Recaps

Shinji studied the Second’s chakra research while rumors drew the village to a confrontation between Sasuke Uchiha and Kumogakure’s Darui. After Darui and Sasuke fought to a close stalemate, Sasuke charged his kunai with lightning to gain the advantage.

• Shinji read the Second’s book on chakra principles in the archives and overheard students leaving to watch Sasuke Uchiha face Kumogakure ninjas.
• Suigetsu and Chojuro spotted Ringo Amayuri watching from a rooftop, while Kankuro and Temari cleared a path for Gaara through the crowd.
• Naruto explained to Sasuke that a quarrel with Kumogakure ninjas began after Kaede tried to make friends with them and Naruto stepped in.
• Sasuke demanded that Darui apologize to Naruto, but Darui refused and challenged him to fight instead.
• Sasuke and Darui traded blows in close combat, and the onlookers judged Darui slightly superior in taijutsu.
• Sasuke drew a kunai and clashed with Darui’s longsword, then charged the kunai with lightning to try to cut through the blade.

Sasuke’s fight with Darui exposed how outmatched he was in close combat, until Gaara used sand to stop Darui’s blade and protect the spectators. The Third Hokage learned that the Chunin Ninja Exams faced stronger competition than expected and reconsidered whether Sasuke and Yakumo were enough to secure Konoha’s success.

• Sasuke infused a specially made Kunai with Lightning Release Chakra, but Darui matched the technique, disarmed him, and drove him toward the crowd.
• Gaara raised a sand barrier that stopped Darui’s blade just short of Sasuke, then Darui called Sasuke disappointing and left.
• Naruto thanked Gaara for intervening, while Sasuke left angrily after recognizing that Darui and Gaara were stronger than he had expected.
• Kakashi worried that the other villages had several talented young ninja competing in the exams.
• An ANBU informed the Third Hokage that Darui had suppressed Sasuke, and the Hokage noted that Kirigakure and Iwagakure had also sent formidable candidates.

After Sasuke’s defeat by Darui emboldened foreign shinobi in Konoha, the village’s leaders identified five special-class combatants and decided to enter Shinji and Neji in the Chunin Ninja Exams. Shinji noticed Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo exploring Konoha, then encountered Kakashi, who had come to speak with him.

• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura warned Third that foreign shinobi were causing more conflicts, and Third told Tsunade to investigate the exam participants.
• Tsunade named Darui, Chojuro, Ringo Ameyuri, Kurotsuchi, and Gaara as five special-class combatants, while Kakashi suggested Shinji and Neji join the exams.
• Third approved Kakashi’s suggestion and ordered him to notify Shinji and Neji.
• Shinji spotted Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo touring Konoha after the Kusagakure group arrived.
• Kakashi approached Shinji after Shinji noticed him watching from the crowd.

Shinji refused Kakashi’s request to join the Chunin Ninja Exams, while Kakashi learned that Kidomaru had badly injured Kiba. Sasuke confronted a Grass Ninja named Shinji after the latter mocked his defeat by Darui, and held a kunai to his throat.

• At a barbecue restaurant, Shinji rejected Kakashi’s request to enter the Chunin Ninja Exams, saying he was not interested.
• Kakashi joined ANBU responding to a fight and found Kiba seriously injured by Kidomaru of Otogakure.
• Kakashi ordered the ANBU to register Kidomaru, Sakon Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo, then watched the Sound Ninja leave.
• Sasuke, still upset about losing to Darui, encountered Grass Ninja who recognized his Uchiha crest.
• A Grass Ninja named Shinji mocked Sasuke, and Sasuke used the Body Flicker Technique to press a kunai to Shinji’s throat.

Sasuke fought the impostor posing as Shinji Kotera and was overpowered, while Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo tried to prevent the confrontation from turning deadly. Chiyo knocked out Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino to protect them, and Shinji released Sasuke.

• Sasuke began fighting Shinji Kotera after Shinji struck him and challenged his taijutsu.
• Shinji steadily overpowered Sasuke, who used Chidori but failed to hit him.
• Shinji dodged the Chidori, grabbed Sasuke by the throat, and left the onlookers stunned.
• Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino rushed to help Sasuke, but Chiyo intercepted them and knocked them out.
• Shinji threw Sasuke to the ground and declared the fight boring.

