen Sarutobi also appeared.
• Sōken identified Haku as a Land of Water rogue ninja and greeted Hiruzen, who recognized him as the man responsible for his death.
• Hashirama learned that Sōken was the Sixth Hokage and celebrated Konoha’s peace, while Tobirama and Hiruzen reacted with displeasure.

Obito Uchiha ambushed White’s group and took Mitarashi Anko hostage, then bargained with White for help using Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. White accepted after Obito provided a desiccated arm and a White Zetsu as a living sacrifice, while Uchiha Sōken remained occupied by the summoned Hokage.

• Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu watched Jugo fight Kaguya Kimimaro and an Anbu squad, and Obito planned to seize Mitarashi Anko as leverage against White.
• Obito proposed using Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to summon an old man who might kill Uchiha Sōken, and Black Zetsu agreed it was worth trying.
• Obito stabbed Karin and bound the unconscious Mitarashi Anko, while Jugo continued attacking Kimimaro and ignored Karin’s collapse.
• White arrived, froze Karin’s wound, and refused Obito’s demand for the Rinnegan because it was their last fallback for reviving Lord Orochimaru.
• Obito offered a desiccated arm as the summoned person’s remains and a White Zetsu as the living sacrifice, and White began preparing the jutsu.

Sōken faced the reanimated Hokage while Haku’s Shadow Clone delayed them, and a second threat appeared when Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu revived Uchiha Madara. Haku lost control of Madara, who learned his Rinnegan was with Haku and remained free of the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

• Sōken reassured Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hiruzen Sarutobi that he could handle them and revealed he was waiting for two Chakra signatures behind them.
• Hashirama Senju sensed Uchiha Madara’s arrival as Haku struggled to control the newly reincarnated man in red armor.
• Obito Uchiha handed Mitaraishi Anko to Haku, and Jugo brought Anko and Karin to Haku’s side.
• Uchiha Madara demanded that Haku return his Rinnegan, while Obito Uchiha explained that Nagato was dead and asked Madara to defeat Sōken.
• Haku dispelled the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu on Madara, but Madara reversed the release and freed himself from Haku’s control.