Chapter Summaries

Naruto robbed Kabuto of his team’s scroll and revealed that Orochimaru had become his subordinate, leaving Kabuto wary and intent on confirming Orochimaru’s situation. Naruto then reunited with Sasuke and Sakura, carrying scrolls from eight teams.

• Naruto showed Kabuto a bag full of scrolls and swiftly took Kabuto’s team scroll.
• Akado Yoroi and Misumi Tsurugi attacked Naruto, who wounded both with kunai before telling them Orochimaru had become his subordinate.
• Kabuto stopped his injured allies from pursuing Naruto and decided they should leave to confirm Orochimaru’s situation.
• Naruto met Sasuke and Sakura by a stream and told them he had taken scrolls from eight teams.

Team 7 reached the Central Tower with Team 10, and Naruto revealed that his team had collected a huge number of exam scrolls. The proctors learned that Team 7 had eliminated many teams, and the examinees prepared to wait in the lounge as the second exam neared its end.

• Team 7 met the resting Ino-Shika-Cho team near the Central Tower, and the two teams decided to go there together.
• The proctors debated Team 7's abilities while Anko watched for Naruto, whose arrival they soon spotted on the surveillance screens.
• Team 7 and Team 10 entered the tower, where Naruto opened two matching scrolls and summoned Iruka while another examiner appeared for Team 10.
• Naruto dumped more than ten Heaven and Earth Scrolls onto the floor and said Team 7 had eliminated the teams that carried them.
• Iruka stared at the pile as Naruto confirmed that Team 7 had collected the scrolls together, and Shikamaru complained that Naruto had left Team 10 no chance to show off.

After Naruto’s team eliminated nearly all the other candidates, Anko reported that the second exam had ended early. Hiruzen Sarutobi decided all the remaining genin would proceed to the third stage, where Naruto and Gaara noticed each other.

• Anko concluded that Team 7, mainly Naruto Uzumaki, had collected the other candidates’ scrolls and ended the exam early.
• Iruka informed Team 7 and Team 10 that the second exam was over and led them to the gathering place.
• Anko reported the results to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who saw Naruto’s achievement as a chance to display Konoha’s strength.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered all the remaining genin to proceed to the third stage, despite his earlier plan to limit the number of participants.
• At the training ground, Temari and Kankuro wondered whether Konoha’s genin had eliminated the other villages’ teams.
• Gaara sensed a familiar power in Naruto, who smiled and waved at him.

Naruto’s team reached the tower after eliminating eleven teams, drawing attention from the other genin and Konoha’s jonin. The first-round matchups were announced, pairing Naruto with Neji and setting Naruto on a likely path toward Gaara.

• Kiba bragged about his team’s result, but Choji revealed that Naruto’s team had eliminated eleven teams, including eight by Naruto alone.
• Gaara felt curious about Naruto’s friendly gaze, while Neji wondered whether Naruto could truly change the Hyuga Clan.
• Anko and then Hiruzen congratulated the genin, and Hiruzen announced that the official matches would begin in one month.
• The genin drew lots, and Shikamaru received a bye in the first round.
• The matchups were announced: Naruto would face Neji first, and Gaara would face Kiba next; Neji welcomed the chance to test Naruto’s strength.

After the Chunin Exam preliminaries, Naruto arranged for Kakashi to rent a house for Karin and said he would train Sasuke during the coming month. As Naruto went to retrieve Karin, he explained to Kushina that he saw her as a friend and that escaping the endless loops mattered more to him than romance.

• The Third Hokage announced that the genin would have a month to prepare for the next exam, and Naruto decided the first round would not be completed.
• Kakashi agreed to find a house for Naruto’s friend, while Naruto arranged to train Sasuke and promised to share new information about Itachi.
• Kakashi offered to teach Sakura basic Genjutsu at Training Ground Three the following day.
• Naruto left for the outskirts of the Forest of Death to retrieve Karin, while Kushina asked whether Karin had been his girlfriend in a past loop.
• Naruto told Kushina that he felt friendship and companionship toward Karin, and that breaking the endless cycle was his most urgent concern.

Naruto secured Karin’s temporary stay in Konoha by paying her Kusagakure Jonin, then brought her to a house and sealed it behind a protective barrier. He warned her that his actions might bring him into conflict with Danzo and promised to handle her permanent acceptance into Konoha.