Kakashi investigated attacks on Konoha genin by Otogakure and Kusagakure ninja, while village leaders debated the unexpected threats and Sasuke’s weakened condition. Shinji contacted Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo, who reported that someone had impersonated Shinji Kotera on their way to Konoha.

• Hinata and Shino visited the injured Kiba, who said Kidomaru had overwhelmed him like Kimimaro.
• Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino arrived at the hospital after being defeated by Kusagakure ninja Shinji Kotera and Chiyo.
• Tsunade told the village leaders that Kidomaru, Shinji Kotera, and Chiyo were capable opponents, while Sasuke’s depleted Dojutsu had sharply weakened him.
• Utatane Koharu said Shinji should participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams and clear away every obstacle, revealing that she had kept him in reserve.
• Shinji used Naobi to contact Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo, who reported that someone had impersonated Shinji Kotera and provoked Sasuke after they entered Konoha.

Shinji considered the identity and motives of the impostor who had infiltrated Konoha, while Tsunade reassured Yakumo about the Chunin Ninja Exams. Karin, now Kusagakure’s first Kusa Kage, learned that the impostor had replaced Shinji Kotera and refused to take action against him.

• Shinji suspected Orochimaru might be behind the infiltration and decided to wait rather than risk triggering a war before he awakened the Rinnegan.
• Tsunade encouraged Yakumo, saying she had the potential to become a Kage, and told her Shinji and Neji would join the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Ryūsetsuna secretly met Karin and reported that someone had replaced Shinji Kotera and injured Sasuke after provoking Konoha.
• Karin refused to report or monitor the impostor, choosing not to act without an order from the organization.

With Konoha’s prodigies avoiding the challenges ahead of the Chunin Ninja Exams, Kakashi tried to recruit Neji and Kimimaro, but both gave him reasons they could not compete. Shinji considered entering to protect Sasuke and secure his own plans, then demanded the right to choose his ANBU subordinates as a condition for taking part.

• Ringo Ameyuri topped the challenge rankings after defeating seventeen opponents, while no Konoha prodigies appeared on the list.
• Kakashi visited Neji to invite him to the exams, but Neji claimed he had injured his leg and needed to rest.
• Kakashi went to Kimimaro’s apartment, where Kimimaro coughed up blood and confirmed that his Bloodline Disease had worsened.
• Utatane Koharu asked Shinji to enter the exams and offered him an ANBU squad captain position if he won.
• Shinji demanded the right to choose his own subordinates, but Utatane Koharu refused, so he left the office.

Shinji refused to back down after Konoha rejected his demands for an ANBU squad, then ordered Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo to challenge Konoha’s exam participants. The two Grass ninjas found the injured Konoha group leaving the hospital, setting up a confrontation.

• Tsunade, Jiraiya, and other leaders opposed Shinji’s demands, and the Third kept the ANBU squad leader position open while rejecting his other requests.
• After receiving the decision, Shinji resolved to make things livelier for Konoha and ordered Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo to challenge its Chunin Ninja Exams participants.
• Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo escaped Kusagakure’s temporary compound and checked the challenge ranking, where they saw that no Konoha ninja had made the list.
• Ryūsetsuna guessed the challenged Konoha ninjas were at Konoha Hospital and led Chiyo there.
• Sasuke left the hospital with Sakura, Shion, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, and Kiba, and the group encountered Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo outside.

Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo challenged the Konoha ninjas outside the hospital, and Chiyo quickly defeated Kiba and Shino. Shikamaru realized that only Shinji, Yakumo, or a fully recovered Sasuke might have a sure chance against her.

• Shion and the Konoha group learned that Grass ninjas had injured Sasuke and that Chiyo had previously beaten Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji.
• Chiyo announced that she had come to challenge the Konoha ninjas, and Kiba volunteered to face her.
• Chiyo exploited a weakness in Kiba's Fang Over Fang and defeated both Kiba and Akamaru in one exchange.
• Shino sent his Kikaichū to attack Chiyo, but she charged through the swarm and punched him away.
• Hinata used her Byakugan to see the powerful Chakra surrounding Chiyo, while Shikamaru worried about the growing crowd and the Konoha group's losses.

After a powerful Grass ninja defeated several Konoha genin outside the hospital, Sasuke stepped forward while the other villages gathered to watch. Tsunade sent Shizune to fetch Yakumo, who agreed to intervene as the challenge continued.

• Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro joined Kurotsuchi and the Iwagakure ninja on their way to watch the challenge outside Konoha Hospital.
• Chiyo defeated Choji and Hinata after Kiba and Shino had already lost, leaving Konoha's young ninja unable to stop her.
• Sasuke entered the field to face Chiyo, while Shikamaru sent Sakura to find Yakumo.
• Tsunade judged that Sasuke was unlikely to win in his injured condition and ordered Shizune to bring Yakumo from the training ground.
• Shizune told Yakumo that Konoha needed her help, and Yakumo agreed to go.

Chiyo used her full speed to knock Sasuke Uchiha out of the arena with one punch, shocking the spectators who had expected the Mangekyō Uchiha to win. Kakashi reached Sasuke as the crowd mocked him, while Chiyo struggled to understand how her attack had landed so easily.

• Sasuke entered the arena despite Kakashi’s concern that he was injured and had depleted his Mangekyō power.
• Chiyo activated her Ketsuryūgan and pushed the Twelve Palaces within her to their limit before charging at Sasuke.
• Sasuke hesitated at Chiyo’s speed, and her punch sent him flying into Choji, who was also hurled into a pillar.
• Chiyo wondered why Sasuke had been unable to avoid her attack, unaware that his vision and tracking ability had deteriorated.
• Kakashi checked on Sasuke, who spat blood, while spectators jeered at him for losing.

After Sasuke was defeated by Chiyo, Yakumo entered the challenge and led her opponent to the Forest of Death, where the two were followed by a crowd. The Third and the Elder Advisors worried about Kusagakure's provocations and what would happen if Yakumo also lost.

• Sasuke tried to rise for another fight, but Kakashi stopped him as the Cursed Seal began to spread.
• Shizune and Yakumo arrived at the hospital rooftop, where Tsunade warned Yakumo about Chiyo's powerful Taijutsu and possible Kekkei Genkai.
• Yakumo challenged Chiyo and recognized that they should fight away from the hospital, then raced toward the Forest of Death.
• Chiyo pursued Yakumo after recognizing the Ketsuryūgan, and Ryūsetsuna, Kurotsuchi, Gaara, other shinobi, and Ringo Ameyuri followed them.
• The Third and the Elder Advisors discussed Kusagakure's challenge, and Utatane Koharu asked what they would do if Yakumo lost.

Yakumo’s Wood Release initially overwhelmed Chiyo in the Forest of Death, but Chiyo revealed her Ketsuryūgan and used blood blades to counterattack. The fight became a fierce stalemate, leaving the watching ninja surprised as Chiyo pushed back against Yakumo.

• The Third and Mitokado Homura agreed to wait before deciding whether Shinji should fight to restore Konoha’s honor.
• Yakumo and Chiyo began fighting in a clearing in the Forest of Death, and Yakumo attacked with Wood Release.
• Chiyo dodged Yakumo’s advancing trees until she was wounded and her colored contact lens fell out, revealing her Ketsuryūgan.
• Chiyo used her Ketsuryūgan to gather blood into blades and detonating droplets, turning Yakumo’s Wood Release into a much less effective threat.
• Hinata told the gathered ninja that Chiyo had begun counterattacking, and Tsunade grew tense as the fight continued.

Chiyo fought Kurama Yakumo in the Forest of Death, revealing the power of her Ketsuryūgan and pushing Yakumo to her limits. As the battle left both fighters exhausted, Shinji secretly channeled Karin’s chakra into Chiyo.

• Hinata and the others watched the battlefield, and Shikamaru realized the Grass Ninja had challenged them to draw Yakumo out.
• Other villages’ Ninja recognized Kusagakure’s apparent strength, while Konoha ANBU began openly monitoring Kusagakure’s lodgings.
• The Kusagakure Jonin discovered Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo were missing and learned that a Kusagakure Ninja had challenged Konoha outside the hospital.
• Chiyo used her Ketsuryūgan to form a long Blood Blade and devastate Yakumo’s Wood Release battlefield.
• Chiyo and Yakumo both neared their limits, and Shinji secretly sent Karin’s chakra to Chiyo through Magatsu.