• Naruto paid Karin’s Kusagakure Jonin to hire her out to him and arranged for her to remain in Konoha.
• Karin worried that she would have to return to Kusagakure after the employment ended, and Naruto promised to arrange her admission to Konoha.
• Naruto met Kakashi, who gave him the key and address for a quiet house he had found.
• Naruto led Karin to the house and formed a barrier that let her enter and leave freely while obstructing others.
• Naruto told Karin the barrier would protect her if his actions drew Danzo’s attention.

Naruto gave Karin scrolls containing Uzumaki techniques, then tested Sasuke’s strength before agreeing to tell him the truth about the Uchiha Clan massacre. After easily defeating Sasuke, Naruto left him ready to hear what Itachi had done.

• Naruto gave Karin scrolls on medical Ninjutsu, Fuinjutsu, and the Mind’s Eye of the Kagura, and warned her to stay within the barrier.
• Naruto met Sasuke at the Third Training Ground and demanded that he fight with all his strength before learning the truth about the Uchiha Clan.
• Sasuke attacked with his Sharingan, Taijutsu, Fire Style, and Chidori, but Naruto evaded or countered every move.
• Naruto caught Sasuke’s Chidori wrist and subdued him with a kunai at his throat.
• Naruto said Sasuke was strong enough to learn the truth, and Sasuke asked what lay behind Itachi Uchiha’s massacre of the clan.

Naruto revealed the history behind the Uchiha massacre, including the roles of Itachi, Obito, Danzō, and the Third Hokage, leaving Sasuke with a new understanding of the tragedy and a resolve to seek revenge alongside Naruto. Sasuke joined Naruto in opposing the ideology that had enabled the massacre.

• Naruto explained how Konoha's policies isolated the Uchiha and how Shisui's death and Itachi's double-agent role led toward the clan's destruction.
• Sasuke confronted Naruto about the Third Hokage's inaction, and Naruto explained how Danzō had used Sasuke's safety to persuade Itachi to massacre the clan.
• Naruto described how Itachi and Obito killed the Uchiha, including Sasuke's family and other clan members, causing Sasuke's Sharingan to awaken its third tomoe.
• Sasuke condemned Itachi, the Third Hokage, Danzō, the advisors, and Obito as targets of revenge, while Naruto argued that the system behind their actions also had to be destroyed.
• Sasuke accepted Naruto's offer to work together against that ideology, while insisting that Naruto not stop him from pursuing his enemies.

Naruto told Sasuke he planned to unify the ninja world, change its systems, and establish a new understanding of what ninja could do, while Sasuke agreed to keep their conversation secret. Elsewhere, Kabuto learned that Orochimaru had been defeated by Naruto and received revised instructions for the Konoha Crush Plan, while Danzō began processing the news of Orochimaru’s defeat.

• Naruto explained his plan to change the ninja world and told Sasuke to keep growing stronger until the right moment.
• Sasuke promised not to reveal his conversation with Naruto, who said Sasuke would see the first result before the Chunin Exams’ third round.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto that Naruto had defeated him and supplied scrolls containing research results and secrets he had not known.
• Orochimaru told Kabuto to proceed with the Konoha Crush Plan using the adjustments in a scroll, and Kabuto left.
• Danzō recalled learning that Naruto had defeated Orochimaru and struggled to accept the news.

Danzō learned that Naruto had taken in Karin Uzumaki and ordered Root to abduct her for his experiments and as leverage over Naruto. Naruto intercepted the squad, killed three of its members, and challenged Danzō to come for Karin himself.

• Danzō doubted Anko's account of Naruto's battle with Orochimaru but feared Naruto's power and considered ways to control him.
• A Root ninja told Danzō that Naruto had kept Karin Uzumaki in Konoha and that her unusual constitution could restore Chakra and heal injuries.
• Danzō ordered four elite Root ninja to secretly bring Karin to Root.
• The Root squad found an unexpected barrier around Karin's house and decided to retreat and report it to Danzō.
• Naruto appeared on their escape route, used specially made kunai and a space-time Ninjutsu to kill three Root ninja, and told the surviving captain to have Danzō come for Karin himself.

Naruto’s warning after defeating Root’s squad prompted Danzo to plan a meeting with Koharu and Homura, while Hiruzen chose to monitor Naruto without intervening. Jiraiya returned to Konoha and learned that Orochimaru was behind the village’s recent concerns.