Shinji sent Chiyo more Chakra so she could push the Ketsuryūgan further, and Chiyo launched a renewed assault on Yakumo. Their close-range battle ended with both fighters knocked down, leaving the match's result uncertain.

• Shinji chose not to make Yakumo lose and used Naobi to replenish Chiyo's Chakra, hoping to see how far her Ketsuryūgan could develop.
• Chiyo resumed her attack with a Blood Blade, forcing Yakumo to abandon her strategy of evasion.
• Yakumo blocked Chiyo's Blood Blade with her Kunai and moved in to fight her with Taijutsu.
• Chiyo and Yakumo traded powerful blows and were both sent crashing down.
• Ryūsetsuna rushed onto the battlefield, followed by Tsunade, Kakashi, and the others.

Chiyo defeated Kurama Yakumo in the Forest of Death, worsening Konoha’s standing after its recent losses. The Third learned of Yakumo’s defeat and ordered Chiyo’s file brought to him.

• Ryūsetsuna treated Chiyo while Tsunade examined Yakumo and found her badly injured.
• Kakashi secured the battlefield, and Chiyo emerged ready to continue fighting, revealing her victory over Yakumo.
• Kakashi announced Chiyo’s win, and shinobi from the other villages reacted with shock before dispersing.
• Kakashi worried that Yakumo’s defeat would damage Konoha’s reputation and mission business.
• An ANBU told the Third that Yakumo had lost, and the Third ordered Chiyo’s file brought to him.

Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo returned to Kusagakure's lodgings after Chiyo defeated Kurama Yakumo, shocking their Jonin and raising suspicions in Konoha. With other villages' powerful contestants looming, the Third Hokage considered how to respond and whether to rely on Shinji.

• The Kusagakure Jonin found Ryūsetsuna and Chiyo returning unharmed, then scolded them for leaving their lodgings and challenging a Konoha ninja.
• Ryūsetsuna revealed that Chiyo had defeated Kurama Yakumo, stunning the Kusagakure shinobi and Orochimaru, who was disguised as Shinji Kotera.
• Konoha's Intelligence Squad reported that Chiyo had joined Kusagakure only last month and that they knew nothing about her past.
• Tsunade reported that Chiyo had cut down Yakumo's Wood Release trees with powerful Taijutsu and a ninjutsu that controlled blood.
• The Third and his advisors discussed the threat of other villages' fighters challenging Konoha and disagreed over whether to pressure or appease Shinji.
• The Third told Tsunade to warn Kusagakure to keep a low profile, while Tsunade worried about how Konoha could manage the other villages.

After standing firm against Utatane Koharu, Shinji effortlessly defeated three Otogakure shinobi who challenged him. He assessed how Konoha’s strongest candidates had been sidelined, leaving him as the village’s only available fighter, while the Sound Four plotted to provoke him into a fight.

• Shinji rejected Utatane Koharu’s warning and insisted that the Third should learn to ask him for help.
• When Zaku challenged him on the street, Shinji knocked out Zaku, Kidō Maru, and Dosu without stopping.
• Back at his apartment, Shinji concluded that the smaller villages had brought powerful techniques and equipment to the Chunin Ninja Exams.
• Shinji realized that injuries, secrecy, and his own actions had left him as Konoha’s only available fighter.
• After Konoha Anbu returned the unconscious shinobi, Kidomaru proposed challenging another Konoha ninja to force Shinji to fight.

At the Kage Summit, the Third Hokage revealed a lead connecting Hiruko’s missing Kekkei Genkai victims to the Land of Iron, while the Kage agreed to restrain their ninjas until the Chunin Ninja Exams began. The summit ended abruptly when the Third Hokage received troubling news, as Kidomaru and the other Sound Ninja blocked Konoha Hospital and taunted its injured occupants.

• The Third Hokage told the other Kage that missing Bloodline Ninjas led Konoha to suspect Hiruko was hiding in the Land of Iron.
• The Kage agreed to keep their ninjas from issuing further challenges before the Chunin Ninja Exams, and the Third Hokage left after an ANBU whispered news to him.
• Kidomaru blocked Konoha Hospital while Sakon Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo watched and taunted Konoha’s ninjas.
• Yakumo considered fighting, but Shizune told her to stay in bed until she had fully recovered.
• Sasuke wanted to confront the Sound Ninja, but Sakura stopped him and said Shion and Hinata had gone to find Naruto.

Jiraiya pushed Naruto through dangerous summoning training, and Naruto successfully summoned Gamabunta. After returning to Konoha, Naruto accepted Kidomaru's challenge while the Third and the elder councilors watched events unfold.

• Jiraiya kicked Naruto off a cliff and ordered him to use Summoning Jutsu to save himself.
• Naruto summoned Gamabunta and proudly introduced himself as the toad's master.
• Tsunade arrived with Hinata, Ino, and Shion and explained that Kidomaru had challenged Konoha's ninja at the hospital.
• Kidomaru defeated Tenten and taunted the gathered Konoha ninja while Shikamaru urged them to wait for a stronger opponent.
• Naruto arrived at the hospital and accepted Kidomaru's challenge.
• An ANBU operative informed the Third that Naruto and Kidomaru were fighting, as Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura sat silently nearby.

Third’s plans to strengthen Konoha’s leadership were disrupted by repeated challenges from other villages, and he suspected a rival village was inciting them. As Naruto’s fight with Kidomaru grew more dangerous, Third accepted Shinji’s demands and sent Utatane Koharu to inform him.

• Third suspected Kumogakure or Iwagakure of encouraging Kusagakure and Otogakure to challenge Konoha.
• Naruto attacked Kidomaru with Shadow Clones and Rasengan, while Kidomaru lured him into the woods and used Spider Nest Domain to track him.
• Naruto began destroying the trees to break Kidomaru’s web-covered home ground, alarming the spectators as the battle intensified.
• Third watched the fight with the Telescopic Technique, then told Utatane Koharu to inform Shinji that Konoha accepted his demands.
• Mitokado Homura criticized Third for delaying, while Third defended his decision as an effort to uphold the village’s rules.

Utatane Koharu warned Shinji that his demands could harm his prospects, but Shinji said his strength had forced the Third to yield and embraced an unruly public persona. After reaching the woods, he defeated Sakon Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo in an instant, then asked why they had wanted to change the venue.

• Utatane Koharu told Shinji the Third had accepted his demands and warned that his insistence could damage his chances of promotion.
• Shinji told Utatane Koharu that the Third had yielded because Shinji was strong, then left to deal with Kidomaru at the hospital entrance.
• Kidomaru hid in the woods and aimed a Spider Silk bow at Naruto while trying to identify his real body among the Shadow Clones.
• Shinji arrived, and Sakon Ukon challenged him; Shinji told Sakon Ukon, Tayuya, and Jirobo to attack him together.
• Shinji knocked Sakon Ukon away, trapped Tayuya in a genjutsu, and kicked Jirobo away before asking why they had wanted to change the venue.

Shinji defeated Sakon Ukon and Jirobo with precise strikes, then headed into the woods while the Sound Ninja gave up fighting. There, Kidomaru identified the real Naruto and fired an arrow at him before he could dodge.

• Shinji stunned the onlookers by defeating three Sound Ninja with Taijutsu and genjutsu.
• Sakon Ukon and Jirobo struggled to fight after Shinji damaged their vital organs, and Sakon Ukon decided they would not activate their Cursed Seals.
• Shinji walked toward the woods where Naruto and Kidomaru were battling, leaving the Sound Ninja unable to challenge him.
• Kidomaru eliminated Naruto’s clones with arrows and chose one Naruto as the real one.
• Kidomaru fired an arrow at Naruto from a tricky angle, leaving Naruto unable to dodge.

Shinji saved Naruto from Kidomaru’s arrow and swiftly defeated him in the woods. He warned the remaining Sound Four not to challenge anyone again before the Chunin Ninja Exams.

• Kidomaru nearly shot Naruto, but Shinji caught the arrow and sent Naruto ahead.
• Shinji tracked Kidomaru through the trees with his killing intent perception, despite Kidomaru repeatedly changing hiding places.
• Kidomaru confronted Shinji, who grabbed him, slammed him into the ground, and rendered him unconscious.
• Shinji emerged from the woods carrying Kidomaru, astonishing the onlookers and surprising Tsunade and Jiraiya with his strength.
• Shinji returned Kidomaru to Sakon Ukon and warned him, Jirobo, and Tayuya not to challenge anyone before the exams; they agreed.