• A surviving Root ninja reported Naruto’s suspected Flying Thunder God Technique and warning to Danzo, who ordered a meeting with Koharu and Homura.
• Hiruzen heard the Anbu report and decided to let Danzo test Naruto while instructing Anbu not to interfere or confront him directly.
• Jiraiya entered Konoha and greeted the gate guards Izumo and Kotetsu.
• Jiraiya met Anko Mitarashi and Ibiki Morino, and Anko asked whether he had returned because of Orochimaru.

Jiraiya learned that Naruto Uzumaki had defeated Orochimaru and clashed with Root, while Danzō persuaded the advisors to support a plan to seize Karin and control Naruto. Hiruzen enlisted Jiraiya to approach Naruto as a potential teacher and investigate his power and intentions, but Jiraiya said he would judge Naruto for himself.

• Anko and Ibiki told Jiraiya that Naruto Uzumaki had defeated Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams and become a major concern in Konoha.
• Danzō told Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura that Naruto’s Nine-Tails had killed three Root agents and warned Danzō not to approach him.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura agreed to help Danzō control Naruto, and Danzō identified Karin as the key to his plan.
• Hiruzen explained Naruto’s feats and his encounter with Root to Jiraiya, then asked him to approach Naruto as a teacher and investigate him.
• Jiraiya agreed to meet Naruto but said he would act for the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy and make his own judgment.

Jiraiya sought information from Kakashi about Naruto and Akatsuki, then went to meet Naruto himself. He intervened when Gaara confronted Naruto, and the chapter ended with Karin asking who Jiraiya was.

• Jiraiya found Kakashi at Training Ground Three and asked what he knew about Naruto, explaining that Akatsuki targeted the tailed beasts.
• Kakashi withheld Naruto's more complicated secrets and directed Jiraiya to speak with him directly.
• Jiraiya watched Naruto teach Karin techniques involving Fuinjutsu, sensory skills, and Uzumaki secrets.
• Gaara appeared and threatened to kill Naruto at the Chunin Exams, so Jiraiya stepped between them.
• Gaara dispersed into sand and left, while Karin asked Naruto who the strange, powerful white-haired man was.

Jiraiya confronted Naruto about his growing strength and intentions toward Konoha, while Naruto explained that he wanted to change the ninja world rather than seek revenge. The conversation ended with Jiraiya still uncertain about Naruto’s goals and the village leaders’ fears.

• Karin failed to recognize Jiraiya’s titles, and Naruto teased him about his dirty novels until she saw him as a shady old man.
• Jiraiya asked Naruto about his encounter with Gaara, and Naruto said Gaara’s painful childhood had made him want to kill another Jinchuriki, though he believed Gaara could change.
• Jiraiya asked to speak with Naruto privately after telling him that Kakashi had praised his intelligence-gathering ability.
• Naruto told Jiraiya he held no hatred toward Konoha and did not want revenge or the village’s destruction.
• Jiraiya asked what Naruto wanted and whether his new Ninjutsu and strength were connected to the Nine-Tails.
• Naruto said he was driven by the goal of changing the ninja world and did not care about the Konoha higher-ups’ wariness.

Hinata warned Naruto that rumors accused him and Karin of conspiring against Konoha, while Naruto and Jiraiya recognized the accusations as a likely Danzo plot. Hiruzen chose not to intervene as the rumors continued to spread.

• Hinata overheard villagers claim Naruto was close to a Kusagakure spy and might betray Konoha, then hurried to find him.
• Hinata told Naruto, Jiraiya, and Karin about the rumors, and Naruto calmly reassured her that they would pass.
• Sasuke arrived and voiced his disbelief in the rumors, while Jiraiya suspected a scheme targeting Naruto and Karin.
• An Anbu ninja told Hiruzen that the rumors were spreading rapidly and might be deliberately promoted; Hiruzen ordered him to leave them alone.
• The rumors about Naruto and the “Kusagakure spy” intensified, while neither Anbu nor Root acted.

Jiraiya observed Naruto as rumors that Karin was a Kusagakure spy spread through Konoha, while Naruto’s friends learned about Karin’s past and rallied around her. As the Chunin Exams’ official matches neared and Danzō prepared to act during the Daimyo’s arrival, Naruto’s friends gathered at his training ground.

• Jiraiya heard villagers accuse Karin of being a spy and continued trying to understand Naruto, who remained polite but guarded.
• Temari and Kankuro discussed the rumors in their inn, while Gaara said Konoha was boring.
• Sakura joined Naruto, Sasuke, and Karin’s circle, and Karin described how Kusagakure had used her and her mother as medical tools.
• Naruto explained Karin’s Uzumaki heritage, prompting Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio to trust and protect her.
• Shikamaru asked Nara Shikaku about the rumors, and Shikaku warned him that the matter ran deep and advised the young people to support Naruto instead.
• As the Daimyo approached Konoha, Danzō prepared to act, Utatane Koharu signaled a Root ninja, and Choji suggested visiting Naruto’s group after training.

Karin discovered that a large force of hostile chakra was approaching, and Root surrounded Naruto and his friends at the training ground to seize her as a suspected spy. As Konoha’s clans and shinobi rushed to respond, Naruto stood between Root and the others and prepared to confront Shimura Danzō.

• Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji discussed visiting Sasuke and worried about the rumors involving Naruto and Karin.
• Karin told Naruto she had mastered the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, then sensed powerful hostile chakra approaching.
• Five squads of Root operatives surrounded Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, and Karin, and their leader declared Karin a suspected spy from Kusagakure.
• Sasuke and Hinata defended Karin, while the arriving Ino-Shika-Cho trio witnessed Root's confrontation.
• Nara Shikaku, Hyuga Hiashi, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Asuma, and Kurenai learned of Root's move and headed toward the training ground.
• Naruto shielded Karin, Hinata, and the others, then told Root's leader he would go confront Shimura Danzō himself.

Naruto defeated most of Danzō’s Root forces and exposed Danzō’s hidden position before Konoha’s gathered shinobi. As Danzō prepared to attack, Naruto accused him of targeting Karin for forbidden experiments, leaving the crowd shocked and Danzō wondering how Naruto knew his secrets.

• Naruto killed the Root leader and used Flying Thunder God and Rasengan to overwhelm most of the Root ninjas.
• Naruto called out Danzō, while Shikaku directed Inoichi and Choza to manage the witnesses and Kakashi took a position beside Naruto.
• Danzō emerged from the woods, accused Naruto of sheltering a spy and killing fellow Konoha shinobi, and ordered the remaining Root ninjas to prepare to attack.
• Kakashi and Shikaku urged restraint, but Danzō dismissed them and declared Naruto and Karin threats to the village.
• Naruto accused Danzō of wanting Karin’s body for secret human experiments, shocking the gathered shinobi and intensifying Second Pillar’s hatred of Danzō.
• Danzō’s authority came under public suspicion, and he wondered how Naruto had learned about his secrets.

Hinata defied Hiashi and stood beside Naruto as Konoha’s clans, shinobi, Orochimaru, and the Sand team gathered to watch Naruto confront Danzo. Naruto revealed his controlled Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and overwhelmed Root, leaving Danzo’s forces nearly destroyed.

• Hinata refused Hiashi’s order to leave Naruto, and Shikaku held Hiashi back from intervening.
• Orochimaru, Kabuto, Gaara, and others watched as the crowd around the training ground grew.
• Danzo ordered Root to capture Naruto and Karin, while Kakashi prepared to defend them.
• Naruto entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and used Chakra arms to empower and protect Kakashi, Sasuke, Karin, Hinata, and Sakura.
• Danzo claimed Naruto had lost control, but the gathered shinobi saw that Naruto remained composed and protected his companions.
• Root attacked with ninjutsu and weapons, but Naruto’s cloak blocked their assault and his Chakra arms, Rasengan, and Adamantine Sealing Chains defeated most of them in under a minute.

Naruto stopped Danzo’s escape, defeated his attacks and summoned beast, and severed the arm containing transplanted Sharingan. The exposed evidence and Sasuke’s accusation turned the gathered ninja against Danzo, who tried to justify his actions as serving the village.

• Naruto blocked Danzo’s Vacuum Great Sphere and cut away his cloak, exposing a metal apparatus on his arm and prompting suspicion of human experiments.
• Danzo revealed Shisui’s Mangekyō Sharingan and used Kotoamatsukami, but it had no effect on Naruto.
• Danzo summoned Baku and tried to unlock the apparatus on his arm, but Naruto destroyed Baku with a Tailed Beast Rasenshuriken and severed Danzo’s arm.
• Naruto unwrapped the severed arm and revealed ten transplanted Sharingan embedded in skin that appeared to contain Hashirama cells.
• Sasuke accused Danzo of conspiring with Itachi to massacre the Uchiha clan, while Kakashi stepped in to restrain and protect him.
• Danzo claimed he had recovered the Sharingan from fallen Uchiha ninja for the village, and Naruto challenged him over his secret experiments and the village rules.